VFWMG UNIT 4-4149

Activity Report - February, 2008

Our Group continues to conduct monthly meetings, comply with our by-laws, ride together and recruit new members to our Post and the Group.   We actively promote our Organization and its programs. 

We would like to dedicate this month's report to our Post and join in its efforts toward building a new Post as detailed below.

OPERATION UPGRADE:  (Below is an excerpt from a letter sent out to the community.)

Do you remember what you felt the morning of September 11, 2001 when our beloved Country was attacked and our lives threatened by murderers driven by their hate?  When the night came, how did you sleep?   As a result of the events of that terrible day, the men and women of our military, like the Veterans before them, answered a call to fight and defend our freedom.  Bear in mind, the Armed Forces of today volunteer their service. 

We, the officers and membership of VFW Post 4149 also have a call to service.  Our mission is to support our military and the Veterans that served before them.  We currently have a campaign underway that we call “OPERATION UPGRADE.”  Our current Post building has stood strong for over sixty years, offering assistance and a home to many Veterans since World War II.  The walls of our old building have heard Veteran stories for decades, but now these loving walls are crumbling before our eyes.  Time has taken its toll on our facility and it has become necessary to build a new Post.  We plan to offer a state of the art facility to these well deserving men and women.  The project includes an in-house networking employment placement service that will be linked to a national database, assistance in locating to Midland with available housing information, a Memorial Chapel, Veterans Administration assistance, family support and a place they can come to find unconditional support and a show of appreciation for a job well done.  In addition, we will have a much needed and a well-equipped rental hall that will be available to the public for various functions, such as weddings, receptions, meetings, reunions, parties, etc.  The hall will be provided to civic organizations such as the American Red Cross, Salvation Army, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, as well as Gold Star and Blue Star families and our military.

Have you ever said, “I wish I could do something, more than placing a bumper sticker on my vehicle, to show my support?”  The answer is yes, you most assuredly can.  You can help us with this important mission by becoming an active participant with your financial support.  If you are uncertain about lending your support, please consider the following.  Each and every member of our military, upon entering their call to duty, signs a blank check payable to you.  In the reference is “your freedom” and the amount is “my life.”  They are willing to pay the ultimate sacrifice for your ability to go through today and tomorrow knowing that they are protecting you from those that would come into your home and kill you and your family.   You were previously asked how you slept on the night of September 11, 2001. Perhaps a better question, is “How did you sleep last night, knowing our military is standing guard over you?” 

Will you please open your heart and your wallet and join with us to honor our Veterans of yesterday and the men and women who will become our next generation of Veterans?  There is a need for such a facility in our community to provide for these that are so deserving.  If you don’t do it, who will?   If not now, when? 

They will be coming home . . . . let’s get ready to welcome them with honor.

FAMILIES OF THE FALLEN:  Our Post and the Motorcycle Group have the privilege of adopting a tremendous group of Gold Star families of West Texas.  These families are honorary members of our Post and the Unit and have paid the ultimate sacrifice for our freedoms.  We are raising funds to purchase a bronze monument to honor the soldiers killed in action in our current war and will house the memorial in the chapel of the new post.  To see the monument you can visit the website at http://www.largeart.com/detail.aspx?ID=107 . 

Til next month - ride safe and come see us!!