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Commander Melvin Hewston
Welcome to the Department of Connecticut VFW Website!!
I would like to thank all my fellow comrades for the support that I've received while going thru the Department chairs. I would also like to thank everyone for their belief in my ability to lead this great organization. I will do everything in my power make this Department one that anyone would be proud of.
For several years now the Department Officers have been saying that we needed to stop the membership drain. This year we really did a great job and put our Department up near the top of Nationals list. We are now around fourth place in the conference and 21 st overall and still climbing. We have regained the Branford Post as a new post and they have been bringing in new and reinstating members every meeting so far.
In looking at the future I point to my credo for this year "Yes We Can". I believe that if we all live to, Yes We Can, than there is nothing we collectively cannot do. I believe in the positive not the negative. I would like the whole Department to take up that attitude. Yes we can turn membership around. Yes we can increase the number of members at our Post meetings. Yes we can increase the number of Posts at our District meetings. Take the "Yes We Can" attitude and run with it. We are here to serve our fellow veterans not ourselves for when we are self-serving we are not fulfilling the National credo either, which is "Honoring the Dead by Helping the Living". Everything we do should be geared to fulfilling the missions of every level from National all the way down to the Post.
Let's make this the first year that we have no loss in membership, that we merge Posts rather than lose them and open new ones where needed. To my officers and Chairman remember we are but care takers of this Department and we will be handing it on to those that will follow us. Let's follow the lead of officers from last year and leave the Department in better shape for the next team of officers.
My officers, My Chairman and I have pledged to support Joyce Froelick, Departments Ladies Auxiliary President and her members. To all the Men's Auxiliary units we pledge our continued support. To all I say Thank You for everything you do every day for all Veterans. May God Bless You, our Troops now serving, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the United States of America. Thank You
DEPTARTMENT CONVENTION
June 8-10, 2012
Rocky Hill, CT Marriott
CLICK IMAGE ABOVE FOR RESERVATIONS
VOICE OF DEMOCRACY AND PATRIOT'S PEN
Congratulations to All who participated
| 1st Place |
 Caitlin M. Pickett |
Post 1979 Wolcott |
| 2nd Place | Robert T. Kasper | Post 7659 Glastonbury |
| 3rd Place | Amy E. Manning | Post 1265 Pawcatuck |
| 1st Place |
 Nicole C. Robitaille |
Post 2046 Manchester |
| 2nd Place | Sima El-Ayoub | Post 9086 Torrington |
| 3rd Place | Stephanie J. Thompson | Post 1607 Oakville |
Teacher of the Year
| Grade K-5 | Post 7788 Devon | Joan Mancini |
| Grade 6-8 | Post 10689 Ellington | Jennifer Reynolds |
| Grade 9-12 | Post 3273 Avon | Michael Infantino |
From the Rocky Hill Offices of the Veterans of Foreign Wars,
Department of Connecticut:
In a drawing held today, December 7, 2011, we wish to congratulate PHILIP HORBOCK III,
an Iraqi Campaign USMC veteran, for winning a paid up Life Membership in the VFW.
Horbock is a member of VFW Post 591 in Wallingford.
Click below to see mailings for the designated Months
| November 2011 Mailing | October 2011 Mailing |
| August 2011 Mailing | |
VFW DEPARTMENT OF CONNECTICUT CALENDAR
CONGRATULATIONS
to the Thomas F. Killian Hartford Police Post on their 75th Anniversary
of being a VFW Post and helping Veterans. Accepting the citation
being presented by State Commander Mel Hewston, from the Commander in Chief, are Carmen Berardino Post Quartermaster and Aldo Provera Post Sgt. At Arms.
HALL OF FLAGS
State Commander Melvin Hewston and State Auxiliary President Joyce Froelick
prepare to lead a contingent of the States VFW and Auxiliaries into the State Capitol for Hall of Flags on July 4, 2011.
The National Award winning State VFW Color Guard prepare to lead the way into the State Capitol for Hall of Flags on July 4, 2011.
POPPIES
BUDDY POPPY: It is clear that the assembly portion of the Buddy Poppy Program has experienced some difficult transitions and those continue. Changes in VA rules regarding assemblers, declining production from aging facilities (assemblers), and slow start-up of new facilities has resulted in a struggle to fulfill orders. Although new facilities are being brought on line and procedural changes are starting to improve the situation, we again ask for your patience as we get back to acceptable levels. As we have reviewed the problems, we have discovered two areas that you can help us with. First, when you place an order, please provide a specific and reasonable delivery date. The majority of your orders simply says, "ASAP" or leaves the delivery date box empty. In those cases, we have no choice but to process them in the order they are received. If you provide a specific date, we will endeavor to meet that deadline.
However, please order your poppies a minimum of 8-12 weeks ahead of when you need them.
ELECTION REPORT
State Commander Mel Hewston quoted on Memorial Day
Click Here
Statement of Richard DiFederico,
Past State Commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Department of Connecticut.
Regarding: The group called " The Veterans Support Organization "
As the State Commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars in Connecticut, I and all of the over 25,000 members of the VFW' s and our auxiliaries are appalled at the tactics of the group calling themselves, " The Veterans Support Organization" There callous and despicable actions concerning the illegitimate fund raising campaign they have done here in Connecticut and around the country only dilutes the help for our Veterans that our citizens so freely donate to, thinking the money will be used to aid Connecticut's Veterans, when in fact very little, if any at all, is used for the Veterans here in our state. That they dress in military uniforms to portray themselves as Veterans, when many of them are not, further shows that they are nothing but a bunch of scam artists. The Citizens of Connecticut should be cautious as to whom they donate their hard earned money to, and not simply because someone slaps on a military uniform and puts their hand out for a donation in the name of a good cause. Vultures the likes of them should be dealt with in the harshest of legal terms as is possible. I am proud that my organization, the VFW has introduced a bill in our Statehouse to eliminate such scam artists as them in our state. Please view the Fox video below.
Richard Difederico, Past State Commander
Veterans Support Organization: MyFoxNY.com
MEMBERSHIP PROGRAMS
 2011-2012 National Membership Program |
 2011-2012 Department Membership Program |
Click the map above and select your town
to see information about your local VFW Post.
National VFW Planning Calendar
CLICK HERE
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| Ladies Auxiliary | Men's Auxiliary |