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The Advocate is a monthly VFW Department of Michigan publication. If you would like to feature your veteran focused events in your community, please contact department at pr@vfwmi.vet

Comrades,

  Happy Veterans Day! So many of you are involved in your areas and hosting events to celebrate the service of our veteran and family community around Michigan. Please take the time to enjoy the holiday dedicated to you and your service among the business of holiday activities. Without you, the VFW would not be as strong as it is today, and our nation would not be united behind your courage and service. 

          Every year around this time, I try to take a minute to intentionally reach out to those I served with, and reminisce about our days in uniform. I love Veterans Day for many reasons, but most of all, it reminds us to gather together and lift each other up.

       Some of you are already buried in snow! I hope everyone stays safe as winter takes over Michigan. But the snow also means our Mid-Winter Conference is coming up! I hope to see many of you there as we gather to celebrate the hard work of the middle-school and high school students put forward for our scholarship programs. The conference will be in Kalamazoo, and details are on our website!

       Lastly, I would be remiss if I didn't wish my fellow Devil Dogs a Happy Birthday November 10! Again, membership, thank you for all you do. You make a difference in so many lives around Michigan, within and outside the VFW organization. Thank you for continuing to serve.


Ray Lopez, State Commander, VFW Department of Michigan

State Adjutant shares memory of 1982 Vietnam Memorial dedication in Washington D.C.

VFW Department of Michigan Adjutant & Quartermaster Barry Walter attended the Washington D.C. Vietnam Memorial Dedication on November 13, 1982. Barry served in the U.S. Army, and was deployed to Vietnam for 47 months between 1967-1971. 

Now, 76, Barry recalls being a 35-year-old VFW service officer, witnessing history for his generation of warriors. He published an article about this experience published in the VFW Michigan Overseas Veteran Newspaper in December 1982 Volume 50-Number 6.

In 1982, the Vietnam Memorial held 57,939 names of Americans who died in the War.

Today, the 200-foot long wall holds more than 58,000 names. Read Barry's 1982 article here.
     

Jennifer Smith inducted into Michigan Military and Veteran Hall of Honor

Past Department Chaplain Jennifer Smith was inducted into the Michigan Military and Veterans Hall of Honor October 27, 2023. Jennifer, a U.S. Army veteran, served the Michigan veteran and family community until her passing on November 5, 2021.


She was very active in VFW Department of Michigan and VFW Michigan Auxiliary, and other veteran service organizations. Her husband, James Matthews, accepted her induction on her behalf.
     

For more information on any of the featured topics, click any of the images below, or go to our online calendar to stay up to date on all department events.

     

**Many of these sponsors are are looking to hire veterans! To find out more, please contact them directly.

WE WANT TO FEATURE YOU!

If you have an event or function you'd like to highlight on behalf of your Post or District, send photos and a write-up with details to pr@vfwmi.vet. Your submission may be selected to be featured in the next Department Newsletter!

   

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