Post Visit to Des Moines, Iowa

 I really do enjoy zooming into local VFW Post meetings.  I get an opportunity to visit where I probably never would in a normal year, and the Post members get to interact with a National Chair Officer at the local level.  I've made it known that if I get an invitation, and I can make it, I'll gladly accept.

My State Counterpart, Senior Vice Mike Braman, invited me to attend the Post 9127 meeting in Iowa last night.  This Post has special significance for Senior Vice Mike and it's a pretty cool story.  Mike's Grandfather was a member of this Post.  Grandad Robert was in the 34th Infantry Division, 1/168th infantry, in World War II.  In his very first battle at the Kasserine Pass in Northern Africa he was captured and held as a prisoner for the duration of the war.  He did return home, went to college and worked in the State Auditor's office until he retired.  He became good friends with the Governor of Iowa, who was also a member of this Post!  And now for the rest of the story, as Paul Harvey would say:  Senior Vice Mike was also in the Army and in the exact same unit as his Grandfather!  When Senior Mike's unit deployed to Afghanistan in 2004-2005, it was the first deployment the battalion had since his Grandfather deployed in World War II.

Post 9127 is home to two very current past State Commanders, Carol and Russ.  This Post is dedicated to service and the members are clearly leaders who want to get things done.  They don't rest on their laurels either.  Carol Whitmore is currently serving as Iowa's VFW National Councilmember and is running for MY job in a few years.  Russ Saffell is leading the charge to get Boy Scouts more heavily involved in the Post's Community Service projects.  Joint efforts like this are a great way to show that we are still serving in many ways. 

I enjoyed the opportunity to induct a new recruit and give him the Member's Obligation via Zoom.  I'm sure he didn't expect that at his first meeting!  Keep up the great work out there in Iowa.  You're doing a fantastic job!

Several smiling faces from Beaverdale Post 9127 in Iowa

Prepping for the meeting.  The Post has some very interesting memorabilia displays!