The Fannin County chapter of the Veterans of Foreign Wars is looking to reboot as members work to grow the organization’s membership and in turn their various activities.
Ray Arthur, who was recently elected commander of VFW Post 6570, said “We need veterans to join.”
VFW members work with youth in the community, provide assistance with Veterans Administration (VA)claims, and advocate legislative priorities.
Arthur said the Fannin chapter also owns and is responsible for the 446 UH-1 Huey helicopter at the Veterans Memorial Park in Blue Ridge.
“We do have several service officers available in the VFW who can help with VA claims,” Arthur said. These can include separation benefits, financial needs, student veteran support and mental illness.
Membership in the VFW is open to any veteran who meets two primary qualifiers, Arthur said.
The first of these is honorable service, which involves an Honorable or General (Under Honorable Service) discharge or currently serving.
The second is service in a war, campaign, or expedition on foreign soil or in hostile waters. This information is on a veteran’s DD-214 and includes a wide range of such documentation as service in World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan, Bosnia/Kosovo/Somalia/Haiti, hostile fire/imminent danger pay, combat badges, SSBN Deterrent Patrol Insignia and various expeditionary medals. The full list is available from the VFW.
Fannin County VFW Post 6570 was chartered May 9, 1946. Arthur said current members want to see the chapter grow in order to maintain its long history and continue its tradition of service to veterans and the community.
To join or for more information, contact, fanninveterans@yahoo.com, or the Fannin County Veterans Organizations on Facebook.