By Jessica Robison
Moapa Valley Progress
Published June 30, 2010
The Department of Nevada Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Convention was held last week at the Casablanca Showroom in Mesquite. This three day function brought together veterans from all over the state to review accomplishments, set goals, and elect and install new officers.
There are 37 posts that make up the state department of Nevada. The post in Moapa Valley is the Elwood Perkins Post No. 8336.
There are eighteen people involved in the valley including both the post members and the Ladies Auxiliary.
Approximately seventy members of the state-wide VFW attended the convention. Each post had its own banner which the members brought with them bearing the post name and number as well as the date that it was established.
Many banners also had streamers hanging from the top of the poles. “The streamers are earned by doing service in the VFW,” explained Charles Jameson, Commander of the local VFW post.
The convention began with an opening flag ceremony where a member of each post and each auxiliary marched their respective banners out in front of the audience. “It is really impressive,” Jameson said.
The local VFW Post 8336 received numerous awards at the convention. The awards included National Recognition Awards for “displaying and promoting the story of VFW efforts to aid and assist Veterans through…the distribution of the Buddy Poppy” and “for recognition for outstanding contributions made to America through sponsorship and promotion of local program activities.”
The local programs for which the Post was recognized were a number of community awards which are annually presented to citizens in the Moapa Valley area. These include awards given for Citizenship Education Teacher, Scouting, Military Service, Community Service, Public Servant, Voice of Democracy (a high school essay contest and the Patriot’s Pen (a middle school essay contest).
The national winner of the Patriot Pen contest was 14 year old, Abigail Bernard of Mesquite. She read her essay at the convention and was recognized with the presentation of a $10,000 savings bond. She and her family also received an all-expenses paid trip to Washington D.C. to tour govenment and historic sites.
“I am honored and grateful to be here,” she said to the VFW members at the convention. “Thank you for giving me the opportunity.”
Other awards were given at the convention to local VFW members Gene Curtis and David Fox for their participation in the “Americanism in the Classroom” program. Curtis also received the honor of “All State Team Captain” and received a white cap and shirt. Curtis is also 2009-2010 National Aide de Camp.
VFW member Bruce Hollinger was elected as State VFW senior Vice Commander for 2010-2011.
The incoming local Pos tCommander Charlie Jamison has been appointed to the National Security and Foreign Affairs Committee for 2010-2011 and will be attending the VFW National Convention in Indianapolis, Indiana in August along with Hollinger.
