HAVEN FOR VETS- A view of Simi Valley VFW Post 10049 located at 4242 Los Angeles Ave. The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, with its auxiliaries, includes 2.3 million members in about 8,400 posts worldwide. The mission of the VFW is to "honor the dead by helping the living" through veterans' service, community service, national security and a strong national defense.

The VFW traces its roots back to 1899, when veterans of the Spanish-American War of 1898 and the Philippine insurrection (18991902) founded local organizations to secure rights and benefits for their service.

Many of these veterans had arrived home wounded or sick. Yet there was no medical care or veterans' pension for them, and they were left to care for themselves.

From comradeship borne from battle, veterans formed the American Veterans of Foreign Service in Columbus, Ohio, and the National Society of the Army of the Philippines in Denver to secure rights and benefits for these veterans.

These two organizations merged in 1914, creating the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States. The movement quickly gained momentum, and by 1915 the membership grew to 5,000; by 1936, members numbered almost 200,000.

Membership in the VFW is available to those men and women who have served honorably in the U.S. armed forces in a foreign war or overseas operation recognized by a campaign medal.

Veterans of World War I and II, the Korean conflict, Vietnam, Persian Gulf and Iraq wars, Grenada, Panama, Lebanon, Afghanistan and other smaller expeditionary campaigns, as well as occupation duty, all qualify.

Local post

Simi Valley VFW Post 10049, at 4242 Los Angeles Ave., currently has more than 200 members- veterans from World War II through the current conflicts in the Middle East.

All branches of service are represented. The current Post Commander, Hank Calderon, is a U.S. Navy veteran who served in the Aleutian Islands and the Pacific theater during WWII.

One of the most important functions of the post is its Service Officer Program.

The Post Service Officer is responsible for assisting local veterans and their families with receiving information and completing required forms to obtain their VA benefits.

Homeless veterans are also assisted by the post. The Service Officer may be contacted by calling (805) 583-9722.

Post 10049 is active in a number of VFW nationally sponsored youth education programs. The Voice of Democracy, an annual nationwide audio essay competition, gives ninth through 12thgrade high school students, ages 15 to19, an opportunity to voice their opinion on their responsibility to their country.

The Patriot's Pen essay competition is an annual competition for sixth, seventh and eighthgrade students. The student must write a 300- to 400-word essay on an annual patriotic theme.

Both programs provide monetary prizes to the winners to assist them with their education.

Veterans ceremonies

Memorial Day and Veterans Day mark the two largest public ceremonies that the VFW and its brother veterans organizations participate in.

Local Simi Valley elected officials, other elected representatives, law enforcement officers and citizens honor our veterans at the Simi Valley Pioneer Cemetery and the Rancho Tapo Veterans' Plaza.

How you can help

Financial donations are an important part of our operating budget. The post also is in need of skilled tradesmen, such as plumbers, electricians, etc., to assist the post home with necessary repairs and upkeep.

If you'd like to volunteer, you can contact the Post Commander by phone or simply visit the post on Los Angeles Avenue.

VFW Post 10049 would like to thank our Federal, State and local elected officials, and the citizens of Simi Valley, who have given the Post generous support over the years.

We would also like to thank the Staff of the Rancho Simi Community Park District for their support and assistance to our veterans.

Wayne Wright entered service with the United States Army in Oct. 1967. He served a 19month combat tour as a helicopter pilot in the Republic of Vietnam flying with the 187th and 281st Assault Helicopter Companies. He and and his wife, Darlene, have resided in Simi Valley since 1987. Wright is a retired helicopter pilot with the Los Angeles County Fire Department.