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Post 9138 Programs
Listed below are some of the many programs our post participates in.
Buddy Poppies
For over 75 years the Buddy Poppy Program has been used to raise money to support needy veterans and their dependants. The Program was first started in 1922 and soon became the official memorial flower of the VFW. Today, VFW Buddy Poppies are still assembled by disabled and needy veterans in VA Hospitals.
This year our post distributed over 3,000 poppies. The money raised with this project all goes directly back to needy veterans.Voice of Democracy
Created in 1947, the Voice of Democracy (VOD) scholarship program is an audio-essay contest for high school students in grades 9-12. The Voice Of Democracy program is endorsed by the National Association of Secondary School Principals' and is designed to foster patriotism by allowing students the opportunity to voice their opinion in a three to five minute essay based on an annual theme.
The theme for 2008 - 2009 is: "Service and Sacrifice by America’s Veterans Benefit Today’s Youth by ... "
The Post Winners for 2006 - 2007 were:
1st Place Taylor Hoynacki from Fort Mill High School
2nd Place Spencer Collins from Fort Mill High School
3rd Place Alex Fisher from Fort Mill High School
4th Place Erica Christensen from Fort Mill High School
5th Place Chelsea Jasper, also took 2nd Place in District 5 from FMHSPatriots Pen
Patriot's Pen, a youth-essay writing contest endorsed by the National Association of Secondary School Principals' is a nationwide competition that gives students in grades 6, 7 and 8 the opportunity to write essays expressing their views on democracy. Contestants write a 300-400 word essay based on an annual patriotic theme.
The theme for 2008 - 2009 is: "Why America’s Veterans Should be Honored"
The Post Winners for 2006 - 2007 were:
1st Place Derik Miller from Indian Land Middle School
2nd Place Dawn Hensley from Indian Land Middle School
3rd Place Thomas Kulesa from Gold Hill Middle School
4th Place Rachel Tripp from Gold Hill Middle School
5th Place Vanessa Jimenez from Indian Land Middle SchoolTeacher of the Year
Grades 6-8 Ms. Julie Warner
Ms. Warner was also the District 5 winner.
JROTC - VFW Post 9138 Cadet of the YearCadet Craig Tone - Marine Corps Jr. ROTC - Fort Mill High School
Adopt-A-Unit
There has always been a common bond between those serving in the military and the VFW. An extension of this bond is the VFW's Adopt-A-Unit program, which pairs a Post with a military unit. Besides sending "goody" packages to the troops, Posts work on the local level to offer moral support to the dependents left behind when a unit deploys.
In 2005 we adopted the 4th Maintenance Battalion Marine Corps Reserve unit based out of Charlotte NC and continue to work with the unit and their families as they go through deployments.In 2008 we adopted B Co. 178th Engineer Battalion South Carolina National Guard based in Fort Mill, SC as we supported them through their deployments to Afghanistan and the Southern Border of the United States.
Community ServiceOur post is very active in the community we give donations annually to several other charity organizations and hold public safety meetings and information sessions.
This year we have completed over 245 Community Service and Americanism programs that have involved over 1066 hours and totaled almost $3,000.00. A few of these programs are listed below.
- Collect supplies and pack care packages for deployed troops.
- Collect non perishable foods for food pantries in the local area.
- Organized a recycling program for cans and bottles.
- Flag retirement ceremonies
- Attend funerals of veterans.
- Educate deploying / returning service members and families about programs that are available during and after their deployment (MAP Programs, Unmet needs and other VFW and non VFW programs).
- Honored other Civic / Public organizations that support veterans and veterans causes.
We are the leading advocate for the establishment of a Veterans Memorial in Fort Mill. You can see the presentation we gave the Town Council by clicking the link below.
Fort Mill Veteran's Park Presentation
The Veterans Park has been approved by the Town Council and the land has been acquired, the project is now in the planning and fundraising stage. Thanks to many veterans that lobbied the council we will finally have our well deserved monument.
