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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 2009 - 2010 is: "Does America Still Have Heroes"
The Post Winners for 2009 - 2010 were:
1st Place F
2nd Place
3rd Place
Patriots 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 2009 - 2010 is: "When Is the Right Time To Honor Our Military Heroes?"
The Post Winners for 2009 - 2010 were:
1st Place Will Smith - Fort Mill Middle School
2nd Place Aston Weber - Fort Mill Middle School
3rd Place Courtney Williams - Fort Mill Middle School
Teacher of the Year
Grades 6-8 Brenda Honeycutt - 8th Grade Science Fort Mill Middle School
JROTC - VFW Post 9138 Cadet of the Year- Marine Corps Jr. ROTC - Fort Mill High School
- Marine Corps Jr. ROTC - Nation Ford High School
- Army Jr. ROTC - Indian Land High SchoolAdopt-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 2007 we adopted B Co 178th Engineer Battalion South Carolina National Guard now re designated the 1222nd Engineer Company 178th Engineer Battalion and continue to work with the unit and their families as they go through deployments.
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 100 Community Service and Americanism programs that have involved over 800 hours and totaled over $4,000.00. A few of these programs are listed below.
- Collect supplies and pack care packages for deployed troops.
- Collect and refurbish used computers so National Guard Armories around the state can setup contact centers for families to email deployed soldiers.
- Flag disposal ceremonies
- Educate deploying 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).
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.
