On this Memorial Day, residents of the Lakes Region are taking time to remember and pay tribute to those who gave their lives in defense of freedom.
But for members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 10643 in Windham, they honor the military service of American veterans every single day.
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| Willie Goodman has served as the commander of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 10643 for the past 11 years. COURTESY PHOTO |
He says that the VFW traces its roots back to 1899 when veterans of the Spanish-American War of 1898 and the Philippine Insurrection (1899 to 1902) founded local organizations to secure rights and benefits for their service with many veterans arriving home wounded or sick. There was no medical care or veterans' pensions for them, and their families were forced to care for them.
Soon, some of these veterans joined together and formed organizations that eventually became what we know today as the Veterans of Foreign Wars. Membership grew to 5,000 by 1915 nationwide and then up to 200,000 by 1936.
The VFW Post 10643 in Windham is part of The Department of Maine VFW organization and continues to play a significant role in improving the lives of veterans locally.
“As Commander of the Windham Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 10643 for the past 11 years, I have always been overwhelmed by the great support we receive from our community,” Goodman said. “We provide local veterans who may need assistance with their food, heating oil, installing ramps for easier access to their homes, provide transportation to doctor’s appointments, and assist homeless veterans with housing. We never know what needs will come before us but we’re always there to meet the challenge. The VFW slogan is, ‘No one does more for veterans,’ and our VFW certainly lives up to that motto.”
Nationally, the VFW was instrumental in establishing the Veterans Administration, creating a GI bill for the 20th century, developing the national cemetery system and leading the fight for compensation for Vietnam veterans exposed to Agent Orange and for veterans diagnosed with Gulf War Syndrome. In 2008, VFW championed the passing of a GI Bill for the 21st Century, giving expanded educational benefits to America's active-duty service members, and members of the National Guard and Reserves, who fought in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The VFW also has fought for improving VA medical center services for women veterans and helped to commission the Vietnam, Korean War, World War II and Women in Military Service memorials. In 2005, the VFW became the first veterans' organization to contribute to building the new Disabled Veterans for Life Memorial, which opened in November 2010.
Each year nearly 2 million members of the VFW and its Auxiliaries contribute more than 8.6 million hours of volunteerism in the communities across America, including participation in “Make A Difference Day” and “National Volunteer Week.”
From providing over $3 million in college scholarships and savings bonds to students every year through its popular Patriot’s Pen and Voice of Democracy essay contests, to encouraging elevation of the Department of Veterans Affairs to the president's cabinet, the VFW is as relevant today as when it was founded.
According to Goodman, Post 10643, remembering veterans on Memorial Day means the community truly cares about those who have served.
“It’s heartwarming throughout the year to feel so many people in our area care about veterans and Memorial Day is a such an important time to reflect and remember,” he said. “On this Memorial Day, I would suggest if you know someone who had a family member or someone close to them who died while on active duty, such as a grandfather, father, husband, brother, sister, son, daughter or friend, reach out to them and tell them you’re thinking of them on this Memorial Day. Some choose not to discuss or relive that painful time while, for others, it may be a special time to share a story or memory of that loved one. The most important thing is to express that you care and remember what Memorial Day truly represents." <
“As Commander of the Windham Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 10643 for the past 11 years, I have always been overwhelmed by the great support we receive from our community,” Goodman said. “We provide local veterans who may need assistance with their food, heating oil, installing ramps for easier access to their homes, provide transportation to doctor’s appointments, and assist homeless veterans with housing. We never know what needs will come before us but we’re always there to meet the challenge. The VFW slogan is, ‘No one does more for veterans,’ and our VFW certainly lives up to that motto.”
Nationally, the VFW was instrumental in establishing the Veterans Administration, creating a GI bill for the 20th century, developing the national cemetery system and leading the fight for compensation for Vietnam veterans exposed to Agent Orange and for veterans diagnosed with Gulf War Syndrome. In 2008, VFW championed the passing of a GI Bill for the 21st Century, giving expanded educational benefits to America's active-duty service members, and members of the National Guard and Reserves, who fought in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The VFW also has fought for improving VA medical center services for women veterans and helped to commission the Vietnam, Korean War, World War II and Women in Military Service memorials. In 2005, the VFW became the first veterans' organization to contribute to building the new Disabled Veterans for Life Memorial, which opened in November 2010.
Each year nearly 2 million members of the VFW and its Auxiliaries contribute more than 8.6 million hours of volunteerism in the communities across America, including participation in “Make A Difference Day” and “National Volunteer Week.”
From providing over $3 million in college scholarships and savings bonds to students every year through its popular Patriot’s Pen and Voice of Democracy essay contests, to encouraging elevation of the Department of Veterans Affairs to the president's cabinet, the VFW is as relevant today as when it was founded.
According to Goodman, Post 10643, remembering veterans on Memorial Day means the community truly cares about those who have served.
“It’s heartwarming throughout the year to feel so many people in our area care about veterans and Memorial Day is a such an important time to reflect and remember,” he said. “On this Memorial Day, I would suggest if you know someone who had a family member or someone close to them who died while on active duty, such as a grandfather, father, husband, brother, sister, son, daughter or friend, reach out to them and tell them you’re thinking of them on this Memorial Day. Some choose not to discuss or relive that painful time while, for others, it may be a special time to share a story or memory of that loved one. The most important thing is to express that you care and remember what Memorial Day truly represents." <
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