The Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8719 in Advance held their annual Awards Dinner on Saturday, Jan. 26 at the post home on Feed Mill Road.

The VFW is an organization of war veterans committed to ensuring the rights of veterans and to remembering their sacrifices. However, the benevolence of the VFW extends beyond the realm of helping veterans.

Nationally in 2018, the VFW and auxiliaries donated more than 14 million volunteer hours of community service, such as helping youth groups, visiting hospitalized veterans, promoting patriotism and education, sponsoring safety programs and furthering civic pride. Recognition and awards are presented in categories such as Scholarship/Education (Voice of Democracy and Patriot’s Pen essay contests), Scouting, Community Education/Community Volunteerism, Safety and to individuals who have excelled in furthering the aims, goals and ideals of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

The winners at the post level competition in the Voice of Democracy 3-5 minute essay/audio contest for grades 9 – 12 were: Abigail G. Wells, first; Logan A. Wagner, second; Kendra A. Hensley, third; Taylor N. Bare, fourth; William E. Harper and Nathan L. West, fifth.

The Patriot’s Pen is a 300-400 word essay contest for grades 6-8. Winners receiving awards at post level were: Mackenzie G. Moore, first Nadia O. Rapheal, second; Savannah Rose Ivey, third; Eryn G. Smith, fourth; Keelyn E. Oakes, fifth; Jordan T. Kistner, sixth; Austin J. Boswell, seventh; Sarah E. McDowell, eighth; Anny Moreno-Jimenez, ninth; Ethan R. Price, 10th; and Isabelle M. Bracken, 11th.                                                                                                                                

Nationwide, VFW partners with the Boy Scouts of America sponsoring more than 1,200 Scouting units and offering scholarships for Eagle Scouts. Locally, Alex M. Eaton, a First-Class Scout and a member of Boy Scout Troop 732 and Mason R. Hollar, a First-Class Scout and a member of Boy Scout Troop 575, were commended for earning the rank of Eagle Scout.

The Veterans of Foreign Wars Safety Program partners with local protection agencies to promote drug awareness and home, property, auto, and bicycle safety. VFW Post 8719 awarded special recognition for individuals who have excelled in protecting and bettering the lives and property of our community.

The individuals who were presented certificates of appreciation in special recognition and highest praise for their alertness, personal courage, and ever efficient guardianship of life and property to the communities they serve were: Paramedic Lisa R. Thomas, Davie Emergency Medical Service; Luke Carter, Davie County First Responder, Farmington Fire Department; Sgt. Jeffrey Alan Jones, Davie County Sheriff’s Department; Officer Justin R. Sloan, Mocksville Police Department; and Trooper Kevin Leonard, N.C. Highway Patrol.

The Veterans Service Awards are presented to individuals for Meritorious and Distinguished Service in furthering the Aims and Ideals of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. Two special veterans’ recognition plaques were presented to the following: Tim Stuart for his outstanding assistance and dedication for providing his exemplary services in aiding and assisting VFW Post 8719 with programs to assist veterans and to benefit the community; and Eddie Weatherman for his outstanding dedication, leadership and personal services rendered to VFW Post 8719, serving as the Post Quartermaster for more than 32 years from January1986 to June 2018. Also, for being a Charter Member, who was instrumental in organizing and establishing the Advance VFW Post. He has also been a member of the VFW Memorial Honor Guard dedicating his services to honor over 1300 veterans. We honor him for being a Comrade, a Patriot, a Soldier and A Veteran of Foreign Wars of the United States of America.

The VFW strives to promote civic responsibility and patriotism. They promote flag etiquette and urge the observance of patriotic days. They work to stimulate an interest in American history and traditions. The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States honor the dead by serving the living.

Jim Cooper prepared the meal, the women prepared desserts and helped serve.