VFW chief tours posts around state

In LR for convention, he touts his organization’s outreach

HOT SPRINGS -- The national commander-in-chief for the Veterans of Foreign Wars likes to refer to VFW posts as "pockets of patriotism" for their grass roots outreach projects.

In his first visit to Arkansas, John Biedrzycki toured multiple posts last week, including Hot Springs Post 2278. He also visited Searcy, Beebe, Jacksonville and the Levy area of North Little Rock while in Arkansas for the National Mid-Winter Conference in Little Rock.

At the convention, Biedrzycki was awarding Arkansas students with scholarships for participation in Patriot's Pen and Voice of Democracy competitions. Winners from all 50 states will travel to Washington for a week to compete and receive scholarships.

"The VFW has a lot of outreach by serving veterans, children, families and active-duty soldiers," Biedrzycki said. "We reach out to youth in schools from learning the Pledge of Allegiance to writing essays."

Each year, the VFW gives out $3 million-$4 million in scholarships to U.S. students. Through partnerships with businesses such as privately owned Burger Kings, members can collect money that is used to fund the scholarships.

"Sports Clips wrote me a check this year alone of $900,000 to give students scholarships," Biedrzycki said. "This will be divided up into $5,000 scholarships."

In addition to awarding scholarships, VFW members go into schools to teach flag etiquette and tell students stories of serving in the armed forces.

"We want to foster patriotism among our youth," said Will Beams, VFW Post 2278 adjutant quartermaster. "We let the children ask us questions such as 'Did you ever get shot?', 'What kind of truck did you drive?'"

Students decorated bags with flags and other patriotic images for care packages sent overseas to Bahrain, Afghanistan and to the USS Eisenhower aircraft carrier. Post 2278 used the bags for more than 1,000 care packages containing candy bars, gum, cookies, combs and other items to make troops comfortable.

"It means something that kids show their appreciation for what soldiers are doing," Beams said.

Most people have a perception that the VFW is a "canteen," but their new goal is to be seen as veterans that serve communities in Arkansas through grass-roots projects, Beams said.

State Desk on 02/07/2016

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