Politics & Government
Salute American Heroes At Family Freedom Festival Nov 3 in MV
The Local VFW Auxiliary Warmly Invites the Public to Salute Our American Heroes at Patriotic Family Freedom Festival Nov 3 at Murray Center
(Mission Viejo, Ca) — As Americans, we have the responsibility to honor our Nation’s great history and teach our children about the selfless men and women who fought for the very freedoms we all enjoy today.
On Saturday, November 3rd, the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States (VFW) (Department of California District 2 Auxiliary) will present its Family Freedom Festival from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Norman P. Murray Center in Mission Viejo, 24932 Veterans Way.
The event is free and everyone is warmly invited.
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The Murray Center phone number is 949-470-3062, and email is RCS@cityofmissionviejo.org.
“The VFW Auxiliary is one of the nation’s oldest veterans’ service organizations and our members are the relatives of those who have served in overseas combat,” said VFW Auxiliary District 2 President Jackie Heddlesten. “We have more than 500,000 members nationwide who volunteer millions of hours and fundraise millions of dollars for charitable projects that benefit veterans, military service personnel, and their families.”
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“Through our National Programs, we assist the VFW pass or block legislation that impacts veterans and their families, provide nearly a million volunteer hours in the VA medical system, conduct patriotic programs with thousands of students and offer hundreds of thousands of dollars in scholarships for our nation’s youth,” Heddlesten continued. “With nearly 3,900 Auxiliaries, there is likely one in your area working to improve the lives of America’s uncommon heroes.”
FAMILY FREEDOM FESTIVAL ON NOVEMBER 3rd AN OPPORTUNITY TO PAY TRIBUTE AND RESPECT TO ALL SOLDIERS, INCLUDING WAR HERO U.S. SENATOR JOHN MCCAIN; BUDDY POPPY PROGRAM AND POPPIES WILL BE AVAILABLE AT THE EVENT
The recent passing of decorated Vietnam War Veteran Senator John McCain proved to the world that America honors its soldiers.
Mourners who wish to pay their respect to the late Senator can find a safe, nurturing environment in which to do so at the November 3rd event in whatever manner they wish.
One program the VFW offers as a means to memorialize soldiers is through its Buddy Poppy program. VFW Buddy Poppies will be available at the November 3rd Family Freedom Festival.
“Before Memorial Day in 1922, we conducted our first poppy distribution, becoming the first veterans' organization to organize a nationwide distribution. The poppy soon was adopted as the official memorial flower of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, as it remains today,” according to https://www.vfw.org/community/community-initiatives/buddy-poppy.
“During our 1923 encampment, we decided that VFW "Buddy"® Poppies would be assembled by disabled and needy veterans who would be paid for their work to provide them with financial assistance. The next year, disabled veterans at the Buddy Poppy factory in Pittsburgh assembled VFW Buddy Poppies. The designation "Buddy Poppy" was adopted at that time,” the VFW.org writes.
“Today, our Buddy Poppies are still assembled by disabled and needy veterans in VA Hospitals. The VFW Buddy Poppy program provides compensation to the veterans who assemble the poppies, provides financial assistance in maintaining state and national veterans' rehabilitation and service programs and partially supports the VFW National Home For Children,” the VFW.org says.
VFW and VFW AUXILIARY DISTRICT 2 PRESIDENT REMEMBER SEN. JOHN MCCAIN: A LIFE MEMBER OF ARIZONA VFW POST 7401 AUGUST 25, 2018
“I was saddened to hear of Senator McCain’s passing, but I know he is finally without pain,” said Heddlesten. “He was a good American, served his country, endured a lot, and came home a hero. No one can ever take that away from him.”
“Senator McCain will be missed by many throughout this country. He set an excellent example of American strength,” Heddlesten said. “I pray God gives his family and friends comfort through this difficult time.”
On the night of his passing, the VFW released the following statement:
The 1.7 million-member Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States and its Auxiliary are saluting the life of one of their own, U.S. Sen. John S. McCain III, who died this evening after battling brain cancer.
“The senator is being remembered as a maverick at the U.S. Naval Academy, as a naval aviator, as a five and a half-year prisoner of war, and as a two-term U.S. congressman and six-term U.S. senator from Arizona,” said VFW National Commander B.J. Lawrence. “But we remember Senator McCain as a 32-year Life member of VFW Post 7401 in Chandler, Ariz., and as a staunch supporter of a strong military as well as a champion for our troops, our veterans and their families.”
To recognize that support, McCain was a two-time VFW national award recipient, having been presented the VFW Americanism Award in 1992 and VFW Congressional Award in 1995. He also shared in the receipt of the VFW Armed Forces Award in 1971, which was presented (in absentia) to American POWs in Vietnam.
“John McCain was a patriot who cared deeply about the health and well-being of those who have worn the uniform of our country and their families,” said Lawrence, “and on behalf of the entire VFW family, I send our deepest condolences to his family for their loss, and thank them for their strength and support that enabled him to continue serving our great nation for so many years. Bravo Zulu.”
THE VFW FAMILY FREEDOM FESTIVAL NOVEMBER 3rd A WAY TO TEACH OUR CHILDREN ABOUT THE SACRIFICES OUR SOLDIERS HAVE MADE FOR EVERYONE
“We are looking forward to presenting our Family Freedom Festival to many young families in the newer communities in South Orange County,” Heddlesten said. “We hope they will stop by and see what the VFW is all about.”
“The Family Freedom Festival is a family-Friendly event that will feature snack food, music, games and more. It’s a festival to celebrate the freedoms we enjoy and will include activities and entertainment for all ages,” Heddlesten said.
“It will be a chance for our community to get to know the members of the Veteran Posts/Auxiliaries and the work we do for our Veterans,” she said.
“We plan to have a few different activities, such as:
- Flag Education
- Making cards with Patriotic theme to send overseas
- Information on different educational scholarship we offer and support.
- Voice of Democracy,
- Patriots Pen
- Patriotic Art Contests.
- We will have a photo booth available for attendees
- There will also be information on Suicide Awareness for Veterans and families.
- Information on how and why we support the National Home for Children
“We are in the early stages of planning, but our goal is to let the public know we are here and we are here to help veterans. We love this country and what it stands for. We want everyone’s patriotism to shine on this day, so close to Veterans Day,” Heddlesten said.
’UNWAVERING SUPPORT FOR UNCOMMON HEROES’ - VFW AUXILIARY SUPPORT ACROSS AMERICA AND LOCALLY IN ORANGE COUNTY
“For more than 100 years, the VFW Auxiliary has been fulfilling its original objectives by supporting the Veterans of Foreign Wars, serving veterans, active-duty service members and their families, and spreading patriotism nationwide,” according to https://vfwauxiliary.org. “Our members have volunteered millions of hours, donated millions of dollars and honored hundreds of thousands of veterans. Volunteer with us and celebrate the freedoms we enjoy in America.”
The VFW Auxiliary serves veterans, the military and their families in honor of the sacrifices and commitment of every man and woman who has served in uniform, says the VFW.
”Our auxiliary is one of three in South Orange County, ” Heddlesten said. ”There are six Posts and three auxiliaries. They are:
San Clemente - Post 7142
Dana Point - Post and Auxiliary 9934
Laguna Beach – Post 5868
San Clemente – Post 7142
San Juan Capistrano – Post and Auxiliary 3801
Mission Viejo – Post and Auxiliary 602
”We also have Posts and/or Auxiliaries in Anaheim, Fontana, Garden Grove, Rancho Cucamonga, Santa Ana, Westminster, ” said Heddlesten, who serves her District Auxiliary as the incoming 2018-2019 President. ”My plan this year is to have three Festivals. One in South County, North County and Riverside County.”
HISTORY OF THE VFW IN AMERICA, ACCORDING TO THE VFW.ORG:
Besides helping fund the creation of 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. And in 2015, we became the first supporter of the National Desert Storm War Memorial which is planned for construction at our nation's capital.
We have many programs and services that work to support veterans, service members and their families, as well as communities worldwide. Please check out our latest fact sheet or spend some time browsing our site to learn why No One Does More For Veterans.
The VFW has been instrumental in virtually every major legislative victory for veterans in the 20th and 21st centuries.
VFW Core Values:
• Always put the interests of our members first
• Treat donors as partners in our cause
• Promote patriotism
• Honor military service
• Ensure the care of veterans and their families
• Serve our communities
• Promote a positive image of the VFW
• Respect the diversity of veteran opinions
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Photos Courtesy Copyright VFW Auxiliary
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