Chula Vista Veteran & Service Dog Recognized by VFW for #StillServing

Chula Vista veteran Melissa Winters is being honored for dedication to country and community in the VFW #StillServing campaign. The national Veterans of Foreign Wars #StillServing (vfw.org/stillserving) campaign highlights veterans who continue to serve in their community after the military.

Winters volunteers at San Diego dog rescue A Way Home For Dogs by Babs Fry where she helps rehabilitate 70+ dogs and find them forever homes. Additionally, she helps local seniors, some of whom are veterans or veterans’ spouses, regain and maintain their independence as a companion caregiver and is a California state PTA member pursing a degree in education.

Winters is a 100 percent permanent and total disabled veteran and says #StillServing, especially with the dogs, helps her on her own journey to healing.

The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) launched #StillServing, a campaign to highlight how America’s combat veterans continue to serve in their local communities after transitioning from the military, in March 2020. What started as a campaign became a movement as veterans across the country stepped up to share stories of how they are still serving. In 2022, it launched an outgrowth of the #StillServing initiative, VFW Day of Service – an annual dedicated day of community service projects led by veterans throughout the world. More than 1,400 community service events have taken place since its commencement.

"Veterans are driven by a profound sense of duty that extends beyond their time in uniform,” said Alfred J. "Al" Lipphardt, VFW national commander. “Their commitment to service carries on as they return to their communities, where they continue to give back, uplift and inspire, embodying the true spirit of selfless dedication. The VFW #StillServing initiative shines a light on its many Posts, and all veterans, who continue to live a life of service."

According to the 2021 Veterans Civic Health Index1, veterans average nearly 30 percent more volunteer hours per year and outpace civilians by 15 percent in charitable donations. Additionally, nearly 40 percent more veterans belong to a group working on community issues and veterans are more likely to be registered to vote (7 percent) and have recently voted (6 percent).

Since its launch, 5.7 million people have engaged with the campaign through the website, videos and social channels. Additionally, 3,000 veterans have shared their personal stories of sacrifice and service, and more than 1,000 veteran stories have been covered by media outlets worldwide.

Building on a legacy of service spanning over a century, #StillServing captures the essence of the VFW and its members, reflecting the ongoing evolution of today’s VFW Post as a place where veterans can seek support, share camaraderie with those who have similar experiences, and give back to both fellow veterans and the broader community. The VFW encourages veterans to share stories on social media using #StillServing to show how they continue to answer the call to serve in ways big and small. Family and friends can use #StillServing in social media posts to honor a veteran in their lives who believes the spirit of service transcends military life.

Additionally, all Americans are urged to visit vfw.org/stillserving to learn more about the campaign, make a shareable image honoring veterans in their lives, watch videos of VFW members making a difference and see a collection of user-generated content.