The motto of the VFW is “Honor the dead by helping the living.”

VFW Post No. 5959 has made it a practice to serve veterans and their families in many different ways.

These services reach beyond money and flag donations, to graveyard dedications, appreciation dinners, and transportation. Since the organization of the Post, many projects have helped to serve the community.

The VFW color guard has participated in funerals and parades, and flags have been donated to families of past veterans and to churches and gravesites.

The organization has placed various requested bronze monuments on graves and erected flag poles in cemeteries. Last year, they placed 23 flags around the county.

Memorial Day dedications and services have been held for the community on the courthouse steps.

In cooperation with the American Legion, the VFW has given donations to numerous veterans in need. The two groups also partnered in a flag dedication at Calhoun Middle/ High School.

Another facet of VFW Post No. 5959 is the Ladies Auxiliary. Together, this group of men and women has done several community services.

Each Christmas, gifts are purchased and delivered to needy children, and a com-munity open house is offered on Halloween. 

Last year, the organizations served over 200 participants in their annual veteran’s appreciation dinner.

Another service the group has offered is weekly transportation to veterans in need of medical treatment through the Disabled American Veterans (DAV).

In 2001, 415 veterans were transported over 32,900 miles. Volunteer time reached 1,697 hours. Paul and Freda Whytsell have coordinated 20 VFW members to be DAV drivers since 1998.

Past and present volunteer drivers have included Adrian Ball, James Beecher, Coleman Burrows, Kathryn Burrows, Dennis Dixon, John Falls, Delbert Gainer, Alma Griffith, Rufus Honaker, Kimberly Ker-by, Warren Kerby, Roy Pursley, Albert Tanner, Dan Uplinger, Paul Whytsell, Victor Whytsell, Woodrow Whytsell, Paul Wilson, James Yoak, and Robert Yoak.

The devotion of VFW Post No. 5959 shows the true colors and hearts of local veterans. Their acts of kindness and dedication have served the community since the beginning of the post.