A New Year Has Started …

If there is one thing that rings true now more than ever before — one has to look to the past so we can move forward into the future. We accomplished so much in the past year; yet at the same time, we had to say “Farewell” to many of our comrades who gave much of themselves to the betterment of our Post. While thinking of them, I also have to think back on the entirety of the good things that we did.

We started off last year as we will this year — moving forward on completing the Veterans Memorial here in Castro Valley to honor our Veterans. In doing so, we will be hosting our first Crab Feed Fundraiser on Saturday the 18th of February at the Moose Lodge in Castro Valley to help make that dream come true. Be sure to go to the Events page and get the scoop on the Crab Feed.

One of the main things that we try to do in our community as representatives of VFW Post 9601, is to help our veterans and their families. We helped several families during the past year either by providing funds or assisting with physically moving them. With so many of our veterans returning home and in need of help, I hope we can be there for them to assist them in whatever capacity we can. Just by meeting them when they arrive at the airport to say, “thank you,” for your service and greeting them with a smile may make all the difference to them, letting them know that their service to our country was truly appreciated.

As a Post, we try to remind everyone twice a year to remember a Veteran by handing out Buddy Poppies. We will do so again this year in hope of raising funds to help our veterans. Yes, there are the parades and the hard work of our honor guards, but it all comes down to working together as a whole, to achieve the goals that we as Veterans have set for ourselves.

Remember, together we work for a better tomorrow and by working for that better tomorrow, we remember our past and where we need to go.

Jim Uhlik, Commander
VFW Post 9601
Castro Valley, CA