HARSH AND uninviting, the atmosphere is charged with tension and unease as people rush by without eye contact or small talk. Restrictions oppress and stifle hope, hanging overhead, smothering and crushing the spirit. Even the air has lost its will to breathe.
Freedom has a fragrance. Those that have served in combat overseas know the smell and have sacrificed everything so that we may not.
Members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 10904 Manchester have seen all we stand to lose, and they returned home from their duty with a desire to continue serving.
“Something about seeing that kind of thing gets to you. You realize what you could lose here and how valuable this country is,” the post’s commander, Kimberly King, said.
The commitment and connection to preserving freedom doesn’t end with military discharge. It just changes location.
“Most of us took the uniform off, but we still wanted to serve the country, so that’s what this and other veteran organizations allow us to do,” King said.
Through their programs and projects, Manchester’s VFW members promote patriotism and educate about past and current events. They honor and support veterans and their families and continue to give back to a country that does not always understand and appreciate what’s kept it free.
The VFW’s involvement in area schools is essential to this understanding.
“We feel that if you’re gonna make children appreciate the country, you gotta catch them when they’re young. You gotta get them to understand early on,” King said.
In addition to attending and participating in school veteran’s programs, VFW offers a Young Patriotic Art Contest, essay scholarships, and sponsors local youth programs. Teachers receive support through donations from the post and receive other resources through programs like the VFW Teacher of the Year award.
Within the community, other opportunities teach, encourage, and inspire. The VFW held an open discussion regarding events in Ukraine to clarify the public’s misconceptions and raise funds for compassion efforts in the area.
The members take their USO-type variety show, “Operation Joy,” on the road. They regularly perform at area assisted living facilities, tickling funny bones and stirring patriotism through music and jokes.
Commander King said, “We want to serve in a different capacity, but we still want to serve the country. Members really convey the reasons this country is so important from a personal point of view. And we’re also able to help each other tremendously. It’s a great extended family.”
We can support them, too. As members promote and celebrate national patriotic holidays, our community attendance affirms members’ purpose in honoring the day. Financially supporting the post’s fundraising efforts and attending the monthly public meetings, will foster a united commitment. It instills and maintains pride and patriotism for generations to come.
Take a deep breath of fresh air. The atmosphere is filled with chirping birds as free as the citizens below. Thank a veteran today.
That’s the fragrance of freedom.-GN
