Adopted Unit Thanks Post
By Army Capt. Rick Scoggins, North Carolina National Guard Public Affairs
RALEIGH, N.C. – (June 26, 2010) Quite often, the National Guard reaches out to support the communities in which they serve; however, a local chapter of the Veteran’s of Foreign Wars was recently recognized for supporting a North Carolina National Guard unit.
VFW Post 7383 in Cary, N.C., received the award at a welcome home ceremony at the Raleigh Convention Center in downtown Raleigh, N.C., June 26.
The “Center of Influence Award” was presented by Army Lt. Col. Jeffrey Copeland, 1-130th Attack Reconnaissance Battalion Commander, 449th Theater Aviation Brigade, based out of Morrisville, N.C., for the VFW’s support of Copeland’s unit while they were deployed in Iraq last year.
“The Cary VFW has supported the 1-130th for as long as I can remember,” said Copeland.
As the War on Terrorism started in 2001, the VFW sponsored a national program called “Adopt a Unit.” The program pairs VFW posts with military units and offers not just the mailing of care packages and “goodies,” but also work to support the Soldiers’ families while the unit is deployed, said James Roberson, VFW District 7 Commander.
Roberson, a former Post 7383 Commander, currently provides oversight for thirteen VFW posts in Wake, Johnston, Chatham and Harnett Counties. He also works as a Family Readiness Support Assistant, in Morrisville, N.C., for the North Carolina National Guard.
Once the program began, it only seemed natural that the Cary-based post would reach out to the 1-130th ARB.
“Post 7383 has supported the aviators in Morrisville since the armory was built,” Roberson said.
While the 1-130th’s was deployed to Afghanistan from 2003 to 2004, Post 7383 sent over 300 care packages, and coordinated with the1-130th ARB’s Family Readiness Group [FRG] to host several family day events Roberson stated.
Though the 1-130th ARB FRG was decentralized and in need of support, the VFW provided their help by offering assets, like the use of their facilities and fund-raising events to help support the Soldiers and their families, said Copeland.
When the 1-130th was called upon in 2009 to deploy to Iraq, Post 7383 was there to support them once again.
“Post 7383 has been a strong link between the families of the 1-130th ARB and the civilian community,” said Vanessa Crespo, 1-130th ARB Battalion FRG Leader. “They have provided unconditional support; from helping to coordinate fun and enhancing events for the families of deployed Soldiers, to facilitating locations for FRG meetings and trainings.”�
According to Roberson, Post 7383’s provided over $5,000 in financial grants, which led to helping deployed Soldiers’ families with home and vehicle repairs.
The VFW has always helped to support the 1-130th ARB and provided links to contacts who offer special rates to deployed military families who need assistance, said Copeland.
Paul Hiser, Post 7383 Quartermaster, added that the post also provided almost $8,000 in veteran’s assistance to Soldiers. The support included hardship loans for those in need of support. �
Guardsmen who are interested in joining need to provide a membership application and a supporting DD-214, Roberson says.
Hiser believes the new members of today will be the future leaders of tomorrow and will better serve veterans in the future. “The younger the people, the more they can relate to today’s issues.”
The VFW has also established a new plan, called “She Served,” that assists the recent large amounts of female veterans who serve, Roberson included.
Veterans can choose to pay a nominal fee for annual dues or, to become a life member, or pay a single payment based on their age, Roberson said. Additionally, the VFW offers a free one-year membership to any Soldiers returning from a deployment.
Post 7383 reaches out to guard units in the area, but the 1-130th ARB has unique ties to their organization. Currently 70 of the 100 guardsmen of Post 7383 deployed with the 1-130th ARB.
“The Cary VFW has two former post commanders that were Active Guard and Reserve [AGR] members from the 1-130th which has helped to solidify the relationship we enjoy with the unit,” Roberson said.
“I would highly encourage units to reach out to these types of organizations for support,” Copeland said. “They have much to offer…exposing them [veterans] to the benefits of membership in the VFW and what the VFW is really all about: supporting our military forces and veterans.”
