LUSK – For two days, the VFW (Veteran’s Foreign Wars) Post #3511 hosted a community outreach program with a plethora of information that ranged from what the VFW does to how many different programs that veterans and their families can take advantage of.

According to Post Commander of Niobrara VFW #3511 Edward Tirado, there are four different organizations within Niobrara County. There is the American Legion Post #1 in Van Tassell, which is Auxiliary for this post and American Legion Post #4, also an Auxiliary for this post. Tirado is trying to establish a Sons of the American Legion, too. As of right now, Tirado said that 10 sons are needed to make up this organization.

Tirado’s district for the VFW is composed of three counties, Niobrara, Converse, Platte and Goshen.

“So locally, we try to do a dinner around Christmas time for veterans and their families,” Tirado said. “We raise funds and raise awareness for veterans. Every year, we put on a ceremony during Memorial Day at the Niobrara County Fairgrounds. We always march in the Fourth of July parade.”

Lusk Elementary/Middle School (LEMS) puts on a show for veterans to show their support for servicemen and servicewomen. The VFW is involved with this community event as well.

“We try do things like this,” Tirado said. “The final two organizations VFW Post #3511. We have an auxillary for our post, too.”

The American Legion sponsors baseball. They have paid for an entire team to participate little league baseball. There are scholarships available, too. They have provided families with a summer pass for the Lusk Plunge.

“For the VFW, we have the Patriot Pen scholarship, Voice of Democracy, Teach Awards and we have community awards,” Tirado said. “The American Legion honors EMTS and Fire Fighters. We also give out Law Enforcement awards.”

The American Legion offers similar programs to veteran families.

“We try do as much as we can for the community,” Tirado said. “We probably could do more, but if there is a need, we will do whatever we can.”

During the two-day affair, the VFW had an array of speakers and informative sessions for attendees. There were discussions about when it is time to stop driving, Post Dramatic Stress syndrome, Operation Remount, why it is good to belong to veterans’ programs, and much more.

Among the speaker were Dr. Karen Alexander, Wyoming Highway Patrolman Trooper Smith, VFW State Commander Danielle Smith, VFW State Senior Vice Commander Mike Alverson, Cassidy Miller, and many more. From mental health to living wills presentations were given during the two day affair.

“Our mission is to serve veterans. Several veterans said that we helped them over these two days. It was a helpful event and we look forward to doing it again next year. We're intending on making this an annual thing, maybe not with the VFW taking the lead each year. Maybe we'll alternate between the American Legion and the VFW. It's rewarding helping our veterans of our community,” Tirado said.

The VFW Post#3511 are currently have an American Heroes Coin Raffle. Tickets are $10 each or six for $50. The Grand Prize is a set of five coins valued at $450. Second through sixth prize winners will have a choice of the remaining five coins. Each are valued at $90. The drawing will be held on November 11, 2024. Tickets are available from Best Western Pioneer Court Hotel, Lorenzo Martinez, Richard Ladwig, or Edward Tirado.  

The VFW website states, “The VFW traces its roots back to 1899 when veterans of the Spanish-American War (1898) and the Philippine Insurrection (1899-1902) founded local organizations to secure rights and benefits for their service. Many arrived home wounded or sick. There was no medical care or veterans' pension for them, and they were left to care for themselves.”