Department of Colorado VFW

Department of Colorado VFW 104th State Convention

Department of Colorado VFW Auxiliary 100th State Convention

June 5th thru 8th, 2024, Cripple Creek CO

Welcome to the 104th VFW State Convention & 100th State Convention VFW Auxiliary!!!  How exciting is it to be a valued member of the Department of Colorado Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S!!!  Over 100 years of Tradition, Supporting Veterans and our Communities.... 

We are looking forward to a fun and rewarding State Convention. 

Convention Forms and Agendas will be updated frequently, please check back here for up-to-date information.  

TIMES AND LOCATIONS SUBJECT TO CHANGE

Convention Hotel: Best Chamonix Casino Hotel, 201 East Bennett Ave, Cripple Creek, CO 80813

                              Starting Rate: $159 per night + Tax + $34 resort fee per day

                              Call: 719-689-2142 (Ask for the VFW24 rate)

                              OR Book Online (Change the Dates to the Convention to see the Rates) Click Here

Convention Registration Form -VFW Registration Click here-

                                                -VFW Auxiliary Registration Click here- 

Convention Ad Form - For the VFW or Non-Profit Ad Form Click Here

                                    For the Corporate Ad Form Click Here

Corporate Sponsorship Form Corporate Sponsorship Form-

VFW Convention Agenda -VFW Convention Agenda-

Auxiliary Convention Agenda -VFW Auxiliary Convention Agenda-

Past Commanders Club- Information Pending-

Attachments:

VFW Auxiliary Registration	[ ]	342 kB
CORPORATE Convention Ad	[ ]	214 kB
VFW/NON PROFIT Convention Ad	[ ]	219 kB
VFW Auxiliary Convention Agenda	[As of 2/2/2024]	148 kB
VFW Convention Agenda	[As of 2/2/2024]	124 kB
Corporate Convention Sponsorship Form	[ ]	908 kB
VFW Registration	[ ]	317 kB

Recently I announced two new National Awards for which I need recommendations: VFW JROTC Cadet of the Year, and VFW Employer of the Year. The Commander in Chief is also looking for a National VFW Member of the Year. Department Headquarters needs all nominees for these new awards my March 31, 2024. The criteria and submission forms can all be found on the Department Website, www.vfwco.org.

But don’t forget about our legacy awards, such as Salute to Service (due March 15), Scout of the Year (due April 1), and the Safety Awards (due date extended to April 1). Likewise, submit all your Community Reports prior to the March 31 cut-off date. Meeting these due dates allows Department to prepare everything for presentation at the State Convention in June.

I recently read in one of the Chairperson’s Guides that “VFW awards don’t cost, they pay - BIG dividends.” Likewise, recognition should extend beyond National and Department awards and include more than just Post and Auxiliary members. That is why I encourage all Posts to consider becoming Certifying Organizations for the Presidential Service Awards and “recognizes exceptional volunteers whose work makes real and sustainable differences in (our) communities.” These awards are reasonably priced and can pay off by raising awareness to the outside volunteers’ project, enhancing the profile of the VFW in that community, and bringing in new members to our Posts and Auxiliaries.

Lastly, I want to congratulate our celebrities: the Voice of Democracy and Patriot Pen winners. Good luck to those who advanced to the National judging phase, and a heartfelt thank you to Post 9644, Chairman Todd Van Sant, and Chef Rachel Rodgers for all their hard work to put on an outstanding banquet.

Here is to a strong finish to the VFW year and setting the stage for an even better year for Senior Vice Commander Carol Thomas.

Semper Fi,

John Keene
Department Commander

On behalf of the Clarence G. Dzuris, VFW Post 5221 and its Auxiliary, please join us for our 24th Loyalty Day Parade on Saturday, May 4, 2024 and free Sloppy Joe lunch 30 minutes after the end of the parade at our Post. 

Details:

Attachments:

VFW Loyalty Day Parade 5.4.2024

[ ]

368 kB

VFW Department of Colorado Service Office – Lakewood
Phone number – 303-914-5595
Address: 155 Van Gordon Ste 205, Lakewood CO 80228
Office hours are Monday – Thursday 7:00 am – 3:00 pm.

Matt Cummings, Department Service Officer
Ralph “Obie” Oberhelman, Assistant Department Service Officer
Ginny Rosa, Office Manager/Claims Consultant

Spreads Festive Cheer Across Colorado

The Colorado Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S has a rich tradition of serving veterans, military families and their local communities and is proud to be the home of one of the VFW founding organizations. Is was in 1899 that the roots of the VFW began when the National Society of the Army of the Philippines from Denver, Colorado and the American Veterans of Foreign Service from Columbus, Ohio formed to serve the veterans of the Spanish American War (1898) and the Philippines war (1899 - 1902). In 1914 these two organizations merged forming the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States. In 1936 Congress chartered the VFW and it continues its rich tradition in enhancing the lives of millions through its community service programs and special projects.

When America called our veterans gave and through the VFW they continue to give today. Our members common bond and shared respect drive us to support those who've born the burden of battle - from WW II through service in Iraq, Afghanistan, and other modern theaters. From Memorial Day and Veterans Day services around the state, to overseas troop support such as Operation Uplink, we make a difference. Our benefits assistance, advocacy for veterans and our troops, military transition guidance, veterans employment opportunities, camaraderie and community service proves that NO ONE DOES MORE FOR VETERANS.

Comrades, Brothers and Sisters,

At last, the long-promised Suicide / Depression Awareness and Prevention Resource is available for your use -- please see attached pdfs. This is the result of collaboration between the Colorado VFW and Auxiliary, and the Colorado Office of Suicide Prevention. This resource may also be used by the DAV, the American Legion and the Wounded Warriors within the State of Colorado to assist their members that might be experiencing difficulties.

The mobile version of the pdfs can be downloaded to your phone (see instructions below) or the Z fold version can be printed for distribution to your members. The advantage to downloading it, is that you can expand or enlarge it to make it easier to read. When it is downloaded to your phone, it is immediately available at any time that you wish to review it or might immediately need it. We are still working to get this printed on card stock, but no date is available on that at this time. The important emergency numbers to remember are 988 and 911 -- do not hesitate to use them if you need to aid someone that is in trouble.

How to download to your phone:

• For iPhone users click on the Suicide Prevention Info - Mobile pdf to open it, then tab the "Share" button and swipe to "Books" to add the file to your library.
• For Android users click on the Suicide Prevention Info - Mobile pdf to open it, then select Print. Select the dropdown menu and tap Save as PDF. Pick your preferred location for your PDF and press Save.

Please do not hesitate to email or call if you need any additional information. I am still available to make presentations on this subject at your Post if you wish. Thank you for your patience while we all waited for the completion of this project.

Phil Reinpold
Department VFW Auxiliary President

Attachments:

Suicide Prevention Info - Mobile	[Version for Mobile Phones]	541 kB
Suicide Prevention Info - Z Fold	[Version for printing]	3019 kB