Comrades,
As my term as State Commander nears the end, I’m struck by all that we have accomplished over the last 11 months. We came out of the gates strong with the National Convention passing two resolutions brought forward by Colorado. Both resolutions were then presented to Congressman Neguse, and with the full support of the 1.5 million VFW and Auxiliary members, we asked that his office act on our priorities. The results were that the Department of Education removed the question on the Free Application For Student Aid (FAFSA) requiring disabled veterans to disclose their disability compensation, and the introduction of HR 6197, a bill “To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish a program to provide grants to certain surviving spouses of veterans to pay for housing.”
Last August, we kicked off our first COA in Burlington, where the Council approved an aggressive new budget. As one of my priorities this year was to support and grow the Service Office, I thank the Council for restructuring their pay scale, giving all the accredited staff a raise, and increasing the budget to hire a new Assistant Service Officer. Now, after much hard work, we have a satellite service office at Post #3917 in Security. This budget also authorized two new positions at Department Headquarters to prepare for a smooth transition when Bruce and Ann’s tenures come to an end. With nearly 50 years of institutional knowledge poised to leave that office it was important to bring their replacements on board as soon as possible. Thankfully, Rachel and Jesse are quick learners, and it appears we will be in good hands moving forward.
As summer turned to fall, our members turned their focus to some of our most important VFW programs: the Voice of Democracy, Patriots’ Pen, and Teacher of the Year. It was exciting to see all 13 Districts participate and the results were impressive. While six kids received monetary awards from the Department, it was at the numerous Post and District level banquets where all the students, their parents, and the teachers got to witness first-hand what their local VFW Posts are doing in their communities. I was lucky enough to attend several banquets and often found that the kids who participate typically have some connection to the military. Frequently, I learned they or their parents are eligible for the Auxiliary. In fact, while in Las Animas in April, the Auxiliary handed out six applications to one family, showing the power of community engagement in our efforts to grow our organization.
Speaking of growing the organization, last October I had the honor of instituting two new Posts: the Platte River Post #12226 in the Sterling Correctional Facility, and the SGM James Gregory “Ryan” Sartor Post #12227 in Falcon. Like a lot of things, these efforts started long before I became the Commander. I just had the good fortune of being in the right place at the right time to welcome these new comrades. It was a privilege, as were the many other ceremonial duties I participate in, like dedicating a veterans’ park at Morgan Community College in Ft. Morgan, presenting awards to the Civil Air Patrol cadets in Centennial, and speaking at the commissioning ceremony for new Lieutenants graduating from MSU and CU Denver.
The end of this Auxiliary year is rapidly approaching, and I took some time to review all that we have accomplished. In my view, this has been an extremely positive year with some of the best cooperation, teamwork, and worthwhile participation that I have seen from our members on a statewide basis. Our membership was over 99% by the middle of March and continues to grow every day – so many worked so hard to make this happen. Statewide training and mentorship have improved and increased in
ways that I could never have imagined. The number of training sessions at every level and the quality of the presentations was really gratifying to see. The sharing of both information and experience this year has really been a big benefit for us all. We have all worked the programs this year for the benefit of our veterans, families, and communities, some members taking on 2 or 3 programs to ensure that no one goes under served. Our Auxiliary has a dedicated and hard-working core that always delivers above and beyond.
Two more new Auxiliaries were instituted this year, and there are two more that are in the process of working for institution as well. Well known celebrities have made appearances at each of our COAs this year–that would not have happened if we did not have such a dynamic group! Hospital visits are again on the increase and several more visits are scheduled by the end of this year. Your wholehearted support and action on behalf of my Suicide Awareness and Prevention Programs throughout the
state has been very humbling for me and has made a difference in Colorado. We must continue to identify those in our Veteran and local communities that are at risk and make sure that they get the help that they need.
It has been my incredible honor to serve as your Department President this year and I owe so much to my Line Officers, Staff, Program Chairs and Hospital Volunteers. Beyond these outstanding individuals, I offer a sincere “Thank You” to each of you throughout the state for your tireless work, your creative ideas and efforts, your mentorship, and your contributions of time and finances toward the Veterans, families, and communities where we live. It has made a difference.
I look forward with anticipation to our 100th Department of Colorado Auxiliary Convention in June 2024 and hope for blockbuster attendance and participation – hope to see all of you there!
With appreciation,
Phil Reinpold
Department VFW Auxiliary President
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
 Suicide Prevention Info - Mobile | [Version for Mobile Phones] | 541 kB |
| Suicide Prevention Info - Z Fold | [Version for printing] | 3019 kB |
The American flag has a long history, and the members of our organization have spent nearly as long defending and honoring our nation's most iconic symbol of freedom. Whether you're looking for the historic details of how the U.S. flag came to be, or the rules and regulations that encompass her daily flight, we're here to ensure you can find the information you need.
Displaying the Flag
On Same Staff: U.S. flag at peak, above any other flag.
Grouped: U.S. flag goes to its own right. Flags of other nations are flown at same height.
Marching: U.S. flag to marchers right (observer's left).
On Speaker's Platform: When displayed with a speaker's platform, it must be above and behind the speaker. If mounted on a staff it is on the speaker's right.
Decoration: Never use the flag for decoration. Use bunting with the blue on top, then white, then red.
Salute: All persons present in uniform should render the military salute. Members of the armed forces and veterans who are present but not in uniform may render the military salute. All other persons present should face the flag and stand at attention with their right hand over the heart, or if applicable, remove their headdress with their right hand and hold it at the left shoulder, the hand being over the heart.
Over a Street: Union (stars) face north or east depending on the direction of the street.
Half Staff: On special days, the flag may be flown at half-staff. On Memorial Day it is flown at half-staff until noon and then raised.
Announcing digital delivery of the Colorado Veteran!
You can now subscribe to the digital version of the Colorado Veteran, the periodical from the Department of Colorado VFW. Just click or scan the QR code below and fill out the form. We promise that we will not sell or use your information for any other purpose. See the attachment below for instructions.
| Veteran Subscription Instructions | [ ] | 888 kB |
Are you in a financial bind because a pipe sprung a leak? A utility bill drained your budget? Did you have an unexpected repair on a vehicle you use to get to work? Emergencies happen with no regard to your paycheck or monthly expenses.
Colorado Veteran VFW Foundation grants of up to $500 are available to Post and Auxiliary members on a one-time basis for the purpose of meeting an essential basic need for utilities and/or health care. Grants are not made for items that are discretionary in nature (“wants”), and are made on a first come, first serve basis.
Some of the requirements have been updated. For instance, the grants are available only to Post and Auxiliary members now. You or someone authorized by you to assist can apply directly to the Department. Grant applications are available online at the Department website vfwco.org. Or you can call: 303-421-1630. Of course, in some cases this may be just a stopgap. When more financial help is needed, referrals to other resources are available.
Colorado VFW Foundation Board of Directors
You haven’t been feeling like yourself or you are going for your annual checkup, or you have found something somewhere that shouldn’t be there. Sounds pretty routine until you get the diagnosis that you have Cancer. Doesn’t make any difference what kind, what stage, where it is, your age. You have Cancer! Now the change in your life and pocketbook starts.
It has been said that insurance pays the bills. If you are very lucky that may be true. Many of us have private insurance or Medicare Advantage that have an out of pocket yearly maximum or copays which can be substantial for the average person. No one has a Cancer savings account.