I feel like some of you have gotten to know me recently, but not all of you have and I figured, instead of barking orders and telling you that you need to get your bonds and audits in at a normal time or tell you how you need to recruit everyone eligible into our ranks. I thought I'd share what got me to be in the VFW and the Passion I have for this organization.
I first joined the VFW in San Diego at VFW 7420 in 2006 shortly after I came home from deployment and never really thought of the VFW again. I didn't even pay my dues for years. Then on 9/30/2014, 10 years ago I lost one of my Best Navy friends to Suicide. RIP Sean Flaugher, this one hit hard. He was my roommate in A-school, we'd later work together in San Diego shortly before I got out. About 9 months later after Sean died I would be struggling with my own mental health and gratefully soon find my community and my purpose at VFW Post 1 and fall into a rabbit hole of growth from just a guy who showed Art with Art of War Project, in the Post. To help found the Veterans Arts Council, being the Head curator and assistant director, to later ascend and become a leader in the Post, first as Surgeon and then later Post Adjutant/ Quartermaster and currently Commander and continuing my journey into the VFW Department of Colorado chairs as the State Adjutant/ Quartermaster.
People ask me why as a young veteran at 40 years old; WHY do all I do for the VFW. Simply put it saved me, it helped bring me out of the dark, it gave me a sense of purpose that I lost. It gave me my veteran family back; it was where I needed to be. It’s why I’m so passionate about growing this organization and trying to recruit every eligible veteran into it. I know those who we’ve had a positive impact on, I talk to them every day, I see them grow as I did. I wish more who chose the path of suicide found a place in a VFW first, they would have gotten through it, they might still be here. I’m glad I did.
I hope it continues well into the future after I’m gone. The VFW is important, and it's a pillar of the Veteran community since our Founder returned from war 125 years ago. That's why I expect greatness from everyone in the VFW, that’s why I am #stillserving!
Jesse Eastburn
Department Adjutant/Quartermaster