Inspirational Stories from the Return the Favor Campaign

Troops and veterans share their moving stories about how the VFW Foundation has been there for them.

From financial aid for families of deployed troops to assisting veterans with benefits claims to providing free phone calls home for troops overseas, the VFW Foundation is there to Return the Favor by providing assistance to those who deserve it most. Through its programs and services, the VFW helps more than 1.5 million active-duty troops and veterans every year. Here are a few of their stories.

Calls Home Boost Morale for Deployed Troops

“I am so grateful for the ability to hear my wife and my 8-month-old over the phone. Your service is crucially important for the morale of the soldiers. You are doing your country an immeasurable service by ensuring the communication of military families!”

– CPT Shawn Bailey, Jalalabad, Afghanistan, FOB Fenty

New Father Calls Home During Birth Thanks to Operation Uplink

Like any new father, Sgt. James Benecke, 27, wants nothing more than to hold his firstborn son. Before Benecke can return to Fort Bragg, N.C., to meet baby Alexander, he must complete his tour in Iraq, where he maintains chemical defense equipment. “It was hard being away from my wife Danelle during the pregnancy,” said Benecke. “She needed me to be there in some way.” With the help of Operation Uplink, Benecke was able to call home on the day of his son Alexander’s birth. “I was actually on the phone with Danelle’s mother, who was in the delivery room…Read More

VFW Boosts Troops’ Morale at Nashville Superspeedway

“…Thank you…for the continuous support you give our men and women in uniform. Our soldiers (101st Airborne) had a blast at the race in Nashville…you really helped boost their morale. It was a privilege to…see the support first hand…I am proud to be a member of the VFW.”

– Fort Campbell BOSS program

VFW Connects Mother and Son

For the second year in a row, Master Sgt. Penelope Johnson missed her son’s first day of school. “I left Augusta, Ga., on the day Steven started school and will still be deployed when he starts next year,” she said. Johnson is disappointed that she can’t be there for those important days. Currently, she is on her second deployment, stationed in Iraq with the HHC 324th ITSB out of Fort Gordon, Ga. “When I call home, I am always anxious to hear how Steven is doing in school,” she said. “I miss talking to him after he gets home every …Read More

VFW Operation Uplink Helps Keep ‘Storybook’ Romance Alive

Erin and Nathan Boone first met at Langley Air Force Base in Langley, Va. At the time, Nathan was awaiting pilot training, and Erin was being sent for her first duty station. According to Erin, “We fell in love at first sight, like they do in all the storybooks.” Nathan left for pilot training four months after they met. “We had been trying to get stationed in the same place ever since,” Erin said. Erin and Nathan were married in Virginia a little over a year ago, but it was three months later when the couple finally became stationed together … Read More

VFW Post 1433 Welcomes Home ‘Warrior Citizens’

VFW Post 1433 Commander Dan Muller’s first experience with VFW’s Adopt-a-Unit program was more than a success. The attendance at the “Welcome Home” event the Post threw for the HHC 492nd Civil Affairs Battalion totaled more than 413 veterans and family members. The 63 members of the unit returned from Afghanistan, and were greeted with barbecue and appreciative smiles, as they received awards and listened to speakers, including State Representative Debbie Lesko, R-Ariz. “This ceremony gave all our Post members great pride seeing the awards given out and talking to the returning vets. Personally, I was really proud of the Post. It gave … Read More

VFW Unmet Needs Helps Single Father Provide for Children

SSG David C. Phariss has been a soldier in the United States Army since 1988 and “loves to serve his country anytime it calls.” Returning from an 18-month tour in Iraq in 2007, Phariss came home to a different life than he had left. His marriage was ending, the economy was headed downhill and, as an Operating Engineer in his civilian occupation, he was laid off for the first time in his life. Phariss was struggling with unemployment and a split household and was unable to provide for his three daughters. He was in an unfortunate time of need and volunteered for … Read More

We’d love to hear from YOU: tell us how the VFW Foundation has motivated or supported you or someone you know. Please, share your story today.