Richton Park VFW Receives community service award

Lee Edwards | As of Wednesday, October 2, 2013

Ricky Collins and Eric Wiley Jr. of Public Works install the VFW Post 311’s community service award sign on Sauk Trail. Photo courtesy of Larry Gobel (Director of Public Works)
Ricky Collins and Eric Wiley Jr. of Public Works install the VFW Post 311’s community service award sign on Sauk Trail. Photo courtesy of Larry Gobel (Director of Public Works)

The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Illinois Post 311 has a shiny new sign acknowledging its outstanding year of service (2012-2013) to the Village of Richton Park. Drivers can see the sign while driving eastbound into Richton Park.

VFW Post 311 has approximately 235 members with servicemen who served in World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War, and the War in Afghanistan.

VFW Post 311 is named after Brigadier General Benjamin Oliver Davis, Sr., the first African American general in the U.S. Army. Davis was appointed to the Committee on Negro Troop Policies where he was instrumental in helping change the military’s policy on segregation.

Leon Jeffries, Sr. Vice Commander of the VFW Post 311 shared the events and activities that the post were active in this past year, including but not limited to: Blood drives, Veterans Day Parade; Veteran’s Outreach events, which supplied over 150 Veterans with resources for health, employment and other benefits, free haircuts and breakfast and lunch for veterans; two fundraisers where over 3,500 poppies were distributed; supported the VFW National home in Michigan with donations for children who are dependents of veterans, VFW Commanders special projects, Operation Uplink donations, hospital visits, submitted names for the VFW annual scholarship, various youth engagement activities, and other monetary donations.

The VFW 311 Post has been recognized for five awards of distinction by the National VFW in these categories for the 2012-2013 year which starts in May at their national convention: 2013 National Outstanding Community Service Award, Voice of Democracy Award, Patriot’s Pen Award, National Military Services Award, and being named a member of 2012-2013 All American Team.

The Voice of Democracy Award is an audio-essay competition for high school students that occurs annually and awards $2.2 million dollars in educational scholarships to nearly 40,000 high school students from across the nation. The national first place winner receives $30,000 in scholarships while the other scholarships range from $1,000 to $16,000 according to the VFW national website.

The Patriot’s Pen Award is the middle school essay writing contest where students write about their own experience as Americans and examine the nation’s history. Contest finalist from each state competes to win 46 national awards totaling $46,000. The national contest winner was $5,000 and an all-expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C.

Recently, at their first annual Commander’s Ball on Saturday, August 31, VFW Post 311 awarded a scholarship. On Saturday, September 7, VFW Post 311 had their annual Stand Down event where they provided outreach to underserved and homeless veterans, providing food, clothing, haircuts and information about helpful resources.

On Saturday, October 5th, VFW Post 311 will be hosting a Blood Drive in collaboration with New Faith Baptist Church. According to VFW Post 311 Post Commander Eugene Blackwell, AIDS testing and bone marrow registration will be conducted as well.

VFW Post 311 is having its’ Veteran’s Day Parade on Saturday, November 9th 10 a.m. at Pierce Park located at Imperial lane and Latonia lane in Richton Park, Il. This is the second consecutive Veteran’s Day Parade the VFW Post 311 has coordinated.

This year they are looking to do many of the same things and more, including supporting local sports teams, collaborating with houses of faith, and providing resources for veterans living in the community and beyond.

This has been a great year for the Benjamin O. Davis VFW Post 311, who recently received “All American” Status for their hard work and dedication to the community.

For more information about VFW Post 311 visit www.VFWpost311.org.

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