“Memorial Day Membership Push” Focusing On Local Female Veterans

NEW LONDON, Conn. (April 12, 2012) — The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, Murphy-Rathbun Post 189 is issuing a challenge to the citizens of New London—help them find their lost brothers and sisters in arms.

“Because of privacy laws, we have no procedural way to find veterans in our communities,” Post 189 Commander Charles Doyle said. “Veterans or their families or friends have to let us know they are here. We have heroes living in New London thinking their town and local VFW doesn’t care about them, when in fact we just can’t find them, especially new returning vets.”

VFW Post 189 is a community service organization that has supported greater New London since it was formed in 1920. Their mission to serve veterans, the military and the community especially resonates with the intuitions and citizens of New London and Groton. As new veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan return home and senior veterans from Vietnam, Korea and WWII seek out their earned entitlements, the mission of the VFW is more vital than ever.

As part of the two-month, Memorial Day Membership Push, the post is placing a special emphasis on recruiting female veterans. According to 2010 U.S. Census records, there are 1,682 veterans living in the city of New London, 228 are females. Of that, only a fraction meets the stringent VFW membership criteria.

“Female veterans are out there and they should be recognized for the sacrifices they and their loved ones have made for all of us,” Doyle said. “I’ll bet the post would pay for a free lifetime membership for any eligible female over 75 living in New London.”

The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States (VFW) is American’s largest combat veteran’s organization. The congressionally chartered 501(c)(19) service organization continues to support service members, military families, American’s veterans and our communities. Be sure to “Like” VFW Post 189 online at www.facebook.com/VFW189.