368
Grayson Hwy ···· Lawrenceville, Georgia
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368
Grayson Hwy ···· Lawrenceville, Georgia
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Military News and Upcoming Events
Post News and Upcoming Events
Celebrate AmericaJune 09, 2011 From Flag Day through July 4th is an especially good time to publicly express your pride in the nation. One of the pillars of VFW’s foundation is the promotion of patriotism. Love of country is high on our agenda, for it is the very basis for military service. What prompts many young Americans to join the armed forces is a genuine desire to defend their nation. Public displays of patriotism are relatively rare these days. But one place that does not hold back is Bristol, R.I. Nicknamed “America’s Most Patriotic Town,” it has held the country’s longest continuously running July 4th celebration, dating back to 1785. Officially kicking off on Flag Day, it is so big that two years ago an Iraq vet postponed his leave just to arrive home in time for the parade. It is an occasion for a genuine outpouring of patriotism, no question about it. “I just think our veins are filled with red, white and blue blood,” said the parade organizer. VFW Post 237 in Bristol would no doubt agree. It is refreshing to see such unabashed pride openly expressed at a time when it is too often dismissed by some as old-fashioned. Most veterans I know wholeheartedly agree that America is an exceptional nation. Though this may not be fashionable to say in certain circles, I believe it to be true. Our history and Constitution are evidence enough. America’s Revolution, as it has been called, produced “the first new nation.” Our nation’s ideology consists of a unique combination of individual liberty, equality of opportunity, popular governance and freedom to prosper. Impartial observers such as Frenchman Alexis de Tocqueville confirmed this 180 years ago. He wrote: “The position of Americans is therefore quite exceptional, and it may be believed that no democratic people will ever be placed in a similar one.” As critics are quick to point out, of course, we have not achieved perfection. Yet with blemishes and all, America is still a nation that has much to be proud of. Ours is a past that must be passed down to one generation after the next. Judging from the knowledge (or lack of) possessed by our youth and others, we as a society rate a failing grade. When 38% of citizens cannot pass the U.S. Citizenship Test, as Newsweek recently found, 40% do not even know that we fought Germany and Japan during WWII, and an amazing 73% were unaware that communism was the enemy during the Cold War, surely something is fundamentally wrong with our national priorities. So let’s celebrate America loud and clear, especially on holidays like Flag Day and Independence Day. By doing so we will send a message that America’s history is worthy of recognition and praise. No one knows this better than the nation’s war veterans. From the June/July issue of VFW magazine.
ALL STATE POST 2006-07, 2007-08, 2008-09,
2009-10, 2010-11
ALL AMERICAN POST 2006-07, 2008 -09, 2009-2010
What is a Vet? He is the cop on the beat who spent six months in Saudi Arabia sweating two gallons a day making sure the armored personnel carriers didn't run out of fuel. He is the barroom loudmouth, dumber than five wooden planks, whose overgrown frat-boy behavior is outweighed a hundred times in the cosmic scales by four hours of exquisite bravery near the 38th parallel. She - or he - is the nurse who fought against futility and went to sleep sobbing every night for two solid years in Da Nang. He is the POW who went away one person and came back another - or didn't come back AT ALL. He is the Quantico drill instructor who has never seen combat - but has saved countless lives by turning slouchy, no-account rednecks and gang members into Marines, and teaching them to watch each other's backs. He is the parade - riding Legionnaire who pins on his ribbons and medals with a prosthetic hand. He is the career quartermaster who watches the ribbons and medals pass him by. He is the three anonymous heroes in The Tomb Of The Unknowns, whose presence at the Arlington National Cemetery must forever preserve the memory of all the anonymous heroes whose valor died unrecognized with them on the battlefield or in the ocean's sunless deep. He is the old guy bagging groceries at the supermarket - palsied now and aggravatingly slow - who helped liberate a Nazi death camp and who wishes all day long that his wife were still alive to hold him when the nightmares come. He is an ordinary and yet an extraordinary human being - a person who offered some of his life's most vital years in the service of his country, and who sacrificed his ambitions so others would not have to sacrifice theirs. He is a soldier and a savior and a sword against the darkness, and he is nothing more than the finest, greatest testimony on behalf of the finest, greatest nation ever known. So remember, each time you see someone who has served our country, just lean over and say Thank You. That's all most people need, and in most cases it will mean more than any medals they could have been awarded or were awarded. ©Father Denis Edward O'Brien
WE SALUTE THE MEN AND WOMEN SERVING IN THE ARMED SERVICES OF OUR NATION
VFW NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS ALERT
The VFW is a 1.5 million member strong, Congressionally Chartered Organization, founded in 1899. Gwinnett County Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5255 was mustered in 1946, and proudly enters its 64th year in Lawrenceville, GA. Our mission is to do are best to assist America's past and present Warriors and their families. Our members proudly serve our Country and Community with distinction. Our roster includes community and business leaders; military personnel currently serving America actively throughout the world; civil service employees; and many other dedicated Veterans. The average age of our 500+ Members is 42, with 54 % having served in armed Conflicts after the Vietnam era. We have been honored by our National Headquarters 3 out of the last 4 years as an” All American Post”, putting us each year in the top 100 Posts worldwide. We have consistently been named to our GA Department’s “All State Team”, for our commitment to the VFW and our Community. Not only does the Post provide Veterans a place for social activities, it also is a Service Organization that actively supports many Veteran and Civic programs. Recognizing and awarding outstanding civil servants, educators and students; maintaining ongoing Veterans projects including the VA Hospital in Decatur; and special support projects for our troops in Afghanistan and Iraq are some of the ways that our Post keeps assisting Americans. An essential component of the VFW is The Ladies Auxiliary, composed of spouses and daughters of Veterans. Their presence and involvement is welcomed throughout Gwinnett. In addition to assisting in Veterans projects, they sponsor annual Children's Parties at Easter, Halloween, and Christmas, where all the kids enjoy games, gifts and refreshments. These Ladies are truly a vital part and a supporting pillar in all that makes us successful. Our Post hosts special events, offers a member’s Family Day the first Sunday of each month, sponsors BSA Troop 595 which has its own campground, participates in local parades and other military events, and has adopted GA Army National Guard 48th BDE’s A Co, 121st INF unit. We have a canteen, a new 4,000 sq ft pavilion and a modern kitchen. The Post holds Flag retirements several times each year. Our Boy Scout Troop 595 assists in this solemn and educational ceremony, and they perform this honored duty with pride. We encourage you to bring us your worn Flags. VFW Post 5255 also offers to the general public Bingo four (4) nights each week, with nightly prizes totaling $1500.00, and a top game of $1000.00. The concession stand sells food and drinks. Contact us if you are a Veteran and would like to join our Post, or one who needs assistance. It is easy and rewarding to become involved! I hope you find our Web site www.vfwpost5255.org informative and useful. Honoring The Dead By Serving The Living |
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