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Hirshbein is new VFW commander for Pacific areas
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Posted on Jul 13 2011
On June 16, 2011, Barry Hirshbein from Saipan, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, was installed as the commander of the Department of Pacific Areas, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States. The Pacific Areas is one of 54 departments located around the world.
Hirshbein will lead more than 10,000 VFW members in the Pacific Areas. The area is composed of seven Districts and 27 VFW Posts in Okinawa, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, Cambodia, Guam, CNMI, and the Philippines.
With around 1.5 million members, the Veterans of Foreign Wars is the largest combat veterans’ organization in the world. VFW provides services to veterans, their families, widows, and orphans. VFW tries to ensure that those who served our country receive the benefits and services they need and deserve.
VFW also works to make sure that our active duty servicemen and women have the resources needed to carry out their missions safely and effectively. Through “Operation Uplink” the VFW has provided over 5.5 million free phone connections home for deployed troops and hospitalized veterans. The “Unmet Needs” program has given more than $4 million in cash grants toward emergency financial aid to over 2,800 military families and the “Military Assistance Program” has helped host nearly 2 million military families at events worldwide.
The VFW also promotes youth development, scholarship, and Americanism. The VFW awards millions of dollars a year through scholarship programs. The Voice of Democracy audio-essay program awards $2.2 million in scholarships to high school students. Patriot’s Pen, Junior High essay contest awards $1.2 million in scholarships. [B][I](VFW)[/I][/B]
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ON THE NET
* Veterans of Foreign Wars: www.vfw.org.
* Department of Pacific Areas website: www.vfwdeptpacific.org.
