ADVANCE – The Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8719 held its annual awards banquet on Saturday, Jan. 27 at the post home on Feed Mill Road.

The VFW is an organization of war veterans committed to ensuring the rights of veterans and to remembering their sacrifices. The VFW extends beyond the realm of helping veterans.

Nationally in 2017, the VFW and auxiliaries donated more than 14 million volunteer hours of community service, such as helping youth groups, visiting veterans in the hospital, promoting patriotism and education, sponsoring safety programs, and furthering civic pride.

Recognition and awards are presented in categories such as Scholarship/Education (Voice of Democracy and Patriot’s Pen essay contests), Scouting, Community Education/Community Volunteerism, Safety, and to individuals who have excelled in furthering the aims, goals, and ideals of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

VFW partners with the Boy Scouts of America sponsoring more than 1,200 units and offering scholarships for Eagle Scouts. Locally, Jackson L. Hartman, a First Class Scout and a member of Boy Scout Troop 732; Asuncion R. Martinez, a First Class Scout and a member of Boy Scout Troop 575 and Elias E. Zondory, a First Class Scout and a member of Boy Scout Troop 732 were commended for earning the rank of Eagle Scout.

The Safety Program partners with local protection agencies to promote drug awareness and home, property, auto and bicycle safety. VFW Post 8719 awarded special recognition for individuals who have excelled in protecting and bettering the lives and property of our community. The individuals who were presented certificates of appreciation for their alertness, courage and guardianship of life and property to the communities they serve: Ryan Church and Kevin Ward, Davie County Emergency Medical Service; Ray Hepler, Davie First Responder,  Cornatzer – Dulin Fire Department; Brandon Cheeks, volunteer firefighter, Sheffield–Calahaln Fire Department;  K-9 Officer Ryan Moxley, Davie County Sheriff’s Department; Senior Officer Ronald E. Armstrong Jr., Mocksville Police Department; and Trooper Andrew T. Doss, North Carolina Highway Patrol.

The Veterans Community Service Program encourages community service to increase civic pride, to enhance education and to improve the environment. Individuals receiving awards for Community Education and Community Volunteerism: Doyle Nicholson, Davie County Principal of the Year, Davie County High School, and Teresa Carter, Davie County Teacher of the Year, Cooleemee Elementary School.

Community Service Awards were presented to James C. Bowles, Doreen James and Ted James for their many hours of dedicated services to local communities.

Awards for Patriotic Community Service were presented to Davie County Heroes Fund and Meagan Williams for their personal services rendered in aiding and assisting local veterans.

A veterans’ recognition award was presented to Ben F. King, for his dedication, leadership and personal services, for being a charter member who was instrumental in organizing and establishing VFW Post 8719 and the VFW Memorial Honor Guard. Serving Post 8719 for 32 years, holding positions such as Buddy Poppy chair, cook, officer of the day and trustee from 1986-2018.

“We honor him for being a comrade, a patriot, a soldier and a veteran of foreign wars of the United States of America,” said Commander  D.J. Smith.

The Veterans Service Awards are presented to individuals for Meritorious and Distinguished Service in furthering the aims and deals of the VFW. These awards were presented to Ann Yountz, Col. Daniel Marks and W.G. “Dub” Potts.

“The VFW strives to promote civic responsibility and patriotism. They promote flag etiquette and urge the observance of patriotic days. They work to stimulate an interest in American history and traditions. The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States honor the dead by serving the living,” Smith said.

“We would like to express a special thank you to Jim Cooper, Ben King and Everett Nichols for preparing the meal, ladies for preparing desserts and helping serve, and others for the preparation and clean-up of a delicious meal,” he said.