Remembering Those Who Served, Sacrificed, and Continue to Serve
As we move into September, we have several important dates that give us an opportunity to pause, remember, and reflect on the sacrifices of those who served our nation.
August 31 – End of Operation Iraqi Freedom
For many of us in VFW Post 12235, this date is personal. August 31 marks the end of Operation Iraqi Freedom, a conflict that shaped the lives and military careers of many of our members—including me. We remember the Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, Airmen, and Coast Guardsmen who served in Iraq and throughout the region, and especially those who never made it home. We also recognize the families who carried the burden of deployment and sacrifice alongside their service members.
September 2 – V-J Day
September 2 marks Victory over Japan Day, commemorating the formal surrender of Japan in 1945 and the conclusion of World War II. More than eight decades later, we remain grateful to the Greatest Generation and to all who served during that defining conflict. Their courage and sacrifice helped secure the freedoms we enjoy today.
September 11 – Patriot Day
September 11 is a day we will never forget. Twenty-five years ago, our nation was attacked, and the world changed forever. We remember the nearly 3,000 people who lost their lives that day, including the firefighters, police officers, first responders, and ordinary Americans who demonstrated extraordinary courage.
We also remember the generation of veterans who answered our nation's call in the years that followed. Many of us in the VFW are part of that generation.
September 18 – National POW/MIA Recognition Day
On National POW/MIA Recognition Day, we remember those who were prisoners of war and those who remain missing in action. Their service did not end when they disappeared, and our responsibility to remember them does not end with the passage of time. We remain committed to the principle that no one is forgotten and no one is left behind.
September 29 – VFW Day
Finally, September 29 is VFW Day—the anniversary of the founding of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. For more than a century, the VFW has carried forward a simple but powerful mission: to honor the dead by helping the living.
That mission is just as important today as it was when our organization was founded. As a young VFW Post, we have an opportunity to build something meaningful for our veterans, their families, and our community. Every member who volunteers, attends a meeting, participates in an event, supports a fellow veteran, or simply helps spread the word about our Post contributes to that mission.
This month, we are also looking forward to our upcoming raffle and our first dine-and-donate opportunity at Raising Cane’s in Harker Heights on September 12. We hope our members, families, and supporters will participate in both efforts. Your support helps us strengthen our Post and continue serving veterans, their families, and our community.
These dates remind us that our service connects us to something much larger than ourselves. Different generations have worn different uniforms, served in different places, and faced different challenges—but we share the same bond of service.
This month, I encourage everyone to take a moment to remember those who served before us, honor those who served beside us, and support those who continue to serve today.
We Remember. We Honor. We Serve.
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