Veterans of Foreign Wars State Commander visits Charlotte County

Recruitment Tour Makes Stops in Keysville and Farmville

By Crystal Vandegrift, staff Writer

The Veterans of Foreign Wars State Commander, Tom Gimble visited both Farmville and Charlotte County VFW posts last week as part of a statewide tour to educate the public, veterans and their families about the work of the VFW.

Last Tuesday, Commander Gimble, accompanied by Senior Vice Commander Mike Boeme, State Adjutant General Rick Raskin, Past State Commander Tommy Hines, Forth District Commander Gus Villalobos and Past National Commander John Smart, visited Farmville VFW Post 7059.

As part of the visit Commander Gimble, along with members of Post 7059, participated in a recruitment drive at the local Walmart.

Last Thursday VFW officials also held a recruitment drive at the Keysville Food Lion.

“The purpose of the visit from the VFW officials was to reinforce the importance of recruiting and retaining membership in our organization,” said Garland Hamlett, Quartermaster of Charlotte County Post 8902. “Membership in the VFW is selective, not just anyone can join, therefore we have to seek out members.”

According to Hamlett, being a “service organization,” the VFW provides combat veterans a place to meet and assistance to other veterans and the community. “We believe in being loyal to our country and serving our communities as well. The VFW goes before Congress to testify and defends various programs that could affect the veteran community. We support our military by offering programs of support to deployed service members,” he said.

Any qualified veteran may become a member. If you are interested in joining the Charlotte County post contact Hamlett at 434- 568-6451. For membership into the Farmville post contact Fred Hill at 434-574-5134.

For more information on joining the VFW visit their website at vfw.org