It was a busy spring & summer at VFW Post 1454. Please enjoy a look back at our Achievements, Improvements, Events & Activities for the first half of 2018. Our thanks to the many VFW & Auxiliary Members, dedicated volunteers & honored guests who have made these events possible - and memorable.  

But we're not finished yet! There's still plenty of activities, events & fun coming up at VFW Post 1454. Bookmark our Events Page or Follow Us on Facebook for all the latest news & events.

Each year our Post places an American flag on every Veteran's grave in Chapel Gardens, New Haven Township & Riverside Cemeteries. Unfortunately, not all of our Comrade's grave sites indicate their service to our nation. It is our goal to ensure all Veterans receive proper acknowledgment for their service, especially our fallen Comrades. All deceased Veterans discharged under honorable conditions who served in the Armed Forces after April 6, 1917 are eligible to receive a grave medallion regardless of their date of death.

If you are interested in applying for a medallion for your loved one, please read on for more information & watch the two Youtube videos listed below. A link to Form 40-1330M with instructions is also listed below so you can easily download & print the application form.

Once you have obtained a medallion, our VFW Post Members would be happy to place the medallion for you should you need assistance. Please stop by VFW Post 1454 or contact us for more information.

The Department of Veterans Affairs provides a medallion, by request, to be affixed to an existing, privately purchased headstone or marker to signify the deceased's status as a Veteran.

This device is furnished in lieu of a traditional Government headstone or grave marker for those Veterans who served on or after Apr. 6, 1917 and whose grave in a private cemetery is marked with a privately purchased headstone or marker.

Why choose a medallion: Bronze medallions are durable and can be easily affixed to privately purchased headstones by anyone, avoiding headstone or marker setting fees. The medallion also offers a way to identify the grave as that of a Veteran when a cemetery only allows one headstone per grave, preventing the use of a standard VA marker as a footstone.

Sizes: The medallion is available in three sizes: Large (6-3/8”W x 4-3/4”H x 1/2”D), Medium (3-3/4”W x 2-7/8”H x 1/4"D) and Small (2”W x 1-1/2”H x 1/3”D). Each medallion is inscribed with the word “VETERAN” across the top and the branch of service at the bottom.

Once a claim for a medallion is received and approved, VA will mail the medallion along with a kit that will allow the family or the staff of a private cemetery to affix the device to a headstone, grave marker, mausoleum or columbarium niche cover.

Important: This benefit is only applicable if the grave is marked with a privately purchased headstone or marker. In these instances, eligible Veterans are entitled to either a traditional Government-furnished headstone or marker, or the new medallion, but not both.

For family members of eligible Veterans interested in submitting a claim for the medallion, instructions on how to apply for a medallion are available. Please use: VA Form 40-1330M, Claim for Government Medallion for Placement in a Private Cemetery

This Information provided by U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.  For more information visit www.va.gov

We had a great turn out for our 2018 Memorial Day Ceremony. Our thanks to all in attendance for joining us on this beautiful day to honor our fallen comrades. Our Memorial Day Ceremony began at Riverside Park in Alma, MI with a ceremonial wreath drop by air. Our Chaplain Don Burt lead in prayer. Our Post's Sr. Vice Commander Doug Yarnell & Auxiliary President Loretta Lombard paid tribute to our fallen comrades and our Honor Guard gave a "21 Gun Salute" followed by "Taps".

Our Memorial Day Ceremony continues at the All Wars Memorial in the Veterans Section of Riverside Cemetery. Our Post places American flags on every Veteran's grave in Chapel Gardens, New Haven Twp. and Riverside Cemeteries. During our Memorial Day Ceremony we place flowers, a wreath and an American flag at the All Wars Memorial in Riverside Cemetery. The ceremony concludes with another "21 Gun Salute" and "Taps."

After the ceremony all were invited back to our Post for coffee, pastries and fellowship. We enjoyed another great turn out. If you missed this year's ceremony, we hope you will plan to attend next year. Our Memorial Day Ceremony takes place every year on Monday, Memorial Day at 10:00 a.m. beginning at Riverside Park in Alma, MI. All are welcome to attend.

2018 Thomas Felton 22 Mile Walk participants reach their destination.

Each day, 22 Veterans take their own lives. 22 mile walks began as a way to raise public awareness to our Nation's alarming Veteran suicide rate. 

​They fought for us, shouldn't we be fighting for them? Find out what you can do to prevent Veteran suicide. Visit VeteransCrisisLine.net for more info, and

• Learn to recognize the signs.
• Learn how to support Veterans in crisis. Access Suicide & Crisis Resources
• Your actions can save lives #Be There for Veterans

It was an honor & a privilege to have this sword within the walls of our Post.
​Listen to NPR's story of its significance or read the article. Links below.

Veterans and their loved ones can call the
​Free & Confidential
Veterans Crisis Line.net
1-800-273-8255 Press 1
to connect with qualified Veterans Crisis Responders
24 Hours a Day, 7 Days a Week.
Chat Online or Text 838255

Click Here for
Help for Homeless Veterans, Help for Veterans in Crisis
and their loved ones.

You may also visit
www.mentalhealth.va.gov/suicide_prevention
for more information.

Our thanks to the Alma Fire District for helping us give a warm welcome the Nozzlemen MC for their annual ride-in to our Post. Alma Fire District brought in the big rig to hoist a very big flag. It's quite a sight to see! We had a full house and a great time was had by all. We were honored to receive a beautiful plaque from our guests, The Nozzlemen. Thank you Alma Fire District and Nozzlemen MC for your continued support of local Veterans! We look forward to seeing you again next year.

Everyone is busy with spring clean-up and our Post is no exception. Our thanks to the many helping hands who have volunteered to spruce up our Post and our community. We had a great crew to help with the improvements at the Veterans Memorial at Riverside Cemetery. Thank you Jeff, Les, Sam, Vic & "Fritz." We all appreciate your hard work & dedication!

Our Honor Guard participated in the Alma Elks Lodge #1400 Field of Honor Dedication Ceremony on May 6th. The weather was cold & rainy but many turned out for the beautiful dedication ceremony by the Alma Elks. Our Honor Guard always does a wonderful job representing our Post. We're very proud of these men! Nothing stops them from honoring their Comrades.

The Club would like to start a motorcycle riders group. All those interested please contact Vince Held at 989-621-4705 or email vheldjr@yahoo.com

ALL Veterans ​are invited to march or ride along in the Jeep or Deuce 1/2 with VFW Post 1454 in the 51st Annual Highland Festival Parade. If interested, meet at the parade line up site at 10 am.

Photo Courtesy of Keith Virgo Photography