Welcome New Officers!
 Thank You Anderson Custom Carpeting!Our thanks to Craig & Mary Anderson of Anderson Custom Carpeting in St. Louis, MI for donating the new flooring installed in the front & back entrances of our Post. The new flooring is beautiful and a great way to welcome our guests. Thank you Anderson Custom Carpeting for supporting our VFW Post and our local Veterans! 
Thank You Alma Fire District & Nozzlemen MC!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.
Many thanks to our volunteers who donated food and helped us welcome & host the Nozzlemen! Thank you Jeanne, Aleta, Annie, Tyler, Darlene, Sandy, Sheila, Jackie, Loretta, Kim & Pat. Dinner was delicious! We had a great turnout for the Catfish & Horse Race event. Thanks to Jeff & Kathy Humphrey for this fun event! And we just can't say it enough... We would like to give a huge thank you to our Club Manager Ellen Winn for making EVERYONE feel welcome on a daily basis!
Improving Our Community, Improving OurselvesEveryone 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! VFW Post 1454 Honor GuardOur 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.  
Calling All Motorcycle EnthusiastThe 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 "Gearing Up" for Memorial Day Weekend  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  Special thank you to Jeff Plot for the generous donation toward our Poppy Program!    Don't forget our monthly meals! |
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 Highland Festival Weekend! Friday, May 25th 5:00-7:00 pm |  Sunday, May 20th Noon-4:00 pm |
Thank you for supporting your local Veterans and Veterans of Foreign Wars!
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 Last One - May 13th! 9:00-Noon |  Sunday, May 20th Noon to 4:00 |  Friday, May 25th 5:00-7:00 |
10 am May 5th - District 9 Meeting, Belding
Saturday, May 5th
The Nozzlemen Motorcycle Club's Ride-In to VFW Post 1454
The Nozzlemen Motorcycle Club's Ride-In to VFW Post 1454
 | Established in Michigan, The Nozzlemen Motorcycle Club is a nonprofit charitable organization founded by firefighters for firefighters & other public safety professionals dedicated to promoting the safe sport of motorcycle riding. The Nozzlemen MC promotes brotherhood and participates in many charity rides each year. For more information visit www.nozzlemenmc.com |
VFW Post 1454's Honor Guard will be participating in the Alma Elks Lodge's
2018 Field of Honor Dedication Ceremony
At Alma Elks Lodge #1400
2 pm on Sunday, May 6th, 2018
To purchase a flag to honor a Veteran or in memory of a Veteran
please contact Alma Elks Lodge #1400 at 989-463-1400 or visit the links below
Alma Elks Field of Honor Facebook page
Alma Elks Lodge #1400 Facebook page
2018 Field of Honor Dedication Ceremony
At Alma Elks Lodge #1400
2 pm on Sunday, May 6th, 2018
To purchase a flag to honor a Veteran or in memory of a Veteran
please contact Alma Elks Lodge #1400 at 989-463-1400 or visit the links below
Alma Elks Field of Honor Facebook page
Alma Elks Lodge #1400 Facebook page
 Dart Leagues Forming! League Meeting May 11th at 6:30 pm | Post & Auxiliary Members Jeff is back from FL (and he brought catfish!) Horse Race Catfish & Hushpuppy Party Saturday, May 12th 4 pm At the Club! |
  | Thank you Great Lakes Highlanders! The Great Lakes Highlanders are a statewide Highland Games team. Each member competes at a high and world class competition during the Highland Festival Games in Alma, MI. The Great Lakes Highlanders adopted VFW Post 1454 and donates 100% of the donations collected during a friendly Individual Caber Toss Competition held during noon lunch break on May 26th & 27th. The Great Lakes Highlanders have donated over $2,000 in the last 2 years raised through this caber toss event. Two Great Lakes Highlander members, also Veterans, marched with us in last year's Highland Parade. We ask our Members & Auxiliary to stop by this fun event to cheer on the Great Lakes Highlanders and show them your support. Go Great Lakes Highlanders! |
Please Join Us As We Honor Our Comrades
| TET 68 Commemorative Ceremony May 18th, 2018 St. Louis VFW Hall St. Louis, MI Registration Required Contact Gratiot County Department of Veterans Affairs 989-875-5258 |  |
VFW & 4-H Club Work Together Serving Our Veterans & Community!
We would like to thank our local 4-H Club & 4-H leaders for helping our Post clean up the Veterans Section of Riverside Cemetery. These youngsters are part of Gratiot County's 4-H program and they are working hard to fulfill their community service commitment. We appreciate their helping hands & look forward to working with them again in the future.
We would like to thank our local 4-H Club & 4-H leaders for helping our Post clean up the Veterans Section of Riverside Cemetery. These youngsters are part of Gratiot County's 4-H program and they are working hard to fulfill their community service commitment. We appreciate their helping hands & look forward to working with them again in the future.
 | Auxiliary Spring Pastie Sale $4 Each Order by Monday, April 23rd Pick-up Thursday, April 26th after 3 Click HERE for Order Form |
| Volunteers Needed for Pastie Prep! Monday, April 23rd at 9:00 am Thursday, April 26th at 9:00 am |  |
Meet Jackson
Jackson is a PTSD Service Dog and lifetime member of VFW Post 1454. Jackson has a very important job & is trained for many specialized tasks. He enjoys traveling with his Veteran companion, as far away as Washington! Jackson likes to stop by the Post to visit with his friends. He really likes our popcorn and we hear he's pretty sweet on our Club Manager Ellen too!
Jackson is a PTSD Service Dog and lifetime member of VFW Post 1454. Jackson has a very important job & is trained for many specialized tasks. He enjoys traveling with his Veteran companion, as far away as Washington! Jackson likes to stop by the Post to visit with his friends. He really likes our popcorn and we hear he's pretty sweet on our Club Manager Ellen too!
 |  |
Click the links below for more information on
Veterans Assistance, PTSD, Service & Emotional Support Dogs
www.ptsd.va.gov
Veterans Crisis Line 1-800-273-8255 Press 1
Free, Confidential Support
24 Hours a Day, 7 Days a Week, 365 Days a Year Available
www.VeteransCrisisLine.net
Veterans Assistance, PTSD, Service & Emotional Support Dogs
www.ptsd.va.gov
Veterans Crisis Line 1-800-273-8255 Press 1
Free, Confidential Support
24 Hours a Day, 7 Days a Week, 365 Days a Year Available
www.VeteransCrisisLine.net
VFW Post 1454 Auxiliary's
Spring Pastie Sale - $4 Each
Spring Pastie Sale - $4 Each
| Download order form here ---> | 
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Volunteer for Pastie Prep!
Contact VFW Post 1454 Auxiliary for details.
Contact VFW Post 1454 Auxiliary for details.
Donations will be accepted until March 1st.
Thank you for supporting your local Veterans!
Thank you for supporting your local Veterans!
 |  |
Alma College Theatre Presents
Soldier's Heart
Soldier's Heart
 | Before heading off to war in Iraq, Casey Johnson neatly organizes her life into a box of lists, envelopes and registration forms for her son’s activities. Months later, she returns home forever changed, with deep psychological scars that no amount of arranging seems to be able to fix. Tammy Ryan’s Soldier’s Heart shines a light on the struggles facing woman warriors. This production will take place in the Dance Studio. |
 | Our thanks to all of the Alma High School students who participated in this year's VFW Voice of Democracy Speech Contest. All of the young men & women who participated did a wonderful job writing & delivering thoughtful speeches on this year's VOD topic "American History: Our Hope For The Future." A volunteer panel of Post & Auxiliary Members selected their favorites and we are please to report that two of our Post's submissions won 1st & 4th place for District 9 and moved on to the State finals. Congratulations to Karen Nguyen our 1st place winner and Sara Gadde our 4th place winner. Great job! Our Post will now hold the 1st place trophy until next year. Stop by the Post and check it out! |
Post Commander Vic Simon accepts VOD 1st Place Trophy for District 9
| We had a great turn out for our Chili Cook Off held on Sunday, January 21st. 15 chili recipes were entered into the competition and many turned out to sample and judge. We hope to make this an annual event so please plan to compete & attend next year! Congratulations (& Bragging Rights) To: 1st Place - Randy Apple 2nd Place - Gail Alexander 3rd Place - Diane Pieper |  |
Thank you for supporting your local Veterans!
“CALL TO ACTION” FOR MILITARY SUICIDE PREVENTION ADVOCATES
4 STEPS TO ASSESSING SUICIDE RISK AMONG VETERANS
4 STEPS TO ASSESSING SUICIDE RISK AMONG VETERANS
LOOK for the warning signs. These warning signs require immediate attention & referral.
Additional Warning Signs - Any of these signs, refer for mental health treatment.
ASSESS for risk and protective factors that may increase or decrease risk for suicide.
ASK the questions (these are very serious questions)
RESPONDING to suicide risk
FACTORS THAT MAY DECREASE RISK
This information is provided by the Suicide Risk Assessment Guide from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs guide.
Remember - Only trained medical professionals can diagnose a Veteran but we as individuals must be aware that Post Traumatic Syndrome Disorder is real and it is a hidden factor that effects many.
Veterans Crisis Line 1-800-273-8255 press 1
or Online Chat at: www.VeteransCrisisLine.net
The number listed above is a direct line to the Veteran Crisis Line who can assist the Veteran to the nearest VA Hospital.
- Threatening to hurt or kill self
- Looking for ways to kill self
- Seeking access to pills, weapons, or other means
- Talking or writing about death, dying, or suicide
Additional Warning Signs - Any of these signs, refer for mental health treatment.
- Hopelessness
- Rage, anger, seeking revenge
- Acting recklessly or engaging in risky activities, seemingly without thinking
- Feeling trapped—like there’s no way out
- Increasing alcohol or drug abuse
- Withdrawing from friends, family, and society
- Dramatic changes in mood
- Perceiving no reason for living, no sense of purpose in life
ASSESS for risk and protective factors that may increase or decrease risk for suicide.
- Current ideation, intent, plan,
- Previous suicide attempts
- Alcohol/substance abuse
- Previous history of psychiatric diagnosis
- Impulsiveness and poor self-control
- Hopelessness--presence, duration, severity
- Recent losses--physical, financial, personal
- Recent discharge from an impatient unit
- Family history of suicide
- History of abuse--physical, sexual or emotional
- Co-morbid health problems, newly diagnosed or worsening symptoms
ASK the questions (these are very serious questions)
- Are you feeling hopeless about the present/future? If yes, ask....
- Have you had thoughts about taking your life? If yes, ask....
- When did you have these thoughts, and do you have a plan to take your life?
- Have you ever had a suicide attempt?
RESPONDING to suicide risk
- Refer them to mental treatment
- Inform and involve someone close to this person
- Limit access to means of suicide
- Increase contact and make a commitment to help the person through the crisis
FACTORS THAT MAY DECREASE RISK
- Positive social support Spirituality
- Sense of responsibility to family
- Children in the home, pregnancy
- Life satisfaction
- Reality testing ability
- Positive coping skills
- Positive problem-solving skills
- Positive therapeutic relationships
This information is provided by the Suicide Risk Assessment Guide from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs guide.
Remember - Only trained medical professionals can diagnose a Veteran but we as individuals must be aware that Post Traumatic Syndrome Disorder is real and it is a hidden factor that effects many.
Veterans Crisis Line 1-800-273-8255 press 1
or Online Chat at: www.VeteransCrisisLine.net
The number listed above is a direct line to the Veteran Crisis Line who can assist the Veteran to the nearest VA Hospital.
Your awareness & actions may help to save the life of someone who fought to protect yours!
 | Red Cross Blood Drive Monday, January 22nd Noon until 5:45 .m. Save time & register early with RapidsPass |
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Thank you for supporting your local Veterans!
Thank you for supporting your local Veterans!
 | Reminder... VFW Auxiliary Membership dues must be paid by 12/31/17 to remain in good standing! For your convenience you can click below to activate your account in MALTA to pay your dues online. |
Leslie C. McLean
VFW Post 1454
Dedicated to a lifetime of service to our county and our community.
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