• In 2025, we provided free monthly meeting space at our Post for Port Washington’s John Michael Marino Lodge No.1389, Order Sons & Daughters of Italy. In 2026, we will continue to freely offer our space to this not-for-profit in 2026.
• We distributed donated medical-support devices to veterans and their families in need.
• This year, we hosted Glen Cove’s Tribute and Honor Foundation at our Post where they presented checks to the graduating Schrieber High School students who have enlisted into the military.
• Now, 94 veteran’s banners fly along Port’s Main Street because our post has collected all of the funds to finance and install these banners. We intend to continue our banner program into 2026.
• We again distributed VFW Buddie Poppies to the public before Memorial Day and Veterans Day.

 Educational Programs

• At Port Washington’s Weber Junior High School and the Schrieber Senior High School, our members talked about their individual military experiences and TOOK (take) questions from the students.
• We did the same type of program at the Port Washington Children Center but tailored it for young children.

 Port Washington’s Parades:

• Memorial Day – We marched in this parade along with American Legion’s Post 501. At the parades culminating ceremony at Port’s Bandshell, we provided a rifle salute and a trumpeter for taps.
• Veterans Day – We joined this parade and at its culminating ceremony at the Bandshell, one of our members made a Veterans Day speech and another member trumpeted taps.
• Pride in Port Parade – We accompanied our fellow citizens in this parade to celebrate all in our community organizations

Local Veterans Funerals & Burials:

• We attended veterans’ funerals and at their burials, we provided rifle salutes and taps.

The above initiatives will again be accomplished by us in 2026, plus these two new high school and middle-school programs:

• This year, we intend to engage and work with Schrieber High School students regarding the VFW’s “Voice of Democracy” Program.” This is a voluntary national patriotic essay-contest where our Post will judge the participating student’s essays and select a winning local essay. We will forward that essay the VFW Headquarters in Kansas City, MO, to be judged again on a national level. There, the various levels of winners can receive thousands of dollars in college scholarships. There is a similar VFW program called the “Patriot’s Pen” audio and essay contest for the Weber Junior High School students. We will also judge those entry’s and submit our local winner’s materials to the VFW headquarters for the national judging and a possible monetary award.
• Each Schriber student who works successfully with us on their “Voice of Democracy” essay will receive a $100 award from our VFW Post 1819 and our local grand prize winner will receive $500 from us. Also, each Weber student who works successfully on their “Patriot’s Pen” audio and essay presentations with us will receive a $50 award from our VFW Post 1819 and our local first place winner will receive $250 from our Post.