COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
Community service is an important priority in our country and a founding VFW tenet!
The preamble of the VFW’s Congressional Charter is a constant reminder of our mission and our focus as a veterans’ organization:
The purpose of this corporation shall be fraternal, patriotic, historical, charitable and educational; to preserve and strengthen comradeship among its members; to assist worthy comrades; to perpetuate the memory and history of our dead, and to assist their widows and orphans; to maintain true allegiance to the Government of the United States of America, and fidelity to its Constitution and laws; to foster true patriotism; to maintain and extend the institutions of American freedom; and to preserve and defend the United States from all her enemies, whomsoever.
B.E.E.F.
Henry T. Waskow Post 4008 is proud to announce that we have established a scholarship in honor of our Post.
Post 4008 works with the Belton New Tech High School for the Belton Educational Enrichment Foundation (BEEF).
To date we have donated $50,000.
B.E.E.F. Mission Statement
To enhance the quality of education by engaging the community
to provide grants and scholarships for the students of Belton ISD.
ADOPT A UNIT
4th Squadron, 3rd Calvary Regiment Longknife is a part of our Post 4008 Adopt A Unit Program.
The Longknife Mission
On Order, 3rd CR rapidly deploys
capable combined arms formations
to execute decisive action anywhere
and to accomplish any mission.
Shared Vision Statement
A Regiment of Mounted Riflemen that fights where it is told and wins, with honor, where it fights.
Organizational Values
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Leader Development
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Teamwork
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Discipline
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Combat Ready
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Communication
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Comprehensive Fitness
Longknife Motto
Brave Rifles! Veterans! You have been baptized in fire and blood and have come out steel!
VETERANS IN THE CLASSROOM
Veterans play an important role in educating our nation's youth about the founding principles upon which America was founded. As combat veterans, VFW members can provide students with a unique perspective about the sacrifices America's service members make to maintain freedom for all of us.
When visiting a classroom, a VFW member will prepare a brief introduction, a main presentation and a Q&A session. Depending on the topic, a member may bring appropriate memorabilia, uniforms, photographs and other relevant material.
American history is something we all share, and there's no one better to help tell that story than someone who's had a great part in shaping it.
Contact a VFW POST 4008 member to arrange for a veteran to visit your classroom.
VFW SPONSORED SCHOLARSHIPS
VOICE OF DEMOCRACY
Voice of Democracy audio-essay program provides high school students with the unique opportunity to express themselves in regards to a democratic and patriotic-themed recorded essay.
The national first-place winner receives a $30,000 scholarship paid directly to the recipient’s American university, college or vocational/technical school. A complete list of other national scholarships range from $1,000-$16,000, and the first-place winner from each VFW Department (state) wins a minimum scholarship of $1,000 and an all-expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C. Want to apply? Read the rules and eligibility requirements, then download and complete the 2019-20 entry form.
Entries begin at our Post 4008. Once the student creates their essay and completes burning the audio version to a CD/flash drive, they can submit their typed version, CD/flash drive and the Voice of Democracy entry form to VFW Post 4008 / 4008 Auxiliary no later than midnight, Oct. 31.
VFW Post 4008 / VFW Auxiliary, Voice of Democracy, P.O. Box 36, Belton, TX 76513
PATRIOTS PEN
The Patriots Pen essay contest encourages young minds to examine America’s history, along with their own experiences in modern American society, by drafting a 300- to 400-word essay, expressing their views based on a patriotic theme chosen by the VFW Commander-in-Chief.
The national first-place winner wins $5,000 and an all-expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C. The first-place winner from each state competes for national awards totaling $55,000, with each first-place state winner receiving a minimum of $500 at the national level.
Want to apply? Read the rules and eligibility requirements, then download and complete the 2019-20 entry form. All student entries must be submitted to VFW Post 4008 / 4008 Auxiliary no later than midnight, Oct. 31.
VFW Post 4008 / VFW Auxiliary, Voice of Democracy, P.O. Box 36, Belton, TX 76513
TEACHER OF THE YEAR
The VFW Teacher of the Year award contest recognizes three exceptional teachers for their outstanding commitment to teaching Americanism and patriotism to their students. Each year, a certified/licensed elementary, junior high and high school teacher whose curriculum focuses on citizenship education topics can be nominated for the Smart/Maher VFW National Citizenship Education Teacher Award.
Winners receive:
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A $1,000 award for professional development expenses.
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A $1,000 award for his/her school.
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Two award plaques: one for the teacher, the other for his/her school.
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An all-expenses-paid trip to attend a VFW conference to receive their award.
Please review the rules and eligibility requirements and nominate a teacher you know by submitting the 2019-20 nomination form.
SCOUT OF THE YEAR
Our Scout of the Year program provides members of the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts who display standout citizenship, patriotism and love of country with the opportunity to be rewarded with college scholarships of up to $5,000.
Some of our earliest ties to the community involve youth groups and perhaps none are stronger or more lasting than the relationship between the VFW and America's scouting organizations. In fact, our partnership with the Boy Scouts of America dates back to 1915 when VFW Post 2100 helped to establish Troop 1 in Everett, Washington.
Before submitting your Scout of the Year application, please review the rules and eligibility requirements.