From a vote in Reno to welcoming new families in just 90 days, the VFW National Home celebrates the opening of its 44th and 45th homes.
What started as a vision quickly became a reality, and in just 90 days, two new houses became two new homes filled with hope, opportunity, and the promise of brighter futures.
The VFW National Home proudly celebrated the opening of its 44th and 45th homes, the Auxiliary House and Florida 2 House, with two special ribbon-cutting ceremonies on October 23 and November 4, 2026. These additions mark an exciting milestone in the National Home’s more than 100-year history of serving veterans and military families.
But behind the ribbon cuttings, smiling faces, and beautiful new homes is an incredible story of dedication, teamwork, generosity, and a mission that continues to bring people together.
From Reno to Reality in 90 Days
Plans were already in motion for the Florida 2 House when another exciting opportunity arose. In July 2026, during the VFW National Convention in Reno, Nevada, a vote was held to move forward with the Auxiliary House, adding a second new home to the National Home’s plans.
With two new homes now on the horizon, VFW National Home Executive Director Dr. Jerred Johnson gave his team an ambitious challenge: Get both houses ready to welcome their new families in just 90 days.
And the team got to work!
What followed was a whirlwind of planning, construction, coordination, and countless hours of hard work. Every detail mattered, because the goal wasn’t simply to finish two buildings. It was to create two welcoming spaces where veteran families could begin their next chapters.
A tremendous thank-you goes to the incredible crew at Mid Star Home Builders, whose hard work, dedication, and support helped bring this vision to life. Their commitment, alongside the efforts of National Home staff and supporters, made it possible to turn an ambitious timeline into something truly meaningful.
In just three short months, what began as a goal became a place to call home.
Celebrating the Auxiliary House: October 23, 2026
The first celebration took place on October 23, as VFW and VFW Auxiliary members, elected officials, community supporters, and friends of the National Home gathered to officially welcome the Auxiliary House to campus.
Dr. Jerred Johnson opened the ceremony, reflecting on the importance of the milestone and the incredible generosity that made it possible.
VFW Auxiliary National President Donna Mills shared remarks, followed by former VFW National Home Trustee Jan Owens, recognizing the dedication and commitment of those who continue to support the National Home’s mission.
The celebration also included special remarks from Congressman Tom Barrett and Michigan State Representative Julie Brixie, whose presence reflected the importance of supporting veterans and military families.
But perhaps the most meaningful part of the afternoon was the participation of the first family who would call the Auxiliary House home. Both parents serve in the Michigan National Guard, continuing their commitment to serving our country while building a future for their own family.
Standing alongside Dr. Johnson, Donna Mills, and Jan Owens, the family helped officially cut the ribbon on their new home.
It was a beautiful moment that brought the purpose of the celebration into focus. The Auxiliary House wasn’t just another addition to campus. It was a new beginning for a military family who has dedicated so much to serving others.
For the VFW Auxiliary members and supporters who made this home possible, seeing the family who would soon walk through its doors was a powerful reminder of the impact their generosity has on the lives of those who serve.
Florida 2 House: A Celebration of Commitment and Community
The excitement continued on November 4, when leadership from the VFW Department of Florida and its Auxiliary visited campus for a special ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrating the Florida 2 House.
The ceremony began with a warm welcome from VFW National Home Chief Operating Officer Dave Lewis, followed by remarks from Dr. Jerred Johnson.
Representing Florida were State Commander Randy Cash, Adjutant/Quartermaster John Coleman, and Department Auxiliary Secretary Debbie Tilley, who shared in the excitement of seeing another home become a reality.
The highlight of the celebration came when the first family moving into the Florida 2 House, a United States Marine Corps veteran and his wife, joined Florida leadership, Dr. Johnson, and Dave Lewis to officially cut the ribbon on their new home.
It was a moment that brought everything full circle. What began as a vision supported by the generosity and dedication of VFW and VFW Auxiliary members had become something much more personal: a place where a veteran and his family could begin building their future.
For the Florida leadership and supporters who helped make the home possible, standing beside the very family who would benefit from their commitment was a meaningful reminder of why the National Home’s mission matters.
Behind every door is a family with a story, dreams for the future, and the opportunity to begin again.
More Than Houses, They’re Opportunities
While the addition of two homes brings the National Home’s total to 45, the true significance of this milestone goes far beyond the numbers.
Each home represents another veteran or military family with the opportunity to find stability, strengthen relationships, set goals, and build a more independent future.
“When we talk about adding our 44th and 45th homes, the number is exciting, but what matters most is what those homes make possible,” said Dr. Jerred Johnson, Executive Director of the VFW National Home. “They mean two more veteran families can come here and know they have a safe place to land, people in their corner and an opportunity to focus on what comes next. This is where kids can be kids, families can heal, and veterans and their families can build new beginnings.”
At the VFW National Home, families receive much more than housing. Through individualized case management, financial guidance, educational opportunities, childcare, and a supportive community, families are given the tools, time, and encouragement to work toward lasting independence.
For a child, a new home might mean a safe backyard to play in, a bedroom to call their own, or the comfort of knowing where they’ll wake up tomorrow.
For a parent, it might mean the chance to breathe, regroup, and focus on building a stronger future for their family.
And for a veteran, it can mean knowing that the country they served has not forgotten them or their family.
Built by Generosity. Made for New Beginnings.
The opening of the Auxiliary House and Florida 2 House is a testament to what can happen when people come together with a shared purpose.
From the VFW and VFW Auxiliary members who championed these homes, to the supporters who made them possible, the hardworking crew at Mid Star Home Builders, and the National Home staff who embraced an ambitious 90-day challenge, every person played a part in creating something that will impact families for years to come.
To everyone who helped make these homes a reality, thank you. Your generosity, dedication, and belief in our mission have helped open two more doors to opportunity.
As Dr. Johnson shared, “Every home on this campus has a story, and every family who walks through one of those doors has their own hopes for what comes next. These two homes give us the opportunity to say ‘yes’ to two more families. That is what makes this milestone so meaningful.”
For more than a century, the VFW National Home has been a place where veterans and military families can find hope, stability, and a community that believes in their future.
And now, with 45 homes on campus, that legacy continues to grow.
Two new homes. Two more families. Countless possibilities.
VFW National Home — Where veterans and families build new beginnings.
