After two years of canceled or scaled back conventions, it was a welcome relief to gather again with our friends from the VFW and Auxiliary in Kansas City, MO. 

It was Executive Director Mike Wilson’s first VFW Convention, and he enjoyed the opportunity to meet with VFW and Auxiliary members and to address both audiences at the Convention.

“I am excited to be here and have anticipated this time with you all since accepting this opportunity in January” he told them.

Director Wilson shared the National Home’s new mission statement and discussed the priorities and vision of the National Home.

“The VFW National Home assisting military, veterans, and their families with children, by creating a foundation of services and resources to achieve their personal and family goals in order to move forward in a positive, safe, and healthy environment.

Our priorities include:

• Veterans and Families- First and foremost, everything we do must be focused on supporting those who come to us in need.
• Communication- Consistent messaging, and transparency will make our mission easier to maintain as well as increasing overall awareness across the nation of who and how we support those in need.
• Funding – To continue, we must prosper, to prosper we must grow, and to grow we must be financially strong.

Our vision is to be a primary source for the VFW and its Auxiliary nation-wide in supporting veterans, military, and their families with our residential support and services.

We will provide local, regional, and national support on campus for our residents, so they don’t have to go looking for it.

Ultimately, we want to provide excellent opportunities for our families and staff to grow in a diverse and nurturing environment where everyone is treated with fairness and dignity.

Kids should be kids.  We know when mom and dad are suffering the children suffer with them.  We want to remove that suffering.”

And what better way to see the impact of the National Home’s program than hearing directly from our Buddy Poppy Child?  Buddy Poppy Aurora stole the show this year, telling the audiences all about herself including her favorite subject in school (math), what she wants to be when she grows up (veterinarian), and being all around adorable. 

Many attendees couldn’t resist when she offered them her Buddy Poppy Pin, because she’s as cute as a button in person!

Check out photos from convention on our Flickr album!