News & Events

Earlier this month, Dan Guida paid a visit from VFW Post 6249 in Rocky Point, New York.  Dan first learned about the Home at the New York VFW State Convention in Albany, NY the summer of 2019.  He became a Life Member of the National Home, and shortly after returning from his trip, he became a monthly donor. Dan was on his way to Indianapolis for a military reunion when he decided to make a side trip…

National Home Alumni McKenna is a prime example of how the National Home can help families build the tools and skills to give their children the foundation for a happy and successful future. McKenna came to live at the National Home with her mother and siblings in 2006 when she was six years old. Even though her family was only at the Home for two years, McKenna’s life experiences and opportunities provided at…

I’m not certain if the past year reminds me of a carnival Ferris wheel or an amusement park roller coaster. On the one hand, living with the pandemic and all of the seemingly daily updates make me feel like I’m going around and around in circles. On the other hand, it reminds me of the ups, downs, curves, twists, and turns of an amusement park roller coaster. I’m just not clear. Is there a hybrid of a combination …

Today is Military Spouse Appreciation Day, and we would like to highlight Interim-Program Director Laura Lonsbery as she shares her story about her experience as a military spouse. Before we delve into Laura’s experiences, though, let us share with you the military service of Laura’s husband, Mike. Mike joined the Michigan Army National Guard in 1995 as part of the 119th Field Artillery. In 2001 after 9/11, he was…

This year for Military Brat Day, we would like to share a little about a longtime staff member, Jo Cox. Born at Ft Dixon, New Jersey, Jo spent her very early years moving around while her father, Bruce R Cox CWO 4 was on active duty in the United States Army. She knows he served in Korea and that her mother and sister spoke of spending time in Texas, but most of Jo’s childhood was spent in Lansing, Michigan, where…

If you are like me, you are familiar with the phrase “April showers bring May flowers.” That phrase speaks to a new day of hope, of sunshine awaiting us just around the corner of the gray and wet month of April. Yes, something good is awaiting us if we just be patient and hopeful. Something bright will come out of something gray. The sacrifices our veterans and their families make for our country can lead to many …

Today we want to share with you the story of a longtime staff member, Norm. Norm has worked at the VFW National Home for over twenty years, but he had a rich and colorful work history before that. When Norm first sat down for his interview, and I asked him how he came to work at the National Home, he said, “I never figured out what I wanted to be when I grew up.” Originally from Cleveland, Ohio, Norm graduated wit…

We are happy to announce a new house sponsorship at the National Home, the Nevada House! This 1,933 square foot home was built in 1937 by the VFW Department of Michigan and sponsored by the department until 2013. The Marine Riders, a veteran motorcycle group, sponsored the home until 2020, and now the VFW Department of Nevada is taking over the sponsorship of the home! We are so glad that the VFW Members from Neva…

This year for Social Worker Appreciation Month, we are spotlighting Case Manager Naomi. Last year you may have seen the article we did on Naomi for Military Brat day, where she shared how her childhood experiences in an Army family helped guide her decisions for her career. This time we’re going to dive a little deeper into Naomi’s career as a social worker here at the VFW National Home for Children. As she told …

April is Month of the Military Child, and to celebrate, we would like to share with you the story of one of our very own Military Brats on staff, case manager Naomi. “My father joined the Army straight out of High School,” Naomi told us. “My mother graduated the following year and flew to Germany to marry him. I was born nine months and five days from their wedding date.” In her early years, her family moved seve…