Dennis Parizek

Service to others, especially to his fellow veterans, is central to Dennis Parizek’s life.

Since retiring, he has devoted a lot of time to volunteer work for veteranrelated organizations (and, some time to golf and pool).

A long-time member of VFW Post 1481 in Ogden, Utah, Dennis has been Post Quartermaster since 1995. Currently, he’s also serving in leadership roles for two other groups: the Homeless Veterans Fellowship, which provides transitional housing and counseling to help homeless veterans integrate back into the community, and the Wasatch Front North Veterans Council, an informal social organization bringing together members of veterans’ service agencies.

In addition, Dennis has been a National Home Life Member since 1997 and is a Life Member recruiter as well.

His special empathy for children and single-parent families springs in part from his own background. When he was young, Dennis’ parents divorced, leaving three children in the sole care of his single mother for some years. Though his mom was able to find a good job to support the family, Dennis knows: “it could have been much more difficult.”

Not surprisingly, Dennis firmly believes in remembering those who are left behind, saying “it is our obligation to help the widows, widowers and orphans of our fellow servicemen and servicewomen who gave up their life for our country.”

And he challenges any doubters to visit the National Home campus, where they will “see firsthand what a wonderful place it is.” On his own visit, Dennis was impressed with the sense of community, and the care shown by National Home staff for the residents.

As Dennis notes, there are so many worthwhile causes. But we’re grateful that, for him and his Post, “the National Home has always been a priority…and will continue to be.”