WELCOME TO HEART OF THE LAKES

Teamwork ~ Leadership ~ Commitment
As yesterday's defenders of freedom, we want to welcome today's military service members into our ranks to become part of our elite group. Our common bond is the battlefield, whether it is service in the Persian Gulf, Korea, Kosovo, the war on terrorism or peace-keeping expeditionary campaigns. Your courage and sacrifice have made a difference in preserving and defending world peace.

There are many people to thank in the historical background of Post 1008. With the various mergers over the years, it presents an interesting history.  Post 1008, founded on February 7, 1950 as Water Wonderful Post 1008.  At this point, the Post was meeting in the American Legion Hall on Paddock and Pike.

Members of VFW Post 1370 formerly met in the basement of a local bar located on Saginaw and Rapid St., owned by Paul Parks.  Several members of Post 1370 would later transfer to Post 1008 to bolster the ranks of the Post.  .

In 1964, the David Belisle Post 4102 of Drayton Plains merged with Post 1008. Stanley Stewart was the commander of Post 4102 and served as the interim commander until the post-election of 1965. The merged posts merged under the number 1008 opened on October 15th, 1967 and elected Clell L. "Mutt” Morse as its first commander.

The purchase of the current post building is a true story of dedication and faith in the importance of Post 1008.

Five members stepped forth and determined to give Post 1008 a home of its own. Clell "Mutt” Morse, George Pappas, Dixie White, Kenneth Gilmore and Robert Almas risked everything when they collateralized their homes to take a 25 year mortgage on the property at 1690 Airport Road. With the money secured, they also helped to renovate an old airframe machine shop into a rental hall and Veterans of Foreign Wars post. No member of Post 1008 will ever forget the level of commitment these individuals exhibited.

In 1993, the Post merged yet again, this time with the David Belisle Post 1008 and Heart of the Lakes (Keego Harbor) Post 2706. In a symbolic act of unification, the family of David Belisle gave permission for the name of the post to change to Heart of the Lakes to welcome the new membership from Post 2706, while keeping the Post 1008 number. The first commander of the newly unified post was Richard Coe.

Undoubtedly, many people have strived to keep Post 1008 open and thriving so that it can continue to serve the needs of our veteran community.


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Monday
Closed

Tuesday- Friday
3pm to 10pm
 
Saturday
1pm to 10pm
 
Sunday
Noon to 7pm
 
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As yesterday's defenders of freedom...

 ...we want to welcome today's military service members into our ranks to become part of our elite group.

WWII, Korean War, Vietnam War, Persian Gulf War, Kosovo, War in Afghanistan, War in Iraq, War on Global Terror and other Peace-Keeping Expeditionary Campaigns throughout the globe.

Assistance & Benefits

Assistance & Benefits

The Veterans of Foreign Wars is dedicated

 to supporting those who sacrifice so much for this country, veterans, service members in the US Armed Forces, and their families and continues to be a voice for returning and currently deployed service members and their families.

District News

Important Info for District 5 Members

VOD/PP/TOY Banquet Tickets & Ad Forms

Gold Star Mothers

Statewide News

News & Info from your department

Gary Brown named VFW Michigan Member of the Year

Past Department Commander Ray Lopez presented Gary Brown with the VFW Department of Michigan Member of the Year Award at the organization's annual State Convention June 1, 2024.

VFW Michigan Riders Group shares Motorcycle Safety Tips

In preparation for riding season, VFW Michigan Riders Group Director Charlie Cline shares some tips on safety while operating a motorcycle this summer.

National News

Important info from National VFW

VFW Announces National Initiative with the Grunt Style Foundation to Address Veterans' Mental Health Needs

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) is honored to partner with the Grunt Style Foundation, a nonprofit organizat...

VFW Honors National Native American Heritage Month

WASHINGTON - The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) recognizes all service members and veterans of Indigenous heritage as we honor Nat...

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OUR MISSION

VFW’s mission statement is: 

 

"to foster camaraderie among United States veterans of overseas conflicts and to serve our veterans, the military, and our communities and advocate on behalf of all veterans.”

 

VFW’s mission statement is made up of 3 Components:

 

1.   Veteran fellowship

2.   Serve veterans

3.   Veterans’ voice

      The first component of the VFW mission statement highlights the preservation and strengthening of comradeship among its members.

      The second component of VFW’s mission statement specifies the people involved in perpetuating the memory and history of those who served with their lives and thank them for their patriotism and to help the surviving spouses and orphans.

      On the other hand, the third component VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars) mission statement presents the advocacy for justice for the veterans, service members and military families on an array of issues and continues to be the voice of veterans everywhere. This is in consonance to the VFW vision statement.

     This is to preserve the memory of those who went to battle in pursuit of fighting for the rights of the people that they serve through their loyalty and love for the country. Their utmost dedication cannot  be forgotten, and it is in this light that their spouses and orphans be given the proper benefits that they truly deserve.