Local VFW looking for new members




MILITARY PACK––Standing left to right are Veterans of Foreign Wars Las Virgenes Post No. 7799 Cmdr. Marvin Serviss, L.A. County Dep.Andy Zahorecz and Post 7799 Senior Vice Cmdr. Art Borgquist. Zahorecz recently received a distinguished service certificate from the local VFW for service to schoolchildren in Las Virgenes school district at the Calabasas Tennis and Swim Club. VFW members were to give a presentation today at A.E.Wright Middle School.

MILITARY PACK––Standing left to right are Veterans of Foreign Wars Las Virgenes Post No. 7799 Cmdr. Marvin Serviss, L.A. County Dep.Andy Zahorecz and Post 7799 Senior Vice Cmdr. Art Borgquist. Zahorecz recently received a distinguished service certificate from the local VFW for service to schoolchildren in Las Virgenes school district at the Calabasas Tennis and Swim Club. VFW members were to give a presentation today at A.E.Wright Middle School.


By Michael Picarella
Acorn Staff Writer

Las Virgenes Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 7799 has been around for 10 years, but is looking for more former servicemen and women so it can survive another decade. Sources said most VFW members are WW II vets and about 1,500 of them die each day.


The VFW of the United States of America is a group of military veterans who served in wars overseas. In 1899, 13 former Spanish-American War soldiers formed the forerunner of VFW in Columbus, Ohio.


Today, VFW, which has about 2.7 million members across the country, is considered the elite of U.S. veterans’ organizations because it demands overseas service in a time of war or international crisis to qualify for membership.


"Like in the service, we take care of each other," said Las Virgenes VFW Cmdr. Marvin Serviss. "A lot of the older vets don’t drive. We drive them … Some are in financial distress. We help them financially. We’re buddies. Like in the service, we take care of each other."


The VFW also takes pride in its volunteer efforts and community service. The Las Virgenes Post has been recognized for its numerous acts of community service.


"If we participate in so many events, for which we get points, and we keep our membership up at 100 percent, we’re eligible for an all-state award," Serviss said.


The United States VFW awards about 50 posts per year, according to Serviss, as all-state units. The Las Virgenes Post earned the award five times.


"We have many community programs," Serviss said. "We have a voice of democracy program in high schools, we have an essay program in middle schools and we give narrations and tell stories of the war to other various schools."


Serviss said his post keeps producing more community service and he hopes Las Virgenes will earn another all-state award.


The Las Virgenes Post also recognizes annually a law enforcement officer, fireman and medical provider of the year, Serviss said.


The overall purpose of VFW, sources said, is to preserve and protect the patriotic and historical interests of the U.S. and its veterans.


The Las Virgenes VFW began with 20 members in the early 1990s. The group has since grown to 85 members, ranging in age from their mid-20s into their late 80s. Most members are WW II vets, but more Vietnam veterans and Gulf War veterans are joining.


"Eventually, we hope the Vietnam vets will take this over and keep it going," Serviss said.


The Las Virgenes VFW meets every second Wednesday of the month at 7:30 p.m. at the Calabasas Swim and Tennis Club.


At 9 a.m. today at A.E. Wright Middle School in Calabasas, the Las Virgenes VFW was to present a Veterans’ Day community service event. For more information or for those interested and qualified for joining the VFW, call Serviss at (805) 379-1348.


Veterans’ Day is Mon., Nov. 11.


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