#StillServing Colorado

Comrades, Sisters and Brothers, 
 
I want to start by thanking the Department of Colorado for all the hard work that has been accomplished this year. We have more to do. Membership is doing good, most of the Post/Districts are thriving. My team and I have been extremely busy. We have been traveling around to the districts working with Posts that need assistance, helping to resolve issues and our very own Services Officers are working with Veterans to file claims for benefits.
 
We have worked to have a balanced budget and not minimize our expenses for the Department. We had to cut some things, to some changes to accomplish this. We have worked really well with the Auxiliary, the Cooties, and the Warriors in order for each organization to raise funds and accomplish their goals for this year. We were able to assist other Departments, North Carolina and New Mexico veterans during their flood disasters. Overall it has been good, but a tough year with all that had happened.
 
In a month and a half, our State Convention will convene. These are June 19-22, 2025. The convention city is Colorado Springs, Colorado this year. All forms you need to get registered is on the Department web page at https://vfwco.org/index.php/convention. I hope to see all of you there. We will have a military banquet with keynote speaker, Florent “Flo’ Groberg, Retired U.S. Army Officer & Medal of Honor Recipient, Heroism during the War in Afghanistan. Our VFW National Representative will be Brian Duffy, Past Commander-in-Chief. Both bios’ are listed on the Department Website.
 
As of 4/28/2025, the Districts membership are as follows: District 12 leads the pack with 107.77%, followed by District 5 with 105.87% and District 4 with 105.01%. District 6 reached 103.68% and District 13 reached 100.84%. The remaining 8 Districts are all above 90%.
 
For the Posts, their percentages are as follows: (15 Posts have reached 105% or higher) Post 12227 leads the pack with 300%, followed by Post 12230 with 223.08%, Post 8064 with 122.50%, Post 4051 with 121.14%, Post 807 with 114.81%, Post 5231 with 109.19%, Post 9058 with 109.09%,Post 8121 with 108.82%, Post 4031 with 108.29%, Post 3551 with 108.10%, Post 9374 with 107.69%, Post 12063 with 107.27%, Post 6612 with 107.14%, Post 2411 with 105.35% and Post 12189 with 105.26%.
 
(13 Posts have reached 102% to 104.99%) Post 336 with 104.76%, Post 9700 with 104.54%, Post 3641 with 104.05%, Post 3641 with 104.05%, Post 1166 with 102.85%, Post 3541 with 102.81%, Post 7829 with 102.77%, Post 3981 with 102.57%, Post 6051 with 102.43%, Post 5221 with 102.38%, Post 9565 with 102.35%, Post 9221 with 102.32%, Post 4671 with 102.22%, Post 5812 with 102.11%.
 
(17 Posts have reached 100% to 101.99%) Post 2601 with 101.11%, Post 101 with 100.66%, Post 100.45%. Posts with 100% are Post 3471, Post 4666, Post 8898, Post 6482, Post 7153, Post 4001, Post 4281, Post 4849, Post 6101, Post 11411, Post 5843, Post 1247, Post 5181, Post 3411.
 
There are 34 Posts that have reached 90% to 99.99%. There are 6 Posts that reached 80% to 89.99%.
 
Please keep in mind the membership program for the year does end on June 30, 2025. The VFW Online Membership System has a list of those members who have not renewed their membership for the current and please complete a buddy check and is if they are willing to extend their membership by renewing TODAY. Post Commanders and Post Quartermasters please reach out to those members who have expired and also do a buddy check. Membership if you would like to assist please let the Post leadership know.
 
Congratulations to the Colorado Recruiters (2024-2025)
64 Members:
Mike Sinchak, Post 4051
 
21 Members:
Jesse Eastburn, Post 1 
 
15 Members:
David Anthony, Post 4051
 
12 Members:
Travis Baker, Post 6461
Leonard Ladue, Post 3981
 
11 Members:
Richard Cote, Post 4051
Stephen Urbany, Post 6461
 
7 Members:
Chad Ryan, Post 101
Curtis Miss, Post 5231
 
6 Members:
James Sheridan, Post 2788
Steven Drapeau, Post 2121
Glen Blackmann, Post 4051
Aarron Himes, Post 6461
Jeffrey Punches, Post 4031
 
5 Members:
Todd VanSant, Post 9644
Anthony Johnson, Post 5812
Mathew Cummings, Post 6624
Peter Dowding, Post 3631
 
4 Members:
Brian K Asbeck, Post 1
James A Peterson Jr, Post 4266
Michael McClure, Post 1771
Leon Bartholomay, Post 2601
Nicholas Miner, Post 2601
John Olander, Post 101
 
 
David Stone, Post 3917
Brandon Baralt, Post 4331
Wayne Neumann, Post 9565
 
3 Members:
Brian Clark, Post 5061
Duane Johnson, Post 5061
Lynn Peterson, Post 9644
Lorrie McLaughlin, Post 41
Roman Sepulveda, Post 1781
Jenny Santucci, Post 2601
David Gelatt, Post 6624
Matthew Lewis, Post 3917
Barbara Green, Post 4051
Jim Whipple, Post 1247
David Latham, Post 4031
 
2 Members:
John Keene, Post 1
Rolando Rodriguez, Post 1
Michael Gardunio, Post 322
Ronald Davies, Post 9644
Brian Guenther, Post 12230
Geraldine Rimpley, Post 2788
Brian White Alston, Post 3641
Fred Gauna Jr, Post 3641
Benjamin Livsey, Post 12063
Michael Vagle, Post 101
Mindy King, Post 101
Terry Mullins, Post 101
Robert Kidd, Post 3917
Eric Veed, Post 4051
Michael Rosseau, Post 4051
Robert Lowe, Post 336
Christopher Martinez, Post 899
Kevin Burgess, Post 1166
Joseph Vrbas, Post 9374
Gary La Penna, Post 4444
Machael Breaux Jr, Post 7945
Alan Hughes, Post 5231
John Reed, Post 9058
David Adams, Post 15006
1 Members:
David Pratt, Post 1
Joshua Bridger, Post 1
Robert Stewart, Post 1
Lorn Casey, Post 3471
Harold Abney, Post 4666
Robert Brekke, Post 4666
James Kruse, Post 5061
Vincent Miller, Post 5061
Christine Yergert, Post 9644
Gary Bean, Post 9644
Christopher Boyer, Post 12230
David Mooney, Post 12230
John Alborghetti, Post 12230
Tammy Garrett, Post 12230
Timothy La Monda, Post 12230
Jeffrey Dietiker, Post 3641
Brig Martinez, Post 4061
Donald Worrell, Post 4061
Edward Williamson, Post 4061
Jeffrey Gill, Post 4061
Milo Cress, Post 4061
Thomas Coffield, Post 8898
Mark Lyons, Post 41
Randal Isaac, Post 41
Dennis Craig, Post 1781
Nathan May, Post 1781
Pete Camarillo, Post 2121
Damien Berg, Post 2585
Jerry Eldred, Post 2585
William Robards, Post 2585
Fredric Scheck, Post 6624
Leroy Dentlinger, Post 6624
Mark Martens, Post 6624
Kraig Patriquin, Post 12189
Neil Schaal, Post 12189
Adam Beauprez, Post 3378
JohnBenedict, Post 3541
Rodney Wiebers, Post 3541
Ronald Brown, Post 4671
 
Kevin Thomas, Post 101
Robert McClintock, Post 101
Timothy Keck, Post 101
Robert Odum, Post 3917
Edward Garland, Post 4051
Guy Green, Post 4051
James Mavity, Post 4051
Justin Rogers, Post 4051
Larry Johnson, Post 4051
Michael White, Post 4051
Michael Masokas, Post 4051
Richie Reeder, Post 4051
William Beehan, Post 4051
Leslie Bullock, Post 5221
Aaron Vaughn, Post 6461
Sean McNaley, Post 6461
Tony Hardy, Post 6461
Joseph Berthelotte, Post 7829
Thomas Dowd III, Post 7829
Richard Nagley, Post 899
Mike Vining, Post 8121
Jaron Bintz, Post 1166
Jeffrey Bintz, Post 1166
Jerald Cunningham, Post 3820
Ronald Johnson, Post 12009
Tara Garber, Post 4265
Frank Stewart, Post 5843
Toby Handy, Post 4171
Frederick Schaefer, Post 784
Darold Stafford, Post 3981
Gary Tollefson, Post 9221
Thomas Valdez, Post 9304
Alfred Riedinger III, Post 4031
Christopher Gober, Post 4031
Demetrius Lewis, Post 4031
Michael Omahoney, Post 4031
Joseph Orris, Post 5231
Ross Watkins, Post 5231
Tommy Endres, Post 5231
Alexandros Manouselis, Post 15006
Robert Martinez PhD, Post 15006
New Members - 361; Reinstate - 49; Total Recruited - 410; No Recruiter - 216; Department Total - 626
 
Though the community service reporting period is over for the State of Colorado, it is not for National. You need to continue to make entries as you complete your events.
 
Carol Thomas
Department Commander

 

The Department of Colorado VFW General orders for the current VFW year are published on this page. All Department, District and Post officers should be familiar with them and Adjutants should maintain a file of the current orders which is an inspectable item.

 

VFW General Order No 4 - 2024-2025
VFW General Order No 3 - 2024-2025
VFW General Order No 2 - 2024-2025
VFW General Order No 1 - 2024-2025

A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CHAPLAINCY

During times of turmoil and war, mankind always looks to religion and religious figures for comfort. Both ancient and modern societies have turned to religion and communities have extended the comfort of religion to those serving in the heat of battle. Priests and other religions figures petition gods and spirits for victory in war. The Scriptures often refers to priests accompanying troops into battle. (see: Deut. 20:2-4; Joshua 6:2-5). 

The modern chaplaincy’s roots and origin are essentially in the medieval church. The word chaplain dates from this period. A fourth century story tells of the pagan Roman soldier called Martin of Tours. One day as he and his soldiers were approaching the gates of the city of Amiens, he met a scantily clad beggar. He impulsively cut his military cloak in half to share with the man. That night, Martin dreamed of Christ wearing the half-cloak he had given away. He heard Christ say to the angels: “Martin, who is still but a catechumen, clothed me with this robe.” When Martin woke, he found his cloak restored to wholeness.

Read more: Colorado VFW Chaplaincy

As of April 30, 2025

District 1 2023 2024 % District 8 2023 2024 %
1 Denver 1017 838 82.39 859 Leadville 26 25 96.15
322 Englewood 102 98 96.07 1166 Buena Vista 105 108 103%*
3471 Morrison 57 57 100%* 3820 Salida 58 57 98.27
4266 Parker 108 97 89.81 7563 Black Hawk 29 26 89.65
 4666 Littleton 97 97 100%* 8661 Bailey 105 103 98.09
5061  Denver 236 226 95.76 10721 Minturn 101 94 93.06
 9644 Fort Logan 396 383 96.71 11411 Lake George 43 43 100%*
12230  Castle Rock 26 58 223%* 12009 Conifer 109 105 96.33
TOTAL     2039 1854 90.92 TOTAL   576 561 97.39
                   
District 2       District 9      
2788 Penrose 110 92 83.63 4264 Stmbt Spgs 89 84 94.38
3641 Pueblo 74 77 104%* 4265 Craig 98 91 92.85
4061 Canon City 239 204 85.35 5261 Rangely 20 19 95.00
5812 Pueblo West 189 193 102%* 5843 Meeker 38 38 100%*
7305 Colo City 44 43 97.72 9374 Kremmling 26 28 108%*
8898 Boone 42 42 100%* TOTAL 271 260 95.94
12063 Westcliffe 55 59 107%*          
TOTAL 753 710 94.28          

Read more: VFW Membership by District

The Colorado Division of Veterans Affairs is pleased to announce that requests for the State of Colorado Military Honors Stipend will be accepted starting January 15, 2022 from eligible organizations that have completed the registration process.

Per C.R.S. 28-5-507, a local unit of a congressionally chartered Veterans Service Organization or its auxiliary is eligible to receive a $75 stipend for providing an honor guard detail at the funeral of an eligible, honorably discharged veteran. Second, third, and fourth honors services performed on the same day can also receive up to an additional stipend of $25 each for expenses incurred for mileage, transportation costs, and meals, not to exceed $75 in total. If the local unit provides a student to play “Taps,” the local unit may pay some or all the stipend to the student. Stipends will be paid based upon availability of funds.

To be eligible to receive the reimbursement:

Read more: State of Colorado Military Honors Stipend

VFW Headquarters has increased the cost of buddy poppies and is requiring a VFW Membership Number to process the order. Effectively immediately please use the Cloth Buddy Poppy Form OR the Tin/Metal Buddy Poppy Form that was revised 7/31/2024 and is attached below for the traditional cloth poppy. Traditional Red Buddy Poppies can still be ordered.

There is a difference in price between the traditional cloth poppy and the tin poppy. Please verify which type of poppy you would like to order.

The VFW Department of Colorado Foundation has gone through some changes again. We have new administrative staff and have gotten back into a deal with the Veteran’s Trust Fund. All grant applications will come to VFW Department of Colorado Headquarters. The amount has not changed, we will still grant up to $500 on a one-time basis for emergencies. The application and requirements will be on the VFW Department of Colorado website.
 
The Department of Colorado also has the Ralph W. Emerson/Jack Gulden Memorial Blood/Cancer Fund. The application may apply once every 12 months with a lifetime maximum of 2 times for a grant of $500 to cover out of pocket expenses. The application must be a current member of the VFW or it’s auxiliary and must include their member number, and auxiliary members must include a copy of their membership card. This fund covers acceptable receipted expenses for the following: treatments such a chemo, radiation, surgical and any other medical procedure concerning cancer treatments; blood work, including transfusions, platelet infusions, transplants, and any other procedure concerning blood; travel receipts will be accepted in the form of fuel receipts only. For more information please see the Department of Colorado Website.
 
The last fund that the VFW Department of Colorado offers is the Katy Rimpley  Service Animal Assistance Fund. The applicant may apply once every 12 months for a grant of $500 to help cover out of pocket expenses for pet insurance, veterinary appointments/treatments/inoculations, and pet food. The application must be a current member of the VFW or it’s auxiliary and must include their member number, and auxiliary members must include a copy of their membership card.  Receipts MUST accompany the grant application. Please see the Department of Colorado website for more information.
 
Our funds are fairly stable currently but all donations are greatly appreciated to continue to be able to serve our veterans and their families. All donations are tax deductible. If you have any questions please call Department Headquarters at 303-421-1630.
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