WELCOME TO DEPARTMENT of MAINE

Fraternal, Patriotic, Historical, Charitale, and Educational
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.
 
 

Announcements

Woolwich Senior Awarded Top VFW National Scholarship

Drewniak takes home first place and the $35,000 scholarship prize

 

PHILADELPHIA (April 11, 2026) – The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) is proud to announce Olivia Drewniak, a high school senior at Morse High School in Bath, Maine, has been named the national winner and recipient of the first place $35,000 T.C. Selman Memorial Scholarship award in its 2025-2026 Voice of Democracy scholarship program.

 

For the first time in two decades, the national winners were announced at a special 79th annual Parade of Winners ceremony held at the historic Union League of Philadelphia during the winners’ trip to Founding Forward’s Spirit of America Youth Leadership experience at Valley Forge. The trip, awarded to every VFW Department (state) winner, was sponsored byTwisted X.

 

VFW Junior Vice Commander Glenn Umberger Jr. and VFW Auxiliary President Lois Callahan were joined by Twisted X Senior Director of Sales Clayton Smith to announce this year’s winners and present Drewniak with the top prize. Drewniak was sponsored by Pitman-Morrison VFW Post 7738 located in Bath. Following the announcement,Drewniak delivered her winning essay on this year’s thought-provoking theme, "How Are You Showing Patriotism and Support for Our Country?”Read her winning essay.

 

Open to eligible high school students in ninth through 12th grades, the Voice of Democracy contest requires entrants to write and record a three- to five-minute essay on a democratic, patriotic theme. Nearly 28,000 high school students entered this year’s competition, with 52 national finalists vying for their share of a combined $1.6 million in local, state and national scholarships and awards.

 

See the complete list of 2026 Voice of Democracy national winners.

 

The Voice of Democracy competition theme for 2026-2027 asks students to answer, "What a Veteran Taught Me About America.” To learn more about the programs or to download the entry form, visitvfw.org/YouthScholarships.

 

-vfw-

 

About the VFW:The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S. is the nation's largest and most established major war veterans organization. Founded in 1899, the congressionally chartered VFW is comprised entirely of eligible veterans and military service members from the active, Guard and Reserve forces. With more than 1.3 million VFW and Auxiliary members located in nearly 6,000 Posts worldwide, the nonprofit veterans service organization is proud to proclaim "NO ONE DOES MORE FOR VETERANS” than the VFW, which is dedicated to veterans’ service, legislative advocacy, and military and community service programs. For more information or to join, visit our website atvfw.org.

 

PHOTO CUTLINE: VFW Junior Vice Commander Glenn Umberger Jr. (left) and VFW Auxiliary President Lois Callahan (right) present Voice of Democracy first place winner Olivia Drewniak (center) with her $35,000 scholarship during the 2026 Parade of Winners on April 11, 2026, at the Union League in Philadelphia.

Commander's Corner

Commander Amy H. Meuchel

 
 
Greeting Comrades,
I hope you all had a wonderful and safe holiday season. But now it is time to get back to work. Recruit!
Recruit! Recruit! Retrain! We are currently 7th in the Eastern Conference. Congratulations
department because we reach our membership goal of 90% in December. We are just a hair behind
national, holding at 91.40%, which national is currently at 91.96%. According to our Department’s
Membership Program, we should reach our goal of 95% in February. We could defiantly make that
happen. I do have one small story to share. I ran into someone who was interested in joining the
VFW. He went into a post, and he said no one acknowledged him, so he chose to leave and not join.
That is an opportunity that was missed. I referred him to another post and hopefully things worked
out.
December was a very busy month for me between work and my duties as commander. I had the
honor of being the keynote speaker in the Halls of Flags at the Maine State House in Augusta for
Wreaths Across America. Next year I hope to see more VFW covers as I was the only one. District 10
had a productive meeting minus the slippery roads to get there. In January, I am looking forward to
the Winter CoA as well as the Voice of Democracy, Patriot Pen, Teacher of the Banquet and seeing
everyone. Also, on my agenda I have District 7, 8, and 9 meetings to attend.
I have seen through social media and heard through members all the wonderful things that you all
have been doing for MAKING A POSITIVE IMPACT this past month. Food drives, children’s
Christmas parties, participating in Wreaths Across America by laying wreaths at local cemeteries and
sending gifts to the Maine Veterans Home. The department also sent Certificate of Appreciation to
members of the Portland Elks Lodge 188 for their continuous support to the Maine Veterans Home
and their support in helping 15 homeless veterans with their new apartments. To MAKING A
POSITIVE IMPACT, we can achieve more by working together.
Amy Hope Meuchel
Commander

"Making A Positive Impact”

Maine Honor Flight

Honor Flight

Maine Honor Flight

Wreaths Across America Radio

 
 

What is Wreaths Across America Radio?

Wreaths Across America Radio is a "Voice For America’s Veterans.” Wreaths Across America Radio shares content relevant to our Gold Star Families, Blue Star Families, military veterans and their families, and Wreaths Across America’s millions of volunteers 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We do this through a variety of veteran-centric programs, and interviews with Gold Star Families, Blue Star Families, veterans, and volunteers. This content is mixed with public service programming from our partner organizations, along with patriotic and contemporary country music, to provide an entertaining and informative line-up. Wreaths Across America Radio is easy to take with you anywhere you go! We are available on the iHeart Radio app, the Audacy app, and the TuneIn app. Wreaths Across America Radio will often broadcast live from major events and provide exclusive coverage of military-centric happenings that other organizations don’t have access to. Tune in today to find out what you have been missing and learn more about how we Remember, Honor and Teach, all year round!

Want To listen Live?

The Player is right here! Just press "Play" and listen anytime!

 


DONATE TODAY and help us provide dentures for Main

Maine Masonic Charitable Foundation in conjunction with HM Payson An Integrated Financial Advisor Have Joined forces for a great cause together we will match the first $20, 000 donated.

 There are Veterans in Maine who need dentures!
Donate and Help us Help Them with something they can smile about.
 

VA Resource Newsletter

VA Newsletter

Current and Previous Newsletters With Great Information.

Statewide News

News & Info from your department

COA meeting

VFW to Crown 2026 National Youth Essay Winners Live

VFW to Crown 2026 National Youth Essay Winners Live Watch live from the historic Union League of Philadelphia on April 11 to see who takes home the top $35,000 prize

National News

Important info from National VFW

VFW Applauds VA for Resuming Electronic Health Record Rollout in Michigan

WASHINGTON - The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) commends the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for resuming deployment of its Fe...

VFW Names 2026 Top National Teachers

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) is proud to announce the selection of the national top three teachers in its...

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IN-COUNTRY

A satirical reflection by Author/Artist Phil Fehrenbacher

Phil enlisted in the Army in 1965 where you served for years in Vietnam.  He became a graphic designer and has worked for the state of Oregon for 26 years.  He retired in 2003 and started the Cartoon "In-Country".  The cartoons reflect his experiences during his tour of duty in South Vietnam.


There is a new cartoon everyday.