MID WINTER

 
  
 January 26-28, 2024
Radisson Plaza Hotel
100 W. Michigan Avenue, Kalamazoo MI 49007
 

VFW Department of Michigan will host their annual Mid-Winter Conference January 26-28 at the Radisson Plaza Hotel in Kalamazoo, Michigan. 
 
Leadership from across VFW Michigan gathers each winter for training, business meetings and to celebrate the student winners from each District who participated in the Voice of Democracy and Patriot's Pen scholarship programs.
 
VFW Department of Michigan and Auxiliary will present each student with a scholarship at a formal banquet. See below for details.
 

Event Information:
Hotel Information  
Ad Book Form 
Agenda
 


 

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Commander's Corner

Commander Ray Lopez

Comrades,


I am so energized by everything you are doing throughout Michigan to serve our veteran and family community. It was also a pleasure seeing so many of you at our Mid-Winter Conference in January and supporting our Voice of Democracy and Patriot’s Pen winners. This year’s Voice of Democracy winner, Eddy Holcomb, out of District 9 and VFW Post 4090, will be representing Michigan on the National Level. We also extend our congratulations to Patriots Pen winner "Mr. Derek” Plichta from District 11 and Post 3030! Both of these students did a great job representing their schools, their Posts and their Districts.


While we celebrate these amazing achievements, I also must pause a moment. Over the past few months, we have lost some members who were deeply ingrained in the lifeblood of our organization. With a heavy heart and sincere gratitude for their selfless service to others, I like many of you, mourn the passing of Jim Muys, Department Chaplain, Frank Mills, 2022-23 Buddy Poppy Director, David Patrick, VFW and MCL Assistant Department Service Officer, Patrick Patterson, who served as Department convention director for many years, and Tim Artibee, 23-24 District 11 Commander and Department Riders Group Director.


The passing of these members grieves me, like many of you. They all made real impacts on our communities, and changed lives for the better, including mine. As I move forward as your commander in 2024, I take their examples with me as inspiration and reinforcement that our VFW mission is crucial for safeguarding our history, preserving the lives of our veterans, and ensuring the future of our military and veteran community has the full support of the VFW.

 

I am grateful to all of you. Thank you for what you do for each other, and veterans all over Michigan. You make a difference and inspire positive change for those who need it most. I hope to see as many of you as possible at our State Convention May 29-June 2.


Ray Lopez, State Commander, VFW Department of Michigan

 

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