Heather Bell
RADFORD – Radford’s war veterans were honored Monday as city council presented members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 776 with a framed proclamation and etched glass plaque honoring them for their service and an impressive anniversary of their post.
VFW Post 776 has been in existence for 75 years, and several members of the organization were on-hand Monday for the ceremony, including Commander Gary Harris, a veteran of the Vietnam War.
“This is just a small token of our appreciation,” said Mayor David Horton. “We will never adequately be able to thank these veterans for what they do for us and our nation.”
“This is a very special group of individuals,” Horton added. “The impact they have on our community and our lives; these veterans impact us everyday. We’re pleased as punch to be honoring them.”
Harris said he and his current members are just the current people in a long line of veterans who have kept the Radford post going. He invited the public to stop by the VFW post on Watt Street in west Radford to see the history of military service in the city.
“’We’ve got a lot of history there,” he said “Stop by and look around.”
Vice Mayor Dr. RIchard Harshberger read the proclamation to the audience before it was presented to the VFW members. It reads:
“Whereas the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S. is the nation’s largest and oldest major war veterans organization; and
Whereas the VFW was founded in 1899 and is comprised entirely of eligible veterans and military service members from the Active, Guard, and Reserve Forces; and
Whereas the nonprofit organization is dedicated to veterans’ service, legislative advocacy, and military and community service programs; and
Whereas the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 776 in Radford celebrated its 75-year anniversary on March 6, 2019; and
Whereas this 75th anniversary is known as the diamond anniversary in the Veterans of Foreign Wars community; and
Whereas the VFW Post 776 has served the needs of local veterans and their families over their time in Radford; and
Whereas VFW Post 776 has an outstanding record of service to the community, veterans and to the nation;
Now, therefore be it proclaimed, by the Mayor and Radford City Council that all citizens commend VFW Post 776 on their diamond anniversary and acknowledge the contributions of this post in the Radford community.”
City Council also passed a proclamation in honor of American Red Cross Month for the month of March, which noted how the Radford “community depends on the American Red Cross, which relies on donations of time, money and blood of local residents to fulfill its humanitarian mission.”
The proclamation also noted that the American Red Cross collected 442 units of blood in the City of Radford from March 2018 to March 2019. Horton issued a challenge to residents for the upcoming year.
“It’s really important to support the blood drive,” said Horton. “There is always a shortage.”
“I issue a challenge to our community,” he continued. “Let’s hit 500 this year. I’ll be right there with you, bleeding right beside you.”
City Council’s next schedule meeting is Monday, March 25.
