24 Blue Springs City Guide
2012
The Examiner
COMMUNITY
• Veterans organizations in Blue Springs
Resources for those who served
Several veterans organizations serve the Blue Springs area. They include: u American Legion Stanley-Pack Post 499: 816-229-4990, 499 S.W. Missouri 7, www.alp499. org. Linda Kramps is Post 499’s commander for 201112. Events at the post include weekly bingo games as well as events such as commemoration of Veterans Day. The post maintains the American Legion Farm, used by Scouts and other groups, near the Adams Pointe Golf Club. Chartered by Congress in 1919 as a patriotic veterans organization devoted to mutual helpfulness, the American Legion is the nation’s largest veterans service organization. Chapters mentor and provide sponsorship youth programs, which in turn promote patriotism and honor, a strong national security and devotion to members.
u The Veterans of Foreign Wars, Vaughn-Hudnall Post 6603: 816-220-0515, S.W. Missouri 7, vfwwebcom.org/mo/post6603 The VFW offers assistance to military members and family. In addition to establishing a voice for veterans, the organization has been instrumental in establishing the Veterans Administration, creating a GI bill for the 20th century, the development of the national cemetery system and the fight for compensation for Vietnam vets exposed to Agent Orange and for veterans diagnosed with Gulf War Syndrome. The VFW was the first veterans’ organization to contribute to building the new Disabled Veterans for Life Memorial, which opened in 2010. The VFW and its auxiliary, nationwide, contribute more than 11 million hours of volunteerism in the community, including participation in Make A Difference Day and National Volunteer Week. The group has provided $2.5 million in college scholarships and savings bonds to students every year.
u Disabled American Veterans office in Independence, 816-836-0368. The DAV runs Red Racks DAV Thrift Stores in the area, including one at 922 S.W. Missouri 7 in Blue Springs (816-874-8812) and one at 16813 E. 23rd St., in Independence. More information at www. davthriftstores.com/ In addition to representing veterans and their dependents with their claims, volunteers operate a network of people who provide veterans free rides to and from VA medical facilities. u American Legion Tirey J. Ford Post 21, 16701 E. U.S. 40, Independence, Mo., 816-373-0221, www. alpost21.org u VFW, Lake Lotawana Don Avise Memorial Post 6272, 9613 S. Lake Shore Drive, Lake Lotawana, 816-578-4063, http://myvfw.org/mo/ post6272/