New Veterans of Foreign Wars branch and American Legion branch seeks membership | News

Post 12222, a new branch of the Veterans of Foreign Wars organization, is now open in Oro Valley and they are looking for more people to join the ranks. The VFW is an organization that unites veterans and military service members, providing resources for them like VA disability claims, mental wellness support, and financial grants.

Thomas Roblee, a surgeon for Post 12222, said that there is room for both men and women to join the new post, which has meetings at 6 p.m. every fourth Tuesday at Catalina Mountain Elks Lodge 2815, with the next meeting on July 16. 

“We’re looking for lady veterans and I know there’s a whole bunch of them in this Valley someplace,” Roblee said. “(Also) younger guys just getting out of the service. We know that they’ve got to work to support themselves and their families, but we have stuff on weekends (for them).”

Roblee is also a commander in the Oro Valley Post 132 for the American Legion, another veteran organization seeking recruitment.

“(In) the VFW and the American Legion, we take care of the veterans,” Roblee said. “We have poppies that we give away and then if somebody wants to, (they can) make a donation for the American Legion.” Roblee said, explaining that they give away “buddy” poppies, which are used to honor fallen veterans. Since VFW Post 12222 is newly formed, donation logistics are still being sorted.

Roblee said that the VFW and TAL go to Congress in Washington D.C. and petition for more allocated federal funding into veteran support programs.

“We have to fight for the ones who can’t fight for themselves,” Roblee said. “Some of the older veterans are getting pushed aside and it’s not right. … The only way we get to have the vote there is because of the membership. The more members you’ve got, the more power you’ve got to go to your congressmen and senators.”

Roblee said that the VFW looks to support youth as well with scholarship programs like Voice of Democracy, where high school students can create audio essays and win money up to $35,000. The American Legion has an oratorical contest with scholarships as well.

TAL does not require foreign war experience like the VFW.

“(For) Legion members, you have to be a veteran,” Roblee said, whose Legion branch has over 500 members currently. “The stateside veterans are gladly accepted for membership.”

For more information regarding TAL and the VFW or its associated fees, contact Thomas Roblee at 509-910-9323 or [email protected].