Lander’s VFW Post 954 Canteen isn’t just a place for veterans – it’s a welcoming space for the entire community. This July, stop by and celebrate the heroes who fought for our freedom while making connections with your neighbors. Chat with veterans, hear their stories, and experience the warmth of the VFW.
Stop by, Have a Drink, Share a Story
Whether you’re a seasoned veteran or someone who simply wants to show their appreciation, we encourage everyone to come by the VFW for a casual drink and conversation. Chat with our veterans and hear their stories firsthand. You might be surprised by the friendships you forge and the perspectives you gain.
If you’re a Veteran you can find answers to questions and learn more about assistance. The folks here would love to share their knowledge and help our local heroes in any way they can!
Events
This July, don’t miss these community events!
July 4th – All-American Celebration (Free Food & Drinks!)
- Celebrate Independence Day with your Fremont County VFW family!
- Join us after the parade for a delicious spread of complimentary hot dogs, snacks, and a festive bloody mary bar (donations appreciated!). It’s the perfect way to cool down, refuel, and kick off the holiday together.
July 20th – Annual Pig Roast
Join us for a fun-filled day raising awareness for suicide prevention and mental health! This donation-based event features:
- Delicious Pig Roast: Enjoy a hearty meal while supporting a good cause.
- Kids Games: Sponsored by the Rock Church, there’ll be plenty of activities to keep the little ones entertained.
- Fremont County Cornhole Association Tournament: Put your skills to the test in this friendly competition.
- Balloon Memorial Walk: A touching tribute to those lost to suicide.
- Dunk Tank: Take a chance to dunk your favorite veteran (or friend) for a good laugh!
- Quilts of Valor Ceremony: Witness the presentation of these special quilts to deserving veterans.
- Veteran Registration & Education: Learn about valuable resources and programs available to veterans.
- Non-Profit Educational Booths: Connect with local organizations dedicated to mental health and suicide prevention.
Veteran of the Month: Forrest Parker
This month, we’d like to honor Forrest Parker, a Chief Warrant Officer 4, as our Veteran of the Month. He served a total of 32 years, first as an E5 Aviation Supply Technician and Flight Line Supervisor in Germany and Vietnam. He continued his service in the Wyoming National Guard as an E6 Unit Administrator and Maintenance Sergeant prior to becoming a Warrant Officer, and later a Battalion Motor Officer. He has been a dedicated member of our community since returning home.
In 2023, Mayor Monte Richardson named November 11th, Forrest A. Parker Day for his service to our country.
Forrest shared a story about an orphanage in Germany he sponsored, with Catholic children whose fathers were GIs. When asked about some of his most memorable accomplishments throughout his military career, he spoke about the extreme dental issues the children were facing. Preventive health was not entirely exercised at the time. Forrest wrote a letter to Crest Toothpaste explaining the situation. The next thing he knew, he had cases of toothbrushes and toothpaste on his doorstep. With this, they were able to provide the tools, hygiene skills, and education about dental health to save their smiles, rather than have their teeth extracted. He recalls a 12-year-old girl who never spoke without covering her mouth. One of his proudest moments was getting to see her smile with confidence. She continued to write him letters for years after.
We appreciate his ongoing service in volunteer work to our community. Stop in to meet Forrest and don’t miss an opportunity to listen to more of his stories and accomplishments!
This sponsored ad paid for by Lander VFW Post 954