WHAT’S NEWS IN WEST MIFFLIN
WEST MIFFLIN VFW ADDS TWO NEW
MEMBERS
Adding two local veterans with a combined military
experience of more than 40 years kickstarted the new year for
All-American Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 914 Intrepid West
Mifflin.
Randall Naugher, who served with both the United States
Army and Air Force on active duty and reserves for more than
two decades, and fellow Air Force veteran Larry J. Thorne, who
logged his own 20 years, were sworn in.
“As an active post that strives to always do more for veterans
and our community, new members are the wheels that keep us
rolling forward,” said VFW Post 914 Commander Jake Bradich,
an Army veteran of the Iraq war. “Every veteran here has
demonstrated their commitment while in uniform, and is eager
to add to that record once the time for active service has ended.”
Thorne’s military accomplishments include service in the
Persian Gulf, in Bosnia and Kosovo, and in the Global War
on Terrorism. Among his awards and decorations are the
Southwest Asia Service Medal and the Air Force Expeditionary
Service Ribbon.
Naugher also earned the Southwest Asia Service Medal for
his service during Operation Desert Storm, and received the
Joint Meritorious Unit Award for his participation in Operation
Southern Watch.
Before the induction ceremony, Post Surgeon General Bernie
Zurawski discussed the year’s upcoming six hospital visits
All-American Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 914 Intrepid Commander
Jake Bradich stands with the unit’s newest members Larry J. Thorne,
left, and Randall Naugher, right. In addition to the required campaign
and service decorations needed to join the VFW, the two inductees
possess more than 40 years of combined military service.
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planned for Southwestern Veterans Center in Pittsburgh. Since
being awarded its charter in 1991, VFW Post 914 has sponsored
and conducted scores of bingos and pizza parties for sick and
disabled veterans being treated at that facility.
“Helping these veterans is very rewarding,” said Zurawski, a
Marine who served in Lebanon. “Everybody who participates
feels that it is an honor to make [the veterans’] stay at the
hospital more enjoyable.”
Additionally, Post Junior Vice Commander David Luikart
presented a Buddy Poppy report, and handed out awards to the
post members who helped raise more than $11,000 in annual
donations. Luikart, a Marine and Vietnam veteran, said that all
the monies raised through the Buddy Poppy program are used to
directly support veterans and their family members.
Addressing the members, he added, “These pins and
certificates are to remind you that you are the people who keep
the good work this post does moving along.”
WEST MIFFLIN VFW 914 AWARDS
$400 IN SCHOLARSHIPS
Four West Mifflin students each received top honors from
All-American Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 914 Intrepid West
Mifflin for this year’s Voice of Democracy and Patriot’s Pen
contests. The winners were selected from more
than three dozen entries, offering local scholars
a chance to earn some of the $2 million in
national educational incentives awarded
annually through the VFW.
Getting the nod for this year’s VOD
competition are Reagan Rubright, Kada
Jackel, and Dylan Ruffing from West Mifflin Area High School.
Nicholas Kosuda from West Mifflin Area Middle School was
awarded the top slot for the post’s Patriot’s Pen scholarship.
The four winners each received a $100 award from VFW Post
914 Intrepid West Mifflin at the organization’s Nov. 30 meeting
at the Thompson Run Athletic Association, as well as a VFW
medal.
All of the VOD candidates will move to the next bracket of
competition to be held at Pittsburgh’s VFW District 29. If able to
go forward from there, entrants will earn a chance to compete at
the VFW Department of Pennsylvania. After that, winners will
vie at the national level for a $30,000 scholarship.
Other VOD national scholarships range from $1,000 to
$16,000, and the first-place winner from each state earns a
minimum scholarship of $1,000, plus an all-expenses-paid trip to
Washington, D.C. Last year, approximately 40,000 high school
students throughout the United States participated in the VFW’s
Voice of Democracy audio essay competition.
In all, VFW Post 914 received 38 entries for this year’s VOD
competition.