WELCOME TO JOHN LYON VFW POST 3150

America's Post
Yesterday's defenders of freedom, we want to welcome today's military service members into our ranks to become part of our elite group. Our common bond is the battlefield, whether service in the Vietnam War, the Persian Gulf, Korea, Kosovo, the war on terrorism, or peace-keeping expeditionary campaigns. Your courage and sacrifice have made a difference in preserving and defending world peace.
 
We have many programs and services that support veterans, service members and their families, and communities worldwide. Please check out the VFW's latest fact sheet or browse our site to learn why No One Does More For Veterans.
 

News & Events

Upcoming events

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View Local, State and National events. 

Membership

Membership Details

As yesterday's defenders of freedom...

 ...we want to welcome today's military service members into our ranks to become part of our elite group.

WWII, Korean War, Vietnam War, Persian Gulf War, Kosovo, War in Afghanistan, War in Iraq, War on Global Terror and other Peace-Keeping Expeditionary Campaigns throughout the globe.

Assistance & Benefits

Assistance & Benefits

The Veterans of Foreign Wars is dedicated

 to supporting those who sacrifice so much for this country, veterans, service members in the US Armed Forces, and their families and continues to be a voice for returning and currently deployed service members and their families.

DONATE TO JOHN LYON VFW POST 3150

Our programs support our service members while they are on the front line, as they are being discharged and long after they return. Your tax-deductible donation will be immediately directed to the VFW programs where your support is most urgently needed.

DONATE NOW

Announcements

Post-Home Hours This Week (April 10 - April 15): Your Post will be open on Friday and Saturday from 6 PM to 10 PM for regular business. 

Friday, April 10

G4V Lessons - Gonzalez, 2 PM
Canteen open, 6 PM
Trivia Night, 7:30 PM

Saturday, April 11

G4V Group Lesson, 9 AM
Post's Monthly Work/Clean-up Day, 3 PM
Canteen open, 6 PM
Live Band - Tutubi, 7:30 PM
 
Sunday, April 12

Zoom Yoga, 10 AM
Arlington Little League Season Opening, 2 PM
 
Monday, April 13

 
Tuesday, April 14

 
Saturday, April 15 - TAX DAY

GRist, 7 PM

EXTRA NEWS:

Upcoming Events:
 
Arlington County Little League Color Guard, April 12th, 2 PM:  Come out and help the Post by joining the Little League Color Guard. JUST NEED 3 VOLUNTEERS TO MAKE IT A GOOD SHOW. We present the colors during the Arlington County Little League Opening Ceremony and then represent the Post in a question-and-answer period with the players and their families. If this interests you:
 

Post Women's Veteran Brunch, TBD:  The Post is planning a Women's Brunch in honor of Women's History Month. We don't have many details, but Eva and Pascale are working on this. If you're interested in attending, please let us know by emailing the Senior Vice Commander, who will forward your interest to them. Don't make Eva and Pascale eat brunch by themselves! Join us and talk about your service to our nation!
 
Post-Elections: Nominations for the 5 Elected Positions were held at this week's General Meeting. The current election slate nominees for 2026-2027, thus far, for Post Commander, Sr. Vice Commander, Jr. Vice Commander, Quartermaster, 2-Year Trustee, and 3-Year Trustee are:
  • Commander: Fritz Gottschalk
  • Senior Vice Commander: Doc Crouch
  • Junior Vice Commander: Chris Alvarez
  • Quartermaster: Nancy Springer
  • 2 Year Trustee: Jim Bertine
  • 3 Year Trustee: Mike Cantwell 
We welcome more nominations! If you read that list, 5 of the 6 nominees are slightly long in the tooth. If you're new and worried that you won't be able to handle the job, the Post will help you out!
 
If you are not interested in an elected leadership position, we still have several committee memberships to fill. We will continue to talk about those at the meetings. 
 
Nominations remain open until the April 20 General Meeting. During next month's meeting, we will accept additional nominations from the floor. Self-nomination is encouraged. 
 
The Post leadership team can't stress how important this is. We have made some great progress over the past year and want to keep the momentum going. We need new members to step up and fill some of these critical roles. If you're unsure what a specific leadership role entails, please ask! If you're nominated and elected, there are legions of grey-haired members who want to help you succeed so we can keep our VFW's mission moving forward. 
 
The remaining Post leadership positions that the Commander appoints are Chaplain, Adjutant, Benefits Advisor, Judge Advocate, and Surgeon. 

 

Early Membership Renewal: Some VFW memberships are expiring between now and June 30, the end of the membership year. You can do the Post a BIG Favor, but NOT wait until the end to renew your membership. Please check your membership card for your expiration date and renew if necessary. You can renew early without changing your current renewal date. Visit our Post's website or go to www.vfw.org and click RENEW at the top of the page.

 

Got a worn-out US Flag?:  If you are curious how you are supposed to dispose of a US Flag properly, let us know! You have an old, faded, worn flag in the closet and are not sure what to do with it. Let's meet at our open meeting to discuss this topic! We currently have 58 flags neatly folded in the basement, and Comrade Dan D has taken up the challenge of making sure they are properly retired. 

 
Family-Friendly Events: We have several members with school-age kids who we want to keep engaged with the Post. Are you one of them? Please let us know how we can host more family-friendly events at the Post. Easier gg Hunt? Trick or treat? If this interests you, please bring it up at the next General Meeting or email the Sr. Vice Commander.
 
Commander's Note: Participation and financial stability are the two focuses for 2026, and you will hear this in almost every communication from the Post. You are not able to increase your participation in Post events. Please consider a monthly recurring donation to the Post. It's the best way to help ensure the Post's longevity. It is as simple as clicking this link and filling out the form: Recurring Donation Form

REFLEX Comedy Classes: Reflex Improv will offer FREE Intro to Improv classes to members of VFW Post 3150. During class, you will learn about the fundamentals of improv comedy, including Yes-And, Got Your Back teamwork, creating characters on the fly, and recognizing and playing with scene game. No ctin or comedy experience needed! If you're interested in joining the classes, please email Daniel Brown and cc Mike Cantwell. Include your full name and contact information, and state that you are a member of VFW Post 3150. 

Veterans in Need
  
The Post has received requests from Veterans in need in the past few weeks. Here is my info from the Virginia Department of Veteran Services that can help out:
 
In Fairfax or Arlington County:  Contact Edwin Robles

Outside of Fairfax or Arlington County, fill out a request form.

If you have the resources to donate money for assisting anyone, the Virginia Department of Veteran Services recommends donating to:
 
Send a check to:  Northern Virginia Vietnam Veterans of America, PO Box 2111, Reston, VA 20195
 
Donations: We still have two donation buttons on the weekly update. Here's hy. Our leg l case is proceeding, as is our Zoning Infractions case. Both of these cases have reached a point where we need to dedicate resources to them. Additionally, we will require at least $50,000 for legal fees for both cases. 

We cannot raise this money by selling beer, wings, and pizza on Friday and Saturday nights. We need the nations to support our legal battle against a neighbor with substantial financial resources. 

We have two members who will match donations up to $1,750 per month, but we will need more than that to sustain the fight. 

We are starting to do some great things—Veterans and Memorial Day Ceremonies, supporting Veterans and Military members experiencing Food Insecurity, OPERATION WINTERHAVEN Homeless Veteran Stand Down with the DC VA Hospital, Thanksgiving and Christmas food baskets, and parties for Service members in need. 


• Subcommittee Hearing on Military Quality of Life
• Fort McClellan Epidemiological Study Update
• GI Bill Update
• MIA Update 
 
 

IN-COUNTRY

A satirical reflection by Author/Artist Phil Fehrenbacher

Phil enlisted in the Army in 1965 where you served for years in Vietnam.  He became a graphic designer and has worked for the state of Oregon for 26 years.  He retired in 2003 and started the Cartoon "In-Country".  The cartoons reflect his experiences during his tour of duty in South Vietnam.


There is a new cartoon everyday.

Recurring Donations

Hall Rental

Post News

Important Info for Post3150 Members

Guantánamo Bay: Service, Sacrifice, and the Strength of the VFW 3/18/2026

Virginia State Commander Douglas Hoffman's email dated 3/18/2026 reports on his recent visit to the GITMO with National Commander-in-Chief Carol Whitmore. He stresses that community involvement and membership are the "heart throbs" of the VFW.

Arlington VFW post gets new leadership, plans more outreach efforts

Arlington Post installs new leadership

District News

Important Info for District 10 Members

Post 7916 - April 2021 #Still Serving Post of the Month

The members of VFW Post 7916 in Occoquan, Virginia, have demonstrated a commitment to their mission of “Honoring the Dead by Helping the Living” throughout the pandemic. The Post made sure members received health and welfare checks so that those most at-risk, or in need, received essentials. They also delivered food to residents of the town and donated to a local food bank.

VFW - Our Service Never Stops

VFW Post 7916 and their auxiliary members were featured in the latest promotional video from VFW National.

Statewide News

News & Info from your department

Suicide Prevention and Awareness Week

As we enter Suicide Prevention and Awareness Week (continuing throughout the month of September), I want to take a moment to speak directly to each of you, not just as your Commander, but as a fellow veteran who understands the weight many of us carry.

June - August 2025 Department Newspaper

New Virginia Veteran Newspaper Released

National News

Important info from National VFW

VFW Names 2026 Top National Teachers

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) is proud to announce the selection of the national top three teachers in its...

VFW 2026 National Youth Scholarship Winners Announced

PHILADELPHIA - Earlier today the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) proudly named the national winners of its 2025-2026 Voice of Democ...

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