Folsom VFW, American Legion stay active in community

After military service, veterans go back home as civilians. Many find a small job or another career while others may outright enjoy their remaining years in retirement. To stay as productive members of society, many veterans continue to look for a sense of purpose. Some join veteran groups. As most would say, they're not ready to "check out." There are many veteran groups in Folsom which are focused on ensuring their members and other veterans are being taken care of with food, shelter and basic needs, connecting them with the Veterans Affairs. This is veterans helping veterans. The Folsom VFW and American Legion posts are just two such organizations. VFW Post 6604 has more than 350 members and the American Legion Post 362 has 268 members. Those who attend their monthly meetings are interested in how they can better their community by involving their posts and volunteering their time. These veterans are active by taking part in the city parades, being representatives for youth awards ceremonies, hosting Sunday community breakfasts, community donation fundraisers, youth scholarship programs, organizing youth order activities, Troop Care Packages or assembling Memorial Day community lunch events or setting a booth at the Folsom Festival of Eggs. These groups also recognize Teachers and Public Safety Officers of the Year, along with Folsom's most creative students from middle school to high school who participate in writing competitions that offer monetary awards. Kerry Kopp, a VFW 6604 member and the AL Post 362 commander, said any money that is donated is returned to the community and veteran programs. He was present at the Casa Roble JROTC awards ceremony on April 28, handing out awards on behalf of the Fair Oaks AL Post. He said close connections between veterans and AFJROTC program over the years have become fruitful for the growth of cadet leadership. The cadets assist servicing veteran breakfasts and are graciously provided tips generously donated by patrons that reach $700 a year. The post also budgets a monetary grant for the AFJRTOC military ball to offset their costs. The cadets support Veterans Hall by volunteering groundskeeping services that beautify the property and benefit the aging members with upkeep. But it is the significance of veterans still serving and how it impacts the youth, "It brings together a group of (youthful) individuals who want to serve their community learning skills with a working knowledge being a team under a loose business environment with the guidance of people considerably older than themselves," Kopp said. "It is just one example of how it can be important to run a business having a work ethic with community interaction under the auspices of a team." VFW Post 6604 Commander Sharon Brinsko attended the awards ceremony and presented a $500 grant recognizing cadet contributions reflecting their hard work and efforts volunteering in the community and VFW. The Casa Roble AFJROTC program commits 2,000 community service hours each school year. Although the program is funded by the US Air Force, the JROTC budget is very limited in how it is used. Parents and staff typically have to pay out of pocket for some extracurricular expenses, including cadet trips to Pearl Harbor and San Diego. The Rolling Hills Blue Star Moms, headed by Leslie Wade, is a veterans support group closely affiliated with both posts that offers a breakfast on the second Sunday of each month. AL 362 also has a community breakfast starting at $10 per plate on the last Sunday of every month from 8-11 a.m. at Folsom Veterans Hall.