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Alumni Testimony from
Candace (Funk) Vaal (1985-1991)
After a serious bout with cancer nearly 13 years ago, I am grateful to be alive, healthy and the mother of two beautiful boys ages 6 and 5 months. My husband and I have been together for 12 years and married for nine of them.
I currently work full-time from home while caring for my children and am involved in the pTA at my son's school.
The older I get the more I appreciate the opportunities I was given at the National Home. Not very many people can say that they have been camping in the Smokey Mountains or laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Solider in Washington, D.C.
As a parent, I hope to teach my sons the importance of community service and personal responsibility that were key values ingrained in each of us at the National Home.
I am grateful to the house parents, counselors and administrative staff that helped make me the successful person I am today.
I would love to hear from other alumni of the National Home. I think about them often and wonder how they're doing.
Alumni
Testimony from
Donald
Day (1986)
I
am currently an active duty Air Force officer. I am currently on
an Air Force-funded educational fellowship attending the University
of Alabama working toward my second graduate degree. I am happily
married and have a baby daughter on the way.
The National Home did so much for me. I really don't know where
to begin. I guess I will speak most about the relationships I formed
while there. I resided at Indiana 2 and my housemother was Sandra
Bartlett. I also remember the kind Arie and Bert Verkaik who did
so much to mentor me in my formidable years. I have several life
long friends from my time at the National Home.
I guess what the National Home gave me most was not only hope for
a better tomorrow but also a firm foundation to build from. I will
be forever grateful for what you did for me!
Alumni
Testimony from
Carrie
(Richardson) Cervantes (1969-1977)
I
made good friends. You did not know you were different than
any other child. I had a good education, involvement in sports and
Girl Scouts and have met some wonderful VFW members. One such member
I still correspond with today and he is in his 80's!
I
have two sons, age 26 and 14. I work as an in-house recruiter for
a local company.
We were fortunate that the VFW National Home was there for us in
our time of need. I respect the American Flag and veterans who have
served and still serve our country. I am glad to hear that
you have opened up the National Home to current veterans' families.
Alumni
Testimony from
Robert
"Bob" Keckler (1982-1988/1990-1994)
When
my family came to the VFW National Home we were met by different
staff members that I can still name off the top of my head.
Mr.
O invited my 2 brothers, my sister and I to play ball and let my
mother get settled in.
I
can't think of any reason why the VFW National Home has been kept
a secret for so long!
I and my family received the love, care, education and guidance
to achieve the most of life.
Alumni
Testimony from
Mary
(Whittum) Ireland (1998-2001)
The
VFW National Home was a literal God-Send to me and my children.
At the time I entered the Single Parent Family Program, I was going
through a very difficult divorce and custody battle.
When
I was shown the Missouri House that we would be living in, I was
overwhelmed. At that time my children and I were living in a one
bedroom apartment where the kids shared the bedroom with bunkbeds
and my bed was literally in the corner of the living room! I was
able to care for my children and seek the counseling necessary to
put our family back together. I was able to set goals, as is required
by the program, and succeed at reaching them. I went back to Lansing
Community College and graduated with my General Education Associate
Degree.
The
graduation ceremony happened to fall on Mother's Day and to see
the pride on my children's faces because they saw me succeed despite
hard times made all the effort worth it. This could not have happened
if not for the VFW National Home Single Parent Family Program and
all of the staff involved. I can not say enough about the time we
spent there. I am truly thankful to God and all of the people involved
in supporting such a program.
I
am currently married to a wonderful, Christian man. I work part-time
at a bank. I have two step children now and both my children are
living with me full time. I attend church and I am part of the worship
team playing the drums. I am also involved in the local Women's
Club where I can be a part of a group of women who volunteer in
the community to make it a better place.
Again, I can't thank all involved enough for all the support and
encouragement I received during my family's stay at the VFW National
Home. Because of this experience I am now able to have confidence
in knowing that no matter the circumstances, God will provide.
Alumni
Testimony from
Carol
(Bria) Rattigan (1966-1979)
I
spent 13 years in the Air Force including 9 months at Desert Storm.
I often recall, with fondness, the different jobs I held:
mail room, grocery/clothing store, and guest lodge. Each one taught
me a work ethic that I have passed to my children.
Alumni
Testimony from
Nicole (Striegel) Smith (1981-1990)
I
owe much of my success to the VFW National Home for their support
over the years.
I
moved to the VFW National Home in 1981 when I was 9 years old.
My 2 sisters, Wendy and Michelle also moved with me. I was
given the opportunity to study dance, gymnastics and piano while
also playing floor hockey, soccer and other sporting events.
I loved the opportunities to participate in all the activities;
it truly was a blessing. I believe these opportunities helped
build my competitive edge, which is a personal attribute that contributes
to my success today.
I
graduated with a bachelor's degree in business administration in
1994 and have built a successful career in the mutual fund industry.
As I grow older, I become more and more appreciative of everything
that the VFW National Home did for my family and me. Without
the love, support, discipline, and guidance that I received from
the VFW National Home, I would not be the successful person that
I am today.
Alumni
Testimony from
Bonnie (Spence) Austin (1965-1969)
When my two brothers and I arrived at the home it was late October.
Our father had just passed away from complications of Parkinson's
Disease, and our mother had been in a life-threatening car accident.
Things were
pretty bad for us, I remember none of us had a winter coats. They
put us in the hospital and we were very scared. Eventually, I was
placed in North Carolina and my two brothers in one of the Pennsylvania
homes. We were young and resilient.
I can tell you now, that to this day, I will never, ever regret
being there. All three of us made our mistakes. Our young age, our
painful past, and an uncertain future made it difficult.
For months we were still afraid. But I am glad to say that after
a while, the best part of being there was that we could finally
stop being afraid.
After
I left the home, I entered Ferris State University where I attended
for 2 full years and met my best friend for life. We have been married
since June of 1971 and successfully ran a business together until
May 2004. We are looking forward to moving out to the country.
I never thought time could fly as fast as it has in my life.
Alumni
Testimony from
Peter "Marty" Windsor (1986)
I remember the friendships that were developed and most of all my
family in Indiana 2. Kerry and I went to the boundary waters canoeing,
and a bike trip to Grafton, West Virginia. There is not a day that
goes by that I don't think of Don and Sonia Day, Mary and Kerry
Roy, and David Wagner. A lot of basketball in the gym and having
fun.
.
I am married with two boys ages 10 and 15 months. After I got out
of the Marines I became a firefighter, EMT, and hazardous materials
technician. I currently hold that position. I live on 40 acres
and spend most of my time hunting, fishing and playing semi-pro
football for the Arctic Blast.
Alumni
Testimony from
Debra
Johnson (1955-1973)
I was placed at the VFW Home in 1955 with my brother Charlie. I
was 4 months old and he was two. We were placed there as our parents
couldn't care for us. We are very appreciative of the love and care
we received while at the Home. We lived in Michigan 3 with the most
loving housemother, Mrs Ruth Lilley, whom we considered our "Mom"
and still do to this day. If it hadn't been for her, I don't know
where we would be today. I was able to go to college and receive
a degree in Dental Lab Technology which to this day I am so thankful
for. I still keep in touch with all my "brothers and sisters"
from the Home and will continue to do so. We thankfully have our
Alumni Web site that helps us keep up on news with each other and
e-mail addresses. I would like to thank all the members of the VFW
and especially the members of the Roseville/Detroit Post and Auxiliary
for all their support throughout the time we were at the Home. I
hope and pray that the children now will take advantage of the wonderful
benefits the Home has to offer while they are there and even after
they leave. They have family for life.
I
own and operate a small Dental Lab in Houston Texas. I'm not married
and don't have children. I'm very happy and satisfied with life
as we know it!
Alumni
Testimony from
E. D. Nickerson (1948)
I
am just one of the many to whom the Home has contributed so much
it provided a haven when none was to be had; understanding, during
the ages when it was needed most; an education, which I might have
never received and, most important of all an attitude toward life
which is both positive and optimistic.
I am firmly convinced that had I grown up under any other circumstances,
I could not have had a more well-rounded childhood, nor would I
have been as well prepared to meet the challenge of adulthood upon
leaving high school and embarking on the road of life.
As long as I live, I will always be thankful that there is a Veterans
of Foreign Wars National Home, and that there are people who care
enough to support this wonderful undertaking. May God bless you
all for giving.
Alumni Testimony from
Charlotte
Nelson (1929)
A
big and important highlight of my time at the National Home was
when I was chosen to be the Poppy Girl. I still have the dress I
wore when I sat on the desk in the oval office of the White House
and presented the poppy to President Roosevelt. I gave copies of
the photo to my sons and they are proud of their mother’s little
bit of history.
To this day I wonder what would have become of our family if there
hadn’t been a VFW Home. How different and difficult my life
would have been. I thank God and all the wonderful people who gave
so generously to the VFW Home. May God bless them.
Alumni Testimony from
John Nousaine
I
lived at the VFW Home for 9 years in the 50’s and 60’s.
My brothers did as well. I am always appreciative of the opportunities
I had at the Home. I can’t remember not knowing how to swim
as I was able to learn at a very young age in the Community Center
pool. I have a love of the outdoors and wilderness camping that
is a direct result of Mr. Letts and Boy Scout Troop 53.
My mother and I left the home when I was 11 and returned to the
small town in Minnesota where I was born. I was the best swimmer
and camper in our town. My brothers (who graduated from High School
while at the Home) and I have all gone on to successful lives and
have good memories of the Home.
I’m proud to be a “VFW Kid.”
Alumni
Testimony from
Byron
“Barney” Ball
My
older brother was born in 1922, my sister in 1924, my other brother
in 1926 and I was born in 1928. As far as I was told, we were a
happy family until the fall of the stock market and the ensuing
Depression that followed. Like so many families, lack of jobs and
the overall state of the economy, caused stress and turmoil which
eventually many families, including ours, broke up. We ended up
in foster homes, which was a terrible experience following a “happy
home.” Our father came to see us once in a while and of course,
we begged him to take us with him. One thing about our dad, he could
do many things and he always had a job. The last time we saw him,
he was working for a contractor who was tearing down the Kalamazoo
County courthouse and was to build a new courthouse. On the 16th
day of August 1935, we were notified that our father was killed
when a jack that was supporting one of the courtroom walls slipped
and our father and one other man were crushed to death. Someone
bought us each a new set of clothes and our picture was on the front
page of the Kalamazoo Gazette. A copy of the paper and some other
articles were to be placed in the cornerstone of the new courthouse
and be opened in 100 years.
We lived in the Foster home until one day we were notified that
we had been accepted into the VFW National Home in Eaton Rapids,
Michigan. Our father was a veteran of WWI who received a Purple
Heart during action in France. Luzon-Argonne Post # 827, Kalamazoo,
Michigan, sponsored us. We had mixed emotions about going to the
Children’s Home thinking it might be worse than the present
foster home.
One day in March 1937, we were notified that Mr. Earl Brodie would
take us to the VFW National Home in Eaton Rapids. We packed our
belongings and waited for him to arrive. He was a nice man and he
assured us that we would like our new home. He was right. We had
a nice brick home with a furnace, electricity, indoor plumbing and
we each had our own bed with clean sheets and blankets. I thought
that “I Died and Went to Heaven”. We were given a physical
at the Hospital, issued all new clothing and the House Mother gave
us an orientation and gave us the rules and explained that each
of us would be assigned a job in addition to make our bed. Jobs
ranged from helping prepare meals, dishes, cleaning bathrooms, cleaning
stairways, stoking the furnace, etc.
We rode the National Home bus to the public school in Eaton Rapids,
which was a 4-mile ride. We also packed our lunch. We were entered
into the grade that we were attending before coming to the Home.
I was in the 4th grade and the work seemed so easy because we went
to a 1-room school and you got individual attention because there
were only one or two in each class. I even skipped the second grade
and could spell down the whole school, K-8, which made my sister
mad.
As time went on I really enjoyed my new life. There was always plenty
to do and I learned about farming, the dairy, the clothing store,
picking cucumbers, delivering milk, painting, and I was a member
of the Scouts. It wasn’t all work, there trips to Lansing,
Pleasant Lake and other places along with plenty of sports activities
both at the Home and at school. We also were taken by bus to the
church of our faith on Sunday.
In 1940, my brother Raymond graduated and went to work for Michigan
Bell Telephone Company. On December 7, 1941, the world changed again.
Now we are in WWII and it wasn’t long before Ray joined the
Army Signal corp. In 1942, Gladys graduated and left the Home. As
soon as the Navy would accept him, Harold joined the Navy
I was busy with school activities, plays, sports and girls. We got
a weekly allowance and if there were no school activities on Friday
night and your grades were good and your House Mother approved,
you could get a pass to go to town and be back by 11:00 pm. You
had to walk 4 miles in and 4 miles back, which was an hour both
ways.
My years at the VFW National Home taught me to be a good soldier
and I had an illustrious 20-year career and retired in the grade
of Chief Master Sergeant. After retirement, I went into teaching
Vocational H.S., Adult Education and still am an Industrial Consultant.
I have a lovely wife, 3 sons and a daughter. We lived in Japan for
three and half years and in Hawaii for two and a half years. The
military life and the life outside the U.S. mainland has made my
children better people.
In closing, I must say that I owe my life and career to the VFW
National Home.
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