VFW Post 7446 Addison IL

Once again our recent State Convention brought inquiries from both VFW & AUX. members seeking to assist & gain perspective members.

Request Military Service Records
Recent military service and medical records are not online. However, most veterans and their next of kin can obtain free copies of their DD Form 214 (Report of Separation) and the following military service records any of the ways listed below.

https://www.va.gov/records/get-military-service-records/

https://www.archives.gov/

Request for Correction of Military Records

https://www.defense.gov/Contact/Help-Center/Article/Article/2742476/request-correction-of-military-records/

https://www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/Documents/DD/forms/dd/dd0149.pdf

Request for Discharge Upgrade

https://www.va.gov/discharge-upgrade-instructions/introduction/

https://www.woundedwarrior.marines.mil/Portals/213/Docs/IDES/dd0293.pdf?ver=2017-09-05-114320-643

www.woundedwarrior.marines.mil

Addison Community Blood Drive at the Village of Addison on Wednesday, July 1, 2026 from 12pm - 6pm. Please consider donating for a loved one or someone in need. It never hurts to try. Thank you!

Join CORPS OF AMERICA at Cantigny Park on
July 11 for an unforgettable night with Gary Sinise & The Lt. Dan Band!

Support local disabled veterans and their families with an evening of incredible live music on the Parade Field.

✨ 7 PM Show | 🎟️ $50 (Includes Parking!)👉 Grab your tickets at [wsfdv.org] and help us honor those who served!

VFW Mourns the Loss of Diane Carlson Evans, Vietnam Women's Memorial Founder

The veteran advocate's legacy stands as a lasting testament to the courage, compassion and determination of the women who served during the Vietnam War

WASHINGTON (May 26, 2026) – The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) mourns the loss of Diane Carlson Evans, founder of the Vietnam Women's Memorial and a lifelong advocate for women veterans, who passed away last week. A former Army nurse who served in Vietnam, Evans devoted decades of her life to securing national recognition for the thousands of military women who served during the war. Her tireless efforts culminated in the dedication of the Vietnam Women’s Memorial in 1993 near the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., forever honoring the women whose service and sacrifice had too often gone unrecognized.

Evans was also a proud VFW Life Member of VFW Post 4393 in Helena, Montana, whose commitment to veterans extended far beyond her own military service. In recognition of her extraordinary leadership and advocacy, the VFW awarded her the organization’s prestigious Commander-in-Chief Gold Medal of Merit. Through her public advocacy, education efforts and unwavering determination, Evans brought national attention to the vital role women played in Vietnam as nurses, intelligence specialists, air traffic controllers and support personnel. Her work helped generations of women veterans gain the visibility, respect and recognition they earned through their service.

VFW National Commander Carol Whitmore, the organization’s first woman national commander and a retired Army nurse and member of the Women’s Army Corps, reflected on Evans’ extraordinary legacy and the profound impact she had on veterans across generations.

“The courage and compassion of Vietnam nurses brought comfort, healing and hope to countless service members in the midst of war,” said Whitmore. “Diane Carlson Evans epitomized that care to soldiers in Vietnam. Founding the Vietnam Women’s Memorial in Washington, D.C., Diane ensured the legacy of the women who served during that time would never be forgotten. We will never forget you, Diane. Thank you for your service.”

The VFW extends its deepest condolences to the family, friends, fellow veterans and admirers of Diane Carlson Evans. Her enduring legacy will continue to inspire future generations and remind the nation that the contributions of women veterans are inseparable from the story of America’s military history.

Please share with your veteran contacts. We will be offering same-day appointments.

Thanks!


Lisa Mendez
Communications Specialist
Outreach Coordinator

Edward Hines Jr. VA Hospital
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Cell: 708-998-7957

VA is discontinuing Chapter 35 education benefits for high school programs
A change in public law discontinues DEA benefits for secondary education for any program starting on or after Aug. 1, 2026



June 4, 2026
Education Service, Veterans Benefits Administration

Under Chapter 35, Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance (DEA or Chapter 35) program, eligible spouses and children of Veterans or service members who have a permanent and total service-connected disability, were missing in action or captured, died on active duty, or died from a service-connected condition receive a stipend while they attend educational programs.

Currently, beneficiaries can use the benefit to attend high school for pre-requisite classes to a college degree.

However, Public Law 117–328 statutorily changed the definition of “educational institution” by deleting “secondary school” and replacing it with “post-secondary school.” This means that using DEA benefits for secondary education, such as high school coursework, GED level training, tutoring or academic remediation is no longer allowed for any program starting on or after Aug. 1, 2026.

Students who start a secondary program prior to Aug. 1, 2026, will continue to receive DEA benefits through the end of the academic term. VA cannot continue DEA benefits for subsequent secondary academic terms even if required for graduation.

VA is contacting beneficiaries and schools who are affected by the change. Beneficiaries who have questions about their benefits may submit inquiries through Ask VA.

Please join us as we attend the Grand Opening & Ribbon Cutting for the Chicagoland Veterans Campus located at 39 Army Trail Blvd, Addison, IL along with the Village of Addison.

June 27th, 2026 from 1pm-5pm.

*Commemorating our Nations' 250th Birthday
*Living History Timeline
*Masonic Dedication (Tribute to our Founding Fathers)
*Dedication by our sister museum in Trignano, Italy
*Dedication of Liberty Tree
*Dedication by Sons of the Union Veterans
*Military Vehicle Display

**For more information call 708-606-0742 or email [email protected]

Please make note if you have not come to our post in a while, that our hours have changed effective 4/01/2026 as follows:

Monday - Saturday from 2pm - 7:30pm
Sunday - noon - 6pm.

Thank you for your continued support.

June Monthly Observances:

Alzheimer's & Brain Awareness Month, Aphasia Awareness Month, National PTS(D) Awareness Month, National Safety Month, Pride Month, Oral Health Month, Cancer from the Sun Month, Fireworks Safety Month, National Foster a Pet Month and National Adopt a Cat Month.

June Holidays & Observances:

Don't Give Up the Ship Day (6/1), Anniversary of D-Day (6/6), Donald Duck Day (6/9), National Women Veterans Recognition Day (6/12), Flag Day (6/14), Juneteenth (6/19), Father's Day (6/21), Summer Solstice/First Day of Summer (6/21), PTS(D) Awareness Day (6/27).

June Birthdays:

United States Army (6/14) and the Coast Guard Auxiliary (6/23).