October 7, 2022Dear Team 341, This has been an exciting year for Post 341 so far…and we’re NOT done! I wanted to take a few moments to provide an update from my perspective. When I first became your commander in September of 2021, my mission became to make this Post the premier VFW Post in the area. With your help, we are achieving this mission. As the only VFW Post in the District, we are front and center on the latest legislative initiatives and inquiries from congressional staff, veterans, community leaders, and our very own VFW Washington Office. As you know, the highlight of this year has been renaming and dedicating our Post to the life and legacy of our Life Member and Tuskegee Airmen, Brigadier General Charles E. McGee. This month, our efforts were featured in the VFW Magazine, with a great article highlighting our dedication and renaming of our Post. Our community support has increased tremendously over the last few months. With your help, we have been able to recognize numerous kids in JROTC programs and our Voice of Democracy and Patriot’s Pen competitions. Our Auxiliary and Cooties have been tirelessly helping us with Buddy Poppy drives, visiting our sick Comrades, and supporting our efforts to beautify our Post. Your Quartermaster has been nothing short of amazing! With his direction and effort, we have been able to perform much needed repairs and beautification of our entire Post, making it a special place that many of our veteran and community members want to use. Because of the steadfastness and selfless service of a few, our relationships within the community and District are stronger than ever. I was recently able to appoint a new Post Service Officer, which came at the perfect time, since the PACT Act is now law and claims and inquiries have increased tremendously. The PACT Act is so important to many of our members and families, and the VA is pushing out as much information as possible, but I know many of us have a lot of questions. In effort to spread the word throughout our veteran population, I am changing our October 15th Monthly Post Meeting to a Special Joint Meeting. I am pleased to announce that we will have my friend and battle buddy; VA Press Secretary, Terrence Hayes, provide you with an informational briefing on the PACT Act. 

 

Event: Special Joint Meeting with VA Press Secretary, Terrence Hayes Date: Saturday, 15 October Time: 9am to 11am This Special Joint Meeting will be open to Post members, Auxiliary, Cooties, prospective members, and anyone needing information on the PACT Act and other VA benefits. This will be both an IN-PERSON and VIRTUAL event. Please make every effort to come out to the Post, and if you’re unable to attend in person, tune-in via your computer or mobile device using the Zoom Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85443732843 Until we meet, Stay Focused…Stay Motivated! Yours in service, Anthony J. Lowe Commander Attachment: Hayes Bio

 

Terrence Hayes was appointed press secretary and official spokesperson for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs January 20, 2021. In this role, Terrence is responsible for addressing all national, regional, and local media inquiries and interview requests on behalf of the VA Secretary. Prior to serving as VA press secretary, Terrence served as the national director of communications and public affairs for the Veterans of Foreign Wars. His duties included serving as spokesperson for the more than 1.4- million-member organization on issues ranging from national security and foreign affairs to the proper care and treatment of veterans, service members and their families. Terrence, a native of Jacksonville, Florida, served in the U.S. Army from 1996 to 2016, deploying to Baghdad, Iraq, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom from December 2006 to March 2008. His military awards and decorations include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (3rd award), Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal (3rd award), Joint Service Achievement Medal, Army Achievement Medal (3rd award), Joint Meritorious Unit Award (2nd award), Army Good Conduct Medal (6th award), National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal (one bronze star), Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon (3rd award), Army Service Ribbon, and the Overseas Service Ribbon (3rd award). Prior to his position at the VFW, Terrence served as a public affairs officer and emergency response coordinator for the Department of Veterans Affairs, where he was responsible for answering all national, regional, and local media queries on behalf of Secretaries David Shulkin and Robert Wilkie. Terrence concluded his military career at the Pentagon serving as public affairs adviser to the senior enlisted advisor to the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff from November 2011 to January 2016. In this role, he served as principal public affairs adviser and spokesperson for the defense department’s topenlisted service member. Terrence earned a bachelor’s degree in communication from the University of Maryland Global College in Adelphi, Maryland, and a master’s degree in both strategic communication and management (organizational leadership) from Troy University in Troy, Alabama. Terrence is a member of the U.S. Army’s distinguished Sergeant Audie Murphy Club, the National Press Club and the National Association of Black Journalists. He and his wife, Chelsey, reside in Upper Marlboro, Maryland