The unit already had a laptop provided by the VFW Military Assistance Program (MAP), but they needed a place to set it up. The commander of the unit turned to the VFW for help.

“Whenever we identify a need, we pass it along to our members,” said Minnesota MAP chairman Lee Ulferts. “This unit had lumber, but they needed supplies to make a space for Marines and Soldiers to hang out.

“Even a simple tent requires a framework, so they needed these tools,” he said.

VFW members in Minnesota immediately responded. Using the “Send anywhere” boxes, Post members sent screws and tools for the construction.

“It’s impossible to tell exactly how much we sent because so many individuals bought those boxes,” said Ulferts. “But we haven’t had any additional tool requests, so the unit probably has what they need!”

The MAP program is especially important to Ulferts because he remembers how he was treated during Vietnam.

“Never again will one generation of Americans abandon another,” he said. “That’s our motto.

“This has nothing to do with agreeing or disagreeing with a war. It’s about supporting the men and women over there,” he continued.

For this reason, Ulferts and Palmer Lake VFW Post 3915, his home post, have dedicated themselves to serving deployed service members. The Post has nearly doubled in size over the past couple of years, and as Post commander, Ulferts is proud that they have adopted two units. When one unit needed razors, they spent $750 to get them to Iraq.

Ulferts believes the VFW does a good job of supporting future veterans.