June 1-7 was National CPR and AED Awareness week! On December 13, 2007, Congress unanimously passed a resolution to set aside June 1-7 each year to spotlight how lives can be saved if more Americans know CPR (Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation) and how to use an

AED (Automated External Defibrillator). Our local VFW Post 7319 recognizes the importance of having a CPR trained community. To support CPR training, VFW Post 7319 recently served their community with a local donation of four CPR manikins to the Wagner Community Memorial Hospital-Avera (WCMH-A). As Wagner and the surrounding communities continue to grow in size, the number of medical emergencies also grown in need. A medical emergency is an acute injury or illness that poses an immediate risk to a person’s life or long term health. When a medical emergency occurs, a CPR trained individual can meet an important need.A CPRtrained individualhas the knowledge and skills to provide victims the extra time needed to survive until local EMS (Emergency Medical Services) arrive. Medical emergencies can happen anywhere in the community, but also at home which is why it is so important that our community is equipped with the knowledge that could potentially help save the life of someone we love. CPR provided immediatelyafter asuddencardiac arrest can double or even triple a victim’s chance of surviving such an event. CPR classes can arm you with the skills to help someone who is choking, using an AED as well as a multitude of medical emergencies.

VFW Post 7319 has approximately 125 members. The Post has a mission statement and core values that includes serving their community. Commander Miko Kotab and other members of Post 7319 recognized the importance of CPR training in the community. Also volunteering as a volunteer firefighter, Miko keeps current on his AHA (American Heart Association) CPR training. “With the VFW and WCMH-A sharing one of the same core values of serving our community, we felt it necessary to assist with the purchase of these CPR manikins which are used to train many people in the community. WCMH-A and their instructors, Connie & Trisha, are very vital to the First Responders in our community. We, as military veterans, understand that a victim’s most critical time is immediately following an accident or incident. Having those additional volunteers out there gives a victim a much better chance of survival.”

The Wagner Community Memorial Hospital-Avera offers AHA CPR classes. Connie Kaufman, RN has been an AHA CPR instructor for over 16 years. Equipping individuals with the “knowledge and skill to respond confidently in an emergency” is an important part of teaching to Connie. According to the AHA, 70% of Americans can feel helpless to act during a cardiac emergency. This helplessness is often attributed to the lack of knowledge. In an emergency, “it is a terrible feeling of not knowing what to do and how to help. It is crucial that individuals know how to respond in an emergency-it can be a matter of life and death in a matter of minutes. In a small community, it will likely be someone you know!” Joining her mother Connie in the classroom, Trisha Deurmier RN, has 9 years of experience in teaching. Having a desire tobeequipped in responding to medical emergencies inspired Trisha to become CPR trained and a CPR instructor during her senior year in high school. Trisha reports “starting CPR within minutes of a medical emergency, prior to EMS, provides a better chance of helping someone survive. Knowing CPR helps give you the satisfaction that you helped and gave the victim the best chance of surviving.” WCMH-A is grateful for the donation from the VFW Post 7319 as it will assist in providing quality CPR training for our community.

Getting to know

your local VFW

Post 7319

Our Mission:

To foster camaraderie among United States veterans of overseas conflicts. To serve our veterans, the military and our communities. To advocate on behalf of all veterans.

Our Vision:

Ensure that veterans are respected for their service, always receive their earned entitlements, and are recognized for the sacrifices they and their loved ones have made on behalf of this great country.

Who We Are:

The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States is a nonprofit veterans service organization comprised of eligible veterans and military service members from the active, guard and reserve forces.We trace our roots back to 1899 when veterans of the Spanish-American War (1898) and thePhilippine Insurrection (1899-1902) founded local organizations to secure rights and benefits fortheir service. Many arrived home wounded or sick. There was no medical care or veterans' pension for them, and they were left to care for themselves.

In their misery, some of these veterans banded together and formed organizations that would eventually band together and become known as the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States. After chapters were formed in Ohio, Colorado and Pennsylvania, the movement quickly gained momentum. Today, membership stands at more than 1.6 million members of the VFW and its Auxiliary.

Our voice was instrumental in establishing the Veterans Administration, development of the national cemetery system, in the fight for compensation for Vietnam vets exposed to Agent Orange and for veterans diagnosed with Gulf War Syndrome. In 2008, we won a long-fought victory with the passing of a GI Bill for the 21st Century, giving expanded educational benefits to America's active duty service members, and members of the guard and reserves, fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan. We were the driving force behind the Veterans Access and Accountability Act of 2014, and continually fight for improved VA medical centers services for women veterans.

Besides helping fund the creation of the Vietnam, Korean War, World War II and Women in Military Service memorials, in 2005 the VFW became the first veterans' organization to contribute to building the new Disabled Veterans for Life Memorial, which opened in November 2010. And in 2015, we became the first supporter of the National Desert Storm War Memorial which is planned for construction at our nation's capital.

We have many programs and services that work to support veterans, service members and their families, as well as communities worldwide. Please check out our latest fact sheet or spend some time browsing our site to learn why No One Does More For Veterans.

Our Core Values:

• Always put the interests of our members first

• Treat donors as partners in our cause

• Promote patriotism

• Honor military service

• Ensure the care of veterans and their families

• Serve our communities

• Promote a positive image of the VFW

• Respect the diversity of veteran opinions