UNSUNG HEROES PROGRAM

Founded in 2008, by the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2423, the Unsung Heroes Program was formed to seek out and locate those Combat Veterans that served this Nation with honor and distinction, yet never received their medals and awards from the United States Military.

Over the years, there has been many young brave men and women who have worn the uniform and stood in harm's way, and for some reason never received their medals. Whether they were overlooked, part of a mass discharge or rapid demobilization, transferred to a hospital, or simply poor recorded keeping by the Military, they never received the medals that they earned.

VFW Post 2423 is committed in the attempts to locate any military Veteran that served in a combat zone and did not receive their medals. Once we have identified those Veterans, we will assist in completing the appropriate documentation and work to expedite those medals to the Veteran.

Now, more than ever, it is important to locate these Veterans. Especially those Veterans that served in World War II and Korea, to honor their service and pin them with the medals that they earned so many years ago.

Each and ever year, during Veterans Day, the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2423 conducts a military ceremony for the presentation of the medals and awards to those deserving Veterans.

Military Awards Ceremony

Some of the Veterans that have been helped by this program:

 CPL Charles Kefer, United States Army, KIA: 1 May 1970, Vietnam. CPL Kefer was awarded the Silver Star for his actions during a battle that ultimately lead to his death. The United States Army simply filed his award away and the medal was never awarded to his family. Thirty-eight years later, members of VFW Post 2423 presented CPL Kefer's Silver Star to his brother, Steve Kefer, (a Marine who also served in Vietnam), during an awards ceremony.

Steve Kefer receives his brother's Silver Star

 PVT George Philmon, United States Army, WWII, Battle of the Bulge. PVT Philmon fought in the Battle of the Bulge and was captured by the German Army, where he remained a Prisoner of War for nine months. Sixty-five years later, members of VFW Post 2423 presented PVT Philmon with all his campaign medals, ribbons and awards, to include the POW medal and Bronze Star medal.

Pvt. George Philmon

We need your assistance, more than ever, in finding these Veterans that fought for the preservation of Freedom, and did not receive their medals. If you know of a Veteran, or a Veteran's family that is seeking their Veteran's medals, please contact VFW Post 2423 Senior Vice Commander Brian M. Boze at 704-821-9753, or email at brian.boze@vfwpost2423

Many of our World War II and Korean Veterans are passing away everyday. It is very important that we located and honor those Veterans for the sacrifices that they endured so many years ago.

We are also seeking donations to support this program. Medals are very expensive, but the expense is well worth the honor and respect deserved by a Veteran. If you would like to make a donation in support of this project, please send a check to:

VFW Post 2423
Unsung Heroes Program
PO Box 535
Indian Trail, NC 28079