WELCOME TO JOHN LYON VFW POST 3150

America's Post

 

Yesterday’s defenders of freedom, we extend a warm welcome to today’s military service members who have chosen to join our ranks and become part of our elite group. Our shared commitment lies on the battlefield, whether it be service in the Vietnam War, the Persian Gulf, Korea, Kosovo, the War on Terrorism, or peace-keeping expeditionary campaigns. Your courage and sacrifice have played a pivotal role in preserving and defending global peace.

The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) offers a comprehensive range of programs and services to support veterans, service members, and their families globally. For further information, please refer to the VFW’s latest fact sheet or explore our website to discover why the VFW is recognized as the organization that provides the most support to veterans.


News & Events

Upcoming events

Click above to view events.

View Local, State and National events. 

Membership

Membership Details

As yesterday's defenders of freedom...

 ...we want to welcome today's military service members into our ranks to become part of our elite group.

WWII, Korean War, Vietnam War, Persian Gulf War, Kosovo, War in Afghanistan, War in Iraq, War on Global Terror and other Peace-Keeping Expeditionary Campaigns throughout the globe.

Assistance & Benefits

Assistance & Benefits

The Veterans of Foreign Wars is dedicated

 to supporting those who sacrifice so much for this country, veterans, service members in the US Armed Forces, and their families and continues to be a voice for returning and currently deployed service members and their families.

DONATE TO JOHN LYON VFW POST 3150

Our programs support our service members while they are on the front line, as they are being discharged and long after they return. Your donation will be immediately directed to the VFW programs where your support is most urgently needed.

DONATE NOW

Announcements

Visit this Week (August 20-27): Friday and Saturday, open 6-10 PM. 
 
VISITORS WELCOME
VETERANS - ACTIVE DUTY - FAMILY - FRIENDS
 
We're pleased to announce two exciting updates to the John Lyon VFW Post 3150 website! Be sure to visit our newly redesigned Membership page to learn more about the benefits of joining our Post, and check out our new Follow John Lyon Post on Facebook page to stay current on Post news, events, photos, and community activities. We encourage you to explore both pages and share them with fellow veterans, family, and friends.
 
Friday, August 21: 
Canteen open, 6 PM

Saturday, August 22: 
G4V Group Guitar Lessons, 9 AM
Hall Rental, Kalish, 5 PM
Canteen Open, 6 PM
Open Mic Night with Nick K, 7 PM
 
Sunday, August 23: 
Zoom Yoga, 10 am
G4V Gonzalez, 11 am
 
Monday, August 24:
Stronghold Food Pantry, Joint Base Fort Myer/Henderson Hall, 8 AM
 
Wednesday, August 26: 
Arlington County Public Schools Military Family Picnic, 4 PM
 
Thursday, August 27: 
Hall Rental, Ascher, 2 PM

UPCOMING EVENTS:
 
Stronghold Food Pantry - Monday, August 24th,  8 AM:  Joint Base FT Myer/Henderson Hall will be hosting a food pantry for military families on Monday, August 24th. Please join your Post comrades as they assist military families with food distribution. We will meet at the JBM-HH Memorial Chapel, 101 McNair Rd, Fort Myer, VA 22211 (JBM-HH side of the base across from PX) at 8 AM. Please wear your VFW swag or hat!
 
Arlington County Public Schools Military Family Picnic - August 26th, 4 pm:  If you are a military family that is new to the Arlington County Public School system or knows someone that is, please join Arlington County Public Schools for a picnic at the Alice West Fleet Elementary, 115 S. Old Glebe Rd. 22204. An RSVP is required and can be found at the link below.
 
More information about this event is available here:  ACPS Military Family Picnic.
 
In the future:

Were you at the Pentagon on 9/11? Were you in Arlington helping with the 9/11 rescue? If so, the Arlington County Public Library is looking to record your story of the day. If you were, please let the Post leadership know.  
 
9/11 Patriots Day - There are 4 events the Post will be participating in: 
  • September 1, 2026: Remembrance to Renewal:  Community Reflection on the 25th Anniversary of 9/11.  Please join the Arlington County Public Library and the Military Women's Memorial as they present a panel discussion. This special program will examine the profound impact of 9/11 on our Nation, the Arlington community, and those who answered the call to serve. As we commemorate this milestone anniversary, we will also reflect on the healing, unity, and hope that have emerged over the past quarter century.  The reception starts at 530 PM, and the program starts at 630 PM.  Please register here; the event is free.
  • September 5:  Also, here is an event that helps commemorate Arlington's role in 9/11: The race is in Arlington, September 5th, at DoubleTree in Arlington (300 Army Navy Drive, Arlington, VA 22202) at 6 PM. The Arlington Police, Fire, Sheriff, and ECC 9/11 Memorial Race was born from an idea to start a road race after two Arlington County Police Officers had returned from a similar road race in Buffalo, NY.  You can sign up here for the race or the virtual race:  Sign up for the race here
  • September 11: That morning, the Post will also be attending the 9/11 Washington, DC Meal Pack for 9/11 Day from 7:30 AM until about 12 PM at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center (Exhibit Hall), 801 Allen Y. Lew Place NW in Washington, DC.  Please sign up here and let us know that you will be attending. Wear your favorite VFW swag! Here is the link to sign up; please select the 730 AM to 12 PM shift  9/11 Meal Pack Washington DC
  • September 11:  That evening, the Post will meet at the 9/11 Memorial at the Pentagon at 6 PM to commemorate the events of the day. If you are interested in being part of this team, let the Post leadership know.  
Volunteers needed: 
 
We hope everyone had a nice summer and took a break from the heat and humidity. As the calendar turns to fall, we have a pile of events where we will be needing volunteers to lead, coordinate, and participate in.  Here is a short list:
  • Marine Corps Marathon Cleanup (October 25th) - We will be cleaning up miles 2-3 as part of a fundraising event.  We need 18 people to sign up, and 18 people to show up for the cleanup.  Please register for the event here: Sign up for the Marine Corps Marathon Clean Up.
  • Halloween at the Post (Saturday, October 31st) - This year, the Post will sponsor a Trunk or Treat in our parking lot, as well as a party for Post members' families.  This concept has not been formed yet, but if you are a Halloween-focused individual and you want to help the Post plan and execute this event, please let the Post leadership know.  
  • Marine Corps Birthday (November 10th) - Joe Wagner will be leading this effort; we are looking for Post members to help him out with the planning and execution.  We are also looking for a distinguished Marine to be our Post's keynote speaker.  If you are interested in being part of this team, let the Post leadership know.  
  • Veterans Day Celebration (November 11th) - This is one of the Post's most important celebrations.  We will be conducting our traditional ceremonies at Clarendon War Memorial and the Cherrydale Boys' School Memorial as well as a Post Open House.  In addition, we will be conducting our Veterans Day Buddy Poppy distribution.  We will need folks to lead, coordinate, and help out at all of these events.  If you are interested in being part of this team, let the Post leadership know.  
  • Post Thanksgiving Basket Donations (November 19th) - We are working to partner with USAA and Joint Base Fort Myer/Henderson Hall to reach out to Army and Marine Corps families that are in need during the holiday season.   If you are interested in being part of this team, let the Post leadership know.  
Help your Post out and step up!  You will enjoy it and see how easy it is.
 
What is going on with other Veteran organizations in Arlington?

Echoes of Service - Exhibition at American Legion Post 139 - American Legion Post 139 will host a special Veteran Artists Exhibition "Echoes of Service", August 9-16, 2026, featuring the work of multiple veteran artists and family members from across Northern Virginia and the Washington, DC Metropolitan Area.

The exhibition celebrates military service, artistic expression, and the transformative power of creativity while commemorating both the 105th Anniversary of American Legion Post 139 and the nation's ongoing celebration of the 250th Anniversary of the United States of America.

The exhibition reflects Post 139's unique mission of supporting veterans through the arts. Unlike a traditional American Legion post, Post 139 has become a hub for creative engagement, community building, and artistic healing, providing veterans with opportunities to share their experiences and connect through creative practice.

"Art provides veterans with a powerful means of expression, reflection, and healing," said Richard Rodriguez, Commander of American Legion Post 139. "This exhibition showcases not only extraordinary artistic talent but also the resilience, perspectives, and stories of those who have served our nation."

Curated by veteran artist Steven Luu, the exhibition brings together artists working across a variety of disciplines and media. Their work explores themes of service, identity, memory, resilience, and the enduring values that connect generations of Americans.

The exhibition schedule includes:

·         Public Exhibition: August 9-16, 2026

·         Veteran Artist Panel Discussion: August 15, 2026, 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm

·         Awards Ceremony: August 15, 2026, 3:00 pm to 3:30 pm

·         Reception/Refreshments: August 15, 2026, 3:30 to 5:00 pm

The artist panel discussion will allow visitors to hear directly from participating veterans and family members about their creative processes, military experiences, and the role art has played in their personal journeys.

Family-Friendly Events: We have several members with school-age kids who we want to keep engaged with the Post. Are you one of them? Please let us know how we can host more family-friendly events at the Post. Easter Egg Hunt? Trick or treat? If this interests you, please bring it up at the next General Meeting or email the Sr. Vice Commander.

REFLEX Comedy Classes: Reflex Improv will offer FREE Intro to Improv classes to members of VFW Post 3150. During class, you will learn about the fundamentals of improv comedy, including Yes-And, Got Your Back teamwork, creating characters on the fly, and recognizing and playing with scene game. No prior experience in improv or comedy needed! If you're interested in joining the classes, please email Daniel Brown and cc Mike Cantwell. Include your full name and contact information, and state that you are a member of VFW Post 3150. 

Veterans in Need: If you know of a Veteran in need, here are some resources that can help them in Virginia or in the greater DMV area:
 
Right here in Arlington, there are two resources available at our comrades' American Legion Post 139:  
     - Charles Reynolds is a Virginia Veterans Service Representative.  He can be reached at (703) 417-9090 or at charle.reynolds@dvs.virginia.gov
     - George Mason Law School has an MVETS office at American Legion 139.  MVETS M-VETS enables Mason law students to assist servicemembers, veterans, and dependent family members in a wide variety of litigation and non-litigation matters.  https://mvets.law.gmu.edu/
  
US Vets: US Vets (here is a link to their Website) has just opened a Service Hub in DC. If you know of a Veteran facing housing insecurity, please link them up with US Vets. As a note, we have a Post member who is a counselor for US Vets, our Chaplain, Chris G. 
 
Virginia Department of Veterans Services: Here is some useful contact information to assist Veterans in need. The Virginia Department of Veterans Services can help out:
 
• Contact Edwin Robles if you live in either Fairfax County or Arlington County.
Fill out a request form if you live outside Fairfax County or Arlington County.
• If you have the resources to donate money for assisting a Veteran, the Virginia Department of Veteran Services recommends donating by sending a check to Northern Virginia Vietnam Veterans of America, PO Box 2111, Reston, VA 20195.
 
Donations: Our zoning infractions case is complete.  Please consider donating to the Post for future legal fights. 


• VFW Denounces World War II Memorial Vandalism
• VFW Participates in NASDVA Panel
• VFW Still Opposes Benefit Cuts
• Applications Now Open for 2026-2027 VFW-SVA Legislative Fellowship
• MIA Update

IN-COUNTRY

A satirical reflection by Author/Artist Phil Fehrenbacher

Phil enlisted in the Army in 1965 where you served for years in Vietnam.  He became a graphic designer and has worked for the state of Oregon for 26 years.  He retired in 2003 and started the Cartoon "In-Country".  The cartoons reflect his experiences during his tour of duty in South Vietnam.


There is a new cartoon everyday.

Recurring Donations

Hall Rental

Post News

Important Info for Post3150 Members

Post 3150's Firefighter of the Year

Erica Lampe, Post 3150's Firefighter of the Year, was subsequently named the VFW State of Virginia Firefighter of the Year.

RI250 Honor Flight Video

Sean Morin, the Deputy Director of Communications for the RI Department of State, and Secretary of State Gregg M. Amore posted a wonderful YouTube video of our recent Honor Flight.

District News

Important Info for District 10 Members

Post 7916 - April 2021 #Still Serving Post of the Month

The members of VFW Post 7916 in Occoquan, Virginia, have demonstrated a commitment to their mission of “Honoring the Dead by Helping the Living” throughout the pandemic. The Post made sure members received health and welfare checks so that those most at-risk, or in need, received essentials. They also delivered food to residents of the town and donated to a local food bank.

VFW - Our Service Never Stops

VFW Post 7916 and their auxiliary members were featured in the latest promotional video from VFW National.

Statewide News

News & Info from your department

Suicide Prevention and Awareness Week

As we enter Suicide Prevention and Awareness Week (continuing throughout the month of September), I want to take a moment to speak directly to each of you, not just as your Commander, but as a fellow veteran who understands the weight many of us carry.

June - August 2025 Department Newspaper

New Virginia Veteran Newspaper Released

National News

Important info from National VFW

2026-2027 VFW-SVA Legislative Fellowship Applications Now Open

WASHINGTON - The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and Student Veterans of America (SVA) are now accepting applications from st...

VFW Condemns Vandalism of National World War II Memorial

WASHINGTON - The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) strongly condemns today's disgraceful vandalism of the National World War II Memor...

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