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ABOUT US

The VFW traces its roots back to 1899 when veterans of the Spanish-American War (1898) and the Philippine Insurrection (1899-1902) founded local organizations to secure rights and benefits for their 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 with what would 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. By 1915, membership grew to 5,000; by 1936, membership was almost 200,000. 

Since then, the VFW's voice had been instrumental in establishing the Veterans Administration, creating a GI bill for the 20th century, the development of the national cemetery system and the fight for compensation for Vietnam vets exposed to Agent Orange and for veterans diagnosed with Gulf War Syndrome. In 2008, VFW 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. 

The VFW also has fought for improving 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, the VFW in 2005 became the first veterans' organization to contribute to building the new Disabled Veterans for Life Memorial, which opened in November 2010.

Annually, the nearly 2 million members of the VFW and its Auxiliaries contribute more than 8.6 million hours of volunteerism in the community, including participation in Make A Difference Day and National Volunteer Week. 

From providing over $3 million in college scholarships and savings bonds to students every year, to encouraging elevation of the Department of Veterans Affairs to the president's cabinet, the VFW is there.
 

POST 2704 HISTORY

 

Thanks to Mr. Henry "Hank" Dethlefs III (Nephew of Rudolph Deml) we now have additional information about Pvt Deml and the early years of our Post. His Mother, Goldie Dethlefs, was a Charter Member of VFW Post 2704 Auxiliary and put together the information which she presented to the Post in October 1983.

 

Rudolph Deml was born in South Omaha on December 28, 1894. He attended Jungman School and entered the Army April 22, 1918. Pvt Rudolph F. Deml was assigned to Co. F, 355 Inf., 89thDivision. Pvt Deml arrived in Europe July 25, 1918. He died in action on October 29, 1918 in the Meuse-Argonne Offensive. The Meuse-Argonne Offensive was a major part of the final Allied offensive of World War I. During this battle the 355th Infantry lost 52 Officers and 1416 Enlisted. Pvt Deml was laid to rest at Graceland Cemetery on September 10, 1921.

 

The linked article was copied from the VFW Post 2704 monthly bulletin (Volume V, Number 11, November 1982): SHELL BLAST KILLED RUDOLPH DEML

  

Our Post was renamed in the late 80's to the Deml-Kopietz Post after Mr. Joseph "Joe" Kopietz, who held numerous officer positions, for over 25 years, in Post 2704 before he passed away in 1987.                                 

 

Announcements

Eastern Nebraska Veterans Home (ENVH) Opportunities - The Nebraska Department of Veterans’ Affairs established new requirements to volunteer at the ENVH. Below are the forms required and a flyer listing volunteer opportunities. 

Nebraska Department of Veterans’ Affairs - Volunteer Service Program Profile

Nebraska Department of Veterans’ Affairs - Disclosure & Authorization for Background Check-Volunteer

ENVH - Vets Helping Vets

 

 

Member News - VFW Post 2704 would like to congratulate Larry Gerlt. At the December Awards Banquet it was announced that Larry was selected by the Post for the 2020 Edward G. Reyes Semper Fidelis Award. Congratulations Larry.

 
Annual Members - If you haven't already renewed your membership, please do. Every year our Post spends hundreds of man-hours on membership renewals. It's important to our Post and the entire VFW organization. That said, time is precious, and the hours spent on membership renewal takes away from hours that could be spent on other service projects helping Veterans in the Omaha area.  Thank you.
 
Our Post History - I'm trying to gather information on our Post history, I've been a member for several years, I know we are the Deml-Kopietz Post but I was never told why.

 

If you have any Post history, please send it to me at imgrund@cox.net