The day after President Obama dedicated 30,000 more troops to the Afghanistan War, veterans of Daniel Boone Post 5578 were honored with a visit by National Commander-in-Chief Thomas J. Tradewell, Sr.

The strength of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States is found in its members, not in its checkbook, a sentiment that was rallied to a small but attentive crowd this past week at the Daniel Boone Post 5578 in Madison.

The message was delivered by National Commander Tradewell, who was elected the national leader of the VFW in August and who is on a four-day tour of posts throughout the State.

“We’ve had a tough year, financially,” Tradewell told the crowd of veterans and community leaders. "To balance the budget this year, we had to cut $8 million," he said. "We're going to be a leaner VFW, but not a meaner VFW."

The national organization has about 100 fewer employees now than a year ago, he said.

He added that membership is down by about a half-million from its high point, indicating that retirement has played a key role in this drop.

There are 15,325 members and 98 posts in West Virginia, according to the VFW's Web site.

The economic downturn has taken a toll on the VFW's finances, which depend on donations, Tradewell explained, though he did indicate that the VFW was signing up a higher percentage of post-9/11 veterans.

Another reason for the decrease in membership is the passing of the World War II generation.

Despite the drop in membership numbers, Tradewell said none of the VFW’s programs will be cut.

Tradewell anticipates a boom in Vietnam War veterans becoming members, helping to boost membership numbers in future years.

“Through 110 years, we’ve been seeing to the needs of veterans who return home. Ever since the Spanish/American War, they came home and our government didn’t pay any attention to their concerns and needs,” Tradewell explained, further noting that it was in response to the government’s inattention to the needs of its veterans that prompted the creation of the VFW.

“Your hard work and dedication has made the country stronger. Thank you,” Tradewell said. "Every time you promote patriotism, you support the VFW and veterans.”

Many of the VFW's programs are for active military personnel.

One such program is Operation Uplink, which began 10 years ago with the distribution of donated phone cards to service men and women in Iraq and Afghanistan.

According to Tradewell, the VFW at first had tried to purchase phone cards for the troops, but discovered that many of them were expiring before they were being used.

"Now there are 830 Internet cafes in Iraq and Afghanistan where soldiers get to call home three times a month," he said.

Tradewell explained that these call home days are sponsored at a cost of $40,000 and $80,0000 per day.

“We have corporate sponsors who pick a day to pay for the troops to place a call,” he explained, noting that the VFW has contributed about $3 million to help about 3,000 families of men and women deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan through its Unmet Needs program.

Tradewell shared with the crowd the story of a female soldier stationed in Iraq who was diagnosed with breast cancer. The woman’s husband had recently become unemployed and she was transferred to Fort Knox for treatment of her illness.

Her husband was not able to afford the cost of travel to Texas. The VFW was able to pay for her family’s visits to see her while she was in the hospital, he said.

Another program the VFW has been fighting for is a G.I. Bill for the 21st Century, according to Tradwell.

“For the past 7 years, we’ve fought for a G.I. Bill for the 21st Century, one that would cover tuition and provide a stipend.”

According to Tradewell, the G.I. Bill can be transfered from the active or retired military personnel to a soldier’s family member.

In closing, Tradewell remarked,”Our strenths comes from posts like yours and anytime you promote patroiotism, you’re helping to make the country stronger. God bless you and our soldiers and the United State of America."