Michigan City Veteran Honored in National VFW #StillServing Campaign

Michigan City veteran George Watkins who is being honored for dedication to country and community in the VFW #StillServing campaign. The national Veterans of Foreign Wars #StillServing (vfw.org/stillserving) campaign recognizes veterans who continue to serve in their community after the military.

Watkins is #StillServing as a life member of VFW Post 1130 and has been a member of the LaPorte Mayor’s Veteran Committee for 15 years, currently assisting with the Veterans Brick Walkway of Honor in Soldier Memorial Park. He is an 18-year volunteer with the non-profit Vans for Vets for LaPorte County that transports veterans to appointments at VA clinics in Crown Point and Mishawaka. Additionally, Watkins is a county veteran service officer and as such helps veterans, surviving spouses and dependents apply for and receive the benefits they have earned.

Watkins is #StillServing because he says the desire to serve others does not end when the military uniform comes off.

The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) launched #StillServing, a campaign to highlight how America’s combat veterans continue to serve in their local communities after transitioning from the military, in March 2020. What started as a campaign became a movement as veterans across the country stepped up to share stories of how they are still serving.

According to the 2021 Veterans Civic Health Index1, veterans average nearly 30 percent more volunteer hours per year and outpace civilians by 15 percent in charitable donations. Additionally, nearly 40 percent more veterans belong to a group working on community issues and veterans are more likely to be registered to vote (7 percent) and have recently voted (6 percent).

Since its launch, 4.8 million people have engaged with the campaign through the website, videos and social channels. Additionally, 2,000 veterans have shared their personal stories of sacrifice and service, and the stories have been covered by more than 700 media outlets worldwide.

Building on a legacy of service that spans more than a century, #StillServing represents the heart of the VFW and its members and conveys what today’s VFW embodies. The VFW encourages all veterans to share stories on social media using #StillServing to show how they continue to answer the call to serve in ways big and small. In addition, family or friends are asked to use #StillServing in social media posts to honor a veteran in their lives who believes the spirit of service transcends military life.

The VFW urges Americans to visit vfw.org/stillserving to learn more about the campaign, make a shareable image honoring veterans in their lives, watch videos of VFW members making a difference and see a collection of user-generated content.