VFW Auxiliary Lake Murray Post 6740

01/29/2026

01/29/2026

Today is the 40th anniversary of the Challenger disaster.

On January 28, 1986, children all across America watched as the first teacher was to be sent to space on the Challenger space shuttle. Christa McAuliffe had won a contest to earn her spot. She trained with NASA and was set to teach lessons from space to be shared with students back on earth. Also on the space shuttle were Commander Dick Scobee, pilot Michael Smith, mission specialists Ellison Onizuka, Judith Resmik and Ronald McNair and payload specialist Gregory Jarvis.

From the point of view of children watching and those on the ground at the Kennedy Space Center, the launch seemed to go off without a hitch, but one minute, 13 seconds after liftoff, disaster struck. The space shuttle appeared to explode, leaving a cloud of smoke and several long white trails. Tragically, all on board were killed.

Are you wondering how to talk about the Challenger disaster with your children, grandchildren, students or other local youth? Several books on our Youth Activities initiative's Patriotism Through Literacy list of Recommended Reads introduce the disaster and/or the crew to children in age-appropriate ways through historical fiction or creative nonfiction, including We Dream of Space by Erin Entrada Kelly, Planet Earth is Blue by Nicole Panteleakos, Ron’s Big Mission by Rose J. Blue and American Girl: Courtney Changes the Game by Kellen Hertz.

In addition, we feature two books about Sally Ride, the first American woman in space who also worked on the committee that investigated the Challenger disaster - Sally Ride: America’s First Woman in Space by Lynn Sherr and She Persisted: Sally Ride by Atia Abawi and Chelsea Clinton, and, for children interested in modern space travel, Mae Among the Stars by Roda Ahmed, which introduces them to astronaut Mae Jemison.

Forty years has passed since the Challenger disaster, but we continue to remember those lost. In the words of President Ronald Reagan, "We will never forget them, nor the last time we saw them... as they prepared for their journey and waved goodbye and 'slipped the surly bonds of earth' to 'touch the face of God.'''

01/29/2026

Are you aware that hearing loss can happen at any age?

That’s why the VFW Auxiliary is proud to offer a hearing plan provided through TruHearing Hearing Plans. TruHearing has been providing hearing care services since 1995, helping members get the best value and follow-up care possible. This plan is at no cost to members and includes coverage for all family members. The plan includes a free annual hearing screening, deep discounts on the purchase of hearing aids, and many other value added services.

Learn more about TruHearing plans here: https://vfwauxiliary.amwins.com/hearing-plans

01/27/2026

Each year, more than 4,000 high school students from across the country participate in the VFW Auxiliary’s Young American Creative Patriotic Art Contest. The contest began in 1979 to recognize up-and-coming artists and encourage patriotism in youth. View the current National state winners or all t...

01/25/2026

The post will be closed today 1/25.

01/20/2026

🚨 Action Alert: Take action and tell Congress it’s time to fix this injustice! https://votervoice.net/VFW/Campaigns/132821/Respond