We want to highlight, underscore, italicize and put in bold the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Victoria Post 9954. The post celebrated its 70th anniversary March 23, as part of its annual banquet.

The organization’s role of helping veterans in the area is as crucial as it is honorable. We commend the post for 70 years of faithful service to veterans and to the community at large.

It was exciting that Robert Tomlinson, the last living charter member of the Victoria post, was honored at the banquet for being a 70- year member. He served in World War II.

The post has been sustained through different people joining it over the years and lending their time, effort and energy. Honored for 55 years of membership Saturday was Louie Overton, while Irvin Hagaman and Freddy Anderson drew recognition for being 50-year members.

The other awards handed out at the event illustrated the broad impact the post has on people in the community.

It honored Victoria Police Department Corporal Matthew Gatling for his service to the town.

It presented the VFW Teacher of the Year award to Central High School science instructor Anna Bolling.

Then several honors went to students at the high school and middle school levels. These students participated in the Patriot’s Pen and Voices of Democracy essay contests.

We offer our thanks to the Victoria post for the important roles it has played across multiple generations in Victoria, and we hope it will thrive into the future.