Local VFW commander joins elite rank

Published 12:00 am Wednesday, July 24, 2013

By Kimberly Hopson
L’Observateur

LAPLACE – The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States announced that LaPlace resident Elvin “Ray” Bass recently achieved All-American Status as a post commander.
Bass, commander of post 3337 in the Department of Louisiana, is one of only 204 VFW post commanders selected worldwide for All-American Commander. National Commander Josh Hamilton said, “The criteria for this honor is based on outstanding achievements in membership growth and participation in other VFW programs that benefit veterans and their communities. The title of All-American Commander is the most prestigious honor given by our organization.”
Bass said the whole state of Louisiana only has one other All-American-status commander, so the recognition is a great honor.
“It’s for the members. It shows that we are doing the right thing for the community, the veterans and everyone else. I feel great because it’s not about me. It’s about the post. I’ve never been one to be worried about an award, but we always shoot to be the best we can be around here,” said Bass.
The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S. is a nonprofit veterans’ service organization composed of combat veterans and eligible military service members from the active, guard and reserve forces. Founded in 1899 and chartered by Congress in 1936, the VFW is
the nation’s largest organization of war veterans and its oldest major veterans’ organization. The VFW has more than 7,200 posts worldwide with approximately 2 million members. The VFW and its auxiliaries are dedicated to veterans’ service, legislative advocacy and military and community service programs worldwide.
For more information, visit the organization website at www.vfw.org.