Sgt. James F. Carty, DSC VFW Post 1545 - 13 February 2026

Above photo: SFC Leigh Ann Hester

Our post will be holding Bingo Thursday February 19th. We invite all to come and enjoy a night of fun. Along with bingo prizes we have the game of Queen of Hearts. 

The Queen of Hearts prize is now up to $1,165.00 and should your ticket be picked you will receive 60% of the total. So come and have some fun. I promise the heat will be on. 

As a past District 3 Commander, I had the honor of being supported by a remarkable woman named Kathy Hayward. Kathy served as the District 3 President of the Auxiliary, and her dedication was evident in everything she did. She contacted me about a Gold Family Luncheon the Auxiliary was hosting and asked if I would attend and speak.

As I drove to Saratoga for the luncheon, I found myself wondering how I could possibly find the right words to speak to families who had lost a loved one while serving our country. 

Shortly before that day, I had read a book by Martha MacCallum about her uncle, who was killed on Iwo Jima during World War II. Although she never met him, her family kept his memory alive through stories shared from the time she was a little girl. Decades later, the love and loss were still deeply felt.

When Kathy introduced me to the families gathered there, I understood how these families carried their loss with them every day. As I spoke, I could feel the enduring love they held for their servicemen and women.

I told them that they were the true heroes—that their sacrifices were made out of love for our country. Listening to their stories and hearing how they continue to honor and preserve the memories of their loved ones was an incredibly moving experience. 

The pride in their voices was unmistakable. They never forget, and all of us should always remember the true cost of freedom.

We lost Kathy Hayward a short time ago, and she will be deeply missed by District 3 NY VFW and all who knew her. Her unwavering commitment to veterans and their families will not be forgotten.

I am sure that many do not know about the amount of service that women have contributed to our country. In WWII many women were flyers. They did not fly in combat, although they were excellent flyers none the nonetheless. The flew every type of airplane the Army Air Corp flew including the flying fortress – B17. They delivered them from factory to the troops. 

Here I will honor one extraordinary service women. Her name is Leigh Ann Hester Sergeant First Class US Army. SFC. Hester is one of the few women to be awarded for valor in close-quarters combat.  

Leigh Ann Hester was a sergeant with the National Guard’s Kentucky-based 617th Military Police Company when she was deployed to Iraq. n 20I05, she was scanning and clearing a route for a supply convoy near Baghdad when her squad was ambushed by enemy fire.  

She was trained for this, as it was a risk that came with her daily job in Iraq. Thus, when they became under attack, she knew exactly what to do. She directed her team away from the enemy’s intense fire and into a flanking position that exposed multiple irrigation ditches and an orchard that the enemies were using to stage the attack.

She was initially directing fire, then began fighting on foot. Sgt. Hester displayed incredible bravery as she had walked directly into the line of fire to kill at least three enemy combatants at close range, resulting in numerous convoy members lives saved. 

With thirty-three insurgents killed or wounded and one captured, every member of her unit survived. Sgt. Hester separated from the National Guard and became a police officer after she returned to the United States; a job she had wanted since childhood. But, she enjoyed being a soldier so much that she rejoined the National Guard shortly after.  

Her heroic actions led her to become the first woman since World War II to earn the Silver Star Medal and the very first to ever earn it for combat valor. 

Remember all who served our country and those still serving throughout the world for our freedom. God bless America. 

Marc Farmilette, PDC – VFW Post 1545 Commander