Protecting the People Who Protect Us.
The VFW Safety program is about one thing: making our communities safer — and recognizing the men and women who put themselves on the line to keep them that way.
At Post 969, that means honoring the first responders who serve Tacoma and Pierce County, supporting community safety education, and standing behind the everyday heroes who save lives without asking for credit.
Because the same duty that called us to serve overseas calls us to serve at home.
Every year, VFW Post 969 nominates outstanding local first responders for the VFW Public Servant Award Citation — a national recognition given by the Veterans of Foreign Wars to honor those who serve above and beyond their peers.vfwwa
Five award categories:
Criteria — Candidates must demonstrate:
Recognition by their colleagues or those they serve
Consistent excellence in the performance of their duties
Consistent dedication and continuous growth in their profession
Know someone who deserves this? Nominate them through Post 969.
📞 253-272-1405 · ✉️ adj@vfw969.org
Post-level deadline: Nominations to Post 969 by early December for consideration.
Sometimes a moment of courage changes everything.
The VFW Life Saving Award honors individuals — first responders and everyday citizens — who have taken action to save another human life. Three citations are available:
🎗️ Regular Life Saving Citation
Honors individuals who, without regard for their own comfort, took action resulting in the saving of another human life.
🎗️ Line of Duty Life Saving Citation
Honors individuals who, in the execution of their assigned duties, took action resulting in the saving of another human life.
🎗️ Valor Life Saving Citation
Honors civilians who saved another human life while placing their own safety at risk.
Know a hero in Tacoma, Parkland, or Pierce County?
Post 969 will honor them at a public ceremony. Contact us with the story and any news coverage or documentation you have.
📞 253-272-1405 · ✉️ adj@vfw969.org
The VFW Safety program covers six categories we work in year-round:vfwwa
🚶 Pedestrian Safety
Working with schools, crossing guards, and traffic authorities to keep walkers safe. Reporting bad light poles, dangerous crosswalks, and traffic hazards to the city.
💊 Drug & Alcohol Awareness
Supporting D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) programs in local schools, partnering with PTAs, and educating on substance abuse — including the growing prescription drug crisis.
🎯 Recreational Safety
Hunter safety, boat safety, firearm safety education, and outdoor recreation education for adults and youth.
🛣️ Highway Safety
Supporting rest stops, distracted driving education, and roadside safety awareness.
🔥 Fire Safety
Changing smoke detector batteries for elderly veterans and neighbors, distributing fire safety materials, and partnering with local fire departments on prevention programs.
🏆 Recognition
Publicly honoring local heroes — police officers, firefighters, EMTs, dispatchers, and citizens — who make our community safer.
VFW Post 969 stands with the men and women of:
Tacoma Police Department
Pierce County Sheriff's Department
Tacoma Fire Department
Central Pierce Fire & Rescue
East Pierce Fire & Rescue
South Sound 911 Dispatch
All EMS, paramedics, and emergency response teams across Pierce County
Thank you for your service to our community.
Nominate a hero:
Know a first responder or citizen who deserves recognition? Contact Post 969.
Report a safety concern:
Broken street light? Dangerous intersection? Fire hazard in an elderly veteran's home? Let us know — we'll help connect the dots.
Partner with us on safety education:
Are you a teacher, school administrator, PTA member, scout leader, or community group organizer? Post 969 can partner with you on flag safety, D.A.R.E. events, hunter safety, and more.
Volunteer for the Safety Committee:
If you have a background in law enforcement, fire, EMS, teaching, or emergency management — we need you on our Safety Committee.
📞 253-272-1405 · ✉️ adj@vfw969.org
🚨 Emergency: 9-1-1
🆘 Non-Emergency Police (Tacoma): 253-798-4721
🚔 Non-Emergency Sheriff (Pierce County): 253-798-4721
🧠 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Dial 988 — press 1 for Veterans Crisis Line
💊 SAMHSA National Helpline (mental health & substance abuse): 1-800-662-4357
🚒 Report a fire hazard: Contact your local fire district
Need help? See our full Resources page →
VFW Post 969 — Eric G. Sandstrom Post
📍 3510 McKinley Ave, Tacoma, WA 98404
📞 253-272-1405
✉️ adj@vfw969.org
🌐 vfw969.org
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"Consistent excellence. Consistent dedication. Recognition by those they serve."
— VFW Public Servant Award Criteria
No one does more for veterans — or for the heroes who protect them at home.