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Each year the Veterans of Foreign Wars accepts nominations for firefighter of the year. Applications are turned into the local VFW for post judging, then the post winner goes into district competition then the district winner goes into department competition. There are 96 VFW Post and 7 Districts in the Department of Kansas. The 7th District is in the extreme SW corner of Kansas going from Elkhart to Syracuse to LaCrosse to Ashland. There are 10 posts in the 7th District.

VFW post 3166 received a nomination of Henry Vela from Fire Chief Kelly Kirk of the Liberal Fire Department. Henry won VFW Post 3166 nomination, and his resume’ was sent to the 7th District for judging. FF Vela’s resume’ earned him the title of 7th District Firefighter of the year and was sent onto Department competition.
On January 17, 2026, we attended the Department of Kansas 7th District Mid-winter convention hosted by VFW Post 7972 in Ransom where we enjoyed a meal and Henry was awarded a plaque from VFW District Commander Gerald Marvin from VFW Post 3741 Lacrosse. VFW post 3166 Commander from Liberal Jim Langley was also there to congratulate FF Vela on his award.