by Reverend Peter R. Hook
(Past National Chaplain)
Being Trustworthy - A Chaplain's Commitment
Chaplain - Be a Mentor
Chaplain SOP June
Clergy vs: Chaplain...Is there a difference?
Credibility of Chaplains and Leadership
Dealing with Suicide as a Chaplain
Developing a Caring Culture
Do you know your Chaplain?
Exercising Wisdom When Helping People in Need
Hospice Care and Veterans
Keeping Our Word
Multiplying our Ministry
Organizational Structure of the VFW Chaplaincy
Our National Motto: IN GOD WE TRUST
Public occasions put the Chaplain on center stage
Remembering D-Day
Speaking in Public
The Chaplain - Sergeant at Arms Partnership
The Weight of Personal Loss
The work of a Chaplain
Understanding Our Limitations
VFW Cover Etiquette and Ritual Ambiguity
When a crisis happens remember A-B-C

by Frank J. Correa, DMin, MA, BSN, RN, EMT-P
(Western Conference Chaplain)
Some Thoughts on Dealing with Grief

by Chaplain Dale A. Iannello, B.Th., M.B.S.
(State Chaplain, Washington) 
Chaplains and Mandatory Reporting
Have you checked on your Chaplain lately?

Darren Atkins
National Chaplain
Veterans of Foreign Wars
2025-2026

Chaplain's Corner
(Coming soon...)

Ethical Foundations
Ethics is a branch of philosophy concerned with what is morally right or wrong. For chaplains, ethics can be simply understood as the commitment to “do no harm”—a principle borrowed from the Hippocratic Oath. Another guiding concept is the Golden Rule: Treat others as you would want to be treated.

Chaplain Statement of Ethics and Guiding Principles
1.  Integrity
Uphold the highest standards of personal and professional integrity, demonstrating truthfulness, honesty, compassion, and attentiveness in all interactions.

2.  Holistic Support
Offer objective, appropriate, and holistic spiritual care, providing a comforting and respectful presence.

3.  Non-Proselytization
Do not proselytize. Ensure care recipients are free from unsolicited religious literature, symbols, evangelistic speech, or pressure to adopt specific moral values or traditions.

4.  Interfaith Sensitivity
Respect all faith traditions and provide sensitive spiritual care to individuals regardless of their religious or nonreligious identity.

5. Non-Discrimination
Provide care without discrimination based on sex, age, race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, disability, socioeconomic status, or any other factor.

6.  Faith-Specific Support
Assist in locating a spiritual leader from the affected person’s faith tradition when appropriate and possible.

7. Confidentiality
Maintain confidentiality out of respect for those served.

8.  Professional Boundaries
Recognize personal and professional limits, maintain appropriate boundaries, and refer individuals to qualified professionals when necessary.

9. Do No Harm
Act in ways that promote healing and well-being, always striving to do no harm.

ATTN:  All chaplain reports are now to be filed on the
Department Dashboard under/along with community
service report.
Chaplain of the Year Award requirements

VFW Chaplain Occasion Cards
State Chaplain Get Well
State Chaplain Sympathy
State Chaplain Just a Note
State Chaplain Thinking of You

District Chaplain Get Well
District Chaplain Sympathy
District Chaplain Just a Note
District Chaplain Thinking of You

Post Chaplain Get Well
Post Chaplain Sympathy
Post Chaplain Just a Note
Post Chaplain Thinking of You




Never Despair Card (Use Avery 8859 Glossy Business
Card Template)

The-Public-Reading-of-Ritual-Prayers by Past National Chaplain Peter R. Hook

VFW Ritual Prayers in modern language by Western Conference Chaplain Frank Correa

HOSPITAL VISITATION PRAYERS 

See the VFW Chaplain's Handbook.  There are prayers for the Catholic, Orthodox and Jewish faith traditions.  Also other prayers for the sick.

PRAYERS ON THE GO 
These prayers can be viewed on mobile devices:
vfw_prayers_mobile

"AI" for Chaplaincy Support

AI (Artificial Intelligence) can be a helpful tool in creating prayers.  Platforms like ChatGPT, CoPilot, and Gemini can provide inspiration and draft prayers on the go.   Take what they offer and adapt it to fit the moment, making the words truly your own.

VFW Chaplain's Handbook
Updated September 9, 2025

Below are some useful links to guide your service as a Chaplain:
VETERAN RESOURCES
Defense Suicide Prevention Office The Defense Suicide Prevention Office
does not provide crisis services. If you or someone you know is in crisis,
contact the Veteran/Military Crisis Line for immediate assistance.

Veterans Crisis Conversation Handout
This handout gives helpful information on helping a veteran in crisis.

Suicide Prevention Resource Center

6 Ways to Begin a Conversation about Veteran Suicide

Warriors Journey
Warriors helping Warriors.  (There is a Chaplain section).

VFW Chaplain Department Websites
VFW California Chaplain's Page (Chaplain Frank Correa, State Chaplain)

VFW Colorado Chaplain's Page (Chaplain Kevin Reinhold, State Chaplain)

VFW Missouri Chaplain's Page  (Chaplain Deborah Halter, Past VFW National Chaplain)

VFW Pennsylvania Chaplain's Page   (Chaplain Peter Hook, Past VFW National Chaplain)

VFW Washington Chaplain's Page (Chappy, State Chaplain)

Chaplaincy Training Resources
Christian Leaders Institute (CLI), Introduction to
Chaplaincy training https://christianleaders.org/course/view.php?id=607

CLI Informational PDF CLI Informational slideshow

VFW Chaplain POC’s (Points of Contact)

Darren Atkins (VFW National Chaplain)
docapothecary@gmail.com

Peter Hook (Past VFW National Chaplain)
PeterHook@verizon.net

David Frei (Past VFW National Chaplain)
vfwdfrei@gmail.com

Deborah Halter (Past VFW National Chaplain) 
dihalter@gmail.com

Jim Jenkins (Past VFW National Chaplain)
kschaplain@att.net

 Frank Correa (Western Conference Chaplain)
fcorreavfw@gmail.com

“Chappy”  Dale Iannello (“I.T.” Chaplain)
chaplaindale@gmail.com

VFW National Level Memorial
Memorial Service National Script (PDF)

VFW Conference Level Memorial

Eastern Conference Memorial Bulletin Cover

Eastern Conference Memorial Bulletin Inside

VFW Department Level Memorial

Department Memorial Bulletin

Department Memorial Script

VFW District Level Memorial
District Memorial Service Template (PDF)

District Memorial Service Template (Word)

District Memorial Service Index Cards

VFW Post Level Memorial
Post Memorial Service (PDF)

Funeral Services
Draping of the VFW Charter

by Reverend Peter R.
Hook, Chaplain

Funeral Planning for the Veteran

Memorial Service Template

Memorial Checklist and Planning Worksheet

OTHER RELIGION REFERENCE

Christian
Net Bible Online Bible with different versions.

E-Sword Bible
study suite that is downloadable. 

New Minister's Manual

Jewish
Sefaria Living library of Jewish sacred texts online.

Islam
Holy Quran  Online Islamic resources.

Buddhism
Buddhist Society  Online resources for Buddhists

Hinduism
Hindu Online Resources for Hindus.

Shinto
Shinto Portal Resources for the Shinto religion.


Taoism
Taoism Online resources about Taoism.

1.  In a non-sectarian manner, you should be prepared to listen to your fellow comrades and provide aid and spiritual comfort in times of stress, sickness, or bereavement.

 2. Work with your Service Officer to aid members and their families in time of need.

 3. Your Post Commander or other Post officers may come to you in confidence.  Remember the privileged communication you are having is for your ears only.  Uphold the high ideals of the organization in any advice you offer.  Remember it is a
privilege – respect it.

4. You should be prepared to offer the ritual prayers at each meeting of the Post/District/State.  You will also be called upon to offer appropriate prayers at the initiation of new members; installation of officers; the dedication of a building, monument or colors; or at the memorial service of a comrade.
Note:  All such services are commemorated by use of the VFW or Auxiliary ritual.

5. Use the persuasion of your office to promote harmony and unity in the Post/District/State. 

Additional Duties & Responsibilities
  1. A person of moral and intellectual qualities.

  2. A member of the Executive Committee.

  3. You are the Post/District/State's official representative at Religious and Civic affairs in the greater community.

  4. A pastoral caregiver.

  5. Conduct and/or participate in Memorial, and Funeral Services when called upon.

  6. Send cards to sick and bereaved.

  7. Visit sick, bereaved and hospitalized.

  8. Participation in Parades, 9/11 Memorial Services, Veterans Day Programs/Services, and POW/MIA Services.

  9. Presenting Memorial Bibles to deceased members’ Family.

 10 Generate respect for the office of chaplain.

Click Here to view this SOP in PDF form.
Note:  I compile these SOPs monthly to stay organized, proactive, and attentive to the many responsibilities entrusted to me. This helps ensure that nothing falls through the cracks and that I remain prepared for what lies ahead.

You are welcome—and encouraged—to adapt this resource to your own situation and level of service. I’ve created a version for each month with the intent of providing a practical tool to help chaplains stay on track as we serve our comrades, our communities, and our shared mission.

Please feel free to share this with others who might benefit from a bit of structure and planning support.

Created by Rev. Peter R. Hook

The VFW Chaplain Service Dispatch magazine.

Click Here to see the MAY 2025 Issue.

Past issues:  2024 SEP, 2024 OCT, 2025
JAN

Keep on checkin' back.