Who We Are
Our Mission
- To foster camaraderie among United States veterans of overseas conflicts.
- To serve our veterans, the military, and our communities.
- To advocate on behalf of all veterans.
- To maintain and extend the institutions of American Freedom.
Vision: Ensure that veterans are respected for their service, always receive their earned entitlements, and are recognized for their sacrifices they and their loved ones have made on behalf of this great country.
Leadership - VFW Post 1013
VFW Post 1013 – What We Do
VFW Post 1013 plays a vital role in fostering camaraderie among veterans, providing a supportive network where members can share their experiences and offer mutual encouragement. We host regular meetings and social events that create a sense of belonging and solidarity, helping veterans to navigate the challenges that may arise after their service. Furthermore, we participate in community outreach initiatives designed to educate the public on veterans’ matters and foster a deeper appreciation of the sacrifices made by our servicemen and servicewomen. These initiatives include:
- Providing veterans transportation to medical appointments and other personal needs.
- Purchasing and delivering food to veterans in need that reside in Boyle Heights and East Los Angeles.
- Sponsoring Memorial Day and Veterans Day observances in the community.
- Awarding scholarships to local high school students and eligible veterans attending community colleges.
- Participating with other veteran groups in activities that support veteran causes.
- Helping veterans and their families access entitled benefits.
Through these efforts, we strive to build a bridge between veterans and the broader community, ensuring that the legacy of our heroes is honored and remembered.
Member Profile
Commander Tony Zapata
- Tony is the present commander of VFW Post 1013 in East Los Angeles, and former commander of VFW Post 4696, also in East Los Angeles
- A Navy man, Tony served with distinction in Vietnam as crewman on a search and rescue helicopter unit attached to the 3rd Marine Division out of Da Nang. He was combat tested during the Tet Offensive.
- Tony comes from a family with a long history of military service. One of his grandfathers served in World War I, his father and two brothers served in World War II, two uncles served in Korea, and a son served in Kuwait.
- Since leaving the service, Tony has been fully committed to numerous veteran causes. He was part of the East LA Community Corporation (ELACC) responsible for advancing the construction in Boyle Heights of an affordable 32-unit housing project for veterans, the first of its kind in the area.
- Tony is well known throughout the community he serves. He is the primary organizer responsible for the annual Memorial Day and Veterans Day events at the Cinco Puntos intersection in East LA. He has established strong alliances with law enforcement groups, fire departments, community advocates, and government offices.
- Tony is often asked to speak by neighborhood schools on patriotic themes. He also established an annual Christmas stocking giveaway tradition at a local school.
- Tony’s accomplishments have not gone unnoticed. He has been recognized with awards from all levels of government. He has also been named “California Veteran of the Year”.