In the Media

Westword Veterans Day Cover Image
November 9, 2022

In 2002, Michael Mitchel, a Navy veteran of the Persian Gulf War, drove by 955 Bannock and saw the neon sign; he wondered if it was truly the first VFW post in the country. He stopped in, verified that it had earned its number-one label, and became a member. After that, he’d often stop in for a warm meal and conversation, but membership in the club was definitely dwindling. In December 2002, the doors were locked…

Next with Kyle Clark
November 10, 2021

In honor of Veterans Day, VFW Post 1 was featured on Next with Kyle Clark: Word of Thanks to finish renovations and open the Veteran Community Center.

September 24, 2021

VFW Post 1, in Denver, was the first Veterans of Foreign Wars Post in the country. That’s part of the reason why some of its oldest members revere the post’s nostalgic neon sign as a piece of Colorado history.

Denver’s VFW Post 1 Commissions Glass Poppies from Tacoma’s Museum of Glass “Hot Shop Heroes”

April 24, 2018

Michael Mitchel, post commander of VFW Post 1 in Denver, Colorado commissioned 100 glass poppies from Hot Shop Heroes…

Denver Botanic Gardens VFW Post 1's Glass Poppy Display

October 24, 2018

Today until November 11th in commemoration of the 100th WWI Anniversary and Veterans Day, Denver Botanic Gardens will display a special installation of 100 custom-made glass poppies in remembrance of…

Glass Blowing Project Honors Doughboys

May 2018
More than 1,000 miles separate Denver’s VFW Post 1 and the Museum of Glass in Tacoma, Wash. But a relationship between the organizations blossomed due to past Post 1 commander Michael Michel’s ties to Washington state…

9NEWS Leader of the Year Finalist Michael Mitchel

March 8, 2016

Michael Mitchel is bridging the gap between the community and veterans as executive director of VFW Post 1, an all-volunteer organization. Michael saved the VFW Post 1 from bankruptcy by instituting a strong business model…