WI VFW News - Sep/Oct 2009

CeNTer SeCTioN Transitioning War Zone Skills: Information for Veterans and Those Who Care Page 12 Highground Hero’s Tribute great Success Page 20 110th National Convention NEWS 2009 it’s tommy’s year! Months became years, and the miles added up and up and up. Finally, Wisconsin’s Tommy “T” Tradewell has taken his place as National Commander-in-Chief of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States. Wisconsin can be very proud of this outstanding leader, and we look forward to a great year under his command. Assisting, encouraging and promoting Tommy throughout his journey to the top job in our great organization has been the venerable Walter G. “Wally” Hogan, himself a Past National Commander-in-Chief. It was Wally’s honor, and great pleasure, to nominate Tommy at each stage of his campaign and rise through the ranks of leadership to his current position. And, finally, it was Wally Hogan who conducted Tommy’s installation ceremony, and he did it flawlessly. Every bit the professional, Wally got every word right, but beneath his calm visage it was obvious that he was both proud and excited to see his good friend take on this high office. The Wisconsin delegation at the Phoenix in which he exhorted membership to get the job done throughout the VFW on behalf of Veterans and their issues. The speech was very well received, and if his confident delivery was any indication, we have presented the VFW with a truly first-rate leader. His tenure got off to a busy start. Since the National Convention in Phoenix just a few short weeks ago, Commander-in-Chief Tradewell has been to Vietnam, China and Russia on VFW business. VFW National has an ongoing commitment to account for all POWs and MIAs from all conflicts, and maintaining negotiations with other nations is key to unraveling these questions. September 10th through the 13th, of course, Tommy will spend in Milwaukee at his Homecoming Celebration. Then, it’s back to work and on the road, visiting Departments and Posts, Congressmen, Presidents and other leaders here and abroad, carrying out his mission of leadership of the greatest Combat Veterans Organization in the world: The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States. Congratulations, Tommy “T” Tradewell. Your home state is proud of you, and you have our support and good wishes for a successful year ahead! Convention was large and excited to see this historic event take place. Members of our VFW State Honor Guard attended especially so they could take part in the traditional “March” around the convention hall to honor nominees, and to provide special honors for our home-state National Commander-in-Chief. (Tommy is also a longtime active member of our VFW State Honor Guard.) Tommy “T” Tradewell became the fourth Wisconsin member to achieve the high office of VFW National Commander-in-Chief. His Wisconsin predecessors were: Lyall T. Beggs, Andy Borg and Walter G. Hogan. Tommy’s lovely wife, Sharon, pinned his Commander-in-Chief’s pin and presented his official Cap as part of the ceremony. Immediately following the installation, CiC Tradewell delivered an excellent speech Vol. 27 no. 2 aid our Veterans september 11, 2009 past national cic Walter g. Hogan begins the formal installation of his good friend and post 6498 (gross-Yaksh) member, tommy “t” tradewell as VfW national commander-in-chief. official publication: Wisconsin Veterans of foreign Wars Phone: (608) 255-6655 • Fax: (608) 255-0652 Website: www.vfwofwi.com • wivfw@tds.net VFW Department Headquarters Editor: William Knudson Phone: (715) 384-2500 E-mail: vfwnews.wi@verizon.net Page 2 SePtember 2009 Wisconsin Veterans of Foreign Wars News state officers We have returned from Phoenix and National Convention. This will be a Contom vention to remember for years because our lemmer own Tommy “T” Tradewell was sworn in as National Commander-In-Chief. We as state sr. vice VFW members from the State of WisconCommander sin should be ecstatic as we may never 262-369-5905 see another National Commander from our great State during our life time. Please srvicecdr@wi.vfwwebmail.com take the time to explain to Post members how truly significant it is to attain this high honor. Also, please support Tommy’s home coming September 10 to 13 in Milwaukee. I also would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone that sent cards and their condolences with the passing of my daughter in July. When Bill Backes said, “We are not just comrades, we are a family,” he was right on the money. This truly reflects my thoughts from your outpouring of support. Thank you, VFW family members. With the start of the new year for Twiggy, all Post Commanders should have his program book in your possession. If you have not received it, please notify State headquarters or Arlene Banks, Chief of Staff. As part of the All-State program, requirements include donations to the State Service Office and Trust Fund, plus participation in the State Raffle program and Gift Card program. Let me start with the State Service office. It is vital for us to maintain our State Service Office as it is reflective of our motto “Honoring the dead by helping the Living.” Our National office spends numerous hours training these employees to help them help fellow Veterans file claims and receive the benefits they have coming, from compensation, to getting educational benefits, to getting mental health assistance and other problems a veteran may encounter. Please be generous with your Post donations. The Trust Fund program as formulated will help us continue to serve Veterans in future years so we never lose our focus with our commitment to serving Veterans. This worthy program will help us for years to come support Veterans and their families. Get involved with the raffle program to assist your Post and the Department. We all know we are going through some tough times, jobs have been lost, budgets cut, suggesting we need to work harder to enable the department and our Posts to continue our core programs. Let’s get out and sell our raffle tickets to our neighbors and the general public. It’s also a good recruiting tool as you greet potential members. Finally, the Gift Card program, which we can use at the best season of the year as the holidays approach. The last issue of our newspaper had order forms and a very good description of the program for our members. So please, if you haven’t participated, take a look and help the department earn extra money with your purchases. Looking forward to a very successful and rewarding year. Yours in Comradeship Membership is starting to move upward. A large part of this is a direct result of the Wilfred County and State Fairs. Across the state “twiggy” 144 New Members and 81 Reinstate Members have been added to the roles. I would Johnson like to thank all the members that worked state Commander at the fairs throughout the State. We all must work on membership to keep 920-766-1491 all Veterans rights and benefits that all of cdr@wi.vfwwebmail.com us have earned and earned the hard way. Membership in this great organization will push Congress to vote for the veterans bills that come before them. A constant decline in membership can have ultimate unfavorable results. Congress will say ‘who cares about the Veterans?’ and they will care less about keeping America’s promise to our Veterans. The Membership Program is the life blood of this organization and we must keep that blood pumping. This Department needs help in the membership program from every post. The greater the membership numbers, the greater the good this organization can do in all of our core programs, legislation, and other veteran aid programs. Some examples are supporting Homeless Veterans, Veterans that are in the Hospitals and Nursing Homes all over the world. Membership works for Community Projects that help all Veterans. Our Youth Programs are considered premier programs against most other of their type nationwide. I’m personally asking each of you to get this State back to 100% in membership and move forward to a very successful year, we all can do it. This requires strong leadership and we all have it, because we are veterans. We live in a land of freedom and opportunity. We all gave a piece of our lives so that our families, friends, and neighbors would always have those freedoms. Now I am asking you to give just a little more of your lives to preserve the strength of this organization so the veterans of future generations will have equal strength as a VFW. The VFW is the most ELITE VETERANS ORGANIZATION in the world, so let’s keep it this way. Thank you and God bless you all The beginning of the 2009-2010 school year is here. As students throughout Wislarry consin, “with smiles and summer stories Kutschma to share” return to class, the Veterans of Foreign Wars youth programs focus on state Jr. vice excellence and developing healthy minds Commander and hearts. Our Voice of Democracy, 262-949-1029 Patriot’s Pen, Scouting, and Teacher of the Year Programs enable us to reach out jrvicecdr@wi.vfwwebmail.com to our children. We have a commitment to set an example for our children, keeping them in touch with our rich value system. Our programs can instill a patriotic spirit in these children. They must be made aware of our great history, rich with cultural values and great achievements. They must learn of the sacrifices by our soldiers that provided our liberties. We can help ensure that our young people will gain a sound foundation on which to build our nation’s future. When I was very little, my father loved to take my brother and me to Wrigley Field for a baseball game….we loved being in the stands, downing a great hot dog (or two!) and cheering on our team. My father often observed: “There are nine guys on the baseball field doing all the work and thousands in the stands just watching.” Applying that lesson to life, he always encouraged us to “climb out of the stands, get out on the field, and join the game.” We can all benefit from that analogy. Rather than just throwing money at a problem, we all have gifts of talents we can contribute. We can teach, encourage, serve, show hospitality or extend mercy. Each ability can yield great dividends. As an example, before my father died, he wrote a letter to his sons, saying, “I never think of you that I don’t offer up a short prayer for you and your success. I know you. And I am pretty sure that I understand your goals. Stay in there and pitch, and may God bless you. I am just so proud and thankful that He let me be your father.” That letter is one of my greatest treasures. If we can give that kind of encouragement to the children we encounter through our VFW Youth Programs, it may be the greatest gift we can give. Comrades, effective leaders rely on the power of personal example. Like any great organization, our VFW Charter guides us with words of action to further our goals: Preserve, Strengthen, Assist, Perpetuate, Maintain, Foster, Extend, & Defend. Remember these words as you put your Post Youth Programs to work in your community. We can also learn by seeing the world as these children see it. You’ll see that children’s love is unconditional, and when they smile at you it is like rays of sunshine; a love that comes straight from the heart. No preconditions or expectations…. just pure expression of who they are. We can all share this kind of love as adults. Like traditional teachers, we all have the opportunity to share and teach our values. Everyone has something to share and teach. The Veterans of Foreign Wars youth programs can be integral to developing our children and our nation. Dig into the details. Work the problems day to day, and lead by example. Dist Host Post Date Time 12:00 pm Lunch 1:30 pm MTG 12:00 pm Lunch Meeting After 9:00 am REG 10:00 am MTG 11:00 am Lunch Meeting After 10:00 am MTG Rep VFW Johnson Aux Moran 6 (At Rock River Country Club) VFW POST 2653 - ANTIGO 9/13 7 9/20 Kutschma Newbauer 1 VFW POST 6375 - ELKHORN 9/20 Johnson Oliver 8 VFW POST 6705 - DENMARK VFW POST 10818 -NEW RICHMOND (National Guard Armory) 9/26 Kutschma Feldkamp 9 9/26 Johnson Oliver 10* VFW POST 6856 - MILLTOWN (Cooties/Round Table - Saturday) VFW POST 6498 - MILWAUKEE (Hart Park) VFW POST 9469 - MILWAUKEE Charles Fidler Post VFW POST 9336 - ARENA 9/26 - 27 * See Footnote Lemmer Moran 5 9/27 1:00 pm MTG Johnson Genthe 4 9/27 1:00 pm MTG 8:00 am REG 9:00 am MTG 8:00 am REG 9:00 am MTG 8:00 am REG 9:00 am MTG Lawrence Feldkamp 3 9/27 Kutschma Oliver ❏ Don’t Delay, Subscribe Today! One Year Subscription 2 VFW POST 2260 OCONOMOWOC 9/27 A. Banks Murphy Name ________________________________________________________ street ________________________________________________________ City __________________________________________________________ Zip Code ________________________ Post No. _____________________ 11 VFW POST 3434 - HILL POINT 10/3 Johnson Moran *Round Tables/Cooties meet & Banquet on Saturday. Dist Mtg Starts at 9AM on Sunday. Only $6/year send this form along with payment to: vfw state Headquarters P.O. Box 1623 Madison, wI 53701-1623 NOVEMBER 1, 2009 is the DEADLINE for Voice of Democracy • Patriot’s Pen • Teacher of the Year All entries must be at the Post/Auxiliary by that date. Post judging for ALL 3 programs must be completed by November 15, 2009. NO EXCEPTIONS! Please take time to review all applications and materials, to ensure that all rules are adhered to so your applicants do not get disqualified! REMEMBER! state officers How fast the time has flown by since our State Convention and especially since our C of William A at Wisconsin Rapids in July. The big event since then, of course, was the National ConKnudson vention in Phoenix, Arizona. If you have never Judge Advocate attended a VFW National Convention, or sat in on any of the various committees that evalu715-384-2500 ate resolutions and bylaws changes, you have judge@wi.vfwwebmail.com missed a great deal. Before I go any further, I recommend to all of you that you consider attending next year’s National Convention in Indianapolis. You will gain an appreciation for how our organization works, and how it can work for you, your Post and your comrades. My assignment this year was once again to the National Security & Foreign Affairs Committee. In our committee we considered 41 resolutions in all. As with all committees, the proposed resolutions were sent to us in advance, which expedites the discussion at committee. Of the 41 items, we recommended 39 for passage and 2 for rejection. Later, on the Convention floor these measures were reported by our chairman, with recommendations to approve or reject. Every delegate has a right to “set aside” any item for further discussion before a vote. Several items were thus set aside, with most going as the committee recommended, but two were amended on the floor and then passed. It is a very open and useful process. Much thought goes into each decision, and your own opinion genuinely counts. This same process is used for all the committees and the items for which they are responsible. There is no “dictatorial” process involved, and members literally have the final say in these matters. Of critical importance to your Post, however, are the 41 Bylaws changes, 40 Manual of Procedure changes and the 16 changes to our VFW Ritual. The latter are mostly all changes in ritual prayers, and they are significant changes in wording. The Bylaws changes approved ranged from relatively small, technical changes, to much more complex and significant changes. All these changes, however, are important for you and your Post to be aware of. For that reason, we ask every Post, District and County Council to purchase at least one copy of the revised Podium Edition of our Bylaws, Manual of Procedure and Ritual. Too many of our Posts have only a dusty copy in a desk drawer somewhere that is woefully out of date. So order a copy or two today from VFW Emblem & Supply. They cost less than $10, and will be shipped starting in November. The new copy will specify 2010 Edition, and incorporates all changes made at convention. While you’re at it, order it on CD as well for a couple dollars more. It’s a very useful tool. Check my Weblog at www.vfwwebcom.org/wi/judgeadvocate for a summary of the various changes. And, if you have a general interest question about Bylaws, Procedures or Ritual, feel free to submit it via e-mail or snail mail. I’m here to help. THE BIG PICTURE I was an Air Traffic Controller in the charlene cobb Navy and would sit at a radar scope that could be set to a 150-mile radius around state Chaplain the center of the scope. There is no way 262-882-6022 that a person could see that far in front of themselves much less be able to see behind, chaplain@wi.vfw above or below them. I would know what webmail.com potential dangers existed and give instructions to the pilot to avoid those pitfalls. Sometimes that wasn’t what they wanted to do. Occasionally, someone would ignore the instructions and try to do it on their own. This usually created an even bigger hazard we had to fix. We are like this, with God, in our lives. He sees where we have been and He can see into infinity in front of us to know where we should go. If we follow His instructions, we can avoid the pitfalls that the world has. Often it is not what we want to do. Frequently we ignore His Word and create an even bigger problem to be fixed. God is in control and can even use the times we ignore Him to accomplish His mission in this world. As a controller I would have a plan with the goal being - to get everyone back to Wisconsin VFW News the airfield safely. When a pilot didn’t follow wisconsin veterans of foreign wars directions this could complicate and change News is published six times per year by my plan but not the goal; ultimately it was the Department of wisconsin veterans of still the same to get everyone safely back to foreign wars of the United states, 214 N. the airfield, including the errant pilot. Hamilton street, Madison, wI 53703. God’s plan is for us to be saved and to help Periodical Postage Paid at Madison, wI him provide that opportunity of salvation for and additional office: stevens Point, wI. everyone. When we follow His instructions, subscription rates $6.00 per year for nonwe help to accomplish this plan; when we go members, $.60 per year membership dues is our own way, we complicate things but we for the official publication Wisconsin Veterans are not able to change God’s ultimate goal. He is still in control and will accomplish His of foreign wars News. will with or in spite of us. postmaster: send address changes to: The Bible is full of stories of those who V.f.W. circulation department, 406 West have tried to do things themselves instead 34th street, Kansas city, mo 64111. of following God’s plan and the consequences of those choices. Let’s remember I.s.s.N. #1061-4591 U.s.P.s. #007787 GOD IS IN CONTROL and choose to wisconsin veterans of foreign wars follow His plans for our lives. committee: Robert Bolz - Post 1691, News Chairman Roger Boeker, Post 1318 Russell Iwen, Post 1638 Bernie Olson, Post 10510 Larry Kutschma, Jr.vice Cmdr., Post 5811 Marla Morgan, Aux. 1866, Ladies Aux. Liaison editor: william Knudson 505 S. Apple Ave., Marshfield, WI 54449 Phone: 715-384-2500 vfwnews.wi@verizon.net deadline first of tHe montH of publication Wisconsin Veterans of Foreign Wars News Page 3 SePtember 2009 Comrades and Sisters, here it is September. The summer, and all the meetings and events are behind us. We started with our State Con- steve lawrence vention in June, then July brought the Council state Adjutant of Administration meeting and Officer TrainQuartermaster ing at Wisconsin Rapids. We had our King Day program. During August we traveled to 608-255-6655 the National Convention in Phoenix. qm@wi.vfwwebmail.com Many new ideas came out of these meetings. At our National Convention our newly elected Commander-in-Chief Tommy “T” Tradewell, set out a new direction in his acceptance speech. During his acceptance speech, Tradewell, who served in the Army from 1966-1968, introduced his theme Honoring Our Military Heroes, stating, “To honor our military heroes is to ensure that our military and our veterans are honored, recognized and cared for … which is the focus of every program we conduct at every level of this great organization.” He also reminded the mostly Vietnam-era audience that to remain a vibrant organization, the VFW must seek out and educate Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans on the history and importance of the organization. “I ask each of you today to go back to your communities and seek out those Iraq and Afghanistan veterans, because they will be the main force of this organization in the not so distant future,” he said, “…we must explain to them who we are, what we do, and who we do it for. I ask you to explain our legacy…this new generation of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans must be made aware that the VFW is first and foremost a veterans’ service organization … and we need to be there to answer their questions on what VA programs are available … and where to go for claims assistance,” he added. So we have our marching orders. Please make sure and review the Programs Book that you received from department. Arlene Banks and “Twiggy” Johnson spent many hours putting that book together to reflect the new direction for the Veterans of Foreign Wars. “Aid our Veterans” - this is our Commander’s theme for this year. I wanted to remind you about all the solicitations you receive in the mail. Sometimes I am sure you feel inundated with these items. The calendars, the notepads, the address labels and other items are important. The funds raised from these items support the programs that are so vital to helping our troops, their families and our veterans. Please consider donating what you can afford to assist. If you are receiving these items and wish to be removed from the mailing list, send me a letter with your name and address that is on the mailing, and I will have your name removed. A reminder, your Quartermaster Bond expired on August 31, 2009. Make sure you apply for your bond for 2009-2010. There are many ways that you can help in providing a sound financial future for the Veterans of Foreign Wars. Our department raffle is in full swing right now; have you returned your tickets? Please support this program!! Comrades and Sisters, thank you for the Good Work you do each day for Veterans and their Families. If you would like to contact me, I can be reached by e-mail qm@ wi.vfwwebmail.com or by phone at (608) 835-7494 evenings, or by mail: Steve Lawrence, P.O. Box 23, Oregon, WI 53575-0023. Legacy Life Membership The VFW’s Legacy Life Membership provides an opportunity for Life Members to leave their mark on the nation’s largest combat veterans’ organization. Available only to current Life Members, the new Legacy Life Membership not only offers expanded and exclusive benefits, but also helps ensure that the VFW’s good work will continue for generations to come. Legacy Life Members can select from three membership categories: Gold, Silver or Bronze. Each offers a selection of exclusive benefits. Once activated, your membership will endow additional income - made in your name - that will provide a stable financial foundation for both your Post and the VFW. Here are some of the benefits of becoming a Legacy Life Member: A one-time (or annual) endowment will be made in your name to the VFW; Your personally engraved Legacy Life Membership card; An official Legacy Life Membership certificate; A Legacy Life Membership lapel pin; Recognition at the VFW Memorial Building kiosk, in Washington D.C.; Recognition at the VFW National Headquarters Museum. For more information on this program, check with your Post Quartermaster or Department Headquarters. Choose the endowment: a. One-time Endowment payment: Upon your death, the principle amount of your Legacy will be paid in equal amounts to your Post, Department and the National Organization, as applicable. b. Annual Endowment: The Legacy payment will continue annually after your death. Leave a legacy that keeps on giving. Call the VFW Membership Dept at 816-7563390 for more information. See Page 19 for the Joint Testimonial Registration form, and send yours today! Saturday evening festivities start with a 5:30 Cash Bar Reception, followed by Dinner at 7:00 pm. Program to follow. LAST CHANCE! Comrades, With so many Wisconsin citizens degundel metz ployed to either Afghanistan or Iraq, I felt that it is important to have an article on state surgeon what it takes to come back home and get 608-698-8825 back into the normal routine. I was sent a very good article by LTC Cindy Rasmussen surgeon@ on Transitioning War Zone Skills: Informawi.vfwwebmail.com tion for Veterans and Those Who Care by Dr. James Munroe, Boston VA Healthcare System. We have included the entire article as a special section in this edition of the Wisconsin VFW News. (Please see Pages 9 through 11.) Our editor and I felt that this is important enough not to break the article into three or four editions. As you read through the article you will see that Dr. Munroe has divided his article into 14 areas. Each section is followed by a list of discussion points for that topic. You can also find the entire article available to download and print in a standard letter page format, with discussion points, as handouts, on the Surgeons weblog at www. vfwwebcom.org/wi/surgeon. If you feel that this article is worthwhile and you would like to pass it on, download it and send it on. This issue is of critical importance to returning Iraq/Afghanistan Veterans and their families. We are all anxious to welcome our comrades home, but as so many of us know from our own experiences, the issues they will face are considerable, yet addressable. This guide to understanding will be of great help to those most in need of its wise counsel. Page 4 SePtember 2009 Wisconsin Veterans of Foreign Wars News auxiLiary auxiliaries raciNG toward 100% Membership Sisters, the Department of Wisconsin is so very proud of your participation in the Membership race for 2009 - 2010. Department President Linda Moran just LOVES to see those laps adding on to our percentage of members paid! Department Treasurer Margie Saucerman is reporting that multiple laps are being reported to her daily, and she is delighted to announce that many Auxiliaries are already 100% this year! Congratulations! Please watch this column in the November Wisconsin VFW NEWS for those Auxiliaries reaching 100% by September 30th. Now is the time, Sisters, to do all you can to help out your District President by getting those dues sent in as soon as possible. All of our District Presidents want to receive the coveted checkered flag for highest percentage of dues paid, and we all want 100% membership in our Department for President Linda! I would also like to remind you that if you have had a member spin out (transfer to another Auxiliary) or pass away, and the dues were paid in your Auxiliary for the 2008 - 09 membership year, you will have to replace them with new members. Let’s continue to do all we can to reach the coveted 100% level and finish this year’s Membership race in a true winning form. As always, thank you for ALL you are doing to “Take Time Out for Veterans” this year. Linda Feldkamp Dept. Jr. Vice President/Membership Chairman Welcome to Linda’s Loop It’s hard to believe that we are already linda moran into the third month of the “Taking Time Department Out for Veterans” year. Thank you for the President beautiful cards and donations to Cancer Aid and Research for my birthday that were 920-337-9922 sent with best wishes. dacqukid@aol.com Congratulations also, to all the Wisconsin Sisters who got awards at the National Convention in Phoenix (competing in Membership Group 8): Roxanne Amble, Youth Activities; Helen Stearns, Legislative/PAC; Karen Johnson, Hospital/VAVS; Pat Holzhueter-Roth, Extension; Jean Hoium, Historian; and Grace Albright, Hospital Volunteer of the Year. Thank you to those who paid their dues prior to the National Convention. It was great to announce that the “Badger Battalion” (Dept. of Wisconsin) was at 60% and now as of August 31st, we are at 67.17% and racing to that 100% goal. Keep up the great work. District Meetings will be starting shortly and your Line Officers will be visiting your Districts. They are there to help you if needed, please make them feel welcome. Hospital visits will soon be on the way. Thank you for giving me and Hospital Chairman Karen Johnson the honor of representing you in these various facilities with gifts that will help our Veterans lead a comfortable life. Only your donation to Hospital Projects allows this to happen. In the past months I have had the pleasure of visiting Marshall Memorial Aux. 10510. If in Marshall be sure to stop and see the beautiful Veterans Memorial which was dedicated on July 4th this year. This Auxiliary and Post along with other members of the Community made this possible –it’s an awesome tribute to our Veterans. Then it was on to Mayville Aux. 10170 - what a great bunch of Sisters, also very active in their community. At the end of August I assisted with a POW/MIA display at the Manitowoc County Fair along with my Aux. 2113 President Sharon Manders. I also had the pleasure of being at the ribbon cutting ceremony for a new Veterans Center in Green Bay along with Sen. Feingold and Rep. Steve Kagen. I also attended the groundbreaking ceremony for a new wing at the VFW Post 6352 in Stratford with Commander Twiggy. The Testimonial and National President’s visit will be in October. Please check your bulletins and elsewhere in this paper for details on these events. Looking forward to seeing you there! The Raffle Calendar Program is under way, and we need the help of all the Ladies Auxiliary members to take part in getting the calendars sold. Hopefully this will be the only fundraiser needed this year to get our Department back on track. Please sell as many calendars as possible to your neighbors and friends. Remember that if your name is pulled for a prize, it will be returned to the bin as you are eligible for ALL 40 prizes. Until the November issue, I wish all our VFW Comrades and Auxiliary Sisters good health. Hope to see you in my travels as we continue “Taking Time Out for Veterans”. Hugs Linda Draping of the Charter district name 1 shirley Boehler * 2 Rosie M. Huber * 2 Betty A. Kell 3 florence M. Leighty * 6 susan Batt 6 Judy Boone * 6 Emma Kriese 6 Dorothy Pfeiffer * 7 Marie Allman 7 Genevieve spurgeon 7 Betty Kaiser 8 Bernice schabo * 8 Petronella foster 8 Isabel Brusky * 10 Irene Nelson * 11 Edith Lindvig * 11 Phyllis E. Hansen * Life Members city Racine Madison Horicon Platteville sheboygan sheboygan sheboygan sheboygan Colby Antigo stratford Appleton Kaukauna suamico Clear Lake viroqua Cashton aux # 1391 7591 8057 5274 1230 9156 1230 9156 2227 2653 6352 2778 3319 9409 5828 3032 8584 Ladies auxiliary extension My goal for this year is that we must all work together and take “TIME FOR AMERICAS’ MILITARY HEROES” by strengthening our organization and forming new Auxiliaries. If you are a member of one of our Bachelor Posts, why not consider how much you would benefit by having an auxiliary to help with the work you do for veterans and your communities? Please give me a call at 920-739-5730 and I would be happy to work with you to start an Auxiliary. We have a lot of work ahead of us this year, and I know I can trust you to join me in working as a strong team under the direction of Department President Linda as we “TAKE TIME OUT FOR VETERANS!” We must ALL make it our goal to RETAIN our current members and EXTEND our Ladies Auxiliary by adding new members and new Auxiliaries. Judy Borg, VFWA Dept. Chief of Staff National auxiliary President to Visit Wisconsin Recently installed National Auxiliary President Jan Tittle of South Carolina will make her official visit to Wisconsin October 11 – 13, 2009. Arriving by car from Michigan on Sunday, October 11, Jan will be greeted at approximately 5:00 p.m. with an Aisle of Honor in the lobby of the Radisson Hotel and Conference Center, 2040 Airport Drive, Green Bay, WI 54313. Any Auxiliary and VFW members and/or Color Guards are invited to participate. The schedule for the rest of the evening includes “R & R” for the National President and an “invitation only” supper with the Department Line Officers and select guests. A full day of fun and motor coach touring is planned in the Green Bay area on Monday, October 12, starting with a 9:00 a.m. tour of the Oneida Reservation, including the Museum, Veterans’ Memorial and other points of interest. Following a noon luncheon at the Radisson, hosted by Robert Cornelius Auxiliary 7784, the tour will resume with the sights of Green Bay, including a visit to the Botanical Gardens. Following some rest time at the Radisson, the day’s events will conclude with a reception and supper honoring Jan, at Duck Creek Post and Auxiliary 7534 in the Village of Howard. National President Tittle leaves Wisconsin for her next destination on Tuesday, October 13. A block of rooms specially priced for the Ladies Auxiliary VFW will be held at the Radisson until September 21, 2009, so do call them immediately at (920) 492-7300 to reserve a room as follows: $89/single or double; $99 triple; $109 quad. (PLUS applicable taxes.) Pricing for the tours and meals during Jan’s visit are listed on the registration form at right. DEADLINE is October 5, 2009. Please send your registration to Dept. President Linda Moran TODAY! Jan’s visit to Wisconsin is brief, but let’s make it a great one with a strong turnout at these events! Questions? Contact Dept. President Linda at (920) 337-9922. National President Jan Tittle’s Official Visit to Wisconsin october 11 – 13, 2009 registration form Please check off what you are registering for and enclose a check for the total payable to: Ladies Aux. vfw 2113. Mail to: Dept. Pres. Linda Moran, 1225 suburban Drive, DePere, wI 54115 deadline is october 5, 2009! _____ Oneida Reservation Tour including Museum - $18 per person _____ Luncheon at Radisson – $10 per person _____ Ham & cheddar indicate choice: _____ turkey & swiss (both served on french bread with soup and kettle chips) _____ Botanical Gardens Tour - $7 per person / $5 for seniors (circle) _____ Lamers Motor Coach Transportation to above events - $15 per person _____ farewell supper at Post 7534 - $10 per person (Transportation on your own.) $_______ total enclosed payable to ladies aux. VfW 2113. name __________________________________ daYtime pHone (______) _________________ address ___________________________citY/st/Zip __________________________________ auXiliarY number ____________ district number ____________ thank you for printing clearly! please mail asap – deadline is 10/5/09!! Liberty tree Wisconsin Veterans of Foreign Wars News Page 5 SePtember 2009 Jan tittle Leads aux Jan Tittle of South Carolina was elected National President of the Ladies Auxiliary to the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States at its 96th National Convention in Phoenix, Arizona, on Thursday, August 20, 2009. Serving alongside Wisconsin’s Tommy “T” Tradewell, President Tittle plans to focus attention on the Auxiliary’s core programs for Veterans and their families. Following the theme of “It’s Time for America’s Military Heroes” for 2009 – 2010, Jan also hopes to lead members in topping donations to the Cancer Aid & Research Fund at more than $3 million. A Life Member of TSgt. Walter C. Fulda Auxiliary #3433 in Ladson, S.C., she is eligible through her father, Arlen Owens, a WWII Purple Heart recipient. Jan has served as Auxiliary and District President, and as South Carolina Department President, earned Outstanding Runner-up President of the Year in her membership group. On the national level, Jan has served as Publicity Director, Patriotic Instructor, Va’s suicide Prevention Program adds chat service New Service Expands Online Access for Veterans WASHINGTON (August 31, 2009) - The Suicide Prevention campaign of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is expanding its outreach to all Veterans by piloting an online, one-to-one “chat service” for Veterans who prefer reaching out for assistance using the Internet. Called “Veterans Chat,” the new service enables Veterans, their families and friends to go online where they can anonymously chat with a trained VA counselor. If a “chatter” is determined to be in a crisis, the counselor can take immediate steps to transfer the person to the VA Suicide Prevention Hotline, where further counseling and referral services are provided and crisis intervention steps can be taken. “This online feature is intended to reach out to all Veterans who may or may not be enrolled in the VA health care system and provide them with online access to the Suicide Prevention Lifeline,” said Dr. Gerald Cross, VA’s Acting Under Secretary for Health. “It is meant to provide Veterans with an anonymous way to access VA’s suicide prevention services.” Veterans, family members or friends can access Veterans Chat through the suicide prevention Web site (www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org ). There is a Veterans tab on the left-hand side of the website that will take them directly to Veteran resource information. On this page, they can see the Hotline number (1800-273-TALK), and click on the Veterans Chat tab on the right side of the Web page to enter. Veterans retain anonymity by entering whatever names they choose once they enter the oneon-one chat. They are then joined by a counselor who is trained to provide information and respond to the requests and concerns of the caller. If the counselor decides the caller is in a crisis, the counselor will encourage the Veteran to call the Suicide Prevention Hotline, where a trained suicide prevention counselor will determine whether crisis intervention techniques are required. The pilot program, in operation since July 3, has already had positive results. In one instance, the online counselor determined that a Veteran in the chat required immediate assistance. The counselor convinced the Veteran to provide the counselor with a home telephone number and then remained in the chat room with the Veteran while the hotline staff called the number and talked to the Veteran’s mother. The hotline counselor worked with the Veteran’s mother to convince the Veteran to be admitted to a medical facility for further treatment. “The chat line is not intended to be a crisis response line,” said Dr. Janet Kemp, VA’s National Suicide Prevention Coordinator at the VA medical center in Canandaigua, N.Y., where VA’s trained counselors staff the chat line 24 hours a day, seven days a week. VA’s suicide prevention hotline is also staffed continuously. “Chat responders are trained in an intervention method specifically developed for the chat line to assist people with emotional distress and concerns,” Kemp said. “We have procedures they can use to transfer chatters in crisis to the hotline for more immediate assistance.” Both Veterans Chat and the VA’s Suicide Prevention Hotline have been established under the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, which was established through collaboration between VA and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) of the Department of Health and Human Services. Since becoming operational in July 2007, VA’s Suicide Prevention Hotline has received more than 150,000 calls, resulting in 4,000 rescues. and as National Chairman for the Southern Conference in the Americanism and Hospital programs. She is a Life Member of the VFW National Home for Children, a Charter Member of the Dixie Dogs Pup Tent 11 of the Military Order of the Cootie Auxiliary, and a member of the Highland Park Baptist Church. Jan is recently retired as Officer, Manager for the Kia Country of Savannah and Kia Country of Charleston car dealerships, and is also a licensed Realtor. She and her husband, Daniel, have two children and one grandchild. secretary shinseki announces $3.9 Million Grant to Wisconsin WASHINGTON (September 2, 2009) Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki has announced a grant of $3,896,563 from the Department of Veterans Affairs to expand the Southern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Union Grove. “By supporting expansion of this cemetery, VA helps ensure that memorial benefits for Wisconsin Veterans will be available for many more years,” said Secretary Shinseki. “We are proud to partner with the state Department of Veterans Affairs to commemorate their service and sacrifice of Wisconsin’s Veterans.” The cemetery expansion grant will provide 100 percent funding for the development of a 22-acre parcel. This phase of development will include 419 standard burial plots, 3,484 preplaced crypts and 1,595 inground cremation gravesites. The grant will also fund construction of roads, a committal shelter, a scatter garden, irrigation, landscaping and supporting infrastructure. The 105-acre cemetery, approximately 30 miles south of Milwaukee, was established with the assistance of a VA grant in 1996. The closest national cemetery that is able to provide full burial benefits is Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Elwood, Ill., approximately 110 miles south. The closest state cemetery is the Central Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery in King, Wis., approximately 150 miles north. VA’s State Cemetery Grants Program was designed to complement its 130 national cemeteries across the country. Since 1980, the program has awarded grants totaling more than $389.5 million to establish, expand or improve 74 Veterans cemeteries in 38 states or territories. These state cemeteries provided nearly 25,000 burials in 2008. Residents of Wisconsin who are Veterans with a discharge issued under conditions other than dishonorable, their spouses and eligible dependent children may be buried in the Southern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery. For more information about this cemetery, call 262878-5660, or visit http://dva. state.wi.us/cemeteries.asp. Information on VA burial benefits can be obtained from national cemetery offices, from the Internet at www.cem.va.gov or by calling VA regional offices toll-free at 800-827-1000. Waupun officials taking part in the ceremony (from left) shelby peterson, parks and recreation secretary; becky smith, parks and recreation coordinator; Kyle clark, city clerk and treasurer; Jodi steger, mayor of Waupun; merle schouten, VfW representative; dick flynn, Waupun public Works director; frank mesa, Waupun VfW commander; ed madere, interim city administrator; and michelle Kast, administrative assistant to the city administrator. Waupun Gets ‘Liberty’ tree WAUPUN ~ An American Liberty Elm was planted in Waupun’s Shaler Memorial Park on August 10. Bentley-Hull VFW Post 6709 of Waupun assisted in the planting ceremony. The City of Waupun received this disease-resistant American Liberty elm and a Liberty Tree Memorial plaque through a grant provided by the Elm Research Institute of Keene, NH. The inscription on the plaque reads: This American Liberty Elm was named after “The Liberty Tree,” our country’s first symbol of Freedom.” On the morning of August 14, 1765, the people of Boston awakened to discover two effigies suspended from an elm tree in protest of the hated Stamp Act. From that day forward that elm became known as “The Liberty Tree.” It stood in silent witness to countless meetings, speeches and celebrations, and became the rallying place for the Son’s of Liberty. In August of 1775, as a last act of violence prior to their evacuation of Boston, British soldiers cut it down because it bore the name “Liberty.” national Home bus trip Due to a myriad of circumstances and additional state events, there simply were not enough folks to sign up for the bus trip. All those who did register will have their checks returned. I can hold the hotel block until the end of the month of september. If you still want a room, let me know before september 30. Most who signed up are in close proximity. Perhaps you all can chip in on a van or two and make the trip as a smaller group. The list of names will be provided in your letters. Page 6 SePtember 2009 Wisconsin Veterans of Foreign Wars News WdVa uPdate wdva reminders 2009 Purple Heart Day ceremony held at King. The Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs and Wisconsin’s Military Order of the Purple Heart held the 2009 Purple Heart Day ceremony at the Bandstand in Quadrangle Park at the Wisconsin Veterans Home at King. Over 25 Purple Heart recipients were honored. Purple Heart Day in Wisconsin is observed on August 7 of each year. See www.WisVets.com/PurpleHeart for information about Purple Heart Day and this year’s program. POW-MIA Recognition Day. Each year, the third Friday in September is set aside to honor the commitment and the sacrifices made by this nation’s Prisoners of War and those who are still Missing in Action, as well as their families. This year, National POW/MIA Recognition Day will be observed on Friday, September 18, 2009. WDVA will hold a POW/MIA Recognition Day program at the Wisconsin Veterans Museum at 11:00 a.m. To read more, go to www. WisVets.com/POWMIA. Stars and Stripes Sundays. Visit www. WisVets.com/Events for information on the Millers Brewers “Stars and Stripes Sundays” games in September that offers FREE Terrace Level tickets to active and retired military personnel who present valid military ID at windows 7-12 at Miller Park on game day, based on ticket availability. Upcoming WDVA Supermarkets of Veterans Benefits. Supermarkets of Veterans Benefits are part of WDVA’s “I Owe You” program of outreach to inform veterans and their families about federal and state benefits and how they may be eligible to receive them. Upcoming events will take place on: Sep. 11 in conjunction with Fort McCoy Retiree Appreciation Day at the Wisconsin Military Academy at Fort McCoy; Sep. 26 at the United Community Center (Centro de la Comunidad Unida) in Milwaukee; and, Oct. 7-8 at the National Guard Armory in Marshfield. Go to www.WisVets.com/Supermarkets to learn more details. UW Badger Football Veterans Salute. The Wisconsin Badgers Football 2009 Annual Salute to Veterans will take place on September 19, 2009. A Hospitality Tent will be available for veterans, their families and the public from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. in the GAR Memorial Park at Camp Randall, and the University of Wisconsin Athletic Department, the UW Marching Band, and the Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs will honor veterans during a pre-game ceremony just prior to the 11:00 a.m. kickoff. See a flyer about the Salute on the September 19, 2009 entry of WDVA’s Events page, at www.WisVets.com/Events. Wisconsin Women Veterans Conference. The 2009 Wisconsin Women Veterans Conference will be held on September 18-20, 2009 at the Wisconsin Military Academy, Fort McCoy, and Wisconsin. This year’s theme is Women Veterans: Facing the Challenges. Join your fellow women veterans for a weekend of discovery with keynote presentations, group presentations, workshops and displays along with interaction on this year’s theme “Facing the Challenges: Visit www. WisVets.Com/WomenVets for conference updates, registration information, agenda, and other activities as they become available. LZ Lambeau. On May 21-23, 2010 a special Welcome Home celebration for Wisconsin’s Vietnam Veterans will be held at Lambeau Field in Green Bay. The weekend will include numerous activities to welcome home and thank Vietnam Veterans and their families. To learn more about the event and to register for updates visit www.lzlambeau.org. For more information on WDVA news, state programs, benefits and services, as well as to read updates on issues, hot topics and upcoming events, visit www.WisVets.com, or call 1-800-WIS-VETS (1-800-947-8387). state to hold Veterans campus outreach events (MADISON) – The Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs (WDVA) will co-host campus outreach events from September 15 through 17 at the following Fox Valley and Green Bay schools: • Fox Valley Technical College (FVTC) from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Tuesday, September 15, in the Main Campus Cafeteria, 1825 N. Bluemound Drive, Appleton • UW-Green Bay Campus from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Wednesday, September 16, in the Cofrin Library, 2420 Nicolet Drive, Green Bay • Northeast Wisconsin Technical College (NWTC) from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Thursday, September 17, in the Student Center Cafeteria, 2740 West Mason Street, Green Bay. The events will provide information and assistance regarding federal and state veterans’ benefits, programs and services, and a special emphasis on education benefits to include the new federal Post-9/11 GI Bill and the Wisconsin GI Bill. Current and prospective student-veterans and veterans from the surrounding areas, as well as their families, are welcome at these events. WDVA staff and school veterans’ officials will provide information and be available to discuss federal and state education programs and services, and to assist veterans in applying for benefits. Providers will also include health care staff from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), addressing the needs of veterans recently returned from active duty, and additional representatives will include the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development and the Brown and Outagamie County Veterans Service Officers (CVSO) as well as various veterans’ service organizations. This fall, similar events are planned to take place at UW campuses in Madison, Oshkosh, LaCrosse, Stevens Point, Whitewater and Milwaukee and Technical College campuses in Madison, La Crosse and Milwaukee. For more information on federal and state veterans’ benefits, programs, and services, visit www.WisVets.com or contact the Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs toll free at 1-800-WIS-VETS (1-800-947-8387). amanda Martyn receives scholarship Wisconsin VfW thunder Month HOW IT WORKS: • On Oct 1, 2009, the State Chief of Staff will print the MemStats. • Posts and Districts work together to conduct MASSIVE Membership Thunder Runs is your respective communities and those communities nearby who do not have a VFW Post. • Thunder Run to collect Annual Dues. • Thunder Run to public areas to hand out post cards that give your Post Contact information and why they should join the VFW. • Posts can make these up and print them. OR, your Post can order brochures from VFW National and put your Post Contact Information on a label and place on the brochure. • Work Parking Lots, Grocery Stores, Pubs, and the like. WHAT’S THE END RUN? • Chief of Staff will print MemStats, again on Oct 31, 2009 and all Posts will be tallied by numbers and percentages. • The Post who collects 75% or more of their annual dues in the month of October and has the greatest number of New/Reinstated members on Oct 31, 2009 will receive an unannounced award (it will be cool!). I want to hear a lot of VFW THUNDER in October! Dare to be remarkable! Wisconsin does it again! our third 2009 national Winner in a youth scholarship program, amanda martyn of stratford, is shown here in center, receiving her $1,000 ladies auxiliary VfW dept. of Wi award from betty southworth, auxiliary 6352 Youth activities chairman (left) and auxiliary 6352 president Rita Wiesman (right). Additionally, Amanda’s 4th place national finish earned her a $1500 scholarship which she will use this fall as she begins her college education at the UW – Marshfield/Wood County Campus. Way to go! ‘the War’ dVd set Presented to commemorate the 6 June 1944 allied invasion of normandy, VfW post 2895 of cudahy presented a six-disc dVd set of “the War” to the cudahy community family library. shown (l to r) are: post 2895 commander bradley smith; director of library services rebecca roepke; and post 2895 Judge advocate gene palubicki. produced by nationally acclaimed film makers Ken Burns and Lynn Novick, the 15-hour documentary of WWii has aired previously on pbs television. it is both a lasting tribute to those from both the military and civilian sectors, as well as a great historical contribution for our nation’s post WWii generations. Young american creative patriotic art 4th place winner amanda martyn of stratford said of her piece, “the whole family is affected when a loved one enlists in the military. in my drawing, i am trying to depict the heartbreak and emotion of saying goodbye.” Dr. Jeff Whittle’s column will appear in the November issue. In the meantime, please visit his weblog at: www.vfwwebcom.org/wi/vadoctor taPs post # 328 388 659 659 659 690 721 721 865 1038 1091 1091 1091 1091 1163 1318 1391 1391 1391 1391 1391 1391 1391 1391 1391 1391 1391 1391 1391 1391 1391 1391 1391 1391 1391 1391 1530 1530 1580 1621 1621 1621 1638 1707 1865 1866 1866 1879 1879 1879 1904 1904 1912 1916 1916 1916 1916 1916 1916 1916 1916 1916 1916 1916 1916 1916 1916 1916 1945 1959 2037 2063 2113 2115 2115 2119 2126 2227 2227 2260 2260 2260 2260 2260 2267 2267 2267 2312 2312 2312 last name first name Kautz Rudolph Jensen Arthur Burgett Ronald Ertel Leroy Matczynski Daniel Nadke Hans Crosswaite John Hering Donald Bogaard Robert Kinderman Richard Lorimor Larry Matushak Raymond Moline Joseph Tribbey sr Herbert La Presto Richard Race Terry Anderson Elmer Benner Lloyd Horton Jerome Kaplan Jerome Lachat Joseph Leonhardt Donald Manarino Charles Mc Callum Arthur Morrall frank Nelson Harold Nield James Pavlik Edward Platt Norman Richmond Charles Rowlands william sajdik ferdinand scholzen Gerald smieding George solberg Carl vraga stanley Traister steve Zierke wilbur sokolowski John fredricks Gordon Houge Lowell saunders william Taylor Donald Church James Becker Helmuth Adams Darius Hitt Andrew Dempski stanley Pokratz John ward John Brown Reuben schaetzel Leroy spott Ralph Brill Everett Corwith Dean Hamburg Charles Holtz Norman Jaech Hubert Mc Donough Larry Puhl John schied Jerry shultis sr Royce stenner Howard Turek Herbert Tyler Evan wait Gordon weseloh Marvin Zehnpfennig Eugene Kaufman Richard fontaine Clement Jeffalone James Mursau Gust Mc Intyre Richard Bauer Daniel Richie Ernest Trewyn George Ropella Gregory Goodwin John Zugier Ronald Buth James Counsell Donald Czerwinski Lester Kosalos Gus schwartz Edward Baker Lorenzo Buhmeyer Jr francis ferguson Glenn Eicholtz Robert Gaulrapp Ted Neuenschwander R mi f B C N J w J w L E J H w s P A P w w P O L E C w L C R J M J O R R L L w M C A J J f B H f w B A H G C L L f J B P G C city stoughton wausau Two Rivers Brillion Manitowoc Ashland waukesha waukesha Hopkins MN Chippewa falls south Range superior Green Bay superior Beaver Dam whitewater Racine Larsen Racine Racine Racine santa Clarita CA Racine Church view vA The villages fL Racine Racine Racine Racine Milwaukee Racine winterset IA Racine Racine sturtevant Madison La Crosse La Crosse Hurley Janesville Janesville Brodhead Merrill Elk River MN Kenosha Granton Mosinee Milton Johnson Creek fort Atkinson fond Du Lac sarasota fL Muskego Houston TX Reedsburg Reedsburg La Crosse wonewoc Auburn wA Reedsburg Reedsburg Reedsburg Reedsburg Huntley IL Reedsburg Reedsburg Baraboo Reedsburg Prairie du Chien Black River falls Denmark Crivitz Crivitz Hudson Hudson Lakewood Menasha Colby Dorchester sullivan Oconomowoc Oconomowoc Oconomowoc Oconomowoc Madison Richland Center Richland Center Monroe Monroe Monroe 2312 2336 2344 2344 2344 2344 2534 2534 2534 2687 2723 2732 2778 2778 2778 2787 2787 2787 2823 2874 2874 3032 3046 3088 3143 3143 3143 3143 3143 3392 3392 3589 3709 3709 3709 3742 5270 5274 5274 5278 5373 5612 5612 5612 5716 5778 5778 5811 6005 6175 6175 6179 6179 6186 6279 6279 6352 6352 6352 6352 6498 6707 6707 6823 6858 6858 7152 7233 7233 7233 7233 7233 7233 7233 7300 7308 7444 7485 7485 7485 7485 7485 7485 7534 7591 7591 7591 7591 7591 7591 schwitz Dunse Allen Holzinger wall sr witzig Gerzmehle Kuehl Munro Emerson frechette Douglas Murphy Nieland Phillips Lederer Neitzke Nuoffer sorensen Haefer Presser Dorweiler Garbe Blegen Bergman Bishop Kienitz Meyers wippert Berkey Musil stuedli Kehr King Jr Pernat Orlikowski Zacher Dull Troester frost Larson Brigham Doherty sippel Reinke Cress Reese Hartje schiedler Ruff Zwiefelhofer schamburek stueber Jr Penk Cox sr Mc Kay Andres Johnson Kaiser Knoll Agnello Kraus Twohig Kramer Benton schulz Dachelet Blanchard Boelman Hilden Lein Ruzicka stevens swonger witt wrath Damuth sr foeckler Goeman Krejci Lupo schmid Staffin Causby Meehan Morgan Parisi Raimond stull wardell Milford La vern Donald Loren Clement Charles James Carlton Kenneth Roger Bernard Richard francis Delmar Leonard Robert Norman Robert Richard william Glenn Richard wilmer Allan Norman Clarence Eugene Robert Roy Alfred James Robert Robert Edward Arnold victor Michael frank Lawrence sylvester Charles Robert David vincent Robert Kenneth Richard Reuben william Norbert Clifford Joseph George Joseph James Gerald Harold fred Ray Clemens frank Jerome George wilmer Ellis Harold Carl Marlin Ralph Howard Ernest frank warren Dennis Howard Paul Robert Oliver Jerald George samuel Merwin Richard Randall Donald Marvin Charles sam wendell Henry G R J w L O D R w w A H D w L L J H H M J H C L R J G G T J C P E G w L w J A E P E w C J G J s L B J C B J R Wisconsin Veterans of Foreign Wars News Page 7 SePtember 2009 taps taps taps taps taps taps taps Monroe Baraboo Beloit Lancaster Lancaster Boscobel wisconsin Rapids wisconsin Rapids Neenah Tomahawk shawano New London Appleton Appleton Noblesville IN Altus OK Germantown Milwaukee seattle wA New Berlin Glendale viroqua Iola Appleton Rhinelander Rhinelander Rhinelander Columbus franklin Kewaunee Appleton Lake Mills watertown watertown watertown Cudahy North Prairie Potosi Cuba City Princeton Port washington Plymouth Plymouth saint Nazianz waukesha Phillips Phillips Menomonee falls Cadott Bloomer Chippewa falls Manitowoc Manitowoc Lublin Adams Adams Auburndale Mosinee stratford stratford Hales Corners Elkhart Lake Kiel Laona Brodhead Brodhead Algoma Hayward saint Croix falls winter Hayward Hayward Hayward spooner Glidden wisconsin Rapids Goodman Arbor vitae Milwaukee Muskego Milwaukee Milwaukee Dousman Park Ridge IL Las vegas De forest Madison Madison Madison Muscoda 7591 7692 7692 7694 7852 7924 7924 8068 8090 8123 8262 8262 8262 8278 8320 8338 8338 8338 8338 8343 8400 8447 8478 8478 8482 8482 8482 8482 8483 8483 8483 8483 8494 8512 8584 8637 8637 8637 8637 8637 8637 8637 8733 8770 8770 8770 8770 8895 8976 9156 9156 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Howard James Eckes Arnold J Bukowski Donald J Holzwart frederic Niesing Jacob wagar Bernard s A Meyer Alfred Plaisance Michael w Radtke Harry w Dieter Paul J foley Thomas M Prochaska Lavern f Reiner Edmund B Doner Harry s Kraszewski Richard Larscheid Clayton H Bouma Cyril G Haakenson Helmer C weber Jr Andrew wiese Russell E Christian Charles w williams Gerald J Brunette Richard w Mc Cauley Lewis L van Den Heavel Daniel A Andresen John Harrington Patrick E Reinhart Dale E Britton sr Robert G Hagestedt Robert C Le Clair Phillip L van Order Robert A Allen Chessel E Diel George E Dorn Robert H Allendorf John L Heidmann Donald A Gawley frederick J Gurnoe steve A Takkunen Edwin R Dreger Marvin R Du Mee Jack Pomplun Henry A Madison Green Bay seymour Prairie Du sac watertown Union Grove Kansasville stevens Point Doylestown Gays Mills west Bend Baraboo La Crosse Bangor Mesa AZ Barron Barron Rice Lake Barron Aurora CO Schofield Madison Augusta Augusta south Milwaukee Oak Creek Oak Creek Port Orange fL waunakee Mc farland Cottage Grove Madison Alma Center Cumberland viroqua Phelps King Eagle River Three Lakes Eagle River Eagle River Arbor vitae Mosinee Clintonville Clintonville Oshkosh Tigerton Mosinee Rice Lake sheboygan sheboygan sheboygan sheboygan Milwaukee Neenah Germantown Aurora IL Montfort fennimore Madison wisconsin Dells Green Bay Green Bay Cambridge Cambridge Milwaukee Lawrenceville GA Randolph Mount Horeb De Pere Green Bay Green Bay spooner shell Lake somerset Necedah Apache Junction AZ wisconsin Rapids stevens Point Liberty IN Madison Eau Claire shullsburg Appleton spooner Couderay Hudson Neshkoro Marion Madison A A f H J E L H D J H L E K A D J O A P N R H C B w H M N P J J O L H D P C R Page 8 SePtember 2009 Wisconsin Veterans of Foreign Wars News ericksoN aLL-aMericaN Watertown Post 3709 takes care of National Guard unit Watertown Beaudoin-KoehlerDraeger Post 3709 takes care of their National Guard Unit, Troop B, 1st Squadron, 105th Cavalry Regiment, currently stationed in Iraq. The Post gathers items to package up and ship to “their” troops, and provides regular support to the families here at home. Several months ago, the Post became aware that the unit needed a power washer to facilitate performing maintenance on their equipment. The leadership of Post 3709 set about helping them solve this problem, eventually contacting Briggs & Stratton to see about some help from them. Briggs & Stratton responded by donating not one, but TWO power washers to ship to the unit. Reprinted, below, is the letter they received in acknowledgement of this unique gift. It’s always great to see an active VFW Post make a difference for our troops! Dear Blake; We received the two pressure washers today. I dropped them off with our mechanics in our motor pool a few minutes ago. It took months for us to figure out a way to get them shipped to us here from our armory, but they are finally here. We should have them Watertown’s beaudoin-Koehler-draeger post 3709 assembled 153 boxes of goodies for shipment to their national guard unit stationed in iraq. the great turnout of volunteers included 2nd district commander Jason stearns’ wife, Helen, filling in for Jason who was unable to attend. In addition to post 3709 and auxiliary workers, volunteers from american legion post 189, including commander Jerry peters and adjutant dennis Johnson, came by to help as well. When the work was done, the ladies served a meal and everyone enjoyed the fellowship of the day. among the hardest workers were blake Hightdudis, post commander tom brennecke and sr. Vice cdr. steve siegel, not to mention the project coordinator, Kiren texidore, whose husband will be a recipient of one of the packages! assembled and put to good use by tomorrow. Our Soldiers have been anxiously awaiting their arrival for quite some time. As you guessed back in February, they will defi- Helen stearns adds one more package to the trailer that will haul these goodies to the Post Office for shipment to Iraq. nitely come in very handy with the endless sand and dust here in our part of Iraq. These pressure washers will make the maintenance of our vehicles and equipment much easier now. On behalf of the Soldiers of Bravo Troop, I would like to offer our most sincere thanks to you, the good people at Briggs and Stratton, and the other local veterans who all endeavored to make this possible. The support we have received from the Watertown area has been awesome. We feel good knowing that the home folks are thinking about us and wishing us well while we are over here. A few photos are attached. We will try to send some more when we get to put the pressure washers to use. Thank you again; 1SG Tom Bruss Troop B, 1st Squadron, 105th Cavalry Regiment To all STaTe VFW PoSTS anD auxiliaRieS Join the Wolf olson Post 1230 in Sheboygan to celebrate their 85th anniversary by purchasing a Memorial Brick. Our special project includes landscaping and a walkway we are calling “Pave the way for veterans”. mail check and information to: VfW post 1230, 1138 union avenue, sheboygan, Wi 53081 earmark: special project past state commander gary erickson was particularly honored to receive his White Hat from none other than sr. Vice commander tommy t. tradewell, who was state commander the first time Erickson served as 3rd District Commander. ______________________________ (14 Characters) ______________________________ (14 Characters) ______________________________ (14 Characters) Attention: erickson achieves all-american for Wisconsin 2008-09 State Commander Gary Erickson was proud to receive All-American honors at the VFW National Convention in Phoenix. “It is always an honor to achieve such a goal,” Erickson said, “But this is not my award. It belongs to the great members of our Department. This is a symbol of their hard work and outstanding performance in service to Veterans and the communities we serve. Whenever I wear this cap, I will wear it with pride on behalf of our membership.” bricK siZe 4 x 8 – $200.00 War zoNe skiLLs Wisconsin Veterans of Foreign Wars News Page 9 SePtember 2009 traNsitioNiNG War zoNe skiLLs: Information for Veterans and Those Who Care By Dr. James Munroe, Boston VA Healthcare System james.munroe@va.gov Coming home from a war zone is great, and it should be a happy time for all. However, it is not always easy to make the transition home. Many things may have changed during deployment for both veterans and those at home. It is important to realize that some things won’t just go back to the way they were. Coming home will usually require a period of readjustment as relationships are reestablished. There are three sources of stress that can complicate how quickly you get through this process. Being Away: Even if the veterans had been away for training or somewhere other than a war zone for a period of time, things change as people go about the process of everyday life. Things like taking out the trash, paying bills, balancing the checkbook, socializing, making decisions, and disciplining children will change during the deployment and will have to change again upon return. Dealing with this may cause some stress but people usually work this out on their own. Being in a War Zone: To survive and function in a war zone, veterans may have acquired a number of skills that have become very powerful. They have lived in a different world and have established many routines and behaviors that served them well in the war zone. These skills have become firmly established due to the life and death intensity of the war zone. Some of these same skills may get in the way of good relationships and communication at home. These are not always easy to identify, and they do not just go away upon leaving the war zone. Working out this kind of adjustment requires learning specific information about what war zone skills are and how they may be influencing relationships at home. Additional knowledge or help in these areas can be very useful. This is the main purpose of this booklet. Being in Extremely Intense Situations: Being in a war zone can clearly be dangerous but events can also be horrible and overwhelming even for well trained and experienced veterans. Some events can have a powerful effect on a veteran’s beliefs about the nature of the world and mankind. Such experiences can severely disrupt the ability to readjust and may require professional help. These experiences cannot be dealt with alone. Most veterans handle even difficult stress and make successful readjustments. The most likely problems with readjustment will be in transitioning the war zone skills into home skills to build good relationships. The VA and Vet Centers are there to provide information, support, and professional help if needed. This booklet will address the transitioning of war zone skills and identifying when more professional help is needed. The unique conditions of the war zone require a set of skills and ways of thinking that are very different from those at home. War zone skills are learned during military training but become more firmly established by the intense environment of life and death experiences. The veterans’ survival depends on learning these skills well, and because of this, those skills do not go away just because they have left the war zone. After surviving the war zone, things are never quite the same. Each veteran is unique in responding to the experiences he or she has endured. The intensity and duration of exposure to war zone stress is directly related to how difficult it may be to transition back to home skills. The same skills that are highly effective in the war zone can be disruptive to adjustment at home, both in work environments and in relationships. Veterans need two sets of skills for life, one for the war zone and the possibility of redeployment, and one for home life. The transition from a war zone is not easy for either the veteran or those at home. Often those at home notice that the veteran is not the same. Something is changed about him or her. It is not always easy to identify what these changes are, but it is likely they are related to the different skills necessary for survival. For the veteran, it is not easy to identify these changes because they have become deeply ingrained in his or her everyday life. What has become normal behavior for him or her may seem quite strange to those at home. What is crucially important is to realize that the rules of the war zone do not automatically change when veterans come home. A successful transition to home requires an understanding of how war zone skills and beliefs are influencing the home environment. This booklet is designed to identify the skills and beliefs necessary for survival in a war zone and how they differ from the skills and beliefs necessary for a thriving home life. The objective is to help veterans and those who care for them to understand the issues of readjustment and develop ways to ease the process. It is sometimes useful to get help in addition to this because of the powerful changes that can take place. Beyond the usual difficulties of readjustment, war zone experiences can also lead to anxiety, depression, substance abuse, and post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), for which more extensive support is important. Most veterans will make a successful transition to home life, but understanding some of the normal difficulties can speed up the process. If some of these war zone skills do not begin to diminish after a period of time, it is a sign that more help may be needed. This booklet identifies 14 separate skill areas. In reality, there is quite a bit of overlap among them. Each area has useful applications as well as potentially disruptive outcomes. Each veteran will be different in how these areas apply to them. The best use of this information is through discussion and agreement about what areas may be disrupting readjustment. Then veterans and those who care for them can begin the process of creating new skills together to give them more choices to improve their relationships and their lives. The discussion points following each section can be used by both the veterans and those who care. They are intended to promote understanding. safety Living in a war zone requires being on constant alert for survival. In an environment where people are trying to kill you, vigilance pays off. Veterans have usually learned quickly, either by direct experience or by hearing about it, that letting your guard down can result in severe injury or death. Even places or times that seem relatively safe can become dangerous. The enemy may deliberately target situations that are regarded as safe to further terrorize them. The enemy may infiltrate bases. Those who are hired and trusted may plot or carry out attacks. Terrible consequences can also come from accidents, confusion, or people who do not do their jobs. Safety can be compromised by orders from those that are uninformed or inexperienced with the actual situations. Once veterans are confronted with the full impact of the chances of injury and death, their sense of safety in the world may never be the same. They reorient themselves to be constantly on the lookout for danger and to never become too relaxed. Loud noises may trigger a strong response that causes them to jump for cover. This is very adaptive in a war zone, but may be very embarrassing at home. The lessons learned from these experiences do not just stop when the veteran is at home. Any situations that remind him or her of war zone dangers may trigger survival habits that have become automatic. For example, certain landscapes or building configurations may suggest an ambush site. A traffic jam may trigger a sense of vulnerability or imminent danger. Something out of place or unexpected, might look like an explosive device. He or she may feel a need to check locks and patrol the home at night. They may become very uncomfortable in crowds because they cannot keep track of everyone. They may need to sit with their back to the wall in a restaurant to watch everyone. They may always be looking for exits and escape routes, and may get very upset if they are confined or unable to move. Veterans may also become more nervous and alert when others around them are relaxed and having fun, thinking that no one else is tuned to potential danger. They may be overprotective of others. The veteran may or may not be aware of the connection between these reactions at home and war zone skills. Survival skills are learned deeply. Everyday events and the news may heighten the need to pay attention to safety. Family and friends will not usually understand these habits because they have not lived in a war zone. They may tell the veteran to just relax or point out that there is nothing dangerous to be concerned about. This may only cause the veteran to be more alert to compensate for others who do not understand danger. Having a heightened sense of safety can be helpful in many situations, but it can restrict the veteran’s ability to enjoy life and relationships at home. The veteran may avoid everyday activities and go out only when necessary. It is difficult for others to understand the reality of this sense of danger and threat. Discussion Points on Safety: 1. Is the world a safe place? 2. What situations are war zone reminders? 3. What situations does the veteran find uncomfortable? 4. What situations does the veteran avoid? 5. How can others understand the sense of danger? 6. What do others do that might make them unsafe? 7. How much news should be watched? 8. When does safety become a problematic issue? 9. What reactions do others have a hard time understanding? 10. What strategies can be used by veterans and their loved ones to increase the sense of safety? 4. Does the veteran test the trustworthiness of others? 5. Are people judged by how they would respond in the war zone? 6. When would it be useful to be more trusting? 7. Who are the people it would help to build trust with? 8. What can others do to make themselves more trustworthy? 9. What might veterans do to make themselves more trustworthy? 10. What might make it easier to build trust? anger Anger can be a very useful emotion in a war zone. Survival often depends on a swift and aggressive response. Training experiences often generate anger and channel it into combat responses. Many of the emotions a veteran experiences in the war zone can be turned into anger and directed at the enemy. Anger and aggression are often the best defense. Anger enhances the ability to use force effectively in the violent confrontations of war. Anger may become a best friend in the war zone. Because of effectiveness of anger as a survival skill, it is not easy to contain this response when at home. Veterans may respond to the everyday experience of being cut off in traffic as an aggressive act that requires forceful retaliation. Veterans may have strong defensive or aggressive reactions to a disagreement in a fairly simple conversation. It may seem like they go from perfectly calm to enraged with no warning. They might react to a child cutting across their property as an invasion of their defensive perimeter. These common events may reinforce the veteran’s sense of needing to be constantly vigilant and ready to react even though the extent of his or her reaction is unnecessary. Those close to the veteran may complain that he or she is irritable and defensive. Others may say the veteran has a quick temper. Anger will tend to push people away and leave the veteran feeling isolated. It may also lead to getting into fights or getting fired from jobs. A lack of trust can feed anger. The anger is there for a good reason, but it can easily get in the way of transitioning home. Discussion Points on Anger: 1. Under what conditions is anger useful? 2. Under what conditions does anger become a problem? 3. Does the veteran get irritable? 4. Do others think the veteran has a quick temper? 5. Does the veteran get into arguments or yell a lot? 6. Does the veteran experience road rage? 7. What strategies can others use to avoid triggering anger? 8. How can others better understand the function of anger? 9. What are some ways to engage an angry veteran? 10. What strategies can be used to calm anger when it flares? trust Veterans must adjust their sense of trust in a war zone. Relying on the good intentions of others can get you killed. In situations where the enemy is among the population, veterans quickly learn not to trust people. Witnessing the horrible things human beings can do to each other can severely damage the veteran’s ability to trust in the nature of mankind. It may become safer to assume everyone is the enemy until proven friendly. When people are trying to kill each other and deception is a weapon, trusting behavior can be dangerous. Veterans may narrow down the number of people they can trust to a very few. Trust is given only to those who are well known and who prove themselves under extreme conditions. At home, trust is crucial for good relationships and a successful readjustment. Veterans who were trusting prior to the war may learn to be suspicious of everyone. They may test people and require that they earn trust. They may even test those who are the most closest to them. Testing may reassure the veteran, but it will also push people away. They may pounce on very minor or insignificant behaviors of others to label them as untrustworthy. Someone who is being friendly or helpful may be seen as being manipulative. Veterans may have a difficult time asking for or receiving help because they can’t trust people. The returning veteran’s circle of trusted friends and family may shrink rapidly. He or she may also be very reserved about meeting anyone new. Trust is necessary to build good relationships at home and at work. Veterans who do not address their abilities to rebuild trust will be at a disadvantage. Discussion Points on Trust: 1. Who can be trusted? 2. Is the veteran suspicious of others and their motives? 3. Does the veteran tend to do things alone and resist getting help? Page 10 SePtember 2009 Wisconsin Veterans of Foreign Wars News Veterans may avoid talking to others or keep to themselves. They may consider social chatter frivolous or even dangerous and this will restrict their ability to socialize. They may also keep very much to themselves even in close relationships. Those who care may find it difficult to find out what the veteran is thinking or feeling. Others may find themselves guessing about what the veteran likes or dislikes. Giving little information leads others to guess at what the veteran wants. The less information the veteran gives, the more likely the guesses of others will be wrong. Others may also interpret the reluctance to give information as deceitful, and the less information other people get, the more they may try to get information. The useful war zone tactics of predictability and intelligence can be very disruptive to close relationships. When a veteran is going out and someone who is close asks where he or she is going or when he or she is returning, the veteran may automatically not give this information. Others may see this as the veteran not caring or not being committed to the relationship. Discussion Points on Intelligence: 1. When is it best to keep things to yourself? 2. When is it useful to give information to others? 3. What type of information should only be shared on a “need to know” basis? 4. What type of information can be shared on an “OK to know” basis? 5. Who is it useful to share information with? 6. What information is useful to share? 7. What information should you not share? 8. How do you decide what information to give or withhold? 9. What does sharing or not sharing information mean in a relationship? can muster great energy responding to what needs to be done. Once the emergency is resolved they will be exhausted and will withdraw and once again avoid tasks while conserving energy. They may switch between period of great energy and doing nothing. Veterans can be great responding to emergencies. To get everyday things done the veteran may have to make it a mission and become unable to stop until it is completed. They may also get angry with anybody who gets in the way. Veterans may also become very irritated with people who are late because they see this as interfering with the mission with maybe deadly consequences. This way of operating may feel very normal for the veteran but it may be confusing and frustrating for others. They will perceive the veteran as over reacting in some situations and being lazy for ignoring other important situations. Others may end up pushing the veteran to do things. Discussion Points on Mission Orientation: 1. What are the advantages of the mission orientation? 2. What are the advantages of spreading energies out on many tasks? 3. What are important things that need attention? 4. What emergencies need to be planned for? 5. What are good guidelines to regulate working and resting? 6. How do you come to agreement about what things need to be done? 7. How can you come to agreement about the way things can be done? War zoNe skiLLs difficult, at first, for the veteran to engage in the murky and slow process of cooperative decisions. Discussion Points on Decision Making: 1. Under what conditions are chain of command decisions called for? 2. Under what conditions are cooperative decisions called for? 3. When should quick decision be made? 4. When is it best to delay decisions and gather information? 5. When should decisions be questioned? 6. When should the consequences of decisions be discussed? 7. What kinds of decisions need to be discussed? 8. Who should be talked to about making decisions? 9. How do you decide when there is disagreement? 7. When is fear and intimidation a problem? 8. What tactics promote feelings of safety and trust? 9. How can you choose response tactics that are right for the situation? Predictability When in a war zone, one of the things that make people most vulnerable is being predictable. If the enemy can predict your location or movements they can attack you. Veterans learn very quickly to vary their routes or routines and to mislead as to their location or intentions. When driving, they might swerve going under a bridge to avoid coming out where they might be expected to. They may avoid places where the enemy might expect them to be. If the enemy knows troops will be relaxing on a holiday, they might choose that as a good time to launch an offensive. They must also keep a low profile and not stand out or gather in groups where they might be an easy target. The same tactics at home can make the veteran difficult to get along with. Many veterans may go out of their way to break up patterns of behavior or to not be where they are expected to be. They may show up late or early for meeting times or may show up for things unexpectedly. They might get into an argument to avoid attending a planned event. They may take very round about routes to get to familiar places. Appointments may be difficult to make or keep. To those who expect regularity in everyday life, these habits can be very strange and annoying. It is unlikely the veteran will explain such behaviors and they may not even be aware they are doing them because this has become so automatic. Others will tend to interpret such behavior as the veteran being lazy, not caring, or even deceptive. People at home expect regularity and predictability as a common part of their everyday life. Predictability at home is necessary for adjusting and building relationships. Discussion Points on Predictability: 1. What are the advantages of being unpredictable? 2. What are the advantages of being predictable? 3. Under what conditions would it be good to be unpredictable? 4. Under what conditions would it be good to be predictable? 5. What are the important things for people to know about each other? 6. Who should know about someone’s intentions and whereabouts? 7. When might others have a problem with one’s unpredictability? 8. When is it OK to make and share plans for future events? 9. When would it be safe to be predictable? 10. Who should you keep informed about where you are? the enemy In a war zone, knowing the enemy is crucial to survival. It is very useful to quickly divide people into allies or enemies and if any errors are to be made, they should be in favor of assuming people are enemies. Even those who are supposed to be friendly can be plotting or gathering intelligence for later attacks. When the enemy blends in with the population, everybody is viewed as suspicious. Everything is experienced in terms of what the enemy is doing and your survival depends on getting it right. Planning for the future is necessary but of limited use in that you must be constantly ready to respond to the enemy. Being prepared to respond is highly valued. You must be constantly alert for danger and you should never let your guard down. Back at home, the veteran may continue to regard everyone as a potential enemy. This will leave the veteran at a disadvantage. It hinders social relationships and limits job opportunities. It leaves the veteran isolated and separate from the world he or she needs to return to. The veteran may tend to be uncomfortable around crowds or celebrations. Veterans may continue to be suspicious and questioning of the motives of others. They may see everything in a negative light so they can be prepared. If everyone is evaluated in terms of being an ally or enemy, very few will pass the test of whether they can be relied on in a war zone. Suspiciousness can severely damage the most important relationships and lead to disrupted families and divorce. Staying vigilant for the enemy at home can leave veterans very alone. Discussion Points on the Enemy: 1. What are the advantages of seeing everyone as the enemy? 2. What are the disadvantages of seeing everyone as the enemy? 3. When is it helpful to assume others are plotting against you? 4. When is it harmful to assume others are plotting against you? 5. Who might be gathering information to use against you? 6. Who might be gathering information for good reasons? 7. What kinds of crowds or gatherings is it dangerous to be in? 8. What kinds of crowds or gatherings is it safe to be in? 9. When is it useful to be prepared rather than plan for the future? 10. When is it useful to plan for the future rather than be prepared? response tactics The conditions of the war zone require response tactics that are based on survival and completion of the mission. Military training and experience prepares the veteran to respond automatically in effective ways. In many situations, it is important to act first and think later. Hesitating to consider the situation may be dangerous or even deadly. Because of the potential danger, it is often useful to over respond and use a maximum application of force or resources. To be prepared, equipment must be checked and anything that might be needed must be in its proper place and ready to go. Veterans have learned the importance of responding quickly and forcefully to threats. It is very useful to have the enemy intimidated and frightened of your responses. While “act first, think later,” may be the best response in a war zone, most responses at home are better approached with a “think first, act later” strategy. Hesitating or weighing responses at home may feel uncomfortable or dangerous for the veteran. Veterans may have to relearn how to regulate responses. Veterans need to establish a delay so they can choose how they want to respond. The importance of being prepared to respond in the war zone may translate into sensitivity at home to everything being in the “right” place. The veteran may insist that things not be out of place. A veteran may become very disturbed by unwashed dishes or messy rooms at home. Veterans may also present to others as threatening and potentially violent although they may see themselves as responding very mildly. Intimidation and fear are not useful with people the veteran cares about at home. Veterans may also find themselves training those they care about to be prepared to survive in a war zone. Veterans may be very intolerant of incompetence. Discussion Points on Response Tactics: 1. Under what conditions is an “act first, think later” response tactic useful? 2. Under what conditions is a “think first, act later” response tactic useful? 3. When is being prepared important and when is it wasteful? 4. When is it important for things to be in order? 5. When is it alright for things to be messy? 6. When is fear and intimidation useful? decision making Decision making in the military is very clearly organized. The primary system is the chain of command. Those with higher rank give orders and those of lower rank carry them out and do not ask questions. In war, decisions must be made quickly and clearly. There may be little or no time to question or discuss the accuracy of decisions. The system works well under the extreme conditions of war. Survival and completion of the mission depends on good decisions, clear orders, and people who carry them out immediately and efficiently. At home, decision-making is usually very different. A veteran who expects others at home to follow his or her orders without questions may quickly become frustrated. At home, people often question decisions and want to discuss options. They may question that the veteran or others have the authority to make some decisions. They may also want to put off decisions until they have more information to base them on. Veterans may get angry or irritated with these tactics because in the war zone people could be killed because of indecision. At home, there is usually time for this, and the need for immediate decisions is limited. It is often more productive to do cooperative decision-making, which takes longer but leads to better outcomes. Veterans may also avoid making decisions because they have become accustomed to following orders or because they have had to make decisions in the war zone, which had life and death consequences. Readjustment to home life requires a range of options for making decisions that may be very different from those that were useful in the war zone. It may be very Mission orientation The primary task of the military is to complete the mission it is assigned. This way of thinking runs all through the organization from the highest commander to the lowest private. A mission is assigned from higher up and veterans rarely had any choice about it. Once a mission is assigned all other nonrelated tasks are unimportant. Accomplishing the mission requires intense focus of concentration and resources and nothing is allowed to interfere. It is understood that people may die while attempting to complete the mission. When the mission was completed, the veterans rested and prepared for the next mission. The same focus of concentration and resources can be problematic in everyday life where there are many competing goals and tasks but no one clear mission. Veterans who cannot switch out of mission thinking may not initiate their own actions because they are conserving their energy and resources in anticipation of the next assignment. Anticipating a mission may interfere with the ability to plan for the future. Veterans may avoid or ignore getting everyday things done because they do not seem important. They may wait until those everyday things reach the level of an emergency. Then they intelligence Veterans have learned to be constantly vigilant about giving out any information that might allow the enemy to find out what they are planning. Any information can potentially be used by the enemy to anticipate and counteract strategies or stage attacks. Following good operational security, veterans learn to restrict any information that might be used against them. Since even what might seem like unimportant information can be put together and used as intelligence by the enemy, veterans may be very sensitive about giving out any information. Casual conversation can compromise a mission and get people killed. This is reflected in an old World War II saying that “Loose lips sink ships.” emotions In a war zone emotional reactions can lead to people getting hurt. The normal reaction of fear must be quickly overcome to be able to function and do the job. Veterans have learned to change fear into an ability to react quickly and decisively. Other emotions such as horror, disgust, or grief also tend to deter maximum performance. Veterans who controlled such reactions were better able to function, do their job, and stay war zone skills alive. Numbing or turning off emotions can screen out distractions so that veterans can concentrate on survival. Showing emotions can be seen as weakness or vulnerability. Those who can turn off emotions and get the job done are trusted and respected by others. Caring about others may become difficult when others are wounded or killed. When home, many of the important aspects of relationships depend on being able to identify and appropriately express or respond to emotions. The numbing that veterans have used to improve war zone performance may get in the way of reading emotional signals at home. Veterans may be unable to tap into their own emotional information and may be insensitive to others. Numbing also restricts the veteran’s ability to enjoy positive emotions such as happiness, caring, or love. Veterans may have lost interest in things they used to enjoy. They may often feel as if they are going through the motions of being social with no enjoyment or involvement. Numbing can also result in an inability to get close to those the veteran cares for at home. Loved ones may see the veteran as cold and uncaring. Numbing can leave the veteran feeling bored and uninterested in most aspects of life and can lead to dangerous or thrill seeking behaviors to feel stimulated. Driving cars or motorcycles too fast is an unfortunately common example of how numbing can become disastrous. Discussion Points on Emotions: 1. When is it useful to try to turn emotions off? 2. When is it useful to experience emotions? 3. When are emotions a weakness? 4. When are emotions a strength? 5. What are the advantages of caring about other people? 6. What are the disadvantages of caring about other people? 7. Why might it be important to understand the feelings of others? 8. Why might it be important for others to understand your feelings? 9. Who needs to know more about your feelings? authority over them and they may purposely do the opposite of what is expected of them. This may restore their sense of authority over themselves, but such responses may make it very difficult to hold a job or get things accomplished. Mistrusting authority may lead to unnecessary confrontations and withdrawals. Veterans may also try to take on authority feeling they do not trust the ability of others to make decisions. In other cases where the veteran has had to exercise authority in difficult situations, he or she may avoid being burdened with any authority and let others make decisions. Discussion Points on Authority: 1. When is it necessary to obey authorities? 2. When is it necessary to challenge or resist authority? 3. Who can be trusted with authority? 4. How do you judge someone’s right to authority? 5. What should the individual have authority over? 6. When is incompetence dangerous? 7. When is incompetence just annoying? 8. When is it in your best interest to assume authority? 9. When is it to your advantage to allow others to take authority? 10. Who should have authority over you? Wisconsin Veterans of Foreign Wars News 3. What are the advantages of war zone relationships? 4. What are the advantages of home relationships? 5. What are the qualities you look for in a person in the war zone? 6. What are the qualities you look for in a person at home? 7. What do you need from others close to you in an emergency? 8. What do you need from others close to you over time? 9. What parts of closeness are valuable when survival is the issue? 10. What parts of closeness are valuable when living is the issue? boasting to establish how one unit or branch is better than another. What is harder to do is talk about what it was really like and the impact of war events on an individual. During the war, there may be little or no time to talk about powerful events that happened. Veterans may have had to numb out and go on with what they had to do. There may be numerous events that are not only emotionally disturbing, but may also challenge the veteran’s beliefs about humanity and justice in the world. War can change the veteran’s entire view of the world and his or her views about themselves. Because of the importance of the mission and the need to be prepared, opportunities to understand or work out such experiences may be insufficient. It may be very difficult to talk about the war at home as well. Veterans tend to be more comfortable with other veterans where there is some mutual understanding of what they have been through. Talking to someone who has not been in a war is difficult because they do not understand the context in which events can happen. Veterans may feel there is way too much to explain for people to understand. People may ask intrusive questions like, did you kill anyone, did you abuse any prisoners, or what was it really like. If a veteran does start talking realistically about the war people may become quickly overwhelmed and leave or change the subject. It can be extremely helpful for veterans to find people and settings where they can talk without having to protect others or worry about uninformed judgments. Being alone and not able to talk about war can keep the veteran from feeling a part of life at home. Discussion Points on Talking: 1. What things can veterans talk to veterans about? 2. What things can veterans talk to civilians about? 3. Should others ask about the war and the veteran’s experience? 4. Should others avoid asking about the war and the veteran’s experience? 5. What kinds of questions is it ok to ask a veteran? 6. What kinds of questions is it not ok to ask a veteran? 7. When is it ok for the veteran to talk? 8. When is it better for the veteran to keep quiet? 9. How will the veteran know what to talk about and to whom? Page 11 SePtember 2009 loss During war, loss is a major theme. Loss is inevitable in war, and witnessing death becomes a routine part of the experience. Veterans learned to cope by becoming numb to death and treating it in a “matter of fact” way. There is usually little time to mourn or say goodbye to those that were lost. Some may have been close friends, while others were known only in passing. Regardless, the message to move on is expressed clearly, and feeling anything about these losses may interfere with the mission. There is rarely more than a few minutes for any formal recognition of those lost and bodies are quickly removed and shipped home. Sometimes during war, a loved one from back home dies. Because military culture encourages “moving on” oftentimes, veterans were not allowed to go back home and participate in the family grieving process. When veterans return home, they may experience a loss of the camaraderie and closeness with the buddies in the unit or platoon who understood and would “watch your back” in times of trouble. Veterans may have difficulty with the customs for mourning losses and taking time to grieve for lost loved ones which are a regular part of civilian life. People will expect the veteran to take the time to mourn a loss and not doing so might be viewed unfavorably. In addition, there are multiple rituals associated with death (funerals, viewings, burials) that are designed to help adjust to loss. It might be hard for the veterans to feel anything because they were taught to “move on” after deaths in the military. If a loved one was lost while the veteran was deployed and he or she was not allowed to go home, they don’t get to say goodbye. Discussion Points on Loss: 1. When is it important to move on after a loss? 2. When is it important to take time to deal with or mourn a loss? 3. What is lost by leaving the war zone? 4. Is it ok to talk about a loss? 5. Is it ok to feel emotional about a loss? 6. Is it necessary to appear strong after a loss? 7. Should losses be dealt with alone or with others? 8. Is it ok to let others know you are hurt by a loss. 9. What are the differences between losses at home and in the war zone? 10. Is there a way to deal with losses without pain? Closeness Relationships in a war zone can become very intense. Learning to depend on others for your life in dangerous situations can create a strong bond. It can feel as if those people know everything there is to know about you and that you can depend on them for anything. They may feel closer to you than anyone in your life because of what you have been through together. Such intensity requires the constant danger of war. War can also cause the injury or death of those who have become so close. When this happens, veterans may learn to avoid closeness to prevent the pain of further losses. Relationships at home require a different kind of intimacy. They can generate intense feelings going through crises, but must also provide intimacy through many situations and sustain it over time. Relationships at home need to address the many needs beyond basic survival. Veterans may be so good at survival that they have forgotten how to live. Veterans are geared toward emergencies and the everyday transactions of a relationship at home can be highly confusing. It is a much more complicated process. Veterans who expect the sustained intense level of combat intimacy in their other relationships will have a difficult time. Veterans may also have a difficult time experiencing closeness with those they love the most. The fear of loss may make them push away from loved ones. Those at home may feel the veteran no longer cares about them. Veterans may avoid closeness because they do not know how to talk about the war and they want to protect loved ones from it. Loved ones may feel ignored or left out by the veterans. Discussion Points on Closeness: 1. When is it safe to get close to people? 2. When is it unsafe to get close to people? authority The structure of military authority leaves little room for choice. Veterans learned to obey commands even when they were life threatening or if they disagreed with them. The authorities are responsible for the mission as well as the welfare of their men. These are conflicting needs and authorities can seem insensitive to the survival of the veteran. The veteran had very little power to make decisions in his or her own best interests. If veterans did not have trust in leaders they may have felt extremely vulnerable. If a person in authority is incompetent, people may die unnecessarily. Even the best decisions of authority will sometimes lead to injury and death. Veterans who were in authority may have had to make decisions that had devastating consequences. Attitudes toward authority at home may reflect how the veteran saw authority used in the war zone. Veterans may trust leaders or be highly mistrustful or resentful of authority. They may challenge anyone who tells them what to do or question the competency of anyone in authority. They may be very reluctant to let anyone have when is More Help needed? It is normal for the war zone skills outlined above to carry over into life after deployment. There is no specific timetable for how quickly they should change. Some behaviors may not show up until months after the return. Hopefully the information presented here will assist in identifying how to adapt or replace these skills and give veterans more choices to develop goals and rebuild relationships. For most veterans this transition will work out over time with a reasonable effort. Sometimes these skills do not transition well and the veteran becomes stuck. The same tactics that were successful then become a problem. Relationships at home Talking It is sometimes very difficult to talk about the events of war. Many war stories are a form of begin to suffer and keeping a job may be difficult. This is not always easy for the veteran to see because the skills have become so automatic. At these times it may be very helpful to seek out help to identify where things are getting stuck. Sometimes, the events of war are so intense that problems go beyond transitioning skills. Some events or series of events are so overwhelming that the veteran cannot get past them alone. We like to think that time heals all wounds but that is not always true. Telling a veteran to just get over it or get on with life does not work in these instances. These events can disrupt the veteran’s entire view of the world. Nothing seems the same anymore and he or she may be unsure how to view themselves or those around them. This is when it is important to get professional help. Not addressing these issues means the war zone skills get locked in and may begin to cause major disruptions in many aspects of the veteran’s life. Signs that help is needed include: • Memories of the events are intruding into everyday life • Repeating dreams or nightmares of the events • Feeling like the events are happening again • Strong reactions to things that are reminders of the events • Avoidance of anything that is a reminder of the events • Not being able to remember parts of the events • Loss of interest in activities • Feeling detached or isolated from others • Avoiding others or fear of crowds • Having few feelings or not caring about anything • Not caring about the future • Sleep problems, or being overly alert and on guard • Anger, irritability, and trouble concentrating • Being jumpy at noises or surprises • Feeling continuously sad or empty • Feeling worthless or guilty • Thoughts of suicide or death • Restlessness or being easily fatigued • Feeling fearful with pounding heart, shaking, sweating • Fear of losing control or going crazy • Substance abuse There is no magic number of these signs to check off to determine if you need help or not. Clearly, the more of these that the veteran is experiencing, the more important it is to get help. Perhaps the best way to make the decision is to consider that if you are wondering if you should get help, you probably should. often it is hard for the veteran to see this. Those who are close to the veteran may see the need for help well before the veteran does. If either the veteran or those close to him or her think that help is needed, it probably is. The earlier that help is sought the better. Waiting will only complicate the transition to home life. The VA and Vet Centers are here to help. online resources for readjustment issues: www.istss.org The International Society of Traumatic Stress Studies www.ncptsd The National Center for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Page 12 SePtember 2009 Wisconsin Veterans of Foreign Wars News HigHground Hero The entire citizenry of Cashton turns out to greet Tom! The Cashton combined Color Guard presented the Colors. Highground Hero’s Tribute ride a great success Throughout 2009, the Highground Veteran’s Memorial in Neillsville is commemorating 25 years of honoring veterans and their families and educating about the cost of things - the human cost. A major fundraiser, the Highground Bicycle Tour is also celebrating 25 years. In honor of this major milestone, Tom kingsbury, 56, of Loyal, volunteered to recreate the bicycle ride that Vietnam Veteran Tom Miller made back in 1985, during the organization of the Wisconsin Vietnam Veterans Memorial Project, Inc., known today as the Highground. That first ride covered 1,244 miles - one mile for each person from Wisconsin that died in Vietnam. In that same tradition, the 25th Annual Memorial Ride covered 1,244 miles plus 1 mile for each person from Wisconsin that has died in action since Vietnam. Tom’s journey took him in excess of 1500 miles in 10 days, touching each border and stopping in over 30 communities along the way. Each stop provided a reminder of why the Highground is so special to so many and why tributes to the Veterans we hold so near and dear are a must. Each community in its own way, showed a wonderful welcome, providing special escorts, ceremonies and donations to kingsbury as he spent a brief time in their midst. An added feature of each stop was the presentation of an American Flag flown in Iraq, to a Gold Star Family from the area. Names of that area’s kIA were read, and the Flag was then presented to a representative of the city, requesting that it be flown at half-staff on Sunday, August 9, during the culmination of the Hero’s Tribute Ride. Photos from three of the many Hero’s Tribute Ride stops are shown elsewhere on this page, as well as scenes from the “The Journey’s End,” the conclusion of both the Hero’s Tribute Ride and the 25th Annual Bicycle Tour, on Sunday, August 9 at the Highground. All of the money raised with this special 25th Anniversary Hero’s Tribute Ride will benefit the Persian Gulf Tribute Committee and their efforts to bring a new tribute to the Highground. At press time, nearly $31,000 toward Tom’s $30,000 goal is “in the bank.” A job well done! Additional donations of roughly $42,000 from the 5 routes of the Annual Bicycle Tour will benefit the General Fund of the Highground, allowing continued daily operations at this magnificent site. Congratulations and thank you to Tom kingsbury and all of the participating riders for your exemplary leadership, and to all of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Posts and Auxiliaries in Wisconsin who took part in this outstanding effort in some way. Your dedication to the goal of the Highground - a Veterans Memorial Park that pays tribute to the Dead, and honors the Survivors, their service, and their sacrifices – ensures that our Heroes will never be forgotten. The skies were cloudy and threatening all Sunday, but they did nothing to dampen the enthusiasm of the riders and Highground supporters who turned out in great numbers to congratulate Tom Kingsbury on a job well done. Tom is shown here with the members of his road and support teams, including the original Hero’s Tribute rider, Tom Miller just to the left of Tom Kingsbury and his bicycle. Hungry bicycle riders, tour supporters and friends of the Highground enjoy a hot lunch following the triumphant arrivals of Tom Kingsbury and the five routes of the 25th Annual Bicycle Tour. Tom Kingsbury and his support van, make their way into the Highground at the end of the 10-day Hero’s Tribute Ride. Northern Route Bicycle Riders celebrate their donations to the Highgound General Fund. Note Stratford’s own John Southworth, Post 6352 Adjutant, fourth from the right. Way to go, John! The Cashton Boy Scouts join in welcoming Tom with their Colors. Kirk Rodman, Highground Volunteer Manager, at left, presents an American Flag flown in Iraq to Abbotsford Gold Star Parent Connie Braun. Connie read the names of the Marshfield area KIA, and then in turn, presented the Flag to VFW State Judge Advocate Bill Knudson of Post 1866, who accepted the flag on behalf of the City of Marshfield. The Flag flew at half-staff at Post 1866 on August 9 as requested. Tom Kingsbury addresses the gathering at Cashton. State VFW Commander Wilfred “Twiggy” Johnson at right and District 7 Commander Russ Iwen of Merrill, center, congratulate Tom Kingsbury on his successful tour. Commander Johnson addressed the assembly briefly, congratulating all on their success and emphasizing the continued need for the work of the Highground. 1985 Rider Tom Miller, at left, and Beth Martin of the Highground Board, at right, listen as Tom Kingsbury addresses the large crowd of riders and supporters at “The Journey’s End.” Tom Kingsbury arrives at the Clear Lake Area Veterans Memorial on Day 2 of his 10-day ride. Thanks to the efforts of Past Auxiliary VFW President Delores Selle, the stop was added to Tom’s itinerary on his trip from Ashland to New Richmond. king day Bulldog Russ (7th District Commander Iwen) says, “It’s time to bowl!” in the 75th Annual State Bowling Tournament (USBC Certified), hosted by VFW Post and Auxiliary 1638. Les & Jim’s LINCoLN LANES at 1208 N. Center Avenue, Merrill is the official site for the tournament. The tournament will kick-off on Saturday and Sunday, March 6-7, 2010 and run all four weekends in March, concluding on March 27-28, 2010. Eligible bowlers are Dept. of Wisconsin VFW and Ladies Auxiliary VFW members in good standing. (Membership cards must be shown at check-in.) Singles and Doubles events will be held at 10:00 am and 2:00 pm on Saturdays and Team Events on Sundays at 9:00 and 11:00 am for the duration of the tournament. Registration is now open, through January 31, 2010. En- Wisconsin Veterans of Foreign Wars News Page 13 SePtember 2009 Merrill To Host state Bowling Tournament Post 987 Flag etiquette try forms and additional details regarding averages, entry fees, and other rules are available from Bowling Chairman Richard Johnson, N6305 State Hwy. 107, Tomahawk, WI 54487. Phone him at (715) 536-6457 or email at rajservices8@aol.com. Detailed information and the entry form are also available on the State WebCom at: vfwofwi.com, under the forms section, Let’s go bowling! korean Memorial re-dedication Shown above are Capt. Matt Barrett, B. Richardson, (Civil Air Patrol), Commander Jerry Parchem, Post 987, SGT Jared Meyer, Pvt, SPC Logan Deaton, Cadet Richardson. Youth Activities continue to be an important program with Greenwood Memorial post 987. Commander Parchem is teaching the proper folding of this American flag which was flown over Iraq when SPC Deaton was serving there. The flag will be given to SPC Logan Deaton’s father. Madison Va Hospital earns High Honors Korean Soloist Seong Shin Ra, DMA sings a Korean folk ballad, “Arrirang” at the June 7th Re-dedication of the Korean War Memorial in Plover. The ceremony, which was attended by dignitaries from Korea and Wisconsin, heralded the completion of a massive renovation of this beautiful tribute to the troops of America’s “forgotten” War. The memorial sits on a small island, fittingly named the “Isle of Honor.” A total of more than $330,000 was needed to complete the renovation, which included shoring up the causeway that connects the isle with the lakeshore. For the sixth consecutive year, a special tribute was paid to those brave Wisconsin men and women of our Armed Forces who “gave their last full measure of devotion” in the ongoing wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Brigadier General Donald Dunbar, The Adjutant General, spoke, as did the Honorable Sung Hwan Sun, Consul General of the Republic of Korea, Acting Secretary Ken Black of the Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs, and Korean War Memorial Treasurer and President-Emerita Doroty “Dot” Wenzel. Major Jacqueline Guthrie, Director of Public Affairs for the Wisconsin National Guard, read the names of the war dead. The Korean War Veterans Memorial is easily located from I-39, just southwest of exit 153. Photo courtesy Don Koch Deborah Thompson, Hospital Director, recently announced that, at the end of Fiscal Year 2008, the William S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital and its Community Based outpatient Clinics (CBoCs) was ranked #1 in the Nation, out of 153 VA Medical Centers, for Patient Satisfaction and #2 overall in quality measures such as access to care and timeliness of appointments. The Madison VA Hospital has excelled in the stringent VA critera for quality care, patient access and patient satisfaction. For the first three quarters of Fiscal Year 2009, this facility is maintaining its status as #2 in the Nation. Numbers for Patient Satisfaction are not yet available. The Madison VAH currently serves approximately 35,000 veterans enrolled for health care from throughout south central Wisconsin and northern Illinois at the main facility in Madison, a newly opened Madison VA Clinic Annex West and CBoCs in Baraboo, Beaver Dam, Janesville, Freeport and Rockford. The Madison facility is currently undergoing extensive renovation, remodeling and expansion projects in order to continue providing veterans in the area with outstanding clinical, educational and research services. Submitted by: Richard Brye, VFW Voluntary Services Representative Madison VA Hospital 53rd annual king day, July 26, 2009 Wanted to Buy War relIcs WaNTed: VFW member will buy your relics for cash – any country, any period. Craig Luther, P.o. Box 63, oak Creek, WI 531540063. (414) 750-6589. 07/10 classified listings “Cootie of the Year” Emmet Erdmann, Cootie Dist. 4 Seam Squirrel, pauses for a photo op with other Cooties from the Grand of Wisconsin at the Ice Cream and Soda stand at King Day 2009. OK guys, break’s over, get back to work! “Taking Time Out” from “Aiding Veterans” and spreading some cheer at King Day 2009 are (front, L to R) Dept. Auxiliary President Linda Moran; State VFW Commander Wilfred “Twiggy” Johnson; Dept. Auxiliary Hospital Chairman Karen Johnson and (back, L to R) Dept. Auxiliary Loyalty Day Chairman Kathy Johnson and Dept. Auxiliary Chief of Staff Judy Borg. Chuck Eberhardt of Horne-Mudlitz Post 6377 in Sussex poses with “Uncle Frank.” Clowns “Grandpa” Pat Moran and “Auxiliary Sweetheart Granddaughter” Josie Bowers pause from their very important duty of passing out “Hug Coupons” to the members and volunteers attending King Day. We hope they shared one with Dept. President Linda! classIfIed lIsTINgs INforMaTIoN: You get up to 25 words for $25.00 in 3 issues (over 45,000 circulation each) of our newspaper, plus a 3 month listing on our web site http://www.vfwofwi.com. We are accepting listings for: • for sale – Autos, trucks, boats, motorcycles, furniture, etc. • rentals – Homes, apartments, equipment, storage, commercial, etc. • service – Repair, cleaning, roofing, heating/cooling, painting, etc. • Notices – Meetings, Professional, Auctions. Travel, etc. • Want to Buy – Merchandise, homes, equipment, etc. • Want to rent – Apartments, equipment, etc. • employment – Help wanted, work wanted by job type. sorry, no personals. Please include a phone number, ad copy, typed or printed and a check for $25.00 per ad and send to: Veterans of Foreign Wars, Dept. of WI Newspaper / classifieds P.o. Box 1623 Madison, WI 53701-1623 Page 14 SePtember 2009 Wisconsin Veterans of Foreign Wars News VeTerans serViCe oFFiCe Many Veterans may be eligible for special monthly compensation (SMC). The VA can pay additional compensation to a veteran who, as a result of military service, incurred the loss or loss of use of specific organs or extremities. What is considered loss or loss of use? Loss, or loss of use, is described as either an amputation or, having no effective remaining function of an extremity or organ. The disabilities VA can consider for SMC include: • Loss, or loss of use, of a hand or foot • Immobility of a joint or paralysis • Loss of sight of an eye (having only light perception) • Loss, or loss of use, of a reproductive organ • Complete loss, or loss of use, of both buttocks • Deafness of both ears (having absence of air and bone conduction) • Inability to communicate by speech • Loss of a percentage of tissue from a single breast, or both breasts, from mastectomy or radiation treatment What if you have a combination of these disabilities? The VA will pay higher rates for combinations of these disabilities such as loss or loss of use of the feet, legs, hands, and arms, in specific monetary increments, based on the particular combination of the disabilities. There are also higher payments for various combinations of severe deafness with bilateral blindness. In addition, if you have other service-connected disabilities that, in combination with the above special monthly compensation, meet certain criteria, a higher amount of SMC can also be considered. Can the VA pay SMC for being bedridden, housebound or in need of the aid and attendance of another person? If a veteran VFw Political action Committee Veterans service office How can we make sure that veterans, young and old, are protected in Washington, D.C.? The answer is by rallying together and making our collective voices heard. Just because you and I don’t hold a position in Washington, D.C., doesn’t mean we can’t fight for what we deserve. There are congressional representatives who fight a war of words on our behalf. These leaders are pro-veteran, pro-national defense, pro-military. These are our friends who deserve the support of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Political Action Committee (VFW-PAC). Your donation will go a long way toward keeping the voice of veterans and our military forces alive and well in Washington, D.C. This is especially true today with new leaders in Congress, the White House and the VA. VFW-PAC looks beyond the Mike “Gunner” Furgal sound bites to see what really counts - actions! Each candidate is evaluated to ensure that they share and act upon the VFW’s vision. We then support their bid for election or reelection with a monetary donation and/or a symbolic endorsement. once elected, we help these key legislators fight for the issues that matter to veterans, like a properly funded VA health care system, a strong national defense, fair treatment of military retirees, etc. I know you may be thinking, “Why should I send more money to Washington, D.C.?” The answer is simply because it makes a difference. It really does! In 2008, more than 90% of the candidates endorsed by VFW-PAC were elected. Those are pretty impressive numbers. There are those in power who are not so sympathetic to our sacrifices. We must have the muscle and might to defend ourselves and defend what we have rightly earned. That’s why we need you! Do you realize that the number of veterans in Congress is at the lowest point since WWII? That’s why it is more important than ever that we support those lawmakers who recognize our contributions. Send your donation today to VFW-PAC, VFW Memorial Building, 200 Maryland Ave, NE, Washington, DC 2002 or to me at 1411 14th Ave, Monroe, WI 53566. Thank You! DAVE GOELDNER ASST. Service Officer is service connected at the 100 percent rate and is housebound, bedridden, or is so helpless to need the aid and attendance of another person, then a claim for payment of additional SMC can be considered. The amount of SMC will vary depending on the level of aid and attendance needed. Remember, in determining qualifications for SMC, the VA must review the medical evidence regarding the loss or loss of use and then make a decision regarding the level of SMC to be paid. If you are a veteran with service-connected disabilities and think you may be entitled to special monthly compensation, please contact a Veteran Service office, such as the Veterans of Foreign Wars or your local County Veterans Service officer for assistance. Also, please make it a habit to check our Wisconsin VSo Weblog on the Wisconsin VFW WebCom Network. Find our link under State/Department Links, or go directly to: http://www. vfwwebcom.org/wi/vso . You’ll find this story and others like it, including newsletters and information from various County Veterans Service offices throughout the state. City of Milwaukee Post loses Court Battle The City of Milwaukee Post 2874, chartered in 1933, has had an eight-year battle with the Redevelopment Authority of Milwaukee over the fate of their interest in a building that was demolished to make way for downtown development. The former hotel, in which the Post had a 99-year lease, has since been demolished and the site sits vacant and unused to date. In 2001, the Redevelopment Authority paid the Post $300,000 for their leasehold interest in the property. The Post received the money, but sued over the amount, arguing that their true financial interest was 1.2 million dollars. A Milwaukee County Circuit Court ruling said the Post’s property value was zero. Appealing the verdict, the Post won a victory when the 1st District Court of Appeals overturned the prior decision. Now it was the city’s turn to appeal. They took the case to the State Supreme Court, which ruled 4-3 that the jury used the proper method to arrive at its verdict, which was based on testimony from appraisers. As a result of the Supreme Court decision, the Post must now return the $300,000 originally paid to them, plus approximately $90,000 interest. The Post’s attorney, Hugh Braun, is quoted as calling the defeat “a crushing blow” to the Post. In a statement to the Wisconsin VFW News, Post 2874 Commander Bob Drakos says, “The officers and Members of Post 2874 wish to thank all the members and (Department of Wisconsin) State officers who gave their (moral) support to us throughout the years we were in a battle in the court system versus the City of Milwaukee.” Drakos goes on to say, “City of Milwaukee Post 2874 received their charter on August 25, 1933. (The Post was) started by World War I Veterans. on october 19, 2008, we celebrated the “Diamond Jubilee” at which time members, officers, friends and state officers, past and present, were in attendance. We are down, but not out! We will continue forward.” Become a Part of the ‘wisconsin 100’ We are looking for 100 energetic and aggressive members to become State Certified Recruiters. Training will be provided by our Certified National Recruiters in all areas of the State. We will also need Posts to offer space in all Districts and provide coffee. (Tea, hot chocolate and doughnuts, coffee cakes, or the like.) If you would like to provide a lunch for a nominal fee, that is ok too! The training will take the better part of a day to include physical recruiting. Each newly trained recruiter will get a recruiters kit and may purchase a name tag and cap (unless we can spring for those out of the membership budget). The State Recruiter expectation will always be half of the recruiting expectations of the National Recruiters. Excelling those standards is always WAY ok! We never expect you to take this on as a full-time job, but do expect you to put forth good effort to gain membership numbers in the state. Special Awards programs will be adopted for this new select group. Sign-up Forms are available here or you can go to the WebCom Forms and send your completed form to chiefofstaff@wi.vfwwebmail.com. guerrero out as VFw Vso It was announced on September 1st that Lee Guerrero is no longer head of our Wisconsin VFW Veterans Service office. A new Wisconsin Veterans Service officer will be named in the future. In the meantime, no interruption in service to Veterans is expected. karen Janezic, who was slated to retire this month, remains available to assist with casework, as are longtime Staffer Susie Eulo and newly-appointed Assistant VSo, Dave Goeldner. State Adjutant/QM Steve Lawrence will assume direct responsibility for day-to-day oversight of VSo operations. “VfW WIscoNsIN 100” certified state recruiter application NAME: _____________________________________________________________________ DISTRICT: __________ PoST: ______________________________________________________________________ CITY/ToWN: ________________________________________________________________ MILEAGE I AM WILLING To DRIVE FoR RECRUITING: ____________________ I understand I must attend training to become a Certified State Recruiter. I understand I am not required to exceed the mileage limitations I have requested to recruit unless I offer. I understand I will be reimbursed mileage for all recruiting events I conduct. I understand I will have an expectation in numbers recruited annually. I understand I may resign this position if life events prove to inhibit my abilities to adequately recruit for the state. I understand I may be removed from State Recruiter status if I fail to show efforts in recruiting. I understand I will work under the direction of my assigned National recruiter and in concert with my District Commander. ___________________________________________________________________________ (Sign here) denmark ‘safety Break’ Holiday travelers along I-43 in eastern Wisconsin can enjoy the hospitality of Denmark VFW Post and Auxiliary 6705 at a “Safety Break” rest stop. The coffee and cookie break is conducted for two days at the start and end of the travel associated with Memorial Day; 4th of July; Labor Day and the Deer Hunting Season. Shown here at one of the 4th of July shifts are Auxiliary 6705 member Christine Schoen and Post 6705 member Curtis “Butch” Schoen. Great idea, Denmark! MoC TesTiMonial Wisconsin Veterans of Foreign Wars News Page 15 SePtember 2009 eagle river Vet Honored for wwii service Harold L. Madsen of Eagle River VFW Post 8637 is a highly decorated World War II veteran, receiving among other awards, the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star. Last month, however, he received perhaps his greatest honor, the Chevalier (or knight) of the Legion of Honor from the French Republic, for his contribution to the liberation of France during World War II. Vilas County Veterans Service officer Scott Jensen and 34th District State Rep. Dan Meyer presented the award to Madsen on behalf of the Consul General of France in Chicago, Ill., Jean-Baptiste de Boisiere. The award was presented during a ceremony at Eagle River Inn & Resort with fellow veterans, friends and family members in attendance. “I have met many of the veterans living in this area, some of which have amazing service records and stories to tell,” said Jim Lynn, Vilas County American Legion Commander. “Harold Madsen is one of them. I am proud to say that before us today is a true member of America’s ‘greatest generation.’ ” CVSo Jensen told the audience that the Legion of Honor is the highest decoration in France. Madsen joins such notables as Generals Dwight Eisenhower and Douglas MacArthur, and the last surviving American World War I Veteran, Frank Buckles. “I was surprised the French government awarded me with this medal. I don’t know how I deserved it more than some of my buddies who fought with me freeing France,” said Madsen. “We never thought about it when we were fighting. We just Being a young recruit, Madsen was volunteered to be the “packhorse” for the older members of his squad. “Thus many of us younger ones had to help carry their hand grenades, mortar shells and even their weapons at times while on the attack,” said Madsen. “It was tough going, but we all had to work together as a team, or all would be killed.” Toward the end of the battle, the work overload and exposure landed Madsen in a field hospital where they performed surgery to repair his injuries and began treatment for his frostbitten feet. In the hospital, Madsen had to convince the doctors not to amputate his feet. A specialist was brought in from England and managed to save both feet with medication and by carving away the damaged tissue. Declining an offer to return to the states, Madsen insisted on rejoining his unit now striking into the heart of Germany and, on VE Day (Victory in Europe Day May 8, 1945) the 87th was in Falkenstein, Germany, on the Czech border. Ten days later, Madsen’s unit, under Gen. Patton’s orders, found itself 10 miles inside Czechoslovakia confronting a Russian Army unit. After the surrender of the German forces in Europe, Madsen and other heroic troops returned to the States aboard the USS America, where they were part of a joyous parade in New York City. After a 30-day leave, he went to Fort Devon, Mass., where his unit was mustered to await orders for the invasion of Japan. Harold and his future wife, Marilyn, met in 1945 while roller-skating near Fort Devon. After discharge from the Army, Harold and Marilyn moved to Dalton, Ill., where he built his own home and worked at Republic Steel as a rigger. Retiring to Eagle River in 1988, Harold used his skills and industriousness to help build the Prince of Peace Lutheran Church. He also helped start the Disabled American Veterans, Chapter 56, in Eagle River, serving as Commander. Madsen is also a Life Member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8637 and American Legion Post 114, both in Eagle River. CREDITS: Adapted from an original article by Gary Ridderbusch, published in the Vilas County News-Review. Photo by News-Review Staff. From left: State Rep. Dan Meyer; Harold L. Madsen, Legion of Honor Award Recipient; American Legion Commander Jim Lynn; Marilyn Madsen, wife and Life Member of Ladies Auxiliary VFW 8637; and Vilas County Veterans Service Officer Scott Jensen. wanted to free France from Germany and that’s what we did.” Born oct. 10, 1925, in Chicago, Madsen enlisted into the Army after graduating from high school and found himself as an infantryman scout and sniper in Company E, 347th Regiment of the 87th Infantry Division (The Golden Acorns), which was part of Gen. Patton’s Third Army at Metz, France, in 1944-45. The 87th joined the fighting on the Saar border of Germany just days before the Battle of the Bulge began in December 1944. In rapid succession, the 87th captured and liberated city after city. Historians say the winter of 1944 was one of the severest winters in Europe during the last century. Madsen and the rest of the 87th, numbering more than 300 soldiers, fought in the open with little or no shelter, with temperatures down to 30 degrees below zero and 2 feet of snow. “We ran out of frozen rations and had to eat frozen apples and potatoes from bombed-out farms and house cellars,” recalled Madsen. on Dec. 23, 1944, Madsen’s unit was part of the Third Army’s quick, massive and remarkable move from the German border around to the Belgium Ardennes to cut off and counterattack the German advance toward the port of Antwerp in Belgium. For this action, the 87th Division was awarded the Croix de Guerre (Cross of War) by Prince Charles of Belgium. secretary shinseki Moves to simplify PTsd Compensation rules WASHINGToN – Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric k. Shinseki announced the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is taking steps to assist Veterans seeking compensation for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). “The hidden wounds of war are being addressed vigorously and comprehensively by this administration as we move VA forward in its transformation to the 21st century,” said Secretary Shinseki. The VA is publishing a proposed regulation today in the Federal Register to make it easier for a Veteran to claim service connection for PTSD by reducing the evidence needed if the stressor claimed by a Veteran is related to fear of hostile military or terrorist activity. Comments on the proposed rule will be accepted over the next 60 days. A final regulation will be published after consideration of all comments received. Under the new rule, VA would not require corroboration of a stressor related to fear of hostile military or terrorist activity if a VA psychiatrist or psychologist confirms that the stressful experience recalled by a Veteran adequately supports a diagnosis of PTSD and the Veteran’s symptoms are related to the claimed stressor. Previously, claims adjudicators were required to corroborate that a non-combat Veteran actually experienced a stressor related to hostile military activity. This rule would simplify the development that is required for these cases. PTSD is a recognized anxiety disorder that can follow seeing or experiencing an event that involves actual or threatened death or serious injury to which a person responds with intense fear, helplessness or horror, and is not uncommon in war. Feelings of fear, confusion or anger often subside, but if the feelings don’t go away or get worse, a Veteran may have PTSD. VA is bolstering its mental health capacity to serve combat Veterans, adding thousands of new professionals to its rolls in the last four years. The Department also has established a suicide prevention helpline (1-800-273TALk) and Web site available for online chat in the evenings at www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/Veterans. Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States Happy Birthday! September 29, 1899 and Ladies auxiliary to Post 1621 vFW Club house, 1015 Center ave., Janesville, Wisconsin save the date! 80th anniversary - January 16, 2010 The Ladies Auxiliary VFW September 17, 1914 Page 16 SePtember 2009 Wisconsin Veterans of Foreign Wars News Fair reCruiTing district 11 national Council Member larry larson to attend state Commander’s Testimonial The National Representative attending Commander Wilfred Johnson’s Testimonial Banquet in october will be VFW National Council Representative Larry Larson, of the Department of Iowa. Larson was elected to a two-year term on the VFW’s National Council of Administration in 2009 representing District 11, comprised of two Departments, Iowa and Wisconsin. Larson served with the U.S. Navy from 1964-68, earning his VFW eligibility in Vietnam. His decorations include the National Defense Service Medal, Expeditionary Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with 2 Bronze Stars, Navy/ USCG Commendation Ribbon, Meritorious Unit Commendation Ribbon, and Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with Device. In 1981, Larson joined the VFW as a life member at Post 839, Marshalltown, Iowa. He has served the VFW as an all-state Post commander, District officer, National Aide-de-Camp, and All-American Department (state) commander. Council member Larson attended junior college as well Veterans ride made a difference NEW LoNDoN - Louis Van Eperen, Past Post Commander of District 8 and chairman of the “Adopt A Unit” project, recently came to New London to collect a check from Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2732 in the amount of $2,200. Their first ever Veterans Ride held on June 13 yielded a nice amount of money to be spent on overseas troop support and for families of soldiers who are in financial need from the 2/127 infantry out of Appleton. “We were so happy with this first-time showing of support for this cause,” said Rob Linberg, VFW Post 2732 commander. “It was a great effort by a group of individuals who really have their hearts set on helping our military personnel.” “It didn’t hurt that it was a beautiful day to ride,” commented Mike Schewe, who rode the 150-mile circuit with 120 other bikers. They rode from New London to Saxville, Iola, Shiocton and back to New London for lunch with Maddog and Merrill and later, music by Dr. Dobe until midnight. “It was fun for everyone who worked it and for everyone who participated. We hope we’ll see VFW 11th District National Council Representative Larry Larson. as “A” school at Great Lakes Navel Training Center. After “A” school, he was assigned to the USS Towers DDG 9 as a machinist mate, and advanced to the rank of Petty officer 3rd Class. He is a member of the American Legion, Disabled American Veterans, Vietnam Veterans of America, AMVETS, and the VFW National Home for Children. He and his wife, Cheryl, currently reside in Marshalltown, Iowa. Veterans Ride core volunteers (left to right) BACK ROW - Tara Nabbefeld, Michelle Linberg, Post Commander Rob Linberg, Ride Coordinator Mike Schewe, Andy Brigham, Louis Van Eperen, Becky Fietzer and Bernie Ritchie Jr. In front - McKenna and Emily hold a sign that all the riders signed the day of the event to thank the infantry and their families for their sacrifices. more bikers out next year as we make this event one to look forward to each year,” explains Linberg. Michelle Linberg noted that a drop box for non-perishable food items and personal hygiene products is situated at the VFW bar for anyone wishing to donate to troop support. Credits: Story & Photo Courtesy of the New London PressStar (Now the County Post East) stratford Post expands Facility Past 6th District Commander Jim Romnek mans the recruiting booth at the Winnebago County Fair. The Neenah-Menasha and Oshkosh Posts joint-ventured. Romnek reports that the results weren’t as good as they had hoped, but the exposure may have long-term benefits. 2 new members were recruited. September 2nd marked the groundbreaking for an 800-square-foot addition to the Post Home of Stratford Memorial Post 6352. Shown here are State Commander “Twiggy” Johnson and State Auxiliary President Linda Moran as they join Post Officers and other dignitaries in turning the first spades of earth to officially launch the project. When completed, the addition will provide the Post with a larger kitchen, handicap restrooms, an improved furnace room, more storage and an additional meeting room. The groundbreaking was marked with a brief ceremony and remarks by invited guests. Post Commander Norbert Lee is second from the right. Also pitching in to help get things moving is the Post’s banker, Ollie Knoll, (far left) of Stratford State Bank. The Post enjoys broad community support as a result of their many civic and community activities in Stratford. Shmitt-Manecke-Donner Post 1638 (Merrill) and its Auxiliary gave out prizes and brought in members at the Lincoln County Fair. Shown here are Ladies Membership Chairman Shirley Sabatke and her husband, Clifford, a Post Life Member. state/County Fair recruiting Produces results In an effort to spur Membership Recruitment across the Department, State Chief of Staff Arlene Banks offered Posts financial support for recruiting booths at state and county fairs. A number of Posts took advantage of the opportunity, some with very good results. overall, the venues did produce favorable results. The opportunity to meet and greet visitors to the Fairs was invaluable. Many Vets stopped by with questions about benefits and other veterans’ issues. Chief of Staff Banks will have a detailed report at Mid-Winter. West Bend Post 1393 Commander John Kleinmaus and his wife, Donna, pose in the Post’s booth at the Washington County Fair. During the fair the post successfully recruited 7 new members. One of the project’s volunteers points to a portion of the new designs. Work is expected to be completed in a matter of weeks. Melissa Ploeckelman, 2009 Wisconsin “Fairest of the Fairs,” paid a visit to the Mueller-Hintz Post 1866 booth at the Central Wisconsin State Fair in Marshfield over the Labor Day Weekend. She is speaking with Post Adjutant Duane Wintrone and Auxiliary Member (PDP) Marla Morgan. At press time, half-way through the fair, Marshfield had signed up 7 new members and sold a significant number of State Raffle Tickets. Oshkosh Post 1908 Tom Skaug (foreground) and Post Service Officer Dale Holtz pay close attention as a visitor to their Winnebago County Fair booth asks a question about Veterans services. During the fair, Oshkosh made many new friends and gained 4 new members and a transfer. VFw giFT Cards Do you go grocery shopping every week? Do you get gas for your vehicle every week? Do you go out to eat? Usually we pay by check, cash, or credit/debit card. There is another way that you can pay and that is by getting gift cards. The VFW Gift Card Store program allows our members, family members and VFW supporters to raise money for our State and Post simply by buying items we use every day. To raise money, just purchase gift cards through their website or over the phone and instead of using cash, use the gift cards. Each gift card purchased through the VFW Gift Card Store earns a donation to your VFW Post. When a gift card is purchased through this program the merchant that issues the gift cards provides a donation. • VFW Gift Card Store gift cards are the same as those sold in stores, except each card purchased earns a donation • Gift cards are sold at face value • There are no hidden fees • All purchases are made via check or electronic check withdrawal. (Bank account information is not retained as part of the security measures). • All orders are delivered directly to the purchaser’s home within 7-10 days. of the total dollars raised through purchase of gift cards, 50% will go to the individual Post that you designate and 50% will go to Department of Wisconsin. Personally, I have purchased Copps Wisconsin Veterans of Foreign Wars News Page 17 SePtember 2009 Take advantage of the VFw gift Card store Program HoW To order There are five easy ways to order gift cards through the VFW Gift Card Store. • online www.vfwgiftcards.com 800-514-1891 Monday thru Friday 8:30 – 4:00 CST • Phone • Fax 608-821-1025 • Mail P o Box 628458, Middleton, WI 53562 • Auto-order Recurring monthly order option. (Pick n Save), WalMart, and kwik Trip gift cards among others. I go on line and looked through their selection of businesses (and they have too many to list) who are participating. I have had no trouble using any gift cards I have purchased. There are no additional charges. I was charged the value of the gift card. How much the Post receives depends on the gift cards you purchase. Donations are based on percentages and they range anywhere from 1% to 15% of the value of the gift card. Both Copps and kwik Trip $100 gift cards amount to a $3.00 donation as they donate 3%. This may not seem like a lot. But stop and think if you spend $100 a week or more for a family on groceries and multiply that by 52 weeks, through your purchase the VFW would receive $156.00 per year. If every member did this, just think about how much money we can raise. The VFW Gift Card Store sells gift cards for athletics/sports stores, gas stations, grocery stores, home improvement stores, office stores, pharmacy, restaurants, retail stores, toy stores, entertainment (such as movie theaters), some hotels. As you can see, they have a variety to choose from. Another method that has been tried is to have the Post distribute an order form with the common gift card listed and have members order just like Girl Scout cookies and then collect the money and distribute the gift cards at the next meeting. At the State Convention, I distributed lots of these order forms that you can use to take orders for gift cards from your members at your monthly meetings. Then call the order in and explain you did it on a meeting night and will not collect until the next meeting. They will then expect payment for the cards after your next meeting. once your members get use to it, then maybe they will order direct or pay in advance for the cards. We are getting more Posts to participate, thus money to your Post and also to Department of Wisconsin VFW. My VFW Post 10549 has received almost $200 from the program in less than one year in the program. We now use the order form to let members order gift cards at the Post meeting and then get the card and pay for it at the next Post meeting. I think our Post will exceed $300 from the program next year, and our Post is only 120 members and we have only 5 members participating. Remember, non-members can also participate. Look them up on the web. If you do not have a computer, call them and they will send you an order form and a list of businesses to choose from. See attached for the order form distributed at State Convention. If you have any questions on the program, please call me: William Hustad VFW Gift Card Program 608-527-2942 Wfhus1@tds.net VFW POST Gift Card Order Form Gr oc ery Wo od ma Wo ns od $5 0 ma Co ns pp $1 s/P 00 ick Co Ns pp s/P av e$ ick Cu 50 nS bF av oo e$ ds Cu $5 10 bF 0 0 Co oods nv $1 en ie n 0 0 BP ce /Fu $5 0 el Ex xo n /M ob Kw il $ ik T 50 rip Kw $2 ik T 5 rip Kw $5 ik T 0 rip Sto $1 00 p-n -G o$ Sto 25 p-n -G o$ PD 50 Q $2 5 PD Q $5 0 PD Q $1 De 00 pa rtm en Ko tS hl's tor $2 es Ko 5 hl's $5 Sh 0 op ko $2 Sh 5 op ko $5 Ta 0 rge t$ 25 Ta rge t$ 10 JC 0 Pe nn ey JC $2 Pe 5 nn ey Se $1 ars 0 $2 5 Wa l-M art Wa $2 5 l-M ar Ho m e t $10 0 Im pro Ho ve me me De nt Lo po we t$ 10 s$ 0 1 Ac e H 00 ard Me wa re na $2 Sp rds $ 5 ort 10 0 ing Go Ga od nd s er Mt Dic n. k's $2 5 Sp Ca ort ing be la's Go Ba $2 od 5 s$ ss Pro 25 Sh op $2 5 Member Name QTY. - QTY. - QTY. - QTY. - QTY. - QTY. - QTY. - QTY. - QTY. - QTY. - QTY. - QTY. - QTY. - QTY. - QTY. - QTY. - QTY. - QTY. - QTY. - QTY. - QTY. - QTY. - QTY. - QTY. - QTY. - QTY. - QTY. - QTY. - QTY. - QTY. - QTY. - QTY. - QTY. - QTY. - QTY. - Total Gross-Yaksh Post 6498 Home Post of Commander-in-Chief Tommy “T” Tradewell SupportS the VFW NeWS The Albert H. Groska Past “All-State” Junker-Ball VfW Post 1865 and ladies auxiliary PuBlIc Bar oPeNs 9 a.M. 7 days a Week Visit us at 6618 39th Avenue kenosha, WI Check our web site! www.vfw1865.org • Daily Food Specials • 2 Halls for Rent • Complete Catering VfW Post 7232 eau claire’s “other Post” 2 Blocks west on Folsom St. off North Clairmont Ave. Bar Open to the Public Hall Rental Available 4/08 PeWaukee MeMorIal PosT 9537 Meetings on the 3rd Wed. of the Month Post is open 4 til 8 p.m., Mon.-Fri. HoMe of THe sTaTe HoNor guard The greatest little post in the state 1/08 VFW Post 8320 Phone: 262-652-2751 8/08 The Wisconsin VFW News salutes these local Wisconsin Posts and thanks them for their patronage! Page 18 SePtember 2009 Wisconsin Veterans of Foreign Wars News Blue sTar Flag events at lambeau Field will Honor, welcome Home wisconsin’s Vietnam war Veterans A wide-reaching statewide effort to honor Wisconsin Vietnam War Veterans will culminate in a weekend of recognition and celebration of their service and sacrifice for veterans and their families. The May 21-23, 2010 events – lZ lambeau: Welcoming Home Wisconsin’s Vietnam Veterans – will feature a special evening celebration inside Green Bay’s Lambeau Field that will honor and thank Wisconsin’s Vietnam Veterans, while offering a warm welcome home that many never received. “on behalf of the State of Wisconsin, I am proud to invite Wisconsin’s Vietnam Veterans, Vietnam Era Veterans and their families to an important celebration at Lambeau Field in May 2010,” Gov. Jim Doyle wrote in a welcoming letter. “We owe our nation’s veterans – and those who are serving in Iraq, Afghanistan, and other parts of the world today – a debt of gratitude that cannot be repaid. But what we can do is keep the promises we made to them and always honor their service and sacrifice. lZ lambeau: Welcoming Home Wisconsin’s Vietnam Veterans will serve as a fitting tribute to Wisconsin’s brave men and women who sacrificed greatly in service to our country. The ceremony will honor those who were killed in action and those still missing and listed as unaccounted for from the Vietnam War.” Named for the Landing Zones that Vietnam Veterans were often deployed to and inspired by the interviews with Vietnam veterans from the forthcoming Wisconsin Vietnam War Stories documentary project, LZ Lambeau is a partnership of The Wisconsin department of Veterans affairs, the Wisconsin Historical society and Wisconsin Public Television, along with an extensive group of veterans organizations a centralized project Web site, a traveling gallery portrait exhibit, a school curriculum and veteran listening sessions coordinated by the Wisconsin Veterans Museum. Similar in format to the awardwinning Wisconsin World War II stories and Wisconsin korean War stories, the Wisconsin Vietnam War stories documentary and book will allow Wisconsin veterans to tell their stories in their own words, sharing experiences and memories from the war and their return home. Initial major funding for Wisconsin Vietnam War stories and lZ lambeau has been provided by Don and Roxanne Weber of La Crosse, Associated Bank, Wisconsin Public Service, oneida Nation, and Ron and Colleen Weyer. Funding for expanding the programming and educational components of lZ lambeau and Wisconsin Vietnam War stories continues. Individual and corporate contributions are welcome. To learn more about the weekend, to sign up for regular updates and for information about LZ Lambeau, visit LZLambeau.org. The complete updated LZ Lambeau schedule of events is also listed on your VFW WebCOM Department Calendar. (Find it through the Department Links – Department Calendar, or click on the short calendar on the front page, and go to May 20, 2010.) In planning for Wisconsin Vietnam War stories, project partners have worked with an advisory board with representatives from many veterans’ organizations. Members of that committee include the Vietnam Veterans of AmericaWisconsin State Council; County Veterans Service officers Association of Wisconsin; Disabled American Veterans, Department of Wisconsin; Wisconsin Department of Military Affairs; Being ThereReaching out Inc. For the Wisconsin Families of our Fallen Military; Veterans of Foreign Wars Department of Wisconsin; American Legion Department of Wisconsin; the Military order of the Purple Heart; Wisconsin Gold Star Families; Thuy Smith International outreach Inc.; Veterans of the Menominee Nation, and the Stockbridge-Munsee Mohican Nation; The Hmong Veterans of Wisconsin; AMVETS and the Patriot Guard Riders. statewide. The Saturday, May 22, 2010 evening event in Lambeau Field will feature special speakers, recognition, music and premiere segments from the Wisconsin Vietnam War stories documentary. other events planned for the weekend include the presence of the Vietnam Moving Wall™, opportunities for veterans to reunite with their fellow service men and women, a new original exhibit featuring artifacts, photographs, and other items from the vast Vietnam War collection of the Wisconsin Veterans Museum and educational exhibits from the Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs, a book signing of the Wisconsin Historical Society Press Wisconsin Vietnam War stories book with co-authors Sarah A. Larsen and Jennifer M. Miller, Vietnam-era military vehicle displays, tailgating and fellowship opportunities and more. Plans also include a cross-state motorcycle ride from La Crosse to Green Bay prior to the weekend events. other aspects of the yearlong Wisconsin Vietnam War stories project include a companion book to the documentary published by the Wisconsin Historical Society, Television Documentary Profiles Wisconsin Veterans and Their Stories Program and statewide community engagement activities planned Telling emotional stories that haven’t been heard before, Wisconsin Vietnam War veterans recount their experiences in a three-hour television documentary coming to Wisconsin Public Television in Spring 2010. Wisconsin Vietnam War stories will feature dozens of veterans from all regions of Wisconsin who reflect on their memories of the Vietnam War and their experiences during and after the war. More than 100 Wisconsin veterans from all branches of service have been interviewed by Producer Mik Derks for the programs, sharing moving stories of triumph and loss in the field of duty, brotherhood and companionship in the ranks, and a welcome homecoming they never received after sacrificing nearly everything on the battlefield. Archival video, historical photography and maps evoke the stark imagery of the war alongside the veterans’ stories. The project also includes an ongoing series of statewide community engagement events that will include screenings and discussions in libraries and community centers. A travelling portrait exhibit also will visit communities throughout Wisconsin starting in early 2010. An extensive in-school curriculum has been developed that will aid teachers throughout Wisconsin in presenting the state’s connection to the war to students in middle and high school history classes. In addition to the television documentary, all of the veterans’ interviews will be archived for posterity with the Wisconsin Veterans Museum, ensuring that the lasting stories from the Vietnam War will be available for future generations. More information about the project and advance sneak preview clips from the program are available at WisconsinStories.org. Wisconsin Vietnam War stories is produced by a partnership of Wisconsin Public Television, the Wisconsin Historical Society and the Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs. Initial major funding for Wisconsin Vietnam War stories and LZ Lambeau has been provided by Don and Roxanne Weber of La Crosse, Associated Bank, Wisconsin Public Service, oneida Nation, and Ron and Colleen Weyer. The Blue star Flag: a symbol of service and Pride The once-prominent Blue Star Flag that hung in windows in wartime is making a comeback. The tradition originated with WWI. Also known as a Service Flag, the blue stands for hope and pride. In 1917, the Congressional Record stated: “The world should know of those who give so much for liberty. The dearest thing in all the world to a father and mother---their children.” VFW Post 388, Wausau, Commander Bill Tomcek presented a Blue Star Flag to Sara and Keith Lewitzke, parents of PFC Kevin Lewitzke, redeployed to Iraq with the 1st Cavalry’s 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team. Kevin is a member of Post 388 and is scheduled to return to the United States in December. The Lewitzkes will display the flag until their son’s safe return. Mary Ann Trantow, Town of Hewitt, was presented with a Blue Star Flag by VFW Post 388 Commander Bill Tomcek in honor of her son, Specialist Joel Trantow. Joel is a VFW member redeployed to Iraq with the 32nd Brigade Joint Area Support Group. Mrs. Trantow will display the flag until her son’s safe return. JoinT TesTiMonial sePTeMBer 13 District 6 Fall Meeting - Ripon (5278) 19 Ladies Aux. Secretary-Treasurer Workshop 10 - Noon 20 District 1 Fall Meeting - kenosha (1865) District 7 Fall Meeting 12 p.m. - 4 p.m. 26 District 8 Fall Meeting - Denmark (6705) District 9 Fall Meeting - New Richmond (10818) District 10 Fall Meeting 12:00 p.m. - 10 p.m. District 2 Fall Meeting - oconomowoc (2260) 27 District 3 Fall Meeting - Arena (9336) Wisconsin Veterans of Foreign Wars News Page 19 SePtember 2009 District 4 Fall Meeting - Post 6469 (Milwaukee) District 5 Fall Meeting Hart Park (6498) District 10 Fall Meetings 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. ocToBer District 11 Fall Meeting - Hillpoint (3434) 3 Ladies Aux. Secretary-Treasurer Workshop 10 - Noon 9-10 VFW Commander & LAVFW President Testimonial 10 Ladies Auxiliary Fall Council Meeting 10 - Noon 11-13 Auxiliary National President’s Visit 16-17 Big 10 Conference - omaha, NE 23-25 VFW National Home Halloween Party 24 Ladies Aux. Secretary-Treasurer Workshop 10 - Noon 31 September Audit Due NoVeMBer 1 VoD/Patriot’s Pen/Teacher of the Year deadline JaNuary 30 December Audit Due feBruary 5-6 VFW & Ladies Auxiliary Mid-Winter Conference There continues to be great excitement throughout the Department of Wisconsin over our new Commander-in-Chief, Tommy T. Tradewell, and with good reason. Tommy is going to do a great job for the VFW and bring honor to our Department. Way to go, Tom! When you think about it, Tommy hales from a pretty darned good VFW Department. We have many outstanding volunteers working with lawmakers and the Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs to help preserve and protect Wisconsin’s Veterans Trust Fund, and to see to it that Wisconsin stays in the vanguard of Veterans benefits. But sometimes, at the Post level, we lose sight of the greater purpose and effectiveness of our organization. our strength comes from our members, and what you do locally impacts on the willingness and strength of support from non-veterans when we need it most. How you are seen translates directly to how the VFW is seen. Something that has been very enlightening for me over the years has been participating in District, State, Conference and National events. As you participate, you find that your circle of Comrades grows ever wider. This leads to an exchange of ideas, great and small, that cumulatively contribute to making us stronger and more effective. It is sad to hear some grumblers fall into the “them and us” trap. “Those guys at state don’t care about us at the Post.”, or “National thinks we’re made of money.” That trap is available at every level. For example, if you never, or seldom, attend a Post meeting, your voice is not going to be heard where it should be. NOTES FROM Joint Testimonial honoring The Editor’s Corner State VFW Commander Wilfred “Twiggy” Johnson and That, in itself, is a shame. But if you compound it by going to the coffee shop and sitting down with your buddies and griping about what “the Post” is doing, or not doing, you are dividing your organization, not helping it grow and accomplish. or how about this: Ever see someone sit through a meeting, say nothing, and then adjourn to “the bar” afterwards and become a motor-mouth with opinions and complaints about everything that just transpired? Moving on up the line, if Post officers don’t bother attending District meetings, where do they figure they earned a right to complain about “lack of information” on programs, budgets and all such things? our Jr. Vice Commander, Larry kutschma, makes a valid point when he talks about getting “out of the stands and onto the field” to really participate in the game of life. It’s a great point, and goes to the heart of what I’m saying: When you “get in the game,” you learn to really love the game. You find out that you have something to contribute and simultaneously, many things to learn. So take part and pursue our organizational goals. Don’t let your Post become nothing but a tavern with flags. Participate at District, State and higher levels. Get active. Get out of your rut. Get more out of the VFW by putting more of YoU into it. Department Auxiliary President Linda Moran OCTOBeR 9-10, 2009 Fox Hills Resort • 250 W. Church St., Mishicot, Wisconsin Call the Resort directly at (920) 755-2376 or (800) 950-7615 to reserve sleeping rooms CUTOFF DATE FOR MEALS AND EVENTS ExTENDED TO: THURSDAY, OCTOBeR 1, 2009 Don’t Delay - This is your LAST Chance! Schedule of Events: FRIDAY EVENING FISH FRY Pay at restaurant, just indicate here ______ how many are interested so that enough staffing is provided. October 9 - $11.95 per person Saturday, October 10 - 9:00 am • Modified Shotgun Start • Prizes COST: $30 per golfer - 18 holes with cart All golfers welcome! Money refunded if inclement weather. NUMBER OF GOLF PARTICIPANTS: _________ @ $30 = ______________ BEST BALL GOLF TOURNAMENT LADIES AUxILIARY COUNCIL OF ADMINISTRATION MEETING Saturday, October 10 – 10:00 am (No VFW meeting held) TROUT SPRINGS WINERY TOUR Saturday, October 10 – 1-4 pm COST: $10 per person; LIMITED TO ONLY 36 PEOPLE! Get your reservation in early to secure your place! NUMBER OF TOUR PARTICIPANTS: _________ @ $10 = ______________ Vietnam Veteran in waupun ‘ride-of-Pride’ Parade SATURDAY EVENING BANqUET - $25 per person, choices below Menu Selection Chicken Saltimbocca 6oz sauteed breast of chicken topped with prosciutto ham, mushrooms & mozzarella cheese Quantity _____________ @ $25 ea. _____________ Grilled Sirloin 8oz topped w/onion strings _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ Atlantic Salmon WAUPUN Vietnam Veteran Wally Riel Jr., a member of the “Kingdom Ryders” and Sr. Vice Commander of Bentley-Hull VFW Post 6709 rides his 2008 “Road Glide” Harley-Davidson motorcycle in the “Ride-of-Pride” motorcycle parade that preceded the 20th annual Waupun Truck-N-Show parade on Saturday afternoon, August 8th. All proceeds of the bikers registration fees were sent to the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Wisconsin. broiled & topped w/mustard-dill cream sauce TOTALS OF ALL EVENTS & BANqUET _____________ Name ________________________________ Phone ___________________ Make Check payable to: VFW Post 2113 De Pere Send to: Linda Moran, 1225 Suburban Dr., DePere, WI 54115 Questions? Call: (920) 337-9922 Page 20 SePtember 2009 Wisconsin Veterans of Foreign Wars News naTional ConVenTion Upon nomination to high office, candidates are traditionally marched around the hall in celebration. Here, Tommy Tradewell and his wife, Sharon, are escorted by the Wisconsin State Honor Guard. A veteran member of the Honor Guard, Tommy had no problem keeping in step, (although it appears DJ Schultz might be giving a little guidance?) Tommy Tradewell and his Sr. and Jr. Vice Commanders are ushered back to the stage by the National Sergeants at Arms after presenting caps to National Council Members. At the stage entrance, they are saluted by the Wisconsin State Honor Guard. Department Jr. Vice Commander Larry Kutschma and his wife, Lilly, joined many other Wisconsin Delegates in enjoying the Patriotic Rally. Michele Lee’s beautiful Buddy Poppy Display took 1st Place in Category 2 at the 110th National Convention. Michele is a member of the Pewaukee Post Ladies Auxiliary. In what has become an annual tradition, over 100 new Army recruits took their oath of office in front of the assembled delegates during the Patriotic Rally on Tuesday evening. Veterans in the audience loudly joined in repeating the oath along with the recruits. As they marched out, someone was heard to say, with a twinkle in his eye, “I bet there’s gonna be some different haircuts for some of ‘em!” Past Commander-In-Chief Wally Hogan delivers his nominating speech for Tommy “T” Tradewell. State Commander Wilfred “Twiggy” Johnson presents the seconding speech on behalf of Tommy T’s nomination. At the outset of the Convention, Tommy and his entourage visited all the Conference Caucuses. Here they are leaving the Southern Conference meeting. Tommy is accompanied by Earl Banks Jr., his National Chief of Staff and a Past National Council Member, and Wilfred Johnson, Wisconsin State Commander among other notables. 2008-09 Dept. President Marla J. Morgan (L) and Dept. Hospital Chairman Karen Johnson pose with Karen’s Runner-Up – Outstanding Hospital Chairman Award. “Nurse Frazzle” conveyed her congratulations as well. “From this podium you’ve heard today from a Commanding General, a highly decorated war hero, the President of the United States… and now, from a guy who sells burgers and fries!” With that self-deprecating opening remark, Mike DeRosa got a big laugh from the assembled delegates at the VFW 110th Convention. But he also brought the assemblage to its feet with his promise to do even more than he has so far on behalf of the VFW Unmet Needs Programs. DeRosa, a Burger King Franchisee with stores throughout west-central Wisconsin, got so taken with a request from the VFW 9th District for “a little help” with their programs that he wound up making a pitch to his fellow BK Franchisees throughout the Midwest that generated $250,000 for the National VFW Military Services Program. And his generosity doesn’t stop with his checkbook: DeRosa was on the serving lines helping out at the Great Fort McCoy Picnic last year, and donated food and beverages for the event, even cajoling suppliers into helping as well. For his dedication and hard work, he was awarded a Commander’s Gold Medallion. Although not a Veteran himself, Mike DeRosa is truly a Grateful Citizen who greatly appreciates the service and sacrifice of all Veterans. He is committed to pushing the entire Burger King system to get fully behind this program and go well beyond the original gift. Mike DeRosa is a true friend of Veterans and the VFW, and a proud symbol of patriotism from right here in Wisconsin. Thank you, Mike! Past State Commander Gary Erickson congratulates his Iowa counterpart, Larry Larson, who also took All-American honors. Additionally, Larson was later sworn in as District 11 (IA/WI) National Council Member, succeeding Earl Banks, Jr., who will serve this year as National Chief of Staff for Tommy Tradewell. 2008-09 Department Historian Jean Hoium displays her “Our Dreams Become Rainbows” plate for Outstanding Achievement in Membership Group VIII. Department Chaplain Madge B. Murphy (L) and Dept. Sr. Vice President Sharon Oliver (R) escorted Dept. President Linda Moran during the Auxiliary Flag Presentation. 2008-09 State Commander Gary erickson receives his Certificate of Commendation as an All American Department Commander from outgoing National Commander-inChief Glen Gardner. Gary is sporting his new White Hat, presented moments earlier by Tommy “T” Tradewell in ceremonies at the VFW National Convention in Phoenix.