VFW CheckPoint Magazine Jan/Feb 2010

							CHECKP INT
January | february 2010 www.vfw.org

NEws from Vfw’s froNT lINEs

‘This Is What We’re All About’

Tearful Child’s Distress Drives VFW Donation
Four-year-old Paige Bennethum made headlines last year as a sobbing
little girl holding her father’s hand as he stood at attention in formation with fellow soldiers at a deployment ceremony in Fort Dix, N.J. Paige’s father, Army Reserve Staff Sgt. Brent Bennethum, and his unit were preparing to deploy to Iraq. “I didn’t want to let go of him,” Paige told NBC Philadelphia in October. “I just miss

my dad right now.” Unsuccessful at getting Paige to leave her father’s side, mom Abby Bennethum snapped the photo. “I called to her a couple of times, but she wouldn’t budge,” Abby told the Berks County, Pa., newspaper, the Reading Eagle. “I don’t know if the officers didn’t see her because they were in the back row, or they simply didn’t say anything about her being there.” An aunt passed the photo along to the Reading Eagle. The photo and story were picked up by countless online news sources and blogs. “I’ve had strangers looking me up online, sending me messages that they are touched by it … offering a lot of support,” Abby told NBC Philadelphia. Abby told the Reading Eagle that many military families use the Internet-based phone service Skype to keep in contact during deployments, but “I haven’t been able to do anything like that because our computer isn’t working right.”

photo By ABBy BeNNethuM

The story—originally published Oct. 5—reached VFW Communications Director Jerry Newberry, who printed copies to share with other officials at National Headquarters. “I said ‘We’ve got to get this family a computer,’ ” Newberry told the Reading Eagle. “They said, ‘Make it happen.’ ” A little more than a week later, on Oct. 14, Frank G. Mills, Sr., Department of Pennsylvania commander, and James L. Lindsey, District 13 commander, delivered to the Bennethum family a new computer. They selected a laptop with videoconferencing features, such continued on page 6

‘make it haPPen’

wHAT’s INsIDE CHECKPoINT
Extra! Extra!, Page 2 • Agenda for VFW’s Legislative Conference in March • Guide to VFW benefits on Web site • How to efficiently notify VFW of a change in your mailing address Post Service Officer Profiled, Page 3 90-year-old Purple Heart recipient says volunteering keeps him active. Results of Convention Survey, Page 4 Checkpoint readers tell us what they do— and don’t—like about the newsletter. Fort Hood Victims Have VFW Ties, Page 5 Texas Posts donate to help the wounded and families of those killed. New VFW Store Open for Business, Page 6 Ladies Auxiliary and VFW supply stores merge to offer better deals. VFW Magazine Web Site Goes Online, Page 7 You can now access VFW’s award-winning publications on your computer. Photos from the War Zones, Page 8 A VFW member from Illinois and his son are both serving in Afghanistan.

photo courtesy Reading eagle

Top: paige Bennethum clings to her father’s hand as he prepares to deploy from Fort Dix, N.J. the photo quickly became an Internet sensation. Bottom: Frank G. Mills, sr., VFW Department commander, and James L. Lindsey, District 13 commander, present a new laptop to Abby Bennethum so she can communicate with her husband while he is in Iraq. post 6150 in sinking springs, pa., later offered staff sgt. Brett Bennethum a free one-year VFW membership.

‘Too Old to Fight, Young Enough to Care’

Volunteers Greet All Deploying, Returning Vets at N.H. Airport
photo By cAtALIN ABAGIu / valley news

Cindy osuna and Fellow veterans left Post 771 in Springfield, Vt., where Osuna is commander, at 8:30 on a Thursday night. The plan was to arrive at Portsmouth International Airport’s Pease Air Terminal in New Hampshire an hour before the 12:30 a.m. flight was slated to arrive. Osuna is a “Pease Greeter,” part of a group of veterans and civilians who welcome and send off service members. This particular trip was Osuna’s ninth to Pease. “I want them to know that we’re here for them,” she told the White River Junction, Vt., Valley News. Osuna, 48, is a retired Air Force linguist from Charlescindy osuna, commander of post 771 in springfield, Vt., hugs a Marine at portsmouth International Airport. osuna is a pease Greeter, welcoming troops as they deploy or return from overseas. continued on page 7 CHECKPOINT • JaNuary / fEbruary 2010 • 1

extra! extra!
LEGisLAtiVE conFErEncE is in MArch this year’s Legislative conference is March 6-10, at the hyatt regency in crystal city, Va. here is an abbreviated agenda of what is to take place at the conference: sundAy, MArch 7 • committee meetings • National council of Administration meeting • Voice of Democracy parade of Winners MondAy, MArch 8 • opening session • Legislative committee to capitol hill • senior Vice commanders workshop • commander-in-chief to meet with Department commanders, committee chairmen and vice chairmen tuEsdAy, MArch 9 • commander-in-chief’s testimony on capitol hill • Legislative reception For more information on the conference or hotel information, please call Diane putthoff, Mary Anne Vassholz or Vanessa Kane at (816) 756-3390. Find BEnEFits on VFW’s WEB sitE VFW’s Web site (www. vfw.org) has new member benefits information. every month, programs that are sponsored by VFW National headquarters will be featured at the insurance and Member Benefits page of the site. these banners will change two times per month and will provide valuable information about the various sponsored programs available to VFW Members. In addition, a link has been added to the left side of the page, which contains articles and ad slicks for hard copy newsletters, magazines and newspapers published by the Departments and posts. editors may use these resources in their publications free of charge. here’s how: • Go to www.vfw.org. • click on Membership Benefits button on left side of screen. View featured programs and visit links for various programs. click on Publication ads link on the left side of screen.

lEADErsHIP PErsPECTIVEs
Allen “Gunner” Kent, Adjutant General

With more than 1.74 million female veterans in the U.S., VFW has quite the task to let these women know we want them in our ranks. In November 2008, VFW rolled out the She Serves campaign for a test period of one year. It has now fully commenced. Women interested in VFW membership need only go to www.JoinSheServes.org to meet current members who can help guide them through the process. While the bulk of new eligible female veterans comes from the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, the She Serves campaign is targeted for women of all conflicts. During a marketing study in December, 13 women VFW members expressed their opinions on the She Serves material. They discussed everything from color schemes to the actual photos used in the promotional pieces and on the Web site. Surprisingly, most of the women tended to embrace the traditions of the organization, unlike many of their male counterparts from that younger age group. One woman noted that she first balked at VFW’s cap, but after its significance was explained to her, she has since been more than proud to wear it. She further stated that women waited a long time to be admitted to the organization, so they should embrace the traditions, too. Larry Maher, Quartermaster General

She Serves Campaign Fully Underway

VFW is known for its commitment to community and some of the women noted this was an attractive selling point when they were deciding to join the organization. They were looking for a way to continue serving out of uniform, and VFW fit the bill. In addition to the She Serves Web site, we have started “groups” on social networking sites such as Facebook and MySpace to help spread the word. I have no doubt our efforts will be greatly rewarded as more and more women continue to join VFW.

VFW Store Continues to Serve You
As you know, VFW has gone through major changes in recent months. We are all tightening our belts and capitalizing on every opportunity possible to continue our mission and ensure the future strength of VFW. I would like to address an area that could have a positive impact on revenue opportunities for the entire VFW and provide quality merchandise at fair prices to our membership. I am referring to the VFW Emblem and Supply department, also known as the VFW Store. We hope that you make this your first stop for flags, gifts, patriotic items, shirts, caps, supplies and just about any kind of emblematic item you can think of. If you don’t see it in the catalog, call us. We can get virtually anything you need for such things as special events, fundraisers, team items or community events. We purchase from some of America’s best manufacturers. They offer a wide range of merchandise and pricing, and they’re authorized to use the VFW logo, which is important, because it is protected by federal law and cannot be reproduced without permission. We have been listening to you and have expanded the VFW Store product line. We offer highquality, affordable products. Furthermore, revenue from every purchase goes toward VFW programs to assist veterans, military troops and their families. When you buy from the VFW Store, your money stays with VFW. Plus, 10% of the net revenue is returned to each Department, based on sales in that Department, making it a win-win strategy for the entire organization. Recently VFW and Ladies Auxiliary joined forces and combined our supply departments. (See article on page 6.) Department Auxiliaries also will share a percentage rebate of total sales. Your suggestions for new programs and VFW Store products are appreciated. Email: scutright@ vfw.org.

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Department and post editors may be notified via e-mail of new programs and ad changes by sending their contact information to Denise edelman in the Member Insurance Department at dedelman@vfw.org. please include the editor’s name, phone number and email address. chAnGE your AddrEss EFFiciEntLy If you need to make an address change for yourself or a member of your post, be sure to mark your envelope attn.: data entry. this saves valuable time. Likewise, if you call into VFW National headquarters to make the change over the phone, specify if the member is a life or annual member, and you will be directed to the appropriate person. nAtionAL puBLicAtions contEst drAWs nEAr By now, all Department adjutants should have received a packet detailing VFW’s 2010 National publications contest. to find out how your post can enter at the Department level for consideration in the national contest, contact your Department headquarters. 2 • CHECKPOINT • JaNuary / fEbruary 2010

Editor tim Dyhouse AssistAnt Editor Janie Blankenship stAFF WritEr Kelly Von Lunen GrAphic dEsiGnEr Julie Knapp

checkpoint is an award-winning newsletter published six times a year in January, March, May, July, september and November. Its purpose is to provide VFW Department, District and post leaders with information to enhance their job performance and furnish them with a more comprehensive understanding of the organization. correspondence can be sent to the editor at VFW National headquarters.

VEtErAns oF ForEiGn WArs National headquarters 406 W. 34th street Kansas city, Mo 64111 (816) 756-3390 FAX 816-968-1169 checkpoint e-mail: tdyhouse@vfw.org

VFW WAshinGton oFFicE VFW Memorial Building 200 Maryland Ave., N.e. Washington, D.c. 20002 (202) 543-2239 FAX 202-543-6719 e-mail: vfw@vfwdc.org

VFW Department, District and post publications may reproduce sections of checkpoint. All other publications must receive editor’s permission. Internet address: www.vfw.org Annual subscription rate: $6 © January / February 2010

Left: VFW service officer Larry phelan (left) volunteers at Florida’s Bay pines VA hospital year-round, including Veterans Day 2009. “When I visit and [vets] see the purple heart, they smile and talk.” Right: phelan (left) served in oran, North Africa, in World War II. After being discharged, he joined VFW in 1948.

photos courtesy LArry pheLAN

If you’re interested in volunteering your time to VAVS, contact:
Veterans Affairs Voluntary service 810 Vermont Ave. nW Washington, dc 20420 (202) 461-7300 www.volunteer.va.gov VhAco10c2staff@va.gov
‘It Keeps Me Active’

You, Too, Can Volunteer

90-Year-Old Service Officer Volunteers On Behalf of VFW
Staying active in vFW keeps Larry Phelan feeling young. This 31-year Post
service officer will be 90 years old in February. “As you get on in age, if you don’t get active and have something to keep you going, you’re going to go downhill,” Phelan said. He says that his VFW work is “worthwhile. It keeps me active and everything else.” Phelan also represents VFW as a volunteer with VA’s Voluntary Service (VAVS) in Bay Pines, Fla. Since 1995, he has greeted vets in the Bay Pines VA Healthcare System five days a week, logging more than 22,000 hours. VFW honored him with an award when he hit 20,000. In the past, Phelan served as commander and service officer of Post 10093 in Safety Harbor, Fla. He transferred a few years ago to Post 2473 in Clearwater, where he currently serves as Post senior vice commander and service officer. Phelan says he became a service officer because “I figured it was time I gave something back. I know what it is to be a patient, both in wartime and civilian life. I’m a cancer patient, 23 operations.” The VAVS Bay Pines office, where Phelan is the hospital activities chairman, opens at 7 a.m. Volunteers receive a list of patients to visit, which they divide between VFW, DAV, American Legion, Korean War Veterans Association and other organizations’ representatives. Once in the vets’ rooms, Phelan simply asks them, “Hi, how are you, do you need anything?” He says the most rewarding part of his job is “just being able to help another veteran.” At Bay Pines, Phelan greets mostly Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans. Wounds and health conditions are representative of recent war traumas. Phelan sees an average of 200 people per week, but says that he might see the same person twice. “We don’t only visit the hospital,” he says. “We also have a nursing home that we go to. They have another domiciliary for veterans who have various problems. We go in and work with them, and explain which way to go [in life].” Phelan enlisted in the Army in 1941 and served with L Company, 26th Infantry, 1st Infantry Division. As a WWII veteran, he joined VFW around 1948 when another member stopped him and asked him to come to a local Post. VFW’s hospital volunteer program, which includes VAVS, is part of National Veterans Service (NVS). More than 6,000 regularly scheduled VFW volunteers provide more than 1 million hours of service annually to veterans in federal, state and community hospitals and nursing homes through VAVS. Volunteer opportunities at VA facilities can include reading to patients, transporting patients to appointments, manning clothes closets and providing camaraderie. When VAVS was established in 1946 by Gen. Omar Bradley, then head of VA, its aim was simple: to go the extra mile for patients in VA hospitals. That’s why VFW was one of the five organizations that helped establish the program. Furthermore, VFW has remained a vital VAVS supporter for more than 60 years. “With the aging veteran population, VFW volunteers become more and more important,” said Bill Bradshaw, NVS director. “When you’re not feeling well, it’s nice to have someone to talk to who understands what you’ve been through. We bring that to VAVS—veterans helping veterans.”

veteranS Helping veteranS

WANTED
outstAndinG sErVicE oFFicErs
We would like to hear about the hard work your post and Department service officers are doing. If you would like to see them receive some much-deserved recognition, send us a brief note explaining why. please send information to: Checkpoint Attn: Outstanding Service Officers 406 W. 34th Street, Kansas City, MO 64111 or call (816) 968-1171 or e-mail tdyhouse@vfw.org
CHECKPOINT • JaNuary / fEbruary 2010 • 3

‘Great Articles’

Free Pens Elicit Helpful Comments from Checkpoint Readers

188 Featured to Date

World War II Veterans Leading VFW Posts from Coast to Coast
the CheCkpoint staFF extends a hearty “thank you” to all our WWII Post leaders, members and veterans. And we want to recognize those who still devote time and energy to VFW causes. Listed below are 41 World War II veterans who serve VFW Posts in official capacities. Checkpoint has recognized a total of 188 such Post leaders since the March/ April 2009 issue. We are still receiving names, and we will continue to feature this section in subsequent issues until every World War II Post leader whose name is submitted is recognized. If you would like to recognize a World War II veteran who currently serves your Post, please send us his or her name, official Post position and your Post’s location. Send information to: Checkpoint Attn: WWII Leaders 406 W. 34th Street Kansas City, MO 64111 E-mail: tdyhouse@vfw.org

name
Muzio Accettura Arma E. Andon Glen Bodenhorn William J. Boyer Al Campa Stephen Cichonski Harold Deems Clyde L. Diangelo Henry M. Foggs, Jr. Max Gardner John J. Gaynor Milton A. Hayman Maurice Holman William S. Kehr Norm Kleiner Edward Kloes Ray Konas Douglas Lee Richard Martin Ralph F. McEwan Gil Medina Frank Murias Ray Owen Henry J. Parnis Al Paul Joe Piazzi William W. Randall Elwin Ranshaw William J. Roberts Harold D. Rutter Charles Sprowl Ernest Stewart Henry Strong Charlie Swink Henry Terranova George E.J. Van Zandt Ortenzio Vecchio Stanley Webster Robert R. Williams Al Witt Chester Zgoda

position
Youth Act. Chrmn. Commander POW-MIA Chrmn. Historian Surgeon Commander Surgeon Surgeon Commander Service Officer Commander Judge Advocate Chaplain Commander Hospital Chrmn. Trustee Officer of the Day Trustee Commander Commander Service Officer Commander Advocate Trustee MAP Chrmn. Drug/Safety Chrmn. Quartermaster Trustee VOD Chrmn. Surgeon Chaplain Trustee Commander Trustee Sr. Vice Cmdr. Commander Commander Dist. 6 Cmdr. Chaplain Legislative Chrmn. Nat’l Home Chrmn.

post/Location
Post 1519, Dearborn Heights, Mich. Post 5350, Quogue, N.Y. Post 1519, Dearborn Heights, Mich. Post 1519, Dearborn Heights, Mich. Post 3848, Henderson, Nev. Post 625, Chicopee, Mass. Post 3989, Beaver, Utah Post 2716, Weirton, W. Va. Post 6189, Springfield, Mass. Post 3989, Beaver, Utah Post 4206, Melbourne, Fla. Post 2716, Weirton, W. Va. Post 10770, Leroy, Mich. Post 3989, Beaver, Utah Post 1519, Dearborn Heights, Mich. Post 7979, Evart, Mich. Post 1519, Dearborn Heights, Mich. Post 4985, Dalton, Ga. Post 70, Springfield, Mass. Post 1632, Agawam, Mass. Post 3848, Henderson, Nev. Post 10435, Kalama, Wash. Post 1519, Dearborn Heights, Mich. Post 1519, Dearborn Heights, Mich. Post 1519, Dearborn Heights, Mich. Post 1519, Dearborn Heights, Mich. Post 7352, Springfield, Mass. Post 7979, Evart, Mich. Post 1519, Dearborn Heights, Mich. Post 9138, Fort Mill, S.C. Post 4985, Dalton, Ga. Post 4985, Dalton, Ga. Post 801, Holyoke, Mass. Post 3006, Salisbury, N.C. Post 3989, Beaver, Utah Post 11206, Amite, La. Post 10147, Apopka, Fla. Post 10435, Kalama, Wash. Post 2716, Weirton, W. Va. Post 1519, Dearborn Heights, Mich. Post 1519, Dearborn Heights, Mich.

CheCkpoint’s staFF is always interested in learning what our readers want. So to sample some opinions, we offered a small incentive—in the form of free “VFW magazine” ballpoint pens—at the VFW Publications Department booth at the 110th National Convention last August in Phoenix. To obtain a pen, we asked convention attendees to complete a four-question survey explaining what they liked and disliked about Checkpoint. We also asked what type of content they preferred. We collected 51 completed surveys. Of those, 17 respondents said they preferred to read about national issues, such as veterans legislation, VFW resolutions and VA news. Another 13 noted that they preferred Post and Department coverage, such as VFW troop-support and memorial projects. A total of 21 indicated that they liked a mix of both national and local coverage. The majority of respondents—32—were commanders, which included those who had served in the past, as well as junior and senior vice commanders. Seven quartermasters and seven members who held various Post and Department positions responded, three did not indicate a position and two Ladies Auxiliary members participated. In a section asking “What do you like about Checkpoint?” we received comments such as “great articles” and “very informative.” Readers also appreciated how Checkpoint kept them “up to date” on current VFW programs and provided them a broader understanding of what Posts and Departments in other parts of the country and world were doing. Many also liked our coverage of active-duty troops and VFW members’ efforts to support them. Several also cited our “Posts with the Most” section for current information on top Post membership totals. Others noted that Checkpoint helps older vets communicate with those of younger generations. One of the most common complaints—in answer to “What do you like least about Checkpoint?”—was its frequency and page count. Most respondents wanted VFW to publish the newsletter more often than its current bi-monthly appearance or publish more than eight pages per issue. Others indicated that we don’t include enough information specifically for military retirees and that the type size is too small. Overall, the comments were positive. But that doesn’t mean the Checkpoint staff will rest on its laurels. We want to hear our readers’ opinions, both favorable and critical. Continually improving Checkpoint by offering readers meaningful, useful information is our goal. If you have a comment, please e-mail the editor at tdyhouse@ vfw.org. Thank you to all who participated, and we hope you like your pens.

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4 • CHECKPOINT • JaNuary / fEbruary 2010

1 Million Minutes of Free Talk Time

USAA Sponsors Call Day, Connects 70,000 Troops
this Past veterans day more than 70,000 troops called home to the United States from locations abroad, thanks to a $55,000 donation to the VFW Foundation from the United States Automobile Association (USAA). That equals nearly 1 million minutes of free talk time through VFW’s Operation Uplink Free Call Day. Furthermore, USAA’s sponsorship also included the purchase and distribution of more than 3,000 international calling cards to military chaplains overseas. “This generous contribution went a long way to connect the military with their families back home,” said Linda Ferguson, manager of VFW’s National Military Services Special Programs and Projects. “A call home means a lot to these men and women.” Stationed in Baghdad, 1st Lt. Philip Dudsome 70,000 troops serving overseas ley noted that calling home from smaller enjoyed a free call home last Veterans bases is costly for troops. Day, thanks to a $55,000 donation to “Having the opportunity to make free the VFW Foundation from the united calls to our loved ones meant the world to states Automobile Association. my team and I,” he said. “I want to thank you for your support of service members.” USAA is one of many companies working with the VFW Foundation to raise awareness for VFW’s programs. Last April, a member of the Foundation staff sent a letter to CBS in New York asking if they would be willing to provide a VFW ad spot on any digital billboard. Months passed without a word. Finally a call came that space had opened up on the premiere CBS television billboard in Times Square in New York City. So from Nov. 25-Dec. 31, a five-second VFW video ran every 20 minutes. Its exact location was Times Square-42nd St. Subway station— the busiest station complex in New York City. In 2008, that one station served nearly 61 million passengers. “We are so pleased for the exposure VFW is getting because of this billboard,” said Dan Shea, VFW Foundation director. “This is our way of getting the word out to the public about our many important and ur‘It’s Our Duty to Assist Them’ gently needed programs to benefit our troops.” Additionally, in the past year the Foundation received $300,000 in free billboard space around the country. This includes: • 16 billboards in six states (Wisconsin, Missouri, Texas, Arizona, Michigan and Florida). • 1 mobile billboard on a YRC Freight Services semi-truck. • 200 mobile billboards on public busses in Washington, D.C. On occasion, the Foundation also has print ads appearing in premiere publications like The New York Times, The Washington Post and USA Today. According to Shea, a report last July found that the Foundation received $13,000 in donations as a result of the billboards. And these are just the confirmed donations, he added; not everyone says how they heard about the Foundation. “This kind of exposure can only help,” Shea said. “Our reward is the assisthe VFW Foundation has 16 billboards, like the tance we provide to milione above, in six states across the country to tary members and their spread the word about VFW. families. We are all about supporting them.”

photo courtesy VFW FouNDAtIoN

“our reward is the assistance we provide to military members and their families.”
—dan shea, VFW Foundation director

Ft. Hood Shooting Victims Have VFW Ties
within a day oF the Ft. hood massaCre on nov. 5, VFW took action to help the families of the slain victims, and also to assist the wounded. VFW’s Unmet Needs sent $5,000 to the Department of Texas to disburse as necessary. “The men and women of our armed forces are prepared to put their lives on the line at any time to preserve our freedoms,” said Mike Penney, director of VFW’s National Military Services. “It’s our duty to assist them and show them how much we honor their service to our country.” Several Posts throughout Texas contributed money to the Texas VFW Foundation to defray the costs of travel, meals and hotel rooms for families. These Posts include: 837 in San Antonio, $1,000; 4146 in Victoria, $1,000; 3413 in San Marcos, $500; 8573 in Canyon Lake, $500; 8587 in Georgetown, $500; and 7767 in Breckenridge, $50. The Department of Texas sponsored “Put Your Hood Up” at an Austin night club, raising more than $2,000. District 28 in Texas gave $2,060 to Ft. Hood’s III Corps to distribute to families. “We approached this as a coordinated District effort rather than an individual Post effort,” said Red Towers, District 28 commander. “We pooled resources and dispensed funds on an as-needed basis.” “Right now the focus has to be on taking care of the victims and families,” VFW Commander-in-Chief Thomas J. Tradewell, Sr., announced following the shooting, “and in trying to ensure this type of tragedy is never repeated within the confines of a U.S. military installation anywhere.” communicated to us,” Sheehan said. With Wisconsin’s Army Reserve 467th Medical Detachment, Valdivia previously served in Kuwait (2003-04) and in Iraq (January-June 2004). He moved to the U.S. from Mexico when he was 20 and enlisted in the Army when he was 26 because he was interested in getting assistance for college. He graduated in 2009 from Northern Illinois University with a bachelor’s degree in mathematics. He then moved to California and became a father to a baby girl in September, before being called up for duty in October. During the Fort Hood shooting, Valdivia was wounded in the leg. A bullet also grazed Valdivia’s ear and a third one hit him in the hip. “He is recovering well,” Valdivia’s sister, Araceli, said. “He will need physical therapy to recover fully from the bullet wound he restaff sgt. Miguel Valdivia, a member of VFW post ceived on the right leg. 1307 in elgin, Ill., poses with his niece, Valeria, three His spirits are high, weeks before leaving for duty at Fort hood. Valdivia as they have always was among the wounded in the Fort hood massacre been.” on Nov. 5, 2009.

Of the 13 killed, one is a confirmed VFW member. Staff Sgt. Justin DeCrow was a member of Post 11016 in Songnam, South Korea, where he was stationed last year. At the time of the shootings, he was based at Ft. Hood while he awaited a position to open up at Ft. Gordon, Ga., where his wife and daughter resided. DeCrow’s father, Daniel, told The Associated Press that he talked with his son a week before he died. “As usual, the last words out of my mouth to him were that I was proud of him,” he said. “I can carry that around in my heart.” Among the wounded is 36-year-old Staff Sgt. Miguel Valdivia of Elgin, Ill. He is a member of Post 1307 in Elgin. According to Post Commander Doc Sheehan, Valdivia signed up as a member after marching with the Post in the July 4th parade in 2008. After hearing of Valdivia’s wounds, the Post immediately reached out to family members, including Valdivia’s sister, Alma. “I explained that her brother is our brother now and whatever they need must be

vFw loses memBer to shootings

CHECKPOINT • JaNuary / fEbruary 2010 • 5

photo courtesy ALMA VALDIVIA

photo courtesy VFW FouNDAtIoN

cont. from page 1

Tearful Child’s Distress Drives VFW Donation

as wireless Internet connectivity and a built-in camera. “This is what we’re all about: service to our military families,” Mills told the Reading Eagle. Mills also hopes that this act of VFW helping a young family during deployment will help dispel the image of the organization as “a bunch of old men sitting around, drinking beer and telling war stories.” “We’re hoping if some of the younger veterans learn about what the VFW really does, the younger veterans will want to join,” he said.

photos By tIM Dyhouse / VFW

Brent is currently serving with the 773rd Transportation Company based in Reading. He expressed gratitude to VFW and others. “I can’t tell you how grateful Abby and I are for all the help and support people have given us,” Brent told the Reading Eagle. “We have Internet connections in our rooms over here. They’re not the best and they’re very expensive, but we should be able to connect pretty soon.” Back home in Laureldale, Pa., Abby is expecting the couple’s third child in March, joining Paige and one-year-old Lena. Brent is not expected to return from his yearlong tour in Iraq until July. “I’ve heard of deployment babies, but I never thought I’d be having one,” Abby told the Reading Eagle.

BaBy on the way

Merger Increases Purchasing Power
photo courtesy Reading eagle

a reCent merger oF vFw’s and the ladies auxiliary supply stores will offer members of both organizations a larger variety of products and better customer service, according to VFW and Ladies Auxiliary officials involved in the transaction. They say the merger could offer consumers financial benefits as well. “We’re working together to combine our purchasing power to reduce prices,” said Bob Greene, VFW’s assistant quartermaster general. “We’re working hard to make this a success for members of both organizations.” The Ladies Auxiliary store merged with the VFW Emblem and Supply Department on Sept. 8 and consolidated operations—now known as the VFW Store—at VFW’s National Headquarters in Kansas City. The VFW Store employs 18 workers, which includes three customer service specialists and four order takers. Greene says he plans to revitalize the VFW Store’s call center, which handles an estimated 60% of all orders. “We want to improve the training we provide for our customer service specialists,” he said. “This will produce better efficiency and more satisfied customers.”
For Ladies Auxiliary members, the transition offers more convenience. Now they can shop and order online at www.vfwstore.org and over the phone at 1-800-8212606, where they can request a full-color 112-page catalog. “We often got phone calls from members who wanted to purchase both Auxiliary and VFW items,” said Gail Kokoruda, former supervisor of the Ladies Auxiliary Supply Department. “We would have to give them VFW’s number and ask them to call there.” Those involved in the merger say they are excited to offer members of both organizations a larger variety of merchandise. Popular items, such as jewelry, clothing and products containing the VFW or Ladies Auxiliary logos, are now available to a wider audience.

New VFW Store Offers Ladies Auxiliary Merchandise

paige Bennethum shows off the photo of herself holding her father’s hand at Fort Dix, N.J. she later gave it to Frank G. Mills, sr., VFW Department of pennsylvania commander, and James L. Lindsey, District 13 commander.

‘a smart Business deCision’

“Auxiliary members were already big buyers of VFW Supply items,” said Kristi Atwood, director of accounting for the Ladies Auxiliary. “Joining forces gives members more options while at the same time reducing overhead.” The VFW Store also will carry on the tradition as one of the nation’s top retailers of U.S. flags. Purchases made at the Store will continue to help further VFW’s and Ladies Auxiliary’s objectives. “All the money stays within VFW,” said Sonja Cutright, marketing assistant for the VFW Store. “Proceeds of every purchase go to programs to benefit veterans, troops and their families.” Officials from both organizations agree that the merger will benefit both groups and their members in the future. “It’s a win-win situation,” Ladies Auxiliary National Secretary-Treasurer Connie Atkinson said. “From financial reasons to convenience for members, the leadership of the Ladies Auxiliary VFW saw a chance to make a smart business decision.”

Access the VFW Store’s Web site at www.vfwstore.org, or call toll-free at 1-800-821-2606.
Top: Former supervisor of the Ladies Auxiliary supply Department Gail Kokoruda, Ladies Auxiliary Director of Accounting Kristi Atwood and VFW store Marketing Assistant sonja cutright discuss the new VFW store catalog. A merger of the two organizations’ supply departments in september created the VFW store. Left: Kokoruda, Atwood, cutright, VFW store operations Manager hank ellis and VFW Assistant Quartermaster General Bob Greene evaluate a new product for 2010. the rolling duffel bag is available with either the VFW or Ladies Auxiliary logo. 6 • CHECKPOINT • JaNuary / fEbruary 2010

cont. from page 1

Volunteers Greet All Deploying, Returning Vets at N.H. Airport
town, Vt. Like other Pease Greeters, she wants to make troops feel welcome and express her thanks. She also does it for her grandfather, a Purple Heart veteran of World War II and Korea. “I want him to be proud of me,” she told the Valley News. “I’m proud of him.” flight. He served briefly in Korea as an 18-year-old private first class. He told the Valley News how he was blown up by a land mine, cutting his military career short. “My wife didn’t know about it ‘til a couple of years ago,” he told the Valley News. “I don’t like to think about it.” But, “this helps,” he said of greeting troops. “I like coming down here.” Being a Pease Greeter is not as wholly therapeutic for Dave O’Connor, 57, of Rochester, N.H. A Pease Development Authority maintenance worker, O’Connor also is a Pease Greeter. pease Greeters include many VFW members, as well as other veterans and “I know what it feels like to be a young kid, being ripped civilians. one Department of Maine member and cindy osuna, commander out of your mother’s arms and of post 771 in springfield, Vt., welcomed returning vets on oct. 31. thrown into battle,” O’Connor told the Valley News. “I’m a Vietnam vet. The greetings I got when I got home were totally different… Baby killer. ton, Mich., told the Valley News. Medic John Teal, 23, of New Orleans, used to greet Murderer. War pig. I was spit at, thrown rocks at. It’s troops at another airport when he was younger. He says something a person should never have to go through.” Mary Mace, 45, of Kittery, Maine, brings her husband experiencing it from the soldier’s perspective was even to Pease Greeter events, as well as a dog they are training more intense. “This was very unexpected, but nice,” Teal said. as a service dog for a veteran. Osuna says keeping her military bearing is often dif“It’s a huge emotional thing for the greeters, and it’s a ficult in the midst of the emotions of greeting troops. huge emotional thing for the troops,” Mace told the Val“We’re part of the military family,” she said. “That’s ley News. “You see a lot of tears.” why we do this.” Service members get sentimental as well. “What they’re doing makes me feel good, that I’m writing history, too,” Sgt. Jon Humphreys, 27, of Brigh-

In spring 2005, the Seacoast Detachment of the Marine Corps League met its first flight of returning war veterans at the Pease Air Terminal. For the first few flights, only a few Marines were on hand. Since then, the group has grown to some 250 active greeters of all ages. “The greeters have not missed a flight since inception,” leader Ed Johnson, who served in the Korean War from 1952-53, wrote on the group’s Web site, www. peasegreeters.org. “They are too old to fight, but young enough to care.” Initially, greeters offered cell phones to troops to call home with news of their safe arrival. Now, vets may use a bank of 20 permanently mounted phones free of charge, courtesy of Whaleback Systems, a Portsmouthbased phone company. Pease Greeters travel to Portsmouth International Airport every time a plane carrying troops leaves for or returns from a deployment. They provide the troops with drinks, snacks, welcomes and goodbyes. “Of the two, the outbound group needs the greater expression of love and affection,” Johnson, an 80-year-old retired Marine captain, told the Valley News. “They’re heading off to the greatest adventure of their lives, and they might not live through it.” Johnson, of Rye Beach, N.H., has greeted more than 300 flights. “These are nice people,” he told the Valley News. “These are people you’d like to know.” Ray Brunelle, 76, of Rollinsford, N.H., has been a Pease Greeter for two years and has missed only one ‘Staying On the Cutting Edge of Technology’

‘PeoPle you’d like to know

Checkpoint, VFW Magazine Go Live Online
launch of www.vfwmagazine.org. The current issue of Checkpoint is still available for download as a PDF, and three years of newsletter archives have been added as well. These files can be saved, printed and e-mailed on any computer. In addition, anyone wanting to subscribe to Checkpoint can print and mail in a form on the site. Visit the Checkpoint portion of the Web site by clicking “Newsletter” at the top. A new digital edition of VFW magazine highlights the main page of the site. This paperless copy is identical to the print edition of the magazine, but has the added bonus of searchability and active links to advertisers. “It is a question of meeting demand for a digital version of the magazine,” said Richard K. Kolb, VFW’s director of Publications. “In the age of the Internet, younger veterans and VFW members desire electronic types of communication. Moreover, even some older readers like a digital option to supplement the print version. But the hard copy of the magazine, as well as the print edition of Checkpoint, will always remain the staple of our publications.” Contact information for magazine, Checkpoint and advertising staffs can be found in the “About Us” section. Submission guidelines and special editions are available for download, and selected articles dating back to 2004 are archived. Articles relating to Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans can be downloaded as PDFs as well.

CheCkpoint and VFW magazine are now more accessible than ever, with the

current issue, Archives & subscribe

e

d
newsletter

e

digital edition of VFW magazine

www.vfwmagazine.org
CHECKPOINT • JaNuary / fEbruary 2010 • 7

photo courtesy peAse Greeters

JaNuary / fEbruary 2010
VFW NAtIoNAL heADQuArters • puBLIcAtIoNs 406 West 34th street, KANsAs cIty, Mo 64111

Non-profit organization u.s. postage

Posts with the Most
Rank							Post	No.	 							Location	 																																																					Members

VFW	POSTS	OF	1,000	MEMBERS OR	MORE	AS	OF	DEC.	7,	2009 6	 4372	 Odessa,	TX	....................................1,667 7	 628	 Sioux	Falls,	SD	..............................1,552 8	 392	 Virginia	Beach,	VA	...................... 1,548 9	 27	 Wiesbaden,	Germany	..................1,542 10	 2485	 Angeles	City,	Philippines............ 1,540
33	 379	 Yakima,	WA	.........................1,177 43	 1170	 Middletown,	KY	...............1,085

PAID
Kansas city, Mo permit No. 1298

1	 1114	 Evansville,	IN	.............................. 2,408 2	 1503	 Dale	City,	VA	.................................1,953 3	 6506	 Rosedale,	MD	..............................1,808 4	 9972	 Sierra	Vista,	AZ	........................... 1,799 5	 1146	 St.	Clair	Shores,	MI	.......................1,712
Rank	 No.	 Location													 		Members

11	 12	 13	

972	 Terre	Haute,	IN	...................1,537 4647	 North	Highlands,	CA	.......1,486 1296	 Bloomington,	MN	............1,425

22	 9785	 Eagle	River,	AK	.................1,307 23	 24	 25	 26	 27	 1599	 Chambersburg,	PA...........1,302 2111	 Chula	Vista,	CA	.................1,294 788	 Cedar	Rapids,	IA...............1,268 1512	 Lemon	Grove,	CA	.............1,248 8951	 West	York,	PA.................... 1,223

34	 4809	 Norfolk,	VA	...........................1,157 34	 10420	 Murrells	Inlet,	SC	...............1,157 36	 10436	 Kitzingen,	Germany..........1,154 37	 38	 5555	 Richfield,	MN	......................1,152 549	 Tucson,	AZ	........................... 1,151

45	 10209	 Spring	Hill,	FL	................... 1,068 46	 3982	 Santa	Clara,	CA	................ 1,030 47	 9534	 Mannheim,	Germany	......1,029 48	 6251	 Cheektowaga,	NY	........... 1,020

14	 10097	 Fort	Myers	Beach,	FL	......1,396 15	 16	 17	 18	 19	 19	 21	 7234	 Ocean	View,	DE	................1,394 2503	 Omaha,	NE	......................... 1,393 63	 Boise,	ID..............................1,354 7686	 Alamogordo,	NM	.............1,350 401	 Albuquerque,	NM	............1,342 1308	 Alton,	IL...............................1,342 1079	 Elyria,	OH	............................ 1,317

49	 9186	 San	Antonio,	TX................ 1,019 50	 8541	 San	Antonio,	TX.................1,015 50	 6796	 Dallas,	TX	............................1,015 52	 53	 7175	 Millington,	TN	....................1,013 7674	 Fort	Walton	Beach,	FL	...1,008

28	 7330	 Oakville,	CT	.........................1,214 29	 8862	 Vicenza,	Italy	.....................1,207 30	 31	 1326	 Bismarck,	ND	.....................1,206 1273	 Rapid	City,	SD	....................1,199

39	 3579	 Park	Ridge,	IL	..................... 1,124 40	 10047	 North	Las	Vegas,	NV	......... 1,121 41	 42	 5958	 Titusville,	PA	.......................1,120 969	 Tacoma,	WA	..................... 1,088

32	 6873	 Abilene,	TX	......................... 1,192

43	 3282	 Port	Orange,	FL.................1,085

Coincidental Reunion

Father and Son Meet Up in Afghanistan
when thomas lewis was Born in December 1988, his father, Dale, was getting ready to train as a combat medical specialist in the Army Reserve. Who would have thought that nearly 20 years later the two would spend time together in war-torn Afghanistan? A member of Post 10641 in Marissa, Ill., Dale is stationed in Afghanistan at Kandahar Air Base as the non-commissioned officer in charge of operations for the U.S. Joint Provost Marshal’s office. He said last year he attended a U.S. Customs Border Clearance Agent class at Bagram Air Base and was able to spend a few days with his son. Thomas, also in the Army Reserve, is a computer networking/communication specialist in Combined Joint Task Force 82. “I was very grateful that the Army sent me to customs training where my son was deployed,” Dale said in an e-mail from Afghanistan. “We had a chance to really visit, and went to the PX area for pizza.” Dale, who served in both Operation Desert Storm and later in the Iraq War, says he really enjoys “networking” with NATO allies at Kandahar. He did note, however, that working at a NATO base can come with difficulties. “The headache of jurisdictional issues working on a NATO base is the one thing I hate about this assignment,” he said. “But we’re working on those issues every day.” While he does keep busy and enjoys his service in Afghanistan, Dale said he will be happy to get home to his family this spring. Thomas is scheduled to head home in February. “The No. 1 thing I miss from home is my wonderful wife, Melinda,” Dale said, “followed closely by our other seven children still at home (Samantha, Curtis, Jacob, Alexandra, Lillian, Douglas and Molly).”

Dale Lewis chats with his son, thomas, after meeting up with each other at Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan. Dale was stationed in Kandahar, but had an opportunity to go to Bagram where his son was serving.

photos from the War Zones
Do you have photographs of a VFW member currently serving on active duty in Iraq or Afghanistan? If so, Checkpoint would like to publish them in an upcoming issue. If we use your photo, you will receive a free, three-year subscription to Checkpoint. Please include an overseas e-mail address, along with the name, rank, service, unit and location of the GI. Send your photos to: Checkpoint War Zone Photos 406 W. 34th Street Kansas City, MO 64111

You also can send high-resolution images via e-mail to the editor at: tdyhouse@vfw.org 8 • CHECKPOINT • JaNuary / fEbruary 2010

photo courtesy DALe LeWIs