VFW Checkpoint March/April 2009

CHECKP INT MARCH | APRIL 2009 www.vfw.oRg NEws from Vfw’s froNT lINEs ‘Still a Pretty Rare Thing’ Pennsylvania Post Elects its First Female Commander sharon s. Karen huBer made history in Danville, Pa., last June when she was elected as the first female commander of Post 298. A Persian Gulf War veteran, Huber spent six years in the Navy. During the war, she served on a destroyer off the coast of Jordan and Saudi Arabia. A VFW member for 17 years, Huber told Danville’s local newspaper, The Daily Item, that her Post has a family atmosphere to it. Photo courtesy Jaime “It’s like having a bunch of older North / The Daily iTem brothers,” said the Karen huber is the first female mother of two. commander of Post 298 in “Being here, you’re Danville, Pa. she hopes her surrounded by position will encourage other people who share women veterans to get involved. similar experiences you went through. You always have someone to talk to about things. I feel I can really depend on them.” Huber said she hoped that her role as commander would get other women vets thinking about VFW. “I hope I can show other women that we can serve in leadership positions,” she said. “I would just like to see women come in and see what VFW is like. Too many people think VFW is just a bar, but we do so much for the community.” David Sandman, director of communications and public affairs for the Department of Pennsylvania, told The Daily Item that there are only five women commanders out of 540 Posts in Pennsylvania. There also are two female District commanders. “It’s still a pretty rare thing,” he said. “We’re seeing a growing number of females coming back from the war on terrorism and other modern theaters who are joining VFW at a greater clip.” Troop support endeavors have been a big part of Huber’s leadership year. Coordinating care package efforts for troops in Iraq and Afghanistan is something she wanted to continue. “There were a lot of people who supported me while I was [serving], especially my parents,” she said. “My parents wrote me letters and sent care packages while I was at war. It meant a lot because I knew my family and friends missed me.” If you know of a “female first” at your Post, we’d love to hear about it. E-mail Janie Blankenship at jblankenship@vfw.org. Jaimie B. tish m. denise P. amBer P. dania c. Women After War VFW Membership Department Launches New Web Site an estimated 1.74 million female veterans living in the United States. Through its newest campaign, called She Serves, VFW’s Membership Department is working to ensure that all VFW-eligible women vets are aware they are both welcome and wanted in VFW. “Past campaigns to recruit female vets haven’t clearly relayed how VFW affects them directly,” says Troy Danderson, associate director of Membership. “The first step in fixing this is to help current female VFW members network. The vets we are trying to recruit are younger and more techsavvy—they want to know who you are. Now, while they’re trying to figure that out, they can meet current members on www.JoinSheServes.org who can help guide them in.” According to the latest VA statistics, the median age of female vets was estimated at 47 in 2007. This makes them younger, in aggregate, than their male counterparts, whose median age was 61. Rather than launch a heavy direct-mail campaign, By the end of fiscal year 2007, there were “ VFW’s Membership Department decided to launch an integrated campaign with a Web site, www. joinsheserves.org. It was designed to be a recruiting tool aimed exclusively at women. The site reads, “You’re part of a shared sisterhood thanks to your service to our country. By joining She Serves, you’ll feel the support of other female veterans, especially those who understand the distinct pride of being a woman in the military.” Still in its testing phase, the site was launched in November 2008, and the campaign will commence in full in October 2009. “So far, we’ve gotten 130 new members directly from the campaign,” Danderson says. “Of those, only five responded to direct mail. The rest did everything online.” In addition to the main site, Danderson’s department has focused efforts elsewhere online, by starting “groups” on social networking sites like Facebook (www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=50213865970) and MySpace (www.myspace.com/vfwsheserves) to help wHAT’s INsIDE CHECKPoINT Extra! Extra!, Page 2 • Convention housing opens • Publications contest deadlines • National Home Awareness Week New Jersey Post sponsors Free Call Day, Page 3 $55,000 donation will allow overseas troops to call home on Easter. Soldier rescues puppy in Iraq, Page 4 Ratchet, a Border collie mix, finds a new home in the Minnesota snow. VFW resolutions, Page 5 Combat Action Badge for Pentagon service on 9/11 is one of two. Ordering Buddy Poppies 90 days in advance, Page 6 To ensure adequate delivery time, poppies should be ordered well in advance of Memorial Day. Post donates $15,000 to police department, Page 7 SWAT team purchases six new bullet-proof vests. Photos from the war zones, Page 8 VFW member rebuilds schools while serving in Iraq. “ cont. on page 7 ExtRA! ExtRA! RegisteR foR Convention Housing make housing arrangements now for the 110th National convention aug. 15-20, 2009, in Phoenix, ariz. Look for housing and registration forms with your Post election mailings in march. VFW’s bylaws state that each Post must register at least one delegate for the convention. Departments are assigned to specific hotels according to VFW conferences. Noting your Department on the housing reservation form will automatically assign you to your Department hotel. reservations may be made by one of the following procedures: • online: Visit www.vfw.org, click on the Phoenix icon • Fax: (602) 256-5292 Fax a completed housing form (do not mail after faxing) • mail: VFW housing Bureau c/o GPCVB, 400 e. VanBuren St., Ste. 600, Phoenix, aZ 85004 • Note: Reservations may not be made by phone or e-mail. the average room rate is $99/night plus applicable taxes. reservation deadline is July 13, 2009. For more information call (816) 756-3390, ext. 198, or visit www.vfw.org and click on the Phoenix picture. DeaDline ReminDeR foR PubliCations Contest the deadline for entries in the 2009 VFW National Publications contest is april 8, 2009. one copy of each winning Post, District and Department publication must be mailed by Department adjutants, quartermasters or Department editors. entries received from anyone else will be immediately disqualified. if you require further information before then, contact: VFW Publications Contest 406 W. 34th St., Ste. 523, Kansas City, mO 64111 (816) 756-3390 ext. 167, e-mail: klanigan@vfw.org ComPuteR Disks inCluDeD in membeRsHiP kits membership kits for the 2009-10 program year will include membership applications, benefit brochures, and a disk containing manuals and forms. a hard copy of the Quartermaster manual will not be provided in the Post Quartermaster membership Kit. rosters will be mailed separately from the kit, and will go out with the June monthly maintenance Journal (mmJ). rosters will be generated at the close of business on June 30, 2009. if no election report has been received, then the mmJ and roster will be forwarded to the Department. if you have any questions, call Denise edelman at (816) 968-2723 or e-mail dedelman@vfw.org. vfW membeRs Have aCCiDent PRoteCtion every active member of VFW receives the accidental Death and Dismemberment insurance Policy. this means every annual member in good standing has the policy. Life members have the comfort of knowing the policy will always be in effect for them. this group insurance policy pays a benefit of $1,000 when a member’s death is due to an accident. this policy also will pay a benefit amount for an accident that results in dismemberment. if the member is a paid passenger going to or from a VFW event the policy will pay an additional $1,500. Please advise your members that the benefit amount pays 50% of the original benefit at age 70 and decreases another 50% at 75. to file a claim, please call 1-800-626-0027. if you have additional questions, you may send an e-mail to Denise edelman at dedelman@vfw.org. national Home aWaReness Week in maRCH march 22-28 is VFW National home for children awareness Week. established in 1925 to care for the children and families of the nation’s veterans, the National home will be distributing information packets to key leaders within the organization to request help in getting the word out about available services. “We are encouraging VFW members to reach out to new veterans,” says Public relations Director susan maxwell stevens. “you never know who may need help.” For more information, e-mail stevens at sstevens@ vfwnationalhome.org. CoRReCtion the dates of the 2009 sr. Vice commander and adjutantQuartermaster conference were incorrectly identified in the January/February 2009 issue of Checkpoint. the correct arrival date is march 22, with departure on march 25. 2 • CHECKPOINT • MARCH / APRIL 2009 lEADErsHIP PErsPECTIVEs Allen “Gunner” Kent, Adjutant General Young Vets Enlighten Focus Groups Our Membership Department recently hired a research firm to sample the opinions of 18- to 40-yearold veterans and compare them to the opinions of vets older than 40. Specifically, the professional researchers wanted to determine what the young vets thought about several versions of a brochure that our Membership Department will commission to attract activeduty troops, while still appealing to vets of past conflicts. To that end, the research firm conducted 14 focus group sessions in three states comprising 86 VFW-eligible, non-member veterans and 61 current VFW members. Targeting the largest concentrations of active-duty troops and veterans, the researchers held five focus groups in California and Florida and four sessions in Texas. A large majority (70%) of non-members had served in Iraq, Afghanistan or earned the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, compared to 45% of the VFW members. About 80% of the participants were men and 20% women. Some of the results were enlightening and some reinforced perceptions that we’ve long suspected. For example, the vets said Military Assistance and National Legislative Service were the most important programs offered by VFW, while they believed our youth programs and National Security and Foreign Affairs were of least importance. When broken down by age, vets between 18-40 tended to be more interested in our Veterans Employment Service. Vets in the 41-65 age group were more interested in VFW’s National Veterans Service. Also, VFW members were more interested in National Legislative Service than non-members. The researchers asked the non-members why they hadn’t joined VFW. A total of 35 (or 41%)—particularly the younger individuals—said they didn’t realize they were eligible. They perceived VFW as a group for retired veterans or Posts as primarily drinking establishments. Another 24 (28%)—mainly the older vets—said they had never been asked to join. This is the kind of solid information our recruiters need when soliciting new members. Be prepared to answer questions about VFW programs and services and remember the most —allen “gunner” kent, adjutant general important aspect: Ask them to join. “this is the kind of solid information our recruiters need when soliciting new members.” Larry Maher, Quartermaster General Supporting VFW Programs is Vital To our outgoing and incoming officers, thank you for all you do for our great organization. The success of VFW is based on dedicated, hard-working members like you. VFW’s demographics and dynamics are changing, but our mission is not. To continue our ongoing quest to help veterans, military troops, and their families, it is of utmost importance for all levels of VFW to band together and capitalize on our diversity. Our longtime members bring immeasurable experience and younger members bring new, innovative ideas. By engaging the full spectrum of membership, we maximize the strength of the organization. Developing new programs and merchandise that appeal across the whole range of our members and their interests is an ongoing challenge. I encourage you to familiarize yourselves with and promote the resources within VFW, like our member benefit programs and merchandise through the VFW Store. By doing so, you are helping VFW help veterans and their families. Proceeds go toward valuable programs such as National Veterans Service, National Military Services and youth scholarship programs. As an added incentive to buy from the VFW Store (catalog or online at www.vfwstore.org), a rebate is issued to each Department annually, based on sales in your state (Sec. 715 of VFW’s bylaws). From VFW supplies to U.S. flags and patriotic products, the VFW Store has everything you need. We also will help you with customized items for special Post or Department events such as anniversary celebrations, fundraisers or banquets. Now is a good time to order awards and gifts for incoming and outgoing officers. Support VFW programs and build a stronger, more effective organization to continue our mission in helping veterans and their families. As always, we welcome feedback. If there is a product that you would like to see us offer that would benefit our members, let us know. E-mail scutright@ vfw.org or call 1-800-821-2606. www.vfwstore.org eDitoR tim Dyhouse assistant eDitoR Janie Blankenship staff WRiteR Kelly Lanigan staff WRiteR Jaime Netzer 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 © march / april 2009 ‘You Just Sold It’ Post Sponsors $55,000 Free Call Day on Easter OperatiOn Uplink’s Free Call Day on Easter will support troops courtesy of Post 7504 in Piscataway, N.J. The Post recently sold its Post home for $350,000, $55,000 of which will sponsor the Free Call Day. Dom Ciardi and fellow Post members were not aware of Operation Uplink and its Free Call Days until the District 8 commander commented on the program. Ciardi called Uplink at National Headquarters to discuss sponsoring a Free Call Day. When he learned that Easter was available, he said, “You just sold it.” The check to Uplink is the first check the Post has written with the money from the sale of the building. Of the Post’s 148 members, most were not showing up to meetings because of their advanced age and limited mobility. After only seeing seven or eight people at meetings, the Post membership decided to sell its home. The town of Piscataway bought the building and plans to raze it to build a municipal complex. “We have earmarked all this money for state veterans, local veterans or national veterans programs,” Ciardi said. “Also, some will stay within the confines of our community such as the library and Little League.” Ciardi spoke with past VFW Commander-in-Chief George Lisicki to get in touch with the Department of Maryland and their wounded warrior program. He also hopes to get involved with active-duty units. “We’re looking at a Marine battalion over in Dover, N.J.,” Ciardi said. “They’re in Iraq now and they’re coming back in April, so we’re going to sponsor some welcome back ceremonies.” According to Ciardi, a veterans home in Anderson, N.J., needs a new van to transport veterans. Post 7504 plans to participate in helping to supply that. Post members have been asked to offer suggestions for other charitable donations. “We want to get rid of this money in a responsible way and as fast as we can because it’s just too much money to have laying around,” Ciardi said. The Post has given up its VFW charter, but members hope to join a Post in a nearby town. Collaboration Funds Free Call Day Member Donates $10,000 to Honor Fallen GI The DeparTmenT oF CaliFornia received a $10,000 donation in November from Thomas Burford, a VFW member from Marin County. Burford, a Cold War veteran who served in the Air Force from 1970-78, spent two years raising the money. His donation went directly to Operation Uplink, where it was used to help fund the Free Call Day on Thanksgiving. “They may never remember the beef jerky and stuff I send, but they will always remember that call home,” Burford said. Burford’s best friend, Paul Olson, lost his son, Cpl. Nicholas Olson, to an IED in Iraq in September 2007. This close tragedy strengthened Burford’s resolve. “That’s why I do it,” he said. Burford raised the money for this contribution by setting up booths requesting donations at events in Marin County. He also has spent the last few years sending care packages to the troops, with nearly three tons of supplies shipped. “Thomas Buford is a shining example of what it means to be an American patriot and to truly support our troops,” said Department of California commander Nick Guest. Tammy Hilbrich, also of Marin County, was a significant contributor to Burford’s “Operation Triple H, Helping our Heroes from our Homes.” Hilbrich, whose stepson was killed in action in Iraq, helped Burford reach his $10,000 goal by donating the proceeds from her own effort in her local charity Human Race 10k run. Burford has been supporting troops non-stop for more than five years. He continues to gather jeans, collared t-shirts, short-sleeved shirts, socks, baseball caps, sports bras, running shorts, cargo pants, and lightweight clothing to send to troops overseas. Anyone interested in getting involved can contact him at MarinBackroads@ msn.com. “they may never remember the beef jerky and stuff i send, but they will always remember that call home.” —thomas burford, vfW member marin County CHECKPOINT • MARCH / APRIL 2009 • 3 thomas Burford (left) and tammy hilbrich (right) present their $10,000 donation to Jim rowoldt (center), Department of california adjutant/quartermaster. Photo courtesy thomas BurForD army spc. Gwen Beberg kisses ratchet, the Border collie mix pup she rescued while serving in iraq, during her welcome home ceremony in January at Post 363 in spring Lake, minn. ratchet was flown to minnesota last october with the help of Operation Baghdad Pups, where he stayed with Beberg’s parents. Rescuing Ratchet Soldier Saves Iraq Pup’s Life and Introduces Him to Minnesota Snow When army sPc. GWen BeBerG came home to Spring Lake, Minn., on Jan. 17, she was greeted at Post 363 by friends and family. And in the midst of the crowd, a furry guy named Ratchet came forward to offer a kiss. The Border collie mix was rescued from a burning pile of trash in Iraq on Mother’s Day 2008 by Beberg and her fellow soldiers. He was only a month old at the time. Beberg named him Ratchet and began caring for him in Iraq. She told the Minneapolis Star Tribune that the pup helped her through a difficult period in Iraq. As her departure from Iraq drew near, Beberg began making arrangements to take Ratchet with her. The first attempt to get him out of the country was when she sent him with a military convoy headed for Baghdad International Airport, where he’d fly out with a particular unit. But Ratchet was confiscated and sent back to Beberg’s base. The Army frowned on this, citing rules prohibiting U.S. troops from transporting pets from the war zone. Operation Baghdad Pups, an animal rescue group, stepped in to assist. Some 70,000 people around the world signed a petition to bring Ratchet home to Minnesota. A private security firm collected Ratchet and put him in a pet carrier to transport him to the airport. Once there, Terri Crisp, Operation Baghdad Pups coordinator, took Ratchet on a charter flight to Kuwait and then to Amsterdam and finally to Washington, D.C., where he stayed for two days before arriving in Minnesota on Oct. 22. Since Beberg wouldn’t be home until January, her parents, Pat and Ted, welcomed the pup into their home, where they discovered just how smart he is. Pat said Ratchet loves living inside and when he needs to go out, he sits by the back door, looks over his shoulder and barks once. He also picks out his toys by name. And while Ratchet was born in the sands of 120-degree Iraq, he quickly adapted to the frigid Minnesota temperatures. Beberg mailed snow booties to her mom for Ratchet because she worried the snow and ice would be hard on his paws. But according to Pat, Ratchet loves the weather so much, he’ll lie around on mounds of snow and sometimes digs up ice chunks to play with. “At first he’d pick up a back leg and shake it, like ‘What is this stuff?’ ” Pat told the Star Tribune of Ratchet’s first snow experiences. Now that she’s home, Beberg plans to take classes at Northwestern Health Sciences University in the fall, where she will study massage therapy. She’s hopeful that she can train Ratchet to be a therapy dog. “I wish every soldier in the world—past, present and future—came home to a welcome like this,” Beberg told the Star Tribune at her welcome home party. Operation Baghdad Pups has brought 56 dogs and six cats to the u.s. from iraq in little more than a year. 4 • CHECKPOINT • MARCH / APRIL 2009 STaR TRiBUNe/miNNeaPoLis-st. PauL 2009 VFW Passes Vital Resolutions at Convention Motions Highlight Need for POW/MIA Accounting and Combat Action Badge for Pentagon Service on 9/11 amonG dozens of resolutions introduced in August 2008 at VFW’s 109th convention in Orlando, Fla., two particularly important motions were passed. Mike Wysong, director of National Security and Foreign Affairs for VFW, offered Checkpoint some insight into why Res. 434 and Res. 442 merit focused and unyielding attention. Res. 434 calls for authorization of the Combat Action Badge (CAB) for troops who served, were killed or died from wounds suffered at the Pentagon on Sept. 11, 2001. “Authorizing the Combat Action Badge is the only fair and just thing to do for those who served during that fateful day,” Wysong says. The resolution states that troops at the Pentagon were “clearly engaged by the enemy during the terrorist attack.” In addition, it points out that many service members killed and wounded during the Sept. 11, 2001, attack received the Purple Heart. Res. 442 requests more support from the Russian government in the already-established U.S./Russia Joint Commission on POW/MIA Affairs, which seeks the former Soviet Union’s help in determining the fate of missing American troops. The Joint POW-MIA Accounting Command (JPAC) estimates that more than 88,000 Americans are still missing from WWII, Korea, Vietnam, the Cold War and the Persian Gulf War. However, only 35,000 of a total 78,000 WWII vets are deemed recoverable. The rest were lost at sea or entombed in sunken vessels. “The resolution is important because it’s a high national priority,” Wysong says. “In particular, this resolution addresses how the Russian government downgraded the commission from the presidential level. Since 2005, there has not been official government dialogue on this issue because the commission is used for that dialogue.” The resolution, therefore, calls upon Russian Federation Prime Minister Vladamir Putin and President Dmitry Medvedev to “commit to the agreement made between our governments” and requests “their full cooperation on all humanitarian objectives of this committee.” In addition, the resolution asks for the Speaker of the House to appoint “a qualified member of the House to actively serve” on the American side. “We’re still missing one member,” Wysong explains. “So we sent this over to the Speaker of the House to let them know we’re concerned about it, so they can do their part.” While there has been no official government dialogue regarding POW/MIA issues for nearly four years, VFW representatives have traveled to Russia several times to meet with Russian veterans organizations to voice concern about the lack of help from their government in resolving the fate of missing American service members. In October 2008, Commander-in-Chief Glen M. Gardner, Jr., traveled with Assistant Adjutant General Bob Wallace to Russia in the latest attempt. “We traveled with a letter urging the Russian government to address the fate of a WWII veteran last known alive in a Russian military hospital,” Gardner wrote in a trip summary report. “Our goal was to give the letter to all we met with… We accomplished this, and all who received copies of the letter pledged support to determine the fate of this brave American.” commander-in-chief Glen Gardner, Jr., second from right, and executive Director, VFW Washington office, Bob Wallace, third from right, meet with representatives from the combat Brotherhood Veterans organization in october in moscow. VFW representatives encouraged the combat Brotherhood to urge its government to support PoW/mia efforts. executive Director, Washington office, Bob Wallace, second from right, and commander-inchief Glen Gardner, Jr., third from right, participate in a joint wreath-laying ceremony in october at russia’s tomb of the unknown soldier in moscow with members of the committee of Warrior internationalists and the combat Brotherhood, two prominent russian veteran organizations. VFW Res. 434 the resolution seeks authorization of the Combat action badge for members of the armed forces who were serving in the Pentagon on sept. 11, 2001. VFW Res. 442 the resolution requests the Russian government to re-establish its representation on the u.s./Russia Joint Commission and request the speaker of the u.s. House of Representatives to appoint a member to fill the position on the u.s. side of this commission. “authorizing the Combat action badge is the only fair and just thing to do for those who served during that fateful day.” —mike Wysong, director of national security and foreign affairs for vfW CHECKPOINT • MARCH / APRIL 2009 • 5 Photos courtesy michaeL WysoNG Order 90 Days Out Start Now for a Successful Buddy Poppy Year in communities nationWide, VFW members are known for their Buddy Poppy distribution on and around Memorial Day. While that may seem a long way off, it isn’t. Not when you factor in that a Post must order Poppies about 90 days in advance—this month! “Ordering at least 90 days out helps us ensure that the poppies are delivered in plenty of time for the Posts’ planned distribution dates,” said Bud Haney, assistant director of VFW Programs. Haney suggests that each volunteer distribute as many poppies as possible, and set a goal of 200. A share of the proceeds from the purchase of poppies goes directly to National Veterans Service and the VFW’s National Home for Children. Donations are appreciated, but none is required when poppies are distributed. “Each volunteer should remember that the funds from the distribution of poppies goes into their Post relief fund and can be used to help veterans, active-duty military and their family members,” Haney said. High-traffic areas such as supermarkets, department stores or military exchanges are recommended as distribution sites. Members also can hand them out at schools or large events in order to educate the public about the poppy and its significance to veterans. “We suggest Posts coordinate as much as possible with any businesses or facilities in their area to ensure they secure the best possible locations,” Haney said. Disabled vets continue an 85-year tradition of assembling all Buddy Poppies. They are currently created at VA rehabilitation centers in Temple, Texas; Fort Dodge, Kan.; Barbourville, W.Va.; and White City, Ore. Did You Know? • in 1922, vfW began its first distribution of Poppies, made in france at the time. • baseball player babe Ruth presented President Warren g. Harding with the first official buddy Poppy of 1923. • in 1924, vfW was granted the trademark on buddy Poppies and has owned the rights ever since. • in 1930, Poppy distribution reached 4 million for the first time. • from 1940 through 1961 (except 1960), movie actresses were chosen as buddy Poppy girls. Jane Wyman (1942), Doris Day (1950) and natalie Wood (1957) were among these honored celebrities. Jane Wyman Doris Day Natalie Wood Star-Spangled Bonus in 2009, vfW members had another opportunity to distribute buddy Poppies. this date, march 3, also marked the anniversary of vfW’s victory in sealing the star spangled banner as the national anthem in 1931. VFW National Headquarters Poppy Suppliers Production Centers VA rehabilitation centers Poppies are assembled. Assemblers‘ salaries are paid by National HQ Poppies are shipped to Posts regionally Orders and payment are sent to suppliers for parts and materials Supplies are shipped to 4 production centers in 4 states Departments Posts Poppies are distributed Payment is made to National HQ for purchase of poppies previously ordered Payment is made to Dept. for purchase of poppies previously ordered National Home Receives 1¢ for every poppy distributed National Veterans Service Fund Receives 1¢ for every poppy distributed, plus any additional proceeds Department Veterans Service Fund Per bylaws, for every poppy sold by a Dept., 1 1/2 ¢ is deposited into its Dept. Veterans Service Fund Post Relief Fund Per bylaws, all net proceeds go to Post Relief Fund 6 • CHECKPOINT • MARCH / APRIL 2009 continued from page 1 VFW Membership Department Launches New Web Site spread the word about She Serves. “Social networking is great, because a lot of female vets are still finding their place in this organization,” Danderson says. “They’re looking for people to connect with, but not necessarily wanting to use solely their Post or geographic location to do so. This way [online] they can connect with shared experiences.” A core group of 10 women vets helped launch joinsheserves.org, offering their input and sharing their stories. As one of these core members, Dania C., explains on the site: “I have always admired the men and women serving during a time of need for this nation, so upon returning from my deployment, I decided to join an elite group of people. The biggest benefit from being a part of the VFW is the camaraderie.” The Membership Department is pleased with the Web site’s progress. “There’s a tremendous opportunity with this crowd,” Danderson says. “We want to be able to represent the interests of all vets, including women, and that means giving them a forum where they can discuss those issues.” Post 6709 Properly Disposes Worn-out Flags $15,000 for Bullet-Proof Vests Armed Standoff Spurs Post Donation to Police Department a friGhteninG incident last summer prompted members of an Arkansas Post to help their local police department. In August 2008, a mentally ill gunman armed with a semi-automatic weapon wounded a law enforcement officer during a standoff with police in Jacksonville, Ark., some 10 miles northeast of Little Rock. Police eventually killed the gunman, who had barricaded himself inside a house. The wounded police officer survived the gunshot to his shoulder, but the incident exposed a potentially fatal flaw in the police department’s equipment. “Their old bullet-proof vests were ineffective,” said Don Reynolds, a Vietnam War Air Force vet and commander of Post 4548 in Jacksonville, Ark. “They only had pistol-stopping power, and were useless against something like an SKS, AK-47 or other high-powered rifles.” Reynolds said a Post member, who serves with the Jacksonville Police Department, told his fellow vets that the force needed $30,000 for 12 top-of-the-line vests. The Post, flush with bingo proceeds and looking for a worthwhile cause, decided to help out. The result was a $15,000 donation to the department’s SWAT team for six of the vests. According to Post Quartermaster Jim Gilbert, the donation was just a portion of more than $43,000 the Post donated in the last six months of 2008. Gilbert says a new Arkansas law allows non-profit groups to hold bingo games as long as a certain amount of the profits go to charity. Gilbert added that Post 4548 can use proceeds to pay operating expenses and prize money, but not individuals operating the games, who must be volunteers. The law stipulates that the rest of the money be donated. Other charities to which the Post has donated are: • Fishnet Missions, which helps the homeless in Little Rock, Ark. • Dorcus House, a charity for abused women • The Wounded Warrior Project • VFW’s Military Assistance Program • Post 4548 Ladies Auxiliary’s hospital program • Assistance for active-duty troops assigned to the Little Rock Air Force Base. memBers of Post 6709 in WauPun, Wis., properly retire tattered and torn U.S. flags during a flag disposal ceremony last fall. According to the U.S. Flag Code, worn-out flags should be burned in a private ceremony and the ashes then buried. Several VFW Posts around the country serve as flag disposal sites. Pictured are Fred Zurbuchen, Wally Riel, Jr., and Walter Riel, Sr. Also participating were John Williamson, Larry Duer and Marshall McLean. Helping Hungry Vets Post Food Pantry Fulfills Community Need Post 10338 in lanesBorouGh, mass., of- fers a unique service specific for veterans and military families. A food pantry is open every Friday and more than 60 food items regularly stock the shelves. The U.S. Department of Agriculture, local restaurants, individuals and the farmer’s market supply the pantry. Commander Paul Harris told The Catholic Observer that the pantry opened in 2007 after a military outreach program in nearby Pittsfield lost funding. “One of my comrades in arms said to me, ‘I’m embarrassed, I need food and I’m hungry,’ ” Harris said. “I found a couple of other veterans were out begging for food, so I said, ‘We can’t let that happen.’ ” He promptly applied for a loan and got a $750 grant from United Way and the pantry opened in December 2007. The first month, the volunteers gave out food for little more than 200 meals. One year later, food for 2,000 meals was distributed. That’s about 3,000 pounds in one month. “A normal food pantry wouldn’t have this much selection,” Harris said. “We try to give them a wellbalanced, healthy meal so when we get a donation of money, 90% goes in for food. We’re not going to give you food that you can’t eat because of your medication or you don’t like it.” When veterans or military families come in, they can get food like milk, eggs, cereal, cheese and even fresh produce. Some things like hamburger, jelly and spaghetti the food pantry at Post 10338 in Lansborough, mass., hands out about sauce are rationed off, but pantry- 3,000 pounds of food each month to veterans and military families. goers are free to take anything else american Legion Post 446 helps sponsor the food pantry. they need. The pantry is located in the Post home, which also is home to the American Legion Post 446. Volunteers from both veterans groups run the shelter and account for every food item that goes in or out and also check eligibility of those “shopping” at the pantry. Volunteer and Vietnam vet Arnold Sears told The Catholic Observer that he volunteers for the enjoyment of helping others. “A lot of people are hurting,” he said. “We have people who come in here with families of five and no job. Unemployment ran out and they rely on us for their meals.” If your Post is interested in starting a similar endeavor in your community and would like a few pointers, call Harris at (413) 443-2440. CHECKPOINT • MARCH / APRIL 2009 • 7 Photo courtesy miKe GormaLLey Photo By Larry Duer, Post 6709 MARCH / APRIL 2009 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 FEB. 12, 2009 6 628 Sioux Falls, SD ..............................1,762 7 4372 Odessa, TX ....................................1,752 8 972 Terre Haute, IN .............................1,692 8 27 Wiesbaden, Germany ..................1,692 10 392 Virginia Beach, VA ....................... 1,631 38 1079 Elyria, OH ..........................1,198 39 10436 Kitzingen, Germany .......1,187 40 8951 West York, PA ..................1,178 41 10047 North Las Vegas, NV ..... 1,176 42 969 Tacoma, WA .....................1,166 43 3282 Port Orange, FL ...............1,163 44 9534 Mannheim, Germany ....1,162 45 10209 Spring Hill, FL .................. 1,153 46 1275 Lima, OH ...........................1,150 47 1170 Middletown, KY .............. 1,132 48 3982 Santa Clara, CA .............. 1,104 49 9186 San Antonio, TX ............1,090 50 6796 Dallas, TX .........................1,078 51 8541 San Antonio, TX .............1,074 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 6251 Cheektowaga, NY ........ 1,063 8696 Palm Coast, FL ..............1,054 4075 Frankfort, KY ..................1,049 9334 Vilseck, Germany .........1,048 1810 Brentwood, PA ..............1,040 7175 Millington, TN ............... 1,036 7564 West Fargo, ND .............1,034 131 Lincoln, NE ......................1,019 360 Mishawaka, IN ...............1,018 1714 Dodge City, KS ................1,011 428 Saint Cloud, MN ............1,001 PAID Kansas city, mo Permit No. 1298 1 1114 Evansville, IN ............................... 2,758 2 1503 Dale City, VA ................................ 1,964 3 6506 Rosedale, MD .............................. 1,842 4 1146 St Clair Shores, MI ........................1,811 5 9972 Sierra Vista, AZ ............................ 1,781 Rank No. Location Members 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 22 4647 North Highlands, CA ....1,598 2485 Angeles City, Philippines ......................1,509 10097 Fort Myers Beach, FL .. 1,489 7234 Ocean View, DE ............ 1,486 2503 Omaha, NE ......................1,485 63 Boise, ID .......................... 1,466 8862 Vicenza, Italy ..................1,369 1599 Chambersburg, PA ........1,368 788 Cedar Rapids, IA ............1,359 7330 Oakville, CT ..................... 1,333 1326 Bismarck, ND ..................1,327 1512 Lemon Grove, CA ...........1,314 2111 Chula Vista, CA ...............1,314 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 1296 Bloomington, MN............1,311 9785 Eagle River, AK ...............1,299 1273 Rapid City, SD ................1,290 7686 Alamogordo, NM ...........1,285 1308 Alton, IL ............................1,282 549 Tucson, AZ .......................1,275 379 Yakima, WA .....................1,269 401 Albuquerque, NM..........1,266 6873 Abilene, TX ......................1,249 5555 Richfield, MN ................. 1,240 10420 Murrells Inlet, SC ...........1,232 4809 Norfolk, VA ..................... 1,220 3579 Park Ridge, IL ...................1,214 7674 Fort Walton Beach, FL .1,207 ‘Joined VFW to Be Part of a Team’ VFW Member Helps Rebuild Schools in Iraq durinG his time in iraq, Bruce S. Bradford formed a mixed perception of the country and its people. From October 2007 through December 2008, he served as the platoon sergeant for 3rd Plt., C Co., 4th Bn., 64th Armor, 3rd Inf. Div. “I met a lot of good people there and know they have bad apples just like we have back home that need to be brought to justice,” Bradford said. For the first eight months, he patrolled the West Rasheed Area and the southern portion of Baghdad. “We patrolled the streets, conducted checkpoint assessments, and rebuilt facilities such as schools, factories and bridges,” Bradford said. “We built a great rapport with a lot of local nationals who wanted the same freedom as we have back home.” He was then transferred to the tactical operations center as a battle captain. There he worked out of Forward Operating Base Falcon, tracking the battlefield and helping units with medevac operations, explosive ordinance disposal, attack aviation support and fire support. Bradford became a VFW life member of Post 1388 in Millersport, Ohio, in late 2008 through the help of his father, who also is a member. “I joined VFW to be part of a team and to stay in touch with old and new veterans and to help in any way possible,” he said. “I feel that VFW can help veterans deployed by sending cards of thanks and packages to units to build morale and just to show that we support them.” Bradford said VFW members were always there for him during his deployment, but the military doesn’t give enough thanks. “Coming home we get a lot of thanks for our sacrifices,” he said, “but we couldn’t have done it without those who support us and make us feel our loss did not go in vain.” Bruce Bradford posed in march 2007 with his unit’s mascot, trogdor, a dog they found outside command outpost radwaniyah in Baghdad. “it was nice to have a companion that would make you feel closer to home,” Bradford said. 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 • MARCH / APRIL 2009 Photo courtesy Bruce BraDForD