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September/October 2010 Checkpoint magazine.
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CHECKP INT
SePTemBer | oCToBer 2010 www.vfwmagazine.org
NEws from Vfw’s froNT lINEs
Water Balloon Battle
Students Re-enact Civil War with VFW Assistance
VFW has long been knoWn For its commit-
ment to America’s youth. From sponsoring youth sports
to working with Boy Scouts, Post members across the
country show they care.
Post 983 in Henderson, Nev., a suburb of Las Vegas,
took its commitment to youth a step further. Post mem-
ber and school volunteer James Edwards led fifth-grade
students from Edna Hinman Elementary and J.M. Ullom
Elementary schools in a three-month study of the Civil
PHotoS CoURtESy of MoNa SHiEld PayNE PHotogRaPHy
War, culminating in a re-enactment of the Battle of Bull
Run.
Dressed in period uniforms, the students used water
balloons as weapons, a welcome relief on the 94-degree
day in May 2009.
Edwards told the Las Vegas Sun that the program is
intended to bring history alive and teach discipline to
the students. Each fifth-grade class became a regiment
for three months, their teachers were colonels.
Students learned to march in formation and lead
troops. When a leader is killed or wounded in battle,
they learned, the next ranking soldier has to take over.
In the process students had to earn their ranks such as
standard bearers, corporals and sergeants.
During the pre-battle inspection, Edwards asked the
students, “Sergeant, who will replace you if you fall?
Private, are you ready to replace the corporal if she gets
shot?”
He noted how the front-line troops kneeled so the Students from Edna Hinman Elementary and J.M. Ullom Elementary schools participate in a Battle of Bull Run
back line could throw water balloons over their heads. re-enactment using water balloons in May 2009. Post 983 in Henderson, Nev., sponsored the program, which
Students also had a supply line to maintain. was the culmination of a three-month study on the Civil War.
“That mimics what happened in real battle,” Edwards
said. “It took 20 to 30 seconds to reload. They have to go “It turned them around,” she told the Sun. “They the battle, only three students were missing any assign-
through the frustration of standing there and being shot don’t want to miss school. It helped with grades. They ments.
at, while they wait to get their order to fire.” wanted to participate.” Edwards said VFW will continue the program annu-
Teacher Stacy Skinner noted that the history pro- She said when the program began, 10 of her students ally so that the students can one day come back as par-
gram made an impact on the students’ attitude toward had more than 20 missing assignments. By the day of ents to watch their own children in the re-enactment.
school.
wHAT’s INsIDE CHECKPoINT “It took 20 to 30 seconds to reload. They
Extra! Extra!, Page 2
• Free calls for troops
• Upcoming Programs deadlines
have to go through the frustration of
standing there and being shot at, while
• Exam-free life insurance
WWII Vets Active at Posts, Page 3
Here are 120 more WWII veterans who contribute
their time and effort in official positions to keep
their Posts operating efficiently.
they wait to get their order to fire.”
VOD Winners Converge on Washington, Page 4-5 —James Edwards, school volunteer and member
VFW’s premier scholarship program brings all 54 of VFW Post 983 in Henderson, Nev.
Department winners to the nation’s capital to crown
this year’s national champ.
National Teachers of the Year, Page 6
Representing Michigan, Kentucky and North
Carolina, VFW’s top citizenship education teachers
explain their passion for America and patriotism.
Wyoming’s Own Hollywood Star, Page 7
Marine Pfc. Chance Phelps’ story inspired a movie,
a charitable foundation and a special place of honor
at his Post in Wyoming.
Membership Reveals Marketing Campaigns,
Page 8 above left, dressed in period costumes, students wait patiently in the Nevada heat for the battle to begin.
Here’s what savvy VFW recruiters can expect over above right, water balloon “ammunition” is hurled through the air by the “soldiers” during the re-enactment.
the next six months as the national Membership
Department targets three groups of veterans.
CHECKPOINT • SEPTEmbEr / OCTObEr 2010 • 1
exTra! exTra! Allen “Gunner” Kent, Adjutant General
lEADErsHIP PErsPECTIVEs
TrooPs GET TWo FrEE cAlls PEr MoNTH
Starting this month, VfW’s Operation Uplink program will
Offer Students a Veteran’s Perspective
provide two free calls a month to U.S. troops serving over- VFW’s 111th birthday is Sept. 29, and our members Voice of Democracy entry and a $10,000 U.S. savings
seas. troops can connect with their families and friends can celebrate by demonstrating why we remain bond for the top middle-school essay.
back home at military Moral, Welfare and Recreation in- popular within our communities. Specifically, Post And for the hard-working teachers who provide
members can take advantage of outstanding lessons, VFW also offers the National
ternet Cafes.
VFW’s “Veterans in the Citizenship Education Teachers Awards (see page 6
“We are thrilled to now offer two calls per month,” said
Classroom Month” in for last year’s winners). The top ele-
linda ferguson, manager of special programs for VfW’s November, which also mentary-, middle- and high-school
National Military Services. “We can connect so many more kicks off our annual es- teachers will each receive $1,000,
families now. and for anyone who has ever had a loved one say contests for students as will their schools. We will pres-
serve overseas, they know how special that call is.” to earn cash awards. ent the 2011 teacher awards at the
Posts can get started VFW National Legislative Confer-
Following is the schedule of Free call days: by contacting schools at ence next March in Washington,
Sept. 5 & 29 March 13 & 27 the beginning of the fall D.C.
semester. Tell teachers VFW members can obtain more
oct. 3 & 17 april 10 & 24
your Post members can information about these programs
Nov. 11 & 25 May 8 & 29
provide “living history pre- at www.vfwdepartmentresources.
dec. 15 & 25 June 5 & 19 sentations” to their classes. org. By simply clicking on the Cross
Jan. 1 & 16 July 4 & 24 A veteran’s perspective of what of Malta next to “Program Infor-
feb. 14 & 27 aug. 7 & 28 it was like to actually serve in a mation” members can access such items as:
war zone is something students • VOD and Patriot’s Pen student entry and
for more information, access www.operationuplink.org.
simply cannot get through text- advancement forms.
books. • Brochures explaining VFW’s teacher awards,
Savvy Posts will notify teachers of the date (see Veterans in the Classroom, VFW Day and
Extra! Extra! “Pay Heed to Program Deadlines” at national scholarship programs.
left) students must submit their Voice of Democ- Let your local schools and teachers know that
PAy HEEd To ProGrAM dEAdlINEs racy and Patriot’s Pen essays to qualify for the grand even at 111 years old, VFW stands ready to help them
VfW has three school-related programs that honor and prizes: a $30,000 college scholarship for the winning educate the nation’s future leaders.
recognize students and teachers. the program deadlines
begin in November. Keep your program chairmen aware
of these dates. Larry Maher, Quartermaster General
Voice of democracy and Patriot’s Pen Recognize Good Performance
youth Essay contests: Everyone appreciates recognition for a job well done, • Award plaques for major milestones
Nov. 1: deadline for students to submit entries to and this can be even more important when working or accomplishments.
Posts. with volunteers. Sometimes we get so busy that we Take the time to communicate Post goals clearly
Nov. 15: deadline for completion of Post judging. forget to make that extra effort. However, there are and listen to what members have to say. Volunteers
dec. 6: deadline for completion of district judging. lots of tools available to show our appreciation. Here value clear communications and openness.
Jan. 7, 2011: deadline for completion of department are just a few from 1001 Ways To Reward Employees These ideas work whether you are running an
judging. by Bob Nelson (Workman Publishing, 1994): office, managing a corporation or leading a group of
Jan. 15, 2011: deadline for department winners to be • A personal thanks given verbally. This works volunteers. It’s important to recognize the outstand-
received by VfW National Headquarters. best if you are specific about what they did ing work of those who support you. You’ll feel good
for more information, contact Kris Harmer, programs and give it soon after the work or project you about it, your employees or volunteers will feel good,
manager, at (816) 756-3390, ext. 117, or e-mail kharmer@ are recognizing. and you’ll encourage more outstanding work. It is a
vfw.org. • A personal, handwritten note. Some win-win situation.
leaders create their own cards out of
construction paper with “Bravo” or
“Wonderful” written on the cover.
Once again, be specific and timely.
• Create a special wall for recognition in your
Post home. Put up photos of major events,
photos of members receiving awards, letters
from the community, special citations or
anything that recognizes extra efforts and
accomplishments.
National citizenship Education Teacher Awards: • Post a chart to track progress on a goal you
Nov. 1: deadline to send entries to Posts. are trying to achieve as a team. Celebrate
Nov. 15: deadline to send entries to districts. when the goal is met.
dec. 15: deadline to send entries to departments. • Celebrate major team accomplishments with
Jan. 15, 2011: deadline to send entries to VfW a group outing, such as a baseball game,
National Headquarters. bowling event or dinner out together.
• Publicly recognize your volunteers’
for more information, contact tammy Beauchamp, pro-
accomplishments and contributions at
grams coordinator, at (816) 756-3390, ext. 287, or e-mail
a Post meeting.
tbeauchamp@vfw.org.
ExAMs NoT rEquIrEd For lIFE INsurANcE
VfW’s Member insurance department proudly sponsors
the Senior term life insurance Program. EdITor Checkpoint is an award-winning VETErANs oF ForEIGN WArs VFW WAsHINGToN oFFIcE
the policy provides up to $25,000 in benefits and is tim dyhouse newsletter published six times a National Headquarters VfW Memorial Building
year in January, March, May, July, 406 W. 34th Street 200 Maryland ave., N.E.
guaranteed issue, meaning no medical exam and no health AssIsTANT EdITor September and November. its Kansas City, Mo 64111 Washington, d.C. 20002
questions to answer. you cannot be turned down for cover- Janie Blankenship purpose is to provide VfW depart- (816) 756-3390 (202) 543-2239
ment, district and Post leaders with faX 816-968-1169 faX 202-543-6719
age if you are age 45-75, and coverage cannot be cancelled sTAFF WrITEr information to enhance their job Checkpoint e-mail: e-mail: vfw@vfwdc.org
because of age or any change in health. if death occurs Kelly Von lunen performance and furnish them with tdyhouse@vfw.org
a more comprehensive understand-
for non-excluded reasons, the plan will pay 125% of your GrAPHIc dEsIGNEr ing of the organization.
initial annual premium the first year and 250% of the ini- Julie Knapp VfW department, district and Post publications
Correspondence can be sent may reproduce sections of Checkpoint. all other
tial premium the second year. thereafter, the full benefit to the editor at VfW National publications must receive editor’s permission.
Headquarters. internet address: www.vfwmagazine.org
amount will be paid for death from any cause.
annual subscription rate: $6
for more information, visit www.vfwinsurance.com or © September / october 2010
call 1-800-749-6983.
2 • CHECKPOINT • SEPTEmbEr / OCTObEr 2010
588 Recognized to Date
World War II Veterans Leading
VFW Posts from Coast to Coast
The CheCkpoint sTaFF exTends a hearTy “Thank you” to all
our World War II Post leaders, members and veterans. And we want to recognize
those who still devote time and energy to VFW causes.
Listed below are 120 WWII veterans who serve VFW Posts in official capacities.
Checkpoint has recognized a total of 588 such Post leaders since the March/April
2009 issue.
We have received an unexpectedly large number of names, so please be patient if
you are waiting to see your submission printed. Names published to date are those
received through approximately the end of March 2010. The backlog is significant,
but not insurmountable. We will continue to feature this section in subsequent issues
until every WWII Post leader whose name is submitted is recognized.
If you would like to recognize a WWII veteran who currently serves your Post,
please send us his or her name, official Post position and your Post’s location. Send
information to: Name Position Post/location
Checkpoint Robert Kirkpatrick Trustee Post 1586, Hastings, Pa.
Attn: WWII Leaders Arthur R. Koeser, Jr. Surgeon Post 1230, Sheboygan, Wis.
406 W. 34th Street Clair Koontz Sr. Vice Cmdr. Post 1586, Hastings, Pa.
Kansas City, MO 64111 Cliff Kuhl Jr. Vice Cmdr. Post 4362, Scappoose, Ore.
E-mail: tdyhouse@vfw.org Ray Lawver Trustee Post 6846, Geneva, Ohio
Leroy Lehrke Trustee Post 7727, Cleveland, Ohio
Harvey Manson Trustee Post 1641, Rumford, Maine
Name Position Post/location Joseph A. Martinez Trustee Post 7732, Kenner, La.
Russell Adams Trustee Post 941, Harlan, Iowa Charles G. Mayer Trustee Post 7817, Westboro, Wis.
Andy Anderson Surgeon Post 2350, Elko, Nev. John F. McCarthy Quartermaster Post 253, Salem, N.J.
Lucien Arsenault Jr. Vice Cmdr. Post 1641, Rumford, Maine Ricardo Medina Commander Post 7688, Questa, N.M.
Armondo C. Azzinaro Commander Post 8955, Westerly, R.I. Charlie Milnes Sr. Vice Cmdr. Post 6174, Eldridge, Iowa
Garold C. Bahnsen Commander Post 7817, Westboro, Wis. Thomas Monson Chaplain Post 63, Boise, Idaho
Roland Bailey Trustee Post 4820, Port Neches, Texas Joseph Morency Adjutant Post 6977, York Beach, Maine
Otis Barnes Surgeon Post 4820, Port Neches, Texas Joseph C. Morreale Sr. Vice Cmdr. Post 7732, Kenner, La.
Don Behm School Liaison Post 1238, Bellevue, Ohio Albert Moulton Quartermaster Post 6977, York Beach, Maine
Robert J. Bigelow Commander Post 4657, Carpenter, Wyo. Robert G. Mugford Chaplain Post 8771, Sudbury, Mass.
John Braden Asst. Chaplain Post 3203, Dallas, Ore. Eugene Murphy Trustee Post 1586, Hastings, Pa.
Nelson Briley House Committee Post 3065, Baltimore, Md. Durward A. Newhard Commander Post 3334, Jefferson, Ohio
Blair P. Browne Dist. 8 Quartermaster Post 10080, Pylesville, Md. Loren E. Ochse Jr. Vice Cmdr. Post 10300, Potlatch, Idaho
William Bullers Judge Advocate Post 6301, Johnsonburg, Pa. Hubert O’Hearn Commander Post 8546, Salem, N.H.
Manuel Cabral Judge Advocate Post 4864, Citrus Springs, Fla. Peter P. Orlando Commander Post 10336, Maynard, Mass.
Charles Campanella Trustee Post 3068, Buffalo, N.Y. Jack Peffer Color Guard Post 8755, Sheffield, Pa.
Albert Campbell Trustee Post 3348, Seattle, Wash. Donald P. Peirce Quartermaster Post 8771, Sudbury, Mass.
John J. Casey, Jr. Chaplain Post 10336, Maynard, Mass. Charles E. Pepper Commander Post 8771, Sudbury, Mass.
David A. Cawman Judge Advocate Post 253, Salem, N.J. John Primerano Jr. Vice Cmdr. Post 6977, York Beach, Maine
George Cherry Trustee Post 6301, Johnsonburg, Pa. William Reese Commander Post 7727, Cleveland, Ohio
Victor Chirillo Trustee Post 6301, Johnsonburg, Pa. Louis Renna Jr. Vice Cmdr. Post 8955, Westerly, R.I.
Woodrow Chmieleski Sergeant-at-Arms Post 8546, Salem, N.H. Glen Reno Quartermaster Post 2494, Irving, Texas
James J. Cox Officer of the Day Post 8904, Center, Texas Alfred Richard Officer of the Day Post 1641, Rumford, Maine
Floyd C. Culver Chaplain Post 1675, Osburn, Idaho Frank Rose Trustee Post 8546, Salem, N.H.
Donald Damer Honor Guard Post 7302, Hemlock, Mich. Joseph J. Ruggiero Quartermaster Post 3230, Brooklyn, N.Y.
Calvin V. Davis Commander Post 8309, Fruita, Colo. William Ruprecht Surgeon Post 7727, Cleveland, Ohio
Clarence Deavers Jr. Vice Cmdr. Post 6957, Haysville, Kan. Jacob R. Ryser Jr. Vice Cmdr. Post 3699, Indio, Calif.
David E. Dell Commander Post 10739, Parkton, Md. Alfred Sabatini Asst. Adjutant Post 8546, Salem, N.H.
Pat Dellaquila Chaplain Post 6301, Johnsonburg, Pa. Harry Sappington Dist. 8 Guard Post 3065, Baltimore, Md.
George Demento Honor Guard Post 1586, Hastings, Pa. Walter Schulhauser Trustee Post 1675, Osburn, Idaho
Robert Dill Jr. Vice Cmdr. Post 4820, Port Neches, Texas Thomas Schultz Trustee Post 253, Salem, N.J.
Blaise Dornisch Sr. Vice Cmdr. Post 6301, Johnsonburg, Pa. Avery Scribner Chaplain Post 10100, LaBelle, Fla.
Alfred Drapeau Trustee Post 1641, Rumford, Maine Francis Scudder Chaplain Post 3065, Baltimore, Md.
Jules Robert Dube Sr. Vice Cmdr. Post 1641, Rumford, Maine Jim Sheppard Quartermaster Post 4820, Port Neches, Texas
William B. Dumas, Sr. Commander Post 4442, Valley Grove, W. Va. Donald G. Shipp Jr. Vice Cmdr. Post 12032, Calhoun City, Miss.
Jeffrey Elmquist Service Officer Post 6301, Johnsonburg, Pa. William H. Smith, Jr. Quartermaster Post 10336, Maynard, Mass.
Robert Fitch Color Guard Post 8755, Sheffield, Pa. Herb Stafford Commander Post 4820, Port Neches, Texas
Chester Foret Chaplain Post 4820, Port Neches, Texas Andy Stone Chaplain Post 1403, Benson, Minn.
Clarence E. Freeland Chaplain Post 10080, Pylesville, Md. Les Thompson Trustee Post 6957, Haysville, Kan.
Chester Galazka Judge Advocate Post 7727, Cleveland, Ohio Walt Thompson Chaplain Post 4362, Scappoose, Ore.
Joseph P. Gandolfo Commander Post 3230, Brooklyn, N.Y. Maurice Toups Adjutant Post 4820, Port Neches, Texas
Charlie Gearhart Guard Post 941, Harlan, Iowa John H. Tschirhart Historian Post 4443, Austin, Texas
William Giovacchini Adjutant Post 8955, Westerly, R.I. Harlan W. Tucker Commander Post 8065, Bowie, Md.
Steve Gnall Guard Post 7727, Cleveland, Ohio Sylvester Uphus Commander Post 2853, Sauk Centre, Minn.
James Grabe Trustee Post 7727, Cleveland, Ohio Forest Viles Sr. Vice Cmdr. Post 4362, Scappoose, Ore.
George Guaglianone Jr. Vice Cmdr. Post 6301, Johnsonburg, Pa. Clare Wagner Surgeon Post 1238, Bellevue, Ohio
Alexander Hastie Adjutant Post 10336, Maynard, Mass. Dewane Wall Officer of the Day Post 1403, Benson, Minn.
Howard Hendrickson Chaplain Post 941, Harlan, Iowa C. Robert Walsh Quartermaster Post 7858, Bernardsville, N.J.
James M. Hindle Chaplain Post 10473, Old Fort, N.C. Warren A. Walters Officer of the Day Post 3065, Baltimore, Md.
Carl Hult Chaplain Post 2053, White Cloud, Mich. Frank Weber Quartermaster Post 4362, Scappoose, Ore.
Edward Hunter Commander Post 8755, Sheffield, Pa. William L. Weeks Adjutant Post 10300, Potlatch, Idaho
Bill Huntington Trustee Post 3699, Indio, Calif. Art Weisz Guard Post 1238, Bellevue, Ohio
Carl A. Imbrogno Commander Post 6301, Johnsonburg, Pa. Jim White Judge Advocate Post 4820, Port Neches, Texas
John Imbrogno Trustee Post 6301, Johnsonburg, Pa. Arthur Whitlock Trustee Post 7727, Cleveland, Ohio
Louis Imbrogno Quartermaster Post 6301, Johnsonburg, Pa. Dennis Wills Trustee Post 4820, Port Neches, Texas
Royce C. Kahlor Trustee Post 8771, Sudbury, Mass. Stanley J. Zabinski Commander Post 1612, Chicago, Ill.
Edward Kennedy, Sr. Trustee Post 253, Salem, N.J. Joseph J. Zelazny, Jr. Trustee Post 3699, Indio, Calif.
CHECKPOINT • SEPTEmbEr / OCTObEr 2010 • 3
‘A Special Moment’
Voice of Democracy Winner Defines ‘Hero’
Madison Mullen, The 2010 Voice of Democracy national winner, first heard She concluded with a story about a battle in Afghanistan the very day Jackson died.
of the scholarship competition as a junior at Olentangy Liberty High School in Powell, 1st Lt. Brian N. Bradshaw and Pfc. Aaron E. Fairbairn of the 25th Infantry Division
Ohio. It wasn’t a teacher or counselor who first advised Madison to enter the essay were killed in the attack.
contest, but her mom, Michelle. “Despite the crowd at Michael Jackson’s funeral days later chanting ‘thank you
As a senior at Brush High School in Brush, Colo., in 1984, Michelle wrote a VOD- Michael,’ wouldn’t it be more appropriate and powerful for all of us to join with Brian
winning essay based on the theme “My Role in Upholding Our Constitution.” She and Aaron’s family in prayerfully whispering: ‘Thank you Brian, thank you Aaron.’ Yes,
placed fifth in the state. America still has heroes.”
Madison placed seventh in her district competition as a junior. When the con-
test approached her senior year, Madison was ready to try again. Her essay on “Does
America Still Have Heroes” would make her the winner of a $30,000 scholar-
ship in March 2010.
Madison said she was surprised to learn that she was the winner at the
state level and was elated for the opportunity to go to Washington, D.C., and
represent Ohio.
“When I was in the final two, I couldn’t believe it,” she said. “I was so to-
tally overwhelmed when they announced that I had won. I made eye contact
with my dad, and he was tearing up and I did, too. It was a special moment that
I will never forget.”
Madison’s first call after being awarded the scholarship was to her mom,
who had stayed home with her sisters. Her mom told her she had watched the
ceremony on the Internet, as had Madison’s grandparents in California.
“She told me everyone was so proud,” Madison said. “That made it so spe-
cial.”
Madison is using her scholarship at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio,
where she is pursuing a communication’s degree as a pre-law requirement.
She also is on the university’s speech team.
FiVe essenTial QualiTies oF heroisM
Sponsored by Post 3279 and its Ladies Auxiliary in Delaware, Ohio, Madison
chose to analyze the word “hero” in her essay.
“I’ve personally adopted five essential qualities of heroism,” she wrote.
“Service, conviction, selflessness, bravery and sacrifice—all powerful charac-
ter traits that capture the true meaning of heroism.”
She noted that the “media circus” following Michael Jackson’s death on
June 25, 2009, made the singer appear to be the “hero of all heroes.” She dis-
agreed.
Madison wrote that the heroes of today are found in the military and that
the American people as a whole do not truly appreciate the heroism.
“True heroes are the people around us who selflessly serve others,” she
wrote, “make sacrifices with conviction and even sacrifice their lives.”
PHotoS CoURtESy of 2010 Vod faCEBooK PagE
Voice of democracy department winners toured
PHoto CoURtESy SaRa goiNg
the nation’s capital in March. they visited such
sites as the lincoln Memorial, arlington National
Cemetery and ford’s theater. the National
World War ii Memorial, Korea and Vietnam
Veterans Memorials also were on their site-
seeing excursions.
4 • CHECKPOINT • SEPTEmbEr / OCTObEr 2010
VfW PHotoS
Above left: National Vod winner, Madison Mullen, accepts her $30,000 scholarship from then-Commander-in-Chief thomas J. tradewell,
Sr., and then-ladies auxiliary President Jan tittle in March. Mullen is using her scholarship to attend Miami University in oxford, ohio.
Above: all department winners wearing their Vod jackets congregate for a photo at VfW’s legislative Conference in Washington, d.C.
2009-10 VOD Winners
Winner state Winner state Winner state
John Travis Shrontz Alabama Lena Savell Latin America/ Madison Mullen Ohio
Emily Ripley Alaska Caribbean Elissa Stiles Oklahoma
Darylle Garcia Arizona Daniel Wendt Louisiana Jane Whitmore Oregon
Haley Kesterson Arkansas Seth Dorman Maine Margaret Brown Pacific Areas
Shelby Getsla California Colin Francis Maryland Adam Weaver Pennsylvania
Robert Wilson Colorado Travis Maider Massachusetts Megan Gonsalves Rhode Island
Rose Carver Connecticut Alyssa McAlvey Michigan Matthew Morris South Carolina
Andrew Bell Delaware Cole Remmen Minnesota Scott Dykstra South Dakota
Claire Rossell D.C. Pearl Ugwu-Dike Mississippi Daniel Chase Stewart Tennessee
Victoria Inman Europe Emily Stebbins Missouri Amanda Reed Texas
Nicolas Leeper Florida Kristina Lee Montana Caitlyn Howe Utah
Brittany New Georgia Jackie Lemmer Nebraska John Caswell Vermont
Heather Osborn Hawaii Sara Going Nevada Benjamin Rossell Virginia
Isaiah Qualls Idaho Evan West New Hampshire Anthony Zendejas, IV Washington
Brianna Wesley Illinois John Finnegan New Jersey Johnna Leary West Virginia
Joe Wisniewski Indiana Kaitlyn Frederick New Mexico Kyle Werstein Wisconsin
John Bartling Iowa Laney Feraldi-Ackerman New York Chrisanna Lund Wyoming
Jessica Bauerle Kansas Samuel Johnson North Carolina
Sophia Brown Kentucky Reed Christensen North Dakota
CHECKPOINT • SEPTEmbEr / OCTObEr 2010 • 5
Recognizing Teachers: A VFW Tradition
VFW Honors Educators With National Veterans in the classroom
November is Veterans in the Classroom Month. Now is a great time
Citizenship Education Teacher Awards for Posts to contact local schools and schedule a visit to speak with
For each oF The pasT 11 years, VFW has recognized three exceptional students.
teachers for their outstanding commitment to teach Americanism and patriotism. Target grades K-6 for a “living history presentation” about your
Posts in every Department submit nominees. More than 1,150 teachers earned military service. Try to reserve a time during National Veterans
nearly $218,000 in VFW awards in 2009-10. National winners are selected in three
Awareness Week surrounding Veterans Day on Nov. 11.
categories: elementary school (K-5), middle school (6-8) and high school (9-12).
Each winning national-level teacher received $1,000 for personal professional de-
velopment, and another $1,000 went to their schools. The awards were presented dur-
ing the VFW National Legislative Conference in March in Washington, D.C.
“Honoring America’s teachers has been a tradition for nearly 100 years,” Steve Van
Buskirk, VFW’s director of Programs, said. “Next to parents, they hold the key to rais-
ing up young civic-minded patriots who will perpetuate the values that have made this
nation great.”
a FaMily aFFair
Post 9283 in Southgate, Mich., sponsored the nomination of Patricia Mazure, a teacher
at William C. Taylor Elementary in Trenton, Mich.
Mazure’s patriotism is a family thing. Her son, Michael, kept an American flag in
his F-16 jet during combat missions in Iraq. The flag later was presented to Mazure’s
class.
Her students acted as pen pals with troops sta-
tioned in Iraq, who responded with videos depicting
their jobs and interaction with Iraqi children. Stu-
dents also made a “Veterans Memorial Wall” at the
school, using their own family members and friends.
Mazure’s husband is a Navy veteran, one of her two
sons is an Air Force vet who has served two tours in
Iraq and one of her two daughters graduated from the Horicun, Wis., Post 8057 auxiliary President Helen Stearns and auxiliary Patriotic
U.S. Naval Academy. In her 60s, Mazure has taught instructor laurel ann Wiese (second and third from right) teach students how to
fifth grade at Taylor for 15 years. properly fold a U.S. flag. Post 9392 in lowell, Wis., hosted the Veterans in the
“As long as I get up every morning, I continue to Classroom session for Christian Homes Educating families, a home-schooled
love my job, and I feel I am doing my job well, I don’t group of some 30 students.
see a reason to retire,” she told The [Southgate] News-
Herald. “Why would you want to leave something like
Patricia Mazure
that?”
club inVolVeMenT
Mark D. Leet, a teacher at Simons Middle School in Flemingsburg, Ky., was nominated
by Post 1834 in Flemingsburg.
“He is well-respected for his immense dedication of educating not only his stu-
dents, but his entire community,” said Rick Johnson, who nominated Leet for the
award.
Leet earned his bachelor’s in education and mas-
ters in administration from Morehead State Univer-
sity in Kentucky. He has taught at Simons since Au-
gust 2001.
Simons Principal Lesia Eldridge asserts that the
school’s social studies scores on standardized tests
have steadily increased “due to his dedication and
encouragement of his students.”
Leet organizes the school’s Civil War Days, in
which students re-enact historic events. He also leads
the school’s Y-Club, a school organization chartered
by the Kentucky YMCA.
When he takes groups of Y-Club students to Wash-
Mark d. leet ington, D.C., one of the requirements to be eligible is
participating in the Patriot’s Pen essay program. district 2 Commander Jason Stearns explains Vietnam War memorabilia
with students. Posts 9392 and 8057 collaborated to host the event in 2009,
and planned to host another in 2010.
TraVeling Teacher
Nominated by Post 9100 in Chapel Hill, N.C., William V. Melega teaches at Chapel Hill
High School.
In July 2009, Melega traveled to Korea as part of the Korean Studies Workshop
for American Educators. He experienced the culture throughout the country to better
understand the history he teaches. When a trip to the DMZ was canceled, he hired a
private tour company so he could learn more in order to accurately teach his students
about its importance today.
“Honoring America’s
And in 2008, he received a grant to travel to Pearl
Harbor. While there, he organized a videoconference teachers has been a
tradition for nearly
from the school to there so that the students could
“meet” Pearl Harbor survivors. More than 500 stu-
dents watched Melega interview the vets.
Melega also has taken students on field trips to
Civil War battlefields, Washington, D.C., and Europe.
“Students today aren’t interested in learning just
100 years.”
about times, dates and places in history,” Melega wrote
in The Chapel Hill News. “And I’m not interested in —steve Van Buskirk,
teaching history that way, and I never will. I am in- VFW’s director of Programs
terested in telling my students about people like them
William V. Melega who make history.”
6 • CHECKPOINT • SEPTEmbEr / OCTObEr 2010
Chance Phelps’ Story Touched Many
Wyoming Post Honors Subject of Hollywood Movie
in norThWesTern WyoMing sits the town of Dubois, situated on Wind River.
Dubbed as an “authentic western town” by its nearly 1,000 residents, Dubois is home
to thousands of elk in the winter, and mule deer and moose also are at a premium.
But on April 9, 2004, the quiet little town made national headlines when one of its
own was killed in Anbar province in Iraq.
Serving with 3rd Bn., 11th Marines, 1st Marine Div., Pfc. Chance Phelps was shot in
the head while fighting Iraqi insurgents in Ramadi.
Only a week earlier, Phelps talked with his mom, Gretchen Mack.
“He said, ‘Mom, I’m fine.’ He sounded great,” Mack told the Associated Press. “It
was really good to be able to talk to him. It made us feel better.”
After the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, Phelps told his mom that when he was old
enough, he was going to enlist.
“He told me, ‘I absolutely have to go. I’ve got to do something,’” Mack said. “He was
very in tune politically. He just possessed this quality that he had to be in the thick of
things all the time.”
PHotoS CoURtESy of CHaNCE faMily aNd PoRtRait CoURtESy of MiCHaEl REagaN
An avid hunter and fisher, Phelps spent his summers in Dubois with his father,
John, a Vietnam vet and artist. (Phelps had moved with his mom to Colorado when he
was in elementary school.)
And so the community grieved for the family when the 19-year-old Marine was
killed in the Middle East.
Post 10056 in Dubois, where John also is a member, hosted a get-together on the
day of Phelps’ funeral on April 17, 2004. Quartermaster Hugh Livingston said the Post
dedicated a room to Phelps on that same day.
“It was just a small way to always remember,” he said. “Everyone here thinks a lot
of that family. I had his older sister on my bus route when she was just a little kid.”
Turns out, Phelps would be remembered by folks from as far away as Delaware.
VFW FeaTured in MoVie
When Marine Lt. Col. Michael Strobl volunteered to escort Phelps’ remains back home,
he didn’t realize how the experience would forever change him. Nor did he know an
extensive article he wrote chronicling his experience would turn into an HBO movie
starring Kevin Bacon as Strobl.
“Chance Phelps was wearing his St. Christopher medal when he was killed on
Good Friday,” Strobl wrote. “Eight days later, on April 17, I handed the medallion to his
mother. I didn’t know Chance before he died. Today I miss him.”
Strobl’s article, which appeared in both the San Francisco Chronicle and Marine
Corps Gazette, details his journey from Dover Air Force Base in Delaware, to Phila-
delphia, Minneapolis and ultimately Billings, Mont., before a long drive to the funeral
home.
“The funeral director had driven five hours up from Riverton, Wyo., to meet us,”
Strobl wrote. “He shook my hand as if I had lost a brother.”
Strobl met many members from Post 10056, which also was included in his article artist Michael Reagan drew the above
and later in the movie, “Taking Chance.” portrait of Marine Pfc. Chance Phelps
While the movie was actually filmed in Montana, Dubois hosted the movie pre- and mailed it to the Phelps family.
miere in the high school gymnasium. Reagan has so far completed more than
Livingston said Kevin Bacon was even in attendance at the premiere. 2,200 portraits of fallen afghanistan
“It was really something to see,” he said. “Turned out to be a good movie.” and iraq troops. Right, Chance Phelps’
Certainly, the movie did its part to let the nation know about the sacrifice of Phelps. grave is visited by complete strangers
Livingston, who is on the local cemetery board, said the caretaker told him that nearly nearly every day.
every day, complete strangers show up to visit Phelps’ grave.
“We’re off the beaten path, too,” he said. “Some of these people are coming from
quite a distance to visit Chance.”
Strobl never could have known how his journey’s story would take on a life of its
chance Phelps Foundation
own by honoring one young Marine.
“It had been my honor to take Chance Phelps to his final post,” Strobl concluded.
Helps Grieving Families
“Now he was on the high ground overlooking his town. I miss him.”
In 2008, Chance Phelps’ mom, Gretchen Mack, established the
Chance Phelps Foundation. Mack and her daughter, Kelley Phelps-
Orndoff, raised funds for the foundation by walking 1,500 miles
from Twentynine Palms, Calif., to Dubois, Wyo.
The foundation’s purpose is to offer a place for Gold Star families
at left, Phelps prepares for his
as well as veterans and their families a ranch for rest and relaxation.
deployment to iraq in 2004.
Below, Phelps hard at work in Mack envisions a place where families could connect and heal
iraq. the 19-year-old was killed with one another. Right now, the foundation works with a Dubois
on april 9, 2004, in Ramadi. ranch, which donates blocks of time for the families.
Mack hopes the foundation can eventually purchase an existing
ranch or build one.
Last month, the star of HBO’s “Taking Chance,” Kevin Bacon, per-
formed in Dubois with his band, The Bacon Brothers, to raise funds
for the foundation.
Veterans are encouraged to contact the foundation if they re-
quire transportation assistance to and from medical appointments
or if they are interested in continuing their education.
For more information about the Chance Phelps Foundation,
e-mail gmarinemom@gmail.com or write: Chance Phelps Foundation,
P.O. Box 1715, Dubois, WY 82513.
CHECKPOINT • SEPTEmbEr / OCTObEr 2010 • 7
SEPTEmbEr | OCTObEr 2010 NoN-PRofit oRg.
VfW NatioNal HEadqUaRtERS • PUBliCatioNS U.S. PoStagE
406 WESt 34tH StREEt, KaNSaS City, Mo 64111 PAID
VfW
Posts with the most
Rank Post No. Location Members
VFW POSTS OF 1,000 MEMBERS
OR MORE AS OF JUNE 30, 2010
1 1114 Evansville, IN ............................... 2,587 6 4372 Odessa, TX ....................................1,776
2 1503 Dale City, VA .................................2,120 7 628 Sioux Falls, SD ..............................1,769
3 9972 Sierra Vista, AZ ........................... 2,017 8 972 Terre Haute, IN .............................1,766
4 6506 Rosedale, MD .............................. 1,969 9 27 Wiesbaden, Germany ..................1,755
5 1146 St Clair Shores, MI .......................1,797 10 392 Virginia Beach, VA ........................ 1,711
Rank No. Location Members
11 4647 North Highlands, CA ........1,661 27 1273 Rapid City, SD ...................1,340 44 10436 Kitzingen, Germany...........1,175 61 3982 Santa Clara, CA .................1,053
12 63 Boise, ID..............................1,605 28 7330 Oakville, CT ........................ 1,338 45 8541 San Antonio, TX..................1,172 62 5263 Fort Sill, OK ........................1,047
13 2485 Angeles City, 29 788 Cedar Rapids, IA................1,337 46 3579 Park Ridge, IL .....................1,168 63 2702 Huntsville, AL ................... 1,042
Philippines .........................1,556 30 4809 Norfolk, VA ..........................1,332 46 1275 Lima, OH ..............................1,168 64 3838 Cape Girardeau, MO .......1,033
14 10097 Fort Myers Beach, FL ......1,544 31 1326 Bismarck, ND .....................1,286 46 3282 Port Orange, FL..................1,168 65 4075 Frankfort, KY .....................1,032
15 2503 Omaha, NE .........................1,508 32 9534 Mannheim, Germany ......1,285 49 10033 Taegu, Korea ........................1,161 66 3106 Leesville, LA ....................... 1,019
16 7686 Alamogordo, NM .............1,494 33 5958 Titusville, PA .......................1,281 50 7674 Fort Walton Beach, FL ..... 1,145 67 1433 Glendale, AZ .....................1,009
17 7234 Ocean View, DE ................1,463 34 10047 North Las Vegas, NV .......1,268 51 6796 Dallas, TX ............................1,106 68 360 Mishawaka, IN .................1,008
18 1296 Bloomington, MN .............1,441 35 10420 Murrells Inlet, SC ............. 1,247 52 7175 Millington, TN .....................1,101 69 5951 Bossier City, LA ............... 1,007
19 2111 Chula Vista, CA ................1,440 35 379 Yakima, WA ....................... 1,247 53 8696 Palm Coast, FL ..................1,082 69 2995 Redmond, WA.................. 1,007
20 401 Albuquerque, NM ............ 1,433 35 8951 West York, PA.................... 1,247 54 9927 Kettering, OH ...................1,080 71 131 Lincoln, NE ........................1,006
21 9785 Eagle River, AK .................1,425 38 8862 Vicenza, Italy ..................... 1,245 55 1810 Brentwood, PA ..................1,078 71 3586 Salt Lake City, UT ............1,006
22 1512 Lemon Grove, CA .............1,423 39 969 Tacoma, WA .......................1,237 56 7564 West Fargo, ND ................1,075 73 4548 Jacksonville, AR ...............1,005
23 6873 Abilene, TX ........................1,420 40 549 Tucson, AZ .......................... 1,193 57 10692 Grafenwoehr, Germany ..1,070 74 891 Asheville, NC .................... 1,003
24 1599 Chambersburg, PA.............1,411 41 1170 Middletown, KY ................1,190 58 10132 Hobe Sound, FL ............... 1,066
25 1079 Elyria, OH ...........................1,389 41 10209 Spring Hill, FL .....................1,190 58 9186 San Antonio, TX............... 1,066
26 1308 Alton, IL...............................1,386 43 5555 Richfield, MN .....................1,188 60 6251 Cheektowaga, NY ............1,055
Four Groups Targeted for Recruitment
Plan Local Recruiting to Coincide With National Headquarters Campaigns
during The nexT six MonThs, VFW’s Membership Department plans to • Ads on military.com, as well as direct mail and e-mail in March in
market to veterans in four specific demographics: those fighting in current conflicts, conjunction with Women’s History Month.
women, Vietnam War and the 1991 Persian Gulf War. • Designated VFW Department women veteran chairpersons, who advise
Being aware of these campaigns at the Department and Post level, a VFW Mem- fellow Department officers on recruitment and retention of local
bership staff member says, allows officers and recruiters to synchronize local efforts women vets.
with materials coming out of National Headquarters. “Ideally, recruiters will stage events around Veterans Day and Women’s History
“Be sure to read your General Orders for exact dates for campaigns and advertise- Month and take advantage of the national ads,” Danderson said.
ments,” Troy Danderson, Membership’s associate director, said.
VieTnaM VeTs
younger VeTs Although Vietnam veterans make up a large portion of VFW’s membership already,
Danderson, an Iraq and Afghanistan War veteran, says VFW wants “current conflict another current recruitment initiative targets vets of that war. It includes:
vets”—that is, Iraq, Afghanistan and other Global War on Terrorism veterans. This • A direct-mail recruiting piece to arrive in-home near Veterans Day.
effort includes: • A Veterans Day recognition mailer for current VFW members.
• A redesigned website, vfw.org, which will launch in September.
• Year-round advertisements in Stars and Stripes overseas print editions, gulF War VeTs
which are provided free in deployment zones. As the 20th anniversary of the 1991 Persian Gulf War lies ahead, VFW has planned a
• Ads in Military Times and on military.com, drudgereport.com and related targeted campaign, featuring:
foxnews.com websites to coincide with Veterans Day 2010. • Ads on military.com, foxnews.com and drudgereport.com.
“This is not a media blitz,” Danderson said, “but rather a targeted campaign.” • VFW’s new Tell-a-Friend feature, which will launch around the same time
and be featured in the November/December issue of VFW magazine.
WoMen VeTs Look for additional information in the coming months.
She Serves started in 2008 as a national campaign. VFW continues its efforts to re-
cruit women veterans into its ranks with: For more information, refer to page 50 of the September 2010 issue of VFW
• A redesigned joinsheserves.org, which launched in July, and monthly magazine.
eSalute e-mails for those who sign up.
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 • SEPTEmbEr / OCTObEr 2010
