Get documents about "10.01 Newsletter
Document Sample
Hollis VFW
Serving Hollis and Brookline
January 2010 Newsletter
c/o Commander, VFW Post 11373
PO Box 1012, Hollis, NH 03049
Vol. 20 Issue: 1 January 2010
Hollis VFW meets the third Sunday of the month in the American Legion Hall on Main Street in Brookline.
From April through September, the meetings begin at 7 PM. From October through March, the meetings begin at 2PM.
If you wish to join or have questions about the VFW, please call one of the Post Officers.
Commander Jim Bélanger 32 Plain Rd Hollis, NH 03049 603 465 2301 n1nh@tds.net
Sr. Vice Commander Andy Seremeth 26 Farley Rd Hollis, NH 03049 603 880 8685 aseremeth@aol.com
Jr. Vice Commander Preston Walsh 16 James Street Milford, NH 03055 603 673 3723 pwal7803@aol.com
Quartermaster Ben Perreault, Jr. 5 Smith St Brookline, NH 03033 603 672 7667 bperreau@charter.net
Chaplain Lou Tyska 181 Depot Road Hollis, NH 03049 603 465-9817 LTysk@aol.com
Surgeon Margaret Riddle 8 Richardson Rd Hollis, NH 03049 603 465 2980
Service Officer Lou Tyska 181 Depot Road Hollis, NH 03049 603 465-9817 LTysk@aol.com
Advocate Ed McDuffee 189 Pepperell Rd Hollis, NH 03049 603 465 7704 goatlee2@aol.com
Adjutant Greg d‟Arbonne 65 Cleveland Hill Rd Brookline NH 03033 603 672 5830 gdarbo6844@aol.com
“Military” title. My mood, at the time, was one of
Next Meeting: trying to get more help for our activities in the Post
but also to make the public aware of our existence
January 17th at 2 PM at
and our contribution to community and veterans. We
need to start blowing our own horns and get more in
the Hollis Town Hall
the public eye. Other posts may have memberships
of 100s with 10 active and we far exceed that
percentage in active members but we need to hang
December Meeting Minutes our heads a bit when we have much younger
members who live locally and we rarely see them.
Due to a snowstorm, there was no meeting in We are still getting requests to provide services, like
December. color guard at parades and guest speakers at Boy
Scout meetings, that we are physically challenged to
Commander’s Comments meet. Ask yourself this question. How am I
contributing to our Hollis VFW Post to ensure it is
Happy New Year fellow members of Hollis VFW. I still here and active to serve in 2020? Yes, I said
hope you all had a good Christmas Holiday Season 2020, ten years from now. Founded in 1992, we are
and New Year and avoided putting on a few extra now 18 years old. Three NH Posts were started in
pounds. If you haven‟t made your New Year 1992 and we are the only one left. The other two
resolutions yet, here is one to consider. Be more simply dwindled into non-existence and had to give
active this year in your groups and organizations up their charter. We escaped that end result by pure
where you hold membership. I am speaking to those determination. Our problem is not a financial one but
of us (me included) who belong to an organization a physical one. Of 48 members, most of our younger
but attend very few, if any, of their meetings and and more energetic members have moved away.
functions. I have a couple of groups I need to pay Although remaining members, they are unable to
more attention to and I‟m sure I am not the only one physically help us in our few post activities like
sharing the condition. I have just written a rather Poppy Distribution, Memorial and Veteran Day
long article to the Nashua Telegraph which they ceremonies and attendance at our local school
posted on their web site “Neighbors” under the functions. That is all we do, all year. So, if this
1
message strikes home while you are reading it, can‟t Winter is supposedly here. We had some snow the
you make an effort to come out and meet with us for other day, but it didn't stick. However, today was
one hour each month? It‟s not as if we are asking a shirt-sleeve (long-sleeved admittedly) weather. I don't
lot and it‟s not that we aren‟t asking at all. I, as your think it's going to be a white Christmas here ;).
Post Commander am asking you to be active.
I'll be serving meals at the DFAC (Mess Hall for you
Now, on to other subjects: We will be having our “old Soldiers”) tomorrow, along with other senior
annual Post Elections in April. By next month we leaders. Not certain the menu, but Thanksgiving was
should have an idea who those Post Officers will be turkey, roast beef, ham, along with all the traditional
and if our present slate will remain for another year. fixings. In addition, there's caroling tonight, followed
Then, in March we do the elections and in April they by homemade chili and cocoa.
new officers, if any, take office. If you have the time
and inclination t step into one of the offices, there is Received the package from the VFW - many thanks.
no doubt in my mind that the person presently I've put it out for folks to take items out off. Still
holding that office would be happy to help you waiting for the big package of 41 hygiene kits - when
transition into his/her shoes. I get them I'll put some out here in my office, give the
rest to the Chaplain to distribute.
I am already starting to get letters composed for
invitations and instructions for our Memorial Day Keep the home fires burning, have a Merry Christmas
annual ceremony. If you have any suggestions with and happy New Year -
respect to this annual ceremony, please send them
Jeff
along so I can implement the changes in our program.
Also, we need to start looking for a guest speaker. 9 January
Although that responsibility has been given to the
Hollis Board of Selectmen, I prefer to leave that as a Got the latest care package - my (and my co-workers)
last resort. I think we are in a better position to select thanks again to everyone there. Also just saw the link
a guest speaker than they are. to the Nashua Telegraph article on the Post. Hope it
brings in some more members -
Hope to see new faces at the January meeting next
Sunday at 2 PM at the Hollis Town Hall (Jan 17). Jeff
Jim Bélanger, Commander Please keep Jeff and all our Troops in your prayers
during this Christmas and Hanukah season.
Do You Have an E-mail Address?
If you have e-mail access, send a message to Greg, at Article about Our Post on NH.Com
Gdarbo6844@aol.com. Addresses are for the Website
exclusive use of the members to pass information and
not to be sold or freely passed to others outside the The NH.Com website recently ran an article about
Post without formal consent of the member. No funds our Post:
solicitation is authorized via e-mail.
With funds raised during twice a year Poppy Drives
News For & From Members at the Hollis Transfer Station (Memorial Day and
Veterans Day weekends) the Post sends “care
Recent E-mails from Jeff Smith packages” to troops serving in Afghanistan and Iraq.
The most recent shipment contained 40 small packs
Jeff, a Colonel in the United States Air Force and a of hygiene items containing donated items from local
member of our Post, is serving in Afghanistan. His merchants. Things like dental floss, Chap Stick,
latest e-mails are: toothbrushes and toothpaste, soap, and the most
useful “baby wipes” are items needed by the troops.
Just before Christmas Day
Page 2
In addition to Poppy Drives, the Post also sponsors, gratitude to everyone here in the area. She lives in
thru it‟s web site (www.hollisvfw.org), a fund drive California and is so happy that complete strangers
to purchase sleeping bags for a group deployed to would reach out and help her son and his Troops. She
Afghanistan. Although our military is issued sleeping said she cannot thank us enough and wishes God‟s
bags, they are the same design that was issued for blessing on everyone who donated.
troops during the Korean conflict and are not “state
of the art” design. The newer, lighter and more More donations continue to come in and there are
efficient bags are only given to Special Forces and more requests for bags coming every day. We‟ll keep
Navy Seals. The Post contributed $600 and raised you posted on the progress. If know others who wish
another $400 from the community to help provide to donate, please refer them to either Jim Belanger or
newer, more efficient sleeping bags for 44 personnel Greg d‟Arbonne.
being deployed. Although not nearly enough to
Ray Benson’s Widow thanks the Post
purchase 44 bags, the funds will be combined with
more donations from other sources to provide as Ray Benson’s widow sent a note of thanks to the Post
many bags as the funds will buy. after we told her the Post draped the Charter in
Ray’s honor:
The Hollis VFW is the driving force behind the
annual Memorial Day and Veterans Day ceremonies Thank you very much and please also convey my
in town. These two events are very patriotic in nature appreciation to Ray's friends in Hollis VFW.
and remind the public that veterans are around us
every day and contribute to our way of life. The The family and I are holding up fine, we are taking a
public is reminded that Memorial Day is to remember small step forward each day. Although Ray and I
the deceased who gave all to support our freedom to both considered ourselves well prepared, I was still
live as we do while Veterans Day is a day of unprepared for the shock and reality of it. I am still
celebration for the survivors of armed conflicts, cold trying to make sense of what happened to us.
war and peacetime service.
I need your prayers to pull me through this.
Hollis VFW meets on the third Sunday of every
Once again, thank you.
month and meetings last one hour. April thru
September, the meetings are at the Brookline Henny
American Legion Hall at 7 PM. October thru March,
the meetings are at the Hollis Town Hall at 2 PM. News of Interest to Veterans
If you are a veteran, eligible for American Legion or
VFW, we invite you to join us and help us help Lowes & Home Depot Give Discounts to
others. Veterans
Some Lowe‟s and Home Depot stores are continuing
Sleeping Bags are on Their Way to
to extend a 10% discount to Veterans that was
Afghanistan!
offered for the Veterans Day weekend.
Thanks to the generous donations received by the
To qualify for the 10 percent discount at either chain,
Post from several people throughout the area and the
individuals must present proof of military service,
money we contributed, 10 Wiggy‟s Sleeping Bags are
such as a valid military ID, VA card, VFW card,
on their way to Afghanistan. This is enough bags to
veteran's ID or discharge papers. The offers are valid
outfit his entire Squad.
in stores only. Before you purchase, ask to make sure
st they still have the discount. Some stores you must
Army Soldier Branden Hazuka of B Company, 1
Battalion, 501st Infantry Battalion (Airborne) out of purchase a certain amount to qualify.
Anchorage, Alaska should have the bags very soon.
His mother, Julie Hazuka was overwhelmed with Recruiter of the Year Reception,
Page 3
21 January, 1800-2000, charged by TRICARE or VA, nor will these
beneficiaries be exposed to any new tax liabilities.
Anheuser Busch, Merrimack, NH
From the Association of the United States Army "We have not talked to anybody – Republican,
(AUSA) Newsletter: Democrat, anyone in the [Obama] administration or
serving in Congress -- who is trying to do anything to
The Recruiters of the Year for both the NH Army affect military people" as part of national health
National Guard and the Active/Reserves will be reform legislation, said Steve Strobridge, MOAA's
recognized. This is a great opportunity to show our director of government relations. "They all are trying
appreciation for those Soldiers who are on the “Front to hold military beneficiaries harmless."
Line” of talking to our young citizens and Steve Robertson, legislative director for the
influencing the decision to join the Army. As American Legion, said he has assurances from the
(Veterans), we share a common goal of helping our armed services committees, veterans' affairs
fellow Citizens understand the sacrifices and needs committees and congressional leaders including
of those who have served and currently serve our House Speaker Nancy Pelosi that health reform will
Nation as Soldiers in the Army. This event will be at not impact TRICARE programs or VA health care.
the Anheuser Busch facility in Merrimack, NH.
Complimentary refreshments will be provided. This "My comfort level is pretty high," Robertson said.
event is open to the public.
Confusing the issue for many beneficiaries has been
Military Beneficiaries, Veterans Shielded an e-mail being passed among military retirees that
From Health Reform warns falsely that the Congressional Budget Office
TOM PHILPOTT, Tacoma News Tribune, Posted has drafted legislation to attach new fees to
November 28, 2009 at 12:01 a.m. Reprinted from the TRICARE for Life, the prized insurance supplement
Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) relied on by Medicare-eligible retirees.
Newsletter The e-mail is filled with misinformation.CBO has no
The national health reform bill passed by the House authority to draft legislation.CBO did release a report
last month and the Senate version to be debated in last December presenting options for holding down
early December pose no threat to current health care federal health care costs; a few of those options
benefits provided to military families, retirees or would raise fees on military retirees and veterans. But
veterans, say advocates for these beneficiaries as well neither the Obama administration nor any members
as congressional committee staffs. of Congress have embraced any of these ideas.
"Everyday I get to answer e-mails from people who
are still telling me that this „CBO legislation' is
The House-passed Affordable Health Care for moving through rapidly," said Robertson.
America Act (HR 3962) states in Section 311 that
"nothing" in the bill "shall be construed as affecting" Other military retirees and disabled veterans are
authorities used by the departments of Defense and worried by news reports that national health care
Veterans Affairs to provide TRICARE programs or reform will impose an excise tax on "Cadillac" health
VA health care benefits. insurance programs. Will that include TRICARE or
VA health care? It will not, say service groups and
The Military Officers Association of America informed congressional staffs.
(MOAA), the Fleet Reserve Association of America,
the American Legion and other veterans' service Strobridge noted that the Senate bill, the Patient
organizations have studied the legislative language of Protection and Affordable Care Act (HR 3590),
both bills. Their own reviews, and assurances they've doesn't contain the same specific language of the
received from relevant committees, give them House bill does to shield TRICARE programs and
confidence that the bills won't impact benefits or fees VA health benefits.
Page 4
However, the Senate bill's provision to allow an beneficiary. „That is what the Bush administration
excise tax on "applicable employer-sponsored said the last three years," Strobridge said.
coverage" lists, among government plans, only the
Federal Employees Health Benefits Plan for possible "We haven't even started to talk about the effect of
inclusion. TRICARE and VA health care benefits are the baby boom generation on Medicare and Social
not named. Finance committee staffers have Security" on future budgets, he added.
explained that this was intentional to shield these Given that pressure, MOAA has been pressing
programs. Congress to define in law that military members and
MOAA has urged senators to add three clarifying retirees have earned through service certain
provisions to their bill. One would duplicate language unassailable rights to promised retirement and health
of the House bill that nothing in the legislation alters care benefits.
health care program authorities for DoD and VA. "What we're concerned about is that budget pressure
Other language is sought to explicitly exclude will drive arbitrary decisions. That is what has hurt us
TRICARE, TRICARE for Life and VA health care in the past," said Strobridge. Congress should take
programs from any health reform bill excise tax on steps to spell out what military folks have earned.
certain employer-provided plans. Finally, MOAA "If you don't have any rules to rely on," he said,
wants language in the Senate bill calling for a study "when the budget tidal wave comes it will sweep you
of national health reform's impact on veterans to away."
include a study of the impact on TRICARE and
TRICARE for Life. WARNING: 2010 Census Cautions from the
Better Business Bureau
Military people who seek assurance that the Senate
health reform bill won't impact them negatively end Be Cautious About Giving Info to Census Workers
up "looking for something that isn't there," Strobridge
said. The Senate, like the House, should make it by Susan Johnson
clear, he said.
With the U.S. Census process beginning, the Better
"There are lots of people out there who would like to Business Bureau (BBB) advises people to be
raise military fees" on health benefits, Strobridge cooperative, but cautious, so as not to become a
said."But they are not trying to do it in this victim of fraud or identity theft. The first phase of the
legislation…As far as we can see, everybody in 2010 U.S. Census is under way as workers have
Congress is trying to bend over backwards to protect begun verifying the addresses of households across
the military. And that's true of both parties." the country. Eventually, more than 140,000 U.S.
Census workers will count every person in the United
The only real threat to military and veteran benefits States and will gather information about every person
posed by national health reform, he continued, is the living at each address including name, age, gender,
likelihood that it will add to the annual federal budget race, and other relevant data.
deficit which was $1.4 trillion last year. That will
increase political pressure, over time, to curb federal The big question is - how do you tell the difference
entitlements including military health care and between a U.S. Census worker and a con artist? BBB
retirement plans, said Strobridge. Pressure on defense offers the following advice:
budgets already is enormous.
If a U.S. Census worker knocks on your door, they
"That's why Defense leaders have been saying for will have a badge, a handheld device, a Census
years „I don't what to pay this $10 billion for Bureau canvas bag, and a confidentiality notice. Ask
TRICARE for Life that we put in the defense bill to see their identification and their badge before
every year. „I want to shift more costs to the answering their questions. However, you should
never invite anyone you don't know into your home.
Page 5
Census workers are currently only knocking on doors does not reflect the opinion of the members of the
to verify address information. Do not give your Post. Please contact me if these articles offend you. –
Social Security number, credit card or banking Greg d’Arbonne
information to anyone, even if they claim they need it
for the U.S. 2010 Census. The Economy Is So Bad…
REMEMBER, NO MATTER WHAT THEY ASK, I got a pre-declined credit card in the mail.
YOU REALLY ONLY NEED TO TELL THEM
HOW MANY PEOPLE LIVE AT YOUR I ordered a burger at McDonalds & the kid behind the
ADDRESS. counter asked, "Can you afford fries with that?"
While the Census Bureau might ask for basic CEO's are now playing miniature golf.
financial information, such as a salary range, YOU
DON'T HAVE TO ANSWER ANYTHING AT ALL If the bank returns your check marked "Insufficient
ABOUT YOUR FINANCIAL SITUATION. The Funds", call & ask if they meant you or them.
Census Bureau will not ask for Social Security, bank
Hot Wheels & Matchbox stocks are trading higher
account, or credit card numbers, nor will employees
than GM.
solicit donations. Any one asking for that information
is NOT with the Census Bureau. McDonalds is selling the 1/4 'ouncer'.
AND REMEMBER, THE CENSUS BUREAU HAS Parents in Beverly Hills fired their nannies & learned
DECIDED NOT TO WORK WITH ACORN ON their children's names.
GATHERING THIS INFORMATION. No Acorn
worker should approach you saying he/she is with the A truckload of Americans was caught sneaking into
Census Bureau. Mexico.
Eventually, Census workers may contact you by Dick Cheney took his stockbroker hunting.
telephone, mail, or in person at home. However, the
Census Bureau will not contact you by Email, so be Motel Six won't leave the light on anymore.
on the lookout for Email scams impersonating the The Mafia is laying off judges.
Census.
Exxon-Mobil laid off 25 Congressmen.
Never click on a link or open any attachments in an
Email that are supposedly from the U.S. Census Congress says they are looking into this Bernard
Bureau. Madoff scandal. Oh Great!! The guy who made $50
Billion disappear is being investigated by the people
For more advice on avoiding identity theft and fraud, who made $1.5 Trillion disappear.
visit www.bbb.org
PLEASE SHARE THIS INFO WITH FAMILY AND
FRIENDS.
And if you share this, keep in mind to put all the
emails you're sending it to (and other items your
sharing) in the "BCC" box.
Points To Ponder
The views expressed in the following article were
deemed interesting enough by me to include in the
newsletter. I take full responsibility and the content
Page 6
