VFW MISSOURIAN
OFFICIAL PUBLICATION: STATE OF MISSOURI VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS August 2009 Edition
Dave Morgan State Commander
YVonne Massey State Ladies Aux.President
Inside this edition:
State Convention high lights. Letters from the State Commander and Line Officers. Letters from State Adjutant/Quartermaster & National Council member. Candidates for State Surgeon Ladies Auxiliary National Presidents visit and other Auxiliary Information. Letter from State Foundation Chairman. Letters from Department Veterans Service Officers. Letter from Gunner Kent “Why does the VFW send so much mail?”. Membership letter from Department Officers Page #9- 4th Annual “Lest They Be Forgotten” Veterans Program. Page #10- VFW Golf Tournament Info. Page Page Page Page Page Page Page Page #1 #2 #3 #4 #5 #6 #7 #8 -
VFW Missourian August 2009 pg. 1 Past Commander In Chief James R. Mueller Conducts the first joint installation of Department Officers ever conducted in the State of Missouri at the the State Convention in June.
Editors Note: Pictured at left are VFW State Commander, Dave Morgan, State Ladies Auxiliary President Yvonne Massey and the elected and appointed officers of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and it’s Ladies Auxiliary. The installation ceremony was well attended and a great success and I’m sure will be repeated in future Additional Pic’s from the State Convention
The Missouri All American Team for 2008-2009
State Commander Tom Hartman and Ladies Auxiliary President Deborah Griffin
State Commander, Dave Morgan speaks softly, but carries a “Big Stick”
Sr. Vice Commander Dave Morgan places flowers on casket at Memorial service
Life time Acheivement Award presented to Herbert Moore, He will turn 99 years old in September. This was his first state convention. Said he planned to attend in 2010.
Past Quartermaster Paul Connors with Office staff, Linda Prenger and Angela Bode
Vfw Missourian August 2009 pg. 2
Dave Morgan, Commander
Comrades & Sisters Hope this finds you in excellent health and well into your plans for the coming year. The success of your Post and District depends on communication, communication, communication. We have a lot of Posts who did not attend School of Instructions or District Meetings. The purpose of our charter is preserve and strengthen comradeship, assist our comrades, the memory and history of our dead, to assist their widows and orphans, true allegiance to the Government of the United States, foster true patriotism, maintain and extend the institution of American freedom and to preserve and defend the United States from all enemies A lot of our Posts have that Charter of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and have forgotten what they have a Post for. Every VFW Post in your community are now more important than ever before, for helping all veterans and their families. To be involved in schools and churches and community activities. All VFW Posts can make a difference in every community. There are veterans in your National Guards and our Reserve Units and our regular Armed Forces that live in your community. They need to know that you are there for them. Our schools also need to know we are there for them too. We need to be involved at every level of community activities. There was a reason you joined the VFW and I ask you to remember this reason once again. I am not asking this for my benefit, but for those comrades who have been fighting in the Iraq War and Afghanistan War for over 6 years, and those comrades who have fought from World War II thru present day. These veterans need and deserve our support and assistance. There has to be more than purchasing a magnetic ribbon, bumper sticker or a flag, slapping on our auto or antenna and calling ourselves supports and patriots. (Continued on Page # 3)
Bob Wonnell, Sr. Vice Commander
Comrades, I begin this article with thoughts and prayers for my departed comrade and my friend, Joe Lundy. Joe loved the Veterans of Foreign Wars and everything it stands for. He will be sorely missed and will always have a place in my heart. Joe and I traveled many miles together especially in the past two years. Many ideas I have for next year are those we shared in the long hours traveling from Post to Post and VA Hospital and Missouri Veterans Homes. We laughed, argued, agreed and always parted with the familiar “Semper Fi”. As you all know, if you look on heavens scene, you will see the streets are guarded by United State Marines. Well that security detachment has a new NCOIC, SSgt Joe Lundy. Semper Fi Joe. This year promises to be a good one for our Department. Our State Recruiter Program, our VSIO Program our Yellow Ribbon Program, and our Veterans Service Officer Program top Commander Dave Morgan’s theme of ”Veterans Helping Veterans and their families, that’s what we do.” Each of us must do our part to support that theme. District and Post Commanders can all jump on board and help veterans by ensuring there are recruiting booths at all local events. Most prominent in every VFW display in Missouri should be should be the VSO Referral Form and VFW membership applications. Each National Guard and Reserve base in Missouri should know exactly where the local VFW is and the benefits we offer. I personally have no problem asking qualified veterans to join the greatest combat veteran organization in the free world. The Veterans of Foreign Wars is working hard in many areas to ensure our veterans benefits do not disappear. meeting and other Post and District activities. (Continued on Page# 8)
Oloin Parks, Jr. Vice Commander
Comrades-Fellow Veterans-Friends: The month of July has been extremely rewarding as I have visited three VA Hospitals (John Cochran, Jefferson Barracks, and John Pershing) as well as three MO Veterans Homes (Cape Girardeau, Mt. Vernon, and Warrensburg). The hospitals are very busy serving veterans and each have expansion plans to even better serve veterans. The Veterans Homes are well staffed, up-to-date, and clean. At every facility I had the pleasure of hearing about local VFW post donations - time, effort and money. MANY thanks comrades, I am proud of you!!! As a short side-note, please review your post Community Activity Report at post meetings in order to list all the activities post members have been engaged in. Many times activities are overlooked and thus not entered. VFW posts do all kinds of GREAT things - take the time to get credit for them!! Remember then to forward the CAR to state to get cumulative credit!! Many thanks to each of you for your service, your loyalty to VFW and your comradeship. Olin Parks Jr. Vice Commander
Dept Sr-Vice Commander Bob Wonnell and District 12 Commander David Miller. State Sr Vice Commander, Bob Wonnell, visited District 12 School of Instruction at Post 6274 in Ballwin, MO on Sunday, July 19th.
VFW Missourian August 2009 pg. 3
(Dave Morgan, Continued from Page # 2) All we’ve done is our conscience. But I ask you who is better to know what these veterans our going throuh and what it takes to return and pick up the pieces of their lives after the images of war are in their mind. To all District Commanders and Chairmen for the Department of Missouri, I thank you for all your hard work. I am very proud of all the Posts in this Department, that continue to work for veterans and their families. We are starting the month of August with 5 new or reinstatement of members. Please try to welcome back those who haven’t paid their dues that past several years. Welcome them back and retain what you have. (RETENTION) Congratulations to all the Line Officers and our new Jr. Vice Commander, Olin Parks. We are here to serve you, so please email or call us. Communication is the key to success We must continue to support our Veteran Service Program, it’s the best in the nation, and to maintain that standard of excellence, we must all support this program PERIOD! P.S. Let us know Commander Department of Missouri
Jessie L. Jones, Adjutant/Quartermaster
Hello Comrades: I want to thank you for the trust you have placed in me as your new Adjutant/Quartermaster. Retirement has started to look like something I did in the past. It’s an awesome responsibility to administer the programs, ensure our Veteran Service continues to grow and the Department continues to support the Posts, Community and the Veterans of Foreign Wars. This transition is going smoothly, but has a ways to go. Thanks to the help of Paul, his Staff, and the Office staff in Jefferson City, I feel confident the Department will move forward. As we move forward into this year, we need to all be thinking membership. Our memberhip in Missouri dropped by more than 3,000 last year. That does not only affect revenue to the Posts, but also the Department. We need to make an effort to contact those that failed to pay their dues last year “NOW”, not in February and April. I’ve received many email’s over the last weeks from members of your Posts that were contacted by National. Over 80% of those that replied stated they wished to remain members and would pay their dues. Many stated they had been members of Posts for two years or longer and this was the first time anyone from the VFW had contacted them. Comrades, we must make those personal contacts and make these new veterans welcome. They are the VFW of the future. Remind them “It’s not the price you pay to be a member. It’s the price you paid to be elegible” I’m looking forward to serving as your Adjutant/Quartermaster this year. Together we can make this Department one we can be proud of. Semper fi Jessie L. Jones
Paul Connors,District # 5 Council Member
VFW District 5 National Council Member And I thought that having retired as your Quartermaster I would be exempt from the extra duties like writing articles, attending meetings, taking telephone calls, making visits and all the other really great things I was able to do as your Quartermaster. Not so.... Your Quartermaster just advised me that the "VFW was just like the Mafia... there is only one way to get out !! " He could well be correct.. but then again I didn't ask for your vote for the National Council to get away. I will have a better feel for what we might need to do after the National Convention and our first Council meetings in Phoenix. I am sure that there will be plenty of things for us to consider in the next two years. Our own financial future is very dependant on the decisions of the National Council of Administration. We are seeing a decline in the donations to the VFW in our mailing programs every year. You may not be aware but VFW Missouri depends on your participation in these National HQ solicitations. We receive a healthy percentage of you contribution dollar. Every is going to be after your donation dollar in a poor economy so put you buck where you know it is going to help veterans and their families first. You can depend on the VFW to do the right thing and you know that your contribution is being spent the way it was intended. See you in September at our Council meetings and the Commander & Presidents homecoming celebration.
THANK YOU FOR YOUIR HELP IN GETTING THE WORD OUT.
ON SEPT. 23, 2008 LOU GEHRIG'S DISEASE WAS MADE A PRESUMPTIVE CONDITION FOR ALL VETERANS WHO SERVED IN OUR ARMED FORCES FOR AT LEAST 90 DAYS. 100% COMPENSATION TO THE VETERAN (APROX.$3000 MO.) THIS ALSO MEANS THAT THE WIDOWS OF THOSE VETERANS WHO DIED OF LOU GEHRIG'S DISEASE IN YEARS PAST ARE ELIGIBLE FOR THE V.A. WIDOWS' MONTHLY BENEFIT (EST.$1100). ONE CLAIM THAT WAS HANDLED RECENTLY INVOLVED AN ALS DEATH 46 YEARS AGO IN 1963. Submitted by: JIM RIPPY
Paul Connors
VFW Missourian August 2009 pg. 4
Robert Eckerle Candidate for Surgeon
Professional leadership with accountability to members. Priority to our Veteran Service Officers Program. Robert J. Eckerle Military: U.S. Air Force, Staff Sergeant, Missile Guidance Technician Tactical Air Command 1964 to 1968, served in Vietnam from 1966 to 1967. Professional Life: Retired 30 years with Trans World Airlines, as Manager on Corporate Staff responsible for policy and procedures for airport terminals domestic and international; including five years as Budget and Cost Administrator. Retired 28 years part-time employment for the City of Weatherby Lake, Missouri; as a Lt. Colonel, Deputy Chief of Police Retired 25 years serving 14 years part-time and 11 years full time as a Sergeant and Director of Information Technology for the Platte County Sheriff’s Office. VFW District 3 Junior, Senior Vice Commander and Commander 2008-2009 All State Team Captain – Quartermaster – 2007-2008 Department Budget Committee – 2008-2010 National General Resolutions Appointment 2006-2008 National Finance and Internal Organization Appointment 2005-2006 Special Aide De Camp 2006-2007 Department National Home Chairman 20062007 Post Trustee 2006-2007, Post Quartermaster 2007-2010 Outstanding Community Service PostCommander 2005-2006 (Continued on Page # 6)
Lyle Seelinger Candidate for Surgeon
Greetings Comrade, I am seeking the office of Surgeon for the year of 2010-11. I feel that if I expect to receive your support you should know a little about me. I entered the Navy upon graduation from Butler High School in 1962. I spent 10 months in San Diego in boot camp and radioman school. After completion of school I was stationed for two years at the Naval Communication Station in Rota Spain. From there I reported for sea duty aboard the U.S.S. Camp DER251 home ported at Newport, Rhode Island. Shortly after reporting aboard, the Camp was transferred to the Pacific Fleet where it patrolled off the coast of Vietnam conducting search and seizure of vessels and fire support for ground troops. Upon completion of our tour we returned to Pear Harbor where a short time later I was separated from active duty.. After military service I was employed by the Missouri State Highway Patrol Communications Division where I worked for 30 years until retirement . It was at work one day where I met my future wife, Marianne. We have been married for 42 years. She is in her third year as District President and second year as a Department Chairman. We have given up our family business so that we may devote more time to assisting veterans. . .When I returned home I joined the VFW Post at Butler but like many I went out the back door after a couple of years. My excuse was that with the swing shifts I could not commit. Late 1989 I rejoined the VFW at Pleasant Hill Post 3118. Upon retirement in 1996 I became very active in the Post and the VFW. Working my way up the chairs at the Post and District level, also I have been involved in Department positions and National appointments. (Continued on Page # 6)
Phil Pippins Candidate for Surgeon I am asking for your support at the next C of A meeting in Jefferson City in September for the position of Department Surgeon. All State Post Commander 1999 2019 All State Post Quartermaster 2004 2005, 2005 - 2006, 2007 - 2008 District 8 National Aid-de-Cap 2005 2006 District 8 Commander National Distinguished Honors 2005 - 2006 All State District Commander 2005 2006, 2006 - 2007 All American District Commander 2005 - 2006 National appointment to the Veterans Resolutions Committee National Convention 2006 Officer of the Day - Department of Missouri 2007 - 2008, 2008 - 2009 I have also served on many committees on both Post and District levels I have served in leadership roles in the military, civilian and in our VFW I am a member of the Military Order of the Cooties, a Life Member of the Marine Corps League, and am happily married to Jane "I strongly believe in serving all veterans and I support the Veterans Service Program, Department of Missouri" Thanks to All Phil Pippins
VFW Missourian August 2009 pg. 5
LADIES AUXILIARY PAGE
I can not express enough my feelings of honor and pride as your 2009-2010 Dept. of Missouri Ladies Auxiliary President to the Veterans of Foreign Wars. I promise to you I will hold this office close to my heart and pledge I will do the best to my ability to make this year an informative, helpful and enthusiastic one. My theme this year is: TEAm MO…"Brewing Up" Enthusiasm for our Veterans and their Families. This is my goal, to bring enthusiasm to our programs and our works as we strive to help our veterans in all endeavors. My pin is a teapot and my colors are rose and silver. There are many who have helped me this past six months in getting ready to take on this honorable position.I would like to thank Betty Arnold, Susan Eveland, Jackie Jones, Jeri Sherwood and all of the line officers for their support. Especially, I would like to thank Debbie Miller and Debbie Griffin, without these ladies I would have quit before I started. I would like to thank my District #12 and Auxiliary #3944 for their support and the support I know they will continue to provide throughout this year. I would like to congratulate all the new District and Auxiliary Officers and Chairman on your election and appointments. Welcome to TEAm MO. I know we will work well together YVonne Massey State Ladies Auxiliary .President as we continue our traditions as Ladies Auxiliary to the Veterans of Foreign Wars. We, the Department Officers are here to assist you in anything you may need. I am looking Pic’s from School of Instruction forward to visiting all of the Districts and meeting the members throughout my travels this year. Congratulations to Commander Dave Morgan and his Officers. I know we will keep our communication open and work together for our veterans. We will strive as, TEAm MO, to support the VFW Department of Missouri, Department Chairman, District & Post Commanders, their Chairman and especially the VFW Headquarters team. July 18, 2009 we held a School of Instruction in St. Louis at my post home Overland-St. Ann Memorial #3944 with 89 ladies in attendance. On July 25, 2009 our School of Instruction was held in Lee's Summit at Post #5789 with 103 ladies in attendance. I would like to thank the Auxiliary's for their hospitality and the food was delicious and appreciated by all. I would also like to thank the instructors of schools that were held. I appreciate all the time and effort that was taken in preparing for these schools. I know the ladies came home with more knowledge of how our Auxiliaries operate and the reason we are in existence. On August 1, 2009 I made my official visit to District #18 in Lebanon, Mo. President Susie Dodds, did any excellent job as she conducted her meeting. The food was wonderful, as always. With meals like that, I will have to buy a larger uniform before my term of office is complete!August 2, 2009 I visited District #8 in Arnold, Mo. with District President Deborah Sansoucie presiding. Deborah's meeting was great, District #8 should be very proud of her. This was her first meeting and if this is any inkling of how her year will be, District #8 is in wonderful hands. Then on to District #7 on August 9, 2009. This was a very long trip to Nevada, Mo., but well worth it! The members there were very hospitable and again the food was outstanding. More pounds! LaWanna Nelson is their District President and this is her third year, she is very experienced and held an outstanding meeting. I will be at the National Convention in Phoenix, AZ on August 16-21, 2009 and I know Missouri will do great! I hope Junior Past Dept. President, Debbie Griffin gets sore feet from running up to the stage receiving awards for 2008-2009. September 19-21, 2009 I will be in Myrtle Beach, SC for our National President Jan Tittle's Homecoming. This should be very informative and a lot of fun! I'm excited to be laying on the beach and just relaxing as I prepare for my first Council of Administration which will be held September 25-27, 2009. This will be held in Jefferson City at the Capital Plaza Hotel. I hope you can come and enjoy a good time with us. I think you will be surprised! We are having a "tea party", so wear your tea party attire and enjoy with us. Also, that Saturday night, September 26 will be the Homecoming of Commander Dave State Commander and Ladies Morgan and I. We are planning a 60's party, so wear your bell bottoms and tye-dyed shirts and Auxiliary President Homecoming let's reminisce together. I'm looking forward to seeing as many of you as possible there. I think Saturday September 26 we will have a great time. Capital Plaza Hotel Let us continue to pray for our troops on international and domestic soil. They are truly Jefferson City. our heroes and they fight and protect our freedoms. Contact the Family Readiness Group (FRG) closest to your community; these groups consist of the families left behind trying to cope The Theme Dave and Yvonne with life alone without the support of the income and companionship of their loved one. They have chosen is “Early 60’s”. need us! Break out your Leisure suits and As my theme says, let's all join TEAm MO…and Brew Up Enthusiasm for our Veterans 60’s attire and plan to attend. and their Families for It's Time for America's Military Heroes. They are planning a fun filled night. You're Dept. of Missouri VFW Ladies Auxiliary President for 2009-2010 Reservation form is posted on the Web or contact Dept. Hdqs. Yvonne Massey
VFW Missourian August 2009 pg. 6
(Lyle Seelinger, Continued from Page # 4) (Bob Eckerle, Continued from Page # 4) Currently I am active in Post Service Officer duties and very active in membership with the Department and National. I currently hold Certified National Recruiter appointment that I received in 2006. I have been very fortunate in meeting with our National Guard, Air Force, Marines and Army service personnel on predeployment and at Yellow Ribbon Seminars. During the contacts with the military personnel emphasis is put on what the VFW has to offer the active duty personnel and their families, the Service Officer program and how they can be helped on benefits. If elected Surgeon I will continue to promote the Service Officer program. I will also work with the Districts and Posts in their efforts to help our veterans. I also want to enhance our training of our Districts and Posts Service Officers. If I get the opportunity to move up to Junior Vice my plan is for the Department to work close with the Districts and Posts in developing their community activities and how we can be more active in the community while not taking away from our main goal of assisting veterans. Since Membership comes under the direction of the Senior Vice Commander I will continue to promote recruiting, retention and reinstatement of all eligible members. By then we should have many well trained recruiters on all levels. However I will continue to search for ways to improve our membership programs. If I am fortunate enough to become Commander my job will not be over because as Commander I will still be very active in all aspects of the Department. I believe in leadership by leading and not just say "do it". I believe in giving assistance where needed and praise and recognition when earned and deserved. As complex as the VFW is, no one person can know it all or do all of the work. Therefore I will be asking for your help and I will not be to proud to come to you for your input and advice. Working as a TEAM the VFW Department of Missouri will not be just the best department but the greatest, second to none. Therefore I am asking for your vote of confidence for the office of Surgeon for the year of 2010-11 so that we can work together to assist all veterans. Your Comrade Lyle J. Seelinger All American Team Commander 2005-2006 All State Team Captain Commander 20052006 All State Team Commander 2003 – 2005 Other: BSBA Park University, 30 years Boy Scouts of America, Wood Badge Trained, Tribe of MicOSay, and Order of the Arrow. Master Mason, 32 degree Scottish Rite, and Shriner.
Tom Hartman, Foundation Chairman
Greetings comrades Your Veterans of Foreign Wars Missouri Foundation is up and running. With the change of State Officers comes a change in appointed chairs. . I have accepted the position of VFW Foundation Chairman with the thought of making it beneficial that all can support and be proud of. Your understanding of the operation and funding of the Foundation is vital to its success. I will seek funding from outside sources other than VFW Posts and Auxiliaries. We as an organization are always looking for ways to fund the programs and services we provide to all veterans and their families. The service in the community in which we live, free calls home for our deployed troops, emergency grants to cover basic needs and unexpected emergencies for families left behind, and assistance fighting for VA benefits. This is a small list of what we provide our Veterans. If successful, your Foundation can help provide some of the muchneeded funds to continue the programs we have in place. Come join us for the first annual golf tournament September 18, 2009 this will be a fun event with great prizes, lunch and beverages included. If I do not see you at the national convention or before I hope to see you at the September CofA. Until then, be safe, healthy, and happy. Your comrade, Tom Hartman, Foundation Chairman
State Commander and Ladies Auxiliary President Homecoming Saturday September 26 Capital Plaza Hotel Jefferson City. The Theme Dave and Yvonne have chosen is “Early 60’s”. Break out your Leisure suits and 60’s attire and plan to attend. They are planning a fun filled night. Reservation form is posted on the Web or contact Dept. Hqs.
First Annual Veterans of Foreign Wars Missouri Foundation Golf Tournament Friday, September 18, 2009 “Eagle Knoll” Golf Club Hartsburg, MO Info on page #10 Players, Sponsors and help needed Contact Tom Hartman, Foundation Chairman to register.
VFW Missourian August 2009 pg. 7
Dennis F. Flynn Department Service Officer Veterans Service
Jason Blakemore, Asst. Service Officer VA Regional Office, St. Louis
Past, Present and Future
PAST: The VFW traces its roots back to 1899 when veterans of the Spanish-American War (1898) and the Philippine Insurrection (1899-1902) founded local organization to secure rights and benefits for their services: Many arrived home wounded or sick. There was no medical care or veterans’ pension for them, and they were left to care for themselves. PRESENT: The VA currently has 8,864 pending claims at the VA Regional Office. The national average of claims handled by the VFW in a State is 12 percent of all cases. Although there are seven organizations representing veterans in Missouri the VFW represents 31 percent of all cases pending with the VA. We have 2,769 pending claims in our office. Last month we filed 1,340 claims for benefits. Our recovers during the past year for our claimant’s is around 124 million dollars. The reason that we have so many claims pending is that we act as advocates for our veterans. They may file a claim for one benefit but we will try to expand their claim to get them additional compensation. Example: WW II veteran files for a knee condition. His records were destroyed and his claim is denied. A review of his Discharge Document reveals that he served in the Ardennes (Battle of the Bulge). We file for claim for cold injuries and he is granted a 100 percent evaluation. Besides getting $2,823.00 in monthly benefits he gets free medicine, eyeglasses, hearing aids, dental and nursing home care. We do this frequently and I would welcome someone telling me of where he would have got these services somewhere else. We get an average of 15 veterans a 100 percent evaluation a week. We have a computer program where we have 17,000 cases where we can review old claims and given the time I can get a lot of those veterans a 100 percent evaluation. 5,200 of our claimants are service connected for hearing loss and tinnitus and 2,200 are service-connected for diabetes. FUTURE: Everyone in this organization has to decide if we care about our fellow veterans. Our program is making a difference in the lives of our veterans and their dependents. We are always seeking to help as many veterans as we can and that is why we have over 2,700 pending claims. No Program in the VFW is more important than the Veterans Service Program. Some people who will read article this will say to themselves of course we care about our fellow veterans. The question needs to be asked because over 30 percent of the Post in the State of Missouri will not to respond to our request for a minimal of $25.00 a year for our Program. Some Post have not supported our Program for years. Apparently they cannot afford the 7 cents a day to help their fellow veterans. Some have no problem with sending hundreds of dollars to groups such as the Girl Scouts, Cub Scouts and to the Cancer Society. It is great that they want to support these groups but we are trying to help the grandfather of the Girl Scout and Cub Scout who unfortunately is the veteran who has the cancer. If the leaders in these Post don’t believe our Program should funded and that it is alright with them if we stop helping our veterans I can assure you that the members of their Post who don’t attend the meetings don’t agree with you. Within a three-year period I signed up 900 new members. Most of these veterans became members because of the assistance we gave them in their claims for benefits. They are not all interested in attending meetings but they want to support our Program. Maybe a solution for these Posts is to put a statement in their Post Newsletter telling their membership that we are desperately seeking funds for our Program so we can continue to assist our fellow veterans. If there were no Veterans Service Program (the reason the VFW was formed) what would be the reason for a veteran wanting to join the VFW. If we were not a Service Organization standing united to help our fellow veterans then why would they want to join us? Your Department Service Officers work hard to make sure our veterans are getting the maximum benefits under the law. You will not find any other organization that is more pro-active in veteran claims then we are. It would be nice if the Post who have not supported us for years would step up to the plate and make a contribution to our Program at the upcoming State Convention and vote “YES on the By-Law amendment. It is never too late to help a veteran. Article submitted by Dennis Flynn,
VFW Missourian August 2009 pg. 8
Each new member makes our voice in Washington and Jefferson City just a little louder. Lately, I've been hearing some grumbling about the amount of fundraising One thing we must remember is that each new mailings our members receive. I'd like to set the record straight. Because I member needs to be personally contacted by a member really believe if everyone knew the sound reasoning behind our mailing of your Post and asked to come and participate in Post schedule, it would clear up a lot of misunderstanding. Welcome the men and women veterans into our community and ask for their help in keeping us a strong and The fact is, dues paid by VFW members cover only 11% of the costs of viable force for veterans benefits. I ask that each current VFW programs. So, without the generosity of members who respond to our member offer the same VFW benefits to at least one vetfundraising mailings, America's veterans would not be able to rely on the eran this year. Just one, is that too much to ask? I think VFW for help. It's that simple. not. Grandsons and granddaughters who have served in the current wars are eligible, cousins, nephews and Think, too, about the demands we now face as an organization. Tens of nieces, aunts and uncles, if they have served, ask them thousands of troops are returning from Iraq and Afghanistan looking to us to become a member. If they haven’t served ask them to for help to make it through these tough times. Add this to an aging veterbecome a member of the Men’s or Ladies Auxiliary. ans' population, and the crisis of need becomes even clearer. Let’s all work together to bring this organization back to its glory years. The veterans are out there it’s up to you I understand that it may seem like you get mail from the VFW very freand me to bring them into our organization. quently. But that just underscores how much we rely on you-and every Remember September 28th is VFW Day. Does VFW member-to help us fulfill our enduring commitment to "Helping Our your Post have an activity planned? What a great opporHeroes." We don't want to turn even a single veteran away-ever. tunity to celebrate and share our organization with our community. I’m sure someone who visits your Post that However, please do know we are listening. And, we of the VFW are comday can become a member of this great organization mitted to doing everything in our power to make your membership valuand someone who needs VA benefits. Work smarter, not able, convenient and a constant source of pride. harder. Help the VFW grow so we can help other veterans. If you're concerned about the amount of mail you receive, I encourage you to join VFW's Partners in Patriotism program-an automatic giving Thank you comrades and sisters for the opportunity to serve you. option that puts you in the driver's seat. You can decide how much you want to contribute each month, quarter or year. Once enrolled in Partners in Patriotism, you will no longer receive fundraising mailings from Bob Wonnell State Sr. Vice Commander VFW National Headquarters. Getting started is easy. Simply call Donor Services at VFW National Headquarters, (816) 756-3390, ext. 6318. Someone will personally walk you through the simple process. Start the VFW year right with a membership drive. Start August 1st. Get those unpaid lists from your Post Quartermaster. (Quartermaster you can find those lists on VFW e-membership.) Form calling teams and call comrades on the list and ask them to come back to the best Veterans organization in the free world. Go pick up their dues if they can’t bring them in. If they actually can’t afford to pay their dues use money from your relief funds. Get your Post Recruiter and your Post Service Officer and set up a recruiting booth in town. If you have left over Buddy Poppies take those along with you. Let your local newspaper, radio and TV stations know and have a notice put in your church bulletins. The VFW is having a membership drive. . We are asking each Post to get a minimum of five (5) new or reinstated members during the month of August. Once this is accomplished you are well on your way to becoming an All State Post. While you are out there, ask every veteran you talk to whether he or she has filed for VA benefits. If they haven’t or if it’s been a long time since they filed, fill out a referral form and let them know one of our VFW Service Officer will call them in a few days. The only thing keeping you from being successful is YOU. Recruiting, retention and Veterans Service all in one package. We can make it happen if we work together! Dave Morgan State Commander Bob Wonnell Sr. Vice Commander Olin Parks State Jr. Vice Commander
Why Does VFW Send So Much Mail? By Allen "Gunner" Kent, Adjutant General
(Bob Wonnell, continued from page #3)
(Remeber to celebrate the Birthday of the Veterans of Foreign Wars on September 29,)
VFW Missourian August 2009 pg. 9
Speaks 4th Annual Veteran’s Program Salutes Vietnam Veterans
On Saturday, July 18th, veterans and their families packed the auditorium of the Harry S. Truman Presidential Library for the Speaks 4th Annual “Lest They Be Forgotten” Veterans Program. Sponsored by Speaks Family Legacy Chapels in Independence, the program was dedicated to all the men and women who served our country in time of war, with a special tribute to veterans from the Vietnam era. The event featured “Vietnam – Remembered”, a documentary by award winning filmmaker Larry Cappetto. This one-hour film is an up-close, personal and first hand look into the lives of Vietnam veterans who fought, survived and endured the pain, suffering and anguish of a war that changed their lives and America forever. Brad Speaks recounted the heroic actions of two Vietnam War Congressional Medal of Honor recipients, retired Colonels Roger H.C. Donlon and Donald E. Ballard; and presented each of them a flag that had flown over the U.S Capitol in Washington, DC. Then Captain Donlon was awarded a Medal of Honor for numerous heroic acts and several injuries while leading his twelve man team and 311 South Vietnam soldiers were fending off a full-scale, five-hour attach. He was the first Vietnam War serviceman and the first Green Beret to be so recognized. Ballard was a Navy corpsman who jumped on a hand grenade to protect injured Marines and when it failed to detonate he continued treating other comrades while under heavy fire. Both men received a standing ovation from their fellow servicemen. The featured speaker was Art Fillmore, a decorated Vietnam veteran and founder of the Heart of America Stand Down Foundation, a not-for-profit organized to help homeless veterans. Fillmore gave his perspective on a statement about the Vietnam conflict that reads, “We were the unwilling, led by the incompetent, to do the impossible, for the ungrateful,” and spoke about his first-hand experiences during and after the war and the treatment of returning Vietnam servicemen. He stated that there are three accomplishments Vietnam veterans should be proud of. One, the American public has learned that the horrors of combat and bottling up one’s feelings and emotions about those experiences can result in erratic and often violent behavior. It is a condition, now called Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (or PTSD) and the military has changed the way they help today’s fighting units deal with this problem. Two, more people have learned that “regardless of what you think about the war, you should honor, support and respect the warrior.” And, three, Fillmore said that America needs to end the commonly held belief that we lost that war. In 1994 and 1995, Fillmore led six medical missions to Vietnam for Heart To Heart International. He spent a great deal of time with his former enemies, including the Vietnamese Secretary of Agriculture who asked him, “Why are you Americans so hard on yourselves about losing the war? You wanted to end the spread of Communism, and no country on this continent has gone Communist since you left. You wanted to curtail the spreading influence of the Chinese Communists, and you did that. You wanted to establish an economic foothold in Southeast Asia, and now all of Southeast Asia seeks your assistance in building our economies. Tell me again why you think you lost?” (NOTE: For complete text of Art Fillmore’s speech, go to www.speakschapel.com ) Event attendees were also allowed to view a Huey helicopter that was shot down four times while in service during the Vietnam War. It was displayed on the Truman Library front driveway for this event by Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA) Chapter #243. Chapter members were on-hand to answer questions about the helicopter and its importance to the American troops during the Vietnam conflict. Attendees were allowed to climb inside and inspect a machine that helped change modern warfare and saved thousands of American lives. In his closing remarks, David Speaks asked the veterans to stand and stated, “Please know that we appreciate and value the sacrifices that you have made for all of us, ensuring that we may live free and wonderful lives as we do in this great country. You will never be forgotten in the eyes of this community. Ladies and gentlemen, we wake up everyday in a free country and we have these veterans to thank for that.” David is Director of Community Relations for Speaks Chapels and chairman of the fourth annual event. Honor guards for the event were members of VVA Chapters #243 and #317. Sam Rushay, Supervisory Archivist for the Truman Library, welcomed the audience. In commenting about the Speaks program, he stated, “The veterans who appeared in the film provided an enlightening and emotional view of the Vietnam War that was shared and deeply appreciated by the large number of veterans and their families that attended. The recognition of the two Medal of Honor recipients and Art Fillmore’s words were truly inspiring. It is the type of excellent programming that we are proud to offer at the Truman Library and we thank the Speaks family for selecting our facility as the venue for this meaningful presentation.” The Veterans program was free to those who attended. Speaks provided the cost of producing the program. While a fee is normally required to enter the facility, there was no charge to attend the movie and veteran’s program compliments of the Truman Library.
VFW Missourian August 2009 Pg. 10
First Annual Veterans of Foreign Wars Missouri Foundation Golf Tournament Friday, September 18, 2009 Hosted by Veterans of Foreign Wars Missouri Foundation Tournament at “Eagle Knoll” Golf Club, Hartsburg, MO Three Person Scramble Paying Equal Prizes in each flight Four Flights with Three Places in Each Flight First Place $600.00 Second Place $400.00 Third Place $200.00 Make your tax deductible donation to: VFW MISSOURI FOUNDATION PO BOX 26 Jefferson City, MO 65102 Entry Fee $300.00 Per Team Check-in time 7:30 am shotgun start 9:00 am sharp All prize money based on full field of 72 teams For Information Call: Tom Hartman 573-636-8761 or 573-338-0662 ____________________________________________________________________________ __