USA Today Highlights VFW Foundation
Tuesday, October 7, 2008 at 07:20 PM
by DD
KANSAS CITY, Mo., Oct. 7, 2008--
VFW Foundation is highlighted in today's
USA Today "Sharing in the USA" special section.
Approximately 70 charities were chosen nationally and selected based on fundraising and administrative efficiency. The VFW Foundation is one of two charities listed in the Missouri section. The foundation's mission is to manage and distribute resources to support veterans, active-duty personnel, the National Guard and Reserves, their families and communities.
Here is what USA Today wrote:
"The Veterans of Foreign Wars Foundation helps military personnel and their families by providing free phone cards, financial assistance and claims assistance for veterans, foundation director Dan Shea says. The foundation has provided 9 million phone cards to troops in Afghanistan and Iraq and $2.2 million to nearly 1,600 families for unmet needs, including groceries, rent and home repair."
Charity watchdog groups like the Independent Charities of America gave the VFW Foundation a "Best of America" rating, an honor given to only 1,500 of some 50,000 groups. Charity Navigator provided the foundation with three stars and a four-star efficiency rating, the highest rating possible. The foundation also achieved full inclusion in the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC #10511), due to low operating costs.
To learn more about the VFW Foundation, visit the website at
www.vfwfoundation.org.
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Forum Hot Topic: Virtual Posts
Tuesday, October 7, 2008 at 04:11 PM
by DD
Thanks to your support the VFW WebCOM Network Membership Forum now has
10382 Posts in
3099 Topics by
1604 Members!
The hot topic as of late has been the discussion around the pros/cons of establishing a
"Virtual Post" as a means of connecting with younger Veterans. Stop by and share your
thoughts:
http://www.vfwwebcom.org/forum/index.php/topic,3260.0.html
Also the VFW WebCOM Network has established a Facebook page. Drop in a "Fan" us up.
http://www.facebook.com/pages/VFW-WebCOM-Network/25570084434
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October Survey
Monday, October 6, 2008 at 05:29 AM
by DD
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TRICARE Reserve and Guard Family Benefit Now Permanent
Saturday, October 4, 2008 at 09:04 PM
by DD
FALLS CHURCH, Va. – Eligible families of activated National Guard and Reserve members will continue to save up to $300 in annual deductibles now that a TRICARE "demonstration" program is a permanent benefit.
Eligible family members of Guard and Reserve personnel activated for more than 30 days under federal orders in support of a contingency operation are made eligible for TRICARE Standard and TRICARE Extra, which have annual deductibles. While they may be eligible to enroll into TRICARE Prime or TRICARE Prime Remote for Active Duty Family Members, which have no deductibles, many may choose to stay with TRICARE Standard or Extra.
Introduced as one of the first TRICARE healthcare enhancements after Sept. 11, 2001 to assist the increasing number of National Guard and Reserve service members activated to support the Global War on Terrorism, the benefit waiving annual deductibles has been a demonstration project for over seven years.
"The demonstration has worked well and the benefit is not changing," said the Deputy Director of TRICARE Management Activity, Maj. Gen. Elder Granger. "We simply want to make sure our Guard and Reserve families know this is a permanent benefit now that final federal regulation has been published."
Read more
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VFW Dept of California BLOOD ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
Monday, September 29, 2008 at 01:59 PM
by DD
The Dept CA VFW will reimburse the cost for up to ten (10) units of blood per year if the cost had to be paid by the member after all insurance coverage has been exhausted for all our members in good standing and their immediate family residing with them. CAVFW FORM-1b form must be completed in its entirety and have the invoice or receipt attached. This is another benefit for being a member of the VFW.
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VFW Emblem & Supply Catalog - 10% Life Member Discount.
Monday, September 29, 2008 at 01:55 PM
by DD
Are you planning to make some purchases like a New Podium Edition, VFW Cap or clothing? To receive this discount, you must either call your order in using our toll free number, 1-800-821-2606, or you can fax the order at 1-816-968-1196. You may also mail it to them. Please include your Life Member number and date.
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RECOGNITION OF EAGLE SCOUTS
Monday, September 29, 2008 at 01:53 PM
by DD
Our Post and Honor Guard would like to recognize every youths accomplishment who receives Eagle Scout rank with an Eagle Scout Certificate that is embossed with the Eagle Merit Badge and the boys name and troop number in gold with a blue velour folder. Troops an Santa Cruz County and members living outside the county with relatives attaining Eagle are asked to contact Honor Guard Cpt Joe Kleinsmith @ 831-588-5525 jkleinsmith@yahoo.com at least six weeks before the boys Court of Honor.
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HOLIDAY FOOD BASKETS !
Monday, September 29, 2008 at 01:50 PM
by DD
It is time to clean out your kitchen and pantry cabinets. Again this year we will be distributing Thanksgiving and Christmas Boxes and Baskets to any member or veterans family who is in need. Last November we helped 8 veterans and 14 veterans and their families celebrate a Happy Thanksgiving. We need more help and would appreciate any canned goods (no dented or rusted cans please), non-perishable items, etc., that you would care to give. Please leave your donations with Trella or in the decorated barrel at the entry hall. Bring them every Friday when you come to dinner. Cash donations are also greatly appreciated and will be used for turkey, hams and other food purchases. All donations are tax deductible. If you are unable to bring a donation in, call the club to coordinate a pick-up. We appreciate your support in helping members, veterans and veterans families in need. God Bless. Alice and Jenny, Chairmen (831) 722-5228.
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Auxiliary Membership
Monday, September 29, 2008 at 01:49 PM
by DD
We are proud of our auxiliary. There are a total of ten Ladies Auxiliaries in our district. Besides being the oldest in District 12, we are the only VFW Ladies Auxiliary in all of Santa Cruz County. We have 77 Life and 39 annual members. We ask our Annual members to be Early Birds and renew their memberships promptly, and that our life members pay their $5 Cancer Insurance dues.
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Post Membership
Monday, September 29, 2008 at 01:47 PM
by DD
The VFW is doing everything possible to safeguard the veteran benefits and entitlements you earned!. It is very easy - and inexpensive- to take care of your VFW membership renewal for the coming year. We have 29 members who still need to renew their annual memberships. So I urge you to do it right now while your think of it. Be an Early Bird. We know times are tough. If your in financial distress and unable to renew your dues at this time, contact Cmdr Dave or Asst Quartermaster Walker today! They will help and it is kept confidential. Those who fail to renew their membership will have their VFW benefits, Magazine, Scuttlebutt, Insurance, and VFW privileges interrupted or stopped. A new VFW year has begun and we must continue to grow in size. Last year our membership was 246. We have 211 life members. Sadly we lost four members already this year; therefore we must do our best to invite and recruit new members. Lets welcome our newest members; Juan Majan, Armondo Rodriguez, James Snader, Marvin Rubin, Daniel Tryon, Richard Galloway and Ken Cakebread. Many are transfers from 7th Ave VFW Post 7263. Our VFW Post is not an old mans club or a bar, it is an organization of all ages. Recruit a new member. Remember, Freedom VFW Post believes in veterans helping veterans and their families.
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SCUTTLEBUTT EDITORS COMMUNIQUE
Monday, September 29, 2008 at 01:40 PM
by DD
We want you to be kept up to date by receiving your Post/Aux Newsletter. Failing to letting us know of changes in your mailing addresses hurts; it hurts our post financially in paying returned postage and it hurts you because you miss delivery, you miss out in what is going on, and will be dropped off the mailing list at Post and maybe National as well. So when you move, besides submitting a change of delivery with the post office, we need you to please contact the post or editor and we will keep you up to date. If you would like an advance E-copy of the Scuttlebutt, just contact the editor, Dave Ambriz at. davebreeze1238@aol.com or tel: (831) 761-8805
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VFW SCOUT OF THE YEAR SCHOLARSHIP Program
Monday, September 29, 2008 at 01:38 PM
by DD
Deadlines:
Submit entry to our VFW Post: March 1, 2009
Our Post will submit winner to VFW Department: April 1, 2009
Department nominees to VFW National: May 1, 2009
The VFW Scout of the Year Scholarship program provides a $5,000 award to an outstanding scout who is the recipient of a Boy Scout Eagle Award, a Venture Scouting Silver Award or a Sea Scout Quartermaster Award.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
Be a registered, active member of a Boy Scout Troop, Venturing Crew, or a Sea Scout Ship;
Has received the Eagle Scout Award, Venture Silver Award or Sea Scout Quartermaster Award;
Has demonstrated practical citizenship in school, scouting and the community;
Has reached his/her 15th birthday and is enrolled in high school at the time of selection; and
Has submitted his/her completed entry by March 1, 2009, to VFW Post 1716.
Note: All applicants still in high school who reach their 18th birthday during the nomination year remain eligible if otherwise qualified. A scout only can enter through ONE VFW Post.
To enter complete the VFW Scouting Scholarship form found at: http://www.vfw.org/resources/pdf/scoutscholarshipentryform.pdf and submit to VFW Post 1716 by March 1st.
For more information on the scouting award visit: http://www.vfw.org/index.cfm?fa=cmty.leveld&did=4371
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CHILDRENS CHRISTMAS PARTY
Monday, September 29, 2008 at 01:37 PM
by DD
Santa Claus asks that you do not forget to register your children, grand and great-grand children before December 1st for our annual Childrens Christmas Party being held Sunday, Dec 14th. Santa will be posting an elves volunteer list for Extra Helpers in the Canteen. When you prepare Christmas Cards, remember to send some to our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan, and send them early.
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VFW YOUTH SCHOLARSHIP CONTESTS UNDERWAY
Monday, September 29, 2008 at 01:34 PM
by DD
The deadline for the Voice of Democracy and Patriot's Pen contests is approaching. Entries for both programs are due at the Post by November 1, 2008. Program details, including eligibility, rules, and entry forms can be obtained at: www.vfw.org/index.cfm?fa=cmty.leveld&did=150 -and- www.vfw.org/index.cfm?fa=cmty.leveld&did=151 Both cassette and CD are acceptable for Voice of Democracy entries. Additional questions can be directed to Chairmen Bob Howell and Barbara Espe. Video of last years winners can be seen on our weblog below, June 1, 2008.
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STATE FORT ORD VETERANS CEMETERY - UPDATE
Monday, September 29, 2008 at 01:20 PM
by DD
Honor Guard Cpt Kleinsmith represented our Post and attended the Monterey County Veteran Cemetery Citizens Advisory Committee in Marina on Thursday September 11th. If a foundation can raise $3.3 million by July 1, construction of our Central Coast Veterans Cemetery at Fort Ord, could begin the following October. For the entire story, visit the Honor Guards Blog at: http://vfwwebcom.org/ca/Post1716HonorGuard/
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CALIFORNIA VETERAN Department Newspaper Available in Hard Copy
Monday, September 29, 2008 at 01:15 PM
by DD
For those who miss receiving the Cal-Vet and do not have access to a computer or do not attend Post or District meetings, Please send a written request to Dean Lee at 1510 J Street, Suite 110, Sacramento, CA 95814 and ask that you be added to the Hard Copy mailing list. There is NO CHARGE for this. Everyone is able to view the VFW California Veteran Newspaper along with State Newsletter UPDATES and other VFW communications on-line at: http://www.vfwca.org/newspublications.html The Ladies Auxiliarys ECHO Publication can be seen on line at: http://www.lavfwca.org/Echo.htm
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WHATS COOKIN on Friday Nites for Dinner
Monday, September 29, 2008 at 01:01 PM
by DD
OCTOBER 3 Chicken Fried Steak * OCTOBER 10 Hot Roast Beef * OCTOBER 17 Beef & Noodle * OCTOBER 24 Chicken * OCTOBER 31 Pasta & Meatballs * NOVEMBER 7 Chicken Fried Steak * NOVEMBER 14 Turkey & Dressing * NOVEMBER 21 Turkey ala-King * NOVEMBER 28 Tamale Pie * Dinners are served 5:30 p.m. Ð 6:30 P.m. for Just $6.00 Includes Coffee & Dessert. Our Dinners are Open to the Public So.... Bring your neighbors. Menu subject to change. For their Birthday, Post & Auxiliary members of 1716 will receive a FREE Dinner upon showing their current VFW Membership Card and proof of birth date (i.e., drivers license) on the nearest Friday of their birthday. (Does NOT apply to take-out dinners).
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VFW WebCOM Department Toolbar Tour
Wednesday, September 10, 2008 at 07:36 AM
by DD
What is the VFW WebCOM Department Toolbar? What does it do? Click the video below for a tour or click
here for a larger version.
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About this Site and Network
Wednesday, August 27, 2008 at 09:46 PM
by DD
Welcome to Departments of the Veterans of Foreign Wars' VFW WebCOM Network. This Network is comprised of close to 10,000 pre-built, established sites for each of the 54 state and international Departments, their Districts and all 8,500 VFW Posts.
In support of the Network, we have added Department toolbars, a video-sharing platform, instant WebCHAT, a Membership Forum and pre-built 31,000 VFW Department-specific Officer e-mail accounts which are transferable to the next person filling the position. E-commerce storefronts for each post, online calendars, online forms and much more are in the works.
Each Department, District and Post now has an integrated internal and external communications system at their disposal for consideration of universal deployment in support of existing and planned communication protocols.
All identified product and services are provided at zero cost to the organization with the understanding that costs are to be covered through a revenue sharing agreements through the Departments. The organization retains 100% control of all branding, 100% editorial control of your message on all levels of the Network and final approval authority on all sonsorship and e-commerce opportunities. If the Network should fail to generate enough revenue to cover our service and product-provider partners' cost of doing business, there is no cost liability to organization.
The Network has not been formally recognized by the National level of the organization at this time but is being aggressively rolled out through the eight VFW Departments of North Carolina, Virginia, Missouri, New Hampshire, Alabama, South Dakota, West Virginia and Wisconsin. Several other Departments are in various stages of consideration and implementation.
The network provides the organization the ability to push a button and broadcast, or syndicate, the same piece of information, whether it’s text, pictures, video or audio, across every site. Departments also have the ability to push a button and accomplish the same thing across just the District and Post sites within their Department. Most importantly it enables a VFW Post or District to directly manage and publish information to the Internet for their local community and their organization as a whole.
Over 5 years in the making and built with the oversight and to the specifications of VFW Department and Post leadership and membership, its objectives are to foster:
- More efficient organizational communication to your members and potential members.
- More efficient organizational communication to your communities.
- More efficient organizational communication to your legislators.
- Generate revenue and resources for the organization.
While you are here take a moment to take a closer look at how you can support these efforts.
1) Do you have a website or a weblog that you could add a link to a local VFW or State site? Do you have a few minutes to write about us and let people know what we are doing?
You can find a list of the 54 VFW Departments here:
http://vfwwebcom.org/departments
You can find a local VFW Post close to you here:
http://vfwwebcom.org/postdirectory
2) If you are a VFW Member or Supporter, you can download your Department toolbar. The toolbar has lots of neat features; all the RSS (syndication) feeds for every site in the Network run through them, keeping you instantly connected to all the information moving through the Network.
You can go here to download your toolbar:
http://vfwwebcom.org/toolbars/
3) If you are a VFW Member or Supporter, you can join the conversations in the VFW Membership Forum and instant WebCHAT. There’s lots of good information and opportunities to meet new friends there.
You can go to the Forum here:
http://www.vfwwebcom.org/forum
4) If you are a VFW Member or Supporter, you can view and start sharing videos at VFW WebCOM Video Network.
You can check out the videos here:
http://video.vfwwebcom.org/
5) If you are a VFW Member or Supporter, do you know of a business that may be interested in supporting your local VFW Posts or Department by sponsoring their site? Prices start at $2.00 a day for one site and scale from there with opportunities to Sponsor all sites in a Department. (At this time advertising and e-commerce opportunities are only available for the eight aforementioned Departments.)
You can go here to browse sponsorship opportunities:
http://www.admemex.com/vfwwebcom/
The invitation is open for all Posts and Districts to claim their VFW WebCOM Network site. If your Post or District already has a web presence this would be a great way to expand it. If your Post or District does not have a web presence this is a no cost way for you to establish one and start sharing with the world what your Post does in the community and Organization and if your Post is in a Departmental Partner Network you could even generate revenue with it...up to and even beyond $3,000.00 per year.
Go here to test drive how easy it is to manage. It's our Demo site, it works the same way yours would:
http://vfwwebcom.org/Demo/
As you can see, there's plenty to see and do on the VFW WebCOM Network with more still to come. We thank you for stopping by and invite you back regularly to support and stay connected with your Veterans of Foreign Wars.
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Dear Community Members and Supporters of VFW Post 1716
Friday, July 18, 2008 at 08:46 PM
by DD
As an organization that is accustomed to serving and helping others, we now find ourselves seeking assistance in our time of need. The Post home located at 1960 Freedom Boulevard recently incurred major damage to the sewer line. Although we sought out and received the best bid we could secure, the cost of the repairs is quite formidable - $17,500. Under normal circumstances this expense would be burdensome, but it is especially difficult at this time, as our funds are greatly depleted. One of our largest sources of revenue is our annual Fourth of July Fireworks sales. Because of the devastating fires in California, our fireworks sales were prohibited this year. While we are concerned for the safety of our community, this means we have lost our major source of funding that we have been fortunate enough to depend upon in the past. In light of the situation, we face some difficult time ahead and fear that some of the programs that we have proudly promoted and supported may be curtailed. We face the possibility, that for one of the first times, we might not be able to participate in our Youth Activities Programs, including Voice of Democracy and Patriots Pen Scholarships, Little and Pony Leagues, as well as the Childrens Christmas Party. Other threatened programs include the Firefighter/Police Recognition Programs and Holiday Food Baskets distribution. We certainly hope that this will not be the case, but we need your help. So we appeal to our community members, businesses, leaders and supporters to lend a hand. With your generosity we can continue to serve and participate in these vitally important community programs and make necessary repairs to the Post home. Please accept our invitation to be part of that effort. Tax-deductible donations [ Tax I.D. No. 94-6091991 ] can be forwarded to: VFW Post 1716, P.O. Box 716, Freedom CA 95019, Attn: John Walker/Quartermaster.
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Post Membership
Tuesday, July 15, 2008 at 09:27 PM
by DD
Lets welcome and salute our newest Post member, Harvey Thorpe. Salutes all our 218 Life Members. You can see their names on the Life Membership Board at our Post entry. Soon all our 28 Annual VFW members will be receiving their annual renewal membership notices from National for the coming VFW year. Our Post competes with other Posts in our State in membership. Lets be the first Post with 100% membership before December 1st. Annual members, Please renew your membership NOW ! You can renew your annual membership of $30 or purchase a Life Membership by check or Credit Card, and forget about annual renewal notices forever! Your membership is important as YOU are a part of the Voice of the VFW heard in Washington D.C. As you know, our Congress is cutting back on everything you earned and were promised during your service to the United States. The VFW is doing everything possible to safeguard those benefits and entitlements. Renew your membership today !!! Members wishing more information regarding life memberships or making their annual dues payment at our Post may contact Membership Chairman John Walker at; (home) 724-4896, e-mail: jaywalk1940@home.com If you should purchase your life membership directly through National, please notify John Walker so he can have your name plate made and mounted on the Life Membership Plaque at the Posts entryway. If times are difficult and renewal is not possible, please accept our assistance. Your VFW Post helps its members in distress. Call Commander Ambriz or Asst Quartermaster Walker, its confidential. We believe in Veterans helping Veterans.
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Donation to Fort Ord-Monterey VA Clinic
Tuesday, July 1, 2008 at 09:51 PM
by DD
Our Post spent $75 and donated 14 pounds of Maxwell House coffee, 5 boxes (100 ea) of tea bags, 5 canisters (37 servings ea) of NestleÕs instant hot chocolate, and a box (500 servings) of Equal sweetner to the Clinic. Chaplain Kleinsmith, Ret Army, shopped at the Commissary and made delivery. We are veterans helping veterans. Our VA Doctors and nutrition advocates want diabetics and other veterans to have a healthy alternative to glazed donuts and caffeine. The clinic appreciates donations of fresh fruit as an alternative healthy snack food for our veterans visiting the Donut Room. So if you have fruit trees at home and an appointment at the clinic, take a bag or box of fruit with you. www1.va.gov/directory/guide/facility.asp?ID=5199
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Freedom Post 1716 is a great place to go
Wednesday, June 18, 2008 at 06:15 PM
by DD
Freedom Post 1716 Is a great place to go, Its where the members meet, With a nicer group of people, You would ever hope to greet. These are people who offered their lives, In all the conflicts since World War One, These are people who never gave ground, And this is the reason, America is still around!
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Medical and Hospital Equipment
Wednesday, June 18, 2008 at 01:56 PM
by DD
Post 1716 Provides some equipment to those with a need. The Prosthetics Dept at the VA Hospital helps our veterans but not family members and non-veterans. Our current inventory includes assorted canes, walkers, crutches, wheel chairs, and power chairs. The pre-owned equipment we have is provided at no cost and we ask that borrowed items be returned when no longer needed. If you have items you wish to donate please contact us. Donations to our VFW are tax free.
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Political Action
Wednesday, June 18, 2008 at 01:51 PM
by DD
We sponsor a number of political activities. We provide Voter Registration forms for those who wish to register or change their registration address. In addition, we also allow for the use of our post home as a polling station for voting during elections. We also welcome our elected officials and candidates a chance to speak to the public at organized events.
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Military Coffee Requests - Here's a Challenge
Thursday, June 5, 2008 at 01:44 PM
by DD
Alright everyone...here is a challenge I just learned about. Dunkin Doughnuts draws 50 names a month and sends coffee to our deployed soldiers. The link below will take you to the form. They do the drawing on a random basis, so everyone has a chance. Enter every name you can think of and forward this to as many as you can. I think it is a great idea!! https://www.dunkindonuts.com/aboutus/contact/Feedback.aspx?type=4 Let's send them a cup of joe on us!!
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= CANCELLED = VFW FIREWORKs BOOTH NEEDs YOUR SUPPORT
Sunday, June 1, 2008 at 03:53 PM
by DD
FUND RAISER CANCELLED - Sales begin June 28th thru July 4th. Comrades and Ladies, We have three additional selling days this year. We were short handed help last year. Even if you can volunteer for just only 1 hour, please signup. Call Trella at 722-5228. This is our BIGGEST FUND RAISER for the entire year. Be sure to tell youÕre your family and friends where OUR POST & BOOTH IS LOCATED! The competition is very fierce. Hey guys and gals, ÒitÕs a jungle out there!Ó Make sure your friends and family buy only from OUR VFW booth! Spread the word and remember that presentation of your VFW 1716 membership card entitles you to a 10% discount at the time of your purchase. Just another benefit of being a member of VFW Freedom Post 1716 and Auxiliary.
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