Grassroots 2008 December Survey
Monday, December 1, 2008 at 05:26 AM
by DD
November's question:
"Do you think there is enough news coverage about the Global War on Terrorism?"
The majority of respondents—almost 82 percent—believe the media is not doing an adequate job in fully covering the Global War on Terrorism. Many believe coverage that exists focuses on the negative aspects of war, such as death tolls, insurgent attacks and improper actions taken by our troops. They suggest coverage should provide a broader scope, showcasing also the good our troops do.
Others believe the War on Terrorism has received too much coverage. Some even say more coverage leads to a more complacent, less interested nation.
- "The news media is more concerned about the negative aspects of our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. Anything that casts the current Administration in a bad light makes the headlines, while more positive stories are buried, if covered at all."
- "The media only talks about the bad things that happen; they don't talk about the good that happens. They don't compare numbers, such as more people were killed in Chicago having to do with crime than soldiers in OIF."
- "We need not only news coverage, but news that hasn't been manipulated and sugar-coated."
- "What coverage [that does exist] reports on what the enemy is doing or how our troops are victims or murderers."
See more results
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BUDDY POPPIES: PANHANDLING? SAY IT AIN'T SO!
Sunday, November 30, 2008 at 05:45 PM
by DD
(
via Dept of Wisconsin)
Institute President John Whitehead is representing disabled Vietnam veteran John Miska who was repeatedly threatened with arrest for distributing the artificial flowers.
..... in Washington, D.C. on the National Mall, by the Lincoln Memorial, the Vietnam memorial and other places in D.C., [but] he's been continually threatened by the Park Police .....
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Gulf War Illness: Scientific Evidence Leaves No Question That It Is A Real Condition
Wednesday, November 26, 2008 at 11:46 AM
by DD
The following excerpts are from the Executive Summary of a 465 page report titled
"Gulf War Illness and the Health of Gulf War Veterans: Scientific Findings and Recommendations" released recently by the Research Advisory Committee on Gulf War Veterans’ Illnesses.
The Research Advisory Committee on Gulf War Veterans’ Illnesses was appointed by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs in 2002 and directed to evaluate the effectiveness of government research in addressing central questions on the nature, causes, and treatments of Gulf War-related illnesses. According to its charter, the guiding principle for the Committee’s work is the premise that the fundamental goal of all Gulf War-related government research is to improve the health of Gulf War veterans, and the choice and success of federal Gulf War research should be judged accordingly.
The central focus of this report is Gulf War illness, the multisymptom condition that affects veterans of the 1990-1991 Gulf War at significantly elevated rates. Despite considerable government, scientific, and media attention, little was clearly understood about Gulf War illness for many years. Now, 17 years after the war, the extensive body of scientific research and government investigations that is currently available provides the basis for an evidence-based assessment of the nature and causes of Gulf War illness. As described throughout the report, scientific evidence leaves no question that Gulf War illness is a real condition with real causes and serious consequences for affected veterans. Research has also shown that this pattern of illness does not occur after every war and cannot be attributed to psychological stressors during the Gulf War.
You can download the full report in .pdf here:
http://www1.va.gov/rac-gwvi/docs/GWIandHealthofGWVeterans_RAC-GWVIReport_2008.pdf
You can go to the VFW Membership Forum and discuss here:
http://www.vfwwebcom.org/forum/index.php/topic,442.0.html
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VA Announces Travel Reimbursement Increases for Eligible Veterans
Tuesday, November 25, 2008 at 08:36 AM
by DD
(
via VA Press Release)
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has announced that eligible veterans will see an increase in the mileage reimbursement they receive for travel to VA facilities for medical care.
Secretary of Veterans Affairs Dr. James B. Peake announced that he will use his authority to raise the mileage reimbursement from the 28.5 cents per mile to 41.5 cents per mile for all eligible veterans.
"We owe it to our veterans to give them the best care possible," said Peake. "The increase will once again provide assistance to our veterans, especially in these difficult economic times, to help offset gasoline costs and to assist veterans with access to the VA's world-class health system."
Congress, which mandates such increases, recently provided funding to VA to increase the reimbursement rate, which goes into effect on November 17, 2008. Service connected veterans, veterans receiving VA pensions, and veterans with low incomes are eligible for the reimbursement.
"As I have travelled the country and spoken with many of our veterans, they have expressed the need for such an increase," added Peake. "We are pleased to be able to provide them with the increase needed and we will continue to work with our veterans to ensure they receive the quality care they need."
While increasing the payment, the current deductible amounts applied to certain mileage reimbursements will remain frozen at $7.77 for a one way trip, $15.54 for a round trip, and capped at a maximum of $46.62 per calendar month. On January 9, 2009, these deductibles will decrease to $3 for a one way trip, $6 for a round trip, with a maximum of $18 per calendar month. Deductibles can be waived if they cause a financial hardship to the veteran.
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VFW Launches Campaign to Attract Women Veterans
Monday, November 24, 2008 at 08:34 PM
by DD
The Veterans of Foreign Wars today launched it's new website geared towards attracting women veterans to the organization.
From the new
www.joinsheserves.org website:
She Serves is an exciting outreach of the VFW — the Veterans of Foreign Wars — exclusively for women. It honors the service and sacrifice of female veterans, like you, who have served faithfully in our conflicts overseas.
The Connecting Point for Women of the VFW
You're part of a shared sisterhood thanks to your service to our country. By joining She Serves, you'll feel the support of other female veterans, especially those who understand the distinct pride of being a woman in the military.
Join the countless women - just like you - who've already found strength and support from belonging to She Serves. To meet them, to hear their stories and to share yours, become a member of the VFW today. While you're here, meet some of the VFW She Serves members waiting to welcome you!
According to
Department of Veterans Affairs statistics, there are over 23.4 million veterans in the United States and about 1.8 million of those are women.
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VFW Chief Calls on Vietnam Veterans Help in MIA/POW Mission
Monday, November 24, 2008 at 08:18 AM
by DD
 |
VFW National Commander Glen Gardner visits a MIA recovery site to dig for possible remains.
Photo via VFW.org |
VFW Commander-in-Chief Glen Gardner is once again calling upon veterans of the Vietnam War to search their memory and files for any information that might be of value in determining the fate of Vietnam’s 300,000 MIAs and might be of assistance in the recovery of their remains.
Providing information of this nature to the Vietnamese government helps to generate good will among its people and further assists U.S. efforts in its investigative and recovery operations for America’s MIAs. Information is also needed for the Laotian and Cambodian governments to help account for their missing.
VFW Commander-in-Chief Glen Gardner requests Department, District, Post, and VFW member assistance in gathering information that would help identify Vietnamese, Laotian, and Cambodian gravesites.
Such information or material may include veterans’ statements; photos and locations of battles or burial sites; battlefield souvenirs, especially if they contain names or other identifying information; personal effects, such as photos, letters or identification documents taken from casualties; sketch maps, etc.
Read more
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VFW Washington Weekly - November 21, 2008
Monday, November 24, 2008 at 08:05 AM
by DD
In This Issue:
1. House Holds Second GI Bill Implementation Hearing
2. VFW Participates in VA Roundtable Discussion
3. IB Critical Issues for 2010
4. VFW Chief Calls on Vietnam Veterans for Help
1. House Holds Second GI Bill Implementation Hearing: The House Veterans Affairs Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity held its second hearing on GI Bill implementation and status of the new benefit program. Representatives from VA were the only witnesses and their primary discussion addressed the short and long-term strategies in developing IT components for implementation of the bill. As was reported earlier, the Navy's Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command (SPAWAR) was chosen to work with VA to develop the type of software needed to deliver the education benefits. Keith Wilson, director of Education Services for VA, said they intend to meet the program’s Aug. 1, 2009, effective date, and have assigned project oversight duties and plan to increase the number of individuals at their regional offices to ensure progress. VA received $120 million in supplemental funding to implement the new benefit. For testimony and more information on the hearing, go to:
http://veterans.house.gov/hearings/hearing.aspx?newsid=316
Read more VFW Washington Weekly
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2008-09 VFW Program Guide available on-line
Sunday, November 23, 2008 at 03:26 PM
by DD
All elected and appointed officers including all committee chairmen, should review the 2008-09 VFW Program Guide. It answers a lot of questions and covers our core programs, Youth and Teacher Awards, Special Projects, and Suggested Activities.
Our Commander has a hard copy version and an E-version (2 Parts) can be seen at:
http://www.vfw9401.org/Program_Guide_Part_1.pdf
http://www.vfw9401.org/Program_Guide_Part_2.pdf
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Supreme Court to Rule in Spring on Monuments Issue
Thursday, November 13, 2008 at 01:24 PM
by DD
The United States Supreme Court is expected to issue a ruling before next summer on a case which could have far-reaching impact on veterans memorials.
Earlier this week, the VFW, along with all other major veterans organizations, filed a brief asking the court to overturn an Appeals Court decision requiring governmental bodies to accept all types of monuments. (
See press release,
Watch press conference )
The Supreme Court heard arguments on the case Wednesday.
The justices engaged in lively arguments over a small religious group's efforts to place a monument in a public park that already is home to a Ten Commandments display.
The court seemed reluctant to accept the arguments put forth by the religious group known as the Summum that once a government accepts any donations for display in a public park, it must accept all.
"I mean, you have a Statue of Liberty; do we have to have a statue of despotism? Or do we have to put any president who wants to be on Mount Rushmore?" Chief Justice John Roberts asked, acknowledging his examples might go a bit far.
Yet the court also was uncomfortable with the position of Pleasant Grove City, Utah, which rejected the Summum's request to erect a monument similar to the Ten Commandments marker that has stood in the city's Pioneer Park since 1971.
Justice David Souter wondered how the city could accept the Ten Commandments display and then say, "'We will not on identical terms take the Summum monument because we don't agree with the message...' Why isn't that a First Amendment violation?"
Read more of the Associated Press article.
Discuss this in the VFW WebCOM Membership Forum
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Military Mail Must Include Name; Mail to 'Any Servicemember' Won't Be Processed
Thursday, November 13, 2008 at 11:23 AM
by DD
WASHINGTON, Nov. 13, 2008--Walter Reed Army Medical Center officials want to remind those individuals who want to show their appreciation through mail to include packages, letters, and holiday cards addressed to 'Any Wounded Soldier' or 'A Recovering American Soldier' that Walter Reed cannot accept these packages in support of the decision by then Deputy Undersecretary of Defense for Transportation Policy in 2001. This decision was made to ensure the safety and well being of patients and staff at medical centers throughout the Department of Defense.
In addition, the U.S. Postal Service is no longer accepting "Any Service Member" or "A Recovering American Soldier" letters or packages. Mail to "Any Service Member" that is deposited into a collection box will not be delivered.
If you would like to send a letter to military personnel visit a VFW post in your area for assistance.
Find a VFW post in your area The Red Cross and Pitney Bowes also have a program supported by DoD to accept cards and distribute them to servicemembers, veterans, and their families.
Click here to learn more.
Walter Reed Army Medical Center will continue to receive process and deliver all mail that is addressed to a specific individual.
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Veterans Day 2008
Wednesday, October 22, 2008 at 07:21 PM
by DD
This day will begin at 6:30 a.m. with our volunteers setting out our Ave of Flags along both sides of Freedom Blvd, weather permitting. We expect the sun the break through allowing Adjutant Walker and fellow comrades to ride the antique red fire engine in the Veterans Day March down Main Street to the Veterans Memorial Building for the Veterans Day Program. The Honor Guard will begin at 8:00 a.m. performing numerous flag ceremonies throughout the city with rifle volleys and bugle calls and will be present to participate in the Veterans Day program at the Watsonville Veterans Memorial Building that starts at 11:00 a.m. Our ladies will be preparing a delicious breakfast for our Ave of Flag volunteers and a hearty lunch of hot roast beef for all our guests and members returning from the parade and program at the Vets Memorial building. Our Veterans Day Celebration only happens with the coordination and support of our Ladies Auxiliary, American Legion Post 121 and Auxiliary, Watsonville Police Department, City leaders, Parks and Recreation Dept, and lots of supporters and volunteers. For more information regarding the Avenue of Flag, Parade and Program, contact Commander Ambriz or Adjutant John Walker. * For the schedule of the Honor Guard, visit their blog. [Link on the left side].
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- Fort Ord Veterans Cemetery UPDATES -
Wednesday, October 22, 2008 at 07:03 PM
by DD
Post 1716 Honor Guard Cpt Joe Kleinsmith represents our Post in attending Monterey County Veteran Cemetery Citizens Advisory Committee and other meetings regarding the establishment of our Central Coast Veterans Cemetery at Fort Ord. For Update information "Click" on the Honor Guards link located on the left or go to:
http://vfwwebcom.org/ca/Post1716HonorGuard/
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My VFW WebCOM: VFW WebCOM Goes Social!
Friday, October 17, 2008 at 01:14 PM
by DD
The VFW WebCOM Network has gone social. We have launched our new My VFW WebCOM social networking site today.
Just go to My VFW WebCOM and sign up. After joining the site, you will be able to create and join groups, make friends, upload your photos and audio and video files and much more.
It's a new era in connectivity for VFW and Auxiliaries members and supporters of the organization.
We welcome you to stop by and see all the new features, take a look at some photos, upload your own and connect with new (and old) friends.
We hope you enjoy all the new features and welcome your feedback on this exciting new addition to your network. Click on over to http://my.vfwwebcom.org to get started now!
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USPS Sets Holiday Mailing Deadlines for Military
Tuesday, October 14, 2008 at 11:27 AM
by DD
Washington, DC -Holiday gifts from home are a big morale boost for military service members stationed around the world. To help the families and friends of military personnel, the Postal Service is offering a discount on its largest Priority Mail Flat-Rate box.
Mail sent to overseas military addresses is charged only domestic mail prices. The domestic mail price for the largest Flat-Rate Priority Mail box is $12.95, but for packages to APO/FPO addresses overseas the price is reduced to only $10.95. Flat-Rate boxes are free at any Post Office, or can be ordered online at
usps.com. Postage, labels and customs forms can be printed online any time using Click-N-Ship at
www.usps.com/clicknship.
"Flat-Rate Priority Mail boxes offer the best bargain in holiday shipping," says Paul Vogel, managing director, Global Business and senior vice president. "The contents can be any weight for one low rate. If it fits, it ships."
The Postal Service continues to show its support by offering free Military Care Kits, designed specifically for military families sending packages overseas. The mailing kits can be ordered by phone by calling 1-800-610-8734 and asking for the Care Kit. Each kit includes two Priority Mail boxes, six Priority Mail Flat-Rate boxes, eight Priority Mail labels, one roll of Priority Mail tape and eight customs forms with envelopes.
"The best support for the troops this holiday season is a gift that's on time, so mail before the deadline," Vogel advises.
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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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