1
Navy / Re: WW-2 USN Flying unit leather patches made
« Last post by SIGGY on Today at 01:50:44 am »Will be adding a US Navy Torpron 5 patch to the site in about a week , take a look, thanks !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Johnny
Johnny
Recent Posts
2
Air Force / Re: Leather flying unit patches made
« Last post by SIGGY on Today at 01:49:23 am »86th Fighter Squadron "Commanches" patch added today to my photobucket link, check it out bottom of first page left, check it out and thanks for looking !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Johnny
Johnny
3
General Discussion: Military / Re: The Elks and our Veterans
« Last post by Gus on May 13, 2013, 10:21:46 am »UPDATE ON MY EMAIL ADDRESS: You may contact me at aug.schwiesow@illinois-elks.org
4
General Discussion: Military / Re: The Elks and our Veterans
« Last post by Gus on May 09, 2013, 05:53:36 pm »http://www.elks.org/vets/MedalsOfValor.cfm?
The Elks now have a Medal of Valor that can be awarded to the families of veterans who have made the supreme sacrifice. There are 2030 Elk Lodges in the US and Lodges can reach out to veterans families in their respective locations and obtian these medals from the Grand Lodge in Chicago, IL.
The Elks now have a Medal of Valor that can be awarded to the families of veterans who have made the supreme sacrifice. There are 2030 Elk Lodges in the US and Lodges can reach out to veterans families in their respective locations and obtian these medals from the Grand Lodge in Chicago, IL.
5
General VFW Topics / Re: Candidate endorsements
« Last post by DoggyDaddy on May 06, 2013, 10:04:53 pm »During my 18 active years in my Posts, we always voted on the floor in these matters and I never heard of campaigning officers of the 12th District or at Dept making false claims.
6
General VFW Topics / Candidate endorsements
« Last post by IJK3770 on May 06, 2013, 11:31:40 am »As we head into the Dept Convention and election season I have been pondering something. When you read letters, ads, so forth from those seeking Dept offices and they claim they are endorsed by a post or district. Do you ever wonder if there really was a motion made, 2nd, and passed by the post or district endorsing that candidate? Or are these candidates claiming that on the grounds of a verbal endorsement from someone in the post/district? Or are they merely assuming they are endorsed. I figure if it isnt in the minutes of a meeting and properly voted in then they are not really endorsed. What is your thoughts on this?
Cheerily
IJK
Cheerily
IJK
7
Jokes / Re: Animals- Part 1 - DEAD Cat
« Last post by DoggyDaddy on May 04, 2013, 01:53:30 am »Little kindergarten boy tells his teacher he found a cat, but its dead though.
How do you know the cat was dead? She asks. Because I pissed in its ear
and it didnt move answered the child innocently. You did what!!?
she exclaimed in surprise. You know, I leaned over went psssstt! in its ear and it didnt move.
How do you know the cat was dead? She asks. Because I pissed in its ear
and it didnt move answered the child innocently. You did what!!?
she exclaimed in surprise. You know, I leaned over went psssstt! in its ear and it didnt move.
8
Jokes / PUNOGRAPHY
« Last post by DoggyDaddy on May 02, 2013, 11:25:48 am »I tried to catch some Fog. I mist.
When chemists die, they barium.
Jokes about German sausage are the wurst.
A soldier who survived mustard gas and pepper spray is now a seasoned veteran.
I know a guy who's addicted to brake fluid. He says he can stop any time.
How does Moses make his tea? Hebrews it.
I stayed up all night to see where the sun went. Then it dawned on me.
This girl said she recognized me from the vegetarian club, but I'd never met herbivore.
I'm reading a book about anti-gravity. I can't put it down.
I did a theatrical performance about puns . It was a play on words.
They told me I had type A blood, but it was a Type- O.
PMS jokes aren't funny, period.
Why were the Indians here first? They had reservations.
Class trip to the Coca-Cola factory. I hope there's no pop quiz.
Energizer bunny arrested. Charged with battery.
I didn't like my beard at first. Then it grew on me.
Did you hear about the cross eyed teacher who lost her job because she couldn't control her pupils?
When you get a bladder infection, urine trouble.
What does a clock do when it's hungry? It goes back four seconds.
I wondered why the baseball was getting bigger. Then it hit me!
Broken pencils are pointless.
What do you call a dinosaur with a extensive vocabulary? A thesaurus.
England has no kidney bank, but it does have a Liverpool .
I used to be a banker, but then I lost interest.
I dropped out of communism class because of lousy Marx.
All the toilets in New York 's police stations have been stolen. Police have
nothing to go on.
I got a job at a bakery because I kneaded dough.
Haunted French pancakes give me the crepes.
Velcro - what a rip off!
Cartoonist found dead in home. Details are sketchy.
Venison for dinner? Oh deer!
Earthquake in Washington obviously government's fault.
I used to think I was indecisive, but now I'm not so sure.
Be kind to your dentist. He has fillings, too.
-----------------------------------
Did you really read all the way down to here. Sheeesh! Nothing to do, eh?
9
Global War on Terrorism / Distinguished Warfare Medal Update.The so-called “drone medal” is no more.
« Last post by DoggyDaddy on April 30, 2013, 07:10:50 pm »Distinguished Warfare Medal Update: The so-called “drone medal” is no more. Defense
Secretary Chuck Hagel announced 15 APR he would follow the advice of a review overseen by Chairman of the
Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Martin Dempsey and replace the medal intended to recognize drone operators and cyber
warriors with a “new distinguishing device that can be affixed to existing medals to recognize the extraordinary
actions of this small number of men and women.” The Distinguished Warfare Medal, announced in February by
then-Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta, created a firestorm of controversy when it was ranked above some that
require servicemembers to risk life and limb to be eligible, such as the Purple Heart and Bronze Star, which are
frequently rewarded for valor in combat.
Legislators and veterans groups derided the medal, and it also was mocked by some in the ranks, who suggested
the award could be a gold-plated Xbox controller, among other things. The medal “undermines all other valor
awards,” said Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-CA)., a veteran of Iraq and Afghanistan who introduced legislation to rank the
medal below the Purple Heart. Veterans of Foreign Wars National Commander John E. Hamilton meanwhile said
“medals that can only be earned in direct combat must mean more than medals awarded in the rear.” Hagel last
month ordered Dempsey to lead a review of the medal. The result is that combat medals will continue to be awarded
only to those who risk all, he wrote in a memo to military leaders. “Utilizing a distinguishing device to recognize
impacts on combat operations reserves our existing combat medals for those Service members who incur the
physical risk and hardship of combat, perform valorous acts, are wounded in combat, or as a result of combat give
their last full measure for our Nation,” Hagel said in a letter dated 15 APR.
In an earlier letter to veterans organizations sent prior to his ordering of the review, Hagel said it was important
to recognize the changing face of warfare with the new medal. “Since Sept. 11, 2001, technological advancements
have, in some cases dramatically changed how we conduct and support combat and other military operations.
Accordingly the [Distinguished Warfare Medal] award criteria intentionally does not include a geographic limitation
on the award, as it is intended for use as a means to recognize all servicemembers who meet the criteria, regardless
of the domain used or the member’s physical location,” Hagel wrote. Veterans groups applauded Hagel’s decision.
“The VFW is appreciative of the Joint Chiefs of Staff for their review, and commends Secretary Hagel for
taking this issue on so early in his tenure,” said VFW’s Hamilton. “This decision will clearly keep medals
that can only be earned in combat in their high order of precedence, while providing proper recognition to
all who support our warfighters regardless of their distance from the fight.”
American Legion National Commander James E. Koutz said replacing the medal with a device puts the
valuable contributions of drone operators and cyber warriors in the proper perspective. “Cyber and drone
warfare have become part of the equation for 21st-century warfare, and those who fight such battles with
distinction certainly deserve to be recognized,” he said. “But The American Legion still believes there’s a
fundamental difference between those who fight remotely, or via computer, and those fighting against an
enemy who is trying to kill them.”
Defense leaders and veterans organizations will confer on the nature of the new device, as well as “a clear
definition of the eligibility criteria for award of the device,” Hagel said. He wants the design and criteria for the
new device to review within 90 days.
[Source: Stars & Stripes | Chris Carroll | 15 Apr 2013 ++]
Secretary Chuck Hagel announced 15 APR he would follow the advice of a review overseen by Chairman of the
Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Martin Dempsey and replace the medal intended to recognize drone operators and cyber
warriors with a “new distinguishing device that can be affixed to existing medals to recognize the extraordinary
actions of this small number of men and women.” The Distinguished Warfare Medal, announced in February by
then-Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta, created a firestorm of controversy when it was ranked above some that
require servicemembers to risk life and limb to be eligible, such as the Purple Heart and Bronze Star, which are
frequently rewarded for valor in combat.
Legislators and veterans groups derided the medal, and it also was mocked by some in the ranks, who suggested
the award could be a gold-plated Xbox controller, among other things. The medal “undermines all other valor
awards,” said Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-CA)., a veteran of Iraq and Afghanistan who introduced legislation to rank the
medal below the Purple Heart. Veterans of Foreign Wars National Commander John E. Hamilton meanwhile said
“medals that can only be earned in direct combat must mean more than medals awarded in the rear.” Hagel last
month ordered Dempsey to lead a review of the medal. The result is that combat medals will continue to be awarded
only to those who risk all, he wrote in a memo to military leaders. “Utilizing a distinguishing device to recognize
impacts on combat operations reserves our existing combat medals for those Service members who incur the
physical risk and hardship of combat, perform valorous acts, are wounded in combat, or as a result of combat give
their last full measure for our Nation,” Hagel said in a letter dated 15 APR.
In an earlier letter to veterans organizations sent prior to his ordering of the review, Hagel said it was important
to recognize the changing face of warfare with the new medal. “Since Sept. 11, 2001, technological advancements
have, in some cases dramatically changed how we conduct and support combat and other military operations.
Accordingly the [Distinguished Warfare Medal] award criteria intentionally does not include a geographic limitation
on the award, as it is intended for use as a means to recognize all servicemembers who meet the criteria, regardless
of the domain used or the member’s physical location,” Hagel wrote. Veterans groups applauded Hagel’s decision.
“The VFW is appreciative of the Joint Chiefs of Staff for their review, and commends Secretary Hagel for
taking this issue on so early in his tenure,” said VFW’s Hamilton. “This decision will clearly keep medals
that can only be earned in combat in their high order of precedence, while providing proper recognition to
all who support our warfighters regardless of their distance from the fight.”
American Legion National Commander James E. Koutz said replacing the medal with a device puts the
valuable contributions of drone operators and cyber warriors in the proper perspective. “Cyber and drone
warfare have become part of the equation for 21st-century warfare, and those who fight such battles with
distinction certainly deserve to be recognized,” he said. “But The American Legion still believes there’s a
fundamental difference between those who fight remotely, or via computer, and those fighting against an
enemy who is trying to kill them.”
Defense leaders and veterans organizations will confer on the nature of the new device, as well as “a clear
definition of the eligibility criteria for award of the device,” Hagel said. He wants the design and criteria for the
new device to review within 90 days.
[Source: Stars & Stripes | Chris Carroll | 15 Apr 2013 ++]
10
For Veterans: VFW Oklahoma / Re: Oklahoma Veteran's Homes Update - Apr 2013
« Last post by DoggyDaddy on April 30, 2013, 06:58:00 pm »Oklahoma Vet Homes Update April 2013: The Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs lacks proper supervision and oversight of its seven facilities across the state, its workers are chronically underpaid and its governing board has done a poor job managing the agency, according to a state audit released 17 APR. The 59-page audit, which involved a five-month review of the agency's operations, was requested by Gov. Mary Fallin in August after the scalding death of a veteran at a facility in Claremore and other allegations of patient abuse and neglect. "The agency relies on the center administrators to operate the veterans' centers, but lacks integrated supervision and oversight necessary to ensure the centers have positive working environments and sufficient resources to provide that excellent quality care to the residents," the audit states. "This places the veterans center residents' well-being at risk."
About 1,400 war veterans live at seven veterans' centers located in Ardmore, Claremore, Clinton, Lawton, Norman, Sulphur and Talihina. The agency employs about 2,000 state workers, said agency spokesman Shane Faulkner. Among the problem areas identified in the report are inconsistent training, low wages and some administrators' disregard for staff input. "They've got to figure out ways to retain people longer, and investigations should be more centralized and conducted by someone outside the facility," Jones said. "It's kind of like the facility directors run their own centers. "We think they should set up standard operating procedures for all the centers instead of giving the individual directors such a long leash." The agency said in a statement that it already has taken steps to comply with many of the audit's recommendations, including the appointment of a deputy director to oversee daily operations and a revamping of the War Veterans Commission that oversees the agency. "ODVA concurs with the findings in the audit and has implemented many changes that fall in line with recommendations made in the report," the agency said.
Two bills pending in the Legislature this session would address some of the problems, including a measure that would require the veterans' centers to be regularly inspected by the Department of Health, and another that would centralize the management of the centers. "I am strongly encouraging lawmakers to send those bills to my desk to be signed into law," Fallin said in a statement. Fallin also suggested that the agency director be appointed by the governor, instead of the commission, to give the public more accountability. "This lack of accountability is particularly disturbing when one considers that veterans may have actually died in these facilities due to poor treatment," Fallin said. Another problem cited by both Jones and Fallin is that the pool of potential members of the War Veterans Commission is limited because they must be chosen from a list supplied by the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and Disabled American Veterans. "While I support the mission of each one of these organizations and applaud their good work, their combined membership represents only 15 percent of the state's veterans and largely excludes younger veterans who served in recent conflicts, such as Iraq and Afghanistan," Fallin said.
[Source: AP | Sean Murphy | 17 Apr 2013 ++]
About 1,400 war veterans live at seven veterans' centers located in Ardmore, Claremore, Clinton, Lawton, Norman, Sulphur and Talihina. The agency employs about 2,000 state workers, said agency spokesman Shane Faulkner. Among the problem areas identified in the report are inconsistent training, low wages and some administrators' disregard for staff input. "They've got to figure out ways to retain people longer, and investigations should be more centralized and conducted by someone outside the facility," Jones said. "It's kind of like the facility directors run their own centers. "We think they should set up standard operating procedures for all the centers instead of giving the individual directors such a long leash." The agency said in a statement that it already has taken steps to comply with many of the audit's recommendations, including the appointment of a deputy director to oversee daily operations and a revamping of the War Veterans Commission that oversees the agency. "ODVA concurs with the findings in the audit and has implemented many changes that fall in line with recommendations made in the report," the agency said.
Two bills pending in the Legislature this session would address some of the problems, including a measure that would require the veterans' centers to be regularly inspected by the Department of Health, and another that would centralize the management of the centers. "I am strongly encouraging lawmakers to send those bills to my desk to be signed into law," Fallin said in a statement. Fallin also suggested that the agency director be appointed by the governor, instead of the commission, to give the public more accountability. "This lack of accountability is particularly disturbing when one considers that veterans may have actually died in these facilities due to poor treatment," Fallin said. Another problem cited by both Jones and Fallin is that the pool of potential members of the War Veterans Commission is limited because they must be chosen from a list supplied by the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and Disabled American Veterans. "While I support the mission of each one of these organizations and applaud their good work, their combined membership represents only 15 percent of the state's veterans and largely excludes younger veterans who served in recent conflicts, such as Iraq and Afghanistan," Fallin said.
[Source: AP | Sean Murphy | 17 Apr 2013 ++]
