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VFW Post 5327 Annual "Run for the Wall"

Monday, May 12, 2008 at 09:12 PM

by Missouri

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Number Of Disabled U.S. Veterans Rising

Sunday, May 11, 2008 at 07:27 PM

by Missouri

(AP) Increasing numbers of U.S. troops have left the military with damaged bodies and minds, an ever-larger pool of disabled veterans that will cost the country billions of dollars for decades to come - even as the total population of America's veterans shrinks.

Despite the decline in the total number of veterans - as soldiers from World War II and Korea die - the government expects to be spending $59 billion a year to compensate injured warriors in 25 years, up from today's $29 billion, according to internal documents obtained by The Associated Press. And the Veterans Affairs Department concedes the bill could be much higher

To read the full story go to the SOURCE

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Meaning of Memorial Day

Sunday, May 11, 2008 at 07:12 PM

by Missouri

It’s a sacred day to all war veterans: None need to be reminded of the reason that Memorial Day must be commemorated. But what about the general public, and more important, future generations? Do most non-veterans really recognize the importance of the day honoring their fellow Americans killed in war?

Judging from what Memorial Day has become—simply another day off from work—the answer is a resounding no. Perhaps a reminder is due, then. And it is the duty of each and every veteran to relay the message.

Sacrifice is meaningless without remembrance. America’s collective consciousness demands that all citizens recall and be aware of the deaths of their fellow countrymen during wartime.

Far too often, the nation as a whole takes for granted the freedoms all Americans enjoy. Those freedoms were paid for with the lives of others few of us actually knew. That’s why they are all collectively remembered on one special day.

This should be regarded as a civic obligation. For this is a national debt that can only be truly repaid by individual Americans. By honoring the nation’s war dead, we preserve their memory and thus their service and sacrifice in the memories of future generations.

They came from all walks of life and regions of the country. But they all had one thing in common—love of and loyalty to country. This bond cemented ties between them in times of trials, allowing a diverse lot of Americans to achieve monumental ends.

We remember the loss of loved ones, a sense of loss that takes group form. In essence, America is commemorating those who made the greatest sacrifice possible—giving one’s own life on behalf of others.

Means of paying tribute vary. Pausing for a few moments of personal silence is available to everyone.

Attending commemorative ceremonies is the most visible way of demonstrating remembrance: Placing flags at gravesites, marching in parades, sponsoring patriotic programs, dedicating memorials and wearing Buddy Poppies are examples.

Whether done individually or collectively, it is the thought that counts. Personal as well as public acts of remembering are the ideal. Public displays of patriotism are essential if the notion of remembering war dead is to be instilled in youth.

As America’s older war veterans fast disappear from society’s landscape, there are fewer and fewer standard-bearers left to carry the torch of remembrance. Such traditions will live on only if there is a vibrant movement to which that torch can be passed.

Now, more than in recent years, the enduring relevance of Memorial Day should be clearly evident. With two wars under way, the public has no excuse not to remember.

This much is owed to the more than 4,500 Americans who have died thus far in Afghanistan and Iraq.

SOURCE

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National General Orders - May

Sunday, May 11, 2008 at 12:43 PM

by Missouri


NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS
VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS OF THE UNITED STATES
General Orders No. 9 2007-08 Series
1. Installing officers are directed to see to it that the Post Election Report forms have been
completed and mailed to National Headquarters prior to installing Post Officers. If a Post Election Report form has not been forwarded to National Headquarters at the time of installation, the installing officer shall complete and forward such report at the time of the installation of Post Officers.
2. Post, County Council, District, Department Commanders, Adjutants and Quartermasters are reminded of the requirements of sections 215, 414(c) and 515(d) of the National By-Laws with regard to proof of eligibility for all newly-elected and appointed officers. Elected and appointed officers shall not be installed or assume the duties of their office until proof of eligibility has been submitted and properly reviewed. Failure or refusal to submit proof of eligibility within sixty (60) days of election or appointment shall result in the office being declared vacant.
3. Department Adjutants will forward a complete roster of the newly elected and appointed Department Officers to include District Commanders to the Adjutant General immediately following their installation at the Department Convention.
4. Attention of Department Quartermasters is directed to Section 517 of the Manual of Procedure, “Duty of Department Quartermaster” paragraph (h) Dues Reserves, which states: “The Department Quartermaster shall set up and maintain a dues reserve fund to which shall be credited not less than fifty percent of all current year’s dues received prior to July 1, including life membership per capita taxes received from the national organization on account of life members. He shall not disburse nor shall an obligation be incurred against this fund until after July 1, at which time all monies to the credit of the fund shall be transferred to the Department’s general fund for expenditure in accordance with the approved Department budget.”
5. Attention is further directed to paragraph (j) Budget, which states, the Department Quartermaster shall prepare a tentative budget for the financial operations for the ensuring year. The tentative budget must be submitted to the Department Council of Administration for consideration at its first meeting following the Department Convention or at such times as may be specified in Department By-Laws. Final action must be taken on the adoption of the budget at said meeting and when adopted it shall be the expenditure guide for the Department.
6. Delegate strength of each Post to the National Convention shall be based on the National dues received by the Quartermaster General as of July 3, except for Posts that are chartered after that date.
7. Attention is called to the provisions of Section 703 of the National By-Laws which require that each accountable officer of this organization shall be bonded with an indemnity company as surety in a sum at least equal to the amount of the liquid assets for which, so far as can be anticipated, he may be accountable. The bond premium shall be paid from the funds of the National Organization, Department, District, County Council or Post, as the case may be, to which each officer is accountable. The bonds of such accountable officers, in the amount and as to the surety, shall be approved by their respective units and held by their respective Commanders. The Commander of each unit shall be responsible for the proper and adequate bonding of all accountable officers in his unit.
8. Attention is called to the provisions of Section 517 of the Manual of Procedure, Duty of Department Commander, paragraph (g), which requires that the Department Commander shall assure that the office of Department Quartermaster is bonded in an amount to insure good and sufficient security, to be approved by the Council of Administration.
9. Section 218 of the Manual of Procedure, Duty of Post Trustees, requires that the Post Commander shall see that the Post Trustees Reports of Audit are properly prepared and submitted each quarter.
10. Attention of incoming Post Officers is directed to Section 218 of the Manual of Procedure, which outlines the duties of various Post Officers.
11. Attention is called to the provision of Section 222 (d) of the National By-Laws, “Delegates For National Convention.” Each Post shall register, in advance, at least one delegate to the National Convention by payment of a fee in the amount of ten dollars ($10.00). Posts failing to comply with this provision shall be considered delinquent and in arrears.
12. Attention of Department Commanders-elect is directed to Section 515, paragraph (c), of the National By-Laws which provides that the Commander of each Department shall appoint an Adjutant, Chief of Staff, Inspector and Service Officer and such other officers, committee chairmen and committees as may be required by Department By-Laws. The Department Commander may appoint such other officers, committee chairmen and committees as may be necessary to carry out the responsibilities and functions of the Department and the directives of the Commander-in-Chief. It is recommended that the appointment of the Public Relations officers be based upon the appointee’s credentials as a media representative with special emphasis upon qualifications and continuity rather than political criteria.
It is also recommended that consideration be given in the preparation and adoption of Department budgets and to the importance and necessity for providing adequate financial support for Department Public Relations activities.
13. Certificates of charters evidencing consolidation have been issued to the following Posts:
 Post Nos. 2604 and 7454 consolidated as Post No. 2604, Orland Park, Illinois
Post Nos. 9697 and 7115 consolidated as Post No. 9697, Davie, Florida
Post Nos. 2863 and 10437 consolidated as Post No. 2863, Wilmington, Delaware
Post Nos. 6785 and 11329 consolidated as Post No. 6785, Kent, Washington
BY COMMAND OF
GEORGE J. LISICKI
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF
OFFICIAL:
Allen “Gunner” Kent
Adjutant General

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VFW Washington Weekly, May 9, 2008

Friday, May 9, 2008 at 06:59 PM

by Missouri

In This Issue
1. GI Bill Call to Action
2. House Holds Veteran Suicide Hearing
3. Senate Holds Hearing on Benefit Bills
4. Senate Committee Boosts Pay, Rejects Fees

To read the full report go to Mo Legislative Updates

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BIG Missouri Veterans Program Press Release

Friday, May 9, 2008 at 08:44 AM

by Missouri

Sarah Steelman                      MISSOURI STATE TREASURER          Kelly Gunderson   
     Treasurer                                            Room 229, State Capitol                     Director of
State of Missouri                                  Jefferson City, Missouri 65101             Communications
 (573) 751-2411                                      (573) 751-7595



FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                           April 14, 2008

Steelman Creates New Help for Missouri Veterans


JEFFERSON CITY- State Treasurer Sarah Steelman announced today that her office is rolling out a new initiative to help Missouri veterans within the BIG Missouri linked-deposit program.  Those eligible for the new veteran’s initiative include business owners and farmers who are: veterans, reservists or members of the National Guard, their spouses, widows or widowers of veterans who died in service or who died of a service-connected disability.  Steelman also announced she is teaming up with the Small Business Administration and state veterans groups for even more help to veterans and active duty personnel.
 
“Veterans, active service men and women, and their families are the reason we have the freedom and the ability to provide for our families and pursue our dreams,” said Treasurer Steelman.  “I want them to have all the help they can get so they can make a better way for their families too.”
 
The BIG Missouri Program allows qualifying small business owners and farmers to receive loans from their preferred participating Missouri financial institution at a rate that will usually save them about 25-30% of their interest costs.  Under the program, below-market rate deposits of state funds are placed in Missouri financial institutions which allow approved borrowers to receive the lowered interest rate.
 
By utilizing the U.S. Small Business Administration’s new Patriot Express Pilot Loan Initiative along with Steelman’s BIG Missouri program, veterans can benefit even more.  The Patriot Express Initiative is a loan guarantee program that allows eligible veterans and members of the military wanting to establish or expand a small business to apply for loans up to $500,000.  Steelman said her office is working with the SBA to ensure collaboration on the two programs. 
 
“The Patriot Express program can guarantee about 75% of a loan for our veterans, and the BIG Missouri program can then reduce the interest rate on that loan,” said Steelman.  “This is big help for our veterans and active service members who so richly deserve it.”
 
Steelman was joined at today’s press announcement by State Rep. David Day, Rich Heighert the Legislative Chairman for MAVO (Missouri Association of Veterans Organization), and Hal Dulle the Executive Director of the Missouri Veterans Commission. Steelman said her office is working with all the state veterans organizations to get the word out to veterans and active service personnel that this help is available to them.
 
The new program is part of Steelman’s Operation Extra Mile, which provides special assistance to veterans and their families.  Steelman currently matches veterans databases with her Unclaimed Property database to find veterans, active duty personnel and their families who have unclaimed property.
 
To find out more about the BIG Missouri Program check out the State Treasurer’s website: www.treasurer.mo.gov.  And, to find out more about the SBA Patriot Express Pilot Loan Initiative check out their website at: www.sba.gov.

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VA News - Week of May 5, 2008

Thursday, May 8, 2008 at 11:39 AM

by Missouri

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