Department of Missouri

Gentlemen, start your donkeys

Posted at 09:26 PM on Friday, July 3, 2009 by Missouri

Independence Day races in Iraq.....Courtesy of 2nd Brigade Heavy Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division

Submitted by Richard Jacobs

Governor Nixon signs Veteran Bills

Posted at 06:31 PM on Friday, July 3, 2009 by Missouri

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. - Marking the beginning of the Independence Day holiday weekend, Gov. Jay Nixon today visited the state veterans home in Cape Girardeau to sign into law five bills that honor the service of Missouri's military veterans. At a public ceremony, Gov. Nixon signed House Bill 111, which provides for the dignified interment of unclaimed veterans' remains; House Bill 678, which establishes May 1 as Silver Star Families of America Day in recognition of sick or wounded veterans; House Bill 82, which gradually reduces taxes on military retirement income until eliminated; House Bill 400, which allows veterans who have earned certain distinctions to park for free in metered spots in participating localities; and House Bill 683, which establishes a program to name interstate interchanges after Missourians killed in action in Iraq or Afghanistan while on active duty in the military.

"Our veterans of the United States military are true heroes who have committed their lives to serving the country they love and the American people," said Gov. Nixon. "I'm proud to be able to put my signature today on five bills that provide honor, recognition and benefits to Missouri's veterans."

House Bill 111 provides protections for funeral homes and veterans organizations that work together to ensure unclaimed remains of veterans are interred with dignity, usually in a veterans' cemetery. Once in effect, this bill will provide immunity to the funeral home and veterans' organization from any suit for negligence related to the handling or interment of remains, if they follow prescribed statutory steps. House Bill 111 will limit the number of instances in which remains of a veteran are denied proper interment while sitting unclaimed for years.

Gov. Nixon also signed House Bill 678, which sets May 1 by statute as the annual Silver Star Families of America Day. Silver Star Families of America Day is designated as a day for honoring the wounded and ill members of the armed forces in the state of Missouri, and for recognizing the efforts of the Silver Star Families of America in honoring injured veterans across the United States. Earlier this year, prior to signing of House Bill 678, Gov. Nixon issued a gubernatorial proclamation that recognized May 1 as Silver Star Families of America Day in 2009.

House Bill 82, signed by the Governor today, gradually reduces taxes on military retirement income. The bill authorizes a graduated income tax deduction from a taxpayer's Missouri adjusted gross income for a percentage of any military retirement income. The deduction begins Jan. 1, 2010 at 15 percent of any military retirement income and increases by 15 percent each year. By 2016, 100 percent of an individual's military retirement income will be exempt from income tax.

Also signed at the Cape Girardeau Veterans Home was House Bill 400, which permits veterans who have earned certain military distinctions to park for free in metered parking spots in localities that choose to participate. The law will allow municipalities and local governments to opt into providing free metered parking to veterans who have state-issued tags indicating that they are a Medal of Honor winner, Purple Heart winner, Silver Star winner, former prisoner of war or Bronze Star winner.

The fifth bill signed by the Governor on Thursday was House Bill 683, a bill that establishes the "Heroes Way Interstate Interchange Designation Program" to honor Missourians killed in action while on active duty in the military in Iraq or Afghanistan since Sept. 11, 2001. Relatives of those killed can apply for an interstate interchange to be designated in honor of the fallen military member. (The law defines the degree of relatives eligible to apply for the designation.) The applications, which must be sponsored by a current member of the General Assembly, will be submitted for approval to the Joint Committee on Transportation Oversight.

"While we cannot thank our veterans enough for their selflessness, for their service or for their sacrifice, we can at very least honor them with a special recognition, specific benefits, and by ensuring that their remains are laid to rest properly," remarked Gov. Nixon. "I'm honored to stand here today with Missouri veterans and with the veterans' advocates and organizations that worked vigilantly on the passage of these bills. Their commitment to the honor and dignity of our veterans cannot be overstated."

 To view this news release on the Governor's website Go HERE

Dept Sr-Vice Commander Joe Lundy Memorial Service

Posted at 11:31 AM on Friday, July 3, 2009 by Missouri in VFW Mo Events

    July 2, 2009, a memorial service was held in West Plaines, Missouri to honor Senior Vice-Commander Joe Lundy.  The service was conducted by Dept Chaplain Wayne Asher.  Flag ceremony was done by Past Dept Commander Jerry Jones, Past Dept Commander and Quartermaster/Adjutant Jessie Jones, Dept Junior Vice Commander Bob Wonnell and Dept Commander Dave Morgan.  The Ladies Auxiliary to the VFW was represented by Senior Vice President Charlotte Jones. A celebration of Joe's life was held at the West Plains VFW Post 1828 after the service.

2009 VFW MO ANNUAL RAFFLE WINNERS

Posted at 03:07 PM on Tuesday, June 30, 2009 by Missouri

 

 

1^ST PLACE          Raymond A. Fleming               $2,500.00

                           Missouri                                 GRAND PRIZE

 

2^ND PLACE          Robert M. Crouch                    $1,000.00

                            Missouri

 

3^RD PLACE          Edward O. Wischmeyer             $500.00

                            Florida

 

4^TH PLACE           Jerry W. Van Horn                     $250.00

                             Missouri

 

5^TH PLACE           Sock Boyer                                $250.00

                            Missouri                                   + $250.00

                                                                              Attendance bonus

 

6^TH PLACE            Cruz Pinon                                 $250.00

                             Missouri

 

7^TH PLACE             Robert Berhorst                          $250.00

                               Missouri                                 + $250.00

                                                                              Attendance bonus

 

8^TH PLACE             Ronald D. Hungerford                   $200.00

                              Minnesota

 

9^TH PLACE             Louis W. Wacker                         $200.00

                              Missouri

 

10^TH PLACE           Leo G. Scrivner                             $200.00

                              Missouri

 

11^TH PLACE           Reuben H. Siverlling                       $200.00

                              Missouri

 

 

 

Drawing Held:  Friday, June 19, 2009

Holiday Inn Select, Columbia MO

89^th Annual VFW State Convention

 

 

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL!!

July VFW Mo General Orders

Posted at 08:35 PM on Monday, June 29, 2009 by Missouri in General Orders

    These corrections must be noted:
    District 12 School of Instruction is scheduled for Sunday July 19, not July 20 as shown on the General Orders.
     District 18 School of Instruction will begin at 10:00 a.m., not 9:00 a.m. as shown on the General Orders
Mo VFW General Orders -

Sr-Vice Commander Joe Lundy

Posted at 08:25 PM on Monday, June 29, 2009 by Missouri in VFW Mo Events

    It is with great sadness to inform you of the passing of Sr. Vice Commander, Joe Lundy, on Saturday, June 27, 2009.  Memorial services are scheduled for 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 2, 2009, at the Robinson Drago Funeral Home, 211 West Main, West Plains, Missouri.  Wayne Asher, State VFW Chaplain, will be officiating.  The family requests that no flowers be sent.   In lieu of flowers, _expressions of sympathy may be made to the Veterans Service Officer Program, Department of Missouri Veterans of Foreign Wars, P.O. Box 26, Jefferson City MO 65102-0026.  Arrangements are under the direction of the Robinson Drago Funeral Home, 417-256-2121.

Posted at 08:23 PM on Monday, June 29, 2009 by Missouri

NASCAR -

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