VFW MN District 3

"This is My VFW" Membership Recruitment Video

Posted at 10:33 on 2011-Sep-14 by BlogMasters

Membership recruitment video shot at the 112th National Convention of the Veterans of Foreign Wars August 27-September 1, 2011.  Our thanks to all who participated in the production.  Please share this video with all of your friends and veterans on your social networks.  And of course, if you have not yet joined the VFW, click here to join today!

VA News Highlights

Posted at 05:03 on 2011-Sep-14 by BlogMasters

Several headlines from the Department of Veterans Affairs in recent days.  Click the links to read the full stories.

Statement from Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric K. Shinseki on the American Jobs Act - Shinseki comments on the proposed Act which includes support for veteran jobs.

VA Announces Expansion of Virtual Lifetime Electronic Record - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced it will expand its pilot for the Virtual Lifetime Electronic Record (VLER), which enables sharing of Veterans’ health records.

VA Streamlines Online Applications for Health Benefits Renewal - Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has automated its online Health Benefits Renewal (10-10EZR) form as part of its ongoing effort to streamline access to benefits.

VA Posts Online List of Ships Associated with Presumptive Agent Orange Exposure - Veterans who served aboard U.S. Navy and Coast Guard ships operating on the waters of Vietnam between January 9, 1962, and May 7, 1975, may be eligible to receive Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) disability compensation for 14 medical conditions associated with presumptive exposure to Agent Orange.

The American Veteran - July 2011

Posted at 08:27 on 2011-Jul-25 by BlogMasters

(via The Pentagon Channel)

Veterans Crisis Line

Posted at 09:19 on 2011-May-14 by BlogMasters

The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) is unique because all of our members have served overseas in a combat zone. Our nation is in debt to all of those who served, and we understand that returning home and reintegrating into society can cause stress in many aspects of life. Because of this, VFW is participating in a campaign with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to increase awareness of the Veterans Crisis Line (1-800-273-8255 and Press 1). 

The campaign revolves around the confidential Veterans Crisis Line (formerly the Veterans Suicide Prevention Hotline), establishing a unique identity designed to lower the threshold for Veterans and their families to make that critical call for help. 

The line, available 24 hours a day and seven days a week, has answered more than 390,000 calls and has made more than 13,000 life-saving rescues since its launch. 

The campaign is a national outreach effort to increase awareness and use of the confidential Veterans Crisis Line and online chat service, support and promote broader VA suicide prevention efforts, and promote help-seeking behaviors among Veterans.

Read more

Budget Proposal a Starting Point for VA

Posted at 09:52 on 2011-Feb-17 by BlogMasters

WASHINGTON D.C., Feb. 15, 2011 — The national commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S. is appreciative of the funding increase President Obama proposed Monday for the Department of Veterans Affairs, but he has some serious concerns about proposed reductions in programs ranging from construction and infrastructure to medical and prosthetic research. 

"The VFW appreciates the proposed increase because it recognizes that the proper care and treatment of wounded and disabled veterans are ongoing costs of war," said Richard L. Eubank, who leads the 2.1 million-member VFW and its Auxiliaries.  "Our concern, however, is that the total discretionary request of almost $62 billion is just not enough for VA to improve all the programs and services on their watch." 

The proposed VA budget for fiscal year 2012 is $132.2 billion, of which $70.3 billion is for mandatory benefits such as disability compensation and pension.  The remaining $61.9 billion is discretionary funding, primarily for the Veterans Health Administration, which represents about a 10-percent increase over FY 2010 funding, but just 3 percent more than the proposed but never passed FY 2011 budget.   

In contrast, the Independent Budget recommends $65.3 billion, or 14.4 percent above 2010 levels and 8 percent about 2011.  The VFW coauthors the Independent Budget—now in its 25th year—with AMVETs, Disabled American Veterans and Paralyzed Veterans of America.  

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VFW Will Defeat Bachmann Plan

Posted at 05:25 on 2011-Jan-31 by BlogMasters

WASHINGTON, D.C., January 28, 2011 — America's oldest and largest major combat veterans' organization announced it will do everything within its power to defeat a plan introduced by Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.) to cut $4.5 billion from the Department of Veterans Affairs.

"No way, no how, will we let this proposal get any traction in Congress," said Richard L. Eubank, the national commander of the 2.1 million-member Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S. and its Auxiliaries.

On her website, the three-term congresswoman lists more than $400 billion in suggestions to cut federal spending.  The VA suggestion would cap increases to VA healthcare spending, and reduce disability compensation to account for Social Security Disability Insurance payments — in other words, an offset.  She says her plan is intended to generate discussion.

"The only discussion the VFW wants is to tell the congresswoman that her plan is totally out of step with America's commitment to our veterans," said Eubank, a retired Marine and Vietnam combat veteran from Eugene, Ore.

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VFW National Home Children Thank Veterans on Veterans Day

Posted at 07:09 on 2010-Nov-11 by BlogMasters

Children from the VFW National Home for Children extend their thanks to our nation's veterans on this Veterans Day 2010.

The VFW WebCOM Network team would also like to extend a heartfelt Thank You as we honor all veterans, past and present, today.

VFW Day 2010

Posted at 08:04 on 2010-Sep-29 by BlogMasters

Each year on September 29th VFW Day is celebrated at Posts and in communities around the world. It's a day devoted to the organization and its dedicated members who are so deeply committed to serving those who bravely serve this nation.

This year marks the 111th year since the VFW was established. On this date in 1899, a small group of Spanish-America war veterans joined together to form what would become the nation's largest and most dedicated group of combat veterans.

For 111 years the VFW has been unwavering in its devotion "to honor the dead by helping the living." VFW and its Auxiliary members carry out this mission by promoting good will, patriotism and youth scholarship. Their commitment is demonstrated through national veterans and legislative services, military assistance and community service programs, youth activities and scholarship programs, as well as millions of volunteer hours in their local communities each year.

Show your support by honoring all members and veterans in your community. Today everyone is invited to celebrate the tradition of continuous service and steadfast devotion that defines the VFW.  (VFW.org)


Click here for a complete video history of the VFW

Richard L. Eubank is new VFW National Commander

Posted at 01:37 on 2010-Aug-26 by BlogMasters

KANSAS CITY, Mo., Aug. 26, 2010 – America’s largest organization of combat veterans has elected a Vietnam War veteran to head the 1.5 million-member Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States.

Richard L. Eubank, now a resident of Eugene, Ore., was elected VFW National Commander on Aug. 26, 2010, during the VFW’s National Convention held Aug. 20-25, in Indianapolis, Ind.

During his acceptance speech Eubank, who served with the U.S. Marine Corps from 1967-1987, pledged his support to help the organization’s state and local leaders in fighting for our troops and veterans. “Just let me know how I can use the influence of this position to help you at the local level…any combat unit worth its salt will take their objective and accomplish their mission. I want warriors who are willing to go into battle with me. For those that do not wish to wage war for our veterans, please stand aside and let us pass through,” he stated.

When emphasizing the need for new members, Eubank asked the mostly Vietnam-era audience to compare their roles within the organization to rifles and bullets. “Everyone at this convention is a rifle, and so are the thousands of others back in your home states and [VFW] Departments, Districts and Posts. You are the leaders…but every rifle needs bullets, and that’s our membership – and from one grunt to the many warriors in this room-you can never have too many bullets…every program and service we provide takes rifles to do the legwork and bullets to provide the support.”

During the Vietnam War Eubank served as a field radio operator with the 1st and 3rd Marine Division. His military decorations include the Combat Action Ribbon, Navy Achievement Medal with Combat V device, Good Conduct Medal with 5 Stars, Vietnam Service Medal with 5 stars, Vietnam Campaign Medal, National Defense Medal, and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry Medal among others.

Eubank joined the VFW in 1988 at Post 10165 in Cameron Park, Calif., and is currently a Life Member of Post 4084 in Ridgecrest, Calif. He has served in elected and appointed positions at the Post, District and Department (state) including Department Commander in 1999 – 2000. He earned distinction by achieving the Triple Crown; All American Commander honors at the Post, District and Department levels. He has served on numerous national committees.

During his yearlong term, Eubank will log thousands of miles across the globe to promote the VFW, veterans' issues and quality of life initiatives for active-duty, Reserve and Guard members. By the time the commander's term ends, he will have visited every state and numerous overseas areas.

Also elected were Richard L. DeNoyer, senior vice commander-in-chief, of Middleton, Mass., and John E. Hamilton, junior vice commander-in-chief, of Jacksonville, Fla.

Watch video here: http://www.livestream.com/vfw_us/video?clipId=pla_bb956bfa-490f-48d3-a1c9-c0a564b5fab7

Thanks a Million Campaign

Posted at 08:53 on 2010-Aug-9 by BlogMasters

Have you thanked a Veteran today? Here's your chance. We are looking for a million ways to thank our Veterans and our Troops for their service to our Country. Thank a hero, past, present, future. You can share your story, idea or inspiration here.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Thanks-a-Million/143909055638425

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