VFW MN District 3

Retroactive Stop Loss Pay Deadline Approaching

Posted at 10:53 on 2010-Jul-26 by BlogMasters

Those eligible must submit a claim by Oct. 21, 2010.

The 2009 War Supplemental Appropriations Act established Retroactive Stop Loss Special Pay (RSLSP), providing $500 for each month/partial month served in stop loss status. Service members, veterans, and beneficiaries of servicemembers whose service was involuntarily extended under Stop Loss between Sept. 11, 2001 and Sept. 30, 2009 are eligible for RSLSP.

To receive this benefit, those who served under stop loss must submit a claim for the special pay. Throughout the year, the services have been reaching out to servicemembers, veterans and their families through direct mail, veteran service organizations, and the media. But there is still money left to be claimed, and the deadline is approaching. The average benefit is $3,700.

Get more information

Meaning of Memorial Day

Posted at 04:09 on 2010-May-31 by BlogMasters

A message from VFW National Commander Tradewell...

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 past 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 5,400 Americans who have died thus far in Afghanistan and Iraq.

VFW Outraged at Court Decision, Calls for Assistance

Posted at 12:43 on 2010-Mar-31 by BlogMasters

KANSAS CITY, March 31, 2010 - The national commander of the nation's largest organization of combat veterans is furious about the recent Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit Court decision ordering Albert Snyder, the father of a slain Marine to pay legal costs to the Westboro Baptist Church.

Westboro Baptist Church in Topeka, Kan., led by Fred Phelps, has for years been taunting grieving mourners at military funerals nationwide. During the funeral of Marine Lance Corporal Matthew Snyder's funeral in 2006, the anti-gay group praised the loss of the young Marine as well as other of the nation's young servicemen and women, calling their deaths a by-product of a nation that tolerates homosexuality.

"This is a travesty at best and borders on the obscene, said VFW National Commander Thomas J. Tradewell Sr., of Sussex, Wis. "The irony in this whole situation is that the blood and sacrifice of our nation's heroes have enabled this group to spread their message of hate. Yet, they celebrate when one of America's best pays the ultimate sacrifice preserving that right of free speech," the Vietnam veteran said.

"Mr. Snyder has already confronted the difficulties of burying his Marine son and then bringing a lawsuit against this group of hate-mongers. It is absolutely wrong for the court to order him to shoulder a financial burden on top of everything else. That is why VFW national headquarters will be making a donation to the fund that has been established to assist in paying the legal costs. Additionally, I am asking that each of the more than 1.5 million members of the VFW do what they can to assist Mr. Snyder, even taking the time to offer a him note of support and encouragement."

A fund has been set up to help Mr. Snyder pay the court costs. None of the money will be for attorneys, who are graciously representing him pro bono. To contribute, go to www.matthewsnyder.org, or send a check payable to "Al Snyder Fund" to:

Barley Snyder LLC.
100 East Market Street
York, PA 17401.

Pepsi Competition Delayed

Posted at 12:32 on 2010-Mar-31 by BlogMasters

Following yesterday's request by Commander-in-Chief Tommy Tradewell, the VFW wishes to notify members and supporters that voting on the Pepsi Refresh competition will not begin until May 1, 2010.

More details will be passed along as that date nears.

Commander-in-Chief Requests Help

Posted at 11:53 on 2010-Mar-30 by BlogMasters

Dear Comrades and Supporters:
 
A few days ago I sent you a message informing you that the VFW Foundation was applying for a $250,000 "Pepsi Refresh" grant to support VFW's "Return the Favor" campaign at the highest grant amount ($250,000) in the next open period (April 1, 2010).
 
As I explained previously, we have launched this campaign so that we can continue providing the resources to support the unmet needs of our service members and their families and programs designed to boost the morale of active duty troops and their families.
 
Since 2004, the VFW and its Foundation has provided over $3,400,000 in direct grants to military families for unmet needs such as rent, mortgage, utilities, vehicle repair, medical expenses and food/basic aid. In many instances, our intervention has stopped evictions and foreclosures on homes owned by troops and their families. We also hold numerous "welcome home" or "sendoff" events for our troops so that they know that America truly cares and is thankful for their service.
 
Here is how you can help:
 
Starting on April 1 (at 12:01 a.m.) you can go online to www.refresheverything.com and vote for VFW's "Return the Favor" project.  Click on the "Food and Shelter" Category and then the "$250,000" grant level.  You will find VFW's "Return the Favor" idea, pictures and a YouTube Video about the VFW, its programs and a description of our proposal which begins with, "Return the Favor to troops and their families for urgent unmet needs"
 
Remember, the projects that receive the most votes will be awarded grants from the Pepsi Corporation.  Please vote and vote often for our project.  You can vote once every day for our project during the month of April.  You can help the effort even more by telling your friends, family and colleagues about our proposal and encouraging them to cast a vote our way.   Please send out an email blast to family, friends, colleagues, post a message on Facebook, Tweet about it, or put up a flyer to encourage others to vote as well.
 
With your assistance, we'll be able to continue working on behalf of our military service members and their families.

Thank you for your support
 
Click on link to vote: http://www.refresheverything.com/ReturnTheFavor
 
Sincerely,
Thomas J. Tradewell Sr.

"Making Virutual Friends" VFW Blogger Interviews of D.Peirce & IJK

Posted at 05:54 on 2010-Mar-7 by BlogMasters

Donald Peirce	Iris Joe Kelley

D. Peirce, a  senior blogger on the VFW Network  says making virtual friends is " better than buying drinks in a canteen."   "It's like a living history." says IJK, one of the first VFW Post bloggers online with VFW WebCOM.* 

Donald Peirce and "IJK," Iris Joe Kelley have been blogging for their VFWs for years.  Recently they responded to email Interviews with MyVFW.  Here's what they had to say:   MORE>

Up to the Minute

Posted at 01:03 on 2010-Feb-24 by BlogMasters

Now you can stay on top of all the latest information no matter where you are in the My VFW Network. 


Just look at the bottom of each page in the network.  You'll see a new toolbar which will make navigating around the network much easier.  On the toolbar you can:

• Search the My VFW Network
• Join a chatroom with other network users.
• See how many other users are on the network
• Click on "Network News" and see all the latest news stories from anywhere in the network.
• Keep track of the latest conversations in the VFW Forum.
• Join our My VFW social network.
• See the latest story posted by a random VFW Post.
• Zoom back to the top of the page you are viewing.
• Subscribe to RSS feeds
• Share pages via email, Facebook, Twitter and more.
• Become a fan and join our Facebook community
• and even post to your Twitter account right from the toolbar.

Keeping up to date with the My VFW Network has never been so easy!

VFW to Stream Video from Legislative Conference

Posted at 06:31 on 2010-Feb-16 by BlogMasters

Merry Christmas

Posted at 05:16 on 2009-Dec-24 by BlogMasters

Home Depot offering Post Improvement Grants

Posted at 06:32 on 2009-Nov-10 by BlogMasters

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