VFW MO District 15

VFW MO 2008 Governors' Candidate Forum: Invitation

Posted at 02:38 PM on Monday, October 13, 2008 by dist15

The Department Missouri: Veterans of Foreign Wars and Choices of Democracy are extending this open invitation to the Candidates seeking to represent Missouri as Governor to participate in the:

2008 VFW MO
Gubernatorial Video Forum
These neutral, non-partisan, not-for-profit forums are part of  an ongoing effort to engage our membership, our deployed military community and our state's voters in the democratic process .

The VFW MO will be asking questions of the Candidates on behalf of our membership over the course of the 2008 Elections.
Candidates are asked to take the opportunity to personally reply via video to the following questions.

1.  The Missouri Veterans Commission is made up of individuals, recommended by statewide veteran’s organizations and then appointed by the Governor. For the first time in many years recent appointments appear to be strictly politically driven, recommended by local chapters, and have no real connection to the veteran’s community.

Would you support a change to RSMO-Chapter 42 that would insure appointees to this commission come from the active membership of the statewide veteran’s organization?

2. The Missouri Veterans Commission is currently a part of the Division of Public Safety.

Would you support making this Commission a “stand alone” entity? Would you impose any restrictions or changes in the make up of this Commission if it were to become a stand alone state Division?

3. For the first time in many years the Missouri Veterans Commission has been able to fully staff Missouri’s veteran’s home system.

Will you as Governor continue this staffing level and work with the Commission to see that staff salaries are competitive with the private sector?

4. The veteran’s service programs of Missouri’s veteran’s organizations are                partially supported by a state matching fund grant. Since the start of this grant, in just the VFW, the annual compensation paid to Missouri veterans by the Department of Veterans Affairs has increased from $8.5 million dollars per year to $98.8 million dollars this past year.

Will you as Governor support the continuation of this grant program and consider a possible increase in the total grant for veterans service work in Missouri?

Would your office lend assistance in applying for and obtaining Federal grants for Missouri veterans service outreach programs.
            
5. Funding for the Missouri Veterans Capital Improvement Trust was established by public vote and is funded from a portion of the gaming boats entry fee for the sole use of this Trust. This revenue source has been diverted from the Trust Fund to other entities for the past 10 years.

Current revenue is approx $30 million dollars per year. The Trust fund receives the first $6 million dollars only.

Would you support a cap to this fund and a division of additional revenue between the Trust fund and all other recipients?

6. Missouri state employees who deploy with the Guard and Reserve military components receive their state pay for 120 days. After 120 days their military pay is their sole income.

Would you support a differential pay schedule for these state employees?

• Candidates need not be in the same place at the same time to participate.
• Candidates can record their responses directly onto our video platform or record anywhere and upload to the COD Election 08 Network.
  
• Candidates responses will be posted in the order they are received with no editing.

For questions or assistance in participating email: choicesofdemocracy@gmail.com
or contact VFW MO State Headquarters @ 888-276-8609

Thank you for your consideration and we look forward to your participation.

VFW WASHINGTON WEEKLY, October 9, 2008

Posted at 08:37 AM on Friday, October 10, 2008 by dist15

110th Congress Wrap-Up

In This Issue:
1. President Signs VA Funding Bill
2. Congress Clears Veterans' Health and Benefit Bills
3. Vet Accomplishments for 110th Congress
4. Election Day Coming - Get Out the Vote

To read the full text go to Mo Legislative Updates

Dennis Flynn Travels - Again!!

Posted at 09:55 AM on Monday, September 29, 2008 by dist15

Veterans of Foreign Wars chief Veterans Service Officer shown with several helpers at a recent Veterans Service Fair in Charleston, MO.  Although the turnout was less than expected - the comradry was excellent.  Post 4294 (Charleston) hosted the event and several other posts came to help their fellow comrades.  Other posts were:  Post 5368 (Morley) , Post 6407 (Scott City), Post 3838 (Cape Girardeau), Post 7183 (Lilbourn), and Post 4680 (Caruthersville).  For identifications purposes:  Front row from left to right:  Melissa Petzoldt (area VSO); Carol Drummond (Veterans' Employer Representative); Olin Parks, District 15 Commander; Don Swearengin, MO Veterans Cemetary, Bloomfield. Second Row:  Shelia Holloway, District 15 VSIO; Dennis Flynn, State Veterans Service Officer; Lawanda Swearengin, VA Representative, and Bruce Groves, Quartermaster, Post 4294.  Many thanks to all the posts that came to contribute and enjoy the veterans that came to the event.  A special thanks to Dennis Flynn who unselfishly gives so much of his time and his life to our veterans!!

Puxico Post 7822 Receives Outstanding Service Award

Posted at 09:29 AM on Friday, September 12, 2008 by dist15

Puxico Post 7822 Member look on as Commander Siler receives prestigious "Outstanding Service Award" from Harold Williams, district 15 inspector.  From left to right:  Jerry Elder, John Roach, Dan Fisher, Bill Poague, Rudy Wade, Post Commander Doug Siler, and district 15 inspector Harold Williams.  Post 7822 is to be commended on this award as it validates the hard work they performed and continue to perform.  There were only two such awards in the State of Missouri for last year's work!  The marbled plaque is a worthy symbol to be displayed in Post 7822 post home in Puxico.

Clarence Wade, Post 6953, receives World War II medals

Posted at 10:28 PM on Thursday, September 4, 2008 by dist15

Mr. Clarence Wade, being congratulated and thanked for his service by Olin Parks, District 15 Commander.  Mr. Wade only waited 63 years for the medals that he is now wearing!!   What a wonderful generation of veterans!!  Mr. Wade is wearing the European-African-MIddle EasternCampaign Medal, the French Croix De Guerre Medal, and Bronze Stars (6).  Post 6953 is very proud to have him as Life Member!!  Mr. Lawrence Chidester is the post commander of Post 6953.

World War II Veteran Receives Medals - 63 years late

Posted at 10:19 PM on Thursday, September 4, 2008 by dist15

Clarence Wade, a World War II Veteran, receives his service medals that he never received at or after his discharge from the U.S. Army in 1945.  Olin Parks, District 15 Commander, has the privilege of awarding and pinning the medals on Mr. Wades shirt.  The medals are: the European -African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal; the French Croix de Geure Medal; and six Bronze Stars.  Mr. Wade entered the Army in 1942 and received his basic and occupation training at Camp Lee, VA.  He was then assigned to Camp McCain, MS and then to Fort Polk, LA, before shipping out to Europe.  Mr. Wade was in the Normandy invasion on Omaha Beach and was in Belgium when the war was ended in Europe.  Mr. Wade is a Life Member of Post 6953 (Hayti) and says he will try to make more of the meetings!!

Post 6477 Awards Post Auxiliary President

Posted at 09:05 PM on Sunday, August 24, 2008 by dist15

James Mays, Post 6477 Commander, awards post Auxiliary President with Plaque of Appreciation at Auxiliary Appreciation Dinner at Sikeston VFW Post3174.

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