VFW MO District 17

VFW MO 2008 Governors' Candidate Forum: Invitation

Posted at 02:38 PM on Monday, October 13, 2008 by dist17

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 dist17

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

Sponsorship on the VFW MO WebCOM Network

Posted at 11:51 PM on Wednesday, October 8, 2008 by dist17

Welcome Home Event -V.A. Hospital-Columbia (Nov. 1st)

Posted at 08:28 PM on Tuesday, October 7, 2008 by dist17

     A Welcome Home event for Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom veterans and their families will take place at the Truman V.A. Hospital in Columbia on Saturday, Nov. 1st from 3pm to 6pm.  Major General King Sidwell, Adjutant General of the Missouri National Guard, will be the featured speaker at a brief ceremony.  As many as 20 agencies and organizations will participate to assure that these latest combat veterans and their families are fully aware of the benefits and services available to them.  A variety of other activities are scheduled including a “Team Challenge” for all ages, a rock wall climb for those 16 and older, musical entertainment, gift bags and food.  For more information, contact Stephen Gaither, Public Affairs Officer at the Truman V.A. Hospital at 573-814-6308

Scheduled Meetings for District 17 2008-2009

Posted at 01:15 PM on Sunday, October 5, 2008 by dist17

 

October 17-19, 2008:  Big Ten Conference, St .Louis, Mo.

October 26, 2008, VFW Post 4342 Kahoka, Mo. District Meeting starting at 1:00 P.M.

January 18, 2009, VFW Post 4240 Monroe City, Mo. District Meeting starting at 1:00 P.M.

January 30 thru February 1, 2008:  CofA Meeting/Voice of Democracy-Patriot;s Pen Awards Dinner, Jefferson City, Mo.  Capitol Plaza Hotel.

April 26, 2009, VFW Post 4088 Perry, Mo. District Meeting/Convention starting at 1:00 P.M.

June 18-21-2009:  Department of Missouri 89th Annual Convention, Holiday Inn Select, Columbia, Mo.

VFW Posts in District 17

Posted at 11:20 AM on Sunday, October 5, 2008 by dist17

VFW Post 2446 Hannibal (Auxiliary):  Commander Don Cosgrove

VFW Post 2508 Kirksville (Auxiliary):  Commander Thomas Yunick

VFW Post 4088 Perry (Auxiliary):  Commander Bill Wright

VFW Post 4240 Monroe City (Auxiliary):  Commander James Clark

VFW Post 4342 Kahoka (Auxiliary):  Commander  Robert Schutte

VFW Post 4539 Eolia (Auxiliary):  Commander Earl Johnson

VFW Post 4610 Clarksville (Auxiliary):  Commander Hurley Conway

VFW Post 4822 Edina (Auxiliary):  Commander Robert Ward

VFW Post 4958 Memphis (Auxiliary):  Commander Donnie Middleton

VFW Post 5553 Bowling Green (Auxiliary) :  Commander Bernie Berns

VFW Post 5898 Lancaster (No Auxiliary):  Commander Walter Burnett

VFW Post 8177 Clarence (Auxiliary):  Commander Jack Wood

VFW Post 11041 Palmyra (Auxiliary):  Commander Gene Maddux

VFW Post 11241 Hannibal (No Auxiliary):  Commander John Haden

District 17 VFW Officers

Posted at 10:44 AM on Sunday, October 5, 2008 by dist17

Commander:                   John Swarnes        (5730470-073          jswarnessr@rallstech.com  Post 5553      Bowling Green

Sr. Vice Commander:     Arthur Heinold        (660)63-0842          arthei@socket.ner  Post 2508   Kirksville

Jr. Vice Commander       Bernard Berns       (573)565-3543        axyloskar@yahoo.com   Post 5553 Bowling Green

Adjutant/Quartermaster  Don Watts               (573)324-2357        dowa@areatech.com  Post 5553  Bowling Green

Judge Advocate:               Gene Maddux         (573)769-3333          No email     Post 11041 Palmyra

Surgeon:                            Don Sutton             (573)769-4450           boosutton@socket.net   Post 11041 Palmyra

Chaplain:                           Stephen Korte       (573)324-6686            eokorte@gimail.af.mil    Post 5553 Bowling Green

3 Year Trustee:                  Jim Talbott           (573)565-3543             jptalbott@socket.net   Post 4088 Perryg Green

2 Year Trustee:                Durward Crisman  (573)32405230             vfw5553@areatech.com   Post 5553 Bowling Green

1 Year Trustee:                 Robert Ward            (660)397-2624           post4822@marktwain.net     Post 4822 Edina

Chief of Staff:                 Don Watts   (See Adjutant/Quartermaster)

Service Officer/VSIO:    Don Sutton   (See Sr. Vice Commander)

Membership/Life Membership:    Don Watts  (See Quartermaster/Adjutant)

District Recruiter:          Don Watts      (See Adjutant/Quartermaster)

District 17 Ladies Auxiliary President:  Esta Beall ((573)735-2116  No email  Auxiliary 4240 Monroe City

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