VFW MO District 5

VFW MO 2008 Governors' Candidate Forum: Invitation

Posted at 01:38 PM on October 13, 2008 by dist5

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 07:37 AM on October 10, 2008 by dist5

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 10:51 PM on October 8, 2008 by dist5

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

Posted at 07:28 PM on October 7, 2008 by dist5

     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

October National General Orders

Posted at 06:10 PM on October 2, 2008 by dist5

Proclamation by the President: Gold Star Mother's Day, 2008

Posted at 08:56 AM on September 27, 2008 by dist5

Throughout our history, the men and women of the Armed Forces have put our Nation's security before their own, doing their duty in the face of grave danger. On Gold Star Mother's Day, we pay solemn tribute to the mothers of the patriots lost serving this great Nation.

Gold Star Mothers inspire our Nation with their deep devotion to family and country. These extraordinary women serve their communities, dedicate their time to helping members of our Armed Forces and veterans, and bring comfort and hope to families whose loved ones laid down their lives in the defense of our liberty. Nothing can compensate for their sacrifice and loss, yet Gold Star Mothers demonstrate tremendous courage and resolve while working to preserve the memory and legacy of all our fallen heroes.

Read the full story at The Source

VA Awards $7.5 Million for Missouri State Veterans Cemetery

Posted at 06:46 PM on September 24, 2008 by dist5

WASHINGTON – Continuing its mission of providing a final resting place for Missouri veterans, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has announced a $7,555,296 grant to establish a state veterans cemetery at Fort Leonard Wood, approximately 50 miles south of Jefferson City.  

“By awarding this grant to Missouri, we are closer to making the state veterans cemetery at Fort Leonard Wood a reality,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Dr. James B. Peake. “The veterans in this part of the state have earned the right to a dignified burial in a cemetery that commemorates their service and sacrifice.” 

The grant will pay 100 percent of the allowable costs to build the new 228-acre cemetery.  In its initial 18-acre development, the cemetery will provide 4,893 full-casket gravesites, 1,412 in-ground cremation burial sites and 1,024 columbarium niches.  The cemetery will serve more than 7,000 veterans and their family members who live in the area.

To read the full story go HERE

Married Squad Leaders Work in MP Company

Posted at 06:31 PM on September 17, 2008 by dist5

Sgt. Cruz Munoz, a Chicago native, and Staff Sgt. Iris Munoz, a Springfield, Mo., native, are married patrol leaders for the 164th Military Police Company, based out of Fort Richardson, Alaska.

Date Taken: August 1st, 2008

Location: Balad, Iraq

Photographer: Pfc. Amanda Tucker
3rd Sustainment Command (Expeditionary)

Read full story here: Married Squad Leaders Work in MP Company

Dept Commander/President Homecoming Banquet Tickets

Posted at 07:50 PM on September 11, 2008 by dist5

This is to let you know that if you are planning to attend the Homecoming Banquet, Saturday, September 20, 2008, reservations MUST be received at VFW Headquarters by Tuesday, September 16.  The Marriott Hotel has requested a final count by 4:30 p.m. on the 16th.

IF BANQUET RESERVATIONS ARE NOT MADE BY SEPTEMBER 16, A VERY LIMITED NUMBER OF TICKETS WILL BE AVAILABLE AT THE EVENT.

Please fax completed reservation forms to 573-636-2664.  Payment can be made at the VFW desk Friday or Saturday at the Council of Administration Conference.

The reservation form is available in pdf form HERE

VFW WebCOM Department Toolbar Tour

Posted at 10:20 PM on September 9, 2008 by dist5

What is the VFW WebCOM Department Toolbar? What does it do? Click the video below for a tour or click here for a larger version.

Patriot Day Proclamation 2008

Posted at 02:24 PM on September 8, 2008 by dist5

A Proclamation by the President of the United States of America

September 11, 2001, was etched into America's memory when 19 terrorists attacked us with barbarity unequaled in our history. On Patriot Day, we cherish the memory of the thousands of innocent victims lost, extend our thoughts and prayers to their families, and honor the heroic men and women who risked and sacrificed their lives so others might survive.

Since 9/11, we have recognized the threat posed by terrorists to the safety of the American people and worked to protect our homeland by fighting terrorists abroad. We are confronting terrorism by advancing freedom, liberty, and prosperity as an alternative to the ideologies of hatred and repression. Our Nation pays tribute to our courageous men and women in uniform serving around the world and the devoted members of our law enforcement, public safety, and intelligence communities at home who work night and day to protect us from harm and preserve the freedom of this great Nation.

Seven years ago, ordinary citizens rose to the challenge, united in prayer, and responded with extraordinary acts of courage, with some giving their lives for the country they loved. On Patriot Day, we remember all those who were taken from us in an instant and seek their lasting memorial in a safer and more hopeful world. We must not allow our resolve to be weakened by the passage of time. We will meet the test that history has given us and continue to fight to rid the world of terrorism and promote liberty around the globe.

By a joint resolution approved December 18, 2001 (Public Law 107-89), the Congress has designated September 11 of each year as "Patriot Day."

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim September 11, 2008, as Patriot Day. I call upon the Governors of the United States and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, as well as appropriate officials of all units of government, to direct that the flag be flown at half-staff on Patriot Day. I also call upon the people of the United States to observe Patriot Day with appropriate ceremonies, activities, and remembrance services, to display the flag at half-staff from their homes on that day, and to observe a moment of silence beginning at 8:46 a.m. eastern daylight time to honor the innocent Americans and people from around the world who lost their lives as a result of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this eighth day of September, in the year of our Lord two thousand eight, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-third.

GEORGE W. BUSH

August "Missourian"

Posted at 03:52 PM on September 2, 2008 by dist5

VFW WebCom Video Tutorials

Posted at 01:56 PM on August 23, 2008 by dist5

A video tutorial page is now up on the network.  As the page says, videos for all of the topics have not yet been created.  This will be an ongoing project so check back regularly.

If you have a certain topic you'd like to see as a priority or a topic that is not listed there,  leave a note here and we'll see what we can do.

To access the page go to: http://vfwwebcom.org/tutorials/

Or to get to the one you seek I have listed them here separately


  You might wish to add it to your favorites/bookmarks so you can find it easier in the future.

VFW WASHINGTON WEEKLY, Aug. 14, 2008

Posted at 03:45 PM on August 15, 2008 by dist5

In This Issue

NATIONAL LEGISLATIVE SERVICE
1. Congress on Recess

NATIONAL SECURITY & FOREIGN AFFAIRS
1. WWII MIA Identified
2. Reserve Component Mobilization

NATIONAL VETERANS SERVICE
1. American Airlines Drops Third Bag Fee

To read the full report go to Mo Legislative Updates

District 5 - School of Instruction

Posted at 10:00 PM on August 6, 2008 by dist5

	To view the pictures in a larger size  "Right Click" and  then choose  "View Image"

    Guest Instructor and Department Representative at the District 5 School of Instruction, Bob Wonnell, was in Kansas City on Sunday August 3rd.  Also attending the School of Instruction was Bill Bloomquist from VFW National Membership Department; Paul Connors, VFW Missouri Quartermaster; Jim Holmes, Past Department Commander; Marsha Young, Candidate for Surgeon; Olin Parks, VFW Missouri VOD Chairman; and Kathy Lee, KCVA VFW Veterans Service Officer. Surgeon Wonnell taught a class on the VFW Missouri VSIO program and remarked that teaching this group was like preaching to the Choir.  We did discover that there were at least 2 members present who had never filed a VA claim and Kathy Lee was busy helping with claims between the School of Instruction
and the District 5 meeting.  Veterans helping veterans!!!
Photos and Story courtesy of Bob Wonnell

VFW Washington Weekly, September 29, 2008

Posted at 06:00 PM on December 31, 1969 by dist5