VFW MO Post 30 - Blue Springs

VFW MO 2008 Governors' Candidate Forum: Invitation

Posted at 02:25 PM on Monday, October 13, 2008 by post30

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 08:35 AM on Friday, October 10, 2008 by post30

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 11:49 PM on Wednesday, October 8, 2008 by post30

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

Posted at 07:18 PM on Tuesday, October 7, 2008 by post30

     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 08:12 PM on Thursday, October 2, 2008 by post30

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

Posted at 09:54 AM on Saturday, September 27, 2008 by post30

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 07:32 PM on Wednesday, September 24, 2008 by post30

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

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