Department Missouri: Veterans of Foreign Wars, Hinkel-Kleeschulte-Westhoff Post http://www.vfwwebcom.org/mo/post5077/ en-us Sun, 22 Nov 2009 12:46:43 -0500 Policlicks LLC Mo November General Orders - http://www.vfwwebcom.org/mo/post5077/77310/ Fri, 23 Oct 2009 08:33:00 -0400 http://www.vfwwebcom.org/mo/post5077/77310/ In This Issue:1. President Signs Advanced Funding Bill2. Retroactive Stop Loss Payments Begin 3. VFW Urges Russia to Support POW/MIA Commission4. FY11 IB Critical Issues Now Online5. VFW Testifies on Key Senate Bills6. House VA Subcommittee ActionTo read the full text go to: Mo Legislative Updates http://www.vfwwebcom.org/mo/post5077/77037/ Fri, 23 Oct 2009 01:37:00 -0400 http://www.vfwwebcom.org/mo/post5077/77037/ http://www.vfwwebcom.org/mo/post5077/76682/ Wed, 26 Aug 2009 08:48:00 -0400 http://www.vfwwebcom.org/mo/post5077/76682/ http://www.vfwwebcom.org/mo/post5077/76681/ Wed, 26 Aug 2009 08:44:00 -0400 http://www.vfwwebcom.org/mo/post5077/76681/ Every year the River City Rascals baseball team hosts Military Appreciation Night.  This year Military Appreciation Night was made even more special by the exclusive participation of VFW Post 5077 in its pre-game and 7th inning festivities. First pitches were thrown by a VFW member representing each war from WWII to Operation Iraqi Freedom.  WWII was represented by Mel Schneider, Korea by John Cummings, Vietnam by Lyle McPherson, Desert Storm by Lynette Lewis, Operation Enduring Freedom by DJ Mitchell and Operation Iraqi Freedom by Tommy Korth. Our first Post Commander (1945-1946) and WWII veteran, Bill Salfen, was recognized for his service as a B-24 pilot and his sacrifice as a prisoner of war.  The announcer asked all Iraq and Afghanistan veterans present at the game to come to the Rascals dugout where Bill handed each of them a VFW Welcome Home coin.  What a special feeling it was for each of today’s veterans to receive such an honor from a member of the Greatest Generation. VFW Post 5077 also had a recruiting and information table.  Several applications were distributed as well as numerous pieces of information on PTSD and suicide prevention. http://www.vfwwebcom.org/mo/post5077/76680/ Wed, 19 Aug 2009 08:21:00 -0400 http://www.vfwwebcom.org/mo/post5077/76680/ In This Issue: 1. VFW Protects Health Care Programs 2. Vet Bills Update 3. New GI Bill Benefit Begins 4. Senate Hearing on Disability Compensation 5. Congress on Recess Full Text Can be found at: VFW MO Legislative Updates http://www.vfwwebcom.org/mo/post5077/76494/ Fri, 7 Aug 2009 06:46:00 -0400 http://www.vfwwebcom.org/mo/post5077/76494/     The final version of the proposed changes to the By Laws and Manual of Procedure are out.  I have uploaded them to DocStoc and you can follow the links to read them and even save to your computer for further study. Proposed By-Law Changes  (35 pages) Proposed Manual of Procedure Changes (17 pages) http://www.vfwwebcom.org/mo/post5077/76154/ Mon, 27 Jul 2009 08:10:00 -0400 http://www.vfwwebcom.org/mo/post5077/76154/ The Sonderen Road overpass spanning I-70 in O’Fallon, MO was like any other highway overpass until yesterday evening. First on the scene was a fire truck and ambulance from the O’Fallon Fire Protection District, except there was no accident.  Soon after, people of all ages, from small babies to the elderly, began to appear on the same overpass.  They were all carrying US flags of all sizes and wearing their patriotic gear.  Then the police arrived.  This was no celebration or fireworks display.  Everyone was gathered together to pay their respects to 19 year-old Army Private First Class Lucas Bregg of Wright City, MO. PFC Bregg died in Iraq on 8 July 2009 and his body was escorted home last night.  The motorcade included dozens of Patriot Guard Riders, police, and family.  Even though the threat of rain existed, the sun broke through the clouds minutes before the motorcade passed. Words cannot describe the emotion of the nearly fifty O’Fallon residents (many of them veterans) that gathered together on the overpass.  There was no talking or horn honking.  All of the police vehicles had their lights on without sirens.  Many of us were at attention, flags were held high and tearful salutes were rendered as the body of PFC Bregg solemnly rode passed. We later learned that every overpass in St. Charles County had a similar presence.  His death may not get much coverage in our pop culture, but all of us who were on the Sonderen overpass clearly understood that a real hero had just crossed our path. http://www.vfwwebcom.org/mo/post5077/75947/ Fri, 17 Jul 2009 10:20:00 -0400 http://www.vfwwebcom.org/mo/post5077/75947/ VFW Post 5077 will host a Texas Hold 'em tournament to benefit the Fisher House in St. Louis on 3 October.  Play will begin at 5:00 PM.  The winner will get an estimated $2500 jackpot (based on number of players - $1000 minimum jackpot).  Minimum donation of $50 will get you $4000 in chips.. If interested email fisherhouse@vfwpost5077.org or call 636-272-1945. Click here to download the flyer. http://www.vfwwebcom.org/mo/post5077/75937/ Tue, 14 Jul 2009 10:43:00 -0400 http://www.vfwwebcom.org/mo/post5077/75937/ Post 5077 hosted a memorial dedication ceremony for CPL Gunnar Zwilling who was killed during an ambush in Wanat, Afghanistan one year ago.  At 0430 on 13 July 2008, 200 Taliban fighters attacked a 45 soldier outpost with machine gun fire, rocket propelled grenades, and mortar shells.  Despite being outnumbered, the Americans successfully fought off the attack.  However, when the smoke cleared, nine soldiers lost their lives including CPL Zwilling. Post 5077 voted to name it's picnic pavilion after CPL Zwilling and Egle Scout candidate Mark Steiniger designed and constructed the memorial. The ceremony was attended by over 100 people including many of the Zwilling family, State Commander Dave Morgan, and several local elected officials. CPL Zwilling's father, Kurt Zwilling, and his brother, Alex, both had the honor of unveiling the memorial. The quote of the day came from Alex Zwilling.  He stated that "the opposite of courage is not fear, but love.  And Gunnar loved the troops he served with so much that he gave his life for them." http://www.vfwwebcom.org/mo/post5077/75933/ Sat, 11 Jul 2009 11:42:00 -0400 http://www.vfwwebcom.org/mo/post5077/75933/