VFW NC District 2

Rising Number of Suicides

Wednesday, July 23, 2008 at 02:43 PM

by District 2

FOR IMME D IATE RELEASE                                    CONTACT: Alex Glass

Tuesday, July 22, 2008                                     (202) 224-2834 

- AUDIO AVAILABLE NOW - 

Military and VA Must Address Rising Number of Suicides by Troops and Veterans 

‘It’s about saving lives,’ Murray says. ‘We must do better’ 

AUDIO CLIP: http://murray.senate.gov/video/072208vetssuicides.mp3 

( WASHINGTON , D.C. ) – Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) delivered a speech on the Senate floor to raise awareness about the disturbing increase in the number of suicides by troops and veterans and the need to improve mental health care offered by military and VA facilities. 

To illustrate the need to take action, Senator Murray specifically highlighted the suicides this year of six veterans in Spokane – including one earlier this month – as well as the highly publicized death of Joseph Dwyer, an Army medic made famous in a photo taken during the first week of the U.S. invasion of Iraq . 

“More than five years later, we should have the resources in place to treat the psychological wounds of war as well as we do the physical ones.  But we don’t,” Senator Murray said in her speech.  “It is the duty of the VA and of a grateful nation to be prepared to care for their unique wounds.  And in order to do that, we need strong leadership and attention to detail in Washington , D.C. , Spokane , Washington , and everywhere in between.”  

“At the end of the day, this isn’t about bureaucracy or protecting turf, it’s about saving lives,” Murray added.  “We must make it a national priority to address this tragedy.” 

Senator Murray also praised a pilot program being rolled out this week, which will advertise the VA’s 24-hour suicide prevention hotline, 1-800-273-TALK, and help assure veterans that it’s okay to ask for help. 

But she said it is only a step.  She said the military and the VA must do more to address the needs of veterans struggling with the psychological impacts of war by increasing outreach, breaking down the barriers to seeking mental health care, and backing up those efforts with sufficient resources.

Sen Murray goes on to say that there is an average of 1000 suicides per month

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VFW Washington Weekly - July 21, 2008

Wednesday, July 23, 2008 at 01:50 PM

by District 2

In This Issue:
1. FY2009 VA Funding Bill
2. House VA Committee Action
3. VA Outreach Hearing
4. SECDEF Recommends New Guard Chief

1. FY2009 VA Funding Bill: The Senate Appropriations Committee unanimously cleared its version of the 2009 VA Funding Bill. The bill provides $72.7 billion in discretionary funding for military construction and Veterans Affairs. This is about $5 billion more than the current fiscal year, and is in line with the House Appropriations Committee's recommendations. It includes:
$47.7 billion in total VA discretionary funding.
$41.1 billion for VA health care.
$1.2 billion for VA construction projects, nearly double the president's request, and $1.1 billion for hospital maintenance and repairs.
$84 million more than the president's request for medical and prosthetic research.
$350 million to help certain higher income Category 8 veterans to begin enrolling in VA.
$250 million targeted to the care of rural veterans.
The bill now moves to the floor of the Senate for a vote.

Read more...

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MAP Program Re-Organized

Tuesday, July 22, 2008 at 12:00 PM

by District 2

 

MAP Program Re-Organized

Tuesday, July 21, 2009 at 11:14 AM

by National Military Services

State Commander Larry Flood has appointed Mark Bergman (Post 10630) be the NC Coordinator for National Military Services.

This includes all activities for the following programs:

Operation Uplink

Unmet Needs

Military Assistance Program (MAP)

Adopt a Unit Program

Area Coordinators are Bill Greene (Ft. Bragg/Pope AFB) Mark Sandman (Camp LeJune), Michael T. Burris (Seymour Johnson AFB), and Euell \"Buzz\" Griggs (National Guard/Reserves).

Mark can be reached at:  logsgm@yahoo.com

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430th EOD Welcome Home Ceremony

Wednesday, July 9, 2008 at 02:20 PM

by District 2

The 430th EOD welcome home ceremony has been moved to 5:00 pm this Thursday, 10
JUL 08.  The ceremony will be held at the Greenville Armory (adjacent to PGV
Airport) in the CST annex.  Nancy Batchelor and several members of our Ladies
Axillary will be there NLT 4:00 pm to set up the refreshment items that they
are making.  I plan to arrive as close to 4:00 pm as possible to help them (the
Nationial Guard is furnishing the tables and coolers of ice).  If anyone else
can attend please wear your VFW overseas cap and come on out to make a VFW
presence.  The unit will fly in at about 2:00 pm (a total of twelve of them on
two flights including our Post 7032 comrade 1SG Stu Stevens).  The Adjutant
General and his staff will be there, the Governor may still be there - they
will also be at the opening ceremony of the new Greenville Family Assistance
Center (at the same armory) earlier in the day.  We are invited to both
ceremonies.  I have sent this to everyone in Post 7032 that I have an email
address for - if you can think of any other post member that you may have an
address for please send this on to them.
Regards,
Bruce

Bruce H. Baker, Jr.
Colonel, Retired
bruce.baker@us.army.mil

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July/August National Newsletter

Sunday, July 6, 2008 at 02:54 PM

by District 2

YOUTH ACTIVITIES: 

     Post Commanders and Auxiliary Presidents – Have you forwarded the program materials received to your chairmen?  You will be receiving additional materials shortly in the mail.  Make sure they receive a printed copy of the individual section for Youth and Teacher Awards section of the programs book entitled, “It’s About Service,” as well as the specific scholarship and teacher’s brochures previously sent.  Although most should have contacted the schools and youth organizations with our scholarship programs in the spring, late August is the perfect time to reconnect with the teachers and youth leaders to remind them of our programs and the deadlines in November.  Contact kharmer@vfw.org (816) 968-1117 or swilson@vfw.org (816) 756-3390 x 220.

2008 – 2009 THEMES:

Voice of Democracy – “SERVICE AND SACRIFICE BY AMERICA’S VETERANS BENEFIT TODAY’S YOUTH BY...”

Patriot’s Pen – “WHY AMERICA’S VETERANS SHOULD BE HONORED.”

To view merchandise to assist in promoting awareness of programs and recognition, click here http://www.vfwstore.org/SearchResult.aspx?CategoryID=127

 

RECOGNITION:

National Awards

        Congratulations to Parker Jay Duncan, Department of Utah who was named the $5,000 scholarship winner of the VFW National Scout of the Year Award.  Contact swilson@vfw.org (816) 756-3390 x 220. 

SPECIAL INTEREST NOTES: 

Important Dates:  VFW National Convention in Orlando – Workshop of Interest.  PLEASE CHECK SCHEDULE FOR ROOM INFORMATION:

 Tuesday, Aug. 19

1:00 p.m.

The Importance of VFW Programs. 

HR2356 dated June 3, 2008 – added to the Federal Flag Code – encourages display of the flag on Father’s Day. 

BUDDY POPPY:

Buddy Poppy Distribution Totals.

Distribution of poppies for the 2007 – 2008 year did not reach the goal of surpassing the previous year’s total by 504,500.  Veterans Day Total - $5,969,000, Memorial Day Total - $5,662,000  with a combined total of 11,631,000.

Texas led the nation with 810,000.  Twenty-five Departments met or surpassed their previous year’s total Buddy Poppy Distribution.  Contact information: tgniotczynski@vfw.org (816) 968-2727 

COMMUNITY SERVICE: 

Community Service Award

Fred C. Hall Memorial Post Special Project Award

Due Date - December 1:  A Post, District, or Department contest for a special project that can be recognized by submitting a record book to your Department Headquarters.  For more information, please refer to the 2008 – 2009 “It’s About Service” Chairman’s Guidebook – page 31.  A copy can be printed from www.vfwdepartmentresources.org or contact your Department

Headquarters.    Contact information:  nclifton@vfw.org (816) 968-1148 

CITIZENSHIP EDUCATION:  Celebration of 109 Years of Service.

          The VFW will celebrate 109 years of service and veteran’s service September 29, 2008.  Hundreds of Posts worldwide will be celebrating the momentous event with parades, open house and special community events.  Show your support by honoring all members and veterans in your community.  Celebrate the high moral purpose and idealism that motivated the establishment of VFW.  For copies of the “How To” guide visit www.vfwdepartmentresources.org.  Contact information: tbeauchamp@vfw.org (816) 756-3390 x 287.

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Post 6088 assists Willamston Guard Unit

Saturday, July 5, 2008 at 08:17 PM

by District 2

 

Cookout For A Co. 252nd Armored Reg.,30th Infantry Brigade

Thursday, July 3, 2008 at 05:01 PM

by post6088

 Date:21 June 08 Place: Williamston National Guard Armory, Williamston, NC Name of Unit : A Company ,252nd Armored Regiment, 30th Infantry Brigade (Heavy), Williamston,NC . CO : Capt. Richard C. Smith , 1stSgt. Michael Hartley , Company Strength : 125 . Deployment : Company Advance Party :November , 2008 , Main Company : April , 2009. (This units deployment time has been moved back since last notification.) The Unit and their famlies and honored guests was provided with a Pig Pickin'  and BBQ'ed Chicken plates with all the trimmins' imagineable . It was cooked and prepared on the Armory grounds as well as a homemade dessert table fit for a king. Horse and pony rides were provided for the children in attendance. The cookout was an all day affair that began at 7:00 AM and lasted well past 7:00 PM. The cookout was provided successfully and smoothly coordinated by the joint efforts of the local AMVETS and AMVETS Auxillary, American Legion, VFW Post 6088 , Washington, NC and VFW Post 4023, Plymouth, NC . The men and familes of Co.A were overwhelmed by the support, generosity and appreciation shown by all attending the cookout. Co. A wishes to convey their most heartfelt appreciation to all involved in the cookout. To Co. A we keep you in our hearts and prayers that you all will be out of harms way and wish you all a speedy and safe return God Bless you all and God Bless America. 

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Local Hero Laid to Rest.

Sunday, June 29, 2008 at 04:19 PM

by District 2

 

Beaufort County Solider killed in Iraq

 

Monday, June 30, 2008 at 05:30 PM

by post6088

Army SPC Joel Allen Taylor

Army SPC Joel Allen Taylor, age 20, was killed in combat as a result of a roadside explosive in Iraq Tuesday, June 24, 2008.
Funeral services will be held 3:00 PM Thursday July 3, 2008 at First Church of Christ Life Center, 520 East 10th Street, Washington, conducted by Tad Tankard and Rupert Wallace. Burial with full military honors will follow at the Harris-Taylor Family Cemetery, near his home on Highway 32 North, Pinetown. Members of the Washington Fire Department will serve as honorary pallbearers.
SPC Taylor was born in Pitt County on December 24, 1987. He was the son of Scottie Allen Taylor and Caren Wallace Newman. SPC Taylor was a 2006 graduate of Northside High School. He was in the JROTC program and on the Drill Team, receiving the Recruiters Exceptional Leadership award. He was a member of the Northside Cross Country and Track team and enjoyed playing soccer. He also was involved with Battle of the Arts and other plays at Northside. He was an active member of Harvest Church in Washington. SPC Taylor joined the Army on June 22, 2006 where he was assigned to the 1st Squadron, 3rd Armored Calvary Regiment at Fort Hood, Texas. This was Taylor’s first deployment to Iraq.
Survivors include his father, Scottie Taylor and wife, Teresa and sister Amber of Pinetown; his mother, Caren Newman and husband, Tom of Washington; his fiancé, Hope Bohrer of Bath; his brother, John Scott Taylor and his fiancé, Melanie Butts of Ft. Bragg; his maternal grandparents, Donald and Annie Belle Wallace of Washington; his paternal grandparents, John and Faye Taylor of Birmingham, Alabama. He is also survived by three step-brothers: Michael, Jonathan and Christopher Newman.
The family will receive friends from 6:00-9:00 PM Wednesday July 2, 2008 at First Church of Christ Life Center, 520 East 10th Street, Washington and other times at the home of his parents, Scottie and Teresa Taylor, 16135 N.C. Hwy 32 North, Pinetown and Caren and Tom Newman, 557 Mill Hole Road, Washington.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to: Wounded Warriors Project, 7020 A.C. Skinner Pkwy. Suite 100, Jacksonville, FL 32256. The mission of the Wounded Warriors Project organization is to provide support to the families of those who have been wounded, injured or killed during combat operations.
You may view SPC Taylor’s video tribute or sign his guest book by visiting www.paulfuneralhome.com

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