VFW NC Post 4309 - Brevard

This is a photo of Lane and Judy Bagwell. Their son, Charlie Bagwell was KIA in Afghanistan this past summer (2007). She is a Gold Star Mother and received the Gold Star Flag plus a life membership in the Ladies Auxiliary. Lane is a Vietnam veteran. He received a bible from the Post encased in a beautifully handcrafted wooden box. It was dedicated in his son's name. 

Scholarships

The Junior Girls Scholarship is a national scholarship award program that awards a $10,000 First Place and a $5,000 Second Place Scholarship. It is available to girls ages 13 to 16 who have been active in the Junior Girls Unit of the Ladies Auxiliary VFW for one year and have held an office.

The Voice of Democracy Scholarship Program is a national program open to students in the 9^th through 12^th grades. They compete for $143,500 in national college scholarships including a $25,000 first prize.

The "Patriot’s Pen" is a nationally conducted youth essay competition. This competition awards in US Savings Bonds a national first place prize of a $10,000, 2^nd $7,000, 3^rd $5,500, 4^th $5,000, 5^th $4,000, 6^th $3,500, 7^th - 8^th $3,000, 9^th $2,500, 10^th $2,000 and 12^th – 19^th place $1,000 each. Patriot’s Pen is open to 6^th, 7^th and 8^th grade students.

The Young American Creative Patriotic Art Contest is a national scholarship program that will award a $10,000 first place, $5,000 second place, and $2,500 third place prize. Students in grades 9^th through 12^th are eligible to compete.

The Outstanding Young Volunteer of the Year Award is a national program available to 12 to 15 year olds. The National winner will receive a $5,000.00 U.S. Savings Bond.

The Erline Mayberry, Otis Brown, and Billy Ray Cameron Scholarships are Department of North Carolina scholarships offered by both the VFW and its Ladies Auxiliary. The Erline Mayberry Scholarship is a one time $1,000 scholarship whereas the Otis Brown and Billy Ray Cameron Scholarships are $1,000 a year for up to 4 years. Each of the scholarships require the student to be a graduating senior in high school, a child, stepchild or grandchild of a current VFW or Ladies Auxiliary member and is enrolling in a North Carolina junior or senior college.

There are two memorial scholarships offered exclusively by VFW Post 4309 each year – the George Wegner and Joe Fisher Memorial Scholarships. The requirement is that the student must be a Transylvania County graduating high school senior who is the child, step-child or grandchild of either a living or deceased member of the VFW and intends to attend college in North Carolina. The amount of each scholarship will be announced at a later date.

$1,000 Auxiliary Scholarship from National.: Offered to spouse, daughter, son and member but member had to be a member one year prior to application. Used for continuing education, college degree or technical school.

Frequently Asked Questions About the VFW

The Veterans of Foreign Wars National Website (www.vfw.org) has a new feature which can answer your questions about the VFW.

The VFW's new Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) section can answer many of the most common questions anyone might have about the organization.

Have a question about:

• Eligibility?
• Cost of Lifetime Membership?
• Flag etiquette?
• Appropriate time to wear your VFW cap?

Get the answers to these and nearly 400 other common questions here.

In This Issue:
1. VA Funding Increased in CR
2. VFW Testifies on GI Bill Implementation
3. Senate VA Committee Examines VA/DOD IT Progress
4. FY2009 NDAA Update
5. Code Talkers Recognition Act

1. VA Funding Increased in CR: Both the House and Senate have cleared a comprehensive spending measure to fund most government programs at fiscal 2008 levels. The Continuing Resolution includes the FY2009 Military Construction/VA Appropriation (HR 6599) to fund VA at $4.5 billion above last year; the appropriation meets Independent Budget recommendations for healthcare. This is a victory for veterans and for the VFW. The President is expected to sign the bill this week. Some of the highlights include:

• $3.8 billion for mental healthcare and $584 million for substance abuse programs;
• $250 million to improve access for veterans in rural areas;
• $510 million for medical and prosthetic research;
• $130 million for homeless grants and per diem program
For complete coverage of the bill visit the House Appropriations website at:
http://appropriations.house.gov/pdf/MCFY09CONFSummary09-22-08.pdf