Commander-In-Chief Independence Day Message
Friday, July 4, 2008 at 08:04 AM
by post9281
As we celebrate the 232nd anniversary of our nation's independence, let us pause to remember the victories in battle and the blood that was shed to preserve our freedoms. Let us give thanks to our forefathers for their vision of liberty, life and the pursuit of happiness. Most importantly, let us pay tribute to our nation's greatest assets: our servicemen and servicewomen in uniform who so proudly serve our nation in peace and defend our freedoms in war. We salute you for your dedication to duty and service to country. Thank you from the 2.4 million members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and its Auxiliaries.
God bless America.
George Lisicki
VFW Commander-in-Chief
0 Comments | Post Comment | Email This
President Signs New GI Bill Into Law
Tuesday, July 1, 2008 at 02:07 PM
by post9281
KANSAS CITY, Mo., June 30, 2008 – President Bush’s signature today on a new GI Bill for the 21st Century is being hailed by the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S. as a tremendous victory for a new generation of military servicemen and women who have been at war for almost seven years.
"This is a tremendous victory for America's veterans, military and their families," exclaimed VFW national commander George Lisicki, a Vietnam combat veteran from Carteret, N.J.
"I salute Sen. Jim Webb (D-Va.) for his determination to get this bill passed, the president for his strong support of our military, and the entire VFW membership for their untiring effort to get their congressional delegations to cosponsor S. 22 or its companion bill in the House, H.R. 5740.”
The new 21st Century GI Bill will pay the highest in-state public tuition rate, and provide for books, fees, and a living stipend. It eliminates the $1,200 enrollment fee, extends the use-or-lose benefit requirement from 10 to 15 years, and greatly enhances the amount paid to Guard and Reserve members. The new GI Bill automatically adjusts itself as tuitions increase, and provides a dollar-for-dollar tuition match for private colleges and universities who choose to participate in the program. A new provision added to the bill also allows reenlisting servicemembers to transfer their educational benefit to their spouse and/or children.
Read more
0 Comments | Post Comment | Email This
VFW Says 'Thank You!' for New GI Bill
Thursday, June 26, 2008 at 01:39 PM
by post9281
WASHINGTON, June 26, 2008 – The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S. is saluting Congress for the overwhelming passage of a new GI Bill for the 21st Century. The bill, S. 22, the "Post 9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act," was attached to the war funding supplemental that the House passed June 19 and the Senate is predicted to approve this evening. President Bush is expected to quickly sign it into law.
"This is a tremendous victory for America's veterans, military, and their families," exclaimed VFW national commander George Lisicki, a Vietnam combat veteran from Carteret, N.J., "and we have Sen. Jim Webb of Virginia to thank for his rock-steady determination to get this bill passed."
S. 22 captured the VFW's immediate attention when Webb introduced it on his first day in office, Jan. 4, 2007. His bill – which increases college assistance for veterans – was overshadowed last year by increased calls to end the war in Iraq and the administration's sudden announcement to surge 30,000 additional troops into Iraq. But Webb, the former Secretary of the Navy under the Reagan Administration and a Marine Corps infantry officer who received the Navy Cross for heroism during the Vietnam War, pressed on, fortified by the challenge to get his bill heard.
He worked for more than a year to build a coalition of allies, not only within his own Democratic Party, but from across the aisle and within the House. These allies include 57 other Senate cosponsors, to include five fellow GI Bill beneficiaries: Vietnam veteran Chuck Hagel (R-NE), World War II and Korean War veteran John Warner (R-VA), and World War II veterans Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ), Daniel Akaka (D-HI) and Daniel Inouye (D-HI).
S. 22's companion bill in the House, H.R. 5740, was introduced by Harry Mitchell (D-AZ) and Ginny Brown-Waite (R-FL), and it garnered 302 bipartisan cosponsors, to include Korean War veteran Charles Rangel (D-NY) and Sam Johnson (R-TX), a veteran of both the Korean and Vietnam Wars, who was held as a prisoner of war in North Vietnam for nearly seven years.
Read more
0 Comments | Post Comment | Email This
New Post 9281 Officers for 2008/2009
Sunday, June 22, 2008 at 04:44 PM
by post9281
***Our Newly Sworn Officers For The 2008/2009 Year:
Commander: Jesse Grant
Senior Vice Commander: Marvin Cable
Junior Vice Commander: James "Bill" Whitt
Quarter Master: Wayne Keener
Judge Advocate: Robert "Bob" Ebert
Chaplain: Robert "Bob" Larsen
Sergeon: Dockie Brendle
3 Year Trustee: Eric Vaughn
2 Year Trustee: Larry Becker
1 Year Trustee: William "Bill" Hintz
Congratulations to our new officers and appointees. Their selfless duty should stand as an inspiration to us all. They DESERVE our respect and support.
0 Comments | Post Comment | Email This
Post And Auxiliary Information
Sunday, June 22, 2008 at 04:43 PM
by post9281
*Bingo!! Every Saturday night- 5:00pm early bird, 7:30-10:30pm regular bingo. Upstairs smoking, downstairs non-smoking, Snackbar/kitchen downstairs. Everyone is invited to attend.
*Volunteers Are Desperately Needed!! Please, PLEASE contact Commander Grant about helping with bingo. I know we have a lot of active members but only a handful are willing to volunteer and that's a shame. It's about 2 hours on a Saturday night and if enough of the men and women are willing to help it would be only one Sat. night out of each month, most times only 5 times per person, per year. Anyone who can please, contact Ladies Auxiliary Vice President Dianne Ellis at 479-2568 or Commander Grant at 488-8982 so that a schedule of times and dates can be made up. You will never know how much your generosity means to the post and community. Please call and help.
**We wish everyone a safe and joyous 2008!!
Upcoming Meetings!!
*June 17th
*July 15th
*August 19th
*September 16th
*October 21st
*November 18th
*December 16th
Our post meetings are held on the third Tuesday of each month opening at 6:30pm with a pot-luck dinner followed by our regular meeting opening at 7:30pm. We encourage every member to attend and bring or invite a veteran (in person or by phone) that might need assistance or is interested in joining our post.
Dec. 2007: Congratulations to our Commander, Jesse Grant, for being appointed to a second term as Aide- de- Camp to VFW Commander - in - Chief George Lisicki. The appointment came on the recommendation of the North Carolina Department Commander for Grant's "outstanding service to Posts and/or Department above and beyond the call of duty." A letter from National Adjutant General Allen (Gunner) Kent at VFW National Headquarters in Kansas City, MO. informed Commander Grant of the appointment. We should all be very proud of our Commander and offer him our support, help and congratulations.
**At our April District meeting, held at our post, Commander Grant was sworn in as District Sr. Vice Commander. We owe so much to Commander Grant for all of the things that he does for our post home and for his Comrades and sisters in the VFW. Please, take time to tell him "thank you" and congratulations on his new office.
"All VFW members and veterans are encouraged to participate in as many events as they can. "We honor the dead by helping the living". Still Serving, Jesse M. Grant, Commander
** May 20th: At our regular meeting our District Commander, Jerry Warren, swore in our posts new officers for the 2008-2009 year. We were honored to have him as our guest and this was his last "official" duty for our post as District Commander, though as a Past District Commander he will still be able to perform certain duties for us in his capacity. As soon as I have a complete list of all of our new officers, I will certainly post them here. All new offices will go into effect on June 16th, when the new State Commander is sworn in at our State Convention.
**A special thank you and congratulations to Comrade Jason Pummer for his appointment as Bingo Chairman. His selfless service should stand as an inspiration to us all.
**Thank you to all of the Ladie's Auxiliary members who help every weekend at Bingo.
**Thank you to all the volunteers who help at Bingo. Without them we wouldn't have the things we have, be able to do the things we do and we wouldn't be able to help those who need us. It seems most times we have volunteers who aren't even affiliated with the post.
**Thank you to Sr. Vice Commander Marvin Cable for our Quarterly Newsletter. He does everything but the printing and he makes sure that gets done and he gets them mailed out. We are fortunate and honored to have him with us and for taking on that duty. If you have any bits of news or information you'd like to have put in the newsletter or if you aren't getting the newsletter and would like too, just let Sr. Vice Commander Cable or Commander Grant know.
**Take time or make time to visit our nursing homes and hospitals. It's a great feeling to just pop in and visit awhile. You may well be the only visitor to someone. And please, if you will, take a few moments to call a veteran, or a widow, widower or kin of a brother/sister veteran. The voice they hear may be a light to their soul, and it will let them know that we are always here for them and they are surely not forgotten.
**Let's each keep VFW membership in mind and at hand. VFW is here for veterans and family's thereof. We make the un-obtainable, obtainable.
** If there is any item you would like to see here, remember it or write it down and get it to me, Comrade Vaughn and I'll see about getting it here. You're comments are most welcome.
"Pro Deo, Pro Patri!"
0 Comments | Post Comment | Email This
VFW NEWS AND VIEWS/Sr. Vice Commander Marvin Cable, Editor /SPRING 2008
Sunday, June 22, 2008 at 04:41 PM
by post9281
ACCOMPLISHMENTS:
Last year Post 9281 was awarded The National Outstanding Community Service Post Award. This prestigious award was presented to our post. It is a result of the activities that were reported to VFW headquarters.
When you participate in reportable activities and events, please notify Commander Grant of the amount of time and money you donate. Reportable items include, but not limited to the following:
Display of the U.S. Flag at your residence; The wearing of red on Fridays in rememberance of our comrades in harm's way; Purchace of flag stamps for mailings; Phone calls made to the sick and home bound; Visits to hospitals and nursing homes of both veterans and non-veterans; Transporting patients to hospitals and doctor visits; Singing in church choirs and teaching Sunday School; Participation in fund raisers and benefit functions for non-profit events; Volunteer for fire department, rescue squad, etc.; Aid provided to the needy; Speaking engagements.
Almost anything you do for others that is not for compensation is reportable as Community Service, Americanism, Cancer Aid, Safety, or Youth Activity. Keep your Commander informed so your actions count.
Congratulations To Comrade Commander Jesse Grant
He has been re-appointed to another term as Aid-de Camp to VFW National Commander- In-Chief George Lisicki. National Adjutant General Allen Kent notified Commander Grant of this honor. The appointment is a result of Comrade Grant's outstanding service to Post 9281 and Department 34. Thank you Comrade Grant for your continuous work and dedication "Above and Beyond the Call of Duty".
Upcoming meetings of Post 9281. Mark your calender now.
April 15th is election of officers for 2008. May 20th is instillation of our new officers. Meetings begin at 1930 with a pre meeting, pot luck dinner at 1830. Every member is encouraged to attend. Your participation is important in order to "Honor The dead By Serving The Living". Your post home is located beside the Drivers Licence Examiners Office on Hwy. 19 North of Bryson City. Post phone number: 828-488-3547.
District 17 Meeting April 27
The district meeting is to be held in Bryson City at Post 9281. Lunch will be served at 1300 and the meeting will begin at 1400. This is a very important meeting as it is the election of district officers for 2008- 2009 term. All members are encouraged to attend. We also need help setting up the post home for the meeting and serving the luncheon. Please come out and lend your comrades a hand.
Will Post 9281 achieve "All American Post" status in 2008?
It can happen...! It's up to you. Yes, that's right, it's up to you. There is only one obsticle to overcome in reaching our goal this year. We must achieve 125% membership by June. If you haven't paid your dues this year, don't delay, send them in now! Do you know someone who is a war veteran? Do them a favor, and sign them up as a member. Remember, the post pays the first year dues for all new members. Spring is here. Before we know it we will be celebrating Independance Day. To achieve All American Post we must get our memberships in before June 31st.
Jackson County has new Veteran's Service Officer
Brenda J. DuBose is the new VSO for Jackson County following the retirement of Russ Bower. Mrs. DuBose served 20 years in the US Air Force performing numerous administrative duties during her career. She is a highly qualified VSO with 9 years previous experience as the VSO for Wayne County. She was awarded the 2006, American Legion Servicer of the year, in North Carolina. Brenda says she truly enjoys her job and loves helping veterans with their VA related issues. She is the wife of Jim DuBose. Jim is the Macon County VSO with 7 years experience. Brenda and Jim welcome all veterans to their offices, regardless of where you live. Their desire is to help all veterans.
Post 9281 Honor Guard provided graveside services for these recently fallen Comrades:
Harold J. Orr served with the 15th Air Force in Naples-Foggia, Rome. Comrade Orr was awarded two campaign medals and the Victory Medal.
Carl Cline served 23 years in the US Army Artillery in Alaska and Hawaii. Master Sergeant Cline was Honor Guard Commander in Hawaii for many years.
Post 9281 Honor Guard
We are fortunate to have 17 members of Post 9281 volunteer their time for Honor Guard Details. They provide military funeral services to fallen comrades in our community. They also provide Color Guard and Honor Guard services for parades and other patriotic events.
North Carolina state law seals DD-214's
The North Carolina legislature passed a law restricting access to veterans DD-214's to the veteran himself. Anyone else desiring these records must have a properly noterized autherization to obtain them. Records older than 50 years are exempt. Veterans, or next of kin of deceased veterans, may now get these records directly from the US government. See the article below.
DD-214's now available online
The National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) has provided the following website for veterans to gain access to their DD-214's online: http://vetrecs.archives.gov/ . This may be particularly helpful when a veteran needs a copy of his DD-214 for employment purposes. NPRC is working to make it easier for veterans with computers and internet access to obtain copies of documents from their military files. Military veterans and the next of kin of deceased former military members may now use a new online military personnel records system to request documents. Other individuals with a need for documents must still complete the Standard Form 180, which can be downloaded from the online web site. Because the requester will be asked to supply all information essential for NPRC to process the request, delays that normally occur when NPRC has to ask veterans for additional information will be minimized. The new web- based application was designed to provide better service on these requests by eliminatingthe records centers mailroom and processing time. Please pass this information on to former military personnel you may know and their dependants..or to those needing assistance in providing eligibility for membership in the VFW or it's Ladie's or Men's Auxiliaries.
0 Comments | Post Comment | Email This
Last Page | Home | Next Page
You are invited to join the conversations in
the:
|
Content found on this site, unless otherwise noted, is provided for informational and discussion purposes only and does not necessarily represent the views and opinions of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, its Departments or Posts.
|
VFW NC Post 9281 is proudly produced by Policlicks 2008
