Veterans of Foreign Wars Department New Hampshire http://www.vfwwebcom.org/nh/dist7/ en-us Sun, 22 Nov 2009 11:51:37 -0500 Policlicks LLC The Home Depot has once again revised their grant program which is now entitled “Building Healthy Community Grants.“ VFW Posts are eligible to apply for up to $2,500 in Home Depot gift cards to be used for remodeling activities to their Post building. Visit Department of Wisconsin to learn more. http://www.vfwwebcom.org/nh/dist7/31873/ Tue, 10 Nov 2009 09:32:00 -0500 http://www.vfwwebcom.org/nh/dist7/31873/ Recommended Mailing Dates to APO/FPO Addresses WASHINGTON — For military service members stationed around the globe, holiday gifts are a big morale boost. To help the families and friends of U.S. military personnel, the Postal Service offers a discount on its largest Priority Mail Flat Rate box. The recommended mailing date for the most economical postage to overseas military installations, including Iraq and Afghanistan, is Nov. 13. Mail sent to overseas military addresses is charged only domestic mail prices. The domestic mail price for the Priority Mail Large Flat Rate Box is $13.95, but for packages to APO/FPO addresses overseas the price is reduced to $11.95. Additional discounts are available for customers printing their Priority Mail postage labels online at Click-N-Ship. Flat-Rate boxes are free at any Post Office, or can be ordered online at shop.usps.com. Postage, labels and customs forms can be printed online any time using Click-N-Ship. The Postal Service continues to show support to those serving in the armed forces by offering free Military Care Kits, designed specifically for military families sending packages overseas. The mailing kits can be ordered by phone by calling 1-800-610-8734 and asking for the Care Kit. Each kit includes two “America Supports You” large Priority Mail Flat-Rate boxes, four medium-sized Priority Mail Flat-Rate boxes, six Priority Mail labels, one roll of Priority Mail tape and six customs forms with envelopes. For online ordering of the Large Priority Mail APO/FPO Flat Rate boxes featuring the “America Supports You” logo and APO/FPO addressing block, Click here. More information about mailing letters and packages to military destinations is available online at Supporting Our Troops. “Mailing holiday gifts to service members early will help insure that a piece of home arrives in plenty of time to make the celebration complete," said Pranab Shah, vice president and managing director, Global Business. To ensure delivery of holiday cards and packages by Dec. 25 to military APO/FPO addresses overseas, the Postal Service recommends that mail for service members be entered no later than the mailing dates listed below. Mail addressed to military post offices overseas is subject to certain conditions or restrictions regarding content, preparation and handling. APO/FPO addresses generally require customs forms. To see an online table of updated APO and FPO addresses and mailing restrictions by individual APO/FPO ZIP Codes, Click here, select “Pull-Out Information” and click on “Overseas Military/Diplomatic Mail.” MILITARY MAILING DEADLINES Military Mail Addressed To Express Mail® Military Service (EMMS)1/ First-Class Mail® Letters and Cards Priority Mail® Parcel Airlift Mail (PAL) 2/ Space Available Mail (SAM)3/ Parcel Post® APO/FPO AE ZIPs 090-092 Dec-18 Dec-11 Dec-11 Dec-4 Nov-28 Nov-13 APO/FPO AE ZIP 093 N/A Dec-4 Dec-4 Dec-1 Nov-21 Nov-13 APO/FPO AE ZIPs 094-098 Dec-18 Dec-11 Dec-11 Dec-4 Nov-28 Nov-13 APO/FPO AA ZIP 340 Dec-18 Dec-11 Dec-11 Dec-4 Nov-28 Nov-13 APO/FPO AP ZIPs 962-966 Dec-18 Dec-11 Dec-11 Dec-4 Nov-28 Nov-13 http://www.vfwwebcom.org/nh/dist7/31677/ Tue, 3 Nov 2009 08:47:00 -0500 http://www.vfwwebcom.org/nh/dist7/31677/ DEPARTMENT OF NEW HAMPSHIRE VETERANS OF FOREIGN General Orders 4  October 2009 General Orders are to be read at each Post Meeting and placed on file    1) COUNCIL OF ADMINISTRATION MEETING:  The next Council of Administration Meeting will be held on Saturday, October 17, 2009 at the Marriott Court Yard, Nashua, N.H. beginning at 10:00 AM.  All members are welcome to attend.  Finance and Veterans Service Committee meetings at 9:00 AM.   2) STATE COMMANDER / PRESIDENT’S TESTIMONIAL:  We will be honoring our State Commander and President on October 17, 2009 with a gala event at the Marriott Court Yard in Nashua, NH.  If you would like to show your appreciation for our Commander and Presidents leadership, you may send your donations for Sue Clement to Donna Fischer, 4 Warton Road, Nashua, NH 03062 and for Ron Miller send to Dave Ouellette, 17 Pinewood Drive, Pelham, NH 03076.     3) TESTIMONIAL BANQUET:  Commander-in-Chief Tommy Tradewell has assigned past Commander-in-Chief Ed Banas as the National Representative for the joint Commander/President Testimonial, October 17, 2009. To order banquet tickets please send a check for $35.00 per person to Russ Gora, Quartermaster, Post 5791, 15 Bockes Rd., Hudson, NH 03051   4) MAKE A DIFFERENCE DAY: Sunday October 19, 2009 is “Make a Difference Day”, Posts and Ladies Auxiliaries should promote a family volunteer type activity, an activity that addresses the needs of their communities.   5.)  LIFE MEMBERSHIP:  The Board of Trustees of the Life Membership Fund are pleased to announce Life Member dues payments for all Life Member plans effective with the 2009 dues year for Posts were issued on or about September 15, 2009, for all Life Members recorded by Aug. 31, 2009.   6.)  LIFE MEMBERSHIP FORMS:  Forms used for life membership are in the Post Quartermaster Direct Dues Manual.  These forms are the Life Membership Transmittal (Form LMT) and the National Life Membership Installment Payment Plan (Form LMI-101).  Use the Member Change Request (Form MCR) to report a life member transfer, request a replacement life member card, or to report the death of a life member.   7.) QUARTERMASTER'S BONDS:  Post Commanders shall see that the office of the Post Quartermaster is bonded in accordance with Section 703, National Constitution and By-Laws and Manual of Procedure. He or she shall also see that the Trustees Report of Audits are properly prepared and submitted each quarter as required by the National Constitution and By-Laws.   8.)   REQUEST FOR STATE OFFICERS:  Invitations to State Officers must be forwarded through channels to State Adjutant Dana Hussey.  For the record, verbal invitations extended to State Officers must also be backed up by a written request.  Unless formally requested through channels, invitations will not be considered.  As a matter of courtesy, please give the State Headquarters a minimum of two weeks to make the requested assignments.    9.) ATTENTION DEPUTY INSPECTORS:  The job of the Deputy Inspector is very important. To perform it properly, you must know the VFW rules and regulations, be familiar with the VFW programs, understand the accounting and reporting procedures; and have the time and dedication to do the job right. PLAN YOUR INSPECTIONS, and notify the Post Commander, Adjutant, and Quartermaster in advance of your inspection. Prepare a schedule and give each Post ample warning as to when you will be present so that the specified Post books and records will be available.  “Please make it your ‘Goal’ to be 100% inspected by December 2009.”             10.)   VOICE OF DEMOCRACY THEME: The 2009-2010 theme for the Voice of Democracy program has been selected by Commander-in-Chief Tommy Tradewell. The theme is: "Does America still have Heroes?...." Note: Remember, the deadline for receipt by Posts from contestants is November 1, 2009.   11.)  PATRIOTS PEN THEME: The 2009-2010 theme for the Patriots Pen Program has been selected by  Commander-in-Chief Tommy Tradewell.  The theme is:  “When Is The Right Time To Honor Our Military Heroes?” Note:  Remember, the deadline for receipt by Posts from contestants is November 1, 2009.   12.)  VETERANS DAY: Posts are urged to start planning suitable programs now for the observance of Veterans Day, November 11, 2009 (See Section 223, Manual of Procedure). Order your Buddy Poppies for Veterans Day now, $110.00 per thousand. It is the DAV’s turn this year to do the program at the Veterans Cemetery on Veterans Day and Memorial Day.   13.) PROGRAM REPORTING:  All Program reports need to be reported directly to the State Adjutant.  Dana Hussey, PO Box 6025, Rochester, NH 03868-6025.     14.) ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES:  The presence, dispensation and/or consumption of alcoholic  beverages in the meeting rooms during Post, District and Department meetings is completely unacceptable and any such practice known to exist shall be terminated.   15.) POST RESERVE: Attention is directed to Section 218, Manuel of Procedure, which mandates Post Quartermasters to maintain a dues reserve fund to which shall be credited not less than one-half of the Post’s part of the current year’s (2009) dues paid by each member prior to July 1, 2008, except dues remitted by the Post. No Post Quartermaster shall disburse nor shall an obligation be incurred against this fund until after July 1, 2009, at which time it shall be transferred to the Post’s general fund and be available for expenditure.   16.) EASTERN CONFERENCE:  The Eastern States Conference will be November 13-15, 2009 at the Clarion Resort Fontainebleau Hotel in Ocean City, Maryland. Room rate is $90.00 plus 10.5% tax for a single or double. To make a reservation call 443-856-4557 or toll free at 800-638-2100 and say you are with the VFW. Banquets are $45.00 per person, send your check to State Quartermaster Bill Champagne, PO Box 1440, Concord, NH 03302. Menu choice is Ham or Chicken, each comes with a 3oz. Maryland crab cake. When placing your order please specify Ham or Chicken.    17.) DISTRICT MEETING ASSIGNMENTS:                OCTOBER: 04:  District #3   Union            1:00 pm             State Sr. Vice Commander, Dave Ouellette 18:  District #5   Fitzwilliam   10:00 am            State Jr. Vice Commander, Paul Lloyd 25:  District #1   Lancaster       10:00 am           State Jr. Vice Commander, Paul Lloyd 25:  District #7   Raymond       10:00 am                 18.) TEACHER OF THE YEAR:  Judging should start by November 2nd and winners should be forwarded to the District Chairperson by November 15th, 2009. District winners must be forwarded to Department Chairman, Bruce Carbone by December 15th, 2009. Department winners will be forwarded to National Headquarters by January 15th, 2010. Nominees will be from the following grade levels:  K- 5,  6-8, and 9-12. Let’s recognize our teachers for promoting Citizenship Programs throughout their respective grade levels.  Send entrys to: Bruce Carbone, Chairman, NHVFW Americanism, 27B So Winchester St. Swanzey, NH  03446.   19.) VETERANS HOME REQUEST:    Comrades;   The New Hampshire Veterans Home is looking for donations of individually wrapped candies.  (ie.  three musketeers, snickers, milky way.  etc.)  This candy would be for the residents to give to the children who trick or treat at the home every year.  According to the volunteer staff, there are usually about a hundred kids or more.  If you want to help in this project, bring the bags of candy to the CofA on the 17th of October or give them to a council member or person who you know is going to attend.  I will then take them to the volunteer meeting on the 26th of October and give them to the home.  I know this is short notice, but it is a worthy cause to help out our fellow veterans at the home.  Any questions please feel free to call me at 335-1658 or 534-3073.  Thank you, John J Calo, PDC     20.) DEADLINE:  The deadline for information going into the General Orders is the 20th of each month.  Send all requests to State Adjutant - Dana Hussey, PO Box 6025, Rochester, NH 03868-6025. Adjutant contact info is: Phone: 603-335-5923, Fax: 603-335-5936 and Cell: 603-557-6452.                                                                                                                        Dana E. Hussey                                                                           Roland E. Miller State Adjutant                                                                           State Commander     Bring “EM” All Home   http://www.vfwwebcom.org/nh/dist7/31163/ Wed, 31 Dec 1969 07:00:00 -0500 http://www.vfwwebcom.org/nh/dist7/31163/ In This Issue: 1. Health Care Victory for Veterans 2. VFW Testifies on Bills 3. House VA Subcommittee Hearings   1. Health Care Victory for Veterans: Key House leaders have agreed to offer an amendment that will put to rest any concerns that VA health care will change under the nation health care reform debate.  VFW has been in talks with House VA Committee Chairman Bob Filner (D-CA) and Ranking Member Steve Buyer (R-IN) on this important issue.  The amendment being offered will ensure that veterans enrolled in VA are automatically deemed as having qualified health care coverage, and also allow veterans using VA health care to purchase other types of insurance through the health insurance exchanges.  VFW will continue to monitor health care reform legislation in the House and Senate. Read more Washington Weekly http://www.vfwwebcom.org/nh/dist7/30839/ Sat, 26 Sep 2009 07:12:00 -0400 http://www.vfwwebcom.org/nh/dist7/30839/ VFW Checkpoint Magazine - http://www.vfwwebcom.org/nh/dist7/30444/ Tue, 25 Aug 2009 08:58:00 -0400 http://www.vfwwebcom.org/nh/dist7/30444/ 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   1. VFW Protects Health Care Programs: VFW is working closely with House leadership to ensure national health care reform legislation does not change the way veterans, military retirees and their families receive their health care from the Department of Veterans Affairs or the military's TRICARE program.  Key VFW-supported amendments adopted by the House include: Exclude TRICARE from all reform movements; Exclude VA health care from all reform movement, and maintain the VA secretary's current authority to operate the organization as he deems appropriate. Give veterans using VA health care the option of purchasing additional insurance under the new national health care plan. This would expand, not restrict, health care coverage available to them and their families; VFW will continue to work closely with Congress to ensure that neither VA nor TRICARE are adversely affected under the national health care reform proposal.  We have also received assurances from the President that veterans and servicemembers will be safeguarded under any bill passed by Congress. Continue reading Washington Weekly http://www.vfwwebcom.org/nh/dist7/29933/ Mon, 10 Aug 2009 09:51:00 -0400 http://www.vfwwebcom.org/nh/dist7/29933/ WASHINGTON, August 4, 2009 - The national commander of the 2.1 million-member Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S. and its Auxiliaries called this week's implementation of the new Post-9/11 GI Bill a significant milestone for military servicemembers, their families and the entire country. "The original World War II GI Bill opened higher education to the masses and produced U.S. presidents, scientists, scholars, and captains of industry who were directly responsible for America's tremendous era of growth and prosperity in the second half of the 20th century," said Glen M. Gardner Jr., a Vietnam veteran from Round Rock, Texas. "The new 21st century GI Bill will provide today's warrior with that same access to a first class education, and it's all due to the leadership and determination of Sen. Jim Webb (D-Va.)," he said. "The VFW is proud to have been an early supporter of his landmark legislation through the advocacy work of our Washington Office on Capitol Hill and the grassroots efforts of our members in every congressional district. Education changes lives, which in turn strengthens families and our communities and nation. We are proud to have helped this bill become reality." Read more http://www.vfwwebcom.org/nh/dist7/29799/ Wed, 5 Aug 2009 10:32:00 -0400 http://www.vfwwebcom.org/nh/dist7/29799/ http://www.vfwwebcom.org/nh/dist7/29216/ Fri, 3 Jul 2009 02:10:00 -0400 http://www.vfwwebcom.org/nh/dist7/29216/ In This Issue: 1. House Committee Marks up Vet Bills 2. Healthcare Bill for Women Veterans Cleared 3. House VA Committee Hearings 4. Japan Apologizes to American POWs 5. McHugh Tapped for Army Secretary   1. House Committee Marks up Vet Bills: Several VFW-supported bills cleared their respective subcommittees this week.  All of the bills now move to the full committee for consideration. HR 952 would expand the meaning of combat with the enemy to mean active duty service in a combat theater during a time of war not just during actual combat. The bill aims to shorten the claims process for many veterans suffering from psychological injuries.  HR 2270 would establish a compensation fund for certain WWII veterans who were not eligible for readjustment benefits.  Those eligible would receive a monthly payment of $1000 HR 1037 would authorize $10 million annually to implement a five-year pilot program to expand work-study activities for veterans on campuses. HR 1098, The Veterans' Worker Retraining Act of 2009 would increase educational assistance for veterans pursuing internships or on-the-job training. It also increased the monthly training assistance for eligible veterans and their dependents under the Survivors and Dependents Educational Assistance program. HR 2180 would waive housing loan fees for veterans with service-connected disabilities called to active duty. HR 1821, The Equity for Injured Veterans Act of 2009 would extend VA's Vocational Rehabilitation program to 15 years following discharge or release from active duty. It also authorizes single parents participating in the program up to $2000 a month for child care services.  For more information on any of the bills cleared visit the House VA website at: http://veterans.house.gov/ OR type the bill # into the box at http://thomas.loc.gov/ Read more Washington Weekly http://www.vfwwebcom.org/nh/dist7/28512/ Sun, 7 Jun 2009 09:15:00 -0400 http://www.vfwwebcom.org/nh/dist7/28512/ In an open letter, VFW Commander-in-Chief Glen Gardner is urging his 1.6 million members to help OEF/OIF veterans cope with the stresses of war. Dear Comrades: There is an enemy in our midst that is having a devastating effect on our servicemen and women in the field and at home. That enemy is stress. Since 9/11, more military personnel and veterans have committed suicide than the total dead from both wars in Iraq and Afghanistan combined, and this tragedy is occurring despite the best of intentions and programs offered by the Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs. That is because the need has overwhelmed the capacity of government and civilian mental health centers. It's also because some people simply refuse to admit they need help. After incurring 11 suicides since the beginning of the year, the 101st Airborne Division commander at Fort Campbell, Ky., ordered a three-day standdown of activities this week so that his soldiers could refocus on the mission of healing themselves and each other. This is a very positive initiative, but more needs to be done to overcome the stigma that's unfortunately attached to seeking help, which Army Secretary Pete Geren called a significant challenge to the culture of the Army that places "a premium on strength: physically, mentally, emotionally." Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Adm. Mike Mullen even asked his military leaders to set an example for lower ranking personnel. "You can't expect a private or a specialist to be willing to seek counseling when his or her captain or colonel or general won't do it," he said. Since then, general officers as well as sergeant majors have admitted publicly to mental health counseling. And even though few of them would be seen manning remote outposts, and still fewer would be at risk of being separated from the military due to "preexisting personality disorders," their personal testimonials do help to lessen the stigma attached to seeking help. Continue reading http://www.vfwwebcom.org/nh/dist7/28375/ Sat, 30 May 2009 05:56:00 -0400 http://www.vfwwebcom.org/nh/dist7/28375/