VFW WI Post 9202

Officer Training (OTI) Set For Wisconsin Rapids July 25th. Register Now!

Posted at 08:30 AM on Saturday, July 4, 2009 by Darrell

The VFW Department of Wisconsin annual Officers Training Institute is scheduled for Saturday, July 25th at the Mead Inn at Wisconsin Rapids.

All Post Commanders, Quartermasters and Veterans Service Officers are advised to attend. Training in these areas is part of the requirements for All State Honors in the 2009/2010 Program year.

The registration form available from the link, below, may be completed and saved. The form has a "typewriter" function that allows you to enter the appropriate information. The information you enter will be saved with the document, unlike most PDF forms.

Please complete one form for each registrant, and send the forms along with the $10/per person registration fee to the address indicated.

Click on the icon to open the actual form =========>

  

  

  

  

  

Taking Pride in the Nation

Posted at 01:16 PM on Friday, July 3, 2009 by Darrell

by Glen Gardner, VFW National Commander

Patriotism is in the air especially this time of year, and we should embrace all it stands for. Those who guarantee our freedoms must not be forgotten.

June and July contain two very important holidays—Flag Day and Independence Day. Both symbolize what it means to be an American. As veterans, these special days may have added meaning. Actually fighting for the values the flag represents and the liberty we celebrate on July 4th has a way of leaving lifelong impressions.

While the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have largely receded from the collective public mind, military families and those of us concerned for their welfare still pay close attention. Proudly flying the flag, reciting the Pledge of Allegiance, singing along with the national anthem and revering the Founding Fathers are traditions worth maintaining, particularly to this segment of the population.

Other than voting, a USA Today/Gallup Poll last year found that 87% of Americans see serving in the military as the most patriotic act. Obviously, to these Americans, patriotism is not an abstract virtue. It means demonstrating it in a tangible way. Patriotism without sacrifice is hollow, no matter how one defines it.

At the core of this creed is a cause greater than self-interest, something bigger than one's self. Today, only a tiny minority of Americans bear the burden of defending the frontlines against enemies who would destroy everything the nation represents. And GIs have paid a steep price in loss of life, physical and psychological wounds, disrupted family lives and postponement of personal aspirations.

As VFW members, we owe it to them to not allow their immense sacrifices to be forgotten in the rush of backyard barbecues and fireworks displays. Respecting the symbols of our country is essential. But remembering those who have preserved the values they represent is equally, if not more, important.

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VA News - Week of June 29, 2009

Posted at 01:10 PM on Friday, July 3, 2009 by Darrell

VFW Washington Weekly - June 29, 2009

Posted at 08:26 AM on Tuesday, June 30, 2009 by Darrell

In This Issue:

1. GI Bill Hearing

2. GI Bill Transferability Rules

3. House Passes Defense Bill

4. Congress on Recess

 

1. GI Bill Hearing: The House Veterans Affairs Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity held another hearing on VA's implementation plans for the Post 9/11 GI Bill. The GI bill benefit is scheduled to be fully implemented on Aug. 1, 2009. The application process to determine eligibility opened on May 1. VA has reported over 100,000 applications filed for the education benefit.  Keith Wilson, Director of VA's Education Services, testified that VA has a two-part IT strategy that relies on short- and long-term goals for processing the claims. He updated committee members on VA's partnership with the Navy's SPAWAR Systems Center, which is contracted to design, develop, and deploy an end-to-end solution that utilizes rules-based, industry-standard technologies. VA is currently working with SPAWAR on the long-term IT solution, and expects the program to be completed no later than December 2010. For more on the hearing, visit the House VA website at: http://veterans.house.gov/.

Read more Washington Weekly

VFW National Commander Visits Iraq

Posted at 10:40 AM on Thursday, June 25, 2009 by Darrell

WASHINGTON, June 25, 2009 — The national commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S. returned home after spending almost four days visiting American troops stationed in Iraq. His overall assessment: "This war is nearing its end, which has our troops pumped with anticipation and the Iraqi people increasingly hopeful for their future."

Glen M. Gardner Jr., a Vietnam veteran from Round Rock, Texas, entered Iraq on Sunday with the leaders of four other veterans' service organizations for a first-hand view of the progress that has occurred in Iraq. He is the fourth consecutive VFW national commander to visit Iraq.

"Iraq is a different country today because of the tremendous effort of our military to make the surge work," he said. "The assessment that everything is on target for the upcoming handover of the cities was made by everyone I met, from Multi-National Force-Iraq Commanding Gen. Raymond T. Odierno to his officers and enlisted soldiers, all of whom have served multiple tours in-country."

Gardner's trip comes a full year after the conclusion of a three-prong surge strategy that focused on security, the economy and political reconciliation. He said the changes on the ground were most noticeable in the eyes of six amputee veterans who returned to Iraq for the first time since being wounded. Their trip was sponsored by the Troops First Foundation, which has a program that allows wounded troops to return to where they were stationed to help close the loop on their wartime service. Gardner called the program "a great initiative, because departing a warzone strapped to a stretcher is not the last memory anyone should have to carry for a lifetime."

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VA News - Week of June 22, 2009

Posted at 10:31 AM on Thursday, June 25, 2009 by Darrell

VA Reopening Health Care Enrollment to Thousands of Veterans

Posted at 09:54 AM on Friday, June 19, 2009 by Darrell

WASHINGTON (June 19, 2009) - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), which now has nearly 8 million Veterans enrolled in its award-winning health care system, is poised to welcome nearly 266,000 more Veterans into its medical centers and clinics across the country by expanding access to health care enrollment for certain Veterans who had been excluded due to their income.

"This incremental approach to expanding enrollment ensures that access to VA health care for a greater number of beneficiaries does not sacrifice timely access or quality medical care for those Veterans already enrolled in VA's health care system," Dr. Gerald Cross, VA's Acting Under Secretary for Health, said. "Over the next four years, we hope to provide enrollment to more than 500,000 Veterans."

Under a new regulation effective June 15, VA will enroll Veterans whose income exceeds current means-tested thresholds by up to 10 percent.  These Veterans were excluded from VA health care enrollment when income limits were imposed in 2003 on Veterans with no service-connected disabilities or other special eligibility for care.  There is no income limit for Veterans with compensable service-connected disabilities or for Veterans being seen for their service-connected disabilities.

Veterans who have applied for VA health care but were rejected due to income at any point in 2009 will have their applications reconsidered under the new income threshold formula.  Those who applied before 2009, but were rejected due to income, must reapply.  VA will contact these Veterans through a direct-mail campaign, Veterans service organizations, and a national and regional marketing campaign.

Information about enrollment and an income and assets calculator are available at www.va.gov/healtheligibility.  The calculator provides a format in which Veterans enter their household income, number of dependents, and zip codes to see if they may qualify for VA health care enrollment.

In addition to applying online, Veterans may also contact VA's Health Benefits Service Center at 1-877-222 VETS (1-877-222-8387).  Each VA medical center across the country has an enrollment coordinator available to provide Veterans with enrollment and eligibility information.

Click here for official press release

Scam Artist Hits VFW Posts

Posted at 06:08 AM on Thursday, June 18, 2009 by Darrell

A con artist has been preying on the generosity of sympathetic veterans and has managed to bilk numerous VFW Posts around the country out of as much as $400 each by posing as either a veteran who has "filled out an application" to join a specific Post or as a current VFW member.

The scammer has used a couple of different approaches when he calls a Post asking for a specific Post Officer by name for financial assistance, usually alleging to be experiencing some sort of car trouble and has even gone as far as to claim to be the parent of an Iraq veteran on his "way to the funeral for his son killed in Iraq." He has also used a bogus story about how he recently visited a Post while introducing his son, "just back from Iraq" to various Post members. The swindler apparently goes on-line beforehand and obtains information about the Post in order to include details about the Post to help lend credibility to his story.

According to information received by VFW national headquarters, VFW Posts in AL, OK, WV, TX, KS and MO have responded by wiring money to the man who promises to repay the cash as soon as he returns home. So far, the sum being requested is in the $200- $500 range. Western Union doesn't require identification for sums under $1000.

Ladies Auxiliary Names Winners

Posted at 04:26 AM on Wednesday, June 17, 2009 by Darrell

The Ladies Auxiliary recently named several national program winners:

Young American Creative Patriotic Art


Junior Girls Scholarship

VFW Washington Weekly - June 12, 2009

Posted at 02:26 PM on Friday, June 12, 2009 by Darrell

In This Issue:

1. VA Committees Hold Hearings on CARES

2. House Committee Clears Advanced Funding/Other Vet Bills

3. Defense Bill Update

 

1. VA Committees Hold Hearings on CARES:  This week, VFW testified before both House and Senate Veterans' Affairs Committees on the future of VA's health infrastructure. VFW has been supportive of VA's Capitol Asset Realignment for Enhanced Services process (CARES). The CARES model is a systematic, data-driven assessment of VA's facilities designed to evaluate present and future demands for health-care services.  We testified that the strength of CARES is in the decision making framework that it created enabling VA to reassess annually their construction priorities and veterans' needs. Currently VA has a large number of projects underway and some still in the planning and design phase. One of the challenges remains the funding issue. We stressed the need for Congress and the Administration to provide full funding for major construction accounts to reduce the backlog and to begin funding future construction priorities. Another difficulty has been communication between VA and the veteran communities affected by the changes to the CARES process. We believe that VA needs to do a better job of explaining what their plans are for every location based on the facts so as to not create a sense of urgency among veterans that there care is being taken away.  Access to care for all involved, especially those in rural areas, is a major challenge and we believe that many of the answers lie outside of the construction process.

To read our testimony visit the VFW website at: http://www.vfw.org/index.cfm?fa=caphill.leveld&did=3702

For more on both hearings, visit the House and Senate VA websites at:

http://veterans.house.gov/

http://veterans.senate.gov/

Continue reading VFW Washington Weekly

VFW NATIONAL Military Family Scholarship Program Discontinued

Posted at 09:51 AM on Thursday, June 11, 2009 by Darrell

The American Veteran - June Edition

Posted at 10:17 AM on Monday, June 8, 2009 by Darrell

(via The Pentagon Channel)

Over 700 Schools Partner with VA to Help Veterans Pay for Education

Posted at 10:01 AM on Monday, June 8, 2009 by Darrell

WASHINGTON - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced today [June 5] that it has entered into more than 700 agreements with institutions of higher learning across the nation to participate in the Post-9/11 GI Bill’s "Yellow Ribbon Program."  

Many schools signed agreements for participation in not only undergraduate programs, but graduate and doctoral programs as well.  Some schools entered into one agreement that covered all their campuses throughout the United States.  

"VA is very pleased with the wide-spread interest in the program," said Under Secretary for Benefits Patrick W. Dunne.  "We strongly encourage any interested universities to formally sign-up with the agency before the June 15 deadline to ensure participation in the 2009-2010 academic year."

The Yellow Ribbon Program is a provision of the Post-9/11 GI Bill that allows degree-granting institutions to voluntarily enter into a formal agreement with VA to fund tuition and fee expenses that exceed the highest public, in-state undergraduate rates. 

The institution can contribute up to 50 percent of those expenses and VA will match this additional funding for eligible students.  This may enable qualified students to potentially attend school tuition-free.

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VFW Washington Weekly - June 5, 2009

Posted at 08:15 PM on Sunday, June 7, 2009 by Darrell

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

VA News - Week of June 1, 2009

Posted at 12:36 PM on Saturday, June 6, 2009 by Darrell

2009 VFW Wisconsin ALL-STATE WINNERS Announced

Posted at 03:08 PM on Monday, June 1, 2009 by Darrell

Our All-State Competition ended on April 30th. At long-last, all the winning Posts have been selected and the winners are named below.

We had numerous Honors Post winners who will be receiving special awards for their great efforts. Among the Honors Posts, however, the best of the best made it into the final judging for All State. We are still evaluating possible contenders for All-American. Stay tuned.

This year the competition was divided among Six Divisions, according to Post Size. Two Winning Post Awards were available in each Division. Any "White Hats" not awarded in any other Divisions became available for award in the other Divisions.

There were no entries submitted from either the 5th or 6th Divisions (smaller posts). A key factor was that a completed All-American "White Hat" entry form had to be submitted to Department by May 9th in order for a Post to be entered in the competition.

No District Winners emerged from the All-State Competition, so one pair of White Hats was moved from the District competition to the Post Competition, allowing us to award top honors to 13 Posts, instead of 12.

Randy Holton, Commander of Post 1865, Kenosha, is the Team Captain.

Congratulations to all the winners, and also the the many other active Posts who did so much for Veterans, the VFW and our individual Communities.

 

WI VFW All-State Winners - Get more Business Documents

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Tour New WebCOM Navigation Menus

Posted at 06:29 AM on Sunday, May 31, 2009 by Darrell

The video below presents a brief tour of our VFW WebCOM "Drop Down Menu" system.

 

VFW Stands Up Against Military Suicides

Posted at 04:56 PM on Saturday, May 30, 2009 by Darrell

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.

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E-Forms Tutorials - Navigating to the Forms Page

Posted at 03:21 PM on Saturday, May 30, 2009 by Darrell

The following 1-page flyer has been created to explain detailed steps on navigating from our WebCOM to the VFW Forms Page. As you will see, the steps are fairly simple. Online Reporting is a much more efficient method of gathering necessary information from your Post so that you will receive proper recognition and attention.

Navigating to WI VFW WebCOM Forms Page - Get more Business Documents

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Medic/Corpsman Experience Wanted for Job Opening in La Crosse

Posted at 11:20 AM on Thursday, May 28, 2009 by Darrell

Medical Director’s Representative (MDR)
Client Description	Were you an Army Medic or Navy Independent Duty Corpsman? Put your prior Military experience to work by applying for this direct hire position. You must have Prior Military experience! Our La Crosse, WI client works closely with the government and is looking for someone to work directly with military personnel, while representing our client.
Job Description	Primary responsibilities are to work directly with military/government representatives to ensure that quality standards are met. You will communicate closely with ARNG & MEPS. You will also work with medical providers to ensure company standards are met, including exams and consults.
Requirements	We are seeking an organized & detailed orientated person that has the ability to work in a fast paced environment. Qualifications include: HS Diploma or GED 10+ Yrs Experience as a Medic or Corpsman in a clinical or field medical 3-5 Yrs MEPS Experience Understanding of regulatory standards AR 40-501, Accession Exams Strong Oral & Written Communication Skills Problem Solving Ability Proficient in Word/Excel/Outlook
Benefits	Exceptional benefits package that includes medical, dental, Life, LTD, STD, 401k , PTO, EAP, Childcare Reimbursement, and On Site Fitness Center.
Hours	Monday- Friday 8am-5pm
Contact Information	Please submit resumes to: mirandac@gsalliance.net Interested Applicants may call Miranda at 715-861-4485

GULF WAR SYNDROME - RESEARCH NARROWS CAUSES

Posted at 11:19 AM on Thursday, May 28, 2009 by Darrell

WASHINGTON (Army News Service, May 27, 2009) -- Research completed and analyzed over the past year has narrowed the underlying causes of Gulf War Syndrome to three factors.

For 18 years, researchers struggled to pinpoint the causes of Gulf War Syndrome and its wide-ranging symptoms. Then last year, a group of researchers under the U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command and the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program narrowed the primary causes to three: chemical nerve agents, pesticides, and the use of Pyridostigmine Bromide pills.

A report titled Gulf War Illness and the Health of Gulf War Veterans was released by the Department of Veteran's Affairs in November 2008, consolidating all research on the syndrome to date. 

VA News - Week of May 25, 2009

Posted at 02:42 AM on Thursday, May 28, 2009 by Darrell

Mojave Veterans Memorial Threatened by ACLU

Posted at 10:32 AM on Wednesday, May 27, 2009 by Darrell

(Via VFW Wisconsin)



Many Americans think of Memorial Day as a three-day weekend at the beach, but to those of us who have worn the uniform and to our families, who also have sacrificed, Memorial Day is a day of remembrance.

Remembering is what a group of veterans had in mind in 1934 when they  erected a simple memorial in the shape of a cross to honor 53,000 Americans who had died in battle during our nation's 19-month involvement in what was called the "War to End All Wars."

Seventy-five years later, the U.S. Supreme Court will determine whether that gesture of respect violates the U.S. Constitution's separation of church and state. This is because the memorial resides on federal property in the middle of California's Mojave National Preserve.

More is at stake, however, than just the fate of a 7-foot-tall white cross atop Sunrise Rock - currently covered with a plywood box by lower court order. The real issue behind Salazar v. Buono is whether the use of religious symbolism in veterans memorials on public property violates the Establishment Clause.

If the High Court rules in favor of the plaintiff, every such memorial across the land will be in jeopardy of being torn down - and the ultimate loser will be America. That's because veterans memorials help our nation remember what came before.

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MOJAVE VETERANS MEMORIAL THREATENED BY ACLU

Posted at 11:12 AM on Tuesday, May 26, 2009 by Darrell

Many Americans think of Memorial Day as a three-day weekend at the beach, but to those of us who have worn the uniform and to our families, who also have sacrificed, Memorial Day is a day of remembrance.

Remembering is what a group of veterans had in mind in 1934 when they  erected a simple memorial in the shape of a cross to honor 53,000 Americans who had died in battle during our nation's 19-month involvement in what was called the "War to End All Wars."

Seventy-five years later, the U.S. Supreme Court will determine whether that gesture of respect violates the U.S. Constitution's separation of church and state. This is because the memorial resides on federal property in the middle of California's Mojave National Preserve.

More is at stake, however, than just the fate of a 7-foot-tall white cross atop Sunrise Rock - currently covered with a plywood box by lower court order. The real issue behind Salazar v. Buono is whether the use of religious symbolism in veterans memorials on public property violates the Establishment Clause.

If the High Court rules in favor of the plaintiff, every such memorial across the land will be in jeopardy of being torn down - and the ultimate loser will be America. That's because veterans memorials help our nation remember what came before.

To remember how half of the 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence took up arms to fight the British. How a nation divided in 1861 would emerge bloodied but still united four years later. How the United States would help defeat tyranny in two world wars in the 20th century and then outlast communist oppression during a 45-year Cold War. And how a new generation of warriors has picked up that mantle of responsibility to protect and defend America when others would rather just criticize.

The critics argue that organized religion and its symbols have no place in government even though our country was founded on religious freedom and tolerance.

The irony is that those who often protest the loudest are also the most intolerant. They twist the meaning of the Establishment Clause - which prohibits the government from creating a national religion or endorsing one religion over another - to imply the Founding Fathers wanted all things religious separated from all things governmental.

Military veterans know there are a great many things in our country that are worth protecting with our voices or lives if necessary.

Veterans memorials deserve protection because without them, the story that is our nation cannot be told properly. And if that story is not told, the service and sacrifice of more than 1 million Americans who have died in uniform will be forgotten.

The essence of Memorial Day is to remember our fallen from all wars. That is what those World War I veterans meant so long ago in the middle of the desert, and that is what I hope the High Court will consider when it hears the case in the fall, because public land also means "our" land.

Glen Gardner, a Vietnam War veteran from Round Rock, Texas, is the national commander of the 2.2 million-member Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S. and its Auxiliaries. For more information on the Mojave Desert Veterans Memorial, go to www.donttearmedown.com  

 

BADGER "HONOR FLIGHTS" BRANCH ESTABLISHED IN MADISON

Posted at 09:20 AM on Friday, May 22, 2009 by Darrell

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