Veteran s o f F o r eig n Wars o f th e Un ited S tates Pos t 7 327, S pr in g f ie ld , Vir g i nia

The Camaraderie SERVING VETERANS, THEIR FAMILIES, and the COMMUNITY May 2016

Volume 15-5

Our Business is Taking Care of Veterans

Fort Lee, Virginia Home to U.S. Army Women’s Museum

By Post Commander Joe “Hoss” Byrnes Hello from the Commander’s desk at the Post. I am here while they install the new phone, internet, and TV from Cox. Oh, by the way, we now have high-speed internet at the Post and will be adding some new voicemail boxes over the next few weeks. This will allow folks to call in and check the status of the Post and Bingo. As we get closer I’ll send out updates. We completed our Post elections at the April General Membership meeting. I would like to welcome the new folks and say thank you to the folks who are staying on for another year. Commander Joseph Byrnes Sr Vice Commander Dorian Brunson (New) Jr Vice Commander Raj Lobrecht Quartermaster Milam Sturgis (New) Chaplain Wayne Yancy 3-year trustee Terri Andreoni (New) 2-year trustee Clarence McNeil 1-year trustee Gary Kelch Appointed Surgeon Mike Kephart Service Officer Frank Konieczny Judge Advocate Open for now We will install all of the officers at our May General Membership meeting. Please congratulate and thank them for stepping up to lead the Post. We have a number of different functions going on this month. Most importantly will be the Joint VFW American Legion Memorial Day Service which will be held May 30th at the Springfield American Legion Post 176 at 1700. We are the sponsor of this event so the more comrades we have in attendance, the better I’ll feel giving my very short speech. (Continued on page 2)

www.awm.lee.army.mil The U.S. Army Women's Museum is the only museum in the world dedicated to Army women. The Museum honors women's contributions to the Army from the Revolutionary War to the present, telling their stories with interactive exhibits and videos throughout the gallery, as well as film presentations in our theater. The museum also has an extensive research and learning center, and memorial garden. The museum originated as the Women's Army Corps Museum which was located at Fort McClellan, Alabama until it was moved to Fort Lee, and reopened in May 2001. Mission: The U.S. Army Women's Museum serves as an educational institution, providing military history training and instruction to soldiers, veterans and the civilian community. The museum is the custodian and repository of artifacts and archival material pertaining to the service of women across all branches and organizations of the U.S. Army from inception to the present day. The museum collects, preserves, manages, interprets and exhibits these unique artifacts as a means to provide training and educational outreach. Editor’s Note: If you choose to make a visit to the AWM, my husband and I would be happy to meet you for lunch or to tour the museum with you! We are currently stationed at Ft. Lee. ~Katy Sylvester

U.S. Army Women's Museum, 2100 A Avenue, Fort Lee, VA 23801

The Camaraderie

Commander’s Commentary—continued from page 1 We will also be doing our Buddy Poppy distribution this month and the contact for that is Jr Vice Commander Lobrecht. He can be reached by email at [email protected] The dates are May 21st and 22nd at Fort Belvoir Exchange and Commissary. We have also been able to get into the Huntsman Giant store on May 27, 28, and 29. This location has been great for us in the past. We will also add new locations as they come available. Our goal is to have each location staffed with two members on a two-hour block starting at 9 am until 5 pm. If you can give us 2 hours, please be sure to get your email address to Raj so he can sign you up. If you do not have an email address, contact the Post and after the 4th (the new phones will be hooked up and so will the voice mail) and we will get you signed up. I would start my housekeeping section right about now but it seems it’s all I have been doing. So, as you know the main source of income for the Post is our Bingo program on Thursdays and Fridays. We have a dedicated group of volunteers who show up and help but these folks need a break and we would love to see some new faces at the Springfield Volunteer Fire Department on any given Thursday or Friday night. Please contact Linda Bond at [email protected] and she will be happy to fit you in to the schedule. Just one night a month would be a huge help! Last topic for this month will be membership. Please check to see if your dues are current or if the due date has already passed and you are now UNPAID. We are in the home stretch to complete this year at 100%. If you know someone who qualifies for the VFW, please encourage them to join. The May membership meeting is the last one prior to the State Convention to vote in any new members. It would be great to get 100% for the year. The more members we have, the better we are at helping veterans. As always, we are in the business of taking care of veterans and if anyone asks we are open for business. I look forward to seeing you at the Post or at Bingo. Joe Byrnes Commander

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VFW Members, Family, and Friends Buy, Sell, or Lease a home with me, Alice Gehl and 10% of my proceeds from each completed transaction will be donated to the building fund at VFW Post 7327. I am a Life Member of Post 7327 Auxiliary. Alice E. Gehl, Realtor, Weichert, Realtors, Burke Office Email: [email protected] Cell: 571-426-4073 Licensed in theCommonwealth of Virginia

May 2016

VFW Post & Auxiliary 7327

By Auxiliary President Barbara Major It is a real surprise to me that almost a year has gone by since I was elected President of the VFW Auxiliary of Post 7327. The time has flown. I feel that we have accomplished a great deal in support of our veterans and enlisted military and their families. Of course, there is always more we can do, but the time has flown by. The dedication of our members has been truly inspirational. I thank everyone who has stepped up to help me in my first year as President. Over the past year, I have met a wonderful group of people, many of whom I now consider friends. Hence, the focus of our April meeting was to elect the officers for the coming year. Thanks to the diligent work of the Nominating Committee (Barbara Bucklin, chair, Shirley Norris, and Janne Best) all of the positions have been filled. Thanks also go to the members who agreed to step up to the task. The list of officers is as follows: President, Barbara Major; Senior Vice President, Shirley Norris; Junior Vice President, Diana Regan; Treasurer, Linda Byrnes; Chaplain, Floy Lipscomb; Conductress, Barbara Bucklin; Guard, Janne Best; 2 Year Trustee, JoAnne Kelch; and 3 Year Trustee, Valerie Murrell. Linda Bond moves up to 1 Year Trustee. I have also reappointed Alice Merrill, Treasurer, and Joyce Engel, Patriotic Instructor. The Historian position is currently vacant. If interested, please let me know. Installation of officers will precede our May meeting. In addition, we added a new member to our roles: Minerva Kim, who is the wife of Comrade Raj Lobrecht. Welcome Minerva. Currently, Memorial Day Buddy Poppy distribution is scheduled for May 21 and 22 at Fort Belvoir Commissary and PX and May 27, 28, and 29 at Huntsman Giant. If you are interested in helping with distribution or just want to contribute, please let me or Commander Byrnes know. Other news: Susan Yu, one of our post’s EMT of the Year, has been selected as the VFW Department of Virginia EMT of the Year and also the VFW National EMT of the Year. It is gratifying to have a State and National winner in VFW District 10 and at Springfield Post 7327. Technician Yu is a member of the Franconia Volunteer Fire Department in Franconia, Virginia. In addition to her EMT duties, Technician Yu is officer in charge of basic life support units, qualified as an Emergency Vehicle operator, and preceptor for new EMT students. Technician Yu has initiated a successful mentorship program for new members of the department. She also founded the recruitment and retention committee resulting in a reduction of the new member dropout rate and contributing to the retention of valuable and needed talent in the department. Hats off to EMT Yu. We should all be grateful that such dedicated people are in our community. The next Auxiliary meeting is slated for May 11, 7pm. I hope to see you there.

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8350-F Terminal Road Lorton, Virginia 22079 Phone: 703-541-3139 Fax: 703-541-0641 Website: www.post7327.org Facebook: VFW Post 7327 Twitter: @VfwPost7327 Email: [email protected] Blog: www.vfwwebcom.org/va/Post7327

Editor & Design Katy Sylvester 703-350-8574 Diana Regan 703-719-7660

Contributing Articles By: Joseph Byrnes, Linda Byrnes, Mike Kephart, Frank Konieczny, Barbara Major, Wayne Yancey

Photographs By: Diana Regan

Post Officers Commander: Joseph Byrnes, [email protected] Sr. Vice: Joe Baringer, [email protected] Jr. Vice: Raj Lobrecht, [email protected] Quartermaster: Terri Andreoni, [email protected] Judge Adv: Milan Sturgis Chaplain: Wayne Yancey, [email protected] Surgeon: Michael Kephart, [email protected] 3-Yr Trustee: Gary Kelch, [email protected] 2-Yr Trustee: Larry Parham 1-Yr Trustee: Clarence McNeill Post Adjutant: Terri Andreoni, [email protected] Service Officer: Frank Konieczny, [email protected]

Auxiliary Officers President: Barbara Major 703-548-8343 Sr. Vice: Shirley Norris 703-971-1939 Jr. Vice: Itty Neal 703-569-4257 Secretary: Alice Merrill 703-569-1771 Treasurer: Linda Byrnes 703-732-7539 Chaplain: Janne Best 703-321-7349 Conductress: Barbara Bucklin 703-971-8299 Guard: JoAnne Kelch 703-644-8485 1-Yr Trustee: Diana Regan 703-719-7660 2-Yr Trustee: Linda Bond 3-Yr Trustee: Itty Neal Patriotic Instructor: Joyce Engel The Camaraderie newsletter is published by Springfield, Virginia Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7327, a community based 501c19 not-for-profit Congressionally Chartered Veterans Organization. Mailed for educational outreach and information purposes to our members, volunteers and friends. The newsletter is distributed to over 700 individuals. We have served our community since 1946, providing support to Veterans, their families, active duty military and community based organizations.

The Camaraderie

CHAPLAIN’S CORNER Post Chaplain Wayne Yancey Hello Comrades, Auxiliary members, and Friends of the Post, It’s another beautiful day in the neighborhood. I hope everyone is enjoining this nice weather. A lot has happened in the Chaplain’s corner since my last article so let’s get to it. Comrade Mike Heck: In my article last month I mentioned that Comrade Mike Heck had passed away on March 24, 2016 after a long battle with cancer. A very nice service was conducted for him on April 5, 2016 at Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Church. The service was followed by a reception at the church. The Post was represented by Service Officer, Frank Konieczny, your Chaplain, and several members of the Auxiliary. Comrade George Sweeney: For several years I have tried to keep the membership updated on the condition of Comrade George Sweeney. It saddens me to report that George passed away at the VA Hospital in Hampton, VA on April 19, 2016. He was transferred from the VA Hospital in D. C. to Hampton Virginia on April 13, 2016 to be closer to his family in his few remaining days. Son Billy and Daughter Monica were with George when he passed. George was a Past Junior-Vice Commander and remained active in the Post until recently. He chaired many committees over the years. His favorite was probably the Buddy Poppy Distribution and he was very good at it. He could always be counted on to “lend a hand” whenever needed. George was also an active and dedicated member of the Bingo Team. Inga Sweeney, George’s wife, has been in various hospitals since a fall on March 9, 2016. In fact she and George were in different hospitals at the same time since then. For me, that made the situation even sadder because neither was able to physically support the other during their illnesses. Fortunately they were able to see each other via “face time” not long before George’s death. The family chooses not to have a VFW Service for George but, at last night’s General Membership meeting, the membership discussed having a local service for him at the Post Home in the near future. I will advise the membership of the date and time as soon as it is decided. BINGO AT THE VA HOSPITAL: We had a successful visit to the VA Hospital on April 12, 2016 and played Bingo with 24 residents. We distributed $74.00. Thanks to Comrades Mike Kephart and Dorian Brunson for accompanying me on the visit. They were a big help and a lot of company. While the bingo machine at the VA Hospital is automated it does not have verification capability. So the numbers on each winning card must be read back to confirm that the card is a valid winner. Many times one game may have two or three winners which make reading back the numbers difficult and time consuming. After the Bingo was over Mike, Dorian, and I were able to visit Comrade Sweeney in his room in the Hospital before we left. He was very alert at the time. The next day he was transferred to Hampton. We are grateful we got to see him before he transferred from the area. Frank Konieczny’s wife Ronnie, had hip replacement earlier this month and (believe it or not) it was done as an out-patient. UNBELIVABLE… Frank reported last night that Ronnie is doing well. It was great to see Comrade J. B. Young at the General Membership meeting last night. Comrade Young also spent a few days in Walter Reed earlier this month but said last night that he is doing well. Don’t forget to sign-up for distribution of Buddy Poppies next month. We’ve added a few more spots “off post” this time so that folks can distribute Poppies without the hassle of going to Fort Belvoir. As always if I can be of assistance to anyone please don’t hesitate to call or send an e-mail using the information provided below. Thanks and have a great May. Wayne Yancey [email protected] Home: 703-719-7660, Cell: 703-350-8409

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May 2016

Service Officer's Corner Francis W. Konieczny, Post Service Officer

Survivors of a Veteran's Suicide (Part 3 of 4)

This is Part 3 of a 4 Part Series on Veteran Suicides. When a veteran commits suicide, they always leave behind someone who must deal with their decision to take their own life. It could be a mother, father, wife, son or daughter. It could be a friend, a partner, or simply an acquaintance. When someone commits suicide, the circumstances are often confusing. It's not unusual for survivors, especially those closest to the deceased, to experience feelings ranging from blame to guilt. Friends and relatives may believe they should have recognized the signs that their loved ones were depressed enough to commit suicide, or they may feel responsible for encouraging the deceased veteran to join the service in the first place. There's no doubt that the grieving process is complex and unique for each survivor. Feelings may vary and can include shock, confusion, anger, guilt, relief, and sorrow. Some studies found that veterans' PTSD symptoms can negatively affect family relationships and that impaired family relationships may exacerbate a veteran's PTSD and lead to risk of suicide. Relationship problems can also increase risk for suicide. Spouses or significant others of veterans whose suicide occurred in close proximity to a failed relationship or relationship crisis, may feel particularly guilty or assume responsibility for the death. In addition to feelings of guilt, family members may look to externalize these emotions. These are normal responses to suicide, but they could be more pronounced if the circumstances around a loved one’s suicide are unclear (for example, if the active duty member died overseas), or if the individual recently returned from an extended period of deployment. Suicide can also occur after a long period of emotional turmoil and/or persistent mental illness, both of which can have devastating effects on family members. Often times, family members (parents, spouses, siblings) of the deceased were also their caregivers. This is important, because taking care of a loved one who has a serious mental or physical illness can place considerable strain not only on the primary caregiver, but also on friends and other members of the family. If the survivor was closely involved with the deceased, it is likely that he or she felt significantly burdened, emotionally exhausted and at times helpless and scared. The impact of veteran suicides on child survivors is only now being explored in detail. If the deceased was a parent or family member, talking to the children about the death may be one of the most difficult tasks faced by adult survivors. Suicide is an extremely complicated form of death and requires honesty with children. However, the explanation provided should fit the child's age and level of understanding. If adult survivors are reluctant to talk to a child about suicide, what it means and why it happened, keep in mind that children are likely to hear it from other sources. That may lead to even more confusion, fear, and distress. But, talking with children about the suicide of a loved one could help erase misconceptions or concerns that somehow they are blame for what happened. Coping with loss may be further complicated if the child had been separated from their parent for extended periods of time secondary to deployments. Obtaining an understanding regarding the impact of deployment on the family may help. In Part 4, we'll discuss where at-risk veterans can go to get help. A portion of this article was sourced from: http://www.mirecc.va.gov/visn19/docs/Suicide_Support_Group.pdf

If you or someone you know is at risk for suicide please reach out to military and veteran crisis line at 1 (800) 273-8255 press 1, or if you feel like you just need someone to talk to reach out to vets4warriors at www.vets4warriors.com/ These resources are available to active duty military, veterans and their family members.

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The Camaraderie

Surgeon’s Corner By Post Surgeon Mike Kephart

Comrades, Auxiliary, and Friends of the Post, VFW Department of Virginia and Hampton Roads Bass Pro Shops are sponsoring a fund raising raffle with a list of 50 great prizes (below) with a total value of approximately $20,000.00! More details and the list of prizes can be found on the State website at the link - http://vfwva.org/department-news/vfw-bass-pro-raffle. Drawing will be June 18 at the VFW State Convention in Williamsburg and you do not have to be present to win. If you are not in the Hampton Roads area to collect your prize, winners can opt for a Bass Pro Gift Card good at any Bass Pro store**. So, if you win the trolling motor and really wanted the binoculars, you can get a gift card and receive the prize you really wanted! Tickets are $5.00 each and Springfield Post 7327 receives $1.00 for each ticket sold. We are asking you to help the Post by buying at least one raffle ticket. Tickets will be available at the Post and at our Bingo every Thursday and Friday evening at the Springfield Volunteer Firehouse, 7011 Backlick Road, Springfield. If you are out of the area or just cannot make it to the Post, no worries! Send a check to the Post with a selfaddressed, stamped envelope and we will send you as many tickets as you want. Mailing address for the Post is: VFW Post 7327, Bass Pro Raffle, 8350-F Terminal Road, Lorton, Virginia 22079. So please, support the Post and get your tickets before June 6th so that we can get them turned in for the drawing! * - Value of gift cards will be 10% less than the advertised value. This matches the discounted price being paid by Virginia VFW for each prize

Bass Pro Raffle Prize List 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25.

Henry Golden Boy .22 Cal Yeti Roadie Savage 16 .243 cal Quantum Baitcaster Outfit Thunder Hawk Crossbow OA Oceanmaster Reel W/B Ruger 10/22 .22 Cal Frontier Revolver .45 Cal Costa 570P Sunglasses $500 BPS Giftcard Minn Kota Trolling Motor Char – Broil Propane Grill Teknetics Metal Detector Buschnell Binoculars $500 BPS Giftcard Remington 870 Ruger Mk 111 Ascend C156 Canoe Parker Enforcer Crossbow $500 BPS Giftcard Browning 2 Burner Yeti Hopper 20 Tikka T-3 .308 Cal Henry Big Boy .44 Mag Winchester SX3 13 GA

$529.99 $264.99 $720.79 $211.98 $635.99 $233.18 $275.59 $561.79 $179.14 $500.00 $116.59 $370.99 $296.79 $105.99 $500.00 $349.79 $455.79 $604.19 $529.99 $500.00 $127.19 $317.99 $635.99 $847.99 $ 1,006.99

26. 27. 28. 29. 30. 31. 32. 33. 34. 35. 36. 37. 38. 39. 40. 41. 42. 43. 44. 45. 46. 47. 48. 49. 50.

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Landman Fire Pit Bass Pro Rain Jacket $500 BPS Giftcard Bass Pro Camp Kitchen $500 BPS Giftcard Orvis Fly Outfit Yeti Trundra 45 Masterbuilt Elec Smoker Redhead 10 Gun Safe Browning BPS 12 GA Traeger Pellet Grill Penn Battle II & OA Bag Browning Rod Storage Yeti 125 $500 BPS Giftcard Bass Pro Baitcast Bushmaster .223 MSR Bass Pro 4 Person Tent Browning Spinning CB Yeti 65 $250 BPS Giftcard Ubirite .45 Cal Pistol Penn Senator R&T $250 BPS Giftcard Browning Maxus 12 GA

$211.99 $201.39 $500.00 $148.39 $500.00 $168.54 $370.99 $508.79 $349.77 $635.99 $476.99 $180.18 $158.99 $582.99 $500.00 $275.58 $847.99 $127.19 $74.79 $423.99 $250.00 $455.79 $296.79 $250.00 $1,430.99

May 2016

May is Melanoma/Skin Cancer Detection and Prevention Month Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the United States. Ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun is the main cause of skin cancer. UV damage can also cause wrinkles and blotches or spots on your skin. The good news is that skin cancer can be prevented, and it can almost always be cured when it’s found and treated early. The Camaraderie is proud to participate in Melanoma/Skin Cancer Detection and Prevention Month. During the month of May, join us in taking action to prevent skin cancer and reduce the risk of UV damage. Take simple steps today to protect your skin:

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Apply sunscreen. When you are going to be outside, even on cloudy days, apply sunscreen to all skin that will not be covered by clothing. Reapply approximately every two hours, or after swimming or sweating. Use a broadspectrum, water-resistant sunscreen that protects the skin against both UVA and UVB rays and that has an SPF of at least 30. Use these tips when selecting a sunscreen .

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Use one ounce of sunscreen, an amount that is about equal to the size of your palm. Thoroughly rub the product into the skin. Don’t forget the top of your feet, your neck, ears, and the top of your head.

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Seek shade. Remember that the sun’s rays are strongest between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. If your shadow is shorter than you are, seek shade.

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Protect your skin with clothing. When going outside wear a long‐sleeved shirt, pants, a wide‐brimmed hat and sunglasses.

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Use extra caution near water, sand or snow as they reflect and intensify the damaging rays of the sun, which can increase your chances of sunburn.

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Get vitamin D safely. Eat a healthy diet that includes foods naturally rich in vitamin D, or take vitamin D supplements. Do not seek the sun.

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If you want to look tan, consider using a self-tanning product, but continue to use sunscreen with it. Don’t use tanning beds. Just like the sun, UV light from tanning beds can cause wrinkling and age spots and can lead to skin

cancer. Check your skin for signs of skin cancer. Your birthday is a great time to check your birthday suit. Checking your skin and knowing your moles are key to detecting skin cancer in its earliest, most treatable stages. If you spot anything changing, growing or bleeding, see your dermatologist. Information taken from www.aad.org and www.skincancer.org.

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Auxiliary Membership News Treasurer Linda Byrnes The Early Bird catches the discount!! Renew between now and May 13th and your 2017 dues will cost $18 - a savings of $5!! Questions about membership? Please contact a Membership Committee member: Linda Bond

Linda Byrnes

Alice Merrill

Valerie Murrell

I welcome your membership questions at: 703-732-7539. Page Page7 7

Diana Regan

VFW Post 7327 Web Site: www.post7327 .org

8350 - F Terminal Road Lorton, Virginia 22079

The Friendliest VFW Post in Virginia Web Site: www.post7327.org e-mail: [email protected] 703-541-3139 Phone 703-541-0641 Fax

Upcoming Events and Activities May 11—Auxiliary General Membership Meeting, 7:00 pm May 21—Armed Forces Day May 24—Post General Membership Meeting, 7:30 pm May 21-22—Buddy Poppy Distribution Ft. Belvoir Commissary and PX May 27, 28, 29—Buddy Poppy Distribution Huntsman Giant May 30—Memorial Day May 30—VFW/American Legion Joint Memorial Day Service June 17—Chesapeake Bay Fishing Trip aboard the North Star Charter Come early to meetings and join us for drinks and camaraderie! BINGO - EVERY THURSDAY AND FRIDAY evening beginning at 7:00 pm at Greater Springfield Volunteer Fire Department Post Hours of Operation Monday / Tuesday – Closed (except for meetings) Wednesday / Thursday–10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Friday – 12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Saturday / Sunday – 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. The Post may be open other than these hours as events require and personnel are available.