VFW Missourian August 2008 pg. 1

VFW MISSOURIAN OFFICIAL PUBLICATION: STATE OF MISSOURI VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS Past Commander In Chief James R. Mueller and Past President of the Ladies Auxiliary Sandy Germany address the Delegates at the Joint Opening of the 88th Department Convention

Past National Commander in Chief James R. Mueller

Past National Ladies Auxiliary President Sandy Germany

Past State Commander, Don Watts (left), Past State Commander, Paul Jones (center) and Past District #7 Commander, Chet Tweeten (right) receive the Life time Acheivement Award from the Past Commander in Chief and State Commander

Inside this edition:

(Other recipient, not pictured):Hubert Moore, Post

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# 4541Mount Vernon. Joined the VFW in 1948

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#1 #2 #3 #4 #5 #6 #7

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Department Convention highlights Letters from State Commander, Sr. Vice & Jr. Vice Letters from State Quartermaster, Adjutant & Surgeon Department Awards Ladies Auxiliary page Installation of Officers by Past Commander in Chief Letter from State Chaplain and Article by Dennis Flynn “Do you know why we were formed?” #8 - Letter from Homeless Vet Chairman & Dept. Convention Pic’s #9 - Big Ten Conference Hotel registration form #10 - Big Ten Conference Registration form #11 - Big Ten Conference Ad form

See Page #4 for more Department Convention Awards.

BiG Ten Conference is coming to Missouri Volunteer’s are needed. Contact Paul or Jackie Jones if you wish to volunteer. (See articles through out this edition for more details)!!!!

Vfw Missourian August 2008 pg. 2

Tom Hartman, Commander

Dave Morgan, Sr. Vice Commander

Joe Lundy, Jr. Vice Commander

Comrades & Sisters, As we enter our fourth month of the year and with the school of instructions, first districts meetings and post meetings completed it is my sincere hope that we as an organization or coming closer together. The changes that I put in place this year was done to help communicate VFW programs and identify problem areas. We are not here to punish or close your posts. We are here to help make you better and more informed. I have just returned from the national convention in sunny Orlando Florida. I cannot think of many places that a person can watch catfish swim down Main Street. Not all the rain that we had to endure dampened a very informative convention. By-law changes that effect District Commanders will be discussed at the up coming C of A Sept. 19-20 in St. Louis. This and other information will be passed on as well. This is your invitation to attend. Have a lot of fun, meet some of the best people in the world and learn more about your organization (Veterans of Foreign Wars) I have had the pleasure to visit many Posts and Districts in the state. I would like to thank you for your hospitality. It is refreshing to visit with and exchange ideas and thoughts of how better we can serve our Veterans. Remember this is the number 1 priority. The veteran service program is #1 in the nation. Have benefit fairs at your post. Donate $$$ so this program can grow and be a path of help for all that need it! Ladies Aux. as always thank you for your support to the Veterans of Foreign Wars. Without your support, many projects and programs would not be possible. We really do think the world of you! Mens Aux. support your posts! We also appreciate all you do, keep up the good work.

Comrades and Sisters Thank you to all who attended the State Convention in Columbia, MO. Congratulation to our new State Commander Tom Hartman. "Keeping Our Promise"I know he will continue to help all veterans and their families throughout the state of Missouri. I also pledge my support to him in every way I can. Our State Commander is a great representative for our veterans in the state of Missouri. Our department of Missouri has brought some changes in communication. All of our line officers have visited every district in the state and what we have learned during every visit is that we would like to see us work harder on communication and education in our organization. Junior and Senior Vice Commanders need to be more involved at all levels from us at the state all the way to post levels. That way, and if it becomes necessary for new persons to fill these positions, there would already be someone trained with proper knowledge with details of what the position requires. I do believe we would have greater participation and cooperation at post and district if more members had prior training of what these positions and programs are about. By getting involved in the process of learning from someone who is already doing it is beneficial to all of us. Membership is far and away the most important part of this organization and always will be. Without it there would be no Veterans of Foreign Wars. I am asking each and every post member to recruit one new member this year. I would like for every post to try and have a Membership Drive and Open House and welcome back all veterans in your community before September 29, 2008 (which is VFW Day). Again thank you for all of your support keeping our promise to all our veterans and their families. Thank You. Sr. Vice Dave Morgan

Greetings Comrades; Once again I am glad to be with you. Conventions are over and it is time to get to work on our many tasks, especially our Community Activity Report [CAR] Many Posts' have not as yet, submitted one. I am sure that we have all performed many activities in our towns but just have not reported to the person responsible for submitting the report. Lets work on correcting that. It is for your Posts benefit. The CAR is very important to each Post as it is proof of how we spend our money. If and when the IRS comes to audit your Post, [they are in this process now] they will request that you produce all your CARS'. If you don't have them, you might lose your tax exempt status. Additionly,the CARS are used in grading for the Allstate Program and keeping the Department informed of your progress. It surely behooves you to submit these reports Lets all get started and work together in using these reports. I am looking forward to seeing you all at C of A.

Tom Hartman Dept. Commander

Warmest regards and yours in comradeship

BiG Ten Conference is coming to Missouri The conference will be held at the St. Louis Airport Marriott Hotel, located at 10700 Pear Tree Lane, St. Louis, MO 63134 on the weekend of October 17-19, 2008. Cost of the Conference is supported by Ads in the Conference Book. We need Post and District Support. Deadline for Ad in Conference Book is September 17, 2008 (See Ad sheet on Page #11 for more details)

VFW Missourian August 2008 pg. 3

Paul Connors, Quartermaster

Jessie L. Jones, Adjutant

Bob Wonnell, Surgeon

A new year begins! The Department is off to a fast start having completed schools of instruction and a majority of District meetings, and the National Convention (Sunshine State my foot) as of this writing.

Comrades; A new year is well on it’s way. We have a lot to accomplish for the Veterans in the State and for those that belong to the Veterans of Foreign Wars. The best way your Post can show it’s support of Veteran’s in your Post and community is to donate now and often to your Veteran’s Service Officer program. Yes, I said “Your Veterans Service Officers Program.” We have the most dedicated group of Service Officers in the Nation. And, “Yes”, they are employed by you, the members of the Department and work daily for Veterans in your community and members of your Post. They deserve your support. The All State program and All American porgram have went through a major change this year. They are no longer just a reward for Post Commanders and Quartermasters. Both programs are Post award programs. All Post may become an All State Post if they meet their program requirements, attend all District meetings and get their quarterly audits in on time. It’s more important than ever that you get your community activity reports in timely and attend District meetings. If your a Post Commander, don’t let your Post down. Information is provided on the new programs in your Commanders Handbook that was mailed out in early August. I know many of you have been frustrated with the lose of the forms on the vfwmo.org website. If your weren’t aware, this site was lost from the server due to a lightning strike and will not be recovered. Please be patient a little longer. Joe is working diligently to get the forms up and working on the Webcom. If you aren’t signed on to the Wecom, you need to do so soon. All Department communication is going out through the webcom. On behalf of the office staff, I wish you a successfull year and hope to see you at the C of A.

Thank you for your support and your confidence in electing me as your State Surgeon. I am humbled by your vote and vow to work hard for you and our Department. I will never lose site of the fact that the reason the VFW exists is to provide service to veterans and their families. Our VSIO program under our new State VSIO, Paul Frampton, is off to a great start. Our VSO program continues to lead the nation in filing claims for veterans. Our membership program is off to a good start and promises to be a good year. We are stressing membership and your support for your VSO programs. Why? Membership because there is strength in numbers. If we go to our State and National elected officials and ask for better benefits for our veterans they have to know we are of one voice, representing hundreds of thousands of Veterans in Missouri. and in our great nation. VSO Programs because we are dedicated in finding the Veterans and helping them obtain the benefits they have earned. Our "Show Me" Department is showing the nation we have a purpose of serving veterans and we need each of us to support these ideals. Hard work will pay off Comrades and Sisters and I thank you for your support.

The C of A and Big 10 Conference in St Louis are the remaining two meetings for 2008. Being a part of these meetings gives members a better understanding of the VFW and what it really does at various levels of our organization. A portion of our members do not attend these functions because they do not think they can attend. Not so… you are most welcome and encouraged to attend. Every member of this organization is invited and most welcome. Every level of our organization has its own function and its own methods of operating. If you do not attend meetings beyond the Post level how will you ever know what it takes to operate at the District level. And so on to the State, Conference and National levels of our organization. Contact state HQ for information of the C of A and the Big 10 Conference or look it up on the web at http://vfwwebcom.org/Missouri Thank you for all you do for our great organization.

Paul E. Connors, Quartermaster

BiG Ten Conference is coming to Missouri The conference will be held at the St. Louis Airport Marriott Hotel, located at 10700 Pear Tree Lane, St. Louis, MO 63134 on the weekend of October 17-19, 2008. The Advance registration fee is $80.00. Advance registration deadline is September 17, 2008. (See Advance Registration form on Page #10 for more details)

VFW Missourian August. 2008 pg. 4

Outstanding Community Service Post

Outstanding Veterans Service Post

Dave Morgan, Community Activity Chairman, Presents Outstanding Community Service Awards. Post & Auxiliary Winners Were:

State Commander and Department VSIO Chairman Present Outstanding Veteran Service Awards. Post and

VFW Post 1831 & Ladies Auxiliary De Soto, Missouri

VFW Post 35 & Ladies Auxiliary Jefferson City, Missouri

VFW Post 2866 & Ladies Auxiliary St. Charles, Missouri

VFW Post 1831 & Ladies Auxiliary De Soto, Missouri

VFW Post 3944 & Ladies Auxiliary Overland / St. Ann, Missouri

VFW Post 2866 & Ladies Auxiliary St. Charles, Missouri

VFW Post 6603 & Ladies Auxiliary Blue Springs, Missouri

VFW Post 7822 & Ladies Auxiliary Puxico, Missouri

VFW Post 6770 & Ladies Auxiliary St. Joseph, Missouri

TOP VISO DONATION Award

Aide de Camp Cap Recipients Jason Blakemore Post 280

Auxiliary winners:

VFW Post 35 & Ladies Auxiliary Jefferson City, Missouri Department of Missouri Ladies Auxiliary

Hidden Heroes Awards

Don Watts Post 5553

VFW Post 534 Joplin, Missouri

John Holton Post 7356

Department of Missouri Men’s Auxiliary

All American Commanders John Holton Post 7356 James Atkinson Post 2203 James Lorenz Post 2593

VFW Missourian August 2008 pg. 5

State Commander Tom Hartman and State Auxiliary President Deborah Griffin Congratulate each other after installation

Deborah Griffin being installed at the Department Convention

Auxiliary Sisters and VFW Comrades, It is indeed an honor to be serving as your Department President for the 2008-2009 year. We have a wonderful Department of VFW and Ladies Auxiliary members who I am confident will lead us to a great year of "Making Wishes Come True for Veterans" as we "Keep the Promise" to our Veterans and communities. The year began with the two Schools of Instructions in July which were a huge success. We received lots of positive feedback after both schools. I want to thank Auxiliary 5789 and Auxiliary 3838 for being the hosts for these schools and the marvelous job done by both, thank you again. On August 9th I made my official visit to District 8 at Post 5896 in Farmington. The school of instruction was very informative, job well done ladies. The District 8 President Marilyn Gonz and the 8th District Ladies also were very generous and kind to me as this was my birthday and they presented me with gifts, cards, and a birthday cake. I was truly overcome with the outpouring of love and hospitality shown me by the ladies. Thank you Ladies I will never forget that birthday. Following the meeting I traveled to Desloge Post and Auxiliary 2426 for a fund raiser for Fisher House. I was so amazed at the amount of energy and work this community put forth for our Veterans. The presentation to Fisher House was a check for $10,000.00, what an incredible job they are doing. You could tell they were motivated by love and devotion for our Veterans. August 10th I traveled to District 3 at the new Post home of the Savannah Post and Auxiliary in Amazonia. What a truly remarkable job they are doing for the VFW and Ladies Auxiliary. The District meeting was conducted by District President Mary Huffman who did a fabulous job especially for it being her first meeting as District President, way to go Mary! I am confident we will see great things from this District. August 24th was the 15th District meeting in Sikeston, home of the newest Auxiliary in our Department. They were instituted on August 11th by me, PNP Glenneta Vogelsang, and 15th District President Sheila Allen. They are an energetic and enthusiastic bunch of Ladies who will do a great job. I took a road trip to the National Convention in Orlando Florida and was nearly blown away by tropical storm Faye, but not even a tropical storm stops the VFW and Ladies Auxiliary! Congratulations to Past Department President Jeri Sherwood on being named President of the Year and all the 2007-2008 Department Chairmen who received many awards. We are all very proud of you. I hope to see many of our Members at the September 19th-21st C of A and Homecoming at the Airport Marriott in St Louis. Come out and meet and visit with our National Council Member Donna Williams-Hahn who represents Indiana and Missouri. I am sure your Department Chairmen have many surprises in store for you to help learn the programs in a fun but informative way.

If I can be of assistance do not hesitate to let me know. I am looking forward to visiting all the Districts in the coming months. God Bless Us All Deborah Griffin, President Dept of MO LAVFW 2008-2009

VFW Missourian August 2008 pg. 6

Tom Hartman, Post 35 Jefferson City, MO installed as State Commander by Past Commander in Chief James Mueller at the 88th State Convention

DEPARTMENT OFFICERS INSTALLED FOR 2008 - 2009 LINE OFFICERS Commander - Tom Hartman Sr. Vice Commander - Dave Morgan Jr. Vice Commander - Joe Lundy Surgeon - Bob Wonnell Quartermaster - Paul Conners Judge Advocate - Don Watts Chaplian - Wayne Asher Chief of Staff - Frank Rick Inspector - Jim Gill Past Department Commander - Jerry Jones Adjutant/Assist. Quartermaster - Jessie Jones MESSAGE FROM BILL THIEN 5TH DISTRICT COUNCIL MEMBER REPRESENTING MISSOURI AND INDIANA

DISTRICT COMMANDERS District District District District District District District District District District District District District District

# # # # # # # # # # # # # #

1 - James Rippy 2 - Leroy Seymour 3 - Bob Eckerle 5 - Donald Harris 6 - Robert “Mike” Dines 7 - James Atkinson III 8 - Earl Boyer 9 - Tom Maupin 11 - Deborah Halter 12 - Samuel “Chris” Weber 14 - Warren “Gene” Mitchell 15 - Olin Parks 17 - John Swarnes 18 - Charles Dickinson

First let me thank the Department of Missouri for all of the work that you and our Comrades, along with your Ladies Auxiliary has done and will continue to do for our great organization. My first year as your Council Member has passed and I look forward to representing the great States of Missouri and Indiana. I appreciate the hospitality and friendship that Missouri has shown to myself and other Comrades who has visited from Indiana. I truly feel at home when I'm in Missouri. It is as good as my first visit in 2003. Their are many changes on the horizon for our Organization. All/most of the information is on the Missouri and National websites. Remember, we should never forget why we were formed in the first place. I wish the 2008-2009 Team much success. May your travels be smooth and thank you for all that you have done and will do for those less fortunate than ourselves.

William (Bill) Thien

VFW Missourian August 2008 Pg. 7

DO YOU KNOW WHY WE WERE FORMED? VETERANS SERVICE OFFICER PROGRAM NEEDS YOUR SUPPORT

Wayne Asher Chaplain Ready or not the National Convention and new school year are here,with Labor Day and election day just around the corner. The time to get VOD/Patriot Pen enteries out to teachers and any qualified young person(s). Get your membership growing by asking a simple question< Do you belong to the VFW? Those of you comrades that where at the State Convention, I ask this question.How is your GPS unit working? If you were not at Convention the answer to what a GPS unit will be at the end. I have had to up date Gloria Boscoe's unit, she has had another stroke(8/13/08). Tests are being run by her doctor and I will keep everyone informed. Please keep all of our service personnel as well as the comrades in the homes and hospitals in your prayers. May the grace of the Heavenly Commander be with all of you. GPS= God's positioning system. HE can find you anytime. Yours in Service Wayne Asher

The Royce Kelb Family, Serving America (Not pictured is Royce’s wife Susan, She’s deployed to Kosavo)

The VFW traces its roots back to 1899 when veterans of the Spanish-American War (1898) and the Philippine Insurrection (1899-1902) founded local organizations to secure rights and benefits for their service. In order to secure these benefits for veterans the leadership of the organization created the Veterans Service Program. In the State of Missouri we wanted our Service Officers to be where ever we can see the most veterans. So we have Service Officers at the VA Regional Office, every VA Medical Center and one located in Southwest Missouri. We keep stats on how much money we are able to secure on behalf of the veterans that we represent. Seven years ago we were recovering $18 million dollars in benefits. Today that amount has grown to $95 million dollars a year. We file a little more than 1,000 claims a month with half of them from claimants coming to the VFW for the first time. We have signed up more than 1,100 new members during the past three years. At the VA Regional Office in St. Louis you will find representative's from seven organizations. But no service organization is handling more claims than the VFW. The VA has 8,419 pending claims and we represent 2,469 of them or 29.33 percent of all claims. There are 1,351 veterans who have claims pending that are not represented by anyone, which represents 16.05 percent of all claims. We represent 500 more claims than a Service Organization that has more than twice the staff as ours and we represent 2,074 more claims than the largest Service Organization. When you look at the stats for four of the service organizations they represent on 8 percent of the workload. If it was not for the generous donations of several VFW Post, substantial donations from the Ladies Auxiliary and individuals who have given us donations out of their own pockets we would not have been able to secure the 95 million dollars in benefits for our veterans during the past year. The Veterans Service Program is the only program that directly helps our veterans to receive their medical care, compensation, pension and education benefits. There are still thousands of veterans in the State of Missouri who could benefit from our services but we don't have the staff to help them. I am asking for your help. If the VFW has helped you with your claim for benefits and we are asking you to do what you can to support our Program. I would also like for you to contact your Post and ask them how much they have sent in to support our Program. Don't be shocked if you find out that nothing was sent in or they only sent in $25.00 for the year. Because we have been there for you when you needed us maybe you can convince them that our Program is worth more to veterans than 7 cents a day from a Post that may have more than a hundred members. I have one goal and that is to help our fellow veterans to receive their benefits and to do that I need the resources necessary to get the job done. All contribution should be sent to: VFW Department Headquarters, P.O. Box 26, Jefferson City, MO 65102. Make check payable to the VFW Veterans Service Fund. Dennis F. Flynn VFW Service Officer Editors Note: Copied from May issue and edited prior to publication.

VFW Missourian August 2008 Pg. 8

Department Convention Pic’s

Marsha Young Employment/Homeless Vets. Chairman There are no accurate numbers depicting the homeless veterans in Missouri. The Department of Veterans Affairs 2008 Advisory Committee reports that there is a decrease across the nation but are seeing more women and women with children. In Missouri, it is estimated that 4,000-12,000 Homeless Veterans are on the street any given night. We are beginning to see Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom veterans on our streets. Missouri is in the top ten states with an increase of homeless veterans. The good news is our Viet Nam veterans are beginning to use services available. STAND DOWNS are an important way to help our comrades. Socks and T-shirts are always necessary items for these heroes. Your personal donation or your Post donation is sincerely appreciated. There are two coming up: St. Louis, September 20, 2008 (314-289-6547 Evelyn Paul) and October 17, 2008, Poplar Bluff (573-686-4151 Kristina Bowlby.) If your would like to volunteer your time or talent at either of these, please contact the above POC's. Let's make sure we know where our community resources are in the event we encounter someone who needs our help. It could be that we are their only link to help. Make sure you pick up a referral form at your next Post meeting. Our service officers are the best! Marsha Young Homeless Veterans and Employment Chairman

VFW Missourian August 2008 Pg. 9

BIG TEN CONFERENCE

DEPARTMENT OF MISSOURI Veterans of Foreign Wars and Ladies Auxiliary ADVANCE HOTEL RESERVATION FORM Group Name: VFW Big Ten Conference Date: October 17-19, 2008 "SMOKE FREE" FACILITY Please print or type: Name: ____________________________________________________ Address: __________________________________________________ City: _____________________________________________________ Phone: ____________________________________________________ ************************************************************************************* Arrival Day & Date: _________________ Departure Day & Date: _________________ ************************************************************************************* ____1 Bed ____ # of People ____2 Beds ____ # of People All rooms are $89.00 plus tax ____ Requests: Rollaway _________ Sharing With: __________________ (Only allowed in King Suite) *************************************************************** Reservations must be guaranteed. A deposit equal to the first night's room rate, per room is required. A major credit card may be used. Should you need to cancel a guaranteed reservation, you must do so by 4:00pm on your date of arrival for "no charge". ____ Check Enclosed ____ American Express

_____ Master Card _____ Discover

____ Visa ____ Diners Club

Card#________________________________ Expiration Date: ___________ All requests for the above group rate must be received by: Return to: St. Louis Airport Marriott 10700 Pear Tree Lane (I-70 at Lambert Airport) St. Louis, MO 63134

October 3, 2008

314-423-9700 Fax: 314-423-0213

VFW Missourian August 2008 pg. 10

Big Ten Conference Department of Missouri Veterans of Foreign Wars and Ladies Auxiliary October 17 - 19, 2008 Advance Registration The registration fee is $80.00 and fee includes: " " "

Two (2) drink tickets for Friday evening's welcome party Saturday noon luncheon Banquet ticket for Saturday evening

Advance registration deadline is September 17, 2008 Late registration will be $90.00 Please make checks payable to Department of Missouri VFW

PLEASE PRINT ALL INFORMATION NAME: __________________________________________________________________ ADDRESS: ________________________________________________________________ PHONE: (

)_____________ POST/AUX: ____________ DEPARTMENT: ____________

TITLE: _________________________________ FEE ENCLOSED: ____________________ MAIL REGISTRATION TO: Department of Missouri VFW P.O. Box 26 Jefferson City, MO 65102 Phone: 888-276-8609 Fax: 573-636-2664 email: [email protected]

VFW Missourian August 2008 pg. 11

October 17 - 19, 2008 Big Ten Conference Program Ad Book Form Deadline for Ad is September 17, 2008 The conference will be held at the St. Louis Airport Marriott Hotel, located at 10700 Pear Tree Lane, St. Louis, MO 63134 on the weekend of October 17-19, 2008. We, as the Host State, are responsible for preparing a "Big Ten Conference Program Book". To help us complete this mission we are offering ADs to all Departments, Districts, Posts and Auxiliaries interested in placing an AD in our Big Ten Conference Book. AD BOOK RATES ARE AS FOLLOWS PAGE SIZE

Full Page……$200.00

RATES

Half Page ………$110.00 Quarter Page ….……$60.00

Use the space below or the back side of this form to write your ad or attach your print-ready ad to this form. If you want a photo included, send the photo with the ad. Make check payable to the Department of Missouri VFW and mail both check and ad to: Department of Missouri VFW Headquarters P.O. Box 26, Jefferson City, MO 65102 DEADLINE FOR AD IS SEPTEMBER 17, 2008 Date _____________

Amount of Payment enclosed ____________

Size of Ad Requested _____________ Signed _________________________