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INSIDETHIS ISSUE:

Commander’s Comments .............p. 2

Adjutant ........................................p. 2

Senior Vice Commander ..............p. 3

Junior Vice Commander...............p. 3

Judge Advocate ............................p. 3

Surgeon ........................................p. 4

National Home for Children ........p. 4

Resolutions for 2012 ................ p. 5-6

National Convention form ...........p. 7

Operation Uplink .........................p. 8

Mustang Club Car Show ..............p. 9

Change 4 Georgia.......................p. 10

TAPS ...........................................p.11

VOLUME 64 • Number 4APRIL - MAY- JUNE 2012

OFFICIAL PUBLICATION, DEPARTMENT OF GEORGIA, VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS

OF THE U.S.

NEWS

State Commander Cannon being presented with a “Starting Line-up” bat in Sup-port of JVC-in-Chief Brian Duffy by PCIC Gwizdak.

Commander John Veverka presents Judy Johnson with a clock in appreciation for her service to the State Headquarters, with PCIC Gwizdak.

Roh Maher and Commander Cannon with Capton Steven Woodworth from the City of Fayetteville accepting the Fire Fighter of the Year Award.

Commander Cannon being presented shadow box by PCINC George Lisicki.

All smiles for Cindi King the States Teacher of the Year for grades K-5.

Ms. Beth Hess is overjoyed by her selec-tion as the State Teacher of the Year for grades 6-8.

On my journey thru the VFW I have met some wonderful people. Some I have bonded with because of where we served, where we have been and some of the same kind of folks and families we have known. We have some-times become friends and we have had the op-portunity to share different stories about our com-munities that we lived in. But sometimes there is that some-one who touched my VFW life more than others, a person who was always upfront and told it like it was - that person for me was Sammie Cates. In my journey, I will always remember Sammie and I hope that all of you, comrades, will remember Sam-mie, too. Last year in October as I went through the membership roster it was as if I had not stopped working on MEMBERSHIP. As you may recall, I was the Member-ship Chairman for year 2010-2011, eat-ing, sleeping and talking membership all the time!! But Comrades that’s how it is when you put your heart into something!! It is no different this year. Membership is always on my mind. You may ask me any day, the status of your post regarding membership and I can give you the Post’s shortages. I would like to feel that every Post Commander is able to do the same. For those of you who are not aware, the Department budget is maintained and de-pendent on how many members we have.

From the Desk of the

AdjutantWayne A. Hagan

PAGE 2 • GEORGIA VFW NEWS • APRIL - MAY - JUNE 2012

Georgia VFW NewsOFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF DEPARTMENT OF GEORGIA

The Georgia VFW News(USPS 011212) is published

quarterly by the Dept. of GA, VFW at 4952 Columbus Rd.

Macon, GA 31206Periodicals Postage Paid at

Macon, GAGeorgia VFW News,4952 Columbus Rd.Macon, GA 31206

Wayne A. Hagan .................... Editor

PLEASEFILL OUT

ANDRETURN

Commanders CommentsPledge Cannon

“We Served ToServe Again”

Support “We Care”

As you are aware, the cost of everything is going up. Post-age or returned postage for the Georgia VFW Newspaper cost have skyrocketed. In an at-tempt to reduce cost while still providing news from the De-partment, we are asking that you select from the options be-low. Please mail this form back to the State Headquarters ei-ther to the address on the back of this or to P.O. Box 3025, Ma-con, GA 31205-3025.

______ Receive paper on line

Without members, our programs and sup-port for Veterans, Active duty Military and their families, STOP!! Comrades, I can-not emphasize enough how critical mem-bership is to the Department of Georgia, VFW. Everything that we do and every program that we support comes from hav-ing a strong membership base. We must continue to improve our membership if we are planning on keeping our social programs, such as canteens, super bowl football parties, etc.; if we don’t, these things may go away, too. Comrades, as of today, the Depart-ment is 1376 members short of being 100%. We need everyone reinstating and recruiting new members. When your post has only recruited 3 members since last October and you need 130 members, THAT IS NOT RECRUIT-ING!! Comrades you could get most of those 130 members from your reinstated roster. Every post has reinstated members on their roster who needs to be reinstated. You need someone relentlessly calling and encouraging these members to renew their membership keeping them enrolled as members of your post. I know we all have good intentions but what is more im-portant is the commitment to helping the Department reach 100%. I NEED YOUR HELP!! Congratulations and thanks to 7th District Commander Darrell Harp and District 7 members for being the fi rst district in the Department to reach 100%. I am confi dent that the other Districts will be there, soon. Thanks to everyone for all of your support and all that you do!!

WE SERVED TO SERVE AGAIN

Time is ticking away and another VFW membership year will soon be be-hind us. As we end the year, there are a few tips that should be considered at all levels to retain our members. It has been suggested that each Post form a Retention Com-mittee. The pri-mary duty of this committee would be to monitor the Post membership, especially the New Members and contact them if after a couple of months they have not attended a Post Meeting. The goal of the VFW is to retain 85% of all the new members signed each year. Going along with this is for active duty member; the recruiter should attempt to get a Home of Record address. That way, when they when it is time to contact then and they have moved, you have a way to contact them. Speaking of being able to contact members, we should consider getting each member attuned to eMembership as a form of renewal because they can provide updates on telephone numbers, home ad-dresses and e-mail addresses. By the way, this information is now available on-line to the Post Quartermaster. Post Election Reports will be accepted on-line, however when you have trouble

submitting your report it will be because the report will be rejected because it isnot fi lled out correctly and completely. Asa side note, the NEW Quartermaster can make any change in the report after it is fi led on-line. All District Election Reports MUST be mailed; they cannot be fi led on-line.Everyone is reminded that the closing date for ALL reports to count for All State isApril 30, 2012. Any report after this datewill go toward next year totals. Great news, we made the goal of 95%by the March 31. The next goal is mak-ing and exceeding the 100% mark by June 30. The Commander sends a GREAT BIG THANK YOU to all that have worked so hard to this point. The fi ght for membersis not over, so keep on retaining, recruiting and re-instating. Keep in mind that the election of State Offi cers is just around the corner and foryour vote to count, someone from your Post MUST be at the election on Sunday morning, June 17, 2012. Also, we have a limited block of rooms at the Marriott and the cutoff for the VFW rates is May 14,2012. Do not call the hotel phone number for reservations; use the 1-800 Number. News articles and photos for the next newspaper should be e-mailed to the Head-quarters by no later than June 1. If your ar-ticle does not make the paper it is because the paper is printed in “pages of four” and there may not be enough information sub-mitted to get to the required four pages.

ATTENTIONALL COMMANDERSPAST AND PRESENT

Welcome to your annual VFW State Convention. We are providing an outstand-ing opportunity for you and your fellow Commanders to join in a gala event celebrat-ing the accomplishments of the Commanders at the State/District/and Post levels. During this luncheon we will recognize our State Commander, Outstanding District Commander, Outstanding Post Commander, and Outstanding Post Quartermaster for their achievements during this VFW year. The luncheon will be held on Friday June 15, 2012. Membership is open to ALL COMMANDERS; Past and Present at ALL LEVELS (National/State/District/Post). Please provide payment of $15.00 to David Pipes or Leo Ott at the Convention site. Don’t forget our Number One function is Special Advisor’s to the State Commander for Membership. See ya’ll at the Conven-tion.

NOTICE NOTICE NOTICEThe email addresses for the Department have changed: USEqmgavfw@yahoo.com for QM Gwizdakadjgavfw@yahoo.com for Adj. Hagancarolgavfw@yahoo.com for Carol

Greetings Comrades, Our program year is quickly coming to a close. Thus far, all dead-lines imposed by the National Headquarters have been met. The program Chairman will meet at the State Headquar-ters on April 26, 2012 to select the Outstanding Community Service Post of this program year. One Post will be se-lected and that post will be honored at the National Convention in Reno Nevada. The

I would like to commend Commander Cannon and President Coggins for the ef-forts and guid-ance they have put forth this year. At the end of this year we will be in the upper echelon of all Depart-ments, due to their attempts to put this orga-nization on top. The membership of the VFW and LAVFW seems to have been working together for our veterans and their needs. Their efforts will leave a lasting impression on the De-partment of Georgia for years to come. This year is rapidly coming to a close. We have made some great strides in reach-ing the goals we set early on the Depart-ment of Georgia. As the State membership chairman this year, I would like to thank everyone that put out that extra effort to make this happen. At the present time we are over 96% in membership and well on the way to being 100% again this year. We have 77 posts that have reached 100% or more in membership and 14 posts need-ing 10 or less to be there. We have moved from 54th place (deal last) on March 2nd to19th place in the nation in a little over one month. This is remarkable!! Your hard work and perseverance have paid off and put the Department well on the road to being a leader in the VFW organization once again. Special thanks goes out the 7th district commander Darrell Harp and 2nd district commander Richard Knight for having their district fi gures surpass the 100% mark. We have three districts over 97% and one district 96% as of today. They too will be 100% very soon. This shows you that it doesn’t take “a village” it takes a “whole state” working together to attain the success we have reached this year. We only need a few more to be 100% across the board; and I know you will make it happen. Thank you all in ad-vance for a job well done, because I know that you will continue to push to make

GEORGIA VFW NEWS • APRIL - MAY - JUNE 2012 • PAGE 3

Senior Vice CommanderMembership

James R. (Rusty) Rogers

Junior Vice CommanderCommunity ServiceRonald E. Keller

Al Lipphardt

State Judge Advocate

the Department of Georgia an example of what our organization was founded upon --- helping and supporting our veterans. Membership is a vital and very im-portant part of the overall VFW programs and objectives. We are also obligated to support other programs every year. The Community Service and Americanism programs are nearly 100% in participation from every post in the state. The Buddy Poppy, Youth and Safety programs are nearing the 100% mark also. We had very good participation in the VOD, Patriot’s Pen, Teachers and public safety awards programs this year. I wish to thank the post, district, and state chairpersons for all their efforts in helping us succeed with these programs. Without their leadership, support and guidance would not have been able to make the year as successful as it has been. You have done and outstanding job. Thanks to all of you. I have enjoyed my year as Sr. Vice Commander. Overall it has been a very positive experience. Surely we have en-countered some bumps along the road; but with the team effort put forth by those who care, we have been able to reach the results we set out to accomplish. It is hard for me to explain the feelings that I have for the members of the Department of Georgia (VFW and LAVFW). Without your car-ing for veterans, sacrifi cing your time, and volunteering when asked, we would not have been able to meet the challenges that we faced this year. When you see your fellow members at the next post, district, or state meeting, pat them on the back and thank them for being a part of the Georgia Team. You all came together to make it happen. I think we have proven that we can put aside our petty squabbles and per-sonal agendas to function as a team. If we can continue to put forth these same team efforts and dedication, we will be able to perpetuate this same success far into the future for the Department of GeorgiaThank you,For what you did, for what you do, andwhat you continue to do in the future for the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

second and third posts will be honored at the State Convention in Macon, Georgia.It is not too late to report your activities and our VFW Programs. I am very pleased to report that asof this date all posts in the Deparment of Georgia have reported activity in Commu-nity Service and our required programs. The Buddy Poppy Program is runningahead of last years totals, however hours of service and money donated are below last years totals. If you haven’t reported,please do so. Thank you all for your hard work this year. These programs are why we exist as a service organization. Helping Veterans and the community is what we do.

Again, thank you for allowing me to serve as the Department of Georgia and C o m m a n d e r Cannon in the role of Judge Advocate where my goal has been to provide “Consistency” this year and “ C r e d i b i l i t y and Courage” going forward in the future. “Believe in What you Do and Do What you Believe in”, I think sums up our role as VFW mem-bers. It’s that time of year when the focus in our homes turns towards April 15 and taxes. But it is also a most important time in our posts because while we recorded nomina-tions for offi cers in March the actual elec-tion takes place in April. You might be cu-rious as to why these references are in the newspaper. The reasoning is very simple, the body, that is you the member – rule. It is that member in good standing who chooses the leadership for the post and through your delegate, the leadership at District, Depart-ment and National. If you do not have a copy of the podium edition to access these references you should ask your post com-mander to allow you to read the book, or better yet go to www.gavfw.org and go to that tab dealing with our By-laws, Manual of Procedure and Ritual where these sec-tions have been are available for review. Using the 2012 Podium Edition of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the Unit-ed States Congressional Charter, By-laws and Manual of Procedure the following is provided for your reference and guidance. These are the By-laws, that is require-ments: Article II – Posts is where you will fi nd that section concerning your post Sec-tion 215 Eligibility to offi ce page 14: Sec-tion 216 page 15, Elected and Appointed Offi cer: Chairmen and Committees: Sec-tion 217 Nomination, Election, Installation and Term of Offi ce page 15: Section 218 Offi cers and Chairmen, Duties and Obliga-

tions, page 15: Section 221 Voting page 16: Section 222 Delegates, District Conventionand Meetings, Department and NationalConventions, page 16.These are the corresponding “how to” inthe Manual of Procedure section of thePodium Edition. Article II, Posts. Section216 Elected and Appointed Offi cers: Chair-men and Committees, page 69: Section217 Nominations, Election, Installation andTerm of Offi ce, page 69: Section 218 Offi -cers and Chairmen, Duties and Obligations, page 70 to 73: Section 221 Voting, page74: Section 222 Delegates, District Con-ventions and Meetings, Department andNational Conventions page 74 and 75. Commanders, holding these elections is only the initial part of this process, nextcomes the installation of those elected and then, and this is most critical, the reportingof those elected to VFW National Head-quarters and the Department of Georgia onthe form used to record those named. When we each take an active role in ourposts, districts and department includingattendance at meetings we become better members, posts, districts and departments. This year, in my role as Judge Advocate,has been dedicated to providing consistencyin the application of our National By-laws, Manual of Procedure and Ritual as well as the Department of Georgia By-laws. When we became members we signedthe obligation on the reverse side of our ap-plication for membership and acknowledg-es our pledge in part, “I do further solemnly promise and declare – that I will complywith the Congressional Charter – By-lawsand ritual of this order”. “Honor the Dead by Helping the Liv-ing” is our motto and is the commitment our organization holds to those who haveserved, are serving and will serve in the fu-ture. The motto should be more than just words – it should be a call to action by youand I in our local and national communi-ties on behalf of those who have sacrifi cedmuch for our nation. I stand ready to be ofservice to you and if there is something youthink I should be or could be doing to assist you, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Buddy PoppyHello Comrades, Brothers and Sisters: How many times have we (you and I) said, darn it I should have stood with my post or LA VFW to hand out our Buddy Poppy’s in remembrance of our fallen comrades. The poppy program actually got its start on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean. Shortly after World War I, Madame E. Guerin, founder of the American and French Children’s League, became concerned that the free world was “forgetting too soon those sleeping in Flanders Fields.” “In Flanders Field” which spoke of poppies growing in an Allied graveyard “between the crosses, row on row,” Guerin decided on the poppy as the appropriate memorial fl ower. The Poppy Lady contacted the VFW for help, in May 1922, the VFW conducted the fi rst nationwide distribution of poppy’s in the United States. The Buddy Poppy Program has helped the VFW live up to its motto, “to honor the dead by helping the living.” For aid, assistance, relief, and comfort of needy or disabled veterans or members of the Armed Forcese and their dependents, and widows and orphans of deceased veterans. So this upcoming Memorial Day, Veterans Day or any holiday that honors our veterans, let us all get out there and distribute poppy’s for our “Family.” We are somewhat +15,500 for poppy’s distributed from March 2012 but we have a long way to go. Let us show National what the Great State of Georgia is made of. “We Never Give Up.” Thanks for what you do for this great organization.Respectfully,George C. Vernon, Jr.Buddy Poppy Chair 2011-2012

PAGE 4 • GEORGIA VFW NEWS • APRIL - MAY - JUNE 2012

Franky A. Hicks

Surgeon

“We Served To Serve Again”Support “We Care”

Comrades, I hope that everybody has had a safe trip from the state meeting in February. Congratulation to the follow-ing Districts for comple-tion of 100%, District 5, on a well done job! I am sure that the remaining Districts are lacking on one or post for completing their Hospital visit will achieve their goal. We need to continue to stress to the members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, individuals that volunteering, that you are the Veter-ans patients’ lifeline to the community. Just your mere presence is a constant re-minder to hospitalized veterans that more than just the medical professionals take an active interest in their well being. Those quiet conversations, friendly smiles, is what demonstrate commitment of a single volunteer which can create an oasis of tranquility in an otherwise often intense environment. This can spell the difference between an individual patient’s well to respond to treatment or choosing to sink into a state of lethargy. The hospital pro-gram is a very important program that we must continue to do by showing National that we are supporting our mission, as the Veterans Of Foreign Wars has been doing since 1925 in our VA Hospitals, Nursing Homes, and visiting the veterans who are nurse –bound at home, as well as going to

the our decease veterans at their funerals. There are still Posts that have not done any work in their Hospital at all! If those posts need my assistant, please feel free to con-tact myself for any questions, pertaining to properly report your hospital activities. We want to be at 100% in the state before this year ends. This will be my last year as your State Surgeon; it was fun and a very good learning process. I thank each and every member for your support through-out the years. I will continue to support the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Department of Georgia in some way or fashion. I am now heading in another direction for the calling at the Supreme level in the Military Order of the Cootie USA. As most of you did not know during this year as the State Surgeon, I was elected in the high offi ce as the Supreme Judge Advocate in which I am seeking re-election for the year2012-2013. You have some outstanding candi-dates for the upcoming year for members to vote on for your next State Surgeon and I wish them good luck! Again thank you for your support, but I had to make a hard decision for the betterment of the Organi-zation. And I will be back as soon as the dust settles around me to continue full time to support the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Department of Georgia. The Department of Georgia appreciates your support, and asks that you continue to support as you have done in your endeavors. REMEM-BER, REMEMBER, AND REMEMBER TO REPORT YOU’RE ACTIVITIES. And thank you for allowing me to be your State Surgeon.

VFW National Home for Children • In 1925, the VFW National Home for Children was founded to serve as a living memorial to America’s veterans by providing help and hope for our nation’s veteran and military families. Through their Helpline and various on-campus programs, the National Home is able to help families and children through times of crisis. •The National Home Helpline – 800-313-4200 – is staffed by dedicated, listening professionals who work directly with callers from anywhere in the country to help them and, if needed, be their advocate to find solutions to their pressing issues and concerns.

•Obstacles can prevent a veteran from participating in their approved VA Vocational Rehabilitation. In these times, the National Home may be able to help make participation a reality. •Veteran-related single parents can get back on their feet through the Single-Parent Family Program which is a time-limited, goal oriented program that helps single-parent families in crisis to learn and grow as they transition to a stronger, more stable situation •Veterans’ children who need a place to live, learn and grow will find a loving and supportive environment at the VFW National Home for Children in its state-licensed Residential Program. •For more information about the VFW National Home for Children, visit www.vfwnationalhome.org or call 866-4VFWNHC •Watch for the next month's Supporting Our Troops email for more VFW troop and veteran support program information!

His family is dealing with a lot of crisis right now.

Home for Children’s Helpline a call. Their Helpline has no restrictions on the type of issues for which a caller can be helped and it’s never a dead end! Call 800-313-4200.

VFW commentlauren e.

I believe Americans lock away their pride in their hearts, with one group of people being an exception. YOU! The veterans, the military, & their families. You’ve got guts. You laid your life on the line for a bunch of ungeatful Americans, and you deserve a whole lot more appreciation than you get. You know why? Because you don’t lock that pride away, you wear it on your shirts, your hats, your bumpers, and your uniforms, & even in your smiles.

***

CommentsMiranda M.

You dont have to be a military child to be thankful for the heroes that saved our country. I’m a 8th grader and Im very proud of our sol-diers. I used to look at the military as a beautiful picture in a broken frame. Now that I understand how it feels to live in a military community, I look at the importance of the service. I want to tell the heroes of our nation that they mean alot and that they are a big part of our nation. I want to tell you veterans thank you.

***Carl Caniniti

Well, if this piece of writing is any good, in

VFW Speech suggestionSydney Crowley

Who am I? Who are you? I am a student who has the right to be able to recite the pledge of alliegance. You are a veteran who fought for that right. I am you, and you are me. Together we are one, standing before the fl ag, brilliant and tall.

***Kaylee Brown

Life is never to be wasted. Each person only has one life, so we must use it to do great things that will last forever. People who fi ght to de-fend our country will leave an everlasting impact on America, history, and the hearts and lives of citizens across the nation. Choosing to use your one life to protect your fellow Americans is a recognition-worthy act of selfl essness that deserves each and every person living in this country’s sincere gratitude. Although nothing I can do or say, truly expresses how crucial you are to the American way of life, I would like to thank veterans like you for the peaceful feeling of knowing that this country is well protected and always will be.

***It is an honor to be named as the VFW Middle School Teach of the Year!Thank youBeth Hess

the 1st place, my teacher may read it to you at the banquet. Secondly, words cannot express how thankful I am to you for protecting this sacred piece of land called the USA. In my little town of St. Marys, many of the people who live here are in the Navy. My family isn’t. Most of my friends will prob-ably move away before we graduate high school. But the fact that will always remain a constant in my life is that without your battles and bruises, we might not be here now, and I don’t know about you, but I enjoy blowing stuff to Smithereens with fi re works on the 4th of July, and that wouldn’t be possible without the veterans. Thank you!

***Zachary Byrne

You have made a great sacrifi ce for your fami-lies, your friends, and your country. I know what it is like. My dad left us to go in his submarine for up to 6 months at a time. You are America’s true heros.

***

Speech!Carolyn B.

Veterans aren’t just men and women who are retired from work. They are men and women who are retired from greatness.

***

Letters from St. Mary’s Middle School Students to All Veterans

GEORGIA VFW NEWS • APRIL - MAY - JUNE 2012 • PAGE 5

See RESOLUTIONS, PAGE 6

Resolution No. 401 SUPPORT THE TROOPS AND THEIR MISSION IN THE WAR ON TERRORISMThe intent of this resolution is: To support and fund the troops and intelligence agencies prosecuting the U.S. war on terrorism.Resolution No. 402 SECURE AMERICA’S BORDERSThe intent of this resolution is: To secure America’s bor-ders from all threats, foreign and domestic, and to identify and deport illegal aliens who commit crimes.Resolution No. 403 HALT ROGUE NATION WMD PROGRAMSThe intent of this resolution is: To halt the nuclear weap-ons programs of North Korea and Iran, stop the transfer of technology and material to terrorist states and organi-zations, and penalize all companies and corporations that conduct business with North Korea and Iran.Resolution No. 404 KEEP DEFENSE BUDGET RELEV-ENTThe intent of this resolution is: To urge the Administration and Congress to provide adequate funding for the readi-ness, training, modernization, healthcare, and quality of life initiatives for the armed forces of today and tomor-row.Resolution No. 405 BALLISTIC MISSILE DEFENSE A NATIONAL SECURITYThe intent of this resolution is: To support a ballistic mis-ile defense system and urge Congress to fully fund R&D programs.Resolution No. 406 SUPPORT THE REPUBLIC OF KO-REAThe intent of this resolution is: To urge the U.S. govern-ment to keep a military presence in the Republic of Korea, and to increase military aid and assistance to help promote peace and stability in the region.Resolution No. 407 SUPPORT THE REPUBLIC OF CHINA ON TAIWANThe intent of this resolution is: To urge the Administra-tion and the Congress to strictly adhere to the concepts of the Taiwan Relations Act, to urge the U.S. government to employ its full range of infl uence to contain aggressive posturing of the People Republic of China, and to afford the Taiwan Head of State equal respect and privileges.Resolution No. 408. RAISE MILITARY BASE PAY TO EQUAL PRIVATE -SECTOR WAGESThe intent of this resolution is: To achieve full military base pay comparability with private-sector wages.Resolution No. 409 LOWER THE RESERVE COMPO-NENT RETIREMENT PAY AGEThe intent of this resolution is: To support legislation that will lower the Reserve Component retirement pay eligibil-ity age from 60 to 55.Resolution No. 410 CORRECT FY08 NDAA RESERVE RETIREMENT PAY PROVISIONThe intent of this resolution is: To urge Congress to retro-activity grant early retirement credit to all Reserve Com-ponent members who were activated in support of a con-tingency operation from 9/11 forward, as outlined in the FY 2008 National Defense Authorization Act.Resolution No. 411 STOP EROSION OF MILITARY PAY & BENEFITSThe intent of this resolution is: To vigorously oppose the further erosion of military pay and benefi ts, increased Tri-care fees, deductibles and co-pays, and all efforts to civil-ianize the military retirement system.Resolution No. 412 REFORM THE UNIFORMED SER-VICES FORMER SPOUSES PROTECTION ACTThe intent of this resolution is: To urge Congress to reform the Uniformed Services Former Spouses Protection Act to include granting divorce awards based on the service member’s rank at the time of divorce, to not require ser-vice members with more than 20 years of service to divide expected retired pay before they actually retire, and to ter-minate payments if the former spouse remarries.Resolution No. 413 INTERSTATE COMPACT ON ED-UCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY FOR MILITARY CHIL-DRENThe intent of this resolution is: To call upon 11 State Gov-ernments—Arkansas, Connecticut, Georgia, Idaho, Mas-

sachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, Oregon, Wyoming, plus the District of Columbia—to adopt the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children.Resolution No. 414 CHILD CUSTODY PROTECTION FOR DEPLOYED SINGLE PARENTSThe intent of this resolutio is: To urge Congress to amend the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act to prevent permanent changes to child custody arrangements while service mem-bers are deployed.Resolution No. 415 MILITARY ABSENTEE VOTINGThe intent of this resolution is: To have VFW Department Legislative Committees work with 22 state governments to ensure they adopt all corrective meassures as expressed in the MOVE Act of 2009, and to urge the federal govern-ment to assess monetary penalties against those states who fail.Resolution No. 416 CONCURRENT RECEIPT OF MILI-TARY RETIREMENT PAY AND VA DISABILITY COM-PENSATIONThe intent of this resolution is: To support legislation for the full concurrent receipt of military retirement pay and VA disability compensation without offset and regardless of the rating percentage.Resolution No. 417 EASE MILITARY LICENSING AND CREDENTIALINGThe intent of this resolution is: To urge 28 state governors to promote military licensing and credentialing accomoda-tions and academic credit allowances with their states, and to urge the military services to ensure training standards are consistent with relevant civilian licensing and creden-tialing programs.Resolution No. 418 EASE MILITARY SPOUSES LI-CENSING AND CREDENTIALING PORTABILITYThe intent of this resolution is: To have VFW Department Legislative Committees work with 26 state governments to urge their support to increase the portability of military spouse licensing and certifi cations.Resolution No. 419 ALLOW SECOND POV SHIPMENT TO ALASKA, HAWAIIThe intent of this resolution is: To urge DOD to permit military personnel being reassigned to Alaska and Hawaii to ship a second POV, provided their maximum weight al-lowance is not exceeded.Resolution No. 420 PROVIDE DD-214S TO RESERVE COMPONENT MEMBERSThe intent of this resolution is: To urge Congress to delete the 90-day activation requirement in Title 10, U.S. Code, and to provide the DD Form 214 to all Reserve Component members who separate or retire under conditions other than dishonorable.Resolution No. 421 POW/MIA FULL ACCOUNTING MISSION FUNDINGThe intent of this resolution is: To call upon Congress to fully fund the requested amounts for all DOD organiza-tions involved in the Full Accounting Mission.Resolution No. 422 PRESERVE INTEGRITY OF U.S.-RUSSIA JOINT COMMISSIONThe intent of this resolution is: To call upon President Obama and his Administration to keep the U.S.-Russia Joint Commission of POW/MIA Affairs intact in mission, personnel and funding.Resolution No. 423 CALL FOR MORE VIETNAM POW/MIA UNILATERAL ACTIONSThe intent of this resolution is: To encourage Vietnam to continue to expand the number and frequency of Vietnam-ese-led recovery operations, and to request Vietnam release all documents and possible remains pertaining to Ameri-cans still missing from the Vietnam War.Resolution No. 601 ADEQUATE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS BUDGETBE IT RESOLVED, by the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States that we urge the Congress of the United States authorize appropriations for the Department of Vet-erans Affairs which fully fund and maintain the integrity and enhancement of veterans entitlement programs and health care system.Resolution No. 602 CONSIDER TREATMENT FOR A

PRESUMPTIVE SERVICE CONNECTED CONDITIONAS A CLAIM FOR VA COMPENSATIONBE IT RESOLVED, by the Veterans of Foreign Wars ofthe United States, that we urge Congress to enact legisla-tion requiring that treatment by the Department of Veter-ans Affairs (VA) for a condition or disease recognized aspresumptively service connected will be considered to bean informal claim for service connection for compensa-tion purposes.Resolution No. 603 EXTENDING GULF WAR PRE-SUMPTIONS, REGISTRY AND HEALTHCARE TO AFGHANISTAN THEATER VETERANSBE IT RESOLVED, by the Veterans of Foreign Wars ofthe United States, that we urge Congress and the VA to in-clude Afghanistan in the Southwest Asia theater of opera-tions so that appropriate benefi ts, including eligibility for compensation based on undiagnosed illnesses, and medi-cal care eligibility, will be provided, retroactive to the be-ginning of Operation Enduring Freedom.Resolution No. 604 OPPOSE VA PHARMACEUTICAL CO-PAYMENT INCREASESBE IT RESOLVED, by the Veterans of Foreign Wars ofthe United States, the we oppose increases in the VA phar-maceutical co-payment.Resolution No. 605 NURSING HOME ELIGIBILITYBE IT RESOLVED, by the Veterans of Foreign Wars ofthe United States, that we urge Congress to establish a standard VA nursing home entitlement for all veterans.Resolution No. 606 TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURYHEALTHCAREBE IT RESOLVED, by the Veterans of Foreign Wars of theUnited States, that we urge Congress to provide suffi cient funding to the Department of Veterans Affairs to ensure that appropriate screening, diagnostic services, treatmentand life-long case management services are available to every veteran suffering from TBI.Resolution No. 607 VETERANS EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING PROGRAMSBE IT RESOLVED, by the Veterans of Foreign Wars ofthe United States, that we support viable and effective vet-erans employment and training systems, to include provi-sions of the VOW to Hire Heroes Act, which have neces-sary funding and capability to assist veterans in seeking and maintaining meaningful employment and re-employ-ment opportunities.Resolution No. 608 VA SERVICES FOR WOMEN VET-ERANSBE IT RESOLVED, by the Veterans of Foreign Wars ofthe United States, that we urge VA to increase prioritygiven to women veterans, by increasing researcch fundingspecifi cally tailored to women veterans and by providing adequate mental health care services to include individu-als trained to provide care for MST and PTSD.Resolution No. 609 EXTEND SERVICE CONNECTION PRESUMPTION TO BLAST SURVIVORSBE IT RESOLVED, by the Veterans of Foreign Wars ofthe United States, that we urge Congress to approve a pre-sumption of service connection for the conditions associ-ated with Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI).Resolution No. 610 VETERAN ENTREPRENEURSHIPBE IT RESOLVED, by the Veterans of Foreign Wars that Congress expand entrepreneurial education and network-ing programs for veterans via veterans small business cen-ters funded through the Small Business Administration inorder to help all government agencies reach the three-per-cent goal.Resolution No. 611 ENSURE COMPLIANCE WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR (DOL) TRANSITIONASSISTANCE PROGRAM PARTICIPATION MAN-DATEBE IT RESOLVED, by the Veterans of Foreign Wars of theUnited States, that DOD expands and standardizes their existing pre-separation counseling policies to ensure coun-seling services are utilized by separating service membersand by adding additional information on the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) benefi ts, to include healthcare

Resolutions to be considered at the 113th National Convention in Reno, Nevada July 21, 2012

PAGE 6 • GEORGIA VFW NEWS • APRIL - MAY - JUNE 2012

EXPRESS SCRIPTS PRESCRIPTIONS AND WALGREENS

VFW has learned of a coming change to the Express Scripts sys-tem and Walgreens.Effective 1/1/12, Walgreens will no longer be a provider for the express scripts system. Express Scripts is the prescription system for Tricare and they are pulling out of Walgreens because Wal-greens refuses to honor the prices of $5 for generic and $12 for name brand prescriptions.

For more information, visit http://www.expressscripts.com/ser-vices/members/networkchange/

to what the Independent Budget recommends: the service connected burial benefi t, non-service connected burial benefi t and the plot allowance should be $6,160, $1,918, and $1,150 respectively.Resolution No. 618 HEARING LOSS COMPENSA-TIONBE IT RESOLVED, by the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, that we urge the Secretary of Veterans Af-fairs to amend the Schedule for Rating Disabilities to pro-vide a minimum compensable evaluation for any service connected hearing loss for which a hearing aid is medically indicated.Resolution No. 619 REPEAL SBP/DIC OFFSETBE IT RESOLVED, by the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, that we urge Congress to repeal the Survivor’s Benefi t Plan and Dependency and Indemnity Compensation offset.Resolution No. 620 INCIDENT REPORTING AND HEALTH CAR FOR MSTBE IT RESOLVED, by the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, that we urge VA and DOD to ensure that necessary and appropriate health care services are available to all veterans who experience MST, to include, confi den-tial counseling and other treatment options, and additional counseling and other treatment options, and additional gender-specifi c facilities for the treatment of conditions resulting from MST amongst the veteran population.Resolution No. 621 HOMELESS VETERANS PRIORI-TIESBE IT RESOLVED, by the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, that we urge the President and Congress to continue addressing homeless veterans as a priority by increasing the availability of affordable housing, ensur-ing the opportunity to earn an adequate income through increased educational and employment opportunities and training, and by expanding access to health-care services.Resolution No. 622 VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION AND EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM ELIGIBILITYBE IT RESOLVED, by the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, that we urge Congress to change the eligi-bility delimiting date for VA Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment program by eliminating the 12-year-delimit-

and entitlements, federal and private sector employment opportunities, G.I. Bill and vocational rehabilitation and employment programs, and to ensure that individual ser-vice members receive appropriate transitioning services, as mandated by the VOW to Hire Heroes Act.Resolution No. 612 VA CLAIMS BACKLOGBE IT RESOLVED, by the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, that we urge Congress to continue to exercise its oversight capacity and provide the resources necessary to hire, train and sustain a workforce suffi cient to overcome the backlog and provide quality and timely service to those claiming benefi ts or appealing decisions from VA.Resolution No. 613 Increase the Benefi t level for DEABE IT RESOLVED, by the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, that we urge the Congress to increase DEA benefi ts to refl ect the rising cost of education, and that the benefi t should be indexed to refl ect the level of tuition as reported by the Department of Education.Resolution No. 614 PTSD HEALTH CAREBE IT RESOLVED, by the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, that we strongly urge the Department of Veterans Affairs to adequately staff VA mental health treatment and research programs.Resolution No. 615 TINNITUS AND HEARING LOSS PRESUMPTIVE SERVICE CONNECTIONBE IT RESOLVED, by the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, we urge the Secretary of Veterans Af-fairs to grant service connection on a presumptive basis for any veteran diagnosed after discharge with hearing loss or tinnitus when the evidence shows that the veteran partici-pated in combat or worked in a position or occupational specialty likely to cause acoustic trauma.Resolution No. 616 ENFORCE VETERANS EMPLOY-MENT LAWBE IT RESOLVED, by the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, that we urge Congress to hold the De-partment of Labor and federal contractors responsible for abiding by the law, particularly Title 38 USC 4212.Resolution No. 617 BURIAL PLOT ALLOWANCEBE IT RESOLVED, by the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, that Congress increase all burial benefi ts

RESOLUTIONS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5

ing date for eligibility to Chapter 31 benefi ts and allow allveterans with employment impediments or problems withindependent living to qualify for VR&E services for life.Resolution No. 623 VETERANS PREFERENCE - JOBTRAININGBE IT RESOLVED, by the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, that we urge Congress to ensure thatall agencies that are provided funds from the U.S. Depart-ment of Labor, or that receive funding under the Wagner - Peyser Act or Workforce Investment Act meet the samecompliance standards as the State Workforce agencies rel-ative to Veterans Preference, as mandated by current law.Resolution No. 624 VETERANS AFFAIRS PENSIONMANAGEMENTBE IT RESOLVED, by the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, that we express our concerns aboutthe services being delivered by the Pension Management Center and urge the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to return control of all pension claims to the original VA regional offi ce of jurisdiction.Resolution No. 625 MAKE VA FEE BASIS PAYMENTSAND CHAMPVA PAYMENTS FAIR TO PROVIDERSBE IT RESOLVED, by the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, that we support legislation and regula-tions requiring that Fee Basis, CHAMPVA, TriCare and other plans providing medical care for retired and disabledveterans be kept competitive with private insurance pro-viders.Resolution No. 626 SUPPORT PROPER FUNDING FOR DVOPS/LVERSBE IT RESOLVED, by the Veterans’ of Foreign Wars of the United States, that we support legislation that wouldreturn DVOP and LVER funding to a staffi ng grant.Resolution No. 627 QUALITY EDUCATIONAL OUT-COMESBE IT RESOLVED, that the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States urge Congress to ensure proper oversightof VA’s educational benefi t programs, enacting legislation to ensure that student-veterans receive the quality educa-tional opportunities they have earned and can take action should they become victims of fraud, waste or abuse.

WASHINGTON – The Department of Veterans Affairs announced today the national deployment of claims transfor-mation initiatives to 12 regional offi ces in the remaining months of fi scal year 2012 to improve benefi ts delivery to Veterans, families and their survivors. “This is an important milestone in our transformation to achieve the goal we es-tablished in 2009 of processing all disabil-ity claims within 125 days at a 98 percent accuracy level in 2015,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki. The 12 regional offi ces to begin the deployment of the transformation initia-tives include: Huntington, W.Va.; Hartford, Conn.; Portland, Ore.; Houston, Texas; Cleveland, Ohio; Des Moines, Iowa; Boi-se, Idaho; Phoenix, Ariz.; New Orleans, La.; San Juan, Puerto Rico; Atlanta, Ga.; Newark, N.J. This deployment follows four pilot programs at Indianapolis, Ind., Wichita, Kan., Milwaukee, Wis., and Fort Harrison, Mont., in 2012. VA’s transformation plan is based on more than 40 measures that were selected, evaluated, tested and measured from over 600 stakeholder and employee innovation ideas. “This national deployment, consisting of people, process and technology initia-tives, follows comprehensive planning and

New VA Initiatives to Improve Benefi ts Delivery to Veterans and FamiliesVA to Deploy New Operating Model for Disability Claims

testing to ensure we have the right recipe for success,” added Under Secretary for Benefi ts Allison A. Hickey. During the national deployment, VA will further track and gauge the integrated effects of the transformation plan to reduce the backlog of disability claims and pro-vide Veterans, their families, and survivors with more timely and accurate claims deci-sions. VA expects to deploy the transfor-mation plan to the remaining 40 regional offi ces throughout calendar 2013. The major components of the trans-formation plan that will be nationally de-ployed include: • The Intake Processing Center, which adds a formalized process for triaging claims documents and other mail, and drives faster and more accurate associa-tion of mail with Veterans’ claims fi les; • Segmented Processing Lanes, which allow claims that can be more easily rated to move quickly through the system and the more complex claims to be processed by VA’s more experienced and skilled em-ployees; • Cross-Functional Teams, which support a case-management approach to claims processing that minimizes rework and reduces processing time; and • The Veterans Benefi ts Management System, which is a new electronic claims

processing system that employs rules-based technologies to improve decision speed and quality. VA has already nationally implemented: • Quality Review Teams, which are composed of dedicated local quality re-view specialists who will evaluate station and individual employee performance and conduct in-process reviews to eliminate er-rors at the earliest possible stage. • Simplifi ed and Standardized Rating Notifi cation Letters, which give Veterans one simplifi ed decision letter that provides notice of VA’s decision, including a sum-mary of the evidence considered and the

reason for the decision. VA provides compensation and pen-sion benefi ts to more than four million Vet-erans, family members and survivors. Vet-erans fi ling claims may fi le online through eBenefi ts, a joint project between the De-partment of Defense and VA, at HYPER-LINK “https://www.ebenefi ts.va.gov/”\t “_blank” https://www.ebenefi ts.va.gov.They can check the status of their claimwith a Premium eBenefi ts account, and use a growing number of online services orcontact VA Call Centers for more informa-tion at 1-800-827-1000.

GEORGIA VFW NEWS • APRIL - MAY - JUNE 2012 • PAGE 7

PAID ADVERTISEMENT

Cols. 3:12 Has some-one ever done something for you that you re-ally appreciated, but didn’t think you deserved? I am sure if we think deeply enough, most of us can remem-ber when we the recipient of such an action. There is a story told of Mr. Miller, a local grocer in a small midwestern vil-lage. One day a small lad named Barry can into the store and was admiring the freshly picked green peas. Mr. Miller asked him if he would like to take some peas home. “No Sir. Got nuthin to pay for ‘em with”. “Well what have you to trade me for some of those peas?” The boy answered that all he had was his prize marble. “That sure is a dandy” replied Mr. Miller “but this one is green, and I sort of go for red” Do you have a red one like this at home?” the storeown-er asked. “Not zackley but almost”. “Tell you what. Take this sack of peas home with you and on your next trip this way let me look at that red marble:. Sure will. Thanks Mr. Miller.The grocer’s wife was standing nearby as-sisting another customer. With a smile she said “There are two other boys like him in our community and all three are very poor. Jim just loves to bargain with them for peas, apples, tomatoes or whatever. When they come back with their red marbles and they always do. He decides he doesn’t like

PAGE 8 • GEORGIA VFW NEWS • APRIL - MAY - JUNE 2012

Chaplain’s CornerJames W. Gray

PAID ADVERTISEMENT

ELECTMike O’Steen

State Judge Advocate2012-2013

red after all and sends them home with a bag of produce.Several years went by and the gentleman that was in the store the day Barry bartered his marble for a sack of peas was in townvisiting friends. While there he learned that Mr. Miller had died. He and his friendswent to the mortuary to pay their respects to the family. There were three young menahead of them in line. Each man huggedMrs. Miller, spoke briefl y and moved on.Their turn came to meet Mrs. Miller; the gentleman reminded Mrs. Miller that hewas in their store years ago when she told him the story of the three lads and the mar-bles. “Those three men who just left were the boys I told you about. They just told mehow they appreciated the things Jim “trad-ed” them. Now at last, when Jim could not change his mind about color or size. They came to pay their debt.” “We’ve never had a great deal of the wealth of this world,” she confi ded, “but right now, Jim would consider himself the richest man in the world.” With loving gentleness she lifted the lifeless fi ngers of her dear husband. Rest-ing underneath were 3 exquisitely shinedred marbles. We will not be remembered by our words, but by our kind deeds. Life is not measured by the breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath. Let us not forget the Giver of all bless-ings and the many undeserved blessings we receive every day What kind of actions will you be re-membered by. Make a special effort to do something nice for someone today….

VA to Increase Mental Health Staff by 1,900

WASHINGTON—Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki today announced that the department would add approximately 1,600 mental health clinicians - to include nurses, psychiatrists, psychologists, and so-cial workers as well as nearly 300 support staff to its existing workforce of 20,590 men-tal health staff as part of an ongoing review of mental health operations. “As the tide of war recedes, we have the opportunity, and the responsibility, to an-ticipate the needs of returning Veterans,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki. “History shows that the costs of war will con-tinue to grow for a decade or more after the operational missions in Iraq and Afghanistan have ended. As more Veterans return home, we must ensure that all Veterans have access to quality mental health care.” VA’s ongoing comprehensive review of mental health operations has indicated that some VA facilities require more mental health staff to serve the growing needs of Veterans. VA is moving quickly to address this top pri-ority. Based on this model for team delivery of outpatient mental health services, plus growth needs for the Veterans Crisis Line and anticipated increase in Compensation and Pension/Integrated Disability Evaluation Sys-tem exams, VA projected the additional need for 1,900 clinical and clerical mental health staff at this time. As these increases are im-plemented, VA will continue to assess staffi ng levels. “Mental health services must be closely aligned with Veterans’ needs and fully inte-grated with health care facility operations,” said VA Under Secretary for Health Dr. Rob-ert Petzel. “Improving access to mental health services will help support the current and future Veterans who depend on VA for these

vital services.” VA will allocate funds from the current budget to all 21 Veterans Integrated Service Networks (VISNs) across the country this month to begin recruitment immediately. un-der the leadership of President Obama and Secretary Shinseki, VA has devoted more peo-ple, programs, and resources toward mental health services to serve the growing number of Veterans seeking mental health care from VA. Last year, VA provided specialty mental health services to 1.3 million Veterans. Since 2009, VA has increased the mental health care budget by 39 percent. Since 2007, VA has seen a 35 percent increase in the number of Veter-ans receiving mental health services, and a 41 percent increase in mental health staff. VA has enhanced services by integrating mental health care into the primary care set-ting, developed an extensive suicide preven-tion program, and increased the number of Veterans Readjustment Counseling Centers (Vet Centers). VA’s Veteran Crisis Line has received more than 600,000 calls resulting in over 21,000 rescues of Veterans in immediate crisis. “The mental health of America’s Veter-ans not only touches those of us at VA and the Department of Defense, but also families, friends, co-workers, and people in our com-munities,” said Petzel. “We ask that you urge Veterans in your communities to reach out and connect with VA services.” To locate the nearest VA facility or Vet Center for enrollment and to get scheduled for care, Veterans can visit VA’s website at www.va.gov. Immediate help is available at www.VeteransCrisisLine.net or by calling the Cri-sis Line at 1-800-273-8255 (push 1) or texting 838255.

Liberty Institute announces a milestone victory in the 11-year battle with the ACLU over the Mojave Desert Veterans Memorial – a Cross monument that, prior to the ACLU lawsuit in 2001, stood quietly on public land honoring veterans for 67 years. Today, U.S. District Court Judge Robert J. Timlin signed an order ending the ACLU’s lawsuit and pav-ing the way for the original memorial site on Sunrise Rock to transfer to the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), so they can restore the Memorial. The U.S. Congress originally authorized the land transfer in 2003. “This is a great victory that brings the veterans one step closer to restoring this World War I memorial to its rightful place in the desert and in history,” said Hiram Sasser, litigation director for Liberty Institute. “We are pleased the government and the ACLU could resolve their remaining differences and begin the healing process for the millions of veterans who have endured this case for over a decade.” According to the recent settlement, the Fed-eral Government will transfer to the VFW, whose members erected the Memorial in 1934 and are eager to restore it, the title for the one-acre parcel on which the Memo-rial was established. Liberty Institute and the VFW will host a ceremony to re-dedicate the Mojave Desert Cross at a date yet to be de-termined. Currently, Sunrise Rock sits vacant, ex-cept for plenty of sand, indigenous cacti and rattlesnakes, because vandals desecrated and

Another Victory For Veteransstole the memorial after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in favor of the memorial in 2010. In the same ruling, they also sent the caseback to the district court to review the land transfer. Although today’s settlement ends the ACLU’s lawsuit to tear down the Mojave Desert Veterans Memorial, still pending isthe VFW’s lawsuit against the federal gov-ernment to ensure the implementation of the land transfer. Erected by World War I veterans in 1934, the Mojave Desert Veterans Memorialis the only World War I Memorial designatedby Congress as a National Monument. Liberty Institute represented several ma-jor veterans groups as amici in The SupremeCourt case, Salazar v. Buono. In addition,Liberty Institute represents the Mt. SoledadMemorial Association in a similar battle over the Mt. Soledad Veterans Memorial that in-cludes a cross and sits on public land. Mostrecently, Liberty Institute appealed the case to the U.S. Supreme Court along with theU.S. Solicitor General. Liberty Institute alsolaunched a national public awareness cam-paign, Don’t Tear Me Down, to bring atten-tion to the plight of veterans memorials that contain religious imagery. A video about the Mojave Cross received nearly 2 million views on YouTube. Today, a patriotic song, Don’t Tear Me Down, can be downloaded atwww.DontTearMeDown.com with proceeds going toward fi ghting the ACLU and othersin these battles over memorials.

GEORGIA VFW NEWS • APRIL - MAY - JUNE 2012 • PAGE 9

History: The Heart of Georgia Mustang Club is located in Warner Robins, Georgia. Warner Robins has a long military history dating back to the 1940’s; when it was a Southern Railroad whistle-stop known as Wellston, GA. The base was the Georgia Air Depot during the early days, it was re-designated as: the Wellston Army Air Depot. The air-fi eld was re-designated Robins Air Force Base on 16 February 1948. The base was named in honor of Brig. Gen. Augustine Warner Robins. He had a lengthy military career prior to be-coming the chief of the Air Corps Materiel Division. Robins traveled in China dis-guised as a millionaire tourist, collecting intelligence for the Army. Warner Robins is nicknamed the “In-ternational City” as numerous residents come from around the world and are sta-tioned at nearby Robins Air Force Base. The offi cial motto of Warner Robins is EDIMGIAFAD, which is an acronym for “Every Day in Middle Georgia Is Armed Forces Appreciation Day.” (Originally: Every Day in Middle Georgia Is Air Force Appreciation Day). The coining of this phrase is attributed to Dr. Dan Callahan, a local civic leader. Adjacent to the Robins Air Force Base is the Museum of Aviation it has four major structures on forty-three-acres and ninety historic aircraft. The museum is also home to the Georgia Aviation Hall of Fame which honors outstanding Georgians prominent in aviation. The 93 aircraft and missiles on display include a B-52, SR-71, a Marietta, Georgia-built B-29, and a spe-cially modifi ed C-130 Hercules that was used in the failed Iran-hostage rescue mis-sion. The Museum of Aviation has become a major regional educational and historical resource that hosts more than 500,000 visi-tors annually. Almost every member of the Heart of Georgia Mustang Club has an association with the United States military. Our club members are active duty, retired, prior military or civilian employees at Robins Air Force Base. Many club members are third and fourth generation military fami-lies. Several of our members are decorated combat Veterans.Call to Action: In December 2010 my wife Lynn and I were trying to make a decision which char-ity needed the most support. The local tele-vision station, WMAZ, had many charities listed on their website. All the charities were very deserving of their request for support from the community. However, one request stood out head and shoulders above the rest. It was the VA Residents’ Recreation Therapy at the Carl Vinson VA Medical Center in Dublin, GA. As a dis-abled combat Veteran, I am very aware of the special challenges Veterans face. They were requesting the normal items—handkerchiefs and socks but there was one request that actually leaped out at Lynn and me. What the VA Recreation Therapy Department wanted the most for the Veterans was someone to visit with them. Therefore, “Visit with a Veteran”

Car Show was born! How much more fun could a car show be? Host a car show and combine it with a visit to our hospitalized Veterans who have served our country with great honor and distinction - SWEET! When Lynn and I suggested a “Visit with a Veteran” Car Show to the club members, our passion for the car show was conta-gious; we started imme-diately mak-ing plans for the car show. We did some brainstorming for the best way to host the car show. The next day I contacted Mrs. Cesci Jones, Recre-ation Therapy Supervisor, at the VA Medi-cal Center. Mrs. Jones was very excited about the idea of “Visit with a Veteran” Car Show. A few days later Mr. Danny Flanders, a childhood friend and avid Ford enthusi-ast, and I drove to the VA Medical Center in Dublin, GA to meet with Mrs. Jones. She explained the recreation therapy ser-vices the VA provided the Veterans. The Recreation Therapy budget helps to cover the cost of program expenses such as the annual Super Bowl party; Valentine Dance, cook-outs, as well as purchasing regularly needed supplies. As with all gov-ernment agencies, their annual funding had been decreased. The fund also helps send participants to the yearly National Veter-ans Wheelchair Games and National Vet-erans Golden Age Games. These games were being held 1-6 August 2011 in Pitts-burgh, PA. The National Veterans Games are an event for Veterans from across the nation to compete in various activities. The activities range from golf, swim-ming, biking, horseshoes, shuffl eboard, air rifl e, dominoes, soccer, rugby, basketball, weightlifting, slalom, and track and fi eld. I asked Mrs. Jones the average expense to send one Veterans the national games. She said about $2,500 per participant. I know our club was small in membership but we have great passion for our Veterans. With-out hesitation I told Mrs. Jones our club would raise enough money to send one Veterans to the National Veterans Wheel-chair Games or National Veterans Golden Age Games. We set the date for 14 May 2011 - we had scarcely 3 months to put to-gether the “Visit with a Veteran” Car Show. Due to the district of 50 miles between the VA Medical Center in Dublin, GA and Warner Robins, GA the logistics for the car show was very challenging. I donated a great deal of personal time in trying to fi nd sponsors by making appeals to local busi-nesses to help us out. The chain retailers also responded well. You would be amazed

at the overwhelmingly positive response I got just by saying the word “Veterans”. Other members helped out with publicity, administrative tasks, concessions, etc. If there was a need, someone immediately stepped up to the plate. The show was a huge success - especially for such a small

car club - we de-cided, on the spot, to make it an annual event. It really doesn’t take an act of Congress to get help for our Veterans. All it took was a few people to get the ball roll-ing and every-body was all-in. We not only met our goal of $2,500.00 we almost doubled it. We raised $ 4 , 9 2 1 . 7 1 ; enough to send

two Veterans to the National Veterans Games. The Carl Vinson VA Medical Cen-ter was represented by Mr. Ulysses Albrit-ton and Mr. Timothy Anderson. Both of these Veterans were medal winners. Mr. Anderson competed in shot put and won the bronze. He also competed in discuss, javelin, and weight lifting. He won the sil-ver in all three of those events. Mr. Albrit-ton competed in several events. He won the bronze in the motor slalom. While there were many other Veterans representing the state of Georgia, we wanted to spotlight

those from our local area. Congratulationsto our Veteran competitors! One hundred per cent (100%) of theproceeds from our “Visit with a Veteran” Car Show will be donated to the VA Resi-dents’ Recreation Therapy Fund. This fundprovides recreational opportunities to Vet-erans in the hospital. Our work is only pos-sible with the assistance of generous do-nations from members of the community.Without donations from supporters the Veterans who benefi ted from the recreation therapy services would have been left toface their challenges all alone.Invitation: Will you help us; help our Veterans in need? Your fi nancial support, itemsdonated for the silent auction or for doorprizes would be greatly appreciated. Do-nations may be mailed to: Carl Vinson VA Medical Center, Voluntary Service (135),1826 Veterans Blvd., Dublin, GA 31021. Your contribution should be made payable to: Carl Vinson VA Medical Center and inthe “For” line: “Recreation Therapy Fund 9301”. Questions about donations contact Mrs.Cesci Jones, CTRS Supervisor, Recreation Therapy, VAMC, (478-277-2728). Pleasejoin us on 12 May 2012 for the “Visit with a Veteran” Car Show at the Carl Vinson VA Medical Center in Dublin, GA; to visit ourhospitalized Veterans who have served our country with great honor and distinction.If you would like to be a sponsor or haveany questions, please contact Warren Mar-tin 487 781-1395 (home) or 770 403-3766(cell). Email: TheBlues9108@aol.com.“For those that fought for it - freedom has a taste and meaning the protected

will never know.”

Heart of Georgia Mustang Club (HOG)“Visit with a Veteran” Car Show

Carl Vinson VA Medical Center, Dublin GA

WASHINGTON (Feb. 3, 30120—The Department of Veterans Affairs part-nered with the First Army at Camp Shelby, Miss., to launch a streamlined version of its online application for VA health benefi ts (VA Form 1010EZ) for Service-members returning from deployment. VA will introduce it at demobilization sites nationwide by early spring 2012. “This online application demonstrates VA’s commitment to work with the De-partment of Defense to make it easier for Servicemembers to get the care they earned by their service,” said Secretart if Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki. “The new, online system noticeably reduces the paperwork and reduces a 10-day process to three days.” The application is used to enroll in the VA health care system, which has more than 1,000 sites of care across the country. Enrollment for VA health care is done as part of a Servicemember’s demobili-zation. The online form allows the application to be completed during a regularly scheduled briefi ng for all Servicesmembers on VA benefi ts. Quick enrollment is important for returning troops because recently dischar-rged combat Veterans are eligible for fi ve years of cost-free care and medications for conditions potentially related to combat service. The new application was piloted as part of the demobilization process at Camp Shelby. Based on the results, VA plans to colloborate with DoD to offer this online application at all 61 demobilization sites nationally. For more information, Servicesmembers may contact VA at 1-877-222 VETS (8387) or visit VA’s health eligiblity website at www.va.gov/healthbenefi ts.

New Online Enrollment Application Available for Servicemembers To Be Introduced

At Demobilization Sites Nationwide

PAGE 10 • GEORGIA VFW NEWS • APRIL - MAY - JUNE 2012

The CHANGE-4-GEORGIA program started by Remington Youngblood has produced an exceptional amount of do-nated items from 15 of the Forsyth County schools. Pictured above is just a small por-tion of the items collected. These items will be sent by the local Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9143 and their Ladies Auxiliarymembers to Georgia Troops currently de-ployed overseas. Donald Hughes, All American Post Commander, said this outpouring of sup-port from our local schools demonstrates the commitment the residents and students of Forsyth County have continually pro-vided to our deployed service members. He wants to thank the Board of Education, School Principals, Teachers and Students for their support of this and the many other programs sponsored by the VFW. Special thanks to the schools, their lo-cal clubs and leaders!North Forsyth High School, Teens 4 Troops & Patriots ClubKristina PillingSouth Forsyth High School, Random Acts of Kindness ClubAshley JonesWest Forsyth High School, Student Gov-ernmentLori WaddellForsyth Central High School, Patriot’s ClubSteven CalabroLambert High School, a. Random Acts of Kindness ClubWoody Van Treek; b. Friends of Rachel, Tom NeighbourRiverwatch Middle School, Friends of Ra-chelJessica Hayes

Cumming Post 9143 and Ladies Auxiliary Support CHANGE - 4 GEORGIA

Pictured above from left to right are Kristina Pilling, teacher at North Forsyth High School; Remington Youngblood, John’s Creek Elementary fi fth grade student; Don-ald Hughes, VFW Post 9143 Commander.

South Forsyth Middle School, Friends of RachelKerry HartshornLittle Mill Middle School, a. Media Spe-cial Anna Murdockb. 6th Grade Teachers Symantha O’ByrneVickory Creek Middle School, Friends of RachelDebbie PollackOtwell Middle School, Junior Beta Club, Leslie SamsLakeside Middle School, Friends of Ra-chel, Ali ParkerNorth Forsyth Middle School, Friends of RachelChris HighlandJohns Creek Elementary, Safari StudentsBig Creek Elementary, Karen ColemanChattahoochee Elementary, Dana Hall

NOTICENOTICENOTICE

The email addresses for the Department have

changed:USE

qmgavfw@yahoo.com for QM Gwizdak

adjgavfw@yahoo.com for Adj. Hagan

carolgavfw@yahoo.com for Carol

GEORGIA VFW NEWS • APRIL - MAY - JUNE 2012 • PAGE 11

TAPSTAPSPost 649 - Augusta

James ArnoldShelby Beaty

Merlyn CollinsRobert JacobsJim Weaver

Post 658 - MaconWilliam DavisGeorge Harris

Therese RobbinsJulian Shearhouse

Allen WinterPost 660 - Savannah

Leon DeichPost 665 - Columbus

John HollidayVassar HortonThomas JelksPhillip MatherRichard MayAbner MiltonAlfred MooreEddie RobertsGary Robeson

Post 2557 - MadisonJohn Stapp

Post 2667 - NewnanJohn Shackleford

Post 2681 - MariettaMerrill Reeves

Post 2785 - AlbanyDaniel Blair

James HammonsDonald Luckey

Robert ReidCarl Smith

Jack SwansonMarvin Tison

Post 2872 - AthensRaymond Arsenault

William BennettHugh Peeler

Claude WilliamsJohn Wood

Harold ZornigPost 3679 - Ft. Oglethorpe

Homer AndersonArthur Atchley

Carl ByrdEugene Headrick

Floyd NeblettDoyle Wilkinson

Post 4180 - SnellvilleJohn Ash

Stewart BlackPost 4346 - ToccoaSteve Bungardner

W M CashDonn HensonPilton JamesPaul Oakley

Grady SandersF M Sisk

Post 4382 - WaycrossE Blackburn

W CasonPost 4583 - Jesup

OR BrownPost 4625 - Alma

Benny Ellis

Frank JohnsonBilly Lee

Bernard PittmanSimon WasdinWilliam Wynn

Post 4706 - DecaturWilliam RootLester Whittle

Post 4825 - SylvesterWilliam Sams

Post 4828 - RoystonA J Duncan

Post 4911 - RomeRobert GillAlan Smith

Post 4985 - DaltonMelvin Wisnom

Post 5000 - CussettaWoodrow Weaver

Post 5255 - LawrencevilleSean Rodriquez

Post 5257 - Stone MountainMelvin Mabrey

Post 5259 - BlakelyBilly Roberts

Post 5290 - ConyersSammy Cates

B T GattisHoward GattisOscar HolmesL D Johnston

Henry MoseleyE J Mote

Ramiro MoureRonald Roosekrans

John SharekRobert Timian

Post 5376 - CalhounTerry GreesonCharles Talley

Post 5408 - AcworthPeter De Genova

I W HarrisJerry W Lehman

Post 5448 - Griffi nHugh Bilbo

Robert HarrisonPost 5474 - Newton

Elward MatthewsWilliam Meredity

Post 5533 - DahlonegaRobert Beasley

Roy FrasurePost 5648 - Sparta

V BrownCary Clay

James GarnerRobert HaddenHenry HaralsonLester JohnsonJames McGee

R WhittedPost 5659 - Quitman

Thomas BarrsWilliam Hoopes

Carol JonesFuller Pedrick

Donald SmallwoodJames ThomsonAndrew Walker

Post 5893 - MetterRobert Evans

Post 5976 - DouglasEd Patton

Post 5978 - NashvilleDewey Dorough

John JonesCarson Nash-

Post 6126 - PerryGeorge BellJerry Grimes

Post 6330 - JonesboroCarroll Anderson

Laselle DozierJohn Hearn

Edward VolinskiPost 6445 - Harlem

Gary BlanchardRobert Goldman

Paul SottilePost 6542 - Barnesville

Raymond MorrisLloyd Welch

Post 6570 - BlueRidgeCecil Miller

Post 6602 - HinesvilleErnie Herring

Jack WhitePost 6605 - Warner Robins

Ronald AllisonMatthew Blazewicz

Earl BudrowLamar Keene

Post 6672 - ThomsonJerry Usry

Post 6686 - EatontonRaymond Chadwick

John PeckJames Williams

Post 6688 - SummervilleBilly BowmanRalph KellettGrady Ramey

Shelton WhittleFrancis Williams

Post 7116 - SylvaniaJames Griner

William ReveszWiles Williams

Post 7394 - BlairsvilleBilly Niebrand

Post 7402 - BuchananCharles House

Howard WigginsCharles Mandt

Bruce MuseEugene Smith

Post 7583 - RoswellMatt KuhnRay Martin

James SuttonPost 7720 - CorneliaKenneth Cleveland

Holton KingDavid Pieters

Post 7764 - ReidsvilleKenneth Kennedy

Post 7807 - HiwasseeIva Ashley

Lyle Bryson

William ConnollyWilliam EvansJoseph Gilvert

Douglas HeddenVictor Lear

E MittendorfRondal Nicholson

H ParisWilliam Stafford

Cornelius VanderbreggenPost 8076 - Hartwell

Waymon BolesKenny Carter

Post 8379 - GlennvilleVon Waters

Post 8385 - Kings BaySam Mc MullenEugene MurrayHarley OlsonJames StoneJohn Teele

Post 8452 - GainesvilleRichard Kennedy

Post 8480 - Griffi nWilbur BaileyJ W Franklin

Post 9709 - MaconJohn Rutland

Post 9949 - Peachtree CityDonald Fowler

Wallace MulkeyHarvey Weldon

Post 9998- Warner RobinsAbran Adams

10229 - Mt. VernonHarvey AdamsUlysees Bell

Ronald BowmanLuther Durden

James HamilitonJoseph Lindsey

Post 10822 - DunwoodyRobert BoehmigWilliam Homiller

Post 10825 - StatesboroJames Marks

10925 - SopertonWade Brantley

Post 12002 - AlpharettaC H Craig

Post 12110 - ColumbusJohn FeamesterPeter Quezada

15011 at LargeRobert BilodeauRonald BraunKermit Cooper

J W DobsonRobert Eaton

John FordJames HayesG M Herndon

Herbert HulseyJesse Mc PhersonRichard RamsaurHarry Ridgeway

Israel RuckerJohn Schuster

PAGE 12 • GEORGIA VFW NEWS • APRIL - MAY - JUNE 2012

2nd District Commander Knight accepting the Teacher of the Year Award for Kathy Vail, grades 9-12. Making the presentation is Chairman Keene and Commander Cannon.

Voice of Democracy Winner Alexander Crawford is all smiles at the 2011-2012 Awards Banquet at the Macon Marri-ott.

Patriots Pen winner Katherine James is all smiles at the Awards Banquet at the Macon Marriott showing her plaque.

Paugh family receiving the Law Enforcement Offi cer of the Year Awarrd in honor of J.D. Paugh of Augusta from Safety Chairman Maher and Commander Cannon.

At the Council of Administration meeting of February, 2012 authorization was given to sign the contract with the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Savannah, Geor-gia as the site of the 2015 Southern Con-ference meeting. The photo shows (bot-tom row left to right) VFW 2011-2012 Department of Georgia Commander Can-non, Hyatt General Manager Scott Snipes, Hyatt Sales Manager Scott Williams and 2011-2012 Adjutant Hagan (top row left to right) Hyatt Sales Contact Cheryl Tal-ley, Al Lipphardt, 2015 Southern Confer-ence Meeting Chair, 2015, Ann Johnson, Georgia LA VFW Liaison 2015 Southern Conference and PCinC, 2011-2012 Quar-termaster John Gwizdak. Not pictured but in attendance were PSC David Pipes, Southern Conference Vice Chair and VFW Department of Georgia 2011-2012 Junior Vice Commander, Ron Keller Though the authorization to execute a contract with this venue was given in Feb-ruary, there were several key issues to be resolved and so a meeting was requested to

Southern Conference Contract Signeddetermine these issues. I thank Command-er Cannon and the incoming leadership ofthe Department for appointing me as the 2015 Chairman of the Southern Confer-ence Planning Committee. Our goal is to provide the 14 states of the Southern Con-ference with a venue that will allow for the business of the Conference to include the identifi cation and endorsement of NationalOffi cers and at the same time be represen-tative of the professionalism of GeorgiaVFW and true Southern Hospitality. After several hours of negotiation amutually benefi cial agreement was reachedand the contract was signed. Now, we be-gin the six “P” process – Prior PlanningPrevents “P” Poor Performance. Department meetings in October and February have resulted in a number of members volunteering to help and that is most appreciated. Below is a simple form to be competed and returned if you have a specifi c task you want to be involved in. You may either cut it out or copy it and re-turn it to me.

“We Served To Serve Again” Support “We Care”

2015 Southern Conference Volunteer FormName: ______________________________________________________________

Post Number and Name: ________________________________________________

Mailing Address: _____________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________

Phone Number: ______________________________________________________

My preferences of volunteer positions:

1) _____________________________________________________________

2) _____________________________________________________________

3) _____________________________________________________________

Please mail or fax completed form to Department Headquarters, Al Lipphardt, 2015 Southern Conference Planning Committee Chair PO Box 3025, Macon, Georgia 31205-3025 or fax to 478-474-6853