NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS

BULLETIN
VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS OF THE U.S.
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI VOLUME 36, NO. 10 JUN. 2012

S E R V I C E
VFW NATIONAL CONVENTION:

W I T H

P R I D E

Housing opened in February and response has been outstanding! Many department blocks are already sold out or are close to being sold out at this time. You are encouraged to make your reservation NOW do not delay! The June 15, housing reservation deadline is not a guarantee there will be rooms available in your department block. Housing reservations are first-come, first-served. We will work with hotels to secure additional rooms based on the hotels availability during our convention dates. We will keep VFW departments updated on the housing situation. The (4) four hotels selected for the 113th National Convention are: Peppermill (VFW Headquarters hotel) $119 rate (single/double) Peppermill Tower, $159 All-Suite Tuscany Tower (tax 13%); Silver Legacy (Ladies Auxiliary Headquarters hotel) $110.96 rate (single/double) $122.31 (triple) $133.66 (quad) rates include tax and resort fee; Atlantis- $119 rate (single/double) $129 (triple) $139 (quad) 13% tax; John Ascuagas Nugget -$98 rate (single/double) $108 (triple) $118 (quad) 13.5% tax (Sparks Nevada). For VFW department housing assignments, refer to the list located on the convention website. Current tax rates are subject to change. Reservations for these hotels can be made via the Internet, fax, phone or mail. Visit the VFW website for a housing form, convention registration form or, for more information, at www.vfw.org. At the website home page, scroll down on the right hand side and click on the convention spiff to access the convention web page for information or contact your local VFW Post, Department or National Headquarters. Fax: Completed housing forms can be faxed to 801-355-0250. Do not mail forms after faxing. Mail: Mail completed housing forms to VFW Housing Bureau, 175 S Temple, Suite 140, Salt Lake City, UT 84101. (keep a copy for your records) Phone: You may make reservations via phone by calling 888-665-1375, Monday-Friday, 7a-6p (MST) Room deposits will be accepted by form of a check (made payable to The Housing Connection) in the amount of $125 or guaranteed with a valid credit card. Please DO NOT go to hotel websites to make room reservation. VFW has negotiated special convention rates, which are not available through the individual hotel websites.
RV/CAMPING: To find a list of nearby RV parks, go to the VFW website at www.vfw.org. At the homepage, scroll down on the right-hand side and click on the convention spiff to access the convention webpage and to access additional convention information.

Convention Registration: Section 222 of the National By-Laws requires each Post will pay, in advance, a national convention registration fee of twenty-five dollars ($25) which shall entitle the Post 1

to a packet of convention information and materials and one identified registered delegate for the National Convention. Each additional delegate attending the national convention will pay a ten-dollar ($10) delegate fee. All advance registrations should be mailed to the VFW National Headquarters, 406 W. 34th Street, Kansas City, MO 64111, ATTN: Convention Registration or you may register on-line by going to www.vfw.org. MEMBERSHIP: Dues Notices - Just a reminder, the Dues Notice tapes are created on the last Friday of every month. To prevent dues notices from being sent to those who have already paid, all membership transmittals must be received in the Dues Processing Department no later than noon on the following closing dates: TRANSMITTAL DEADLINES FOR THE 2011-2012 YEAR: MONTH DEADLINE DATE (DAY)

JUNE June 29 (FRIDAY - MUST BE RECEIVED INDUES PROCESSING BY NOON FOR YEAR END CLOSING)

ADDITIONAL REMINDERS: National Membership Program: The 2012-2013 National Membership program is listed in the Leadership Reference guide. This can be viewed online via the OMS system. Dues Notices: The dues notice for the 2012-2013 membership year is scheduled to drop on June 29, 2012. We will send out an E-dues notice to unpaid members mid-August. Subscription Dues: The subscription dues resolution was approved at the National Convention in San Antonio, Texas. A briefing of this program will be given at the National Convention in Reno. The program will not go into effect until January 1, 2014. All American Program 2011-2012: Please review and follow the current requirements for this years program. The deadlines for this year have changed. The deadline for completion of all criteria is June 30, 2012. However, in order to have your awards presented at the National Convention in Reno, all requirements must be met and reported by no later than June 15, 2012. NOTE: It is the Departments responsibility to ensure that all program participation is reported to the National Programs department by the deadline. A programs activity report has been sent to all Departments for review, once a month, beginning February 2012. Please review these reports to make sure that you have sent in all of the necessary information on all Posts and Districts. Failure to do so will result in the loss of awards for the participating Post/Districts. Legacy Life Membership: Please pass the word on our Legacy Life Program available to all Life Members. This program offers three levels of membership each offering its own packages of prestigious benefits. Financial contributions to the Legacy Life Member program are tax deductible to the maximum extent allowed by law.

Annual Payouts (Natl., Dept. & Post): _____________________________________________________ Gold - $1200 Silver - $800 Bronze - $400 $18.00 $12.00 $6.00

Enrollment Cost:

What Legacy will you leave?

Your continued support and cooperation in ensuring that all cards are received in a timely fashion will be greatly appreciated.

CONGRATULATIONS TO:
100% DEPARTMENTS (Stats as of June 1, 2012): DEPARTMENT OF NEVADA Merlin Hollinger, Commander Current Total: 105.49% 100% as of: 02/24/12 DEPARTMENT OF UTAH Matthew Stuart, Commander Current Total: 104.16% 100% as of: 03/20/12 DEPARTMENT OF ARKANSAS David Bramlett, Commander Current Total: 102.24% 100% as of: 03/30/12 DEPARTMENT OF LATIN AMER./CARIB. Jose Claudio, Commander Current Total: 102.20% 100% as of 05/10/12 DEPARTMENT OF PACIFIC AREAS Barry Hirshbein, Commander Current Total: 101.77% 100% as of: 04/19/12 DEPARTMENT OF WEST VIRGINIA Melvin Goddard, Commander Current Total: 101.01% 100% as of: 04/05/12 DEPARTMENT OF HAWAII Stanley Fernandez, Commander Current Total: 100.50% 100% as of 05/24/12 3

DEPARTMENT OF ALASKA Alvin Moye, Commander Current Total: 100.28% 100% as of 05/25/12 DEPARTMENT OF ILLINOIS William Phillips, Commander Current Total: 100.18% 100% as of 05/18/12 DEPARTMENT OF GEORGIA Pledge Cannon, Commander Current Total: 100.14% 100% as of 05/30/12 DEPARTMENT OF MARYLAND George Helmcamp, Commander Current Total: 100.06% 100% as of 06/01/12 DEPARTMENT OF OHIO Gerald Ward, Commander Current Total: 100.06% 100% as of 05/24/12

DISTRICT DIVISION LEADERS (Stats as of June 1, 2012): DISTRICT 20, DEPT. OF TEXAS Antonio Vasquez, Commander Current Total: 103.63% Division 1 DISTRICT 14, DEPT. OF MARYLAND Franklin Martin, Commander Current Total: 111.13% Division 2 DISTRICT 5, DEPT. OF ILLINOIS Kenneth Samborski, Commander Current Total: 107.36% Division 3 DISTRICT 12, DEPT. OF MISSOURI Clifford Mitchem, Commander Current Total: 111.30% Division 4 DISTRICT 7, DEPT. OF GEORGIA Darrell Harp, Commander Current Total: 105.36% Division 5

DISTRICT 11, DEPT. OF ILLINOIS Glen Goodrich, Commander Current Total: 106.06% Division 6 DISTRICT 16, DEPT. OF MARYLAND Bobby Elswick, Commander Current Total: 110.68% Division 7 DISTRICT 23, DEPT. OF FLORIDA Francis Collum, Commander Current Total: 111.74% Division 8 DISTRICT 1, DEPT. OF MISSOURI George Laprade, Commander Current Total: 105.9% Division 9 DISTRICT 1, DEPT. OF UTAH James McKee, Commander Current Total: 115.71% Division 10 DISTRICT 6, DEPT. OF PACIFIC AREAS Gerald Kraus, Commander Current Total: 115.19% Division 11 DISTRICT 4, DEPT. OF IDAHO Larry Mackey, Commander Current Total: 135.88% Division 12

POST DIVISION LEADERS (Stats as of June 1, 2012): POST 76, DEPT. OF TEXAS Albert Mireles, Commander Current Total: 131.47% Division 1 POST 3944, DEPT. OF MISSOURI Thomas Mundell, Commander Current Total: 137.43% Division 2 POST 5988, DEPT. OF MASSACHUSETTS Patrick Ruggiero, Commander Current Total: 118.86% Division 3

POST 2164, DEPT. OF ILLINOIS Lee Burr, Commander Current Total: 205.46% Division 4 POST 4572, DEPT. OF ALABAMA John Elloitt, Commander Current Total: 147.18% Division 5 POST 5619, DEPT. OF TEXAS Rene Guerrero, Commander Current Total: 130.87% Division 6 POST 5838, DEPT. OF MARYLAND Eugene Stewart, Commander Current Total: 211.73% Division 7 POST 2830, DEPT. OF CALIFORNIA Enrique Curiel, Commander Current Total: 133.54% Division 8 POST 5917, DEPT. OF ILLINOIS George Foy, Commander Current Total: 180.95% Division 9 POST 4835, DEPT. OF ILLINOIS Albert Timerman, Commander Current Total: 157.62% Division 10 POST 12075, DEPT. OF TEXAS James Rodgers, Commander Current Total: 157.42% Division 11 POST 7829, DEPT. OF COLORADO G. A. Wolusky, Commander Current Total: 158.06% Division 12 POST 6500, DEPT. OF SOUTH CAROLINA Dentist Harvin, Commander Current Total: 159.3% Division 13 POST 9801, DEPT. OF ILLINOIS Terrence McDonald, Commander Current Total: 166.66% Division 14 6

POST 7975, DEPT. OF ILLINOIS Willie Nowlin, Commander Current Total: 158.06% Division 15 POST 1674, DEPT. OF ARKANSAS Steve Milbourn, Commander Current Total: 248.27% Division 16 POST 12101, DEPT. OF NEVADA Gerald Peterson, Commander Current Total: 271.73% Division 17 POST 12098, DEPT. OF ARIZONA William Whiddon, Commander Current Total: 336.58% Division 18 POST 12087, DEPT. OF UTAH Kendall Workman, Commander Current Total: 237.03% Division 19 POST 6932, DEPT. OF SOUTH CAROLINA Dwight Talbert, Commander Current Total: 383.33% Division 20

LEGACY LIFE CONTEST WINNERS: DEPARTMENT OF HAWAII Stanley Fernandez, Commander DEPARTMENT OF NEVADA Merlin Hollinger, Commander DEPARTMENT OF PACIFIC AREAS Barry Hirshbein, Commander DEPARTMENT OF WEST VIRGINIA Melvin Goddard, Commander

DISTRICT 8, DEPT. OF NEW MEXICO Vergil Morris, Commander DISTRICT 15, DEPT. OF OREGON Ronald Jagodnik, Commander

DISTRICT 1, DEPT. OF PACIFIC AREAS Stanley Stewart, Commander DISTRICT 2, DEPT. OF PACIFIC AREAS Robert Moses, Commander DISTRICT 7, DEPT. OF PACIFIC AREAS Robert Chesko, Commander DISTRICT 8, DEPT. OF WEST VIRGINIA Michael Childers, Commander POST 8071, DEPT. OF NEVADA Bruce Hughes, Commander POST 10468, DEPT. OF NEVADA Herman Hagen, Commander POST 1598, DEPT. OF OHIO Lloyd Johnson, Commander POST 1835, DEPT. OF PENNSYLVANIA Raymond Burke, Commander POST 842, DEPT. OF PENNSYLVANIA Richard Best, Commander POST 7767, DEPT. OF TEXAS Joel Boland, Commander ADMINISTRATIVE OPERATIONS: Attention Post Commanders and Post Quartermasters: the 2012-2013 Leadership Reference Material is now available on-line in the Online Membership System (OMS). If you have any questions, please contact Kevin Jones at (816) 756-3390, ext. 133 or via e-mail at kjones@vfw.org. NATIONAL MILITARY SERVICES (NMS): REMINDERthe deadline for All American is June 30, 2012! However, to receive your All American Award at Convention your deadline is June 15, 2012. All American Qualifications for National Military Services: Posts -- Hold a fundraiser with proceeds going to NMS. Districts -- Make a donation to NMS ($100 minimum). Departments -- Department fundraising event for NMS (non-reimbursable minimum of $500 or donate $500 to the program).

To qualify for All American, donations to NMS must be received by one of the following: Mail check to VFW National Military Services, 406 W. 34th St, Suite 216, Kansas City, MO 64111. 2. Call NMS for credit card donations over the phone at (816) 968-1155. 3. Go online to www.vfw.org/contribute. 1. 8

NATIONAL VETERANS SERVICE: VA Telehealth Co-pays Eliminated This week, VA announced that effective May 7, 2012, veterans receiving VA in-home care via telehealth will no longer have a co-payment for that service. According to VA this will affect approximately 1,300 telehealth users in FY 2013 where a co-payment would have been required. VA data has shown using technology at home enables patients with chronic health conditions to live more independently while actively engaging in managing their own health care. More information about telehealth can be found at www.telehealth.va.gov/ VA to Increase Mental Health Staff by 1,900 On April 19, Secretary Shinseki announced that the department would start immediately to add approximately 1,600 mental health clinicians to include nurses, psychiatrists, psychologists, and social workers as well as nearly 300 support staff as part of an ongoing review of mental health operations. This review has indicated that some VA facilities require more mental health staff to serve the growing needs of veterans. VA has pledged to continue assessing staffing levels. The VA is having difficulty finding mental health clinicians to hire, especially in rural areas. In the meantime the VA is paying to send veterans to get their care in the community. NATIONAL LEGISLATIVE SERVICE: We Want to Hear Your Story: VFW advocacy efforts have helped stop harmful legislation from moving forward and have advanced many bills improving benefits for service members, veterans and their loved ones for more than a century. However, our sustained voice in Washington is only as strong as the voice of VFW members in posts and departments around the country. Without your help and your grassroots action in communities from coast to coast, accomplishments like the Post-9/11 G.I. Bill, Agent Orange presumption, veterans hiring preference, advance health care appropriations, or Family Caregiver benefits would not be possible. With this in mind we want to hear your stories of advocacy and highlight your news on our Capitol Hill blog, www.vfwonthehill.org. The VFW Capitol Hill blog brings together the efforts of the VFW Action Corps and the VFW National Legislative Service to provide updates in real time on veterans and military issues as they develop in Washington and around the nation. We hope that you will send us your stories and help us inspire members to reach out to their representatives and take action! To send us your news, use the Blog Submission Form posted here: http://www.vfw.org/Forms/CapitolHill-Blog-Submissions/ or simply email photos and stories directly to vfwac@vfw.org MEMBER BENEFITS: USAA Credit Card & Banking, Investments, and Financial Planning USAA provides insurance, banking, investment and retirement products and services to 8 million members of the U.S. military and their families. Known for its legendary commitment to its members, USAA is consistently recognized for outstanding service, employee well-being and financial strength. USAA membership is open to all who are serving or have honorably served our nation in the U.S. military and their families. For information about USAA, or to learn more about membership, call 1-800-274-8839 or visit www.usaa.com/vfw QUARTERMASTER GENERAL-OPERATIONS: MetLife Dental Insurance Maximize the value from your VFW membership with Dental Insurance from MetLife. VFW has selected MetLife because of their 140+ years experience in the insurance business, extensive group benefits expertise and high-quality service. Visit http://vfwinsurance.com/Dental.html or call 1-800-821-2606, opt.1 for more information. 9

Pet Insurance VFW offers affordable pet insurance through VPI that gives you peace of mind. Enrollment in this coverage is available to pets age 10 and younger. However, once a pet is insured, coverage will not be cancelled due to age. To learn about protecting your pet and to obtain a free quote, visit http://www.vfwinsurance.com/Pet.htm or call 1-800-821-2606, opt.1 for more information. VFW FOUNDATION: HOME DEPOT COMMUNITY IMPACT GRANT Reminder! The Home Depot Community Impact Grant remains open through August 13, 2012. It is recommended you apply as soon as possible. VFW Posts can receive up to $5,000 to fix up their buildings, though there is no guarantee of funding. To apply, go to: http://www.homedepotfoundation.org/how-we-help/grants.html Detailed instructions can be found by visiting www.vfw.org/News-And-Events/Press-Room/PressReleases/. (Feb. 24 issue) Should you have further questions, please contact Richard Freiburghouse, Manager of Grants Development, at (816) 968-1124 or rfreiburghouse@vfw.org. DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT: Please remember VFW depends on your donations which cover 88% of the expenses for all VFWs life changing programs. A Quick Note Several weeks ago we sent you a variety of greeting cards along with matching envelopes and seals, a gift bag, and a VFW ink pen. We hope you like them and have had a chance to use them. When you do, we hope you remember all the veterans you are helping with your support of VFW. With Flag Day coming on June 14, and Independence Day just around the corner, please remember to fly the United States flag. It shows fellow veterans and our current military families that you remember and support them. You may soon receive a reminder in the mail about the card assortment and other gifts, and we wanted to let you know that it is not too late to show your support. If you have already made a donation and our letters crossed in the mail, please know that your support is much appreciated and is helping veterans, service members, and their families right in your own VFW Department. Americas Heroes Then and Now I hope you received your Americas Heroes Notepad and Labels we sent a couple of weeks ago. Like the heroes in those pictures, we salute all those who have fought for our freedom and those still fighting today. Please remember that every day is a great day to show your patriotism and fly the United States flag in support of all of Americas Heroes. A list of dates to display the U.S. flag is on the back of your label sheet that accompanied your notepad. You can also visit www.VFWStore.org for all your flag needs. Your donations will directly help your VFW Department keep the programs available to veterans in your own state. New Thank You Gift Arriving in June VFW is mailing a new Patriotic CD as a thank you gift this month to some of our members. Watch your mail for it to arrive! We hope you enjoy the 25 patriotic songs at home, in your office or in the car. Please respond quickly once you receive this special gift. Your VFW Department is counting on you to show your support of the vital programs available to the veterans, service members and their families right there in your state.

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National Military Appreciation Month Last month was National Military Appreciation Month. Did your Post get involved with the community to commemorate any of the special days in May? Did anyone cover the event? Please share your story with us by emailing it to success@vfw.org. Shout your good works from the rooftops with VFW at Work! Helping the VFW for generations to come One of the easiest ways to continue providing for veterans and their families after you are gone is to include the VFW in your will or living trust. Simply include the following language in your will: "I, [name], of [city, state ZIP], give, devise and bequeath to Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States (Tax ID 44-0474290) [written amount or percentage of the estate or description of property]." Even a small percentage of your assets could go a long way to helping VFW continue its mission for years to come. If you do decide to include VFW in your estate plans, or have already done so, please let us know! We would like the opportunity to say thank you and include you in the VFWs Heroes Circle, a group of people who have made a special commitment to supporting VFWs mission for generations to come. For more information on bequests, please contact our Planned Giving Office at (816) 968-1119 or by email at plannedgiving@vfw.org. Or check out our website at www.vfw.org/plannedgiving. Have you heard about VFWs Partners in Patriotism? Would you like to support VFWs life changing programs for veterans, service members and their families without receiving all of the unwanted mail? VFW has developed a program that lets you support VFW programs on a monthly, quarterly, or yearly basis, as well as reduce expenses and eliminate unwanted mail. It is called Partners in Patriotism. As a member of Partners in Patriotism, you choose a set dollar amount for your donation (minimum amount of $10) that is either charged to your credit card or set up as an Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) from your bank account. If you are interested in joining Partners in Patriotism, you may contact the VFW Development Department at 816-756-3390, ext. 6318, or email us at partners@vfw.org with Partners in Patriotism Application in the subject line. VFW Friends of Freedom If you are not already a member of VFWs online community, please visit www.vfw.org to sign up and look for KEEP UP WITH VFW. Members of this special online community will receive a monthly e-newsletter with new grassroots stories about VFW out in the communities assisting veterans in need, educating the youth, and assisting military families across the nation and overseas. These stories can also be found by visiting www.vfw.org/vfwatwork and clicking on Story Archive. Check back often to see newly posted stories! Also, as a member of VFWs Friends of Freedom, you will receive special e-mails with breaking VFW news, and special opportunities to help VFW in assisting our nations veterans, service members and their families. Department Resources All the same great resources are still available for your Department to use now found at www.vfw.org. You need only go to www.vfw.org and log in. You will find Department Resources under the How to Get Involved heading. The latest program information, ideas and promotional tools from the Development Department can be found here. Download ad slicks, press releases, banner ads and buttons for your Department publications and/or website. Recent mailings and mailing schedules are also posted on a regular basis. Use the Department Resources tools to help strengthen your Department programs. Check it out today! BUDDY POPPY: Plans should be under way for the Memorial Day Buddy Poppy campaign. Contact your Department Quartermaster to place your order for Buddy Poppies. Remember that your Poppies should be ordered a minimum of 12 weeks in advance of your distribution date. Be sure to specify a date by which the poppies are required; do not use, ASAP. Miscellaneous items (coin cans, caps, buttons, posters, etc.) should be ordered directly from the VFW Store by calling 1-800-821-2606, visiting 11

http://www.vfwstore.org/SearchResult.aspx?CategoryID=128 or the VFW Store/Emblem and Supply Catalog. To foster true patriotism through historical and educational programs. The National By-laws and the Manual of Procedure (sections 219 and 704 respectively) provide that Post relief funds may be used for programs such as Voice of Democracy, Youth Essay, Citizenship Education, and Community Service as long as suggestions in the chairmen guidebooks are used as an example of promoting these programs. Use of relief funds for this purpose must be the result of a motion passed at a Post meeting. Posts are further reminded that section 711 of the Manual of Procedure provides that non-profit organizations, exempt from taxes under Section 501 (a) of the Internal Revenue Code, may assist with the distribution of Buddy Poppies, provided there shall be no division of proceeds. A donation to these groups may be made from the post general fund. PROCESS TO ORDER VFW BUDDY POPPIES: Your Post order for VFW Buddy Poppies starts with your Post Quartermaster, upon approval of the Post membership. Order the Poppies from your VFW Department Headquarters (you will need to contact the Department Headquarters for any special order form and pricing as this information is not available from National Headquarters). Your Department Headquarters will in turn order from National Headquarters the quantity desired, and the shipment will be made according to directions from the Department order. PROGRAMS: DISPLAYING MILITARY SERVICE SYMBOLS. Military Service flags, insignias, etc., should be displayed in the following order (Left to Right as you face the flags): Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force and then Coast Guard. For Military flags, click here: http://www.vfwstore.org/detail.aspx?ID=22300. FLAG DAY, JUNE 14. All VFW units are reminded to properly display the U.S. Flag on Flag Day, Thursday, June 14 and to conduct a ceremony or program as feasible. You may contact the VFW Communications Department for a Flag Day speech. It is also suggested Posts should award the VFW Patriotic Citizen Award (product No. 4385) for those who have daily displayed our National flag. This product is available at the VFW Store http://www.vfwstore.org/detail.aspx?ID=22874. PATRIOT DAY, SEPTEMBER 11. Per Presidential Proclamation, September 11th is designated as Patriot Day. The President requests the flag of the United States to be flown at half-staff (sunrise to sunset) and a moment of silence observed in honor of the individuals who lost their lives on that day due to terrorist attacks on the United States. For flags and other patriotic items, click here http://www.vfwstore.org/SearchResult.aspx?CategoryID=211 VFW HONORS AMERICAS TEACHERS DURING 2012-2013 PROGRAM YEAR. The VFW wants to recognize the nations top elementary, junior high and high school teachers (teaching at least half of the school day in a classroom environment) who teach citizenship education topics regularly and promote Americas history, traditions and institutions effectively through the VFW National Citizenship Education Teacher Award. Nominations can be submitted by fellow teachers, VFW posts, supervisors or other interested individuals (not relatives). Self-nominees are not eligible. Based on the nominees submitted by November 1st, local VFW posts will recognize one outstanding teacher in grades, K-5, 6-8, and 9-12. Posts then submit the winners names to their District level judging who will forward their winners to the Department (or state level) by December 15. After judging, each Department forwards the names of its winners to VFW National Headquarters for consideration in the national awards contest. This is part of the 2011-2012 All American Program.

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VFWs National Citizenship Education Teacher awards include: three national $1,000 awards for the top K-5, 6-8, and 9-12 teachers for professional development expenses; $1,000 award to each winning teachers school; plaques for both the winning teacher and school; and, an all-expenses-paid trip to attend a VFW and Ladies Auxiliary National Event. A program brochure (designed to be duplicated for distribution) can be viewed at www.vfw.org/uploadedFiles/VFW.org/Community/Teacher%20Award%20Brochure.PDF or ordered through www.vfwstore.org or by calling 1-800-821-2606 and asking form item #4450. Order the Citizenship Education Teacher Recognition Citation from VFW Emblem and Supply, product #4320, http://www.vfwstore.org/detail.aspx?ID=23980 . Present to all teachers nominated at all levels for the national award. SPECIAL NOTICE COMMUNITY SERVICE REPORTING. Recognizing that VFW and Ladies Auxiliary programs and chairmanships do not always coincide, we must find a way to establish an accurate accounting of the efforts and dollars expended by both organizations. Therefore, the following will apply for the 2011-2012 program year: All VFW Post chairman will report to their respective Department Chairman at least twice yearly in a timely fashion so as to allow the Department Chairman to report to the VFW National Programs office in June and December. The VFW Post chairmens report should include whether or not their Ladies Auxiliary participated. The various Ladies Auxiliary chairmen will report to their Department chairmen and District chairmen (where applicable). Each Ladies Auxiliary Department Chairman will consolidate these reports and provide a list of the number of participants, hours and money expended to the VFW Department Community Service Chairman. This information will be added to the VFW reports and submitted to the VFW Programs National Office. NATIONAL COMMUNITY SERVICE VOLUNTEER RECOGNITION PROGRAM. This program is designed to provide recognition and awards to VFW members who volunteer their time to outside organizations. Recognition is in the form of certificates and/or lapel pins which are given to volunteers who have completed the number of hours prescribed for those awards. For more information, see the VFW Community Activities and Citizenship Education Chairmens Guide or contact the VFW Programs department at 816-968-1148 for a nomination form. POW/MIA FLAG -- OFFICIAL DISPLAY DAYS. Public Law 105-85 (November 16, 1997) indicates the days that federal agencies, military installations, and U.S. post offices are required to display the POW/MIA flag. The days are: Armed Forces Day, May 19 (third Saturday in May); Memorial Day, May 28 (last Monday in May); Flag Day, June 14; National POW/MIA Day, September 21 (third Friday in September); and, Veterans Day, November 11. To purchase a POW/MIA flag, click here: http://www.vfwstore.org/detail.aspx?ID=22305. ROLL CALL OF DEPARTED COMRADES: KERCKHOVE, MAURICE H., All American Commander, Department of Illinois, 1989-90, and a Life Member of Willard L. Velie, Jr. Post 2153, Moline, Illinois, May 6, 2012. - 30 -

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