NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS

BULLETIN
VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS OF THE U.S.
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI VOLUME 36, NO. 11 JUL. 2012

S E R V I C E
MEMBERSHIP:

W I T H

P R I D E

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 2012-2013 YEAR: MONTH DEADLINE DATE (DAY)

JULY July 27 (Friday) AUGUST August 31 (Friday) SEPTEMBER September 28 (Friday) OCTOBER October 26 (Friday) NOVEMBER November 30 (Friday) DECEMBER December 28 (Friday) JANUARY January 25 (Friday) FEBRUARY February 22 (Friday) MARCH March 29 (Friday) APRIL April 26 (Friday) MAY May 31 (Friday) JUNE June 28 (FRIDAY - MUST BE RECEIVED IN DUES PROCESSING BY NOON FOR YEAR END CLOSING) ADDITIONAL REMINDERS: Shotgun Mailing Lists: We have lists that you can work to help build up your membership. Please call the National Membership Department for assistance. 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 dropped 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. Legacy Life Membership: Please pass the word on our Life Legacy Program available to all Life Members. This program offers 3 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?

CONGRATULATIONS TO:
100% DEPARTMENTS (Stats as of July 2, 2012):
DEPARTMENT OF NEVADA Merlin Hollinger, Commander Current Total: 105.75% 100% as of: 02/24/12 DEPARTMENT OF UTAH Matthew Stuart, Commander Current Total: 104.99% 100% as of: 03/20/12 DEPARTMENT OF LATIN AMER./CARIB. Jose Claudio, Commander Current Total: 103.86% 100% as of 05/10/12 DEPARTMENT OF ARKANSAS David Bramlett, Commander Current Total: 102.60% 100% as of: 03/30/12 DEPARTMENT OF PACIFIC AREAS Barry Hirshbein, Commander Current Total: 102.53% 100% as of: 04/19/12 DEPARTMENT OF GEORGIA Pledge Cannon, Commander Current Total: 101.35% 100% as of 05/30/12 2

DEPARTMENT OF HAWAII Stanley Fernandez, Commander Current Total: 101.18% 100% as of 05/24/12 DEPARTMENT OF WEST VIRGINIA Melvin Goddard, Commander Current Total: 101.09% 100% as of: 04/05/12 DEPARTMENT OF EUROPE Matthew Coulter, Commander Current Total: 100.78% 100% as of 06/08/12 DEPARTMENT OF ALASKA Alvin Moye, Commander Current Total: 100.59% 100% as of 05/25/12 DEPARTMENT OF ILLINOIS William Phillips, Commander Current Total: 100.33% 100% as of 05/18/12 DEPARTMENT OF CALIFORNIA Bobby Price, Commander Current Total: 100.30% 100% as of 06/08/12 DEPARTMENT OF ARIZONA Timothy Borland, Commander Current Total: 100.29% 100% as of 06/06/12 DEPARTMENT OF KENTUCKY Robert Hendrickson, Commander Current Total: 100.28% 100% as of 06/14/12 DEPARTMENT OF MARYLAND George Helmcamp, Commander Current Total: 100.25% 100% as of 06/01/12 DEPARTMENT OF IDAHO George Peacock, Commander Current Total: 100.25 100% as of 06/28/12 DEPARTMENT OF DELAWARE John Morrow, Commander Current Total: 100.24% 100% as of 06/02/12 3

DEPARTMENT OF OHIO Gerald Ward, Commander Current Total: 100.21% 100% as of 05/24/12 DEPARTMENT OF LOUISIANA Fred Wesley, Commander Current Total: 100.11% 100% as of 06/23/12 DEPARTMENT OF MISSISSIPPI David Mason, Commander Current Total: 100.09% 100% as of 06/16/12 DEPARTMENT OF OREGON Bert Key, Commander Current Total: 100.03% 100% as of 06/29/12 DEPARTMENT OF DIST. OF COLUMBIA Herman Salley, Commander Current Total: 100% 100% as of 06/23/12

All AMERICAN DISTRICT DIVISION LEADERS (Stats as of June 15, 2012):

DISTRICT 20, DEPT. OF TEXAS Antonio Vasquez, Commander Current Total: 104.18% Division 1 DISTRICT 14, DEPT. OF MARYLAND Franklin Martin, Commander Current Total: 111.44% Division 2 DISTRICT 5, DEPT. OF ILLINOIS Kenneth Samborski, Commander Current Total: 107.53% Division 3 DISTRICT 12, DEPT. OF MISSOURI Clifford Mitchem, Commander Current Total: 112.33% Division 4 DISTRICT 7, DEPT. OF GEORGIA Darrell Harp, Commander Current Total: 105.76% Division 5

DISTRICT 13, DEPT. OF ARKANSAS Ashley Little, Commander Current Total: 106.32% Division 6 DISTRICT 16, DEPT. OF MARYLAND Bobby Elswick, Commander Current Total: 110.80% Division 7 DISTRICT 23, DEPT. OF FLORIDA Francis Collum, Commander Current Total: 111.74% Division 8 DISTRICT 1, DEPT. OF UTAH James McKee, Commander Current Total: 116.38% Division 10 DISTRICT 6, DEPT. OF PACIFIC AREAS Gerald Kraus, Commander Current Total: 116.90% Division 11 DISTRICT 4, DEPT. OF IDAHO Larry Mackey, Commander Current Total: 138.10% Division 12

ALL AMERICAN POST DIVISION LEADERS (Stats as of June 15, 2012):

POST 76, DEPT. OF TEXAS Albert Mireles, Commander Current Total: 131.83% Division 1 POST 3944, DEPT. OF MISSOURI Thomas Mundell, Commander Current Total: 140.97% Division 2 POST 382, DEPT. OF OKLAHOMA Bill Elkins, Commander Current Total: 121.90% 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: 216.83% Division 7 POST 2917, DEPT. OF PACIFIC AREAS William Bradford, Commander Current Total: 133.93% 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: 159.32% Division 10 POST 12075, DEPT. OF TEXAS James Rodgers, Commander Current Total: 159.40% Division 11 POST 7829, DEPT. OF COLORADO G. A. Wolusky, Commander Current Total: 160.21% Division 12 POST 6226, DEPT. OF ALABAMA Walter Dempster, Commander Current Total: 157.64% Division 13 POST 9801, DEPT. OF ILLINOIS Terrence McDonald, Commander Current Total: 166.66% Division 14 POST 1674, DEPT. OF ARKANSAS Steve Milbourn, Commander Current Total: 250% Division 16 6

POST 12101, DEPT. OF NEVADA Gerald Peterson, Commander Current Total: 273.91% Division 17 POST 12098, DEPT. OF ARIZONA William Whiddon, Commander Current Total: 407.31% Division 18 POST 12087, DEPT. OF UTAH Kendall Workman, Commander Current Total: 237.03% Division 19

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 7

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 NATIONAL MILITARY SERVICES (NMS): REMINDERcheck presentation at the NMS Workshop on Sunday, July 22 at 1:00 P.M. Please call Linda Ferguson at 816-968-1102 as soon as possible if your Department/District/Post/Auxiliary will be presenting. NMS Meeting Times at National Convention: NMS Chairman Committee Meeting Sunday July 22, 10:00-11:00 NMS Workshop Sunday July 22, 1:00-4:00 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. VFW PROGRAMS WORKSHOP. During the National Convention in Reno, to be held at the RenoSparks Convention Center, there will be a workshop The User-Friendly Post on Tuesday, July 24, at 3:00 pm (please check Convention booklet for room assignment). 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 NATIONAL POW/MIA RECOGNITION DAY, SEPTEMBER 21. Posts should conduct an appropriate ceremony. Information on conducting a ceremony can be found in the current VFW Manual of Procedure. For POW/MIA merchandise, click here http://www.vfwstore.org/SearchResult.aspx?CategoryID=97. 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 8

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 and 2012-2013 All American Programs. 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. 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 18 (third Saturday in May); Memorial Day, May 27 (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. BUDDY POPPY: Plans should be under way for the Veterans 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 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 9

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. ADMINISTRATIVE OPERATIONS: Attention Post Commanders and Quartermasters: the 2012-2013 Leadership Reference Material is now available 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. DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT: Please remember VFW depends on your donations which cover 88% of the expenses for all VFWs life changing programs each year. Did you receive your new Patriotic CD in June? Last month we mailed a patriotic music CD to many of you. This new thank you gift we sent out last year was so well liked that we sent a new one this year. We at VFW hope you enjoy the patriotic favorites we have selected for you. Remember, it is our thank you gift for your strong support of VFW programs which serve so many. We must always be here to support our fellow veterans from past wars as well as our current military and their families. Your VFW Department is counting on you to show your support of the vital programs available to veterans, service members and their families, right there in your state. Do you have a will? More than half of Americans do not have a will or estate plan. If you dont have an estate plan, or if you havent looked at your estate plan in a while, check out our website at www.vfw.org/plannedgiving. There you will find information on how to get started and the various documents you need to consider. When you create your estate plans, please consider including VFW. You have supported veterans, military personnel and their families during your lifetime you can continue to help them, in addition to your loved ones, after you are gone. For more information, please contact our Planned Giving Office at 816-968-1119 or email us at plannedgiving@vfw.org. 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 an option 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.

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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! MEMBER BENEFITS: EA+: Travel Without a Care In the World Announcing an exceptional new benefit for VFW Members and their family: Emergency Assistance PlusTM (EA+). If you get sick or hurt while traveling in a place you dont know, with unknown medical staff EA+ comes to your rescue with services vital in an emergency. Whether a few states away, or around the world, EA+ provides 24-hour assistance while traveling, every time you travel. Services include:
Medical Evacuation & Transportation Home EA+ will help to get you to a better medical facility quickly, and back home to recover. Medical Assistance EA+ will provide recommendations if you are unfamiliar with the area of your emergency to make sure you get the best medical treatment. Assistance for Companions EA+ looks after your traveling companions during your emergency, or will send a person of your choice to your side, if youre traveling alone. Travel Assistance EA+ will help tie up all the loose ends for you such as luggage or visa recovery. Upon request, EA+ will also provide a travel advisory specific for the area you are traveling or provide interpreters if you are in an emergency and do not speak the language. Should a political situation or dangerous weather develop while on your trip, EA+ will even assist with evacuation arrangements!

This coverage is available at an incredibly affordable rate just for VFW members and their families. Call (800) 821-2606, option 1 or go to www.emergencyassistanceplus.com/vfw VFW Insurance For information about various insurance plans sponsored by VFW National Headquarters, please visit www.vfwinsurance.com or call 1-800-821-2606, option 1. VFW FOUNDATION: BOB EVANS RESTAURANTS Few things taste better in the summer than a slice of delicious apple dumpling pie. Beginning July 4 through August 22, participating Bob Evans Restaurants will donate a portion of the proceeds for each slice or whole pie sold to the VFW Foundation (both dine-in or carry-out). We ask that VFW members and their families consider dining (breakfast, lunch or dinner) with our great friends at Bob Evans as they in turn proudly demonstrate their patriotic support for Americas military service personnel. 11

Bob Evans Restaurants are known for providing unique home-style food and friendly service to customers primarily in the East North Central, mid-Atlantic and Southern United States. For a complete list of Bob Evans Restaurant locations please visit: www.bobevans.com/Restaurant/Locate BUFFALO WILD WINGS You dined, they donated! Participating Buffalo Wild Wings restaurants across America, with the support of its customers have donated $200,000 from its May Salute the Troops promotion benefiting the VFW Foundations Return the Favor campaign. In its two year history, the Foundations Return the Favor campaign raised more than $1.3 million. Thank you to all VFW and Auxiliary members who promoted and participated in the campaign. CONVENTION SPONSORS Please support those who support us. If attending the National Convention be sure to take a moment and say thank you to the many sponsors and exhibitors, their generous contributions help make our convention a great success. Refer to your convention program or visit http://www.vfw.org/VFWNationalConvention/ for a complete list of 113th VFW National Convention sponsors. VFW STORE: CONVENTION Be sure to stop by the VFW STORE booth: See our exciting NEW MERCHANDISE and SALE items Meet your personal shopping counselor who will help you select just the right items for all your special events. Get your new CATALOG WEVE GOT YOU COVERED from the hot summer sun http://www.vfwstore.org/detail.aspx?ID=29458 Get yours today for Post barbeques, membership recruiting drives, picnics, fundraisers, etc. Proudly FLY YOUR FLAG http://www.vfwstore.org/detail.aspx?ID=29972 ROLL CALL OF DEPARTED COMRADES: MAHAN, JOHN (JACK) W., Past Commander-in-Chief (1958-59) and a Life Member of 1st Lieut. Harold H. Joyce Post 1116, Helena, Montana, July 4, 2012. - 30 -

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