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Making Virtual Friends: My VFW Bloggers
Posted at 02:06 PM on Saturday, March 6, 2010 by VFW News
Donald Peirce and "IJK," Iris Joe Kelley have been blogging for their VFWs for years. "It's like a living history." says IJK, one of the first VFW Post bloggers online with VFW WebCOM.* D. Peirce is a senior blogger on the Network who says making virtual friends is " better than buying drinks in a canteen."Serving the VFW online, they are connecting with members old and new and tending to the growth of this community. Recently they responded to email Interviews with MyVFW. Here's what they had to say:
MyQ: You maintain a virtual home for the VFW 8771--a homeless VFW Post which meets at an historic Inn in Sudbury, MA, and you have been carrying on with your comrades online since joining the Forum in 2007. Why?
DP: I was amazed that with help from others here, I could actually create & publish a report to my members of what had transpired during their absence from a Post Meeting.. Many of my Post comrades retreat south during the vagaries of weather. Although limited in membership it provided me an opportunity to become a buddy.
MyQ: Did you have any Internet experience before hand? If so, where online?
DP: I have no on line experience other than having belonged to AOL for years and participated in Genealogy & Widow & Widower chat rooms.
MyQ: What values do you see the online community brings to the organization?
DP:I am convinced that words written from the depth of one's heart, regardless the subject, can only bind us together more tightly than any researched or trite views by someone paid to suggest why or what we think as Veterans. Regardless the War.
In a post entitled, "What We All Know Is The Real America"-you wrote,
"I enjoy this site for the photos of what each of us posting photos choose to portray what we hesitate to write. It might be a young lady we have been partnered with over many years. A child, a grandchild, a dog. Evan a cat!Who the hell is Ken Burns?:)
Makes no difference! Watching the 100 photos telling the story of who we are, what interests us i believe is the best film of Americana that exists today. Ken Burns can tell his idea of history. These pictures are what it is all about."
DP: I write what I believe! Am not a kid. Still believe in what my parents taught me as a child.. Ken Burns is a famous film maker. Two of his productions were "The Civil War: and "The War". As a descendent of warriors who fought on either side during the Civil War, I take umbrage with many of his views as to why men enlisted and fought.
As a volunteer during World War Two the same views are in conflict. [you asked.]
I appreciate the photos members post and could care less why they might be viewed or the motivation that led to the postings. They are HONEST and SINCERE. That's enough for Me!
Off the top of my head: The venue we enjoy is absolutely unique to me. My members enjoy what I write, Love the pictures posted in our photo Album and, I think, because of the existence of the website become even closer, as brothers or comrades in what we are all about. Within our community we 'expect' respect as both Veterans & Citizens. You give us a chance to Sing our own Song!----Donald Peirce, QM and Blogmaster VFW Post 8771
IJK, Quartermaster to post Post 3770 , is a dairy farmer in southern Missouri. When he's not taking cares of his cows, he manages his post, district and VFW Department Missouri sites.
I appreciate the photos members post and could care less why they might be viewed or the motivation that led to the postings. They are HONEST and SINCERE. That's enough for Me!
Off the top of my head: The venue we enjoy is absolutely unique to me. My members enjoy what I write, Love the pictures posted in our photo Album and, I think, because of the existence of the website become even closer, as brothers or comrades in what we are all about. Within our community we 'expect' respect as both Veterans & Citizens. You give us a chance to Sing our own Song!----Donald Peirce, QM and Blogmaster VFW Post 8771
IJK, Quartermaster to post Post 3770 , is a dairy farmer in southern Missouri. When he's not taking cares of his cows, he manages his post, district and VFW Department Missouri sites. MyQ: You were one of the first to get your VFW Post weblog going Joe. When did you start and Why did you do it?
IJK: I started in April 2006. I had seen the announcement in the February issue of the Dept of Mo VFW Missourian and at the end of the article it gave the web address to log in at and a e-mail address for contact. I sent an e-mail to the one given but got no response ever. I kept returning to the site and wanting to check it out. I sent more e-mails but none were ever answered. I finally was sitting here one night and got to trying different things and finally stumbled upon the username and password. I started adding some entries and the next day I received a call from the people in charge of the network. I had had a post website for about three years but no way to change or update the info so was not very pleased with it plus I had no way of knowing if anyone ever visited it. Although I had a contact e-mail listed on the site I had never received one from it. It has since been ta
ken down. I could see that this would be a great way to put out news about the post and that it would allow the community to see the things we accomplished. My Post weblog, Post 3770 in Mtn Grove, has 561 entries and over 750 photos and numerous videos as well as pertinent news for veterans and members. All post events are documented. It is like a living history. The weblogs are extremely easy to use and keep updated. Shortly after claiming my post weblog I also claimed my District 18 weblog and it has 363 entries and over 400 photos.
MyQ: Did you have any Internet experience before hand?
IJK: I had been online for a number of years but no real experience. I played games and visited news sites and did some E-Baying. There was one site I visited a lot that was dedicated to agriculture and it had a forums section but those that were there a lot spent their time calling each other names and acting like children so I lost interest in it.
MyQ: How would you describe the development of online networking since within your organization?
IJK: Since the Dept of Mo VFW got onboard and joined the network in an official capacity the use of the network in Mo has grown. There are several posts and most districts now using the system to communicate. The VFW WebCom network built us a webmail system that allows each post commander, post quartermaster, post adjutant, district commander, district quartermaster, district adjutant and all the officers of the Dept of Mo an e-mail address in a unique system of addresses that it is easy to contact any of them by e-mail. I just wish that all of the ones with the addresses were using it.
The VFW WebCom Network also has a site called the VFW WebCom Forums that allows us to interact with VFW members across the organization. I have met some great comrades from across the country. It allows us to discuss problems and issues that we face as posts. I have made good friends with Comrades in MA, ME, CA, NC, MI, WI, OK, NE and others. I have been able to interact with a lot of members right here from MO.
The network also has a MY VFW Community that is very similar to MySpace and it has a great chat feature that we are able to use. Sometimes we discuss VFW issues and sometimes we just visit but it is great. Both the Forums and MY VFW WebCom are growing every day. In 2006 the Mo network had only 9,000 visitors but by 2007 it had 29,000, 2008 - 55,000 and in 2009 the Mo network had 65,000 visitors. That is positive growth and I expect it will continue.
I have had the opportunity through using the network to communicate in a positive manner with deployed troops as well as other members of the VFW and I feel that is a big value to the VFW.
The openess of this network is what makes it great. The members that use it feel it is their network and can discuss any issue they wish without fear of reprisal or censorship from the National VFW Organization.
MyQ: VFW Department MO has one of the most visited websites out of 11 active VFW Departments networked here, second to VFW Department WI. To what do you attribute this success?
The Dept of Mo came onboard early with the WebCom Network because the leaders of the Dept organization saw the pluses. They have helped promote it in all their communications to the posts and districts since 2006. The Dept of Mo WebLog now has 1105 entries and over 600 photos. You can find stories and photos about dept events, news of general interest to veterans, news that are more specific for VFW members and communications from National Headquarters and Dept Headquarters. We try to add something new on a regular basis so members and the public have a reason to return.
MyQ: "VFW Blogmaster Dept. Missouri."
When did you adopt that role? And what can you say to anyone who wants to do what you do?
I didn't really adopt the role. I think it adopted me. The Dept Commander asked me to maintain the Dept of Mo weblog I guess because he liked what he saw that I was doing with my post and district weblogs. Each successive Dept Commander has asked me to remain. I had a lot of help from the network administrators while I was learning and I am now able to help any post, district of department with just about any issue. For those that would like to take over their post or district weblog I say have at it. It is extremely easy to add news, stories, photos, videos, or slideshows. I have learned so much from this that the internet no longer scares me as it once did. If I learned how do be a Blogmaster anyone can. It really is as easy as e-mail.
_______________________________________________________________________
* James Workman of VFW Post 10, Department North Carolina was the first VFW member to join on the Network. Workman is currently a District 8 Officer, Community Activities. He worked with the Network before there was one.. in 2003 on when we were on Manilasites.
The VFW WebCOM Network team thanks all of our departments and posts who continue to make this project a success. Look for more interviews from your members online. Thank You DP & IJK...
IJK: I started in April 2006. I had seen the announcement in the February issue of the Dept of Mo VFW Missourian and at the end of the article it gave the web address to log in at and a e-mail address for contact. I sent an e-mail to the one given but got no response ever. I kept returning to the site and wanting to check it out. I sent more e-mails but none were ever answered. I finally was sitting here one night and got to trying different things and finally stumbled upon the username and password. I started adding some entries and the next day I received a call from the people in charge of the network. I had had a post website for about three years but no way to change or update the info so was not very pleased with it plus I had no way of knowing if anyone ever visited it. Although I had a contact e-mail listed on the site I had never received one from it. It has since been ta
ken down. I could see that this would be a great way to put out news about the post and that it would allow the community to see the things we accomplished. My Post weblog, Post 3770 in Mtn Grove, has 561 entries and over 750 photos and numerous videos as well as pertinent news for veterans and members. All post events are documented. It is like a living history. The weblogs are extremely easy to use and keep updated. Shortly after claiming my post weblog I also claimed my District 18 weblog and it has 363 entries and over 400 photos.MyQ: Did you have any Internet experience before hand?
IJK: I had been online for a number of years but no real experience. I played games and visited news sites and did some E-Baying. There was one site I visited a lot that was dedicated to agriculture and it had a forums section but those that were there a lot spent their time calling each other names and acting like children so I lost interest in it.
MyQ: How would you describe the development of online networking since within your organization?
IJK: Since the Dept of Mo VFW got onboard and joined the network in an official capacity the use of the network in Mo has grown. There are several posts and most districts now using the system to communicate. The VFW WebCom network built us a webmail system that allows each post commander, post quartermaster, post adjutant, district commander, district quartermaster, district adjutant and all the officers of the Dept of Mo an e-mail address in a unique system of addresses that it is easy to contact any of them by e-mail. I just wish that all of the ones with the addresses were using it.
The VFW WebCom Network also has a site called the VFW WebCom Forums that allows us to interact with VFW members across the organization. I have met some great comrades from across the country. It allows us to discuss problems and issues that we face as posts. I have made good friends with Comrades in MA, ME, CA, NC, MI, WI, OK, NE and others. I have been able to interact with a lot of members right here from MO.
The network also has a MY VFW Community that is very similar to MySpace and it has a great chat feature that we are able to use. Sometimes we discuss VFW issues and sometimes we just visit but it is great. Both the Forums and MY VFW WebCom are growing every day. In 2006 the Mo network had only 9,000 visitors but by 2007 it had 29,000, 2008 - 55,000 and in 2009 the Mo network had 65,000 visitors. That is positive growth and I expect it will continue.
I have had the opportunity through using the network to communicate in a positive manner with deployed troops as well as other members of the VFW and I feel that is a big value to the VFW.
The openess of this network is what makes it great. The members that use it feel it is their network and can discuss any issue they wish without fear of reprisal or censorship from the National VFW Organization.
MyQ: VFW Department MO has one of the most visited websites out of 11 active VFW Departments networked here, second to VFW Department WI. To what do you attribute this success?
The Dept of Mo came onboard early with the WebCom Network because the leaders of the Dept organization saw the pluses. They have helped promote it in all their communications to the posts and districts since 2006. The Dept of Mo WebLog now has 1105 entries and over 600 photos. You can find stories and photos about dept events, news of general interest to veterans, news that are more specific for VFW members and communications from National Headquarters and Dept Headquarters. We try to add something new on a regular basis so members and the public have a reason to return.
MyQ: "VFW Blogmaster Dept. Missouri."
When did you adopt that role? And what can you say to anyone who wants to do what you do?
I didn't really adopt the role. I think it adopted me. The Dept Commander asked me to maintain the Dept of Mo weblog I guess because he liked what he saw that I was doing with my post and district weblogs. Each successive Dept Commander has asked me to remain. I had a lot of help from the network administrators while I was learning and I am now able to help any post, district of department with just about any issue. For those that would like to take over their post or district weblog I say have at it. It is extremely easy to add news, stories, photos, videos, or slideshows. I have learned so much from this that the internet no longer scares me as it once did. If I learned how do be a Blogmaster anyone can. It really is as easy as e-mail.
_______________________________________________________________________
* James Workman of VFW Post 10, Department North Carolina was the first VFW member to join on the Network. Workman is currently a District 8 Officer, Community Activities. He worked with the Network before there was one.. in 2003 on when we were on Manilasites.
The VFW WebCOM Network team thanks all of our departments and posts who continue to make this project a success. Look for more interviews from your members online. Thank You DP & IJK...
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