VFW Post 2866 - Saint Charles Post

Retroactive Stop Loss Special Pay

Posted at 10:36 PM on July 26, 2010 by VFW Post 2866

Those eligible must submit a claim by Oct. 21, 2010.

The 2009 War Supplemental Appropriations Act established Retroactive Stop Loss Special Pay (RSLSP), providing $500 for each month/partial month served in stop loss status. Service members, veterans, and beneficiaries of servicemembers whose service was involuntarily extended under Stop Loss between Sept. 11, 2001 and Sept. 30, 2009 are eligible for RSLSP.

To receive this benefit, those who served under stop loss must submit a claim for the special pay. Throughout the year, the services have been reaching out to servicemembers, veterans and their families through direct mail, veteran service organizations, and the media. But there is still money left to be claimed, and the deadline is approaching. The average benefit is $3,700.

Full story with form link can be found at: VFW WebCom Forums

Dept of Mo General Orders - August 2010

Posted at 12:17 PM on July 26, 2010 by VFW Post 2866

Dept of Mo August 2010 General Orders -

USS MIssouri (SSN-780) Commissioning

Posted at 06:47 AM on July 13, 2010 by VFW Post 2866

USS Missouri Commissioning Celebration -

    Join Kansas City Power & Light District and Boulevard Brewing Company on July 31st to watch the historic commissioning of the USS Missouri (SSN-780) submarine. Festivities will kick off in the KC Live! Block at 9:30 am with a musical salute to our Troops and the state of Missouri followed by the live broadcast streamed from Groton, Conn., where the commissioning is happening. Continue to celebrate the once-in-a-lifetime event after the broadcast with live music.

Comrades,
    When the TV cameras go on I think they should see a Power and Light District full of VFW hats. This submarine will replace the Battleship Missouri and deserves our full support. I hope to see you all there.

Bob Wonnell
VFW MO State Commander

JULY-AUGUST 2010 INFORMER

Posted at 05:08 PM on July 1, 2010 by VFW Post 2866 in Informer

THE INFORMER

 JULY-AUGUST 2010

 VFW POST 2866 66 VFW Lane  St. Charles, MO 63303   (636)724-9612

 Depart. Of Missouri Weblog: http://www.vfwwebcom.org/missouri

 District 9 Weblog: http://www.vfwwebcom.org/mo/dist9

Post Weblog: http://www.vfwwebcom.org/mo/post2866

 Editor: James R. Beam (Beamer) E-Mail: beamer57@sbcglobal.net

 Post E-Mail: vfwpost2866@att.net

 Informer E-Mail: vfw2866@att.net

 COMMANDERS COMMENTS

 Greetings fellow Comrades and Ladies of the Auxiliary. This past weekend a few of us attended the 90th VFW Department of Missouri Convention in Columbia, Missouri. The message I received from the Convention was that our membership numbers have peaked and that unless we take action at the Post level –numbers will decline. Again, individual members are our recruiters and the Post and Auxiliary’s are the heartbeat of the VFW . In years past the leaders were WWI, WWII, Korea, and now Viet Nam. I’m a Viet Nam veteran and joined the VFW three years ago because I was asked to join by Dennis Flynn. My question to you is,” Are you asking your family and friends to join?” If we don’t ask now who is going to follow us? On a more important note, to our Post, is “Taking Care of Members.” How do we do that? We are now at a cross roads where electronic media and “Going Green” is all around us. I understand some of our members may never elect to go there but, that’s where 100% of our future members are already at in their daily lives. What I believe in is “Taking Care of Existing Members”, of our Post. We crossed our VFW Fiscal Years (July 2009 – June 2010) with about 900 members of which 650 are Life Members. One of my priorities this year is maintaining contact with each of our members through calls, print, and electronic media. VFW National maintains our official database with membership information. While here at the Post level, we have some paper records with email addresses and phone numbers, I hope this year we flesh out our database with this information and allow each member access to the information. The tool we will use to accomplish this is through our own website and your individual efforts to keep it current. I look forward to serving you this new Post Fiscal Year and to continue the outstanding efforts of Commander Murphy. I hope to meet each of you and look forward to the many events our Post holds each year. My officers and I are here to serve you. I am honored to be your Commander and will do anything for our Post and this country. If you need to talk with me my cell phone number is 314-808-1828.

 In Comradeship, Neal Lang Commander

AUXILIARY PRESIDENT

 By the time you read this, our Department Convention will be over. I hope that we received a lot of rewards for our post. I could not have done it without all of your help. At Convention, I was a “Page for Past Department Presidents. I was the Go –Getter. I received money from the Ladies auxiliary and assisted Char Bossman with credentials to give out badges for all the meetings. Received Red & white Scarf. Made 100% Membership and won a Picnic basket from a raffle that District 17 had. Enjoyed the convention. We will have our 9th District meeting at Post 2866 on July 11, 2010 at 1:00 PM. We need new items for raffle prizes & desserts for our meal. (Pies or Cakes.) We could always need more help at our Bingo & Fish Fry’s. They are our big money makers. Wish all who are sick to get well & my sympathy to all who have lost a loved one. We have lost 14 Aux. members the past year. That is a lot, so we have to go out and sign up new members to take their place. So everybody enjoy the summer & be careful when you go on vacation. Have a good time.

Earline Baker

#1 President Auxiliary President

 AUXILIARY CHAPLAIN GOD BLESS AMERICA GOD BLESS THE VFW

 July

 As the “New Year” starts for the VFW with the new officers in place, and as past officers retire, there is no better time to make new promises to work hard for the betterment of the Post. Lord bless both the old and the new. Help us to face what we must, and celebrate every new triumph, make changes where we need. Lord help us to celebrate with happy hearts and good will for the VFW, all the members and the many volunteers here, that make us the family we are. We are never out of Gods’ care, we can trust His wisdom, and we are always welcome to seek Him in prayer. God Bless America as we celebrate our birthday July 4th. Psalms 33:12 “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord. The people He has chosen as His own inheritance” Let us never forget that our forefathers came to establish a country under God’s name… the faith that once founded this powerful nation in the Makers name. Oh, teach us, dear God we are pilgrims still subject alone to your guidance and will, show us the way to purposeful living. Make us once more a God-fearing nation and not just a puppet of controlled automation. CELEBRATE FREEDOM, LOVE AMERICA, PRAY FOR ALL OUR SERVICE MEN AND WOMEN, THOSE OUT OF SERVICE AND THOSE STILL GUARDING OUR FREEDOM. The VFW Aux 2866 lost three members since our last newsletter: Ruby Pund, a 61 yr member - April 14, 2010; Mary Hiatt a 26 year member - May 10, 2010; Maggie Lewis a life member-May 11, 2010. We pray for their families to have peace and recall fond memories as the days pass.

August 7 USPS!

 1. WAKE UP!! Decide to have a good day. “This is the day the Lord hath made let us rejoice and be glad in it” Psalms 118:24 2. DRESS UP!! The best way to dress up is to put on a smile; a smile is an inexpensive way to improve your looks. “The Lord does not look at the things man looks at, Man looks at outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart” 3. SHUT UP!! Say nice things and learn to listen. God gave us two ears and one mouth, so He must have meant for us to do twice as much listening as talking. ”He who guards his lips guards his soul” 4. STAND UP!! For what you believe in. Stand for something or you will fall for anything. “Let us not be weary in doing well; for at the proper time, we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do well” Galatians 6:9-10 5. LOOK UP!! To the Lord. “I can do everything through Christ who strengthens me” Philippians 4:13 6 .REACH UP!! For something higher. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not unto your own understanding. In all your ways, acknowledge Him, and He will direct your path” Proverbs 3:5-6 7. LIFT UP!! Your prayers “Do not worry about anything; instead PRAY ABOUT EVERYTHING.” Philippians 4:6 If God had a refrigerator, your picture would be on it. If He had a wallet, your photo would be in it. He sends your flowers every spring, and a sunrise every morning. Whenever you want to talk, He’ll listen. He could live anywhere in the universe, and He chose your heart. What about the Christmas gift He sent you in Bethlehem; not to mention that Friday at Calvary. Face it, He’s crazy about you. God Answers

 Carolyn S. Lauer Auxiliary Chaplain 

 HOSPITAL CHAIRMAN

 Great turnout of both residents and volunteers for our May visit. Flower plants were given to the women veterans at the Home by Jeri Sherwood and the Women's Auxiliary. They were beautiful and well received. Forty-nine residents and fourteen volunteers enjoyed a beautiful spring day and playing Bingo. Thanks to Betty Zidzik, Dottie Sample, Judy Larson, Ray and Jeri Sherwood, Earline Baker, Jack and Cathy Spitler, Don Newman, Commander Bob Murphy, Paul Jones, Bob Adams and Neil Lang. Other news: Congratulations to Don Newman on his appointment by Mayor Patti York and approval by the St. Charles City Council to the St. Charles City Veteran's commission

JUNE

Thanks to Bob O'Reilley for heading up our Home visit. The St. Charles City Veteran's Commission was at our Veteran's Memorial at Bishop's Landing having a photo op with the Budweiser Clydesdales. It will appear on next year's City Calendar. They are magnificent horses! Kudos to our volunteers - Bob O'Reilley, Paul Schibi, Roy and Jeri Sherwood, Judy Larson, Bob Murphy, Neal Lang, Cathy Spitler, Jack Spitler, Jane Hoskins, Paul Jones, Bob Adams, Ruth Simcox, LaVonn Fegiel, and Lucille Brommelhorst. They were surely needed as we had 55 residents playing Bingo. Bob reports that there were so many multiple Bingo's that there wasn't enough money for a coverall. That's good because it means that a lot of residents won some money! Next visit is Saturday, July 3. Yes it's the Independence Day weekend; however, we've visited on Holidays previously. Remember New Year's Day a couple years ago when we overcame hangovers and visited the Home? Now, that was a challenge yet we had a good turnout. So, we'll gather at 12:45 PM at the Post on July 3. Trust me, it will be rewarding and the residents will enjoy our company.

 Tom Kuypers Hospital Chairman

SURGEONS REPORT

Get fit now & give up smoking without gaining weight! According to the American Cancer Society, half of all Americans will die of tobacco related causes such as lung cancer or emphysema. For some smokers however, there is another more immediate fear. Nicotine suppresses the appetite and helps the metabolism. So many smokers worry they will gain weight if they quit. Fortunately they do not have to choose one or the other. In fact controlling your weight may actually help your nicotine habit. Until now most doctors have warned against trying to control two behaviors at once. The results show. So the bottom line is this: It’s your decision. Post Surgeon

VFW POST 2866 NEWS

New Members Like to welcome the following new members: Walter G. Bushmann (VN) Army Roy Simmans (WWII) Army Ken W. Sona (VN) Army Ken McCoy (Irag) Army Larry Rummel (VN) Navy Peter Vincent (Desert Storm) Army/Navy John Terrana (WWII) Army Robert Smyth (VN) AF 

 How to create an eMembership Account

 How long it will take to create the account: About 2�]5 minutes of your time. What you will need: 1. Your name 2. Your email address 3. Your VFW membership number (found on your VFW membership card) 4. Your home zip code 5. Your birth year Note: If you do not have your membership card, please contact the VFW at 1�]800�]963�]3180. Create your account: 1. Open your web browser (i.e., Internet Explorer) 2. Browse to the internet address http://emem.vfw.org 3. When eMembership opens, in the upper left hand corner: Click “Create a New Account” 4. Enter the information requested. 

 CLUBROOM NEWS Post 2866

 (Team) Billiard Tournaments When: Sat July 31st & Aug. 28th, 2010. Where: Post Clubroom Cost: $10.00 per person Time: 7:00 PM Ask Bartender for sign-up sheet. Names will be drawn (for teams) and brackets filled at 6:45 PM. Play starts immediately following! Prizes given out for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place finishers. This will be a monthly event going all year.

POST 2866 AUXILIARY NEWS

 District 9 Meeting and School of Instruction On July 11th, 2010, our post will be holding the 9th District Meetings & School of instruction starting at 1:00 pm. What we need is new items to bring for our raffles prizes. So if you can bring items for raffle would be appreciated. Also Cakes, Pies, desserts for our meal. 

 Department Convention Results These were awards we received at convention.

 National Veterans Service Award for Post 2866 & Auxilary National Distinguished Community Service Award for Post 2866 & Auxilary

 Americanism Char Bossman, Chairman 1st Place-

 Outstanding contest for pre-school-5th grade.

 1st Place- most POW/MIA flags given.

Cancer Char Bossman, Chairman 1st Place- Postdoctoral Cancer research fellowship

 1st Place- Most Cancer Grants

 2nd Place- Cancer education program

 1st Place- Publicizing Cancer Aid & Research

. Hospital Jeri Sherwood, Chairman

 2nd Place-Best hospital promotion 2nd Place-Best reporting

 1st Place-Hospital Fund Support

 2nd Place-Hours volunteered assisting veterans & their families Community Service

 1st Place- Community Service Project

 1st Place- Veterans History Project

 2nd Place-Most hours volunteered assisting veterans & their families.

 Chief of Staff Award from Department Jeri Sherwood- Runner-up for outstanding Chief of Staff, District 9. Voice of Demacracy Jackie Jones- Certificate of participtation

 Patriots Pen Jackie Jones- Certificate of Participtation Political Action

Mary Benskin- Certificate of Appreciation Veterans & Family Support

 Earline Baker, Chairman 2nd Place- Most participtation with VFW National Home

2nd Place- Most Participtation in Buddy Poppy. 2nd Place- Best publicity for National Military service

 1st Place- Most participtation in National Military Service 1st Place- Outstanding overall chairman Department Auxiliary President of the year

 Earline Baker- Post 2866

“ POP A TOP” for Ronald McDonald House

 I want to say a very gracious “Thank You” to everyone that donated Soda can Tabs for the Ronald McDonald House. Ronald McDonald House is located on Park Ave. in St. Louis. They held their annual pandemonium Saturday May 1st. Cash’s Recycling and McDonalds work together through this project to raise money for Ronald McDonald Houses in St. Louis. Cash’s Recycling pays double credit for the recyled tabs brought in on the pandemonium day. Thanks for all your participtation, I was able to deliver 50 pounds of tabs on behalf of Post 2866 Auxiliary. The money raised supports Ronald McDonald Houses which provides a home away from home for families of children being treated for critical illnesess in St. Louis facilities. The support each of you provided in conjunction with other organizations donations, rasies thousands of dollars to assist these facilities. Moving forward, we have a whole year ahead of us to continue to collect the tabs for next year. It is greatly appreciated if you would take a few seconds to remove the tabs from your cans and save them for next years pandemonium. You can drop them off at VFW Post 2866 or I will glad to make arrangements to pick them up from you. Once again, thank you very much for making this year’s contribution a grat success.

 Cindy Lou Wahl Senior Vice President 

CANCER NEWS

A diagnosis of cancer can be a stressful event for the individual and the family. As hospital stays become shorter, help at home becomes more important. As a care giver, you also need to think of yourself. As being a caregiver will become physically exhausting and emotionally draining. Ask for help if you neeed it. Keep in close contact with the doctor and nurses Ask questions and request that doctors clarify the answer if you don’t understand them. Take time for yourself. Do something that takes you away from routine and responsibilities. If care is long term, arrange for extended periods of relief. Rely on expert help, home health services, psychogists, consulors, financial, and insurance specialist. Find a listener; people who will listen to your problems can be comforting and supportive. Try to maintain a positive attitude for yourself and your loved one.

 Char Bossman Cancer Chairman 

 VETERAN’S NEWS

 Attached is the final update for Veterans Legislation in Missouri for the 2010 Session. The legislature has adjourned for this year until a Veto Session tentatively scheduled for early September. The following bills that we have been following were "Truly Agreed To and Finally Passed" and have been sent to Governor Nixon for signature: SCS HCS HB 1524 & 2260 - This bill is an omnibus bill for veterans and contains provisions covered in many of the other bills that were not sent forward. Some of the items are: (1) Requires all agencies and political subdivisions of this state to give a three-point bonus preference to a service-disabled veteran business operating as a Missouri business when letting a contract for the performance of any job or service; (2) Specifies that the State of Missouri recognizes the designations of Prisoner of War (POW) and Missing in Action (MIA) as valid descriptions of casualty status and category classification for military personnel; (3) Defines "primary next of kin" as, in order of precedence, a surviving spouse, eldest child, father or mother, eldest brother or sister, or eldest grandchild as it relates to the Uniform Code of Military Justice; (4) Allows the Adjutant General to establish the Missouri Youth Challenge Academy for at-risk high school age youth; (5) Allows a sergeant major from the National Guard and a reserve unit to serve on the panel of the Missouri Military Family Relief Fund; (6) Authorizes the Governor, upon the recommendation of the Adjutant General, to present: (a) A Legion of Merit Medal; (b) A campaign ribbon to individuals who have served in direct support of several military campaigns including a Missouri Iraq Campaign Ribbon, a Missouri Afghanistan Campaign Ribbon, a Missouri Kosovo Campaign Ribbon, and a Missouri Vietnam Campaign Ribbon; (7) Requires the Secretary of State to establish procedures for absent uniformed services and overseas voters to request voter registration applications and absentee ballot applications; (8) Adds a dependent of a retired military member who relocates to Missouri within one year of the date of his or her parent's retirement from active duty to the three-year attendance exemption requirement for the A+ Schools Program; (9) Adds a person designated by an active duty military member on the United States Department of Defense Form 93, Record of Emergency Data, to the term next-of-kin as it relates to the common law right of sepulcher in choosing and controlling the final disposition of a person who died while on active duty; (10) Allows for a special license plate designated "LEGION OF MERIT"; (11) Requires the State Treasurer upon receiving a military medal to hold and maintain it until the original owner or his or her heirs or beneficiaries can be found. SS#2 HCS HB 1893 - This act modifies the criteria for distribution of entry fees for gaming boats. It includes an additional $600,000 for the Veterans Commission Capital Improvements Trust Fund and also raises the cap for the Veterans Service Organizations Veteran Service Officer Grant Program. It also mandates an annual audit both the VCCITF and Early Childhood Development programs. HCS HB 2147 & 2261 - Currently, a student who is an active-duty military dependent is exempt from the three-year attendance requirement for the A+ Schools Program. This bill also allows a student who is a dependent of a retired military member who relocates to Missouri within one year of the date of his or her parent's retirement from active duty to be exempt from the attendance requirement. HCS HB 2262 & 2264 - This bill allows the Adjutant General to establish the Missouri Youth Challenge Academy for at-risk high school age youth. The residential military-based academy will provide work experience and training in life skills, citizenship, life-coping and academic skills, among others. The Missouri Youth Challenge Foundation Fund is created consisting of gifts, donations, appropriations, transfers, and bequests. The Adjutant General is authorized to make grants from the fund to support the academy. CCS HCS SCS SB 733 - This act modifies the criteria for Bright Flight Scholarships and opens them up to Veterans who were out of state for military duty. HCS SB 940 - This act changes the restrictions on different types of bingo license holders, including when they can hold bingo games and various restrictions on advertising. In addition, this act changes reporting requirements and records retention schedules for licensees.

SEPTEMBER AGENT ORANGE HEARING SET; WEBB WANTS ANSWERS

 By Tom Philpott

 VA Secretary Eric Shinseki will get the Senate hearing he didn’t want. Sen. James Webb (D-Va.) says he will use a Senate Veterans Affairs Committee hearing -- rescheduled now for Sept. 23 -- to have Shinseki explain his decision to compensate Vietnam veterans, and many surviving spouses, for three more ailments including heart disease. Shinseki announced last October that ischemic heart disease, Parkinson’s disease and B-Cell leukemia will be added to the list of illnesses presumed caused by exposure to defoliants, including Agent Orange, used to clear jungle in combat areas during the war. VA projects that the decision will cost $13.4 billion in 2010 alone as it will qualify a few hundred thousand more veterans for service-connected disability compensation. Those veterans, it now appears, will have to wait at least a few more months before claims can be paid. And there is at least some doubt now they will be paid. That will depend on whether Webb and enough of his colleagues are dissatisfied with the science behind Shinseki’s decision. In an interview in his Capitol Hill office Wednesday, Webb said he was surprised to find among line items in an emergency wartime supplemental bill (HR 4899) a few weeks ago $13.4 billion attributed to “veterans.” He asked staff to find out what it would fund. “It came back this was the Agent Orange law,” Webb said. Webb, a highly-decorated Marine from combat service in Vietnam, said this deepened his skepticism over the soundness of that law and how it has been used. “When the law was passed there were two areas that raised questions for me,” Webb explained. “One was the presumption of exposure for anyone who had been in Vietnam; 2.7 million people had an automatic presumption of exposure. And then the notion that the VA administrator, now the secretary of veterans’ affairs, has discretion based on scientific evidence to decide a service-connection” to various illnesses. “It’s very broad.” Webb amended HR 4899 so claims can’t be paid on the three newly-named Agent Orange illnesses until 60 days after a final rule is published. “This is an area where we have a responsibility to pump for more [information] to tell us specifically how they made the connection. The only appropriate way to do that is say, ‘Let’s fence the money for 60 days and get some clarification here.’ ” Webb said he was unaware on finding the $13.4 billion in the bill that Shinseki had asked Sen. Daniel Akaka (D-Hawaii), chairman of the VA committee, not to hold a hearing on this issue. Akaka had scheduled one for April, then rescheduled for early May when VA declined to send witnesses 

 Pam Murphy Oct. 7th, 1923-April 8, 2010

 Wife of Audie Murphy Pam Murphy, the widow of Audie Murphy, was involved in the Sepulveda VA hospital and care center over the course of 35 years, treating every veteran who visited the facility as if they were a VIP. Pam Murphy died last week at the age of 90. After Audie died, they all became her boys. Every last one of them. Any soldier or Marine who walked into the Sepulveda VA hospital and care center in the last 35 years got the VIP treatment from Pam Murphy. The widow of Audie Murphy – the most decorated soldier in World War II – would walk the hallways with her clipboard in hand making sure her boys got to see a specialist or doctor — STAT. If they didn't, watch out. Her boys weren't Medal of Honor recipients or movie stars like Audie, but that didn't matter to Pam. They had served their country. That was good enough for her. She never called a veteran by his first name. It was always "Mister." Respect came with the job. "Nobody could cut through VA red tape faster than Mrs. Murphy," said veteran Stephen Sherman, speaking for thousands of veterans she befriended over the years. "Many times I watched her march a veteran who had been waiting more than an hour right into the doctor's office. She was even reprimanded a few times, but it didn't matter to Mrs. Murphy. "Only her boys mattered. She was our angel." Last week, Sepulveda VA's angel for the last 35 years died peacefully in her sleep at age 90. "She was in bed watching the Laker game, took one last breath, and that was it," said Diane Ruiz, who also worked at the VA and cared for Pam in the last years of her life in her Canoga Park apartment. It was the same apartment Pam moved into soon after Audie died in a plane crash on Memorial Day weekend in 1971. Audie Murphy died broke, squandering million of dollars on gambling, bad investments, and yes, other women. "Even with the adultery and desertion at the end, he always remained my hero," Pam told me. She went from a comfortable ranch-style home in Van Nuys where she raised two sons to a small apartment - taking a clerk's job at the nearby VA to support herself and start paying off her faded movie star husband's debts. At first, no one knew who she was. Soon, though, word spread through the VA that the nice woman with the clipboard was Audie Murphy's widow. It was like saying Patton had just walked in the front door. Men with tears in their eyes walked up to her and gave her a hug. "Thank you," they said, over and over. The first couple of years, I think the hugs were more for Audie's memory as a war hero. The last 30 years, they were for Pam. She hated the spotlight. One year I asked her to be the focus of a Veteran's Day column for all the work she had done. Pam just shook her head no. "Honor them, not me," she said, pointing to a group of veterans down the hallway. "They're the ones who deserve it." The vets disagreed. Mrs. Murphy deserved the accolades, they said. Incredibly, in 2002, Pam's job was going to be eliminated in budget cuts. She was considered "excess staff." "I don't think helping cut down on veterans' complaints and showing them the respect they deserve, should be considered excess staff," she told me. Neither did the veterans. They went ballistic, holding a rally for her outside the VA gates. Pretty soon, word came down from the top of the VA. Pam Murphy was no longer considered "excess staff." She remained working full time at the VA until 2007 when she was 87. "The last time she was here was a couple of years ago for the conference we had for homeless veterans," said Becky James, coordinator of the VA's Veterans History Project. Pam wanted to see if there was anything she could do to help some more of her boys. 

 PAT’S CORNER .

 When there is a lull in the action on the job, I sometimes get on the Internet to read sports message boards for entertainment purposes. People boasting about the teams their rooting for, rumors of players being moved. Much of what is said can't be taken serious as are mainly the views of the young and inexperienced. One poster when the home team was going through a slumping time recently decided that, "Now that our season is over with". Mind you that this was proclaimed in the middle of the month of May with still two-thirds of the season yet to be played. Doesn't say much for his grit and determination in my view. I'd also say it’s rather disturbing, a defeatist attitude in someone so young. Obviously this is a person you would not want to find yourself depending upon to have your back. As most people can testify to, life is not an easy road, with many ups and downs. It’s hard to image being able to go through life without experiencing setbacks or discomfort. On the other hand it has to be distressing for someone to become discouraged at the drop of a hat. I once made a comparison of the baseball season and a cattle drive of the old West. Both were long and unpredictable and both had their rewards for a successful finish. For the Cowboys, a big payday awaited them along with a hot bath, a bottle of whiskey and presumably the company of a saloon woman. But along the way were many setbacks. Thunderstorms, rattlesnakes, stampedes, sickness. For ballplayers the chance to play in postseason, bonus money and to be crowned Champions of the World. Of course during the season, they have their pitfalls. Slumps, injuries and losing streaks, and the monotonous travel schedule having to stay in the finest hotels. Sometimes as tough as conditions are you just have to suck it up and keep on battling, that's life. But then again I can't image how tough it would be after getting the herd to market at the end of the dusty trail. To celebrate and get totally wasted, then wake up to find out that the hard earned money is gone, and don't remember the good time you supposedly had. Then start to realize you have to travel back down from where you started from to do it all over again. This would have to be the ultimate discouraging thought I believe and tend to make your skies CLOUDY all day. Patrick Galczynski Post Member 

 The Sack Lunches

 I put my carry-on in the luggage compartment and sat down in my assigned seat. It was going to be a long flight. 'I'm glad I have a good book to read. Perhaps I will get a short nap,' I thought. Just before take-off, a line of soldiers came down the aisle and filled all the vacant seats, totally surrounding me. I decided to start a conversation. 'Where are you headed?' I asked the soldier seated nearest to me. 'Petawawa. We'll be there for two weeks for special training, and then we're being deployed to Afghanistan After flying for about an hour, an announcement was made that sack lunches were available for five dollars. It would be several hours before we reached the east, and I quickly decided a lunch would help pass the time... As I reached for my wallet, I overheard a soldier ask his buddy if he planned to buy lunch. 'No, that seems like a lot of money for just a sack lunch. Probably wouldn't be worth five bucks. I'll wait till we get to base.' His friend agreed. I looked around at the other soldiers.. None were buying lunch. I walked to the back of the plane and handed the flight attendant a fifty dollar bill. 'Take a lunch to all those soldiers.' She grabbed my arms and squeezed tightly. Her eyes wet with tears, she thanked me. 'My son was a soldier in Iraq; it's almost like you are doing it for him.' Picking up ten sacks, she headed up the aisle to where the soldiers were seated. She stopped at my seat and asked, 'Which do you like best - beef or chicken?' 'Chicken,' I replied, wondering why she asked. She turned and went to the front of plane, returning a minute later with a dinner plate from first class. 'This is your thanks..' After we finished eating, I went again to the back of the plane, heading for the rest room.. A man stopped me. 'I saw what you did. I want to be part of it. Here, take this.' He handed me twenty-five dollars. Soon after I returned to my seat, I saw the Flight Captain coming down the aisle, looking at the aisle numbers as he walked, I hoped he was not looking for me, but noticed he was looking at the numbers only on my side of the plane. When he got to my row he stopped, smiled, held out his hand and said, 'I want to shake your hand.' Quickly unfastening my seatbelt I stood and took the Captain's hand. With a booming voice he said, 'I was a soldier and I was a military pilot. Once, someone bought me a lunch. It was an act of kindness I never forgot.' I was embarrassed when applause was heard from all of the passengers. Later I walked to the front of the plane so I could stretch my legs. A man who was seated about six rows in front of me reached out his hand, wanting to shake mine. He left another twenty-five dollars in my palm. When we landed I gathered my belongings and started to deplane. Waiting just inside the airplane door was a man who stopped me, put something in my shirt pocket, turned, and walked away without saying a word. Another twenty-five dollars! Upon entering the terminal, I saw the soldiers gathering for their trip to the base. I walked over to them and handed them seventy-five dollars. 'It will take you some time to reach the base.. It will be about time for a sandwich. God Bless You.' Ten young men left that flight feeling the love and respect of their fellow travelers. As I walked briskly to my car, I whispered a prayer for their safe return. These soldiers were giving their all for our country. I could only give them a couple of meals. It seemed so little... A veteran is someone who, at one point in his life, wrote a blank check made payable to 'The United States of America ' for an amount of 'up to and including my life.' That is Honor, and there are way too many people in this Country who no longer understand it.'

 RAIN

 A little girl had been shopping with her Mom in Target. She must have been 6 years old, this beautiful red haired, freckle faced image of innocence. It was pouring outside. The kind of rain that gushes over the top of rain gutters, so much in a hurry to hit the earth it has no time to flow down the spout. We all stood there, under the awning, just inside the door of the Target. We waited, some patiently, others irritated because nature messed up their hurried day. I am always mesmerized by rainfall. I got lost in the sound and sight of the heavens washing away the dirt and dust of the world. Memories of running, splashing so carefree as a child came pouring in as a welcome reprieve from the worries of my day. Her little voice was so sweet as it broke the hypnotic trance we were all caught in, 'Mom let's run through the rain,' she said. 'What?' Mom asked. 'Let's run through the rain!' She repeated. 'No, honey. We'll wait until it slows down a bit,' Mom replied. This young child waited a minute and repeated: 'Mom, let's run through the rain.' 'We'll get soaked if we do,' Mom said. 'No, we won't, Mom. That's not what you said this morning,' the young girl said as she tugged at her Mom's arm. 'This morning? When did I say we could run through the rain and not get wet?' 'Don't you remember? When you were talking to Daddy about his cancer, you said, 'If God can get us through this, he can get us through anything!'' The entire crowd stopped dead silent. I swear you couldn't hear anything but the rain. We all stood silently. No one left. Mom paused and thought for a moment about what she would say. Now some would laugh it off and scold her for being silly. Some might even ignore what was said. But this was a moment of affirmation in a young child's life. A time when innocent trust can be nurtured so that it will bloom into faith. 'Honey, you are absolutely right. Let's run through the rain. If GOD lets us get wet, well maybe we just need washing,' Mom said. Then off they ran. We all stood watching, smiling and laughing as they darted past the cars and yes, through the puddles. They got soaked. They were followed by a few who screamed and laughed like children all the way to their cars. And yes, I did. I ran. I got wet. I needed washing. Circumstances or people can take away your material possessions, they can take away your money, and they can take away your health. But no one can ever take away your precious memories...So, don't forget to make time and take the opportunities to make memories every day. To everything there is a season and a time to every purpose under heaven. I HOPE YOU STILL TAKE THE TIME TO RUN THROUGH THE RAIN. 

 Healthy Living

 Is It a Migraine or a Sinus Headache? Often people who think they have a sinus headache actually have a migraine. Many people still assume that sinus headaches are common, but in fact, they are much less common than migraine and tension headaches. Why Do Migraine and Sinus Headaches Get Misdiagnosed? Both types of headaches can cause similar symptoms. Facial pain, a sensation of pressure over the face or forehead, nasal congestion, nasal discharge, and a throbbing headache could be due to either a migraine or sinus headache. Some other factors that lead to the confusion are: Seasonal fluctuations. Migraine headaches can be worse in the spring and fall. This pattern can be mistaken for allergy-related sinus pain but is actually due to the change in hours of daylight and the sleep cycle. Mistaken identity. Migraine sufferers may have abnormal thickening of the membranes lining the sinuses, which can be seen on an X-ray or scan. Changes in atmospheric pressure. Atmospheric pressure changes can stimulate a migraine headache and be mistaken for sinus pressure.

 Healthy Recipes

 Grilled Barbecued Pork with Vegetable Kabobs Recipe

 Nutritional Info (Per serving): Calories: 332, Saturated Fat: 4g, Sodium: 131mg, Dietary Fiber: 2.5g, Total Fat: 11.5g, Carbs: 32.5g, Cholesterol: 74mg, Protein: 25g Carb Choices: 2

 Ingredients 24 ounce(s) pork loin chops, six four-ounce boneless lean loin chops 1/2 cup(s) maple syrup maple flavored syrup 1/4 cup(s) vinegar, wine, red wine vinegar 3 tablespoon barbecue sauce 3 tablespoon onion(s), finely chopped 2 teaspoon garlic, minced, (about 4 cloves) 3 ear(s) corn, on the cob, halved to make 6 half ears. Or if available, 6 half-ears. 2 whole pepper(s), red, bell, seeded and cut into 2-inch pieces 1 large onion, white, cut into 6 wedges

 Preparation

 1. Cut each pork chop into 1/2-inch-thick strips; place pork in a large heavy-duty, zip-top plastic bag. Combine syrup and next 4 ingredients; pour over pork. Seal bag; turn bag to coat pork. Marinate in refrigerator 8 hours, turning occasionally.

2. Remove pork from marinade, reserving marinade. Place marinade in a small saucepan; bring to a boil, and remove from heat. Thread pork, corn, and pepper alternately onto 8 (10-inch) metal skewers. Thread onion separately onto 1 (10-inch) skewer.

 3. Coat grill rack with cooking spray; place on grill over medium-hot coals (350° to 400°). Place pork and vegetable kabobs and onion kabob on rack; grill, covered, 12 minutes or until meat is done, turning once and basting with reserved marinade. Remove pork and vegetable kabobs from grill. Grill onion kabob, covered, 3 to 5 additional minutes or until tender, turning once and basting with reserved marinade.

C-RATIONS

 Commercially prepared meals were used in the field and at times when hot meals were not available. These meals came in a case containing 12 meals. Each meal was in its own cardboard box, which contained the individual items sealed in cans. A can opener (called both a “John Wayne” and a "P-38") was needed to open the cans. The accessory pack with each meal was sealed in a foil pouch. This is the official Quartermaster's description of C-Rations used in Vietnam "The Meal, Combat, Individual, is designed for issue as the tactical situation dictates, either in individual units as a meal or in multiples of three as a complete ration. Its characteristics emphasize utility, flexibility of use, and more variety of food components than were included in the Ration, Combat, Individual (C Ration) which it replaces. Twelve different menus are included in the specification. Each menu contains: one canned meat item; one canned fruit, bread or dessert item; one B unit; an accessory packet containing cigarettes, matches, chewing gum, toilet paper, coffee, cream, sugar, and salt; and a spoon. Four can openers are provided in each case of 12 meals. Although the meat item can be eaten cold, it is more palatable when heated. Each complete meal contains approximately 1200 calories. The daily ration of 3 meals provides approximately 3600 calories."

A Poem Worth Reading

 He was getting old and paunchy And his hair was falling fast, And he sat around the Legion, Telling stories of the past. Of a war that he once fought in And the deeds that he had done, In his exploits with his buddies; They were heroes, every one. And 'tho sometimes to his neighbors His tales became a joke, all his buddies listened quietly for they knew where of he spoke. But we'll hear his tales no longer, for ol' Bob has passed away, and the world's a little poorer For a Soldier died today. He won't be mourned by many, Just his children and his wife. For he lived an ordinary, Very quiet sort of life.. He held a job and raised a family, going quietly on his way; and the world won't note his passing, 'Tho a Soldier died today. When politicians leave this earth, their bodies lie in state, While thousands note their passing, and proclaim that they were great. Papers tell of their life stories from the time that they were young but the passing of a Soldier Goes unnoticed, and unsung. Is the greatest contribution To the welfare of our land, Some jerk who breaks his promise and cons his fellow man? Or the ordinary fellow Who in times of war and strife, Goes off to serve his country And offers up his life? The politician's stipend And the style in which he lives, Are often disproportionate, To the service that he gives. While the ordinary Soldier, Who offered up his all? Is paid off with a medal And perhaps a pension, small. It's so easy to forget them, For it is so many times That our Pats and Jims and Johnny’s, Went to battle, but we know, It is not the politicians with their compromise and ploys, who won for us the freedom that our country now enjoys. Should you find yourself in danger, with your enemies at hand, would you really want some cop-out, with his ever waffling stand? Or would you want a Soldier-- His home, his country, his kin, Just a common Soldier, Who would fight until the end. He was just a common Soldier, And his ranks are growing thin, But his presence should remind us we may need his like again. For when countries are in conflict, we find the Soldier's part is to clean up all the troubles that the politicians start. If we cannot do him honor While he's here to hear the praise, then at least let's give him homage at the ending of his days. Perhaps just a simple headline In the paper that might say: "OUR COUNTRY IS IN MOURNING, A SOLDIER DIED TODAY." A veteran is someone who, at one point in his life, wrote a blank check made payable to 'The United States ' for an amount "up to and including my life." That is Honor, and there are too many people in this country who no longer understand it.

 FLAG & COUNTRY

 You’ve probably seen the bumper sticker somewhere along the road. It depicts an American Flag, accompanied by the words, “These colors don’t run.” I’m always glad to see this because it reminds me of an incident from my confinement in North Vietnam. Then a Major in the U.S. Air Force, I had been captured and imprisoned from 1967 to 1973. Our treatment had been frequently brutal. After three years, however the beatings and torture became less frequent. During the last year, we were allowed outside most days for a couple of minutes to bathe. We showered by drawing water from a concrete tank with a homemade bucket. One day, as we all stood by the tank, a young naval pilot named Mike Christian found remnants of a handkerchief in a gutter that ran under the prison wall. Mike managed to sneak the grimy rag into our cell and began fashioning it into a flag. He made red and blue from ground up roof tiles and tiny amounts of ink and painted the colors onto the cloth with watery rice glue. Using thread from his own blanket and a homemade bamboo needle, he sewed on the stars. Early in the morning a few days later, when the guards were not alert, he whispered loudly from the back of our cell, “Hey gang, look here!” He proudly held up this tattered piece of cloth, waving it, as if in a breeze. When he raised that smudgy fabric, we automatically stood straight up and saluted, our chests puffing out, and more than a few eyes had tears. Now, whenever I see the flag, I think of Mike and the morning he first waved that tattered emblem of a nation. It was then, thousands of miles from home in a lonely prison cell that he showed us what it is to be truly free. Medal of Honor Recipient Leo K. Thorsness “To hold America in one’s thoughts is like holding a love letter in one’s hand—it has so special a meaning.”

 -American writer, E.B. White

Dept of Mo June General Orders and Proposed By Law Changes

Posted at 06:36 PM on May 25, 2010 by VFW Post 2866

Dept of Mo Genberal Orders, June 2010 -

Notice of Correction

Posted at 06:39 AM on May 25, 2010 by VFW Post 2866

The General Orders incorrectly stated District 7 School of Instruction was scheduled for June 28. THE CORRECT DATE IS JULY 24, 2010. A complete schedule of meetings will be posted in the July General Orders.

VFW Missouri Riders 2nd Annual Poker Run for Missouri Veteran Homes

Posted at 05:29 AM on May 3, 2010 by VFW Post 2866

    The 2nd Annual Missouri Riders Memorial Day Motorcycle Poker Run for Missouri Veteran Homes will be held May 28 - 31, 2010.  Last year the Poker Run raised $5,900 that was split between Missouri's seven Veteran Homes.  With your help it will be even more successful this year.

    If you have any questions or would like information on joining the riders, please call:  State Ride Captain Roy Sherwood at (636)447-6408, email roy.sherwood@sbcglobal.net  Or Cary Huffman at (816) 678-3573, email caryhuffman@sbcglobal.net

Anyone can sponsor and all Posts should sponsor, please make your donation using the "Sponsor Form"

Motel reservations can be made using the "Motel Reservation Form"
Motel Reservations must be made with the motel.  The form is to be filled out for your record only.

All Riders will need to submit the "Riders Liability Release Form"

Short ride riders will need to also submit the "Short Ride Notice Form"



Memorial Day Tentative Schedule

 
Start: Saturday, May 29, 2010 Kickstands up at 6:30 am

Arrive : 7:00 am Mt Vernon Veterans Home

 7-8:30 am; Breakfast with Vets;

9:00 am; Kickstands up.

Take Highway 44 to Lebanon (84 miles 1 hour 20 min.) fuel up B& D Trucking exit
127. Ride 67 miles 1 Hour to St. James

Arrive: 11:20 am at St. James Veterans Home

11:30-1:00 Lunch with Vets,

1:30 pm; Kickstands up. Fuel up before getting on highway.

Ride 70 Miles 1 hour 20 min to Desloge at Leawood Gas on Hwy 8.

Ride 75 miles 1.5 hours to Cape Girardeau

Arrive: 4:30 pm at Cape Girardeau Home

 4:30-6:00 pm; Dinner with Vets,

6:15 pm Kickstands up. Fuel up in Herculaneum 79 miles 1 hour at QT exit 178.
Ride 44 miles 45 minutes to St. Charles

Arrive: 8:00 pm St. Charles Super 8 Motel exit 227

 

Sunday morning:

Leave 6:30 am; Kickstands up. Take Hwy 70 to 270 N. 18 Miles 20 minutes to St. Louis
Veterans Home

7-8:30 am; Breakfast with Vets

9:00 am; kickstands up.

Ride 24 miles (30 minutes) to St. Peters fuel up exit 222. Ride 84 miles via Hwy 70
to Hwy 19 to Hwy 54 (1 hour 40 min) to Mexico Veterans Home...

Arrive: 11:30 am; Mexico Home

11:30-1:30 lunch with Vets,

1:45 pm; Kickstands up. Fuel up in town. Ride 85 miles via Hwy 54 S to Hwy 50 W
to Tipton (1.5 hours) fuel up at Casey's General Store 338 Hwy 50 E. . .

Ride 54 miles (1 hour) to Warrensburg Veterans Home

Arrive: 4:15 pm; Warrensburg Veterans Home

4:30-6:30 pm; Dinner with the Veterans

6:45 pm Kickstands up. Fuel up at Conoco 1-70 & Hwy 13. Ride 81 miles (1 hour
45 minutes) via Hwy 13 to Casey's General Store in Hamilton

Ride to Super 8 Motel in Cameron

Monday morning:

Leave 6:45 am Kickstands up at 6:45 am. Ride to Cameron Veterans Home

Arrive: 7:00 am at Cameron Veterans Home

7:00-9:00 am Breakfast with Vets; announce amounts each Home will receive.

Leave: 9:30 am head for Clay County Veterans Memorial Park Liberty 38 Miles 40 Minutes

Arrive: 10:30 am Clay County Veterans Memorial Park in Liberty for ceremony.

Printable Schedule

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