VFW MO Post 5993 - Ava

VFW MO 2008 Governors' Candidate Forum: Invitation

Posted at 01:56 PM on Monday, October 13, 2008 by post5993

The Department Missouri: Veterans of Foreign Wars and Choices of Democracy are extending this open invitation to the Candidates seeking to represent Missouri as Governor to participate in the:

2008 VFW MO
Gubernatorial Video Forum
These neutral, non-partisan, not-for-profit forums are part of  an ongoing effort to engage our membership, our deployed military community and our state's voters in the democratic process .

The VFW MO will be asking questions of the Candidates on behalf of our membership over the course of the 2008 Elections.
Candidates are asked to take the opportunity to personally reply via video to the following questions.

1.  The Missouri Veterans Commission is made up of individuals, recommended by statewide veteran’s organizations and then appointed by the Governor. For the first time in many years recent appointments appear to be strictly politically driven, recommended by local chapters, and have no real connection to the veteran’s community.

Would you support a change to RSMO-Chapter 42 that would insure appointees to this commission come from the active membership of the statewide veteran’s organization?

2. The Missouri Veterans Commission is currently a part of the Division of Public Safety.

Would you support making this Commission a “stand alone” entity? Would you impose any restrictions or changes in the make up of this Commission if it were to become a stand alone state Division?

3. For the first time in many years the Missouri Veterans Commission has been able to fully staff Missouri’s veteran’s home system.

Will you as Governor continue this staffing level and work with the Commission to see that staff salaries are competitive with the private sector?

4. The veteran’s service programs of Missouri’s veteran’s organizations are                partially supported by a state matching fund grant. Since the start of this grant, in just the VFW, the annual compensation paid to Missouri veterans by the Department of Veterans Affairs has increased from $8.5 million dollars per year to $98.8 million dollars this past year.

Will you as Governor support the continuation of this grant program and consider a possible increase in the total grant for veterans service work in Missouri?

Would your office lend assistance in applying for and obtaining Federal grants for Missouri veterans service outreach programs.
            
5. Funding for the Missouri Veterans Capital Improvement Trust was established by public vote and is funded from a portion of the gaming boats entry fee for the sole use of this Trust. This revenue source has been diverted from the Trust Fund to other entities for the past 10 years.

Current revenue is approx $30 million dollars per year. The Trust fund receives the first $6 million dollars only.

Would you support a cap to this fund and a division of additional revenue between the Trust fund and all other recipients?

6. Missouri state employees who deploy with the Guard and Reserve military components receive their state pay for 120 days. After 120 days their military pay is their sole income.

Would you support a differential pay schedule for these state employees?

• Candidates need not be in the same place at the same time to participate.
• Candidates can record their responses directly onto our video platform or record anywhere and upload to the COD Election 08 Network.
  
• Candidates responses will be posted in the order they are received with no editing.

For questions or assistance in participating email: choicesofdemocracy@gmail.com
or contact VFW MO State Headquarters @ 888-276-8609

Thank you for your consideration and we look forward to your participation.

Open House

Posted at 10:06 AM on Friday, October 10, 2008 by post5993

Members of our Post and Ladies Auxiliary celebrated the VFW’s 109^th anniversary and Ladies Auxiliary's 94th anniversary with an Open House/Membership Drive on Tuesday, Sept 30 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.  At least 45 people spent the evening savoring good food, visiting with each other, and winning door prizes.

Commander Pat Anderson and Auxiliary President Diana Anderson welcomed our guests and cut the ceremonial anniversary cake.

President Diana Anderson served the first slice of the cake to District 18 Commander Charles Dickinson as Commander Pat Anderson looked on

Members of the Post and Ladies Auxiliary provided a large variety of delicious hearty appetizers.  There was plenty to eat.

The Post’s Honor Guard conducted the POW/MIA “white table” remembrance ceremony during the evening.  While the table was lit by a single spotlight, Jerry Garrison performed the ceremony as Jim Probasco narrated.  Members Pat Anderson, Gene Crites, Irvin Reynolds, Gene Silvey, and Tom Baker stood guard. 

For the first time the Post and Auxiliary conducted a contest to collect Campbell’s Labels for Education.  Aux President Diana Anderson announced the winner of a patriotism-inspired quilted throw.  The throw was won by Mrs. Ralph Jarvis, who is the mother of Post member Carol Probasco.  Just under 200 labels were collected during the contest, and they will be sent to the VFW National Home for Children.

A lot of patriotic door prizes were given away during the Open House.  Post member Leo Nelson’s son Mike and niece Sue were proud winners.  Mike was visiting his dad from Colorado and Sue was visiting from California.  Helen Miller of Ava won the grand door prize of a deluxe American flag set.

Three veterans applied for membership during the evening.  New auxiliary member Anita Madche, a retired Navy veteran, brought friend and veteran Linda Duncan (center) to our Open House.  Commander Pat Anderson had the pleasure of helping Linda with her application to join the Post.

emm5993

VFW WASHINGTON WEEKLY, October 9, 2008

Posted at 07:40 AM on Friday, October 10, 2008 by post5993

110th Congress Wrap-Up

In This Issue:
1. President Signs VA Funding Bill
2. Congress Clears Veterans' Health and Benefit Bills
3. Vet Accomplishments for 110th Congress
4. Election Day Coming - Get Out the Vote

To read the full text go to Mo Legislative Updates

Sponsorship on the VFW MO WebCOM Network

Posted at 10:50 PM on Wednesday, October 8, 2008 by post5993

Pancake Breakfast

Posted at 03:19 PM on Wednesday, October 8, 2008 by post5993

emm5993

Welcome Home Event -V.A. Hospital-Columbia (Nov. 1st)

Posted at 07:40 PM on Tuesday, October 7, 2008 by post5993

     A Welcome Home event for Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom veterans and their families will take place at the Truman V.A. Hospital in Columbia on Saturday, Nov. 1st from 3pm to 6pm.  Major General King Sidwell, Adjutant General of the Missouri National Guard, will be the featured speaker at a brief ceremony.  As many as 20 agencies and organizations will participate to assure that these latest combat veterans and their families are fully aware of the benefits and services available to them.  A variety of other activities are scheduled including a “Team Challenge” for all ages, a rock wall climb for those 16 and older, musical entertainment, gift bags and food.  For more information, contact Stephen Gaither, Public Affairs Officer at the Truman V.A. Hospital at 573-814-6308

October National General Orders

Posted at 07:15 PM on Friday, October 3, 2008 by post5993

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