VFW WI Adjutant-Quartermaster

District Meeting Schedule

Sunday, August 24, 2008 at 12:10 PM

by Steve Lawrence - Adj/Quartermaster

Information updated as of: 8/24/08

District	Location	Date	Time	Rep
6	Post 6709 - Waupun @ Rock River CC	9/7/08	1:30pm	Johnson
9	Post 305 - Eau Claire	9/13/08	9:00am	Erickson
10	Post 10197 - Iron River	9/20& 21/08	*See Below	Knudson
4	Post 8343 - Wind Lake @ The Bunker	9/21/08	1:00pm	Erickson
8	Post 3088 & 8337 @ Stone Harbor S.B.	9/21/08	11:30am	Lemmer
1	Post 1865 - Kenosha	9/21/08	10:00am	Johnson
7	Post 2653 - Antigo	9/21/08	12:00pm	Lawrence
2	Post 328 - Stoughton	9/28/08	9:00am	Erickson
3	Post 9336 - Arena	9/28/08	10:00am	Lemmer
5	Post  6498 - Hart Park	9/28/08	1:00pm	Lawrence
11	Post  987 - Baraboo @ Emanual Church	10/4/2008	8:00am	Lemmer
District 10: Saturday afternoon - Cooties & Roundtable at 2:00pm. Sunday: District meeting starts at 9:00am

TO VIEW MASTER SCHEDULE OF DISTRICT MEETINGS FOR 2008/2009 PROGRAM YEAR, CLICK HERE

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LOOKING FOR KOREAN VETERANS FOR WDVA VETERANS HISTORY PROJECT

Wednesday, July 30, 2008 at 3:41 PM

by Steve Lawrence - Adj/Quartermaster

We are looking for a few "Good Men or Women" who served in Korea during the War and would be willing to tell there story for the Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs History Project.  If you are interested in telling your story, contact Katie at (608) 358-1616 Madison number, and set up a time to be interviewed.

Thanks for your participation and interest!!

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BRAT FEST FUND RAISER FOR MADISON VETERANS MEMORIAL PARK

Tuesday, July 15, 2008 at 4:14 PM

by Steve Lawrence - Adj/Quartermaster

Come out and enjoy a brat, burger or both.  

If you would like to donate for the Park contact Post 7591 .

If you would like to volunteer to help out contact Post 7591

Post phone number is   608 - 221 - 9326
 

We  hope  to  see  you   there!!!

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TITLE 36 OF THE USC CODE CHANGED TO ALLOW SALUTING THE US FLAG WHILE UNCOVERED

Wednesday, July 9, 2008 at 8:59 AM

by Steve Lawrence - Adj/Quartermaster

In February 2008 Congress approved and the President signed the 2008 Defense Authorization Bill which included (S.1877) an amendment to title 4, USC, to allow veterans to salute the flag during the raising and lowering of the flag and during the passing of the colors. 

Congress is aware that they had overlooked the National Anthem and have added an amendment to the Department of Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2009 (S.3002, section 1081) to amend title 36, USC, to allow veterans to salute during the National Anthem.  Below is the wording in the bill. 

Section 301(b)(1) of title 36, United States Code, is amended by striking subparagraphs (A) through (C) and inserting the following new subparagraphs:

`(A) individuals in uniform should give the military salute at the first note of the anthem and maintain that position until the last note;

`(B) members of the Armed Forces and veterans who are present but not in uniform may render the military salute in the manner provided for individuals in uniform; and

`(C) all other persons present should face the flag and stand at attention with their right hand over the heart, and men not in uniform, if applicable, should remove their headdress with their right hand and hold it at the left shoulder, the hand being over the heart; and'.

 

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VFW PROGRAM NEWSLETTER

Wednesday, July 9, 2008 at 8:44 AM

by Steve Lawrence - Adj/Quartermaster

 
YOUTH ACTIVITIES: 

     Post Commanders and Auxiliary Presidents - Have you forwarded the
program materials received to your chairmen?  You will be receiving
additional materials shortly in the mail.  Make sure they receive a
printed copy of the individual section for Youth and Teacher Awards
section of the programs book entitled, "It's About Service," as well as
the specific scholarship and teacher's brochures previously sent.
Although most should have contacted the schools and youth organizations
with our scholarship programs in the spring, late August is the perfect
time to reconnect with the teachers and youth leaders to remind them of
our programs and the deadlines in November.  Contact kharmer@vfw.org
  (816) 968-1117 or swilson@vfw.org
  (816) 756-3390 x 220.

2008 - 2009 THEMES:

Voice of Democracy - "SERVICE AND SACRIFICE BY AMERICA'S VETERANS
BENEFIT TODAY'S YOUTH BY..."

Patriot's Pen - "WHY AMERICA'S VETERANS SHOULD BE HONORED."

To view merchandise to assist in promoting awareness of programs and
recognition, click here
http://www.vfwstore.org/SearchResult.aspx?CategoryID=127

RECOGNITION:

National Awards

        Congratulations to Parker Jay Duncan, Department of Utah who was
named the $5,000 scholarship winner of the VFW National Scout of the
Year Award.  Contact swilson@vfw.org (816) 756-3390 x 220.

SPECIAL INTEREST NOTES:

Important Dates:  VFW National Convention in Orlando - Workshop of
Interest.  PLEASE CHECK SCHEDULE FOR ROOM INFORMATION:


Tuesday, Aug. 19

1:00 p.m.

The Importance of VFW Programs.


HR2356 dated June 3, 2008 - added to the Federal Flag Code - encourages
display of the flag on Father's Day.

BUDDY POPPY:

Buddy Poppy Distribution Totals.

Distribution of poppies for the 2007 - 2008 year did not reach the goal
of surpassing the previous year's total by 504,500.  Veterans Day Total
- $5,969,000, Memorial Day Total - $5,662,000  with a combined total of
11,631,000.

Texas led the nation with 810,000.  Twenty-five Departments met or
surpassed their previous year's total Buddy Poppy Distribution.  Contact
information: tgniotczynski@vfw.org (816) 968-2727


COMMUNITY SERVICE: 

Community Service Award

Fred C. Hall Memorial Post Special Project Award

Due Date - December 1:  A Post, District, or Department contest for a
special project that can be recognized by submitting a record book to
your Department Headquarters.  For more information, please refer to the
2008 - 2009 "It's About Service" Chairman's Guidebook - page 31.  A copy
can be printed from www.vfwdepartmentresources.org
  or contact your Department

Headquarters.    Contact information:  nclifton@vfw.org (816) 968-1148
 

CITIZENSHIP EDUCATION:  Celebration of 109 Years of Service.

          The VFW will celebrate 109 years of service and veteran's
service September 29, 2008.  Hundreds of Posts worldwide will be
celebrating the momentous event with parades, open house and special
community events.  Show your support by honoring all members and
veterans in your community.  Celebrate the high moral purpose and
idealism that motivated the establishment of VFW.  For copies of the
"How To" guide visit www.vfwdepartmentresources.org
.  Contact information:
tbeauchamp@vfw.org   (816) 756-3390 x 287.

 

CHEK IT OUT!!  THE VFW Emblem & Supply now offers School & Community
Impact kits designed to support your specific VFW program needs.
Student Information Kit item # 4550, Teacher Information Kit item #
4551, Citizenship Education Information Kit item # 4553, Veteran's in
the Classroom Kit item # 4554.  For more details on the kits check out
Page 80 of the 2007-2008 VFW Store Catalog and coming soon at:
www.vfwstore.org.
 

Nelda Clifton, Programs Coordinator

Programs Department

Veterans of Foreign Wars of the US

nclifton@vfw.org

(816) 968-1148

Fax:  (816) 968-1149

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GET WELL WISHES FOR PAST COMMANDER IN CHIEF ART FELLWOCK

Monday, July 7, 2008 at 10:27 AM

by Steve Lawrence - Adj/Quartermaster

 

MEMORANDUM    

ALLEN “GUNNER” KENT, ADJUTANT GENERAL

TO:             National Officers

                   National Council of Administration

                   Past Commanders-in-Chief

                   Department Adjutant-Quartermasters

 

DATE:        July 7, 2008 

We received word this morning from Ruby Houghland, that Past Commander-in-Chief Art Fellwock underwent triple by-pass surgery on July 2.  I am pleased to tell you the surgery went well.  Art will be hospitalized for a few more days and then will be sent home or to a rehabilitation facility to recuperate.   

Get well cards and thinking of you wishes may be sent to him at home.

 

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VFW NASCAR PARTNERSHIP GIVES TROOPS R & R

Tuesday, July 1, 2008 at 8:45 AM

by Steve Lawrence - Adj/Quartermaster

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NATIONAL CONVENTION REGISTRATION ACCESS ON LINE

Thursday, June 26, 2008 at 11:06 AM

by Steve Lawrence - Adj/Quartermaster

Your VFW WebCOM now provides access to both methods of registering your Post for the VFW 109th National Convention in Orlando in August.

To either DOWNLOAD AND PRINT a mail-in registration form, or to access VFW's secure online electronic registration form (requires credit card), just CLICK HERE.

Remember: All Posts are required to register at least one delegate to National Convention!

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WISCONSIN VFW OFFICER TRAINING REGISTRATION NOW OPEN

Friday, June 20, 2008 at 11:41 AM

by Steve Lawrence - Adj/Quartermaster

The VFW Department of Wisconsin Officer Training Institute (O.T.I.), scheduled for July 26, 2008, is now open for pre-registration.

The session, which will take place at the Mead Inn, Wisconsin Rapids, is open to all VFW Members interested in learning the "hows and whys" of VFW policies, programs and procedures.

Chairing the training session will be Bill "Knoot" Knudson, who will also serve as Chief of Staff for the coming year. "Last year's OTI, which employed Power Point presentations and several presenters, was acclaimed one of the best ever", says Knudson. "And we're planning to build on that success. Following the session, we received many constructive suggestions and we have incorporated several of them into this year's program. For example, we have creatred a separate 'break-out' session for Quartermasters to allow us to focus exclusively on issues and policies important to these key post officers." Knudson suggested that Trustees might also want to attend the Quartermaster session, but that the general session will also underscore the often misunderstood role of Trustees in the post. "All Trustees should make it a point to attend OTI. Ideally, if all three Post Trustees came, at least one might be well-advised to sit in on the QM session for better understanding of that side of Post Operations," Knudson explained.

As in the past, there will also be a separate training session for District Commanders.

Attendance at the State OTI will be a key element in the 2008/09 White Hat requirements. In addition to a revamped Power Point presentation, OTI workbooks will also be included. The $20 per person Advance Registration Fee includes training materials. (Registration at the door will be $25) Advance registrations must be in hand at State Headquarters no later than Monday, July 21st.

The O.T.I. takes place the day after the State Council of Administration Meeting, which runs on Friday the 25th. Key committee meetings (Finance, Convention, Veterans Service and VFW News) will be held on Thursday afternoon, July 24th.

"We have purposely done all we can to keep the cost of attendance at a minimum", said Knudson. "While some members travelling a longer distance may want to check in the night before, most attendees will not have to deal with any overnight expense." The sessions run from 8:30am (registration) until 4:00pm. Lunch is on your own. There are numerous fast-food restaurants in the area, as well as restaurants at the hotel.

To register, you may go to the VFW Forms Page under the heading of CONFERENCE & CONVENTION forms or CLICK HERE to directly download the mail-in OTI REGISTRATION FORM. 

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DEATH OF PAST DEPARTMENT PRESIDENT LEONE MORRISSEY 1968-1969

Monday, May 5, 2008 at 9:53 AM

by Steve Lawrence - Adj/Quartermaster

Leone Morrissey served as Department President in 1968-69.  As Department Historian, I have no recent information about her family or her life.  Her name first appears in the Department history in 1953 when she served as Department Secretary for 2 terms, then as Department Secretary/Treasurer from 1955 till 1964, when she was elected Guard.  6 new auxiliaries were formed during her term as President – Mukwonago, Waubeka, Oak Creek, Darlington, Evansville and Tri-Troy.

 

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LITTLE SCHOOL RAISES BIG BUCKS FOR TROOPS

Thursday, May 1, 2008 at 2:12 PM

by Steve Lawrence - Adj/Quartermaster

Walnut Elementary School in Newbury Park, CA  raised big bucks for our troops.  The Student Body is 395 students.  They wanted to raise money for Operation Uplink to provide phone cards for the troops.


CLICK HERE FOR THE REST OF THE STORY

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AMERICA SUPPORTS YOU FREEDOM WALKS

Thursday, May 1, 2008 at 11:55 AM

by Steve Lawrence - Adj/Quartermaster

I wanted to let you know that the new ASY Freedom Walk website for 2008 is up and running.  You can visit it at www.AmericaSupportsYou.mil/freedomwalk    If you or any of the VFW posts in Wisconsin are interested in hosting a walk, please go to the local walk page and officially register your walk online so we can have it in our official records.  As always, please do not hesitate to contact Stephanie or me with questions.  We look forward to making this year’s America Supports You Freedom Walks even bigger and better.  Thanks for all you are doing to help make this a special moment for our country.

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VFW POST AND DISTRICT WEBSITE CONTEST

Wednesday, April 30, 2008 at 11:04 AM

by Steve Lawrence - Adj/Quartermaster

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PLEDGE PROTEST PLANNED FOR MONDAY MAY 5, 2008 AT SCHOOL DISTRICT OFFICE IN EDGERTON

Wednesday, April 30, 2008 at 9:51 AM

by Steve Lawrence - Adj/Quartermaster

THIS INFORMATION COURTESY OF JANESVILLE GAZETTE

Pledge protest planned
By STACY VOGEL
Wednesday, April 23, 2008


IF YOU GO
What: Edgerton School Board meeting.
When: 7 p.m. Monday.
Where: School district office, 200 Elm High Drive, Edgerton.
 
  
Kyle Geissler talks with Janesville Gazette reporter Stacy Vogel about a debate over the Pledge of Allegiance in Edgerton schools.

EDGERTON — As a veteran, Al Decker said he can’t let slide an incident in which students said the Pledge of Allegiance in Spanish at Edgerton High School last month.
Decker will bring six to eight veterans from the VFW and American Legion to Monday’s school board meeting to protest the incident, the Edgerton resident and Army veteran said.
“It’s disrespectful and it’s unpatriotic,” Decker said. “The pledge was designed here in the United States, and it was designed in English, and I believe that’s the way it should be.”
Edgerton High School broadcasts the pledge over the intercom every day, Principal Jim Halberg said. On March 11, he allowed a Spanish class to say the pledge in Spanish.
The decision angered some students and parents.
Todd Dix, a veteran and father of an Edgerton High School senior, told The Janesville Gazette at the time that the action made him sick to his stomach.
But Dix and Halberg have since come to an understanding, they said. Halberg agreed if the school says the pledge in Spanish in the future, it will make sure to include an English version before or after. Dix said he was satisfied with the response.
But Decker and other veterans aren’t satisfied, Decker said.
Veterans put more emphasis on respecting the flag, the pledge and other symbols of the nation than civilians do, he said.
“(Saying the pledge in Spanish) kind of goes against those who have supported their country and have fought for their country and things like that, especially those who have given the ultimate sacrifice,” Decker said.
Superintendent Norm Fjelstad disagreed, noting in a written statement that 110,000 Spanish-speaking troops are serving in the military and 400 have died in Iraq and Afghanistan.
He wrote that his father couldn’t speak English until third grade and always said the pledge in Norwegian at school, yet he’s proud of his father’s patriotism.
Fjelstad said he has been bombarded by calls from residents and even two radio stations since the incident. People have criticized him while in line to vote and while grocery shopping at Piggly Wiggly, suggesting he fire the teacher or principal who allowed the students to say the pledge in Spanish, he said.
“I am told by several they will be asking for the Edgerton School Board to replace me with an American superintendent and not one that allows students to say the Pledge of Allegiance in Spanish,” he wrote.
The veterans won’t ask for anyone to be fired at Monday’s meeting, but they would like a public apology, Decker said.
Fjelstad said the school board has the authority to decide if schools can say the pledge in Spanish, but he defended the high school’s action in his statement.
“A country that prides itself in rights and responsibilities, including the freedom of speech, should never mandate that a pledge or even the national anthem be just one language,” he wrote.
“This is an issue that can only divide our community and sends the wrong message to our students.”

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AMERICA SUPPORTS YOU FREEDOM WALKS- 9-11

Tuesday, April 15, 2008 at 12:15 PM

by Steve Lawrence - Adj/Quartermaster

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NATIONAL MILITARY SERVICE UPDATE 4-15-08

Tuesday, April 15, 2008 at 8:55 AM

by Steve Lawrence - Adj/Quartermaster

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VETERANS MEMORIAL RIDE - LA CROSSE, WI

Monday, April 14, 2008 at 4:16 PM

by Steve Lawrence - Adj/Quartermaster

America's Veterans have selflessly protected and defended us throughout the years.  Without them, we would not be able to enjoy the freedoms we have today!!  To honor veterans their is a fundraiser in La Crosse, Wisconsin on June 7th, 2008 called Veterans Memorial Ride.  To read more about how you can help, click the button below.

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HABITAT FOR HUMANITY - ATTENTION VETERANS

Monday, April 14, 2008 at 12:53 PM

by Steve Lawrence - Adj/Quartermaster

Are you currently renting?  Would you like to own a new home?  Would you like to own a new home with a $500.00 down payment?  Would you like a 0% interest mortgage.  If you answered yes to all of the Questions, please click on the link below.

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JOHN Mc CAINS SPEECH TO THE VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS

Tuesday, April 8, 2008 at 11:08 AM

by Steve Lawrence - Adj/Quartermaster

 
KANSAS CITY, Mo., April 7, 2008--In a speech given this morning to the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Sen. John McCain (R. Ariz.) chided political leaders who are calling for an early withdraw from Iraq the “height of irresponsibility and a failure of leadership.” Leaving, he said, might be the easier course of action, but the “consequences would be horrible.”

McCain was in town Monday and addressed a standing room only crowd of 300 combat veterans and veteran supporters at the World War I Memorial. In his 20-minute address, he admitted the American people are frustrated by the mistakes made in the war in Iraq, but America must be patient and support General David Petraeus.

“Four years of a badly conceived military strategy had brought us almost to the point of no return. Sectarian violence in Iraq was spiraling out of control, life had become a struggle for survival, and a full-scale civil war seemed almost unavoidable,” the former Vietnam War POW said, reminding the audience that there has been substantial progress in Iraq since the strategy shift and the deployment of additional troops to the area.

McCain, who recently returned from one of his many trips to Iraq said that since June 2007, sectarian and ethnic violence in Iraq has been reduced by 90 percent and coalition forces and civilian deaths have fallen by 70 percent.

“The dramatic reduction in violence has opened the way for a return to something approaching normal political and economic life for the average Iraq,” he said. ”Political reconciliation is occurring across Iraq at the local and provincial grassroots level. Sunni and Shi'a chased from their homes by terrorist and sectarian violence are returning. The "Sons of Iraq" and Awakening movements, where former Sunni insurgents have now joined in the fight against Al Qaeda, continue to grow."

But McCain added, “I do not want to keep our troops in Iraq a minute longer than necessary to secure our interests there. Our goal is an Iraq that no longer needs American troops. And I believe we can achieve that goal, perhaps sooner than many imagine.”

Admitting that the road ahead will be hard, McCain said he believes it is the right road and is “necessary and just.”

Calling war a terrible thing, the VFW member of Post 7401 in Chandler, Ariz., told the audience that war is sometimes necessary to secure freedom, which is why he has remained firm in his position about the war in Iraq:

“I hold my position on Iraq not because I am indifferent to the suffering caused by this war but because I detest war, and believe sincerely that should we fail in Iraq we will face an even sterner test in the very near future, an even harder war, with even greater sacrifice and heartbreaking loss than we have suffered over the last five years."

McCain also praised the sacrifices of the military veterans in attendance, calling for their sacrifices to be “memorialized in something more lasting than marble or bronze or in the fleeting effect of a politician's speeches.”

“Your valor and devotion to duty have earned your country's abiding concern for your welfare. And when our government forgets to honor our debts to you, it is a stain upon America's honor,” he said. “Those who have borne the burden of war for our sake must be treated fairly and expeditiously as they seek compensation for disability or illness.

"We owe them compassion, knowledge and hands-on care in their transition to civilian life. We owe them training, rehabilitation and education. We owe their families, parents and caregivers our concern and support. They should never be deprived of quality medical care and mental health care coverage for illness or injury incurred as a result of their service to our country.”

He also addressed the deficiencies in the government’s military disability system and called for changes in the Department of Veterans Affairs treatment of the nation’s veterans:

“I believe that we should give veterans the option to use a simple plastic card to receive timely and accessible care at a convenient location through a provider of their choosing. I will not stand for requiring veterans to make an appointment to stand in line to make an appointment to stand in line for substandard care of the injuries you have suffered to keep our country safe. Whatever our commitments to veterans cost, we will keep them, as you have kept every commitment to us. The honor of a great nation is at stake.”

In closing McCain asked the audience to remember the sacrifices of our men and women in war, and to honor those to ensure their sacrifices are not in vain.

“Let us show an appropriate humility by recognizing that so little is asked of us compared to the burdens we imposed on them, and let us show just a small, but significant measure of their courage, resolve and patriotism by putting our country's interests before every personal or political consideration,” the senator said.

Note: In January 2006, the VFW adopted Resolution 440 in support of the war in Iraq.

 

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CONGRESSMAN STEVE KAGEN, MD 8TH DIST WISCONSIN ANNOUNCES VAMC FOR BROWN COUNTY

Monday, April 7, 2008 at 5:31 PM

by Steve Lawrence - Adj/Quartermaster

Congressman Steve Kagen, MD has been working hard to make it easier for Northeast Wisconsin veterans to receive quality care.  For the rest of the story, click the button.


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