OCT,NOV,DEC 2014 COMMANDERS CORNER

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1 OCT,NOV,DEC 2014 COMMANDERS CORNER I hope all had a wonderful summer, well fall is here, hope you have had your furnace checked or getting it serviced soon before winter sets in. we have been busy this past three months. I want to thank the post Honor Guard for there participation at the annual ST.Pauls parish BBQ. Good news we have had a increase in the amount of VETERANS and Post members attending the luncheon on the third thursday at the Meadowlands assisted living. Keep up the good work. The flag turn in at Schnucks was a success.the recruit table at the YMCA was good. We had a service officer event at O'Fallon city hall which we signed up four new members. Good job to all who participated. The National Convection was a huge success. Thanks to all who volunteered including the ladies Auxiliary. Upcoming events for September POW-MIA other at the walk 7 PM, Flag retirement ceremony other at AMVETS Post PM and our family BBQ 20th starting at PM. Next month is the trip to the National Home,we have about six going from the post and auxiliary. Meat shoot coming up details will be posted in the lounge. Thank you for the food donations and the cookies for the troops. Thank all who donated to the suicide awarness month. Thank those who came out to release the ballons on If you have any ideas that can improve the post please let me know. Membership is vital for us to retain and recruit new members,it is up to us as members to reach out to veterans that are eligible. If you know any one please get them a application. At our last meeting we had the District 9 Commander visit. He said we are one of the largest post in this area and thanked us for supporting him. Please keep in Prayer John Cummings and his wife Barb she has been Ill and Ulis Saunders. If have missed something I will get it on the next news letter. GOD BLESS THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA Odell Stukes Jr Commander 1

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6 JR. GIRLS VETERANS DINNER NOV 1ST, 6:30 PM COME JOIN US FOR THE ANNUAL VET- ERANS APPRECIATION DINNER PUT ON BY THE JR. GIRLS. VETERANS ARE FREE, GUESTS ARE $5.00. MENU WILL BE PAS- TA, SALAD, BREAD, AND DESSERT. THERE WILL ALSO BE RAFFLE BASKETS TO BUY CHANCES ON CHRISTMAS PARTY DEC. 13, 2014 JOIN US FOR OUR 2014 CHRISTMAS PARTY ON DEC 13TH. WE WILL HAVE HORS D OEUVRES AND A BAND TO LISTEN/DANCE TO. HORS D 6 PM, BAND (JERRY AND THE DYNAM- ICS) WILL PLAY FROM 7-11 PM. PLAN ON LOTS OF FUN AND YOU AND YOUR PARTNER DANCING THE NIGHT AWAY. THE CHILDRENS CHRISTMAS PARTY WILL BE HELD THE NEXT DAY, DEC 14TH, AT 1 PM FOR CHILDREN, GRANDCHIL- DREN OF MEMBERS. 6

7 NATIONAL HOME TRIP THE NATIONAL HOME TRIP IS SCHEDULED FOR OCT 24, 25 & 26, WE HAVE QUITE A FEW PEOPLE GOING THIS YEAR, AND IT IS OUR TURN TO HOST THE HALLOWEEN PARTY FOR THE KIDS AT THE HOME. ALSO, JIM MUELLER IS GOING TO BE THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD THIS COMING YEAR, SO LETS HAVE A GOOD TURNOUT TO SUPPORT HIM. IN ADDITION TO THE ADULTS, THE JR. GIRLS ARE ALSO SENDING REPRESENTATIVES, AND THEWY ARE TRYING TO RAISE FUNDS TO PAY FOR THEIR TICKETS. THE PROCEEDS FROM THE SPAGHETTI DINNERS THEY HAVE HELD ARE GOING TOWARD THEIR TICKETS.IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN GOING ON THIS TRIP, THE APPLICATION FORMS ARE AT THE POST. THE COST IS $175 EACH, WHICH INCLUDES THE BUS TRIP THERE AND BACK, AND 2 NIGHTS LODGING. October 2014 Ladies Auxiliary and MOCA There are only 3 more months to get your dues in so that we can be 100% by the end of December. Both organizations dues are $ Thank you for those who already have sent in their dues. Remember that there is a Life Membership that will save you money in the long run. This can be set up to be paid monthly. The cost information may be obtained at the Post it goes according to your age. Sorry MOCA we do not have a Life Membership. October 2014 Ladies Auxiliary Legislative Report I am sending a lot of information through s. I only have 32 s at the present time. With 211 members. If you would like to get on this list please send your to me. mahoeltge@yahoo.com. There is a lot of good information that is sent out. 7

8 September 26, 2014 In This Issue: 1. DOD Expands Military Financial Protections 2. Camp Lejeune Care Update 3. Campaign and Election Update 1. DOD Expands Military Financial Protections: The Department of Defense today announced a regulation proposal that will reduce predatory lending practices, expand protections provided service members by closing loopholes in current rules, and ensure military families receive the important consumer protections they deserve. The proposed actions will apply to the protections found within the "2006 Military Lending Act," and include payday loans, vehicle title loans, refund anticipation loans, deposit advance loans, installment loans, unsecured open-end lines of credit and credit cards. The proposal will be published in the Federal Register for public comment on Monday, Sept. 29, and is on display today at To read more about the proposal, go to 2. Camp Lejeune Care Update: The Department of Veterans Affairs released final regulations for the "Honoring America's Veterans and Caring for Camp Lejeune Families Act." The published regulations put in motion VA's ability to provide hospital care and medical services for veterans, and to reimburse eligible Camp Lejeune family members for out-of-pocket health care costs related to any of the 15 covered medical conditions listed in the law (P.L ). What you should do now: * Call and ask to be added to VA's Camp Lejeune database. VA will contact you after Oct. 24. * Gather documents showing your relationship to a veteran who served at Camp Lejeune, such as marriage license or birth certificate, and copies of orders or base housing records that showed you lived on base for 30 days or more between Jan. 1, 1957 and Dec. 31, * Keep receipts for health care expenses you paid for a covered condition on or after March 26, This is the date when Congress began to fund this program. Hold on to your documents and receipts. You'll be able to submit these starting Oct. 24. For more information about VA's Camp Lejeune program, including eligibility and how to apply, visit r call

9 3. Campaign and Election Update: With federal midterm elections just weeks away, it is critical that VFW members and advocates get involved at every level. Now is the time to Host Town Hall and Candidate Forums, to conduct voter registration drives, and to begin organizing transportation assets to help veterans get to the polls. Below is some information to help you plan and educate others on the issues important to the VFW and the military and veterans' communities. * Know the Issues and How Your Members of Congress Vote: Let your elected members know that you are prepared to hold them accountable on the issues they debated and voted on in the 113th Congress. The link to congressional voting records is here: Ask your elected officials how they plan to address the VA access issue and provide the necessary funding. Do they plan to end Budget Sequestration and provide what DOD needs to take care of our troops and their families? For a list of our current talking points and recommendations, click here: Legislative-Service/. * Conduct a Voter Registration Drive and Get Out the Vote Campaign: It's not our job to tell people who to vote for, but it is our responsibility to ensure that all who wish to vote can cast a ballot. Contact your local Board of Registrar to get materials and ideas on how to conduct a voter registration drive. Arrange transportation (car and vanpools) on Election Day to get VFW and Auxiliary members who can't drive themselves to the polls. Assist in getting absentee ballots for those in long-term care. For more information, check out our Veterans' Vote brochure at brochure.pdf. * Attend or Host a Town Hall Meeting or Debate: Campaigns and congressional offices post where and when candidates are holding town hall meetings. Attend and ask questions on the future of VA and DOD quality of life programs. Contact current members of Congress -- visit their website and click on "Contact," then on "Ask to Speak." Find your member's website in the House at and in the Senate at For other candidates in your state, contact them through their campaign headquarters or websites. * Involvement in Political Campaigns: The VFW wants you to support candidates at every level. Here are the Do's and Don'ts of getting involved in political activities as a VFW member: VFW_in_DC/VFW%20Involvement%20in%20Elections%20and%20Political% 20Activities% pdf 9

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