Department of Maine Veterans of Foreign Wars

Transcription

1 1 Department of Maine Veterans of Foreign Wars Helping Veterans Everyday July 2018 GENERAL ORDERS No. 1 <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> SPECIAL NOTICES <> SPECIAL NOTICES Congratulations to the following Post for achieving 100%+ in membership for the Year Rev Joseph Lammarre Memorial Post 2197 > % > Commander Roger A. Stevens Absence of the Commander: During the period of July 2018, most Department Officers will be out of the State attending the National Convention in Kansas, MO. During this period, anyone requesting assistance are to contact Judge Advocate Herman L. Littlefield Jr., 1360 Atlantic Highway, Northport, ME 04849; Tel # , herman.littlefield@yahoo.com. Special Notice from the Adjutant s Office: Recently, this office has been notified by several people that some of my outgoing s have been going into the recipients Spam and/or Junk folders or not receiving answers to their s and/or information that I have sent out. Please check your incoming s in those areas and let me know if I have failed to answer any of our s. In checking with my server, they have informed that they control my incoming s but do not control outgoing s with my server being GWI. Meeting Dates for : (Please note that there has been a couple of changes from previous dates announced) 20 Oct 18 > Bangor Motor Inn and Suites, Bangor, ME > State President Testimonial, CoA Meetings 12 Jan 19 > Bangor Motor Inn & Suites, Bangor, ME > Voice of Democracy, Patriot s Pen, Teacher of the Year Banquet, CoA Meetings 13 Apr 19 > Fireside Inn & Suites, Portland, ME > State Commander Testimonial, CoA Meetings 31 May-2 Jun 19 > Bangor Motor Inn & Suites, Bangor, ME > State Convention, VFW CoA Meeting NOTE: All VFW Council Meetings will start at 1 pm on Saturday. State Commander Special Project: This year s Commander Armstrong Commander s Special Project will be Cabin in the Woods at VA Maine Healthcare System-Togus. See more info under Commander s comments. All donations are to be mailed to Chairman Herman L. Littlefield Jr., 1360 Atlantic Highway, Northport, ME All checks are to be made to Department of Maine, VFW and in the remarks column insert Commanders Special Project. <><><><><><><><><><><><><> 1. Having been duly elected and installed as Department Commander I, Christopher L. Armstrong hereby assume command of the Department of Maine, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States. 2. Elected Officers: At the 98 th annual State Convention held in Bangor, ME, June 2018, the following Officers were duly elected and installed. Commander > Christopher L. Armstrong, 30 Roundhouse Rd., Washington, ME > Tel: ; Cell:

2 Sr. Vice Commander > Christopher L. Robison, 15 E. Bucksport Rd., Orrington, ME > Tel: ; Cell: Jr. Vice Commander: Michael Keith Davis, 135 Conant Ave., Auburn, ME > Tel: Quartermaster David D. Williams, PO Box 56, Rumford, ME > Tel: Judge Advocate Herman L. Littlefield Jr., 1360 Atlantic Highway, Northport, ME > Tel: Surgeon > Jennifer L. Lane, 290 Old Greene Rd., Lewiston, ME > Tel: Chaplain > David O. Sivret, PO Box 1121, Calais, ME > Tel: National Council Member, Maine > David D. Williams, PO Box 56, Rumford, ME > Tel: Appointed Officers: The following appointments are hereby announced: Adjutant > Andre L. Dumas, 64 Washburn St, B-1, Caribou, ME * Tel: Chief of Staff > Steven J. SanPedro, 251 Gray Rd., Windham, ME > Tel: ; Cell: Inspector > John J. Bouchard, 102 Highland Ave., Fort Kent, ME > Tel: Service Officer > Cornelius J. Ware, P.O. Box 3311, VA Maine Healthcare System, Augusta, ME > Tel: Asst. Service Officer > Jo Ann Bolduc, PO Box 3311, VA Maine Healthcare System, Augusta, ME > Tel: Past State Commander > Steven J. SanPedro, 251 Gray Rd., Windham, ME > Tel: Asst. Adjutant > Kevin G. Woodward, 9 Johnson Lane, Machiasport, ME > Tel: Guard > Darrell D. Rouse, 65 Caribou Lake Rd, Washburn, ME > Tel: Historian > Amy H. Meuchel, 26 Otter Dr., Standish, ME > Tel: Public Relations Officer > Jennifer L. Lane, 290 Old Greene Rd., Lewiston, ME > Tel: Sergeant-At-Arms > Louis J. Alexander, 106 Hillcrest Ave., Scarborough, ME > Tel: Color Guard Captain > Daniel H. Aho, 249 Gray Rd., Cumberland Center, ME > Tel: District Commanders: District 1 > John J. Bouchard, 102 Highland Ave, Fort Kent, ME > Tel: District 2 > James A. Ewing, 2368 Lee Rd., Lee, ME > Tel: District 3 > Kevin G. Woodward, 9 Johnson Lane, Machiasport, ME > Tel: District 4 > Raymond R. Lupo, 10 Patterson Ave, Hampden, ME > Tel: District 5 > Gene D. Tweedie, 713 Mayhew Rd., Starks, ME > Tel: District 6 > Dennis S. Cummings, 20 Banks Terrace, Searsport, ME > Tel: District 7 > Roger A. Stevens, 57 Chamberlain Ave., Brunswick, ME > Tel: District 8 > Roger A. Emmons, 18 Merryweather Rd., Belgrade, ME > Tel: District 9 > Edward J. Roach Jr., PO Box 206, Dixfield, ME > Tel: District 10 > Amy H. Meuchel, 26 Otter Dr., Standish, ME > Tel: District 11 > Melvyn E. Bates, 342 Houde Rd., Eliot, ME > Tel: Deputy District Inspectors: District 1 > Danford G. Saucier, PO Box 16, Fort Kent, ME > Tel: District 2 > Alfred Milano, 296 Island Falls Rd., Sherman Mills, ME > Tel: District 3 > David O. Sivret, PO Box 1121, Calais, ME > Tel: District 4 > Weldon P. Young Jr., 1068 Alton Tannery Rd., Alton, ME > Tel: District 5 > District 6 > Dennis S. Cummings, 20 Banks Terrace, Searsport, ME > Tel: District 7 > John S. Blodgett, 10 Deer Run Lane, Waldoboro, ME > Tel: District 8 > District 9 > David D. Williams, 59 Porter Ave., Rumford, ME > Tel: District 10 > Bryan Noyes, 10 White Birch Lane, # 7; Portland, ME > Tel: District 11 > Michael A. McInnis, 15 Vines Rd., Saco, ME > Tel:

3 6. Council of Administration: Commander Christopher L. Armstrong Sr. Vice Commander/Inspector Christopher L. Robison Jr. Vice Commander Michael Keith Davis Adjutant Andre L. Dumas Quartermaster David D. Williams Judge Advocate Herman L. Littlefield Jr. Surgeon Jennifer L. Lane Chaplain David O. Sivret Past State Commander Richard A. Farris Chief of Staff Steven J. SanPedro Inspector John J. Bouchard District 1 Cmdr John J. Bouchard District 2 Cmdr James A. Ewing District 3 Cmdr Kevin G. Woodward District 4 Cmdr Raymond R. Lupo District 5 Cmdr Gene D. Tweedie District 6 Cmdr Dennis S. Cummings District 7 Cmdr Roger A. Stevens District 8 Cmdr Roger E. Emmons District 9 Cmdr Edward J. Roach Jr. District 10 Cmdr Amy H. Meuchel District 11 Cmdr Melvyn E. Bates 7. Committee Chairman: Americanism/Loyalty Day > Richard A. Farris, 160 Belmont Ave., Belfast, ME > Tel: Blood Bank > Jennifer L. Lane, 290 Old Greene Rd., Lewiston, ME > Tel: Buddy Poppy > David D. Williams, PO Box 56, Rumford, ME > Tel: Christmas Cards and Labels > David D. Williams, PO Box 56, Rumford, ME > Tel: Commanders Special Project > Herman L. Littlefield Jr., 1360 Atlantic Highway, Northport, ME > Tel: Community Activities > Christopher L. Robison, 15 E. Bucksport Rd., Orrington, ME > Tel: Convention 2019 > Ronald F. Smith, 47 Brasley Ave., Glenburn, ME > Tel: Convention Site Selection 2020 > Ronald F. Smith, 47 Brasley Ave., Glenburn, ME > Tel: Credentials > Samuel C. Flint, 15 George St., So. Portland, ME > Tel: Department Scouting > Michael K. Davis, 135 Conant Ave., Auburn, ME > Tel: Finance/Audit > Thomas R. Lussier, 126 Bancroft St., Portland, ME > Tel: Grants Coordinator > Alfred E. Michaud Sr., 82 Dunham Rd., Vassalboro, ME > Tel: Homeless Veterans > James E.N. Bachelder, 2973 Milton Mills Rd., Acton, ME > Tel: Hospital/VAVS Director > Michael W. Blair, 748 Hinckley Rd., Clinton, ME > Tel: Informational Security Officer > Andre L. Dumas, 64 Washburn St, B-1, Caribou, ME > Tel: Insurance/Bonds > David D. Williams, PO Box 56, Rumford, ME > Tel: Legislative > Steven J. SanPedro, 251 Gray Rd., Windham, ME > Tel: Legislative Assistant (Augusta) > James E.N. Bachelder, 2973 Milton Mills Rd., Acton, ME > Tel: Maine Officers Leadership Development (MOLD) > Kevin G. Woodward, 9 Johnson Lane, Machiasport, ME > Tel: Maine Veterans Homes Trustee > Steven J. SanPedro, 251 Gray Rd., Windham, ME > Tel: Maine Veterans Homes Representatives: Augusta > Diane M. Hunt, 376 S. Belfast Ave, 1 st Fl; Augusta, ME > Tel: Bangor > Christopher L. Robison, 15 E. Bucksport Rd., Orrington, ME > Tel: Caribou > Fred Ormezzani, 49 Church St., Limestone, ME > Tel: Machias > John L. Carey, PO Box 153, Addison, ME > Tel: Scarborough > Steven J. SanPedro, 251 Gray Rd, Windham, ME > Tel: South Paris > James A. Proctor, 47 Sand Rd., Naples, ME > Tel: Membership > Steven J. SanPedro, 251 Gray Rd., Windham, ME > Tel: Membership State Recruiter: North > Andre L. Dumas, 64 Washburn St., B-1, Caribou, ME > Tel: , Cell: Central > Herman L. Littlefield Jr.), 1360 Atlantic Hwy (Rt. 1), Northport, ME > Tel: South > James E.N. Bachelder, 2973 Milton Mills Rd., Acton, ME * Tel:

4 National Home > Charles A. Warden, 398 Indian River Rd., Addison, ME * Tel: National Veterans & Military Support (NVMS) Christopher L. Robison, 15 E. Bucksport Rd., Orrington, ME > Tel: Parliamentarian/Convention Rules > Andre L. Dumas, 64 Washburn St., B-1, Caribou, ME > Tel: * Cell: Patriot s Pen > Ronald F. Smith, 47 Brasley Ave., Glenburn, ME > Tel: POW/MIA > John J. Bouchard, 102 Highland Ave, Fort Kent, ME > Tel: Resolutions and By-Laws > Andre L. Dumas, 64 Washburn St., B-1, Caribou, ME > Tel: * Cell: Resolutions & By-Laws Assistant > Thomas R. Lussier, 126 Bancroft St., Portland, ME > Tel: * Fax: Safety and Drug Abuse > Jennifer L. Lane, 290 Old Greene Rd., Lewiston, ME > Tel: Student Veterans of America (SVA) > Amy H. Meuchel, 26 Otter Dr., Standish, ME > Tel: Teacher of the Year > Ronald F. Smith, 47 Brasley Ave., Glenburn, ME > Tel: Togus Beal House > Jennifer L. Lane, 290 Old Greene Rd., Lewiston, ME > Tel: Veterans Advisory to VA Maine Healthcare System > Raymond R. Lupo, 10 Patterson Ave, Hampden, ME > Tel: Veterans Cemeteries: North > Andre L. Dumas, 64 Washburn St, B-1, Caribou, ME * Tel: * Cell: Central > Carl S. Lambert, 576 Prescott Rd., Manchester, ME > Tel: N/A South > James E. N. Bachelder, 2973 Milton Mills Rd., Acton, ME > Tel Veterans Service Office (VSO) > Kevin G. Woodward, 9 Johnson Lane, Machiasport, ME > Tel: Voice of Democracy > Ronald F. Smith, 47 Brasley Ave., Glenburn, ME > Tel: Ways & Means > Michael Keith Davis, 135 Conant Ave., Auburn, ME > Tel: Website Coordinator > Thomas R. Lussier, 126 Bancroft St., Portland, ME > Tel: Wreath Across America > Kevin G. Woodward, 9 Johnson Lane, Machiasport, ME > Tel: Youth Activities > James A. Proctor, 47 Sand Rd, Naples, ME > Tel: October Council of Administration (CoA): Will be held on 20 October 2018 at the Bangor Motor Inn & Suites, Bangor ME. The Headquarters hotel will be the Bangor Motor Inn & Suites, 701 Hogan Rd., Bangor, ME. Rates are $ tax. Telephone # is When calling, please let them know that you are with the VFW and that you want 1 st floor rooms. *Saturday Committee meetings will be held in the Convention Center at the Bangor Motor Inn & Suites. **Veterans Service Office Cmtee > 8:30 am **Audit/Finance Cmtee > 9:00 am **State Convention 2019 > 10:00 am **Council of Administration Meeting > 1 pm **State President Testimonial Banquet > Social Hour 6-7 pm; Banquet 7 pm. 9. State President Testimonial: Will be held on 20 October 2018 at the Bangor Motor Inn and Suitres, 701 Bangor Rd., Bangor. ME. Mote information will be out shortly due to some finalization with the Convention Center and the State President. 10. Attention Post Commanders/Quartermasters: Post donations are to be forwarded to the following Chairman for each of the following programs for the Year Homeless Veterans: James E.N. Bachelder, 2973 Milton Mills Rd., Acton, ME (Checks to be made to Department of Maine, VFW) 4

5 Commanders Special Project (Cabin in the Woods at VA Maine Healthcare System-Togus): Herman L. Littlefield Jr., 1360 Atlantic Highway, Northport, ME (Checks to be made to Department of Maine, VFW) National Veterans & Military Support (NVMS): Christopher L. Robison, 15 E. Bucksport Rd., Orrington, ME (Check to be made out to Department of Maine, VFW) Bonds/Poppies: David D. Williams, PO Box 56, Rumford, ME (Checks to be made out to Department of Maine, VFW, please make one check for each programs) Hospital-VAVS (Togus Aid): Michael W. Blair, 748 Hinckley Rd., Clinton, ME (Checks to be made out to VAVS) Fall Frolic/Christmas Party: Michael W. Blair, 748 Hinckley Rd., Clinton, ME (Checks to be made out to Department of Maine, VFW) Togus Beal House: Jennifer L. Lane, 290 Old Country Rd., Lewiston, ME (Checks to be made out to: Togus Beal House) 11. Dates to Remember: 4 Jul > Independence Day Jul > National Convention, Kansas City, MO 3 Sep > Labor Day 20 Oct > State President Testimonial, Council of Administration Meeting, Bangor, ME 12. Candidates for Department High Office : Department Commander > Christopher L. Robison > Post 1761 Department Sr. Vice Commander > Michael K. Davis > Post 1603 Department Jr. Vice Commander > Herman L. Littlefield Jr. > Post 6131 Department Quartermaster > David D. Williams > Post 1641 Department Chaplain > David O. Sivret > Post 9779 Department Judge Advocate > Jennifer L. Lane > Post 1603 Department Surgeon > John J. Bouchard > Post 9609 Department Surgeon > Roger A. Felix > Post Candidates for National Council Member, Maine : David D. Williams > Post 1641 Steven J. SanPedro > Post 6859 Kevin G. Woodward > Post Andre L. Dumas > Post District Meetings: D-6 > 15 1 pm > Northport Post 3108 > JA Littlefield Jr. D-9 > 15 1 pm > Rumford Post 1641 > QM Williams D-7 > 29 2 pm > Topsham Post 2197 > SVC Robison d-10 > 29 1 pm > Harrison Post 9328 > Will notify shortly Official: Andre L. Dumas ANDRE L. DUMAS Adjutant BY COMMAND OF: Christopher L. Armstrong CHRISTOPHER L. ARMSTRONG Commander 5

6 State Commander Christopher L. Armstrong 6 Comrades: I want to Thank everyone for your confidence in having elected me as your Department Commander for I am honored to be your leader and I am going to make sure that I give you all 100% for the entire year. Let us make sure that is an outstanding year. I hope all who attended the State Convention found it enjoyable, rewarding and informative. I am looking forward to working with you all and make sure that we meet all of our goals. Congratulations to Commander Farris, his Officers and Chairmen for a job well done, you are all to be congratulated and let us keep the same pace for this coming year. That being said and this being a new year, we need to work as a team on all programs and membership. Let us make the Department of Maine a 100% Department. Membership is the goal of the VFW and I ask each and every one of you to knock on doors, conduct recruiting events and ask your Post members to also recruit not only new members and bring back old members who have not paid their dues for this past year. It is realized that some Posts are going to have a hard time to recruit new members, but why not place an ad in our local newspaper to recruit new members. In advance, I want to Thank our Membership Chairman SanPedro who has done an outstanding job throughout the year, keep up the great work that you are doing Steve. I want to Thank all of the line Officers and Chairmen. I know we will all work as a TEAM to make sure we have a very successful year and Thank to you Andre Dumas for all your help and guidance. I also want to congratulate President Pam and her line Officers and Chairperson and wish them a great and successful year and get 100% in membership. I would remind everyone that again this year, we will have two (2) MOLD classes being one at Kittery Post 9394 on 25 August 2016 and the other at Hampden Post 4633 on 26 August This is an excellent program and I recommend that Commanders, Quartermasters, Adjutants, Chaplains, Trustees attend but we will also be looking at any Post members to attend. We have excellent Instructors who have a lot of knowledge amongst themselves to share with you all. Any Post requesting my visit during the year is asked to notify the State Adjutant or me as soon as possible so that I can plan my schedule for the year. This will give me us a chance to see your members and also observe the great work that you do on a daily basis for the VFW. My Commanders Special Project will be Cabin in the Woods at VA Maine Healthcare Systems-Togus Campus whereby they are building 22 cabins for Homeless Veterans. Let us all pull together to end Homeless Veterans and when you plan on making your donation, please mail your check to Herman L. Littlefield Jr., Chairman, 1360 Atlantic Highway, Northport, ME Please make your to Department of Maine, VFW and earmark on your check Cabin in the Woods. Thank you in advance for your donations and again let us take care of our Homeless Veterans. My Motto this year is Helping Veterans Everyday. We must not forget them as they all served our Country so greatly, the United States of America. Our Commander-in-Chief Vincent B.J. Lawrence s motto is Make it Happen, let us all follow these leads and make our nation great. In Comradeship Christopher L. Armstrong Christopher L. Armstrong Commander Helping Veterans Everyday

7 7 Deceased Roll Call Department of Maine, VFW David O. Sivret, Chaplain 26 May ~ 25 June 2018 May our Comrades Rest in Eternal Peace in Post Eternity? <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> District 1 District 11 (Cont) 9609 * DUBOIS, Clarence * Korea 5744 * TARBOX, Wallace B. * Vietnam District 3 Members-at-Large * CLAUDETTE, Philip R * ALBERT, Willie D. Jr. CLAVETTE, Thomas District 4 CUMMINGS, Raleigh 1761 * GRINDAL, Edward P. WHELEN, Henry E. Jr * SWENSON, Lawrence A * DUPUIS, Louis W. * WW II District * BUKER, Victor R. District * STEVENS, Richard F. * Korea District * LEAVITT, Franklin C. Jr. District * COYMEN, John 1285 * VIGUE, Alcee A * BENNER, Clarence S. District * PLUMMER, Russell ROBERGE, Louis P * NELKE, Frank L District * SPENCER, Raymond E.. District * Mc BRIDE, William A. * Vietnam

8 8 SENIOR VICE COMMANDER COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES (C/A) NATIONAL VETERANS & MILITARY SUPPORT (NV&MS) Christopher L. Robison C/A: Summer is now in full swing and a new VFW Year is upon us! Thank you to all of the Posts that have submitted reports already. Let s get off to a great start to our year by reporting all of the great things we are doing for our communities. Please report Community Activities as they occur. The easiest and most immediate way to report is using the form on our Department Website. NV&MS: Please send donations for NVMS to me at my address, 15 E. Bucksport Rd., Orrington ME The checks should be made out to Department of Maine, VFW with NVMS in the memo line. Please make every effort to support these essential services. I would be remiss if I did not thank the Comrades of the Department of Maine for electing me as your Senior Vice Commander for I am humble to be able to serve our State in this high office. I also wish to Thank all of the Comrades who have provided guidance and counsel during my accelerated progression through the chairs. I appreciate everyone who has let me pick their brain and helped me learn. If there is anything I can do to help any Posts or Districts within the Department, please reach out to me. I hope to see many Comrades representing Maine at the National Convention in Kansas City. Enjoy the summer while it lasts! ************************* JUNIOR VICE COMMANDER DEPARTMENT SCOUTING ~ WAYS & MEANS (W&M) Michael Keith Davis I would like to wish the outgoing Commander Richard Farris the very best. It was an Honor to serve the VFW during your year. I would also like to congratulate the incoming Commander Christopher Armstrong on his election. I look forward to what I know will be an outstanding year. Thank you to everyone that has supported me in my election to Junior Vice Commander. I look forward to serving the VFW this year. W&M: We finished the year strong. Thank you to all the Post Commanders and Veterans for donating this year. This year s Ways and Means tickets should be in the mail by the October COA. Scouting: If you know of a Scout that has completed his Eagle project and will be awarded Eagle rank contact me. I have certificates that can be presented to the scout. Please visit the below web sites for scouting events in your area. >Girl Scout Web Page >Boy Scout Web Page Scouting reports and Ways and Means tickets may be mailed to me at 135 Conant Ave., Auburn ME ****************************** QUARTERMASTER NATIONAL COUNCIL MEMBER, MAINE (NCM,M) BUDDY POPPY ~ CHRISTMAS CARDS & LABELS INSURANCE & BONDS David D. Williams, PSC QM: I would like to Thank everyone for their support and I look forward to another great year as your State Quartermaster. Also, I would like to Congratulate Richard and all of his team for the hard work they all did in helping the Department of Maine, and then like to wish all the new incoming Officers for the new year and to congratulate Jennifer Lane as getting elected as State Surgeon and good luck. I do not have any reports to give you at this time except to remind you that June 30 th is the end of the fiscal year for us. I will be closing

9 out the books on June 1 st and prepare all tax information for our accountant after we have our final audit on July 14 th in Waterville. I want to Thank Al Michaud for being the Audit and Finance Chairman and I look forward to working with Thomas Lussier this year. NCM,M: I look forward to representing Maine for the 2nd year of my 4 year term. National has sent out notice that the VFW Emergency Relief Fund is getting low and is requesting donations from any Posts and Departments who can help out. So, any Post wishing to make a donation, you can send them to me made out to the Department of Maine, VFW and I will send them all at once to National. Also as I mentioned at the last CoA meeting, National has merged with a few different local Charities in Kansas City to collect canned food and dry goods at the Convention in Kansas City. Their goal is to collect enough food to feed 50,000 families. If you cannot pack any with you, they will have booths set up were you can purchase food there to drop into the boxes. ****************************** JUDGE ADVOCATE COMMANDER S SPECIAL PROJECT MEMBERSHIP RECRUITER, CENTRAL Herman L. Littlefield Jr. Greetings Comrades! Welcome to a new year of growth and comradeship. First, I would like to congratulate Christopher Armstrong on his election as Commander of the Department of Maine, VFW for the year Congratulations to all the line officers and to our new State Surgeon Jennifer Lane. Upon reaching the position of Dept Commander, Jennifer Lane will be only the second female to have achieved this command in Department history. To all officers, my best wishes for a great year. Thank you to all for electing me as your Judge Advocate. CSP: I will be in charge of the Commander s Project which is Cabin in the Woods at Togus. You can send your donations to me at the address below. Please make your check payable to Department of Maine, VFW and put Commander s Project in the memo line in the lower left corner check to: Herman L. Littlefield Jr Atlantic Highway, Northport, ME Membership: I am also the Central Region Recruitment chairperson. If you would like assistance/guidance in planning-doing a recruiting event, please get in touch with me. Remember, recruitment increases membership. Recruit..Recruit..Recruit. Any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me. Loyally, ****************************** SURGEON BLOOD BANK ~ SAFETY ~ DRUG ABUSE PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER (PRO) ~ TOGUS BEAL HOUSE Jennifer L. Lane Greeting Comrades! I would like to Thank everyone for your support in my election to Department Surgeon for this administrative year. PRO: Please continue the great work you are doing submitting articles and photos to the civilian publications. Please make sure to send a copy to me via so I can make sure due credit is recorded. Beals House Togus: We are continuing to help Veterans and their families. Thanks go out to all Posts and members that have donated to the house. Recognition goes out to our Comrades at the Fairfield Post for their generous donation of $ , Outstanding! Blood: There is a National shortage of donations and reserve blood products; summer is a tough time on all blood banks. Consider hosting a blood drive or donating if you can. 9

10 Safety and Drug Abuse: Summer is definitely here! Keep safe in this weather. Use your sun block and stay hydrated. Know the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke; seek medical attention; don't wait and don't drive yourself to the hospital! I want to see you all soon so be safe and not stubborn. Go get em!" ****************************** CHAPLAIN David O. Sivret, Father Greeting Comrades: Our State Convention is over! For some of us, it can be a challenge to go to events like this. But we must take risks in our lives. For some, for all we risk much in our daily lives. To laugh is to risk appearing a fool. To weep is to risk appearing sentimental. To reach out for another is to risk involvement. To expose feelings is to risk exposing our true self. To place our ideas, our dreams before the crowd is to risk loss. To love is to risk not being loved in return. To live is to risk dying. To hope is to risk despair. To try at all is to risk failure. But risk we must, because the greatest hazard in life is to risk nothing at all. The man, the woman who risks nothing does nothing, has nothing, is nothing. Comrades for some of us stepping out can be very stressful, but stepping out is what we need to do. In Paul s letter to the Philippians it is written, I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me. Towards the end of July, many of the senior staff will head to Kansas City for the National Convention. It will mean for some stepping out of our comfort zone. For all at some point we must step out. We can rest assured that in our faith we can overcome any obstacle put in our path. Yours in Comradeship, Fr David O. Sivret +, Pro Deo Et Patria Notes: Quarterly Chaplain Reports are due NLT September. This is for District and Post Chaplains.. Please get these reports in to me. The Form is on our Department WebSite. Thank You! If there is someone sick in your Post, please let me know so that I can send a card. Please remember to give me their Name and mailing address Plus Zip code. **************************** IMMEDIATE PAST STATE COMMANDER Americanism ~ Loyalty Day Richard A. Farris, PSC As I start, I want to Thank everyone for the great work that you all did during my year as your State Commander, it was truly appreciated and I want to wish a great successful year to Commander Armstrong and Thank him for appointing me as the State Americanism/Loyalty Day Chairman. Loyalty Day: By now, all Posts and Districts should have completed their Loyalty Day program in April and reported it to last year s Chairman. For those who have not completed it, please do so immediately and file it either the Department VFW website and/or mail it to me at 160 Belmont Ave, Belfast, ME You can also obtain the speech either the VFW Website at National and./or contact our State Adjutant who will it to you. Americanism: I am requesting that all Posts please forward their report to me upon completion either thru the Maine VFW website or mail me the report and I will credit you each month once received. We do a lot of great work throughout the Department but on many occasions as your Community Activities Chairman has reported, we do not report it. I wish to Thank all of you in advance for the great work that you are going to do and the great reporting your activities. Have a great summer and see you in October at the CoA meeting in Bangor. ***************************** 10

11 CHIEF OF STAFF MEMBERSHIP ~ LEGISLATION MAINE VETERANS HOMES (MVH) Steven J. SanPedro, PSC Comrades: I would like to say congratulation to Chris Armstrong on becoming our new Department Commander at the 98 th Annual Department of Maine Veterans of Foreign Wars Convention. Also; congratulations to all of the Elected and Appointed Officers for the year. I wish all of you the best as you serve our Department and our Veterans. Legislation: We were kind of disappointed that the only one of the Maine s Legislator to come to our convention was Congressman Bruce Poliquin. We look forward to hearing what they have done for Maine and all Veterans every year. As Congressman Poliquin said, he was reporting to duty to give a status report. We hope that next year there will be a better turnout. The Department of Maine, VFW wants to applaud the passing of the VA Mission Act which creates a new Veteran Community Care Program to streamline the delivery of health care and help Veterans access care closer to home. The bill also expands eligibility for the Department of Veterans Affairs Caregiver Support Program. This legislation will empower more Veterans to access the care they need and deserve. Membership: Congratulation to Post Greene for reaching 100%. That makes 10 Posts that have reached their goal. By the time you read this, we will be in the new VFW year. I hope that we can all work as a team to do better this year. Our intention should be to get this Department, our Posts and Commander Armstrong to the top again were we belong. Here is how we finished for the year: We have 25 Posts that have 10 or less Members needed and 17 of those only need 5 or less Members; we had one Post Commander and one Quartermaster make All-State and they both came out of Post 109 Ellsworth. The Department ended at 90.85% with 8012 Members. We have 19 Posts that have completed a Recruiter Event and submitted the proper paperwork to me. Make sure you read and understand the Membership Program. If you have any questions on Membership please contact me at or me at sanpedro105@roadrunner.com MVH: We had the honor of having the Chief Executive Officer of the Maine Veterans Homes Kelly Cash speak to us at our 98 th Department of Maine Convention where he gave us an update on the status of the Homes. He also spoke about the huge project of building the New Augusta Home. They plan to break ground at the end of summer and this will be a state of the art facility. The summer months are very busy at all of the Homes and all the Homes could use more volunteers. Would you like to join the team and help the nurses and staff live up to their motto of caring for those who served! Remember that we should be HELPING VETERANS EVERYDAY ****************************** HISTORIAN STUDENT VETERANS OF AMERICA (SVA) Amy H. Meuchel Historian: Comrades, please mail or any articles you would like in Past State Commanders Farris book. I have also started working on Commander Armstrong s book. SVA: Comrades, in keeping with VFW's commitment to Student Veterans' success, the VFW is once again teaming up with Student Veterans of America, Student Fellowship. Some may not be eligible but maybe still needs assistance regarding benefits. Feel free to refer them to me at meuchelamyh@outlook.com **************************** 11

12 INSPECTOR ~ POW-MIA John J. Bouchard Inspector: As we start the New Year and as I stated at the June CoA meeting, I am asking that all Deputy Inspectors please conduct their inspections and mail them to me NLT 31 December Also, I am asking that all Inspectors due a thorough inspection to alleviate any issues down the line, we want to make sure that all of our Posts and Districts are in proper working order. Removing Resources from Post: Section 218 Offices and Chairman, Duties and Obligations: Sections (a)(5)h (Quartermaster) and (6)c (Adjutant) states: Unless specifically authorized by the Post to remove such books and records from its facilities, they will be kept at the Post facilities. POW/MIA: The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency announced the identification of remains of Missing in Action (MIA) since World War II, Korea and Vietnam and is returning home with full military honors. Returning home for full military honors is: >Army Sgt James K. Park >Navy Fireman 1 st Class Walter F. Schleiter >Navy Seaman 1 st Class Daniel L. Guisinger >Army Pfc. Felipe A. Champion, Brownville, TX >Army Pfc. David Baker, Gary, Ind >Army Staff Sgt Leo J. Husak, West, TX >Army Air Forces Tech Sgt John F. Brady, Taunton, MA >Army Cpl Morris Meshulam >Army Air Forces 1 st Lt John H. Liekhus, Anaheim, CA >Army Cpl Ernest L.R. Heilman, Greenup, KY >Marine Pfc. John W. Mac Donald, Somerville, MA >Army Sgt Julius E. McKinney, Clay, AK >Army Pfc. Oscar E. Sappington, Dawson, OK >Army Air Forces Sgt Alfonso O. Duran >Naval Reserve Lt Cmdr Larry R. Kilpatrick >Navy Musician 1 st Class Henri C. Mason >Gunner s Mate 3 rd Class Marvin B. Adkins >Army Pfc. John H. Walkers, Iowa >Navy Reserve Radioman 1nd Class Julius H.O. Pieper >Marine Corps Sgt Meredith F. Kevin >Marine Corps Reserve Pfc. Paul D. Gilman >Army Cpl Morris Meshulam >Navy Electrician Mate 3 rd Class Charles H. Harris >Navy Reserve Fireman 1 st Class Lewis F. Turdoll >Air Force Maj James B. White >Air Force Col Peter J. Stewart >Army Sgt Donald L. Baker >Army Air Forces 2 nd Lt Robert R. Keown, Scottsboro, AL >Army Air Forces Tech Sgt John S. Bailey, Woodstock, VA >Marine Corps Reserve Pvt. Charles A. Drew, Coalinga, CA >Navy Seaman 1 st Class Henry G. Tipton, Imboden, AK >Navy Pharmacist s Mate 1 st Class John H. Schoonover, Port Edwards, WI >Army Air Forces Staff Sgt Roy F. Davis, Peterborough, N.H. >Army Air Forces Tech Sgt Allen A. Chandler, Fletcher, OK Please send your monthly reports to me either thru the Maine VFW website and/or USPS. Many Posts have hosted their POW/MIA program, having a Table for One within their respective Posts and/or flying the POW/MIA flags at either their Post or town Memorial Park. We must never forget our POW/MIAs and especially their families. Keep reporting monthly. **************************** HOMELESS VETERANS VETERANS CEMETERY SOUTH ~ ASSISTANT LEGISLATIVE (Augusta) MEMBERSHIP RECRUITER (South) James E.N. Bachelder, Chairman Veterans Cemetery South: Congratulations to all the newly Elected and Appointed Officers in all Commands in the Department of Maine. Thanks to Commander Armstrong for appointing me to these three Chairmanships and the Membership Recruiter, South this year. Our next event will be the dedication of past Maine Representative Walter Wheeler on Saturday July the 28 th at 10:00 am. Walt sponsored the bill that created this cemetery. He was the last WW II Veteran to serve on 12

13 the State Legislature. He is buried in Kittery and the SMVMCA believes he deserves to be recognized in this Veterans cemetery. Our next event will be POW/MIA recognition. We hold the event the day after the National POW/MIA Recognition Day. On Saturday September 22 nd, we will be dedicating the Vietnam War tablet that is a part of the POW/MIA Memorial. This will begin at 10:00 am. On Veterans Day, we will be dedicating our WW I Memorial. It is moving along. The grounds and vegetation is in place. The foundation for the Memorials and Silhouettes placements are marked. Now we just need Mother Nature to turn the space red. We are constantly working on fundraising. We still would like local residents to attend their town meetings to support grants for the Southern Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery. If you re available, contact us. We meet on the second Thursday at 9:30 am at the Southern Maine Veterans Cemetery beginning in September. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at james.bachelder@metrocast.net or call between 9 am to 9 pm. Homeless Veterans: There have been several changes in the Homeless Veterans VA Maine Homeless Veteran Team. The Stand-Down is planned by a separate group. We don t know who will be managing the Stand-down at this time. The Homeless Veterans Working Group is managing all the other resources for Homeless Veterans. The information for the Department of Labor $7,000 grant will be submitted to the Grants Manager ASAP. What do we need to do now? Raise some funds to support our Homeless Veterans with short term housing. The general assistance office in your city/town can also help house Homeless while they are waiting for their section 8 vouchers to be used. This has been about 1 month in the past winter here in Sanford. This short turnaround may be because the opening of the St. Ignatius Housing Senior Housing with 66 units. This will give us open housing for non-seniors in the area. More affordable housing is needed to solve the problem. Assistant Legislative Chairman (Augusta): The VSO clubs in Sanford are working together to create a bill to allow slot machines like in the casinos to be available to the VSO clubs. Membership Recruiting South: The Department has a table at the Annual MMCN Conference on Thursday July 19 th from 7:30 am to 4:00 pm. Any Post can have a member man the table for 2 hours and get some information to pass on to their members. The Department Service officer will also be doing Outreach. ***************************** MAINE OFFICERS LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT (MOLD) WREATH ACROSS AMERICA (WAA) ~ VETERANS SERVICE OFFICE Kevin G. Woodward, PSC/Chairman MOLD: As noted at the COA meeting and in last month s GO s, this year s MOLD will be held on 25 August at the Kittery Community Center in Kittery and August 26 at Post 4633 in Hampden. (Application is attached). Commanders, Commanders, Quartermasters, Adjutants, Trustees, Chaplains as well as any members are encouraged to attend one of the sessions. We have several new individuals that have been elected or appointed to positions at both Post and District levels. This training is designed to assist those individuals. The Department Officers are here to assist you in any way. Please take advantage of having them as a captive audience and pick their brains in order to help the Department of Maine thrive. WAA: National Wreaths Across America Day December 15, REMEMBER Our fallen U.S. Veterans, HONOR Those who Serve and TEACH Your Children the Value of Freedom. This is carried out by coordinating wreath-laying ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery, as well as over 1,500 additional locations in all 50 U.S. States, at sea and abroad. Please become a part of this mission to honor our fallen comrades and help the Department with your sponsorships. Each $15.00 sponsorships that you obtain provide a return of $5.00 to the Department to assist in the continuing support of our various programs. Please send sponsorships to: Kevin G. Woodward, 9 Johnson Lane, Machiasport ME ME0016P is the Department ID number and should be placed in the memo field of your check. 13

14 July 14 Concert featuring Craig Morgan and The Six String Soldiers, performances start at 5:30 pm (17:30) at Balsam Valley Amphitheater, US Rt. 1, Columbia Falls, ME. Admission is Free to Veterans, Active Duty Personnel and Gold Star Families. For tickets go to: or call VSO: As noted at the past Council of Administration meeting, the VSO is on track to have the files digitized by the end of the calendar year. The office will remain closed on Fridays in order to accomplish the very important task. As always, James and Jo Ann will not turn any Veteran away if they need help. Both of them continually strive to provide the best service to our Veterans. ***************************** NATIONAL HOME Charles A. Warden, Chairman First, I want to say what a wonderful Convention and Memorial service this year in Bangor. I am sure all who attended enjoyed themselves. Second, I want to Thank Daniel Sullivan, Commander VFW Post 109 for his donation of $ to the National Home and third, Thank the Comrades for the donation of $ that was taken at the COA meeting. As you can see Comrades, we have started the year off with a bang with our support to the Home and I Thank you and I know the Home Thanks you. Keep the donations and your support for the home coming! Thank you and God Bless. ****************************** VETERANS SERVICE OFFICE Cornelius J. Ware, SO VSO Friday Closure for Scanning: The office file scanning project is going well, but we lost our volunteer for the time being as she took on care-giver duties. At present, we have 17 drawers of files left; we started with 40 around this time last year. If we continue our Friday closure hours, we can accomplish our goal of having all our files scanned by the end of the calendar year. Next Service Officer Post Outreach: We will conduct our next Outreach on Tuesday 21 August 2018 from 9 am until 2 pm at Post 4633 Hampden. Please get the word out to the Veterans in your community. You can contact our office at if you have any questions. I look forward to meeting and working with our comrades, their families and Veterans in the community. Bravo Zulu: Congratulations to JoAnn Bolduc for Acing her NVS final exam with a perfect 100%. Upcoming NVS Training: ASDO Bolduc will attend NVS training August 2018 and DSO Ware will attend October We are returning to Annapolis for the near future. Thank You Brenda Blair for the many hours you spent as a volunteer helping us with our scanning project. Job well done, we will miss for now but wish you well and hope you can return in the near future. Sincerely, the DSO staff! VETERANS SERVING VETERANS ****************************** VETERANS ADVISORY TO VA MAINE HEALTHCARE SYSTEM Raymond R. Lupo, PSC I have no meeting this month; however here are some action taken that should be interesting to all. >The house pass benefits for the "Blue Water" Veterans and now awaits the Senate Veteran Affair Committee to take it up. The Senate will not take it up until it settled on the confirmation hearing for the new VA Secretary. >The Senate passed a bipartisan appropriation which supports the Caregivers of 9/11. However, it will take some time before that Caregiver will be given coverage. 14

15 >The Augusta Veterans Home will start construction within the coming year. This new home will have 138 residual beds and all will be private rooms which replaces the present semiprivate rooms. >There is a newly assigned Public Affairs Officer at Togus, she will be taken over for Jim Doherty. ***************************** VOICE OF DEMOCRACY * PATRIOT S PEN * TEACHER OF THE YEAR CONVENTION 2019 * CONVENTION SITE SLECTION 2020 Ronald F. Smith, PSC Greeting s Comrades: It is JULY and I m looking forward to the warmer weather and summer fun with the family. Again, I want to stress that now is the time to get started on next year s program. Get the topics out to the students so they have plenty of time to put together a winning essay/speech. This year s topics are: Voice of Democracy * Why my Vote Matters Patriot s Pen * Why I Honor the American Flag Both are going to be very interesting to see what our youth thinks about these subjects. Try and get the information out to the students as quickly as possible to give them a chance to research and write a winning essay. Again, I want to Thank everyone that helps make this program so special within our Department. Enjoy your time with family and friends. Be Safe!! Help a fellow veteran or family that needs our help. It is a reward in itself. God Bless! ***************************** WEBSITE COORDINATOR Thomas R. Lussier, PSC The Department Website is in good working order. Please remember National has a new website and is still offering Departments and Post free grants to build a new website. The VOD & PP themes for are posted on the site to include all student entry forms, also all National Resolutions and Bylaws are posted. The Department directory will be updated as soon as the Department Adjutant completes it. Please insure any directory changes are sent to the Department Adjutant. Also, if you have any photos of Department events, please forward to me. The website includes a Department Photo Gallery that I would like to keep updated and I always would like to see more guestbook entrees. Comrades, the Department website contains an incredible amount of information designed to make everyone s job more helpful. Many years have been devoted to creating this site so please utilize it! If anyone has any problems please don t hesitate to contact me. Thank You! ***************************** YOUTH ACTIVITIES James A. Proctor, Chairman The Amazing Race: Boston-The Adventure begins on the train from Brunswick or Portland, from there you ll solve clues and race around Boston with your team, amazing race style. Through a little friendly competition, you ll navigate your way through Boston by jumping on the Metro, City Bus or by foot to compete each leg of the race. The hunt is on in Boston. Date: 11 August > Reg. By: 11 July > Town: Boston > Start Time: 7:30 am > End Time: 8:00 pm > Levels: J/C/S/A > Girl Fee: $ > Adult Fee: $

16 Department of Maine Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S. MAINE OFFICERS LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT (MOLD) TO BE HELD AT Kittery Community Center Post 9394 Whitcomb-Baker, Post Rogers Rd., Kittery ME Main Rd S., Hampden, ME August 2016 * :00 pm 26 August 2018 * :00 pm Attendees Districts 6-11 Attendees Districts 1-5 Districts in central Maine may attend whichever Training location they wish which is more convenient. Please indicate on application which one class you will attend This year s MOLD is primarily for District/Post Commanders, Quartermasters, Adjutant, Inspectors Chaplains and Trustees. Any one is welcome and are encouraged to attend. Valuable information is available to anyone wishing to attend. Forward the completed form, along with a check and/or money order in the amount as listed below for the MOLD School. Cost for the MOLD school will be $15.00 per person. NOTE: The fee includes training materials, a lunch at noon time and donuts in the morning upon your arrival. Checks and/or Money Orders are to be made payable to: Department of Maine, VFW. Send both form and check and/or money order NLT 18 August 2018: the Kevin G. Woodward, MOLD Chairman 9 Johnson Ln, Machiasport ME., ****************************************CUT************************************ Department of Maine Maine Officers Leadership Development (MOLD) REGISTRATION FORM Name: VFW Post #: Title: Home Address: Home Telephone #: Address: I/We will attend MOLD at <>Hampden Post 4633<> or <> Kittery Community Center<> (Circle the Post above where you will attend)note: See General Orders for more information. (Make Copies as needed for Other Comrades Who Wish to Attend the MOLD Training) 16

17 Graves Registration Report Department of Maine, VFW Mail to: David O. Sivret, Chaplain Department of Maine, VFW PO Box 1121 Calais, ME Subject: Report of Deceased Comrade Post # District # regrets to report the death of: (Last Name) (Middle Initial) (First Name) Whose Address was: Who Served with: During: (Branch of Service) (War Era: WW I, WWII, Korea, Vietnam, etc.) Date of Death: Place of Death: Place of Burial/Cemetery: Name & Address if Next of Kin: (Street Address) (Town or City) (State) (Zip Code) Relationship: Obituary Enclosed: Signed: Name Office: Date: (Print Name) ************************************************************************************* Date Received & Recorded: Date Receipt Returned to Post: ************************************************************************************* This receipt acknowledges that Post # has reported the death of Comrade: on to the Department Chaplain. (Signature, Department Chaplain) (All previous forms are obsolete. Updated 15 June 2015) 17