GUIDE TO THE GO: GUIDE TO THE GO: 1. COMMANDER S MESSAGE: DEPARTMENT OF VIRGINIA Articles are listed by number not by pages: VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS

Transcription

1 VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS GUIDE TO THE GO: DEPARTMENT OF VIRGINIA Articles are listed by number not by pages: One for All, All for One Teamwork NUMBER 4 October 1, Lee Jackson Highway Staunton, Virginia (540) FAX: In Virginia Website: stateheadquarters@va.vfwwebmail.com GUIDE TO THE GO: Articles are listed by number not by pages: 1. Commander s Message 2. District Meetings 3. Buddy Poppy 4. By-Laws and Manual of Procedure 5. Closing 6. Computer Available 7. Dues Reserve 8. Account Access 9. General Orders 10. Important Dates 11. Incorporation 12. IRS Form 8822-B 13. Jr. Vice C-I-C Campaign 14. Leadership Reference Guide 15. Legacy Life Membership 16. Life Membership Payout Membership 18. Membership Webinar Training. 19. Partners in Patriotism 20. Patriot s Pen 21. Post Websites 22. POW/MIA 23. Reporting 24. Roster Updates 25. Scouting 26. Surgeon 27. Twitter 28. Voice of Democracy 1. COMMANDER S MESSAGE: We have finished the first three months of the year and have accomplished much, however much more remains to be accomplished. We have completed the first round of District Meetings and all Districts have held successful Schools of Instruction. I would like to thank everyone for the all the hard work on making these events successful. I would like to thank the Comrades of Post 1264 for their generous support of our State Service Officer by providing temporary office space for her operations over the past several months. We were hoping to obtain space in the VA Regional Center for her. Unfortunately, we were unable to obtain adequate space for her in the Center. Hopewell Post 637 has provided us with the needed space for the Service Officer and also will allow the addition of a much needed administrative support person. Thank you Post 637. The National Legislative Council met in September and a number of Virginia Comrades visited with the Congressmen and Senators to present the VFW Legislative Priorities. A special thanks to Doc Crouch and Dan Boyer for setting up our visit schedule. We are in the last month of the first half reporting cycle for Community Reports. I am pleased to report that 90 of 135 Posts are 100% reported and have reported in each of the five categories. However, we have 12 Posts that have yet to report anything and the remaining 33 Posts need reports in one or more categories. If your Post is not 100% reported, I am asking you to do the work and report your actions. Congratulations to Districts 2, 3, 4, and 9 for having all the Posts in their Districts 100% reported for the first half. The Community Reports are our scorecards showing the good work the Posts and their Auxiliaries are doing. The results of these reports are used to demonstrate to our elected officials as well as the general public of the support that the VFW provides to the Veterans and their families as well as the community as a whole. Community Reports are very important. Please continue to report often and accurately. Post 873 is the first Post to achieve 100% membership this year. Congratulations on a job well done! Our goal for membership this year is 32,637 and currently we need 7,304 more members to meet this goal. We have a lot of work

2 to do on membership and it will take the efforts of everyone on Team Virginia. If your Post needs assistance with membership please do not hesitate to contact Tom Hines, State Membership Chairman or any of the State Line Officers. The goal is to have every Post finish the year at or above 100% in membership. 2. DISTRICT MEETINGS: Yours in Comradeship, Tom Gimble Department Commander 1 st Date: 11/19/16 Meeting: 11:00 AM Lunch: to follow Meeting Location: Sponsored by Post 824, Held at Post Forrest Drive, Newport News Rep: Mike Boehme State Sr. Vice Commander 2 nd Date: 11/12/16 Lunch: 12:00 Noon Meeting: 1:00 PM Location: Post 3160, Norfolk 111 A View Ave, Norfolk Rep: Eric Mallett State Surgeon 3 rd Date: 11/19/16 Meeting: 10:00 AM Lunch: to follow Meeting Location: Post 9808, Mechanicsville 7168 Flag Lane Rep: Ken Wiseman State Jr. Vice Commander 4 th Date: 11/05/16 Meeting: 2:00 PM Dinner: To follow Meeting Location: Post 7059, Farmville 1616 Graham Road Rep: Tom Gimble State Commander 5 th Date: 11/19/16 Meeting: 12:00 Noon Lunch: To follow Meeting Location: Post 4637, Martinsville 2327 Old Chatham Road Rep: Tom Gimble State Commander 6 th Date: 11/20/16 Meeting: 2:00 PM Lunch: to follow Meeting Location: Post 776, Radford 102 Watts St. Rep: Kim Deshano State ADJ/QM 7 th Date: 01/29/17 Lunch: 11:30 AM Meeting: to follow Lunch Location: Post 2447, Edinburg 100 Veterans Way Rep: Tom Gimble State Commander 8 th Date: 11/19/16 Meeting: 12:00 Noon Location: Post 3103, Fredericksburg 2701 Princess Anne St Rep: Eric Mallett State Surgeon 9 th Date: 01/21/17 Registration: 10:00 AM Lunch: 12:00 Noon Meeting: 1:00 PM Location: Post 1115, Hillsville 701 W. Stuart Drive Rep: Ken Wiseman State Jr. Vice Commander 10 th Date: 12/04/16 Lunch: 11:30 AM Meeting: 1:00 PM Location: Post 1177, Leesburg 401 Old Waterford Rd NW Rep: 11 th Date: 01/28/17 Lunch: 11:30 AM Meeting: to follow Lunch Location: Post 8644, Bridgewater 118 Dry River Rd Rep: Tom Gimble State Commander 12 th Date: 11/05/16 Registration: 10:00 AM Meeting: 11:00 AM Location: Moose Lodge, Abingdon Rep: Rick Raskin State Judge Advocate

3 13 th Date: 11/19/16 Lunch: 12:00 Noon Meeting: To follow Lunch Location: Post 8947, Louisa 201 Mineral Ave, Mineral Rep: Jim Martin State Chief of Staff 3. BUDDY POPPY: Plans should be under way for the Veterans Day Buddy Poppy Campaign. Contact your Department Quartermaster to place your order for Buddy Poppies. Miscellaneous items (coin cans, caps, buttons, posters, etc.) should be ordered directly from the VFW Store. 4. BY-LAWS AND MANUAL OF PROCEDURE: Kim DeShano, Chairman All officers should obtain current 2017 copies of the podium edition of the Congressional Charter, By-Laws, Manual of Procedure and Ritual. Copies of the revised edition of the Congressional Charter, By-Laws, Manual of Procedure and Ritual are available through the VFW Store at National Headquarters. The 2016 revised edition reflects the amendments adopted by the 117th National Convention, which became effective on August 26, CLOSING: State Headquarters will be closed on October 10, 2016 for Columbus Day. 6. COMPUTERS AVAILABLE: Does your Post need a computer? How would you like to get one for free? That s right, FREE. I have a number of desktop PCs available. They are older models but fully functional in today s office environment. While you won t particularly want to run high-end graphic programs on them, they are perfect for day to day office use and high speed Internet. All of them are loaded with Windows 7 and can be upgraded to Windows 10. I ll even include a keyboard and mouse. I have a few LCD monitors but once they are gone you will have to get your own monitor. From my experience, lots of CRT monitors are available either free or very cheaply. Please contact me at if you are interested. 7. DUES RESERVE FUND: Rick Raskin Department Judge Advocate The attention of Post Commanders and Quartermasters is directed to section 218 of the Manual of Procedure, Duties of Quartermaster, which provides for the Dues Reserve Fund. The Post Quartermaster is required to maintain a dues reserve fund to which shall be credited not less than fifty percent of the Post s part of the current year s dues paid by each member prior to July 1, including life membership dues payouts received from the National Organization as set forth in section 717 of the Manual of Procedure. 8. ACCOUNT ACCESS: All accounts were reset so the new Officers could take control of their s as of June 20 th. This will be the primary means of sending correspondence from State Headquarters to Post and District Officers. You will receive all General Orders, special notices and any other documentation that you need via . This will help cut down on postal expenses and speed up the response time for you receiving the information. Here are directions for logging into your new account for the first time. 1. Go to Department web site 2. Click on Member Tools, VFW webmail.

4 3. The user name is your address; put that on the first line (see below for your new address). 4. Your default password will be veteran.2017! Once you have accessed the mail program you will be asked to change it, it must contain at least one uppercase letter and one number. For District Officers your address will be or or for Districts other than the first just replace the 1 with your District #. For Post Officers your address will be cdrpost176@va.vfwwebmail.com or adjpost176@va.vfwwebmail.com or qmpost176@va.vfwwebmail.com for Post other than 176 just replace the 176 with your Post #. All Posts should prepare now for the full transition to the computer age. You can always find a library to get online. 9. GENERAL ORDERS: The cut off for the General Orders is the 20P th P of the month. No EXCEPTIONS. Subscriptions for hard copy via USPS for General Orders are $24.00 for the year. Please contact State Headquarters for more info. 10. IMPORTANT DATES: October 22, 2016 Department Commander and President s Homecoming at VFW Post October 28-30, 2016 Southern Conference, Rogers, AR January 13-15, 2017 Winter Council, Fort Magruder Hotel, Williamsburg, VA. Room Rate $76.00, cut-off date Phone June 14-18, 2017 Department Convention, Fort Magruder Hotel Williamsburg, VA. Room Rate $92.00, cut-off date Phone INCORPORATION: The attention of the Post Commander is directed to section 708 of the National By-Laws and the Manual of Procedure, which prescribes the procedure for the Incorporation of Units. It shall be the responsibility of the Post Commander to ensure full compliance with both sections and to ensure that all state requirements for annual filing, fees, etc., are met in a timely manner. Posts should take the necessary steps to incorporate under the laws of the state in which the Post is located. Financial responsibility laws, as interpreted by the courts, may cause members of unincorporated Posts to be at risk. Incorporating under the provisions of section 708 of the National By-Laws and the Manual of Procedure and the laws of the state will provide protection for Post members. Posts are urged to contact their Department Adjutant to obtain the proper forms for incorporating. The Articles of Incorporation must be reviewed by the Commander-in-Chief prior to forwarding them to the proper state authorities. 12. IRS FORM 8822-B: IRS form 8822-B. It is now a requirement by the IRS that all Posts submit this form. This form must be submitted any time the Post Quartermaster changes and/or the Post address changes. This was effective January 1, Here is the link to get the form and instructions This will also apply to all Auxiliaries and Men s Auxiliaries that have their own EIN number. Kim DeShano State ADJ/QM

5 13. JR. VICE C-I-C CAMPAIGN: IT IS VIRGINIA S TIME Comrades as you all know Hal Roesch is a very serious contender to become the Southern Conference s candidate for the position of National Junior Commander-in-Chief 2018 progressing to National Commander-in-Chief in Virginia has never had a National Commander-in-Chief in the 116 year history of the VFW. To be successful Hal must actively campaign in all the 14 states in the Southern Conference for the next two years. A successful campaign requires funding. Comrades, let s get behind Hal and have your Post and individual Comrades donate to this very important project. Send your donations to State Headquarters marked for Hal s Campaign. All donations regardless of size will be greatly appreciated. 14. LEADERSHIP REFERENCE GUIDE: The Leadership Reference Guide has been discontinued in its traditional format. In an effort to better serve the members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, we have created "VFW Training and Support," where you will find training material relating to Membership Recruiting and Retention; Community Service, Youth Scholarships and Activities; Media and Public Relations; Post Service Officers; Member & Officer Training, Forms and Templates; and Veterans & Military Support. To utilize these valuable training guides, videos, forms and templates, please login at proceed to My VFW and click the link VFW Training and Support. The online Document Repository will be maintained as a system of managing documents utilized primarily by Department Officers and members of the National Council of Administration. 15. LEGACY LIFE MEMBERSHIP: Legacy Life Membership: This prestigious program is available to all Life Members. Three levels of membership each offer their own package of exclusive member benefits. Financial contributions to the Legacy Life Member program are tax deductible to the maximum extent allowed by law. Enrollment Cost: Annual Payouts: Post: Department: National: Levels: Gold- $1200 $18.00 $18.00 $18.00 Silver- $800 $12.00 $12.00 $12.00 Bronze- $400 $6.00 $6.00 $ LIFE MEMBERSHIP PAYOUT 2017 What will your Legacy be? The Life Membership Board of Trustees has fixed the following dues payout for Life Members and the National Council of Administration concurred in that payout at its February 29, 2016 meeting. Life Member payout September 2016 and January 2017 will be: Plan ABC Plan D Plan E A total payout of $9.48 for each life member ($3.16 to each Post, Department and National). A total payout of $10.74 for each life member ($3.58 to each Post, Department and National). A total payout of $21.18 for each life member ($7.06 to each Post, Department and National). 17. MEMBERSHIP: Commanders and Comrades, We are entering our fourth Month of this membership year. Is your Post actively engaged in an effort to make your quota? We have had good weather so far and all areas of the State have Fall festivals, fairs, and other venues that your Post should be recruiting at. I encourage you to work membership at these events in your area. The State team is ready to assist you with your efforts. All you have to do is request assistance. Please don t wait until March and send out an S.O.S. for help, it may be too late then. I would suggest a membership training session at your District if you can arrange participation from the majority of Post in the District. We did this last year and it

6 worked very well for the District that asked for it. As usual renewals are the problem area. I hear the same complaining that you do. Why do they send out notices long before my dues expire? I tell them National is just trying to be helpful, and if you don t want to continue to get reminders, renew when you get the first one or go life and that will take care of the renewal reminders. As always help is just a phone call or away. 18. MEMBERSHIP WEBINAR TRAINING: Tom Hines-PDC Membership Committee Continuing Membership webinar training will be held on the second Wednesday of each month from 11 a.m. 12 p.m. CST. All interested parties are encouraged to participate, and each session will be recorded for those unable to participate live. 19. PARTNERS IN PATRIOTISM: Have You Heard About the VFW s Partners in Patriotism? Would you like to support the VFW s life-changing programs for veterans, service members and their families without receiving all of the unwanted mail? The VFW has developed an option that lets you support VFW programs on a monthly, quarterly, or yearly basis, as well as reduce expenses and eliminate unwanted mail. It is called Partners in Patriotism. As a member of Partners in Patriotism, you choose a set dollar amount for your donation (minimum amount of $10) that is either charged to your credit card or set up as an Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) from your bank account. If you are interested in joining Partners in Patriotism, you may contact the VFW Development Department Donor Services at , ext. 6318, or us at partners@vfw.org with Partners in Patriotism Application in the subject line. 20. PATRIOT S PEN: All Patriots Pen Chairmen, Reports should be at the Post by November 1. Please complete your judging and send it to your District Chairmen along with all signed documentation. District judging should be completed as soon as possible and your winner mailed to Department Headquarters with all forms. Department judging will be December 16 th. Please send all entries to Department Headquarters. If you need help please contact me at POST WEBSITE: Post Website update -- Information Needed Joe Martin Chairman If your Post has its own website and it is listed on the Department s website on the Post Information Page, please check that the link to your Post works. If you have changed your web page s address please inform Department so that it can be updated. 22. POW/MIA: July 29, 2016 MIA Update Rick Raskin State Judge Advocate The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Office announced the identification of remains of one Marine, one sailor and three soldiers who had been missing in action since World War II and Korea. Returning home for burial with full military honors are:

7 Marine Pfc. Charles E. Oetjen, 18, of Blue Island, Ill., will be buried July 30 in Alsip, Ill. In November 1943, Oetjen was assigned to Company E, 2nd Battalion, 8th Marines, 2nd Marine Division, which landed against stiff Japanese resistance on the small island of Betio in the Tarawa Atoll of the Gilbert Islands. Oetjen died sometime on the first day of battle, Nov. 20, Army Cpl. Charles A. White, 20, is being buried today in his hometown of New Lexington, Ohio. On December 3, 1950, White was a member of Company G, 2nd Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division, when his company s position was overrun by the Chinese Communist Forces near Huksu-ri, North Korea. It would be later learned he was captured but died in captivity on May 12, Navy Fireman 2nd Class James B. Boring, 21, of Vales Mill, Ohio, will be buried Aug. 6 in Albany, Ohio. On Dec. 7, 1941, Boring was assigned to the USS Oklahoma, which was moored off Ford Island in Pearl Harbor when the ship sustained multiple torpedo hits and quickly capsized, resulting in 429 casualties, including Boring. Army Master Sgt. Ira V. Miss Jr., 23, of Buckeystown, Md., who was declared missing in South Korea on Feb. 5, He was assigned to Headquarters Company, 3rd Battalion, 38th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division. His burial date and location have yet to be announced. Army Cpl. Curtis J. Wells, 19, of Huron. Mich., who was declared missing in North Korea on Nov. 27, He was assigned to Company C, 65th Engineer Combat Battalion, 25th Infantry Division. His burial date and location have yet to be announced. August 05, 2016 MIA Update The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency recently announced the identification of remains of 11 Americans who had been missing in action since World War II and Korea. Returning home for burial with full military honors are: Army Air Forces 1st Lt. Robert L. McIntosh, 21, is scheduled to be interred Aug. 13 in his hometown of Tipton, Ind. On May 12, 1944, McIntosh was piloting a single-seat P-38 aircraft on a strafing mission against an enemy airfield in Piacenza, Italy. As visibility worsened, his formation was ordered to climb above the overcast. McIntosh s aircraft was observed diving through the clouds and was not seen again. He was assigned to the 27th Fighter Squadron, 1st Fighter Group. Army Cpl. Ronald M. Sparks, of Cambridge, Mass., is scheduled to be interred Aug. 19 in Everett, Mass. On Feb. 12, 1951, Sparks was a member of Company D, 1st Battalion, 3rd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division, and was declared missing in action when his unit was clearing a roadblock held by enemy forces in the vicinity of Hoengsong, South Korea. Marine Pvt. Dale R. Geddes, 21, is scheduled to be interred Aug. 22 in his hometown of Grand Island, Neb. In November 1943, Geddes was assigned to Company H, 2nd Battalion, 8th Marines, 2nd Marine Division, which landed against stiff Japanese resistance on the small island of Betio in the Tarawa Atoll of the Gilbert Islands. Over several days of intense fighting, approximately 1,000 Marines and sailors were killed and more than 2,000 were wounded. Geddes died sometime on the first day of the battle, Nov. 20, Marine Pfc. George H. Traver is scheduled to be interred Aug. 28 in Chatham, N.Y. In November 1943, Traver was assigned to Company K, 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, which landed against stiff Japanese resistance on the small island of Betio in the Tarawa Atoll of the Gilbert Islands. Over several days of intense fighting, approximately 1,000 Marines and sailors were killed and more than 2,000 were wounded. Traver died sometime on the first day of the battle, Nov. 20, Army Cpl. Frederick G. Collins, 23, was a member of the 263rd Quartermaster Company, Quartermaster Corps, stationed at Nichols Field in Manila, Philippines, when the Japanese invaded on Dec. 8, Following the April 9, 1942 surrender, Collins and thousands of others began the torturous 65-mile "Bataan Death March" northward. On Nov. 19, 1942, 14 Americans, including Collins, were reported to have died and were buried by their fellow prisoners in a common grave. Interment ceremonies have yet to be announced. -- Army Air Forces 2nd Lt. Marvin B. Rothman was piloting a single-seat P-47D Thunderbolt on a bomber escort mission over New Guinea, when he was attacked by enemy fighter aircraft. He would be declared missing on April 11, He was a member of the 311th Fighter Squadron, 58th Fighter Group. Interment ceremonies have yet to be announced. -- Army Cpl. Larry M. Dunn was a member of Company B, 2nd Engineer Combat Battalion, 2nd Infantry Division, when his unit was fighting through a heavily defended roadblock near Sonchu, North Korea. He would be declared missing in action on Dec. 1, Interment ceremonies have yet to be announced.

8 August 12, 2016 MIA Updates The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Office has announced burial updates and the identification of remains of 12 Americans who had been missing in action from World War II, Korea and Vietnam. Returning home for burial with full military honors are: Army Pfc. William R. Butz, 19, of Glendive, Mont., is being buried today in Vancouver, Wash. He was declared missing in action on Dec. 12, 1950, after his unit was heavily attacked by enemy forces near the Chosin Reservoir in North Korea. Butz was a member of Company K, 3rd Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division. Navy Ensign John C. England, 20, of Alhambra, Calif., is being buried Aug. 13 in Colorado Springs, Colo. On Dec. 7, 1941, England was stationed aboard the USS Oklahoma when the battleship suffered multiple torpedo hits and capsized as it was moored off Ford Island in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Army Air Forces 2nd Lt. Robert W. Ward, was co-piloting a B-26C Marauder bomber that was shot down near Philippsweiler, Germany, on Dec. 23, Ward and one other of the nine-member crew were reported killed in action. He was assigned to the 559th Bombardment Squadron, 387th Bombardment Group, 9th Air Force. Interment services are pending. Marine Corps 1st Lt. Stanley Johnson, was co-piloting a UH-34D Choctaw helicopter when it was shot down west of Tam Ky Town in South Vietnam on Dec. 3, Three Americans and nine Vietnamese soldiers were killed in the crash. Interment services are pending. Navy Seaman 2nd Class Vernon N. Grow, Machinist's Mate 1st Class Earl L. Melton, and Ensign Verdi Sederstrom, were stationed aboard the USS Oklahoma when the battleship suffered multiple torpedo hits and capsized as it was moored off Ford Island in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. The USS Oklahoma s 429 casualties were second only to the USS Arizona s that day. Interment services are pending. -- Marine Pvt. Emmett L. Kines, Pvt. Frank F. Penna, Pfc. Wilbur C. Mattern, Pfc. Ronald W. Vosmer and Sgt. Fae V. Moore, where killed in action when the 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, landed Nov. 20, 1943, against stiff Japanese resistance on the small island of Betio in the Tarawa Atoll of the Gilbert Islands. Over several days of intense fighting, approximately 1,000 Marines and sailors were killed and more than 2,000 were wounded; Japanese forces were virtually annihilated. Falling on the first day of battle were Penna, Vosmer and Moore, who were assigned to Company E, 2nd Battalion, and Kines, who was in Company F, 2nd Battalion. Falling on Nov. 21 was Mattern, who was assigned to Company M, 3rd Battalion. Interment services are pending. August 19, 2016 MIA Update The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency announced the identification of remains of one soldier and two sailors who had been missing in action from the Korean War and World War II. Returned are: Army Pvt. Virgil B. Adkins, of Summers, W.Va., who is scheduled to be buried with full military honors on Sept. 3 in Hinton, W.Va. On July 17, 1953, Adkins was reported missing after his patrol came under attack north of the former Demilitarized Zone in North Korea. He was assigned to Company B, 1st Battalion, 65th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division. Navy Fireman 1st Class Jim H. Johnston and Seaman 1st Class Murry R. Cargile, were both stationed aboard the USS Oklahoma on Dec. 7, 1941, when the battleship suffered multiple torpedo hits and capsized as it was moored off Ford Island in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. During salvage efforts, a large number of remains representing as many as 400 individuals were recovered and buried as unknowns at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Honolulu. The remains were exhumed in 2015, and due to advances in forensics technology, both Johnston and Cargile were identified. Interment services are pending. August 26, 2016 MIA Update The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency announced the identification of remains belonging to six servicemen who had been missing in action since World War II and Korea. All will be buried with full military honors. Returned home are: Army Sgt. James L. Campbell, 18, is being buried today in his hometown of Waterford, Conn. On the night of Nov. 27, 1950, Campbell, who was assigned to the 31st Regimental Combat Team, was attacked and forced into a fighting withdrawal from their positions on the east side of the Chosin River in North Korea. He would be reported missing after the battle. Marine Pfc. James F. Mansfield, 19, will be buried Aug. 27 in his hometown of Plymouth, Mass. In November 1943, Mansfield was assigned to Company K, 3rd Battalion, 8th Marines, 2nd Marine Division, which landed against stiff Japanese resistance on the small island of Betio in the Tarawa Atoll of the Gilbert Islands. Over several days of

9 intense fighting at Tarawa, approximately 1,000 Marines and sailors were killed and more than 2,000 were wounded, but the Japanese were virtually annihilated. Mansfield died on the first day of battle, Nov. 20, Marine Pfc. George H. Traver, 25, will be buried Aug. 28, in his hometown of Chatham, N.Y. In November 1943, Traver was also assigned to Company K, 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, which landed against stiff Japanese resistance on the small island of Betio in the Tarawa Atoll of the Gilbert Islands. Over several days of intense fighting at Tarawa, approximately 1,000 Marines and sailors were killed and more than 2,000 were wounded, but the Japanese were virtually annihilated. Traver died on the first day of battle, Nov. 20, Navy Lt. Julian B. Jordan, 37, of Dawson, Ga., will be buried Aug. 29 in Bremerton, Wash. On Dec. 7, 1941, Jordan was assigned aboard the USS Oklahoma, which capsized after sustaining multiple torpedo hits as the battleship was moored off Ford Island in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. The attack resulted in the deaths of 429 crewmen. With the exception of the USS Arizona, no single ship at Pearl Harbor suffered more fatalities. Marine Pfc. Anthony Brozyna, 22, of Hartford, Conn. will be buried Aug. 31 in Arlington National Cemetery. In November 1943, Brozyna was assigned to Company G, 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, which landed against stiff Japanese resistance on the small island of Betio in the Tarawa Atoll of the Gilbert Islands. Over several days of intense fighting at Tarawa, approximately 1,000 Marines and sailors were killed and more than 2,000 were wounded, but the Japanese were virtually annihilated. Brozyna died on the first day of the battle, Nov. 20, Army Capt. Elwood J. Euart, 28, will be buried Aug. 31 in his hometown of Pawtucket, R.I. On Oct. 26, 1942, Euart was assigned to Headquarters, 103rd Field Artillery Battalion, 43rd Infantry Division, aboard an Army transport ship that struck two mines near Espiritu Santo Island, New Hebrides, in the Republic of Vanuatu. The ship was beached on a nearby coral reef and evacuated. Hearing that men were trapped inside, Euart entered the sinking ship to help the men escape. The ship rolled and slid off the reef an hour later. Euart was one of only two crewmen lost out of approximately 5,000 troops aboard. The captain would be posthumously awarded the Distinguished Service Cross in September 02, 2016 MIA Update The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency announced the identification of remains of one sailor and a soldier who had been missing in action from World War II and Korea. Returning home for burial with full military honors are: Navy Water Tender 1st Class Walter H. Sollie, of Alabama, died on Dec. 7, 1941, while stationed aboard the USS Oklahoma, which capsized after receiving multiple torpedo hits as it was moored off Ford Island in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. The battleship suffered 429 casualties that day, second only to the losses aboard the USS Arizona. Interment services are pending. Army Cpl. Curtis J. Wells, 19, of Ubly, Mich., will be buried Sept. 10 in nearby Harbor Beach. In late November 1950, Wells was assigned to Company C, 65th Engineer Combat Battalion, 25th Infantry Division, when his company joined with Task Force Wilson to fight in the vicinity of Unsan, North Korea. The task force was overwhelmed and by Nov. 27, 1950, began to extricate themselves south. Wells would be reported missing after his unit regrouped. September 09, 2016 MIA Update The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency announced the identification of remains of nine Americans who had been missing in action from World War II, Korea and Vietnam. Returning home for burial with full military honors are: Air Force Maj. Dean A. Klenda, 25, of Marion, Kan., will be buried Sept. 17 in Pilsen, Kan., exactly 51 years after he went missing. On Sept. 17, 1965, Klenda was piloting an F-105D Thunderchief when it was shot down by enemy fire while on an attack mission west of Hanoi in Son La Province, Vietnam. He reportedly was able to eject from the aircraft, but failed to separate himself from the ejection seat. He was assigned to the 67th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 6234th Tactical Fighter Wing. Marine Pfc. Nicholas J. Cancilla, of Blair, Pa., was assigned to Company B, 1st Battalion, 2nd Marines, 2nd Marine Division, which landed against stiff Japanese resistance on the small island of Betio in the Tarawa Atoll of the Gilbert Islands. Over several days of intense fighting, approximately 1,000 Marines and sailors were killed and more than 2,000 were wounded in securing the island; the enemy force of 4,700 was virtually annihilated. Cancilla died on the first day of battle, Nov. 20, Interment services are pending. Marine Pfc. James S. Smith, of Amite, Miss., was assigned to Company C, 2nd Amphibious Tractor Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, which landed against stiff Japanese resistance on the small island of Betio in the Tarawa Atoll of the Gilbert Islands. Over several days of intense fighting, approximately 1,000 Marines and sailors were killed and more than 2,000 were wounded in securing the island; the enemy force of 4,700 was virtually annihilated. Smith died on the first day of battle, Nov. 20, Interment services are pending.

10 Army Cpl. Vernon D. Presswood, 20, of Perry, Ill., was a member of Heavy Mortar Company, 32nd Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division, as one of approximately 2,500 American and 700 South Korean soldiers assembled into the 31st Regimental Combat Team, which was attacked by an overwhelming Chinese force east of the Chosin Reservoir in North Korea. Presswood would be reported missing on Dec. 2, Interment services are pending. Marine Pfc. John W. MacDonald, from Boston, was assigned to Company F, 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, which landed against stiff Japanese resistance on the small island of Betio in the Tarawa Atoll of the Gilbert Islands. Over several days of intense fighting, approximately 1,000 Marines and sailors were killed and more than 2,000 were wounded in securing the island; the enemy force of 4,700 was virtually annihilated. MacDonald died on the first day of battle, Nov. 20, Interment services are pending. Marine Sgt. James J. Hubert, of Duluth, Minn., was assigned to Company H, 2nd Battalion, 8th Marines, 2nd Marine Division, which landed against stiff Japanese resistance on the small island of Betio in the Tarawa Atoll of the Gilbert Islands. Over several days of intense fighting, approximately 1,000 Marines and sailors were killed and more than 2,000 were wounded in securing the island; the enemy force of 4,700 was virtually annihilated. Hubert died on the second day of battle, Nov. 21, Interment services are pending. Marine Pfc. Ben H. Gore, 20, of Hopkinsville, Ky., was assigned to Special Weapons Group, 2nd Defense Battalion, Fleet Marine Force, which landed against stiff Japanese resistance on the small island of Betio in the Tarawa Atoll of the Gilbert Islands. Over several days of intense fighting, approximately 1,000 Marines and sailors were killed and more than 2,000 were wounded in securing the island; the enemy force of 4,700 was virtually annihilated. Gore died of his wounds on Nov. 25, Interment services are pending. September 16, 2016 National POW/MIA Recognition Day Today, the VFW nationwide commemorates National POW/MIA Recognition Day in honor and recognition of the service and sacrifice of almost 140,000 former American prisoners of war and the 83,000 Americans who continue to be listed as missing and unaccounted for from World War II forward. September 16, 2016 MIA Updates The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency has announced burial updates and the identification and remains belonging to one Marine and six soldiers who had been missing in action since World War II and Korea. Returning home for burial with full military honors are: Army Cpl. Wayne Minard, of Sedgwick, Kan., was a member of Company C, 1st Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division, fighting a delaying action south to Kunu-ri, North Korea. He would be reported missing in action on Nov. 26, Interment services are pending. Army Cpl. David T. Nordin Jr., of Los Angeles, was a member of Company K, 3rd Battalion, 35th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division, moving northward toward Unsan, North Korea, when forced to withdraw. Nordin was reported missing in action on Nov. 28, It would be later learned he had been captured but died in a North Korean POW camp. Interment services are pending. Army Sgt. 1st Class Louis M. Baxter was a member of Headquarters Battery, 57th Field Artillery Battalion, 31st Regimental Combat Team, 7th Infantry Division, on the east side of the Chosin Reservoir in North Korea, when his unit was forced into a fighting withdrawal southward. He would be declare missing in action on Dec. 6, Interment services are pending. Army Cpl. Joseph Trepasso, 20, of Fulton, N.Y., was a member of Company L, 3rd Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division, on the east side of the Chosin Reservoir in North Korea, when his unit was forced into a fighting withdrawal southward. He would be declared missing in action on Dec. 12, Interment services are pending. Army Pfc. Kenneth Miller was a member of Company K, 3rd Battalion 19th Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division, when his unit was forced to withdraw from their position on April 23, Interment services are pending. 23. REPORTING: Comrades to view whether your Post has submitted an Audit Report, Americanism, Community Service, Safety, Youth or Hospital report you will have to visit the Department website ( The website is updated daily. If you have any questions please call State Headquarters. There will be no form for Homeless when reporting for assistance to a homeless veteran please put it on a Community Activity report under aid to others.

11 24. ROSTER UPDATES: New Office Address State Service Officer Bobbiejo Lazo PO Box 1211 Hopewell, VA Additional Student Veterans Committee Member Rebekah Lloyd 976 Forest Lake Dr. Apt 109 Virginia Beach, VA Correct Address District 9 Quartermaster Kenneth Shaw Post Cochran Holly Rd Cedar Bluff, VA New Adjutant District 9 Martin Rivera 1923 McGhee Rd Woodlawn, VA New Post Meeting Address VFW Post th Street Bristol, TN Correct Phone Number Quartermaster VFW Post 1994 Jimmy Thompson Correct Address Commander VFW Post 3103 Faafetai Mamea 9305 Timberlake Rd Fredericksburg, VA SCOUTING: VFW Scouting Support for Our Scouting efforts are already underway and information can be found at our Virginia Scouting website: maintained by Rick Raskin. There is a write up of what your Posts and Auxiliaries can do, applications for Scout of the Year and a Scouting team list. Applications must be submitted to a Post by 1 March 2017 and Post winner to District by 15 March with winners to Department by 1 April. We are looking for additional members of our Scouting team and those interested may contact Stan Hunter at rangerstan@msn.com. Anyone needing help or questions please don't hesitate to send . Thanks to all who have supported out scouting effort. 26. SURGEON: Our National CIC Brain Duffy and the National President Colette Bishop are asking for your support and the support of the VFW Posts and Auxiliary Units in our Department to help kick off the VFW Mental Wellness Campaign in your communities through what we re calling A Day to Change Direction. For the first two weeks of October each Post and Aux in the Department of Virginia is asked to pick 1 or 2 tasking s from the 8 Projects below and accomplish them during this time frame. The Flyers, broachers and posters and cards will be mailed to each Post Commander for this event. Additional information can be found at the end of the General Orders. Point of Contact for this Project is the Department Surgeon; Eric Mallett elmallett@cox.net surgeon@va.vfwwebmail.com cell is for questions; VFW Department of Virginia Special Service Project For each Post 1-15 October Military Community Outreach Volunteer Duties: Choose one or more of the following: 1, " Contact your local VA Hospital, Vets Center, military base, Reserve unit, National Guard unit, Airman Family Readiness Center, Army Community Services, Fleet and Family Support Center, or Family Assistance Center to see about distributing brochures (then let us know how many brochures you'll need). 2. " Connect with veterans service organizations in your area (American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, AmVets, USO, etc.). As organizations in each community tend to vary, we invite you to research what is available in your

12 community. You can introduce the local organization to Give an Hour and offer to provide them with brochures to distribute to their members. 3. " If there is a large military population in your community, you can contact local schools and offer to give teachers and staff information about Give an Hour. Schools can be another source of referrals to Give an Hour providers. 4. " Contact the advertising departments of your local Base or Post newspapers as well as lifestyle magazines in your community and ask them to run the Give an Hour ad as a public service announcement. (A PDF of the GAH ad may be found on our website, under News, Press Releases.). 5. " Connect with Base or Post Spouses Clubs including Officers Spouses Club and Enlisted Spouses Club. You can introduce the local organization to Give an Hour and offer to provide them with brochures to distribute to their members. 6. " Ask primary care providers at your Military Treatment Facility to display Give an Hour brochures. We know that primary care physicians are often the first to refer folks for mental health services, so they should be aware that we exist. Let us know how many brochures you need. 7. " Contact local community leaders such as Chaplains, First Sergeants, Key Spouses, or other unit leaders to let them know about Give an Hour. Write a letter, send a brochure, or meet with them personally. 8. " Consider sending a letter-to-the-editor in your local Base or Post newspaper about Give an Hour. 27. TWITTER: VFW VIRGINIA JOINS TWITTER All of those who are supporters of the VFW in Virginia are invited to follow our Twitter page. We are as our call-sign and we will be promoting things that impact our Department from wherever they may occur. 28. VOICE OF DEMOCRACY: Ken Wiseman State Jr. Vice Commander Voice of Democracy Audio Essay Competition The Voice of Democracy (VOD) is the VFW's premier scholarship program. Each year 40,000 high school students compete for more than $2 million in scholarships and incentives. This year s Theme is My Responsibility To America." All program rules, forms and brochures are available at http: Program Reporting Deadlines: All Post entries must be received by the sponsoring Post by midnight 1 November 2016 Post Judging complete by 15 November 2016 Post winning entries submitted to District by midnight 23 November 2016 District Judging Complete by 30 November 2016 District winning entries MUST be received by Geoffrey D. Lyster, Chairman, Department Voice of Democracy at P.O. Box 1196, Warrenton, VA by midnight 10 December 2016 District Reporting Forms and Participation Summary's submitted to Department Chairman by 10 January 2017 The top three awards will be presented to the Department winners at the Department Winter Council meeting on 14 January Please be sure to send the District Chairman all of the information that is required. This includes the completed Official Student Entry Form. A typed script, audio CD or a flash drive (one student per CD) and a photograph of the District winner. Please verify that your recorded CD plays on a standard CD player, as some computer generated CDs will not play. If you do not include the information that is required in the VOD guidelines, your District winner will not be eligible to compete at the Department (State) level. You must also complete the District Chairman s Report Form that you will receive from National in November and return it to me by 10 January National Headquarters will obtain all other required information from the Department s winning student. The Department Judging will be held on 18 December 2016 at the VFW Post 9835 Warrenton meeting site located at 33 North Calhoun St., Warrenton VA,

13 Voice of Democracy Department Awards: We will be conducting the awards ceremony a little bit different this year. The top three finalists will be invited to the Winter Council Luncheon in Williamsburg on 14 January All three finalists will receive their awards, and be expected to present their audio essays at the luncheon awards ceremony. The specific places - first, second and third place awards will be revealed at the awards ceremony. The winning first place student will receive $2, The winning student will also receive a check from the Department of Virginia Commander s Club and the Auxiliary. The second place winner will receive $1,000.00, and the third place winner will receive $ Each Post that Participates in the Voice of Democracy Program will receive a Department Citation. The Post that sponsors the Department s first place winner will be awarded the Clarence E. Kelley Memorial Voice of Democracy Trophy which will be presented at the awards ceremony at the Department Convention on 15 June Geoffrey D. Lyster VOD Chairman Official: By Order of: Kim A. DeShano State Adjutant Tom Gimble State Commander

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30