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

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1 VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS GUIDE TO THE GO: DEPARTMENT OF VIRGINIA Articles are listed by number not by pages: Faithfully Serving the Deserving NUMBER 11 May 1, Lee Jackson Highway Staunton, Virginia (540) FAX: In Virginia Website: 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. Community Activities Books 7. Computers Available 8. Delegates to District/Department Convention 9. Department Proposed By-Law Change 10. District Meetings and Convention 11. Account Access 12. Flag Day 13. General Orders 14. Half-Staff US Flag 15. Important Dates 16. Leadership Reference Guide 17. Legacy Life Membership 18. Membership 19. Membership Webinar Training 20. National Convention Housing 21. National Convention Registration 22. Partners in Patriotism 23. Patriot s Pen 24. Post Elections 25. POW/MIA 26. Reporting 27. Resolutions 28. School of Instruction 29. Scouting 30. VFW Program Changes 31. VFW Riders 32. Voice of Democracy 1. COMMANDER S MESSAGE: As I m sitting here drafting my Commander s Message, I m thinking, should I address membership? Or should I address our hospital work, or community work or our scouting program? How about all of the work the Ladies Auxiliary and the Men s Auxiliary do for our organization? How about legislative work? You pick your favorite, they are all important to the success of our organization, but to be able to do these programs we need membership. I expect the Department of Virginia to be 100% in membership this year; we just missed it last year by a couple of percentage points. I encourage you to contact your unpaid members (in person if possible) and invite them to your meeting, pick them up if necessary. Active Posts do not have membership problems. In closing, I want to thank all of you who attended Ellen and I s Homecoming in Harrisonburg. It was our opportunity to thank all of our members for the work they have done for the Department. I am looking forward to seeing you in Williamsburg in June. Yours in Comradeship, Earle P. (Buddy) Weekley, Jr. Department Commander

2 2. DISTRICT MEETINGS: 1 st Date: 05/02/15 Meeting: 11:00 AM Lunch: to follow meeting Location: Post 3219, Phoebus 122 E. Mellen Street, Hampton Ken Wiseman State Surgeon 2 nd Date: 05/16/15 Lunch: 12:00 Noon Meeting: 1:00 PM Location: Post 4809, Norfolk 5728 Bartee Street John Smart Past Commander in-chief 3 rd Date: 05/16/15 Meeting: 10:00 AM Lunch: To follow meeting Location: Post 9808, Mechanicsville 7168 Flag Lane Mike Boehme State Judge Advocate 4 th Date: 05/16/15 Meeting: 2:00 PM Dinner: To follow Meeting Location: Post 7166, South Hill 1472 N. Mecklenburg Ave Ken Wiseman State Surgeon 5 th Date: 05/16/15 Lunch: To follow Meeting Meeting: 12:00 Noon Location: Post 4637, Martinsville 2327 Old Chatham Road Buddy Weekley State Commander 6 th Date: 05/17/15 Meeting: 2:00 PM Lunch: to follow Meeting Location: Sponsored by Post 4522, Vinton Salem VCS, Building 5 Tom Gimble State Jr. Vice Commander 7 th Date: 05/17/15 Lunch: 11:30 AM Meeting: 1:00 PM Location: Post 9760, Berryville 425 S. Buckmarsh Street Ken Wiseman State Surgeon 8 th Date: 08/15/15 Meeting: 1:00 PM Location: Post 7589, Manassas 9304 Centreville Rd 9 th Date: 5/17/15 Registration: 10:00 AM Lunch: 12:00 Noon Meeting: 1:00 PM Location: Post 1184, Pulaski 2 Dora Hwy Mike Boehme State Judge Advocate 10 th Date: 5/17/15 Lunch: 11:30 AM Meeting: 1:00 PM Location: Post 1503, Dale City Minnieville Road Buddy Weekley State Commander 11 th Date: 05/02/2015 Lunch: Before meeting Meeting: 11:30 AM Location: Post 632, Harrisonburg 450 Waterman Drive Buddy Weekley State Commander 12 th Date: 05/09/15 Registration: 10:00 AM Meeting: 11:00 AM Location: Prime Steak House, Norton Ken Wiseman State Surgeon 13 th Date: 05/16/15 Lunch: 12:00 Noon Meeting: To follow Lunch Location: Post 8947, Louisa Tom Gimble State Jr. Vice Commander 3. BUDDY POPPY: NATIONAL BUDDY POPPY DISPLAY CONTEST The time frame for registering and setting up the Buddy Poppy displays for the National judging at Convention will be the same as last year. Entries will be accepted for registration and may be set up beginning at 8 a.m., Saturday, July 18, until noon, Monday, July 20, Winning displays will be identified with appropriate ribbons on

3 Tuesday morning and announced later on the convention floor. Displays must be removed prior to 3:30 on Tuesday afternoon. MEMORIAL DAY BUDDY POPPY CAMPAIGN. Plans should be under way for the Memorial Day Buddy Poppy Campaign. Contact your Department Quartermaster to place your order for Buddy Poppies. Remember that your Poppies should be ordered a minimum of 12 weeks in advance of your distribution date. Be sure to specify a date by which the poppies are required; do not use, ASAP. Miscellaneous items (coin cans, caps, buttons, posters, etc.) should be ordered directly from the VFW Store at or the VFW Store/Emblem and Supply Catalog. 4. BY-LAWS AND MANUAL OF PROCEDURE: All officers should obtain current 2015 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 2015 revised edition reflects the amendments adopted by the 115th National Convention, which became effective on August 20, CLOSING: State Headquarters will be closed May 25, 2015 for Memorial Day. 6. COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES BOOKS: Community Activities Books are due at State Headquarters for judging no later than 1700 hrs. May 8 th. No Exceptions. 7. COMPUTERS AVAILABLE: I have a number of Pentium 4 desktop computers available. They are professional quality (think mil spec) and are Windows 7. Each has 1 GB of RAM. If you are in need of a replacement machine for your Post or need to add an additional computer, they are available at no charge. Please contact me at qm7589@verizon.net or by phone I can also load a free office suite and a free antivirus program on request. 8. DELEGATES TO DISTRICT/DEPARTMENT CONVENTION: Rick Raskin Department IT Chair Section 222 of the National By-Laws provides that Posts shall elect delegates and alternates to District conventions at a regular meeting of the Post held not less than thirty (30) days prior to the District convention at which District officers are to be elected: one (1) delegate and one (1) alternate for each thirty (30) members or fraction thereof in good standing in the Post at the time of the election. Delegates and alternates to the Department conventions shall be elected at a regular meeting of the Post held not less than thirty (30) days prior to the Department convention. Posts are entitled to one (1) delegate and one (1) alternate for each thirty (30) members or fraction thereof in good standing in the Post at the time of the election. 9. DEPARTMENT PROPOSED BY-LAWS CHANGES: See attached for proposed Department By-Law Changes. The underlined items are recommended changes. 10. DISTRICT MEETINGS AND CONVENTION: Pursuant to Section 403 of the National By-Laws and the Manual of Procedure, each District shall hold an annual District convention for the purpose of electing District officers, such convention to be held not less than ten (10) days nor more than seventy-five (75) days prior to the convening of the Department convention.

4 Pursuant to Section 403 of the National By-Laws Regular Meeting, unless otherwise provided for in Department By- Laws, Districts shall hold at least three (3) regular meetings each year for purposes as prescribed in the Manual of Procedure. Pursuant to Section 403 of the National Manual of Procedure Regular Meeting, at least one (1) regular meeting shall be held by the District each year for the purpose of promoting schools of instruction for Post officers. Pursuant to Section 417 of the National Manual of Procedure, District officers shall not assume the duties of their office until the Department Commander is installed. District officers shall not be installed or assume the duties of their office until proof of eligibility has been submitted and properly reviewed in accordance with Section 416 of the Manual of Procedure ACCOUNT ACCESS: All accounts will be reset so the new Officers can take control of their s as of June 15 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. 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 Virginia1 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. 12. FLAG DAY: FLAG DAY, JUNE 14. All VFW units are reminded to properly display the U.S. Flag on Flag Day, Saturday, June 14 and to conduct a ceremony or program as feasible. You may contact the VFW Communications Department for a Flag Day speech. It is also suggested Posts should award the VFW Patriotic Citizen Award (Product No. 4385) for those who have daily displayed our National flag. This product is available at the VFW Store 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. 14. HALF-STAFF U.S. FLAG: The U.S. Flag should be at half-staff on Memorial Day, the last Monday in May (federal holiday - half-staff until noon). Flags available at VFW Store IMPORTANT DATES: June 11-14, 2015 Department Convention, Williamsburg, VA. Room Rate $87.00, cut-off date Phone

5 July 18-22, 2015 National Convention, Pittsburg, PA August 1, 2015 School of Instruction, Post 1115 August 8, 2015 School of Instruction, Post 9808 October 2-4, 2015 November 19-22, 2015 National C-I-C Homecoming, Pittsburg, PA Southern Conference, Savannah, GA 16. LEADERSHIP REFERENCE GUIDE: Attention Post Commanders and Quartermasters: the VFW Leadership Reference Guide is now available online at the National VFW website ( You will have to create an account and log on as a VFW member to be able to view or print it. 17. 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 $ MEMBERSHIP: Commanders and Comrades, What will your Legacy be? We stand at 95.95% in membership for the State as I compose this message. We are Third in the Southern Conference, gaining a little on Florida, which is second in the conference. These numbers are respectful but not great. I have always considered Virginia to be a GREAT Department. I wish more of you were inclined to feel the same. Congratulations to Districts 1, 8, and 4, for leading the charge and being the only Districts so far to cross the 100% plateau. The Fourth District is a great example of what can happen when the State Team, District Commander, and Post Commanders work together to help their membership. The District went over 100% soon after the Membership Team worked the District and are just a few short of 101% now. If your District is behind the State Average, and seven are, why wouldn't you call on the State Team to help you out? There are still 27 Post with no new members this year. There are still 62 Post with no reinstated members this year. There are 85 Post that are behind the State Average of 95.95%. There are 7 Districts behind the State Average. Is this alarming to anyone other than me and the State Officers? I am asking for help from all Past State Commanders, all Past District Commanders, all State Recruiters, and all interested Post Members to contact these Posts that are lagging behind. We have to offer them assistance and advice on reaching their membership quota. We have great leadership in this Department and I know we can reach 100% membership if we all work together these last two months. Thanks to all the Post that are pulling the membership numbers up. We are so close to having a great year for Buddy; please continue working until June 30th and Virginia will be a Great Department Again. Yours in Comradeship, Tom Hines-PDC Membership Chairman

6 19. MEMBERSHIP WEBINAR TRAINING: 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. 20. NATIONAL CONVENTION HOUSING: 116th National Convention Housing officially opened February 16, Housing reservation information will be located on the convention website accessed through the main VFW website at The convention website will also have general convention information including the registration form and links to other convention related information for Pittsburgh July 18-22, 2015 including a tentative agenda. 21. NATIONAL CONVENTION REGISTRATION: Section 222 of the Manual of Procedure states each Post will pay, in advance, a national convention registration fee of twenty-five dollars ($25) which shall entitle the Post to a packet of convention information and materials and one identified registered delegate for the National Convention. Each additional delegate attending the National Convention will pay a ten dollar ($10) delegate fee provided the Post has paid the mandated $25 advance registration fee. All advance registrations should be mailed to the VFW National Headquarters, 406 West 34th Street, Kansas City, MO 64111, ATTN: Convention Registration or you may register on-line by going to 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. 23. PATRIOT S PEN: KANSAS CITY, Mo. (April 14, 2015) - The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S. (VFW) is pleased to announce the kick-off of the VFW s Patriot s Pen scholarship competition. The announcement comes just weeks after students from across the globe took home their share of the more than $3 million in scholarships and awards from last year s competitions. The VFW s Patriot s Pen essay competitions are dedicated to encouraging a better understanding and appreciation for our great country and fostering patriotism among our nation s youth. Students are asked to submit an essay in response to a question or statement on a subject which prompts them to consider how American history and democratic ideals and principles apply to their lives. The Patriot s Pen competition is open to students in grades 6-8. This year, students are asked to reflect on the statement, What Freedom Means to Me. The national winner will receive a $5,000 award. For more information on the contests, visit Please be mindful of the dates and get the information to the schools, churches and your friends. Thank You, Joe Martin & Don Hall

7 24. POST ELECTIONS: Attention is directed to Section 217 of the National By-Laws and the Manual of Procedure covering the nomination, election and installation of Post Officers. Post Election Report forms are being mailed to Post Quartermasters with instructions that they complete the form online through the Online Membership System (OMS) or they can complete the form and return directly to National Headquarters immediately following the election of Post Officers, by not later than June 1st. 25. POW/MIA: March 20, 2015 Seven MIAs Identified The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency has announced the identification of remains belonging to eight servicemen who had been missing and unaccounted for from World War II, Korea and Vietnam. Returned home are: Army Air Forces 2nd Lt. Harry B. McGuire, 718th Squadron, 449th Bomber Group, 15th Air Force, lost over Italy on Jan. 30, Army Air Forces 2nd Lt. Edward F. Barker, Headquarters Squadron, 8th Air Service Group, lost over Papua New Guinea on Sept. 30, Army Air Forces 2nd Lt. Alvin Bleethe, 393rd Fighter Squadron, 367th Fighter Group, 9th Air Force, lost over Germany on Nov. 26, Army Air Forces 2nd Lt. Stephen V. Biezis, 575th Bombardment Squadron, 391st Bombardment Group, 9th Air Force, lost over Germany on Dec. 23, Army Air Forces 2nd Lt. John W. Herb, 1st Air Division, 359th Fighter Group, 368th Fighter Squadron, lost over Germany on April 13, Army Sgt. Wallace J. Dawson, Company L. 3rd Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division, lost in South Korea on Feb. 14, Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Edwin E. Morgan, 6252nd Combat Support Group, lost over Laos on March 13, Army. April 02, 2015 VFW Visits MIA Recover Site in Vietnam VFW Senior Vice Commander-in-Chief Big John Biedrzycki returned Sunday from a two-week fact-finding trip regarding the ongoing merger of the new Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA), and to personally thank the men and women who fulfill America s Full Accounting Mission under sometimes the most arduous of conditions. The Senior Vice received briefings at U.S. Pacific Command and DPAA-West in Hawaii, as well as toured the organization s new headquarters and its identification laboratory. Accompanied by VFW Washington Office Executive Director Bob Wallace, they then traveled to Thailand, Laos and Vietnam to meet with U.S. Embassy officials and U.S. military and Department of Defense civilians assigned to the three DPAA detachments tasked with finding and recovering missing servicemen from the Vietnam War. In Vietnam, they also visited an ongoing recovery operation for a downed U.S. helicopter in Nha Trang Province. The VFW s overseas trips are important in that our vet-to-vet relationships can open doors that no U.S. politician or government official can. This allows U.S. researchers deeper access into former enemy military archives, which in turn helps analysts better pinpoint loss sites, and the ultimate return of more Americans home to their loved ones. April 02, 2015 Two Vietnam MIAs Identified The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency announced the identification of remains of two soldiers who had been missing in action since the Vietnam War. Army Staff Sgt. Bunyan D. Price Jr., 20, of Monroe, N.C., and Sgt. Rodney L. Griffin, 21, of Mexico, Mo., assigned to 2nd Battalion, 34th Armor Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division, were passengers aboard a UH-1H helicopter that was forced to make an emergency landing in Cambodia after coming under heavy enemy ground fire. The Huey s four crewmen and four passengers survived the landing. One crewman was able to evade capture and return to friendly lines. Three crewmen and one passenger were captured. Two of the captured crewmen were released by the Vietnamese in 1973, and the remains of the other two were returned to the U.S. in the 1980s. Price and Griffin died onsite during a fire fight with enemy forces. Their remains were not recovered at the time of loss. Both will be buried with full military honors: Price on April 11, in Belmont, N.C., and Griffin on April 25, in Mexico, Mo. April 10, 2015 DNA Samples Needed for MIA Identifications There are 83,000 missing and unaccounted for Americans from World War II forward, yet many families of the missing have yet to provide a family reference sample to assist in DNA identifications. Currently, 89 percent of Korean War families have provided samples, as well as 83 percent of Cold War families and 81 percent of Vietnam War families, but only 4 percent of WWII families have. The government last year identified 107 MIAs, but more could have been identified and faster if more family reference samples were on file. Please forward the following service casualty office contact information to MIA families in your hometown, as well as to local newspapers: Army: , Marine Corps: , Navy: , Air Force: , State Department: April 14, 2015 DOD Announces Decision to Disinter USS Oklahoma Unaccounted For Service Members The Department of Defense (DoD) announced today that the remains of up to 388 unaccounted for sailors and Marines, associated with the USS Oklahoma, will be exhumed later this year. Upon disinterment, the remains will be transferred to the Defense

8 POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) laboratory in Hawaii for examination. Analysis of all available evidence indicates that most USS Oklahoma crew members can be identified upon disinterment. Deputy Secretary of Defense Bob Work approved the disinterment of unknowns associated with the USS Oklahoma and also established a broader DoD policy, which defines threshold criteria for disinterment of unknowns. "The secretary of defense and I will work tirelessly to ensure your loved one's remains will be recovered, identified, and returned to you as expeditiously as possible, and we will do so with dignity, respect and care," said Work. "While not all families will receive an individual identification, we will strive to provide resolution to as many families as possible. The disinterment policy applies to all unidentified remains from the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific and other permanent American military cemeteries. However, this policy does not extend to those sailor and Marines lost at sea or to remains entombed in U.S. Navy vessels serving as national memorials. The threshold criteria includes research, family reference samples to compare DNA, obtaining medical and dental records of the missing service members, and having the scientific ability and capacity to identify the remains in a timely manner. To disinter cases of commingled remains, the department must estimate the ability to identify at least 60 percent of the individuals associated with a group. A likelihood of at least 50 percent identification must be attained for individual unknowns. "The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency is prepared to begin this solemn undertaking in concert with ongoing worldwide recovery missions. Personally, I am most privileged to be part of this honorable mission, and I very much appreciate the efforts of many people who saw this revised disinterment policy come to fruition," said Rear Adm. Mike Franken, DPAA acting director. On Dec. 7, 1941, the USS Oklahoma sank when it was hit by torpedoes, during the Japanese attacks on Pearl Harbor. A total of 429 sailors and Marines were killed. In the years immediately following the attacks, 35 crew members were positively identified and buried. From June 1942 to May 1944, during salvage operations, the remaining service members' remains were removed from the ship and initially interred as unknowns, in Nuuanu and Halawa cemeteries in Hawaii. In 1947 all remains in those cemeteries were disinterred for attempted identification. Twentyseven unknowns from the USS Oklahoma were proposed for identification based on dental comparisons, but all proposed identifications were disapproved. By 1950, all unidentified remains associated with the ship were re-interred as unknowns at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, commonly known as the Punchbowl. In 2003, the DoD laboratory in Hawaii, disinterred one casket containing USS Oklahoma remains based on historical evidence provided by Ray Emory, a Pearl Harbor survivor. The evidence helped establish the identification of five servicemen; however, the casket contained the remains of up to 100 men who have not yet been identified. Analysis of remains will begin immediately after their arrival into the DPAA laboratory and will utilize current forensic tools and techniques, to include DNA testing. Service members who are identified will be returned to their families for burial with full military honors. Navy and Marine Corps casualty offices began notifying the nextof-kin this morning. For additional information on the Defense Department's mission to account for Americans, who went missing while serving our country, visit the DPAA website at or call April 17, 2015 Four MIAs Identified The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency announced the identification of remains belonging to one Marine and three soldiers who had been missing-in-action from the Korean and Vietnam Wars. Returning for burial with full military honors are: Marine Sgt. John McLaughlin, Company D, 32nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, who was lost in action fighting in North Korea on Dec. 2, Army Cpl. Elmer P. Richard, 20, of Exeter, N.H., was assigned to Battery D, 15th Antiaircraft Artillery Automatic Weapons Battalion, 31st Regimental Combat Team. He was reported missing while fighting in North Korea on Dec. 2, Army Pfc. Eugene L. Erickson, 21, of Crow Wing, Minn., was assigned to Company B, 1st Battalion, 38th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division. He died in a North Korean POW Camp on Aug. 31, Army Maj. Dale W. Richardson, 28, of Cashton, Wis., was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 34th Armor Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division. He was lost when the UH-1H helicopter he was a passenger in was shot down near the Vietnamese/Cambodian border on May 2, April 20, 2015 This year, Michael Paul Knight will be added to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial almost 50 years after he died as a result of his service to his country. Each year, new names are added to The Wall to fix clerical errors and mistakes, and to honor those veterans who died as a direct result of their wounds sustained while in Vietnam. This Mother s Day, May 10th, seven new names will take their rightful place among their fallen brothers and sisters on The Wall. Help honor them by sharing this image with your friends and family:

9 26. 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. 27. RESOLUTIONS: It is the time of year to begin thinking about any changes you would like to see concerning the operation of the VFW at the Department and National levels. All changes must be presented in the form of a resolution and be submitted to the Department for consideration at the Department Convention. If a Post wishes to make a resolution or By-Law change, it is not necessary that a draft of the proposed new text be submitted through your District. However, by obtaining the support of the other Posts within your District you can reinforce your Post's position. The Resolutions Committee consists of Rick Raskin, Post Chair; Tom Ferguson, Post 2239; Ron Link, Post 7589; and Harold Sayles, Post Any member of the committee can assist you in drafting your resolution. Please see additional information in these General Orders or ask any member of the Resolutions Committee about your thoughts. We encourage everyone to have any proposed resolutions and by-laws changes submitted by 15 May Resolutions may be submitted at the Department Convention up until 1700 hrs the evening prior to scheduled voting. However, since those resolutions will not be included in the abstract document they may not receive due attention by the Convention Delegates.

10 Please send all resolutions to Department Headquarters either via U.S. mail or electronically via SCHOOL OF INSTRUCTION: Rick Raskin Chair, Resolutions Committee There will be a School of Instruction held on the following dates and locations, all times will began at 9:00 am - 4:00 pm August 1 Post W. Stuart Drive, Hillsville August 8 Post Flag Lane, Mechanicsville All new Post Commanders and Quartermasters are urged to attend, and everyone else is invited. You must register for one of the above locations so we may have a count as to how many are attending at each location so lunch preparation can be made (meals will be provided by the Host Post). IF YOU ARE NOT REGISTERED, MEALS WILL NOT BE PROVIDED. See Flyer for more details. 29. SCOUTING: The Department of Virginia has had a Scouting support team for the past years. During which we have supported the sponsorship of scouting units for all ages, recognized the success of scouts and leaders in these units, and had scouts do innumerable Eagle projects in support of our Posts. Our leadership with members of our Department Scouting team has been a direct effort in helping these members of our communities succeed and grow in the scouting program. We can be proud of the many scouts that have done extremely successful eagle projects in our communities. Some of our long time members have moved on to other things. We need to keep our ongoing effort successful and growing and are looking for VFW members with Scouting experience who would like to join the department scouting team from all over the state of Virginia. If you are interested in helping our team grow please contact Stan Hunter: Rangerstan@msn.com or at (C). I can brief you on our activities and get you an application for our Department team. I would like to gather as many members of our team as possible at the Department Convention in June. Stan Hunter 30. VFW PROGRAM CHANGES: At the Jr. Vice Commanders/Quartermaster s Conference recently held in Kansas City, we announced some changes that affect our VFW programs. These changes take effect March 1. The first change is the changing of the National Team Scouter title to Department Scouting Chairman. This positions this chairmanship in-line with all other programmatic chairmanships and eliminates any confusion that may have been associated with National in the old title. Additionally, as a result of National Military Service no longer being a directorate and now a classification of programs, we re renaming that classification of programs from National Military Services to Veterans & Military Support Programs. We believe the new classification will better resonate with our Posts and also the public. Those programs under Veterans & Military Support classification have not changed. They still consist of; Unmet Needs; Operation Uplink; VFW Sport Clip s Help A Hero Scholarship program; and the Military Assistance Program. There will be more details to follow concerning the 3-year appointment and whether there will be a Veterans & Military Support Committee. Equally important to note, this change will not affect those persons currently appointed this year as part of the National Military Services Committee. Lastly, a couple changes were made to the Smart/Maher VFW National Citizenship Education Teacher Award program. We are now allowing past state winners who were not selected as a National winner to be eligible for the program. Furthermore, we are changing the deadline date for this program for nominations to the Post from November 1 to February 15, with Department winners to National now April 5. Here are the following deadlines for this program:

11 *February 15 - Teacher nominations to the Post February 28 Completion of Post judging March 15 Completion of District judging March 30 Completion of Department judging *April 5 Department winners to National *April 15 Department reports to National * Required deadline. All other deadlines are suggested, and can be internally set at the discretion of the Department leadership. We ask for your assistance in making these changes known to your Posts. Please let me know if you have any questions. Thank you for your continued support of our VFW programs. 31. VFW RIDERS: Comrades, Kevin C. Jones Director, VFW Programs/NMS This July the VFW Riders of Virginia are going to ride to the VFW National Convention in Pittsburg. My name is Shep Shepherd and I m the VFW Riders Department of Virginia Chairman. Our goal is to raise monies to carry to the VFW National Convention parade prior to the start of the Convention and present a check from the Posts of Virginia and the VFW Riders Virginia to the VFW Commander in Chief. I am asking for donations from you to help us raise money for the Howard E Vander Clute Jr. Memorial Motorcycle Ride. The monies raised this year will go to help out our veterans through the National Military Services program (NMS). Last year with slightly more than 70 riders they raised more than $23,000. This year with your help and monies raised by the VFW Riders Virginia we are hoping to double last year s numbers. Thank you Comrades for all you do for our veterans. Please send your donations to Kim Deshano, Department of Virginia Quartermaster. Earmark your donations VFW Riders Virginia Howard Vander Clute Memorial Ride 32. VOICE OF DEMOCRACY: Shep William J Shepherd VFW Riders Virginia Chairman This year s Voice of Democracy theme asks students to contemplate, My Vision for America. The Voice of Democracy scholarship competition is an audio-essay competition open to students in grades The national winner will receive the $30,000 T.C. Selman Memorial Scholarship Award. Official: By Order of: Kim A. DeShano State Adjutant Earle P. Weekley Jr. State Commander

12 VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS OF THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF VIRGINIA CHAIRMAN, CREDENTIALS COMMITTEE 93rd Annual State Convention, Fort Magruder Hotel, Williamsburg, Virginia June 11-14, 2015 Below are listed the Delegates and alternates duly elected at a regular meeting of Post on the day of, Official: Post Adjutant Yours in Comradeship, Post Commander MAIL TO: State Adjutant 403 Lee Jackson Hwy Staunton, VA Elect one (1) Delegate and one (1) Alternate for each 30 members or fraction thereof in good standing in the Post at the date of election. Delegate strength to be based on State Quartermasters records as of May 11, 2015, with the exception of New Posts organized after that date and prior to opening date of State Convention - June 11, 2015.

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14 93 rd ANNUAL CONVENTION DEPARTMENT OF VIRGINIA VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS OF THE UNITED STATES FORT MAGRUDER HOTEL AND CONFERENCE CENTER, WILLIAMSBURG, VIRGINIA JUNE 11 14, 2015 Eugene Chavis Convention Chairman Tentative Subject to Change Kathy Goodall Convention Vice Chairman Thursday, June 11, :30 AM 1:00 PM REGISTRATION, MOC CLARA BARTON 11:00 AM NOON COUNCIL OF ADMINISTRATON MEETING EARLY S NOON 4:00 PM REGISTRATION, VFW CLARA BARTON 2:30 PM 4:00 PM JOINT MEMORIAL SERVICES RICHMOND HALL 6:00 PM 10:30 PM JOINT PRESENTATION OF AWARDS RICHMOND HALL Friday, June 12, :00 AM 5:00 PM REGISTRATION, VFW CLARA BARTON 9:00 AM 11:00 AM JOINT OPENING SESSION HILLS & MCCLELLANS 9:30 AM 1:00 PM REGISTRATION, MOC 11:30 AM 2:00 PM COMMANDERS CLUB LUNCHEON EMORYS 2:30 PM 5:00 PM BUSINESS SESSION PETERSBURG HALL (NOMINATION OF STATE OFFICERS) 5:30 PM 8:00 PM COOTIE GRAND SCRATCH EMORYS 9:00 PM 1:00 AM COOTIE DANCE DJ RICHMOND HALL Saturday, June 13, :30 AM 8:30 AM PAST STATE COMMANDERS/PRESIDENTS BREAKFAST STUARTS 9:00 AM 1:00 PM REGISTRATION, VFW CLARA BARTON 9:00 AM 12:00 PM BUSINESS SESSION PETERSBURG HALL 1:00 PM 3:00 PM BUSINESS SESSION PETERSBURG HALL (ELECTION & INSTALLATION OF OFFICERS) 3:00 PM 4:00 PM VFW RIDERS MEETING TBD 3:00 PM 4:00 PM MENS AUX MEETING TBD 6:00 PM 10:00 PM RECEPTION/ DANCE DJ PETERSBURG HALL Sunday, June 14, :00 AM 9:30 AM JOINT DEVOTIONAL SERVICE EMORYS 9:30 AM 12:00 PM NEW DISTRICT COMMANDERS SCHOOL PETERSBURG HALL 12:00 PM 1:00 PM COUNCIL MEETING IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING CLOSE OF CONVENTION PETERSBURG HALL Registration $5.00 (All VFW members are required to register) FRIDAY COOTIE DANCE: $10.00 per person SATURDAY RECEPTION/ DANCE WILL BE FREE TO ALL ATTENDING THE STATE CONVENTION Bottles will be permitted in the ballroom during Fridays dance. The hotel will furnish ice and mix. HOSPITALITY ROOMS State Kearney s **Second District Room 467** Tenth District - Room 367** Cooties 269 & 271

15 JOIN US FOR A DAY OF FUN GOLF SPONSOR BY VFW STATE GOLF TOURNAMENT WHERE AT FORT EUSTIS, NEWPORT NEWS, VIRGINIA 3518 MULBERRY ISLAND JUNE 10, :00 AM CHECK IN 9:00 AM SHOTGUN START-CAPTAIN S CHOICE ENTRY FEE-$65.00 PER PERSON SPONSOR-A-HOLE AND FOURSOME-$ SPONSOR A HOLE-$ VFW POSTS AND PUP TENTS IF YOU CAN NOT MAKE IT WE WOULD LIKE YOUR DONATION OF $ TO SPONSOR A HOLE FOR VFW NATIONAL HOME FOR CHILDREN. THANK YOU!! ENTRY FEE INCLUDE RANGE BALL, GREEN FEES, CART, DRINKS ON THE COURSE AND LUNCH THERE ARE PRIZE FOR FIRST, SECOND, THIRD, AND FOURTH PLACE LONGEST DRIVE, BEST WOMAN, BEST MAN, CLOSEST TO THE PIN 50/50 AND DOOR PRIZES $10, HOLE-IN-ONE PRIZE ALSO OTHER HOLE-IN-ONE PRIZES (ALL PROCEEDS SUPORT THE VFW NATIONAL HOME FOR CHILDREN) PLEASE COMPLETE THE ENTRY FORM AND RETURN IT WITH YOUR PAYMENT BY 5/30/2015 VFW DEPARMENT OF VIRGINIA 403 LEE JACKSON HIGHWAY STAUNTON, VA SPONSOR NAME SPONSOR-A-HOLE $ SPONSOR A HOLE AND A FOURSON$ PLAYER 1 PLAYER 2 PLAYER 3 PLAYER 4 FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT ROBERT (ARCH) #

16 PREPARING A RESOLUTION TO BE CONSIDERED BY THE NATIONAL CONVENTION The policy of the Veterans of Foreign Wars is established by resolutions adopted by the delegates attending Department and National Conventions. Most such resolutions originate at the Post level and are passed through the District and Department before being acted upon at a National Convention. Many times, an otherwise worthy idea gets nowhere merely because it is not correctly presented. A resolution contains two separate parts; a statement of the problem to be solved, and the proposed solution to the problem. The problem is outlined in the "WHEREAS" clauses, and the proposed solution is given in the "RESOLVED" section. The "RESOLVED" section of a resolution should be complete in itself without depending on the "WHEREAS" clauses to give it meaning. EXAMPLE: WHEREAS, the rising cost of living has created an intense hardship on those disabled veterans whose only income is a meager pension check; now, therefore BE IT RESOLVED, that we petition Congress to enact legislation which would provide a substantial increase in non-service connected pension rates. (Note: The "RESOLVED" section has a proposed solution that makes sense and can stand alone without the "WHEREAS" clause giving it meaning.) A resolution may deal with a local problem. It needs no action on a level higher than that of the Post. If the problem concerns an area larger than that served by the Post, it should, after Post approval, be presented before the District or County Council. All resolutions of statewide, regional or national concern must be acted upon by the Department Convention. Those resolutions approved by a Department Convention, which affect persons or matters outside the state boundaries, must be forwarded to the National Convention for final disposition. When submitting a resolution to the Department Convention, a notation on the bottom should show the previous action taken, such as, approval by Post and, if applicable, by the District. A Post or District submitting a resolution to its Department Convention must follow guidelines established by the Department, which may require submitting the resolution to the Department Adjutant prior to the convening of the convention. Resolutions not in proper form, unclear as to meaning, or concerning matters clearly not within the scope and purpose of the Veterans of Foreign Wars cannot be considered by the National Convention. Resolutions approved by a Department Convention, which affect matters outside state boundaries, must be forwarded by the Department Adjutant to the National Convention for final disposition. Approved resolutions should be sent to national headquarters at the close of the department convention. The Adjutant General requests all resolutions be forwarded to National Headquarters on or before the first working day of July. A resolution disapproved by the Department Convention or not acted upon by the Department Convention will not be considered by the National Convention. Resolutions may also be originated by Department officers or by the Department Convention itself and acted upon by the Department Convention. A National Officer may originate a resolution concerning National affairs and submit it directly to the National Convention without Department action. Likewise, a National Convention Committee may originate a resolution and present it for approval during the National Convention. Policy set by the National Convention is binding upon all subordinate units of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. No Post or Department is permitted to take any individual action or espouse any cause contrary to the National By-Laws or to the actions of the National Convention except that it may propose changes in policy by the preparation of a resolution for consideration as outlined herein.

17 PREPARING PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO THE NATIONAL BY-LAWS, MANUAL OF PROCEDURE OR RITUAL By-Laws: Any member in good standing, a Post, a District, or a Department, may propose an amendment to the National By-Laws; provided, however, before consideration at the National Convention, the proposed amendment must be approved by a Department Convention. Immediately following a Department Convention, the proposed amendment(s) must be forwarded to National Headquarters. Manual of Procedure and Ritual: Any Post, District, or Department may propose an amendment to the Manual of Procedure or Ritual; provided, however, before consideration at the National Convention, the proposed amendment must have been forwarded, through channel and have been properly approved. In order to meet National By-Law/Manual of Procedure Article XIV requirements, to provide 15 day notice to all Posts of all amendments, the Adjutant General requests all amendments be forwarded to National Headquarters on or before the first working day of July. By-Law, Manual of Procedure or Ritual changes not in proper form, unclear as to meaning, or concerning matters clearly not within the scope and purpose of the Veterans of Foreign Wars cannot be considered by the National Convention. A proposed change to the National By-Laws, Manual of Procedure or Ritual must be submitted as such, not as a resolution. Proposed amendments must be definite and specific as to the verbiage to be deleted or added. Use of the most recent amended copy of the National By-Laws, Manual of Procedure and Ritual is encouraged, as proposed changes considered by convention delegates cannot be amended on the floor. EXAMPLE 1: Proposed Amendment to National By-Laws proposed by Department of. Section By-Laws Amend Section 202, National By-Laws, by deleting the words "two-thirds (2/3)" in the first sentence of paragraph one, and inserting, in lieu thereof, the following: "majority". EXAMPLE 2: Proposed Amendment to National Manual of Procedure proposed by Department of. Section 518- Officers: Duties and Obligations. Amend Section 518, Manual of Procedure, by deleting paragraph (a) (1) d. in its entirety and inserting, in lieu thereof, the following: "Plan and organize all social functions." EXAMPLE 3: Proposed Amendment to National Ritual proposed by Department of. Amend the Ritual by deleting on page 48, in the last sentence of the Member's Obligation, the words "and a citizen of our great republic." Further amend by placing a period after the word "comrade" in the same sentence. If you require help composing a proposed change to the Bylaws, Manual of Procedure or Ritual, please contact Administrative Operations at National Headquarters for advice and assistance in properly preparing a proposed amendment to be voted upon by your department convention.

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19 Saturday, July 18, 2015 VFW 116th National Convention Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania David L. Lawrence Convention Center Tentative July 18-22, 2015 All meetings are held in the convention center unless otherwise noted. Times for various functions are subject to change. Meeting rooms will be posted closer to conference dates and are subject to change 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. VFW Health Fair 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. VFW/Registration/Exhibits 8:00 a.m. National Veterans Service Advisory Committee 10:30 a.m. Budget and Finance Committee 12:00 p.m. Vander Clute Memorial Ride - Check Presentation 1:30 p.m.-3:30 pm. National Council of Administration Meeting 4:00 p.m. 6:00 p.m. Conference Meetings 6:00 p.m. Catholic Mass 7:00 p.m. Veterans Service Resolutions Committee (for Chairmen) Sunday, July 19, :00 a.m. Gold Star Families Reception 7:00 a.m. Catholic Mass 7:00 a.m. Protestant Service 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.. VFW Health Fair 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. VFW Registration/Exhibits 8:30 a.m. Memorial Service 10:00 a.m.-noon Membership Workshop 10:00 a.m. 11:00 a.m. NMS Committee Meeting 10:00 a.m. Noon Veterans Benefits Forum 10:00 a.m. Noon National Legislative Service Meeting 1:00 p.m. 4:00 p.m. VFW Programs Workshop Committee Meetings: 1:45 p.m. Resolutions Committees 2:00 p.m. National By-Laws, Manual of Procedure and Ritual Resolutions Committees: 2:00 p.m. Finance and Internal Organization (200 series) 2:00 p.m. General Resolutions (300 Series) 2:00 p.m. National Security and Foreign Affairs (400 series)

20 Sunday, July 19, 2015 (cont.) 2:00 p.m. National Veterans Service Resolutions (600 series) Sub-committee I Health Sub-committee II Benefits Sub-committee III Economic Opportunities/Other Monday, July 20, :00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. VFW Health Fair 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. VFW Registration/Exhibits 8:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Joint Opening Session 1:00-4:00 p.m. Business Session 1:30 p.m. 2:30 p. m. National Outstanding Community Service Post Reception Tuesday, July 21, :30 a.m.-8:00 a.m. Chaplains Workshop 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. VFW Health Fair 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. VFW Registration/Exhibits 8:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m. VFW Business Session 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Incoming CIC (Dept. Cmdrs.) Luncheon by invitation 11:30 a. m.-1:30 p.m. All-American Commanders Lunch 1:00 p.m.-2:30 p.m. SVC/SVP Luncheon by invitation 1:00-2:30 p.m. JVC/JVP Luncheon by invitation 2:00 p. m 3:00 p.m. Grants and Fundraising Ideas for Posts 2:00 p.m. 3:00 p.m. Communications & Public Affairs Workshop 3:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m. Workshops National Home 6:30 p.m. Patriotic Celebration Wednesday, July 22, :00 a.m. Business Session /Nomination/Election/Installation of Officers 11:00 a.m. National Council of Administration (immediately following installation) 4:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m. Commander-in-Chief s and National President s Reception (Ticketed Event) Updated: 11/4/2014 1:18 PM

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22 VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS OF THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF VIRGINIA CHARTERED FEBRUARY 1, 1923 DEPARTMENT BY-LAWS REVISED: JUNE 6, 2014 PREAMBLE The preamble of the Constitution of the Department of Virginia, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States shall be the same as the National Organization of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States. ARTICLE I Section 1. This subdivision of Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States shall be known as the Department of Virginia, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States. Section 2. The jurisdiction of this Department shall conform with the territorial boundaries limitations of the State of Virginia. Section 3. Permanent location of the Headquarters of the Department of Virginia, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States shall be at 403 Lee Jackson Highway, Staunton, Virginia ARTICLE II The qualifications and eligibility for membership in the organization shall be governed by the Congressional Charter and By-Laws of the National Organization, as shown in Article I, Section 101. ARTICLE III POSTS Post status in this Department shall be in accordance with and governed by the National VFW By- Laws and Manual of Procedure as contained in Sections 201 through 223. ARTICLE IV DISTRICTS Section 1. District status in this Department shall be in accordance with and governed by the National VFW By-Laws and Manual of Procedure as contained in Section 401 to 421 inclusive. Section 2. The Department of Virginia shall consist of thirteen (13) Districts, numbered chronologically from Number 1 through Number 13. Section 3. The District Commander serves as both the District Commander and as a member of the Department Council of Administration. A. In the event that a District Commander resigns or is removed from the District Commander position IAW Section 420 of the By Laws, the position on the Council of Administration will also be declared vacant.