Happy 225 th Birthday to the Coast Guard

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1 Department of Maine Veterans of Foreign Wars Honor * Support * Defend All Veterans August 215 GENERAL ORDERS No. 2 <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> Happy 225 th Birthday to the Coast Guard 1. October Council of Administration: Will be held on 1-11 October 215. The Headquarters Hotel will be the Super 8 Sanford, 1892 Main St., Sanford. Rates: $83.+tax for double occupancy. Tel # , Fax # This is the closest hotel to the Home. Other Hotels available are as follows: >Sanford Inn, 1591 Main St, Rte 19, Sanford. Tel # Rates: 1 Queen bed $75. + tax; 2 Queen beds $85.+tax; 1 King Bed $8. + tax; Suite $99. + tax. Rates expire September 26. >Oakwood Inn & Motel, 945 Main St., Sanford. Rates: Single Queen bed $ tax; Double 2 Queen Beds $8.75 to $ tax. >Village by the Sea, 1373 Road, Wells, ME. Tel: Rates: $ tax for a two room condo with full kitchen. This unit can sleep 3 couples. NOTE: Be advised that this is a very busy time of the year and they sell out quickly, please make your reservations as soon as possible. 2. October Council of Administration Meetings: >VFW Cmtee meetings will be held on Sanford VFW 1 Hutchinson St., Sanford to commence at 9: am on 1 October to be as follows: Veterans Service Office; Audit & Finance. >VFW CoA meeting will Sanford 8:3 am sharp on Sunday, 11 October. >Auxiliary meetings will be held on Saturday, 1 October at AMVETS School St., 9: am as directed President Dunton. >Auxiliary CoA meeting will convene at AMVETS 8:3 am sharp on Sunday, 11 October. NOTE: Saturday Night, Sanford : The will be hosting a supper with a meal of two choices. The price of the meal and meal choice will be announced in the August GOs. 3. Attention Commanders/Quartermasters: donations are to be forwarded to the following Chairman for each of the following programs for the VAVS Robert L. La Flamme, 733 Eastern Ave., Augusta, ME 433 (Check to be made to VAVS) Homeless Veterans James E.N. Bachelder, 2973 Milton Mills Rd., Acton, ME (Check to be made to Department of Maine, VFW) Commanders Special Project (Togus Beal House) Richard A. Farris, 16 Belmont Ave., Belfast, ME (Check to be made to Department of Maine, VFW) Veterans & Military Support (VMS) Christopher L. Armstrong, 3 Roundhouse Rd., Washington, ME (Check to be made out to Department of Maine, VFW) Bonds/Poppies David D. Williams, PO Box 56, Rumford, ME 4276 (Checks to be made out to Department of Maine, VFW, please make one check for each programs) 4. Special Mailing: A special mailing will be conducted by the State Adjutant office to all Council members & Quartermasters which will contain the following information: Directory, Membership and 1

2 Community Activities program, Department By-Laws and many forms (i.e., Buddy Poppy, Bond, Graves Registration, etc.) that must be used for the year Quartermasters are requested to make sure that this information is passed on to their respective Commanders and Adjutants as soon as the package is received by you. They will also be required to reply by and/or USPS that the information has been received and passed out to their Commanders and Adjutants. 5. Attention Commanders/Quartermasters: For the year , the Commander-Quartermaster Leadership pamphlet is now available on line at Again this year, for those s who do NOT have a computer, if you wish a copy of the pamphlet, please notify this office and a copy will be mailed to you. (NOTE: This only pertains to s who do not have a computer) 6. State Commander Special Visit Request: As was announced at the recent CoA meeting, any s wishing to have the State Commander attend functions (This includes any type of functions, i.e., cook outs, awards presentations, etc.) to contact the State Adjutant Office at least 4 weeks in advance to give him time to schedule it. 7. CoA and Committee Members: Commanders are reminded that in case you are unable to attend the CoA meeting that a representative is sent in your place. All CoA and Cmtee members are advised that you must notify both the State Commander and the State Adjutant if you are unable to attend a Council of Administration (CoA) meeting for the year Also, a copy of your report MUST be forwarded to the State Adjutant prior to the CoA meeting for presentation at the meeting. CoA members are reminded not to purchase the By-Laws/Manual of Procedures book as they will be purchased by the Department. 8. Commanders: Attention of incoming Officers is directed to Section 218 of the Manual of Procedure which outlines the duties of various Officers. Please make sure that you provide a copy of the duties to these Officers so that you may have a successful year VFW National By-Laws and Manual of Procedures: Each and every in the Department should order the 216 edition once published after the National Convention. Much information as revised will be published. Contact the VFW Supply Store for your book. (NOTE: A copy of the National By-Laws will be provided by the Department to all Council members). 1. Patriot Day, September 11: Per Presidential Proclamation, September 11 is designated as Patriot Day. The President requests the flag of the United States be flown at half-staff (sunrise to sunset) and a moment of silence observed in honor of the individuals who lost their lives on that day due to terrorist attacks on the United States. 11. Administrative Operations: 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; 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. 12. The Home Depot Foundation Community Impact Grant Program Reminder: A reminder that applications are still being accepted for the 215 Home Depot (HD) Foundation Community Impact Grant. 2

3 Eligible VFW s may receive up to $5, to fix up their buildings; however, of course, there is no guarantee of funding. To begin the process, go to the following internet link: To help you complete the application, the VFW Foundation has prepared a step-by-step how-to-apply guide. Any deviation from this guide will most likely result in not being able to submit the application. To receive this how-to-apply guide, send an to: foundation@vfw.org. >Type the following in the subject heading: Home Depot Guide Request >The application must be filled out via the Internet only (no telephone calls, s or written submissions to HD will be accepted nor will you be able to turn this application in at your local HD store). >If your receives funding, it will come in the form of HD gift cards that can be used to buy materials at your local HD store. You will need to recruit members or other community volunteers to do the work. The project must be completed within 6 months. You will also be required to fill out a final project report. Failure to do so will negatively impact your s ability to receive any future funding from HD. >After submission of the application, you should receive an response from HD Foundation, usually in six weeks, letting you know if you received the grant. DON T DELAY. Once the grant application process is closed, the Community Impact Grant will not accept new applications until February 216. Should you have any further questions or need to discuss special concerns, please contact Richard Freiburghouse, VFW Foundation, Manager, at (816) or rfreiburghouse@vfw.org. GOOD LUCK! 13. Important Program Update: Beginning in the program year, the Smart/Maher VFW National Citizenship Education Teacher of the deadline dates have changed. Here are the new deadline dates for the program: February 15, 216 Teacher Nominations to the February 28, 216 Completion of Judging March 15, 216 Completion of Judging March 3, 216 Completion of Department Judging April 1, 216 Participation Reports due to Department Chairmen April 5, 216 Department Winners to National April 15, 216 Department Reports to National Now is the time to begin locating exceptional teachers for your to nominate for next year s competition. Based on the nominees submitted by the February 15 deadline, local VFW s will recognize one outstanding teacher in grades, K-5, 6-8, and s then submit the winners names to their level judging who will forward their winners to the Department (or state level) by March 15. After judging, each Department forwards the names of its winners to VFW National Headquarters for consideration in the national awards contest. VFW s National Citizenship Education Teacher awards include: three national $1, awards for the top K-5, 6-8, and 9-12 teachers for professional development expenses; $1, award to each winning teacher s school; plaques for both the winning teacher and school; and an all-expenses-paid trip to attend a VFW and Ladies Auxiliary national event. A program brochure (designed to be duplicated for distribution) can be viewed at or ordered through or by calling and asking for item #445. Order the Citizenship Education Teacher Recognition Citation from the VFW Store, product #432, Present to all teachers nominated at all levels for the national award. 14. POW/MIA Flag Official Display Days: Public Law (November 16, 1997) indicates the days that federal agencies, military installations and U.S. post offices are required to display the POW/MIA flag. The days are: Armed Forces Day, May 21, 216 (third Saturday in May); Memorial Day, May 3, 216 (last Monday in May); Flag Day, June 14; National POW/MIA Day, September 18, 215 (third Friday in September); and, Veterans Day, November 11. 3

4 15. Community Service Reporting: All VFW and Auxiliaries chairmen will report to their respective Department chairman at least twice yearly in a timely fashion so as to allow the Department chairman to report to the VFW National Programs office in June and December. The VFW chairmen s report should include whether or not their Auxiliaries participated. 16. Veterans Day Buddy Poppy Poppy Campaign: 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. The Manual of Procedure provides that post relief funds may be used for programs such as Voice of Democracy, Patriot s Pen, Citizenship Education, and Community Service as long as suggestions in the chairmen guidebooks are used as an example of promoting these programs. s are further reminded that Section 711 of the Manual of Procedure provides that non-profit organizations, exempt from taxes under Section 51 (a) of the Internal Revenue Code, may assist with the distribution of Buddy Poppies, provided there shall be no division of proceeds. A donation to these groups may be made from the post general fund. 17. Displaying Military Service Symbols: Military Service flags, insignias, etc., should be displayed in the following order (Left to Right as you face the flags): Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force and then Coast Guard. 18. National POW/MIA Recognition Day, September 18: s should conduct an appropriate ceremony. Information on conducting a ceremony can be found in the current VFW Manual of Procedure. 19. Have You Heard About the VFW s Partners in Patriotism?: Would you like to support the VFW s lifechanging 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 $1) 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 or us at partners@vfw.org with Partners in Patriotism Application in the subject line. 2. VFW Friends of Freedom: If you are not already a member of the VFW s online community, please visit and look for STAY IN THE KNOW to sign up. As a member of the VFW s Friends of Freedom, you will receive special s with breaking VFW news, legislative alerts and unique opportunities to help the VFW in assisting our nation s veterans, service members and their families. You may also visit and click on Story Archive to read stories about how the VFW is fighting for veterans rights, assisting veterans in need, educating our youth and aiding military families across the nation. Check back often to see newly posted stories! 21. Dates to Remember: 11 September * Patriot s Day 29 September * VFW Established 1-11 October * CoA Meeting, Sanford, ME 12 October * Columbus Day 4

5 22. Candidates for Department High Office : Department Commander * Steven J. SanPedro * 6859 Department Senior Vice Commander * Richard A. Farris * 6163 Department Junior Vice Commander * Darald M. Mitchell * 9779 Department Quartermaster * David D. Williams * 1641 Department Judge Advocate * Christopher L. Armstrong * 887 Department Surgeon * Joel David Demers * 6859 Department Surgeon * Roland A. Choate Jr. * 887 Department Surgeon * William B. Bradbury * 165 Department Chaplain * David O. Sivret * Candidates for National Council Member, Maine, Thomas R. Lussier * 6859 David D. Williams * 1641 Kevin G. Woodward * Ronald F. Smith * 1761 Raymond R. Lupo * Meetings : 16 Aug * Dist 3, 9779, 2 pm * Adj Dumas 16 Aug * Dist 5, 1881, 1 pm * JVC Farris 16 Aug * Dist 1, 9328, 1 pm * Cmdr Francis 22 Aug * Dist 2, 2299, 1 pm noon) * Adj Dumas OFFICIAL Andre L. Dumas Andre L. Dumas Adjutant BY ORDER OF: Gerald L. Francis Gerald L. Francis Commander 5

6 State Commander Gerald L. Francis Greeting Comrades I just returned from the National Convention and I want to Thank all the Comrades who joined me in Pittsburgh. I had a great time! I will remind all members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars that our mission is to Honor, Support, and Defend all Veterans. We need to insure that we support our National Commander John A. Biedrzycki Jr. and National Representatives to accomplish our mission. We can do this by working together as a team as we have in the past. I urge all Past s, and Department Officers to assist all new officers as much as you can and I ask all new Officers to ask for help. Our National Commander John A. Biedrzycki Jr. theme this year is: Loyalty Honor Service Our membership year has begun, remember there are many early bird awards at the Department and National levels; please check them out! Just Think You Can Win a Life Membership! Our website still needs help and I will be working with our new website coordinator to hopefully fix all problems as soon as we can. All s and s need to work on getting the required activities accomplished now!! Do not wait to the end of the year to accomplish these requirements. I would like to see if WE can honor our young and WW II Veterans with a write-up for the National Paper (Checkpoint). Our Honor Guard and Student Veterans and any WW I Veterans holding officer this year should be recognized. Please if you write-up it up, send a copy of me and the State Adjutant. The latest Checkpoint has where to send your write-up. REMEMBER NO ONE DOES MORE VETERANS Any problems or questions, please contact me at: Gerald L. Francis, 727 Greenwoods rd., Peru, ME 429, Tel # , , glfvfw1641@live.com. In Comradeship Gerald L. Francis Gerald L. Francis Commander Honor * Support * Defend All Veterans 6

7 7 Deceased Roll Call Department of Maine, VFW David O. Sivret, Chaplain 1 31 July 215 May our Comrades Rest in Eternal Peace in Eternity? <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> 1 1 (Cont) 9389 * CARRON, Hamel R. * WW II 6859 * BRAYLEY, Robert H. CHOMKA, Walter * WW II BREIDING, Richard H. * WW II LAVERRIERE, Raymond * WW II CAMPBELL, Andrew E. * Iraqi Freedom LEVESQUE, Addes J. * WW II DiPIETRANTONIO, Antiono S. * Vietnam EDWARDS, Charles * Vietnam 2 FENNEY, Robert L. * WW II 165 * LAMSON, John P. FOSTER, George E. * Korea/Vietnam GENDROLIS, Alphonse A. * WW II 4154 * ALBERT, Willie D. Jr. * Vietnam GOWEN, Milton F. * WW II MICHAUD, Robert F. * Vietnam 3 RANEY, John F * BURNS, Lawrence C. Sr. * WW II/Korea/Vietnam RIDGEWAY, William W. SELLICK, Leigh W. * WW II. 4 WEAVER, Charles W * TROUP, Robert S. * Korea/Vietnam Members-at-Large * HATHAWAY, David B. 395 * COPELAND, Ralph 318 * HUGHES, Robert A. II * KUJAWA, Timothy L * AUDET, Carl E. BEGIN, Philip * Vietnam KANE, Joseph J. * Korea LESSARD, Edmund A. * WW II * OUELLETTE, Andre V. * WW II THIBEAU, Frederick E. Ted * WW II * EGAN, Francis E * MULHERIN, Roland J. * WW II

8 SENIOR VICE COMMANDER MEMBERSHIP Steven J. SanPedro I just returned from the VFW National Convention in Pittsburg, PA. I had a great time there and continued to learn more about our organization. While there, I assumed the position of Eastern States Conference Chairman. This is truly an honor and a humbling experience for me. I want to Thank everyone in the Department of Maine that supported me and helped me get to this position. We had a great turnout from the Department from both the VFW and the Ladies. I hope that some of you will try to attend a convention in the future, it is really eye opening. I was able to spend more time with my fellow Department Senior Vice Commanders and we all are looking forward to working as a team. Commander Francis led the Department Officers around the convention hall as the new Commander, Senior Vice and Junior Vice-in-Chiefs were elected. Membership: The Department is currently sitting at 1.45% with 133 members. We need 92 members to reach 1%. I know these numbers seem low but they will change in September when the Life Membership falls in. Everyone needs to keep working on Retaining, Recruiting and Reinstating members. Remember every one of us is a recruiter. I haven t received a completed Recruiter Event Form yet. You must send one to me to get credit for it. If you have any questions on Membership please contact me at or me at sanpedro15@roadrunner.com. Which will be the first to reach 1%?? ***************************** JUNIOR VICE COMMANDER COMMANDERS SPECIAL PROJECT (CSP) Richard A. Farris Hello comrades: Good morning; we just got back from a National Convention; had a real good time, very busy and I learned a lot; met many people and new associates. There have been many new changes in the programs, so make sure you read your books. Just a note to remind you that again as we start doing reports for a new year, so please remember the Commander Special Project which is the Travis Mills Foundation and send your donation to me but please make the check out to the Department of Maine, VFW and make a note on it Travis Mills Foundation. I will send it to Quartermaster Williams, Thank you. 1 post reported * 1643 (Thank You) My address is: Richard A. Farris, 16 Belmont Ave, Belfast, ME 4915 Wish you all a good year and keep up your hard work and support the Veterans in our s in the State. ***************************** QUARTERMASTER VAVS * BUDDY POPPY * CHRISTMAS CARDS & LABELS INSURANCE & BOND * MEN S AUXILIARY David D. Williams, PSC I hope that these GO's finds everyone well and enjoying the summer and the warm weather that we are having with it. I just returned home from the National Convention in Pittsburgh. I would like to congratulate the new Commander in Chief. Also, we have a new Quartermaster General (Lawrence M. Maher) who is actually coming out of retirement to fill in for Robert B. Green who decided to step down at the last minute. Also please note that I will be in Kansas from July 27 to July 3 for the JVC/QM training. Reminder at last C of A meeting I said that all Quarterly reports had to be turned in within 3 days of the end of the Quarter. There are many s and s who have not done so yet. To the ones whom I have; 8

9 thank you for all your efforts. It is easier to keep up with these reports then it is to try and do 2 or 3 at 1 time. Poppies: The following s have ordered Poppies to Date 1881, 1641, 887, 7997 & It is recommended that your s get their orders in early so you have them in time for your events. Bonding: the Following posts and s have sent in their Bonds: s 395, 163, 11362, 7997, 4525, 1529 & 1641 & s 1 & 9. Next month I will resume with the QM monthly Hit List Let s get behind Commander Francis and make his year a Memorable One. JUDGE ADVOCATE COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES Darald M. Mitchell JA: Section 29 Consolidation of s: Two or more s may consolidate upon a vote of their respective members conducted in accordance with the procedures herein set forth as follows: >A motion to consider consolidation shall be made and approved at a stated meeting of the s. >A committee shall be appointed by the Commander to investigate consolidation. >All s involved in the consolidation shall exchange a report of all assets and liabilities. >A may then, after at least (2) days written notice to the Department Commander, Commander and members of the respective s, consolidate upon a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the members present and voting at each stated s meeting. >The Department Commander shall be notified, in writing, immediately after the meeting of the outcome of the action taken. >A Department representative shall conduct a joint meeting of all s within thirty (3) days for the purpose of determining the name, number (must be one of the consolidating numbers), location of the consolidated and the election and installation of officers. A written notice must be sent to the members of all s involved at least fourteen days (14) days in advance. All actions, with the exception of the election of officers, must be approved by two-thirds (2/3) vote of the members present at the stated meeting. >Such facts shall be certified by the Department representative, submitted to the Department Commander for forwarding to the Commander-in-Chief who shall issue a Certificate of Charter reciting the facts of such consolidation. The Certificate of Charter shall rank from the date of the senior `s charter. The property of each of the s shall be conveyed to and become the property of the consolidated. All past officers in each shall be entitled to rank as of date of service in their respective s. >Notwithstanding the provisions above, the Department Commander may recommend consolidation to the Commander-in-Chief as circumstances dictate. C/A: Comrades: We are now in the 2 nd month of the year and as such, many s should be working on their programs for the current year. As I looked back on last year s reporting, we had many s who did not report anything at all, just a few programs and/or were missing one or two for being 1% reported. As you all well know, we The s are doing tremendous work in our communities and yet we do not report them. Look at the great work you do for not only your s, but also Youth, community projects, etc. Why do you not report them to the State Chairman? It is because you do not take the time to report it or is it because you do not know how to do it. There are two (2) ways to do it: You can go on line to the Department of Maine VFW website click on to Community Activities form and you can file your report which will go directly to the State Chairman or you can fill the hand written form and mail to the State Chairman at the following address: Darald M. Mitchell, 54 US Rte 1, Robbinston, ME Become a 1% C/A reported and win some of the awards as presented in the Community Activity program which will be mailed to you all shortly by the State Adjutant. 9

10 This coming month, we will not publish the C/A form as I am just starting to get the reports from past State Chairman Gerald Francis. In next month s GOs, it will be published and give you an up to date report as to what the s are doing. Have a great Community Activities year and keep up the great work that you are all doing. Samper Fi SURGEON SAFETY & DRUG ABUSE * BLOOD VETERANS & MILITARY SUPPORT (VMS) Christopher L. Armstrong, Chairman Hello everyone! Hope all is well, we have just returned from the National Convention in Pittsburgh and it was a very informative one. I have started receiving blood and safety reports from some of you but there is a lot more to come, I hope. This months safety topic is on childhood obesity and I know that we all have children or grandchildren that may fall into this category with all the computer games now a days. With most children on summer vacation, parents may want to take this opportunity to ensure their children are getting adequate exercise and fresh air. These are critical to develop children with healthy bodies and protecting them from future health problems. According to a 25 study, the average American child spends 44 hours per week staring at some kind of electronic screen, more than 6 hours per day. As a result, our children are overweight to the point of obesity. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports the prevalence of obesity among children aged 6 to 11 more than doubled in the past 2 years, to 17 percent. The rate of clinically obese adolescents (aged 12-19) more than tripled, to 17.6 percent. The same report concludes that adding just one hour of moderate physical activity daily can help a child avoid the health problems associated with childhood obesity. Spending more time outside is good for children beyond the weight loss and weight management benefit. Physical activity helps children deal better with stress. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) reports that play protects children's emotional development; but less free time and a hurried lifestyle can be a source of stress, anxiety, and may contribute to depression for many children. The AAP also reports that American children, especially minorities, need more Vitamin D. Spending time outside raises levels of Vitamin D, protecting children from bone problems and other health issues. While many parents are aware of immunizations and make sure to get them on time, many forget the importance of playing outside and the tremendous health benefits that it affords children. This summer, be sure your children spend time playing outside. Consider playing with them to reap your own health benefits and visit the Health and Wellness page on the TRICARE website for more healthy living ideas. CHAPLAIN David O. Sivret, Father I hope your summer is going well comrades. I would like to talk a little about trust and promises this month. Have you ever had one of those days when everything goes wrong? It doesn t make any difference how hard you try, it just seems like everything backfires on you? The harder you try, the worse it gets. I m convinced every one of us have had days like that. For example: I find myself at the VA hospital in West Roxbury, MA planning on having maybe one stent. Well not so, the heart catheter came back with a triple bypass and a heart valve replacement. But first because of the valve replacement, I needed a couple of teeth removed. I went back to my room after my teeth were removed and the vascular surgeon came in, now I need stents in both carotid arteries as well. 1

11 Well, it has been one of those days/weeks. When we find ourselves in situations where all is going wrong or so it seems, we need to put ourselves in the frame of mind, What good is going to come out of this? To this, we need to trust in others and in my case the medical professionals and God. Trust in God s promises. Whatever your burdens are, the solution to a heavy heart is all the same, to trust in God s presence. I ll never leave you, he said, I ll always be beside you. Don t forget my presence. Secondly, Trust my promise when everything is dark and gloomy, when everything seems to be falling apart, Remember my promise, Trust in me. I need the help of all and Chaplains, when filling out the Graves Registration report, please fill out the form totally. This will allow me to get cards of condolences out to the next of kin (NOK). Also, if you know of any sick or recovering Comrades or family members of Comrades, send the mailing address and names to me so that we can send get well wishes out to them. NOTE: If a situation arises and I can t be reached, Past State Chaplain Charles A. Warden will be my Assistant State Chaplain. You can him at cwarden1@roadrunner.com. Yours in Comradeship 11 IMMEDIATE PAST STATE COMMANDER VOICE OF DEMOCRACY, PATRIOT S PEN, TEACHER OF THE YEAR Ronald F. Smith, IPSC/Chairman Greetings Comrades: After a successful National Convention, it is time to get to work on our programs. It is August and school will begin shortly. Now is the time to start working on the Voice of Democracy and Patriot s Pen programs. Again, the theme for this year is: Voice of Democracy My Vision for America and Patriot s Pen What Freedom Means to Me. Let s get as many children involved as possible. Get your local schools, civic organization and churches involved. This isn t just a VFW program, it s for everyone. Teacher of the is different this year, with due dates to the,, State and National changed. Nominations are due to the no later than the 15 th of February with judging completed by the 28 th of February. (More information is to follow at a later date.) The new pamphlets are on line for your download at vfw.org. Let s hit the road running and get these programs going full steam ahead. This is a TEAM effort, let s all work together. Thank You for all you do!! CHIEF OF STAFF Public Relations Officer Arthur J. Roy, PSC Honor Support Defend All Veterans With: Gerald L. Francis, State Commander PRO: As most of you know how this program is run, please send all your newspaper clippings to me as soon as you can so I ll be able to get you reported ASAP. All Public Relations Chairman should start the year off by getting with the newspaper in your area and get on to a friendly start. Ask them how they would like your write-ups to be done and sent to them. Here your address with them and get theirs so you may reports to them. If you are friendly with them, they will be the same with you. The following are the current numbers for each category: s that have turned in clippings from newspapers to date are: 163 Auburn (3) * 9437 Washington (1) * 1643 Windham (1) * 2197 Topsham (2). newsletters received from: 1529 Royal River, Yarmouth (2) * 9389 Caribou (2) * 6859 Portland (2).

12 or s having an existing website or have submitted their website to the Website Coordinator: 2599 Hayward-Frazier * 6859 Deering Memorial * 8835 MacCrillis-Rousseau * 1761 Norman N. Dow-Isaac E. Clewley. Things can and will be done if we all jump aboard Will you do your part? Let s all send reports in today. NATIONAL COUNCIL MEMBER, MAINE VETERANS ADVISORY TO VA MAINE HEALTHCARE SYSTEM Raymond R. Lupo, PSC/Advisor NCMM: Recently, retuned from the National convention in Pittsburgh where the election of the upcoming year took place. Your Commander-in-Chief is John A. Biedrzycki Jr. from PA, (members who attended our council meeting in Bangor may remember him). His speech was inspiring along with his praise for the organization and what you do and will do. His theme for the year is Loyalty Honor - Service. The resolution on the changing of the name of the Ladies Auxiliary to just Auxiliary was passed. More information will be forthcoming. The problem of sequestration is still with us and all members are requested to contact their representative and urge them to end it. Advisor to Maine Healthcare: Some problems brought up were: DAV drivers having to go to Togus for their qualified exams. Problem still exist with veterans getting Mental Health appointments along with podiatry. You are again reminded to review the Choice Card programs requirements and insure that you fully understand them prior to using it. It should also state that this should be for all VA employee and primary Doctors too. ***************************** INSPECTOR David C. Olson, PSC Comrades; until further notice, all Deputy Inspectors are asked to send their inspection forms to QM David PO Box 56, Rumford, ME **************************** HISTORIAN Robert H. Bernard, PSC I know when you read this report some of you will be returning from the National Convention. Those of you that took pictures at the convention and of the Department Commander, would you please send them to me! If you kept any written information such as: Programs, Invitations or the Convention schedule, please send those to me also! Thank You. If any of you are planning to attend other VFW events, please bring your camera, take pictures and forward them to me via or US Mail. If your event has been covered in the local newspaper, send the clippings to the Public Relation Chairman (Arthur Roy) and he will forward them to me. Thank you and I look forward to receiving your information and material. Robert Bernard, 78 Robbie St., Gorham, ME 438 or rbernard@maine.rr.com. ***************************** 12

13 13 HOMELESS VETERANS VETERANS CEMETERY SOUTH James E. N. Bachelder, PSC/Chairman Homeless Veterans: The Debbie Myers Concert is scheduled for Sunday, September 2 st. This is a great fund raiser. If you like country music you will love this show. Georgette Jones with Brian Mallery and 1 more acts. The performers donate their time for our Homeless Veterans. Ticket prices are $65. each with VIP Seating, with Meet & Greet and Meal, (We bought to for the entertainment and maximum support for the homeless Veterans) $35. each Floor Seating and $15. each General Admission. Show starts at 12:. VIP Ticket Holders to arrive at 1:3 a.m. Tickets Available at Musicians 1st Choice 246 Western Avenue Augusta For Tickets & Information: The L/AMMCN is starting the planning for this year s Point-in-Time Survey. We have more of the state involved. Check the website to locate the regional group closest to your. See what the group is doing and see if you can help. We need more accurate counts of our homeless so we can get the funding needed to get them stable housing. The Stand-Down will be on October 17 th. The clothing and boot orders are complete. We are working on how to hold the Stand-Down when we cannot use the back area of building 26. This is not an easy workaround. We need to consider the inability of our Veterans when it comes to walking a long distance. We will be using the theatre as the base but need to move all participants to buildings 25 and 26. If you re making a donation to the Stand-Down, make the check out to the VAVS with Stand-Down in the memo line and send it to the Department VAVS Chairman. What does the Homeless Veterans Committee need? We need your help locating Veterans in need. When you find a Veteran who is homeless or living in substandard housing, let us know so we can improve their way of life. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at james.bachelder@metrocast.net or call between 9 AM to 9 PM. Veterans Cemetery South: August 16 th is the 7 th anniversary of the end of WWII. There is a worldwide observance called Keep the Spirit of 45 Alive. Taps will be played at 11: am in every Veterans Cemetery starting on the other side of the International Dateline. Our Observance will start at 1: am. We are looking for all the WWII Veterans that can join us for this event. If you can make it, please come and thank our oldest Veterans. We are making progress on our flower project. We hope you have time to see the progress. We have decided to make sure our present project is complete before we start on any other projects. We are working on the foundation of the Service Memorial. The contractor that won the bid to install the preplaced vaults will dig the foundation hole. We have a concrete company that will build the footing and base. The memorial is being carved at this time. It should be complete around November for placement. The dedication ceremony will be next May. We meet on the second Thursday at 9: AM at the Southern Maine Veterans Cemetery. LEGISLATIVE AUDIT & FINANCE (A&F) Peter F. Miesburger, PSC/Chairman Legislative: My Fellow Comrades: To start off with, there is not much to report this month. In my views, the State of Maine 127 th Legislature did not accomplish much during the first session of the 127 th Legislature, which was officially scheduled to adjourn 17 June 215, but did not official adjourn until 17 July 215 due to Governor LePage s "VETO" of the official State of Maine Budget. Finally, both the Senate and House of the State of Maine 127 th Legislature ban together and overrode Governor LePage "VETO" of the budget and passed the Budget without the Governor LePage signature. As of now, the State of

14 Maine 127 th Legislature is in adjournment until the first week of January 217, unless Governor LePage recalls an emergency session of the 127 th Legislature. Enough on this subject! The 114 th Congress, House and Senate, will officially be on their summer recess starting 3 August 215 until 7 September 215. If during this time frame, by chance you should meet any member of the State of Maine Congressional Delegation, take the member to task and ask the member to explain their views of the Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Programs. State of Maine Veterans Driving License: The following procedures on how a Veteran of the State of Maine, to properly obtain a Veteran's Driver's License; "Upon verification, honorably discharge veterans (with DD- 214 or active duty military ID card) may request a military service designation on their License. Veterans please visit the Bureau of Veterans' Services website at for information on State and Federal benefits you may have earned through your military service. A&F: The Finance Committee met 11 July 215 and conducted a complete overview and audit of the Department of Maine VFW Budget. I must state that the audit revealed no problems and that Department Quartermaster Dave Williams did a "Super Job" maintaining the Department's Budget. The audit revealed that the Department of Maine VFW ended up in the "BLACK". As the Finance Committee Chairperson, it is a pleasure to work with Department Quartermaster Dave and looking forward to another positive year in regards to the Department's Budget. In Comradeship; NATIONAL HOME Charles A. Warden, Chairman Comrades; the VFW is starting a new year Let s make the National Home for Children proud of the Department of Maine VFW with our donations this year. Always keep in mind that the National Home runs on donations only. Let me tell you about the Military and Veterans Family Helpline >Provides caring, compassionate listening. >Helps put the puzzle together and find lasting solutions. >Makes meaningful and relevant connections to services that assist the caller, providing advocacy. >Partners with human service organizations, veteran service groups and service officers. As chairman of the National Home, I Thank you and I know the National Home for Children Thanks you for all your kindness and generosity in supporting the Home. Again; thank you and God Bless. POW-MIA WREATH ACROSS AMERICA (WAA) Kevin G. Woodward, PSC/Chairman POW/MIA: The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency disinterred five coffins from four grave sites at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Honolulu, where they have rested for decades. The work is part of an effort announced in April to account for up to 388 Oklahoma sailors and Marines still classified as missing. The military and a private organization have brought home the remains of 36 Marines killed in one of World War II s bloodiest battles. More than 99 U.S. Marines and 3 sailors died during the three-day Battle of Tarawa in Japanese machine gun fire killed scores of Marines when their boats got stuck on the reef at low tide during the U.S. amphibious assault. Americans who made it to the beach faced brutal hand-to-hand combat. 14

15 National POW/MIA Recognition Day is on September 18, 215. In the United States, this day honors those who were prisoners of war and those who are still missing in action. This day was established by an Act of Congress, by the passage of Section 182 of the 1998 Defense Authorization Act. Please make or finalize your plans for this important day of recognition for our comrades that are still unaccounted for. Make sure that you submit your reports and receive the credit that you deserve. WAA: It s simple. Your sponsorship gift of $15, it honors a fallen hero by placing a wreath on his or her grave. Think about it s a small gift that has a great impact to remember our heroes, honor their sacrifice and teach future generations the price of our freedom 15 *************************** VETERANS SERVICE OFFICE TOGUS BEAL HOUSE Louis A. Peterson II, PSC/Chairman Togus Beals House: Our quarterly meeting was held on Saturday, 27 June. It is now official that our current House Mother, Carol Baker will be retiring on July 31 st. Her replacement is Cecilia Atwood who comes highly recommended. The Directors had the opportunity to meet Cecilia at the meeting and feel that she will be a very good fit with our Veterans. Our next meeting is scheduled for Saturday, 12 September at which time we will be holding nomination of officers for the upcoming year. Now that the New is upon us, please consider making a donation to the House which counts as Community Service. VSO: I want to again remind you to secure a training date with our Service Officers. Please contact Rene or # I was appointed to serve as a member of the Committee on Veterans Service Resolutions at the 116 th National Convention in Pittsburgh. The following resolutions were passed: No. 619 Toxic Exposures: The Department of Veterans Affairs extends presumptive service connection to Veterans suffering from any conditions or illnesses found to be associated with exposure to toxic substances in the line of duty. No. 62 Homeless Veterans ities: VA compensation and non-service connected pension should not be considered countable income by the Department of Housing and Urban Development in determining program eligibility. No Marker Medallion: Support is being given to amend Public Law to require (and not allow) the Department of Veterans Affairs to furnish a medallion or other device notwithstanding the fact that a veteran died prior to November 1, 199. VETERANS SERVICE OFFICE Rene A. Deschene, SO Fee Service: At this point in time to the end of the current physical year, Fee Services are not approving new authorization. They are just about out of funds and must pay the bills of current ongoing authorization. One reason is due to the fact that not enough doctors as accepting the choice card program. Need a Job: International Paper is presently looking for an Assistant Maintenance Supervisor. Check on line for other postings at Agent Orange: The Department of Veterans Affairs is accepting disability claims from veterans potentially exposed to Agent Orange of contaminated aircraft in the post-vietnam era. If you were in the Air Force or Air Force Reserve and served aboard or worked on any -Vietnam contaminated C-123 aircraft and have one of the 14 presumptive medical conditions of Agent Orange, you are invited to file a claim for service connection. There are about 1,5 to 2,1 personnel that may qualify for the expanded benefits.

16 **************************** DEPARTMENT SCOUTING YOUTH ACTIVITIES James A. Proctor. Chairman A Night under the Dinosaur: Troop 2133 from Lewiston used their cookie money to spend the night at the Boston Museum of Science. During their trip, they dissected owl pellets, watched chicks hatch, tested their taste buds and even saw an IMAX move and a light show. And, yes, they slept underneath the T-Rex. 16

17 1.45% - Need 92 for 1% Department Statistics Monday, July 27, % -173 PRESQUE ISLE % -85 FORT FAIRFIELD % -42 CARIBOU % -123 FORT KENT % -111 ASHLAND % % -39 LINCOLN % -74 BURLINGTON % SHERMAN STATION % -162 MILLINOCKET % -55 ISLAND FALLS % -11 EASTPORT % -64 CALAIS % -165 HARRINGTON % % -155 ELLSWORTH % -269 BANGOR % -292 OLD TOWN % -35 ORRINGTON % -131 HAMPDEN % % -71 DEXTER % -11 JACKMAN

18 % -145 FAIRFIELD % -165 MADISON- ANSON % -15 NORRIDGEWOCK % -25 FARMINGTON % -41 NEWPORT % -34 FRIENDSHIP % -191 BELFAST % -17 VINALHAVEN % -68 NORTHPORT % -47 WASHINGTON % % -69 TOPSHAM % -99 WALDOBORO % -91 BATH % % -91 GARDINER % -267 AUGUSTA % -289 WATERVILLE % -346 WINSLOW % -62 WINTHROP % % LEWISTON- AUBURN % -175 RUMFORD % -363 JAY % -95 LEWISTON % -162 SOUTH PARIS 18

19 % -41 GREENE % -479 S PORTLAND % -56 LOVELL PORTLAND % -58 HARRISON % -98 YARMOUTH % -72 WINDHAM % -29 GORHAM % -33 NAPLES % -181 SOUTH BERWICK % -29 KENNEBUNK % -253 YORK BEACH % -327 OLD ORCHARD BEACH % -4 KITTERY % -271 SANFORD % % -777 RUMFORD State % % QM'S HOUSE EVERYONE'S HELP IS NEEDED TO BRING THE DEPARTMENT TO 1% <image3.jpg>this YEAR - WILL YOU HELP? HONOR SUPPORT DEFEND ALL VETERANS RETAIN-REINSTATE-RECRUIT 19