Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States. The Trumpet. January - February 2014 (Volume 67, No. 4)

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1 Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States The Trumpet January - February 2014 (Volume 67, No. 4) A Bi-Monthly Publication of Post No. 2562, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, Incorporated Fern Street, Wheaton, MD From the COMMANDER Learn from yesterday, live for today and hope for tomorrow. Albert Einstein Dear Comrades, the big Super Bowl Party is on Sunday, January 19, and we are still only halfway to selling out the board. If you haven t purchased your squares yet, now is the time. Don t wait, don t hesitate and don t get shut out. If you already have a square, consider purchasing another one and improve your odds of becoming a bigger winner than you already are. We are still looking for a new Quartermaster and Assistant Quartermaster. If you are qualified, or know someone else who may be qualified, please call the Post and let s talk. These are extremely crucial positions within the Post. Thanks to all who volunteered and participated at the Army/Navy Extravaganza. It s teamwork that gets the job done, and once again, we proved that we have the right stuff. See you at the Post, Kevin Pollock, Post Commander Post Phone: Fax: Address: Fern St., Wheaton, MD vfwpost2562@comcast.net Web Site: Hours: Monday - Thursday: 11 AM to 10:30 PM Bartender can extend to as late as 1:30 AM Friday: 11 AM to 1:30 AM Bartender can close at midnight Saturday: 10 AM to 1:30 AM Bartender can close at midnight Sunday: 10 AM to 10:30 PM Bartender can close at 7:30 PM

2 Chaplain's Corner As the New Year begins, you may wonder what it has in store for each and every one of us. Perhaps, this year will change your destiny. Or perhaps, you will be taking on some new interest in life or seeking answers to your deepest issues. Whatever be your future, you must welcome the New Year with an open heart. Make the best of today, so that your tomorrow can be better. Always remember that your extended family here a VFW Post 2562 is a fine place for comradeship, sharing your experiences and simple relaxation. Some of the finest people in the world pass through our doorway every day of the week. Help us make it even better by making sure you try to visit the Post Home at least weekly. Bill Golding, Chaplain Ladies Auxiliary A picture is worth a thousand words. This is a sample of the contributions we received this year. Thanks to everyone who so generously donated to Toys for Tots. Thanks also to Thomson Reuters, who donated $1,000 worth of toys through the VFW. Thanks, Christy Hyatt, for coordinating this with your employer. I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday season and that 2014 is even better for everyone! God bless! Kathy Bennett, Ladies Auxiliary President

3 Members, Mens Auxiliary I'm writing this on Christmas Eve eve, so I'm reminded to wish everybody a happy holiday, even though this won't be printed until after Christmas has been a great year. The MAUX has been very successful in all of our Pub Nights, Steak Nights, and numerous events with proceeds exceeding $3000 going to charitable causes. Let's make sure that we all take time to be thankful for what we've been given and what we have in store in the next year. We're changed Pub Nights to Wednesdays starting in January. 2nd & 4th Wednesday of every month, 5:30-7:30 PM. January 8 January 22 February 12 February 26 Steak nights were a big success last year, so we're keeping them coming! January 18 & February 15, 5:30-7:30 PM. Check the calendar for the band playing right after. As always, please keep helping us help the troops by bringing in your used cell phones and accessories and dropping them in the various collection boxes throughout the Post. With your charity, we can send these phones to Cell Phones for Soldiers ( who exchanges phones for calling cards the soldiers can use anywhere to call home. Sincerely, Michael Smithhisler, MAUX President PROPERTY TAX CREDIT-ACCESSIBILITY FEATURES SIGNED INTO LAW On December 2, 2013, Montgomery County, MD County Executive Ike Leggett signed into law Bill 5-13, Property Tax Credit - Accessibility Features. It will be effective July 1, This law will provide financial incentives for the County s voluntary Design for Life Montgomery (DFLM) Program. The DFLM guidelines for visit-ability and live-ability incorporate design features such as a no step entrance (located at the front door, back door, side door, deck or through the garage connected to an accessible route), making it easier and safer to bring in a baby stroller, move in large furniture, accommodate a person living with a temporary or permanent disability, accommodate friends or relative who have mobility limitations and ultimately will help people age in place. The bill will provide for a property tax credit for an accessibility feature installed on an existing residence; provide for a property tax credit for meeting a Level I or Level II accessibility standard on a new single family residence; provide for an impact tax credit against the Development Impact Tax for Public School Improvements for meeting a Level I accessibility standard; and generally amend the County law regarding property tax credits. This bill will provide tax credits to builders and homeowners for including Level I visitability (up to $3,000) and Level II live-ability (up to $10,000) accessibility features in new and existing residential housing. This law also requires disclosure by developers and realtors of availability of property tax credits for accessibility before the buyer signs a contract for the purchase of new single family residential real property in the County. You can find information about the program at the Montgomery County, MD Department of Health and Human Services Aging and Disability website: Design for Life Montgomery (

4 Sunday Monday January 2014 Tuesday Wednesday esday Thursday Friday 2 3 Saturday The Colliders 8 to MEN S AUX DAV PUB NIGHT POST BUSINESS VIETNAM PEACE ACCORD 1973 POST HOME COMM MTG STEAK NIGHT 5:30 7:30 HARD PLACE & THE ROCK 8 to MLK JR DAY PUB NIGHT LADIES AUX

5 February 2014 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Off The Wall 8 to 12 8 SUPER BOWL SUNDAY MEN S AUX 12 DAV MTG PUB NIGHT POST HOME COMM MTG BSA FOUNDED STEAK NIGHT 5:30 7:30 The Reverbs 8 to POST BUSINESS LADIES AUX PUB NIGHT

6 PATRIOT S PEN AND VOICE OF DEMOCRACY Congratulations to Kyle Kalyvan Zhu, who was the winner of our Patriots Pen Contest. The title of his theme was: "What Does Patriotism Mean to Me?" Kyle was entered in the District 2 contest and won. He will represent District 2 in the state competition in January Kyle was the recipient of $100 from the Post and $100 from the District. Congratulations to Alston E. Clark who won the Voice of Democracy Contest from our Post and represented us in the District 2 judging where he came in second. The title of his speech was "Why I'm Optimistic About Our Nation's Future." Alston will be receiving a check for $100 from our Post. The contestants and their families have been invited to attend the Post meeting on the 15th of January at 7 PM to be presented with their awards. These are outstanding students who give of their time to participate in our VFW contests. It has been a pleasure to work with these young men this year. Tomas F. Bunting, Post Contest Chairman

7 PROPER DISPOSAL OF UNSERVICEABLE U.S. FLAGS The United States flag represents the freedom and patriotism of our great country. It serves as a powerful symbol that merits great respect. As such, standards for its use, handling and display in public and residential settings are governed by the United States Flag Code. While no penalties are assessed for anyone who fails to comply with the Code, it does serve as a set of guidelines and instructions to be voluntarily followed. The Flag Code states the following about the destruction of worn flags: "The flag, when it is in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem for display, should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning." While the Code does not address a specific process for flag burning, it does state that any procedure that is in good taste and that upholds respect for the flag is appropriate. As an example, the Veterans of Foreign Wars has published an honorable method for conducting flag burnings: 1. The flag should be folded in its customary manner. 2. It is important that the fire be fairly large and of sufficient intensity to ensure complete burning of the flag. 3. Place the flag on the fire. 4. The individual(s) can come to attention, salute the flag, recite the Pledge of Allegiance and have a brief period of silent reflection. 5. After the flag is completely consumed, the fire should then be safely extinguished and the ashes buried. 6. Please make sure you are conforming to local/state fire codes or ordinances. As a service to your community, you might want to consider establishing your VFW Post as a flag collection site to help dispose of worn and tattered flags in a safe and dignified way. For those opposed to the idea of burning the flag, even as a means of disposal, alternate methods for disposal include burying or donating the flags to collectors. VETERANS SERVICE OFFICER Marlon Brown, Veterans Benefits Specialist for Montgomery County, will be working out of the Wheaton Office DLLR, Viers Mill Road, Suite 100 Wheaton, MD the first and third Thursday of each month starting in January from 9 AM to 3 PM. For now, it s all walk-in. The other days, he will be at Montgomery College 51 Mannakee Street, Counseling and Advising Building, Room CB 103, Rockville, MD. His is vbsmbrown@gmail.com and his telephone is Please share this with other veterans.

8 IN GOD WE TRUST Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States VFW Silver Spring Memorial Post Fern Street Wheaton, MD Nonprofit Organization U.S. Postage PAID Permit No Wheaton, MD Return Address Requested WE HONOR AND SUPPORT ALL WHO HAVE OR ARE SERVING IN THE ARMY, NAVY, MARINES, AIR FORCE AND COAST GUARD HELP WANTED We have an opening for an Assistant Quartermaster. This is a part-time position (2-3 hours each weekday morning). Primary duties include counting the daily money bags and recording the results. Hours could increase depending on the skills of the person selected. Need someone good with numbers and with neat handwriting. Call Bob Wolpert, Quartermaster, at the Post ( ) weekday afternoons or him at VFWPost2562@comcast.net. There will also be, in the relatively near future, an opening for Quartermaster. The Quartermaster is the Finance Officer for the Post and is responsible for all Post funds and financial reporting. Please let Bob Wolpert know if you have an interest in this position.