Post and Auxiliary Meetings 1st Thursday every month 7:00 pm Benson VFW Post 2503 September 2016 www.vfwpost2503.org 402-571-8397 Honor Guard Meeting 2nd Thursday every month 7:00 pm POST 2503 OFFICERS 2016-201 Commander: Wayne Tony Cox Sr. Vice Commander: Ricky Johnson Jr. Vice Commander: Jay Donoho Quartermaster: Dan Raabe Chaplain: Dennis Kerr Surgeon: Terrence White Judge Advocate: Randall McQueeney Officer of the Day: Randall McQueeney Adjutant: Chuck Wolf Guard: Bill Fead Service Officer: Robert Brown AUXILIARY OFFICERS 2016-2017 President: Karen Cox Sr. Vice President: Connie Ross Jr. Vice President: Jennifer Farmer Treasurer: Kathy Raabe Secretary: Pat Dembowski Chaplain: Marcia Jones Conductress: Pending Guard: Jan Davis Patriotic Instructor: Pending From the Commander Greetings, I want to thank all that attended my first two Post Meetings. There was an exceptional turnout. I appreciate all of you. We hope we can continue the same level of support. Your voice and opinion is needed to run a smooth operating 2503. To carry on the legacy of past commanders who have given endless time and effort, I wish to do the same. Past Commander Fred Van Peer set a standard that I will continue. Remember, no stone goes unturned at Post 2503, in that I want everyone to have a voice to share opinions for this year. I have an open door policy; your thoughts are always welcome. As JFK once said.(in Commander Cox s terms) It s not what you can do for your country, it s what WE can do for VFW POST 2503. Thank you and have a great Navy Day! Commander Tony Cox VFW Post 2503 From the Auxiliary President Hello! After my first meeting and diving into the Auxiliary, I am truly excited about being part of the team. In my opinion, Veterans are our priority, and the Auxiliary s focus in the next year will be in the forefront. In June, I challenged the Auxiliary members to individually do something specific for a Veteran in the next 30 days. Next month the Auxiliary will come back to the table and recognize these events. This will give us some great future ideas on how to expand and to see the big picture of what our Veterans need and the expectations of the Auxiliary. In challenging the Auxiliary, my goal is to get back to the root reason the VFW exists and why the Auxiliary was formed back in 1914. Now with over 464,376 members, both men and women, this truly shows that the organization exists and is continuing to grow every day. Joining this organization is an honor, not a job. I would like to extend this challenge to all and ask for your feedback. (continued on page 3) POST BREAKFAST September 18th Chicken Fried Steak 0830 Noon Broasted Chicken Dinner September 25 2:00 5:30pm Broasted Chicken Mashed Potatoes/Gravy Corn Thirsty Thursdays & Tacos September 8th 5-7pm Children s Craft Day September 10 1:30 3:00 pm Basket Night September 22nd 5:30 7:00 pm
Voice of Democracy/Patriots Pen The 2016/2017 Voice of Democracy and Patriot s Pen competitions are underway. Since 1947, the Voice of Democracy has been the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) premier scholarship program. Each year, almost 40,000 high school students compete for more than $2 million in scholarships and incentives. Students compete by writing and recording an audio essay on an annual patriotic theme. This year s theme is My Responsibility To America. In 2007, Post 2503 had the Voice of Democracy Fifth Place National Winner who received $5,000. Patriot s Pen, the VFW s annual youth essay competition, gives 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students an opportunity to write essays expressing their views on this year s theme, The America I Believe In. More than 120,000 students participated last year in this contest. The national winners will receive at least $500. The first-place national award is currently $5,000 plus an all-expense paid trip to Washington, D.C. for the winner and a parent or guardian. Post 2503 has distributed packages containing information and entry forms for both of these competitions to more than 80 public and private schools in the Omaha area. Entries must be received at the Post no later than midnight on 1 Nov 2016. Entries will be judged by seven individuals on 6 Nov, and the winners will move up to the district for the next level of competition. For more information or should you wish to volunteer as one of the post-level judges, please email Jay Donoho at jaydonoho@cox.net. ROOM RENTALS Please keep in mind for your meeting/party plans, that the Post is available Monday through Friday during the day. Contact Geri Brown at 402-943-9067 to reserve your date. Spread the word to your friends and family. The Post looks great decorated for weddings and graduation parties. 2. Thank you for your warm and generous donation, VFW Post 2503 Buddy Poppy Chairman From the Auxiliary Treasurer Annual dues notices were sent out in July. I inadvertently omitted the amount, which is $25, as usual. We are converting our accounting system from a manual one to a computerized one. This takes a lot of time to set up. The benefits will be worth it, so please be patient for the membership cards to be mailed to you. If you have any questions, please don t hesitate to contact me. Thank you, Kathy Raabe (402) 392-0210 Telephone Number Memorial? Yes No Name to be displayed on Poppy Card: Your Name: It is time again for the annual sale of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Buddy Poppies. Although you may not be able to help with the sale of Buddy Poppies, we are sure you would like to contribute to this worthy cause. Donations received from the sale of Buddy Poppies are used to help needy veterans and their families.
FROM THE QUARTERMASTER The Post is quite proud of the fact that through donations from the Kitchen Fund Tip Jar, some anonymous donors, and the $1,000 from the Building Committee allocation, we have achieved a long time dream: WE HAVE OUR BROASTER. In September, we will have a Sunday dinner to initiate the broaster. Come join us for a fun dinner and taste the results of your generosity. Also, we have installed the Clover system, a new cash register system. It will increase our accuracy and provide better reporting such as food and beverage costs. Right now, we are only using it on Food Nights, but we will phase it into the bar while we work out the minor kinks. It is nearly fall and that means football season is upon us. Join us this year as we again host Tailgate Parties on Husker game days. We provide the meat and you bring side dishes. Wear your Husker gear, join us, and prepare to have fun. Dan Raabe From the Kitchen Half way to St.Patrick s Day Dinner on Wednesday September 14. No, the sky is not falling. We have a new cook in the kitchen. She BROASTS a lot and flies by the seat of her pants. Please join us in welcoming Henny Penny on Sunday, September 25, from 2:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.. Winners for the free meal were Marilyn Berg, Pat Rodino, and Bill Barna. Congratulations and thanks for supporting the Post. Please plan to join us at the Post for Basket Night on Friday, September 23. We will be serving Wing, Shrimp, Chicken Strip and Fish Baskets. On September 8, Thirsty Thursday, we will be serving Tacos, Tortilla chips with salsa or Cinnamon Sugar Chips. Breakfast will be served on Sunday, September 18. One Wednesday of each month, the Post will be providing a dessert to celebrate all birthdays for that month: A special way to say THANK YOU and HAPPY BIRTHDAY! We will celebrate all birthdays in September on the 28th.. Please come to the Post, enjoy a great meal, and have a piece of cake on us. Kathy Tiger Thielen and the Crews Honor Guard The summer months have been extremely busy with funerals, color guard functions, and parades. Thank you to all the dedicated honor guard members for their participation, especially our three Korean War Vets: Danny Lang, Bob Podany, and Kenny Johnson. We are still looking for more members for the honor guard. Ricky Johnson Honor Guard CPT.Auxiliary Chaplain s News Auxiliary Sisters: Please inform Auxiliary Chaplain Marcia Jones 402-926-2648 of any ill or deceased Auxiliary member. Marcia Jones OMAHA NATIONAL CEMETERY The dedication was August 5.The turnout of over 1100 was fantastic. Thank you to all who attended. Karen Cox Volunteer Coordinator From the Auxiliary President (Continued from page 1) The game is on, and I look forward to hearing about your Veteran endeavor. I want to thank Connie Ross, my Senior Vice, for conducting the meeting last month in my absence. Karen Cox Auxiliary President From the Post Chaplin Prayer for the Military 5146 N. 90th St.(1-Block South 90th & Fort) 3 Thank you Lord, for the men and women of our armed forces. Protect them as they protect us. Defend them as they defend us. Encourage and strengthen their spirit, soul, and body in the execution of their duties and responsibilities. And may they return safely to their ever grateful country. In this we pray, Amen.
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SEPTEMBER 2016 Baked Chicken Breast/Rice Pilaf/Carrots or McRib Sandwich Soup Chili Crew 172 nd Trans. Co Half way to St. Patrick s Day Dinner Corned Beef/ Cabbage/Potatoes/Bread or Chili Dog Soup Broccoli Cheese Crew K. Thielen 21 Chicken Fried Steak/Mashed Potatoes/Gravy/Corn or Sloppy Joe Soup Cheesy Potato Crew S. Schaefer Ham and Scalloped Potatoes/ Green Beans or Shrimp Basket Soup Chicken Noodle Crew P.Petersen Basket Night 5
See Inside Basket Night Post Breakfast Thirsty Thursday Auxiliary Activities Children s Craft Day Hamburger Nights V.F.W. Post 2503 8904 Military Road Omaha, NE 68134 Address Service Requested Non-Profit Org U.S. Postage PAID Permit #610 Omaha, NE From Your Honor Guard Captain Ricky Johnson MILITARY RITES: July 2016 Military Members Deceased Cemetery Members 07/02/2016 REAGAN,JAMES J. CALVARY 12 07/02/2016 ZUBRICH, MARGARET FOREST LAWN 9 07/02/2016 JACOBSEN, DONALD ELKHORN 6 07/02/2015 WHITED, WILLIAM C FOREST LAWN 1 07/06/2016 DECKER, HARVEY F CALVARY 7 07/08/2016 LLLIS, LOUIS J JR CALVARY 10 07/12/2016 COCHLIN, JOHN D CALVARY 10 07/15/2016 KRELLE, WILLIAM WESTLAWN 9 07/22/2016 WATSON, ROY T FOREST LAWN 9 07/25/2016 BRUGGEEMAN, RALPH FOREST LAWN 7 07/27/2016 MORRIS, GERALD A FOREST LAWN 9 0728/2015 BOONE, ELDON D ST WENCESLAUS 9 NOTICE: All articles should be in the Newsletter Box, IN WRIT- ING, at the Post no later than September 3 for the October newsletter. If articles are not submitted by the deadline, they will have to wait for the next newsletter. We MUST have the newsletter to the printer in the week following the Post and Auxiliary meetings. Our email address is editorvfwpost2503@cox.net. Thank you. CLUB HOURS Monday Closed Tuesday thru Thursday 3:00 pm 10:00 pm Friday 3:00 pm 10:00 pm Saturday Noon 11:00 pm Sunday Noon 8:00 pm PHONE: 402-571-8397 Funerals 12 Members 98 Hours 294 * Post Member July 2016 All of our brave brothers and sisters who have passed before us 6 The Post is selling Memorial Bricks around the memorial walk and flag. Bob Fenton, Chairman Memorial Bricks are being sold by Post 2503 to be put around the outside of the Memorial flag pole. These bricks will cost $60.00 each. They will be for VFW, Auxiliary, AMVET & Auxiliary members, their families and people they sponsor. They will be memorials for Name Please Print Phone # WORDS ON BRICK Line 1 _1 _1 _1 _1 _1 _1 _1 _1 _1 _1 _1 _1 _1 _1 _1 _1 Line 2 _1 _1 _1 _1 _1 _1 _1 _1 _1 _1 _1 _1 _1 _1 _1 _1 Line 3 _1 _1 _1 _1 _1 _1 _1 _1 _1 _1 _1 _1 _1 _1 _1 _1 Checks Only No Cash Return this form to the Post