South Platte Memorial Post 7356 Page 1 Commander s Corner Comrades, a big THANK YOU and Congratulations goes to Cleo "Woody" Nollette. Woody was nominated in February as the "Comrade of the Year" for 2014. It was pointed out in his nomination that Woody is a World War II veteran that continues to support his Post and Comrades by coming in every Saturday morning at 6 a.m. to help serve breakfast to our patrons and fellow comrades. Woody sets the example that we all should attempt to emulate. I ask each member to remember St. Patrick's Day. Our Ladies Auxiliary will be working hard to make this a memorable dinner for all our comrades, friends, relatives and just the general public. This is a significant fundraiser for their annual efforts. Please come out and join us for this great event and most important invite your friends. More information is found later in the newsletter. I, again, feel it is necessary to reach out to our Annual Members. Those that have paid your dues, I THANK YOU!!! Those that have not done so I ask that you consider renewing before April 1st. As of March 9th our membership stands at 11-New Members, 1-Reinstate with our total at 486 with a prior year of 586. Our prior year annual membership stood at 183 and so far we only have 77 that have renewed. Our Percentage rate is 82.93%. It only takes 100 to renew to put us at 100%, a goal I would truly like to achieve. Memorial Day is quickly coming to us. Remember the weekend over Memorial Day we will be distributing "Buddy" Poppies at Wal-Mart, Hy-Vee on Barry Road, Hen-House, and Red-X. This is an important fundraiser for our Relief Fund. If at all possible, please consider working a two (2) hours shift over this important weekend. If you find you cannot, then consider donating $100 to the Relief Fund to cover your unstaffed post. Memorial Day is also the day we honor our former comrades of Post 4050 and conduct a Memorial Day service at North Kansas City Memorial Park. More information will be coming about this event. But put it on your calendar now, so we can have a great turn-out. The "Battle Cross" has arrived and is currently placed on the stage for viewing. Come in on a Saturday and take a look, it is very impressive. We plan to build a stand up front by the stage to hold the cross in a prominent location within the Post. Once we have it installed, we plan to have a dedication ceremony. We will be inviting the Rangers and Black Lions to come to this ceremony. Bo Hicks grandmother has indicated she will attend. - 2014-2015 Post Officers - Rick Butler, Commander Commander Rick Butler 816-739-0693 Judge Advocate Larry Maher 816-587-2213 Sr. Vice Commander Stephanie Mahone 513-907-8803 Chaplain John Bugg 816-741-8359 Jr. Vice Commander Robert Bennett 816-298-0852 Surgeon Mike Vogt 816-522-5944 Quartermaster Robert Eckerle 816-741-8766 3-year Trustee John Hoffman 816-728-6760 Adjutant Tara K. Arteaga 816-726-7777 2-year Trustee Debra Anderson816-968-2785 Post VSIO Philip Duncan 816-587-1117 1-year Trustee Jerry Felker 816-587-8026
Keeping the Promise", "Fulfill their Trust" and "No one left behind" are several of many mottos that refer to the efforts of the Department of Defense to recover those who became missing while serving our nation. The number of Americans who remain missing from conflicts in this century are: World War II (73,515).Korean War (7,855), Cold War (126), Vietnam War (1,656), 1991 Gulf War (5), and Libya (1). Over 600 Defense Department men and women -- both military and civilian-- work in organizations around the world as part of DoD's personnel recovery and personnel accounting communities. They are all dedicated to the single mission of finding and bringing our missing personnel home. For a listing of all personnel accounted for since 2007 refer to http://www.dpaa.mil/and click on Our Missing. As of March 1, 2015 at 12 noon, 107 comrades memberships are in jeopardy. Our membership is now based on the date you renew or join the VFW. The first list is the members that still have membership valid based on the number of days following their names but need to pay as soon as possible. The second list is the members that failed to pay by expiration date and their membership is now considered EXPIRED. NOTE, our membership now stands at 82.08%. If we are to make 100% by April 1 st, we need all 106 members to renew. ANNUAL MEMBERS Jamaal D.Anderson-61, Jovan P.Archuleta-61, Steven E.Armstrong-42, Frederick L.Baehner-61, Charles W.Bailey-61, Thomas I Bartels-61, Gail D Bowers-61, Corrie L Bowser-61, Peter W Bowser-61, David C Brown-61, Martin R Campbell-61, Frederich G Chapman-61, Dorice A Johnson-61, David E Kilgore-61, Harold L Kingman-94, Richard W Lanning Jr-34, Robert S Mac Gregor-61, David A Mc Caslin-61, Juan D Ontiveros-10, Jack E Pearl Sr.-61, Bernard L Pope-61, Richard Ray-61, Christopher E Skidmore-57, Michael D Tucker-61, Sauphorne Vorngsam-61. EXPIRED MEMBERS Joshua D. Atkinson. Benjamin T Baird, Lisa C Battista, Tammy L Baugh, Devon M Blake, Kevin Blanchard, Robert N Blevins, Christopher E Bourque, Joseph R Bowes III, Timothy J Britt, Richard E Burkholder, Michelle I Carey, Mylls L Cheffey, David A Curry, Keith A Dawson, Edmar A Domingo, Joseph W Duncan III, Joseph R Fischer PhD., Calvin C Floyd, Justin C Fowler, Brian R French, David Futch, Dick Gibson, William J Gorenflo Jr, Hector Gutierrez, Bret M Hamilton, John H Harris, Roger Hawk, Christopher W Hay, Victor J Henke, Kenneth M Hill, Mark A Holtsclaw, Josh W House, Joe E Jordan, Thomas D Kilbane, Nathaniel R Kimberling, Thomas Kresky, James B Kuykendall, Damon E LaCour, David Lindow, William C Love, Daniel Manley, Jim McCall, Randy L Mc Coy, Marla M Mc Pherson, Scott B Mckenna, Lance W Meerkatz, Bruce Meyer, Anthony M Mocca, Joseph E Monoco, Vernon M Moore, Andrew E Mosley, John A Nonnemaker, Donald E Odette, Martin Peterson, Todd P Phillips, Steven J Pyszka, John A Ramos, Kenneth E Reinier, Terramce T Richards, James E Riffe Jr, Steven G Ritter, Brian Rutherford, Christopher A Scholz, Jonathan T Scott, Noah T Scott, Matthew W Sheets, Scott W Sheridan, James B Simms, Angela L Smith, Paul M Smith, Glenn A South, Lawrence St Amand, Gregory J Stewart, Joseph W Tasler, Cynthia A Thompson, Terry R Thompson, Kevin D Tinnin, Larry Walter, Matthew D Winkelbauer, Robert M Wood, James R Wright Page 2
Battle Cross Memorial Statue The battle cross will be installed in front of the Post hall to the right of the stage. It has arrived and we are working on finalizing the install. Donations to help offset the cost is appreciated. The plaques that have the information below are awesome. Come see this great memorial to our fallen. VFW National Commander to Congress: Congress Must End Sequestration! Today s testimony caps the 2015 VFW Legislative Conference WASHINGTON (March 4, 2015) The National Commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S. John W. Stroud led this morning s testimony before a joint hearing of the Senate and House Veterans Affairs Committees with the important topic of sequestration. The VFW has continually warned Congress that sequestration will have devastating effects on veterans programs and DOD s readiness and quality-of-life programs, said Stroud. There is no guarantee that VA will be exempt moving forward, and if not removed, DOD will be hit especially hard. Commanders will not have the resources necessary to train for and quickly respond to current and emerging threats. Left unchecked, DOD will have to reduce its quality-of-life programs, this is unacceptable! Furthermore, other agencies, like the Department of Labor, will be forced to reduce funding for the programs they provide directly to veterans. Congress must end sequestration! Full testimony can be found on the VFW website -www.vfw.org Veteran Service Information Officer Philip Duncan is available to assist any veteran with VA claims. If you have a concern, stop by the Post on a Saturday morning. Page 3
VFW IN THE COMMUNITY KANSAS CITY, Mo. (March 3, 2015) - The winners of the VFW and Ladies Auxiliary-sponsored Voice of Democracy and Patriot s Pen essay competitions were announced yesterday during the 2015 VFW Legislative Conference in Washington, D.C. Celebrating its 68th year, the Voice of Democracy program helps encourage a better understanding and appreciation for our great country by requiring entrants to write and record a three- to five-minute script on a patriotic theme. This year s theme was Why Veterans are Important to our Nation s History and Future. The first-place winner, Adam Densmore, sponsored by VFW Post 3631 and Ladies Auxiliary in Aurora, Colo., received an all-expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C., where he was presented with the T.C. Selman Memorial Scholarship Award in the amount of $30,000. The second-place winner, Jaycie Schenone, sponsored by VFW Post 6604 and Ladies Auxiliary in Folsom, Calif., received the $16,000 Charles Kuralt Memorial Scholarship Award. The third-place winner, Mackenzie Leishman, sponsored by VFW Post 2350 and Ladies Auxiliary in Elko, Nev., received the $10,000 VFW Scholarship Award. All other state winners received at least a $1,000 college scholarship. Nearly 40,000 students participated in this year s competition. The Patriot's Pen program is designed to foster patriotism by allowing students the opportunity to express their opinions on a patriotic theme. This year s theme was Why I Appreciate America s Veterans. The first-place winner, Ethan Schroeder, sponsored by VFW Post 92 and Ladies Auxiliary in New Kensington, Pa., received an all-expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C., where he received a $5,000 award. The second-place winner, Jordyn Mies, sponsored by VFW Post 7824 and Ladies Auxiliary Vancouver, Wash., will receive a $4,000 award. The third-place winner, Tracy Kruse, sponsored by VFW Post 2966 and Ladies Auxiliary in Scotland, S.D., will receive a $3,500 award. More than 125,000 students participated in this year s competition. Platte County Sheriff Mark S. Owen was presented the VFW National Law Enforcement Award by South Platte Memorial Post 7356 Veterans of Foreign Wars of US by Commander Rick Butler at their monthly meeting on February 26th, 2015. The Award to Sheriff Mark S. Owen reads as follows: In recognition and sincere appreciation of his dedication and selfless service to the Platte County Sheriff s Office. During Mark Owen s outstanding career, he has maintained a record of highly professional and exemplary service to the community and the nation. His extraordinary commitment clearly illustrates the proud core values and traditions of the law enforcement profession, further highlighted by the degree of admiration and respect of both his peers and the local public he serves. Sheriff Mark Owen is truly an exceptional example of all who wear the badge and this honor reflects the proud ideals and high standards of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States. In Witness Whereof, we have hereunto set our hands and the officials seal of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States. Signed John W. Stroud Commander-in-Chief and John E. Hamilton Adjutant General Page 4
The Special Forces Association at Fort Leavenworth will host their Spring Formal on Saturday, March 28, 2015 beginning at 5:00 pm at the Westin Crown Center. The theme for this year's event is "Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans," and the guest speaker will be Retired Major General Ken Bowra. General Bowra served in Vietnam as a reconnaissance team leader in MACV- SOG and advised Cambodian infantry and airborne units. He also participated in the evacuation of the US Embassy in Saigon in April 1975. Actor Gary Sinise has also been invited to attend, but has not responded yet. The cost to attend is $60; the uniform is Mess Dress, Formal Attire or Civilian Business Suit. Contact Jr. Vice Commander Lt. Col. Robert Bennett who will happily link any Post member wanting to participate with one of the folks at Fort Leavenworth who can provide them tickets. The new U. S. Army Retired Lapel Button (depicted here is now available through the Exchange stores and website at https://www.shopmyexchange.com. The lapel button costs $5.80 online and the larger Retired Service Identification Badge, which is worn by Retired Soldiers on the Army Service Uniform, costs $12.25. To quickly find the new items on the Exchange website, just type Soldier for Life into the keyword search box at the top of the site and hit enter. The Army logo in the middle of the new U. S. Army Retired Lapel Button and Retired Service Identification Badge is slightly different than the official Army logo due to manufacturing requirements. The new Soldier for Life window stickers, which incorporate the official Army logo, will be available this summer. The Pentagon will extend the Afghanistan Campaign Medal for troops currently serving there, despite the official end of the 13 - year war. Defense officials said 19 FEB that the current phase of the Afghanistan War, known as Operation Freedom's Sentinel (OFS), is now a qualifying operation for award of the Afghanistan Campaign Medal. The phase of the war known as Operation Enduring Freedom technically ended on Dec. 31. The new mission does not involve U.S. troops in direct combat operations and instead limits their mission to advising and assisting the Afghan forces and potentially some targeted counterterrorism missions. About 10,000 U.S. troops are in Afghanistan. The military mission there is slated to end by December 2016. Service members should contact their military departments for additional information, defense officials said. The qualifying Afghanistan Campaign Medal operations, campaign phases, and associated inclusive dates for each are as follows: Operations: Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan) Sept. 11, 2001 to Dec. 31, 2014. Freedom's Sentinel Jan. 1, 2015 to present. Campaign Phases: Liberation of Afghanistan Sept. 11, 2001 to Nov. 30, 2001. Consolidation I Dec. 1, 2001 to Sept. 30, 2006. Consolidation II Oct. 1, 2006 to Nov. 30, 2009. Consolidation III Dec. 1, 2009 to June 30, 2011. Transition I July 1, 2011 to Dec. 31, 2014. Transition II Jan. 1, 2015 to present. [Source: MilitaryTimes Andrew Tilghman [Feb. 19, 2015 ++ Page 5
South Platte Memorial Post 7356 Ladies Auxiliary Sisters, Spring is just around the corner and St. Patrick s Day is quickly approaching. Plans have been made for our annual dinner. We need help to set up tables and with cleanup. Please let me know if you are able to help and in what capacity. I have already heard from some of you and also from the Civil Air Patrol Leader. I appreciate the help that has already been offered. Tickets are available by calling me or at the Post during Saturday breakfast hours. The Ladies Auxiliary is approaching the end of the year and will be electing officers at the April meeting. To prepare for that election and to get a sense of member expectations for next year, the auxiliary will have a roundtable discussion at the March meeting. We need input from all of our members. This is your auxiliary. I encourage members across all generations to attend if you are in town and able to do so. No idea will be rejected. We know what National expects, but we need to adapt to fit our auxiliary. Female Veterans at the Kansas City VA Medical Center will receive tote bags from the Ladies Auxiliary for Mother s Day. We will be having a Saturday workday to decorate the tote bags. I will email out the date as soon as possible. We have to have them decorated before the April meeting. District 3 will be meeting in April and will elect officers for next year. We are entitled to several delegates to the meeting. The meeting will be in St. Joseph MO. If you are interested in being a delegate, please attend the April Meeting of get your name to me. National Convention will be in July in Pittsburgh PA... I am not going to be able to attend. If anyone is interested in attending as our delegate, please let me know. Even if you cannot attend, you can register through the VFW Ladies Auxiliary Website for $15. You will be sent the information the delegates receive after the convention is over. If you have a suggestion or a concern, please email me at any time. You do not need to wait until the meeting to contact me. It is helpful to have some questions in advance in case I need to research them. Thanks for that you do for Veterans and their families. Cheryl Hainkel, President Time to nominate and then elect new Officers for both the VFW and Ladies Auxiliary. VFW members will nominate in March and elect in April. Auxiliary elects in April. The next two meeting are critical for your attendance. Who will step up to fill the officers positions????? Page 6
Breaking News! Breaking News! Breaking News! The Ladies Auxiliary wants all Veterans and Ladies Auxiliary Members with small children to know that we are offering child care during meetings. We now have an adult with prior day care experience who has agreed to assist us. I thank Tina Butler volunteering to assist us. If you are interested in bringing your child, please email the Ladies Auxiliary at southplattevfwla@gmail.com. Please give your name, the first name of your child, age of your child, any special needs and a contact phone number. This is a new initiative and will be provided on an as needed basis. The Ladies Auxiliary also is in need of toys, games, storybooks and coloring books for small children. They will help us to be sure your children have something to do while you are attending the Post or Auxiliary meeting. We ask that toys be block, Legos, or other toys that do not produce loud sounds. If you have questions, contact Cheryl Hainkel, President. Help us grow by asking someone you know to join us and help us serve veterans and their families, activeduty military and their families, and promote patriotism across our great nation. Ladies Auxiliary VFW Members are: Women eligible for membership in the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States shall be eligible for dual membership in the Ladies Auxiliary. Members must be citizens of the United States and at least 16 years old. A woman who is eligible is a: Wife, Widow, Mother, Foster and Stepmothers (who have performed the duties of a parent), Grandmothers, Daughters, Granddaughters, Foster and Stepdaughters (who attained that status prior to the age of sixteen and for whom the duties of parent were performed), Sisters, Half-sisters, foster and Stepsisters (who attained that status prior to the age of sixteen) Of persons who were or are eligible for membership in the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States. Those eligible for membership in the VFW are those that have received a campaign medal for overseas service; have served 30 consecutive or 60 non-consecutive days in Korea; or have ever received hostile fire or imminent danger pay. Ladies Auxiliary Officers President: Cheryl Hainkel 806-2796 or Otterhalf@msn.com Senior-vice: Burnell Duncan 587-1117 or philduncan@kc.rr.com Junior Vice: Bobbie Jordan 891-8610 or bsj7705@aol.com Secretary: Linda Eckerle 741-8766 or lindae8110@aol.com Treasurer: Judith Green 741-9489 or hwkeye@kc.rr.com Conductress: Crystal Deshazer 520-3858 or crysdesh@yahoo.com Chaplain: Rosemary Nollette 741-6932 or kcrosecan@sbcglobal.nat Guard: Dee Donnelly 641-6973 or ddpark36@aol.com 3 Year Trustee: Bobbie Jordan 891-8610 or bsj7705@aol.com 2 Year Trustee: Crystal Deshazer 520-3858 or crysdesh@yahoo.com 1 Year Trustee: Betty Gianessi 891-9468 or betty@gianessi.name Patriotic Instructor Victoria Messick 824-4127 Or Torisphotos_85@hotmail.com Page 7
Wireless Internet is available at Post WPA sign-in: post7356vfw South Platte Memorial Post 7356 P.O. Box 12121 10125 Tom Watson Parkway Parkville, MO 64152 816-746-8010 http://myvfw.org/mo/post7356/ Hall Rental - Contact Dave Ruse at 910-620-8119 Find us on Facebook! https://www.facebook.com/parkvillevfw7356 The Breakfast Crew Needs Your Support. If you can spare five hours a month, please go to http://www.signupgenius.com/go/30e0b4da8af2ba13-breakfast select day & job assignment. Working as a team we can continue this fellowship fundraiser. Calendar of Events March 2015 8 th Daylight Savings Time Begins (set clock ahead one hour) 12 th Girl Scouts of U.S.A founded 17 th St. Patrick s Day 19 th Iraq War Began (2003) 20 th Spring Begins 24 th Kosovo Campaign (1999) 26 th VFW/Ladies Auxiliary Meeting 29 th Palm Sunday 31 st Somalia Campaign (1995) Monthly Every Saturday Morning 7:30 to 10 a.m. Best Breakfast In Town! Every Monday Night Civil Air Patrol 7-9 p.m. April 2015 1st Armed Forces Day 3rd - Good Friday (Passover Begins) 5th - Easter Sunday (Fly Flag) 6th - Army Day 11th - Persian Gulf War Cease Fire 12th - Orthodox Easter 15th - Income Tax Day 17th - St Patrick s Day Dinner 22nd - Earth Day 23rd - VFW/Ladies Auxiliary Meeting 24th - Arbor Day Page 8
VFW Post 7356 Ladies Auxiliary St. Patricks Day Dinner Tuesday, March 17, 2014 4:30 to 7 pm 10125 Tom Watson Pkwy Parkville MO Menu: Corned Beef and Cabbage, Irish Potatoes, Carrots, Rye Bread, Dessert and coffee or tea Cost: $10 for Adults, $5 for children 5 to 10, Children under 5 free Tickets can be obtained beginning Saturday, February 14, 2014, at the VFW Post during Breakfast Hours. You may also call Cheryl Hainkel at 816-806-2796. Page 9