Volume 10, Issue 3 In Honor Of: South Platte Memorial Post 7356 Monthly Newsletter September 1, 2011 Comrade John Hayde, a former Legacy Life Member of Post 7356 and past Commander of Post 4050, has presented us with a unique opportunity. Comrade Hayde has donated a Beretta 687 Silver Pigeon V 28-guage over under shotgun with a list price of $4,075 along with a MEC 600 Mark 5 Reloader valued at $300 to Post 7356 for a raffle. Comrade Hayde along with Post 7356 and Comrades Phil Duncan and Paul Frampton conducted several quail/pheasant hunts around Peculiar, MO for wounded warriors from Ft. Riley. One such hunt in 2010 had a wounded warrior from our Adopted Unit, the 28 th Infantry Black Lions. Corporal Channing Bo Hicks was one of the soldiers that loved to hunt and joined the group that weekend. It was a sad day when we learned that Bo, now a sergeant, had been killed in action. Bo at age 24 died November 16, 2012 serving during Operation Enduring Freedom in Paktika province, Afghanistan, from injuries suffered when enemy forces attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device and small arms fire. Comrade Hayde, donated the items for a raffle In Honor of Sergeant Hicks. Now comes the challenge, the Post will need to decide how we will promote and sell the raffle tickets along with how the funds received will be spent. - 2013-2014 Post Officers - Commander John Hoffman... 816-728-6760 Judge Advocate.Larry Maher 816-587-2213 Sr. Vice Commander. Ricky Butler 816-739-0693 Chaplain.Eugene Whitney 816-587-5212 Jr. Vice Commander Ben Windsor 816-582-2855 Surgeon.Mike Vogt 816-891-8627 Quartermaster.Thomas Winkelbauer 816-216-6876 3-year Trustee.John Bugg 816-741-8359 Adjutant.Robert Eckerle 816-741-8766 2-year Trustee...Debra Anderson 816-968-2785 Post VSIO...Philip Duncan 816-587-1117 1-year Trustee..John Holton 816-880-9490 Page 1
Four MIAs Recovered: The Defense POW/MIA Office recently announced the identifications of remains belonging to four American servicemen lost during World War II, Korea and Vietnam. Recovered are: * Army Air Force 1st Lt. Louis L. Longman, 433rd Fighter Squadron, 475th Fighter Group, was lost on April 16, 1944, in Papua New Guinea. He was accounted for on Nov. 1, 2013, and will be buried in Clinton, Iowa, next spring. * Army Air Force Capt. Franklin B. Tostevin, 67th Tactical Reconnaissance Group, was lost on March 20, 1945, when his F-6P aircraft crashed near Eigen, Germany. He was accounted for Oct. 30, 2013, and will be buried at Fort Logan National Cemetery in Denver on Dec. 13. * Army Cpl. George W. Conklin Jr., Company I, 3rd Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division, was lost on Dec. 3, 1950, near the Chosin Reservoir in North Korea. He was accounted for Oct. 30, 2013, and was buried Nov. 9 in Phelps, N.Y. * Army Staff Sgt. Lawrence Woods, 5th Special Forces Group, 1st Special Forces, was lost on Oct. 24, 1964, near the Cambodian border. He was accounted for on Sept. 27, 2013, and will be buried in early 2014. A DOUBLE WOW!!!! What a weekend for Buddy Poppies. The chart illustrates what we can do if we all work together for this activity. Veterans Day weekend marked the first distribution weekend for our new Junior Vice Commander Ben Windsor. A very aggressive weekend was planned covering three stores. First time in a long time that all shifts were covered and it showed with the best Veterans Day contributions since 2007. Think of and wish him a safe return as Comrade Windsor leaves this month for his deployment to Guantanamo Bay Cuba. Page 2
South Platte Memorial Post 7356 Ladies Auxiliary Newsletter Sisters: I want to thank all of you who distributed Buddy Poppies during the Veterans Day Weekend. I appreciate your dedication. The weather cooperated for most of the weekend. I will try to find out the amount that was raised before the November meeting. I also was glad to see several of you at the Veterans Day Dinner Monday evening at the post. The food was excellent. Janine Wilkins, Pastor Dan and their fellow church members did a wonderful job. I believe we had about 70 Veterans, first responders and family members in attendance. I really enjoyed my trip to the National Home at Eaton Rapids. There were many first time participants in the trip. The weather was good and the fall festival was great. It was good to see all the children in their costumes. I learned that the National Home had to replace their phone system so that 911 operators could recognize the location from which the call originated. This was quite expensive and the home is in need of donations to meet that expense. The Christmas Party will be Saturday, December 7, 2013, at the post. The meal will be catered and there will be a gift exchange. If you can help serve the meal, please let me know. The cost is $10 per person. Reservations are due by 11/29/13. The February meeting will be on Thursday, February 20, 2014. Be sure to put this on your calendar. Please attend the December and January meetings. We will be discussing the St. Patrick s Day dinner and special projects that the Department of Missouri Ladies Auxiliary has asked us to participate in. Remember that we have two raffle fundraisers that benefit the Department of Missouri Ladies Auxiliary and District 3. If you are interested in a raffle calendar or chances on the 100 th anniversary ring, please let me know at the meeting. We still need members. We have 44 and need 9 more to be 100%. Be sure to ask your friends, relatives, coworkers if they are qualified for membership. Cheryl Hainkel, President. 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: Betty Gianessi 891-9468 or betty@gianessi.name Guard: Michelle Mallory 741-3070 or mdmallory@rocketmail.com 3 Year Trustee: Burnell Duncan 587-1117 or philduncan@kc.rr.com 2 Year Trustee: Betty Gianessi 891-9468 or betty@gianessi.name 1 Year Trustee: Betty Holton 741-3452 or bettyholton@kc.rr.com Page 3
As of November 25th the following 140 comrades have not paid their annual dues and will loose their membership December 31st, if not paid. Remember dues have the potential to go up $10 in 2014. So NOW is the time to pay your dues. Jovan P Archuleta, Steven E Armstrong, Joshua D Atkinson, David C Ayrton, Frederick L Baehner, Charles W Bailey, Benjamin T Baird, Thomas I Bartels, Lisa C Battista, Tammy L Baugh, David P Beane, Gerry D Beard, Devon M Blake, Kevin Blanchard, Robert N Blevins, Joseph C Boggs, Christopher E Bourque, Gail D Bowers, Harry E Bowers, Joseph R Bowes, Corrie L Bowser, Peter W Bowser, Cameron M Briggs, Timothy J Britt, David C Brown, Richard E Burkholder, Martin R Campbell, Michelle I Carey, Jack E Carter, Frederich G Chapman, Mylls L Cheffey, Calvin Cloud, D J Coyle, Clyde V Criss, David A Curry, Kevin T Daniels, Donald W Dawson, Edmar A Domingo, Joseph W Duncan, Stacy E Eaton, Gary L Ethridge, Calvin C Floyd, Justin C Fowler, Brian R French, Dick Gibson, William J Gorenflo, Harrell E Green, Theresa Y Green, Hector Gutierrez, Thomas R Gutt, Bret M Hamilton, Calvin K Hamilton, Charles J Hamilton, John H Harris, Roger Hawk, Christopher W Hay, Korry Helmick, Victor J Henke, Allen K Hespen, Kenneth M Hill, Alexander G Hodges, Mark A Holtsclaw, Josh W House, Dorice A Johnson, Robert Jones, Joe E Jordan, Frederick E Juergensen, Daniel J Karp, Tara A Keehner, Thomas D Kilbane, David E Kilgore, Nathaniel R Kimberling, Jasen M Kratzer, Bill Kress, James B Kuykendall, Damon E LaCour, Richard W Lanning, Marty Leners, David Lindow, Edward G Lindsey, William C Love, Robert S Mac Gregor, Alvin E Macko, Daniel Manley, Rodger W Martin, Jim Mc Call, David A Mc Caslin, Randy L Mc Coy, Marla M Mc Pherson, Scott B Mckenna, Lance W Meerkatz, Bruce Meyer, Daniel M Miller, Anthony M Mocca, Allan E Moore, Vernon M Moore, Andrew E Mosley, Michael P Munoz, Joseph J Neeley, John A Nonnemaker, Donald E Odette, Lydia U Oswald, Shane P Ousey, Jack E Pearl, Martin Peterson, Todd P Phillips, Bernard L Pope, Steven J Pyszka, John A Ramos, Richard Ray, Terramce T Richards, Steven G Ritter, Brian Rutherford, Marie L Salvato, Christopher A Scholz, Jonathan T Scott, Noah T Scott, Daniel D Shepherd, Scott W Sheridan, James B Simms, Christopher E Skidmore, Angela L Smith, Paul M Smith, Glenn A South, Lawrence St Amand, Gregory J Stewart, Joseph W Tasler, Cynthia A Thompson, Terry R Thompson, Christopher L Thornburgh, Kevin D Tinnin, Anthony Tomasich, Michael D Tucker, Fred J Vanecek, Sauphorne Vorngsam, Daniel R Wessling, Baasil T Wilder, Matthew D Winkelbauer, Robert M Wood and James R Wright Warning: VA ID Cards Are Easily Scanned Anyone with a smartphone and a bar code app can scan any Department of Veterans Affairs identification card issued since 2004 and the cardholder's Social Security number immediately pops up on the screen. The Department of Veterans Affairs published warnings about the veterans information cards (VICs) on their website in 2011 and again in July, 2013. The alert states, "Some barcode readers, including those available as applications on cell phones, can scan the bar code on the front of the card, and reveal the veteran's social security number." VA has begun to work on a new type of card, which will not contain a Social Security number. Meanwhile, veterans should treat their current ID cards as just a careful as they do their Social Security card to prevent identity theft. Be identified, get your All American ID badge at VFW National Store. Item number 1801 at www.vfw.org Online Store for $8.00 plus tax and shipping of $4.67. Indicate All American years of 2012-13. Then wear the badge to meetings and other activities of the Post. Page 4
2014 VFW Department Calendars and Raffle: We have again available for purchase 2014 Department Calendars that include a raffle drawing. The first of this month a VFW member in Lebanon, MO won $500 from the drawing. This year the calendars feature activities at various Post around the State. Post 7356 is featured for one month. This is a good way to support your Post, your District, and the State of Missouri Veterans Service Officer fund and possibly win some cash back for you. We will once again be collecting toys for the U.S. Marines. Bring an unwrapped toy to the Post on Saturdays with a receipt showing the gift cost $5.00 or more and get a FREE Breakfast. District 3 Ladies Auxiliary raffle. See Cheryl Hainkel for raffle tickets to win a Ladies Auxiliary 100 th Anniversary Ring. Chances are $1 each or 6 for $5. The drawing will be at the April 2014, District Meeting. Raffle!! VFW District 3 is having a raffle for a drawing to be held on Jan. 4, 2014 The raffle is for the following: Savage Axis XP 30-06 Springfield, Bolt Action Rifle 22 inch Matte Black Finish Carbon Steele Barrel Synthetic Stock, Matte Black Finish Drilled and Tapped for Scope mount Matte Blued 3-9 40mm scope mounted Factory bore sighted Gun Shop Value $459.95 Tickets are $5 each or 6 for $25. Winner must pass a background check. Contact John Hoffman for Tickets. to purchase or for members to sell. VA Begins Dental Insurance Pilot Program: VA is partnering with Delta Dental and MetLife to allow eligible veterans, plus family members receiving care under CHAMPVA, to purchase affordable dental insurance. More than 8 million veterans who are enrolled in VA healthcare can choose to purchase one of the offered dental plans. The three-year pilot program is designed for veterans with no dental coverage, or those eligible for VA dental care who would like to purchase additional coverage. According to the VA, participation will not affect anyone's entitlement to VA dental services and treatment, and there are no eligibility limitations based on service-connected disability ratings or enrollment priority assignments. People interested in participating can complete an online application through either Delta Dental, www.deltadentalvadip.org, or MetLife, www.metlife.com/vadip. Enrollment begins today and coverage begins Jan. 1, 2014. The program will be available throughout the United States and its territories. Read more at http://www.va.gov/ opa/pressrel/pressrelease.cfm?id=2495. 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 the day and job assignment and sign-up. Working as a team we can keep this fellowship fundraiser continuing. We will close the Saturday December 28th. Opening with the New Year on January 4th. Page 5
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 Ricky Butler at Cell 816-739-0693 Congress Approves 1.5% COLA: Congress passed a 1.5-percent cost-of-living adjustment this week that is expected to be signed by the president. The increase would first appear in January checks and apply to about 3.7 million recipients of veterans' disability compensation, dependency and indemnity compensation for survivors, and pensions for lowincome combat veterans. The COLA increase is automatic for Social Security and military and federal civilian retired pay recipients. New this year is the omission of a requirement that previously forced VA to round down COLA increases to the next lowest dollar, which at most would increase paychecks by 99 cents a month, or $11.88 a year. WiFi is available at Post Calendar of Events December 2013 1st - First Sunday of Advent 7th - National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day (Fly Flay Half Staff until sunset) 7th - Post Christmas Party 19th - VFW/Ladies Auxiliary Meeting 7 pm 25th - Christmas Day (Fly Flag) Monthly Every Saturday Morning 7:30 to 10:00 a.m. Breakfast. Every Monday Night Civil Air Patrol 7-9 p.m. No Breakfast December 28th. January 2013 1st - New Years Day (Fly Flag) 20th - Martin Luther King Jr. Day (Fly Flag) 23rd - VFW/Ladies Auxiliary Meeting 7 pm Veteran Service Information Officer Philip Duncan is available to assist any veteran with claims with the VA. If you have a concern, please contact him or stop by the Post on a Saturday morning, as the material is available for your review. Phil will gladly assist you with a referral form so a certified Veterans Service Officer from the VFW can assist you with your claim. Page 6