Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States Department of Pacific Areas Commander Jim Malott Military Order of the Cootie Grand of the Pacific Commander Al Mitchell Volume V Number 6 A non-profit official publication 20 November 2009 The Around the Pacific newsletter showcases what is happening locally throughout the VFW Department of Pacific Areas and the MOC Grand of the Pacific through articles, photos, etc., and the Department Editor, may provide information from outside the Department, in the various programs that both support. Inputs are due no later than the 15 th of the month. IT IS ONLY A COUPLE WEEKS AWAY! Council of Administration and Grand Scratch 4-6 December 2009 Subic Bay, Philippines WEB REGISTRATION PORTAL http://vfwdeptpacific.org/conv/ Reservations must be made prior to 01 December 2009. For current schedule click the link: http://vfwdeptpacific.org/conv/schedule.htm CONTACT INFORMATION: Jim Correll cofa@vfwdeptpacific.org VFW Department of Pacific Areas Page 1
District 1 Okinawa Japan VFW Post 9723, Naha, Okinawa Japan VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS OF THE UNITED STATES COMRADES SUPPORT TROOPS IN OKINAWA CAMP HANSEN, OKINAWA, JAPAN Presentation of donations made to the USO's Camp Hansen, Camp Schwab for the holiday season for dinners for the troops in the picture from left to right Lee Kramvik USO Manger Camp Schwab, AL Pearson Department Buddy Poppy Chairman, Commandeer Stewart, Gardner Williams Manager USO Camp Hansen, and Post Quartermaster Dennis Provencher. All are Life Members of VFW Post 9723. Post Commander Stewart from VFW Post 9723 (right) making a donation of $200.00 to the Camp Hansen USO Manager Gardner Williams (left) who is also a Life Member of VFW Post 9723, for dinners for the troops on the holiday season. This is Post Commander Stewart giving a check for a donation of $200.00 to the Manager of the USO Camp Schwab Lee Kramvik to help with the troops holiday dinners. YOU COULD HAVE HEARD A PIN DROP: When in England, at a fairly large conference, Colin Powell was asked by the Archbishop of Canterbury if our plans for Iraq were just an example of empire building by George Bush. He answered by saying, 'Over the years, the United States has sent many of its fine young men and women into great peril to fight for freedom beyond our borders. The only amount of land we have ever asked for in return is enough to bury those that did not return.' VFW Department of Pacific Areas Page 2
District 2 Mainland Japan DISTRICT 2 MAINLAND JAPAN MEETING AND AWARDS YEARS OF REACHING OUT REACHED BACK FOR ONE COMRADE Frank Misura, Secretary, FRA (left) presented a check for $1,000 to Kirk McKnight, District SVC (right) to aid in his recovery. YOKOSUKA, JAPAN The District 2 Main Japan Quarterly meeting was hosted by VFW Post 1054 in Yokosuka City on 24 October 2009. Reaching out over the years had a way of reaching back for one Comrade. The meeting started off with Frank Misura, Secretary, Fleet Reserve Association Branch 103 Yokosuka who presented a check for $1,000 to Kirk McKnight, Senior Vice Commander, District 2 Mainland Japan to aid in his recovery. THANK YOU to our FRA Veteran Team!!!! District Commander Bernie Kenna is presented the new VFW District Commander s Pin from Department Adjutant Dick Keeley. Mike Lutnam VFW Post 1054 was awarded with his All State Team Commander Cap. Department Adjutant Dick Keeley (left) and District Commander Bernie Kenna (right) during the meeting. District Service Officer T.J. Noonan discussed latest information from the Department of Pacific Areas. VFW Department of Pacific Areas Page 3
DISTRICT 2 OBSERVED REMENBRANCE DAY WITH BRITISH COMMONWEALTH NATIONS HODOGAYA, YOKOHAMA, JAPAN Comrades of District 2 Mainland Japan took time out on the beautiful Sunday morning of 15 November 2009 in the British Commonwealth War Memorial Cemetery to remember the fallen. This year's British Commonwealth Nations Remembrance Day event was coordinated this year by Australia. This is a very beautiful cemetery. In attendance were a multitude of high level embassy diplomats, ambassadors, etc., of all the current and former British Commonwealth Nations, military liaisons to include Australian Defense Force, United Kingdom Armed Forces, U.S. Forces Japan, etc., and veterans service organizations such as the Royal British Legion, VFW, etc., who laid wreaths during the ceremony in tribute to the Allied war dead in Japan from WWII. Always Remembered in Our Hearts Representatives lined up to receive and lay wreaths (left) and District JVC Joe Mortimer and District Quartermaster John Johnson register in the visitor s record of the cemetery (right). District JVC Joe Mortimer salutes after laying the wreath (left photo). District JVC Mortimer, Department Surgeon Frank Hunter, and District Quartermaster Johnson together after the ceremony (center photo). Mortimer and Johnson pose with Australian Defense Force and New Zealand Defense Force officers and one retired British Royal Navy veteran (right photo). VFW POST 1054 PLANTS FLAGS FOR VETERANS Group shot of all participants (left), Joe Mortimer, Commander, VFW Post 9612, shown planting a flag at the grave of Millard F. Nixon who his Post is memorialized (center), and Efrain Castro, Commander, VFW Post 1054, planting a flag at a veteran s grave (right). HODOGAYA, YOKOHAMA, JAPAN On Saturday 07 November 2009, Efrain Castro, Commander, VFW Post 1054, and Joe Mortimer, Department Editor, Pacific Areas, accompanied with members of Boy Scout Troop 53, Yokosuka and active duty Sailors from U.S. Fleet Activities Yokosuka Base, and Naval Support Facility Negishi to plant U.S. flags on the grave sites of over 250 veterans who died and were buried in the Gaijin Bochi Cemetery in Japan. There are veterans of WWII, WWI, Commodore Perry s crewmembers, USS ONEIDA crewmembers, and other veterans who died in Japan. VFW Department of Pacific Areas Page 4
VFW POST 9612 COMRADES SPOOK AT HALLOWEEN Comrade Suralie (left) and Commander Mortimer (right) in mask. The mask should probably be worn everyday. What do you think? I know, hide the legs too!!! NAF ATSUGI, JAPAN On 29 October 2009, Commander Joe Mortimer and Comrade Life Members Freddie London, Sakae Suralie, Brad Morgan, and Glen Steward of VFW Post 9612 took part in a Halloween party for the Children s Playgroup of Fleet and Family Support Center (FFSC), U.S. Naval Air Facility Atsugi (NAF Atsugi). The Children s Playgroup, made up of spouses and children of deployed and non-deployed service members, took part in a Halloween trick-or-treat at the FFSC. The children went from office to office within the FFSC trick-or-treating from the FFSC staff, who passed out candy as they came by. Afterwards, the children were treated to a Halloween party where they had a chance to take lunch and play in their Halloween costumes. VFW POST 9612 CONDUCTS FLAG RETIREMENT CEREMONY WITH CUB SCOUTS ON NAF ATSUGI NAF ATSUGI, JAPAN On 04 November 2009, Commander Joe Mortimer and Comrade Life Members Brent Fox, conducted a Flag Retirement Ceremony held with Cub Scout Pack 22 in Ranger Park on NAF Atsugi. Commander Mortimer discussed with the Cub Scouts about how to properly retire a U.S. flag which is no longer a fitting emblem of our nation, related a short personal story about what Veterans Day meant for him, and went into a question and answer session with the Cub Scouts. Comrade Fox assisted in the ceremony as Sergeant-at-Arms. YOU COULD HAVE HEARD A PIN DROP: There was a conference in France where a number of international engineers were taking part, including French and American. During a break, one of the French engineers came back into the room saying 'Have you heard the latest dumb stunt Bush has done? He has sent an aircraft carrier to Indonesia to help the tsunami victims. What does he intended to do, bomb them? A Boeing engineer stood up and replied quietly: 'Our carriers have three hospitals on board that can treat several hundred people; they are nuclear p powered and can supply emergency electrical power to shore facilities; they have three cafeterias with the capacity to feed 3,000 people three meals a day, they can produce several thousand gallons of fresh water from sea water each day, and they carry half a dozen helicopters for use in transporting victims and injured to and from their flight deck. We have eleven such ships; how many does France have?' VFW Department of Pacific Areas Page 5
AWARDS VFW POST 9612 AWARDS POST COMRADES VFW POST 9612 AWARDS ADOPT-A-UNIT SAILORS Commander Joe Mortimer awards Trustee Pete Carter (above) and Judge Advocate John Johnson (below) for their work during VFW Post 9612 s POW-MIA Observance held at the Post Home. --------------------------------------------------------------- Commander Joe Mortimer awards AM1 Carrie Beach (above) HSL-51 who is also a VFW Post 9612 Life Member a Certificate of Appreciation for her efforts during the NAF Atsugi National Night Out held on NAF Atsugi and awards AM1 Torres (below) of HSL-51 a $100 Savings Bond for his selection to Sailor of the Quarter. --------------------------------------------------------------- VFW Department of Pacific Areas Page 6
COMRADE AWARDED BY NAF ATSUGI TEEN CENTER FOR VETERANS DAY NAF ATSUGI, JAPAN On 04 November 2009, Joe Mortimer, Commander, VFW Post 9612, Camp Zama, and staff member of the Fleet and Family Support Center (FFSC), U.S. Naval Air Facility Atsugi, Japan, was presented with a Veterans Day Hero Flag made by the kids at the Teen Center on NAF Atsugi. Joe was stunned at the recognition received and went to the Teen Center to personally thank all the kids and staff at the Teen Center who took part in putting the Veterans Day Hero Flag together. Joe told the teens, Though I do not consider myself as a hero. Most Veterans would feel the same way in that they are just another person who served their country. I thank you all so very much on behalf of all veterans past and present for presenting me this wonderful flag today. It took me by surprise and it really means alot to me personally especially with all the personal notes and cut out hand prints. I will share this flag with all the veterans working at the FFSC, then take it to VFW Post 9612 on Camp Zama, and place it where everyone can see the love you all shared with me. VFW POST 9612 COMRADES CONDUCT BUDDY POPPY AND RECRUITING DRIVE ON VETERANS DAY CAMP ZAMA / NAF ATSUGI, JAPAN On 11 November 2007, Department Adjutant Keeley distributed Buddy Poppys at the Post Exchange on Camp Zama and Certified National Recruiter Joe Mortimer, Senior Vice Commander Vinnie Dean, and Judge Advocate John Johnson Comrades of VFW Post 9612 distributed Buddy Poppys at the Navy Exchange Food Court combined with a Recruiting Drive where members contacted 72 prospects for membership. YOU COULD HAVE HEARD A PIN DROP: A U.S. Navy Admiral was attending a naval conference that included Admirals from the U.S., English, Canadian, Australian, and French Navies. At a cocktail reception, he found himself standing with a large group of Officers that included personnel from most of those countries. Everyone was chatting away in English as they sipped their drinks but a French admiral suddenly complained that, whereas Europeans learn many languages, Americans learn only English. He then asked, 'Why is it that we always have to speak English in these conferences rather than speaking French?' Without hesitating, the American Admiral replied, 'Maybe it's because the Brit's, Canadians, Aussie's, and Americans arranged it so you wouldn't have to speak German.' VFW Department of Pacific Areas Page 7
DISTRICT 3 COMMORATES VETERANS DAY 2009 SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA District 3 has been very active over the last month with its Annual Veterans Day Ceremony held at Yongsan Army Garrison in Seoul, South Korea. The ceremony brings the United States Forces Korea Commander, Korean Veterans, various military organizations, Military Order of the Cootie, the Boy and Girl Scouts of America representatives to lay flowers at the Memorial on Yongsan. This event is organized every year by members of VFW Post 8180 on behalf of the District. District 3 Korea Representatives from all seven Posts in District III get a photo taken with General Sharp, Commander, U.S. Forces Korea. District 3 Commander Darin Combs thanks General Sharp for attending and speaking at the Veterans Day Ceremony on Yongsan Army Garrison in Seoul, South Korea. Officers and Comrades from District 3 participate in the District s annual Veterans Day Ceremony. YOU COULD HAVE HEARD A PIN DROP: Robert Whiting, an elderly gentleman of 83, arrived in Paris by plane. At French Customs, he took a few minutes to locate his passport in his carry on baggage. "You have been to France before, monsieur?" the Customs Officer asked sarcastically. Mr. Whiting admitted that he had been to France previously. "Then you should know enough to have your passport ready." The American said, 'The last time I was here, I didn't have to show it." "Impossible! Americans always have to show your passports on arrival in France!" The American senior gave the Frenchman a long hard look. Then he quietly explained, ''Well, when I came ashore at Omaha Beach on D- Day in 1944 to help liberate this country, I couldn't find a single Frenchmen to show a passport to." VFW Department of Pacific Areas Page 8
VFW POST 10033 CO-SPONSORED WITH KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS 1ST ANNUAL POKER RUN FUNDRAISER A participant in the Poker Run steps up to the registration table to get processed prior to start your engines. DAEGU, SOUTH KOREA VFW Post 10033 cosponsored the 1st Annual Poker Run as a way to raise funds for Post activities. They teamed up with the Knights of Columbus to host 24 motorcycle riders from all over South Korea. The riders were given a course map to 5 different stops over a course almost 200 miles long. At each stop in the course, the riders were given a playing card. At the end of the ride, each had a poker hand used to compete for prizes. Additional door prizes and t-shirts were given out as well. Everyone left a winner. The Post would like to thank Past Post Commander Alejo Quinata and Comrade Carl Turnbow for all of their efforts. We are looking forward to next year s ride and are confident it will grow each year. VFW Post 10033 Commander Darin Combs and Comrade Steve Dalton get the membership table set up for the Poker Run. Post Commander Darin Combs and Senior Vice Commander Ralph Connor take a few minutes to discuss how the event is going and pose for a picture. Wan na keep tabs on what is going on in the Department of Pacific Areas? Click now onto: www.vfwdeptpacific.org VFW Department of Pacific Areas Page 9
VFW POST 10216 RECEIVED DONATIONS SONGTONG, SOUTH KOREA Prior to the Post meeting, representatives from the Rough Riders Motorcycle Club presented a check for $325.00 to VFW Post 10216 from funds generated from their weekend Poker run. The Rough Riders are an associate organization of our Post and support all of our VFW functions; most are members of our Post. Their Chapter representatives Robert Diesel Pryor and Doug Krylon Johnson asked that the money be placed in our General Fund and used for our Holiday events. Thanks for your donation Rough Riders! Rough Riders President Diesel Pryor and Krylon Johnson present $350.00 to Post Commander Watson. District 5 Thailand VFW POST 10217 HELD VETERAN'S DAY OBSERVANCE VFW Post 10217 Comrade participants at Wat Poe Thailand. Jim Williams (trustee), Bill Chapman (Adjutant), Dennis Bridgford (JVC), Byron Petrides (Commander), Jack Sungsakris (SVC), Val Valenzuela (Chaplin), Ed Medlin (Quartermaster), Ray Mendigorin (member), Barry Moshinski (Officer of the Day) KORAT, THAILAND VFW Post 10217, Korat Thailand held it's Veteran's Day observance on 11 November 2009 at Wat Poe where many of our departed comrades are interned. They distributed Buddy Poppies and then Commander Bryon Petrides gave a short speech about the history of Veterans Day and stressed that Veteran's Day is a celebration to honor America's veterans for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good. Chaplin, Florencio "Val" Valenzuela, said a prayer for all the veterans who are still serving in harms way. This was followed by Taps as tribute to all departed veterans. We then adjourned to a local restaurant to have lunch and to toast to all veterans for their service to keep America free. www.vfw.org VFW Department of Pacific Areas Page 10
VETERANS DAY REMEMBERED WITH VFW POST 9951 BANGKOK, THAILAND On Saturday the 14th of November, the American Veteran's Wives Club (AVWC) hosted a luncheon for veterans in the area and their families. This was held at the JUSMAG Cafe in Bangkok, the home of VFW Post 9951. Turkey, ham and all the fixins were served for over 100 vets and their families. District V Commander, Bear Hudson acted as MC for the ladies of AVWC and Master Sergeant Clarence Ross gave a moving prayer for our veteran's. District Commander Bear introduces & thanks some of the ladies of AVWC. VFW Post 9876 Commander Al Serrato with Mam Hudson. Bear and Msgt Ross start up the Super Bowl Pools. Comrade Len Nicholls and wife Sunan having a great time. DPA SVC Jim Oden is all smiles as his wife Jiap has another baby due this week. That will make10 for our Prolific SVC Oden. Msgt Ross delivering the Veteran's Blessing. VETERANS DAY IN CHAING MAI STYLE CHAING MAI, TAIWAN We laid a wreath and our Post Chaplain read a prayer at the memorial of the AVG (American Volunteer Group) Flying Tigers located in Chiang Mai's Foreign Cemetery. Comrades of VFW Post 12074 on Veteran's Day in Chiang Mai. VFW Department of Pacific Areas Page 11
Pup Tent #1, Honey Bucket Special Grand of the Pacific, Military Order of the Cootie BABY COOTIES ENTER THE SEAMS Graybacks Homer (white shirt) and T.J. (blue shirt in case we had to spell it out to you) prepare themselves to see the Great Blue Louse! That is Cootie ONE on the right in case you could not figure that one out either. Cootie ONE says, This is despicable! Who in the Puptent allowed these slimy onion-head wan na-be noids into our seams?! Now, I know, weeee sometimes haaaaave to scraaaaape the bottom of the barrel for come new Cootie booty from time-to-time, but this time, my Cooites scraped the sludge that the bottom of the barrel was sitting on!! What s a Cootie to do? (Sigh, ) VFW Department of Pacific Areas Page 12
Pup Tent #8, Chokum Chingo Grand of the Pacific, Military Order of the Cootie WHAT IS GOING ON IN KOREA??? Dave Beil is growing his hair out; he looks much better now that he is forced on the wagon by his spouse! Is that Doc Higgins under that mask? Comrades, Department and Grand Announcements DEPARTMENT FUNDRAISER We have these beautiful VFW lapel pins (or can be used as tie tac) to raise funds for VFW Department of Pacific Areas. The price is US$3.00 each pin. Let me know how many of the Eagle or Cross of Malta pins you would like for your post or yourself. They make great give aways to your VFW friends. Place your order and advise your APO mailing address and I will forward. As an alternate I can bring to the Mid-term CofA and we can settle there. Payment should be made to VFW Dept of Pacific Areas, but please get the check to me so I can account for all the pins and receipts before turning over to Tony. My mailing address is: RAO (9951) c/o Chief, Jusmagthai APO AP 96546 Let me know how many of each kind you want. Yours in comradeship, James Oden Senior Vice Commander Department of Pacific Areas VFW Department of Pacific Areas Page 13
DPA ALL-STATE PROGRAM FOR 2009-2010 To view the Department of Pacific Areas All State Program, please click on the link below: DEPARTMENT OF PACIFIC AREAS GRAVE DIGGERS http://vfwdeptpacific.org/awards%20programs/allstatedpa.pdf --------------------------------------------------------------- POST COMMUNITY SERVICE REPORTS All members please submit! Reminder to submit your Monthly Volunteer / Community Service Reports to your Post Junior Vice Commander as directed by your Posts. Reports are due on the Department Website on or before the last day of each month for that month. --------------------------------------------------------------- VFW BUDDY POPPY DONATIONS Become a member and support the Department of Pacific Areas Grave Diggers Program which is open to anyone who has a desire to support the Clark Cemetery. To use our PDF "fill-able" application form log onto: http://www.vfwpost2485.com/grave_diggers.pdf - Please mail your application and membership fee, as well as any future donations to: Donations for Buddy Poppys are greatly appreciated and accepted. Please see your Post Buddy Poppy Chairman for details. --------------------------------------------------------------- MOC PADDY DADDY PROGRAM VFW Post 2485 Attn: Grave Diggers PSC 517, Box RC-V FPO AP 96517-1000 If you make a donation or become a member of the Grave Diggers, we thank you very much and ask you to please inform your Post Adjutant / Quartermaster. --------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF PACIFIC AREAS CLARK CEMETERY M.O.C. Grand of the Pacific is asking you to help support the Paddy Daddy Program. Applications are available online on the VFW Department of Pacific Areas website: The Paddy Daddy Application for signing up Comrades, Cooties, Friends, Family, and yes, even your Pets can be signed up! Please fill out as many applications as you like for a very good cause. The VFW National Home Special Project is the recipient of the proceeds from our very own program in the Pacific Areas. Send the application to me along with a check made out to Ee CHI GAE Pup Tent #2, in the amount of US$25.00, and I will promptly prepare your Certificate, Card and Pin and mail them to you. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to e-mail bthaney@vfw10223.org. Yours in Comradeship, L.O.T.C.S. Billy Haney Seam Squirrel Pup Tent #2 Military order of the Cootie Paddy Daddy Chairman Clark Cemetery Maintenance Fund donations accepted to support the maintenance of this cemetery, which is completely dependent on individual and group donations. VFW Post 2485, located in Angeles City, Philippines, is the caretaker of Clark Cemetery for the VFW Department of Pacific Areas and is in need of your help. http://www.vfwpost2485.com/cemetery.htm If you make a donation, we thank you very much and ask you to please inform your Post Adjutant / Quartermaster. YOU COULD HAVE HEARD A PIN DROP: JFK'S Secretary of State, Dean Rusk, was in France in the early 60's when DeGaule decided to pull out of NATO. DeGaule said he wanted all U.S. military out of France as soon as possible. Rusk responded "does that include those who are buried here? DeGaule did not respond. VFW Department of Pacific Areas Page 14
MEMBERSHIP RECRUITING LIFE MEMBERSHIP VERSUS ANNUAL CONTINUOUS MEMBERSHIP VFW LEGACY LIFE MEMBERSHIP Keep on recruiting and see how far we can get beyond our Bag Limit! ------------------------------------------- IS YOUR MEMBERSHIP UP TO DATE Are you a member in good standing? Look at your membership card. If it is about to expire, renew it today or better yet, go LIFE MEMBERSHIP and save money over time. It s never too late to switch to a Life Membership and you never have to worry about rate increases or remembering to renew! ------------------------------------------- MEMBERSHIP RECRUITING AND APPLICATION PROCESSING Membership is the future of our organization. All comrades should be willing assist with a membership growth and/or help the post in whatever needs to be done. When you are submitting an application for membership for a perspective new member, it is important to ensure you have it completed properly so as not to delay the processing. At the next Post Monthly General Business Meeting, the applications will be reviewed for completeness and voted on before submission to the VFW National Headquarters. To ensure no delays in processing: - Ensure you complete the application fully, - Include proof of eligibility, - Payment in the form of a check, money order, credit card, or cash for either Life Membership or Annual Membership. (Checks and money orders will be made out to VFW Post. ) Temporary membership is then granted to attend VFW Meetings and events with the Post until such time as the newly recruited Comrade receives their VFW Membership Card from the VFW National Headquarters with full membership benefits. 2009-2010 Life Membership: Up to Age 30 - $425.00 Age 31 through 40 - $410.00 Age 41 through 50 - $375.00 Age 51 through 60 - $335.00 Age 61 through 70 - $290.00 Age 71 through 80 - $225.00 Age 81 and Older - $170.00 It s not what you paid to be a member, it s what you paid to be eligible. Legacy Life Member levels (left to right) are Gold, Silver, and Bronze. The VFW's Legacy Life Membership provides an opportunity for Life Members to leave their mark on the nation's largest combat veterans' organization. Available only to current Life Members, the new Legacy Life Membership not only offers expanded and exclusive benefits, but also helps ensure that the VFW's good work will continue for generations to come. Legacy Life Members can select from three membership categories: Gold, Silver, or Bronze. Each offers a selection of exclusive benefits. Once activated, your membership will endow additional income - made in your name - that will provide a stable financial foundation for both your Post and the VFW. For more information logon to: http://www.vfw.org -------------------------------------------????????? Have you asked someone to join today? What are you waiting for? VFW Department of Pacific Areas Page 15
VFW National Headquarters Announcements If you make a donation, we thank you very much and ask you to please inform your Post Adjutant / Quartermaster. The VFW provides numerous services to military service members and their families. The three main efforts of the VFW Military Services department are: Click and see how you can help: http://www.vfw.org/ See you in the next edition! VFW Department of Pacific Areas Page 16