Post and Auxiliary Meetings 1st Thursday every month 6:30 pm Benson VFW Post 2503 July 2014 www.vfwpost2503.org 402-571-8397 Honor Guard Meeting 2nd Thursday every month 6:30 PM POST 2503 OFFICERS 2014-2015 Commander: Robert Brown Sr. Vice Commander: Fred VanPeer Jr. Vice Commander: Sharon Cooper Quartermaster: Bob Bragg Chaplain: Dennis Kerr Surgeon: Appointment Pending Judge Advocate: Appointment Pending Officer of the Day: Appointment Pending Adjutant: Appointment Pending Guard: Appointment Pending Service Officer: Appointment Pending Parliamentarian: Appointment Pending AUXILIARY OFFICERS 2014-2015 President: Kathy Tiger Thielen Sr. Vice President: Royce Dent Jr. Vice President: Shirley Duis Treasurer: Ruth Gerst Secretary: Pat Dembowski Chaplain: Marcia Jones Conductress: Luanne Rosso Guard: Lindy Devereaux Patriotic Instructor: From the Commander Dear Comrades and Ladies, I spent the better part of last week attending the VFW State Convention in Norfolk NE which was quite an eye opener for me! Our past Commander was elected to State Jr. Vice Commander putting him in line to become State Commander two years from now. I also had the honor and privilege of meeting many new contacts that can help our Post in many ways, including the recruitment of new members into Post 2503. The State Chairman of Recruitment, Jim Pierce gave me a commitment that he and his team would assist me in the recruitment of members. I will explain and give you more details in the coming months. I want to remind each and every one of you that you have an ongoing duty to be a recruiter for the post every day of the year! I would as I'm sure each and every one of you would love to see our beautiful Post back to 100% membership and to be able to sustain and or even to surpass that benchmark! We also have some plans in the pipeline to make some improvements to the kitchen and you will be hearing more about that in the very near future. Also we have further plans to improve the heating and air condition- (Continued on page 3) From the Auxiliary President I attended the Department Meeting held in Norfolk on June 6 along with other members from our auxiliary. Once again our auxiliary received many awards for our participation in the programs we support throughout the year. I can t say enough about the amount of work the ladies put into the programs. Stand proud and continue to support the efforts of working with and for our veterans. You all should be very proud. Let s continue to do the same this year. If you would like to attend the auxiliary meetings which are held the first Thursday of the month and be a part of this fantastic group however do not have transportation to the post we can arrange to pick you up. The meeting starts at 6:30pm. Please don t hesitate to call me or let another auxiliary member know. I am looking forward to another fantastic year. Come join us! Let s all continue to move forward and be proud of our accomplishments! Please keep all our Troops, families and Veterans in your prayers. Sincerely, President, Kathy Tiger Thielen Horseshoe Tournament 12 July 2:00 pm Sign in 3:00 pm Games start $2 Hot Dogs, $3 Hamburgers, $3 Beers, $13 Buckets, $3 Fireballs Post Breakfast July 20th Thirsty Thursdays & Tacos July 10th 5-7pm Bob Fields entertaining from 9:00 11:00 pm on July 10th and 31st Basket Night July 25th 5:30 7:00 pm
It will be warm soon and the Blondo Bingo Hall is the perfect place to be. Join your friends for Bingo. The A/C is on. Bring your friends on Wednesdays at 7 pm and on Saturdays at 1:00 pm. You can support the Post by playing Bingo and the same Pickles you play at the Post. Honor Guard Captain The Honor Guard is always looking for new members. Just come to the Post and ask for an application. New members are voted in at the meeting on the 2nd Thursday of each month. Chuck Wolf, Honor Guard Captain POST BREAKFAST Chaplain s Message As a veterans service organization we help veterans in whatever situation they are in when we find them. As a society, we put thousands of people through military service. There will be a certain number of broken legs from jumping, mental illness from fear and stress, sprained shins from running, hearing loss from weaponry...etc.. No matter what we are told, it is sometimes difficult to understand someone's suffering. When I was a young guy, I would dismiss people who said they had a migraine. That is, until I had one too! But blessed are those who can empathize with those who suffer, even if they haven't suffered quite the same way. Let's be slow to judge and quick to show understanding for things we don't always understand. Sincerely, Dennis Kerr, Post 2503 Chaplain Buddy Poppies The Buddy Poppy season began on Veteran s Day. Our Post has been generous as always. Thank you to all who participate, your care and compassion for our fellow veterans and their families is abundantly evident, as are your donations. A response form is on this page. Cut out and send to me at the Post. Bob Fenton, Chairman Cootie Corner 3rd Thursday, 7:30 pm, Cootie Meeting at Post 2503 3rd Monday, 6:30 pm, Bingo at ENVH Seam Squirrel Gary Steckelberg Cootie President Dorothy Steckelberg Coming Soon!! Craft Show 18 October More information to follow. 2 Thank you for your warm and generous donation, VFW Post 2503 Buddy Poppy Chairman JULY 20th 8:30 am to Noon $6.50 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.
(Continued from page 1) ing systems but nothing concrete as of yet to report. I promise to keep you all posted as I can, as things develop. I hope each of you enjoyed "Flag Day" and celebrated it in your own way. I regret that I was out of the city on Flag Day due to a family emergency that has still not been resolved. I wish all of you all the best life has to offer and please don't forget your "Recruiting Job"! R. L. Brown, Commander Auxiliary Homeless Sleeping Mats Thank you everyone working on the plastic mats for the homeless. Please consider joining us on Thursday afternoons from 1 3 pm., or cut and link at home and drop them off at the Post at your convenience Shirley Duis Flag Star Cards Are Back Please remember to pick up a supply of Flag Star Cards before you take off for your service reunions. There is presently a good supply at the Post. They are available at the bar. I suggest you take a couple of bundles. Robert Ekdahl VETERANS ADMINISTRATION MEDICAL CENTER PHONE NUMBERS Pharmacy Refills: 1-800-661-0827 Billing: 1-866-347-2352 Check Appointments: 1-866-403-1544 Medical Benefits Info: 1-877-222-8387 Main Operator: Omaha 1-800-451-5796 Lincoln 1-866-851-6052 Grand Island & North Platte 1-866-580-1810 Nurse VA: 1-866-687-7382 (after 4pm weekdays; weekends and holidays) Clip this out and put it in your billfold. From the Kitchen Winners for the free meal were Bob Jones, Arnold Gerst, Ed Riley and George Janicek Congratulations and thanks for supporting the Post. 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 July on the 30th.. Please come to the Post, enjoy a great meal and have a piece of cake on us. Please plan to join us at the Post for the Basket Night on July 25. We will be serving Wing, Shrimp, Chicken Strip and Fish Baskets. Drink prices are discounted from 5:00 to 7:00pm. Also, on July 10, Thirsty Thursday we will be serving Tacos, Tortilla chips with salsa or Cinnamon Sugar Chips. Breakfast will be served on Sunday, July 20. THANK YOU TO ALL THE VOLUNTEERS. YOU DO A FANTASTIC JOB! If there is a food item you would like to see on the menu let me know. I am open to suggestions. The Post is looking for volunteers to help out on the nights food is served. There are plenty different things you can do from writing tickets to serving food. Everyone is welcome. We have fun. You may call me at 402-572-0651 or the Post at 402-571-8397 or leave a note at the bar. Keep in mind on HAMBURGER NIGHT that hamburgers, chicken sandwiches and fish will always be served. The menu on the calendar is the SPECIAL for that day. Please remember to fill out a ticket for a chance to win a free meal. Thank you for all your support. Together we do make a difference. 3 Please thank our Veterans and keep our members, families and Troops in your thoughts and prayers. Sincerely, Kathy Tiger Thielen and the Crews In Case You Missed It S. 2450, The Veterans Access to Care through Choice, Accountability, and Transparency Act of 2014, will begin to address the unacceptably long appointment wait times found within many VA medical facilities. Built on a compromise between VA Committee Chairman Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and Senator John McCain (R-AZ), the bill will provide quicker access to healthcare for veterans and critical accountability within VA. It begins tackling some of the tough issues facing VA by making improvements to their appointment scheduling system and allowing veterans to seek care outside the system if they are unable to access VA within a reasonable time or live more than 40 miles away from a facility. It also authorizes an expedited hiring authority for VA to employ more doctors, nurses and other medical providers, along with the authority to fire top executives who are not doing their jobs something the VFW believes is essential to providing timely access to care for all veterans. If passed, the bill would also improve access to counseling and treatment for victims of sexual trauma; authorize construction on 26 major medical facilities' leases, and provide in-state tuition for eligible veterans using the Post-9/11 and Montgomery GI Bills. As I was driving home on 10 June, I heard on the radio that the Senate had passed the bill unanimously. A very unusual occurrence. Hallelujah!! Editor
From the Chaplains When there is a card for a deceased or sick member we encourage ALL members to sign the card even if you did not know the person. It is one way of supporting the family. Dennis and Marcia Auxiliary Chaplain s News Auxiliary Sisters: Please inform Auxiliary Chaplain Marcia Jones 402-926-2648 of any ill or deceased Auxiliary Member. Any Auxiliary member IN GOOD STANDING, may request that the Auxiliary Chaplain have a memorial service upon their passing. Please inform your families so the Auxiliary Chaplain or Auxiliary President may make these arrangements. VFW Action Corps Alert: Urge President to Secure Release of Marine Sgt. from Mexican Jail Background: Friday June 6th, VFW National Commander William A. Thien again sent a letter urging President Obama to intervene immediately and secure the release of Marine Sgt. Andrew Tahmooressi from a Mexican jail. After honorably serving two years in Afghanistan, we owe Sgt. Tahmooressi our help. We believe a simple phone call from the President to Mexican President Nieto can expedite Sgt. Tahmooressi's release. Action Needed: Email your members of Congress today and ask them to urge the President to make that phone call to Mexican President Nieto today. Three WWII MIAs Identified: The Defense POW/MIA Office announced the identification of remains belonging to three American servicemen who had been missing in action since World War II. Identified are: * Army Pfc. Cecil E. Harris, 179th Infantry Regiment, 45th Infantry Division, lost in France on Jan. 2, 1945. He was accounted for May 29 and will be buried with full military honors on a date and location to be determined. * Army Air Forces Staff Sgt. Robert E. Howard, 450th Bomber Squadron, 322nd Bomber Group, Medium, was lost over Germany on April 16, 1945. He was accounted for May 28 and will be buried with full military honors on June 19 in Moulton, Iowa. * Army Pfc. Lawrence S. Gordon, Reconnaissance Company, 32nd Armored Regiment, 3rd Armored Division, was lost near Ranes, France, on Aug. 13, 1944. He was accounted for on May 27 and will be buried with full military honors JOIN US ON: JULY 25TH FOR SHRIMP/CHICKEN STRIP/FISH/ CHICKEN WING BASKETS WITH FRIES $6.50 5:30 7:00 PM Come early for Happy Hour 4
July 2014 The Beer of the Month for July is Leinenkugel's Summer Shandy Country Style Ribs/ Sauerkraut & Mashed Potatoes or Pork Tenderloin Soup Broccoli Cheese Cabin Crew Pot Roast/carrots/ potatoes/gravy or Pulled Pork Sandwich Soup Vegetable Beef Crew Jan Davis Chicken Fried Steak/ Mashed Potatoes/Gravy/ Corn or Shrimp Basket Soup Chili Crew 172nd Trans. Co Humdingers Reuben Sandwich or Chef Salad Soup Chicken Noodle Crew M. Rosso Beef Tips over Noodles or McRib Sandwich Soup Ham and Bean Crew K.Thielen 5 $2 Hot Dogs, $3 Hamburgers $3 Beers, $13 Buckets, $3 Fireball
V.F.W. Post 2503 8904 Military Road Omaha, NE 68134 Address Service Requested See Inside Bob Fields Appearing Basket Night Happy Hours Horseshoe Tournament Veteran s News Thirsty Taco Thursdays From Your Honor Guard Captain Chuck Wolf Military Members MILITARY RITES: May 2014 Deceased Cemetery Members 05/02/14 George Schrage, USN Mt Hope 7 05/02/14 Lyle Merion, USN Westlawn 7 05/03/14 Leo Scott, USAF Forest Lawn 5 05/05/14 Glover Henderson,USA Forest Lawn 7 05/05/14 Delbert Nissan, USA Westlawn 1 05/09/14 Ronald Dutcher, USMC Heafey 2 05/10/14 Al Cappellano, USN Resurrection 11 05/14/14 John Puente, USMC Resurrection 6 05/17/14 Robert Falk, USCG Gentleman 9 05/22/14 James Crampton, USA St Pius X 8 05/22/14 Dale Svatos, USN St Robert 8 05/23/14 Paul Centineo, USN Forest Lawn 5 05/27/14 Eugene Oseka, USA Calvary 8 05/30/14 Kevin Kracirek, USAF Forest Lawn 8 05/31/14 Jaques Refregier, USN Forest Lawn 7 05/31/14 George Payne, USN Forest Lawn 7 05/31/14 Richard Booth, USA St Johns 1 Funerals 17 Members 107 Hours 321 Post Member * May 2014 In memory of our unknown comrades NOTICE: All articles should be in the Newsletter Box, IN WRIT- ING, at the Post no later than July 5th. If articles are not submitted by the deadline, they will have to wait for the next newsletter. We try to have the newsletter to the printers by the Friday following the meetings. If changes need to be made after the meetings, articles can be amended. When your article is late, the Newsletter is late to all our members. Please use a full sheet of paper. Little pieces of paper can get lost. 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 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 living or deceased people. They will be ordered once a year on April 1st, for installation by Memorial Day each year. Max 16 spaces per line, 3 lines, cost $60.00 per brick. Name Please Print Phone # WORDS ON BRICK 6 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