Showing posts with label Veterans of Foreign Wars. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Veterans of Foreign Wars. Show all posts

Sunday, December 1, 2013

VFW find home for Vietnam veteran suffering from Agent Orange

Group finds home for sick Vietnam vet
Standard Speaker.com
BY AMANDA CHRISTMAN (STAFF WRITER)
Published: December 1, 2013

There's a lot of love and Christmas spirit inside a 12-foot-wide by 70-foot-long home in White Haven.

It was vacant for three years but soon will house an honorable guest - a Vietnam veteran who has been practically homeless, living out of a Carbon County motel room for about two years.

The man unselfishly gave of himself many times, never asking for anything in return, but fell on hard times and suffers from medical problems associated with the herbicide Agent Orange, said John Kearns, a veteran service officer in White Haven.

According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, the U.S. military sprayed millions of gallons of Agent Orange and other herbicides on trees and vegetation during the Vietnam War. Several decades later, concerns about the health effects from these chemicals persist.

Kearns said the man, who will remain anonymous, thought people forgot about him and became depressed, but once his story circulated in the small town of White Haven, multiple veterans, some longtime friends and even strangers came to his aid.

He is in hospital care now, but once he is discharged he will find a pleasant, big surprise waiting for him by the time Christmas arrives.

Not only will he be given a permanent home so a visiting nurse can tend to him after his hospital stay is complete, but a fundraiser in his honor will be held Dec. 13 at the White Haven Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6615 to help defray his living expenses and the costs to remodel his new home.

Called the "Hometown Hero Project," members of the group consider themselves on a mission to prepare the home for the veteran by Dec. 15.

Bob Drury of the White Haven VFW said a group of volunteers raising money for homeless veterans in the area over Veterans Day weekend sprang into action when they heard of the man's struggles.
read more here

DAV and VFW team up for veterans

This is what can happen with veterans' charities work together.
DAV thankful for new garage at VFW in Massena
JOHNSON NEWSPAPERS
By BENNY FAIRCHILD
PUBLISHED: SUNDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2013

MASSENA — For years, veterans hoping to catch a ride to the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Syracuse would meet at 4:30 a.m. outside Town Hall for the long ride to Syracuse, having to arrive even earlier during the winter to scrape ice and snow off the vehicles belonging to Disabled American Veterans Post 171.

While Massena didn’t magically get any closer to Syracuse, area veterans can now sleep an extra hour during those winter months, as they’ll no longer have to clean ice and snow off the vans thanks to a new garage built at Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1143.

“Last year with all those ice storms, we had veterans out there at 3 a.m. trying to chip away at the ice,” DAV Commander Edward Gebault said.

“We were having trouble keeping members. It was tough. They were out there when it was 20 below trying to get those vans going,” he said.
read more here

Sunday, November 24, 2013

Veterans Charities Helping All Generations

Veterans Charities Helping All Generations
Wounded Times
Kathie Costos
November 24, 2013

There are many groups I belong to but my heart is devoted to Point Man International Ministries for several reasons. The first is Point Man has been leading the way on healing veterans as well as their families for almost 30 years.
"Since 1984, when Seattle Police Officer and Vietnam Veteran Bill Landreth noticed he was arresting the same people each night, he discovered most were Vietnam vets like himself that just never seemed to have quite made it home. He began to meet with them in coffee shops and on a regular basis for fellowship and prayer. Soon, Point Man Ministries was conceived and became a staple of the Seattle area. Bills untimely death soon after put the future of Point Man in jeopardy.

However, Chuck Dean, publisher of a Veterans self help newspaper, Reveille, had a vision for the ministry and developed it into a system of small groups across the USA for the purpose of mutual support and fellowship. These groups are known as Outposts. Worldwide there are hundreds of Outposts and Homefront groups serving the families of veterans.

PMIM is run by veterans from all conflicts, nationalities and backgrounds. Although, the primary focus of Point Man has always been to offer spiritual healing from PTSD, Point Man today is involved in group meetings, publishing, hospital visits, conferences, supplying speakers for churches and veteran groups, welcome home projects and community support.

Just about any where there are Vets there is a Point Man presence. All services offered by Point Man are free of charge."
Point Man
"It isn't about who got a parade! When I came home from Vietnam, my cousin, a WWII Vet invited me to a VFW meeting and I was all but ignored because I was not in a "real" war and so how could I have any kind of problem? All these guys stuck to each other like glue and pretty much ignored the "new" Vets. And you all remember how it felt. I see the same "new guys" 35 years later with the same baloney coming out of their mouths. How in the world can you say you support the troops and then ignore them when they get home?

Seems to me that no matter how many are killed, the survivors have an obligation to each other and to our posterity to insure the "new guys" don't go through the same stuff our dads, grandfathers and ourselves had to endure...

So to all you "NEW GUYS", Welcome Home. Thank you for a job well done. Your sacrifice is deeply appreciated here. We support you regardless of when or where you served; we understand what you've been through and what you're dealing with now. Continue through the site and get connected! Dana Morgan (President of PMIM)"

If you faced the horrors of war and wondered where God was, He was right there within the men and women who cared. He was in you. He is there now in the people of Point Man Ministries, waiting for you to remember you are loved.

We take care of the spiritual healing of all veterans and their families but what we don't do is raise funds. It seems as if every conversation we get into turns into being about helping and less about financial support for us. It doesn't cost a lot of money to show compassion, offer advice, lend an ear, say a prayer or comfort someone. It is offered for free.

Veterans and family members have the option of calling me, emailing or if they are local, meet face to face. While I have traveled to many states doing presentations, I am a lot more comfortable behind the camera covering veterans events right here in Central Florida. I am Florida State Coordinator and always looking for people to start Out Post for Veterans and Home Fronts for family members. If you are interested in leading a small group, please call me at 407-754-7526.

These events are wonderful but covering them has me talking to veterans from all generations and the one thing they all have in common is the issue of some charities taking care of all veterans while others do not. Point Man is for all generations and so is Vietnam Veterans of America
"Never again will one generation of veterans abandon another." Congressional Charter 1986

These are some the charities taking care of all veterans, no matter what war, no matter where they are, they are treated equally the way it should be. These are some of the other major groups.

American Legion
The U.S. Congress charters The American Legion. September 16, 1919

Disabled American Veterans
92 YEARS OF SERVICE We are dedicated to a single purpose: Empowering veterans to lead high-quality lives with respect and dignity. Congressional Charter June 17, 1932


Veterans of Foreign Wars
The VFW traces its roots back to 1899 when veterans of the Spanish-American War (1898) and the Philippine Insurrection (1899-1902) founded local organizations to secure rights and benefits for their service: Many arrived home wounded or sick. There was no medical care or veterans' pension for them,and they were left to care for themselves.
Congressional Charter 1936

Here is a list of other Congressional Charter Veterans Charities

If you are planning on donating to a charity make sure you know what they are doing with your money and if they take care of all generations or not. It is up to you where your heart leads you but as we enter into the "season of giving" remember these charities need help all year long because veterans are veterans 365 days a year, not just one.

Monday, October 21, 2013

Iraq and Afghanistan veterans stepping up to lead

Monday profile: Iraq war vet Adam Flood takes La Crosse County, VFW leadership role
LaCrosse Tribune
By Chris Hubbuch
October 21, 2013

Adam Flood doesn’t fit the stereotype of a VFW post commander.

After all, many of the members of the veterans’ group had retired before he even joined the service.

Flood, 32, is part of a new generation of military veterans stepping forward to lead organizations long in the hands of those who served in long-ago wars. Named La Crosse County’s veterans services officer last month, a job held for nearly two decades by a Vietnam-era vet, Flood also heads the local VFW.

“We welcome new blood,” said Bob Heilman, a World War II vet who is chairman of the house committee at Post 1530 in La Crosse and one of a handful of older veterans who’ve kept the place going over the years.
read more here

Thursday, October 17, 2013

VFW says "Continuing Resolutions, bad way to run government"

VA benefit payments will go out on time; VFW calls for funding change
AL.com
Leada Gore
October 17, 2013

The end of the stalemate over the government shutdown and the debt ceiling will allow the Veterans Administration to make next month's benefit payments on time.

The VA said as many as five million veterans, survivors and their families risked not receiving benefits after Nov. 1 if the Congress failed to reach a deal to end the shutdown. An ongoing shutdown would have also cut off education benefits and living stipends under the GI Bill programs, which could have impacted an additional 500,000 veterans and service members.

The Veterans of Foreign Wars said it was glad Congress had ended the shutdown but said the practice of using Continuing Resolutions - a funding mechanism that takes the place of a regular appropriations agreement - is a bad way to run the government.
read more here

Monday, October 14, 2013

Veterans groups to protest for veterans, not politicians like Sunday

UPDATE
Veterans Angry Over Tea Party Takeover Of March On Memorials
The Huffington Post
By Mollie Reilly
Posted: 10/14/2013

Organizers of the Million Veterans March sought to distance themselves from the "political agenda" promoted at Sunday's protests at the World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C., criticizing tea party activists for taking over the demonstration.

"The political agenda put forth by a local organizer in Washington DC [sic] yesterday was not in alignment with our message. We feel disheartened that some would seek to hijack the narrative for political gain," the group wrote on its Facebook page Monday morning. "The core principle was and remains about all Americans honoring Veterans in a peaceful and apolitical manner. Our love for and our dedication to remains with Veterans, regardless of party affiliation or political leanings."

On Sunday, hordes of demonstrators converged on Washington, protesting the closure of memorials and national parks due to the partial government shutdown. According to news reports, Sunday's event was much more political than previous demonstrations at the memorial. A number of conservative politicians spoke at the event, including former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin (R) and Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas).

read more here
Veterans groups plan protest over deplorable treatment post on October 12th is about veterans fighting for veterans. These groups are not trying to play politics like the one on Sunday, especially grotesque considering Tea Party darling and creator of this mess Ted Cruz was leading the charge. These groups have been around for decades and no matter what party controlled or mess up what, they have always been about fighting for veterans BECAUSE THEY ARE VETERANS. It is too bad the stunt on Sunday made veterans look bad because yet again, they were used. Attacking Park Rangers and security when they are not getting paid but still were doing their jobs was a disgrace. Almost as disgraceful as these Tea Party folks never once complained about anything else being done to veterans all these years later.
Veterans, worried about benefits, to protest shutdown
USA TODAY
John Bacon
October 14, 2013

As the government shutdown grinds into its third week, veterans benefits will draw the spotlight Tuesday in what could be the biggest protest yet aimed at pressing Congress and President Obama to solve the political impasse.

The Military Coalition, a group of 33 veterans and military organizations, is planning a rally at the World War II Memorial on Tuesday morning. The groups want to publicize the impact the shutdown is having on many vets and their families amid concerns of delayed disability pay, GI Bill education stipends and other benefits.

The American Legion, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, and Veterans of Foreign Wars are among groups that will be represented. Steve Gonzalez, assistant director of the American Legion's Economic Division, will be among speakers emphasizing the impact on employment and training.

Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki warned last week that financing vet benefits could become difficult if the impasse continues. Compensation checks to 5.1 million veterans won't be issued Nov. 1; 433,000 fully disabled veterans might not receive payments; and 360,000 surviving spouses and children of wartime veterans may stop getting VA money, Shinseki told a congressional oversight committee.

VA tuition and stipend payments to more than 500,000 veterans and spouses enrolled in college also are threatened. The VA has furloughed nearly 8,000 employees, he said.

Ryan Lamke, an Iraq War veteran diagnosed with traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress disorder, works with the Armed Forces Foundation. The foundation is not part of The Military Coalition, but Lamke is fully aware of the problems facing returning vets.
read more here

Sunday, September 29, 2013

VFW Post 4287 shows seniors still love to dance

One of the most active VFW Posts in Central Florida had a fundraiser last night to fight cancer. I don't know if I had more fun being there or doing the edits today. Aside from being a great group of people, they have supported my ministry for a couple of years now and have been a true blessing.

VFW Post 4287 Ladies Auxiliary Cancer Fundraiser was held Saturday September 28 and seniors proved that you are never too old to have a great time. A 93 year young lady danced to YMCA and the Twist. So did a Vietnam Veteran survivor of Hamburger Hill. Great time with Carlo Lovasco providing the music.

Look for part two.

These are some of the other great moments. When you see what was done at the end keep in mind that every time this groups has an event, this is how they end it.

Saturday, October 31, 2009

VFW Post Makes Push To Recruit Young Vets

Great idea! All service organizations need to step out of their comfort zone and start filling the need zone if they are going to survive and really serve all veterans.

VFW Post Makes Push To Recruit Young Vets
by Melissa Block


October 29, 2009
All around Portland, Ore., Veterans of Foreign Wars posts have closed their doors in recent years as members died and funds dried up.

But this summer, one post in Tualatin, Ore., outside Portland, has made a point to attract young veterans to revitalize membership, including moving out of a dump into a fancy new home.

VFW Post 3452's new hall is full of light with a shiny professional kitchen, granite countertops, a 52-inch flat-screen TV. It's named after a young veteran, Marine Cpl. Matthew Lembke.

Lembke served two tours in Iraq. And he was on foot patrol in Afghanistan this past June when he stepped on an IED. He died of complications several weeks later. He was 22.
read more here
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=114285238

Friday, March 13, 2009

Hernando Beach VFW commander killed in wreck


March 13, 2009

Hernando Beach VFW commander killed in wreck
Tom Marshall, Times staff writer

HERNANDO BEACH -- The commander of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9236 was killed early this morning in a one-car accident.

Dennis P. Gill, 60, was driving south on Shoal Line Boulevard around 1:10 a.m. when his car left the road and struck a tree. He died at the scene, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

Gill was a combat veteran of the Vietnam War, having served in the 173rd Airborne Division of the Army. He received the Purple Heart and both the Bronze Star and Silver Star for valor in combat, and spent much of his time working on behalf of veterans, said post quartermaster Bob Estrada.

"A lot of times he was very private because of his post-traumatic stress disorder," Estrada said. "(But) I think his heart and feelings for the last couple of years have been with this post."

Tuesday, July 1, 2008

Veteran Healthcare Advocates Want VA to Focus More on Prevention

Veteran Healthcare Advocates Want VA to Focus More on Prevention


WASHINGTON, July 1, 2008--A first-ever leadership summit for veterans' healthcare advocates ended here Thursday in general agreement that the Department of Veterans Affairs must focus more time and resources on prevention and preventive medicine practices.

The objective of the Patient Advocacy Leaders Summit, sponsored by the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S., was to expand awareness about critical health issues that impact the lives of veterans and those currently serving in uniform. Almost 100 attendees from more than three dozen organizations from the veteran and medical communities were present to hear and interact with prominent physicians and researchers in the fields of Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI), Post-Traumatic Stress Disorders (PTSD), Diabetes, and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).

The TBI seminar focused on the effects blast injuries are having on servicemen and women deployed in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. More than 20 percent of the 1.6 million men and women who had served in the war had experienced a blast – mostly caused by improvised explosive devices, or IEDs. Better body armor combined with modern battlefield medicine and rapid transportation have reduced the war's mortality-to-casualty rate to 10 percent, compared to previous wars that had 25 percent fatality rates in Vietnam and Korea, and 30 percent during World War II. The high survivability rates, however, are resulting in multiple grievous injuries that will continue to challenge the medical community – and the wounded veterans – for years.

Symptoms, diagnostic issues and challenges were presented at the PTSD seminar, as well as who was most at risk: military reservists under the age of 25 who have had repeated deployments, as well as those who are repeatedly exposed to traumatic events. This seminar also found the results of three independent PTSD studies to be similar: a quarter to one-third of those who went to war came home with mental health problems.
go here for more
http://www.vfw.org/index.cfm?fa=news.newsDtl&did=4620