Texas VFW News | 2010 Spring

Spring 2010

200 9

Award-Winning Publication

Periodicals

Texas VFW Receives $1,000,000 Grant Instilling True Comradship Texas VFW Foundation Update 90th Annual Convention

You Run With the Bulls, Texas Vets Get the Bucks.

The RVOS Insurance Run With the Bulls is a series of 5K and Kids K fun runs held across Texas offering a “no bull” approach to raising awareness and funds for Texas Veterans. Our service men and women put their lives on the line for us – running from no one. Now RVOS gives you the chance to run for them. All proceeds go to the Texas VFW Foundation. By the way, just like our well-known approach to doing business, these runs will have no bull.

800.491.8771 • rvosbullrun.com

www.texasvfw.org

$1,000,000 Grant, page 5 Governor Rick Perry and the Texas Veterans Commission awarded a $1 million grant to the Texas Veterans of Foreign Wars Foundation to be distributed to veterans experiencing financial hardship.

Instilling True Comradship to Younger Vets, page 10

In the News

4 Commander’s Column 6 60th Anniversary of Korean War 7 Honoring Ft. Hood Victims 8-9 Post Photos & News 12 8932 Celebrates its 50th 13 Texas VFW Foundation 14 Veterans Benefits 15 Veterans Around Texas 16 Veterans in the Community 18 Texas VFW Membership Application 19 Wall of Honor 20 Get Your Official Texas VFW Gear 21 Texas VFW Accessories 22 Just for Fun! Back Cover Honor Guard from Katy, TX

CONTENTS

The official publication of the Texas Veterans of Foreign Wars

Upcoming Events 11 Officer Training Seminar 23 90th Annual Convention

Join us on facebook for up-to-date information, photos of VFW events and breaking news relevant to Veterans.

Spring 2010

2009

Award-Winning Publication

Periodicals

00 Grant Texas VFW Receives $1,000,0 “Free Call Day” Benefits Many

VOD Contest Results

Veterans Day Festivities

ABOUT THE COVER State Commander Mike Barber shakes hands with Texas Governor Rick Perry. State Commander Barber accepted the one million dollar check on behalf of the Texas VFW Foundation. Funds from this grant are used to support the Texas VFW Foundation Veterans Assistance Program available to every Texas veteran. See story page 5.

w w w . t e x a s v f w . o r g

Contributions: Letters, manuscripts, stories, materials, or photographs are welcomed but cannot be returned unless sender provides SASE. Texas VFW News will not be responsible for unsolicited manuscripts, photos and drawings. Submission of articles and letters implies the right to edit and publish all or in part.

Please send your comments, suggestions, ideas and Post activities to: Texas VFW, P.O. Box 14468, Austin, Texas 78761 or by email to dan@texasvfw.org Opinions expressed herein are those of the writers and are not to be construed as those of the publisher nor as official views of the Texas VFW, the National VFW or any of its agencies, unless otherwise made manifest by writers or spokespersons acting on behalf of the foregoing.

Advertising of products and services herein does not imply endorsement or approval of the Texas VFW. Advertising is accepted on the premise that the merchandise and services are accurately described.

Ads that contain fraudulent, deceptive or misleading statements or illustrations, or in the opinion of the Texas VFW News may be offensive, are not knowingly accepted. If you encounter noncompliance, please tell us.

For Information Regarding: Unit reunions, general orders, taps, seeking, District Meetings and other topics please visit www.texasvfw.org.

Spring 2010

3

STATE Commander’s Column An exciting year is rapidly coming to a close. Let’s go back ten months ago after I was installed as your State Commander. At that time I expressed to you that I really had only one goal during my year as the Commander and that was to hand off to my successor a Department with a membership of 85,374. As I write this article on May 3, 2010, the Department has a membership total of 82,590. We are so close to meeting that goal, but we cannot Mike Barber, reach that goal if we stop. Each and State Commander every officer of this organization was elected to serve a twelve month period.

Although the Department deadline is May 21, 2010, the deadline for membership does not end until the Department Convention in Dallas. We still have approximately two months to meet the goal of 100% retention of members. The leadership of the Department next year has indicated that, once again, Posts may recruit without the fear of having to meet the same goal next year. I would like to finish my year meeting my goal. I feel that many of you would like to do the same. We can make it, and I am asking each of you to put forth that effort. I would also ask each of you to continue reporting your community service projects and veteran’s projects through the end of June. Let’s not hold back. Let’s do it for the good of the organization. Let’s do it “Because we’re Proud!”

I had the privilege of attending the first ever check presentation by the Governor of Texas, Rick Perry, to an organization receiving a grant from the Fund for Veterans’ Assistance. The one million dollar check was presented at a ceremony held at VFW Post 8790 in Houston. I would like to offer my thanks to Post Commander Bob Cook and former District 4 Commander Richard King for their efforts in coordinating this event. I would be remiss if I did recognize the Department staff for their effort in securing this grant.

The application was very detailed and covered 178 pages. Sometime around November of 2008, the Department staff realized that a bill would be introduced to approve a lottery ticket to benefit the Fund for Veterans’ Assistance. A plan was implemented to lobby for the passage of this bill. The Department staff was intimately involved even after the bill was passed and the lottery ticket published. When the guidelines for the first grant were published, the Department staff was ready and entered their proposal. Thanks to our prior history of service to veterans, our excellence in administration and our outstanding reputation, the Texas VFW Foundation succeeded.

This 18 month effort is for me, the greatest success story the Texas VFW has ever had. So to State Adjutant/Quartermaster Roy J. Grona and our staff, my great complements. We will continue to be at the forefront in requesting grants. In fact, we have already submitted the documents for the second round of grants!

Continued on p. 22

4

Spring 2010

The Official Publication of the Department of Texas, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States. Texas VFW News (USPS 008-177). Periodicals Postage Paid at Austin, Texas and additional mailing offices. Subscription price of $6.00 per calendar year for non-members. Free to all members in good standing.

Published Quarterly by the Department of Texas, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S., 8503 North IH-35, Austin, Texas 78753 Volume LXIII, Number 4, © May 2010. All rights reserved.

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: Circulation Dept., VFW, 406 W. 34th St., Kansas City, MO 64111.

Members Change of Address: Forward address changes to: Data Entry, VFW, 406 W. 34th St., Kansas City, MO 64111. Be sure to furnish your old address, also your Post number, when requesting change to new address.

To ensure accuracy, please clip and enclose your present address as printed on a recent copy of the Texas VFW News magazine.

Advertisers: Electronic Media Kit available at www.texasvfw.org, or request a printed Media Kit at dan@texasvfw.org.

Roy Grona . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Editor Dan West . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Assistant Editor www.medianation.net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Graphic Design DEPARTMENT HEADQUARTERS....................................(512) 834-8535

2009-2010 DEPARTMENT OFFICERS Commander Mike Barber . . . . . . . . . . .3892 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P.O. Box 14468, Austin, Sr Vice Wayne Depute . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6378 . . . . . . . . 324 Windward Dr., League City, Jr Vice John Spahr . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8787 . . . 116 Trail Of The Flowers, Georgetown, Adj/Qm Roy Grona . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3377 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P.O. Box 14468, Austin, Judge Advocate Ken Burton . . . . . . . . 9182 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P.O. Box 14468, Austin, Surgeon Larry Velasquez . . . . . . . . . . . 2397 . . . . . . . 4829 Golden Eye, Corpus Christi, Chaplain Bob Dickerson . . . . . . . . . . . . 2451 . . . . . . . . . P.O. Box 341136, San Antonio, Inspector Glen Heady . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9190 . . . . . . . 6620 Summertime Ln., Watauga, Chief Of Staff Ken Mosley . . . . . . . . . . 7767 . . . . . . . . . . . . 1860 Cr 217, Breckenridge, Past Cdr Jerry Murphree . . . . . . . . . . . 3359 . . . . . . . . . . . . 7209 Shipp Road, Rowlett, Council Member Russ Richards . . . . . 4010 . . . . . . . . 6610 Rowell Ct., Missouri City, Asst Adj Dan West . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3413 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P.O. Box 14468, Austin, Asst Qm Carlos Sustaita . . . . . . . . . . . 8787 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P.O. Box 14468, Austin, Deputy Inspector David Bennett . . . . . 4372 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 517 N. Grant Ave, Odessa, Deputy Inspector John Lozanski . . . . . 5076 . . . . . . . . . . 1215 Cedar Ridge Rd., Heath, Deputy Inspector Robert Lafleur . . . . . 2775 . . . . . . . . . . . . 3528 Whippoorwill, Orange, Deputy Inspector Ray Dudley . . . . . . . 6115 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 463 Tahitian Dr., Bastrop, Officer Of The Day Eddie Williams . . 4008 . . . . . . 404 N Hwy 95, Ltl River Academy,

TX TX TX TX TX TX TX TX TX TX TX TX TX TX TX TX TX TX

78761 77573 78633 78761 78761 78413 78234 76148 76424 75088 77489 78761 78753 79761 75032 77630 78602 76554

DEPARTMENT VETERANS COUNSELORS Waco – Sandra Covin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15045 . . One Veterans Plaza, 701 Clay St., Waco, TX 76799 Houston – King Beahan . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15045 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Almeda Road, Houston, TX 77030

2009-2010 DISTRICT COMMANDERS 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 24 25 28 29 30

Joe Hayes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9167 . . . . . . . . . . 207 Hwy. 36 S, Caddo Mills, TX 75135 Jesse Hamilton . . . . . . . . . . . 8953 . . . . . . . . . . . P.O. Box 1029, Splendora, TX 77372 Bill Oaks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6796 . . . . . . . . 1818 Quail Hill Circle, Garland, TX 75040 Michael Contreras . . . . . . . . . 5619 . . . . . . . . . . . . 7409 Albacore, Houston, TX 77074 Eddie Maycen . . . . . . . . . . . . 3413 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140 Pecanwood S, Kyle, TX 78640 Mike Kuertz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3904 . . . . . . . . . . . . 214 Marion Dr., Rockport, TX 78382 Chuck Ratliff . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6797 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 516 West 11th St., Post, TX 79356 Keith King . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3278 . . . . . . . . . 2406 Belmeade, Brownwood, TX 76801 George Hall . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7782 . . . . . . . . . . . P.O. Box 1175, Clarendon, TX 79226 Joe Vargas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9173 . . . . . . . . . . . 10436 Tomwood, El Paso, TX 79925 Steve Austin . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3986 . . . . . . . . . . . 109 Cr 1540, Mt. Pleasant, TX 75455 Ron Suggs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1480 . . . . . . . . . . . P.O. Box 617, Center Point, TX 78010 Linnie Mccall . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4008 . . . . . . . . . . 375 Mesquite Road, Belton, TX 76573 Rudy Ostovich . . . . . . . . . . . . 4747 . . . . . . . . . . . P.O. Box 745, Burkburnett, TX 76354 Glenn James . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8551 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 235 Primrose, Freeport, TX 77541 Lee Derby . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12024 . . . . . . . . . . . . 11521 Fm 1484, Conroe, TX 77303 Arnold Garza . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8788 . . . . . . . . . . . . . P.O. Box 5956, Mcallen, TX 78502 Richard Shawver . . . . . . . . . . 5073 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19151 Valley Dr., Flint, TX 75762 Tish Mccullough . . . . . . . . . . 4676 . . . . 5639 Wood Climb St., San Antonio, TX 78233 Jim Lacker . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5617 . . . . 216 S. Grants Ln., #37, Fort Worth, TX 76108 Carlton Bolting . . . . . . . . . . . 8136 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1915 Fm 240, Yorktown, TX 78164 Mel Parker . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6284 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5305 Clinton, Odessa, TX 79762 Red Towers . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10427 . . . . . . . . . . . 620 Skyview Ter., Leander, TX 78641 Larry Bethea, Jr. . . . . . . . . . . 8564 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 702 N. 18th St., Waco, TX 76707 Ed Faught . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3894 . . . 225 N. Falling Leaves Dr., Waxahachie, TX 75167

w w w . t e x a s v f w . o r g

veterans received one million dollar emergency Financial assistance grant On Wednesday, April 7, Governor Rick Perry and the Texas Veterans Commission awarded a $1 million grant to the Texas Veterans of Foreign Wars Foundation to be distributed to veterans experiencing financial hardship. Veterans across the state are encouraged to apply for emergency assistance with mortgage and rent payments, food assistance, utility payments and other basic needs.

“The Governor’s and Legislature’s support of the Texas Veterans Commission Fund for Veterans Assistance helps us provide much needed assistance to brave service members and their families,” said retired Brigadier General Karen Rankin, chair of the Texas Veterans Commission.

Through this grant, financial assistance is provided to veterans, spouses, dependent parents and children, and surviving spouses on an emergency basis. To qualify to receive this assistance, the “emergency” must be a situation that arose unexpectedly, created an immediate need for financial assistance, and was not caused or created by unreasonable conduct of the applicant.

Sen. Leticia Van de Putte and Rep. Chris Turner authored the legislation that created the lottery scratch-off game providing a permanent revenue source for the Fund for Veterans’ Assistance.

“When our warriors return from the battlefields of distant lands, they are often faced with new battles on the home front. They are now battling to heal from the physical and emotional scars of war, to re-enter the private sector workforce, and to re-adjust to family life,” said Sen. Van de Putte in a statement from her office. “With this award from the Fund for Veterans’ Assistance, the Texas VFW will be able w w w . t e x a s v f w . o r g

to help our warriors and their families meet the new challenges they face at home.”

“The $1 million grant will not repay the debt of gratitude we owe 1.7 million Texas veterans. We can’t put a price tag on the incredible sacrifices they have made to protect our freedom,” said Rep. Turner.

“But through the Fund for Veterans Assistance, veterans who are in financial distress through no fault of their own will have the opportunity to get some help.”

The Texas VFW Foundation assists veterans and their families by promoting programs to raise awareness and educate the public about the sacrifices made by America’s veterans, as well as the unique and special needs resulting from their service.

To apply for emergency financial assistance contact the Texas VFW Foundation at 800-997-7096 or visit their website at www.texasvfw.org.

For more information about the Texas Veterans Commission, visit www.tvc.state.tx.us. n

Spring 2010

5

60th Anniversary

Korean War 1950-1953 Your Service is not Forgotten

6

Spring 2010

w w w . t e x a s v f w . o r g

texas vfw provided donation to honor fort hood victims Texas VFW State Commander Mike Barber presents a $10,000 check to help construct a “Living Memorial Garden” in Killeen, Texas to perpetually honor those who died on November 5, 2009. If you would like to donate to the memorial, Barber asks that you send a check to the Department of Texas VFW P.O Box 14468 Austin, TX 78761 Earmarked for “Fort Hood Living Memorial Garden.”

Texas VFW Post 8904 Quartermaster Larry Hume is pictured here recording radio show “Front and Center” for local station KDET 9:30 AM. The show which airs Mon.-Fri. is a 5 minute program of “all things veteran.”

World War II members from Texas VFW Post 6115, Elgin, are still active in the community. You will have to figure out who they are because they told me it was a military secret.

Celebrating his 101st Birthday. Hipolito P. Gomez, of Texas VFW Post 9318 in Taft, has been a VFW member for 62 years and served overseas in the U.S. Army as a Combat Engineer during World War II in the European Theatre. Comrade Gomez was born August 13, 1908. w w w . t e x a s v f w . o r g

Spring 2010

7

Texas VFW District 4 attended the Worlds Affairs Council of Houston. From L-R: Lt. General, U.S.M.C John Allen, Deputy Commander of United States Central Command, James Rodgers (District Adjutant), Inge Conley (District Jr. Vice Commander) and Mike Contreras (District Commander).

(Left) Texas VFW Post 8904 in Center and Boy Scout Troop 119 conduct a Flag Retirement ceremony for the community.

VFW members on platform from left to right are Post Chaplain Jim Johnson, Trustee Bill Gray, Officer of the Day Jim Cox and Quartermaster Larry Hume.

(Above) The Collings Foundation, which owns and operates, among others, three World War II war birds (P-51 Mustang, B-24 Liberator Bomber and the renowned Flying Fortress — the B-17) gave 4 WW II members of Texas VFW Post 9182, Katy the opportunity to relive some old memories as passengers in the historic B-17 as it flew from Ellington Field to the Houston Executive Airport located in Brookshire, Texas. L-R: George Berg (WW ll veteran who served in North Africa and Italy), E.D. Christensen (WW ll veteran, P38 pilot in Europe; D Day Army Air Corps), Paul Zanfardino (WW ll, US Navy), Katy Mayor Don Elder and Lawrence “Buddy” Wunderle (US Army tank commander and member of General Patton’s Third Army).

Texas VFW Post 912 members and family staff Baytown YMCA Annual Gator Ride refreshment station #4. About 1500 bicycle riders from all over the state and many from out of state attended.

8

Spring 2010

w w w . t e x a s v f w . o r g

Texas VFW Post 10427 in Leander, held their 8th annual Easter Egg Hunt on April 3rd. It took the Ladies Auxiliary about 2 hours to put out over 2500 eggs. There were over 150 children in attendance and it only took them 15 minutes to strip the field.

They didn’t even leave one for our goats! They also raised $164 with a bake sale that day with the proceeds going to the MAP program.

Texas VFW State Commander escorts Amanda Reed, the 1st Place Voice of Democracy Winner in Texas (sponsored by Texas VFW Post 8555 in Poth, Texas), during the awards banquet at the Washington Conference in Washington D.C. Amanda won the Department of Michigan $1,000. scholarship.

Texas VFW Post 7767, Breckenridge, breaks ground on their new Post Home. L-R - Charles Studebaker, Burl Davis, Roy James, Ken Mosley, Don Plott, Bill Nelson, Joel Boland.

w w w . t e x a s v f w . o r g

Spring 2010

9

By J. Henry Perry, Department of Texas Commander

INSTILL YOUNGER VETS WITH SPIRIT OF TRUE COMRADSHIP The Following article is reprinted from the first ever “Texas VFW News,” dated March, 1947 and is as important today as it was in 1947. Substitute “WWII” with “Iraq/Afghanistan.”

The job of selling the Veterans of Foreign Wars to the present generation of veterans is not completed with the signing of their names on an application blank and delivering of their membership cards. It is actually just begun.

Recruiting the men of WWII for the VFW requires very little effort for most of these men are anxious to affiliate with an organization that, in addition to providing real comradeship, will work for their welfare.

Because of its reputation for real service to veterans over a period of many years, a reputation built through the hard work and unselfish devotion of veterans of older generations, the VFW sold itself to thousands of men of WWII while they were still in uniform. They were ready to sign up for membership as soon as they were approached.

The VFW’s phenomenal growth in the period since Pearl Harbor is no accident. The founding fathers made it possible when they adopted a constitution and bylaws making veterans of any foreign war or campaign eligible for membership. All VFW members since that time have helped prepare for it by making their organization effective in meeting the needs of former service men.

While it may not be difficult in getting new members on the VFW rolls, there is a real task in making of these new members real comrades who will give the same life-time devotion to the organization’s ideals and objectives as the members of other generations.

This job of making active members of these new comrades is a direct challenge to the older members who have made this great organization what it is. It is you who should encourage the younger veterans to attend their meetings. You should always be there to teach them the fundamental principles of the organization and instill in the younger veterans the spirit of true comradeship.

The obligation ceremony should be regarded as the first step in making a man a VFW member. In the succeeding steps he must be welcomed and made to feel at home by being given an active interest in the program of the post, district, department and national organization. He must then be entrusted with positions of leadership as he grows to fit them.

This is the real “selling job,” and the job that lies ahead.” n

Texas VFW is the Official Sponsor of the Professional Armed Forces Rodeo Association.

Visit them at www.pafra2010.com 10

Spring 2010

w w w . t e x a s v f w . o r g

Texas VFW Post Commander Ben Garrison Commander of Texas VFW Post 7109 in Pearland recognizes Mr. Kenneth Bentley for his generous donation of $2,000 to help the Post replace their flag pole.

tex as vf w post 8932 celebrates its 50th anniversary

Front kneeling L-R: Francisco V. Garza, Post Commander. Mike Kuertz, District 6 Commander. Abel Garcia, Marie Mc Grath, Standing L-R: Lonnie Humitz, Post Trustee. Thomas B. Polk, Jr., Post Trustee. George Murray, Post Officer of the Day. John Lee, WWII Vet D-Day landing.

Diana Garcia, Stan Mc Grath, Post Senior Vice Commander. Dick Prewett, Post Adjutant/Quartermaster.

Rear standing: Oscar Migl.

12

Spring 2010

w w w . t e x a s v f w . o r g

Expanding upon the National VFW Unmet Needs program available to all service members who are currently on or have been on active duty orders within the last three years, the Texas VFW Foundation has created the Veterans Assistance Program to serve every Texas veteran — regardless of how long they have been out of the military.

The Texas VFW Foundation Veterans Assistance Program is

available to any Texas veteran with an honorable discharge regardless of time served who, through no fault of their own find that they are in need of financial assistance.

Funds for this program come from individual donations from veterans and veteran supporters, charitable

March 1, 2010 To the Texas Veterans

of Foreign Wars,

the mail a couple of I recently received in ted to me via the checks that were gran n in order to help my Texas VFW Foundatio g some rough times family and I out durin we came across.

foundations and from the Texas Veterans Commission fund for Veterans Assistance derived from the proceeds of the “Veterans Cash” Texas Lottery Scratch-Off game.

The Veterans Assistance Program is not an entitlement program and not all veterans who apply will receive a financial grant and those awarded a grant will not directly receive any funds.

The applicant will have to work with a Service Officer from a Federal, State or Veterans Service Organization or with their local military command if still in the military.

Applications can be found at the Featured Links section on the Texas VFW Web Site www.texasvfw. org or by emailing the Foundation at foundation@texasvfw.org, or by calling 1-800-997-7096. n

unnoticed to me. tfulness will never go gh ou th d an s es dn kin Your in my time u for lending me a hand I am in indebted to yo of need. er time. have come to us a bett n’t uld co d te an gr y ne our The mo tstanding bills and get ou w fe a f of y pa to We were able ntinue to do for hat you guys do and co W r. de or in ck ba s ce finan . veterans is just amazing to me and my ough for the help given I cannot thank you en d look forward good word about you an e th ad re sp ll wi I ly. fami my local post. to getting involved with e 82nd pport. As we say in th su ur yo r fo ain ag ce Thank you on e Way!” Airborne, “Hooah All Th Sincerely, Francisco De La Garza m 07-09 Operation Iraqi Freedo

w w w . t e x a s v f w . o r g

Spring 2010

13

got questions about your veteran benefits?

Call Sandra Covin in the Waco VA Regional Office at (254) 299-9959, email Sandra.covin@va.gov or King Beahan in the Houston VA Regional Office at (713) 383-2750, email Kermit.beahan@va.gov.

Both work for the Texas Veterans Commission as Benefits Advisors and are accredited by the VFW. Both are members of the Texas VFW and work full time under contract to assist Texas veterans and members of the VFW with disability claims and entitlements.

14

Spring 2010

w w w . t e x a s v f w . o r g

1 2

3

1.) National Assistant Sergeant-at-Arms Lonnie Garza from Texas VFW Post 3413, San Marcos, collecting donations for the Military Assistance Program.

2.) Texas VFW Post 1815, San Angelo, present check to local school for purchase of T-shirts.

3.) Texas VFW Post 10376, Marble Falls and their Post Honor Guard opens the Walk of Lights event in Marble Falls, Texas.

w w w . t e x a s v f w . o r g

Spring 2010

15

Veterans in the community

2

1

3

Need Health Insurance?

In d i v i d u a l & Fa m i l y M e d i c a l P l a n s S h o r t-Te r m P l a n s

1.) Texas VFW Post 8567 in Graham sponsored a Veterans Day Breakfast.

L-R: Tom Miller, Allen Emmons, Christie Shot, Bill Downey. Back row L-R: Charlie Galves, Jeannette Popp, Martha Moon, Wayne Calhoun, Sandra Quigley, Jim Quigley.

2.) J.L. Smith of Texas VFW Post 3359, Garland, with students at Williams Elementary School on Veterans Day. 3.) Texas VFW Post 3990 in Paris, provided lunch and recognition for public safety professionals and recognized them for their service to the community. Photo by Morris Jobe

Call or go online to learn more!

VFW-Sponsored Heal th Insurance Program

(800) 829-8390

www.vfwinsurance.com Not all plans available in all states.

Administered by Lockton Risk Services.

16

Spring 2010

w w w . t e x a s v f w . o r g

2

1 1.) Members of Texas VFW Post 8927 in Lockhart visit veterans at the local retirement home to thank them for their service and to keep in contact with them. Several members can still fit in their uniforms.

2.) Texas VFW Post 3984 in Jacksonville awards brother and sister team, Certificates of Appreciation for their work in raising money for the VFW to assist needy veterans. L-R: Gracie, Bob Toles, Senior Vice Commander; Billy Hammonds, Post Commander; and Von. For safety reasons last names of children have been intentionally left out.

3

3.) Texas VFW Post 7203 in Midland conducts a flag retirement ceremony for the community.

L-R: Jim Gregory, Jim Silvers, Patsy Gilly

w w w . t e x a s v f w . o r g

Spring 2010

17

Yes, I am a war veteran and want to continue my Legacy of Service to America.

Please fill out the VFW Membership Application below and mail in, or sign up online at www.texasvfw.org > About > Membership and follow link.

How VFW Serves America

Lobbying for Veterans & Military Providing Disaster Relief Community Volunteerism Address:____________________________________________________________________________________________________ Funding College Scholarships Phone Cards for Troops City:______________________________ State:____________ Zip:______________ Phone:____________________________ Supporting Youth Groups Emergency Financial Assistance Date of Birth: _____________________________ (MM/DD/YYYY) Supporting Memorials Military Service: p Army p Air Force p Coast Guard p Navy p Marines Assisting Veterans with Earned Entitlements

Name: _________________________________________________Email: _ ________________________________________

First Middle Last (Suffix – Sr., Jr., etc.)

Current Status: I served in:

p Active Duty p Veteran p National Guard/Reserve p Pre-World War II p Korean War 1950-54 p Desert Shield/Storm p Afghanistan 2001 p World War II p Korea 1955 p Bosnia/Kosovo 1995 p Iraq 2003 p WW II Occupation p Vietnam 1958-75 p Global War on Terrorism – Expeditionary 2001 p 1945 – 55 (Europe, Korea, Japan) p Expeditionary Operations 1958 – 2003 (Thailand, Grenada, Libya, Panama, Haiti, Somalia, etc.) p 1945 – 90 (Berlin)

Qualified recipient of: p Imminent Danger/Hostile Fire Pay

p*SSBN Nuclear Deterrent Patrol*

* Period Covered: ______________________________________ (Required for applicants with no other reported qualifying service).

I would like to join the Texas Veterans of Foreign Wars as a: p Annual Member ($35)

p Life Member*

p Life 12 Mo. Install*

p Life 24 Mo. Install*

($35 Initial payment)

($35 Initial payment)

Life Membership Fee Schedule Attained age on 12/31

Through age 30 31 – 40 41 – 50 51 – 60 61 – 70 71 – 80 81 and over

One Time Payment

Life 12 Month Payment Plan

$425.00 $410.00 $375.00 $335.00 $290.00 $225.00 $170.00

$40.39 $39.02 $35.84 $32.20 $28.11 $22.20 $17.20

Installment Payment Plan Terms and Conditions: The VFW Life Membership installment plan allows any VFW member/applicant to purchase a Life Membership by making either 11 or 23 monthly installments after an initial payment of $35.00. The member/applicant will be issued a “Provisional Life” membership card and can elect, upon receipt of first monthly invoice, to pay via check, credit card or ACH Debit. The monthly fee (Shown in the payment schedule above) includes a $1.75 monthly service fee. The applicable Life Membership fee is to be determined from the schedule using the applicants age on December 31 of the installment plan year in which the application is submitted, regardless of actual date of birth. A permanent Life Membership card will be issued upon completion of this agreement. No refund of any portion of current year annual dues will be made. A “Payoff amount” will be printed on each monthly invoice, allowing the member the option to pay in full at anytime during the installment plan, thereby avoiding additional service fees.

If the member pays off early, no additional monies will be collected.

I attest by forwarding this application that I am a citizen of the United States, that I qualify for the VFW and that my Campaign Service was honorable, and that I have never been discharged under other than honorable conditions or I am still serving honorably in the armed forces of the United States of America.

I further give authority to the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States to verify my entitlement to membership in the VFW and that if no proof can be found or provided that I am subject to discharge from the VFW without refund.

Signature:___________________________________________________________________Date: ______________________________________________ Include membership payment by check or money order (DO NOT SEND CASH) or pay by credit card.

p Mastercard p Visa p Discover p American Express

Credit Card Number:_ ________________________________________________________

Exp. Date: ____ ____/____ ____ $_____________________ Mail to: Texas VFW • P.O. Box 14468 • Austin, Texas 78761

For questions call: (512) 834-8535

Wall of Honor Texas VFW Post 1183 in Longview has a “Wall of Honor” for veterans. To be added to the wall send a picture and they will place it on the wall.

e s o R n i l Ramb

Sid Rich has written a World War II historical novel, Ramblin Rose, a tale of love and war set in England during 194243. The 8th Air Force was bombing industrial targets in France and Germany to deprive Nazi Germany of the means of waging war.

Without long range fighters planes to take the the B-17s to their targets and back, we were taking extreme losses — fighters on the way to the target, deadly flak over the the target and fighters on the way back to their bases England. Yet they flew the missions knowing that the odds of survival were stacked against them. The book features the crew of the Ramblin Rose — their fears, their hopes and their loves.

Order from www.publishamerica.com or www. amazon.com. n

w w w . t e x a s v f w . o r g

Spring 2010

19

Get Your Official “Texas VFW” Gear Auxiliary Logos Now Available

Texas VFW Ball Cap — $16.00 Show your Texas Pride with a our new “Texas VFW” Ball Cap, complete with Texas VFW, Texas flag and your choice of emblem embroidered on the front. Available in White, Red and Blue: one size fits most. Imported.

Navy Polo Shirt with Pocket Texas VFW and your choice of emblem on right chest.

53% Cotton, 47% Microfiber, dri-balance performance material. Imported.

VFW Logo Men’s pocket shirt – Stock #7942 VFW Logo Ladies’ no pocket shirt – Stock #7944 Men’s Aux Emblem – Stock #7948 Ladies Aux. Emblem No Pocket Shirt – Stock #7946 S-XL – $33.00 2XL – $34.50 3XL – $36.00 4XL – $38.00

VFW Emblem W7359 – White R7359 – Red B7359 – Blue VFW Ladies Aux. Emblem W7966 – White R7966 – Red B7966 – Blue VFW Men’s Aux. Emblem W7967 – White R7967 – Red B7967 – Blue

Caps & Shirts now available with Ladies and Mens Auxiliary Emblems!

Texas VFW Polo Shirt What better way to show off your Texas attitude than with a “Texas VFW” shirt. Made of 100% cotton knit with “Texas VFW” and your choice of emblem embroidered on left chest.

Customized buttons with the five point Texas Star with Texas spelled out reminiscent of the first Texas flag known as the “Bonnie Blue” flag. Patriotic collar and sleeve cuffs with the Texas Flag image on left sleeve. Imported.

VFW Emblem – Stock #7360 VFW Emblem Ladies Style – Stock #7361 Men’s Aux Emblem – Stock #7949 Ladies Aux Emblem & Style Shirt – Stock #7947 Price $35.00 for S-XL; 2XL Add $2.50; 3XL Add $4.50; 4XL Add $5.50.

For custom embroidery options you can may up to 2 lines of text on the right chest for an additional $5.00.

The overseas cap was first issued to front line soldiers in World War I and is America’s first military decoration denoting war time service in harms way.

Price: $32.45

M6251 Light Weight Members Cap, Gold Piping M6251 Uniform Caps & Accessories Light weight style overseas cap with the Cross of Malta Emblem, letters VFW above the Post number and state name. Additional lettering is available at .88¢ per letter or numeral. No reduction in price if state name is abbreviated. STATE AND POST NUMBER TO BE ON CAP. SIZE 8 AND LARGER ADD $5.00. FORT KNOX STYLE AVAILABLE ON REQUEST. CAP MAY BE LETTERED WITH THE WORDS “VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS” for an additional $18.48, LIFE MEMBER embroidered for an additional $8.80, or a Life Member patch for an additional $2.55. Green, lightweight, shade 51. Allow 8 weeks for manufacture except during April, May, June, & July. During these months allow 10 weeks.

Podium Edition of the By-Laws, Congressional Charter and Ritual of the VFW for the year 2010.

A must have for every VFW Post and the absolute authority reference for any VFW member needing the information on how the VFW at the Post, District, State and National level works.

The 2010 edition is the latest and supersedes all other editions.

Special Podium Edition, Combined Congressional Charter By-Laws, and Ritual Wire bound, 5 x 8 1/2” book, lies flat when opened to any section.

Large type, loose-leaf format.

A CD version (D4108) is available Stock #4108

$6.90 ALUMINUM LIFE MEMBER CARD Back by popular request. For VFW Life Members only. Same weight and art work as the cards from Back by popular request. For VFW Life Members only. Same weight and artwork as the cards from the past. Personal and Post information must be engraved, rather than stamped and is included in the price of the card. Caution: these cards can set off metal detection alarms. Be sure to include your name, Life Membership number and your VFW Post number.

Life Membership will be verified prior to production of this card. Stock #1988.

$10.00 LAPEL EMBLEM

TEXAS VFW PATCH

VFW Cross of Malta enameled in full color.

“LIFE MEMBER” inlaid in Red enamel.

Gold Filled. Stock #0421

Texas VFW and the Cross of Malta embroidered on a black patch.

Size: 3.75" x 5" Stock #8585

$17.00

$5.00

Just f o r

fun!

“Do not touch anything unnecessarily. Beware of pretty girls in dance halls and parks who may be spies, as well as bicycles, revolvers, uniforms, arms, dead horses, and men lying on roads — they are not there accidentally.”

– Soviet infantry manual, issued in the 1930’s

One of the serious problems in planning the fight against American doctrine, is that the Americans do not read their manuals, nor do they feel any obligation to follow their doctrine.

– From a Soviet Junior Lt’s Notebook

An Air force Officer Goes to Heaven An air force officer goes to heaven and at the gate St. Peter asks him if he has ever done anything in his life that he believes makes him worthy of admittance to heaven. The officer flyboy replies: yes, I once went into a bar with four of my pilot friends and saw two Seabees harassing a young girl at the bar, so being a gentleman I went up to the biggest one and told him to leave this young lady alone. When he refused I told him again more forcefully. This time I slapped him across the face and told this Seabee to stand down. St Peter said this was a very good thing to do and asked when the pilot did this great act. The pilot replied: about 5 minutes ago! My friends should be here shortly!

Commander’s Column (continued from p. 4)

The Fort Hood Living Memorial continues to solicit funds for construction costs to recognize those men and women either injured or killed during the shooting rampage at Fort Hood on November 5, 2009. The Texas VFW has once again taken the lead in this endeavor with a $10,000 donation. We continue to solicit funds with many posts and individuals contributing. During the State Convention, I will recognize the top three Districts that have contributed for the memorial. I urge you to help us recognize these heroes. Checks may be mailed to Department Headquarters. Please annotate on the check to reflect the donation is for the “Fort Hood Living Memorial.”

Congratulations to those of you elected to be the officers in 2010-2011. I urge you to start planning now for your year. No matter how hard we try to prepare ourselves for office, there is

22

Spring 2010

always something unexpected that happens. I have been asked on numerous occasions if my time as the State Commander “is everything you thought it would be/” I can simply say to you, “Yes”, and ten times more.

Your year will be ten times more. With proper planning, you will be successful and, who knows, maybe a few years from now you will be writing this article. Good luck to each of you and I urge you to help the outgoing officers as we finish 2009-2010.

I really did not want to say farewell as I do have two more months as the State Commander. Lynn and I do want to thank each of you for the outstanding hospitality as we traveled across this great State for the past three years. It has truly been an amazing journey! We look forward to seeing you at the State Convention in Dallas. Thank you for your dedication to this organization. We will succeed “Because We’re Proud!” n w w w . t e x a s v f w . o r g

HONOR GUARD The Honor Guard from Texas VFW Post 9182 in Katy raises the colors at a community picnic. Pictured left to right: Ralph West, George Berg, Honor Guard Commander Louis Mehr behind Ralph, and hidden by the flag, Henry Thomas.

Photo by Wallace Klekar, Post Photographer.

Submitted by Amy Lee, Post Public Information Officer.