January/February/March 2010
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MICHIGANMICHIGAN OVERSEASOV• ReportingER yourS positiveEA impactS onVETERANV the EMichiganTE communityRA • N January/February/March 2010 Volume 77 Number 3 SENIOR VICE COMMANDER JUNIOR VICE COMMANDER Greetings Comrades, Sisters and Comrades, we just completed our Brothers, Lloyd Mid-Winter Conference at Kala- Jack I have a bone or two to pick. When mazoo. Our National Representative, we open a meeting the Commander Putman II Wally Hogan, Past Commander-in- Pray recites a paragraph that reads, “Com- Chief from Wisconsin summed it up rades, we are assembled again to Senior in one word when he gave his Junior transact business of mutual benefit. Do Vice Commander remarks after the Voice of Democ- Vice Commander not let petty jealousies or trivial per- racy, Patriot’s Pen and Teacher of the sonalities influence our deliberations. capacity they function. A SOP (standard Year awards were finished. He Michigan is above 90% for this year and Let us uphold always the obligations of operating procedure) was published and started his remarks by saying, “WOW!” about 4,700 members short of last year’s unselfish comradeship and loyalty to our there are copies out there. If you cannot Many of the attendees were overwhelmed 100% mark. We show some 8,900 mem- organization and the government of the find one, contact the Men’s Aux Liaison, by the reading of the winning speech. bers from last year that did not pay their United States of America.” To me that Jim Niner, and I’m sure he can get you Such a powerful message from such a dues for this year for whatever reason. statement has a great deal to do with the one. The other thing is communication young person. Congratulations to all the How do we find out why these valuable way this organization is run and how we between the men’s aux and their respec- students that took the time to enter our members decided not to belong to the conduct ourselves. However, I have heard tive Posts; if we don’t communicate, we scholarship programs and a big thank you VFW? Let’s try to contact them either by too many comrades complain about deci- get nothing done. I was at a District and a job well done to the Post and Aux- phone, mail or in person and ask them to sions that were made by a higher authority. meeting the other day and a question came iliary chairmen that get the program out reinstate their membership. In my opinion, once a decision has been up about the men’s aux election report. to the schools in their areas and do the If you have new members, make sure made that item is settled. You can only Being a past Post Quartermaster. I know work needed to get their Post winners to they know about their benefits as vet- appeal the decision to the next higher for a fact that the Post Quartermaster the District level. We can rest easy erans. They need to get with a VFW Ser- authority, and once that is done the item is receives a packet from the National organ- knowing that our future leaders, these vice Officer and file a claim. This is very no longer to be debated. I have heard too ization with the Post election report in it young students, know what veterans are important for young veterans returning many rehashes of some items and I’m and an election report for the men’s aux. and that they are aware of your sacrifices. from current war zones. The sooner you really getting tired of them. I was always That election report is also available on We are halfway through the 2009-2010 are registered with the VA, the better told that if you have nothing good to say the Department Web site. VFW year and February brings a new chance you will have to get the help about someone or something, then say We have been working hard on mem- round of District meetings. Post Comman- needed when and if you need it. My Post nothing. I know we are not perfect and I bership, but we still have a ways to go. We ders, make sure your Post is represented at has a Service Officer, Dave Gay, who have made statements that I was sorry for need to get out there and knock on doors the District meetings. Try to come away visits with and assist veterans every third later, but some things need to be finished. and bring the members back that we let with some new knowledge about the VFW Friday of the month. Last time he was We also seem to be having some prob- slip away. We have a new recruiting tool and our programs that you either forgot or there, he helped 21 veterans file claims. lems with determining what the function that every post should have by now, so didn’t know in the first place. Every Dis- Many of them are WWII veterans that of the men’s auxiliary is and in what let’s get to work. trict Commander was given a new should have been helped years ago. They brochure at Mid-Winter that highlights the just didn’t know the help was available. various VFW programs and gives a brief Let’s continue working on our mem- talking point and should be used to talk to bership and for our veterans to be sure ADJUTANT/QUARTERMASTER people about joining our great combat vet- they know we are there for them. God erans organization. bless those serving all over the world March will begin the process of Membership. The Department of and God bless the USA. nominations for next year’s officers. Robert D. The Bylaws now state that nominations for elective offices shall be held in Weiss Michigan’s No Smoking Law March and elections shall take place in April. The newly elected officers will Adjutant/ Effective May 1, 2010 not take charge of the office until the Quartermaster State Commander is sworn in at the Date: February 3, 2010 law by Governor Jennifer M. Granholm State Convention. with Web pages and has already made and are expected to be in compliance. A Bylaw change to do away with the changes on our Web page. To: Michigan VFW Posts and Affiliates Michigan is now the 38th state to adopt July Council of Administration and hold I want to take this opportunity to thank Michigan VFW Officers & Members this type of no smoking law. the first C of A meeting on Sunday for Gary Brown for all of his time and effort Effective May 1, 2010, the budget purposes (to pass the next year’s that he has put into our Web page in the From: The VFW Department of Michigan Michigan Public Code is amended to budget and to cut our budget back on the last 12 years. Gary received no pay for any prohibit smoking in public places, in conferences) will be reintroduced at this of his work and spent many hours after Subject: No Smoking Law Compliance places of employment, and in food year’s State Convention. Remember, in work on his computer making our Web service establishments. 2012, the National Convention will be site what it is today. Non- Exemption The new law further requires that a no held in July and the State Convention will We have some new training programs (No Michigan Post is Exempt) smoking sign or the international no be moved back to the middle of June. It is that we will be presenting this year. Paul smoking symbol be clearly and conspic- important that we make the change now, McIvor and I have collaborated on The Veterans of Foreign Wars, Depart- uously posted at entrances to and within rather then later. meeting motions and will continue to ment of Michigan, hereby notifies all every building. We have a new Webmaster. His name is keep you all up to date on procedure. Michigan Posts and/or lounges, they are Additionally, the new law requires that Dave Marin from the 8th District; he has Please make an effort to attend these not exempt from the State’s new no ashtrays and other smoking parapher- also worked with the Department training seminars for the betterment of smoking legislation as passed by the nalia be removed. Employment program. Dave is familiar your Post, District and Department. Michigan Legislature and signed into Thank you for your compliance. Michigan Overseas Veteran January/February/March 2010 2 STATE CHAPLAIN STATE SERVICE OFFICER One of the great benefits of being in Advocating for Others the service is becoming aware of disci- pline and self-discipline that is impor- Elmer R. This past year has been very trying tant to get anything done. In our and challenging as we move into the Dan journey of life and aging – a measure Liimatta New Year and face a new way of doing business. As you may or may not be Crocker of self-discipline can be a great help State Chaplain for life, health and every good gift. aware, the Michigan State Legislature State There are three essentials to aging passed Senate Bill 250 and became part Service Officer gracefully: 1) To eat right, 2) To exer- with all diligence; for out of it are the of Public Act 112 of 2009. cise, and 3) Keep a good attitude. These issues of life.” –Proverbs 4:23. The provisions of SB 250, Section sound simple, and yet the success Many who study human behavior say 501 creates, a five member advisory erans Affairs.