Chartered by The Congress of the United States of America AMVETS ★ DEPARTMENT OF WISCONSIN VOLUME 24 ISSUE 4 – CONVENTION ISSUE 2013 69th Annual AMVETS CONVENTION Department of Wisconsin

Ted Sterletske Commander

Ann Palm Auxiliary President

June 20-23, 2013 Radisson Paper Valley Hotel

Makayla Pues White Clover Princess Appleton, Wisconsin AMVETS Department of Wisconsin

MILWAUKEE COUNTY HAVE YOU Inside This Issue WAR MEMORIAL Commander/1st Vice Greetings...... 3 CENTER, INC. PAID YOUR “TO HONOR THE DEAD BY Dept. Officer Greetings...... 5-6 DUES? SERVING THE LIVING” Year in Review: Ted Sterletske...... 8 We acknowledge the continuing support of Milwaukee County in making this facility Mail to: Ladies Auxiliary News...... 9-12 available under the auspices of the AMVETS War Memorial Corporation. Department of Wisconsin Year in Review: Ann Palm ...... 13 750 North Lincoln Memorial Drive Milwaukee, WI 53202 White Clover Princess...... 14-15

*A National minimum amount that may vary AMVETS Year in Review ...... 16-17 from state to state or Post to Post. Yes! Enclosed is my $20.00* annual mem­ Convention Greetings ...... 18-19 bership dues for AMVETS. I certify that I have met the minimum membership require­ Convention Forms...... 20-21 ments–that I have served actively and hon­ 2013 Convention Agenda...... 22 orably (since September 15, 1940) or am currently serving on active duty in the U.S. Post News...... 23-25 Armed Forces, National Guard or Reserves. 750 North Lincoln Memorial Drive Department Membership...... 31 Milwaukee, WI 53202 Name______In Memoriam...... 32 M ______F______Hold Your Next Veteran or Family Event in our convenient rental facilities. Address ______MEMORIAL HALL – 5,100 sq. ft. City, State, Zip ______Walnut wood paneling, wood parquet floor, Telephone ( )______colorful display of United States flags MOVING? adaptable for different events D.O.B. ______LET US KNOW MEETING ROOMS – 415-564 sq. ft. Branch of Service ______EIGHT WEEKS all with lake views, some with service kitchens BEFORE YOU MOVE *SPECIAL RATES FOR Entered Service ______VETERANS ORGANIZATIONS* Discharged ______Convenient Parking Lot For More Information Call: Type of Discharge ______414-273-5533 Attach your address/label (Monday thru Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.) Signature ______from current issue here Dedicated to the Principles of Peace. Date ______“In tribute to those who did their duty as God gave them the light to see that duty.” History of AMVETS New Address: – General Douglas MacArthur In 1944, while World War II was still rag­ ing in Europe and in the Pacific, thousands Name______of young men were being sent home with Address______battle wounds and medical discharges. These Get Involved with veterans had a desire and felt a need to City______stick together; therefore, they began forming AMVETS clubs which they called American Veterans State ______Announce Your Post and District of World War II. Soon, representatives of in­dividual clubs united to help veterans help Zip______Events on Our Department Website themselves; thus AMVETS was born. at www.amvets-wi.org On July 23, 1947, President Harry S. and then visit the site often. Truman signed the Congressional Charter Then fill in your new address and mail to: and since then, AMVETS has amended its AMVETS Dept. of WI Contact our Webmaster, charter in 1953, 1966 and 1984 so that War Memorial Center Jim Ruppel, today! today, AMVETS is the only Congressionally Room 306 750 North Lincoln Memorial Drive Chartered veterans organization open to all Milwaukee, WI 53202 honorably discharged veterans who served honorably after September 15, 1940, plus Sound Off News is an official publication of the those personnel presently serving on active Department of Wisconsin AMVETS and is pub­ duty or in the reserve component. lished as a service to members and other interested Through the years, AMVETS has proven Sound Off individuals and organizations. to be the most progressive veterans organi­ Views expressed herein are those of individual zation through exhibits of volunteer work, Material Due Dates in 2013-14: writers and do not necessarily reflect the positions programs and service to veterans, their fami­ Fall Issue: July 15th, 2013 of AMVETS, as a whole. lies and communities throughout America. All AMVETS members are urged to submit mate­ rials for publication. The Editor reserves the right Your membership fee entitles you to each 2013 Due Dates to edit any materials for length, clarity, brevity, etc. and every issue of Wisconsin AMVETS December (Winter)...... October 15th ‘Sound Off,’ published quarterly. January (Spring).....……….January 15th (2014) Howie Pegelow, Editor

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AMVETS Sound Off Greetings from Your

Official Publication of the AMVETS Department of Wisconsin Department Officers… 750 North Lincoln Memorial Drive, Suite 306, Milwaukee, WI 53202 Published quarterly at American Graphics & Design, 700 W. Virginia St., Suite 700, Milwaukee, WI 53204 President: Jenny DeBack Graphic Designer: Emily McKenna Commander’s Welcome Composition Specialist: Ellen Imp AMVETS Sound Off is created under the Direction of the Executive Director of AMVETS, Department of Wisconsin, I want to welcome everyone to this year’s State Convention. I hope every a Congressionally Chartered nonprofit organization. Post will have Delegates to represent them this year and take information back Subscription Fee: Annually, which is paid through to their Post members. membership dues. With my year coming to an end, I just want to thank everyone for the Sound Off Staff wonderful reception I received when attending their events and meetings. I was Howie Pegelow, Editor able to attend a lot of areas throughout the state this year and I apologize to Jane Pegelow, Co-Editor every Post that I was not able to attend. Jim Stahl, Contributor JoAnn Leinweber, Contributor I want to encourage all Posts to extend the same hospitality to our new Bob Dessort, Photographer Commander this year and also remind you to send an invitation to the Commander for any event and/or meetings you would like him to attend. Please Editorial Office AMVETS Department of Wisconsin send it out early enough for him to get it scheduled and/or get someone to 750 North Lincoln Memorial Drive, Suite 306 represent him if there is a conflict in his schedule. Ted Sterletske Milwaukee, WI 53202 I would also like to remind everyone that the Convention is not just about the 414-273-5288 or 414-273-5240 Fax: 414-273-1270 election of officers for 2013-2014. There are a lot of informational meetings taking place on Saturday and E-mail: [email protected] I hope these are well attended so all Posts have the information they need to make good decisions and get Department Officer Hours: teams ready for the State Dart Ball and Bowling Tournaments. Monday through Friday - 9:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. Thanks again to everyone for making my year memorable and I hope everyone has a great time at this year’s Convention. God Bless all of our veterans, troops and their families.

Commander Editorial Criteria Ted Sterletske The following are guidelines to aid you in pre­ paring your articles for publication. 1 Typewritten, double-spaced, on one side of standard white paper. Typewritten, double- 1st Vice Commander Membership Report spaced, on one side of standard white paper; e-mail preferred. 2. Normal rules of capitalization and punctua­ tion should be followed. First I’d like to welcome you all to this year’s Convention. I’m hoping this year is a lot of fun and very productive. For the fun, remember the “Get Acquainted 3. Each photograph should identify the person(s) Dance” Friday night, along with the hospitality suites for fun and good conversation. or group(s) in the photo and the activity in Saturday night is the Commander’s Awards Banquet. Be sure to attend. We also which they are involved. Please indicate the article the photo(s) accompany. have the meetings, seminars and election of your new State Officers on Sunday. I’d like to thank the Posts that reached 100 or more this year. Thanks for 4. Captions can be written on the back of photos your effort. We’re still a bit short of our goal of 4,000 members, so remember to (please do not use felt-tipped pens as they always keep a membership application with you. You never know when you will run smear), on a separate piece of paper and attach to their respective photo or at the bot­ into a veteran that just might be interested in joining. tom of articles with the number of the caption I’d also like to thank Mike Kandziora and Al Willis for the job they do at the state corresponding to the number on the back of office to keep the membership records up to date. These two are a great help to the the photo. Steve Chesna 1st Vice every year. 5. Photographs should not be stapled to the I’d also like to thank all of you for putting your faith in me these last few years as articles or each other (the staple marker will I have moved up the ranks of the state. I’m hoping to have your support this year at Convention as I run for your show in reproduction). next State Commander. Thank you for any and all support you have shown me. As a side note, I will be retiring the end of June, so I hope to be available for as many events as possible. 6. Articles should not be written on the backs of photos but on a separate piece of paper as Remember – if you have any questions or comments, always feel free to contact me. If I don’t have the prescribed in Number 1. answer, I will get it for you. See you at Convention!! God Bless our members and our troops! 7. Articles must be in on time!! 8. Regarding digital photos - please send editor Steve Chesna e-mail photos or hard copy photographs. 1st Vice Commander-Membership

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PAST DEPARTMENT CONVENTIONS COMMANDERS & AUXILIARY PRESIDENTS • 1946 Oshkosh • 1959-60 Marinette • 1973-74 Stevens Point • 1987-88 Appleton • 2001-2002 Wausau Frank Ross (Organizer) Don Chamberlin* Frank Bregar* William Stys* Victor C. Herrmann Coral Diercks Lorraine Mattes* Kathleen Hawkins Marvell Ruppel

• 1946-47 Green Bay • 1960-61 Madison • 1974-75 Eau Claire • 1988-89 Stevens Point • 2002-2003 Appleton Carl Mueller* Vincent Heroux* Walter Specht Edward De Nomie* Arnold Miller Dorothy Dankert* Bernice Schmid* Kathleen Stys* Lynda Taylor

• 1947-48 Racine • 1961-62 Sturgeon Bay • 1975-76 Marinette • 1989-90 Racine • 2003-2004 Green Bay Kenneth Kunde* Karl Thiel* Willis Matthiesen Arthur Labinski* James Endres Elizabeth Jetke Rachel Chamberlin Marcella Rettke* Mildred Bump* Jo Ann Leinweber

• 1948-49 Manitowoc • 1962-63 Shawano • 1976-77 Green Bay • 1990-91 Manitowoc • 2004-2005 Eau Claire Bill Lotzer* Robert Kuchenreuther* Fred Schmidt* Kenneth Leinweber* Duane Miskulin Beatrice Purdy Smith* Norma Petzer Geraldine Zarr* Carole South JoAnn Leinweber

• 1949-50 Marinette • 1963-64 South Milwaukee • 1977-78 Oshkosh • 1991-92 Oshkosh • 2005-2006 Manitowoc Jack Millane* Robert Wiese* Thomas Schuh* Charles Taylor Dennis Barrington Margaret Triller Ruthann Anderson* Dolores Koller* Lynda Taylor Catherine Tratz

• 1950-51 Wausau • 1964-65 Menomonee Falls • 1978-79 Madison • 1992-93 Stevens Point • 2006-2007 Wisconsin . Dewey Decker* Daniel Ludka George Trewyn Dale Brown* Rapids Florence Stripe* La Verne Trewyn Virginia Schuh Catherine Bieganski- . Cletus Rataichek Tratz Joan Sirek • 1951-52 La Crosse • 1965-66 Manitowoc • 1979-80 Stevens Point John Leson, Jr.* Richard Scheible Henry Koller* • 1993-94 Wausau • 2007-2008 Stevens Point Elaine Lehmann* Elda Millane Jeanne Trewyn Richard Schunke Jim Tratz Judy Kasza Catherine Tratz • 1952-53 Beloit • 1966-67 Sheboygan • 1980-81 Milwaukee Mort Gazerwitz Stanley Behmke* Robert Haferkamp* • 1994-95 Manitowoc • 2008-2009 Green Bay Margaret Lawrie . Cora May Otzelberger* Elizabeth Jatczak James Stahl Armin Conradt, Sr. Heubner* Mary Moore Gorgette Sampo • 1967-68 Elkhart Lake • 1981-82 Oshkosh • 1953-54 Sturgeon Bay Joseph Hipp* Leroy Zigmund • 1995-96 Oshkosh • 2009-2010 Manitowoc Lyle Gocha* Naomi Easterling* Mary Walske* Michael Mahoney Ralph W. Beck Leota Hove Louise Mahoney Lynn K. Beck • 1968-69 Racine • 1982-83 Stevens Point • 1954-55 Sheboygan Marty Bennington* George Richter* • 1996-97 Appleton • 2010-2011 Eau Claire Edwin Nelson* Elaine Ludka Kay Nowak Les De Meyer Gene Wagner Dorothy Kuchenreuther* Debbie Janczak Darlene Hempel • 1969-70 Egg Harbor • 1983-84 Green Bay • 1955-56 Marinette William Robb* Gerald Nowak* • 1997-98 Racine • 2011-2012 Waukesha Kenneth Knude* Helen Cowell* Anne Bruechert Dennis Scherer Alan Willis Henrietta Leason* Jo Ann Leinweber Emily Rataichek • 1970-71 Menomonee Falls • 1984-85 Madison • 1956-57 Appleton Allan Scheurell James Smejkal • 1998-99 Manitowoc • 2012-2013 Appleton Erv Mouritsen* Stephanie Kosmowski Sheryl R.E.-Marshall Dean Marsolek Ted Sterletske Elaine Lehmann* Marvell Ruppel Ann Palm • 1971-72 Marinette • 1985-86 Eau Claire • 1957-58 Oshkosh George Perry* Keith Maren • 1999-2000 Stevens Point Don Diercks* Ann Matuszak* Ellen Schmidt George Basgall * Deceased Avis Mallas* Karen Spittlemeister • 1972-73 La Crosse • 1986-87 Manitowoc • 1958-59 Green Bay Frank La Conte William Crivello* • 2000-2001 Oshkosh Edward Millane Mardale Matthiesen Joyce Frando Pam Ingham* Ida Wolf* Karen Spittlemeister “A true leader has the confidence to stand alone, the courage to make tough decisions and the compassion to listen to the needs of others. They do not set out to be leaders, but become one by the quality of their actions and the integrity of their intent. In the end, leaders are much like eagles…they don’t flock, you find them one at a time.”

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Greetings from Your Department Officers…

step forward to help out. Membership in our Department continues 2nd Vice Commander-Programs to struggle. We just can’t seem to get to that continuous growth pattern. As usual, it’s retaining our annual members that’s the As you read this, the year will soon be over and the problem. We can sign up new members, but Convention will be upon us. There are so many people have a heck of a time keeping them, and to thank for such a great year. We finished the year at that’s our fault. We’re not keeping them 100% program reporting. I would just like to give a interested in staying with us. I don’t remember a time where you can just sit back special thanks to all District Commanders who pushed and say, “Membership is just where we want it.” It never should be. We need to their Post, all members who have taken the time to send continue to grow. Invite your new members to join you at a meeting. If they express in reports and all those who participated. their interest in a project or an idea to help your Post, strongly consider putting them There will be a class on programs at the Convention on a committee or implementing their suggestions. That’ll keep them coming back. for new officers and anyone who would like to know Mark Reiling, our Vice Commander-Programs is wearing out his telephone and more on how to report programs. I hope each Post sends computer keyboard, trying to get some of our Posts to send a programs report in. someone to attend. There are some things that make it I really don’t understand why it’s so difficult for some of you to do. If you have Mark Reiling hard for a Vice Commander to do his job, things that a viable Post, your members are doing things in your community to help veterans need to be addressed. Examples of these are Posts who and others in need. When done, tell our Programs officer what you did. It’s pretty felt there is no need to do a report because the Post doesn’t want any records, or why simple, folks. Please just get it done. should we send in reports monthly if we do a District report. There are a lot more, In our Finance Department, it’s been a very interesting year with our Finance too many to list, but if each Post would just turn in one thing each month, either Officer, Dennis Maeder having health issues. As most of you know, Dennis has online or mail to the Vice Commander, it would make his job much easier. been around for many years and to not have him there to do the job was not good. At Convention we will be having the fish bowl and the state raffle. Gifts are But he’s back at it now, trying to catch up after being out of commission for over needed by all to make them both a success. Please keep the gift of good quality, two months. He’s sporting a new look these days, too. I don’t know if he’ll keep something you would like to receive. Don’t forget also later this year we have King that look ’til Convention, but he looks pretty good for a guy with a gray beard. weekend and the state dance, where we will also need gifts. Then to top it off, our Solicitor is having serious financial problems, which affected Elections are going to be held at the Convention. At this time I would ask for your our Dept. income. This darn near caused a panic in our office, but so far has been support for the position of 1st Vice Commander of Membership. I will give it my straightened out for now. We’ll see what occurs with them and this publication in best to make it a good year in membership. the coming months. As I said “very interesting”. Whew!! I am looking forward to the Convention and hope to see every Post there. It Our State Raffle Committee has put quite a few hours in on reorganizing our has been a great pleasure being your 2nd Vice Commander this year. Have a raffle and expanding its customers. They had planned to have the drawing at this great summer. Convention, but had to postpone it to implement some of their plans. The tickets should be in your hands very soon and the drawing will be held at the September Mark Reiling State Executive Committee Meeting. Please try to buy or sell all of the tickets you’re 2nd Vice Commander-Programs given, and if possible…ask for more. This is an important Foundation fundraiser that has been bringing in less and less funds since it was implemented a few years ago. They really need your help to do even more for those in need. Give it your best. Once again, I look forward to seeing all of my AMVETS friends from around the great state of Wisconsin at this Convention and to meet those of you that are new Department Executive Director to our family. I want to thank all of my fellow AMVETS and all of the members of our subordinate groups for all that you do for our military personnel, our fellow I hope the vast majority of our readers are planning veterans and those in need in our communities. No one does it better than YOU. to attend our Department Convention this year, June See you at Convention! 20th through the 23rd. After a 10-year absence, we are traveling back to the Radisson Paper Valley Hotel Mike Mahoney in Appleton. The hotel is right in the downtown area Executive Director where there are plenty of stores and restaurants for you to explore. It’s great to be back in this area, and I certainly hope you enjoy your stay. The hotel staff and convention bureau are going out of their way for us. NEC Report Duane Miskulin and our Convention Board have been working very hard on this event, so things should run The Silver Helmet just concluded in Alexandria, Mike Mahoney very smoothly. As this term comes to an end, I want to congratulate Virginia in early April with 27 people from Wisconsin our Dept. Commander Ted Sterletske, our Ladies Auxiliary President Ann Palm, attending. Donald Driver received the Humanitarian our Saddest Sad Sack Bill Forry, our Riders President Tom Busse, our Sons of of the Year Silver Helmet sponsored by the Ladies AMVETS Commander Andy Campbell and our Snappiest Sackette Marvell Ruppel Auxiliary. The Wisconsin Ladies Auxiliary had a for a really great year. It’s good to see our Saddest back at it again. reception planned for Mr. Driver, but he was unable I also want to thank my Assistant, Mike Kandziora, for all he’s done this past term to attend because his father had throat surgery the in dealing with membership transmittals. If you think that’s easy, think again. I also previous Monday. want to thank him for dealing with the controversy between our AMVETS home, the The National Convention will be held July War Memorial Center and the Milwaukee Art Museum. It looks like an agreement 26th-August 4th at the Nugget, 1100 Nugget Avenue has been worked out between the two that will keep us in the only office that the in Sparks, NV 89431. The rate is $101, tax included. Phone numbers for reservations are 800-648-1177 or Wisconsin AMVETS has ever had. Dennis Barrington Our Hospital & Service Foundation, led by our Chairman Ken Wendt, is doing 775-356-3393. There is free shuttle service from the a fabulous job of assisting veterans throughout our State by spending thousands airport and parking is complimentary. of hours volunteering in our VA Hospitals and our Veterans Homes. Of course, I PNC Duane Miskulin is a candidate for a two-year term on the National have to thank all of the individuals and Posts throughout our State for countless Service Foundation. Let’s attend and support Duane. donations and your time in these facilities putting a smile on the faces of those I will be a candidate for the office of NEC and as in the past, I would that have to spend time there. Thank you very much. We still need a representative appreciate your support at Convention. at the Iron Mountain VA and a Deputy at the Minneapolis VA to help Tom Armstrong who’s had some health issues lately. Barry Holm has done a fine job at Dennis (DB) Barrington Iron Mountain in the absence of a representative there. If you have the time, please NEC

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Sad Sack Report Fundraising Report

In Deepest from Department Saddest: By the time you read this report, each and every member should have received No hellos and unhappiness to all you sorry looking their tickets. bunch of Sad Sacks. As I am writing this it somehow The committee consisting of Duane Miskulin, Al Willis, Dennis Maeder, Jim does not come clear that the year is not moving along Stahl and myself have worked very hard coming up with different ideas on how to and its almost over. Just not to let you sorry Sacks rejuvenate the fundraiser as the profits for the Hospital and Service Foundation have know, your Saddest had two scans and a doctors visit been going down every year. with everything coming back normal and another Two of the ways to make this more profitable is to lower the prize money from corner has been turned. I might not be combing my hair $9,000 to $7,000 and to get a donors list from National Headquarters of non- by convention and not having handle bar mustache too, AMVETS who have supported us in the past. If this works out well, the prize fund its only hair and who cares. Now enough not about me can be raised next year. – on with carrying the tradition of Sad Sacks. Hopefully, all sold tickets will be returned by August 23rd as the drawing will be On 23 March 2013 at about 1531(3:31 PM) after held September 7, 2013 at the SEC in Black River Falls. William Forry the SEC in Neenah a brief scrimmage was not held for No matter what changes were made, the bottom line is: it’s up to each and every unfinished unbusiness and disorder. The turn out was average with about 12 to 14 member, Post and District to make this a success. Sell the tickets to relatives, friends Sacks not in attendance, but nonetheless it was an unsuccessful scrimmage where and anyone you can. This is the Hospital and Service Foundation’s only fundraiser. nothing of importance was not accomplished and disorder was in full swing. It was undecided by an unmotion and a third not to give a $500.00 Nursing Scholarship to Dennis (DB) Barrington the Hospital & Service Foundation at convention, which did not pass with the usual Chairman sign. Also, before I forget your Saddest was unnominated for another year and has duly unaccepted. Hopefully with Money Bags our tree continues to bear dividends to keep our cash reserves at a decent level and that Money Bags doesn’t go on a cruise without us. Yet another year is not moving along so fast whereby we shall not gather in our Operation DVD cherished custom of the Sack as we gather and search out our humble beginnings and migrate to that spot where we gather as brothers. There we shall give a deaf ear By now I’m sure each and every Post knows how important this program is. Every to the loud flapping of gums, chipping of teeth and crying into liquids. This we do member of the military needs some sort of diversion to relax, and watching movies naturally, and remember a little nonsense every now and then is cherished by the is one important way. best of us. There is no reason why each and every Post cannot participate in some way or Just a quick unreminder, there is scrimmage at convention at 1531(3:31 PM) on another. One way is to collect DVDs one month a year or make a monetary donation Friday 21 June 2013 for unfinished unbusiness and to send the DVDs to Ohio, who then sends them overseas. disorder. Also, before I forget we will not accept any See you at Convention. unnominations for State Officers to not be elected. All Sacks are forever unreminded to not have a Sad Sack Dennis (DB) Barrington application on their person while not in attendance Operation DVD Chairman of said scrimmage, failure to do so will be justly Cell: 414-745-3975 rewarded by your SADDEST and duly not collected by “Money Bags”. We don’t want any Yard Birds, so if you are not interested in becoming a Sad Sack don’t attend. If you don’t, your sponsor will not take care of you with dignity. Recognition of Readership

William Forry No Winner This Time !!!! Department SADDEST In recognition of all of our AMVETS family members, the Sound Off will award our faithful readership with a small cash recognition award token of thanks. Each issue will contain the AMVETS Membership Numbers of five members posted below in parenthesis and bold – Example: (203095). AMVETS RIDERS of Wisconsin The recognition award will be $10.00, which means up to $50.00 may be awarded with each issue. Any member of the AMVETS family (which District 8 has been formed. State President, Tom includes the Ladies Auxiliary and the Sons of AMVETS) will qualify. All Busse, swore in the new officers at the March State members’ numbers will be selected at random and reselected each issue. Who AMVETS Riders Meeting. The president is Ed knows? Your number may come up for some cash!!! Cadwell. We welcome all of the new members of this A gracious yearly donation has sponsored this endeavor for the benefit new District. of each of you, our loyal readership. As some of our AMVETS family may There will be plans for a joint ride within the state to not receive the quarterly Sound Off directly, the Sound Off is posted on our meet and gather at several points. A group ride with our Department’s website for all to enjoy. Districts is a perfect way to get together and learn what The Sound Off staff sincerely thanks you and wishes only the best to you each group is doing and just get to know each other. and yours. So please, check out the Sound Off, find your membership number If anyone is attending the Harley-Davidson 110th and enjoy the cash!!! Anniversary Celebration Aug. 29-Sept. 1st, be sure to show your colors by wearing your uniform. That The Following Membership Numbers were listed for the Spring Issue: Tom Busse is a great way to promote (2321734) Steven Anderson (2011174) Brian Booth new membership. (1167192) Bob Dessort (2086003) John Nebelsiek Remember that the riding season is beginning, so be (151565) Todd Barbian (Sons of AMVETS) careful and watch out for each other and be aware of your surroundings. The following Membership Numbers are listed for this issue: BE SAFE!!! (1444395) (2319086) (1009774) (996331) (1412244)

Editor’s Note: Winning checks are issued at time the next issue of Sound Off HHHHHHHHHHH is published.

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Commander’s and Auxiliary President’s Testimonials

7 AMVETS Department of Wisconsin

Year In Review: Ted Sterletske

Commander Ted and Robin Sterletske.

White Clover Princess, Department Commander and Auxiliary President.

Mike Miller (L) of Appleton, born and raised in Reedsville, is shown here being installed by newly-elected AMVETS State Commander Ted Sterletske of Brillion, as the Commander of Reedsville Sons of AMVETS Squadron 1032.

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Auxiliary Preamble We, the mothers, wives, widows, grandmothers, sisters, daughters, stepdaughters AMVETS Ladies Auxiliary has been serving their families, communities and and granddaughters of the American Veteran and female veterans, fully realizing our nation’s veterans for over 50 years. All of our service is accomplished through our responsibilities to the community, state and nation, associate ourselves for the volunteer hours and contributions of our members and supporters. Because of our following purposes: To uphold and defend the Constitution of the United States of members and people like you, who care and want to make a difference, we are able America; to safeguard the principles of freedom, liberty and justice for all; to promote to support our various projects throughout the United States. Donations to John the cause of peace and goodwill among nations; to maintain inviolate the freedom Tracy Clinic, St. Jude’s Research Hospital, PAWS With A Cause, and Freedom’s of our country; to preserve the fundamentals of democracy and Americanism; to Foundation enable each of these organizations to provide the care to those children perpetuate the friendship and associations of the American Veteran and to dedicate with disabilities and medical conditions, physically challenged adults and children, ourselves to the cause of mutual assistance…this by the grace of God. and instill patriotism in the youth of America.

Ladies Auxiliary News to receive the award. What an honor for the State of Wisconsin to have another Packer amongst the recipients of this prestigious award. My year has given me some perspective of all the hard work each and every A Message from Auxiliary does for the benefit of our Veterans and service to our communities. I congratulate all of you on all you do to make AMVETS and AMVETS Auxiliary Department Auxiliary the organization it is today. Being a member of the AMVETS family is an honor President both Ron and I will always treasure. The rest of the year brings the State bowling tournament, our Spring Carnival to raise money for our NEC, many official visits to It is hard to believe that we are already at that time our Auxiliaries to swear in your officers and, of course, the work that comes with a of year we are writing our Convention Article. What a State Convention. wonderful year this has been in so many ways. I hope Serving with our Commander and Clover Princes Makayla Pues has given me that many of you will be at Convention. This is the time many fun and rewarding experiences in our many travels together. The Hospital of year we look to our future, elect our leaders for the tours continue to amaze me as each hospital is striving to add new technology each coming year and set our goals to do even better for our year. Other highlights have been the many projects I see everyone working on, Ann Palm Veterans and communities. especially those that work for the homeless Veteran. As you know, my project this We just returned from our trip to Washington, D.C. where we had the year has been the homeless Veteran – a cause dear to my heart. I thank all those wonderful opportunity of laying a wreath at the tomb of the Unknown Soldier. who have supported my project of the homeless Veteran and given monetarily to It was an experience I will never forget. Looking out over the tomb and seeing my project. the vast landscape of Washington, D.C. was an amazing sight. Then having the In closing, I hope I see many of you at Convention and thank you from the bottom distinct honor of walking down the steps to the tomb with our Commander Ted, of my heart for allowing me to hold the office of Dept. President for the great State the White Clover Princes Makayla, her escort Jim Endres and myself to lay the of Wisconsin. It truly has been a humbling experience and an honor to serve you as wreath was a very humbling experience. One truly realizes the ultimate sacrifices our Dept. President. our Veterans have made during this ceremony. We watched in awe and silence at May God Bless our Veterans, both serving actively and those who served and the changing of the guard. Seeing the rows of white tombstones is such a sacred those that have gone before us, so we can enjoy the freedom we do in America. moment, one that represents our military and the service they gave so willingly, God Bless America and God speed to each of you as you continue to work so so we can enjoy our freedom. It is truly overwhelming. Seeing the monuments of diligently for our AMVETS Family. so many heroes and leaders of our great country makes one realize what a great nation we are privileged to live in. Ann Palm I would be remiss if I didn’t mention that our own Wide Receiver Donald Driver President was nominated for the Humanitarian Award and was at the Silver Helmet Banquet AMVETS Ladies Auxiliary

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Secretary John Scocos and President Ann Palm Photo time with the Easter Visit to AMVETS Headquarters. at the award presentation. Bunny.

President Ann Palm with National President Leslie Wunderle. The Wisconsin Delegation at the Silver Helmet Awards in Washington, D.C.

Swearing in of Auxiliary 41 President Swearing in Auxiliary 41 Officers in Fond du Lac. Mary Wiese by State President Ann Palm. Swearing in of Auxiliary 45 officers at New London.

Auxiliary Calendar Raffle Winners January: February: $50.00 Mary Ann Sieger, Auxiliary 7 $50.00 Don Schambureck, Auxiliary 60 $50.00 Bob Nuernberg, Auxiliary 60 $50.00 Margaret Widden, Auxiliary 60 $25.00 Carol Bubolz, Auxiliary 1051 $25.00 Howie Pegelow, Auxiliary 4 $25.00 Ted Sterletske, Auxiliary 7 $25.00 Emily Ostrowski, Auxiliary 1051 $20.00 Post 7, Auxiliary 7 $20.00 Auxiliary 7 $20.00 Norine Bieser, Auxiliary 60 $20.00 Ted Sterletske, Auxiliary 7 $15.00 Tim Krueger, Auxiliary 99 $15.00 Auxiliary 99

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AMVETS Auxiliary Greetings from the National Post 50-Phillips Auxiliary President

In March, Doug Rasmussen and Dolores Gradinjan drove over to Chippewa Greetings and welcome to your 2013 Department Falls, Wisconsin to visit the newly opened Veterans Nursing Home. We took the 42 Convention from AMVETS National Ladies Auxiliary, our National Officers and Headquarters Staff. I know pillowcases that were sewed on by the “Restless Rascal 4-H” girls and their leaders we have all had a busy year working hard for our for our project “Operation H*E*R*O*S”, which we started during Love America Veterans, communities and children. Thank you for all Week in November. you do! It has been an honor to serve as your National At the Veterans Home we met Mary Smith, high school teacher of Family & President this year and I have enjoyed all of my visits Consumer Education at the Tomahawk High School. Mary is responsible for coming to our Departments. You have been generous with your up with the program Operation H*E*R*O*S. Her class made 30 pillowcases that hospitality, gifts and donations. Again, THANK YOU! she brought over. Each veteran received one of the 72 pillowcases as a “thank you” To the outgoing officers, Job Well Done. Your service for serving our country during both war and peacetime. Because of their military and dedication is greatly appreciated. To the incoming efforts, they made it possible for many of us to have a safe nights’ sleep. officers, as you take the oath of office and continue the At the Chippewa Falls Home, the skilled nursing facility provides compassionate work that began many years ago by our Auxiliary, I know you will work hard for and professional long-term care to veterans and members of their family who cannot our Veterans and our National Programs. Best wishes for a successful Convention as we continue “Serving Those be cared for in their homes. Their multidisciplinary team of physicians, nurses, Who Served”. therapists and social workers develop a customized, goal-oriented treatment plan to God Bless America and our Veterans. address each members’ specific needs. Whatever your living requirements or medical needs, the Wisconsin Veterans Home at Chippewa Falls stands ready to serve you – Leslie R. Wunderle with the same pledge of loyalty and commitment YOU gave to your country. National President AMVETS Ladies Auxiliary 2012-2013 AMVETS Ladies Auxiliary Department of Wisconsin June 21, 2013

Greetings Madam President, Department Officers, P.D.P.s, Delegates and guests, WELCOME TO OUR 2013 DEPARTMENT CONVENTION being held at the Radisson Paper Valley Hotel & Convention Center in Appleton, Wisconsin. It is a pleasure to extend greetings to you all from the Convention Board at our 68th Annual Convention. Under the guidance of our current Department President, officers and various Committee Chairmen, we have accomplished many good things this past term. As Convention delegates, you have been given the responsibility of determining the guidelines for our Ladies Auxiliary for the next year. You will have the duty of electing the officers who will lead us in furthering the aims and purposes of this Auxiliary. Thank you for purchasing raffle tickets, for submitting names for the Patron’s Page and donating door prizes; your cooperation helps defray our Convention expenses. To my fellow Board Members Darlene Hempel and Gorgette Sampo –thank you for your support and efforts this year. A committee that works together as we have is sure to bring the best of results and you made my job much easier. Madam President Ann, thank you for a wonderful year and may you have a productive and harmonious Convention.

Helen Dessort – Year Convention Board Chairman Nice entry sign at the newly opened Chippewa Falls Home. Darlene Hempel –2nd Year Convention Board Member Gorgette Sampo – 3rd Year Convention Board Member Greetings from the Sackettes’ Snappiest Calling all Auxiliary Members! Wisconsin Ladies Auxiliary members now have the opportunity to join the Honor and Fun Organization of the AMVETS Ladies Auxiliary – Foxy Ladies Sackettes Unit 119. We are the counterpart to the AMVETS Sad Sacks. Our primary purpose is to have fun while also raising dollars that go toward scholarships for people enrolled in a nursing program. Perhaps you’ve seen those baskets that the Sackettes have sold chances for at the State Convention last June and again at our recent SEC or caught a glimpse of us in our cute aprons! Information regarding the current scholarship that we are sponsoring this year is published in this Sound Off issue. Our membership is small but we’re hoping to grow with your help! Ladies are always welcome to come join us at a Fracas to see what we’re about. Our next Fracas will be held 21 minutes following the conclusion of business on Friday at our Department Convention this June. If you would like a copy of the membership criteria, please contact Darlene Hempel at 920-987-5757 or e-mail her at [email protected]

Marvell Ruppel, Snappiest

Pictured, L-R: Mary Smith, desk receptionist, Doug Rasmussen, desk receptionist Note to our current Sackettes: My dishumble apology for using totally correct and Auxiliary President Dolores Gradinjan. language. I will not pay the fine due at our next Fracas.

1111 AMVETS Department of Wisconsin

AMVETS Ladies Auxiliary Department of Wisconsin Convention Agenda Office (Nerve Center)-Lower Level-Aspen Friday, June 21, 2013 9:00 a.m.-10:00 a.m. Registration Lower Level – Outside Evergreen 10:00 a.m.-12 Noon First Convention Session Lower Level – Evergreen Opening of Auxiliary Convention Presentation of Officers and Chairmen Official Opening Invocation Posting of Colors, Pledge of Allegiance Auxiliary Preamble Auxiliary Aims And Purposes Auxiliary Code of Ethics Definition of Americanism Convention Board Welcoming Message Introduction of Honored Guests and First-Timers Roll Call Adoption of Convention Rules Adoption of Agenda Credentials Report #1 Department Officers – Reports, Resolutions, etc. Bylaw Changes (read if needed)

12 Noon-1:00 p.m. Lunch

1:00 p.m.-4:30 p.m. Reconvene First Business Session Bylaw Changes and/or Continuation of Reports Comments and Announcements 5:00 p.m. Past Presidents Gather Lobby 6:00 p.m. Past President’s Dinner Victoria’s Restaurant 8:00 p.m.-12 Midnight Get Acquainted Party Salon B

Saturday, June 22, 2013 7:00-8:00 a.m. Registration Lower Level – Outside Evergreen 7:45 a.m. Assemble for Joint Session with AMVETS Outside Salon C & D 8:00 a.m. Opening of Joint Session Salon C & D Presentation of Auxiliary State Officers, Past Department Presidents and Auxiliary Members Immediately Following Joint Session Reassemble In Meeting Room

9:45 a.m.-12 Noon Second Convention Session Lower Level – Evergreen (Approx.) Presentation of Past Department Presidents Helen Dessort, Convention Board Chair Roll Call Credential Report #2 Adoption of Election Rules Nomination of Officers Department Officer Reports (continued as needed) Layette Presentation Auxiliary Memorial Service Voting of Bylaw Changes (if needed) 12 Noon Break For Awards Luncheon 12:30 p.m.-2:00 p.m. President’s Luncheon Great Hall Awards Presentations Raffle Drawing (Caucus to follow as needed) 2:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m. Sackette Meeting Great Hall 4:30 p.m. Non-Denominational Church Service To Be Announced 6:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. Cocktails/Commander’s Banquet Salon C & D 7:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m. Commander’s Banquet and Awards Dinner Salon C & D

Sunday, June 23, 2013 7:30 a.m.-8:00 a.m. President’s Breakfast Lower Level – Aspen 8:00 a.m.-9:00 a.m. Registration Lower Level – Outside Evergreen 9:00 a.m. Joint Memorial Service Courtyard (If Inclement Weather – Salon B) Following Services: Third Convention Session Lower Level – Evergreen Roll Call Credentials Report #3 Election and Installation of Officers Unfinished Business President-Elect’s Introduction to AMVETS Body President’s Message President-Elect’s Message Closing Prayer Retire Colors Adjournment of AMVETS Ladies Auxiliary Convention

Immediately Following Convention: Post Convention SEC Meeting. All present are requested to attend.

12 AMVETS Department of Wisconsin

Year In Review: Ann Palm

President Ann. Enjoying the evening – Ron and Ann Palm.

Happy Birthday, President Ann!

Awards – President Ann Palm.

President Ann Palm. Rep Gordon Hintz with President Ann Palm on Veterans Day at Oshkosh High School.

13 AMVETS Department of Wisconsin

White Clover Princess Makayla Pues 2012-2013 White Clover Princess

I would like to be Miss AMVET White Clover Princess because I have contributed to AMVETS before by working with the Veterans, hearing about their experiences, and this is something that I wanted to do in the past. I have been involved with AMVETS since I was a baby; my grandparents would cart me off in my baby buggy and take me to many social events for AMVETS. I have enjoyed going back and seeing the same smiling faces that I have been for practically my whole life and seeing them recognize me. I want to represent AMVETS as Miss AMVET White Clover Princess because I would like to help the stories of these Veterans live on; their stories are fascinating and each individual person saw their war experience differently. I think that traveling as Miss AMVET White Clover Princess would be a good experience for me to learn more about the wars and the Veterans that served in them. Being Miss AMVET White Clover Princess would be a good opportunity for me because I really enjoy working with the Veterans, and I can represent our American Veterans that have served our country for something that they believed in. Thank you.

White Clover Princesses 1967 – 2013 AMVETS and the 1967-68: Sharon Mattes (Schmitz) #4 1990-91: Crystal Johnson (Massart) #51 1968-69: Charmine (Cheri) Berzinski (Parke) #27 1991-92: Trisha Lyn Bredlau (Fenske) #1051 White Clover Program 1969-70: Holly Slack (French) #71 1992-93: Lori Spittlemesiter (Haxton) #51 The men and women of AMVETS are to be found in nearly 1500 1970-71: Sheryl Easterling (Marshal) #14 1993-94: Sara DeNomie #61 1971-72 Carol Navarre (Ernst) #4 1994-95: Pamela Nieman #60 communities throughout the United States. They are warm-hearted 1972-73: Diane Matuszak #27 1995-96: Janene Schlesner (Sherry) #35 people who possess a lasting memory. 1973-74: Vicki Wotruba (Nielson) #99 1996-97: Nikki Schlesner McGee (Hicks) #35 The AMVETS White Clover is a symbol of World War II and of the 1974-75: Vicki Wotruba (Nielson) #99 1997-98: Jaclyn Basgall (Ruedinger) #37 Americans who served their country all over the world, in that war, to 1975-76 Tanace Matthiesen (Becker) #71 1998-99: Anna Zastrow #4 preserve a principle. The White Clover is only wax, paper and color, 1976-77: Joanne Kasza (deceased) #60 1999-00: Katie Maren #37 and worth only a few pennies but was chosen because it thrives on 1977-78: Kim Bowman (Ninneman) #14 2000-01: Melissa Young #61 freedom throughout the world. 1978-79: Jean Pajewski (Zawacki) #4 2001-02: Whitney Ruppel #60 The White Clover Program, adopted by AMVETS in 1946, represents 1979-80: Jean Pajewski (Zawacki) #4 2002-03: Deanna Armstrong (Dodge) #14 our continuing commitment to our veterans and community. 1980-81: Victoria (Vicki) Schuch (Daigneault) #7 2003-04: Lindsey Rose Fay #120 In 1967 the White Clover Princess Program was formed. Open to 1981-82: Victoria (Vicki) Schuch (Daigneault) #7 2004-05: Caitlin Rose Cummings #1051 all single daughters, granddaughters, sisters and nieces between the 1982-83: Karen Stys (Armstrong) #14 2005-06: Lauren Meidl #7 1983-84: Joanne Nowak (Mlinar) #60 2006-07: Jamilynn Biachowski #60 ages of 14 and 18, of members “in good standing” of AMVETS and 1984-85: Beth Ann Gove (Bohlman) #6 2007-08: Katherine Sterletske #1032 AMVETS Ladies Auxiliary, her first and foremost responsibility is as 1985-86: Samantha Ford (Johnson) #51 2008-09: Angelica Barker #2000 a Public Relations Representative of the organization, promoting what 1986-87: Kathleen Gacik (Ray) #61 2009-10: Kambria Volkmann #51 the White Clover represents and the work done through the White 1987-88: Dottie Janney (Briekton) #53 (now #25) 2010-11: Katie Roth #2180 Clover sales. 1988-89: Gretchen Schneider (Trautman) #51 2011-12: Rebecca Reiling #500 As her year unfolds, the Princess becomes as the White Clover, a 1989-90: Lisa Schlesner (Ford) #35 2012-13: Makayla Pues #99 symbol of grace and beauty.

14 AMVETS Department of Wisconsin

Year In Review: Makayla Pues

Our Princess with a friend.

Our White Clover Princess led us in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Our White Clover Princess with one White Clover Princess, National President and Dept. of the residents. President.

15 AMVETS Department of Wisconsin

AMVETS Year In Review State Dartball Tournament

HHHH 16 AMVETS Department of Wisconsin

AMVETS Year In Review Tomb of Unknown Soldier – Washington, D.C.

Some of our members attended the Auxiliary Training in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.

Pictured, L-R: Commander Sterletske, Auxiliary President Ann Palm, PDC Spring SEC Endres and White Clover Princess Makayla.

An escort down the steps. Our members at the presentation.

Tomb of Unknown Soldier with the wreath we presented.

17 AMVETS Department of Wisconsin

AMVETS Department of Wisconsin 2013 State Convention WELCOME GREETINGS

Riders National President

Greetings Fellow AMVETS, I would like to extend a special thank you to the entire AMVETS Family of the Great State of Wisconsin on this, your 69th Annual Convention. Over the years, the AMVETS of Wisconsin have supported the AMVETS Riders and our mission of helping Veterans; for this I am grateful. I especially want to thank those individuals who have led the Department of Wisconsin this past year and congratulate those who are about to be elected to serve in the coming year. May they continue to be vocal in their opinions, receptive to new ideas and supportive when called upon. AMVETS National Commander 2012-2013 You should be proud to belong to such a great organization with so many dedicated people and I look forward to working with your Department in the future. April 1, 2013 Good luck in the coming year to all of your new officers, AMVETS, AMVETS Ladies Auxiliary, Sons of AMVETS and AMVETS Riders. Greetings to the members of the AMVETS Department of Wisconsin, LRB, As the AMVETS Department of Wisconsin gathers Gerald Gary Carver for the annual State Convention, I want to extend my National President best wishes to each of you on behalf of AMVETS AMVETS Riders National Headquarters. Thanks to your continued hard work and dedication, AMVETS remains at the forefront of veterans’ service across our great nation, Greetings from Secretary John Scocos serving veterans of all conflicts and continuing to adapt to the ever-changing needs of our nation’s diverse Dear Wisconsin AMVETS Members: veterans’ community. On behalf the Wisconsin Department of Veterans For more than six decades, AMVETS has built its stellar reputation upon the Affairs, I am honored to have this opportunity to greet tireless efforts of our members in Posts and Departments all across the country, and you as you attend the 69th Annual AMVETS State AMVETS Department of Wisconsin is no exception. In the last year, each of you Convention in Appleton this June. has demonstrated your commitment to our nation’s heroes through a broad range of Your continued support of veterans, their families innovative programs and volunteer efforts. and the issues important to them is greatly appreciated. As National Commander, I want to take this opportunity to thank your department, Without the efforts of those like you who advocate for its officers, and your members for your continued devotion to the noble cause of veterans, our job would be much more challenging. veteran’s service, and I challenge you to do all that you can to serve our veterans, Cooperation between veterans’ groups, our department past and present, during these trying times in our nation. and individual veterans fosters a positive relationship As Wisconsin AMVETS, you continue to improve the lives of your fellow that can only help to serve our military heroes. veterans, and serve as stewards of the communities in which you live, keeping with Our department is committed to helping veterans and working with everyone the greatest traditions of our organization and our nation. With this in mind, I wish possible to accomplish that mission. you a most productive and successful Convention in 2013. Once again, thank you for all the work you do to honor Wisconsin veterans and their families. Congratulations on your 69th Annual State Convention and best Veterans Supporting Veterans, wishes on a successful event. Cleve Geer AMVETS National Commander Sincerely, John A. Scocos Secretary Greetings from Your Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs National AMVETS Programs Director Greetings from I am grateful for the opportunity to extend my personal greetings to the entire AMVETS family of the great “Badger State.” Please know that your time, talents Lieutenant Governor Rebecca Kleefisch and yes…even treasurers that will be invested during your 69th Annual State Dear Wisconsin AMVETS: Convention are genuinely needed and appreciated. First I would like to congratulate AMVETS on Enjoy your time spent together, and leave all of your personal agendas in your the upcoming 69th State AMVETS Convention in luggage; remember it is about serving our nation’s heroes. Quality Programs serve Appleton this June. The work you do to serve your veterans, attract members and ensures membership retention. fellow veterans is fundamental to Wisconsin and the Quality Programs do not just happen, they take some effort! The key is to country. I trust the Convention will be a great success. keep it simple and decide what you want to do and then do it. Failure to act is Last year, Governor Walker proclaimed 2012 often the biggest failure of all. It is vitally important to cooperate, coordinate and “The Year of the Veteran”, to raise awareness and communicate. The lack of well-planned programs, shared in advance with your remember the men and women who have sacrificed members, is communicating that leadership is not serious about building a premier for our country. From our continuous investments veterans’ service organization. I challenge each of you to get involved and make in the Veteran’s Trust Fund to the 2011 Wisconsin this your best Convention ever! Act 120, which is designed to recognize a service member’s military training in satisfying the training requirements for professional God Bless, and occupational licenses, our administration is working tirelessly to ensure our Beryl W. Love, CNP AMVETS National Programs Director LT. GOVERNOR KLEEFISCH, continued on page 19

18 AMVETS Department of Wisconsin

AMVETS Department of Wisconsin 2013 State Convention LT. GOVERNOR KLEEFISCH, continued from page 18 Greetings from the Mayor of Appleton veterans are provided the support needed to reenter the workforce using the unique training from their time in service. June 2013 I am inspired by the fact that your organization’s roots were planted by members of our greatest generation, and that AMVETS has grown into one of the most Welcome! Appleton is delighted to host the 69th State AMVETS Convention. I respected volunteer organizations in the country. That your mission of service didn’t hope your visit with us is both safe and enjoyable. end with your duties in uniform is admirable. Wisconsin is proud of your service, Appleton and the Fox Cities have a great deal to offer. Downtown Appleton is your commitment to fellow service members and veterans, and your communities. a thriving business and retail center and with the addition of our performing arts Our administration will continue to work toward improving the lives of veterans center and the reconstruction of our downtown main street and the College Avenue here Wisconsin. You are our heroes and a vital part of our society. AMVETS Bridge, Appleton has a very appealing look. We also have numerous other shopping mission and strong history serve as important reminders of veterans’ sacrifices and outlets, such as the Fox River Mall just west of Highway 41 (the largest mall in the we thank you for your service to our country. state north of Milwaukee), and the Northland Mall on Northland Avenue. While we are excited about our downtown developments, we continue to value Forward, our rich heritage as well. The Building for Kids (formerly the Fox Cities Children’s Rebecca Kleefisch Museum), located in the City Center Plaza, offers fascinating and fun exhibits Lieutenant Governor for youngsters. You may also choose to visit the History Museum at the Castle State of Wisconsin (formerly the Outagamie County Historical Museum) on College Avenue. Near this historical museum lies the campus of Lawrence University – chartered in 1847, six years before Appleton was incorporated as a village. Another fascinating historical Greetings from Senator Tammy Baldwin site is the Hearthstone on Prospect Avenue, a beautiful Victorian mansion built in 1882 as the first home in the world to utilize hydroelectric power. Just down the Welcome AMVETS! hill from Hearthstone, along the banks of the Fox River, is the historic Atlas Mill, On behalf of the State of Wisconsin, welcome home to the Paper Discovery Center. Celebrating all things paper you will learn to the 69th State AMVETS Annual Convention in about paper, the lynchpin of the local economy and have a chance to make your Appleton, Wisconsin. own sheet of paper! I want to take this opportunity to express my As the business day comes to a close and the sun sets, our downtown is sincerest thanks to you and your families for your transformed into a vibrant – and safe – entertainment center. Within walking selfless service to our country. In my new role as distance of any parking structure you will find an array of entertainment facilities, U.S. Senator for Wisconsin, I am committed to including one of the greatest concentrations of ethnic restaurants anywhere. keeping the sacred trust this country holds with I’m sure that during your stay you will find the citizens of Appleton and the Fox members of America’s military and their families. It Cities to be very friendly and hospitable. Please don’t hesitate to stop into City Hall is my pledge to you that I will work hard every day to if there is anything I can do for you, and please, come back to visit us again soon. strengthen the care and benefits Wisconsin veterans and their families have earned. Sincerely, Wisconsin is home to nearly 400,000 veterans from across the state. These brave Timothy M. Hanna men and women have served our nation with honor and protected our freedom. It Mayor of Appleton will remain a top priority for me to provide Wisconsin veterans access to the health care they need and the education and job opportunities they deserve when they return home. I hope that you will enjoy your Convention as we come together as a community On Wisconsin to recognize and celebrate your service to our country. On behalf of grateful citizens across Wisconsin and the United States, thank you If you consider it a sport to gather your food by drilling through 38 inches of for your service and all you have done to build a stronger future for America. ice and sitting there all day hoping that the food will swim by, you might live in Wisconsin. Sincerely, If you’re proud that your region makes the national news 96 nights each year U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin because Rice Lake is the coldest spot in the nation, you might live in Wisconsin. If you have ever refused to buy something because it’s “too pricey”, you might Greeting AMVETS from live in Wisconsin. If your local Dairy Queen is closed from November through March, you might Outagamie County live in Wisconsin. If you instinctively walk like a penguin for five months out of the year, you might On behalf of the citizens of Outagamie County, I offer live in Wisconsin. a heartfelt welcome to Wisconsin’s visiting veterans. We If someone in a store offers assistance, and they don’t work there, you might live are proud and honored to play host to the 69th annual in Wisconsin. AMVETS Convention and we want you to know that our If you may not have actually eaten it, but you have heard of Head Cheese, you gratitude is exceeded only by our hospitality. might live in Wisconsin. Outagamie County sponsors one of the Badger If you have worn shorts and a parka at the same time, you might live in Wisconsin. State’s best-run departments for veteran services and If you have either a pet or a child named “Brett”, you might live in Wisconsin. some of you are doubtless acquainted with the good If your town has an equal number of bars and churches, you might live in Wisconsin. work of our officer, Jon LiDonne. Mr. LiDonne is a If you have had a lengthy telephone conversation with someone who dialed a tireless advocate for veterans and has distinguished wrong number, you might live in Wisconsin. himself through his dedication and attention to those If you know how to say Oconomowoc, Waukesha, Waunakee, Stoughton, who have served their country. Menomonie and Manitowoc, you might live in Wisconsin . The amenities of the Fox Cities and the county of Outagamie are open to you. I If you think that ketchup is a little too spicy, you might live in Wisconsin. hope you will take advantage of all that we have to offer, especially at this beautiful If every time you see moonlight on a lake, you think of a dancing bear and time of year, the advent of summer. you sing gently, “Frommmm the land of sky-blue wa-aaa-ters”…you might live Your discipline, dedication and bravery are a tribute to all of us and we are in Wisconsin. mindful of all you have given in the call of duty. Thank you.

Thomas Nelson Outagamie County Executive HHHHHHHHH 19 AMVETS Department of Wisconsin

AMVETS Department of Wisconsin 2013 State Convention

Annual State Convention AMVETS Department of Wisconsin June 20-23, 2013 Annual State Convention Convention Planner June 20-23, 2013 It’s time to complete your plans for the upcoming Convention at The Radisson Room Reservation Form Paper Valley Hotel, 333 West College Avenue, Appleton, WI 54911. The following information help you and guide you through the process. Remember, you or AMVETS Post Number: ______your Post Convention Chairman have to make your room reservations, your Post Commander or Convention Chairman must register your Post’s delegates and your Name of Reservation Contact:______Post’s banquet reservations and your Post/District hospitality room reservations. Room Reservations are to be made by your Post or your individual members Address:______directly with the hotel. You may fill out the form here and send it in, but I would suggest you call and make your reservations. Post/District Hospitality Room City, State, Zip code:______is reserved by the Post or District. When making reservations, please mention AMVETS Room Block. Rooms are first come, first served. Phone Number:______Delegate Registration is to be handled by the Post, the check made payable to AMVETS State Convention and check and registration form sent directly to: AMVETS Rates: Dept. of Wisconsin, War Memorial Center, Room 306, 750 N. Lincoln Memorial Drive, 1, 2, 3 or 4 Adults $85 plus 11% Tax Milwaukee, WI 53202. Use the Delegate Reservation Form shown here. Mini-Suites $124 plus Tax Banquet Reservations are to be made by the Post, the check made payable to 4 Hospitality Rooms are Reserved $70 plus 11% Tax AMVETS State Convention and check & reservation form sent directly to: AMVETS Dept. of Wisconsin, Room 306, 750 N. Lincoln Memorial Dr., Milwaukee, WI To phone in a reservation call: 1-920-733-8000 53202. Use the Banquet Reservation Form shown here. Please specify AMVETS ROOM BLOCK when registering. Post Commander or Chairman – Please contact your Ladies Auxiliary and Sons Squadron for their Room Reservations and Banquet Reservations. These If mailing, make check payable to: can be included with your Post’s or made separately. Ladies Auxiliary Delegate The Radisson Paper Valley Hotel Registration should be sent directly to the Dept. Ladies Auxiliary. Send to: No one may charge their room, meals or any miscellaneous charges to the Radisson Paper Valley Hotel AMVETS Dept. of Wisconsin. If you have any questions, please contact the Department. Thank you. Hope to see all of you at the Convention. Reservation Department 333 West College Avenue, Appleton, WI 54911 Duane Miskulin Convention Board Chairman When calling in or requesting a reservation, specify AMVETS Room BLOCK Phone: 715-341-3818 to ensure rates. All reservations must be made by June 1, 2013 to ensure a room. Email: [email protected] After that time rooms held for the AMVETS will be released for general use and the group rate may not apply. Check-in time is 3:00 p.m. If your room is ready, you may be allowed to check-in early. DO NOT ASK FOR SPECIAL TREATMENT!!! Check out is 12 Noon. If you need additional time, please Rules, Regulations check with the front desk. ------and Information The Radisson Paper Valley Hotel AMVETS 2013 Convention Reservation Form Just a few items that should be brought to your attention as agreed by the Convention Board Committee. Name of Room Registered Occupant:______No charges of any type, i.e. rooms, meals, registration, bellhop, TV movies, gratuities, bar tabs, etc. will be paid by the AMVETS Dept. of Wisconsin. Arrival Date:______You are responsible for all of the above. If there is any question, Commander Departure Date:______Sterletske, Executive Director Mahoney or myself can give approval and charges must be signed by one of us. There is to be no soliciting or selling of any type of raffle tickets, meal tickets, Room Type: Regular Suite Hospitality etc. Only raffle tickets that are related to AMVETS will be allowed. Permission to sell these must have the approval of the State Commander, Executive Number of Occupants: ______Director or myself. Tickets can only be sold in your Hospitality Room. The theme for this year’s Get-Acquainted Dance on Friday night is Hawaiian Total Enclosed $______for ______rooms for ______nights Beach Party, so wear something appropriate, if you so choose. If someone in your Post has certain diet restrictions, please let us know when Credit Card Type:______making your Post’s Banquet reservations. Late Banquet Reservations will be subject to the Hotel Chef’s selection. Number: ______Our Sunday morning Memorial Service is a solemn event. Please wear Exp Date: ______something appropriate if you will be participating in the service. No shorts, T-shirts, sandals, beach attire, etc. The Agenda for the Convention printed in this issue is only TENTATIVE Name of Credit Card Holder:______right now, because we haven’t finalized meeting room assignments yet. When we do, we will update it. Address:______If you have any questions, contact me. City, State, Zip code:______Duane Miskulin Phone Number:______Convention Board Chairman Phone: 715-341-3818 Email: [email protected] Please make additional copies as necessary.

20 AMVETS Department of Wisconsin

AMVETS Department of Wisconsin 2013 State Convention

Annual State Convention AMVETS Wisconsin Department The Radisson Paper Valley Hotel Annual State Convention Appleton, Wisconsin June 20-23, 2013 June 20-23, 2013 Banquet Reservation Form

Delegate Registration Form All Posts, Delegates, Representatives, Commanders, Department Officers, Past State Commanders, State Committee Chairpersons and Guests MUST All Posts, Delegates, Representatives, Commanders, Department Officers, FILE this form to attend the Commander’s Awards Banquet. It must be sent Past State Commanders, State Committee Chairpersons and Guests MUST to and received at the AMVETS Dept. of Wisconsin’s office no later than June FILE THIS PREREGISTRATION FORM. It must be received no later 1, 2013 or late fees will apply. No exceptions!! than JUNE 1, 2013 at The AMVETS Dept. of Wisconsin’s office or the late registration fee will be required. There will be no exceptions unless authorized Meal Reservation: $25.00 by the Department Commander. Registration packets will be given to the Late Registration: $30.00 Delegates upon registration at the Convention Registration Desk at the Radisson Paper Valley Hotel. Please include the number of meals paid with the Pre-Registration Pre-Registration Only: $20.00 Package. Late Registration: $25.00 Name of Reservation Contact:______Name of person filing form:______Address:______Address:______City, State, Zip:______City, State, Zip code:______Phone Number:______Phone Number:______

Total Meals Reserved: ______Total Delegates Registered: ______Total Fees Enclosed: ______Total fee enclosed:______AMVETS Post Number: ______AMVETS POST NUMBER: ______Keep a copy of this form and bring to Convention for confirmation purposes. Send a completed copy of this form, along with a check made payable to: Send completed form with check made payable to AMVETS State Convention “AMVETS State Convention” to: AMVETS Dept. of Wisconsin Keep a copy of the form for your records. Bring it along to the Convention in War Memorial Center, Room 306 case of problems. 750 N. Lincoln Memorial Drive Milwaukee, WI 53202 Mail to: AMVETS Dept. of Wisconsin For Department Use Only War Memorial Center, Room 306 Check #______750 N. Lincoln Memorial Drive Amount: $______Milwaukee, WI 53202 Number Of Reservations ______

For Department use only List Banquet Attendees and Post Number Check # ______Amount $______No. of Delegates ______Names of delegates being pre-registered and AMVETS Post # ______

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21 AMVETS Department of Wisconsin

AMVETS Department of Wisconsin 2013 State Convention Tentative 2013 State Convention Agenda

Thursday, June 20, 2013 Sunday, June 23, 2013 2:00 p.m. Hospital & Service Foundation Meeting 8:00 a.m.-To Close Registration – Trustees Ken Wendt, Chairman 9:00 a.m. Memorial Service with Ladies Auxiliary 3:00 p.m. Administrative Board Meeting – Outside Area (Weather Permitting) Alan Willis, Chairman 10:00 a.m. Third and Final Session of 5:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m. Registration – Trustees Convention – Ted Sterletske, Commander a. Call to Order Friday, June 21, 2013 b. Prayer, Dept. Chaplain 8:00 a.m.-8:50 a.m. and Registration – Trustees c. Pledge to the Flag, 12:30 p.m.-1:20 p.m. Dept. Provost Marshal 9:00 a.m. State Executive Committee Meeting – d. Introductions Ted Sterletske, Commander e. Third Credentials Report 1:30 p.m. First Session of Department f. Resolutions Convention – Ted Sterletske, Commander g. Committee Reports/Announcements a. Call Convention to Order h. Final Credentials Report b. Posting of Colors i. Selection of Future Convention Site c. Opening Prayer, Dept. Chaplain j. Election of Department Officers d. Pledge to the Flag, 1. Commander Dept. Provost Marshal 2. Vice Commander-Membership e. Adoption of Convention Rules 3. Vice Commander-Programs f. Introductions 4. Judge Advocate g. First Credentials Report 5. 3-Year Trustee h. Committee Reports/Presentations 6. Provost Marshal i. Resolutions 7. Convention Board Chairman j. Announcements (3-Year Term) 3:31 p.m. Sad Sacks Scrimmage 8. National Executive 5:00 p.m. Riders Meeting Committeeman (2-Year Term) 5:00 p.m. Past Dept. Commanders’ Meeting 9. Alt. National Executive 7:00 p.m.-11:00 p.m. Get Acquainted Dance Committeeman (2-Year Term) k. Installation of Department Officers Saturday, June 22, 2013 l. Introduction of New Ladies 8:00 a.m.-9:20 a.m. and Registration – Trustees Auxiliary President 12:20 p.m.-12:50 p.m. m. Announcements 8:00 a.m. Combined Session with Ladies Auxiliary n. Close of Convention 9:30 a.m. Second Session of Department 1. Close Bible Convention – Ted Sterletske, Commander 2. Closing Prayer, Dept. Chaplain a. Call to Order 3. Retrieval of Colors b. Prayer, Dept. Chaplain c. Pledge to the Flag, Dept. Provost Marshal d. Intros. (Inc. New Riders President & Sad Sacks Saddest) e. Second Credentials Report f. Resolutions, Other Reports & Convention Sites Presentations g. Nominations of Department Officers h. Announcements Instruction Seminars for Post Officers 1:00 p.m.-2:00 p.m. Programs – Mark Reiling, Sr. 2:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m. Membership – Mike Kandziora and Steve Chesna 3:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m. VA Benefits 1:00 p.m. Sons of AMVETS Meeting 2:15 p.m. Bowling Tournament Meeting 3:15 p.m. Dartball Tournament Meeting 4:30 p.m. Communion Service 6:00 p.m. Cocktails 7:00 p.m. Commander’s Banquet

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Post News... Post 33 Beaver Dam, WI

The hunt is on in the snow!

Members from Post 33 pose for picture at the 7th Annual Banquet.

Treats for everyone after the hunt! Post 35 State Bowling Tournament Watertown, WI

AMVETS Post 35 Holds 65th Annual Easter Egg Hunt at Riverside Park Watertown AMVETS Post 35 conducted its 65th Annual Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday, March 23, 2013 at Riverside Park. Over 200 kids came out in the snow to attend the Post-sponsored event, which included over 2,500 hidden treat-filled eggs. A wide assortment of candies and goodies were also distributed to the kids Watertown Riedemann-Thompson AMVETS Post 35 participated in the 66th following the hunt. Annual Wisconsin AMVETS bowling Tournament held in Manitowoc. Bowling team members, L-R: Bruce Thompson, Les (Tom) Kaklinski, Larry Ready, Dennis Berg and Ted Sterletske (AMVETS State of Wisconsin Commander). Bruce Thompson’s doubles team won 2nd Place in the tournament. Avon Hi-Life of Johnson Creek sponsored the team. AMVETS Post 35 Declares 3rd Annual Spaghetti Dinner a Success! Watertown AMVETS Post 35 sponsored their 3rd Annual Spaghetti Dinner on Saturday, April 13, 2013 at the Rivers Edge Restaurant in downtown Watertown. A portion of the proceeds from this years’ dinner will go to the Caring for Carly Fund. Carly is a three-year-old girl from the area who requires special cancer treatments in New York. Pictured are Post members, along with the kids who won special prizes during We did it again! That’s right…AMVETS Post 35 held a successful spaghetti the hunt. dinner. We had over 250 tickets sold with an actual count of 231 going through the line at least once. To my knowledge, this has been our most successful dinner to date. Thank you to everyone who came out to support our dinner. Without you, we HHHHHHHHHHH POST 35, continued on page 24 23 AMVETS Department of Wisconsin

POST 35, continued from page 23 certainly could not have done it. Furthermore, a huge thank you to all of the members and volunteers who helped Post 99 out with ensuring that this dinner was successful. A lot of work was also done behind the scenes by a number of you. It all came together on Saturday! The comments I Manitowoc, WI heard from those attending the dinner assured me that we did everything right and reinforced that our members and volunteers work very well together. I only heard one complaint from a woman who approached me while I was working the cash register. Her complaint was that we only have the dinner once a year. She told me that she really enjoyed attending our dinner. Those kind words and many other positive ones from others that attended really made me feel proud and assured me that all of the hard work that was put into holding this dinner is certainly worth it. Our next Post community event will be our 3rd Annual Brat and Hamburger Fry held during the citywide rummage sale on Saturday, May 18th from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. at Breselow’s Family Market. Members of the Post look forward to serving up brats and hamburgers to any of you who can attend our cookout. Thanks again to all of you that attended this years’ dinner and to all of you volunteers and members who made it such a success!

Dennis Berg, Commander AMVETS Post 35

Pictured are AMVETS members and spaghetti dinner volunteers. Back Row, L-R: Dennis Berg, Steve Siegel, Jeff Ready, Mark Kottwitz, Larry Ready, Gary Winkler and Danny Bauer. Middle Row, L-R: Chuck Wendt, Joe Hrobsky, Chris Ready, Spring Reed, Sandy Zukatis, Cheryl Berg, Debbie Ready, Rick Nuoffer and Henry Gaugert. Front Row, seated, L-R: Deb Johnson, Dennis Johnson, Howie Schlesner, Tom Schlesner, Frank Braatz and Franklin Hrasky. Not pictured are Debbie Zabel, Al Zabel and Bonnie Hrobsky. The Post 99 Auxiliary hosted the annual Easter Egg Hunt on March 30, 2013 at the clubhouse for children of family and friends.

A HUGE thank you goes out Post 50 to Girl Scout Troop 8189 from Valders who recently donated Phillips, WI 26 boxes of Girl Scout cookies to the Troops Care Package program at AMVETS Post 99 in Manitowoc. The entire troop worked very hard and sold over 1,300 cookies. The cookies were shipped to our troops on March 17th for the Easter holiday. Girls Scouts pictured here are Valerie, Sophia, Megan, Berrin, Cierra and Daytona. Girl Scouts missing from the picture are Nevaeh and Sage. Others pictured in back include Troop Leader Bridget Valleskey; Cookie Mom Tammy Krause; Care Package Coordinator Mary Pohl, AMVETS Ladies Auxiliary Post 99; Tera Abitz, Jr. Troop Leader; and Ed Mahloch, Post Commander of AMVETS Post 99. POST 99, continued on page 25

Tracy Williams from Catawba, member of the Driftsplitter Snowmobile Club was the “lucky winner” of the autographed Green Bay Packer Football that the AMVETS Ladies Auxiliary raffled off at the Elk River Pioneer Snowmobile Breakfast. The AMVETS Auxiliary members were very grateful to the Elk River Pioneer snowmobile club for allowing them to raffle it off at their breakfast. The $305 made on the raffle will go to St. Jude.

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POST 99, continued from page 24

Working at the Post 99 White Clover Drive. Roger Dufek, White Clover Princess AMVETS Meeting at Pentagon in Washington, D.C. to discuss Veterans’ Affairs. Makayla Pues, Ruth Nielsen, Chris Mahloch and Hank Carmondy. Pictured is U.S. Secretary of Defense Chuck Hafel and AMVETS National Executive Director Stewart Hickey. The Post 51 Sweetheart Dance 2nd Annual Wisconsin State Veterans Reunion Once again the Annual State Veterans Reunion was held in Wisconsin Rapids. This year the reunion was held on Armed Forces Day at the Grand Rapids Lions Park. The event was similar to last year’s. The event was the brain child of Earl Arndt of VFW Post 2534 Buckley-Baldwin and set up to provide veterans, their family, friends and the community a fun social gathering and celebration. In the past, a targeted homeless Veteran event in Stevens Point was conducted that received poor attendance. The Reunion Concept boosted participation and allows veterans and the public a non-threatening way to find out about the many programs available to assist them with life’s challenges. The reunion once again had refreshments and entertainment with the proceeds to benefit the Honor Flight program. Already many organizations have committed to participation. Federal: • VA Regional Office Milwaukee • Tomah VA Medical Center • VetCenter State: • Department of Veterans Affairs • Department of Workforce Development – Office of Veteran Employment Services. Local CVSO Offices Local and Private Enterprises: • The Veterans Assistance Foundation (homeless Veterans programs to include Supportive Services for Veterans Families Program) • Radlin Homes (homeless veteran program) • Veteran’s Outdoor World • DryHootch In addition, the reunion committee had arranged for some activities for those who had arrived earlier on Friday, May 17th. Golden Sands Speedway had provided free Grandstand Admission to all veterans and active military personnel.

Rock Larson Woods, Wisconsin

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Fisher House Wisconsin Department of Veterans Announces Approval of Final Administration Building Site NEWS RELEASES Fisher House Wisconsin has announced approval of the final building site on the Care and Benefits for Veterans Strengthened by $153 Billion VA Budget – historic Clement J. Zablocki VA Medical Center campus in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Continuing the transformation of the Department of Veterans Affairs into a 21st The announcement was made in partnership with Steinhafels Furniture, a third century organization, the President has proposed a $152.7 billion budget, a 10.2 generation family-owned business at its corporate offices in Waukesha, Wisconsin, percent increase over Fiscal Year 2013, that will support VA’s goals to expand which presented Fisher House Wisconsin with a $30,000 cash donation. The gift access to health care and other benefits, eliminate the disability claims backlog, will be used to support the construction of Wisconsin’s first Fisher House on the and end homelessness among Veterans. The budget includes $66.5 billion in Milwaukee VA campus. discretionary spending, largely for healthcare, and $86.1 billion for mandatory “Fisher House Wisconsin is grateful for the tremendous support of the greater programs – mostly disability compensation and pensions for Veterans. Milwaukee community, including Steinhafels Furniture for its generous contribution New Automation Process Cuts Post-9/11 GI Bill Claims Processing Times and support of our nation’s military and veteran families,” said Daniel Buttery, by More Than Half – As part of its ongoing transformation from paper-based to President of the board of directors for Fisher House Wisconsin. electronic claims processing, the Department of Veterans Affairs has continued to “This is a major milestone in our effort to bring a Fisher House to military and improve the automated payment of benefits for Veterans participating in the Post- veterans’ families here in Wisconsin. This facility will make such a difference to those 9/11 GI Bill education program. As a result, VA is now providing benefit payments families, knowing they can focus on being there for their loved ones,” Buttery said. to currently enrolled students in an average of six days – cutting by more than half About Fisher House the processing time experienced during the spring enrollment period last year. A Fisher House is a “home away from home” for military and veterans’ families VA Will Use ‘Preliminary Findings’ To Reduce Verification Denials to be close to a loved one during hospitalization for an illness, disease or injury. – To speed eligibility determinations of Veteran-owned small businesses for Veterans and their families living beyond 50 miles from the Milwaukee VA hospital Department of Veterans Affairs’ “Veterans First” contracts, VA will allow will be eligible to stay overnight for free at the future Fisher House. Currently, more applicants the opportunity to correct minor deficiencies before an initial denial than 8,000 Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans travel to the Milwaukee Veterans is issued. VA will begin providing preliminary findings to applicants before Administration (VA) Medical Center for treatment of their wounds and injuries. completing a comprehensive review of their submissions. This is expected to There are 59 Fisher House facilities in operation across the United States and in greatly reduce the number of VA’s initial denials and subsequent requests for Germany, built next to hospitals at major military bases and on VA grounds. In 2012, reconsideration from companies. the Fisher House facilities served over 19,000 families. The average length of stay Disability Claims Initiative Reduces Processing Time, Adds Convenience for each family was 10 days. The Fisher House saved families more than $30 million – The Department of Veterans Affairs has launched a new initiative that could in lodging costs, as well as food and transportation. eliminate the requirement for an in-person medical examination for some Veterans and shorten the time it takes to process Veterans’ disability compensation claims. VA Introduces New and Enhanced Features for VA Blue Button – VA Connecting Aging Veterans released an enhanced VA Blue Button, adding several new categories of information from the VA Electronic Health Record. Blue Button is the personal health record inside the My HealtheVet self-service platform and through My HealtheVet, VA to Their Benefits Blue Button enables Veterans to download an electronic file that contains their personal health information. By Jim Duff, Director, Milwaukee County Veterans Service Office VA Awards Grants to Improve Health Care Access for Women Veterans – The Department of Veterans Affairs recently awarded 32 grants to VA facilities Realizing that the average age of a veterans’ organization member is age 60 or for projects that will improve emergency health care services for women Veterans, higher, I am requesting that you run the following article in full or in part in your expand women’s health education programs for VA staff, and offer tele-health state newsletter. Many of your members (including Auxiliary members) may not programs to female Veterans in rural areas. be aware of the veterans’ benefits that could improve their quality of life in their National Deployment of Paperless Claims Processing System Underway – senior years. The Department of Veterans Affairs announced today the nationwide transition Connecting Aging Veterans To Their Benefits to paperless processing of Veterans’ disability claims at its regional benefits The Milwaukee County Veterans Service Office, in coordination with the processing offices is underway. VA is aggressively building a strong foundation for Milwaukee County Department on Aging, will be holding a Senior Veterans its new electronic claims processing system, called Veterans Benefits Management Benefits event Monday, June 24, 9 a.m.-1 p.m., at the War Memorial Center in System (VBMS) – a lasting solution that will transform how VA eliminates the Milwaukee. Everyone is welcome to attend, regardless of county of residence. backlog in 2015. Bring your DD Form 214 (service record) if available; otherwise, assistance will be provided in obtaining it. The purpose is two-fold: (1) To provide information to veterans, surviving spouses and their families Lawmaker Renews Fight for regarding VA health care and pensions, burial benefits, and associated social services; and (2) Begin the process of applying for these benefits through actual completion (to Automatic Veterans COLA the fullest degree possible) of applications. A House subcommittee chairman has renewed his efforts to provide automatic At 9 a.m. and 11 a.m., brief formal presentations will be provided on VA health cost-of-living adjustments for veterans so they don’t have to wait for Congress to act. care, pension eligibility and other topics. Attendees can then get detailed information and assistance in applying for benefits at service tables. In addition to veterans’ Last year, Congress postponed action on the COLA bill until November, and the benefits, attendees will be able to get assistance with preparing wills and powers of bill granting a 1.7 percent increase effective Dec. 1 was not signed into law until attorney, Social Security benefits, Family Care and Title XIX programs and other Nov. 27, said Rep. Jon Runyan, R-NJ, chairman of the House Veterans Affairs social service programs. Committee’s disability assistance and memorial affairs panel. “This situation was Free parking will be available in the adjacent O’Donnell Parking Structure and the unacceptable and unfair to our veterans,” Runyan said his subcommittee focused on War Memorial Center’s surface lot. pending legislation. **This is a bipartisan effort. Rep. Dina Titus, D-Nev., the disability panel’s ranking Democrat, is a cosponsor of HR 570, the American Heroes COLA Act, Veteran Homelessness to which would treat veterans benefits the same as Social Security and military and federal retired pay, which automatically adjust each year based on changes in End in Year 2015 consumer prices The bill would apply to veterans’ disability and survivor benefits and to pensions for low-income veterans. VA has made ending Veteran homelessness by the end of 2015 a top priority, Similar Runyon-sponsored legislation passed the House of Representatives last undertaking an unprecedented campaign to dramatically increase awareness of VA year but was never taken up by the Senate. Veterans’ groups generally support the services available for homeless Veterans and Veterans at risk of becoming homeless. bill, but there are some objections. Disabled American Veterans opposes the bill Learn more about VA’s award-winning programs and partnerships that help Vets because it includes a provision requiring COLA increases to continue to be rounded and their families find homes. “We have more work to do and will not be satisfied until no Veteran has to sleep down to the next lower dollar, said Jeffrey Hall, DAV’s assistant national legislative on the street. The success we have achieved is directly attributable to the hard work director. Veterans of Foreign Wars also opposes rounding down, and is also by all of our staff, and the federal, state and community partners who are committed to ending Veteran homelessness.” –Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki AUTOMATIC VETERANS COLA, continued on page 27

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AUTOMATIC VETERANS COLA, continued from page 26 reluctant to sign on to any COLA-related bill that doesn’t address a controversial VA to Expand Housing proposal to change how cost-of-living adjustments are calculated. President Obama has proposed a change that would reduce annual COLAs by for Homeless Veterans about 0.3 percent by revising how the Consumer Price Index tracks the cost of goods and services, which Raymond Kelley, VFW’s national legislative service director, and Their Families said is cause for concern. The Veterans Affairs Department supports the bill and notes that the practice of rounding down COLAs will save $41.6 million in fiscal Unused and Underused VA Buildings to Be Developed 2014 and $2.6 billion over 10 years, according to David McLenachen, director of VA’s pension and fiduciary service, who represented VA at the hearing. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) continues to develop housing opportunities A separate Runyan bill, HR 569, would provide a veterans’ COLA on Dec. 1, for homeless and at-risk Veterans by adding 34 VA locations across the country. This 2013, that matches the annual increase in Social Security, a measure that would strategy will increase the Department’s available beds by over 5,000. VA currently has take effect only if it passes the House and Senate. The COLA for 2013 has not 15,000 transitional beds available to homeless Veterans. yet been calculated, but the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office projects a “This initiative will significantly support our efforts to eliminate Veteran 2 percent increase. homelessness and improve quality of life for Veterans,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki. “We have a moral obligation to ensure that Veterans and ** Courtesy of Army Times their families have access to affordable housing and medical services that will help them get back on their feet.” Culminating two years of work to end homelessness among Veterans, a recent strategic study, the Building Utilization Review and Repurposing (BURR) initiative, Don’t Fall Into These identified unused and underused buildings at existing VA property with the potential to develop new housing opportunities for homeless or at-risk Veterans and their families Social Security Traps through public-private partnerships and VA’s enhanced-use lease (EUL) program. Under the EUL program, VA retains ownership of the land and can determine and If you’re looking forward to turning age 62 control its reuse. so you can begin collecting Social Security Additional opportunities identified through BURR will include housing for returning benefits and live on easy street, you might get Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans and their families, assisted living for elderly Veterans and caught off guard. Some of the Social Security continuum of living residential communities. rules can be frighteningly complex. Because The project will support VA’s goal of ending Veteran homelessness by providing it will likely represent a large portion of your safe, affordable, cost effective, and sustainable housing for Veterans on a priority basis. retirement income, it’s important to understand Supportive housing projects are planned for homeless Veterans and their families at how the government program works. 23 nationwide VA sites. Under the enhanced-use lease agreements, Veterans will For instance, there are limits on how much you can earn while collecting receive senior and non-senior independent living and assisted living. benefits, and if you exceed those limits, your Social Security benefits will get cut substantially. That’s just one of the snares that could trip you up. Make sure you plan appropriately to avoid these six Social Security traps. 5th Annual Benefit Trap No. 1: Social Security may be taxable. If your earnings exceed a certain level, up to 85 percent of Social Security benefits may be taxable. Even income for District 2 sources that are normally tax-exempt, such as income from municipal bonds, must be factored into the total income equation for the purpose of computing tax on AMVETS Riders of Wisconsin, Inc. Social Security benefits. When your taxable income, tax-free income and half of your Social Security benefit exceed $25,000 ($32,000 for married couples filing jointly), that’s when you’re in the zone to pay taxes on Social Security income. Trap No. 2: Must take required minimum distributions, including traditional IRAs, after a person reaches age 70-1/2. The distributions are treated as ordinary income and may push a taxpayer above the threshold where Social Security benefits become taxable. Veterans helping Veterans and Community Trap No. 3: Some workers don’t get Social Security. Most people assume Social Security is available to seniors throughout the U.S., but not every type of work will count toward earning Social Security benefits. Many federal employees, Pork and Turkey Dinner certain railroad workers, and employees of some state and local governments are Saturday, August 17, 2013 not covered by Social Security. Trap No. 4: Early benefits could be a big mistake. If you opt to take Social Sailor Dan’s Security as soon as you are eligible, you may be doing yourself an injustice. If you delay taking benefits until age 70, you will see as much as an 8 percent increase in 4614 Sheard Road, Kansasville, WI 53159 benefits for each year you delay. Trap No. 5: Windfall elimination provision. If you work for multiple employers 1:00-6:00 p.m. in your career, including both employers that don’t withhold Social Security taxes from your salary (for example, a government agency) and employers that do, Food served from 1:00-4:00 p.m. the pension you receive based on the non-covered work may reduce your Social Grand Prize $500 Security benefits. Second Prize $200 If you have worked for both non-covered and covered employers, don’t let the Drawing at 5:00 p.m. windfall elimination provision catch you by surprise. Trap No. 6: Limits on benefits while working. You are allowed to collect Social Raffle Prizes – Drawings Begin at 4:00 p.m. Security and earn wages from your employer. However, if your wages exceed YOU DO NOT HAVE TO BE PRESENT TO WIN $15,120 in 2013, your Social Security benefits will be reduced by $1 for every $2 you earn above that level. Live Music During the year in which you reach full retirement age – which ranges from age 50/50 * Meat Raffles * Pie Auctions 65 to 67, depending on your birth year – you can earn up to $40,080 before $1 of your Social Security benefits will be deducted for every $3 you earn above that $10.00 per person (Includes entry for Grand Prize and more) threshold. However, the money isn’t lost forever. You will be entitled to a credit, $5.00 for Grand Prize Drawing Only so your benefits will increase beginning the month you reach full retirement age. At full retirement age, no income restrictions apply. There is no penalty for additional $5.00 for Children 5-10 years old income earned. Children under 5 years free If you plan on working beyond age 62 and anticipate earning more than $15,120 per year, strongly consider putting off Social Security benefits.

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VA Grants Improvements for Expanded Women’s Health Care The Department of Veterans Affairs recently awarded 32 grants to VA facilities for projects that will improve emergency health care services for women Veterans, expand women’s health education programs for VA staff, and offer tele-health pro­ grams to female Veterans in rural areas. “Our goal is 100 percent accessibility for women Veterans who need our care,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki. “These new projects will improve access and quality of critical health care services for women.” This is the largest number of one-year grants VA has ever awarded for enhancing women’s health services. The complete list of grant recipients is given below. VHA’s national Women’s Health Program Office, Office of Rural Health, and Office of Healthcare Transformation are jointly supporting the winning proposals. Tele-health concepts that received grants involve tele-mental health, tele- gynecology, tele-pharmacy, and telephone maternity care coordination. The grant program is part of VA’s continuing effort to improve access and quality of care for the increasing number of women Veterans seeking care at VA. “We are committed to providing individualized, sensitive care to women Veterans,” said VA Undersecretary for Health Robert A. Petzel. “These grant- funded projects enable VA to continue to enhance care for women Veterans and exceed patient expectations.” Education grants will expand mini-residency training for VA providers and nurses in primary care and emergency services to include topics such as gynecology and early obstetrics emergencies, military sexual trauma, and performing breast and pelvic examinations. Grants will also be used to upgrade emergency services for women Veterans in several VA health care facilities through the purchase of new gender-specific equipment and supplies and the development of protocols to aid in the management of common conditions in women. Women serve in every branch of the military, representing 15 percent of today’s active duty military and nearly 18 percent of National Guard and Reserve forces. By 2020, VA estimates women Veterans will constitute 10 percent of the Veteran population. Visit www.va.gov/womenvet and www.womenshealth.va.gov to learn more about VA programs and services for women Veterans. You Know You Are A True Wisconsinite When: 1. Your idea of a traffic jam is ten cars waiting to pass a tractor on Highway Y. 2. “Vacation” means going up north past Hwy. 8 for the weekend. 3. You measure distance in hours. 4. You know several people who have hit deer more than once. 5. You often switch from “heat“ to “A/C” in the same day and back again. 6. Your whole family wears Packer Green to church on Sunday. 7. You can drive 65 mph through 2 feet of snow during a raging blizzard, without flinching. 8. You see people wearing camouflage at social events (including weddings and funerals). 9. You install security lights on your house and garage and leave both unlocked. 10. You think of the major food groups as beer, more beer, fish and venison. 11. You carry jumper cables in your car and your wife or girlfriend knows how to use them. 12. There are seven empty cars running in the parking lot at Farm & Fleet at any given time. 13. You design your kid’s Halloween costume to fit over a snowsuit. 14. Driving is better in the winter because the potholes are filled with snow. 15. You refer to the Packers as “we”. 16. You know all four seasons: almost winter, winter, still winter and road construction. 17. You can identify a southern or eastern accent. 18. You have no problem pronouncing Lac Du Flambeau. 19. You consider Minneapolis exotic. 20. You know how to polka. 21. Your idea of creative landscaping is a statue of a deer next to your blue spruce. 22. You were unaware that there is a legal drinking age. 23. Down South to you means Illinois. 24. A brat is something you eat. 25. Your neighbor throws a party to celebrate his new pole shed. 26. You go out to a fish fry every Friday night. 27. Your 4th of July picnic was moved indoors due to frost. 28. You have more miles on your snow blower than your car. 29. You find minus twenty degrees “a little chilly”. 30. You actually understand these jokes and you send them to all your Wisconsin friends.

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Switching from Telephone When Is the Land Line to ??? Right Time to Retire? If you’re reading this, chances are you’ve thought about cancelling your landline. By Dave Bernard | U.S.News & World Report LP After all, why incur the extra monthly expense when your friends and family call you on your mobile phone anyway? Or perhaps you prefer to chat via email, text or Once we reach our 60s, most of us will begin to consider retirement. Some people instant messenger? may feel the need to exit the busy and often stressful business world, while others In some countries, landlines are already passé, and the U.S. is inching towards that are full of creative ideas about what to do with newly available free time. Perhaps trend, too (mobile phone use first overtook landlines in this country back in 2004). you’re also ready to relax, take it down a notch and savor peace and quiet each day. And so here we take a look at more than a half-dozen landline alternatives to These visions of retirement can be compelling reasons to finally exit the workforce. save you cash. But before we can begin our second act, we have an important decision to make. Mobile phones – Many are ditching their landline in favor of a mobile phone. We need to commit to a time and date to pull the trigger and commence retirement. Perhaps this isn’t an ideal scenario when there’s a large family at home who needs This important decision will impact the rest of your life. Here’s how to decide when to make or accept a call (and you’re out with the only phone), but it can make sense, it’s the right time to retire: and saves cents, for younger, on-the-go types. And with the new carrier competition Examine your financial resources. The first and most obvious duck to have there are some pretty aggressive wireless rates these days, including unlimited calls in a row when picking a retirement date is having sufficient financial resources to and data, for less than the cost of a landline at home in some cases – especially when allow you to meet your obligations and provide sufficient leeway to live the retired you add up the extra features like Caller ID, voicemail, and so on. life you want. You want to have enough money to pay the bills and still have fun. Bluetooth cordless phones – Bluetooth-enabled cordless phones can turn your Without this prerequisite, retiring from the working world is not the soundest of cell phone or smartphone into a home phone. Panasonic, Uniden and Good Call, for decisions to consider. example, have Bluetooth-enabled cordless phones that wirelessly connect with your However, once you feel you will be able to live off the income generated by mobile phone when you walk in the door. Then, when a call comes in, your cordless your savings and investments, it is not necessarily the right time for you to retire. phone will ring. You can also make outgoing calls, too, of course. You can use your There are other considerations that might improve your odds of realizing a truly mobile phone with an existing landline service, but many people have cancelled fulfilling retirement. their home phone account in favor of being reached with just one number. Develop a plan. For the next 20 or more years, you will be living this new chapter Skype – Not only can you make free calls around the world using popular instant of your life. You need to develop a plan for how you will spend your time. Decide messaging software, such as Skype, but these programs support video calling, too. whether you want to relax and take it slow or fill your days with new and exciting As long as you have a webcam, which you can pick up for as low as $10, you activities. It can be helpful to your planning if you have an understanding of what can make video calls to other people using the same software – plus some cross- you will do each day after you no longer go to work. platform support is available, too, including Yahoo! Messenger. Use text, voice or Coordinate with your spouse. Whether your significant other is already retired video to chat, exchange files or have fun with special effects that make it look like or still working, things will change when you retire. If your spouse is already you’re in a different location or wearing silly apparel. retired, your presence will be felt 24/7 and you will need to integrate yourself MagicJack, Ooma – Those who use it swear by it. MagicJack is a pocket- into your spouse’s world. It would be inconsiderate to expect your spouse to drop sized product that turns your computer into an inexpensive landline alternative. everything to accommodate you. The two of you can best get through this transition YMax Corp.’s $40 device – promoted on one of those “As Seen on TV” by trying to communicate openly, giving each other space to pursue individual infomercials – is inserted into an available USB port on your PC and then you interests and being patient. Try to be sensitive to each other’s point of view. You plug in a regular telephone jack into the other end and talk via VoIP (Voice have many years left together, so make the effort to get it right. It will be well worth over Internet Protocol) technology. MagicJack Plus ($70) can be used without a it in the long run. computer. For $20/year you’ve got unlimited calls to the U.S. and Canada and Schedule enough to do. Twenty years of retired life is a long time to just relax. all incoming calls are free. Porting your existing number costs $20, and then $10 Can you enjoy your day if there is nothing on the schedule, just relaxing in the a year after that. The similar Ooma Telo system offers even better audio quality moment? Decide whether your current collection of interests and hobbies will be and additional features and services. enough to keep you busy. For most people retirement will be a combination of UMA – Most people are unaware of Unlicensed Mobile Access (UMA), a engagement and relaxation. The appropriate proportion depends on your personal technology that allows a mobile phone to use your home’s Wi-Fi network – tastes. If you are someone who is happiest when you have activities and projects, and you can talk all you like for free as it won’t count towards your monthly it can help to dedicate some time prior to retirement to defining what those may be minutes. Ask your carrier if it offers it. Mobile phones seamlessly switch from once you retire. a cellular connection to your wireless network, and vice-versa. T-Mobile has something similar to UMA called Bobsled direct Wi-Fi calling, and operates on the same principle: using your mobile phone via your wireless network to make free calls in the U.S. These 6 States Tax Apps – Smartphone apps – such as Free Calls with MagicJack, Google Talk, NetTalk, Talkatone, Line2 and Viber – all let you make free phone calls to anyone You the Least in the U.S. and Canada, including to landlines and mobile phones (some require you to sign up to use a service, like Viber, while others don’t, including the MagicJack app). It even works with the iPod touch. iPhone’s Facebook app and BlackBerry Messenger (BBM) on BlackBerry devices also have options to chat for free via Wi-Fi with others. Audio quality can be spotty for all of these apps and services, however. ACN – Endorsed by Donald Trump, the ACN digital phone and service lets you make unlimited calls in the U.S. and Canada and some international markets – including a video phone called Iris that lets you see who you’re talking to in its 7-inch screen. Essentially, ACN uses VoIP (Voice or Internet Protocol) technology that uses your high speed Internet connection instead of a phone line, plus you can keep your phone number, choose another area code and manage your account online. Price for the video phone is $30/month for unlimited calls – including landlines in 70 countries. Be forewarned, however, ACN is also a multilevel marketing (MLM) company, so you might be pitched to sell or buy products from your friends.

Wisconsin Ranks #43

29 AMVETS Department of Wisconsin

IVOCC/CVI Established Returning Home to Helps Vets In 1969, seven returning African American Vietnam combat veterans, who were dissatisfied with the lack of attention to their concerns and needs, united to form the Interested Veterans of the Central City (IVOCC) in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The goal of IVOCC was to address the welfare, health, education, employment, rehabilitation and economic development issues of Vietnam veterans as they attempted to adjust back into civilian life in the inner city. IVOCC founding members and concerned African American veterans from other eras gathered in Milwaukee. The name of the organization was changed to the National Association for Black Veterans, Inc. (NABVETS), with the intent to become a national service organization with members nationwide. NABVETS members understood that in order to effectively address the needs of all low- income veterans, the management, administration and technical capability of the organization had to be strengthened. Based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the Center for Veterans Issues, Ltd. (CVI) nonprofit veterans administration and management organization. CVI supports the concerns of all veterans by providing information, resources, identification of funding, technical assistance and organizational development to veteran service organizations. CVI also provides transitional housing to homeless veterans, while As more women join the Armed Forces, they are also swelling the ranks offering many services to help veterans transition back into the community. of homeless veterans -Women Warriors CVI was developed to fulfill such needs in the by supporting the concerns of all veterans. CVI promotes veterans’ issues through program services design, planning The Center for Veterans Issues, Ltd. (CVI) - at the and implementation. CVI has also provided supportive services and housing to forefront of assisting homeless veterans to address homeless veterans in order for them to obtain employment and a decent place to live. individual issues that led to homelessness – is pleased to announce the opening of Boudicca House, a tran­ sitional housing facility through a US Department of Center for Veterans – Veterans Affairs (US DVA) Homeless Providers Per Diem Only (PDO) award. Facing challenges that differ from homeless men Racine, Wisconsin veterans, Boudicca House, located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, will be a gender-specific facility offering The Center for Veterans Issues Ltd., of Milwaukee, acquired two large apartment services to meet homeless women veterans acknowl­ buildings in Racine following a two-year planning and search effort. Using Federal, edged priorities for assistance in: education, training, employment and increased State of Wisconsin and private funds, these 34 units will be another significant per­ income; knowledge about eligibility services and benefits; permanent housing; manent residential resource for disabled, low income veterans and others needing healthcare; and skills to fulfill parental responsibilities. Homeless women veterans clean, safe, and affordable housing. Located on College Avenue, near downtown who serviced in Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) and Operation Iraqi Freedom Racine, these units will give veterans who have completed special assistance pro­ (OIF) will be given priority consideration for services. grams, the choice to live in refurbished, one-bedroom units in a safe neighborhood Staff by personnel sensitive to the needs of women veterans, at any point in time, with shopping and public transportation nearby. A number of the units will be des­ Boudicca House will link fifteen homeless women veterans/homeless women veter­ ignated so that a low or limited income veteran will pay no more than 30% of their ans with children (up to 7 years) to extensive services and opportunities to reinforce income for the monthly rent. their healing as they transition to independent living. Also, because of a federal grant approved earlier, food, laundry, transportation Services will be provided in collaboration with: Zablocki Veterans Administration and special counseling services will be available to those men or women that need Medical Center (Zablocki); Milwaukee County Behavioral Health; University of certain support services to live independently. To make this project work, CVI Wisconsin/Milwaukee Veterans Upward Bound Program; National Association for needed local assistance to set up and outfit several of the apartments. Many of the Black Veterans, Inc.; META House for Women; CVI’s Educational, Training and formerly homeless vets who complete a transitional living program have gained Employment Division (ETE), Homeless Prevention and Rapid Re-housing Program help with physical, legal, mental health, addiction or other serious issues. But, they (HPRP), Organic Therapy Project, Children’s First Project and Peer-to-Peer do not have the ability to pay for or acquire furniture, appliances, bedding, kitchen­ Program; and through partnership with the Milwaukee Continuum of Care (CoC) ware, curtains, or any of the many items that everyone has in their home when they and community partners. return to the community of their choice. One of the organizations that has been a strong supporter of veterans assistance Contact: Berdie Cowser Telephone: (414) 345-3919 efforts in Southeastern Wisconsin is VFW Post 9948 of Sturtevant. Over the years, Email: [email protected] these men and women have donated coffee, supplies, clothing, appliances, equip­ ment, even cash to help the veterans. When asked what else was needed for our pro­ gram, the idea of outfitting and furnishing one of the new independent permanent apartments was discussed. After reviewing the plan the membership of Post 9948 agreed to sponsor one of the apartments. After visiting the building and talking to CVI staff and counselors, Seven Steps to Success they took the challenge of getting whatever would be needed to have the unit ready to move into by one of the grateful and successful vets. By John C. Maxwell The first veteran moved into the apartment. This disabled vet was pleased and proud to be an example of a partnership program that really honors our wounded 1. Make a commitment to grow daily. vets and helps them become successful and independent again. 2. Value the process more than events. 3. Don’t wait for inspiration. 4. Be willing to sacrifice pleasure for opportunity. 5. Dream big. 6. Plan your priorities. 7. Give up to go up.

30 AMVETS Department of Wisconsin

AMVETS Department of Wisconsin Membership 2013 Thoughts of You, My Child!

Post Total Last Yr. Life Life New Ann. to Life Renewals Ann. New Members Ann. Trans. In Ann. Trans. Out Life Trans In Life Trans Out Life Decs’d Ann. Decs’d Current Yr. Total Total Last Yr.’s % Renewal % Mbr. Total Memories of another time Mal 225 165 23 5 1 2 1 193 43 53.49% 85.78% Still come to me and fill my mind, 1 26 21 21 5 0.00% 80.77% With thoughts of you when you were young. 3 21 14 6 3 23 7 85.71% 109.52% 4 176 119 1 25 4 2 1 146 41 63.41% 82.95% I lie awake‘till the morning sun 5 48 38 10 48 9 111.11% 100.00% Comes creeping through my window shade, 6 78 75 3 78 2 150.00% 100.00% As I dwell upon mistakes I’ve made. 7 120 106 1 17 5 129 17 105.88% 107.50% What I would give to go back in time 10 138 57 1 43 6 1 106 78 55.13% 76.81% 11 121 80 1 1 23 3 108 35 68.57% 89.26% And feel your little hand in mine. 13 60 41 15 56 17 88.24% 93.33% To cherish each fast and fleeting day. 14 64 30 38 1 2 67 41 92.68% 104.69% To hold you close and kiss away, 18 18 16 3 2 1 20 1 300.00% 111.11% 25 37 29 3 32 6 50.00% 86.49% Each pain that life will have in store 30 27 21 5 1 27 6 83.33% 100.00% And try to give you so much more. 32 60 32 32 23 0.00% 53.33% You are part and will always be, 33 43 30 13 2 45 16 81.25% 104.65% Imbedded in the soul of me. 35 44 19 6 25 13 0.00% 56.82% 37 63 50 13 1 2 62 13 100.00% 98.41% While I’m here, I want to say, 41 17 14 1 13 6 0.00% 76.47% That I’ve loved you each and every day 42 65 43 19 4 2 1 63 19 100.00% 96.92% And when my time on Earth is gone, 45 84 56 14 70 24 58.33% 83.33% 50 37 24 1 9 1 35 13 76.92% 94.59% The privilege was mine 51 162 114 1 31 6 1 151 46 69.57% 93.21% to have been your Mom. 54 3 3 3 100.00% 57 31 19 1 1 4 25 9 55.56% 80.65% 60 254 196 21 4 1 220 54 38.89% 86.61% 61 79 38 37 2 1 76 42 142.31% 96.20% 63 28 21 21 7 0.00% 75.00% 69 43 19 1 1 19 18 5.56% 44.19% things you can’t 72 43 39 39 3 0.00% 90.70% 99 275 187 57 5 1 1 247 88 64.77% 89.82% recover in life: 120 41 29 1 7 1 38 7 114.29% 92.68% 127 23 14 7 1 22 9 77.78% 95.65% 128 42 26 13 1 38 13 100.00% 90.48% 5 151 46 38 38 8 0.00% 82.61% 1. A stone after it’s thrown 160 50 41 9 1 49 9 100.00% 98.00% 190 78 68 2 7 3 1 81 11 63.64% 103.85% 2. A word after it’s said 500 22 22 22 100.00% 724 51 27 8 1 36 16 50.00% 70.59% 3. Time after it’s gone 726 19 16 1 17 1 0.00% 89.47% 4. Trust after it’s lost 888 20 8 9 1 18 11 81.82% 90.00% 911 47 11 10 21 17 58.82% 44.68% 5. An occasion after it’s missed 1032 132 96 24 3 2 1 120 34 70.59% 90.91% 1051 238 175 31 5 1 1 209 52 59.62% 87.82% 1128 17 15 2 13 76.47% 1181 24 11 13 24 13 100.00% 100.00% 1212 26 23 23 88.46% Antique Soap? 1851 26 19 6 4 29 7 85.71% 111.54% 1887 31 29 29 2 0.00% 93.55% The home had not been lived in for 30 years and was 1998 73 38 26 1 1 64 30 86.67% 87.67% full of antiques, including this bar of homemade soap 2000 68 64 9 63 14 64.29% 92.65% that had been there long before the house became empty. Soap was made by mixing water and lye. Lard (fat) is 2180 37 34 3 37 4 75.00% 100.00% then added and the soap sets. It would then be cut into 3929 81 77 3 1 79 5 60.00% 97.53% “bricks” such as this one. 5494 85 76 5 1 82 3 166.67% 96.47% It was wrapped and usually used after a month…I 5767 13 2 2 8 0.00% 15.38% guess 50 years or so is more than a month. 6440 21 3 1 4 10 10.00% 19.05% 8400 20 11 3 2 16 9 33.33% 80.00% Total 3821 2679 5 7 627 84 2 1 2 2 17 12 3374 995 63.72% 88.30%

31 In Loving Tribute to Our Deceased AMVETS Brothers...

Post 4 Post 35 Kenneth Reblin Post 190 Leonard Bukowski Leo A. Checkai Richard W. Sabo, Sr. Charles R. Melton Eugene A. Chmielecki Oscar Hackbarth William J. Schneider Warren Winton Jerome L. Lisowski Dean Hrobsky Earl J. Schubring Daniel Witkowski Thomas R. Stai Post 1032 Post 63 Jerome A. Meyer Post5 Post 37 Vernon Panske Scott Michiels Gerald Brawand Edward Shepard Joseph J. Pestka Rudy P. Ourada Alvin G. Kern Walter Wolf Thomas Schun Randel R. Torp John O. Platz Post 41 Robert Wusterbarth Robert Wenzel John J. Schmitz Walter R. Loehr Jerome B. Sennott Post 69 Post 1051 Post 42 William Bell Neal E. Johnson Post 10 Robert L. Heim Karl J. Gmur George Lilyquist Dick Daniels Chester L. Majeski John M. Suplicki John Tomasich Russell Ostrand Post 99 Jerry Seiler Donald Garber Post 1998 Post 11 Paul R. Seiler Anthony Hardtke Duane M. Stafsholt Walter Bettin Clarence Stach Don Ledvina David Blozinski Donald J. Prassel Post 2000 John P. Sousa Post 45 Marvin Vnuk Ruben L. Radtke David Blozinski John P. Hintzke Robert G. Schmidt Post 120 Post 14 Post 51 John N. Rallo Post 3929 Joseph M. Thein Richard Harriger Edward Sillars Americo J. Zanchetti Post 128 Post 60 William H. Appleyard Post 8400 Post 18 Peter Panasuk Robert A. Bartels Eugene Tug Juday Simon Katchkey Andrew Ruka Edwin P. Stawicki Post 160 Post MAL Post 32 Frank G. Bialozynski James L. Christilaw Lewis H. Buchanan Post 61 John Jaworski Adrian J. Loschko Leroy J. Becker William J. Fisher Pete Goossens

...And Our Auxiliary Sisters

Auxiliary 3 Auxiliary 7 Auxiliary 45 Auxiliary 99 Kathleen Aldrighetti Helen Dillman Joyce Gresen Mary Scherer PDP Laverne Trewyn Auxiliary 4 Auxiliary 60 Auxiliary 127 Twyla Hughes Auxiliary 13 Virginia Helminski Cecilia Amoldt-Zillyette Evelyn Navarre Betty Zelinski Ann Kapczynski Auxiliary MAL PDP Joyce Frando

A Soldier Died Today

By A. Lawrence Vaincourt, courtesy of PDC Al Willis

He was getting old and paunchy But we’ll hear his tales no longer, And his hair was falling fast; For ol’ Joe has passed away; And he sat around the Legion, And the world’s a little poorer… Telling stories of the past. For a Soldier died today. Of a war that he once fought in He won’t be mourned by many, And the deeds that he had done; Just his children and his wife; In his exploits with his buddies; For he lived an ordinary They were heroes, every one. Very quiet sort of life.

And ’tho sometimes to his neighbors He held a job and raised a family, His tales became a joke; Going quietly on his way; All his buddies listened quietly And the world won’t note his passing, For they knew whereof he spoke. ’Tho a Soldier died today.

“OUR COUNTRY IS IN MOURNING, A SOLDIER DIED TODAY.”