VFW 1st District - the Mighty 1st District

VFW 1st District
of California
DISPATCH
Volume 14, Issue 9
District 1 Commander Ed McCoy
September 2014
District 1 President Sheri Carrington
Hello Comrades:
Dear Sisters,
We are now entering a very busy
part of our VFW year, next up is
the POW/MIA Ceremonies, followed by the FF/EMT/LEF. Make
sure we get our package for your
FF/EMT/LEF nominee to Glen
Vandrew.
At this time I want to thank the
VFW M/C for all of the work they do for the Veterans of
Foreign Wars and there fund raising for the Veterans
Home and all the other programs they work. So the next
time you see a M/C member be sure to thank them for
what they do for the Veterans of Foreign War.
Here we are already heading into fall.
It is hard to believe! I am half-way
through the inspections and I am happy to report that all of these Auxiliaries qualify for “Healthy Auxiliaries”
by the Department Chief of Staff,
Julie Williamson. A healthy Auxiliary is one that has completed all the
requirements set by National such as
getting your bond, filing your tax forms and working the
programs and reporting. Each of our Auxiliaries has a
District Deputy Chief of Staff assigned to you and they
are here to help you. They will be visiting your Auxiliary
throughout the year.
As most of you may have heard, the State Commander
has rescinded his decision for Post's on the mandatory
monetary program donations, all Post will have a vote at
the State Convention if you decide not to donate to these
programs, however if you are working to be an All State
Post you will have to make the minimum donations.
Thank you to the Department Training Team Julie Williamson and Sherl Devario for the awesome Leadership
Conference they put on for us. A special thank you to our
Mentoring Chairman Tootsie Dougherty for all your hard
work! Also thank you to Encanto Auxiliary 1512 for
your hospitality and wonderful luncheon.
I have received the District Rosters, and I am delivering
them as of now. If you have any Football Pool Books
please let's get the money into Keith MacDonald or Jerry
Koehmlein before the start of the regular season begins,
and thanks for all of our members and friends who have
purchased your chances and good luck.
I am so thankful for those of you who have fundraisers
planned for my special project, the Aspire Center. I know
we will truly make a difference for those warriors returning from Iraq and Afghanistan and help them with their
special needs as they recover.
I want to thank our Sr. Vice Commander Larry Reuss,
and our Jr. Vice Commander and our Quartermaster/
Adjutant Jerry Koehmlein and Chaplain Dave Greaney
for the work that they do, I am honored to have such a
great team of line officers this year.
As we approach September we will be honoring our
POW/MIA’s. I plan to attend as many of your ceremonies as possible. Be sure and report your ceremony to the
Department Americanism Chairman, Robyn King by October 1, 2014, so you can qualify for a special certificate
from Department. September 11th is Patriot’s Day.
Please plan on honoring those who lost their lives on 911.
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VFW 1st District of California Dispatch
September 2014
District 1 Commander Ed McCoy Cont.
District 1 President Sheri Carrington Cont
In closing please keep in mind that what our Mission
Statement of the Veterans of Foreign Wars is Veterans
Helping Veterans, so keep working your membership and
your programs, and please feel free to invite your District
Officers to your events and functions we would love to
attend when possible.
Membership is going great! We are well on our way to
achieving our goal of 100% and I thank you so much for
that. Thank you to LCDR Arnold E. Betcher 3788 Auxiliary for your hospitality at our last Membership meeting
in August, you always make everyone feel so welcome.
Yours in Comradeship
Ed McCoy
1st District Commander
Reporting is so very important as it gives the VFW the
numbers they need so that we have strength in Congress
for our veterans. If you have any questions regarding
reporting please do not hesitate to contact your District
chairmen, they are here to help in any way.
We will be having our District Auxiliary Fundraiser,
“Murder on the SABLE Express” on October 25th at 5:00
p.m. at SABLE (please see flyer) I am looking forward to
seeing all of you there!!
Thank you for all you do for our Veterans and their families!!!
District 1 Sr Vice Cdr George Reuss
Comrades,
Well here we go into a year
that should be packed full of
things to do. Buddy Poppies
are in bloom so it is time to
order them while they are ready for the picking. Remember that Teacher, Firefighter and E.M.T. packages are due
soon, please get this done quick. There will be a murder
mystery at the SABLE post, contact the post for more
info. Remember to bond your Quartermaster and Canteen
Manager no later than 8-31-2014. Service Officer training
is coming up on 9-20-2014 at the Poway post 7907 at
9am, all Service Officers should attend. Remember this
date 9-27-2014 is the Ramona pig roast, Dale Smith our
State of California Junior Vice Commander does this
twice each year with his wife and it is a blast, see you
there. There are many more events than the ones I have
talked about so visit the District web site for more info.
Remember we need bids for the membership dinner, if
you think your post can use the $$$$ than make a bid for
the dinner and hosting it at your post. Remember that our
motto is Vets helping Vets. I want to Thank each and every one of you for all you do
George L. Reuss
District 1 Senior Vice Commander
Ph# 1-619-322-7339
[email protected]
Keeping Veterans In Our Minds Always
Loyally and with love,
Sheri Carrington
1st District President
Address corrections:
PDP Loree Bevins email:
[email protected],
Diane Getgen, membership team d_ [email protected],
Yatsie Getgen, color bearer #1, VAVS Deputy
[email protected]
Roster changes:
Please mark PDP Vivian M. Trueb on page 14 as deceased.
Also our beautiful PDP and District Treasurer Alicia
Ketcham is alive and well!
PDP and Assistant Conductress Rosanna Vasquez home
phone: (619) 259-2244, cell phone (619) 559-9031, EMail: [email protected], 6151 Roberts Dr, San Diego, CA
92139
My apologizes for these errors.
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VFW 1st District of California Dispatch
District 1 Sr Vice President Lupe Duggins
Hello Sisters,
September 2014
District 1 POW/MIA Chairman L. Brown
Greeting from District One’s POW/MIA
Chairman.
Here are the activities scheduled for the
month of September:
September 13 -- POW/MIA Remembrance Ceremony at
Encanto Post #1512 at 3:00 p.m.
In September, the Veterans of Foreign
Wars District One will conduct POW/
MIA ceremonies all month long. I received so far, three posts conducting this
honor for our missing comrades and our
prisoners. For the post that are still finalizing or too late to set up a program, try to visit other district one posts to support the program.
September 19 -- POW/MIA Remembrance Ceremony at
Don Diego Post #7420 at 5:00 p.m.
1. Post 2111
Date: Sept. 7, 2014
Location: 299 I St. Chula Vista
September 20 -- Department POW/MIA Remembrance
Ceremony on the USS Iowa, BB-61 250 S. Harbor Blvd.,
San Pedro at noon.
2. Post 1512
Date: Sept. 13th, 2014 Time: 15:00 pm
Location: 6873 Federal Blvd, Lemon Grove
September 7 -- POW/MIA Remembrance
Ceremony at CDR Jack E. Carlton Post
#2111 at 11:00 a.m.
Let's all participate in the ceremonies, pick up a sister if
you can, bring her a long and enjoy. We are all standing
proud for our veterans.
Loyally, Lupe Duggins
FROM THE DESK OF
QUARTERMASTER/ADJUTANT
As you are reading this article and if you did not submit
the required forms to Department with the money required the Post Quartermaster and Canteen (Bar) Manager are not bonded. If you have a Men’s Auxiliary, their
Treasurer also. The new bonds are good from September
1, 2014 to August 31, 2015. There are some other forms,
one is the Mandatory Monetary Donations for the Department of California All-State Program. This is for all Posts
who desire to be All State and there should be 33 in District One. Remember this year in order to make All
American you need to be All State first. For all Post that
have a new Quartermasters you will need to fill out and
mail in IRS Form 8822-B “Change of Address or Responsible Party-Business” Any entity with an EIN must file
Form to report the latest change to its responsible party.
You the Post Quartermaster are the “Responsible Party”.
This is required to be done within 60 days of the change.
Any questions or need help, do not hesitate to get in touch
with a District Officer. We are here to help.
Jerry P. Koehmlein
1st District Adjutant/Quartermaster
Time: 11:00 am
3. Ship 1774
Date: Sept. 14, 2014 Time: 0900 am
Location: 8118 University Ave. La Mesa 91944
VFWCA: Dept. Commander Hagen & Dept. Chairman
Perkins
Date: Sept. 20, 2014
Time: 12:00 pm
Location:
250 S Harbor Blvd,
San Pedro………….USS Iowa BB-61
Note: This is a very important report: Pictures, Program
guides, amount of Comrades, sister’s and men’s aux.,
Time, cost and travel time. If your chairman Needs any
help……just email me at [email protected]
cell:
619-813-5430.
I reviewed the websites in VFW District One….We need
to update them……The information I need comes from
your website/ email……Thank You again…..Comrade
Larry Brown ( Community Chairman also)…..reports
Comrades and Sisters,
I would like to take this time to say THANK YOU to
each and every one for all the help you have given over
the years for the annual Stand Down. It has been my great
pleasure to serve as your Chairman AND work beside
each of you for the past 27 years. To the Ladies Auxiliary "counterparts" I've worked with over these years,
THANK YOU, it has been great working together to pull
off this huge event for First District. When I have the final facts and figures for this year I will get them to you
for your reports.
Yours in Comradeship, DANNIE BOSTON
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VFW 1st District of California Dispatch
District 1 LAUX Chaplain Beth Flinn
Dear Madam President and Sisters
and Comrades,
We have had another Past Department President go to her heavenly
home;
Sister Lillian Crocker
Cards may be sent to:
Lillian Crocker Family
58 W 7th Street
Gilroy CA 95020
Rita Manzano
Aug.1, 2014
Don Diego 7420
Cards may be sent to:
Past Commander Frank Manzano
5844 Kantor St
San Diego CA 92122
September 2014
District 1 Legislative Chairman
Comrades!
Good news the Congress has acted and
the President has signed HR 3230, the
Veterans Access, Choice and Accountability Act of 2014. Primarily this allows veterans that have waited over 30
days for an appointment or live over 40
miles from a VA to request a contract
provider. It also provides more doctors and staff to be
hired and hold the VA accountable in performance of
their duties.
Today AB 935, which will allow veterans to have a veteran designation on our driver’s license, sits on Governor
Brown's desk awaiting his signature. Please contact him
and urge his support. His website is www.govnews.ca/
gov/gov39mail/mail/php or fax him at 916-558-3160 or
call at 916-445-2841.
Thank you for your assistance.
Tom Dorsey
From Jack E Carlton 2111:
Maria Robey 2014
Laura McCarthy 2014
Irma Hawarth 2014
Frances McGaughey May 16, 2014
Bobby Lucacik Auxiliary 9578
Please send cards to Laura Wood
1863 Sea Pines Rd
El Cajon CA 92019
Heavenly father:
please embrace these sisters in your arms and
Give comfort to their loved ones who remain here on
earth
Amen
Remember to send in your reports!
With Loyalty and Love,
Beth Flinn District LAUX Chaplain
Disclaimer
The “Dispatch” is the official monthly publication of
Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, District
One, Department of California and shall act as a periodical for the benefit and enrichment of all VFW Posts,
Ship, Men’s Auxiliary, and Ladies Auxiliaries comprising First District.
As Department Officers, any and all communications
from the First District Commander and First District
President are considered to be official as they have the
privilege of membership on the Council of Administration, Department of California for the current calendar
year.
The
Dispatch
is
www.vfwdist1ca.org.
available
monthly
at;
District 1 Chaplain David Greaney
I wish to put names of deceased members in the State
newsletter. In order to do that I need all Cdrs or Chaplains to send the names to me. Please use proper names,
not nicknames. Send to [email protected]. Thanks.
Dave Greaney,
District 1 Chaplain
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VFW 1st District of California Dispatch
VOD / PP / Teacher Award Chairman
Post Commanders; Post Voice Of
Democracy, Patriot’s Pen, & Teacher Award’s Chairmen; and Fellow
Comrades;
Now that school has started, I encourage all Post VOD / PP / Teacher’s Award Chairmen to make contact with their local students and
teachers for this year’s VOD / PP /
Teacher’s Award nominations.
The deadline for all entries to the Posts is November 1,
2014.
Voice Of Democracy - The VFW established the Voice
of Democracy program (VOD) in 1947 to provide students grades 9-12 the opportunity to express themselves
in regards to democratic ideas and principles.
This year’s theme: “Why Veterans are Important to Our
Nation’s History and Future.”
To enter, go to: http://www.vfw.org/Community/Voice-of
-Democracy/.
Patriot’s Pen - The Patriot's Pen program is open to students in grades 6-8 (on the Nov. 1 deadline), who are enrolled in a public, private or parochial school or home
study program in the United States and its territories.
This year’s theme: “Why I Appreciate America’s Veterans.”
To enter, go to: www.vfw.org/community/patriot-s-pen/.
Teacher’s Award – Teachers who promote civic responsibility, flag etiquette and patriotism are prime candidates
for the award. See www.vfw.org/community/teacher-ofthe-year/ for more information and to submit your favorite teacher.
Comrades, I have high hopes for this year’s VOD / PP /
Teacher’s Award Program. I am counting on each Post to
promote the program and bring their best students and
teachers for this year’s selection for the Mighty 1st District and the Department of California. If you have any
questions about how to run your program, please email
me at [email protected] or call/text me at 760 2087246.
Semper Fidelis,
Matt Foster
September 2014
LAUX Membership Chairman
We are adding a new incentive to our program. As you
all know, Department has a “Night on the Town.” This is
for all District Presidents and their Chairman who have
reached 90% (that’s this year’s number) by the end of
December. We are going to do the same, but we are
tweaking it a bid. All Auxiliary Presidents and their
Membership Chairmen who achieve 100% on or before
February 28, 2015 will go on a “Night on the Town” with
their District President Sheri and myself. I have been on
several of these and let me tell you, they are a lot of fun.
So sisters, keep on working and I know that you are and
we will all have a good time and we will also get this District and Madam President in at a 100% and who knows,
maybe even higher. After all, “We are the Mighty 1st.”
Division winners for the month of August were:
Division 1
Southeast 5179 @85.57%
Division 2
Gen Henry D Styer 2422 @ 91.24%
Division 3
Charles E Swisher 1924 @ 93.22%
Division 5
PFC Archie G McArthur @ 84.12%
Division 6
Encanto 1512 @ 84.01%
Division 7
No winner
We have no 100% Auxiliaries as of yet, but we are getting close to achieving that mark. Thank you Sisters for
all your hard work.
I would like to thank the Ladies Auxiliary of Post 9578,
Alpine, for a great meeting. The hospitality and the meal
as always were great. Thank you again.
Our next Membership meeting will be on Tuesday, September 23rd at Mission Valley Post 3787 at 7:00 pm.
Hope to see all of you there. Don’t forget to bring your
Medallion to the meetings or have someone bring it for
you if you are unable. It’s a $5.00 penalty if you don’t.
Remember, you must attend 8 of 11 meetings to qualify
for the Membership dinner in May of 2015.
Rose Busang
Membership Chairman
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