VFW Post 6660 Newsletter
By
Randle Tolliver, Quartermaster / Adjutant
post6660@movfw.org / www.facebook.com/VFW Post-6660
For veterans in crisis, the Veterans Crisis Line’s new number—988 then press “1”. You can also still call 1-800-273-8255 and press “1”.
For homebound veteran’s requiring assistance, please contact Jay Parks at (573) 689-1477, Randy Tolliver at (573) 924-2382, or Scott Rosen at (573) 466-9188.
Our summer raffle is underway and our prizes this year are $250, $150, and $100 Visa Gift Cards. Look for our booths at various locations around the county until after the Reynolds County Fair.
VFW Auxiliary will meet at 1 P.M. on 17 September at the Donald L. Cook / Billy J. Swyres Memorial Veterans Center in Centerville. For more information, contact Denise Szafranski at (573) 300-5523 or deerae9@yahoo.com.
Our next regular post meeting will be 2 P.M on 18 September at the Post HQ in Centerville.
VFW Post 6660, VFW Auxiliary Ellington Chamber of Commerce, and the City of Ellington will hold a 9/11 Remembrance ceremony at 2 P.M. at the large flag pole located at the junction of HWY 21 and 106 in Ellington. Parking is available.
We continue to need your support in urging congress to include The Major Richard Star Act in the FY23 Nation Defense Authorization Act. The Major Richard Star Act would allow combat-disabled retirees with fewer than 20 years of service to receive without reduction, veterans› disability compensation and retired pay or combat-related special compensation. We ask you to call and/or write: Senator Josh Hawley, 115 Russell Senate Office Building, Washington D.C. 20510/(202) 224-6154, Senator Roy Blunt, 260 Russell Senate Office Building Washington, D.C. 20510/(202) 224-5721, or Congressman Jason Smith,
20515/(202) 225-4404.
We also we request your support to urge congress to pass newly introduced “The Afghan Adjustment Act (H.R. 8685/S.4787)” is bipartisan legislation in the House and Senate that provides a path to permanent status to Afghans who were evacuated to the U.S. following the fall of Kabul last year. This includes the men and women who, at great personal risk to them and their families, served with us as interpreters. Yes, there were some bad actors that caused harm, but this legislation also includes provisions to vet these people. Again, we ask you to contact your senators and congressman. For more information, please see https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/senate-bill/4787
Our annual education related awards programs, Teacher of the Year, Patriot’s Pen, and Voice of Democracy are underway. Patriot’s Pen is open to 6th, 7th and 8th grade students and this year’s theme is “My Pledge to Our Veterans”. The Voice of Democracy audio-essay is open to students in grades 9-12 and this year’s theme is “Why is the Veteran Important?” Children who are home schooled are also welcome to participate. Our Teacher of the Year program recognizes teachers who promote civic responsibility, patriotism and help students develop a better understanding of American values and beliefs. For more information, please contact Dr. Charles Laramore at (573) 637-2112, Jay Parks or Randy Tolliver.
For those folks concerned with the Camp LeJeune water issue, lawsuits were authorized by section 804 of the PACT ACT. The section may also cited as the “Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022”. Be aware lawyers are trying to sign up everyone they can as clients for large lawsuits. The National Veterans Service for Veterans of Foreign Wars recommends veterans not to sign anything to participate in lawsuits until VA clarifies how the settlements will affect service-connected benefits and care. If you were Camp LeJeune during this period, contact and maintain contact with a VFW Veteran Service Officer (VSO). As a reminder, our closest VFW VSO is Jim Juergens at the VAMC at Poplar Bluff. His email is James.Juergens@va.gov, Phone: (573) 778-4614. For more information, please visit https://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/camp-lejeune/
246 years ago this week, a force of over 20,000 British and Hessian troops under the command of General William Howe landed on Long Island, New York. Five days later, on 27 August the British attacked General Washington’s forces on Brooklyn Heights. In the first major battle of the Revolutionary War, the American troops were flanked and suffered 2,000 casualties before retreating. The British dug in for a siege, but on the night of 29 August, Washington evacuated the entire army to Manhattan without the loss of supplies or a single life. After several more defeats the Continental Army was forced to retreat through New Jersey into Pennsylvania. British and Hessian losses were 64 killed, 294 wounded and 31 missing. The Americans loses were approximately 300 killed and over 1,000 captured. The most significant outcome of this first battle was the realization that there would be no easy victory, and that the war would be long and bloody. There are many references you can consult, but I recommend one of my favorite authors, David McCullough and his 2006 book “1776.”
Now for a few reminders:
We are assembling a Desert Storm – Afghanistan exhibit at the Reynolds County Museum. If you wish to donate or lend materials, please contact Randy Tolliver no later than 31 August.
Now for a few reminders:
For more for information concerning local VA health care call the Poplar Bluff VAMC at (573) 686-4151 or https://www.poplarbluff.va.gov/services/index.asp
The VA one-stop telephone number is 1-800-698-2411 and press “0” to reach a live agent for immediate assistance. The VA one stop website is VA.gov Home | Veterans Affairs .
The Missouri Veterans Commission (MVC) one-stop Benefits and Resource Portal is www.veteranbenefits.mo.gov or call (573) 522-4061.
To order military service documents such as a DD 214/Separation Document or Official Military Personnel File (OMPF), contact the National Archives, National Personnel Records Center at https://www.archives.gov/veterans/military-service-records, or call (866) 272-6272.
For more information, contact Jay Parks, Randy Tolliver, or Heather King at (573) 330-1020, or email post6660@movfw.org , or go to https://movfw.org or http://movfw.org .
“Here to Serve”
