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Camp LeJeune Lawsuits Authorized

By Randle Tolliver, Quartermaster / Adjutant

post6660@movfw.org  / www.facebook.com/VFW Post-6660

For veterans in crisis, the Veterans Crisis Line’s number—988 then press “1” or 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. Saturday, 17 September at the Donald L. Cook / Billy J. Swyres Memorial Veterans Center in Centerville. For more information, contact Denise Szafranski @ (573) 300-5523 or deerae9@yahoo.com

VFW POST 6660 will meet at 2 p.m. Sunday, 18 September at the Donald L. Cook / Billy J. Swyres Memorial Veterans Center in Centerville. For more information call (573) 689-1477 or (573) 924-2382

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 flagpole 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.  This 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, P.O. Box 4707 Poplar Bluff, MO 63902 / (573) 609-2996.

We also need your support to pass the “The Afghan Adjustment Act (H.R. 8685/S.4787)”. This bipartisan legislation, in the House and Senate, provides a path to permanent status to Afghans who 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. Please 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.   

A reminder about the Camp LeJeune water issue: Lawsuits were authorized by the “Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022” which is section 804 of the PACT ACT.  Right now, lawyers are trying to sign up everyone they can as clients for large lawsuits. The VFW office of Veterans Service 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 in Camp LeJeune during this period, contact a VFW Veteran Service Officer (VSO). Our closest VFW VSO is Jim Juergens at the Poplar Bluff VAMC. His email is James.Juergens@va.gov, or (573) 778-4614.  For more information, please visit https://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/camp-lejeune/

77 years ago this week, an Avenger torpedo bomber flown by Navy Lieutenant (Junior Grade) George H.W. Bush  was shot down by anti-aircraft fire during an attack of Japanese positions. George Bush joined the Navy’s flight training program after high school and after becoming a Naval Aviator in May 1944, he flew 58 Pacific combat missions in the carrier based “Avenger” torpedo bomber (TBM).  On 2 September 1944, four Torpedo Squadron 51 aircraft launched from USS San Jacinto (CVL-30) to attack an enemy radio station on ChiChi Jima in the Bonin Islands.  He was hit by anti-aircraft fire during a bombing run and after dropping his four 500-pound bombs on the target, he bailed out over the ocean. LTJG Bush was the only survivor of this crew and was rescued is by the submarine USS Finback (SS-230).

76 years ago this week, the Empire of Japan formally surrenders to the United States on the deck of the battleship USS Missouri.  On 2 September 1945, with more than 250 Allied warships lay at anchor in Tokyo Bay, Japanese Foreign Minister Mamoru Shigemitsu signed on behalf of the Japanese government and General Yoshijiro Umezu for the Japanese armed forces.  Supreme Commander MacArthur next signed, followed by Admiral Chester W. Nimitz who signed for the United States and then China, Britain, the USSR, Australia, Canada, France, the Netherlands and New Zealand, respectively. The most devastating war in human history was over.

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”

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