VFW Newsletter
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. on 17 September at the Donald L. Cook / Billy J. Swyres Memorial Veterans Center in Centerville.
Our next post meeting will be 2 P.M on 18 September at the same location.
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. 11 September at the large flag pole located at the junction of HWY 21 and 106 in Ellington. Parking is available.
We still need your support in urging congress to include The Major Richard Star Act in the FY23 Nation Defense Authorization Act. The 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. Please 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 support the “The Afghan Adjustment Act (H.R. 8685/S.4787)”. This bipartisan legislation 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. The legislation includes provisions to vet these people to keep out bad actors. Please contact our senators, and congressional representative. For more information 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 section 804 of the PACT ACT, the “Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022”. Today 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. For more information, please contact the VFW VSO, Jim Juergens at the Poplar Bluff VAMC. His email is James.Juergens@va.gov, or (573) 778-4614 or visit https://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/camp-lejeune/
79 years ago this week Operation Avalanche, the Allied landings near Salerno Italy occurred. The operation, commanded by Lieutenant General Mark W. Clark, was carried out by the U.S. Fifth Army, and included the U.S. VI Corps, the British X Corps, and the U.S. 82nd Airborne Division. The objectives were to capture the port of Naples and to cut across to the Italian east coast hoping to trap the Axis troops in southern Italy. To achieve surprise, the Salerno landing was preceded by a diversionary landing at Calabria (in the ‘toe’ of Italy) by the British Eighth Army commanded by General Sir Bernard Montgomery, and no preparatory naval or aerial bombardment was used. The Germans were not surprised and eight German divisions were positioned to defend the landing sites. The allies captured the beach areas, and repulsed a midmorning counterattack by the 16th Panzer Division. Although slow, the allied linked up at the end of day two and occupied 35–45 miles of coastline to a depth of 6–7 miles. Two days later the Germans counterattacked with six divisions of motorized troops came very close to overwhelming the beachhead. Suffering heavy casualties, the allies established a new perimeter which held with the assistance of 4000 paratroopers from the 82nd and 509th PIB who air dropped near the hot spots, from strong naval gunfire support, and from well-served Fifth Army artillery. Operation Avalanche was flawed. The allies landed on a 35-mile front with only three divisions, were too separated, and the terrain was favored the defender. Finally, no naval bombardment despite Pacific experience showing it was critical. Allied loses were 2,349 killed, 7,366 wounded and 4,100 missing and German losses numbered 840 killed, 2,002 wounded and 603 missing. The brutal, 19-month battle for Italy had begun. For more information, I recommend Operation Avalanche: The Salerno Landings, 1943 by Des Hickey
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”
