Skip to content

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 ongoing until after Reynolds County Fair and the prizes are $250, $150, and $100 Visa Gift Cards.

VFW Auxiliary will meet at 1 P.M. on 17 September at the Donald L. Cook / Billy J. Swyres Memorial Veterans Center in Centerville.

The next post meeting will be 2 P.M on 18 September at the same location.

VFW Post 6660, VFW Auxiliary Number 6660, Ellington Chamber of Commerce, and the City of Ellington held a 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony in Ellington. The Bunker High School Jazz band, led by Music Director Mr. Kenneth Cook, provided the music. Reverend Kelly Chilton of Ellington provided the Invocation, and Benediction.  The Guest Speaker was State Representative for the 144th District, Chris Dinkins, who spoke eloquently of the events of September 11th and our national sprit. VFW Post 6660 Commander L. Jay Parks thanked those in attendance for coming and shared remarks regarding 9/11. Representative Dinkins, Post Command Jay Parks, Chamber of commerce President Patricia George, and Auxiliary President Denise Szafranski performed the wreath laying in remembrance of those who lost their lives in the terrorist attacks.  Mr. Cook performed TAPS to accompany the solemn ceremony. Representative Dinkins said “What an honor it was to be a part of the ceremony in Reynolds County to remember those who lost their lives.”

We will have a veteran’s service workshop from 9 A.M. to 1 P.M. on Saturday, 24 September at the Assembly of God Church in Bunker. The address is 102 Main St, next to the Bunker School Bus Garage. Please bring your documentation including your discharge documents (DD-214). For more information, or if the veteran is homebound, please contact us.

Please continue to support including the “Major Richard Star Act” in the FY23 Nation Defense Authorization Act.  This would allow combat-disabled retirees to receive, without reduction, veterans› disability compensation and retired pay or combat-related special compensation. Also, please support the “The Afghan Adjustment Act (H.R. 8685/S.4787)” to help Afghans who, at great personal risk to them and their families, served with us as interpreters, and evacuated during the fall Kabul.  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.

Our annual educational 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?”  Home schooled students are 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.   

Regarding the Camp LeJeune water issue, lawsuits are authorized by section 804 of the PACT ACT (“Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022”). Although lawyers are trying to sign up clients for large lawsuits, the VFW Veterans Service office recommends veterans not to join a lawsuit until the 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 at James.Juergens@va.gov, or (573) 778-4614.

83 years ago last week Germany invaded Poland using Nazi propaganda that claimed Poland was persecuting ethnic Germans living in Poland as justification. After a phony Schutzstaffe (SS) attack on a German radio station, Germany launched “retaliatory” campaign. The operation “Fall Weiss” (Case White) began at 4:40 A. M. on 1 September with Luftwaffe JU- 87 B “Stuka” dive bombers crossing the German-Polish border.  Germany deployed 60 divisions, approximately 1.5 million men, 2,000 tanks supported by nearly 900 bombers and over 400 fighter planes in this invasion. The German “Blitzkrieg” (lightning war) tactic of achieving surprise and attacking with concentrated fast-moving armored units supported by overwhelming air power was effective. Even though Poland’s lack of political will and late mobilization left it’s army vulnerable, the Poles fought tenaciously and inflicted serious casualties on the Germans. Bravery aside, the lack of modern arms and equipment told and the Polish army was defeated within weeks. German units quickly broke through Polish defenses and advanced on Warsaw in a massive encirclement attack, reaching the city on 8 September. Britain and France, as a polish ally, declared war on Germany on 3 September, but took no action. To make matters worse the Soviet Union, using of the 23 August 1939 Nazi-Soviet Pact, invaded Poland from the east on 17 September. The Polish government fled the country that same day. Warsaw sustained heavy damage during the siege, and surrendered on 28 September.  The last Polish military resistance ended on 6 October. World War II had begun.  For more information, I recommend “Case White: The Invasion of Poland 1939” by Robert Forcz.

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.

“Here to Serve”

Leave a Comment