VFW Post 6660 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 15 October at the Donald L. Cook / Billy J. Swyres Memorial Veterans Center in Centerville.
The next post meeting will be 2 P.M on 16 October at the same location.
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.
National POW/MIA Recognition Day is the third Friday of September. We pay tribute to our former prisoners of war and recommit to the task of seeking out answers for the families of those still missing. As a nation, we will always remember and honor our prisoners of war and those still missing in action, and keep faith with our promise to bring them all home. For more information see https://www.dpaa.mil/ .
Happy 75rd Birthday to the United States Air Force! The Air Force separated from the United States Army on 18 September 1947. A bit of history, the United States Army created the predecessor to the Air Force in 1907 when they created the Aeronautical Division of the Signal Corps on 1 August, 1907. Eventually, in 1914, this department became the Aviation Section of the Signal Corps. Over the years, this department continued to take shape becoming the U.S Army Air Service from 1918 through 1926 and the U.S Army Air Forces from 1941 through 1947. When, the value of airpower was demonstrated during World War II contributed to the decision that the United States needed a major organizational change in order to remain a successful fighting force. The National Security Act of 1947 reorganized our national military and security structures. It created Department of Defense and the United States Air Force on 18 September 18, 1947. It also created the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the Central Intelligence Agency and the National Security Council.
Post 6660 installed the bronze veteran’s grave markers for deceased veterans Thomas Baker at the Huda Chitwood Cemetery, Stanley Beck at the Pumkin Hollow Cemetery and Ron Haskill at a private residence. We also installed veteran’s grave markers for the Henson brothers Ansel, Troy, and Marvin at the Carty Cemetery and Cecile Mayfield at the Myers Cemetery, and Leo O’Berry at the Asher Cemetery. We provided a Color Guard when requested. We are honored to provide this last service to veterans and their families.
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.
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”
