col vet february 2013 - veterans of foreign wars post 7829 · 2018-11-16 · sponsored by district...

February, 2013 Volume 52, Issue 3 2012 - 2013Department of Colorado, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S.

and its Ladies Auxiliary Official Publication

COLORADO VETERANand Auxiliary News

“No One Does More For Veterans”

Four children sat around a ta-ble staring intently at a hover of wooden ‘Jenga’ blocks. After a few rounds the tower continued to remain stable. Suddenly and unexpectedly one of the children reached forward and yanked out one of the bottom blocks, causing the tower to come crashing down. As that bottom block affected the outcome of the game. So the Con-stitution affects the outcome of our nation. The Founding Fathers knew t h a t without a foundation the nation would not withstand the test of time. And that foundation is the United States Constitution that was drafted and ratified by the people. Although the Constitution was written over 200 years ago, its authority forms a platform that is still relevant regardless of time or situation. The preamble itself declares the intentions of the Con-stitution and what freedoms will crumble under our feet if we choose to discard it.

The Preamble of the Constitu-tion begins with “We the People” which forms the cornerstone or the entire document. As citizens our first priority should be to know the Constitution. When the people don’t have knowledge of the text, the government is f r e e to gradu-ally inch over the boundary lines set by the Founding Fathers. Thomas Paine anticipated this and reminded the people that “it is a monarchi-cal and aristocratical government only that requires ignorance for its support”. Second, by exercis-ing our right to vote, we are able to hold the government accountable

to the guidelines that were set. This opportunity shou ld not be taken lightly, yet only 60% of the American population votes. When the elected authorities choose to ignore the Constitution it is ulti-mately our own fault for allowing them to remain in office. We the people have to step up.

Next, the Preamble establishes that we w i l l have a stronger union if we follow the blueprint pre-scribed by the Founding Fathers. In order for our country to remain strong, we need t o be united under one purpose. The second half of the Pledge of Allegiance states, “and to the Republic, for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.” I propose that this state-ment summarizes the purpose of the Constitution and what should continue to be the purpose of our nation.

The Constitution also provides a model for maintaining justice. First, all laws must be made in pur-suance of the Constitution. If the law in question does not take the design of the Constitution, the law is void. Second, justice ensures the protection of the peoples equal rights. Without the high moral standards established by this document there is no thought to protecting the sanctity of life, liberty, and property found in the 5th Amendment.

This document likewise creates a framework to ensure Domestic Tranquility and urges us to have peace in our homes and individual

states. Throughout history this peace has been secured by our common defense. When men and women join the military, they are ultimately sacrificing their lives to preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution. These men a n d women are willing to leave their l o v e d o n e s to defend their country against t h o s e who seek to destroy it. As the receivers of these great blessings of liberty, we need to take up the cry here at home and fight to preserve, pro-tect, and defend the foundation of our country.

The Constitution also guarantees

the General Welfare for all its citi-zens. As Thomas Jefferson said, “The care of human life and happi-ness, and not their destruction, is the first and only legitimate object of good government.“

F i n a l l y, t h e Constitution aids in securing the blessings of liberty for ourselves and our posterity. The Constitution alone protects the

“Is Our Constitution Still Relevant”rights of the people from the usurpa-tion of the government. By its sup -p o r t the tower of liberty remains stable. In recent years we have become apathetic — no longer in-vesting in the preservation of our founding document. We have to take a stand and fight against the apathy that has taken hold of our generation. So that our posterity has the opportunity to experience the blessings of liberty.

When the Constitution is yanked out of our country’s tower of free-dom and liberty. The tower itself begins to sway and will inevita-bly crash to the ground. We must always remember John Adam’s warning in a letter he wrote to his wife, Abigail Adams. “But a Constitution of Government once changed from Freedom, can never be restored. Liberty, once lost, is lost forever.”

Leah SetzerSponsored by District No. 10 and

Arvada VFW #4331 and Ladies Auxiliary

1st Place Leah Setzer - District 10, Arvada #43312nd Place Nathaniel Reinholtz - District 7, Monte Vista #3228

3rd Place Alec Lund - District 8, Conifer #120094th Place Rose Howe - District 9, Craig #4265

5th Place Kaylene Khosla - District 2, Pueblo West #5812

Congratulations to all the Students

– Colorado Veteran, February

COLORADO VETERAN and AUXILIARY NEWSOfficial periodical of

Veterans of Foreign Wars, Department of Colorado

Colorado Veteran (ISSN 1056-0807) is published quarterly Feb., May., Aug., Nov.4 issues a year. $2.00 to non-members, $1.00 per year to widows of VFW members.

Send all correspondence, typewritten (double-spaced, upper and lower case toDepartment Headquarters, 1400 Carr Street, Lakewood, CO 80214

Telephone 303-421-1630, 800-965-1630 (Colorado only - Denver Metro excluded) FAX 303-421-1727 Advertising deadline 1st of preceding month - Article deadline 1st of preceding month

Stories, pictures, etc., received after these dates may be withheld ‘till the next publication

Periodical CommitteePublished by:Dept. of Colorado VFW

1400 Carr StreetLakewood, CO 80214

Periodicals postage paid at Lakewood, CO.

For the AuxiliaryVirginia Burris, presidentColleen Rylant, treasurer

Cynthia Anderson, jr. past presidentAnn Mauck, auxiliary news chairman

Bruce Dolan, commanderDick Wellensiek, editor

Ann Mauck, assoc. editor &computer layout

www.vfwcolodept.org

POSTMASTERSend address changes to:

VFW National Headquarters406 W. 34th Street

Kansas City, MO 64111

POST & AUXILIARY CHANGE OF ADDRESS FORM

PLEASE LET US KNOW IF YOU HAVE MOVED OR WILL BE MOVING.

NAME:__________________________________________________

NEW ADDRESS__________________________________________

TOWN_________________________STATE_______ZIP________

MEMBERSHIP NO.________________VFW POST NO.________

NOTE: YOUR RETURN ADDRESS IS ON THE BACK SIDE OF THIS NOTICE.

MAIL TO: DEPARTMENT OF COLORADO VFW, 1400 CARR ST., LAKEWOOD, CO 80214

THANK YOU EDITOR

FEBRUARY DISTRICT MEETINGSDISTRICT NO. DATE LOCATION TIME REPRESENTATIVE 5 2/17/13 Post No. 6461 1:00 pm Lunch Bruce Dolan Sunday Fountain 2:00 pm Mtg Jun Spencer

7 2/17/13 Post No. 3228 12:00 noon Lunch Jim Lafferty Sunday Monte Vista 1:00 pm Meeting Martine Arndt

9 2/09/13 Post No. 5843 12:00 noon Meeting Bruce Dolan Saturday Meeker Linda Reinpold 11 2/17/13 Post No. 3571 10:00 am Don Smith Sunday Delta Registration Linda Stahly 11:00 am Joint meeting Voice of Democracy & Patriot Pen 12:00 noon meal 1:00 pm meeting

12 2/17/13 Post 4031 11:00 Joint Meeting Kirk Rosa Sunday Durango 12:00 noon Lunch Ginny Burris 1:00 pm Mtg

MARCH DISTRICT MEETINGS 1 3/16/13 Post No. 1 11:00 am Jt Mtg Allan Stone Saturday Denver Lunch Meeting to follow

2 3/23/13 Post No. 5812 10:00 am Mtg Jim Lafferty Saturday Pueblo West Martine Arndt

3 3/10/13 Post No. 2841 12:00 Meal Bruce Dolan Sunday Brighton Meeting to follow Linda Reinpold

8 3/16/13 Post No. 8661 12:00 noon Lunch Bruce Dolan Saturday Bailey VOD/PP/Teacher Awards 1:00 pm Meeting Linda Stahly

10 3/24/13 Post No. 9644 11:00 am Memorial Service Don Smith Sunday Sheridan 1:00 pm Meeting Gloria Otwell March 2nd-6th VOD and Legislative Conf., Washington DCMarch 9th Youth Awards Carnival - Golden #4171March 24th Palm SundayMarch 29th Good FridayMarch 31st Easter

APRIL DISTRICT MEETINGSDISTRICT NO. DATE LOCATION TIME REPRESENTATIVE

3 4/14/13 Post No. 2601 12:00 Meal Sunday Longmont 1:00 Joint Memorial June Spencer Meeting to follow

4 4/14/13 Post No. 2551 11:00 am Sunday Ft Morgan Memorial Service Linda Stahly 12:00 noon Lunch 1:00 pm Meeting Election/Installation

5 4/21/13 Post No. 4051 1:00 pm Lunch Sunday Colo Spgs Meeting to follow Gloria Otwell Election/Installation 7 4/14/13 Post No. 4849 12:00 noon meal Sunday Antonito 1:00 Meeting Linda Reinpold Election/Installation

8 4/20/13 Post No. 1166` 12:00 noon meal Saturday Buena Vista 1:00 Meeting Martine Arndt Memorial Service Election/Installation

9 4/13/13 Post No. 4264 11:00 am Meeting Saturday Steamboat Spgs Lunch to follow Gloria Otwell Election /Installation 12 4/14/13 Post No. 5181 11:00 am Joint meeting Sunday Dove Creek 12:00 noon Lunch Martine Arndt Election/Installation 13 4/14/13 Post No. 6612 2:00 pm Sunday Hugo (Election Officers) Ginny Burris Lunch after installation

April 6 Workshops VFW Post 4051April 7 COA VFW Post 4051April 20 Salute to Service VFW Post 2601 UVC Banquet April 7, 2013 Sunday 3:30 pm cash bar 5:00 pm Dinner Renaissance Denver Hotel 3801 Quebec Street

Council Administration Hotels & Meals Antlers Hilton Four South Cascade 719-955-5600 VFW Rate

The Mining Exchange 8 south Nevada Ave. 719-323-2030 VFW Rate

Clarion Hotel 314 W Bijou Street 719-471-8680 VFW Rate

Days Inn 2409 E Pikes Peak Ave 719-471-0990 VFW Rate

Saturday Lunch $5.00 12:00 noon - sub sandwich, chips, baked beans, cookies Saturday Dinner $10.00 6:00 P.M. - chicken cordon bleu/trimmings

Coffee/Hot Tea and donuts both days - no charge

Call Headquarters 303-421-1630 for Lunch and Dinner Reservations by 4/1/2013

April 6 - 7 2013VFW Post 4051 Colorado Springs

Saturday April 6th Workshops 9:00 A.M. TBA Lunch 12:00 Noon Workshops 1:00 P.M. TBA Pre-Council 3:00 P.M. Dinner 6:00 P.M. Sunday April 7th Joint Opening Session 8:30 A.M.

VFW Council Meeting to follow


Sr. Vice ColumnJim Lafferty

Jr. Vice ColumnKirk Rosa

Quartermaster’s ColumnDick Wellensiek

Commander’s ColumnBruce Dolan

Chaplain’s ColumnAllan Stone

Greetings, I hope this finds everyone well. We are at the begin-ning of a New Year. By now we all have opened our Christmas gifts, had all the New Years Eve cheer we can handle for

a year, and maybe or maybe not still have a membership in the VFW. Gaining new members is something all of us have done at one time or another. You wear your VFW hat, or jacket and someone asks about joining. Or maybe you go to a Yel-low Ribbon ceremony and they’re all right there. But this time of the year makes it even easier. It’s called “closing the back door.” We have so many members who are yearly members that do not, forget, or just can’t afford to pay their due. So what is the solution? Simple! Every Post Commander should have a roster of all unpaid members for the coming year. Get a few names from your Commander and call, drop them short letter, or stop by and visit. It may be a member you haven’t seen in awhile who just forgot, or maybe doesn’t have any spare money to pay dues even though he’d still like to belong. We have a fix for that too. Under our by-laws, Posts may use the relief fund to help pay a member’s dues if they are in need. This whole process of contacting un-paid members doesn’t take a lot of time. And as I found last year, you may find an old friend whom you didn’t even know was still around. I ask each of you to take a few minutes and give it a try. Also remember, this year to qualify for All American you must have an 85% reten-tion rate. That means you must have 85% of your previous years annual members dues paid for the current year. So you are thinking about running for an Elected Office or taking on a chairman-ship?

When you take on the position of an Officer or anything in a position of trust, you are voluntarily taking on the position of a FIDUCIARY (if due she airy) and with it the duties impose by law. The word Fiduciary comes from a Latin word meaning FAITH. A fiduciary must always act in good faith in their relation-ship to the organization. This means all Officers and Directors have an obligation to act in the interest of the organization rather than their own personal interests. There are three duties of a fiduciary: Care, Loyalty, and Obedience. Your duty of Care means you must act in GOOD FAITH in a way any prudent person would act in a similar manner under similar circumstances toward the interest of the organization. Your duty of Loyalty means you must act with undivided loyalty to the interests of the organization rather than your own self interest. It forbids conflict of interests, and stresses an absolute duty to disclose any financial benefit from a transaction. Your duty of obedience means you must act to assure the organization is operated to fulfill its mission, (helping veterans) in accordance with the law, and compliance with its by-laws. Remember, we can be personally held liable for wrong doing. I think Common Sense should be our general rule. The way we have handled problems in the past is over. If you have any questions, or would like to chat about this, please contact me. Please keep warm this winter, and I am looking forward to seeing everyone for the Midwinter C.O.A. in Colorado Springs. Please pray for our Veterans and war-riors in harms way

Bruce R. Dolan. Department Commander

As I go around the state, doing inspec-tions, paying visits, or just showing up to help out, one ques-tion I get asked a lot

is “How can we see and participate in the operations of the VFW in the Dept of Colorado.” My answer is simple. To start, attending Post meetings is the be-ginning of it all. Attend District meetings with your Post Commander or designated person, after that attend the Council of Administration meetings held 4 times during the VFW year. The next one is in April in Colorado Springs at Post 4051. There is always a workshop to help the Posts and Districts. Finally there is the

State Convention. The State Convention is where State Officers are elected, numer-ous items dealing with our Dept and how we will do things at the National Conven-tion are voted on. So if one is considering getting involved in their Post or District or just wants to see how things are done this is where you start. There are also vari-ous banquets, for Voice of Democracy, Salute to Service, and then we have the Department Youth Awards Carnival and many other events that you can attend. I wish all of you the best in the New Year and look forward to seeing you at some of the numerous events.

Kirk RosaDepartment Jr. Vice Commander

We have got off on the new year, 2013, and we are still work-ing on getting our membership up. We need to work on get-ting our continuous

members back in. We also need to remember our families and all our comrades that need help. There are some that I know need help and for my part I have been helping them along with other post members to get where they need to go and what they need. I know that everyone is doing as much as they can for them.

I hope that everyone is getting ready for the State Convention and our election. We have people running for all the offices and we need to see about getting more to run the chairs. We need to get some of our younger vets to get more involved than what they are. If any Post is having problems they should check the policy and procedure manual to make sure that they are follow-ing the VFW rules and by-laws. We have our next Council meeting coming up in April and I hope to see a lot of you there.

Working For All VeteransJim LaffertyDepartment Sr. Vice Commander

Happy New Year! I hope one of your New Year’s resolutions was to visit hospitals, nursing homes,

hospice care facilities and assisted living centers. After attending the ceremonies at Fort Logan National Cemetery on Veterans Day, I visited a member of Post 4666 at the Cherrelyn Healthcare Center in Littleton. He was glad to see me and we had a good visit. I thanked him for his service to his country and handed him a Buddy Poppy as I left. I probably was the last veteran to visit him as he passed away in December. An orderly saw me going down the hall and said there were two veterans in the room at the end of the hall and would I like to visit them. They were very appreciative that I stopped by their room and spent time talking with them. David Eyre, Commander of Parker Post 4266, invited me to visit two senior living centers on Monday after Veterans Day. Lincoln Meadows Senior Living

was the first facility we visited and has over 60 veterans living there. A veterans program was held and we distributed Buddy Poppys and American flags to the attendees. After lunch, Commander Eyre and I unveiled an honor wall of all the veterans in the facility by branch of service. Commander Eyre has held post meetings at this facility and will be hold-ing more post meetings in 2013. The second facility we visited was Life Care Center of Stonegate which has been open for six months. Twenty veter-ans enjoyed the service, were thanked for their service and each received a Buddy Poppy. I encourage you to visit your fellow comrades. Your visit is beneficial to them and also beneficial to you. Lets show them that you care and as a Past Department Commander Ron Davies said, “Show Them the Love”. I look forward to visiting with you at the Council of Administration meeting April 6 & 7 in Colorado Springs. Let’s all work together to support and honor veterans!

Allan StoneDepartment Chaplain

Comrades, I hope everyone survived the Holi-day Season! Glad it is over? I am!

I hope everyone is carrying Calendars with them and are still showing them to everyone, and are trying to keep on sell-ing them! You know there are still 300 and some days of drawings! Keep up the Good Work! You are going to see a new General Order concerning 990’s. Department is wanting to file Posts, Districts & Men’s Auxiliaries hard copies of their 990, 990EZ or a confirmation sheet from an

on-line transaction for the 990N. The reason being, that IRS came out with a Group Rulings Questionaire that Department had to fill out. As we filled the Questionaire out, the one thing we all agreed on was that we needed physical proof that our Subordinates had done their 990’s. So starting now, when you do your 990, 990EZ or 990N, send Department a hard copy or a confirmation page from an on-line transactions for filing purposes. Any questions call Department Head-quarters 303-421-1630.

Your QuartermasterDick Wellensiek

Vietnam War Memorial WallMay 23 - 27, 2013

Veterans Plaza of Northern Colorado2626 W. Horsetooth Road - Fort Collins, CO

The Traveling Vietnam Memorial Wall will be escorted into Fort Collins by the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association and erected on May 23. The wall, which will be guarded and lighted 24 hours a day, will be open for public viewing through May 27. If you would like to volunteer to help with the wall, contact [email protected]. The wall will need to be guarded 24 hours a day, help will be needed to locate names on the wall, etc.

Thank You Colorado I would like to thank everyone for all the Cards, Prayers, Phone Calls, visits and show of Concern during my recent stay in the Hospital. Ann would bring the cards when she came up after work and then when I arrived home they kept coming. I am now taking Pulmonary classes to learn the correct way to breath. Thank You from both of us, it helped us get thru a really tough time. Jim and Ann Mauck


Department of Colorado, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S.1400 Carr Street, Lakewood, Colorado 80214 Judge Advocate’s Column

Tony Wolusky

Comrades, Welcome to 2013 and may the coming year be one of renewed purpose, good health and continued excellence in support of

our fellow veterans. As your State Judge Advocate, I have the good fortune of answering your questions about rules and regulations pertaining to our VFW operations. I was recently asked to clarify the rules govern-ing rendering the salute to the U.S. flag, which have changed quite recently under federal law. Traditionally, members of the nation’s veteran’s service organizations have rendered the hand-salute during the national anthem and at events involving the national flag only while wearing their organization’s official head-gear (VFW cap). But not many people realize that the National Defense Authorization Act of 2008 contained an amendment to allow un-uniformed servicemembers, military retirees, and veterans to render a hand

salute during the hoisting, lowering, or passing of the U.S. flag. A later amend-ment (NDAA 2009) further authorized hand-salutes during the national anthem by veterans and out-of-uniform military personnel. (36 U.S.C. Section 301). Therefore, as a veteran, you can render the salute at the first note of the anthem and maintain that position until the last note. All other persons should face the flag and stand at attention with their right hand over the heart, and men not in uni-form, if applicable, should remove their headdress with their right hand and hold it at the left shoulder, the hand being over the heart. The law does allow veterans to render the right hand salute, but does not mandate it. If you feel uncomfortable in any situation where the flag is being raised, lowered or is passing in review, the traditional right hand over the heart - with the hat removed - is still a viable and very respectful alternative to the new law.

Tony WoluskyDepartment Judge Advocate

UNCOVER THE TRUTH ABOUT WHAT’S HAPPENING IN D.C. (Join the VFW Action Corps at www.VFWDC.Org

With the new Congress convening, it is imperative that our Colorado Congres-sional Delegation be reminded of critical programs that require their support. For example: VETERANS AWAITING CLAIMS DECISIONS - There are over two (2) million pending claims. The VA has yet to devise a work process that completes claims in a timely manner with high quality decisions. The staggering workload is a “bipartisan multi generational mess.” Solution: Congres-sional over site must insist that the VA modernize the VA infrastructure, improve training and increase manpower. FOCUS ON SUICIDE PREVENTION/MENTAL HEALTH - One service member and eighteen (18) veterans take their life every day. More lives have been lost to suicide than at the hand of our enemies during this war. Long and repeated deployments have taken a terrible toll on our younger generation. The an-swer is out there somewhere and Congress must fund the mental health research.

FULL ACCOUNTING OF OUR POW/MIAs - More than 83,000 members are missing or unaccounted for since WWII: 73,653 from WW II; 7,939 from Korea; 1,655 from Vietnam; 120 from the Cold War; and 6 from the War on Terror. Tell Congress that we will not rest until we achieve the fullest possible accounting of our troops. IRAQ/AFGHANISTAN VETERAN’S UNEMPLOYMENT - Unemployment for all veterans is 6.6%, lower than the national average. However, for Iraq and Afghanistan-era veterans it is more than 10%, far more than the na-tional average. More work must be done to “level the playing field.” Recognition and acceptance of relevant job skills is a must. The military Transition Assistance Program (TAP) for separating service members prepares them for the civilian work-force and military training standards conform to civilian licensing and credentialing standards for similar jobs. BUDGET AND POTENTIAL REDUCTIONS IN VETERANS PROGRAMS Congress is fighting a fierce battle because of budget constraints and attempts to reduce the national debt. However, we must do everything in our power to prevent Congressional action to “balance the budget on the backs of veterans and their families. You must speak up and remind your member of Congress that

“NO ONE DOES MORE FOR VETERANS!”

Warren TellgrenDepartment Legislative(Federal) Assistant

Department of Colorado Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S.LEGISLATIVE CALL TO ACTION

GENERAL ORDERS NO. 3 February, 2013 2012-2013

1. All VFW Posts, Districts and Men’s Auxiliaries MUST send a hard copy of there filed Form 990, 990EZ or receipt of the 990N electronic form to Depart-ment Headquarters, 1400 Carr Street, Lakewood, CO 80214, as soon as it filed with IRS. If your year end is June 30, you must file by November 15th or file an extension. If your year end is December 30, you must file by May 15th or file an extension. Copy of the form will be need to be mailed to Department Headquarters every year. If NOT filed for three (3) consecutive years, you will lose your non-profit standing with IRS and have to re-apply and pay a fee.

2.VFW Department Delegate notifica-tion for State Convention will be mailed May 1, 2013 to all VFW Quartermasters with Delegate cards and the amount of money to be sent to Department Head-quarters. If not paid, your Post will not be able to vote at State Convention. Please send Delegate fee to 1400 Carr St., Lakewood 80214.

3. As prescribed by Sec 217 & Sec 221 of the National By-Laws and Manual of Procedure, Posts having two (2) meetings a month will hold nominations at the first meeting in April with elections at the next regular in April. While Posts with only (1) one meeting a month will hold nomina-tions in March and elections in April and that all members must be notified of such elections.

4. Proof of Eligibility Requirements for Officers: All Posts, Districts and Department should be reminded of the provisions of Sec. 216(c), 316, 414(c), and 515(d) of the National By-Laws and Manual or procedure that officers, elected and appointed, shall not be installed or as-sume the duties of their office until such proof of eligibility has been submitted to the respective Adjutant for review.

5. Registration for the VFW National Convention: Each Post will pay, in advance, a national registration fee of twenty-five dollars ($25) which shall entitle the Post to a packet of convention information and materials and one identi-fied registered delegate for the National Convention. Each additional delegate attending the national convention will pay a ten dollar ($10) delegate fee. in accordance with the requirements of Sec 222 of the National Constitution and By-Laws. Delegate fees should be sent directly to the Quartermaster General at National Headquarters.

6. Attention is directed to Sec. 213 of the National By-Laws concerning arrear-ages of Posts for National, Department, or District Dues, National Convention registration, poppy money, supply money or other financial obligations, or failure to have the office of Quartermaster properly bonded in accordance with Section 703 of the National By-Laws, or failure to submit properly completed quarterly Post Trustees Report of Audit or Post Election Reports. Posts that are delinquent in any of the aforementioned shall be deprived of all representation in County Council meetings, District, Department and Na-tional Conventions.

7. Attention of Post Commanders is di-rected to Sec. 218, Manual of Procedure, Duty of Trustees. Trustees Report of Audit must be completed by the Trustees, in detail, at the close of each quarter, one of which ends March 31st. Commanders are reminded that all funds are to be under the custody and control of the Post Quarter-master. Persons other than the Post Quar-termaster who may handle Post funds, such as club manager, bingo chairman, or committee chairmen are responsible to the Post Quartermaster to maintain accurate records and accounts and should be properly bonded. Post Trustees are to ensure that the financial records of these special funds are also audited in the same manner as the other accounts of the Post Quartermaster.

8. Commanders on all levels should begin organizing their 2013 Memorial Day Buddy Poppy Campaign. To qualify for Post All American, VFW Posts must order a minimum of five (5) Buddy Pop-pies per member for the program year from Department Headquarters. If you order NOW, you will have your order before Memorial Day.

9. All-State Commanders and Quar-termasters. Entry forms for All-State Commanders and Quartermasters will be mailed to all qualified persons. Posts and Districts must be 100% + 1 in mem-bership by April 30, 2013, in order for the Commanders and/or Quartermasters to be eligible for this award. The Commanders Department Leader-ship Manual, along with the entry form, must arrive at Department Headquarters not later than close of business on Monday May 06, 2013, to be judged. Post Quarter-masters need only submit the entry form by the same deadline date. 10. Council of Administration meet-ing will be April 7, 2013 at VFW Post No. 4051, 430 E Pikes Peak, Colorado Springs, 8:30 am for Joint Meeting. Pre-Council meeting will be April 6, 3:00 pm. See complete weekend schedule in this Colorado Veteran. Workshops will be held on Saturday April 6th, and will be announced in the next Bulletin.

9. State Convention is scheduled for Golden, Colorado, June 19 through June 22, 2013. See Page 8 of the Colorado Vet-eran for schedule, pre-registration, golf, hotels and Convention Book ads. 10. The Department of Colorado Veter-ans of Foreign Wars Loyalty Day Parade will be in Calhan, CO., Saturday May 4, 2013 10:00 am line-up time. Please contact Jim Crim 719-541-2650 or Row-land Hannon 719-347-2522 for further information.

11. Applications for the Department State Convention Site for 2014 can be obtained be contacting State Adj./Qm. Dick Wellensiek, 1400 Carr St., Lakewood, CO. 80214, (303) 421-1630. A check for $300.00 deposit must accompany the bid application.

ATTEST BY:Richard L. Wellensiek, State Adj./Qm.

BY COMMAND:Bruce R. Dolan, State Commander

Thank You Thank You Colorado VFW and Ladies Auxiliary members for all the cards when I had to have pace maker surgery to keep my heart in rythem and also when my son-in-law passed away. You concern helped the family and me thru a trying time for all of us.

Dick Larson


VFW Post Membership by District as of January 25, 2013 MEMBERSHIP 2012-2013

TAPS

Number/ City 2012 2013 % DISTRICT #11 Denver 834 770 92 501 Denver 384 368 962461 Denver 173 159 922797 Denver 64 62 973971 Denver 106 100 94 5061 Denver 370 356 96 TOTAL 1931 1815 94% DISTRICT #261 Pueblo 105 96 91984 Trinidad 80 67 842643 Walsenburg 43 40 932788 Penrose 72 73 101*3641 Pueblo 103 100 974061 Canon City 426 400 945812 Pueblo West 168 181 107*7305 Colo. City 50 48 968898 Boone 52 48 9212063 Westcliffe 60 42 71 TOTAL 1159 1095 94% DISTRICT #341 Loveland 347 305 88807 Boulder 66 60 911771 Lafayette 345 308 891781 Ft. Collins 329 316 962121 Greeley 207 194 942585 Johnstown 116 100 862601 Longmont 493 434 882841 Brighton 183 167 914334 Ault 81 77 95 6011 Platteville 74 70 956624 Evans 325 291 907206 Louisville 32 30 949565 Broomfield 131 131 100*9741 Dacono 47 43 91 TOTAL 2776 2526 91% DISTRICT #42551 Ft. Morgan 289 272 94 3378 Yuma 71 69 973541 Sterling 120 116 973551 Brush 42 40 953951 Ovid 27 29 107*3961 Otis 27 25 934191 Crook 22 23 105*4671 Wray 67 67 100*6482 Holyoke 65 64 987153 Fleming 43 41 958064 Akron 48 44 91 TOTAL 821 790 96% DISTRICT #5101 Colo. Spgs. 445 440 993917 Security 687 690 100*4051 Colo. Spgs 768 732 955221 Calhan 94 81 866051 Wdlnd Park 41 43 105*6461 Fountain 290 271 937829 Monument 151 134 899669 Colo. Spgs. 65 56 8610649 Elizabeth 44 48 109* TOTAL 2585 2495 97%

DISTRICT #6336 Ordway 112 107 962411 LasAnimas 111 110 993621 Lamar 62 59 954001 Springfield 51 48 94 4091 Rocky Ford 69 64 93 4281 Holly 33 30 91 TOTAL 438 418 95%

DISTRICT #7899 Alamosa 163 139 853228 Monte Vista 41 39 954849 La Jara 73 68 936101 San Luis 85 70 828121 Del Norte 63 59 94 TOTAL 425 375 88%

Number/City 2012 2013 % DISTRICT #8859 Leadville 44 41 931166 Buena Vista 187 169 903820 Salida 113 108 968661 Bailey 166 157 9510721 Minturn 105 91 8711411 Lake George 51 45 8812009 Conifer 92 111 121* TOTAL 758 722 95%

DISTRICT #92371 Walden 36 30 834264 Steambt Spgs100 90 904265 Craig 150 139 935261 Rangely 18 16 895843 Meeker 48 48 100*9374 Kremmling 45 44 989471 Hayden 10 8 80 TOTAL 407 375 92%

DISTRICT #10322 Englewood 134 124 933471 Morrison 83 83 100* 3631 Aurora 390 401 103*4121 Idaho Spgs. 70 62 894171 Golden 572 540 944266 Parker 79 73 924331 Arvada 300 263 88 4444 Cmmrc Cty 270 252 934666 Littleton 161 151 946331 Aurora 135 117 877563 Black Hawk 26 22 857945 Thornton 454 425 948449 Bennett 33 32 979644 Fort Logan 636 652 103*10736 FdrlHeights 29 26 88 TOTAL 3372 3223 96%

DISTRICT #11784 Montrose 142 140 991247 Grnd Jnctn 327 310 953571 Delta 77 69 903981 Grnd Jnctn 158 130 824267 Gunnison 119 116 974663 Clifton 91 88 975485 Parachute 55 52 959221 Cedaredge 122 128 105*9304 Rifle 37 31 849333 Hotchkiss 37 34 92 TOTAL 1165 1098 94%

DISTRICT #124031 Durango 259 248 965181 Dove Creek 60 54 905231 Mancos 188 183 979058 Nucla 29 26 909398 Norwood 25 23 92 TOTAL 561 534 95%

DISTRICT #133411 Kit Carson 23 25 109*6491 Burlington 77 84 109*6612 Hugo 56 49 889491 Deer Trail 23 23 100*9700 Chynn Wlls 38 36 95 TOTAL 217 217 100%*

15006 MAL 2135 1980 93% TOTAL DEPT 18750 17663 94%

2013 dues are now DUE. Be 100% +1 in 2013

Have You Paid Yours??

Post 859: Edward O’LearyPost 2551: Eugene Greer, John Longnecker, Russell VanattaPost 2643: George SpockPost 3631: Timothy Gardner, Venon Bolton, George ZellerPost 3641: Joseph Emelianovich, Charles Hicks, Fern ColemanPost 3820: Joseph W. Johnson, Talwin J. Ruttum, William E. Wilson, Jr., Robert H. FrostPost 3917: Eugene SolomonPost 3981: Charles Coombs, Daniel FreemanPost 4051: Omer Nau, Frank Carricato, Regis Wichman, Phillip Allison, Lester Curtiss, Calvin Hamilton, John Joiner, Floyd Meyer, John Petricko, Bill Pinkal, Eric Sandstrom, James Torres, Robert Villeneuve, Wayne YoungPost 4061: Rex McDonald, Lee Brown, Ken Heath, Ken E. OwensPost 4666: Asa E. FarringtonPost 5061: Ralph GrossPost 6331: Luis PalacioPost 7305: Robert Moore, James ReddickPost 8661: Carl Soderstrom, James Cahill, Richard MillerPost 9058: Ernest T. Anderson

Chapel Escort and Coffee Hour Schedule Feb 3 Englewood 322 Englewood 10 John S Stewart 1 Denver 17 Broomfield 9565 Broomfield 24 Mile High 1771 Lafayette

Mar 3 George B. Williams 2841 Brighton 10 John S. Stewart 1 Denver 17 Golden 4171 Golden 24 Longs Peak 2601 Longmont 31 Aurora 3631 Aurora

Apr 7 Lambert-Wright-Roy 8661 Bailey 14 Arvada 4331 Arvada 21 Mile High 1771 Lafayette 28 Francis Brown Lowry 501 Denver

If you are not able to keep your assigned date, please work out a trade and then call, Betty Melsen at 303-237-6646 or Rita Roseman 303-445-1403 IN ADVANCE.

Colorado is doing GOOD, but we need to do a little better. We need to be 95% by March 15th to get the Commander out of town on a cruise. The Department needs to have 165 members so Lennie can have a vacation. Then we need to get 954 to be 100%. WE CAN DO IT! Remember you can use your Relief Fund to help a Veteran that is in need of some help and cannot afford to pay his dues. He may be out of a job, low income, high medical bills and believe me they are high, have had vehicle problems, etc. Congratulations to District 13 for being the first 100% District. We have 18 Posts

that are 100% and some of the Posts only need one more member to qualify for All-State Commander / Quartermaster. You must be 100% + 1 member to qualify by April 30, 2013. Please don’t stop at 100%, get that 1 more member. Remember to get your Post to 85% retain membership.

Good Luck - YOU CAN DO IT!

Jim Mauckaka Dr. Fat AlbertState Membership Director

Surgeon’s ColumnPete Buchanan

Traveling throughout Colorado has been a great encouragement to see posts that have younger new members taking on the important work of our VFW and auxiliaries. At a time

when we need growth, these members are vital to the future of our goals and missions to serve our veterans. We need to find more new members to take leader-ship rolls. I like perhaps you, have called to ask members to renew their member-ships and heard, “there’s nothing there for me, sorry”. So, what must we do to make our organization more “user friendly”? District 3 Commander Ed Aitken has put together a new member packet for each of the posts in his district. This post information packet includes a letter to the new member on his/her approval to

the post, benefits of the VFW, when the next meeting is, and a thank you from the members of that post. Other pages give the post address, phone number, when the post and/or auxiliaries meet. There is a page listing all the post of-ficers, what the VFW does Nationally, a sheet with personal military information taken from the DD214 and finally a Cer-tificate of Appreciation from A Grateful Nation for serving. The idea is to make our new members feel welcomed and comfortable as they learn about us. We then need to call them and invite them to the next meeting and offer any help they may need. Too many new members are walking, let’s not close the door on them. Our Comrades and Sisters and Brothers need better from us.

Pete BuchananDepartment Surgeon

VFW Post Insurance More and more Posts have made the Decision to be open to the public and the build-ings are aging, and due to budgetary constraints, needed repairs are often not being done. These factors have led to an increase in both liability and property losses and those losses have resulted in larger claim payments. The combination of these factors has led to a situation where the underwriting results of the VFW Post Insurance Program are unacceptable for the carrier and Lockton must make changes. Lockton has begun implementing the rate increase that was discussed in October 2012. Please contact Lockton by calling 1/800-829-8390 and have your cover-age reviewed.


Department Quartermaster Dick Wellensiek drew the second calendar stub January 4, 2013. Ed Aitken and PDC Earl Havens make sure he does not look. The stub was for January 2, 2013, for $40.00 and won by Johnny Edwards of Broomfield, CO

Ann Constien, VFW Post 10721 Minturn and District 8, National Citizenship Educa-tion Teacher Award winner for 2011, teaching Red Canyon High School students at their campuses in Edwards and Eagle, CO.

L-R: Capt Pete Thompson, Lt Pat Hammon, and Lt Col Buddy Sims at Red Canyon High School Vietnam Seminars. VFW Post 10721 Minturn started this program in 2004 and every two years have presented a 2 hour seminar to the students.

Golden Jr. Girls Unit #4171 march in the Christmas Parade. They were accompanied by Rita Fama, back row left, who is Department Jr. Girls Chairman. They are looking for elgible girls to join their unit.

VFW Band performs at the Colorado State Veterans home at Fitzsimons, November 17. Your band performed at 17 events in 2012. What a privilege to represent the VFW community.

Department Commander Bruce Dolan draws the first Calendar stub, January 4, 2013, while Ed Aitken holds the raffle drum. This stub was for January 1, 2013 and was for $500.00 and was won by Marvin Edwards of Cortland, OH.

Department Surgeon Pete Buchanan presents Past Department Commander Darrell D. Elliott with his 45 year membership pin. PDC Elliott belongs to Mile High VFW Post #1771 Lafayette, CO.

Thank You

Thanks to the Department of Colorado Veterans of Foreign Wars for allow-ing us to be a part of this years Voice of Democracy Banquet. What an honor to be able to perform at this important, relevant and meaningful event. A “Job well done” to all of your staff for planning and carrying off this great event. Kudos also to all those involved at the Post and District level for bringing us 5 great finalists.

Thanks also to the crew over at Post 9644, they were very attentive to our needs, took very good care of us, and made us feel very much at home. Oh yea, Post 9644 is our home Post, something that we are very appreciative of. You do not know how much it means to us the way you make us feel welcome every Mon. night when we fill the post with the sounds our practices.

And finally, congratulations to this years 5 finalists; Rose Howe, Kaylene Knosla, Alec Lund, Nathaniel Reinholte, and Leah Setzer, and last years winner; Alison Gordon. You should be very proud of your accomplishments. You and your peers are the future of this great country. With leaders like you, we’ll be in great hands. VFW Band of Colorado


State Judge Advocate Tony Wolusky and State Commander Dolan talk with two other attendees at the Veterans Appreciation Day at the Capital.

Top Five Voice of Democracy winners tell about their Friday evening Pizza Party and Arvada Play House. Then Saturday morning Breakfast, Denver Art Musuem, Lunch and Imax Theater. Sounds like they had a Great Time.

Steve Van Buskirk, National Director of Programs reviewed the agenda for our First Place winner Leah, when she attends the Voice of Democracy weekend in Washington D.C. early March. Wonder when they have time to sleep.

L-R: Barbara Buchanan, Arline Dolan, State Commander Dolan, National Program Di-rector Steve Van Buskirk, State President Ginny Burris. Ali Gordon, last years winner, told of her trip to Washington DC and was awarded 2012 Ambassador of the year.

State Commander Dolan, State Chaplain and Sr. Vice Commander Jim Lafferty at-tended Veterans Appreciation Day at the Capital..

Verl Huffman VFW Post 9644 and Auxiliaries hosted the Voice of Democracy Ban-quet. This was the largest number of attendees that have attended the Banquet to hear the top five winning essays. Thank You.

This year’s Holiday Charity Drive delivered 3,500 lbs of non-perishables and toys to veterans and families in need. Thank You to those that helped make this Holiday Season much easier. Thank You Colorado Aviation Business Assiciation.

“EVERYONE IS WELCOME on our 2013 WWII tours,” states tour hostess Vi Ranney from Yankton, SD, who just escorted her 19th WWII tour this past August. The life-time VFW Auxiliary member would love to take you along to Paris, the Beaches of Normandy, Patton’s grave in Luxembourg, through the Battle of the Bulge area in Belgium, into Germany for a stop at the Remagen Bridge, and enjoy a Rhine River cruise before visiting Dachau and Hitler’s Eagle’s Nest. June and August departures are slated for 2013. Call Vi at 605-665-3596 for more info. Discount for WWII veterans. The ten WWII Veterans pictured above at General Patton’s grave were part of the forty participants on the August 2012 tour. www.rupipertravel.com

2013 WWII TOURS SCHEDULED FOR JUNE & AUGUST

Vi Ranney,Tour Escort


VFW/Auxiliary State Convention Pre-Registration, Golden, Colorado June 19 – 22, 2013 Mark affiliation: ______ VFW ______ Ladies Aux ______Men’s Aux (one form per attendee)

Name: _______________________________________________________Phone #:_________________________ Post #:______________________

Address: ______________________________________________________2012-2013 Officer Title:________________________________________

Check the following items you will be paying for with your pre-registration: ___ Convention (includes a ditty bag and convention book …………………………………………… $13 ea before 6/1/13 / $15 at door: $________

___ Military Banquet …………… Main entrée _____ Chicken or ______Brisket …………………………………….…….$20 per person:$ ________

Food allergies?_________________________________________________________

___ Convention Pin ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..……$3 ea: $_________

Make Checks payable to: VFW Post 4171 Total enclosed $________ Mail to: VFW Post 4171, 15625 W 10th Ave, Golden, CO, 80401, ATTN: Convention ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

State Convention - Ladies AuxiliaryHosted by Golden #4171

Wednesday June 19 8:00 am Golf Tournament Lunch for Golfers 8:30 am Staff Meeting TBA12:00 noon - 4:00 pm Registration VFW Post 417112:00 noon - 4:00 pm Lunch $ VFW Post 41712:00 pm State Officers Practice School5:00 pm Memorial Service Practice Church7:00 pm Council of Administration SchoolThursday June 207:00 am - 8:00 am Registration School8:00 am Joint Opening Session School12:30 pm Dept Presidents Luncheon TBA (By invitation only) 5:30 pm Joint Memorial Service Church 7:00 pm Past Dept. Presidents Banquet TBA8:30 pm Party VFW Post 4171 Friday June 217:00 am Past District President’s VFW Post 4171 Breakfast 8:00 am - 10:00 am Registration School9:00 am Business Session School1:00 pm - 4:00 pm Open Houses - Caucuses VFW Post 41717:00 pm Military Banquet TBASaturday June 227:00 am Past Auxiliary President’s VFW Post 4171 Breakfast 8:00 am - 9:00 am Registration School9:00 am Business Session / Election School3:00 pm Parade TBA 6:00 pm Joint Installation of Officers School State Commander/President VFW Post 4171 Cocktail Reception to follow Installation Dance (after Installation) VFW Post 4171 Sunday June 239:00 am Department Officers Breakfast VFW Post 417110:00 am VFW Warriors Ride

Buddy Poppy Displays and Community Activities Books Room TBASUBJECT TO CHANGE

State Convention - VFWHosted by Golden #4171

Wednesday June 198:00 am Golf Tournament Lunch for Golfers 8:00 am Warriors Ride VFW Post 4171 12:00 noon - 4:00 pm Registration VFW Post 417112:00 noon - 4:00 pm Lunch $ VFW Post 41711:00 pm - 4:00 pm Service Officer Claims VFW Post 41711:00 pm Men’s Auxiliary VFW Post 41715:00 pm Memorial Service Practice Church7:00 pm Council of Administration SchoolThursday June 207:00 am - 8:00 am Registration School8:00 am Joint Opening Session School12:30 pm Dept Commanders Luncheon VFW Post 4171 (by invitation only)1:00 pm General Resolutions School1:00 pm Service/Rehab Resolutions School1:00 pm Time & Place Committee School2:00 pm VFW Warriors meeting School1:30 pm - 2:30 pm Registration School5:30 pm Joint Memorial Service Church7:00 pm Past Commanders Banquet VFW Post 41718:30 pm Party VFW Post 4171Friday June 217:00 am District Commander Elect & VFW Post 4171 District Sr. Vice Elect Breakfast (by invitation) 7:00 am All American Breakfast VFW Post 41718:00 am - 10:00 am Registration School8:30 am Business Session School1:00 pm - 4:00 pm Open Houses - Caucuses VFW Post 41717:00 pm Military Banquet TBA Saturday June 227:00 am Past State Commanders Breakfast VFW Post 41718:00 am - 9:00 am Registration School8:30 am Business Session /Election School3:00 pm Parade TBA6:00 pm Joint Installation of Officers School State Commander/President Cocktail Reception to follow VFW Post 4171 Installation Dance (after Installation) VFW Post 4171Sunday June 239:00 am Department Officers Breakfast VFW Post 417110:30 am VFW Warriors Ride VFW Post 4171

Subject to Change

Presidents’s ColumnGinny Burris


Auxiliary News

Published by the Ladies Auxiliaryto the Veterans of Foreign Wars

Department of Colorado

Ann Mauck, Auxiliary News Chairman

Lee Marts Ladies Auxiliary #3571

Proudly EndorsesLinda L. Stahly

Department President2013 - 2014

Auxiliary Sisters: Ladies Auxiliary VFW Post #3571 proudly endorse Linda L. Stahly for the office of Department President for 2013-2014. Linda joined the Auxiliary in Gunnison, then her family moved around the world in the military helping veterans and their families wherever she went. Linda has been a Life Member of Lee Marts VFW Ladies Auxiliary #3571 since 1985. Linda joined on her husband Michael who is Vietnam Veteran. Linda has the support of her husband and her family for this endeavor. Linda has been a very active member of the VFW Ladies Auxiliary since joining. She has been Outstanding President numerous times and Outstanding District President. She also helped her Post receive the All American Post of the Year from National. Linda has also held several chairmanships for her Auxiliary, District and Department levels and won National recognition for the Department Chairman. Linda is currently District #11 Youth Activities, Scholarship Chairman and Department Senior Vice Presi-dent We know of Linda’s dedication to this organization and her Veterans, she will represent Department well and we respectfully ask you to join us in supporting her with your vote for Department President at the Department Convention in June.

Loyally Auxiliary Sisters Lee Marts VFW #3571

Thank You to all the Auxiliaries that supported our Veteran’s activities during the holidays. As we start a new year why not make a resolution to volunteer each month at one of the VA Canter or Nurs-ing Home? If we all would do just that, think of all the special programs we could have to help our Veterans. Our purpose is to meet the needs of hospitalized patients at the VA Medical Centers and Colorado State Veterans Nursing Home. The coffee admission program at the Denver VA was started by the VFW & La-dies Auxiliary in the 40’s. Over the years we have fully sponsored and financed this program, in the past two years we have been unable to get sufficient volunteers to cover all the days needed to assist with this program. So other organization are now working the coffee program. It is very sad that we do not have the volunteers to keep this program entirely VFW & Auxiliary supported; consider working just one day a month. Opportunities to volunteer at the Den-ver VA are endless, to provide assists and encouragement to our veterans. Just one of the many areas in need of volunteers is Van drivers, if you can drive even one day a month call voluntary service. Possibly your Post & Auxiliary could visit each month and serve ice-cream and sugar free snacks throughout the hospital or make a special visit as a group to let the veterans know we care. Let me know and I will set it up with the voluntary service director. All of the Nursing Homes would wel-come a visit and assistance with the many activities they plan for the patients. Be sure your auxiliary has donated .50 per member to the hospital fund to help sup-port all of the facilities special events. We have some special hospital activities

coming up; Salute to Hospitalized Veter-ans Feb. 10-16; auxiliaries make plans to visit to one of the facilities to thank our Veterans and the staff that work so hard. St Patrick’s Day; you can work with a Jr. Girl’s unit or Scout group to make tray favors and deliver to one of the facilities. Easter is March 31st another opportunity to visit. The Disabled Winter Sports Clinic is March 31- April 5 at Snowmass Village. “Miracles on a Mountain” is sponsored by the Department of Veterans Affairs for military service members and Veterans with spinal cord injuries and other dis-abilities. Nearly 400 disabled Veterans will have an opportunity to develop winter sports skills and take part in a variety of adaptive workshops. The VFW Posts & Ladies Auxiliaries in the western part of the state volunteer at many of the events and sponsor lunch and snacks for two days during the week. Please send donations to help support this program; to Depart-ment Treasurer mark for Winter Sports Clinic. Do not forget your nomination for Out-standing Hospital Volunteer Deadline is March 1, 2013 and send the form to me for judging. One volunteer will be chosen from the Department, and then sent to the National Hospital Director. I am presenting awards this year for anyone that recruit’s just one new volun-teer, forms are in program book. See you all at the Parade of Programs in April. If you need any help or have question just call. BE SURE TO REPORT—REPORT –REPORT all your activities and dona-tions.

Charlotte Lattin Department Hospital Chairman

Hospital

Dear Sisters, As I wr i te this letter, the Holidays have come and gone. It is my wish that everyone got what they wanted and that the Holidays

were good to them. It has been a busy time for all of us but my favorite is visiting with the members at the District meetings. I am in awe of the reports that I have heard. Wow - are you ever busy!! We have reached the half way point in this year and I know you are all working hard on the programs. Keep up the good work. We will be holding a special year end workshop at the Spring Parade of Programs. I know the Chairman will have a lot of information to help you fill out the year end reports. As you all know by now, Colorado did not reach the Membership goal set by National. I am disappointed that Colorado will not be recognized at the Mid Year

Conference in Clearwater, Florida. All I can say is thank you to each of you that worked so hard to help us reach this goal and that I am very proud of each of you. There are several Auxiliaries that are so close to reaching that 100%. Please continue to work towards your goal so that your Auxiliary can be awarded by National. The Voice of Democracy Weekend and Banquet were held and what awesome results. I can’t wait to escort our Depart-ment winner down the aisle in Washing-ton, D.C. at the Legislative Conference. Each time I listen to these speeches, I keep thinking – “So glad I didn’t have to be a judge.” Now is the time to concentrate on fin-ishing strong. With each day going by so fast, I want you all to know how very proud and hon-ored I am to serve as “your” Department President.

With loyalty and love to each“Music of the Mountains”

Ginny BurrisDepartment President

Aux 2461 – Treasurer Jenae Smith, 6000 W Floyd Ave., Unit 115, Denver, CO 80227 Ph 720-495-9274 email: [email protected]

Aux 2601 – President Sara Dufour, 1248 Tulip St., Longmont, CO 80501 Ph 303-827-5951

Aux 3917 – Dues change to $20 effective 1-1-2013

Aux 4061 – President Judy Nelson, 1207 Greenwood Ave., Canon City, CO 81212 Ph 719-269-3377

Aux 4061 – Treasurer Paula McFarland, 316 N. 14th St., Canon City, CO 81212

PDP JoAnn Sparks, 9350 East Caley Ave. #211, DTC, CO 80111 303-733-3338

Department Secretary Carolyn Simon email [email protected](please do not use her work email as she has retired)

Roster Changes = February 2013

In Memorial

Past Department President Marye Cade 2000-2001Went to her heavenly home 11/21/2012

Past Department President Anna Craig 1956-1957Went to her heavenly home 12/15/2012

Past Department President Wanda Dixon 1969-1970Went to her heavenly home 1/20/2013

We will miss your words of counsel, your watchful care over the interest of our honored heros,

and you devotion to our Auxiliary.

Rest in Peace, you work here on earth is done.


Ladies Auxiliary to the Veterans of Foreign WarsDepartment of Colorado

District Activity Reporting is updated every Thursday

www.vfwcolodept.org

General Orders #3 February 2013

1.Department President Ginny Burris’ SPECIAL PROJECT is Project Sanc-tuary. Please see your Department Pro-gram Book for more details. Send your contributions to Department Treasurer Colleen Rylant earmarked “Department President’s Special Project.”2.ALL Ladies Auxiliary Annual Mem-bers who have not paid their dues for 2013 are no longer members in good standing. Avoid the loss of your cancer grant eligibility, and maintain your right to attend Ladies Auxiliary meetings and hold office. Pay your dues now. (Section 110 – Members in Good Standing, Page 14 of the National Bylaws)3.ALL Ladies Auxiliary Members. The Ladies Auxiliary Department officers do not receive their mail at the VFW Depart-ment Headquarters. Department President Ginny’s mailing address is P.O. Box 388 in Cortez, Colorado 81321. Department Secretary Carolyn’s mailing address is 2682 E. 90th Place, Thornton, Colorado 80229. All Ladies Auxiliary Presidents, Secretaries and Treasurers should share the rosters that you received at the begin-ning of the year.4.Trustees: Audits for the months of October, November and December must be submitted by January 30, 2013. Audits for the months of January, February and March must be submitted during the month of April 2013. If your audits are not current, you will not receive your installation warrant, nor will the Ladies Auxiliary delegates be entitled to their vote at upcoming conventions until such deficiency is corrected. (Section 806A, 2nd Paragraph, Pages 65-66 of the National Bylaws)5.Spring Council of Administration: The Spring Parade of Programs will be held at Pikes Peak VFW Post #4051, 430 E. Pikes Peak Avenue, Colorado Springs, Colorado on Saturday, April 6, 2012, be-ginning at 1:00 p.m. with a special year end workshop, followed by the Parade of Programs. We will conclude the day’s business as close to 4:00 p.m. as possible. On Sunday, April 7, 2012, there will be a joint meeting at 8:30 a.m. followed by the Council of Administration meeting at 9:00 a.m. On Saturday, lunch and dinner will be served – please make reservations through Department Headquarters. Infor-mation on hotels is included elsewhere in this issue of the Veteran. ALL LADIES AUXILIARY MEMBERS ARE EN-COURAGED TO ATTEND ANY and ALL FUNCTIONS.

6.The Department Youth Carnival will be held at Golden VFW #4171 on March 9, beginning at noon. Please contact Dept. Youth Chairman Lucille Pacheco at 669 Miller Court, Lakewood, Colorado 80215 for further information.7.Minutes of the Council of Administra-tion held October 28, 2012, in Golden, Colorado, will be mailed to the Council of Administration members.8.Scholarships– Entries for Just Say No coloring and poster contests must be in Department Headquarters by Febru-ary 4, 2013. The Student Deadline for Young American Creative Patriotic Art is March 31.9.National Ladies Auxiliary Mid-Year Conference is February 7-10, 2013, in Clearwater, Florida.10.National Salute to Hospitalized Vet-erans is Sunday, February 14, 2013.11.The National Legislative Conference and Voice of Democracy Awards will be March 2-6, 2013, in Washington, D.C.12.DISTRICT PRESIDENTS– Section 810C, Paragraph 2 of the National Bylaws states “The District President shall hold at least one (1) Ladies District meeting each year to promote schools of instruction for Ladies Auxiliary Officers, in addition to the District Convention and act as liaison between Ladies Auxiliaries in the District and the Department.” 13.DISTRICT PRESIDENTS– Please complete your Ladies Auxiliary inspec-tions and the inspection reports as soon as possible. As you are the link between the Ladies Auxiliaries and the Depart-ment, your prompt attention to this detail is essential to communication flowing in both directions. 14.NAMES AND ADDRESSES of La-dies Auxiliary members are confidential and shall not be made available for com-mercial or political use (Section 912, Paragraph 1, Page 94 of the National Bylaws).15.SERVICE REPORTS for 2012-2013 will be cut off on April 15, and are due not later than April 30 to Department Head-quarters. ALL YEAR END REPORTS are to be in the Department Secretary’s hands on May 1, 2013, to qualify for year end award judging.

BY ORDER OF:/s/ Ginny BurrisGinny Burris, President

ATTEST:/s/ Carolyn SimonCarolyn Simon, Secretary

A Buddy Poppy Display Contest will be held at the Department Convention. Rules have been designed to put emphasis on the purpose and effectiveness of the displays. It is suggested that Department Contest rules be set up in conformance with this outline.RulesDisplays will be presented and judged in four categories:

Category 1. Public Promotion of Poppy Campaign (Window, booth, parade, poster displays, campaign promotions, etc.) Displays must be designed for public exposure and must bear a message solic-iting a donation for and wearing of the VFW Buddy Poppy. At least one Poppy used in the display must be in its original form and color, with label attached.

Category 2. Memorial or Inspirational Displays (Wreaths, memorial tablets or plaques, patriotic or devotional themes) Displays must be designed to honor the dead, to inspire devotion to God and Country, or to dramatize the activities supported by the Buddy Poppy. At least one Poppy used in the display must be in its original form and color, with label attached.

Category 3. Artistic or Decorative Use of Poppies (Post Home displays, table centerpieces, corsages, pictures, plaques, models, scenes, hats, novelty pieces, etc.)Any display not meeting the qualifications for Categories 1 or 2 shall automatically be entered in category. At least one Poppy used in the display must be in original

form and color, with label attached.

Category 4. Memorial or Inspirational Displays (Created by Junior Girls) Displays must be designed to honor the dead, to inspire devotion to God and Coun-try, or to dramatize the activities supported by the Buddy Poppy. At least one Poppy used in the display must be in its original form and color, with label attached.

All displays must be checked in by the Buddy Poppy Chairman and must be in place by Friday morning of the State Convention. Displays may be accompanied by a white card, not to exceed 4 X 6 inches in size, on which is lettered in black ink an explanation of the theme for the display or other information of interest to the viewer or the judges. Post name, number or location may not be visible on display entries; failure tocomply will result in disqualification.Judging Judging of displays will be on the basis of effectiveness, purpose, clarity of theme, suitability, originality, beauty and number of Poppies used. Where a sample of a large number of identical items (such as corsages or wreaths) is entered, full credit shall be given for the total number of Poppies used.Prizes Plaques will be awarded to the first, second, and third place winners in each of the four categories. The Department Adjutant will have tonotify the Buddy Poppy National Direc-tor, in writing, by July 31 of the Posts that will represent the Department, one in each category at National Convention.

Department Buddy Poppy Display Contest

BUDDY POPPYBe creativeUtilize an organized, well-planned cam-paignDisplay your creation for the conventionDon’t hesitate-educate the publicYour donations assist National Home for Children

Poppy hat contest-Get ready!Order early, order enough, order NOWPromote your VFW and Auxiliary through PoppiesPossibilities are endless with PoppiesYou can truly make a difference for Veterans

I look forward to seeing you at COA and Parade of Programs in April in Colorado Springs. Yes, it is time for us to all think about our Poppy displays and the Poppy Hat Competition for the convention. Good luck and have fun!

Rose NaughtonDepartment Buddy Poppy Chair

Fisher House Just a few lines on the update of the Fisher House. The board members are still doing fund raising for the new Fisher House, I have not got any notification on how much is raised to date but the house will be build and all Veterans will have access to the new and old house always. Please remember if you are donating to the new Fisher House please put that on your check memo so we know where to distribute the money. Just want to share something with you regard-ing the pop tabs. I took in all I have received and one of the workers told me that the tabs are worth more when attached to a can opposed to pulling them off the can. It seems that when I take in only the tabs the price is 52 cents per pound. If I take in cans complete with tabs the price is 69 cents per pound. I explained why we do this but the personal at Can Land assure me

we will get more money the latter of the two. I will take whatever you give me so please do not get discouraged and not continue to give me the pop tabs only. Once again we will be having our paper drive and if you liked the idea of given money that will be fine, but if you would like to give to the paper drive please remember that we will take it down to the Department office and or 1 will pick up what you have. This will be happening at our last Council Meeting in April. Please call me if you have any questions and please report anything you maybe doing for the Fisher House. Best wishes for a very Happy New Year and thanks for all you do for our Veterans.

Jo NajeraFisher House Chairman

Jr. Girls Unit As we prepare to wind down for the year. Make sure to have the girls apply for the Scholarship if eligible. Have you submitted Community Service reports for the girls? Are they working on the JUMP Program Badges? Have they been inspected by the District President? Are the girls working with the Ladies Auxil-iary with programs? The end of the term will be upon us before we know it. Please make sure to send in the Jr. Girls Com-munity Service reports. I have received Community Service reports on 2 Jr. Girl Units; I still need reports for 1 Unit. Please do not wait until the Year End report to send these in. Use the Year-End report as your guide to see what programs the girls still need to complete. With all the snow we have had I’m hoping to see reports of the girls

helping someone in their neighborhood. The weather should be warming up here in the next couple of months, they can take a couple of hours and walk through the neighborhood to see if someone needs help with their garden, or simply pick up trash that has been left behind by someone who forgot how to use a garbage can. The Girls should start planning and looking for things to make for the State Convention Poppy Display. I’m looking forward to seeing everyone at the next COA and Parade of Programs in Colorado Springs, CO in April. As always I’m available if you have any questions.

Rita FamaState Jr. Girls Unit Co- Chairman


Number City 2012 2013 %

DISTRICT #1 1 Denver 183 163 89 501 Denver 164 142 872461 Denver 119 114 962797 Denver 34 35 103* 3971 Denver 45 45 100*5061 Denver 127 121 95 TOTAL 672 620 92%

DISTRICT #2 984 Trinidad 25 25 100*2643 Walsenburg 21 8 382788 Penrose 35 29 833641 Pueblo 84 73 87 4061 Canon City 231 185 805812 Pueblo West 26 26 100* 7305 Colo. City 29 31 107* TOTAL 451 377 84%

DISTRICT #3 41 Loveland 138 139 101* 1771 Lafayette 374 363 971781 Ft. Collins 82 77 942121 Greeley 109 100 922585 Johnstown 41 40 982601 Longmont 288 256 892841 Brighton 80 47 594334 Ault 39 33 856011 Platteville 39 35 906624 Evans 198 184 939565 Broomfield 49 40 82 TOTAL 1437 1314 91% DISTRICT #42551 Ft. Morgan 157 124 793541 Sterling 101 92 914671 Wray 31 28 908064 Akron 43 34 79 TOTAL 332 278 84%

DISTRICT #5 101 Colo. Spgs. 60 49 823917 Security 237 220 934051 Colo. Spgs 352 333 955221 Calhan 35 32 916461 Fountain 106 103 977829 Monument 26 27 104*10649 Elizabeth 9 0 0 TOTAL 825 764 93% DlSTRICT #6 336 Ordway 92 94 102*2411 LasAnimas 98 92 943621 Lamar 17 16 944001 Springfield 33 32 974091 Rocky Ford 31 22 71 4281 Holly 13 11 85 TOTAL 284 267 94%

Number City 2012 2013 %

DISTRICT #7 899 Alamosa 85 65 76 3228 Monte Vista 39 40 103*4849 La Jara 47 47 100*6101 San Luis 44 45 102*8121 So Fork 91 91 100* TOTAL 306 288 94%

DISTRICT #8 859 Leadville 31 31 100*1166 Buena Vista 92 86 938661 Bailey 62 58 9411411 Lake George 38 39 103*12009 Conifer 28 26 93 TOTAL 251 240 96%

DISTRICT #9 4264 Stmbt Spgs 33 33 100*4265 Craig 64 62 975843 Meeker 39 40 103*9374 Kremmling 15 15 100* TOTAL 151 150 99%

DISTRICT #10 322 Englewood 120 115 963471 Morrison 50 48 963631 Aurora 105 98 934171 Golden 348 336 974331 Arvada 133 119 894444 Cmmrc City 170 171 101*6331 Aurora 70 59 847945 Thornton 255 234 929644 Fort Logan 376 376 100* TOTAL 1627 1556 96%

DISTRICT #11 784 Montrose 28 33 118* 1247 Grnd Jnctn 103 98 953571 Delta 81 73 903981 Grnd Jnctn 21 24 114*4267 Gunnison 39 27 694663 Clifton 80 62 78 9221 Cedaredge 74 71 969304 Silt 22 22 100*9333 Hotchkiss 29 25 86 TOTAL 477 435 91%

DISTRICT #124031 Durango 79 70 895181 Dove Creek 45 44 985231 Mancos 82 80 98 9058 Nucla 24 21 88 TOTAL 230 215 93% DISTRICT #133411 Kit Carson 35 29 836491 Burlington 19 5 266612 Hugo 65 62 95 TOTAL 119 96 81%

15006 At Large 174 174 100%* TOTAL DEPT. 7,336 6,774 92%

Auxiliary Membership by District 2012 - 2013January 28, 2012

Membership

TAPS

Extension

20 Auxiliaries are 100%

Is Yours 100%?

Aux 859: Lois Van VoorstAux 1771: Maggie Manzanares, Edna Traverse, Annie Chavez, Elaine BillingtonAux 2411: Ruth Smith, Ruth LongAux 2461: Virginia Bodemann, Margaret TribleAux 3971: Anna Craig PDPAux 4061: Marye Cade PDPAux 4663: Wanda Dixon PDPAux 5843: Chris C. CarnahanAux 8661: Barbara Tripp

Thank you so much for your support in signing up new members. National was requiring us to sign up 63 new members by October 31. Because of your hard work Colorado exceeded this goal and signed up 94 new members! The Department received a check for $500 for this effort. Great job! On a less happy note, Colorado did not achieve our goal of 93% by December 31. This means that our President, Ginny will not be receiving her medallion or a night on the town at Mid-Winter confer-ence. There are only 20 Departments that achieved the higher goal that National required. Even Iowa, the home state of National President Leanne did not make the 93%. Ginny and I are both very disap-pointed for the Department and are grate-ful for all of the sisters that worked so hard the last couple of weeks of the year to try to get there. As of this writing, Colorado is at 90.67%. Our next goal deadline is March 31. We can earn a special financial award by achieving a minimum of 96% by this date. Please continue to contact your unpaid members and encourage them to pay their dues. I would love to have the piggy’s fly in April at our next Department meeting!!

We have 20 Auxiliaries that are 100%! Excellent! There are 37 Auxiliaries that are 10 members or less from being 100%, I know that you ladies can do this!!!! Re-member to send the dues you receive right away to Department Treasurer Colleen Rylant. Please do not hold dues, it could make a difference for a sister should she need to apply for a cancer grant. I have been receiving forms for the membership award bracelets and am busily making these to present at the Pa-rade of Programs on April 6 in Colorado Springs. I hope that many of you who have earned these will be there to receive these. If you have qualified for an award, be sure to have your Treasurer send me the form so I may make your bracelet. We will be having a membership trans-mittal march at the April meetings, so please bring any dues you receive in late March.

Rudy says:

Martine Arndt State Membership Chairman

We have completed the Voice of De-mocracy Program and this year’s State of Colorado winners were announced on January 26th at our annual banquet held at VFW Post 9644. The Patriot’s Pen win-ners will be announced on March 9th at the Department Youth Awards Carnival at VFW Post 4171 in Golden. Make sure that you have recognized every student that participated in our programs. A re-ally great way to do that is by making certificates for all of the students and handing them out at their school awards assemblies. This might get the rest of their classmates at their school ex-cited in competing in next years contest. The 2013-2014 themes have announced and they are as follows: • Voice of Democracy – “ Why I’m Op-timistic About our Nation’s Future”• Patriot’s Pen – “ What Patriotism Means to Me”Our work is not done; there are still SCHOLARSHIP programs that need to be completed.• Continuing Education Scholarship - needs to be received at National by February 15, 2013, remember this is a 300 word or less essay which needs to be mailed with it’s application to the Director of Programs – Ladies Auxiliary National Headquarters – 406 W. 34th Street, 10th Floor – Kansas City, MO 64111.• Junior Girls Scholarship - your deadline is also fast approaching. Junior Girls ages 13-16 must complete their 2 page applica-tion and submit to their Ladies Auxiliary by March 11, 2013. Auxiliary Chairmen, your winning entry is due to me no later than March 25, 2013. In turn the State winner will be sent, certified mail, to

National by April 7, 2013. • Young American Creative Patriotic Arts– I hope that your high school stu-dents (9-12) ARE WORKING ON THEIR ART PROJECTS. Keep in mind that all American Flags used in this art work have to conform to the Federal Flag Code. Some of the common mistakes made in the art work are the wrong number of stars or the stripes in the wrong order. Tips to inform students about, taken from the VFW “Etiquette of the Stars and Stripes”:►There are 13 horizontal stripes alternat-ing 7 red and 6 white, with the red stripe on top and bottom►The canton or union of navy blue oc-cupies the upper left hand quarter next to the staff and extends from the top to the lower edge of the 4th red stripe►The 50 stars on the blue field represent the states of the union and are arranged with 1 point up, in 9 horizontal rows. Rows 1, 3, 5, 7 and 9 have 6 stars each and rows 2, 4, 6, and 8 have 5 stars each with stars centered diagonally between stars in the longer rows above and below. Your art work needs to be into your local Auxiliary by March 11, 2013, once a winner has be selected please submit your entry to me by March 25, 2013. Our state winner will be sent to National Headquarters by April 7, 2013. We are almost there so let’s work up to the very end. Remember to REPORT, REPORT, REPORT……make sure your Auxiliary receives the recognition they deserve.

Caroline A. Gelatt Department Scholarship Chairman

Scholarships

Membership has been broadened to in-clude not only wives of VFW members, but also their mothers, widows, sisters, half-sisters, daughters, grandmothers and granddaughters. Foster and step mothers, daughters and granddaughters are also eligible, provided their relationship with the VFW member is that of a son, father or grandfather. With its inexhaustible supply of goals and members, there is no doubt that the Ladies Auxiliary is here to stay. But it will not stay if we ALL do not work on Membership and all the Pro-grams. We are losing more and more members and even more complete Aux-iliaries. Members in many of the Ladies Auxiliaries are 75 years and older. They are getting tired, do not drive, have health problems, and we MUST recruit younger eligible members to keep the Auxiliaries that we have. We have already lost two (2) Auxiliaries and will lose more if we do not work to recruit members and keep the continuous members that we have.

Membership is the heart and soul of our organization - without members, we cannot continue to fulfill our primary purpose. While continuing to support the VFW and its causes, the Ladies Auxiliary has developed a social conscience of its own. With the paramount goal of helping families in distress, its members perform community service, fund cancer research, fight drug abuse and illiteracy, advocate the rights of the elderly, and support the VFW National Home and many other worthy causes, such as Scholarships for our Youth, Adopt-A-Unit, visiting the residents in Veteran Nursing Homes and VA Hospitals. Do your members know when and where your meetings are? Are your meet-ings too long? Does your President have a written Agenda? Is there a lack of respect for other members and too much gossip?You as members can solve all the above.

Ann MauckDepartment Extension/Chief of Staff


2012 - 2013 Cancer Pins Order Form

Auxiliary No. ___________ Date____________

Send to:___________________________________________

Address:___________________________________________

City:________________________State______Zip_________

Quanity:___________Pins x $3.00 each =$__________enclosed

Ordered By:____________________Phone:_________________

Make check payable to Department of Colorado Ladies Auxiliary Mail Cancer Pin order to: Cindy Anderson 9134 W 93rd Ave. Werstminster, CO 80021 (303) 522-5626

Cancer Aid and Research

Veterans and Family SupportYouth Activities

LEGISLATIVE

Several months have gone by since we last met in Golden for our Parade of Programs. At that time we went over what we needed to do to have a successful cancer aid and research program for this year. Of course fund raising is the basis of what we do each year. But we are also working to educate our members on this program and what benefits are there for each member who is diagnosed with any type of cancer. Ask any member who has received a cancer grant what that money meant to them and I am sure they will tell you it meant that their auxiliary cared about them. That is why it is so important to reach the fund raising goals that are set before us. Our National Director has asked us to increase our per capita giving to at least $5.00 per member. That number is an accumulation of our annual $2.00 per member, purchases of cancer pins, fund raisers and donations. All each member would have to do is buy a cancer pin and donate $2.00 to reach that goal. I am very pleased to let you all know that we are very close to reaching this goal for the state. As of the end of December we are short only about $5,000.00. I am hoping

that we can surpass that and meet the goal of $6.00 which we were able to do last year. If we can raise only $1.00 more than last year we will be a success. This year it is extremely important to report what you are doing. We must be 100% in reporting in order to receive any National awards and for our President Ginny to get credit for this program. I have been watching the District report-ing sheets on line and there are many auxiliaries who have donated money and paid their per-capita but have not put it on a Program Report Form. Please, please do not forget this important part. There are only 11 auxiliaries in the state who have not done anything for Cancer Aid. I will be in touch with each of those to encourage their participation. I do have cancer pins in stock and would be happy to send them out to anyone who has not purchased one yet. I am also here to help in any way that I can. If you need suggestions or anything else, please feel free to contact me.

Loyally,Cindy AndersonCancer Aid Chairman303-522-5626

Here it is January, how the months have flown by. We are now half way through the year and so much to still get through for our programs. The deadline for “Youth Group Sup-porting our Military” is April 10, 2013. Surely you know of some youth group that has sent our Military packages or letters and maybe both or may of even been present at a Military Homecom-ing. Please fill out the form and send it to me at 669 Miller Ct. Lakewood, CO 80215, so that we can have great representation for Colorado. Thereare so may Young Groups that are out there supporting our Military but not being recognized. LET’S get out there and find them. OUR YOUTHS are OUR FUTURE!! Participants for the ‘Outstanding Young Volunteer” must submit entries to the Ladies Auxiliary by February 1, 2013. First Place Winner will receive a $200.00 cash award. Remember there is a young volunteer doing something for our Veterans and even the community, whether in a Hospital, Nursing Home or aiding senior citizens in every way possible. Ages 12-15 may apply. If you need a Entry Form for this please let me know. The deadline for the “Just Say No” coloring/poster contest is February 4, 2013. All entries must go to Depart-

ment Headquarters. Make sure that all forms are filled out completely with all information for us so that we may be able to reach the winners with no complications. Our Youth Carnival will be on March 9, 2013 at Post 4171 in Golden. The “Just Say No” winners will be announced and receive their awards that day. If you have not signed up for a booth at the Youth Carnival yet, please do so as soon as possible, there is still time, but Ron and I need to be sure and have this all set up the night before so please be sure to call or mail your Carnival sign up to Ron Johnson 3043 S. Depew Street, Denver Co. 80227 303-478-0497, or myself at 303-720-8806. If you do not have the form,! can fax or email you one to fill one out. Remember all the children and their families enjoy this day with playing games, eating hot dogs, popcorn and other great foods. We also need help with Decorating and set up for this, so if you can help us, please let us know. Remember all these forms are in your Program book so be sure to get these sent out so that we can Shine and hear “Music of the Mountains”.

Lucille PachecoDepartment Youth Activities Chairman

I would like to thank all of you for what you are doing for our veterans, and the current active military and their families. Many of you have reported your activities over the past few months. There are still Auxiliaries that have not reported and I know that as you are working to help our veterans. Our National Director, Hazel Radcliff, would like 90% participation and we are not at this goal yet to recognize all of your hard work. Please report any activity you are in-volved in whether it is communicating to Congress by fax, e-mail, phone or writ-ing. Also, if you are attending meetings or listening to speeches that are involved in veteran budgets and/or benefit issues, please report them on your program re-porting form. The upcoming year will bring many issues that our Congressional leaders will be facing. As Auxiliary members, it is our responsibility to help ensure and protect our veteran’s health, address suicides and homelessness issues, military quality of life and many other important veteran

benefits. This will require that we con-tinue to communicate to our leaders and the community the critical issues set forth in the 2013 Priority Goals. More specific actions and detail about these goals can be found at www.vfw.org, click on the National Legislative Service page to look at each goal or print the brochure.VFW 2013 Legislative Priority Goals: VA Health Care, Suicides & Homeless-ness, VA Compensation and Benefits, Seamless Transition, Education and Employment, Defense and Homeland Security, Military Quality of Life, POW/MIA. Again, thank you for all that you are doing for veterans. If you would like to be more informed on current issues fac-ing our veterans and active military, sign up for the free weekly e-newsletter at www.vfw.org or you can subscribe to the Checkpoint newsletter or you can find out legislative alerts by going to www.vfw.org and click on the VFW in DC tab.

Linda ReinpoldDepartment Legislative Chairman

As we have recently celebrated the holi-day season, I wish to share a short story from a soldier. Just before the holidays, I received a letter from a soldier in Af-ghanistan thanking the Ladies Auxiliary for the work we do to boost the morale of deployed soldiers lives. Previously we were told of a unit from Ft Carson who were on a mission in the most remote parts of Afghanistan. So remote and dangerous their mission, that they couldn’t receive the most basic of essentials. As the Ladies Auxiliary does so well, we gathered our resources and sent many care packages to this remote unit just as many of you have done this year for our deployed troops. In the Sergeant’s words, “The soldiers worked tirelessly with their Afghan counterparts deep in the mountains securing the surrounding communities from Taliban insurgents and influence. Being so isolated , the outposts had to plan supply requests far in advance for mission essential and other basic necessities as resupply operations were a seldom occurrence. Mail from friends and family, while constant, could not be readily delivered to them as resupply only came by air. With the mountains being a risk for helicopters due to insurgent activity, air drops were almost always done at night... When the care packages such as yours started arriving, the soldiers were quite surprised....relieved, excited, curious, triumphant, reenergized.... The famous words “Mail Call!” always initi-ated a gathering of hopes an event the men anticipate as if they were about to watch a long-awaited concert or game, or a child about to open a Christmas present. Your care packages gave them strength and

kept their morale up. This unit has now successfully trans-ferred the outposts to the Afghan National Security Forces and have returned home to Ft Carson. God Bless them as they are reunited with their families. I tell you this story to reenergize you, as you understand the importance of the mission of the VFW and the Ladies Auxiliary and our commit-ment to Veterans and their families. “Each small thing we do comes back to us 100 fold.” Veterans & Family support is a 100% reporting program. Please re-member to report all the activities you do to support our veterans and their families. As a reminder: VFW National Head-quarters has released a new address for the remittance of donations to “National Military Services”. All donations for “National Military Services” should be sent to:VFW National Military Services406 W. 34th St., Suite 216Kansas City, MO 64111 All checks for NMS should be made out to “VFW” and earmarked “National Military Services.” This applies ONLY to National Military Services and the programs it covers, such as Operation Uplink, Unmet Needs and the Military Assistance Program. Winter is upon us, so please remember our “Homeless Veterans” with your dona-tions to you local shelters. Thank you for all you do to for our veterans and families.

Gloria M. Otwell, Department Chairman Veterans & Family Support

Thank You Colorado I would like to thank everyone for the cards and get well wishes. I still cannot see out of my left eye, but hopefully I will in the future.

Sandi Ackerman

2012 - 2013 Program Reporting 1st Six Months

No. of Volunteer Hours donated 50,715 $1,306,304 Amount of cash spent $ 201,225

Please report so that these numbers go up for the last six months

col vet february 2013 - veterans of foreign wars post 7829 · 2018-11-16 · sponsored by district...

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