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Special points of

interest:

New post location.

Ladies Auxiliary start.

In this issue:

From the Post

Commander 1

Sr Vice 1

Jr Vice 2

Quartermaster 2

Welcome to the new newsletter and the new VFW Post 9981. We have accomplished what many thought was impossible. A new post and now totally debt free. Optimism can make it happen with a positive outlook, we moved ahead and

made a reality. We have many to be thankful for in relationship to their contribution and dedication of hard labor. Kelly Thurow, our canteen manager, who gave so much of her time and talent, as well as her father who donated his carpenter skills of perfection. Denita Blinn and her mother for their efforts on the Oak Flooring and new signs for the post with their art skills. I would like to personally thank our Quartermaster, Davis Ryder, for his hard work and dedication as well. Thanks to my wife Ginger for putting up with and wondering at times whether I was married to her or the V. From those that donated plumbing skills, electrical skills, we have been blessed with help from all avenues of talent. Now we have new active duty members that have joined who live just nearby, they love it. Please join us in our efforts to support the many programs that support our warriors and their families. Comon down and join us. Food and fun for everyone.

Commander Hubbard

Sr. Vice

From the Post Commander

The new Post 9981 is incredible. It is so much better than the last location we were

at. For the individuals that were involved in getting everything together, I personally think you have

done an outstanding job. Not to mention, Post 9981 is out of debt and out from under a horrible

situation. I commend the Commander on all that has been completed in the last few months. What

an incredible project and what a great place to hang out and enjoy the fellowship of our friends!

As for the active duty side of the house…the 517th Airlift Squadron been occupied by supporting

OEF and OIF. We are awaiting and welcoming our brothers and sisters from the Kullis Air National

Guard who will make their move to Elmendorf AFB in the middle of February. It will be very

challenging due to the ramp space and logistics to keep the C-17’s and the C-130’s in the air and

supporting various missions that affect the security of the United States.

I personally thank all the people that are involved with bringing this new Post to a complete success. You cannot thank the bartenders and the music performers enough for sharing their talents and for working for just tips. I cannot believe that all our efforts are coming together perfectly! This is just the beginning of an incredible year!

Bruce Lund “B.A.”, Sr Vice

12870 Old Seward Hwy

Anchorage AK 99515

February 2011 Volume 1, Issue 1

VFW Post 9981 Newsletter

Jr . Vice

The new Post 9981 is amazing. The setup and layout is much nicer than the

old post. Our new location is so much better than the old location. This is truly a first class

place, and the best post in Alaska! I know this could not have been accomplished without the

hard work of all the volunteers. I cannot thank all those who supported and help enough.

Along with all the flying, deploying, and training the 517th is involved with, we have a couple

members who are base conservation agents. Hopefully, in a couple months we will have 4

more members of the squadron involved. This is a volunteer program in which members

volunteer their evenings and weekends to patrol the base, educate the base population, and

enforce local, state, and federal regulations.

Once again, I cannot thank all those who worked to get the post up and running enough. You are the reason we have such a great post. Please take the time next time you are in to thank those who helped, the bartenders, and the musical talents. I’m looking forward to work slowing down and getting a break from school so I can come in and enjoy.

Mark Blinn, Jr Vice

Quartermaster

Our Membership numbers are looking good, closing in on the big 500! But we

can’t reach that number without your help, so bring any comrades you may know to

our brand new location and let’s give them the grand tour, satisfaction is a guarantee. Don’t

forget active duty personnel are always welcome to join or just swing by for a good time.

The National VFW has a come out with a new membership website,, it’s up and running

which makes it’s very easy for the Quartermaster to transfer your membership, order a

replacement ID card, update your mailing address, plus other administrative work on the spot.

(Less paperwork faster results) and as always if you have any membership questions, feel free

to ask me or leave a note with one our lovely bartenders with your question and contact

number and I will get back to you ASAP.

David Ryder, Quartermaster

Past & Upcoming news and events

Stay tuned here for all post up and coming events as well as the web site.

Post officers

Commander:

Sr. Vice:

Jr. Vice:

Quartermaster:

Adjutant:

Surgeon:

Chaplain:

Steve Hubbard

Bruce Lund

Mark Blinn

David Ryder

Larry Wiltse

Joe Federman

Dennita Blinn

Ladies Auxiliary

President:

Sr. Vice:

Jr. Vice:

Treasurer:

Secretary:

Chaplain:

TBA

TBA

TBA

TBA

TBA

TBA

Men’s Auxiliary

President:

Sr. Vice:

Jr. Vice:

Treasurer:

Secretary:

Chaplain:

Jim Dalzell

Newsletter deadlines are 3rd Monday of the month. Email to Eric Lucas: enmlucasva@yahoo.com

House Committee

John Denny

Bill Hastie

Eric Lucas

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New Locat ion renovat ions

What a year. Many, many changes. New location, new bar, new faces. For those of you who have supported the post, THANK YOU! We are turning a new leaf and word is getting out. We can’t do it with out member and auxiliary support. Come one, come all. The new location is the greatest and you make it a happening place. To everyone who poured their blood, sweat and tears into the new location, you have created a great place to come and unwind. Now let’s get the word out!

Cheers!

Thank you for continuing to support the canteen. New Bar, new tables, well, just about new everything. Always remember to tip your bartenders.

From the canteen

Post bartenders:

Danielle Laura Ginger Eric Shaunae Sara Amanda

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Keep us updated…

Moving, getting ready to move

or have moved? Send us an update of

your where-bout's, either snail mail or

email.

Feb 18 , 2011 8-11

Women's & Men's Auxi l iary

We are currently underway in establishing a new Charter for our Women's Auxiliary. Penny and Joy have been instrumental in helping with the paperwork and procedures for National. We have approximately 30 new Women who will be coming on board. The Women's Auxiliary has always been a wonderful supporting Team for our Veterans and to our Post. We welcome them with open arms. Laura McClusky will be the new incoming President and will spearhead getting things organized. The Men's Auxiliary is on Board with Big Jim taking charge. They have already gotten a new Flag Pole and will be putting it up and raising Ol’ Glory at Grand Opening this weekend. We have a lot of new members and will see good things come out of their efforts in supporting the Post and Veterans of the Post. We appre-ciate all that have been involved with making our new Post successful in everyway. You will be hearing from both Auxiliary Presidents in our next issue with new updates on the start-up efforts. Commander Hubbard

&11th

Shuffle board, Darts, Pool...What’s your game,

come on and join us.

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We’re on the WEB

http://VFWPOST9981.org

Facebook: VFW Post 9981

12870 Old Seward Hwy

Anchorage AK 99515

Tel: 907-770-5094

Fax: 907-770-5093

E-mail: vfwpost9981@alaska.com

Veterans of Foreign War

Post 9981

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Red Rose denotes passion and love

Yellow Rose denotes passing love (as ending a

romance)

White Rose denotes purity and new beginning

POW/MIA Table

You may notice this small table

here in a place of honor. It is set

for one. This table is our way of

symbolizing that members of our

profession of arms are missing

from our midst. They are

commonly call POW's or MIA's…

we call them brothers.

They are unable to be with us this

evening and so we remember

them.

This table set for one is small... it

symbolizes the frailty of one

prisoner against his oppressors.

The table cloth is white... it

symbolizes the purity of their

intentions to respond to their

country's call to arms.

The single rose displayed in a vase

reminds us of the families and

loved ones of our comrades in

arms who keep faith awaiting their

return.

The red ribbon tied so

prominently on the vase is

reminiscent of the red ribbon

worn on the lapel and breasts of

thousands who bear witness to

their unyielding determination to

demand a proper accounting for

our missing.

A slice of lemon is on the bread

plate... to remind us of their bitter

fate.

There is salt upon the bread

plate... symbolic of the family's

tears as they wait.

The glass is inverted... they cannot

toast with us tonight.

The chair is empty... they are not

here.

Remember... all of you who served

with them and called them

comrades, who

depended on their might and aid,

and relied on them... for surely...

they have not forsaken you.