VFW District 8 Newsletter

CWO5 Randle M. Tolliver, USN (Ret)

Commander

For veterans in crisis, the Veterans Crisis Line's number is "988” then press "1”.

Homebound veterans requiring assistance please contact any member.

Veterans experiencing or at risk for homelessness, please contact any member or the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans at (877) 424-3838.

Buddy Check! Please call or go visit elderly or homebound veterans and see how they are doing and if they need help.

We, the VFW, is an organization of war veterans, our mission is to assist veterans, their families and to serve our local community. To promote Americanism and be a voice for veterans in Washington, and Jeff City where we advocate for veterans, service members and military families. We support veterans of all wars in matters of government compensation and pension claims, hospitalization, and other issues.

We are always looking to have veterans who are eligible and want to continue serving our community to join us. If you are interested, please contact any member or post.

For your information:

Congratulations! VFW Department of Missouri's entry, made by Kshe Germanceri of Desoto’s VFWA 1831, has won 1st Place in Category 3-Decorative Display in the National Buddy Poppy competition at the 126th VFW National Convention in Columbus, Ohio.

Veterans, their families and caregivers should contact their local VA for information about eligibility and how to apply for burial benefits. Too often, no preparations are made and the families are left searching for the required documents and other information at the worst time. For more information, visit https://www.choose.va.gov/burials-memorials , or call 800-827-1000.

Our annual youth scholarships programs, Patriot’s Pen, and Voice of Democracy are underway. Patriot’s Pen is open to 6th, 7th and 8th grade students and this year’s theme is "How Are You Showing Patriotism and Support for Our Country?” The Voice of Democracy audio-essay is open to students in grades 9-12 and this year’s theme is "How Are You Showing Patriotism and Support for Our Country?” Children who are home schooled are also welcome to participate. These programs promote civic responsibility, patriotism and help students develop a better understanding of American values and beliefs. For more information, please contact your local VFW Post, the District 8 representative Dan Brown at (636) 677-2892, or visit https://www.vfw.org/community/youth-and-education/youth-scholarships .

Local events:

The time and place of local post meetings and events are provided on each post’s Facebook site; come join us!

On 29 August, Post 3777 will hold "Friday Night Live” with Josh Driskell from 7-10 pm. For more information call (636) 937-5400.

On 6 September, VFW Post 1831 in DeSoto will be having hosting their 5th annual Sis by Side Poker Run to support the DeSoto Police Department. Registration starts at 9 am and it starts at 11:30 am at 1651 Veterans Drive in DeSoto. For more information contact (636) 586-9271.

On 13 September, Post 6660 in Reynolds County will host a free veterans breakfast and workshop from 9 am to 2 pm at 2315 Green St, Centerville. A VFW Veteran Service Officer (VSO) will be there to help veterans understand and apply for benefits to which they are entitled and are accredited to represent them to the VA. VAMC Poplar Bluff representatives will be there to answer medical benefits questions, and enroll you in the program. Mizzou Law Veterans Clinic will assist with discharge upgrades and other services. Please bring all your documentation, especially your DD-214. If you need to get replacements you can order them at https://www.archives.gov/veterans/military-service-records, or call (866) 272-6272. That said, come anyway and they will get you started. For more information or if the veteran is homebound and cannot travel, please contact (573) 924-2382.

On 19 September, Post 2593 located in Arnold will host a Mike Bova Comedy Concert at 2301 Church Rd, Arnold, MO 63010. This event will raise money for the Post Relief Fund and the VFW Veteran Service Officer program. You can visit the Post or purchase tickets online at https://www.eventbrite.com/.../mike-bova-comedy-concert .

29 September Post 1831 in DeSoto will be hosting their 7th annual American Graffiti Car Show to support the VFW and Spinal Cord Ward at Jefferson Barracks. In addition to the cool rides, there will be music and food. Vendor spaces are available at (314) 712-4411. For more information call John Gales at (314) 677-7700.

Legislative news:

Congress is in summer recess but we still need you to urge them to include the "Major Richard Star Act” language (H.R.2102 and S.1032) as an amendment to FY 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). This legislation, will correct an injustice to Americas veteran’s - a "wounded veteran tax. Military disabled retirement for veterans with less than 20 years of service is reduced to offset any VA disability compensation. We thank Senator Josh Hawley for his support. However, neither Congressman Jason Smith nor Senator Eric Schmitt are cosponsors. Please contact them at www.jasonsmith.house.gov / (573) 609-2996 and www.schmitt.senate.gov / (202) 224-5721 to voice your support.

We are asking all VFW members and supporters to join the "VFW Action Corps”, our national grassroots advocacy network. This group stays up-to-date on veteran, military and their family’s issues. We email, write, and call nation’s lawmakers to make our voices heard. To join go to https://votervoice.net/VFW/register .

Now let’s talk a bit about our history:

249 years ago, a force of over 20,000 British and Hessian troops commanded by General William Howe landed at Gravesend Bay in southwest Kings County, New York, across the Narrows from Staten Island, south of the East River crossings to Manhattan. Five days later, on 27 August the British attacked American forces on Brooklyn Heights. In the first major battle of the Revolutionary War, the American troops, commanded by General Washington, were flanked and suffered 2,000 casualties before retreating. The British dug in for a siege, but on the night of 29 August, Washington evacuated the entire army to Manhattan without the loss of supplies or a single life. After several more defeats our Army was forced to retreat through New Jersey into Pennsylvania. British and Hessian losses were 64 killed, 294 wounded and 31 missing. The Americans loses were approximately 300 killed and over 1,000 captured. The most significant outcome of this first battle was the realization that there would be no easy victory, and that the war would be long and bloody. Of the many references you can consult, I recommend "1776” by David McCullough.

I offer this from David Mccullough who in referring to the heavy fog that settled over the area and hid the continental army’s retreat from the british, wrote "incredibly, yet again, circumstances – fate, luck, providence, the hand of god, as would be said so often – intervened.”

Bulletin Board:

The VA one-stop telephone number is 1-800-698-2411 and press "0” for immediate assistance. The VA one stop website is VA.gov Home | Veterans Affairs .

Veterans can no longer use usernames / passwords to access "My HealtheVet.” To regain access, you must create a new account at www.va.gov/sign-in-changes.

For more for information concerning VA "End of Life” benefits and services see www.va.gov/initiatives/end-of-life-benefits/

Veteran employment opportunities! Please visit https://news.va.gov/138283/hiring-veterans-job .

The Missouri Veterans Commission (MVC) one-stop Benefits and Resource Portal is (573) 522-4061 or www.veteranbenefits.mo.gov .

To pre-certify for burial in a Missouri Veterans Cemetery, apply at https://my.mo.gov/gsp?id=vcp_preapplication . For information on burial eligibility, visit https://mvc.dps.mo.gov/cemeteries .

The Missouri Job Center offers no-cost employment assistance for veterans and spouses. Contact (417) 257-2630 or visit jobs.mo.gov/vets.

The TRICARE Online (TOL) Patient Portal has been replaced by MHS GENESIS. See https://health.mil/Military-Health-Topics/Technology/MHS-GENESIS/

To order military service documents such as a DD 214/Separation Document or Official Military Personnel File (OMPF), contact the National Archives, National Personnel Records Center at https://www.archives.gov/veterans/military-service-records, or call (866) 272-6272. For more information, follow us at https://www.facebook.com/groups/967395123712841 or visit movfw.org

"Here to Serve”