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 of 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 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.
Happy 250th Birthday to my Marine brothers and sisters! The Corps was formed on 10 November 1775 as the Continental Marines, with the mission to provide additional security and support for the Continental Navy. Captain Samuel Nicholas, the first commander of the Continental Marines and was authorized by the Second Continental Congress to raise two battalions, or approximately 600 Marines. Their first action was the March 1776 amphibious landing in the Bahamas during the Battle of Nassau. At the end of the war, in April 1783, both the Continental Navy and Marines were disbanded. On 11 July 1798, the Corps was resurrected as the United States Marine Corps for service in the new United States class frigates. Since then, the Corps has served with distinction and honor. Today, with 177,200 active duty and 32,400 reserve marines, the Corps fulfill a vital role in national security as an amphibious, expeditionary, air-ground combined arms task force, capable of forcible entry from the air, land, and sea. The additi
In honor of the USMC’s birthday, I offer the from General John J. Pershing "the deadliest weapon in the world is a marine and his rifle!
The VFW paid tribute to our brothers and sisters by holding Veterans Day Ceremonies. Veterans Day is dedicated to American veterans of all wars. It is on 11 November to commemorate the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918, the start of the armistice that ended World War I; then known as "the Great War.” President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed 11 November as "Armistice Day” in 1920 and it became Veterans Day after the Korean War.
As we celebrate Veterans Day, we include distributing poppies. Many ask why we do that? The red poppy is the official memorial flower of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and has been the symbol of the VFW since 1922, because it was the symbol of World War I. This was due to the poem "In Flanders Fields", written by Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae. A veteran of the Boer War, the Canadian physician enlisted in the Canadian contingent of the British Expeditionary
Force (BEF) at the beginning of World War I. He served as a medical officer at the Second Battle of Ypres, where the death of a close friend inspired him to the write the poem that was first published on 8 December 1915 in the London magazine Punch and it reads:
"In Flanders Fields the poppies blow,
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky,
The larks, still bravely singing, fly,
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the dead. Short days ago,
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved and now we lie,
In Flanders Fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe
To you, from failing hands, we throw,
The torch, be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us, who die,
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow,
In Flanders Fields”.
The Second Battle of Ypres was fought from 22 April to 25 May 1915 for control of the Flemish town of Ypres in western Belgium. The Germans Army first used chlorine gas during this battle. Although they were the attacking force and used chlorine gas, the attack failed, and the Germans suffered roughly 35,000 casualties. Most credit goes to the British Expeditionary Force (BEF), especially the 1st Canadian Division. For more information on Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae see "In Flanders fields: the story of John McCrae” by John F. Prescott. For more information on the Second Battle of Ypres see "Hell in Flanders Fields: Canadians at the Second Battle of Ypres” by George H. Cassar.
For your information:
Veterans in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health care system can receive free vaccinations through the Community Care Network in-network retail pharmacies and urgent care partners. Just present a valid, government-issued ID.
Veterans, their families and caregivers should contact their local VA for information about eligibility and how to apply for burial benefits. 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 have concluded for this year, and the essays are at the Posts for judging. These programs promote civic responsibility, patriotism and helps students develop a better understanding of American values and beliefs. The next phase will be the District judging led by the District 8 Chairman Mr. Dan Brown of Post 5331 in Cedar Hill.
The following is a list of VA services that will continue operating without interruption during the Government shutdown:
· VA Medical Centers, Outpatient Centers and Vet Centers will remain open, providing all services.
· VA benefits will continue to be processed and delivered, including compensation, pension, education and housing benefits.
· Burials will continue at VA cemeteries.
· The Board of Veterans' Appeals will continue decisions on veterans' cases.
· VA's primary call center and the Veterans Crisis Line will remain open 24/7. The VA Benefit Hotline will remain open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. ET.
· Suicide prevention programs, homelessness services and caregiver support will continue.
Local events:
The time and place of local post meetings and events are provided on each post’s Facebook site; come join us!
Post 2593 in Arnold is supporting the Foster Closet Organization with a new or gently used. fall/winter clothing drive for newborn to 2 years old. There is a donation box located in the Post clubroom lobby area.
Every Wednesday, VFW Post 5896 is hosting an "all-you-can-eat” breakfast at 814 E Karsch Blvd, Farmington. Food service is 7 to 9:30 am and the cost is $8 and children under the age of 10 eat for free.
Every Saturday VFW Post 1831 is hosting a Shooting Match at 1651 Veterans Dr., DeSoto. Doors open at 10 am, practice at 11 am and shooting starts at noon. Clubroom will open for drinks & appetizers. For more information call (636) 586-9271.
On 22 November, Post 5331 in Cedar Hill is hosting American Championship Wrestling (ACW) at 1 Lynn Lane in Cedar Hill, MO. Doors open at 5 pm, first bell at 6 pm. Admission is $10 for front row and $6 for general admission. You can purchase tickets at the dor or online ar acwtheshow.com.
Legislative news:
A continued call to action! Folks, don’t wait for the new session to contact your state Senator and Representative to voice your support for Missouri veterans. Please voice your support to fully fund the Missouri Veterans Commission (MVC) with dedicated funding in the state budget, update the Real & Personal Property Tax exemptions for 100% service-disabled veterans, and to fight unaccredited companies (Claim Sharks) that prey on Missouri veterans.
In honor of the USMC’s birthday, I offer the from General John J. Pershing "the deadliest weapon in the world is a marine and his rifle!
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 .
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.
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”