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.
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 Birthday to all my shipmates! This week we
celebrate the Navy’s 250
years of "Power, Presence, and Protection.” On 13 October 1775, the
Continental Congress purchased two armed vessels to attack British ships. After
we won our independence in 1783, the Navy was disbanded and its remaining ships
sold. Its officers and sailors returned to civilian life. Soon however, our young
country began facing threats from pirates and others who disrupted our seaborne
commerce. To defend its interests, Congress reestablished the Navy. President
Washington signed the Naval Act of 1794 creating a permanent standing U.S.
Navy. The U.S. Navy has performed with
distinction in every war and today is the most advanced naval force in the
world with more than 330,000 active-duty and 100,000 reserve personnel. "Non
Sibi Sed Patriae." (Not For Self but For Country).
For your information:
Congratulation to Reynolds County Post
6660 Commander Anthony Mann, Desoto Post
1831 Commander Anthony Germanceri, Arnold Post 2593 Quartermaster and District
8 Jr VCDR Greg Nausley, and Bonne Terre Post 6883 Quartermaster and District 8
Chief of Staff Bert Williams for being named as an Aide-de-Camp to Veterans of
Foreign Wars National Commander-in-Chief Carol Whitmore. The honorary
appointments were bestowed as a result of outstanding service to the organization. Congratulations also go to District 8 Judge
Advocate Bill Myrick for being named as a Special Aide-de-Camp. This position
of honor within the organization is awarded to those individuals who
demonstrates exceptional long-term service and leadership.
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 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 helps 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 .
The following is a list of VA services that will continue
operating without interruption:
·
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!
Legislative news:
Please contact Senator Eric Schmitt (www.schmitt.senate.gov / (202) 224-5721) to include the "Major Richard Star Act” language
as an amendment to the FY 2026 National Defense Authorization Act. This will
stop the "wounded veteran tax” by ending the reduction of military disabled
retirement for veterans with less than 20 years of service to offset VA
disability compensation.
Please support fully funding the Missouri Veterans Commission.
Don’t wait for the new session; contact your Senator and Representative to
voice your support.
We celebrate Columbus Day to recognize the 534th anniversary
of Christopher Columbus's arrival in the Americas. Born in Genoa, Italy in 1451
he was an Italian explorer who, sponsored by Spain, sailed across the Atlantic
Ocean in 1492, searching for a faster trade route to the Far East, and by 1504 made four voyages the
New World. Although his credit as the
first European to land in the Americas is now contested, and some blame him for
the impact European settlement had on native peoples, his achievements are
incontrovertible. His voyage was a tremendous feat of seamanship and his crew's
arrival in the New World began the transfer of plants, animals, culture, human
populations, and technology between the New World and the Old. Columbus
died on 20 May 1506 and his tomb is in Seville Spain. The Columbus Day holiday began as
a celebration of Italian-American heritage in San Francisco in 1869. The first
statewide celebration was held in Colorado in 1907 and in 1937, Columbus Day become a national holiday. For more information, I recommend "Columbus:
The Four Voyages, 1492-1504” by Laurence Bergreen.
In honor of the Navy’s birthday, I offer this quote from Theodore Roosevelt,
who in addition to being President served as Assistant Secretary of the Navy
under President Mckinley from April 1897 to May 1898. He helped plan the highly
successful naval war against Spain. He
said: "a good navy is not a provocation
to war. It is the surest guaranty of peace.”
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