From the Commander:
Dear Members,
Well, 2018 is now behind us. As we look to the future of Post 79, we hope everyone is looking forward to a better and more prosperous year. But to do that, we need help from everyone.
Thanks to all who have helped make the Post a brighter place to come to. Members, staff and numerous volunteers make the efforts easier. Thanks!!
Happy New Year to all of you. God Bless you and God Bless America!
Thank you.
For God and Country
Bart Colvin
Commander
Mission Statement:
The American Legion was chartered and incorporated by Congress in 1919 as a patriotic veterans organization devoted to mutual helpfulness. It is the nation’s largest wartime veterans service organization, committed to mentoring youth and sponsorship of wholesome programs in our communities, advocating patriotism and honor, promoting strong national security, and continued devotion to our fellow service-members and veterans.
From the Auxiliary President:
A friendly reminder that if your 2019 dues are not paid by years end, you will not be eligible for daily drawings. Let’s make 2019 a great year!
Stuart Konija
Vice Commander
From Vice Commander:
Hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas and looking forward to the New Year.
Happy New Year to you all.
God Bless our Troops past, present and future
Rita
Mission Statement:
In the spirit of Service, Not Self, the mission of the American Legion Auxiliary is to support The American Legion and to honor the sacrifice of those who serve by enhancing the lives of our veterans, military, and their families, both at home and abroad. For God and Country, we advocate for veterans, educate our citizens, mentor youth, and promote patriotism, good citizenship, peace and security.
From Post Service Officer:
VA BENEFITS IN BRIEF
Disability Benefits
- Compensation. Payment for a disability condition as a result of your military service.
- Pension. Payment for a wartime veteran with limited income.
Education and Training (Call 1-888-442-4551.)
- Montgomery GI bill. For certain veterans who contributed to an education fund while on active /duty (after June 30, 1985). Includes some reservists and National Guard members.
- Reserve Educational Assistance Program available to persons who were activated under Federal authority for a contingency operation (served 90 days or more after September 11, 2001.
- Post 9/11 GI Bill. Available to those who served after 09/11/2001. It pays tuition and fees up t the most expensive, public, in-state under graduate program rate, providing a monthly housing allowance, and a stipend for books and supplies. An option exists for service members to transfer benefits to a spouse or child.
- Survivors’ & dependents Educational Assistance is available for some family members of certain disabled or deceased veterans.
Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment
- This program provides to service-connected disabled veterans – outreach, motivation, evaluation, counseling, training, employment and other rehabilitation services.
Home Loan Guaranty
- Loan are actually paid by private lenders but the VA guaranty generally means the lender will not require any down payment.
Dependents’ and Survivors’ Benefits
- Disability and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) is payable to survivors of service members who died on active duty, or veterans who died from service-connected disabilities or certain veterans being paid 100% VA disability compensation.
- Death Pension is payable to some surviving spouses and children of deceased wartime veterans. The benefit is based on financial need.
- VA Civilian Health and Medical Program (CHAMPVA) shares the cost of medical services for eligible dependents and survivors of veterans.
Medical Treatment (Call 1-877-222-8387)
- Hospital, outpatient medical, pharmacy and prosthetic services
- Domiciliary, nursing home, and community based residential care
- Mental health, readjustment and grief counseling
- Health and rehabilitation programs for homeless veterans
- Alcohol and drug dependency treatment
- Medical evaluations for environmental exposures during active duty service
- Combat Veterans may receive free health care for illness received while in theater
Life Insurance (Call 1-800419-1473)
Burial Benefits
- Headstone/Markers, Presidential Memorial Certificate, Burial Flag, reimbursement for Burial Expenses, burial in a VA National Cemetery
At your service,
Rick Baum
From Post Adjutant:
Minutes from Joint Meeting:
- Convened 1900.
- Meeting open in due form by Commander Bart Colvin.
- Commander wished all a Merry Christmas.
- Rita reported that the kids Christmas party will be this Sunday. Eat at noon and Santa arrives at 1400.
- Commander reports that participation at the Army / Navy game chili cook off was very disappointing. Only 5 chilis entered.
- Dues need to be paid by December 31st or your name will be taken out of the nightly drawing.
- Auxiliary will be serving food and snacks after the meeting.
- Minutes read and approved.
- Tom Wothke did a two month financial accounting, Reports read and approved.
- Commander reported that one of our members wife, Peter Gordon, is sick and keep in our prayers. Rick Baum’s Dad and Mom in assisted living and doing well.
- Revisited the 5k, bicycle, and motor cycle events and going to select a committee next month to get this started.
- Going to have a “membership drive” to bring our members into the post.
- Put a note in the legion letter for the disabled veterans to contact their service officers for any and all help they need.
- Celebration of life for Diana’s father will be this Saturday at Danville.
- Jack wanted to know why toilet in men’s room is still broken? Told that it is in the processing of being repaired.
- Adjourned 1830.
From the Club Manager:
Dates to Remember:
December 31st – New Years Eve Party, Pitch-in apps 7:00pm
4th – Legion Pizza Night 5-8pm
14th – Legion/AUX meeting 7pm
11th – SAL Steak & Catfish Dinner 5-8pm
15th – ALR Burger/Pork Chop Dinner 5:30-8pm
22nd – ALR Meeting 7pm