The Country Will Little Note What We Say Here, But It Can Never Forget What We Did In It’s Stead. This Is Dedicated To Those Who Have Borne The Battle and His Wife and His Children, It Is For Us, The Living, To Finish The Unfinished Work For Those Of Us That Paid The Ultimate Sacrifice. To Heal Our Wounds and Stride Forward For Nation and Family.

This inscription of the Gettysburg Address was on the plaque I received at the completion of my treatment at Batavia. It is a reminder of what all of us fought for and are still fighting for to remain a free country. I thought I would remind all of you too.

I just completed the PTSD Treatment course at the Batavia VA Hospital. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is not widely understood but is well known in the Medical Field. In veterans, the stressors are the results of combat related experiences that recur as flash-backs from time to time. The State VFW has donated several thousands of dollars to this program at Batavia. It has received high praise through-out the country. I highly recommend the course of treatment to my fellow veterans, both male and female. The hardest problem for most veterans is to come to terms that they have the disorder and to seek treatment.

Six months of your term as Post Commander are almost completed. Mine also. Now is the time to review our programs and get a second wind for the rest of our term. Of course, membership is at the top of our list. Don’t forget-after the first of the year, unpaid members are delinquent. Phone calls are a "must" to determine "comrade in distress". Use your Relief Fund to pay dues for members ill, out of work, or having financial problems. Let’s boost up our Community Service Programs too.

From My Family to Yours, Happy Holidays and Happy New Year.

Commander Richard Gross

Dear Sisters;

I hope you have sent in your Donation Report Form. That is how you get credit on many programs.

Veteran’s Day is over. I know you did something special for our Veterans that are here and have remembered the ones who have left us. I’m sure they would appreciate a Thanksgiving Card and be remembered in your prayers. Please pray for our troops!

Our County membership is low! It would be wonderful if each one of us got out and signed up one new member. It would be great to make our Department President, Shelly Gagon a VIP President. She must have 85% in membership by December 21, 2007 to become a VIP President. Let’s do it !!

Dead line for inspections are December 31, 2007. Our County is to be inspected on December 4^th at the Danforth Center. I would love to see a good turnout.

I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Loyally,

Grace Pulver

If any one doubts the need for strong Veterans Organizations, one needs only to look at recent events where the Pentagon began dunning service members seriously wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan after receiving a $10,000 bonus for enlisting. The Pentagon stated that the enlistees must complete their full term of service or lose part of their bonus. Senator Charles Schumer is supporting Legislation called The Veterans Guaranteed Bonus Act. It will require full payment of bonuses within 30 days of discharge from active duty related to injuries suffered in combat. Our VFW Washington Legislative Committee is following this closely.

Tony

Community Activity Programs

The Voice of Democracy and Patriot’s Pen Program is off and running. The County Judging took place with Chairman, Peter Verzillo and four judges on Saturday, November 17^th at 9:00 AM. The winners will be forwarded to District Judging in the month of December.

The Local Winner for the Voice of Democracy is Danielle T. Wolber from Fairport High School, Fairport, New York. Sponsored by Perinton-Memorial VFW Post #8495. Chairman, Mike Lucci is in the spotlight again. Great job, Mike.

The Patriot’s Pen winner is Christopher A. Kirby from Barker Road Middle School, Pittsford, New York also sponsored by Perinton-Memorial VFW Post #8495 Auxiliary. Again, good work from Perinton-Memorial.

The meeting with the veterans from St Ann’s Home got under way on Monday, November 26^th with National Recruiter, Bing Reaves Sr., Post Commanders, Jim Vanderpool, post #307 and George Whitfield, Post #9251 and Commander, Richard M.Gross. There were 14 veterans at this initial meeting. The response was very good and I think we established a good relationship with those in attendance and signed up 9 new members to the VFW. We will be setting another meeting with another group and we will let everyone know who might want to attend. Stay tuned for updates.

Reminder! District 8 meeting, Sunday, December 9, 2007-Palmyra VFW Post# 6778.

Pearl Harbor Day-Memorial Service- Rochester Yacht Club., 7:55 AM.