COMMANDER’S MESSAGE
Dear Comrades,
Our annual Commander’s Dinner has been scheduled for March 29th, 2009 at the Lodge on the Green. Reservations are slowly coming in. We would appreciate all posts taking part and getting a small Ad in the souvenir book as well.
The County is in need of a candidate for District Jr.Vice Commander. Comrade Richard Falkenstein has offered his services and if anyone else is interested, please notify the County Council office by March 3rd.
The District meeting is planned for March 8, 2009 at the Danforth Center in Rochester starting at 2:00 PM. Please arrive earlier to help set up if you can.
Speaking of dates, April 29, 2009 has been selected for the Merit Awards Dinner also to be held at the Lodge on the Green.
The County Council has approximately six outdoor 3X5 Flags with an attachment for display outside of your home for sale.
In last month’s Newsletter, I mentioned the need of forming the Poppy Princesses but I had no response. Again, The position is opened to daughters and grand daughters, (6 to 10 years of age) of Post and Auxiliary members only. Please notify the county office if interested.
I am urging all posts who have not yet submitted their dues to please do so NOW. These dues should have been paid no later than October of last year. I will be publishing those posts who are delinquent in next month’s newsletter.
The trip to Albany for the Legislative Conference was successful. Comrade Goldman will give his report at the county meeting.
Buddy Poppy orders should have been placed by now. There is no easier way to build up your Relief Funds than Poppy distribution. Posts who have not yet ordered should do so immediately. Last year there was a National shortage and some posts were closed out. Don’t let it happen to you.
I would like to thank the Color Guard of Post # 307, who will again be our Official Color Guard for the upcoming year. Congratulations to Post #307.
Second Notice- If anyone knows where the Monroe County VFW Charter is we would appreciate the information. The National Office no longer provides duplicates of County Council Charters, therefore, we are without it. I sincerely hope anyone with information regardless of how old it is will come forward. Thank you.
COMING EVENTS
March 8, District 8 Meeting, 2:00 PM at the Danforth Community Center, 200 West Ave. Rochester.
March 29th, Commanders and Presidents Dinner, Lodge on the Green Party House, 2888 Ridge way Ave. Rochester.
April 26th, Merit Awards Dinner, also at the Lodge on the Green.
May 16th, 8 District Commander and President Recognition Dinner, Newark VFW Post #2883, Newark, New York.
Don Makely
County Commander
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE
Dear Sisters:
I have just returned from the Joint Legislative/Spring Conference in Albany and had a very nice Conference. I am happy to report that at the Spring Conference, Monroe County had the Department of New York winner of Youth Volunteer of the Year Award. Sarah Winzenried, daughter of Cindy Winzenried of Auxiliary #412, was the recipient of the award. Sarah was presented a plaque and a check by Department President, Cindy Campbell.
Monroe County Council Ladies Auxiliary VFW is doing wonderful with our Membership Program! As of today, Monroe County Council stands at 97.73%, District 8 is at 92.45% and as a Department, membership is currently at 92.57%. Thank you again Sisters for your efforts so we can soar like an eagle in our Membership Program. Please remember to carry a membership application with you…you never know when you will be able to recruit a new member.
We did it! Monroe County Council is now 100% across all programs for the month of February. Great job Sisters! Just an early reminder, all Year End Reports need to be completed and to our Department Chairman BEFORE May 1st. Please communicate this to your auxiliary program chairman.
March 17th is St. Patrick’s Day and on this day everyone is a little Irish! Maybe you can bring a card to your March meeting; ask everyone to sign it with good wishes and forward it on to the Canandaigua VA Hospital so it can be posted for the veterans to read. In addition, Canandaigua VA Day Treatment Center always welcomes donations of personal care items, hats, gloves, muffin mixes, cookie mixes, etc.
Have you sent your monthly birthday card to the VFW National Home for Children? You can also send a St Paddy’s Day card to them as well. Let our children of the New York Cottages know we remember them.
The Annual Monroe County Commander and President Dinner is scheduled for Sunday, March 29 at the Lodge on the Green at 1PM. Auxiliary Treasurers will also be recognized at this dinner. Reservations must be received by March 15th. I hope everyone will be able to attend.
The next Monroe County Council meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, March 3, at 12 Noon at the Danforth Community Center, 200 West Avenue. I look forward to seeing you at the meeting. The District 8 Meeting will be hosted by Monroe County Council at the Danforth Community Center on Sunday, March 8th. I encourage representatives from each auxiliary to attend. A pasta dinner will be served after the District Meeting at a cost of $3.00 per person.
The Annual Loyalty Day/Merit Awards Dinner is scheduled for Sunday, April 26. Please mark your calendars for these dates. More details for both of these events to follow.
Lastly, I ask that you please continue to keep our sisters and comrades in your prayers especially those that are ill.
I wish everyone a “Happy St. Patrick’s Day”. Always remember if “United We Stand for Our Veterans and their Families” “Our Dreams Become Rainbows”.
Loyally,
Karen A. Dotson
Monroe County President
TONY’S MESSAGE
In the Order of Business in our Ritual, you will find Order Number 15 reads” Remember our National Home for Children”. How many of our members really know about our National Home?
The beautiful, 629-acre campus is not just a children facility, it is a living memorial to our nation’s honored veterans. The National Home is located in the heart of Michigan’s Lower Peninsula, minutes from Lansing, the State Capital, and nearby Michigan State University. The Home hosts special events and celebrates patriotic holidays as a community. You are welcome to join a special celebration or plan a private tour.
The VFW National Home for Children has served children of our nation’s veterans in need since 1925. Throughout the 80-year history, the processes through which children come to the National Home have changed, but the underlying principles have stayed the same. Single parents in crisis join the Single Parent Family Program at the National Home and are mentored to be productive and to care for themselves and their children. Residential Program children come to the National Home without a parent and become part of a family unit. All children are provided with education and life training in a structured community environment. The VFW National Home for Children provides multiple levels of intervention to these children by addressing their emotional, physical, educational, psychological and/or recreational needs. The National Home teaches children daily how to cope with their past and equips them with skills which give them the opportunity to succeed in life.
Children living at the VFW National Home for Children receive the following on-campus services: educational support, recreational opportunities, 24-hour adult supervision, and individual and “family” counseling. All food, housing, and utilities are provided. The National Home maintains contacts with local community agencies and professionals to provide individual psychological services, and both specialized and routine medical, dental, and eye care services. Clothing is purchased locally and children attend Eaton Rapids Public Schools.
Annual Cost-of-Living Increase Proposal
U.S. Senator Daniel K. Akaka introduced legislation to increase veterans’ compensation through a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA). The bill is co-sponsored by Ranking Minority Member Senator Richard Burr (R-NC) and all the other members of the Veteran’s Affair Committee. The Veterans’ Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2009 directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to increase, as of Dec. 1, 2009, the rates of (1) veterans’ disability compensation, (2) dependency and indemnity compensation for surviving spouses and children, and (3) additional related benefits. The COLA increase for veterans would match the annual increase provided to Social Security recipients.