At this writing, we are putting the final plans in shape for our Officers Training Institute (OTI). Although I am disappointed with the participation of our own County Posts, (we have more from out of the County),I am encouraged that it’s a good start for a beginning. We hope to make this an annual program.

By this time, I hope that you as the Commander of your post, have done a review of your membership rolls. Have you checked to see if any are ill, in need of assistance? Maybe the post could pay for their dues. Your Relief-Fund can be used for this.

You probably know that Patchen-Briggs Post Home has closed its doors. It’s sad but inevitable since it is difficult to operate a Private Club, whether it’s a Veterans Association or other Fraternal Group (Elks, Moose, etc.). We will always have fond memories of activities and parties held at The "Patch". I am happy to say that Post #307, Patchen-Briggs is still alive and well, under the Command of Jim Vanderpool and meeting at the 40 &8 Club on University Avenue. See you at the meeting.

Commander Richard Gross

Dear Sisters;

Our Fall Conference will be at The New York Marriot, 189 Wolf Road, Albany, New York on October 12-14, 2007. We will be honored at that time to have our National President, Virginia Carman. She is making her official Auxiliary visit to our Department then. Please give her our support.

Send in your donation report form so you can receive credit on Hospital, Americanism, Community Service, Cancer, Veterans and family support and Youth Activities.

Auxiliaries are asked to bring a "Holiday ornament using Buddy Poppies." Also you are asked to bring ten scratch-offs for Lottery Baskets.

Please come to Danforth Center at 200 West Ave. on October 2, 2007 at 1:00 PM. and greet our Department President, Sally Gagnon, who will be making her official visit. Let’s show her we love her and are supporting her. A light lunch will be served.

Loyally,

Grace Pulver

The County Council introduced two resolutions that were considered at our recent National Convention: Award a Cold War Victory Medal and a Cold War Defense Foreign Service Medal. Both resolutions were considered and adopted by the delegates.

The House (Congress) approved the 2008 Defense Authorization Bill and part of it would create a Cold War Victory Medal to recognize US Veterans who served honorably between September 2, 1945 and December 26, 1991. A similar proposal is pending in the Senate.

If it wasn’t for the cold war veterans, the U.S. would be a different place today if the Soviet Union was still a viable, active military force. Nothing yet to report on the Foreign Service Medal which, if approved by Congress and signed by the President, would make those veterans eligible for the VFW.

VFW Legislative Committee Storms Capital Hill: The new VFW National Legislative Committee stormed Capital Hill this week to push two key VFW-supported issues-an on-time VA Budget and a GI Bill for the 21^st Century. The word on the hill is that the VA Funding Bill may have other priorities attached to it, which would hinder its chance of passage before the federal government begins its new fiscal year on Oct. 1. Contact your legislators today and urge them to an on-time funding bill for VA. Tell them that VA has not had an on-time budget for eight years, and our veterans, especially those returning from Iraq and Afghanistan, are counting on them. To contact your legislators, visit our alert call center at: http://capwiz/vfw/callalert/index.tt?alertid=10305196

New GI Bill on the move: Our legislative committee was instrumental in increasing support on Capital Hill for S. 22 and H.R. 2702, Post -9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2007. We have long advocated for this change to the GI Bill, which would make it much like that of the original World War II Bill. Our efforts are gaining momentum, but we need your help. Please contact your elected officials and let them know that you and the VFW support our troop’s education. This bill would increase military recruitment, ease the transition of departing troops, and better finance their education. Call your senators and representatives today!

Senate VA Chairman Explains "By Request" Bill: Senate Veterans Affairs Committee Chairman Daniel Akaka (D-HI) recently introduced a bill (S.2026) by request of the Administration. It has been the long-standing tradition of the Senate VA Committee to introduce legislation at the request of VA as a professional courtesy. It does not indicate the committee or the senator supports the legislation, nor does it mean the bill will receive favorable treatment once it is heard in committee. S.2026 would take away the presumption of service connection for Agent Orange-related disabilities for veterans who served only in offshore waters. The VFW strongly opposes this legislation and has let the Senate VA Committee know our position. We will continue to monitor it, and stand ready to defeat it.

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