COMMANDER’S MESSAGE

“To Foster True Patriotism through Historical and Educational Programs”.

This is one of the objectives of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. Your County Council does much to promote this objective. For over sixty years, we have honored selected Senior High School Students in Monroe County based on their leadership, scholastic, and all around service to their community. I have sent you and all post commanders a letter requesting your support of this youth program. Every post should be represented at this affair. The Manuel of Procedure provides that Post Relief Funds may be used for this type of Program.

A reminder-We have enclosed an Election Report Form, please complete it and return it to the county headquarters right after your election. We will then forward it to State and National Headquarters.

This has been a difficult year for membership. I ask you to make a final review of your delinquents. If any of them are sick or having financial difficulties, use your Relief Fund for paying their dues.

Have you ordered your poppies? Poppy days are a month away, don’t get caught short.

I urge post quartermasters to attend the next county council meeting. County quartermaster will answer questions regarding the new regulations that require all posts to file a completed 990 form with the IRS.

A final reminder-check with your quartermaster to make sure your District dues are paid.

See you at the meeting.

Sincerely,

Richard

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

Dear Sisters;

I hope everyone had a Happy Easter!

There are only three more months to complete our reports on this year’s projects! I hope you are ready to get them in. This year sure has gone by fast. Monroe County has 94% in membership. Please keep trying for new members.

May is Poppy month. Get out and distribute your poppies, remember the money from poppies is put into the “Relief Fund”. That helps to pay for projects we do for our veterans.

Please get your Hospital, Americanism, Community Service, Cancer, Family & Veterans Support and Youth Activities reports ready for year end reports.

Our Auxiliary election happens in April. Please send in your elected officer’s names to the County and District. Our best wishes to all the incoming and out going officers.

Audits are due in April and should be mailed to our Department Treasurer by April 30, 2008.

Loyally,

Grace Pulver

TONY’S REPORT

I bring to your attention a new law passed last year that we have been working on for some years. Chapter 308 NYS Laws of year 2007 sponsored by Sen. Michael Nozzolio and Assemblyman Joseph Morelle.

This legislation would transfer 100 acres at the Sampson State Park to Seneca county in order to establish a veterans cemetery. The proposed cemetery would be within the parks roads and other infrastructure, including the Navy and Air Force museums on the grounds. In last year’s budget, $500,000 was included to develop the land.

NYS LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTIONS

(NYS Legislative-Senate 51317/Assembly A561)

A NYS Legislative Resolution urging the New York Congressional delegation to support full funding for veterans health care. The current discretionary funding mechanisms for veterans’ health care are beset by numerous flaws, thus falling short of the health care needs required by our veterans. The NYS Legislature passed a resolution respectfully urging the NYS Congressional delegation to support ”Full Funding of Veterans Health Care,” to ensure our nation’s veterans be recognized and receive full health care services.

CHAPTER 399, NYS LAWS OF Yr. 2007 (Sen. John DeFrancisco / M of A Darryl Towns)

This measure would create an annuity of $500, upon application by the parent of a veteran killed in combat to the State Director of the Division of Veterans’ Affairs, for a parent who is identified as a Gold Star parent under 10 USC 1126 and who had an income at or below 200% of the Federal poverty level.

CHAPTER 652, NYS LAES OF Yr, 2007 (Sen. John Flanagan / M of A Richard Brodsky)

This measure would authorize the New York State Division of Veterans’ Affairs to institute a fund to provide grants to family members to honorably discharged veterans to offset the cost of burial and internment expenses at not-for-profit cemeteries. The cost can not exceed two thousand five hundred dollars.

Tony