COMMANDER’S MESSAGE
Dear Comrades,
Eleven posts and seven auxiliaries were in attendance at our Sixth Annual Commander/Presidents Dinner on Sunday, March 29th at the Lodge on the Green. The next morning we received numerous calls complimenting the food. We had Captain Steven Borden, US Navy Commander of ROTC at the University of Rochester as the guest speaker. He brought us up to date on the world Maritime situation.
I would like to apologize to Post 412’s Quartermaster, Orlando Caiazza, whose name was inadvertently omitted from the banquet program. These things can happen but Orlando was a gentleman and accepted my apologies.
I thought the small gift was more appropriate than a certificate which many of you have several of.
Before going any farther, I want to thank the County President, Karen and her mother, Marita and sister Cindy who are always there when needed. Post Commanders with auxiliaries should be grateful and take care of them. The auxiliaries submitted 4 of the 7 Voice of Democracy entries and numerous entries in the Patriot’s Pen competition.
During the ceremony, a plaque was presented to Auxiliary member, Jeanette Hermans. She started volunteering at the Canandaigua Clinic in 1952 and has volunteered a total of 6,951 hours of service.
In closing remarks of the banquet, sorry I did not get to meet all of you but I look forward to the Merit Awards Dinner on April 26th at the Lodge on the Green where I hope we will all gather again.
Now in regards to business, I find it hard to believe that in the 8th month of operation for the fiscal year some posts still owe County dues. Every September or October the Quartermaster should write checks to the County Dues and the District dues. I hope to not have the need to mention this in another newsletter this year.
Merit Award Dinner responses are gradually coming in from the high schools. I sincerely hope each post will sponsor one or two students. Please find out from the County office whether the high school in your area has responded. If not, we would like for you to get involved.
The County baseball game and picnic has been scheduled for Sunday August 9th. The Red Wings will be playing Louisville. More information to follow in next month’s newsletter.
I would like to mention one last time this year that I hope all posts have procured their poppies. The month of May is the time to get out and distribute them. It is money you can use in your Relief Fund and is also great Public Relations.
Commander of Post # 307, Jim Vanderpool is looking to form a County –Wide marching Color Guard. If anyone is interested, please contact Jim Vanderpool at post #307.
We are still in need of Poppy Princesses for 2009. Deadline is April 15th. If anyone is interested please call the County office.
In closing, let me again thank you all for your participation in the Commanders/Presidents Dinner and I look forward to seeing you at the Merit Awards Dinner April 26th at the Lodge on the Green.
Don Makely, Commander
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE
Dear Sisters:
Congratulations to the Auxiliary Presidents and Treasurers who were recognized at the Annual Monroe County Council Commander’s and President’s dinner. Thank you again for all your support to this organization.
Monroe County Council Ladies Auxiliary VFW is doing wonderful with our Membership Program! As of today, Monroe County Council stands at 98.04% and as a Department, membership is currently at 94.46%. We only need 6 more members to join, transfer, or re-instated to achieve 100%.
Very important-Year End Reports need to be completed and to our Department Chairman before April 30th. Please communicate this to your auxiliary program chairman. If anyone has questions or need help on their reports, please contact me as soon as possible.
Auxiliary Presidents. Please remember that your Year End Report to the Department President, Cindy Campbell, is due before April 30th.
The next Monroe County Council Meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, April 7 at noon at the Danforth Community Center, 200 West Avenue. I look forward to seeing you at the meeting.
The Annual Loyalty Day/Merit Awards Dinner is scheduled for Sunday, April 26 at 1:30 PM. The dinner will be held at the Lodge on the Green, 2888 Ridgeway Avenue, Rochester. A Buffet Dinner will be served at a cost of $20 per person and checks should be payable to the Monroe County Council VFW. Reservations are due by April 15th. In addition, I hope that each auxiliary will sponsor 2 students from one of the area high schools that will be attending this event. Your support would be appreciated in this request and I hope all auxiliaries will be able to attend.
The District 8 and County Councils Testimonial Dinner will be held on Saturday, May 16 at the Newark Post. If you have any questions, please contact Marita Fredette at 235-7396. I hope you will be able to attend.
Have you sent your monthly birthday card to the National Home for Children? You can also send an Easter Card to them as well. Let our children of the New York Cottages know we remember them.
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 Easter.” Always remember if “United We Stand for our Veterans and their Families” “Our Dreams Becomes Rainbows”.
Loyally,
Karen A. Dotson
Monroe County President
TONY’S MESSAGE
This note is for post Commanders and we hope you will take action on it. The subject is the Annual High School Student Merit Awards Dinner Program. This has been the Premier Youth Program of your County Council for over 60 years. Commander-You recently received a letter asking for support by sponsoring a school of your choice ( in the towns, this should be a no-brainer). We are asking for your post to sponsor dinner for two students at a cost of $40.00. The school selects the students and the Council does the rest. Your Poppy money can be used for this and you can include it in your Community Service Report. If you already have taken action on this-Great! If not-Why? It also would be nice if you and some of your members attend and have a diner with your students.
Service Officer-If you or any of your members use the services of the Rochester VA Outpatient Clinic in Rochester you will get some relief with your parking problems. The clinic is moving the Eye Clinic, Podiatry, Cardiology, Chiropractic, Neurology and Dermatology Clinics to Clinton Crossing Medical Complex, Clinton and Westfall Road. The move is expected to take place on or about April 1.
Why is membership important? Recently, a policy proposal by the Obama Administration was discussed whereby the VA Health Care System would bill a veterans personal health insurance for the care and treatment of a disability or injury that was incurred in service. Your VFW and other Veterans Organizations angerly met with Obama and had this proposal squashed before it took root.
Important-All post Commanders and Quartermasters: You will soon receive some important documents that must be completed. Election Report Form must be completed in full with your new officers for 2009-2010. Yes-even though you may have the same officers as last term. In particular-you must have the name of your Quartermaster and address or else you will not receive the membership cards and other important information. Also-The Quartermaster will receive the application to the Name and pay for one Delegate to the National Convention. This must be paid even though no one from your post goes to the convention. Failure to send an Election Report to National or non-payment of Delegate Fee is subject to CANCELLATION OF YOUR CHARTER.