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Monroe County Council Veterans of Foreign Wars

200 West Avenue, Rochester, NY 14611       

      585-436-6130 or e-mail MONROEVFW@AOL.COM      

From the Commander:

Greetings to you all! Once again it is time to take up where we left off for the summer and get back in the swing of things. Although we didn’t meet as a County Council, most of us were pretty busy with planning and the convention.

While there is a message below regarding the convention, I would like to thank Frank, Tony and Helen and everyone else involved behind the scenes to make this a success. To those of you who worked at the registration tables, who participated in the ceremonies, or just filled in when needed, it was you who made this convention a success. Thank you all for a job well done.

This past weekend was the Redwings baseball game and picnic for our comrades at the VA Hospitals. The picnic was fun, and in spite of a loss, the ballgame was enjoyable. Thanks to Don Makely who organizes this event each year. Well done. A special note of thanks to our brothers at Ira Jacobson Post of the American Legion and Chapter 20 VVA for helping with the picnic. And without the help of our sisters in our Ladies Auxiliary, we would never be able to pull this off. And thanks to our Poppy Princesses for representing our order so well. This is a good, worthwhile event.

As you can see by the partial schedule above, we will be busy until the end of 2010. Between our post duties, our county council duties and our District 8 commitments, we should all need a break  at holiday time.

In 2011, we will reinstitute the Commanders / President’s Dinner. The tentative date for this event is February 27th. Also, May 1st has been set aside for our Merit Awards Dinner. Details for both events will be forthcoming. Save the dates!

Some exciting things are happening in the local veteran’s community. The first is the reinstitution of the Monroe County Veterans Advisory Committee by County Executive Maggie Brooks. The committee has had its first meeting and I have high hopes that this will be an effective vehicle to communicate the needs and wishes of our veteran population to our local government officials. I am joined by District 8 Sr. Vice  Commander Paul Cordy to represent the VFW on this committee. We’ll keep you posted.

Writers & Books is featuring “The Things They Carried” by Tim O’Brien as the book they would like the entire community to read. The author will be in town in early November for 2 engagements and book signings. This is an excellent opportunity for our Vietnam veterans to participate in events to be held at many libraries throughout the area. In addition, we have reserved a table at the kickoff event to be held the evening of October 1st at Writers & Books. We will be recruiting members and making the services of our organization known to the public. Any post commander wishing to join me at this event is more than welcome. More details will be available at the county council meeting.

I am looking for a post that would like to host the next and future county council meeting. Contact me if you are interested. This is a good way to show off your facilities.

The District 8 Meeting and gun raffle is coming up September 12th at Perinton Memorial Post 8495. We need to elect a Junior Vice Commander. It is important that you attend. Also, the gun raffle and upcoming calendar sale are important fundraisers for the District. Please do what you can to support these efforts.

With the schools opening, it is time to push Voice of Democracy and Patriot’s Pen. Make your contacts at the local schools to drum up participation. It’s time for Monroe County to have a department winner, don’t you think. Let’s really push this program. Visit our department or national website for themes and deadlines.

Also, make an effort to contact local scoutmasters in your community. I’d like to encourage the Eagle Scout program in our community. Again, details and requirements are on the websites mentioned above.

Please plan on joining us for the county council meeting. Your input and participation is important. We need you there. At this meeting we will have information available about all of the items outlined above. It is a great way to pick up ideas from other commanders that you can take back to your post. Please plan to attend.

We need to vote on the attached budget for the year at this meeting. Details will be available at the meeting. The finance committee worked very hard to put together a realistic, workable budget for the year. Thank you for your hard work!

Your Comrade,

Rick Gough, Commander

 

  Tony’s Notes:

Commander, unless you have a 2010 National By-Laws and Ritual, you are not aware of the change, during your regular meetings, of the prayer by your chaplain directed to our National Home. The prayer is as follows:

“Almighty God, we ask your divine blessing on the children, families, and staff of our National Home for Children in Eaton Rapids, Michigan. May Your spirit dwell with them forever, giving them health and guiding their lives. Help us to always be faithful to our fallen comrades by providing (shelter and guidance) support for their families. We ask in Your Holy Name. Amen”

Please copy this prayer, place it on a card and give it to your chaplain along with other prayers

Report of service officer: Although new VA Regulations do not go into effect until later this year, we urge post commanders to notify all Vietnam Veterans to file now for the four new conditions added to the Agent Orange related disabilities now recognized by the VA. The disabilities are Parkinson’s disease, Al Amycoidosis, Hair cell or B cell leukemia and ischemic heart disease.

The following is from our Convention Committee:

Open Letter to All the 91st Convention Volunteers

I wish to express my deepest gratitude and appreciation to ALL who volunteered their time, determination and co-operation in order to make this the best convention ever. You answered the challenge to coordinate the joint venture with all activities, both VFW and Ladies Auxiliary to take place under one roof. I believe we set the standard for future conventions and other cities to emulate.

My deepest regret was that I was unable to stop and thank you all personally when you were at your designated area. I had hoped to visit at least one of the Ladies functions, but sorry to say, that too never materialized.

AGAIN, THANK YOU ALL FOR A JOB WELL DONE!!!!

Frank Nicolazzo – Chair         Anthony M. Ferrarese – Co-Chair

Helen Weeks – Ladies Auxiliary Chairperson

 

From the Ladies Auxiliary President:

Dear Sisters:

 

Welcome to the start of a new program year!  I hope you had a relaxing

summer.  I am currently attending the National VFW & Ladies Auxiliary

Convention in Indianapolis, IN so at our September County Council Meeting I

will have updated information to report.

 

Just a reminder, if you have not already done so, please send in your

membership transmittals.  Dept President, Sharlene Allen, needs to attain

90% in membership by December 20 to achieve VIP President.  If you have not

already done so, please begin to contact your auxiliary sisters to send in

their dues.  The Dept. Treasurer will be sending out dues reminder notices

by the end of September to Auxiliary sisters who have not paid their dues.

 

The Dept. Community Service Chairman has asked that at the Fall District

Meeting that auxiliaries bring to the meeting mittens, gloves, scarves, and

hats to be donated to a local elementary school or a Battered Women's

Shelter.  In addition, the Dept. Hospital & VAVS Chairman is requesting

that auxiliaries donate sweatshirts and sweatpants to be brought to the

Fall District Meeting.  If you cannot attend the District meeting, please

bring your items to the Sept. County meeting and I will ensure they are

brought to the meeting.  Most importantly, please send in your report to

the Dept. Chairman so that you will receive credit.

 

Reminder - County Dues, Tray Mats, and Hospital Dues are due.  Please mail

your check to Marita Fredette, 32 Alfred Avenue, Rochester, NY  14623.

Thank you for your support.

 

The Monroe County Council's next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday,

September 7 at 12 Noon at the Danforth Community Center.   Please mark your

calendar for the September District Meeting scheduled for Sunday, September

12 at 2 PM at Perinton Memorial Post 8495, Fairport, NY.

 

I look forward to seeing you at the September County Meeting.

 

Loyally,

 

Karen Dotson

Monroe County Council President