The AMVETS Informer
June 2015
WEB SITE: AMVETS-MA.ORG E-MAIL
AMVETS, Department of MA
State House, Room 546-3
Boston, MA 02133
Phone: 617-727-2972 FAX:617-727-2973
Office Hours M-F
8:30 A.M. to 3:30 P.M.
Commander’s Message:
AMVETS,
As i sit writing my final newsletter as Department Commander, I have been reflecting on what a year it has been and just how fast it went. We have made great strides in progressing our Department forward and into the next generation and I am proud to be part of that. The future of our entire organization is in a transitional state and we all need to get on board before that ship sails leaving us on the shores behind. The changes that were voted in at the last NEC and will be starting to be implemented at our next National Convention are just the bow of that boat. For the AMVETS to be around and be a positive influence for our veterans, we must start embracing the younger veterans to teach them our ways and also allow changes in for their ideas and lifestyles.
This is my challenge to all AMVETS. Embrace the youth, change to the future while being respectful and remembering our past. Change is inevitable, but respect and learning from our past is a must.
I look forward to seeing one and all at our convention in June at the Sturbridge Host. We must all work together for their to be a brighter and growing future. Thank you for allowing me this honor and privilege of being part of this change.
May God Bless our AMVETS and may he Bless our Freedoms and Country also.
1st Vice Commander’s Message
Well, the Memorial Day festivities are over. All the cemeteries have their flags, all the speeches are told, our comrades are remembered. Thank you to all who participated.
The fundraiser hosted by Pages Market the Thursday before Memorial Day went very well. More than 150 people stopped by the table to talk about AMVETS and veterans. Applications and magazines were passed out and stories told. The food sales topped $400. These funds will be used by the Stoughton Post to carry out their veterans programs. Thanks to Pages Market and MrGoulstein for doing this.
The Randolph Post, Post 51, had a successful "raise the roof" raffle. A person from Hyde Park won, about $3000. Thanks to all who helped out.
Revalidation: Now is the time for Posts to revalidate for the coming year. Go on the National web site and click on "member center " on the top bar. Then click on "resources and forms" and Post Revalidation is the second item under "Forms". Print out the two pages and fill them out. You MUST use the current (2015) form or it will be rejected. Make sure to have the correct address, phone # and email address. SEND ALL FINISHED FORMS TO JANICE AT THE STATE HOUSE SO WE HAVE THE CURRENT INFORMATION. Must be into the State House by July 6, 2015, so that we can get it to National by July 15.
The State Convention is coming...... Lots of things to do in a few days. Hope to see you all there. This is YOUR Department. Get involved....ask the questions.... Make it work for you. The State Officers are there to assist you with Post problems involving program reporting, or membership or VAVS service, among other issues.
The FISHING DERBY put on by Post 208 in Hudson is happening June 6. The Longest Day. Let's help make this another success.
Don McLean ()
Sick Call:
Fred Prindle Post 208 resting at home
TAPS
George Dilbarian Post 41
Dates to
Remember:
June 11-14State Comvention at Sturbrige Host Hotel
June 24 Honors & Awards Mtg Post 79@7:00 P.M
VAVS Activities
Bedford - Richard Burnell
- Amvets and Sad Sacks Bingo Party @ Bedford VA-10:00 A.M TBA
Brockton -James Campbell
- District 6 Ice Cream Party @ Brockton VAJune 11 & 24. @ 7:00 P.M.
Jamaica Plains -Tom Davitt
- AMVETS and Sad Sacks Bingo Party @ Bedford VAJune 30 @7:00 P.M.
Manchester -Gerry Marchand
- Manchester VA Bingo PartyJune 25 @ 7:30 P.M.
Northampton - Bud Garrant
- Spaghetti & Meatball Dinner Post 12 Chicopee June 24
Legislative
Officer
Submitted by Eric Segundo
May 27, 2015
The House approved a series of bills Monday aimed at helping veterans win government-paid jobs, get small business loans or obtain other assistance.
The House passed six bills aimed at veterans. One bill would give preference to government contractors who employ veterans on a full-time basis. Another bill would allow all veterans to receive official identification cards through the VA.
A third would require that written reprimands and admonishments received by VA employees be kept on file for as long as the person works for the VA. Under current policy, an admonishment only remains in an employee's file for two years and a reprimand for three years. Lawmakers said this hurts the VA's ability to get a true picture of an employee's performance history.
Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-Fla., said the bill on ID cards responds to veterans who have expressed frustration over their inability to document their service without carrying around official military records.
Under current law, veterans who do not qualify for a VA-issued ID card must carry other documents to prove their veteran status. Some of the documents contain sensitive personal information, including Social Security numbers and service details that put veterans at risk for identity theft, Buchanan said.
The bills now go to the Senate. (
Respectfully,
Eric Segundo
State Service Officer
(Submitted by Eric Segundo SSO)
STEP
VA Works to Expand Choice Program Eligibility
Eligibility criteria for 40 miles calculation would change to driving distance
Washington -- In order to expand eligibility for the Veterans Choice Program, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) today announced that it will change the calculation used to determine the distance between a Veteran’s residence and the nearest VA medical facility from a straight line distance to driving distance. The policy change will be made through regulatory action in the coming weeks. The Veterans Choice Program was authorized by the Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014 (VACAA).
“VA has worked very quickly to implement the Veterans Choice Program and we appreciate the constructive feedback shared by Veterans and our partners to help us improve service to Veterans,” said Secretary Robert McDonald. “We’ve determined that changing the distance calculation will help ensure more Veterans have access to care when and where they want it. VA looks forward to the ongoing support of our partners as we continue to make improvements to this new program.”
The method of determining driving distance will be through distance as calculated by using a commercial product. The change is expected to roughly double the number of eligible Veterans.
The Veterans Choice Program is a new, temporary benefit that allows eligible Veterans to receive health care in their communities rather than waiting for a VA appointment or traveling to a VA facility. Veterans seeking to use the Veterans Choice Program should call 1-866-606-8198FREE to confirm their eligibility and to schedule an appointment. Since the Choice Program went into effect on November 5, 2014, more than 45,000 medical appointments have been scheduled.
Using expanded authorities from VACAA, VA continues to expand access to care through increased staffing and enhanced collaboration with both the Indian Health Service and Native Hawaiian Health Care Systems. See the VACAA progress fact sheet here:
VA is enhancing its health care system and improving service delivery to better serve Veterans and set the course for long-term excellence and reform. VA has made significant progress in various areas of the legislation, such as extending the Assisted Living/Traumatic Brain Injury Pilot program and Project Arch, to expand timely access to high-quality health care for Veterans.
AMVETS Riders Chapter Events
2015
Sunday June 28thAnnual Poker Run AMVETS Charities
AMVETS Post 51 Randolph $20.00/$10.00 Registration 10:00AM Kickstands Up 12:00AM
9 AMVETS Lane Randolph, MA.
Tuesday July 7thMoving Wall Escort MASP & AMVETS Riders AMVETS Chapter 32 Gloucester T.B.D. MA Stateline to Gloucester Center 14 Prospect St Gloucester, MA.
Sept 12th6th Annual Warrior Thunder Fisher House Ride AMERICAN LEGION Post 110
$20.00/$15.00 Registration 9:15AM Kickstands Up 11:30 AM
110 Peter Kristoff Way Medfield, MA Police Escorted Ride 45 Miles
National Rallies:
92nd Annual Laconia Bike Week June 13th -21st
The Wall that Heals
GLOUCESTER UNITED VETERANS COUNCIL
AND THE CITY OF GLOUCESTER
ARE PROUD TO SPONSOR
THE WALL THAT HEALS
THE TRAVELING VIETNAM VETERANS MEMORIAL WALL AND MUSEUM
"WE MUST NEVER FORGET"
DATES: JULY 9-12, 2015TIMES: OPENING 10:00 A.M. JULY 9th -5:00 P.M. JULY 12th
LOCATION: FULLER SCHOOL 4 SCHOOLHOUSE ROAD (OFF RTE 128 at BLACKBURN CIRCLE)
GLOUCESTER, MA
FREE ADMISSION
Please Post this on your Post Bulletin Boards Make Copies and pass them out to your members
If you want a copy sent to you send e-mail to
to get on the newsletter list
Last Call for State Convention 2015
Place: The Sturbridge Host Hotel, Sturbridge, Ma.
WHEN: Wednesday June 10 to Sunday June 14, 2015
RESERVATIONS: Call the Hotel and ask for Catherine the Reservationist between 8am-2pm Monday thru Friday 508 347 7393 or 1-508-347-2273
RATE OF ROOM: $106.47 INCLUSIVE OF TAX, THE CUT-OFF DATE FOR THIS RATE IS MAY 15TH.
Delegate Registration? Adjutant Steve Garner has put out many notices and I'm sure he will follow this with more.
Thursday night SAD SACK/SACKETTE function: In the Commons (behind the large fire place as you come in) A donation of $3.01 is requested at the door. REMEMBER!!!! This has never been a Dinner Meal. If you need a full meal we suggest that you eat before arriving. We will have finger food to accompany the beverage that you purchase. This will be put out in two phases, the first part of the evening and then half way through the night. Function time: 501pm to 10:01pm. The entertainment is being looked at for booking.
FRIDAY NIGHT: The Blues Brothers are back!! Excellent show band to sing with, dance with, and raise hell with. For tickets please Call Jay Cassie at 508 655 6985 or Steve Garner at 978 618 1883 these will be tables of eight (8). Price: after the March SEC, you will be paying $35.00 per person. The meal will be a multi entrée one. I have not got the exact meal, yet. As Saturday, the soft drinks are complimentary. Saturday Night’s Commander’s Banquet: THE PLACE TO BE TO SEE THE MEMBERS OF OUR AMVET FAMILY RECEIVE THEIR AWARDS FOR THE WORK THAT THEY DO FOR THE AMVETS, SAD SACKS, AUXILIARY, SACKETTS, SONS OF AMVETS The ticket prices are the same as for Friday with the March SEC the determining factor in saving $10.00 or not. For tickets call Dick Burnell at 978 373 3216 or Tom Davitt at 508 620 1153. Tables of eight with this one also. The meal will be a prime rib with the normal starch and vegetables. PLEASE REMEMBER, SOFT DRINKS SUCH AS COKE ARE COMPLIMENTARY. QUESTIONS?????
Call any member of the Convention Corporation. President Charlie Studebaker at 781 828 4156, State Commander Jim Peacey at 413 547 0119, Vice President Phil Furtado at 508 540 5121, Secretary: Steve Garner at 978 618 1883, Tom Davitt at 508 620 1153, Jay Cassie at 508 655 6985, Gerry Marchand at 603 378 2005, Dick Burnell at 978 373 3216, or Al Temple at 978 568 8492 That’s it. Let’s make this a Convention to Remember!
Yours in AMVETS, Al Temple
Convention Corporation
President
Charles Studebaker
I would like to thank my Convention Corporation Committee for their hard work this year in putting together our 2015 Convention. Plans have been completed and I hope everyone has an enjoyable and productive convention.
This year’s pins will be available from Al Temple for sale for $1.00 each, sold only in lots of 10.
We have a contract with Sturbridge Host Hotel and Convention Center for one more year. During the next year we will be looking for bids for 2017 and beyond for a convention site. I will also be asking the Sturbridge Hotel for their bid.
Department Officers
Nominations
Commander
Don McLean – Accept
1st Vice Commander
Joseph Kenyon – Accept
2nd Vice Commander
Bob Boulay –Accept
Dean Thayer –Accept
3rd Vice Commander
Tom Norton – Accept
Adjutant
Stephen Garner - Accept (Ltr)
Finance Officer
Tom Davitt –Accept
Judge Advocate
Joseph Dineen –Accept
Gerard Marchand –Accept
Ken Montgomery - Decline
Provost Marshal
John Pasierbiak - Accept
Wayne Anthony - Accept
Service Foundation
Richard Burnell –Accept
Tom Davitt– Accept
Don McLean - Accept
Convention Corporation(*)
Tom Davitt– Accept
Gerard Marchand – Accept
Al Temple – Decline
(*) Vacancy due to passing of Jim Blake. Cdr Peacey called for an election to be held at the June Conventionto fill remaining 2 years of this 3 year position.
Nominations to be added or deleted at the Convention.
Congratulations to Gerard Marchand on becoming the new Post Commander at Post 147. Gereard will have to take his name off the Judge Advocate list due to his new position at Post 147
Jim Johnson has mentioned he is running for the Convention Corporstion
Aid And Attendance for Veterans Caregiver
A Little-Known Benefit for Aging Veterans – Contact your State or County Veteran Service Officers (VSO)
If eligible, there is a benefit that can help pay for care at home or in assisted living or a nursing home. To focus—it’s a Department of Veterans Affairs benefit called the Aid and Attendance and Housebound Improved Pension benefit, known as A&A, which can cover the costs of caregivers in the home (including sons and daughters who are paid to be caregivers, though not spouses) or be used for assisted living or a nursing home. The benefit is not insignificant: up to $2,019 monthly for a veteran and spouse and up to $1,094 for the widow of a veteran. "The V.A. is the second-largest agency in the federal government, and you can't expect everybody to know everything," he said, referring to the agency's work force.
To bridge the information gap, go to:
on how to apply. To qualify, a veteran need not have suffered a service-related injury. He or she only had to have clocked at least one day of his or her 90-day minimum military service during a time of war and need caregiving for activities of daily living. Applying can be confusing. If you know the program's name and search the Veterans Affairs Web site for Aid and Attendance, the first page states, among 501(c)(3) charity, in 2005, to provide information about A&A eligibility other things, that you are not eligible for A&A unless you already qualify for a basic Veterans Affairs pension - for which you have to be "totally disabled."
That's more than a little misleading. "What people don't know is that when wartime veterans turn 65, the V.A. automatically classifies them as 'totally disabled,' ". And if they meet income and asset criteria, they are eligible for a basic pension. The A&A benefit can be more than 50 percent higher than the basic veteran's pension ($24,239 annually for a veteran and spouse with A&A, versus $16,051 for a basic pension). The income and asset cutoffs are also higher than for A&A benefits. Income limits are not set in stone either. But the maximum is around $20,000 to $23,000 after deducting costs for medical expenses, caregivers, assisted living or nursing home fees.
WWII FACTS
You might enjoy this from Col D. G. Swinford, USMC, Retired and a history buff. You would really have to dig deep to get this kind of ringside seat to history:
1.
The first German serviceman killed in WW II was killed by the Japanese ( China , 1937), The first American serviceman killed was killed by the Russians ( Finland 1940); The highest ranking American killed was Lt Gen Lesley McNair, killed by the US Army Air Corps.
2.
The youngest US serviceman was 12 year old: Calvin Graham, USN. He was wounded and given a Dishonorable Discharge for lying about his age. His benefits were later restored by act of Congress.
3.
At the time of Pearl Harbor , the top US Navy command was called CINCUS (pronounced 'sink us'); The shoulder patch of the US Army's 45th Infantry division was the swastika. Hitler's private train was named 'Amerika.' All three were soon changed for PR purposes.
4.
More US servicemen died in the Air Corps than the Marine Corps.
While completing the required 30 missions, an airman's chance of being killed was 71%.
5.
Generally speaking, there was no such thing as an average fighter pilot. You were either an ace or a target. For instance, Japanese Ace HiroyoshiNishizawa shot down over 80 planes. He died while a passenger on a cargo plane.
6.
It was a common practice on fighter planes to load every 5th round with a tracer round to aid in aiming. This was a big mistake. Tracers had different Ballistics so (at long range) if your tracers were hitting the target 80% of your rounds were missing. Worse yet tracers instantly told your enemy he was under fire and from which direction. Worst of all was the practice of loading a string of tracers at the end of the belt to tell you that you were out of ammo. This was definitely not something you wanted to tell the enemy. Units that stopped using tracers saw their success rate nearly double and their loss rate go down.
7.
When allied armies reached the Rhine , the first thing men did was pee in it. This was pretty universal from the lowest private to Winston Churchill (who made a big show of it) and Gen. Patton (who had himself photographed in the act).
8.
German ME-264 bombers were capable of bombing New York City , but they decided it wasn't worth the effort.
9.
German submarine U-120 was sunk by a malfunctioning toilet.
10.
Among the first 'Germans' captured at Normandy were several Koreans.They had been forced to fight for the Japanese Army until they were captured by the Russians and forced to fight for the Russian Army until they were captured by the Germans and forced to fight for the German Army until they were captured by the US Army.