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Department of Maine
Veterans of Foreign Wars
“Honoring The Cost of Freedom”
September 2019 GENERAL ORDERS No. 3 <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
Happy Birthday to the United States Air Force “72 Years Old”
SPECIAL NOTICES <> SPECIAL NOTICES
Job Opening: Temporary, part time administrative assistant needed in Veteran Service Office Togus.
Candidate must be able to pass background check, complete required training and need not be a Veteran. Send
cover letter and resume to [email protected]. VFW is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Maine Officers Leadership Development (MOLD): Will be held at the Bangor Motor Inn and Suites, 701 Hogan Rd, Bangor on 13 October 2019. Deadline for registration to Chairman Kevin Woodward is 30 September 2019. Time for the class will be from 8 am to 4 pm. Please send your check for Registration fee for $15.00 to Kevin G. Woodward, 9 Johnson Lane, Machiasport, ME 04655. In the remarks Section, please insert “MOLD Training”. MOLD State Commanders Comments: It is my sincere hope that with the rescheduled Maine Officers Leadership Development (MOLD) classes being held the Sunday after our Council of Administration meeting, the attendance will be markedly better this year. I expect that District Commanders should have an easy time attending as they will be in Bangor already. I would also like to see a good showing from other District Officers, as well as Post Officers from every position. This component of the Department's training and mentoring program is vital to the future of our organization. We must have well trained leaders at all levels if the VFW. I appreciate everyone's efforts to attend this important event and look forward to seeing everyone on October 13th. Community Activities Reporting: This office has received word from Chmn Dow that due to him being in the hospital for an extended period of time; that he was not able to complete the report. He will in a few days compile all the information on the spreadsheet and forward to this office who will forward to all of the Posts in the Department. (See comments under Chairman Community Activities).
<><><><><><><><><><><><><> 1. October Council of Administration (CoA): Will be held on 12 October 2019 at the Bangor Motor Inn & Suites, Bangor ME. The Headquarters hotel will be the Bangor Motor Inn & Suites, 701 Hogan Rd., Bangor, ME. Rates are $ 95.00 + tax. Telephone # is 947-0355. When calling, please let them know that you are with the VFW and that you want 1st floor rooms. *Saturday Committee meetings will be held in the Convention Center at the Bangor Motor Inn & Suites. **Veterans Service Office Cmtee > 8:30 am **Audit/Finance Cmtee > 9:00 am **Council of Administration Meeting > 1 pm
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2. Mailing of Annual Information to all Posts & Districts Commanders, Department Chairperson, Department Officers and PSCs: Information Is being mailed out daily. It is asked because of much information is provided in these packages that the Commander and Quartermaster make sure that the information is disseminated to their respective Officers and Chairmen. 3. Post Comments: Every Post chartered by the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States will be expected to participate in the following programs during the 2019-20 year: Voice of Democracy, Patriots Pen, Smart/Maher VFW National Citizenship Education Teachers’ Awards, “Buddy”® Poppy and Veterans and Military Support Programs. Additionally, it is necessary that all Post and Department Commanders comply with all provisions of the National Bylaws and the Manual of Procedure and Ritual. 4. VFW Caps Official: All personnel are advised that there is only one official cap of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, namely, a cap of the overseas type, lettered with VFW initials, Post numerical, State, rank of office (when applicable), and bearing the Cross of Malta emblem. The color shall be regular Army Shade 51 or Suntan, tropical worsted. Organizational echelons will be designated by the appropriate color of the braid and lettering on the cap. Caps will not be worn while eating or seated during meals. All other types of headgear, i.e., baseball types, western types, sporting types are not official headgear and will not be wonk at meetings of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. 5. Officers and Chairman, Duties and Obligations: All Post and District Commanders are reminded that the duties of the Officers are established and explained in Section 218 of the Manual of Procedures and shall be followed as directed. 6. Change of Post and District Officers and Chairmen: All District and Post Commanders are reminded that whenever there is change of Officers within the Post or District that they need to notify the State Adjutant Office so that the directory, the Department website can be updated for this office to forward information to everyone in the Department as needed. They should if possible complete an election report online at VFW.Org or if no computer available, that they complete a paper copy of the election report and forward to the State Adjutant office for filing. 7. Department Dues Reserve: Due to the passage of Bylaw Amendment B-38 at the 119th National Convention, it is no longer necessary for Departments to maintain a dues reserve fund effective August 24, 2018. 8. Patriot Day, September 11: Per Presidential Proclamation, September 11, is designated as “Patriot Day.” The President requests the flag of the United States to be flown at half-staff (sunrise to sunset) and a moment of silence observed in honor of the individuals who lost their lives on that day due to terrorist attacks on the United States. 9. The passage of Manual of Procedure Amendment M-30 has modified Section 1001(25) to read, “The dispensation and/or consumption of alcoholic beverages or the use of smoking/vaping products in VFW meeting rooms during VFW meetings are prohibited.” 10. A thorough program of Post inspection is necessary to ensure compliance with National and Department Bylaws and directives. Department and District Inspectors shall make every effort to inspect every Post under their cognizance on an annual basis and correct such discrepancies as may be disclosed. 11. Post Commanders: Are directed to Sec. 213 of the National By-Laws concerning arrearages of Posts for National, Department or District Dues, National Convention registration, poppy money, supply money or other financial obligations, or failure to have the office of the Quartermaster properly bonded IAW Section 703 of the National By-Laws, or failure to submit properly completed quarterly Post Trustees Report of Audit
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or Post Election Reports. Posts that are delinquent in any of the aforementioned shall be deprived of all representation in County meetings, District and Department and National Conventions. 12. New Voice of Democracy and Patriot’s Pen Themes: The 2019–20 themes have been chosen by Senior Vice Commander-in-Chief William J. “Doc” Schmitz. The Voice of Democracy and the Patriot’s Pen theme will be “What Makes America Great.” The new 2019-20 Voice of Democracy and Patriot’s Pen entry forms are now available on the VFW website. Additionally, anyone (including students, parents, teachers, and chairmen) can download and print the student entry forms for Voice of Democracy and Patriot’s Pen by visiting the below links: Voice of Democracy: http://www.vfw.org/VOD/ Patriot’s Pen: http://www.vfw.org/PatriotsPen/ 13. All Members: Members are reminded that their annual membership in the Veterans of Foreign Wars is now subscription based and expires on their anniversary date. All officers are encouraged to make every effort to renew the membership of each and every continuous member prior to their expiration. Reports showing members 30, 60, and 90 days from expiration can be obtained by the Post Quartermaster through the Online Membership System (OMS). 14. Commanders: On all levels are reminded that according to Section 105 of the National By-Laws, a member whose dues are unpaid after their anniversary date ceases to be a member in good standing and loses all rights of membership in the Veterans of Foreign Wars. They shall not attend meetings or conventions and shall not participate in Post, District, Department or National functions. NOTE: The Department has 59 Post Officers whose dues are due between now and 5-31-20. A weekly report is forwarded to all District Commanders for their respective and expected action. 15. Department Resources: Many great resources are available for your Department to use in promoting fundraising programs. You need only go to heroes.vfw.org/vfwtools. The latest fundraising program information, ideas and promotional tools from the Development Department can be found here. Download ad slicks, ready-to-use articles and other items for your Department publications and/or website. Recent mailings and mailing schedules are also posted on a regular basis. Use the Department Resources tools to help strengthen your Department programs. Check it out today! 16. Was your Post Named after a World War I Veteran or Veterans? We Want to Hear from You! The U.S. World War One Centennial Commission (WWICC) is seeking information about VFW Posts named in honor of a local or national World War I veteran, along with stories of his or her service, photographs, newspaper clippings and/or other historical information. WWICC will endeavor to honor these Posts by showcasing this special information on its website and feature highlights in its electronic Dispatch newsletter. Please note: any information received will be maintained by the commission and will become part of the U.S. Government's historical (Library of Congress) records/archives upon the expiry of its mandate. The point of contact is David W. Hamon, VSO/Military Director for the commission, at [email protected] and/or 540.379.8584. WWICC has also created a special landing page for veterans, history lovers, family members, friends and community members. At ww1cc.org/veterans, visitors will find "tiles," easy to access and read, in order to educate, commemorate and honor the Great War, as per the commission's congressional mandate and charter. 17. Dates to Remember: 2 Sep > Labor Day 11 Sept > Patriot Day and National Day of Service and Remembrance 14 Sept > VFW Ladies Auxiliary Organized 20 Sept > POW/MIA Recognition Day 29 Sept > Gold Star Mother’s Day
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29 Sept > VFW Established 12 Oct > Council of Administration, Bangor, ME 13 Oct > Maine Officers Leadership Training (MOLD), Bangor, ME 18. Candidates for Department High Office 2020-2021: Department Commander > Michael K. Davis > Post 1603 Department Sr. Vice Commander > Herman L. Littlefield Jr. > Post 6131 Department Jr. Vice Commander > Jennifer L. Lane > Post 1603 Department Quartermaster > David D. Williams > Post 1641 Department Chaplain > Pastor Daniel L. Jones > Post 109 Department Chaplain > Kevin G. Woodward > Post 11553 Department Judge Advocate > John J. Bouchard > Post 9389 Department Surgeon > Willie L. Goodman > Post 10643 Department Surgeon > Randolph S. Michaud > Post 2599 Department Surgeon > Carl S. Lambert > Post 887 Department Surgeon > James A. Ewing > Post 1605 19. Candidates for National Council Member, Maine 2021-2024: David D. Williams > Post 1641 Steven J. SanPedro > Post 6859 Kevin G. Woodward > Post 11553 Andre L. Dumas > Post 9389 20. District Meetings Dates: D-1 > 14 Sept @ 1 pm > Post 9699, Ashland (lunch at 12 noon) > Adj Dumas D-5 > 29 Sept @ 1 pm > Post 5723, Jackman > JVC Littlefield D-6 > 20 Oct @ 1 pm > Post 3108, Northport > JVC Littlefield D-7 > 20 Oct @ 2 pm > Mid-Coast Veterans Resource Center, Brunswick > JA Lane D-8 > 20 Oct @ 1 pm > Post 8835, Winslow > Cmdr Robison D-10 > 20 Oct @ 1 pm > Post 6783, Lovell > ???? D-11 > 20 Oct @ 2 pm > Post 9935, Sanford > SVC Davis D-4 > 26 Oct @ 2 pm > Post 3381, Old Town > SG Bouchard D-9 > 27 Oct @ 1 pm > Post 9487, So. Paris > QM Williams BY COMMAND OF:
Christopher L. Robison Christopher L. Robison Commander OFFICIAL:
Andre L. Dumas Andre L. Dumas Adjutant
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State Commander Christopher L. Robison
Comrades: The decision was made to postpone our Maine Officer Leadership Development (MOLD) classes until October 13th, the Sunday after our Council of Administration meeting. The goal is to increase attendance since many of the Officers at all levels will be in the area. I hope to see a good number of registrations come in during the coming weeks. I was able to greet the National Auxiliary President Peggy Haake when she arrived at Bangor International Airport. Thank you to all the Comrades and Auxiliary members who were on hand to welcome Peggy to Maine. She was very excited to be here. Peggy was also able to tour the Maine Troop Greeters Museum after her arrival. It is great that we can showcase all we do here in Maine. I hope that Posts will take advantage of the good temperatures while we still can. Please reach out to our members. Let them know we value their membership in our organization. Encourage the continuous members to renew their dues prior to September 30th so they are entered to win a Life Membership from the Department. This is a wonderful incentive, please take advantage of it. The annual packages from the Department Adjutant should be arriving in your mailboxes soon. Please distribute the materials to the appropriate officers in your Posts. There is a lot of valuable information mailed out each year. Thank you to everyone for all of your recruiting efforts thus far this year. Chairman SanPedro has been doing a great job keeping the Department on track for another successful year. Please feel free to reach out to the Department Officers if you need help. Our contact information is on the Department website, as well as the directories which will be in hand shortly. If you would like me to attend an event at your Post or District, please reach out to me so I can get it into my schedule. Thank you again for giving me the opportunity to serve the Department of Maine as your Commander. Yours in Comradeship
Christopher L. Robison Christopher L. Robison Commander
“Honoring The Cost of Freedom”
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Deceased Roll Call Department of Maine, VFW
David O. Sivret, Chaplain 28 July ~ 27 August2019
“May our Comrades Rest in Eternal Peace in Post Eternity?”
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District 1 6187 > Scott, Harold L. > Korea 9389 > OLMSTEAD, Dale C. District 4 1761 > BARRY, Robert L. 3381 > SIBLEY, Woodbury S. District 6 3108 > SPRAGUE, Harold M. District 7 2197 > TRICE, Donald M. District 8 8835 > BRETON, Donald P. JOLER, Reginald G. District 9 3335 > DESHAIES, Bernard L. District 10 832 > REYNOLD, Wayne H.
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SENIOR VICE COMMANDER AMERICANISM/LOYALTY DAY
SCOUTING Michael K. Davis
Hello everyone, I hope everyone had a nice summer. Fall is fast approaching. I just finished going through Community activity reports from May until now. I put together a spread sheet and sent it to the Community activities chairman for Scouting, Loyalty day and Americanism. If you are not reported and believe you should be, please send an updated community activity report. Americanism: 17 posts are reported. If you fly the American flag at your Post or at your post meeting, March in parades, place flags on graves, participate in the buddy poppy program plus many more that I did not mention you can report in this program. Loyalty Day: Only five posts are reported in Loyalty day. All Districts have held their District conventions and all Post have held meetings. The loyalty day speech was sent out via email to all Posts and Districts. If you did not receive the speech contact me and I will get a copy to you. Scouting: Six posts are reported in Scouting. Scouts who are registered, active members of a Boy or Girl Scout Troop, Venturing Crew, or a Sea Scout who have received the Eagle Scout Award, Girl Scout Gold Award, Venture Summit Award or Sea Scout Quartermaster Award are eligible for the Scout of the year. My desire and goal are for all Posts and Districts to seek out applicants to work with and submit them to me for consideration. I should receive applicants from each District. If you know of a scout that has completed his Eagle project and will be awarded Eagle rank contact me. I have certificates that can be presented to the scout. Girl Scout Web Page http://gsusa.ebiz.uapps.net/vp/FamilyManagement/Activities.aspx?forward=1 Boy Scout Web Page Pine Tree Council | Boy Scouts of America Scouting Reports, Americanism and Loyalty Day Community Activities reports may be mailed to me at 135 Conant Ave., Auburn, ME 04210. If you submit your community activities reports online at the Post website, I will receive them. If you do not see credit in the GOs, please contact me. If you submit the report in May for the 2019-20 year, you may not see them in the GOs until the August GOs.
************************* JUNIOR VICE COMMANDER
COMMANDERS SPECIAL PROJECT (CSP) MEMBERSHIP RECRUITER (CENTRAL)
Herman L. Littlefield Jr.
Greeting to all Comrades! Another month is almost over, so it is time once again for another set of General Orders. The summer season is going by way too fast! For Commander Robison’s Special Project (Operation: Brotherhood), I have received 12 donations thus far. I am aware there is a “lot” of time left in this year, but hopefully your Post will find the time to send along a donation to the Commander’s Special Project. Please send the contributions to me at 1360 Atlantic Highway, Northport, ME 04849. Be sure to make the check payable to on the memo line in the lower left corner of your check, please indicate the check is for “Commander’s “Department of Maine VFW Special Project”. Enjoy the balmy weather while it lasts, spend time with family and friends and be safe. Recruitment: Let’s get out there and promote our organization. We need to Recruit new members and Reinstate former members. This is the goal for everyone!! The goal is to make the Department of Maine 100% in membership this year. Loyally.
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QUARTERMASTER NATIONAL COUNCIL MEMBER, MAINE (NCM,M) BUDDY POPPY ~ CHRISTMAS CARDS & LABELS
INSURANCE & BONDS David D. Williams, PSC, QM
NCM,M: Hello everyone, I hope you all had a great summer and Labor Day Weekend. Applications for the $1000.00 Community Grants opens up on September 1 and goes until they have given out all allotted fund. I have also enclosed information on Sports Clips. If you need a haircut, this is a good place to get it done and at the same time, they are donating to the VFW Scholarships for Veterans VFW, Sport Clips Haircuts Surpass $6.4 Million in Scholarships for Veterans Nearly $762,000 awarded to 165 student veterans for the fall semester KANSAS CITY, Mo. (August 20, 2019) – Together with longtime supporter Sport Clips Haircuts, the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S. is proud to announce its “Sport Clips Help A Hero Scholarship” program has surpassed awarding $6.4 million in scholarships to more than 1,450 military and student veterans. The latest fall semester award of nearly $762,000 will help to ensure 165 student veterans attending colleges across the country are one step closer to achieving their educational goals. “Veterans transitioning from military to civilian life face a host of challenges, but together with our friends at Sport Clips we’re able to ensure that struggling to finance their last semesters of college isn’t one,” said VFW National Commander Doc Schmitz. Established in 2014, the Help A Hero Scholarship program awards service members and Veterans with post-secondary scholarships of up to $5,000 to help them achieve their educational goals without the burden of student loan debt. “My final semester is the only semester that is not covered by my GI Bill benefits and the only semester I will be financially responsible for,” said Victoria Phelps, an Air Force student veteran at Temple University. “This scholarship will be a bridge to help facilitate a less financially stressful final semester. This scholarship will also help achieve my personal goal of being the first person in my family to graduate college.” “As of February 2019, all educational assistance from my Post 9/11 GI Bill will be depleted,” said Corey Phillips, an Army student veteran at Grand Canyon University. “This scholarship will help me and mine withstand the blow of the financial burden that waits around the corner.” Help A Hero scholarships are awarded twice a year to help cover the cost of tuition and fees of service members and Veterans in the rank of E-5 and below. Scholarship applications are currently being accepted for the 2019 fall semester. Apply for a Help A Hero scholarship today. QM: I’m hoping everyone had a nice Labor Day weekend and a good summer. Now that fall is here, all QM's need to start thinking about renewing their Bonds, ordering Poppy's and sending in a signed request to be on the Department Non-Profit List. All these forms are in your packages you received or are going to be receiving from the Adjutant. Also; Quarterly Reports for the period ending June 31, 2019 are now past due. Can you please try to get them in to me as soon as possible! All QM's. keep an eye open as the Life Membership payouts should be coming soon. Everyone have a great month and remember the Council of Administration meeting in October.
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JUDGE ADVOCATE PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER (PRO)
TOGUS BEALT HOUSE ~ WAYS & MEANS Jennifer L. Lane
Greeting to all! August was a busy month and September is lining up to be just as busy. I will be accompanying the Commander to the State House on Sept 17th for Suicide Awareness Day. Set up is at 11:00.
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If there are anyone interested in joining us at the VFW/Operation Brotherhood table, please reach out to me for more information. JA: Please reach out to your chain of command for any assistance that you need. Please use your By-Laws and Manual of Procedure when doing what needs to be done. These items are available in the Podium book and online. The biggest obstacle we face can be easily avoided if we use our chain of command and resources. Beals Hospitality House Togus: Is busy, busy, busy! If you are on the Togus campus, please stop in and say hello to Cici, our House Manager and take a tour of the house. See what we are about and why we do what we do. The only item that has been in continuous need is bottled water. Please make any checks for donations out to "Beals Hospitality House" but please mail them to me for donation tracking. PRO: I have NOT received any new press releases of events; past, present or future. Please make sure that you use your local print resources to promote your events and community activities. Please send me your articles, FB page and website information so I may credit your efforts accordingly. Always remember 'Press releases are free; advertisements are not.' Ways and Means: Tickets will be available shortly and I Thank you in advance for selling the tickets, asking for more tickets and selling those also. I think our goal is attainable and something that we can easily accomplish. VA Homeless Stand Down/Operation Brotherhood: Just a reminder for those that are donating hygiene or non-perishable food items this year; please contact me for arrangements for pick-up/delivery or if you are bringing items to the CoA in October. I appreciate your continued support of this annual project. My phone number is 207- 514-4190 and my CORRECT mailing address is 290 Old Greene Road Lewiston, ME 04240. Have a great month and see you all soon! Go get 'em!
***************************** SURGEON
INSPECTOR ~ POW/MIA ~ BLOOD~SAFETY~DRUG ABUSE John J. Bouchard
Inspections: OK, National Convention is over and we all had a good time now back to work. Hope everybody is doing fine, now is the time to get those inspections done. We only have five months left before December 31st. This year, the State got 100% membership, let’s get 100% inspected for our new Commander. Thank You. Safety: It is time that schools will be starting so to be careful about the kids and the school buses, you never know where they come out of in between cars, so keep an eye out, drive safe. When you see a school bus stopped to pick-up the kids and the stop sign on the bus is facing out, please stop, do not pass the bus while the bus is stopped, we do not want any of the kids get hit or killed. This is also the season for sports (i.e., baseball, tennis, etc.). When you see a kid ride a bike to play sports, please be very careful, we do not want them to get hurt also. Finally, recently there has been a notice of an individual riding a motorcycle and came upon grass clipping on the side of the road, the motorcycle skidded and the rider was killed, please make sure that when mowing your lawns, you do not leave any clippings on the side of the road. Safety first for all motorcycle riders. Blood: Blood is always in need at the hospitals. The Red Cross are always having blood drives, so if you all can donate some Blood, that will make a lot of people happy. Donate, Donate, Donate. Drug: Lately, it has been observed both in the news media and TV where people are finding syringes left on the ground which are not a good healthy situation, please notify the nearest Police Dept about it and have them come and pick it up. Also, if you have medicine in your household which is outdated and of no use to you anymore, please package it and take to the nearest law enforcement agency and put it in their disposal baskets. POW/MIA: Don’t forget to send in your reports for credit on the POW/MIA/ Anything that has to do with POW/MIA. Returning home with full honors are: >Marine Corps Pfc. Billy E. Johnson >Army Sgt 1st Class Phillip C. Mendoza >Army Pfc. Junior C. Evans >Marine Corps Reserve Pfc. Raymond Warren
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>Army Pfc. Jasper V. Marquez >Army Sgt Billy J. Maxwell >Army Sgt Walter H. Tobin >Army Cpl. Jerry M. Garrison >Army Cpl. Ysabel A. Ortiz >Army Cpl. Ralph L. Cale >Army Pfc. Wilbur T. Tackett >Army Pfc. Lawrence E. Worthen >Army Air Forces 1st Lt Joseph E. Finneran >Marine Corps Pvt. Edwin F. Benson >Navy Seaman 2nd Class Hubert P. Hall >Navy Fire Controlman 1st Class Robert L. Corn >Army Sgt Willie V. Galvan >Army Cpl. Norvin D. Brockett >Army Pfc. Donald E. Mangan >Army Air Forces Cpl. Walter J. Kellett >Navy Seaman 1st Class Lyal J. Savage >Air Force Maj Neal C. Ward >Army Cpl. Herman R. Phy >Army Cpl. Harold Pearce >Army Pfc. Daniel W. Gerrity >Army Maj Harvey H. Storms >Army Pfc. Eugene E. Lochowicz >Army Air Forces 1st Lt Herschel H. Mattes >Marine Corps Pfc. Joseph R. Livermore >Army Air Forces Cpl. Walter J. Kellett >Army Pvt Charlie M. Waid
****************************** CHAPLAIN
MAINE OFFICERSLEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT (MOLD) WREATH ACROSS AMERICA (WAA)
Kevin G. Woodward, PSC/Chairman Chaplain: Three Powerful Words can take a relationship to an entire different level. Some may think the words are I love you. When spoken in truth I love you are very powerful words. The words I want to share are Please Forgive Me. It is not an easy phrase to speak, but asking forgiveness is the first step to healing a broken relationship whether it be personal, business or organization. When we ask for forgiveness, we must struggle with personal pride, and the desire to be right. The core question becomes, is your relationship more important than your self-pride? The path to a better relationship may very well start with I am sorry. MOLD: The MOLD that was to be held on 24 and 25 August was canceled at the direction of Commander Robinson due to poor registration receipts. There however will be a MOLD class conducted on 13 October at the Bangor Inn & Suites. This being COA weekend we hope to have good attendance. The updated registration form is included with the GO’s. Those that had registered for the cancelled class need not submit another, just let me know if you are able to attend or wish to opt out. Please know that Commander Robinson and his entire staff is available to assist you for the success of our great organization and the Department of Maine Veterans of Foreign Wars. WAA: National Wreaths Across America Day December 14, 2019 The mission to Remember, Honor and Teach is carried out by coordinating wreath-laying ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery, as well as over 1,500 additional locations in all 50 U.S. states, at sea, and abroad. Please become a part of this mission to honor our fallen Comrades and help the Department with your sponsorships. As we draw. close to the end of the summer, I am in hopes that everyone will take some time and obtain some sponsorships for this important program. Thank you to those who have participated thus far. Remember that each $15.00 sponsorship that you obtain provides a return of $5.00 to the Department to assist in the continuing support of our various programs. Please send sponsorships to: Kevin G. Woodward, 9 Johnson Lane, Machiasport ME 04655. ME0016P is the Department ID number and should be placed in the memo field of your check.
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CHIEF OF STAFF MEMBERSHIP ~ LEGISLATION ~ MAINE VETERANS’ HOMES (MVH)
Steven J. SanPedro, PSC Comrades: I want to apologize to all of you for the poor communication on the canceling of MOLD School on 24 & 25 August. Simple put as a Department we messed this up! The new plan is to conduct it the Sunday after the CoA in October. I am sure our MOLD Chairman will be getting the information out to all of you. Legislation: I have scheduled my appointments with Maines Legislative Delegation for my September visit to Washington, DC. I am happy to say I will meet with all of them over two days. I will discuss the VFW priority goals and a few other things. If you have question that you would like me to discuss about Veterans and their Families please send them to me. Membership: We are currently sitting at 2.79% and we are just a little bit behind where we were last year. Please take advantage of the good weather while we have it. Fair season is starting and there are many community events going on as summer comes to a close. Please get involved and use these events to help promote your Post and it will help you in Membership as they see the good things we do. Please don’t forget to fill out the Recruiters Event Form and submit it to me when you conduct one. Make sure you read and understand the 2019-2020 Membership Program at Department and National level. If you have any questions on Membership please contact me at 207-894-5260 or email me at [email protected] Maine Veterans Homes: Things seem to be going well throughout the Maine Veterans Home network. All six homes are working hard to give quality care and a good quality of life to their residents. They can’t do it all on their own so they count on the many volunteers to help them. Would you like to join the team and help the nurses and staff live up to their motto of “caring for those who served!”
Remember that we should be “HONORING THE COST OF FREEDOM”
****************************** NATIONAL VETERANS & MILITARY SUPPORT (NV&MS)
Christopher L. Armstrong, IPSC, Chairman
Hello Comrades: Hope this finds everyone doing well and enjoying the cooler weather. I know the summer has been busy for all of us. NV&MS: The NV&MS checks have been coming in really slow. Please remember this is for a great cause. It supports our Veterans and Military currently serving. Augusta Veterans Cemetery Central: As for the Augusta Veterans Cemetery, we meet in September so more to follow in next GO's. Thank you for all you do for our Veterans and Military. Sincerely.
**************************** AUDIT & FINANCE
DEPARTMENT GRANTS Alfred E. Michaud Sr., Chairman
The next Audit and Finance committee meeting will be 12 October 2019. Grants: We have applied for the Homeless Veterans Grant through the Department of Labor, awaiting final approval on the $7,000.00. Our State of Maine VSO Grant funds are coming in on time and are forwarded to the State Quartermaster once received our next check should be $7,099.50. Our VA Transportation Grant is moving along nicely, we are experiencing more veterans taking advantage of this benefit. Because of the increase we have applied for an increase of $10,000.00 which has now been approved. Our State Homeless Veterans Grant will only be for $4,163.00 this is due to the slowing down of card players at the casino.
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****************************** COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES
Stephen Patrick Dow, Chairman
The following email was received as of 1:30 pm on 26 August from Chairman Dow: QUOTE: “I’m sorry I have been out of contact. I am recouping from being in and out of the hospital for the last month and a half. Can you please let everyone know and that I will be working on catching up and will have a super updated sheet to you as soon as I can, you can send out to everyone just to see. Again, I apologize for inconveniencing everyone.” UNQUOTE. Signed Stephen Patrick Dow, Chairman.
***************************** CREDENTIALS
Samuel C. Flint, Chairman Happy September. Finally, relief with the hot weather. Now for comfortable days and cool nights which also brings on all the fairs. Wonderful times and great food. Also parades to show off our Colors. Nothing to report on the credential end but I hope you had a wonderful summer and enjoy some of the Country Fairs. Looking forward to your Comradeship at our next CoA meeting.
******************************* HOMELESS VETERANS
VETERANS CEMETERY SOUTH ~ ASSISTANT LEGISLATIVE (Augusta) MEMBERSHIP RECRUITER (South) James E.N. Bachelder, Chairman
Homeless Veterans: We had a great day at the Summit to End Veterans Homeless in Northern New England
in Manchester New Hampshire on August 15th. This summit was attended by Maine, New Hampshire and
Vermont advocates, workers, volunteers and legislators or their reps who are working to end Veterans’
Homelessness. The afternoon had 4 great breakout sessions but you could attend only 2 dues to time
limitations. The primary sponsor for the event was the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness
(USICH) with many other sponsors. It was attended by 100 individuals.
The Maine Elks have been transporting and storing furniture and houseware for several years. There are 4
containers place around the state. They receive furniture when a hotel updates their rooms. The contractor is
donating several trailers to move the furniture. He is also agreeing to have his crew load the trailers as the
rooms are emptied. We have 4 Elks with pickup trucks capable of moving the trailers and take liability of the
trailer while towing it. The issue here is the costs to the volunteer. The Maine Veterans in Need set goal of
$5,000 to fund these services. There is $1,500 available at this time so it was voted to give the volunteers $.30
per mile from door to door. The national rate today is $.58. We see the average local trip is 25 miles one way
or 50 miles round trip. This means the $1,500 we have on hand will cover 100 local deliveries. We need to
account for the pick-up trips that could be in New Hampshire, Vermont or Massachusetts. We have a new
participant that will start a Go Fund Me page to raise funds for this project.
The Ride-In at Iron Tails Saloon in Acton on August 10th raised $2,325.00 for our Maine VFW Homeless
Veterans Emergency Housing Fund.
We received $100.00 from the Old Orchard Beach Post 7997. We also received $100.00 in gas and food
cards for the Homeless Veterans from Boardman-Ellis Post 6977.
The Stand-Down planning is underway. It will be held on Oct. 19th this year. All the boots are at the
Augusta Walmart waiting for us to pick them up on October 18th. All the leaders of the individual stations are
being assigned. Thanks to Kevin and Kathy Woodward for their running of the boot room again. We have
many other members including our present State President Brenda. PSP Barbara Cook has organized the
Veterans paperwork in the clothing tent for several years.
13
If you find a Homeless Veteran contact the VA Hotline at 1-877-4AID-VET. Let them put the Veteran in the
system and get any balls rolling.
If you find a Veteran who may become homeless, contact the Maine Bureau of Services (MBVS) Jarad
Greely and his staff as soon as possible. He can be contacted thru Easter Seals of Maine at
www.easterseals.com/maine or 207-828-0754. The MBVS is working with financial institutions to contact any
customer who missed a mortgage payment and is a Veteran to contact Jarad Greeley and his staff as soon as
possible.
As we said last month, we need to keep our eyes open and know our neighbor. If they are Veterans, see if
they are all right. See if you can assist them in any way.
If you have any questions, you can contact me at [email protected] or 207-432-7127 from 9
am until 9 pm.
Veterans Cemetery South: We are still working on our By-Laws and making progress. We are set to discuss
the final draft and vote at our September monthly meeting.
The POW/MIA Memorial is stalled due to the high bid the state received. We are holding off on any
groundbreaking until we have an agreed price and construction schedule. We will keep all informed.
The WWI Memorial has many plants of different variety that bloom at different times. It looks different
every couple of weeks. Some plants are in bloom then others blossom. A member of the association is taking
great care. He knows when to trim the flower so the plant can survive the winter and bloom again next year. A
Sanford employee lives up the road from the cemetery and enjoys coming down to the memorial and watering
the plants. This is just one example of the kind of support the association received without notice.
If you have any questions, you can contact me at [email protected] or 207-432-7127 from 9
am until 9 pm.
Assistant Legislative Chairman (Augusta): The legislature is out at this time. We are still working on some
bills that are being carried over to the second session on Thursday, September 19th.
As you know from twice above, my contact information is [email protected] or 207-432-7127
from 9 am until 9 pm.
**************************** HOSPITAL/VAVS
Michael W. Blair, Director
Total donations amounted to $1,275.00. A total of $750.00 is to be used by Hospital/VAVS as needed for Veterans’ care. The remaining total of $525.00 is to be used for Christmas Party and October Fest. I would like to Thank Posts 6924, 7997, 8835 and 4638 for their much-needed donations. Should you need to contact me, the phone number in the 2019–20 Directory is incorrect. My number is 207-649-9246. The address and e-mail in the Directory are correct. Please Do Not send your donations to Christopher L. Armstrong, he no longer oversees Hospital/VAVS.
***************************** HISTORIAN
STUDENT VETERANS OF AMERICA (SVA) Amy H. Morse-Meuchel, Chairperson
HISTORIAN: The summer has been full of events. Please send flyers, pictures or articles that you may have been collecting. I hope to present PSC Armstrong with a lot of memories. SVA: Students are gearing up for school. Student from the University of Maine were given a few free tickets to attend a Portland Sea Dogs game by Team Red White and Blue. Other students have been busy with attending the SVA Summit in Boston, MA. I highly recommend reaching out to your local Colleges and Universities. They are looking for community projects and I know some of the Posts are looking for help at the post. Cleaning up the property and organizing spaces are some ideas. Hope you all had a wonderful summer.
14
****************************** NATIONAL HOME
Melvyn E. Bates, Chairman
Hello comrades. Wow. the summer is flying by... Our Commander as well as the VFW Auxiliary ‘s president are working together to formulate a new program for our organizations to work together on behalf of our National Home. We have had several suggestions for a friendly contest between the two groups to benefit the National Home. We would Appreciate that all checks be sent to my address so that I can keep track of the donations and credit your Post My address is “342 Houde Rd, Eliot, ME”. My email is “[email protected].” Fill out checks payable “VFW national home Donation.” So far, I have received several donations already; thanks to Kittery/Eliot 9394 and Thanks to VFW James Proctor. Our goal is to get our yearly contributions from the Posts in the state of Maine up!!! What is needed is at least (1) one dollar for every listed member of your post. NOW, IF That were to happen, we would more than double last few years donations. So how about it, get behind our OWN VFW PROGRAM before looking to send donations to another nonprofit group!!!!!! Respectfully Mel Bates chairman of National Home Maine US.
**************************** VETERANS ADVISORY TO VA MAINE HEALTHCARE SYSTEM
Jo Ann Bolduc, Chairperson
Hello comrades. Yet another glorious Maine summer is winding down but that doesn’t mean to stop hydrating. Lots of changes are happening at our little VA. August 23, Tracye Davis took over the mantle of Medical Center Director of VA Maine Healthcare System. There is now free Wi-Fi access in all the care facilities at Togus (Bldgs.’ 200/205/206/207) and soon we expect room service accommodation in the same areas. Well what does that mean JoAnn? It means when you come to Togus with a day full of appointments and get hungry waiting for your turn, you can order a meal from a special menu and eat when you want what you want. This is expected to kick off in November. MISSION ACT is in full gear so remember to identify your Urgent Care Clinics in Network BEFORE you need them. Be Good to yourselves and each other.
****************************** VETERANS SERVICE OFFICE
Cornelius J. Ware, SO
Upcoming Veteran Engagement Sessions: VA will be holding Veterans engagement sessions on September 16th at 2 pm at the Lincoln AL Post 77 and 5 pm at the Bangor CBOC. Post Service Officer Training: Just a friendly reminder next Post Service Officer training will be held in conjunction with MOLD training on Sunday, 13 October at the Bangor Motor Inn and Suites. Please contact the DSO at 207-623-5723 not later than 4 October if you plan to attend so you can be added to the roster. National Proficiency Training: The DSO will be attending NVS training in Annapolis, MD on 14-20 Sept and the ADSO will attend training 17-22 Nov. The office will be open for business during these time frames. POW/MIA Memorial Dedication: The American Legion Department of Maine dedicating their POW/MIA memorial at their State Headquarters located at 5 Verti Drive, Winslow, ME on Sunday 28 September from 11-12 noon with a ribbon cutting at 12 noon. All are cordially invited to attend, please RSVP by 20 September by calling 207-873-3229.
15
****************************** VOICE OF DEMOCRACY * PATRIOT’S PEN * TEACHER OF THE YEAR
CONVENTION SITE SLECTION 2020 Ronald F. Smith, PSC
Greeting’s Comrades, Schools will soon be opening. Now is the time to get the word out for this years’ Voice of Democracy and Patriot’s Pen competition. Let us get the theme out so the students can start working on their responses. This year the theme is the same for both. “What makes America Great?” It will be interesting to see how the different age groups answer this question. Teacher of the Year. Remember the “Supporting documentation” that is required for submission to National. Check the on-line Chairman’s manual for full details. Also, remember that when District’s send in their respective entries to Department, a photo of the District winners must be included, both for VOD and PP. Enjoy the rest of summer with family and friends. Be Safe, enjoy the nice weather before “Ole Man Winter” come knocking. In Comradeship.
Help a fellow veteran or family that needs our help. It is a reward in itself. God Bless!
***************************** YOUTH ACTIVITIES
James A. Proctor, Chairman Girl Scouts Learn the Meaning of Community Service in March. The Katahdin service unit held a birthday box event and Girl Scouts from around the service unit put together 50 birthday boxes for children in need. Each box included cake mix, frosting, balloons, plates, cups, candles and a small gift. Each box was wrapped in wrapping paper hand-made by the girls. The boxes were distributed to Katahdin area troops and each troop delivered their boxes to local food cupboards and shelters. The Daisies and Brownies of Troop 878 were big helpers and delivered 35 boxes to Gorinth’s local food cupboard. The girls of Troop 878 have done many other community service projects as well including a food drive for local food cupboards, pet food donation to furry friends at EAAA and can tabs to the Ronald McDonald House Bangor. They are looking forward to future chances to help such as a pet food drive in Milo, the MDA walk in June, a food drive for those in need, trunk or treat and so many more events. These girls are on their way to becoming great leaders and are truly making the world a better place.
16
Department of Maine
Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S.
MAINE OFFICERS LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT (MOLD)
TO BE HELD ON 13 October 2019
Bangor Inn and Suites
701 Hogan Rd.
Bangor Maine
This year’s MOLD is primarily for District/Post Commanders, Quartermasters, Adjutant, Inspectors
Chaplains and Trustees. Any one is welcome and are encouraged to attend. Valuable information is
available to anyone wishing to attend.
Forward the completed form, along with a check and/or money order in the amount as listed below for the
MOLD School. Cost for the MOLD school will be $15.00 per person.
NOTE: The fee includes training materials, a lunch at noon time and donuts in the morning upon your arrival.
Checks and/or Money Orders are to be made payable to: “Department of Maine, VFW.” Send both the
form and check and/or money order NLT 30 September 2019:
Kevin G. Woodward, MOLD Chairman
9 Johnson Ln, Machiasport ME., 04655
****************************************CUT************************************
Department of Maine
Maine Officers Leadership Development (MOLD)
REGISTRATION FORM
Name: ____________________________________________________________________________
VFW Post #: __________ Title: _______________________________________________________
Home Address: _____________________________________________________________________
Home Telephone #:______________________ E-mail Address: _____________________________
NOTE: See General Orders for more information. (Make Copies as needed for Other Comrades Who Wish to Attend the
MOLD Training)
17
DEPT @ 2.79% - Need 7884 For 100% (5+) Department Statistics
___________________________________ Maine as of Monday August 26, 2019
Post Dist Life New Reinst Cont Total Prior Year
Percent +/-
City N/R LM
2599 1 0 1 0 2 3 149 2.01% -146 PRESQUE ISLE 0
6187 1 0 0 0 5 5 87 5.74% -82 FORT FAIRFIELD 0
9389 1 0 2 0 16 18 493 3.65% -475 CARIBOU 0
9699 1 0 0 0 0 0 84 0.00% -84 ASHLAND 0
District Total
1 0 3 0 23 26 813 3.19% -787
0
Post Dist Life New Reinst Cont Total Prior Year
Percent +/-
City N/R LM
1605 2 0 0 1 0 1 139 0.71% -138 BURLINGTON 0
2299 2 0 0 0 0 0 29 0.00% -29
SHERMAN STATION
0
7529 2 0 0 0 0 0 58 0.00% -58 ISLAND FALLS 0
District Total
2 0 0 1 0 1 226 0.44% -225
0
Post Dist Life New Reinst Cont Total Prior Year
Percent +/-
City N/R LM
9779 3 0 0 0 3 3 149 2.01% -146 CALAIS 0
11553 3 0 2 0 4 6 143 4.19% -137 HARRINGTON 0
District Total
3 0 2 0 7 9 292 3.08% -283
0
Post Dist Life New Reinst Cont Total Prior Year
Percent +/-
City N/R LM
109 4 0 2 0 5 7 180 3.88% -173 ELLSWORTH 0
1761 4 0 2 0 9 11 267 4.11% -256 BANGOR 0
3381 4 0 2 2 1 5 215 2.32% -210 OLD TOWN 0
4633 4 0 0 0 1 1 126 0.79% -125 HAMPDEN 0
District Total
4 0 6 2 16 24 788 3.04% -764
0
Post Dist Life New Reinst Cont Total Prior Year
Percent +/-
City N/R LM
4298 5 0 0 0 5 5 81 6.17% -76 DEXTER 0
5723 5 0 0 0 2 2 15 13.33% -13 JACKMAN 0
6924 5 0 0 0 0 0 138 0.00% -138 FAIRFIELD 0
7865 5 0 0 0 5 5 138 3.62% -133 MADISON-ANSON 0
7866 5 0 0 0 0 0 13 0.00% -13 NORRIDGEWOCK 0
10881 5 0 1 0 1 2 23 8,69% -20 FARMINGTON 0
11191 5 0 0 0 3 3 44 6.81% -41 NEWPORT 0
District Total
5 0 1 0 16 17 452 3.76% -435
0
18
Post Dist Life New Reinst Cont Total Prior Year
Percent +/-
City N/R LM
3095 6 0 0 0 0 0 28 0.00% -28 FRIENDSHIP 0
3108 6 0 0 0 6 6 186 3.22% -180 BELFAST 0
4169 6 0 0 0 5 5 14 35.71% -9 VINALHAVEN 0
6131 6 0 0 0 2 2 79 2.53% -77 NORTHPORT 0
9437 6 0 0 0 0 0 52 0.00% -52 WASHINGTON 0
District Total
6 0 0 0 13 13 359 3.62% -346
0
Post Dist Life New Reinst Cont Total Prior Year
Percent +/-
City N/R LM
2197 7 0 0 0 1 1 77 1.29% -76 TOPSHAM 0
4525 7 0 0 0 3 3 90 3.33% -87 WALDOBORO 0
7738 7 0 0 0 2 2 74 2.70% -72 BATH 0
District Total
7 0 0 0 6 6 241 2.48% -235
0
Post Dist Life New Reinst Cont Total Prior Year
Percent +/-
City N/R LM
9 8 0 0 0 6 6 66 9.09% -60 GARDINER 0
887 8 0 2 1 8 11 271 4.05% -260 AUGUSTA 0
1285 8 0 0 0 2 2 265 0.75% -263 WATERVILLE 0
8835 8 0 0 0 4 4 291 1.37% -287 WINSLOW 0
9526 8 0 1 0 1 2 48 4.16% -46 WINTHROP 0
District Total
8 0 3 1 21 25 941 2.65% -916
0
Post Dist Life New Reinst Cont Total Prior Year
Percent +/-
City N/R LM
1603 9 0 1 0 3 4 381 1.04% -377
LEWISTON-AUBURN
0
1641 9 0 0 0 8 8 157 5.09% -149 RUMFORD 0
3335 9 0 0 0 6 6 286 2.09% -280 JAY 0
9150 9 0 0 0 2 2 88 2.27% -86 LEWISTON 0
9787 9 0 0 0 1 1 154 0.64% -153 SOUTH PARIS 0
District Total
9 0 1 0 20 21 1066 1.96% -1046
0
Post Dist Life New Reinst Cont Total Prior Year
Percent +/-
City N/R LM
832 10 0 0 0 11 11 388 2.83% -377 S PORTLAND 0
6783 10 0 0 0 1 1 50 2.00% -49 LOVELL 0
6859 10 0 0 1 5 6 425 1.41% -419 PORTLAND 0
9328 10 0 0 0 0 0 47 0.00% -47 HARRISON 0
10529 10 0 0 0 0 0 85 0.00% -85 YARMOUTH 0
10643 10 0 0 1 4 5 80 6.25% -75 WINDHAM 0
10879 10 0 0 0 0 0 24 0.00% -24 GORHAM 0
11362 10 0 0 0 2 2 37 5.40% -35 NAPLES 0
District 10 0 0 2 23 25 1136 2.20% -1111 0
19
Post Dist Life New Reinst Cont Total Prior Year
Percent +/-
City N/R LM
5744 11 0 0 0 6 6 155 3.87% -149
SOUTH BERWICK
0
6977 11 0 1 0 2 3 213 1.40% -210 YORK BEACH 0
7997 11 0 0 1 5 6 228 2.63% -222
OLD ORCHARD BEACH
0
9394 11 0 0 0 3 3 60 5.00% -57 KITTERY 3
9935 11 0 3 0 22 25 276 9.05% -251 SANFORD 0
District Total
11 0 4 1 38 43 932 4.61% -889
0
Post Dist Life New Reinst Cont Total Prior Year
Percent
City N/R LM
1641 99 0 4 1 12 17 865 1.96% -848 RUMFORD 0
District Total
99 0 4 1 12 17 865 1.96% -848
QM’S HOUSE 0
Post Dist Life New Reinst Cont Total Prior Year
Percent +/-
City N/R LM
State Total
0 24 7 196 227 8111 2.79% -7884
0
EVERYONE’S HELP IS NEEDED TO BRING THE DEPARTMENT TO 100%
THIS 2019 – 2020 YEAR - WILL YOU HELP?
“HONORING THE COST OF FREEDOM ”
“RETAIN-REINSTATE-RECRUIT”
