VFW District 8 Newsletter

CWO5 Randle M. Tolliver, USN (Ret)

Commander

For veterans in crisis, the Veterans Crisis Line's number is "988” then press "1”.

Homebound veterans requiring assistance please contact any member.

Veterans experiencing or at risk of homelessness, please contact any member or the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans at (877) 424-3838.

Buddy Check! Please call or go visit elderly or homebound veterans and see how they are doing and if they need help.

We are always looking to have veterans who are eligible and want to continue serving our community to join us. If you are interested, please contact any member or post.

Veterans Day is dedicated to American veterans of all wars. It is on 11 November to commemorate the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918, the start of the armistice that ended World War I; then known as "the Great War.” President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed 11 November as "Armistice Day” in 1920 and it became Veterans Day after the Korean War.

A brief note about veterans in today’s society. Historically, most American families had at least one veteran family member. Today, it is common for families with no living relatives who have ever served. Less than 6 % of the population are veterans, and in the 18-34 year old age range only 2.5%. Bottom line, veterans make up less than 7% of the population, and this continues to decrease.

For your information:

The VFW District 8 meeting at VFW Post 1831 in Desoto was very successful and lots of good work was done. We want to thank Post 1831 and the VFW Auxiliary for being outstanding host. This was also our first meeting with ZOOM access at the posts and to those who participated thank you and well done.

Veterans in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health care system can receive free vaccinations through the Community Care Network in-network retail pharmacies and urgent care partners. Just present a valid, government-issued ID.

Veterans, their families and caregivers should contact their local VA for information about eligibility and how to apply for burial benefits. For more information, visit https://www.choose.va.gov/burials-memorials , or call 800-827-1000.

Our annual youth scholarships programs, Patriot’s Pen, and Voice of Democracy have concluded for this year, and the essays are at the Posts for judging. These programs promote civic responsibility, patriotism and helps students develop a better understanding of American values and beliefs. The next phase will be the District judging led by the District 8 Chairman Mr. Dan Brown of Post 5331 in Cedar Hill.

The following is a list of VA services that will continue operating without interruption during the Government shutdown:

• VA Medical Centers, Outpatient Centers and Vet Centers will remain open, providing all services.

• VA benefits will continue to be processed and delivered, including compensation, pension, education and housing benefits.

• Burials will continue at VA cemeteries.

• The Board of Veterans' Appeals will continue decisions on veterans' cases.

• VA's primary call center and the Veterans Crisis Line will remain open 24/7. The VA Benefit Hotline will remain open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. ET.

• Suicide prevention programs, homelessness services and caregiver support will continue.

Local events:

All the district 8 Post will be holding their annual Veterans Day events. The time and place are provided on each post’s Facebook site; come join us!

Post 2593 in Arnold is supporting the Foster Closet Organization with a new or gently used. fall/winter clothing drive for newborn to 2 years old. There is a donation box located in the Post clubroom lobby area.

Every Wednesday, VFW Post 5896 is hosting an "all-you-can-eat” breakfast at 814 E Karsch Blvd, Farmington. Food service is 7 to 9:30 am and the cost is $8 and children under the age of 10 eat for free.

Every Saturday VFW Post 1831 is hosting a Shooting Match at 1651 Veterans Dr., DeSoto. Doors open at 10 am, practice at 11 am and shooting starts at noon. Clubroom will open for drinks & appetizers. For more information call (636) 586-9271.

On 8 November, VFW Post 5741 in Leadington will host a "Sports and Pokeman Trading Card Game” at 600 E Woodlawn Dr, Park Hills from 9 am to 4 pm. For vendor information call (269) 420-3498. A Post Information Officer will also be available to take your information & refer you to an accredited VFW Veteran Service Officer who will contact the veteran to apply for benefits. Veterans who are eligible to join our ranks bring your DD-214 and we will start your journey. For more information call (573) 210-8290.

On 8 November, VFW Post 3777 in Festus will hold a "Texas Hold’em” tournament. Registration starts at 1 pm, play at 1:30pm. For more information call (636) 937-5400.

On 8 November, VFW Post 6660 in Reynolds County will hold their annual Veterans Day Remembrance and Wreath laying Ceremony at the Reynolds County Court House. Event starts at 2 pm at 2319 Green St, Centerville. The guest speaker will be Senator Jamie Burger of the 27th District. A small reception at the post will follow. In addition, Post 6660 and their Auxiliary are conducting a Veterans Day Clothing Drive. All donated clothing will be distributed through the J. J. Pershing VAMC in Poplar Bluff. For more information call (803) 924-0608 or (573) 300-5523. The drop-off dates/times/locations are 8 November from 10 am-1 pm at the post in Centerville and on 11 November at their Poppy Distribution sites in Centerville, the 4-Way in Ellington, Munch & Pump in Lesterville and the Peoples Bank parking lot in Bunker.

Legislative news:

A call to action! Folks, don’t wait for the new session to contact your state Senator and Representative to voice your support for Missouri veterans. Please voice your support to fully fund the Missouri Veterans Commission (MVC) with dedicated funding in the state budget, update the Real & Personal Property Tax exemptions for 100% service-disabled veterans, and to fight unaccredited companies (Claim Sharks) that prey on Missouri veterans.

Now let’s talk a bit about our history:

46 years ago, on 4 November 1979, a group of Iranian "students” stormed the U.S. Embassy in Tehran, taking more than 60 American hostages. The attackers, radical Islamic fundamentalist followers of the Ayatollah Khomeini, were enraged that the deposed Shah, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, had been allowed to enter the United States for medical treatment. Days later, Iran’s provincial leader resigned, and the Ayatollah Khomeini took control of the country. The real goal of the embassy take-over was to strengthen the new regime against liberal elements in the government. They portrayed the regime as a "revolutionary force" and partnered with People's Mojahedin of Iran student radicals. The Marxist leftists and the Islamists shared a hatred of the late Shah’s market-based reforms, and individualism, especially of women, under conservative Islamist visions of collectivism. It also raised the international profile of the revolution’s leader. The hostages were released on 21 January 1981, 444 days after the crisis began and just hours after President Ronald Reagan inauguration. For more information on Iran’s role in international terrorism I recommend "The Secret War with Iran: The 30-Year Clandestine Struggle Against the World's Most Dangerous Terrorist Power” by Ronen Bergman.

I offer this quote from the late Reverend Billy Graham who said " courage is contagious. when a brave man takes a stand, the spines of others are often stiffened.”

Bulletin Board:

The VA one-stop telephone number is 1-800-698-2411 and press "0” for immediate assistance. The VA one stop website is VA.gov Home | Veterans Affairs .

For more for information concerning VA "End of Life” benefits and services see www.va.gov/initiatives/end-of-life-benefits/

Veteran employment opportunities! Please visit https://news.va.gov/138283/hiring-veterans-job .

The Missouri Veterans Commission (MVC) one-stop Benefits and Resource Portal is (573) 522-4061 or www.veteranbenefits.mo.gov .

To pre-certify for burial in a Missouri Veterans Cemetery, apply at https://my.mo.gov/gsp?id=vcp_preapplication . For information on burial eligibility, visit https://mvc.dps.mo.gov/cemeteries .

The Missouri Job Center offers no-cost employment assistance for veterans and spouses. Contact (417) 257-2630 or visit jobs.mo.gov/vets.

To order military service documents such as a DD 214/Separation Document or Official Military Personnel File (OMPF), contact the National Archives, National Personnel Records Center at https://www.archives.gov/veterans/military-service-records, or call (866) 272-6272.

For more information, follow us at https://www.facebook.com/groups/967395123712841 or visit movfw.org

"Here to Serve”