COMRADES AND SISTERS

Last month was very busy

indeed. Veterans Day parade and

wreath laying, placing flags over

6000 veterans graves, Buddy

poppy drive and dinner, District

meeting, Several funerals,

Thanksgiving Meal and baskets

for the needy, Korean War

Veterans certificates, VOD -

Patriot Pen - teacher of year

judging and an oyster roast. The

folks that visit the canteen help

us but we don’t hear much from

the “silent majority“. Please read

all the paper and give us a

chance. You’ll be glad you did!

I would like to give special

thanks to the following

distinguished members for their

much needed and most

appreciated help. Josh Heger,

Steve Williams, Mike Marushia

Sr, Bob Klinefelt, John Brooks,

COMMANDER’S

CALL

Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States General MacArthur Memorial Post 392

2408 Bowland Parkway Virginia Beach, Virginia 23454-5207

(757) 486-5875 www.vfw392.org

Bill Cupper, Kenny Golden, Dave

and Arlene Goldstein, Jon Harnden,

Dave Curtis and Mary, Gramps,

Mike Gaughan, Bob Duvall, Sue

Sowers, Fred Jennings, Judy

Lupole, TJ and Bob, Joe Brady,

Grant Pollock, Don and Tina

Brown, Doug Keller, Pam Myers,

Kathy Land, and many more.

A special thanks to Congressman

Rigell who arranged two 15

passenger Vans for us at no charge

including two drivers, Kathleen

Redmond and Paul Boller. Thank

you also to Rhee and Lisa.

I am thankful to have these fine

men and women to help the in our

many events. It is sad though that

we cant get more of the 1400 plus

members to give some of their

time! Though we had plenty of help

placing flags, we had only a few to

retrieve and store them.

We still need the following

chairpersons: Community Service

and Safety.

… (continued on page 2)

December 2012 - VOLUME 24, NUMBER 6

Continued Page 2

2012 - 2013 OFFICERS

2013 Membership Goal: 1,730

Current Membership: 89.12% with 1,541 Members

Post Commander…………....… William R. Sowers

Sr. Vice Commander……….. Michael E. Gaughan

Jr. Vice Commander….………...… John R. Brooks

Quartermaster…………….…….. Donald E. Brown

Chaplain…………………...……. Robert G. Duvall

House Committee Chairman…... Ralph D. Stephens

Service Officer……………........... Joseph G. Brady

Surgeon……………...…….... Merle W. Gootee III

Judge Advocate ……………...… Douglas R. Keller

Ladies Auxiliary President……..….... Judy Lupole

Ladies Aux. Sr. Vice President…... Sue C. Sowers

Ladies Aux. Jr. Vice President…… Colleen Lewis

Ladies Aux. Treasurer……… Elizabeth Moynihan

Ladies Aux. Chaplain.………...….. Lucille Bailey

Ladies Conductress ………………… Patty Stokes

Canteen Manager …………………… Joe Halzack

M.O.C. Seam Squirrel ….…...... William P. Moran

M.O.C.A. President………….... . Denice E. Moran

Page 1

Post Meeting: Dec 4th, at 1900. Attend and get involved

Shop With A Vet: Dec 13th, see Amy Kiger

Children’s Christmas Party: Dec 16th, see Denice Moran

Santa’s Workshop: Dec 16th, see Tina Brown or Judy Lupole

Christmas Dinner: Dec 25th, see Gramps

Angel Tree: thru December, see Amy Kiger

Holiday Food Baskets: thru December, see Judy Lupole

Campbell Soup Labels: for National Home for Children, see Amy Kiger

Funeral Services: as required, see Chap. Bob Duvall

Chairpersons Needed: various programs, see any Post Officer

Recruit New Members: any day, applications at the Post

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED:

POST 392 - NEEDS YOU!

And, if you are interested in

running for an office, see any

Post Officer.

----------------------------------------

DATES TO REMEMBER

12/1 Operat ion Southern

W a t c h , O p e r a t i o n

Maritime Intercept, and

Operation V i g i l a n t

Sentinel (South West

Asia) begin in 1995

12/5 United Shield and

Operation Restore Hope

(Somalia) begins in

1992

12/7 Pear Harbor is bombed

by the Japanese in 1941

12/9 US Marines s torm

Mogadishu, Somalia in

1992

12/16 Boston Tea Party in 1773

12/16 WWII Battle of the Bulge

begins in 1944

12/19 US invades Panama in

1989

12/20 Operation Joint Guard

(Bosnia) begins in 1996

12/22 O p e r a t i o n D e s e r t

Thunder and Operation

Desert Fox (South

West Asia) end in 1998

12/25 WWI Christmas Truce

between German and

Allied troops in 1914.

12/25 Battle on T-Bone Hill

(Korea) in 1952

----------------------------------------

NEW MEMBERS

I extend a warm welcome to the

new members who were voted

into our Post at the last regular

meeting.

New / Transfer Life Members:

Richard P. Skelton

Paul D. Hiser

Marvin P. Moore

Robert A. Smith

Michael A. Doblosky

Sheila A. Langejans

Jon A. Langejans

Douglas M. Iles

Darren J. Lloyd

New Life Installment:

Kevin R. Cowgill

Jason R. Porter

New / Transfer / Re-Instated

Annual Members:

Greg K. Griffin

Marsia J. Rafferty

Thomas A. Dearing, Sr.

Jason M. Kmet

Casey W. Opdahl

Ashley R. Thomson

Donald R. Driscoll

Thank you for your service and

welcome aboard!

-------------------------------------------

BIRTHDAYS

May I wish “Happy Birthday” to

Philip Cromartie (Happy 98th!),

Edward L. Powers, Jackie L.

Harrison, Edward F. Hoffman,

Lynn F. Payne, Kenneth E. Golden,

Jeffery Lord, Debra J. Horte,

Trevor J. Nybo, and 142 other fine

Comrades!

I also extend warmest “Birthday

Wishes” to Shirley M. Gaughan,

Patsy Stokes, Marcelle A. Myler,

Tina Unik, Jessica A. Boffa and 17

other fine Sisters!

-------------------------------------------

POST MEETINGS

Post STAFF Meetings are the first

Monday each month at 17:30. Next

is on December 3th. ALL Officers

and Chairmen should attend.

POST and LAUX Meetings are

the first Tuesday of each month at

19:00, this month it’s on December

4th. ALL Officers and Chairmen

should be present, along with

anyone else wanting to become

involved with our many events. I

am looking forward to seeing all of

you at the meeting.

Post Commander

Bill Sowers

(757) 641-0471

bosn@sprynet.com

"Any fool can criticize, condemn

and complain, and most fools do."

Retention, Retention, Retention

The name of the game is

Retention. State wants each Post

to bring back the delinquent

members and get them to renew

before the end of the year.

Our Post is still in first place in

the District for membership. Still

in need of new members, and they

are out there, so check with your

friends and neighbors to see if they

would be interested in becoming a

part of the VFW.

We are at 89.12% 1,541

Members, and with some help we

can make that 100%.

Veterans Day is in the past and

now we have Thanksgiving Day to

tend with so there is always

something going on at the Post.

And every function requires

volunteers so please come out and

lend a helping hand.

------------------------------------------

CONTINUOUS MEMBERSHIP

AWARDS

The following Comrades have

earned Continuous Membership

Awards as indicated below.

Please attend the next General

Membership Meeting to receive

your lapel pin. If you are unable to

attend the meeting, contact any

Post Officer and your pin will be

presented. If your name has not

been listed and you believe that an

award is due, please contact the

SENIOR VICE

COMMANDER

Page 2 Continued Page 3

Quartermaster at the Post.

25 Years Continuous Service:

James F. Benson

Raymond C. Clark

David C. Brosius

Robert C. Langdon

20 Years Continuous Service:

James M. Porter

Thomas E. Beck

Michael R. Tutor

Thomas A. Trachsel

James C. Stephens

Ralph J. Simpson

M.E. Jackson

Kenneth J. Owen

15 Years Continuous Service:

Thomas W. Hitchings

Daniel E. Ogletree

Fedric G. Hough

Eric L. Pruett

Bruce F. Russell

Rich E. Simpson

William C. Wadsworth

10 Years Continuous Service:

Jacques E. Christopher

Harold J. Bologna

David L. Copeman

James F. Foreman

Ron J. Gasper

Peter J. Good

Svante Hartstrand

Patrick J. Callahan

Terry V. Houin

Aaron S. Baldwin

Richard D. Lamoureux

Delbert Walther

Chistopher L. Lash

Charles H. Lee

Hugh L. Middleton

Michael L. Quinn

Derreck W. Reynolds

John S. Schad

Clifton A. Scott

Raul O. Valdez

Ralph L. Johnson

5 Years Continuous Service:

Peter M. Johnson

Jeff G. Fries

Thank you for your service and

congratulations!

SR. Vice Commander

Mike Gaughan

gaughan277@earthlink.net

I would like to start off by

thanking all of our Comrades and

Ladies who volunteered their time

to help out with the Veteran’s Day

Buddy Poppy program. A special

thanks goes out to Don and Tina

Brown for all the hours they

donated for this program and that

wonderful spaghetti dinner! And

congratulations to our top Buddy

Poppy distributer Mike Gaughan!

I would also like to thank the

Cooties for putting poppy cans out

for their Sunday morning breakfast!

FYI - starting next year the top

Buddy Poppy distribution award

will be given out at the end of the

year vice twice a year.

Our Thanksgiving Day Dinner

went very well. Let’s see if we can

get an even better turn out for

Christmas.

If you have any questions or need

me for any Post business, you can

contact me at the email address

below. Happy Holiday’s Comrades

and Ladies, and God bless.

Jr. Vice Commander

John Brooks

johnjweeb@cox.net

2013 MEMBERSHIP DUES

Renew your 2013 Annual

Membership today. Dues are

$30.00. They can be paid at Post

JUNIOR VICE

COMMANDER

QUARTERMASTER

392, online at vfw.org, or mailed

directly to VFW National:

VFW National Headquarters

Third Floor, Room 316

406 West 34th St.

Kansas City, MO 64111 (please include your membership #)

Please consider changing your

Annual Membership to a LIFE

Membership, and never have to

worry again about renewals!

------------------------------------------

NEWSLETTER AVAILABLE

BY EMAIL

The newsletter is now available

via email! To sign up, go to our

website at www.vfw392.org, select

NEWS, scroll down, and enter the

following: first name, last name,

email address, and Membership ID

Number. Check the ‘Yes’ box,

and then ‘Submit’.

----------------------—-----------------

CHANGE OF ADDRESS

As Members, we all need to

maintain a current address at our

Post and at National. So when your

mailing address changes, be sure

to fill out an address change form,

and mail it, or drop it off with me

here at the Post.

Quartermaster

Donald E. Brown

post@vfw392.hrcoxmail.com

TEMPORARY SHORT TERM

ILLNESS / INJURIES

(Please read the Bulletin Board at

the Post for most recent up-dates

for these members)

----------------------------------------

CHAPLAIN’S CORNER

Page 3 Continued Page 4

LONG TERM ILLNESS/

INJURIES

The following members have

serous, long term illness, or

injury, requiring continuous care

at the location listed below:

Millie Branyan

Liza’s Residential Care

Nick Nickerson

Hampton VA Medical Center

Please keep our members in

your thoughts and prayers for a

speedy recovery.

----------------------------------------

HELP US TAKE CARE OF

EACH OTHER

When you or a family member

f a l l s i l l , a r e i n j u r e d ,

hospitalized, or experience the

loss of a loved one - please

contact the Post ASAP!

It is important that we extend

our hand in anyway possible to

aid and comfort our fellow

Comrades and family in their

time of need.

We each maintain a certain

degree of self-reliance and

independence, but if we cannot

fall back upon our VFW brothers

and sisters as family, then who

are we to call upon?

----------------------------------------

TAPS

The following list honors and

remembers our Post Veteran

members in their recent passing:

Andre J. Dumas

USMC

4 October 2012

Raymond J. Guernic

USN (Retired)

7 October 2012

John M. Prince

USN (Retired)

13 October 2012

William H. Clark

USN

26 October 2012

Alfred L. Van Horne

USN (Retired)

5 November 2012

At our monthly Post meeting, Draping of the Charter is conducted, and a prayer of solemn tribute is given on behalf of our departed Comrades. ----------------------------------------

OUR MONTHLY BREAD

Open-Handed Help!

(Suggested Reading: Deuteronomy 15:7-11}

While doing some researching at

the Virginia Beach Public Library, I

had brought myself couple of

turkey and cheese sandwiches for a

chow break. I happen to notice a

homeless man across from me

reading a book.

I started a conversation with him,

his name was Jake. Found out that

he was a Marine Veteran, and that

he had served a tour in Afghanistan

two years ago. Upon his return he

discovered his wife of five years,

had taken all his pay he had sent

her, and squandered it drugs … for

herself and a new lover.

He seemed to have nothing left for

life itself. Feeling his pain, as I took

a lunch break, I offered him the

other turkey and Swiss-cheese

sandwich. As I did, I began to

appreciate that this encounter made

me realize - with all that God has

given me, I needed to do more to

help those who are less fortunate.

Later as I thought about this, I

read Moses’ instructions on

providing for the poor. He told the

Israelites: “DO NOT SHUT YOUR

HAND FROM YOUR POOR

BROTHER OR SISTER AND

SMALL CHILDREN, but . . . open

your hand wide to them,” (Deut.

15:7-8).

An open hand symbolized the

way God wanted His loving people

to provide for impoverished people

- willingly and freely. No excuses,

no holding back (Verse 9). God

had given to them, and He wanted

them to give generously enough to

supply whatever was “sufficient”

for the need (Verse 8).

When we offer open-handed help

to the poor, God blesses us for our

kindness (Ps.41:1-3; Prov. 19:17).

With His leading, consider how

you might “extend your soul to the

hungry” (Isa. 58 58:10) and freely

give help to others in Jesus ‘name.

I’d also suggest reading: (Luke

10:29-37) the story of the Good

Samaritan helping an individual in

distress.

Grant us, then, the grace for

giving with a spirit large and free,

that our life and all our living we

may consecrate to Thee.

An old saying: You may give

without loving, but you can’t love

without giving. ------------------------------------------

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR

FUNERAL MEMORIAL

SERVICES / COLOR GUARD

Our Post has become shorthanded

of volunteers to perform required

duties for Memorial Services of

our deceased VFW members and

veterans. The Post’s participation

of these honorable and formal

procedures are requested from

veterans, or their families.

If you accept to volunteer, you

will be placed on the list, and

c o n t a c t e d w h e n s e r v i c e

requirements necessitate.

If you would like to participate,

please contact the Post Chaplain

Page 4 Continued Page 5

Bob Duvall , or Gunnar

Gudjonsson for details.

Post / District II Chaplain

Robert Duvall

rduvall2@verizon.net

Sisters and Comrades,

Fred and I would like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and safe and Happy New Year.

Ok, time for business and it's once again a busy month.

Amy Kiger is working on our Angel Tree for our families so please take an angel and help a child have a Merry Christmas. Remember, Christmas is about the children.

We also need food donations for our food baskets so please help and donate. We have sent our first care package to Cori Sims with our adopt a unit. Thanks to all for making this such a success. We will send another one around Valentine's Day.

A special thanks to the Jr Girls Unit for their donations. I know the cards you made will put a smile on our units faces. At our November meeting we had a few Jr Girls attend. These girls are our future and it’s wonderful to have then there with us. Thanks Shawn and Denice for making this possible.

Amy is still collecting Campbell soups labels for the National Home for Children.

December 13th we will once again Shop with a Vet at the Oceana Navy Exchange at 10 am. Please contact Amy Kiger for more information.

LADIES AUXILIARY

PRESIDENT

The Children's Christmas party will be held on December 16th. Please sign up so we can get a head count, and make sure Santa has a present for all our children. The MOCA will again sponsor Santa's workshop for our children to shop for presents for Mom & Dad.

If anyone would like to help, please contact Denice Moran for the party, and Tina Brown or myself to help in Santa's workshop. We always need wrappers, guides and of course someone to help with all the fun Denice plans.

THANK YOU to everyone that helped with Buddy Poppies last month! Remember all funds raised go into our relief fund to help our Vets. I have to give a special thanks to Nikki Dellert and Danielle Marsh for all the help they provided at the kick off dinner.

Our next meeting will be December 4th at 7pm, I hope to see you there. For those that can't be with us due to illness, I wish you a speedy recovery.

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

Auxiliary President

Judy Lupole

luvedale88@cox.net

The sisters listed below are

requested to attend the next

regularly scheduled meeting of the

Ladies Auxiliary. Our Auxiliary

President stands ready to decorate

you with the Continuous

Membership awards indicated.

25 Years Continuous Service:

Patrica L. Lyons

Sandra Garcia

10 Years Continuous Service:

Jennifer Bellis

LADIES AUXILIARY

MEMBERSHIP

5 Years Continuous Service:

Nancy E. Smith

Bjorg G. Matthews

Margaret E. Dominguez

Rosalie A. Bindel

Thank you for your service and

congratulations!

Ladies Auxiliary Treasurer

Elizabeth Moynihan

Fellow Coots,

I am glad to report that we had

another lousy Scratch in

November. Additionally we

enjoyed an exceptionally lousy

time at Tomb Trek in Arlington,

Pup Tent 9 was well represented.

I would like give a special thanks

to Flip, Josh, Steve, and the rest of

the usual suspects for an

outstanding and successful Poker

Run. All totaled, about $3000 was

raised for Cancer Aid and

Research, the MOC and MOCA.

Our Sunday breakfast has been

outstanding, we are averaging

approximately 150 customers a

week. Over the first eight weeks,

nearly 300 more breakfasts have

been served over last year. Keep

up the good work!

Our next Scratch will be on Dec

11th at 7ish.

I want to wish everyone a safe

and happy holidays in the

upcoming months.

Until the Next Scratch,

Seam Squirrel

Bill Moran

MOC

Page 5 Continued Page 6

To all my Sisters and Comrades:

My thanks go out to all the

participants from Pup Tent 9 and

our MOCA for all their help and

hard work making Virginia’s

Hospitality Suite a huge success

at this year’s Tomb Trek. A

lousy time was had by all.

Ata Boy to the Cooties who

marched in our Veteran’s Day

Parade and represented all of us

so well.

We will be having our VA

Hospital visit in Hampton

“Chr i s tmas in J anuar y”

tentatively set for the 12th of

January. Details to come in sign-

up sheets and emails.

My wish for all of you, my

Sisters and Comrades, is a

happy, thankful and healthy

holiday, sharing with those you

love. God bless us, everyone.

And God bless our great United

States of America!

MOCA President

Denice Moran

CANCER AWARENESS

Have you ever wondered what

the different colors of cancer

ribbons mean and what

awareness they represent?

We all know that October is

Breast Cancer month and the

ribbon that represents it is pink.

But beyond that we might be a

little fuzzy. There are months

that represent more than one

cancer, too.

MOCA

CANCER AID AND

RESEARCH

Hopefully the following info will

help you out.

January

Cervical Cancer - Teal/White …..

February

National Cancer Prevention Month

(no color assigned)

March

Colorectal/Colon - Dark Blue …..

National Kidney - Kelly Green ...

April

Head/Neck - Burgundy/Ivory ….

Testicular - Orchid ………...

Esophageal - Periwinkle ………..

May

Brain - Grey …………………...

Melanoma/Skin - Black ……….

June

National Cancer Survivors Day

Sarcoma/Bone - Yellow ……….

July

Bladder - Yellow ……………….

September

Childhood - Gold ……………….

Gynecologic - Teal …………..

Leukemia - Orange ……………..

Lymphoma - Lime Green …….

Ovarian - Teal …………………..

Thyroid - Teal/Pink/Blue …….

Prostate - Blue ………………....

October

Breast - Pink …………………...

Liver - Emerald Green ………...

Men’s Breast - pink/blue ……....

November

Lung - White or Clear ………...

National Family Caregivers

- Plum ………………………..

Pancreatic - Purple …………..

Stomach - Periwinkle ………….

For more information on cancers,

visit the National Cancer Institute

online at: www.cancer.gov

To those that are battling these

dreadful diseases, you are in our

thoughts and prayers. We wish

everybody a Merry Christmas and

Happy New Year. May all your

wishes and dreams come true.

Let’s celebrate less cancer and

more birthdays!

Chairpersons

Tina Brown

Ellen Stogsdill

THANK GOD IT’S FRIDAY!!

This is the time of the week to

unwind from the rat race and enjoy

a quiet evening of entertainment,

socializing with your friends, and

taking a great opportunity to make

new friends.

Social hour prices are in effect

from 4:00 to 6:00 PM.

From 6:00 to 8:00 PM, the

kitchen offers steamed shrimp (all

menu items will also be available).

----------------------------------------

WEEKENDS AT THE VFW

Weekends at the VFW has

something for everyone. The

Canteen will open at 11:00 AM on

Saturdays and Sundays with your

favorites on tap or in bottles.

We have six (6) TVs, five (5) of

which are large flat screens. With

the NFL in season, you will

definitely have a seat with a good

view to keep an eye on your team!

Come down and spend a great

afternoon with your Comrades and

Sisters at the Post.

----------------------------------------

CANTEEN

Page 6 Continued Page 7

THURSDAY NIGHT

DINNERS

FRIDAY ENTERTAINMENT

Below is the entertainment for

this month, come and enjoy the

music with your friends every

Friday from 7:00 to 10:00 PM.

If you have any comments or

suggestions, please contact us at

the Post. Thank you for service!

Chairperson

Ralph Stephens

Manager

Joe Halzack

STATE OF VIRGINIA

VETERANS AFFAIRS

REPRESENTATIVE

Ms Elizabeth Bonin comes to

our Post 392 once a month to

answer any questions concerning

veteran’s affairs.

Her scheduled availability will

be posted here each month. For

this month, she will be available:

POST

ANNOUNCEMENTS

December 20th (Thurs)

11:00 AM - 3:30 PM

She is also available weekdays at

her Virginia Beach office:

Pembroke Office Park

287 Independence Blvd.

Building 2, Suite 130

(757) 552-1884

Ms. Bonin has provided this

valuable service for many years and

helped numerous Comrades and

Sisters to get the benefits they have

solely earned. She stands ready to

assist you, so please, come out and

talk to her.

Veterans Service Representative

Liz Bonin

------------------------------------------

NOTARY PUBLIC

The following Post members are

commissioned as Notary Public’s in

the Commonwealth of Virginia:

Gunnar Gudjonsson Bob Duvall

They are authorized to legally

notarize documents such as Power

of Attorney, Bill of Sale, Will,

Living Will, etc. Please check with

Post 392 office for appointment.

Be aware that under VA code the

notary must acknowledge:

(1) Signer must personally

appear before the notary.

(2) Signer (s) must positively be

identified

(3) Signer must affirm under o a t h

the document accuracy.

Acceptable Forms of Identification:

To be acceptable, the ID must be

current, contain photo and physical

description of the card holder, have

the card holder’s signature, and a

serial or ID number:

(1) Driver’s license or State

issued ID card.

(2) U.S. Passport

(3) Foreign Passport, validated

by INS.

(4) Driver’s license issued in

Mexico or Canada

(5) U.S. Military ID Card.

We do not rely on Social Security

cards or photo ID cards issued by

non government entities. Under the

law the notary has the right to

refuse, if he/she suspects

something may be false or wrong.

------------------------------------------

VOICE OF DEMOCRACY AND

PATRIOTS PEN

Voice Democracy and Patriots

Pen essays have been judged.

There were 67 entries in Patriots

Pen, and 10 entries in Voice of

Democracy. For every 15 entries,

we are allowed to select one first

place winner. So four essays were

able to be selected from our Post,

and move up to District judging.

Good luck to those who were

selected!

I also want to thank all the

wonderful volunteers who helped,

with not only the judging, but also

with the traveling around to hand

out the information on the

scholarships.

Thank you to Sherri Hotra,

A r l en e G o l d s t e i n , D av i d

Goldstein, Jon Harnden, Mary Ann

Harnden, Kenny Golden and Steve

Williams. Without all of you, we

could not have finished this in a

timely manner. You all did great

work.

------------------------------------------

VA HOSP VISITS

Hospital Teams have a break in

December as there are no visits.

The next visit will be for the Vets

to come to the Post for breakfast

on Saturday on January 5, 2013

from 10:30 AM - 1:30 PM.

Page 7 Continued Page 8

Dec 6th

Chicken

Cordon Blue

Cost: $7.50

Dec 13th

Pot Roast

Cost: $7.50

Dec 20th

Roast Pork

Cost: $7.50

Dec 27th

Prime Rib

Cost: $10.50

Dec 7th

Monica Arnold

Karaoke & DJ

Dec 14th

Tim Hopkins

Live music

Dec 21st

Captain Moose

Karaoke & DJ

Dec 28th

Jim Berry

Karaoke & DJ

Later that month, on January

26, 2013, Team 2 will be at the

Hospital for Bingo at Bldg. 148.

On February 23, 2013, Team 3

will be at the VA hospital for a

movie with the Vets.

If you would like to get

involved and volunteer, contact

Bill Sowers, or any Post Officer.

----------------------------------------

FIRST ANNUAL VFW

POST 392 OYSTER FEST

The Oyster Roast boys would

like to thank everyone who

supported our first effort, and

helped to make it a success. To

all of the volunteers, including

Dave Semones, Ed Martin,

Donna & Sarah McCabe, John

Phillips, Shirley Cox, Frank

Frevele, Antoinette, Michael and

Peggy Auger, Judy Foxwell,

Michael Tompkins, Ivan and

Nonie Kuhn.

A very special salute goes out

to the super shuckers from

Virginia Beach Elks Lodge

#2268. Dan Haney and his crew

worked tirelessly to put out the

oysters on the half-shell that

everyone enjoyed so much. We

could not have done it without

their help. Let's all remember

that when they have their next

event, we should make certain

t h a t w e s u p p o r t t h e m

enthusiastically.

We would also like to thank

Aaron and Peggy Auger for

donating gift cards for door

prizes. That was above and

beyond all the work they did,

and it aided to a successful

event.

A special thank you also to Don

Stull, owner and proprietor of

Woody McGee's Barstro (that's

right, Barstro), 4356 Holland

Road in Virginia Beach. He

generously donated three gift

certificates, each for a dinner for

two at his restaurant. Please make

sure that you check out Woody

McGee’s. You will not be

disappointed.

And, of course, a big thank you to

Captain Moose for setting up and

providing entertainment for the

event. Just another example of

people really coming through for

our Post.

If we have left anyone out for a

thank you, please understand that

we sincerely appreciate everyone's

efforts in support of this event. We

look forward to doing it again next

year, and with your ideas,

suggestions, and support ... we are

confident that we can make it an

even bigger success!

Elks Lodge 2268 Website:

vbelks.org

Woody McGee's Barstro Website:

woodymcgees.com

The Oyster Boys:

Aaron Auger

Ed Foxwell

Gunnar Gudjonsson

Larry Peterson

-------------------------------------------

VETS BREAKFAST AT THE

POST

(This announcement was omitted

from the November Newsletter in

error)

The Vets breakfast held on

October 6th was great. We had a

huge turnout of volunteers. Thank

you to all. It was wonderful. We

even saw a few new faces among

the volunteers. The Vets enjoyed

their breakfast, music by Moose,

and they got up and sang. Our own

Junior Vice John Brooks can sing

when given a microphone.

The food was great thanks to our

cooks and there was plenty of

everything. Our volunteers are

hard workers and deserve a special

‘THANK YOU’!

We would not be able to have a

program like the breakfasts or

lunches for the Vets without these

very special people.

Sue Sowers

------------------------------------------

TROOP 392

Post 392 Scouting Program

Please come out and join Cub

Scout Pack 392, Boy Scouts

Troop 392, and Venturing Crew

1911!

For more information call Wes

Gibson at (757) 615-8300.

YIS

Wes Gibson

------------------------------------------

CORRECTIONS

Regrettably, last month’s

newsletter listed several items

incorrectly: November 4th was

published as a Cootie Breakfast

when it was scheduled as an off

day for Tome Trek (thankfully it

was rescheduled to have

breakfast). Thanksgiving Dinner

time and durations were published

incorrectly. “Vets Breakfast at the

Post” from October was left out of

the Announcements section,

Buddy Poppy Distribution days

were left off of the calendar, etc

Please accept our apologies for

any confusion or issues these

errors may have caused.

Procedures have been put in place

as a preventative measure for these

type of errors. Starting January, a

PRE-PUBLISH Newsletter will be

posted at the Canteen for All-

Hands review. Any inaccuracies or

oversights found in the pre-publish

Page 8 Continued Page 9

review can be amended prior to

printing.

As always, we welcome any

comments, suggestions, or

complaints about errors that

warrant correction.

They can be addressed with any

of the Post Officers, or email

them directly to the newsletter

editor at:

mcullen4@live.com

----------------------------------------

SHOP WITH A VET

December 13th, 10:00 AM

NAS Oceana Exchange

Amy Kiger is organizing this

December’s “Shop with a

Veteran”.

Sometimes our mili tary

families fall on hard times.

We’ve all been there. And

around the holidays, it’s that

much more distressing. This

outstanding program offers some

holiday assistance by providing

selected families dealing with

such situations, a chance to still

bring a Christmas smile on their

children’s faces.

Our Post Program is giving 10

local children a chance to play

Santa, by selecting a gift for

themselves, worth $35-$50, at

the NEX (Naval Air Station

Oceana Navy Exchange).

If you would like some

additional information or would

like to participate in “Shop With

a Vet”, please contact Amy

Kiger through the Post.

---------------------------------------- SAVE YOUR CAMPBELL

SOUP LABELS!

National Home for Children

The VFW’s NHC (National

Home for Children) was founded

is 1925, and has continued to

evolve to meet the changing needs

of our nation’s military and veteran’

families.

Their Military and Veteran

Family programs assist active duty

personnel and their families when

their family plan falters during

deployment, and helps our veterans

and their families stay together

d u r i n g V A V o c a t i o n a l

Rehabilitation.

Their Single-Parent Family

programs helps veteran families in

crisis transition to a stronger, more

stable situation.

They even have a Residential

program that provides care for

veteran’s children who need a place

to live, learn, and grow in a loving

and supportive environment.

If you, or a family you know, may

need NHC’s assistance, they have a

Help Line as a gateway to help

military and veteran families across

the country: 800-313-4200.

For more information on NHC,

visit: www.vfwnationalhome.org

“Label’s For Education”

Program

“Labels for Education” is one of

many of NHC’s children focuses. It

is a fun and easy program where

families and members of the

community work together toward a

common goal - “earn free stuff” for

the schools!

By collecting UPC’s and beverage

caps / sauce caps from over 2,500

participating products, schools earn

points that can be redeemed for

Arts, Athletics, and Academics

merchandise.

A m e r i c a ’ s s c h o o l s a n d

organizations have earned over

$114 million in merchandise over

the “Labels for Education”

programs 39 year history.

Amy Kiger is collecting

Campbell soup labels for “Labels

for Education” to benefit our local

s ch o o l s i n e a r n i n g f r e e

merchandise.

So please, as you are cooking for

the holiday season, cut the labels

off of your Campbell products and

bring them into the Post!

----------------------------------------- ANGEL TREE

It’s Christmas time, and once

again we have the Angel Tree set

up at Post 392. It is decorated from

the heart - as every card hung on

the tree contains a child’s name

and a Christmas wish. Nothing is

more precious than a child’s

excitement on Christmas morning,

and nothing is more heartbreaking

than their disappointed faces if

their families are unable to provide

gifts this year.

Your mission is simple: take a

card, purchase the item on the

child’s wish list, and bring it back

to the Post.

Simple. No need to check with

the tower prior to takeoff. No need

to study the terrain for ambush

points prior to entry.

The only difficult part of this

mission may be remembering the

child’s name, as we are all getting

along in our years. But I think

picturing their happy face as they

open your gift will help affix their

n a m e i n y o u r m e m o r y .

Permanently.

So please, take a card from the

Angel Tree. Take two. Take pride

in bringing a Merry Christmas to

someone who could use our help

this year.

If you have any questions or need

additional information, please

contact Amy Kiger thru the Post.

-----------------------------------------

Page 9 Continued Page 10

CHRISTMAS BASKETS

The Post is looking for food

donations and other gifts to help

fill Christmas Gift Baskets for

military and veteran families

experiencing hard times this

Holiday Season.

If you would like to donate or

volunteer, please contact Judy

Lupole or any Post Officer!

----------------------------------------

CHILDREN’S CHRISTMAS

PARTY

December 16th

1:00—4:00 PM

Christmas Party

You, your children, and

grandchildren are invited to join

the festivities at Post 392 for this

years Children’s Christmas

Party!

Santa is taking time out of his

busy seasonal schedule to pass

out some early Christmas gifts.

There will be fun events, snacks

and drinks, and plenty for all to

make a memorable family day!

Please, be sure to “pre-register”

with Denice Moran or at the Post

to ensure the festivities support

the number of children attending.

Santa’s Workshop

Elf hats and funny shoes are not

required, but your volunteered

time and assistance is! MOCA

sponsored Santa’s Workshop is

asking if you would like to

volunteer before, during, and

after the Christmas party?

We could use some help

wrapping presents, activity

guides, setting up and cleaning

up, and facilitating events during

the festivities. Promised to be a

fun and heart warming

experience!

If you’d like to volunteer, please

contact Judy Lupole or Tina Brown

at the Post!

Christmas Party

Denice Moran

Santa’s Workshop

Judy Lupole

Tine Brown

------------------------------------------- CHRISTMAS DINNER

When: December 25th

Where: VFW Post 392

Time: Noon - TBA

Cost: Free

Come out to the Post enjoy a

Christmas dinner, socializing with

your friends, and taking a great

opportunity to make new friends.

------------------------------------------- HOLIDAY SAFETY

(excerpts of article from National

Highway Traffic Safety

Administration)

Law Enforcement Organizations

Cracking Down

Law Enforcement Organizations

are joining a nationwide impaired-

driving crackdown this holiday

season to stop impaired driving and

to save lives. Their efforts will

include sobriety checkpoints,

saturation patrols, etc.

Here are a few facts supporting

t h i s h i g h v i s i b i l i t y La w

Enforcement effort:

According to the National

H i gh w a y T r a f f i c S a f e t y

Administration, 32,885 people

were killed in motor vehicle

traffic crashes in 2010. Thirty-

one percent (10,228) of those

fatalities involved an alcohol-

impaired driver.

Th e ho l i d a y s ea s on i s

particularly dangerous. During

December 2010, 2,597 people

lost their lives in motor vehicle

traffic crashes, and 30 percent

(775) involved an alcohol-

impaired driver.

Data further shows that over two

-thirds (71%) of those killed in

December 2010 were in alcohol-

impaired crashes where a driver

tested at a blood alcohol

concentration of .15 grams per

deciliter and above.

During December 2010, 25

people were killed in impaired-

driving crashes per day on

average.

That’s why Law Enforcement

will be out in force during the

period December 12, 2012, to

January 1, 2013, cracking down on

impaired driving with a special

“Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over”

enforcement blitz.

Young Adults, Men, and

Nighttime Drivers Most At Risk

Young adults are among those at

greatest risk for driving impaired.

During December 2010, drivers 21

to 34 years old were alcohol

impaired and involved in fatal

crashes at a higher percentage than

any other age group.

In December 2010, 78 percent of

the alcohol-impaired drivers in

fatal crashes were male.

Nighttime driving is the most

deadly. Seventy-eight percent of

the alcohol-impaired drivers

involved in fatal crashes during

December 2010 were driving

from 6 p.m. to 5:59 a.m.

Data further shows that during

December 2010, 45 percent of

drivers involved in fatal crashes

Page 10 Continued Page 11

from 12 a.m. to 2:59 a.m. had

BACs of .15 g/dL or higher.

Break the Law, Face the

Consequences

During the holiday crackdown,

law enforcement will be

aggressively looking for

impaired drivers. When you

drink and drive, you are putting

your life and the lives of others

at risk.

If you break the law, you face

jail time, the loss of your driver’s

license, higher insurance rates,

a n d d o z e n s o f o t h e r

unanticipated expenses ranging

from attorney fees, court costs,

car towing and repairs, and lost

wages.

Law enforcement will have

zero tolerance for those who

don’t obey the law. If you

choose to drive impaired, you

will be arrested. No warnings.

No excuses.

It is illegal in all 50 States, the

District of Columbia and

Puerto Rico to drive with a

BAC of .08 or higher.

Refusing to take an alcohol

b r e a t h t e s t i n m a n y

jurisdictions may result in the

loss of your license on the spot

and enhanced penalties, not to

mention that having to inform

family, friends, and your

employer that you lost your

license will add to your

e m b a r r a s s m e n t a n d

humiliation.

Three Simple Ways to

Prevent a Tragedy

Plan ahead. If you will be

drinking, do not drive.

Designate a sober driver or

arrange another safe way

home.

If you are impaired, find another

way home. Use a taxi, call a

sober friend or family member,

use public transportation, or call

your [insert your local sober ride

program specifics here].

Be responsible. If someone you

know is drinking, do not let that

person get behind the wheel. If

you see an impaired driver on the

road, contact law enforcement.

Your a c t ions may s ave

someone’s life, and inaction

could cost a life.

For more information, visit the

“Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over”

Campaign Headquarters at:

www.nhtsa.gov/drivesober

----------------------------------------

TROOP 392

Post 392 Scouting Program

Please come out and join Cub Scout

Pack 392, Boy Scouts Troop 392,

and Venturing Crew 1911!

For more information call Wes

Gibson at (757) 615-8300.

YIS

Wes Gibson

-------------------------------------------

INCOMING

“He’s a soccer player.”

INCOMING Cartoons provided by

John Sheppard

www.incomingcartoons.com

BOOK SPECIAL! “INCOMING Military Cartoons”

Free shipping for Post Members!

That’s not all! For $15.00 you can

get a signed and personalized copy

(upon request)!

For address and information email:

shepart@aol.com

------------------------------------------

VETERAN’S OF FOREIGN

WARS

GENERAL MACARTHUR

MEMORIAL POST 392

WISHES YOU ALL

Our Active Duty Service Members

at home and abroad,

Our Veterans,

The families of our Veterans who

are no longer with us,

Our Comrades and Sisters,

Our Family and Friends,

HAVE A SAFE AND

HAPPY HOLIDAY

SEASON !

Page 11 Continued Page 12

www.incomingcartoons.com

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MOC / MOCA

Meeting

7:00 PM

FRA 166

Staff Meeting

Salty Dawgs Meeting Cootie Breakfast

Team 3

Children’s Christmas Party

1:00 - 4:00 PM Cootie Breakfast

Team 1

FRA 166

Branch Meeting

MCL Staff

Meeting

No Cootie Breakfast

Note: VVA

Christmas Party is

December 1st

New Years Eve No Cootie Breakfast

Pearl Harbor Day Colors 0800 Steamed Shrimp

6 - 8 PM Entertainment

Monica Arnold

VFW / LAUX

Meeting 7:00 PM

VFW / LAUX

Staff Meeting 5:30 PM

Cootie Breakfast Team 2

IOOB Christmas

Party

FOP Christmas

Party

MCL Meeting

Troop 392

Chicken Cordon Blue

6 - 7:30 PM

VVA Chapter 969 Board Meeting Roast Pork

6 - 7:30 PM

Steamed Shrimp 6 - 8 PM Entertainment Capt. Moose

DECEMBER 2012 - VOLUME 24, NUMBER 6

Troop 392 Happy B-Day National Guard (est. 1636) Pot Roast

6 - 7:30 PM

Steamed Shrimp 6 - 8 PM Entertainment

Tim Hopkins

AOA Meeting Troop 392

Christmas Day Christmas Dinner

Noon - TBA

House Committee

Meeting 7:00 PM Troop 392

Prime Rib 6 - 7:30 PM

Steamed Shrimp 6 - 8 PM Entertainment

Jim Berry

General MacArthur Memorial Post No. 392

2408 Bowland Parkway

Virginia Beach, VA 23454-5207

Phone: (757)486-5875

Fax: (757)486-3576

E-Mail: post@vfw392.hrcoxmail.com

Web Site: www.vfw392.org

THE RED, WHITE AND BLUE - 392