VFW NC Leader Newspaper Oct-Dec12

7/30/2019 VFW NC Leader Newspaper Oct-Dec12

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State Senior Vice Commander ErnieAllis of Charlotte Post 9488 was recentlyhonored to attend and be recognizedas a Special Guest at the Veterans'Day Ceremony held at the CherokeeFairgrounds Exhibition Hall in thetown of Cherokee. The celebration wassponsored by Steve Youngdeer AmericanLegion Post 143 of Cherokee.

The ceremony was a historic one, as

the wartime of medals of Cherokeehero Charles George were presentedto remaining members of the Georgefamily. Two New York boys, Michaeland Mauro Mazzariello, had found themedals, lost long ago, and determinedto return them to their rightful owner.Accompanied by their father, they jour-neyed to the Cherokee Reservation forthe special presentation. State Senior ViceCommander Allis was able to address thegathering and speak with all the historicfigures there, to include Chief RobertS. Youngdeer, whose new book "TheMemoirs of Robert Youngdeer - Marine,Chief, & Proud American" has been abestseller.

Charles George, for whom the Veterans

Administra tion Medical Center inAsheville is named, is a Medal of Honorwinner from the Korean War. He was a

Private First Class in the 179th InfantryRegiment, 45 Infantry Division whenengaged in action against the enemy onthe night of 30 November 1952. Georgewas a member of a raiding party com-mitted to engage the enemy and capturea prisoner for interrogation. Forging upthe rugged slop of the key terrain fea-ture, the group was subjected to intensemortar and machine gun fire and suf-fered several casualties. Throughout the

advance, George fought valiantly andupon reaching the crest of the hill, leapedinto the trenches and closed with theenemy in hand-to-hand combat. Whenthe U.S. troops were ordered to moveback upon completion of the assignment,he and two other soldiers remained tocover the withdrawal. While in the pro-cess of leaving the trenches, a hostilesoldier hurled a grenade into their midst.George shouted a warning to one com-rade, pushed the other comrade out ofthe way, and unhesitatingly threw him-self upon the grenade, absorbing the fullblast. Although seriously wounded inthis display of great courage, he refrainedfrom any outcry which would divulge theposition of his comrades. The two othersoldiers were able to silently evacuate

him to the rear aid station, where he diedof his wounds.

Official Publication of the N.C. Department Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States

Volume No. 74 TheVFWLeader oct/NoV/dec 2012

Inside:

Pg. 2 - State Commander's Contest

Pg. 3 - Officers Columns

Pg. 4 - Past State Commander Obits

Pg. 5 - Cruise Give-a-Way

Pg. 9 - President's Column

Pg. 10 - IRS Tax Status Pg. 11 - Home Depot Grants

Pg. 12 - Upward Bound Project

VFW of North CarolinaPO Box 25337Raleigh, NC 27611-5337

Non-Profit OrgUS Postage

PAIDRermit No. 1838

Raleigh N.C.

State Sr. Vice Attends Historic Cherokee Veterans Day

THE VFW LEADER

The Department's service dog programis progressing in great leaps and bounds

with actual dog training being success-fully applied and a modern training areabeing operated at Whittier Post 8013 inthe mountains of District 17. The verypopular program, which was approvedby the 2012 Convention and 2012-2013Council of Administration, is designed tosupply service and/or emotional supportdogs to VFW comrades in the state ofNorth Carolina.

An outpouring of supplies and funds fromthe enthusiastic posts of District 17 and a$4000 grant from a generous and patriotic

Wal-Mart have meant that the programso far is paying for itself. Other posts areplanning fund-raisers and supply runs evennow, such as the large amount of dog sup-plies amassed by centrally located SpringLake Post 4542 and waiting to be deliveredto the program in the mountains.

Currently, five dogs are undergoing actualservice-level training. They are called RJ,Chance, Nam, Elmo, and Ti. Three ofthem are already promised to VFW com-rades, one a wheelchair-bound warrior,and have been working with both headtrainer, District 17 Commander William"Skip" Hall, and their future owners. Amodern training facility is being con-

structed on the property of Post 8013complete with concrete and kennels, whereall the dogs spend a great deal of their timein the training process. Six more puppiesare in the very early stage of development- however, all they can do now, according

to Commander Hall, is eat, sleep, go to thebathroom, and walk on a leash.

Also, two puppies have been given to aCherokee grandfather, father, and son, allof whom are veterans and who learned totrain search and rescue dogs during theirperiods of service. These dogs, namedTracy and Jennie, will become full-fledgedsearch and rescue dogs, able to assist in anytype of rescue operation in that area start-ing this summer. The Cherokee authori-ties are very interested in the service dogprogram for their own disabled veterans,and are expected to substantially assist inthe program's operation.

Additionally, the dogs are very popularwith the local public in that area. Theyparticipated on a float in three differentChristmas parades, to include ones inFranklin, Bryson City, and Hayesville, and

were greeted by cheering and waving bythe parade bystanders.

The next step in the development plan willbe to formalize the permanent structure ofthe program, thereby giving some muchneeded support and rest to CommanderHall, who so far has carried the entire

weight of the effort on his own shoulders.This may take the form of a committee orcoordination team to run the administra-

tive and financial side of the house, whileHall as the head trainer, does the actualservice dogs training. State CommanderBriggs has called for a special meeting ofdistrict commanders to obtain their inputon the formalization of the effort.

2012

WEHO

LDTHEFUTURE

Canines For WarriorsIs Leaping Forward!!!

Winter Conference/Council MeetingThe Department of North Carolina's2012-2013 Mid-Winter Conference/Council of Administration meeting hasbeen scheduled for Friday, 1 Februarythrough Sunday, 3 February. For thefirst time, it will be held at the EmbassySuites Hotel right off Exit 210 of 1-40in Greensboro. That is at the junction of1-40 and NC State Highway 68.

The new hotel is a complete change ofvenue for the Department's three annualstate level meetings. Every room is a suite

with a small s itting room, and all roomsface out to the center of the hotel where asumptuous atrium fills the entire centerof the hotel. At one end of the atrium

will be located the various vendors andexhibitors, as well as the Ladies AuxiliaryCancer Tables. At the other end is thehotel's breakfast area. All participantsin the conference will receive a free hotbreakfast for each morning they arethere. Cost of a suite is $112.00 pernight, plus taxes.

However, if comrades or sisters wish tosave money, the Embassy's sister hotel,the Homewood Suites, is right acrossthe parking lot. If a reservation is madeat that hotel, one can get a large two-bedroom (with kitchen) suite for only$179.00 per night and split the cost.

Also, new for this conference is the returnof the Department hosting all 17 win-ners of the District Voice of Democracyoral scholarship competitions, with theirparents. For the past several years, onlythe top 3 of the winners were able tobe hosted, due to cost prohibitions.However, Wal-Mart corporation hasstepped forward and will reimburse theDepartment for all costs of hosting all17 winning students, to include the costof their banquet meals, their parents'meals, their rooms for one night, and aspecial VOD/Wal-Mart jacket. The top3 winners of the VOD competition willnot be announced until the banquet theevening of Saturday, 2 February, when

the 1st place winner will read his/herexcellent oral essay.

In addition, the top 3 Patriot Pen middleschool patriotic essay competition statelevel winners and their parents will bepresent. The 1st, 2nd, and 3rd level

winners will be announced at the samebanquet, and the 1st place winner willread his/her essay.

Cost of the banquet to attendees is $25per person. Banquet tickets will be pur-

chasable at the Registration Desk, ifany tickets are left available. Ticketscan be purchased in advance by call-ing the Department Headquarters. Costof visiting the Department HospitalityRoom for the entire weekend is $10 perperson.

The conference will cover a number ofimportant topics, to include meetingsof the Council of Administration onFriday afternoon and Sunday morning,meetings of the Eastern, Central, and

Western Conferences, various commit-tee meetings, a Service Officers' Updateclass on Saturday morning/afternoon, aseminar on National and State By-Lawson Saturday afternoon, and a Men's

Auxiliary meeting that same day. Ofcourse, the very popular DepartmentStore will be open all day Friday and

Saturday, where VFW / Auxiliary andmilitary items can be purchased by creditcard, debit card, check, or cash.

Several important and interestingpersons will be attending this Mid-

Winter C onference. The VFW NationalRepresentative will be National Junior

Vice Commander-in-Chief, John Stroudof Navada. He was elected Junior ViceCommander-in-Chief on July 25 of this

year at the National Convention in Reno,Navada. Prior to that, Stroud joinedPost 10047 in Las Vegas in 1996, andis currently a member of Post 2313in Hawthorne, Nevada. He is a TripleCrown All-American Commander (post,

National Junior Vice Commander-in-Chief, John Stroud of Navada

district, and state), and has served onnumerous VFW National Committees.

Also attending will be Brian Duffy ofKentucky, who is widely considered to bethe Southern Conference's next nomineefor Junior Vice Commander-in Chief.If that occurs, he will step into thatoffice in July of 2016 when the National

Convention will be held in Charlotte,North Carolina.

The winners of the statewide raffle willbe drawn Saturday night. One drawingis the Voice of Democracy/Patriot Penannual raffle, the tickets of which weresent to all comrades, sisters, and brothersby mail. The winner will receive $10,000,to be followed by smaller prizes of $2000,$1000 and two $500. The other raffle isState Commander Ted Briggs' contest to

win a weekend at the Ocean Dunes/SandDunes resort in Myrtle Beach. Every timea sister, comrade, or brother signs up anew member for the VFW, they get a ticketentered into the drawing pool.

State Senior Vice commander Ernie Allisaddresssed the Cherokee ass embly.

State Senior Vice Commander Ernie allis discusses the ceremo-nies with Andy Komonchak, Executive Director of the PurpleHeart Hall of Honor in Newburgh, New York, who flew downfor the special activities.

Michael and Mauro Mazzariello present the miss-ing Charles George medals o members of theGeorge family.

Visit Your Post's Website

Every post in North Carolina has their own website. It takes a minuteto visit your post's site. Just log in to:www.vfwwebcom.org/northcarolina


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Page 2 Oct/NOv/Dec 2012 the vFW LeaDer

The VFW Leader is publishedquarterly by the Department ofNorth Carolina Veterans of Foreign

Wars at 917 New Bern Avenue,Raleigh, North Carolina.

Editor.......................Bruce Edwards

News stories, photographs and othermatters for publication should beaddressed to Editor, VFW Leader,P.O. Box 25337, Raleigh, N.C.27611.

Correspondence regarding sub-scription and circulation should beaddressed to VFW Leader, P.O. Box25337, Raleigh, N.C. 27611.

"Department Headquarters normaloperating hours 8:30 a.m. - 4:30p.m. Monday thru Friday. Closed

for holidays: New Years Day, MartinLuther King's Birthday, Good Friday,Memorial Day, Fourth of July, LaborDay, Veterans Day, ThanksgivingDay, Christmas Day."

the vFW LeaDer

TAPS


3/9

On Veterans Day Past I had theprivilege of attending and speak-ing at a ceremony in Cherokee tohonor Veterans from the surround-ing area. During the ceremony anevent took place that impressed me

so much that I want dedicate thisarticle to get you acquainted with thethree people that made this VeteransDay so special to me. As you readon, you will find a biography ofPfc. Charles George and the citationawarding him the Medal of Honor.You will also note an article from theOne Feather newspaper in Cherokee,about two young men who becameinvolved with the George family.Please enjoy.

Charles George

Charles George (August 23, 1932-November 30, 1952) was a US Armysoldier who received the Medal ofHonor for his actions in combat

on November 30, 1952, during theKorean War. He was fatally woundedwhen he threw himself on a grenadeto protect other soldiers in his com-pany and was posthumously awardedthe Medal of Honor.

George was born in Cherokee, NorthCarolina and was a Cherokee Indian.He entered service in Whittier, NorthCarolina.. At the time of George'sdeath in battle, he held the rankof Private First Class in CompanyC of the 179th Infantry Regiment,45th Infantry Division. The actionfor which he received the Medalof Honor was near Songnae-Dong,Korea.

Medal of Honor citation

The Medal of Honor was awarded onMarch 18, 1954. The citation read:Pfc. George, a member of CompanyC, distinguished himself by con-spicuous gallantry and outstandingcourage above and beyond the callof duty in action against the enemyon the night of November 3D, 1952.He was a member of a raiding partycommitted to engage the enemy andcapture a prisoner for interroga-tion. Forging up the rugged slopeof the key terrain feature, the groupwas subjected to intense mortar andmachine gun fire and suffered severalcasualties. Throughout the advance,he fought valiantly and, upon reach-

ing the crest of the hill, leaped intothe trenches and closed with theenemy in hand-to-hand combat.When friendly troops were orderedto move back upon completion ofthe assignment, he and 2 comradesremained to cover the withdrawal.While in the process of leaving thetrenches a hostile soldier hurled agrenade into their midst. Pfc. Georgeshouted a warning to 1 comrade,pushed the other soldier out of dan-ger, and, with full knowledge of theconsequences, unhesitatingly threwhimself upon the grenade, absorb-ing the full blast of the explosion.Although seriously wounded in thisdisplay of valor, he refrained fromany outcry which would divulge the

position of his companions. The 2soldiers evacuated him to the for-ward aid station and shortly there-after he succumbed to his wound.Pfc. George's indomitable courage,consummate devotion to duty, andwilling self-sacrifice reflect the high-

est credit upon himself and upholdthe finest traditions of the militaryservice.

HIS MEDALS ARE HOMENovember 12,2012

Medals returned to George familyduring Veteran's Day CeremonyBy SCOTT MCKIE B.P.ONE FEATHER STAFF

Pfc. Charles George is an Americanand Cherokee hero. He sacrificed hislife to save his comrades in 1952 inthe Korean War and won the Medalof Honor and other awards for hisheroic actions.

Sixty years later, three of his medalswere returned to the George familyby two New York young men whohappened upon them in an antiquestore in Newburg, NY. MichaelMazzariello, 11, and his brother,Mauro, 8, found the medals in the

store while searching for a G.I. Joedoll.

The medals were returned duringthe Veteran's Day ceremony at theCherokee Indian Fairgrounds onMonday, Nov. 12.

The medals, which included a BronzeStar, a Purple Heart, and a GoodConduct Medal, were inscribed withthe name "Charles George" so theboys began a quest to find out whohe was and where his family is now.

Michael Mazzariello related, "Wewere looking for an action herofigure and came out with a trueAmerican hero's war medals belong-

ing to Charles George."

Michael said the medals were for salefor $450, but they persuaded theowner to give them the medals on thecondition that they find the rightfulowner.

Michael and Mauro contactednumerous people and agencies ontheir search for Charles George'sfamily including the National PurpleHeart Hall of Honor, Senators,Congressman and even wrote a letterto the President.

The boys found a video online onthe renaming of the VA Hospitalin Asheville after Charles George

and contacted Warren Dupree, Post143 Service Officer, who was fea-tured in the video. Dupree relatedthat he received an email from theMazzariello family in April on thesubject of the medals. This set thewheels in motion for the medals tobe returned during Monday's event.

"As both of our grandfathers servedin World War II and our uncle Tonyserved in Vietnam, we had heard thestories of real life veteran's strug-gles," said Mauro Mazzariello. "It'sreal. It's not a video game."

"It is only now that Michael and Ican rest knowing that the tribal lead-ers and the family of Charles George

have in possession the medals thatbelong to them."

Patty Buchanan, a relative . George,said, "On behalf of the George fam-ily, we would like to thank them verymuch. We really do appreciate it."

Ernie Allis, North Carolina VFWSenior Vice Commander, comment-ed, "Private George sacrificed his lifeby putting himself between certaindeath and his fellow soldiers. Forthis act of immeasurable courage,

Private Charles George was awardedthe Congressional Medal of Honor,this country's highest award. Hisactions define the meaning of aboveand beyond and call of duty."

Allis continued, "It is unknown howthree of his medals ended up in astore in New York, but we do owea special thanks to the Mazzariellofamily for recognizing the impor-tance of the medals they discovered.Then caring enough to take on themission of bringing Private George'smedals home."

Dupree said George "is not only anAmerican hero, but a Tribal trea-sure".

"Pfc. George gave his life for his fel-low soldiers, for his buddies. Thereis no greater honor than to sacrificeand to make the supreme sacrificeas he did. His memory must neverbe forgotten, nor will it because theEastern Band of Cherokee Indians,his fellow veterans, will alwaysremember his sacrifice."

Barbara Duncan, Museum of theCherokee Indian, related, "The med-als returned to the George familywere given to the Steve YoungdeerVFW Post 143, and their ServiceOfficer, Sgt. Warren DuPree, donatedthem to the Museum of the CherokeeIndian on behalf of the George fam-

ily today. Charles George's Medal ofHonor and his second Purple Heartwere donated to the Museum someyears ago by the George family, andwe will display the newly returnedmedals with them."

Comrades, we all must wonder whatwe would do if faced with a split sec-ond decision like the one Pfc. Georgehad to make. He and all who havebeen awarded the Medal of Honoract without thought for their per-sonal safety. They just did what hadto be done. That's what makes themso special to this nation.

Michael and Mauro Mazzariello arespecial too. I wish each of you could

meet them. Their sincerity and desireto do the right thing was evidentin their manner and speech. Theirparents taught them well and theytook their lessons to heart. It wasa delight to see the commitmentthose young men and their parentsprovided to a perfect stranger. Theyrepresent hope from a much youngergeneration. I can't think of a betterday than Veterans Day to repatri-ate those medals with Pfc. CharlesGeorge's family.

I'll leave you with something I saidat the ceremony: Veterans and mili-tary people spend a lifetime pay-ing it forward, and do so gladly.The Mazzariello family, especially

Michael and Mauro, showed how topay it back. For that, we owe them aThanks and a Well Done!

See you at the next meeting.Ernie Allis

In September and October I hadthe opportunity to visit 2423Indian Trail, 6060 ElizabethCity, 4203 Rockingham,5631 Sanford, 7318 SouthernPines, 8989 Kannapolis, 1706

Lincolnton, 9010 Clemmons,1160 Charlotte, 10485 Arcadia,and 9811 Kings Mountain.Received outstanding hospital-ity from each of them and,pleased to see most of themare doing great work for ourDepartment.

Also in October I had the honorof placing a wreath represent-ing 2031 Statesville honoring aWorld War II Veteran, and wasthe Department VFW represen-tative at the Vietnam MovingWall in Cherokee. It was a greathonor to be with the Chief

and the Eastern Band CherokeeIndians.

Another great honor was rep-resenting the Department ofNorth Carolina VFW, at BlackMountain on October 25,2012, when the new NursingHome was dedicated. Anotherawesome event that I trulyenjoyed.

November was another memo-rable month. I had the honorof participating in the GoldStar Banquet at 1142 NorthWilkesboro. For 52 years the

1142 VFW and Ladies Auxiliaryhave sponsored this awesomeevent, which honors familymembers who have lost lovedones in combat. I commendthem for a job well done.

November 9, 2012 I attendeda program at the FayettevilleVA Hospital, and that eveningwas a guest at VFW Post 670.

The VFW Leader OcT/NOV/dec 2012 Page 3

cOmmaNders cOLumN

Enjoyed a wonderful dinner,and great Comradeship withthe members. Their hospitalitywas great.

November 10, 2012, the Veterans

Day Parade in Fayetteville wasanother event I was privilegedto participate in. It was a greathonor to ride in such a largeVeterans Day parade, the nic-est I have ever seen. Thanks toDistrict President Jean Clark,and District Commander JessieBellflowers for your assistance.

November 11, 2012, I trav-eled to 7034 Sparta for theirMuseum Ribbon Cutting. I wastruly touched by the ceremo-ny conducted by District 15Commander Blevins, and PostCommander Owens. I received

the grand entrance at 7034Sparta "Pipe Me Aboard", as ifI was the Admiral boarding theShip, it was such an honor.

It was a privilege to partici-pate in their Museum Ribboncutting. 7034 Comrades, yourMuseum is an asset for yourPost, and I commend you foryour accomplishments.

November 18,2012, I attended aPOW/MIA program sponsoredby 5352 Kernersville LadiesAuxiliary. The Honor Guardfrom 10346 Hamptonville

conducted the service. Anothermemorable event.

The Department was saddenedwhen we received news aboutthe loss of two Past DepartmentCommanders, Stacy Foster andDouglas Seay. Both ofthemcontributed much to the suc-cess of our Department - theywill be missed.

I am hoping all Posts have beenworking on membership andtheir programs. If not, pleasedo so.

Be sure to attend the Councilof Administration meet-ing February 1-3, 2013, inGreensboro. We will have theVoice of Democracy Banquet,honoring all 17 District win-ners. An event you will notwant to miss!

Yours in Comradeship,Ted Briggs

sr. Vice cOmmaNder cOLumN

Ted h. Briggs

erNie aLLis

Moving Wall to GoldsboroAfter already coming to Indian TrailPost 2423 and the Cherokee Indian

Reservation, the Vietnam MovingWall, "The Wall That Heals," is nowcoming to Goldsboro. It will be open

for viewing from 18-21 April 2013on the Wayne County CommunityCollege campus. Heading this effort

is Goldsboro Post 2615, heavily sup-

ported by Kinston Poste 2771 andMount Olive Post 9959. Programs are

being planned now, and will includePurple Heart tributes. For moreinformation on this visit, contact

Post 2615 Commander Bill Grahamat [email protected] or 919-394-2200.

Mauro and Michael Mazzariello return three medals they found in a NewYork state antique store, belonging to Pfc. Charles George, to the Georgefamily during the Veteran's Day ceremony on Monday, Nov. 12. (SCOTTMCKIE B.P./One Feather photos)

The newly renovated and

painted VFW State Recruiting

Trailer is available

for sign out and pick

up by contacting the

State VFW

Headquarters at 919-

828-5058. It comescomplete with recruit-

ing documents & Patriotic

Giveaways.


4/9


2 Past Commanders Pass Away

Jr. vice cOmmaNDer

Jack GOiN

Time sure does fly by as the sayinggoes. Just six months ago you electedme as your junior vice commander.It has been an extremely busy timefor your line officers. As a quick pic-ture we attended our fall council of

administration meeting in October,I traveled to Kansas City for severaldays and participated in the juniorvice commander training programalong with the department quarter-masters and on the following weekendI attended the Southern Conferencemeeting in Williamsburg, Virginia.

On my trip to Kansas City it wasrewarding to meet and speak toour National Officers and NationalChairpersons. Very often when a ques-tion comes up we get on the telephoneand call National. Sometimes we getthe answer we expect other times wedon't, but to meet our national lead-

ers and actually meet the face behindthe voice was rewarding. What reallyimpressed me was the officers andchairpersons had their assistants withthem and we received an answer. Allmade the commitment that if some-one called with a problem or questionyou would be guaranteed a return callwithin 24 hours.

We all have heard the call for increasedmembership over the years. Did youknow that over the past 17 years our

membership has decreased from over2.1 million members to 1.4 million?It is extremely important that we notonly increase our membership butretain our present members. We muststay strong to support veteran's issueson the state and federal level and

that is reflected in our membershipnumbers.

Speaking about membership, don'tforget we have a mentoring programin place within the department. As wesign up new members assign a men-tor to call and communicate what isgoing on at your post. Don't let thatnew member come in the front doorand then walk out the back door neverto be seen again. I have visited severalposts these past months and I hear thesame story over and over that oncesomeone joins our ranks it is hardto get them out and help the post intheir programs. Maybe it is because

you don't invite that comrade back;maybe you haven't spent some timeand explained to the comrade whatyou actually do at the post and in thecommunity. Find out what the newmember is interested in, what theirexpertise is, what is or was their pro-fession. Invite the comrade to come toa breakfast or a dinner at the post. Ihave a hard time saying "no", I try notto accept "no" for an answer.

We are going thru a period of consoli-dations of posts within our departmentthis year. At times it is a scary thing fortwo or more posts to consolidate but itcertainly beats the alternative of possi-

bly loosing your charter. We, your lineofficers, don't want that to happen -we want all posts to grow. If your postis considering consolidation I wouldstrongly urge all members involved- not just the post officers- to read themanual of procedure, ask questionsin your post, find out what the prosand cons, educate yourself and yourfellow comrades and above all attendthe meetings when the discussion ofconsolidation will be addressed.

Another holiday season has comeand gone with all of its excitementand joy. I pray that all had a veryMerry Christmas and a happy NewYear with family and friends. Eventhough December is a joyous timein my life, it doesn't come withouta level of stress. Our schedules are

tasked to its limits. New demandscome in daily and we find that wemay be running in circles just wait-ing for the holidays to pass in orderto take a break. The focus on the"reason for the season" may get overshadowed by outside events. TheNew Year comes and we look for that

"break" we promised ourselves. TheNew Year may be here, but for manyin the Department, the year is almosthalf over. The "break" we promisedourselves gets pushed further backin our schedule. We may begin tocarry the added stress around with

us like some invisible luggage. Somewords have just the right name. Youlug around luggage. Sometimes wedo the same thing with stress. Itweighs us down until we find a wayto release it whether we are awareof the release or not. I like to thinkabout fire extinguishers and ketchuppackets under stress. Like us, eachcan be placed under pressure. A fireextinguisher can be released undercontrolled actions. You pull the pin,aim the nozzle, squeeze the handleand sweep. The intended fire is extin-guished and the pressure relieved. Ifyou have ever seen someone stomp ona ketchup packet, you know ketchupflies everywhere! Sometimes inno-

cent bystanders get hit. As you keepseeing your "break" move in yourschedule, realize that at some pointyou will become either the extin-guisher or the packet. Chronic stressis defined as a "state of prolongedtension from internal or externalstressors, which may cause various

physical manifestations - e.g., asth-ma, back pain, arrhythmias, fatigue,headaches, irritable bowel syndrome,ulcers, and suppress the immunesystem". Chronic stress takes a moresignificant toll on your body thanacute stress does. It can raise blood

pressure, increase the risk of heartattack and stroke, increase vulnera-bility to anxiety and depression, con-tribute to infertility, and hasten theaging process. For example, resultsof one study demonstrated that indi-viduals who reported relationshipconflict lasting one month or longerhave a greater risk of developingillness and show slower wound heal-ing. Similarly, the effects that acutestressors have on the immune systemmay be increased when there is per-ceived stress and/or anxiety due toother events. For example, studentswho are taking exams show weakerimmune responses if they also reportstress due to daily hassles. Bottom

line? Become the Fire Extinguisherand release the pressure. Make thatbreak fit your schedule as often asyou can. For me, prayer works (justsaying). Looking forward to seeingall my fire extinguishers and ketch-up packets in my travels. May GodBless!

chapLaiNs cOLumN

sr smith

Douglas L. Seay, State Commander

from 2010-2011, and Stacey S.

Foster, State Commander from

1978-1979, both died recently

from natural causes. Seay was 65

years old and Foster was 89.

Seay, a member of the U.S. Marine

Corps in the Vietnam War, was

a lifelong resident of Haywood

County. He was a retired die-

sel mechanic with ABF Freight

Systems, and died unexpectedly on

October 28 at the Charles George

VA Medical Center in Asheville. In

the Veterans of Foreign Wars, he was

State Commander in 2010-2011,

State Senior Vice Commander

in 2009-2010, State Junior Vice

Commander in 2008-2009, State

Judge Advocate in 2007-2008,

State Surgeon in 2006-2007, and

District 17 Commander in 2002-2004 and again in 2005-2206.

Foster served in the U.S. Navy in

World War II, and then went on to

serve in the U.S. Coast Guard. He

was a member of the Lexington

Police Department, a retired truck

driver with McLean Trucking

Company, and a retired director

of Davidson County Emergency

Services. He also was appointed

to the North Carolina Division

of Veterans Affairs by longtime

Governor Jim Hunt. Foster died on

November 8 at the Hugh Chatham

Nursing Center in Elkin. In the

VFW, he was State Commanderin 1978-1979, State Senior Vice

Commander in 1977-1978, State

Junior Vice Commander in 1976-

1977, District 10 Commander

in 1975-1976, and Lexington

Poste 3074 Commander in 1974-

1975. His successful VFW career

culminated in his serving as a

member of the National Council

of Administration for North

Carolina.

Douglas L. Seay, State Commander from 2010-2011

Stacey S. Foster, State Commander from 1978-1979


5/9


The 5th Supreme District of the

Military Order of the Cootie has

secured a four day cruise for two

aboard the Schooner American

Eagle. (The 5th Supreme District

consists of North Carolina, South

Carolina, Georgia and Florida.)

The American Eagle is owned and

operated by Captain John Foss (who

donated the cruise at the request

of North Carolina's Anna Holm,

5th Supreme District President and

a longtime member of the Ladies

Auxiliary 10225 in Garner). The

schooner was built in 1930 in

Gloucester, Massachusetts as a fish-

ing vessel. In 1984 the schooner was

taken to Rockland, Maine for recon-

struction and restoration. By June of

1986 it was sailing along the coast of

Maine. It participated in the July 4,

1986 Parade of Sail in New York for

the Statue of Liberty rededication.

The American Eagle has been desig-

nated a National Historic Landmark.

The schooner is part of the Maine

Windjammer Association.

While aboard the schooner, you will

enjoy meals prepared on a wood

burning stove, the traditional lobster

bake and the peace of sailing. You

will be able to assist with raisingand/or lowering the sails and other

shipboard chores. You do as much or

as little aboard as you please. This is

a chance to get away and totally shut

the world out.

With no phones, radios, TVs or

newspapers, you will enjoy four days

of listening to the wind in the sails

and waves on the hull.

The American Eagle sails from and

returns to Rockland, Maine. You will

be responsible for getting yourself to

and from Rockland. You will enjoy

the beauty of the Maine coast and

have the chance to visit islands. Theship anchors every evening off an

island or the coast and you are given

the chance to go ashore and check

out the scenery.

Donations are $5 for one chance

or $10 for three chances. The

winner will be drawn at the 5th

Supreme District meeting to be held

in Waycross, Georgia on March

17,2013. The winner will be con-

tacted and given information onbooking their cruise. You do not

have to be present to win. If for some

reason, the winner is unable to take

the cruise, it can be donated back

to the 5th Supreme District and

the VFW Department of Maine will

be contacted and the cruise will be

given to a deserving veteran. Or you

may give the cruise to someone else.

All donations will benefit veteran's

mental health issues with a stressor

on suicide prevention. Anna Holm

will contact the VAMC's in the 5th

Supreme District, requesting a pro-

posal on how the money will be used

and the entire amount will be givento the VAMC with the best proposal.

It is felt that by giving all the money

to one VAMC a bigger impact can be

made than by giving several VAMC's

a small amount. The prevention of

even one suicide will make this proj-

ect a success.

The Military Order of the Cootie is

the Honor Degree of the Veterans

of Foreign Wars and works withthe Veteran Administration Medical

Centers and other facilities with hos-

pitalized veterans. This fun organi-

zation has been around since 1920

and was instrumental in the forma-

tion of the VFW National Home

for Children. For more informa-

tion on the MOC, contact Supreme

Headquarters at www.lotcs.org.

For more information about the

Schooner American Eagle, check out

their website at: www.schooneramer-

icaneagle.com. Contact Anna Holm

for more information concerning

donations. She can be reached at

919-210-3268.

Brunswick ShaggersOnce again, the patriotic dancers

of the Brunswick Shaggers, have

had a successful fundraiser for the

National Military Services program,

and turned the money over to Oak

Island Post 10226 for transmitting

on to the Department of North

Carolina. The Shaggers, who have

raised and donated over $20,000 in

the past several years, contributed

$3870 this year to the cause of sol-

diers and veterans' care and com-

munications.

Retirement (COLA)The Congressional Budget Office(CBO) is predicting a 1.3 percent

cost-of-living adjustment in mili-

tary retirement and veterans' dis-

ability benefits in 2013, an increase

far smaller than the 3.6 percent hike

received this year. Social Security

and federal retirement pay auto-

matically adjust each year based

on changes in the Consumer Price

Index, a measure of the cost of

goods and services maintained by

the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The

COLA is announced each fall, but

CBO provided an estimate for the

increase in order to put a price tag

on the veterans bill.

Providing the 1.3 percent increase

in veterans' benefits will cost $686

million in fiscal 2013 for a hike that

would take effect December 1 and

first appear in January 2013 checks,

according to the cost estimate.

Money for the increase already is

factored into the federal budget, so

there is no need for lawmakers to

find offsets to cover costs, according

to a CBO statement.

Military Order of the Cootie Giving Away Cruise

Dept. Opens Own VFW StoreThe Department of North Carolina

has opened its own Department

VFW Store to cater to the wishes of

the comrades, sisters, and brothers of

the Tarheel State. It is available both

at the Department Headquarters at

917 New Bern Avenue in Raleigh

and online at www.vfwnc.org, then

"Tools", then "VFW NC OnlineStore."

After negotiating with VFW National

Headquarters, the Department was

able to advertise both VFW items

and non- VFW military items on the

new store. VFW State Secretary and

Ladies Auxiliary Past State President

Lynn Edwards was able to negoti-

ate lower prices with the National

store when the Department buys

in bulk. Therefore, the prices of

specialized North Carolina items are

being offered at a low, competitive

price. Additionally, when buying

at the Department Store, the prof-

its stay in North Carolina to help

Tarheel veterans and their families,as opposed to going to other states.

Comrades, sisters, and brothers

may purchase items from the store

by either attending the Council of

Administration meeting or Annual

Convention (where the store will

be physically present), or by visit-

ing the Headquarters, or by calling

the Headquarters at 919-828-5058

to order over the telephone, or by

visiting the Online site and using

a credit card or Paypal. The physi-

cal store accepts cash, checks, debit

cards, and credit cards.

There are many specialty items

available for purchase. For example,

individuals or posts or auxiliariesmay purchase shirts displaying the

appropriate VFW/Auxiliary Cross

of Malta symbol, the individual's

name, his/her position, and the post

number. Or caps can be purchased

with the symbol and the post loca-

tion and number.

VA Claims BacklogThe VA's claims system will soon begetting up to speed as it clears the grid-lock of nearly 230,000 claims related tothe three newest Agent Orange-relatedpresumptive service connected illnessesof ischemic heart disease, hairy celland other chronic B-cellleukemia andParkillson's disease. The completion ofwork on the claims means that 1,200senior claims representatives dedicatedto review the Agent Orange claims cannow be reassigned to tackle the currentbacklog of other disability claims.

The VA announced it was nearing com-pletion of the Agent Orange-relatedclaims, which had been assigned toabout 37 percent of its rating staff. TheVA's Veterans Benefits Administrationhad set up 13 resource centers exclu-sively dedicated to deciding theseclaims. Among the cases were morethan 150,000 complex claims thatrequired review under a U.S. DistrictCourt order. These so-called Nehmer

claims cases had been denied before theVA decision to award presumptive ser-vice connection for the three illnessesdue to Agent Orange exposure.

"As a result of the VA's diligence, all ofthe Agent Orange Nehmer claims forliving veterans have been completed,and there are fewer thim 500 remain-ing claims that benefit survivors," saidJesinoski. "Now these skilled VA raterscan direct their talents to reducing thehuge backlog of claims pending.The Agent Orange claims originatedfrom a 20 I 0 VA amendment to itsregulations to add the three diseases tothe list of those presumed to be relatedto exposure to the herbicide.

The VA raters can now work currentclaims pending.


6/9


Sisters...

We are entering the most won-derful and heartwarming time ofthe year when our focus centersaround church, family, friendsand digging a little deeper intoour pockets to help those familiesin need. I applaud your Auxiliariesfor the work that you're carryingout for Veterans and your com-munities and would like to sharesome of their stories with you.

Over the past five years District9 Auxiliary 7318 Southern Pines,

VFW and Men's Auxiliary havemade a $32,000 donation totheir local Hospice Home. Theyare collecting backpacks for theusa and have adopted a Veteranand helps with their needs on amonthly basis. They also partici-pate in the Patriot's Pen and Voice

of Democracy Essay contest andserved coffee and cake during theVeteran's Day ceremony.

Kannapolis Auxiliary 8989District 12 meets twice a monthand has assisted the VFW by pay-ing half of the cost of a new refrig-erator for the Post home. Theyhave also cosponsored a Hot Dogand Hamburger Supper and vis-ited the Salisbury VA Hospital andprepare dinner for the Veteransand Sisters prior to their Postmeeting.

Kernersville Auxiliary 5352District 11 sponsored a POWMIA ceremony, provided foodand toiletries for the Veterans atthe Salisbury VA Hospital, setup a Suicide Awareness Display

during the Dixie Classic Fair,placed flags on graves for VeteransDay and adopted two adults forChristmas.

Auxiliary 1142 North WilkesboroDistrict 15 cosponsored a BlueStar Families Banquet whereapproximately 200 attendeeshonored 28 families. They alsoassisted with the National GuardDeployment Ceremony wherethey distributed goody bags to thetroops and helped with the BuddyPoppy Drive.

Auxiliary 2057 Rocky MountDistrict 3 meets each Wednesdayto work on projects for Veterans

which includes handmade cards,pillows and backpacks. Theysponsor a Christmas Tree at theirlocal mall during the holidays andincluded photos of Veterans, LawEnforcement Officers and EMT.The program has been so success-ful that this year they will sponsortwo trees.

Sisters, once again you can see allthe programs that can be plannedand implemented when we setgoals and work together. Pleaseremember as we reach out to ourcommunities, we need to project

a positive and professional imageas to who we are and what weare about. Yes, we are a volunteerorganization, however... we are abusiness that helps Veterans andtheir families!

Let's "Create A Recipe For Success"as we continue to "Serve from theHeart for Our Veterans""

Love to all...

PresideNT's cOLumN

GinGer Amos

CANDIDATE FOR NATIONAL COUNCILMEMBER # 9 MARIA MYERS

My name is Maria Myers and I am running forthe office of National Council Member # 9.I am a life member of VFW Ladies Auxiliary2401 in Beaufort, NC, and I have been a veryactive member since 1984. I joined under myhusband, Daniel T. Myers, who retired fromUS Air Force and is a Viet Nam Veteran. Healso retired after 20 years from Cherry Point.I have served in all chairs up to and includ-ing President in the Auxiliary, District, andDepartment.

I have served in most of the appointed Chairsand all elected offices all the way to up toPresident in the Auxiliary of Jones-Austin Post2401. I have been Auxiliary president eleventimes.

I have gone through the District 4 Chairs up toDistrict 4 President, served as Chairman andTrustee several times in the 4th District, andserved as District 4 President two times.

I have gone through the Department Chairsup to Department President and served severaltimes on committees and chairmanships. I alsohave been appointed as a Page several times.

I joined the Gold Star Mothers of America in1997 after I lost my son Captain Donald J.

Lee, who was a helicopter pilot serving in theUS Army. I belong to the Azalea Chapter in

Wilmington, NC.

I am an MOCA member, occupied the MOCAchairs, served as President of PT 6 SandFiddlers in Beaufort, NC, and now I belong toMOCA PT #14 in New Bern, NC.

I am also a life member of the American

Legion Post 11 in Goldsboro, NC.

Department President of the Year, runnerup 2004-2005, District President of the year2009-2010, Auxiliary President of the year1997-1998, 1998 -1999 and 2006-2007,

Auxiliary Member of the year 1999-2000 and2001-2002, National Aid de Camp 1999-2000and was many times State and Auxiliary Aidde Camp over the years. I was Chairman,National Award Junior Girls 1st place 2006-2007, Hospital Volunteer of the Year in 2000,Carteret/Craven County Retired Senior

Volunteer of the year 2000, Caswell CenterVolunteer of the year award 2001.I have a plaque recognizing my many hoursgiven to Helpline of Carteret County 2002,and a Plaque from the Department of the

Army (Adopted Unit to Post 2401) for mysupport in 2007.

I received numerous letters and commenda-tions over the years for my service to our

veterans and other organizations for m y vol-unteer work (too many to list all of them),but some memorable ones are from PresidentGeorge W. Bush, President Barrack Obama,Senator Kay Hagan, Senator Richard Burr,Governor Jim Hunt, Governor Mike Easily,and Governor Beverly Perdue. In addition tothose, I also received letters from Senator JesseHelms and Senator Lauch Faircloth when Ieagerly became a US citizen in April 1981. I

was so very proud to become a citizen of theUnited States and retain that pride of citizen-ship to this very day.

I have several awards from the Navy/MarineRelief Society for crocheting baby blankets. Idon't know how many I have made over thelast 10 years. I got a lot of awards and I just

got a clock and a 6,OOO-hour pin.

I have also received United States MarineCorps plaques and several awards for my workat the Air Terminal at Cherry Point in thelast seven years for seeing the troops off ontraining and deployment overseas. I serve allbranches of the military and all reservists thatcome through Cherry Point Terminal, all of

whom are all looking for something to eat or

drink. For some it is the third, fourth, or evenfifth time through, and they know we are therefor them with all the goodies. I can count onthe help of Betty Mace, past commander JoeMlzzi, and Commander Dan Myers at all timesif I cannot be there mysel f. They know all thereis to know and take care of things. All threehave several awards themselves. We serve cof-fee, water, Kool-Aid, lemonade, cakes, cookies,muffins, brownies, gum, crackers, candies andanything else I can get. Peanut butter and jellysandwiches are a favorite. I bake a lot of theitems myself, and with the help of Dan I makemore than 240 P&J sandwiches at a time andthey all disappear in no time at all.

I also send care packages overseas with home-made cookies, brownies, hard candy, and toi-letry items. We exchange emails, letters, andpictures.

In the last 25 years I missed two nationalconventions, one Southern Conference, oneDistrict Meeting, and two Auxiliary Meetings,all due to circumstances beyond by control. Ihave missed no Department C of A meetingsand no Department Conventions. I alwaysplan everything around my Auxiliary obliga-tions.

Thanking you in advance for your consider-ation of me as your National Council member# 9.

I am Loyally,

Maria Myers204 South Drive Beaufort, NC 28516Email: [email protected]: 252-342-3728

Gender DisparitiesWASH INGTON - The Department ofVeterans Affairs (VA) has released a reportthat shows improvement in gender dispari-ties in 12 out of 14 Healthcare EffectivenessData and Information Set (HEDIS) mea-sures in VA since 2008.

HEDIS measures are used by 90 percent ofAmerica's health plans to measure perfor-mance on important dimensions of care andservice, such as screening, prevention andchronic disease management. VA consistentlyscores higher than private sector health careon both gender-specific and gender-neutralHEDIS measures. "We have a solemn obli-gation to provide high quality health care toall Veterans, regardless of gender. Although

we are encouraged by the progress we have

achieved, we are not going to stop workinguntil all gaps are eliminated," said SecretaryEric K. Shinseki.

VA began a national initiative to eliminategender gaps in preventive care in 2008.In 2011, VA asked each health care regionacross the country to review gender disparitydata and create and implement an improve-ment plan. The Comparing the Care of Menand Women Veterans in the Department of

Veterans Affairs report released by VA's Officeof Informatics and Analytics (alA) indicatesprogress. The report shows that VA improvedgender disparities in six performance mea-sures specific to VA, including the screeningrate for persistence of Post-Traumatic StressDisorder (PTSD) symptoms.

Other findings from the report include: VA has improved rates of screening women

Veterans for depression, PTSD and colorectalcancer. VA has improved disease preventionfor women Veterans through increased vac-cination rates. VA has improved. chronicdisease management for women Veterans inhypertension) diabetes, hyperlipidemia, allsignificant risk factors for cardiac disease.

Although the gender gaps have narrowed,care remains better for men than women incholesterol control, diabetes managementand flu vaccination.

The OIA report includes results of Veterans'inpatient and outpatient satisfaction sur-

veys, which show that men and womenVeterans reported similar satisfaction exceptin the Getting Care Quickly and GettingNeeded Care outpatient sections. VA hasimplemented a national initiative to improveall care for women veterans. Some of thecomponents include training VA providersin basic and advanced women's health care,implementation of women's health primarycare teams at VA facilities nationwide andramped up communications efforts. The

Women Veterans Health Strategic HealthCare Group, which leads the initiative, alsoissued a report looking at gender dispar-ities. That report, Gender Differences inPerformance Measures, VHA 2008-2011,identifies best practices for eliminating gen-der gaps based on success in VA networks.

"We're looking at what works and tryingto replicate it throughout VA's system,"said Patricia Hayes, chief consultant for the

Women Veterans Health Strategic HealthCare Group. "We want to sustain this trendtoward shrinking gender disparities andbecome a model for all other health caresystems on how to eliminate gender dispari-ties. Most importantly, we want to give every

Veteran the best health care."

Both reports can be downloaded viawww.womenshealth.va.gov.

For more information about VA programsand services for women veterans, please visit:

www.va:gov/womenvetand www.womenshealth.va.gov.

VFW Honor Guard Faithfulby Robert Kelly-GossAlbemarle Life Editor

Six members of the VFW Post 6060Honor Guard gathered around anold white Ford van inside WestlawnCemetery in Elizabeth City. Eachdressed in his and her Honor Guardgreen uniform; they talked, smokedand readied themselves for a grave sideservice that would include full militaryhonors.

This honor guard is the only one oper-ating in Northeastern North Carolina,says leader, Maj. Monica Sandridge(ret.).

"We've been a long way," says thecrew's honorary bugler; Bruce Parron,referring to the miles these folks arewilling to travel to provide military ser-vices to the men and women who haveserved in the U.S. armed forces.

The job of the honor guard is to pro-vide memorial and funeral services tosoldiers who have passed on, but arenot active military service members.Although this honor guard can par-

ticipate to a degree in those services themilitary will provide full honors for theactive duty men and woman who havedied in the service of their country.

For their purposes, however, the menand women who serve in the VFW Postguard honor the deceased with anythingfrom a simple flag folding ceremony toa full honors service that includes riflevolley, a bugler' playing taps and flagfolding and presentation.

Sandridge says there are a number ofveterans who serve with this honorguard, but only a few can be on handat any give time due to work commit-ments. On this day there is Sandridge,

44, who served in the Army from 1987to 2010; Parron, 75, who served inthe Navy from 1954 to 1962; MiguelRosario, 62, served in the Army from1968 to 1971; Jack Fortenberry, 75, wasan Army airborne ranger from 1954 to1969; Joe Franzese, 71, was a ranger

from 1958 to 1961; Mural Tackett, 62,served in the Army from 1973 to 1993;and Dan Serick, 55, served in the air-borne infantry from 1973 to 1993.

As the crew spots the arrival of the firstTwiford Funeral Home vehicle, the sixmember honor guard team begins toslip on their white gloves.

Three of the men take the M-1 Carbinerifles, and Parron grabs his b ugle. Theysolemnly walk to take their positions

just beyond a tent that will house thefamily of Frank Fortunato and his cas-ket during the service.

Parron takes his position, standing solobeneath a tree where he will play taps.Fortenberry, Rosario, Franzese andSerick form the rifle squad and standab out 15 yards from the grave site.Sandridge and Tackett will perform theflag folding and presentation, so theystand ready near the tent.

As the casket and pallbearers arrive,Fortenberry calls the crew to attention.The riflemen present arms as the othermembers snap to a salute.

The pallbearers carry a casket drapedin the American flag and place it on astand. When the pallbearers take theirplace beyond the seats beneath the tent,the family arrives. As they are seated thehonor guard stands at attention.

A priest recites the words of the funeralservice. And then, on cue, Parron raiseshis bugle and taps begins to echo intothe air. The rifle men begin a volley ofrifle fire as Sandridge and Tackett foldthe flag from the casket in ceremo-nial fashion, slowly, thoughtfully andfully aware of the significance of thismoment.

The flag folding takes time. The bugle

and rifle volleys are finished before thefolding is done. For a time, the onlysounds in the air are birds. The peopleare calm and quiet as Sandridge andTackett carefully execute this ceremo-nial folding.

Once the flag is folded, Sandridge plac-es it between the gloved palms of herhands and walks to Jeanette Fortunato,the wife of the deceased. Sandridgekneels before Mrs. fortunato and as sheoffers her the flag she says a few words.

The honor guard will stay in posi-tion until the funeral service ends.Once it ends they slowly begin to maketheir way back to their old van. Thelooks on their faces are heavy, especiallySandridge.

Sandridge says it's difficult to offer theflag to family members. She explainsthat some members of the honor guardwon't do that for fear of breakingdown, while other veterans won't evengo near honor guard duty because it'sjust too emotional.

As the members of the honor guardmake their way to the van, each of themcomment on the emotional toll it takeson them, but more importantly thedepth of the meaning this sort of dutyhas for them.

"It means a great deal to me," saysParron.

"We honor the dead by respecting thefamily," says Fortenberry.

"It still brings tears to your eyes," saysTackett.

The honor guard is always on hand forperforming a service at memorials andfunerals. They estimate that they aver-age 85 funerals a year. Sandridge saysthey've done as many as three in a day.

And Tackett points out that this honorguard is there, at the grave site of a vet-eran, regardless of the weather. They'veperformed honors in the blazing hotsun and in the freezing rain.

"We're true warriors that never relin-quished our oath to country and com-rades," says Serick.


7/9

Camp Lejeune service members liv-

ing with Traumatic Brain Injuries

and Post Traumatic Stress will final-

ly be able to get the treatment they

need without having to separatefrom their units or leave their fami-

lies for extended periods of treat-

ment.

The Intrepid Fallen Heroes

Fund is building an $11-million

NICoE Satellite Center extension

of the National Intrepid Center

of Excellence (NICoE) at Camp

Lejeune dedicated to treating service

members returning from Iraq and

Afghanistan with PTSD and TBI.

"Traumatic Brain Injury and Post

Traumatic Stress are invisible wounds

that we need to make visible," said

Arnold Fisher, Honorary Chairman

of the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund,

at the Lejeune center's groundbreak-

ing ceremony Wednesday afternoon.

"These men and women raised their

right hand and swore allegiance to

this country and when they go over-

seas and they come back hurt, we

are obligated to get them the help

they need ... this country's respon-

sibility is to help (wounded service

members) and that's what we are

here to do."

The NICoE Satellite Center at

Camp Lejeune will provide psychi-

atric testing, chiropractic treatment,

physical therapy equipment, sleep

labs, neuro and psych testing forservice members as well as a family

room where patients can spend time

with their family and take a break

for their clinical treatment regime,

according to a press release from the

Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund.

"Although American combat opera-

tions in Iraq and Afghanistan are

winding down, the suffering of

our wounded heroes is not," said

Richard Santulli, Chairman of the

Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund, via the

release. "Our nation owes the best

care possible to those who have sac-

rificed so much for us, and NICoE

and the Satellite Centers will help us

fulfill that responsibility."

The Camp Lejeune Satellite Center

is one of about 10 new $11 million,

25,000 sq. ft. satellite centers being

built. The centers are set to be fund-

ed and completed by the Intrepid

Fallen Heroes Fund and gifted to

the Department of Defense within

the next three years. The funding of

the centers is made possible through

a $100 million fund-raising pro-

gram set forth by the Fallen Heroes

Fund.

"We're grateful and we're blessed to

have a really fine military treatment

facility here at Naval Hospital CampLejeune," Lt. Gen. John Paxton,

Commanding General, II Marine

Expeditionary Force, told The Daily

News. "What the NICoE treatment

center brings to Camp Lejeune is a

national-level state-of-the-art facil-

ity that will help us with both the

diagnostics and the treatment of

post-traumatic stress and traumatic

brain injury ... it gives us capabili-

ties that we don't have now."

The design and mission of the new

Satellite Centers is based on the orig-

inal NICoE, which opened in 2010

at the Walter Reed National Military

Medical Center in Bethesda, Md.

and was also funded by the Intrepid

Fallen Heroes Fund. Operated by the

DoD, the NICoE treatment center is

the most advanced facility of it's

kind, designed to help the Armed

Forces research, diagnose and treat

TBI, PTSD and related injuries sus-

tained by military personnel.

For more information about the

Satellite Centers or to donate to the

cause, visit fallenheroesfund.org.

Page 10 Apr/MAy/Jun 2012 The VFW LeAder

Camp Lejeune to Get $11 MillionTBI/PTSD Treatment Center

Winston-Salem, NC S u p p o r t e r sstood shoulder-to-shoulder today to cut theribbon for Veterans Helping Veterans Heal's(VHVH) new housing facility at 3614 NorthGlenn Avenue. The goal ofVHVH will beto help veterans overcome barriers so thatthey can transition into permanent housing,achieve personal goals including self-suf-ficiency, and function well with family, co-workers, and friends.

Today's ribbon-cutting celebration servedto recognize the successful completion oftheacquisition and rehabilitation ofthe VHVH

building, to thank everyone who has helpedmake this project possible and to allow ourcommunity to see the facility before it isoccupied. It is important to note that theDepartment of Veteran Affairs (VA) hasnot yet inspected and accepted the VHVHproject at this time. This is expected tobe a comprehensive inspection and reviewprocess which will begin within the nextfew weeks now that the rehabilitation of thebuilding has been completed. Occupancy byhomeless veterans will follow the receipt ofall final approvals by the V A.

VHVH will address the gap in housing ser-vices in Winston-Salem and Forsyth Countythat are needed for chronically homelessveterans who are coping with substanceabuse and/or mental illness, the two highest

rated problems within the homeless veteranpopulation. VHVH will also help the localTen Year Plan to End Chronic Homelessness(United Way of Forsyth County) meet itshousing goals and build on the programsoffered by the various homeless shelters andother transitional housing facilities.

VHVH wIll offer a supportive housingenvironment in collaboration with the VA,CenterPoint Human Services and othersthat will include on-site case managers andthe provision of services to meet the spe-cial needs of the veterans. Each veteranwill work with his case worker to establishpersonal goals. All residents will attend life-skills training and participate in the dailyupkeep of the facility. Regular Alcoholic andNarcotics Anonymous meetings will be held

on-site. The Triad Community Kitchen willprovide food service under the leadershipof Jeff Bacon, director and executive chef.VHVH also plans to acquire a passenger vanin order to provide transportation for theveterans to medical facilities, job interviews,

workshops, and other meetings.

Veterans will be referred by VA and commu-nity outreach providers. VHVH will serve30 veterans at one time in dormitory stylehousing for a period of up to two years. Itis anticipated that some ofthe veterans willtransition out of the program within six tonine months enabling other veterans to par-ticipate in the program. VHVH will, there-fore, likely serve between 30-45 chronicallyhomeless veterans each year. Chronicallyhomeless veterans make up about 20 percentof the entire local homeless population in

Forsyth County. Veterans will be referredto the program by local homeless serviceproviders and the VA Medical Center inSalisbury, among others. Since VHVH willserve veterans, space at other shelters willbe freed up for other individuals who arehomeless.

VHVH was developed by the North CarolinaHousing Foundation (NCHF) in partner-ship with the Ten Year Plan to End ChronicHomelessness and the Veterans of ForeignWars Post # 1134. Funding for the devel-opment of VHVH includes grants fromthe Veterans Administration Grants PerDiem program, Branch Banking and Trust(BB&T), the Kate B. Reynolds CharitableTrust, the Winston-Salem Foundation,United Way of Forsyth County, and dona-

tions from individuals and members ofmany local military service organizations.Funding for the annual operations of theprogram, will come from multiple sourcesincluding an Emergency Shelter Grant fromthe City of Winston-Salem, a two-year grantfrom the Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust,the VA Per Diem reimbursement for eachveteran in the program. VHVH will also beone of the beneficiaries from fundraising bygroups like the Winston-Salem Elks annualgolf tournament and the Marine CorpsLeague Mud Run.

Rehabilitation of the former VFW Post# 1134 at 3614 North Glenn Avenue inWinston-Salem began in late October.The architect was Mike Osman of theSteele Group and the general contractor is

Landmark Builders of the Triad. StimmelAssociates' Luke Dickey assisted with zon-ing and road closure. Carolyn Scogin atBlanco Tackabery provided legal assistance.All are Winston-Salem companies. Countlessveterans have helped with the demolition of

the interior of the building. VHVH will beowned and managed by the North CarolinaHousing Services and Management Corp.,a nonprofit affiliate of the North CarolinaHousing Foundation also based in Winston-Salem. The program manager will be PeterMoorman, Jonathan Evans will serve asoperations director, and Dan Fisher willbe resident manager. All three men areveterans.

The North Carolina Housing Foundation(NCHF) is based in Winston-Salem and isthe parent affiliate of VHVH and the North

Carolina Housing Services and ManagementCorp. (NCHSM). NCHF is an experiencednonprofit developer of affordable housingwhich focuses on developing quality afford-able housing for low and moderate incomehouseholds throughout the state. NCHSMcurrently manages 26 properties with a totalof nearly 1000 apartment units. These unitsinclude apartments for families, indepen-dent elderly, persons with disabilities or spe-cial needs, and transitional and permanentsupportive housing for the homeless.

The Development Team includes GarryMerritt, NCHF Board Chair; John Nichols,NCHSM ; Diane Evans, NCHSM Directorof Development; Jane Milner, NCHSMDevelopment Coordinator; Peter Moonnan,VHVH-ProgramManager;Jeff~Bacon, Triad

Community Kitchen; CharlieClayboum,VFW Post #1134; Mary Claybourn, VFWPost #1134 Women's Auxiliary; RonHairston, US Department of VeteransAffairs; Andrea Kurtz, Ten Year Plan toEnd Chronic Homelessness/United Way ofForsyth County; and Paula Stephen, TheStephen Company.

VHVH is a project of the Ten Year Planto End Chronic Homelessness. The Plan,overseen by United Way of Forsyth Countywith the full support of the community andhomeless service providers, seeks to provideeffective solutions and accessible services toeliminate chronic homelessness and improvethe system's effectiveness for all personsexperiencing a housing crisis. Andrea Kurtzis the director of the Plan, and BB&T's

Chris Henson chairs the Plan's council.For additional information, please visitVHVH.org (currently under construction).

Ribbon Cutting for a New Facilityto Serve Disabled, Homeless Vets Home Depot GrantFebruary 24, 2012 - The Home Depot(HD) has opened their CommunityImpact Grants cycle, which will be ineffect from February 6, 2012 throughAugust 13, 2012, though it is suggestedyou apply as soon as possib le.

VFW Posts can receive up to $5,000 tofix up their buildings; however, of course,there is no guarantee of funding.

To begin the process, type in the follow-ing Internet link: www.homedepot foun-dation.orglhow-we-help/grants.html.Near the bottom of the Web page, choose."Click here to start the application".

To help you complete this application,the VFW Foundation has prepared a stepby-step, how-to guide.

We have tried to make the instructionsas simple as possible. Any deviation fromthis guide will most likely result in notbeing able to submit the application.

To receive this information send an e-mail to: [email protected].

Type the following in the subject heading: Need Home Depot Guide.

The application must be filled out via the

Internet only (no telephone calls to HD,e-mails or written submissions will beaccepted nor will you be able to turn thisapplication in at your local HD 7store).

Pay close attention to the Tax IDInstructions Section. You will use theEmployee Identification Number (EIN)of your Post and upload the Post's 501(c)(19) IRS determination letter at the endof the application.

If you receive funding it will come in theform of Home Depot gift cards that- canbe used to buy materials at your localHD store. You will need to recruit Post

members or other community volunteersto do the work. The project must becompleted within 6 months. You willalso be required to fill out a final report.Failure to do so will negatively impactyour Post's ability to receive any futurefunding from The Home Depot.

After submission of the application, youshould receive a written e-mail responsefrom HD usually in six weeks letting youknow if you received the grant.

Should you have any, questions, pleasecontact Richard Freiburghouse, GrantsManager, at 816-968-1124 or [email protected]

Save the DateHeroes Remembered:

Korean War Armistice Day 2012

on July 27, 2012 at 9:00am - 10:30am

at Arlington National Cemetery

Mark your calendars and make plans to join the Dept. of

Defense 60th Anniversary of the Korean War Commemo-

ration Committee on July 27, 2012 at 9:00am for a very

special ceremony honoring the 59th anniversary of the

Korean War Annistice at Arlington National Cemetery,

Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

The event is open to the public and kicks off with a

wreath laying ceremony and keynote remarks by

Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta.

More infonnation and details to follow in the

coming weeks. To RSVP for the event, please

email at [email protected]


8/9

The VFW Leader apr/May/Jun 2012 page 11

NC VFW Scholarship

Alex Clayton Hall of Gastoniaand Jebediah Gray Bryant ofWestfield were chosen as theOtis N. Brown and Billy RayCameron Scholarship winnersfor 2011-2012. Both are highschool seniors who just gradu-ated, and will now be movingon to college.

Alex Hall, winner of the Otis N.Brown Memorial Scholarshipof $1000 per year for 4 years,graduated a few weeks agofrom Forestview High School.He was eligible to compete forthe scholarship through hisgrandfather, long-time com-rade Mickey Carroll Grindstaffof Absher-Flowers Post 9337 inGastonia. His mother is LindaGrindstaff, a teacher in theGaston County School system.

Alex is an Eagle Scout in theBoy Scouts of America, anda member of the NationalBeta Club, National HonorSociety, 2009 Baseball Team,

School Newspaper, and theGaston County High SchoolEnvirothan Science Team.While on that team, he receiveda PlanetConnect EnvironmentEducation Grant, only one of10 awarded in the entire UnitedStates. He graduated with a3.53 unweighted grade pointaverage and a 4.25 weightedaverage (which includes creditfor Honors Courses in high

school). He ranked 59th out ofhis class of 272.

He plans to attend WesternCarolina University, wherehe will major in Natural ~Resources ConservationManagement.

Jebediah Bryant won the BillyRay Cameron Scholarshipwhich also pays $1000 peryear for 4 years. He qualifiedfor the competition throughhis grandmother, Nellie GrayWilson, a member ofthe LadiesAuxiliary 5352 of Kernersville.His mother is Julie Gautier, aproperty management special-ist.

Jebediah recently graduat-ed from North Stokes HighSchool in Danbury, and plansto attend Surry CommunityCollege to major in ComputerSciences. While in high schoolhe was Vice President of hisSenior Class, President of theMonogram Club, and a 4-yearScholarAthlete in varsity foot-

ball and wrestling. He had a3.10 unweighted average and a3.31 weighted average, endingup ranked 48 out of 105.

State Scout of the Year

Caleb Luke Gallentine of Cary has beenchosen as the 2011-2012 Scout of Year bythe Department's Scouting Coordinator,Terry Middleton, and his committee.Caleb is a member of Troop 204, and wassponsored by Cary Post 7383.

Scout of the Year is a highly prestigiousaward at the VFW Department level.

To be eligible, a candidate must be aregistered, active member of a Boy orGirl Scout Troop, Venturing Crew or SeaScout Ship. In addition, he/she must havereceived their Eagle Scout award, GirlScout Gold Award, Venture Silver Award,or Sea Scout Quartermaster Award. Theyhave to have demonstrated practical citi-zenship in school, Scouting and theircommunity, reached their 15th birthday,and be enrolled in high school at the timeof selection.

For the first time this year, Girl Scoutswere considered for this award as well

as Boy Scouts. This ruling was passedat the VFW National Convention in San

Antonio in 2011. This resulted in the bestyear ever for applicants in North Carolina,to include 4 girls out of 15 applicants.

Caleb just graduated from Green HopeHigh School in Cary, and plants to attenda 4-year university. He has been in somelevel of Scouting since joining the TigerCubs in Danville, Pennsylvania, in 2000.

He received his Eagle Scout rating, thehighest award in Boy Scouting, in May of2011. In Troop 204, he has held the posi-tions of Assistant Patrol Leader, PatrolLeader, Troop Guide, Assistant SeniorPatrol Leader, Senior Patrol Leader,Instructor, and Crew Leader at PhilmontNational Scout Camp.

FFor his Eagle project, which is requiredto obtain that rank, Caleb worked witha local women's and children's sheltercalled The Good Samaritan in Durham.He complety renovated two rooms that

were unlivable due to unhealthy condi-

tions of the carpet and bathrooms aftera sewage problem. He and his fellowScout volunteers gutted both rooms, andthen refurbished them with a new coatof paint, new ceiling tiles, new carpet inthe living space, new vinyl in the entry-

way, closet and bathroom, and new vinylbaseboards throughout. All the materials

were donated to the project by local busi-nesses.

Calabash Memorial Day CeremonyMore than 250 people gathered at Calabash

VFW Post 7288 on May 28th to rememberthose who gave their all for our country. The

featured speaker, Sergeant Major ChuckJarrell with the US Army Special OperationsCommand at Ft. Bragg, emphasized theimportance of just that: Keeping the "memo-rial" in Memorial Day. He rememberedthat Memorial Day originated in 1863 dur-ing the Civil War when family memberscleaning the graves of Confederate soldiersnoticed the nearby graves of Union soldiers

were also unkempt, so they cleaned thoseas well. Decoration Day for the graves offallen soldiers gave way to Memorial Day, aday to remember and honor those who diedin our nation's wars. Pictured during theCalabash VFW ceremony are cadets from

West Brunswick High School preparing theAmerican flag for raising, then lowering tohalf-staff in honor of our lost heroes. Duringthe ceremony, the names of 26 members ofthe Post who've died since last MemorialDay were read.

NEW STATE COMMANDERS MEMBERSHIP CONTEST


9/9

Vanessa Dobos is a gun-ner on a USAF AC-130 gunship. She hasseen action in Iraq andAfghanistan. She likeslong walks on lhe beach,men who aren't afraid to

cry and puppies.Her dislikes include feedtray stoppages, tracerflareout of her NVGsand premature fixed-wing strikes scatteringher high-value targets.

This 19 year old ex-cheerleader now an AirForce Security ForcesSniper, was watching aroad in Pakistan that ledto a NATO military basewhen she observed a man

digging by the road. Sheengaged the target.

It turned out he wasa bomb maker for theTaliban, and he wasburying an lED that wasto be detonated when a

U.S. patrol walked by 30minutes later. It wouldhave certainly killed andwounded several sol-diers.

The interesting fact of

this story is the shot wasmeasured at 725 yards.She shot him as he wasbent over burying thebomb. The Air Forcemade a motivationalposter of her.

The Real Miss America


Heroes on Wheels Rider Sign Up

Upward Bound ProjectSANFORD - Military veterans will findsupport in getting and staying on trackfor a college education, thanks to the newVeterans Upward Bound project headedby Central Carolina Community College(CCCC). The VFW Department of NorthCarolina is coordinating with the college

on how the two organizations can helpTarheel veterans.

The U.S. Department of Education recentlyawarded the college a five-year, $1.23 mil-lion dollar Veterans Upward Bound projectgrant to increase college attendance andsuccess among veterans. The DOE has beenawarding Veterans Upward Bound grantsnationally since 1972, but this is the firstone awarded to an institution in NorthCarolina.

"We're pleased that the Department ofEducation looked at our grant request andfelt confident that CCCC could build onthe success we already have in reaching outto and serving this important population,"said college president, Dr. Bud Marchant.

More than 87,000 veterans reside in thegrant project's service area. Many arepotential first-generation college attendees,low-income, or academically at-risk stu-dents who can benefit from this program,according to Dr. Brian Merritt, CCCCDean of Student Learning.

CCCC will receive $245,086 per yearfor five years to serve veterans residingin Chatham, Harnett and Lee counties.Partnerships with Wake Tech CommunityCollege and Johnston Community Collegewill provide the services to eligible vet-erans in those counties as well, he said.VFW posts in these counties can assist theprogram by finding and referring youngveterans who wish to be prepared for a col-lege education.

"No group deserves our support for opp or-tunities to learn and advance their knowl-edge and skills more than our veterans,"said U.S. Secretary of Education ArneDuncan. "Veterans Upward Bound grantswill help prepare our returning veterans forcollege by providing the academic instruc-tion, mentoring and guidance they need tosucceed in college and in life."

The grant will pay for project supportstaff, provide stipends to the veterans, and

cover other expenses as needed, such asthe cost of college preparatory classes.The primary goal of the VUB project isto increase the rate at which participantsemoll in and complete postsecondary edu-cation programs. Veterans Upward Boundis designed to motivate and assist veterans

in the development of academic and otherskills necessary for success in a programof postsecondary education. The college'sVUB program will engage veterans in arigorous, college-prep curriculum, as wellas provide them with well-rounded sup-port for success in education and a career.The services will include needs assessment,academic advising, career counseling, men-toring, tutoring, assistance with collegeapplication/admission, financial aid infor-mation, and assistance with enrollment inpostsecondary education.

It will also assist veterans in secur-ing support services from other locallyavailable resources such as the VeteransAdministration, state veterans agencies, vet-eran associations, and other state and localagencies that serve veterans. Participation

in this program is designed to prepare vet-erans to attend college - it does not affecttheir Gl Bill benefits once they actuallyenroll in college.

The support of county commissioners wasimportant in CCCC's obtaining the grant,Marchant said. It demonstrated to theDepartment of Education that the commu-nities understand and are behind efforts toreach out to veterans and help them be suc-cessful both personally and as contributingmembers of their communities.

"Support for the college's application forthe Veterans Upward Bound grant wasunanimous among the Lee County com-missioners," said Linda Shook, chair ofthe board of commissioners. "We praisethe college administration for being pro-

active and looking out for the veterans inour community - this is for them." lf theprogram is successful, it is hoped that itcan be expanded to more counties in NorthCarolina in a year or two.

While the college is fully staffing the pro-gram, veterans interested in signing up forthe VUB can make initial contact with astaff member by email at [email protected].

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