The Minnesota American Veterans News Volume 13Number 2 Spring, 2010Chartered by Act of Congress, July 23, 1947
Commander’s Column From Commander Cook
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o all my AMVETS: I hope the new year has treated you well so far. As for me, it’s been a whirlwind of travel and meetings. January 20-24th I was in Pigeon Forge, TN for a leadership conference. The first day of the meeting we were discussing ideas for programs that would promote membership. The 22nd – 23rd were devoted entirely to technology. By that I mean the computers, smart phones, Blackberry phones, and I-Pods. The younger generation gets all their information by these devices, and the feeling is that by offering this type of communication, the younger generation will get more engaged. Let me stress that those who want their information the conventional way, nothing will change. On March 6th, I attended a testimonial dinner for our National Commander Duane J. Miskulin in Green Bay, Wisconsin. It was a fantastic evening. Commander Miskulin is a GREAT National Commander, and a very nice man. On a personal note: I’ve talked to the commander several times and consider him a friend. Now I know a lot of you are saying to yourselves: WHO WANTS TO GO TO GREEN BAY? For those of you who don’t know me, I along with my seven-year-old nephew, are big Packer fans, and enjoyed every second of it. On March 17th-20th I had the opportunity to go to Washington D.C. to the National NEC meeting. Once again the main topic was the new wave of technology, and how young veterans get their information through those means. This is the future, and who ever wants to use it should be able to. On all my travels, Minnesota has got glowing reviews from National and National 4th District Commander for our membership drive, programs, and our newspaper. For that I have to thank Kelly Nguyen 1st Vice/Adjutant for all her hard work putting the reports together, sending them to National, and helping charter new posts. Kelly makes sure our membership matches National’s records, and works with our Public Relations Officer Roger Stelter on getting the newspaper printed. Roger, if we didn’t have you with all your expertise in public relations, the newspaper would have never get off the ground. But the most important people I would like to acknowledge are the post commanders and the post members for your hard work giving us the events, pictures and articles to put in the newspaper.
Commander Mike Cook
On Tuesday, March 30th we had the distinct honor of having our National Commander in Albert Lea Post 47 to present the AMVETS highest award—THE SILVER HELMET AWARD—to Congressman Tim Walz for all the work he does for veterans in Washington. Congressman Walz is a retired Sergeant Major-ARMY and an AMVETS member. Turning to our State Convention, once again we our honored to have the National Commander, the National 4th District Commander and the 4th District Vice Commander in attendance. I think it’s a tribute to all the hard work everyone put in during the year to have these distinguished gentlemen attending our convention. Once again let’s make another hard push to sign up NEW members. National and 4th District think we are doing a good job at this. Lets knock their socks off in the next four months. AMVETS FOREVER.
What’s Inside
Application for Membership..........................Page 2 Officers Reports..............................................Page 4 Post Reports.....................................................Page 5 Taps..................................................................Page 8 Veteran’s News & Updates.............................Page 9 State Officers................................................ Page 14 Post Meeting Locations.................................Page 14 Post Officers...................................................Page 15 History of American Veterans......................Page 16
“The future of our Armed Services and the future of this country will be integrally linked to how we treat our veterans.” - George Washington
Minnesota American Veterans News - - - Spring, 2010
Preamble AMVETS Constitution We, the American veterans, who have served or are serving in the Armed Forces of the United States during and since World War II, fully realizing our responsibilities to our community, to our state, and to our nation, associate ourselves for the following purposes: To uphold and defend the Constitution of the United States; to safeguard the principles of freedom, liberty and justice for all; to promote the cause of peace and goodwill among nations; to maintain inviolate the freedom of our country; to preserve the fundamentals of democracy; to perpetuate the friendship and as‑ sociations of these veterans; and to dedicate ourselves to the cause of mutual assistance, this by the grace of God. Vol. 13, No. 2
* A national minimum amount that may vary from state to state or from post to post.
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Officer’s Reports 1st Vice Report
2nd Vice Report
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Submitted by Kelly Nguyen
s our department convention is approaching rapidly, you may want to think about having a membership drive. This allows you to educate potential members as to what the AMVETS is all about and to let them know what we offer. It also allows them to learn of our member benefits. There are many benefits, from discounts on prescriptions, eye glasses, car rentals and hotel stays. You may see all of these at www.amvets.org under member benefits. Your post already has programs and events that you hold throughout the year. This is just another way to promote yourselves…blow your own horn. Ask those friends of yours who are veterans, to join your post. Even if your post is not all that active, it may be pushed into gear with new members. It adds to the viability of each post to receive this new motivation from new membership and helps to maintain the post. As we are nearing our convention, we are looking to be 100% in membership. Our AMVETS National and AMVETS National 4th District are proud of how far Minnesota has come this year in membership. We want to remain a shining star and outshine the other eight states within the National 4th District. A little history as to why we want to shine brightly this year: Our membership has remained about even for the last 20+ years, as a Department. With the few new members coming in each year, we lose about that many with our veterans passing on. Our membership is growing this year. We have chartered a new post in Frazee and look forward to chartering at least two more prior to the end of our membership year. This is great news for the Department, as we would like to see the Department grow. As I have said before, it is with new members that new ideas arise and we grow from that. For those of our posts that have been around in the Department for years, we would like to see you grow, too. We need new members to keep our posts viable. This will help keep your post and/or department going for years to come for our veterans. Just to recap, it is a simple thing to have a conversation with a person. Ask them if they are a veteran. If they are, offer them the great opportunity to join your post. There are many benefits and discounts you may receive for just being a member. Also note the AMVETS MISSION STATEMENT: To enhance and safeguard the entitlements for all American Veterans who have served honorably and to improve the quality of life for them, their families, and the communities where they live through leadership, advocacy and services.
Remember the fallen..
Submitted by Allen Elsbury
e would like to have each post send in your post programs to the Department office so they may be submitted to National. What is needed is the number of volunteers from your post, the amount of money spent on the program or any donation made…those of you with charitable gaming have many donations each month…please send that information to the office as to how much and where it was donated and miles driven, if any. Any information regarding each of your activities would also help in noting which program to list your activities under. The Americanism contest went well. We have one student from Saint Paul that will be traveling to Valley Forge - Freedom Foundation for a long weekend. Congratulations to all who submitted entries. It was a tough decision for each of the categories for this years ‘Why we Celebrate the Fourth of July’. Please consider sending in information for next year’s contest from your post.
..and the lost.
VAVS Report John Austin
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ational just sent a load of gifts for our veterans at the VAMC. They were distributed to them on Monday, March 15. The veterans were very appreciative of the gifts they received. There are many programs available at the VAMC that you may not be aware of, for example, your spouse, and even volunteers, are now qualified for these programs. These programs include weight reduction course, smoking cessation course and living well programs. Call the VAVS office for information. Volunteers are still needed in many areas. Contact Katy Ryan at 612725-2050. Donations for personal items, as well as the need for cribbage boards, puzzles of 500 pieces or less and other items is requested. Contact Mary Ann Davis for a more complete list of needs at 612-725-2050. Again, your support is NEEDED. If you cannot give the time, a monetary donation is always appreciated.
For membership or program forms, go to www.amvets.org. Don’t forget to submit your programs to Department each month. Let us know what the program was, how many people, hours, cost, and donations made. I know most posts donate to the VA’s and to their communities. Blow your own horn! We want to know what you have been up to! To see the types of programs AMVETS National has already, go to www.amvets.org and click on Programs. They have material for planning your programs and events. Lots of useful tools. Hope to hear from you soon!
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Post Reports Post 1 - Mendota Commander Mark Kronholm
Post 5 - St. Paul
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ebruary 3rd, 2010, our new gaming operation opened in Bloomington at Lucky’s 13. This is the second Lucky’s 13 location that our post has our gaming operation in. We hope this new location will be as successful as our other gaming operations and allow us to double our donations. Over Veterans Day, we had several members at the Eagan Walmart with our White Clover Campaign. Again we were very successful. Every month we donate to the VAMC in Minneapolis as well, as the VA Home in Hastings. We also went to the VA Home in Minneapolis on Super Bowl Sunday to spend some time with the veterans and bring some snacks for all to enjoy. Currently we are working on building eleven (11) eight foot (8’) crosses to put into the grounds at the Fort Snelling Chapel. Each cross represents a major war that the U.S. has been in since our independence. They will be posted the Saturday prior to Sunday’s Memorial Day service at the chapel and taken down the day after. In the past, we have posted over 250 smaller crosses, each bearing the name of a soldier who has given his/her ultimate sacrifice post 9/11/01. The service at the chapel will be held at 11a.m. on Sunday, May 30. After that, we will be working on getting ready for Mendota Days. This falls on the second weekend in July. On Friday, there are bands up and down the town, along with food booths scattered about, but the best is just outside the VFW where the Am Legion has burgers and such. On Saturday, the day starts off with a parade at noon. Our Honor Guard starts off the parade. And like the Legion the night before, our Auxiliary grills burgers, hot dogs and brats throughout the day and our Post runs the beer garden right outside the VFW. Bands will be playing throughout the day up and down the town and many attractions for the little ones…petting zoo, inflatable jumpy houses/slides. If you are around the town, come on down and visit a while. Our post meets on the last Wednesday of the month at 7 p.m.
National Commander Duane Miskulin with Manny Aguirre, Post 5 - St. Paul at Albert Lea during presentation of Silver Helmet to Congresman Tim Walz.
AVMETS Post 5 donated 2,000 pounds of beans and rice for the neighborhood House food shelf.
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Post Reports Post 5, cont.
Post 12 - Hibbing Raymond Pierce
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he post remains involved in the community sponsoring and donating to local programs and events as well as increasing membership. Our goal is to help the community as much as possible along with “remembering our veterans”. Our “Operation Boo Boo Bear” program was a huge success for family members of deployed soldiers from our local community. The smiles on children’s faces when they were handed a ‘Boo Boo Bear’ were priceless. We continue to honor our veterans and families, our youth, the needy and disabled through local programs. Lawful purpose expenditures for the months August 1-December 31, 2009 amounted to almost $20,000. Donations included youth sports and school programs, local deployed military unit, Honor Guard, AMVETS and VFW veteran programs, veteran funerals, scholarships and assistance with benefits for persons of all ages that are stricken with a rare or terminally ill disease. Our local youth programs and events spread from one end of the Iron Range to the other. We provide assistance for assisting athletic programs, scholarship programs, health and safety, and patriotic programs and events at all grade levels. We encourage our youth to help out by volunteering.
Finance Man Nick Basarich, Post 12 - Hibbing working on putting up new sign for the veterans and senior citizens organizations housed in servicemen’s quarters in the Memorial Building just outside the building.
Post 13 - Waconia Commander Gary Streater & Mike Nelson
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ur post meetings are on the third Tuesday of each month at 8 p.m. We offer the assistance and help from AMVETS, to the community wherever possible. We still have a couple of fund raising events each year.
Membership remains about the same. New members are hard to recruit. All of us, just have to keep trying and push for the new members, as well as renewals.
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Post Reports Post 13, cont.
Post 612 - Frazee
We are involved with the Legion and the VFW to stay more in touch with joint functions in the community. We are participants in local parades, and the community knows who the AMVETS are! Everyone works well together. “For God and Country”.
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Post 290 - Morris Submitted by Commander Robert Lubenow
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will be the new Commander for Post 290, for the comming year. I would like to welcome you to our meetings. The meetings are on the 1st Monday of each month at the American Legion, Morris. Praire Pioneer Days Raffle will be July 11, 2010 after the parade. We will have 13 different drawings, for a total of cash prizes at $1,400. $5 donation per ticket. Need not be present to win. Call myself 320-793-6773 or Erv Krosch for tickets. Post 290 will be putting up flags for Labor Day on 9-16-2010 and on Veterans Day 11-11-2010. The next meeting is June 7, 2010 @ 8:00 p.m.
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Harriet Stech
e are a new post in Frazee. We have been doing a lot of fundraising events so we can give back to the community. We had a chili feed in January; a bike run in April and are having another one in May on Memorial Day. We are planning for Patriot’s Day on September 11 by having a remembrance. We are having the houses of worship ring their bells five times. Each toll of the bell represents each of the devastating events of the day in 2001. The first is for the first plane that hit the first of the Towers in New York City. The second toll is for the second tower being hit. The third is for the Pentagon, fourth for the plane in PA and the fifth for ALL lives lost to the acts of terrorism.
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st o P New
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Taps Post 11: Jack Ottem 10/2/09 Don DeChambeau 1/9/09 We must be grateful that by the service of these AVMETS in the Armed Forces of
Post 2000: PDC Gene Richgels
In Flanders Fields
the United States of America, we are truly a free people in a free land.
By Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, MD (1872-1918) Canadian Army
In Flanders Fields the poppies blow Between the crosses row on row, That mark our place; and in the sky The larks, still bravely singing, fly Scarce heard amid the guns below. We are the Dead. Short days ago We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow, Loved and were loved, and now we lie In Flanders fields. Take up our quarrel with the foe: To you from failing hands we throw The torch; be yours to hold it high. If ye break faith with us who die We shall not sleep, though poppies grow In Flanders fields.
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Veterans News & Updates State Legislative Update Week of April 5-9, 2010 Signed into Law: March 26, 2010 SF2183: Corporal Johnathan Benson Memorial Highway designation in the city of North Branch. March 30, 2010 HF2561: North Branch: Veterans Memorial Bridge on marked Trunk Highway 95 designated. April 1, 2010 HF1671: Omnibus Supplemental Budget Bill. This bill encompasses most areas of state government – with the exception of Health & Human Services and K-12 – and cuts government spending by more than $300 million. Items of veterans interest are: • $100,000 in one-time funding for MACV (from the General Fund); • $100,000 in one-time funding for Honor Guards (from the General Fund); • $200,000 transfer of funds from the Support Our Troops Account to the CORE program; • Repeal of 2009 rider language which required specific amounts to be spent on food, pharmaceuticals, fuel and utilities at the VA Homes. This repeal allows funds to be co-mingled. • Expansion of allowable uses for Support Our Troops plate revenue to include “providing services and programs for veterans and their families”; and, • A report to the Legislature by Jan. 15, 2011, detailing “unexpended appropriations, revenues or other actual or projected carryover money provided directly or indirectly through any provision in this article.” Chapter 216 does not include new funding for two agency requests, specifically operational funding for the new Fergus Falls specialty unit and the adult day care facility in Minneapolis. Both are expected to open later this year or early next. If no funding is appropriated by the end of this legislative session, the Department will have to pay for operations out of its existing budget. Wednesday, April 7, 2010 Senate Finance Committee SF2737 (Skogen): Livestock investment grant program eligible producers appropriation. This is the vehicle for the Omnibus Agriculture and Veterans Affairs policy language. The Veterans article contains the following: • revises existing laws relating to county veterans service offices making the counties directly responsible for these offices and requires the Commissioner of Veterans Affairs to provide services, resources and training to the CVSOs; • eliminates a state residency requirement for purposes of eligibility for higher education benefits for the surviving spouse and children of a deceased veteran who dies as a result of military service; • repeals a duplicate DAV license plate; and • repeals the Construction Project Priority Listing for the VA Homes. The bill, as amended, was recommended to pass and sent to the Senate floor. Friday, April 9, 2010 House Finance Committee HF2678 (Juhnke): The Agriculture and Veterans Affairs Omnibus Bill. Article 2 pertains to Veterans and the policy items of interest are: • language outlining the procedure to fold the state flag for presentation or display; • veterans preference clarification for teachers during the hiring process; • increases the time period (to 120 days, from 20 days under current law) within which the Commissioner of Veterans Affairs must hold a hearing on a petition by a veteran claiming to have been denied employment rights by any state or Vol. 13, No. 2
local governmental body, as provided under the Minnesota Veterans Preference Act; • revises existing laws relating to county veterans service offices making the counties directly responsible for these offices and requires the Commissioner of Veterans Affairs to provide services and resources to the CVSOs; • eliminates a state residency requirement for purposes of eligibility for higher education benefits for the surviving spouse and children of a deceased veteran who dies as a result of military service; • expansion of allowable uses for Support Our Troops plate revenue to include services and programs for veterans and their families; • expands the site locations for new state veterans cemeteries to include northeastern, southeastern (Fort Ridgely State Park, if feasible) and southwestern Minnesota; and, • report to the Legislature by January 15, 2011 on the progress in securing land for the veterans cemeteries. The bill, as amended, was recommended to pass and referred to Ways and Means. Wednesday, April 28, 2010 Senate SF2429: Veterans with service-connected disabilities public transit fee exemption clarification. This bill would clarify that the recently enacted exemption from transit user fees for service-connected disabled veterans applies to any level of service-connected disability, not just for those veterans at the 100 percent total and permanent level. The bill passed the floor, 67-0.
Federal Legislative Update April 9, 2010
Gulf War Presumptive Diseases VA Secretary Eric Shinseki announced 18 MAR he is taking steps to make it easier for veterans to obtain disability compensation for certain diseases associated with service during the first Gulf War, as well as those who served in Iraq and Afghanistan on or after Sept. 19, 2001. VA will publish a proposed regulation in the Federal Register to establish new service-connection presumptions for nine specific infectious diseases. Specifically: • Brucellosis • Campylobacter jejuni • Coxiella burnetii (Q fever) • Malaria, • Mycobacterium tuberculosis • Nontyphoid Salmonella • Shigella • Visceral leishmaniasis • West Nile virus. Without a rule change for presumptive conditions, veterans are required to provide medical evidence to establish an actual connection between a specific disease and military service in Southwest Asia or Afghanistan. With the proposed rule, a veteran would only have to show service in Southwest Asia or Afghanistan, and a current diagnosis of one of the nine diseases. A final regulation will be published after a 60-day public comment period. [Source: Washington Weekly 19 Mar 2010 ++] VA Claim Denial Update A leading Republican senator on 16 MAR asked Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki to explain why so many veterans’ benefit claims are wrongly denied, resulting in a high rate of reversal on appeal. Charles E. Grassley of Iowa, top Republican on the Senate Finance Committee, said that figures cited in a case argued before the Supreme Court last month showed that between 50% and 70% of veterans’ benefits claims had been unjustifiably denied. In a letter to Shinseki, Grassley asked what the Department of Veterans Affairs is doing to improve the quality of VA claims decisions and reduce unnecessary appeals. “The fact that 9
Minnesota American Veterans News - - - Spring, 2010
Veterans News & Updates, cont. the VA’s decisions are not only overturned on appeal frequently, but that a majority of claims were so wrongly decided in the first place shows me that there are serious, systemic problems with the process for approving veterans’ claims,” Grassley said. “After providing substantial increases in taxpayer dollars to the VA to address the claims backlog, it’s clear that devoting more money alone is not the answer. The VA needs to tackle this problem head on, because without substantial reform, thousands of veterans will continue to face needless delays and red tape.” Veterans who are wrongly denied benefits often suffer significant harm, Grassley said, even if they eventually prevail. So does the taxpayer, he added, because when the government loses on appeal, it must not only pay the benefits in question, it also must cover the veteran’s attorneys fees when the court finds the government’s position to be unjustified. [Source: CQ Politics News 16 Mar 2010 ++] VA Health Care for Children
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he Senate unanimously passed S. 3162, a bill to clarify that the health care VA provides to children of Vietnam and Korean war veterans -- those with certain birth defects associated with those conflicts -meets the standard of minimum health care coverage required by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. The bill was authored by Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee Chairman Daniel K. Akaka (D-Hawaii). Unemployment Rate Triples for Male Vets of Current Wars
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SA Today (4/7, Zoroya, 2.11M) reports, “Unemployment for male Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans has tripled since the recession began, rising from 5% in March 2007 to 15% last month, Labor Department statistics show.” President Obama, however, has “announced...an effort to expand federal recruitment, training and hiring of veterans.” Meanwhile, US Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA), is “sponsoring legislation to improve résumé training, expand the G.I. Bill to include apprenticeship programs and assist veterans starting small businesses.”
White House Announces “Open Government” Plans
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SA Today (4/8, Jackson, 2.11M) On Wednesday, the White House “announced ‘open government’ plans...for all Cabinet agencies, calling them road maps ‘for making transparency, citizen participation and collaboration part of the way they work.’” Among the “plans, as released by the White House,” is the “Department of Veterans Affairs Innovation Initiative: The VA Innovation Initiative (VAi2) will invite VA employees, private sector entrepreneurs and academic leaders to contribute the best ideas for innovations to increase Veteran access to VA services, reduce or control costs of delivering those services, enhance the performance of VA operations, and improve the quality of service veterans and their families receive.” www.taxes.state.mn.us
Market Value Exclusion on Homestead Property of Disabled Veterans Property Tax Fact Sheet 13
13 Fact Sheet
This program, enacted in 2008, provides a market value exclusion for property tax purposes for the homestead property of an honorably discharged veteran who has a service-connected disability rating of 70 percent or higher, as determined by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs. What is it? The program provides an annual market value exclusion of up to $300,000 on homestead property of a qualifying disabled veteran. What are the qualifications? A property must be the homestead of a qualified veteran in order to receive this value exclusion. To qualify, a veteran must have been honorably discharged from the United States armed forces as indicated by United States Government Form DD214 or other official military discharge papers, and must be certified by the United States Veterans Administration as having a service-connected disability. In the case of agricultural homesteads, only the house, garage, and immediately surrounding one acre of land will qualify for the exclusion. If a property qualifies for this market value exclusion, the property does not receive the residential homestead market value credit provided under Minnesota Statute 273.1384, subdivision 1. Qualifying veterans with a 70 percent disability rating or higher are eligible for a market value exclusion of $150,000. Qualifying veterans who are totally (100 percent) and permanently disabled are eligible for a market value exclusion of $300,000.
Veterans with a disability rating of 70 percent or higher will need to reapply annually. Veterans who are totally and permanently disabled do not need to reapply after the initial approval. The property will continue to qualify for the value exclusion until there is a change in ownership or use of the property. A surviving spouse can continue the exclusion under this provision for one additional assessment year, or until the spouse sells, transfers, vacates, or otherwise disposes of the property (whichever occurs first). What information do I need to supply? Qualifying veterans may supply the United States Government Form DD214 or other official military discharge papers, as well as documentation from the Veterans Administration verifying disability status. The Veterans Administration may also provide a letter that encompasses all required information (both discharge and disability). If you need any of this documentation, please contact the Veterans Administration or your County Veterans Service Officer. What if I have questions? This is only a summary of the Valuation Exclusion on Homestead Property for Disabled Veterans program. For more information, or for answers to specific questions, contact your county assessor’s office.
How do I apply? Applications are available in your county assessor’s office. Applications must be made by July 1 to qualify for the exclusion on the current year’s market value for taxes payable next year. Vol. 13, No. 2
Property Tax Division – Mail Station 3340 – St. Paul, MN 55146-3340
This fact sheet is intended to help you become more familiar with Minnesota
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MN Korean War Vets Commemorate 60th Anniversary of War
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he event will be held on Saturday, June 19, 2010 at 1:30pm. This event celebrates the sacrifices that Amverican service members made during teh Korean War and the close ties between the Minnesota Korean American community and the Minnesota Kroean War Veterans. The ceremony will inclue an Honor Guard parade, traditional Korean drumming and dance, and performances by the Choir of Korean Presbyterian Church of Minnesota. A short memorial ceremony will take place at the Minnesota Korean War Memorial to honor and pay tribute to the more than 750 service members killed in action and missing in action between 1950-1953. A reception and light refreshments will follow at the Minnesota National Guard Armory, 600 Cedar Street, St Paul, MN, This event is open to the public. The Minnesota Korean War Memorial is located on the east side of the Minnesota Capitol Grounds near Cedar Street.ď‚ś
Studio 157 The Olive Garden Ulland Brothers Inc. Warren Berger Ltd. PLATINUM Hubbard Broadcasting GOLD Berg Professional Staffing Rochester Cheese SILVER Construction & General Labor Telin Transport Group We Pour Walls Inc. 01/07/2010 - 05/05/2010
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Minnesota American Veterans News - - - Spring, 2010 State of Minnesota Office of Governor Tim Pawlenty March 31, 2010
VETERANS AFFAIRS COMMISSIONER DYRUD TO RETIRE, GOVERNOR PAWLENTY APPOINTS PUGLIESE TO LEAD AGENCY ~ Leadership change at Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs will be effective April 14 ~
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aint Paul - Governor Tim Pawlenty announced today that Clark Dyrud, Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs is retiring from state service effective April 14. Governor Pawlenty also announced the appointment of current Deputy Commissioner Michael Pugliese as the incoming Commissioner of Veterans Affairs, effective the same date. “Clark Dyrud has been an exceptional advocate for Minnesota’s veterans,” Governor Pawlenty said. “With more than 30 years of service to our veterans, he has touched the lives of thousands. We are extremely grateful to him and thank him for his service.” Dyrud was appointed Commissioner of Veterans Affairs by Governor Pawlenty in March 2005. He served in Vietnam from 1967 to 1968 as a squad leader in a mechanized infantry unit. While serving, he was wounded in combat and received a Purple Heart. He started working with veterans in 1973 and his career with the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs began in 1980. Michael Pugliese will be the state’s 16th Commissioner of Veterans Affairs. Pugliese has served as Deputy Commissioner since January 2001 and was Acting Commissioner from December 2004 to March 2005. He served with the United States Marine Corps from 1987 to 1991. Pugliese began his career serving veterans after graduating from the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) National Service Officers Academy in 1994. Prior to joining the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs, he worked as a DAV National Service Officer in Minnesota and was promoted to supervise the state’s national service office. “Michael will be an excellent leader for our state’s veterans and their families,” Governor Pawlenty said. “He will continue to ensure that our veterans know we appreciate and support them in both our words and deeds.” The Commissioner of Veteran Affairs reports to the Governor and receives a salary of $108,393 per year. The Department works to ensure that Minnesota’s veterans, their dependents and survivors receive the benefits and services to which they are entitled.
AMVETS HONORS MINNESOTA CONGRESSMAN TIM WALZ Cmdr. Miskulin to present Congressman Walz with Silver Helmet Award for his continued support to troops and veterans
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ASHINGTON, March 18, 2010—AMVETS will present its prestigious Congressional Silver Helmet Award to Minnesota Congressman Tim Walz during a special reception on Capitol Hill at 5:30 p.m. in the House Veterans Affairs Committee chambers of the Cannon House Office Building. AMVETS honored Walz, a retired command sergeant major from the Minnesota Army National Guard, for his work as both a soldier and a legislator. “In only two short terms, Walz has become a critical voice for the men and women who bare the brunt of our nation’s battles. As a sergeant major, Walz was dedicated to caring for his troops and he has carried that dedication into his work in Washington,” said AMVETS National Commander Duane J. Miskulin. “Congressman Walz has demonstrated a sustained commitment to our nation’s troops and our veterans with more than two decades of continuous service as a soldier and a statesman, and it is an honor to recognize his ongoing contributions.” Since taking his seat in Congress in 2006, Walz has introduced, supported and testified on multiple bills designed to better serve today’s veterans—including issues many in Congress failed to address, such as pain mitigation and equity in travel reimbursement. Walz has also pushed for increased funding for veterans’ optical care and traumatic brain injury care, advocating for “centers of excellence” to better identify and treat such conditions. “I am deeply honored to receive this award,” said Walz. “I am also truly honored to work with AMVETS. Their dedication to the men and women who have served our country is unwavering and I look forward to continuing to fight alongside them to ensure that our veterans and troops have the best care possible.” The Congressional Silver Helmet Award is presented by AMVETS each year to a member of Congress for exemplary service to members of the military and the veterans’ community. The Congressional Silver Helmet Award reception coincides with the testimony of the AMVETS National Commander before a special joint session of the Congressional Veterans’ Affairs committees. Commonly referred to as “The Veterans’ Oscar,” the Silver Helmet is a unique silver replica of a WWII GI’s helmet. The first Silver Helmet was first presented to Gen. George C. Marshall in 1954 at the AMVETS 10th Anniversary Dinner in recognition of his contributions as a soldier, statesman, and American. Today, the award recognizes excellence and outstanding accomplishment in the fields of Americanism, defense, rehabilitation, congressional service and civil service. On Saturday, March 20, AMVETS will honor four additional Silver Helmet Award winners during the annual Silver Helmet Awards Banquet at the Hilton Washington Dulles in Herndon, Va. Hosted in conjunction with the spring meeting of the AMVETS National Executive Committee, this year’s banquet marks the 56th anniversary of the Silver Helmet Awards. In addition to AMVETS members, the audience for the Silver Helmet Awards includes cabinet members‚ members of Congress, military officials, service members, and wounded warriors who come to pay tribute to each year’s recipients.
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Minnesota American Veterans News - - - Spring, 2010
Rural Veterans Wait to Receive Expanded Health Care Options
Washington, D.C. – On Thursday, April 29, 2010, the House Veterans’ Affairs Health Subcommittee, led by Chairman Michael Michaud (D-ME), held a hearing to assess the progress of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) in implementing an enhanced contract health care pilot program for veterans living in rural areas. The pilot program was authorized in the 110th Congress and required the VA to conduct a three-year demonstration project in five regions where highly rural veterans enrolled in the VA health care system may receive covered services through non-VA providers. Nearly 3 million veterans who use the VA health care system live in rural areas, which include more than 100,000 veterans who reside in highly rural areas. This trend is likely to continue since a large number of service members serving our country in Iraq and Afghanistan are recruited from our rural communities. “The enhanced contract care pilot program is a potential tool for expanding access to health care for our rural veterans in areas where the VA is unable to provide care,” said Chairman Michaud. “I am concerned that the early 2009 implementation date has come and gone and the program remains unavailable to eligible veterans. Today’s hearing provides an opportunity to learn more about the steps that the VA has taken to implement the program as well as the barriers that are slowing down the process of implementation.” Members of the Subcommittee raised concerns that the program was too restrictive geographically and was intended to reach more veterans than VA had originally planned. Acting Director of the Office of Rural Health Patricia Vandenberg explained that VA could expand the target area of the pilot project but that change would result in a longer wait for veterans to receive the expanded care options. Ms. Vandenberg also discussed two specific challenges dealing
with eligibility requirements. Language to address these issues and make it easier for the VA to implement the pilot program was included in S. 1963, an omnibus bill pending President Obama’s signature. Bob Filner (D-CA), Chair of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, said, “We need to balance the pressing health care needs of veterans in rural areas with the desire to develop an effective program that will best serve this veteran population in the coming years. I think a broad scope is essential as VA develops an established network of providers in rural areas.”
VA Updates Online Application for Health Benefits
WASHINGTON (May 5, 2010) - Veterans will find it easier and faster to apply for their health care benefits now that the Department of Veterans Affairs has updated its online Form 10-10EZ, “Application for Health Benefits.” “VA is committed to tapping into the best that technology has to offer to ensure Veterans receive the benefits they have earned,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki. “We continue to look for new ways to improve access to care and benefits.” This revised online application provides enhanced navigation features that make it easier and faster for Veterans to apply for their health care benefits. This new version also allows Veterans to save a copy of the completed form for their personal records. The most significant enhancement allows Veterans to save their application to their local desktop and return to the application at any time without having to start over. Previously, Veterans had to complete the form in a single session. This updated online form, along with the revised VA Form 10-10EZ, reduces the collection of information from Veterans by eliminating some questions. In addition, there are minor changes to simplify the wording of questions and provide clarity in the instructions. Further enhancements to the online application are expected to be delivered in increments throughout 2010.
Understanding Minnesota’s Veterans
The Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs has launched “Serving You Better,” a survey to assist the Department in better understanding how Minnesota Veterans use MDVA’s services and programs and to help the Department better serve Veterans and their families. The online survey is short and anonymous. Veterans, current service members and families are encouraged to participate. To take the survey visit www.MinnesotaVeteran.org and click on the “Serving You Better Survey” button. Vol. 13, No. 2
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Minnesota American Veterans News - - - Spring, 2010
Department Commander Mike Cook 6175 132nd Way, Apple Valley, MN 55124 952-956-2211 cookkitt@aol.com Dept. 1st Vice Cmdr/Adj./Office Manager Kelly Nguyen 648 Marie Avenue W. Mendota Hts., MN 55118 651-216-4200 kellymnguyen@comcast.net Dept. 2nd Vice Commander/1-Yr Trustee Allen Elsbury 3328 Corliss Trail, Rosemount, MN 55068 651-322-7489 aelsbury@frontiernet.net Finance Officer Mike Nelson 1011 41st Avenue NE #103 Columbia Hts, MN 55421 612-978-6368
State Officers
John Fuchs Judge Advocate/Historian 507 W 10th Street, Morris, MN 56267 320-589-4395 Provost Marshall/3-Yr. Trustee Allen Weyaus P.O. Box 647 Onamia, MN 56359-0647 320-630-2489 Finance Man/Chaplain Nick Basarich 4020 9th Avenue West #325 Hibbing, MN 55746-3028 218-263-5657 Service Officer Chuck Conroy 9285 Robert Trail South Inver Grove Heights, MN 55076 651-544-6906 NEC Ray Gerving 2700 94th Avenue, Brooklyn Park, MN 55444 763-639-5670
VAVS Minneapolis John Austin 2268 7th Street West Saint Paul, MN 55116 651-698-3104 kcajnitsua@yahoo.com Public Relations Officer Roger Stelter 16451 Snake Trail Waseca, MN 56093 507-835-7901 rstelter@hickorytech.net Hospital Service Foundation Lawrence Dean 1247 East County Road B Maplewood, MN 55109 651-484-2837 lodean.1@juno.com
Alternate NEC/2-Year Trustee Dick Volkert 2400 Dodd Road, Mendota Heights, MN 55120 651-454-4422
Dept. White Clover Princess Jayme Conroy conro059@d.umn.edu
Post Meeting Locations Post 1 1323 Sibley Memorial Drive Mendota, MN 55150 651-688-7408 Last Weds at 7pm
Post 10 Giant Valley A.L. #234 38 Minnehaha Ave S Mpls, MN 55406 2nd Sat at 2pm
Post 3 Ponemah, 56666 Sat 7pm
Post 11 VAMC St Cloud 4801 Veterans Drive St Cloud, MN 56303 3rd Tues at 10:30am
Post 4 302 E Sarnia Winona, MN 55987 1st Tues at 7pm Post 5 209 W Baker St Paul, MN 2nd Thurs at 6:30pm Post 8 20 1st Ave NE Aitkin, MN 56431 2nd Tues at 7pm
Vol. 13, No. 2
Post 12 704 W 41st Street Hibbing, MN 55746 1st Tues at 5pm Post 13 233 S Olive St Waconia, MN 55387 3rd Tues at 8pm Post 19 218 W 4th St Redwing, MN 55066 4th Weds at 6:00pm
Post 23 135 W Oakdale St Owatonna, MN 55060 4th Mon at 7pm Post 24 1247 E Cty Rd B Maplewood, MN 55109 Thurs 7pm Post 26 Brainerd A.L. 708 Fort St Brainerd, MN 56401 1st Thurs 7pm Post 28 Carlton VFW 3rd Tues at 7pm Post 31 VFW Post 1642 113 Elm Ave W Waseca, MN 56093 1st Tues at 7pm
Post 33 Servicemens Club 227 Chestnut St Virginia, MN 55792 Last Weds at 6:30pm Post 47 142 N Boradway Albert Lea, MN 56007 5th Mon at 7pm Post 53 777 Grand Avenue Onamia, MN 56359 2nd Mon at 6pm Post 151 448 S Munsterman Appleton, MN 56208 2nd Mon 7pm/winter 8pm/summer
Post 290 507 Pacific Ave Morris, MN 56267 1st Mon at 8pm Post 556 556 SW 12th St Forest Lake, MN 55025 As Needed Post 612 Frazee VFW 120 West Main Ave Frazee, MN 56544 1st Thurs at 7 pm Post 2000 7510 Concord Blvd E Inver Grove Hts, MN 55076 1st Tues
If you would like to be added to this list, please send your information to: americanveteranamvets@netzero.net 14
Minnesota American Veterans News - - - Spring, 2010
Post Officers POST 1 COMMANDER Mark Kronholm 2184 Schoolmaster Dr. Chaska, MN 55318 612-708-1910 POST 1 ADJUTANT Kelly Nguyen 648 Marie Ave. Mendota Hts., MN 55118 651-406-8152 kellymnguyen@comcast.net
POST 10 COMMANDER Archie Webb 4285 Lindsey Lane Minnetonka, MN 55345 952-412-8044 amanatmn@comcast.net POST 10 ADJUTANT Craig Maehling 1082 14th Ave SE Mpls, MN 55414 612-331-2593
POST 4 Commander David Graves 416 Steuben Street Winona, Mn 55987 507-454-1613
POST 11 COMMANDER Don Gilbert 24870 22nd Avenue St. Augusta, MN 56301 612-272-1557
POST 4 ADJUTANT Dave Brand 106 Wisconsin Ave. Cochrane, WI 54622 608-248-2474
POST 11 ADJUTANT Philip Landwehr 56 - 33rd Ave S #243 St Cloud, MN 56301320-253‑0703
POST 5 Commander Raymond J. Rangel 2220 Conway Street Saint Paul, MN 55119 651-698-7273 POST 5 ADJUTANT Michael Medina 1618 Hague Ave. St. Paul, MN 55104 651-645-0587 POST 8 Commander John Washtock 46356 287th Lane Aitkin, MN 56431 218-927-6830 POST 8 ADJUTANT Lloyd Gerard 31142 380Ph St. Aitkin, MN. 56431 218-549‑3441
POST 12 COMMANDER William Cogger 704 W 41st Street Hibbing, MN 55746 218-749-5187 amvets12@mchsi.com
POST 19 COMMANDER Janice Hinz 29676 Flower Valley Rd. Red Wing, MN 55066 651-338-2970 POST 19 ADJUTANT Joyce Maldondo N. 4003 U.S. Hwy. 63 Ellsworth, WI 54011 715-792-5407 POST 20 COMMANDER Eugene Koopmeiners 15722 390th Street Avon, MN 56310 320-746-7676 POST 20 ADJUTANT T. Joseph Schwab 335 Golfview Drive Albany, MN 56307 320-845‑4848 POST 21 COMMANDER Eugene Fohs 1233 Richard Ave. Det. Lakes, MN 56501 218-847‑4144
POST 12 ADJUTANT Dick Mattson 715 E. 39th Hibbing, MN. 55746 218-262‑1523
POST 23 COMMANDER Tom Voge P.O. Box 81 Nerstrand, MN 55053 507-334-3238 skip46@dmbroadband.com
POST 13 COMMANDER Guy Streater 217 1/2 E Lake St Waconia, MN 55387 952-442-5002
POST 23 ADJUTANT Evelyn Hershberger 422 E Vine Owatonna, MN 55060 507-451-6091
POST 13 ADJUTANT Walter Schmakel 348 W. 4th St. Waconia, MN. 55387 953-442‑4272
POST 24 COMMANDER Al Busse 956 Cook Ave. E. St. Paul, MN 55106 651-771-1568
POST 24 ADJUTANT Lawrence Dean 1247 Co. Rd. B Maplewood, MN 55109 651-484‑2837
POST 33 ADJUTANT Mike Holter 227 Hampshire Rd Hoyt Lakes, MN 55750 218-225-3377
POST 290 ADJUTANT Erv Krosch 509 E. 9th Street Morris, MN 56267 320-589-2916
POST 26 COMMANDER Floyd Hardy 8200 Woodrow Rd. N.E. Brainerd, MN. 56401 218-764-3122
POST 47 COMMANDER Ruth Perry 121 Fenton Road Albert Lea, MN 56007 507-373-2245
POST 556 COMMANDER Jerry Ewald 13735 Nurelius Ln. Lindstrom, MN 55405 612-257‑5791
POST 26 ADJUTANT Clayton Eisel 8514 Sleepy Hollow Rd. Fort Ripley, MN 56449 218-829-6860
POST 47 ADJUTANT Les Shaunce 528 Alice Ave. Albert Lea, MN. 56007 507-373‑0134
POST 556 ADJUTANT Keith Hegstrom 56 N.W. 4th St. Forest Lake, MN 55025 651-464‑2497
POST 28 COMMANDER William J. Warren, Jr. 3678 Carlton Street Barnum, MN 55707 218-389-6014
POST 53 COMMANDER Kenneth Weyaus 16004 Migizi Dr. Onamia, MN. 56359 320-532‑3632
Post 612 Commander Matthew Riewer 202 Willow Ave Frazee, MN 56544 218-334-2181 mriewer@yahoo.com
POST 28 ADJUTANT Gary Aho P.O. Box 35 Wrenshall, MN 55759 218-384-4587
POST 53 ADJUTANT Diane Nickaboine 19100 452nd Street Onamia, MN 56359
POST 31 COMMANDER Roger Stelter 16451 Snake Trail Road Waseca, MN 56093 507-835-7901 rstelter@hickorytech.net POST 31 ADJUTANT Lyle Cromer 219 7th Ave. NE Waseca, MN 56093 507-833-7722 POST 33 COMMANDER George Howard 1033 6th Avenue N., #6 Virginia, MN 55792 218-741-6474
POST 151 COMMANDER Gary Running 385 210th Avenue Appleton, MN 56208 320-289-1240 gmrunning@fedteldirect.net POST 151 ADJUTANT Dennis Kohlman 350 Rooney Ave W Appleton, MN 56208 320-289-3284 POST 290 COMMANDER Tom Tucker N 841 Maylott Avenue Hancock, MN 55045 320-392-5901
Post 612 Adjutant Harriet Stech 33723 Peace River Ranch Rd Frazee, MN 56544 218-849-8882 harrietperez@hotmail.com POST 2000 COMMANDER Richard B Salsbury 2205 Congress St S St Paul, MN 55075 651-451-1629 POST 2000 ADJUTANT Gene Richgels 8417 Corcoran Circle Inver Grove Hts., MN 55076 651-699-1537 __________________ Additions or corrections to : kellymnguyen@ comcast.net
AMVETS Dept. MN - MN AMVETS News, Room 302 Veterans Service Building, 20 West 12th St., St. Paul, MN 55155 Vol. 13, No. 2
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The Minnesota American Veterans News Room 302, Veterans Service Building 20 West 12th Street St. Paul, MN 55155 americanveteranamvets@netzero.net
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The History of American Veterans T
ruly AMVETS was born in the midst of war, for it was in August 1943, with victory still two years away, that a new organization, later to be known as the American Veterans of World War II, had its beginning. Overseas, the tide of battle was turning. The Allies had swept through North Africa and Sicily. In the Pacific, fighting raged in New Guinea. Thousands of Americans had made the supreme sacrifice. Hundreds of others were being mustered out of uniform with battle wounds and medical discharges. These men who fought in history’s greatest war found it natural to seek each other’s company. They were united by similar experiences ... in jungles, in the Arctic, in deserts, on mountains, at sea and in the skies. Thus, out of such comradeship, AMVETS came to be formed in Washington, D.C., two independent veterans clubs, one on the campus of George Washington University, the other of veterans employed by the government, joined together to sponsor a servicemen’s party. By September 1944, other such veterans’ clubs organized throughout America—in California, Florida, Louisiana, New York, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, Tennessee and Texas.
President Truman also commented, “Were I a veteran of this war, I would prefer to have a veteran of World War II looking after my affairs, than a veteran of some other war.”
On November 11, 1944, a Veterans Day article entitled “12,000,000 in Search of a Leader” appeared in Collier’s. This story, written by Walter Davenport, introduced the clubs and outlined their three mutual aims: to promote world peace, to preserve the American way of life and to help the veteran help himself. In December, 18 leaders representing these nine groups met in Kansas City, Mo. There, a national organization was formed and on December 9, 1944, the name “American Veterans of World War II” was chosen. The word AMVETS, coined by newspaper headline writers, soon became the official name. The white clover, a flower that thrives in freedom throughout the world and is symbolic of the struggle during World War II, became the adopted flower of AMVETS.
For nearly 10 years, AMVETS did not accept into membership servicemen and women who served after May 7, 1975. On May 31, 1984, President Ronald Reagan signed Public Law 98-304, which amended AMVETS’ congressional charter to open membership to those who served honorably and actively after May 7, 1975. AMVETS is now the only congressionally chartered veterans’ service organization that recognizes the sacrifices of these veterans and service persons by extending membership eligibility to them.
In October 1945, two months after the end of World War II, the first national convention was convened in Chicago. In 1946, AMVETS petitioned Congress for a federal charter. AMVETS, having displayed dignity and a sound approach to national problems, won the deep respect of Congress and on July 23, 1947, President Harry S. Truman signed the AMVETS charter. The words of the Senate Judiciary Committee echoed throughout the land: “The veterans of World War II are entitled to their own organization” and AMVETS being “organized along sound lines and for worthy purposes ... having demonstrated its strength and stability is entitled to the standing and dignity which a national charter will afford.”
When the war broke out in Korea and again in Vietnam, AMVETS requested Congress to amend the charter so that those serving in the U.S. Armed Forces would be eligible for membership. On September 14, 1966, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the bill redefining the eligibility dates for AMVET membership, stating “Any person who served in the Armed Forces of the United States of America or any American citizen, as an American citizen, who served in the armed forces of an allied nation of the United States at anytime after September 15, 1940, and on or before the date of cessation of hostilities as determined by the government of the United States, is eligible for regular membership in AMVETS, provided such service when terminated by discharge or release from active duty be by honorable discharge or separation.” On May 7, 1975, President Gerald R. Ford signed Proclamation 4373, terminating the Vietnam era and announcing the cessation of hostilities. Effective May 8, 1975, the armed forces became a peacetime service.
At the 46th and 47th national conventions, the contributions made by the National Guard and Reserve forces were recognized and membership eligibility was extended to include all ready reserves. Membership in AMVETS is now open to any person who is currently serving in the U.S. Armed Forces or who has served actively and honorably at anytime after Sept. 15, 1940, including all National Guard and Reserve personnel who are now serving or have been honorably discharged since that date. At the 49th National Convention in 1993, the eligibility of merchant marines who served this country in time of war was addressed and approved. Merchant marines who are considered veterans and eligible for VA benefits (and have received a DD-214 from either the Navy or the Coast Guard) are eligible for AMVET membership.