American Legion Post 242 Update

BY DICK HELM

Our Post had a special event honoring Vietnam War Period veterans that served during the official years of this conflict. Those honored were ALL persons who served whether they were “Boots on the Ground” veterans in the war zone or those who served around the world or stateside during their active duty. On Sunday, March 26th at 1:00 PM a short service of honor along with a luncheon for the veterans in attendance was held. Post Commander Marshall Smith, Representative and (US) Brian Fitzpatrick spoke about the importance of their service and the freedoms we enjoy because of the service on all veterans. We were honored to also have our State Legion Commander Craig Wilhelm, A Vietnam Veteran as our main speaker. Craig always has the ability in any of his messages to make ALL veterans welcome of the Vietnam Period feel that what they gave whether over in Vietnam or waiting to be called into duty at an time and anywhere while on active duty elsewhere at that time welcomed home.

The Legion organizations of Upper Bucks, the Veterans of Foreign Wars Organizations, and other Veteran Organizations all have one thing in common; we are a band of brothers.

Over the years we have all met annually under the leadership of first, Paul Clymer and now Craig Staats, to help in the annual Veterans Day Program programs held at Upper Bucks County Schools on or near November 11th. During that time, this band of brothers and our Pa. Representatives has become a local “Band of Brothers.” At this time I would like to tell you about one of these members who I call my friend, who I consider Upper Bucks County can be darned proud of! Craig Wilhelm.

Craig served for 18 years as his post commander in the Legion Post in nearby Sellersvile. He went on to serve as Deputy District Command for the 9th District of the State American Legion for 3 years. This lead to Craig being the 9th District Commander of the State Legion for 2 years. Next came the duty of “Vice Commander of the Pennsylvania American Legion” for 1 year. The year (From July 2022 to June 2023) is Craig’s special honor to serve as “The COMMANDER of the Pennsylvania State American Legion.”

Being the type of person I have gained a lot of respect for, Craig travels state wide from 1 day a week to many days a week in his duties and seeks no special recognition. At this time I want to thank him for his service “After his duty as a soldier during a conflict in a war zone.” Craig always answers his call to duty for his original band of brothers when available here in Upper Bucks. Craig always has a special word in his local message for ALL of us who served and received a less than rewarding greeting upon our return home from overseas back in the 60’s and 70’s. Craig always speaks of the “Vietnam Period” with extreme emotion that touches everyone in attendance.

Yes, Craig Wilhelm, your band of brothers (Area Legions, VFW’s, and other Veteran’s Organizations) are very proud of you and we TRULY appreciate your continued service, after your military service, for our area, state, and nation. Thank you, PA. Commander Wilhelm!

~ Fellow Army Veteran, Dick Helm

Beware of Unscrupulous Contractors

A week or so ago my wife and I woke to a very chilly morning. The heater was not running and the house was at 55 degrees. I went downstairs and tried the reset button but the furnace would not stay running. Hurray! Heater repairman time. My oil company is very reliable but they do not do repairs.

We decided to contact a company that has been sending us solicitations for service and repairs all season. They were quick to respond and sent a service technician in a couple of hours. After being here for more than an hour he came upstairs with his handheld device. He said I have some bad news. You have water in your oil. I have to drain the water & replace the nozzle and filter. That might fix it but I can’t guarantee it. That would be $1100. To fix it properly we also need to drain the tank & replace the oil. That would be $4000! What to do? We have no heat & the repairman is here now to fix it. I guess we will go with the $1100 and take our chances that that will fix it. In the meantime, I am going to call my oil company and complain about water in the oil. My oil company said “That is impossible. If you had water in your oil so would every other customer that got oil on that delivery. How much do they want to fix it?” $1100. He said “That is absurd!” He then spoke to the repairman and decided that they were gouging us for what they were going to do. We told the service man to take a hike and our oil guy gave us the number of a local technician. He was here as soon as the other guy left, did exactly the same repairs that the first guy said he was going to do, and charged us $115. Our heater has been running ever since.

We had a similar experience with one of those plumbing companies that has billboards all over and fancy trucks with spiffy graphics several years ago. They came out to fix a problem & they were having a “sale” so they could do the job for a little over $700. We said no thanks and got a local company to come out. They charged us $95.

Bottom line… If you have a service company give you a price of more than a few hundred dollars, get a second quote! You may be able to afford the original price but it is embarrassing to be made a fool of.

~A. Pavlica, Quakertown

Youth Participation

A subject that I touch upon directly and indirectly in many of my articles is the growing lack of volunteerism in our country today. Is it the change of the personalities and “needs” of our young people today as compared to the youth of my period, or is it at fault of the new electronic or computer age of today? I am not going to dwell upon the lack of participation and the “gray or white haired volunteers” in great numbers today. I am going to give an example of a wonderful experience I recently had with a pet organization I am proud to be part of.

(The Keystone Elk Country Alliance (KECA)Lenape Wapiti Chapter.)

Covid-19 and all its restrictions and scares seems to be on its long awaited exit. Our annual fund raising banquet held in this easternmost section of Pennsylvania as far as a fund raising committee of KECA is now a successful history. The diversity of volunteers in our large committee of hard workers ranges from us senior citizens to the senior citizens children and their friends of that age (35-50 years old) and this year we had 2 permanent committee members who were recent university graduates. The diversity of present or former occupations was industrial workers, teachers, engineers, and lawyers. A few of the members hold their masters or doctorates degrees. When we work on the preparations for our annual banquet (This year we had in excess of 300 attendees at Bear Creek Lodge in Macungie.), there is no discrimination between members when we have meetings or perform our duties before or after the banquet. We all work together in one of the best teams I ever was part of. Our success in mission each year shows that we are a team.

Why do I mention this? It is because it is rare in today’s world. I belong to many clubs and organizations. Many have trouble getting volunteers. I only wish I could pass on to those organizations what KECA Lenape

Navigating Retirement Pitfalls

Much is written about the classic financial mistakes that plague start-ups, family businesses, corporations, and charities. Some classic financial missteps have been known to plague retirees, too.

Calling them “missteps” may be a bit harsh, as not all of them represent errors in judgment. Either way, becoming aware of these potential pitfalls may help you to avoid falling into them in the future.

Managing Social Security. Social Security benefits are structured to rise about 8% for every year you delay receiving them after your full retirement age. Is waiting a few years to apply for benefits an idea you might consider? Filing for your monthly benefits before you reach your full retirement age can mean comparatively smaller monthly payments.1 Managing medical costs. One report estimates that a healthy couple retiring at age 65 can expect nearly $208,000 in out-of-pocket medical expenses during the course of their retirement, even with additional coverage such as Medicare Part D, Medigap, and dental insurance. Having a strategy can help you be better prepared for medical costs.2 that you should take out only about 4% of your retirement savings annually. Each person’s situation is unique but having some guidelines can help you prepare.

Managing taxes. Some people enter retirement with investments in both taxable and tax-advantaged accounts. Which accounts should you draw money from first? To answer the question, a qualified financial professional would need to review your financial situation so they can better understand your goals and risk tolerance.

This article is for informational purposes only and is not a replacement for real-life advice, so make sure to consult your tax, legal, and accounting professionals before modifying your investment strategy for tax considerations.

Managing other costs, like college There is no “financial aid” program for retirement. There are no “retirement loans.” A financial professional can help you review your anticipated income and costs before you commit to a long-term strategy, and help you make a balanced decision between retirement and helping with the cost of college for your children or grandchildren.

Wapiti’s secret is. I truly believe it is the common belief and goal in our mission. The preservation of the wild Elk Herd, its habitat, environmental and education benefits just to name a few items. But there is still more. I believe it is the desire of our members to help in a cause. It is the way that we were taught respect for a cause and the desire to assume the responsibility to add our skills to have a function succeed. It is the innermost satisfaction that keeps a physically tired body moving after a 12-hour day that the cause justified the effort.

There are many causes that need volunteers to make them a success. Churches, Community Social Clubs such as the Lions, Fire Companies, Volunteer EMS organizations, The Red Cross, just to name a few. Our recent two permanent new members along with the members we have in their 30-45 year old range show me, a 79 year old volunteer that is slowly loosing his steam, that this fund raiser will continue for years to come. I had the privilege to talk to one of these new members parents and to tell them that they can be proud of their son.

Is this desire to put down the electronic devices and actually help in a cause taught, observed by the person as parents did the same, or is the rebirth of this great American talent of volunteerism? What ever it is, I encourage any of this columns readers who are parents and are concerned about churches closing, community functions such as fire companies, or being part of a service club, take time out to either lead by example or explain the need of volunteerism to your children. It takes a community of people to have youth sports, food banks, conservation causes, and most important helping those who need us continue. Share the joy I experienced this weekend when I was working hand to hand with these two recent Penn State graduates, the future of our local KECA organization. This is what has made this country great in the past and I encourage all youth to continue this great American tradition.

Understanding longevity. Actuaries at the Social Security Administration project that around a third of today’s 65-year-olds will live to age 90, with about one in seven living 95 years or longer. The prospect of a 20- or 30year retirement is not only reasonable, but it should be expected.3

Managing withdrawals. You may have heard of the “4% rule,” a guideline stating

1. Social Security Administration, 2021

2. HealthView Services, 2021

3. LongevityIllustrator.org, 2021 tHiS artiCle waS Submitted by bob Podraza of robert jameS inveStmentS at 1313 weSt broad Street, QuaKertown He Can be reaCHed at 215-583-5013 or at robertjameSinveStmentS Com

The content is developed from sources believed to be providing accurate information. The information in this material is not intended as tax or legal advice. It may not be used for the purpose of avoiding any federal tax penalties. Please consult legal or tax professionals for specific information regarding your individual situation. This material was developed and produced by FMG Suite to provide information on a topic that may be of interest. FMG Suite is not affiliated with the named broker-dealer, state- or SEC-registered investment advisory firm. The opinions expressed and material provided are for general information, and should not be considered a solicitation for the purchase or sale of any security. Copyright FMG Suite.

Richland Twp: Vote Yes to Support Open Space

In Richland Township, the most dramatic changes have occurred over the past 40 years, as developers transformed hundreds of acres of farm fields into new residential and commercial developments. The Richland Township Preservation Board, a volunteer group of residents, was formed in 1999 to administer the Open Space Plan, which was created in response to these new growth demands.

In 2002, the voters of Richland overwhelmingly voted for the township to secure a $3.2 million dollar bond for the purchase of open space and conservation easements. The bond was paid off through a 15-year 0.1% Earned Income Tax (EIT). In 2016, the voters again voted to continue the tax to preserve open space for another five years.

This spring, the voters in Richland will be asked to extend their current 0.1% Earned Income Tax for an additional four and one-half years for the preservation of Open Space. It will be a referendum question on the ballot. This is NOT a tax increase, it is the extension of the current tax residents have been paying since 2003, and is only on income, not a real estate tax. It does not affect those who are living on retirement income, social security, pensions, interest or stock dividends.

Almost 1400 acres of farms and important natural areas have been preserved in perpetuity through conservation easements and purchases.

The Preservation Board has concentrated on preserving township farms, thereby saving a significant portion of the character and almost 300-year history of Richland Township. Not only are the valuable agricultural soils protected, but also the scenic rural landscape remains for all to enjoy.

The Preservation Board has also protected valuable natural resources: woodlands, meadows, wetlands, wildlife and open land for groundwater recharge. The Preservation Board has targeted areas to preserve in the Upper Tohickon Watershed, the source of your water. The Quakertown Swamp, an international Wetland of Distinction, is also an area that merits protection.

Preserved farmland and natural areas require few public services and is a means of limiting urban sprawl. Urban sprawl is one problem that residents have the power to control by preserving Open Space. Land preservation benefits the whole community, keeping development at bay, which keeps our school and local taxes down, as well as providing a better quality of life. Open Space brings balance to our rapidly urbanizing community.

Richland Residents, this May 16, Please vote Yes for Open Space! Kathleen Fedorocsko, Chairwoman, Preservation Board

The answers to the puzzles on this page are found elsewhere in this issue.

Think Local. Play Local. Be Local.

Have something to share with your community? Send it to us! UBFP • 582 S. West End Blvd, Ste 2 • Quakertown, PA 18951 info@ubfp.org • fb.com/ubfreepress • www.ubfp.org