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FROM THE DESK OF COMMANDER

DAVID MAY

Independent Budget

For the past 24 years, the DAV, AMVETS, PVA, and VFW produced the Independent Budget (IB) document, with the support of more than 60 veteran, military, medical service, and disability organizations, for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). IB coauthors have worked hard to gain the respect on Capitol Hill to inform and encourage our congressional leaders to provide the necessary resources for VA to care for our veterans and their families. Our nation must continue to care for our older WWII and Korean veterans plus provide hope for our veterans returning home today from Afghanistan and Iraq. Our younger veterans, male and female, and our senior veterans relying on VA benefits and health care will face challenges throughout the year. VA health care system must ensure our veterans are receiving the best care possible without delays or failure to do it right the first time.

IB is a comprehensive budget document that offers reasonable solutions and recommendations for Congress to consider in funding the VA’s Health Care, VA Veterans Benefits Administration, VA National Cemetery Administration, VA Construction Programs (Major & Minor), VA Information Technology, and VA Medical & Prosthetic Research.

IB Guiding Principles are:

1) Veterans must not have to wait for benefits to which they are entitled. 2) Veterans must be ensured access to high-quality medical care. 3) Veterans must be guaranteed timely access to the full continuum of health care services, including long-term care. 4) Veterans must be assured burial in state or national cemeteries in every state. 5) Specialized care must remain the focus of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). 6) VA’s mission to support the military medical system in time of war or national emergency is essential to the nation’s security. 7) VA’s mission to conduct medical and prosthetic research in areas of veterans’ special needs is critical to the integrity of the veterans’ health care system and to the advancement of American medicine. 8) VA’s mission to support health professional education is vital to the health of all Americans.

You may access the full Independent Budget, the Executive Summary, and the Critical Issues Report by visiting our DAV web site at www.dav.org. Also, please take time to visit www.standup4vets.org. Our veterans have sacrificed enough already. The VA provides the highest quality health care to disabled veterans for less than Medicare, Medicaid or the private sector. Congress must protect and preserve the veterans health care system and all earned benefits by providing full funding, without any gimmicks. Don’t balance the budget on the backs of America’s veterans! Every year the coauthors of the Independent Budget do an outstanding job.

With your help, and only with your help, will we be able to successfully strengthen a commitment to veterans’ programs in the Congress and ensure that VA budget priorities are fully met. "The nation which forgets its defenders will itself be forgotten." Author unknown.

As a DAV or DAVA member please take the challenge to promote the DAV and DAVA Views and help educate our congressional leaders and your state officials including your county commissioners. I thank you in advance for all your efforts in building better lives for America’s disabled veterans and their families. (Source: DAV David W. Gorman and his Washington D.C. staff who work all year round for disabled veterans.)

In closing:

1) Please consider participating in a state-wide DAV Team Ohio Forget-Me-Not Drive (FMN) by scheduling a Chapter FMN on the first weekend in May. Please contact Department of Ohio so your FMN will be listed on DAV Department of Ohio’s web site.

www.ohiodav.org/

2) Become a chapter delegate representing your chapter at our June 16-19 Department of Ohio’s 90^th Annual State Convention. Encourage your chapter to make a donation (Service) to our Department Hospital Fund and present your check during Department’s Parade of Checks. Please designate your Service Donation on your check or attach a letter instructing Department on how you would like your donation to be used to serve veterans. Last month I suggested making donations to our DAV National Service Officers in our Cleveland and Cincinnati offices. Another good cause would be to assist DAV Thorold Heinlen Chapter 100's Care Package Service Projects for our service members Overseas. If your chapter is undecided on where and how your donation can do the best please feel free to contact State Adjutant Frank Williams at Department Headquarters.

3) Chapter Officers Report must be submitted within 10 days after your 2011-12 Chapter Officers have been installed. Please make this a priority one and mail a copy to Department, National Headquarters, and the closest DAV National Service Office. If you don’t have a DAV Officers Report form please contact National or Department Headquarters.

3) Chapter Officers and members wanting to Network and Learn more about DAV Mission please attend your Spring District Meetings that has been scheduled by your District Commanders.

4) Please invite eligible disabled veterans in your community to a chapter meeting and encourage them to join our ranks. Teach them that DAV stands for Service - - - Building Better Lives for America’s disabled veterans and their families.

5) If your chapter has an Auxiliary Unit please help them in recruiting new members. Success is when the Chapter and Auxiliary Unit become partners to build better lives for America’s disabled veterans and their families.

In comradeship,

David May, State Commander

IMPORTANT NUMBERS

Nat’l. Hdqrs., DAV (877) 426-2838

NSO Office, Cleveland (216) 522-3507

NSO Office, Cincinnati (513) 684-2676

Washington Office, DAV (202) 554-3501

Cincinnati HSC (513) 475-6443

Dayton HSC, (937) 268-6511

Kevin M. Reilly Ext. 2962

Wade Park HSC, (216) 791-3800

Walter Dryja Ext. 3395

Chillicothe HSC (740) 773-1141

Larry Queen Ext. 7916

Columbus Clinic, (614) 257-5487

Henry Snodgrass

Brecksville HSC, (440) 526-3030

Don Branford Ext. 7353

DATES TO REMEMBER

April 3, 2011 8^th District Meeting, Lunch at 1 p.m. with meeting to following at 2 p.m., Pioneer City Chapter #52, Marietta, Ohio.

April 3, 2011 7^th District Meeting, Alliance Chapter #50, at 2 p.m., Alliance, Ohio.

April 10, 2011 10^th District Meeting,

1 p.m., Senior Center, 4616 W. Broad St., Columbus, Ohio.

April 16, 2011 5^th District Meeting, Huron County Chapter #62, at 1 p.m., Norwalk, Ohio.

April 16, 2011 1^st District Meeting, 12 p.m., St. Timothy Episcopal Church, 8101 Beechmont Ave., Cincinnati, Ohio.

April 17, 2011 6^th District Meeting, Willie Marcum Chapter #72 at 2 p.m., Medina, Ohio.

April 29-30, 2011 Forget-Me-Not Drive, H.B. “Doc” Riley Chapter #51, Ironton, Ohio.

April 29-30, 2011 Forget-Me-Not, Union County Chapter #55, K-Mart, Wal-Mart, Community Markey, Kroger, McAuliff’s Ace Hardware, Marysville, Ohio.

April 30, 2011 Commander David May and DAVA Commander Debby Hall Testimonial Dinner, Canton, Ohio.

May 1, 2011 4^th District Meeting, 2 p.m., Montfaucon Chapter #27,Toledo, Ohio.

May 6-7, 2011 Forget-Me-Not, Northern Hills Chaper #115, various locations, Cincinnati, Ohio.

May 7, 2011 2^nd District Meeting, 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Dayton VAMC, Building, 305, Media All Purpose Room, Dayton, Ohio.

May 13-14, 2011 Forget-Me-Not, Willie Marcum Chapter #72, Buehler’s Grocery Store, Medina, Ohio.

May 14, 2011 DAV Mobile Service Office, Buckminn’s Harley Davidson, 1213 Cincinnati Ave., Xenia, Ohio 9-5 p.m.

May 21, 2011 9^th District Meeting, Jackson County Chapter #45, Dinner at noon, meeting to begin at 1 p.m., Jackson, Ohio.

May 27, 2011 DAV Mobile Service Office, Signature Harley Davidson, 1176 Professional Drive, Perrysburg, Ohio, 9-6 pm.

May 28, 2011 DAV Mobile Service Van, Signature Harley Davidson, 1176 Professional Drive, Perrysburg, Ohio, 9-5 pm

May 29, 2011 DAV Mobile Service Van, Toledo Harley Davidson, 7960 West Central Ave., Toledo, Ohio 10-4pm.

May 30, 2011 DAV Mobile Service Van, Toledo Harley Davidson, 7960 West Central Ave., Toledo, Ohio 10-4pm.

May 31, 2011 DAV Mobile Service Van, DAV Chapter #33, VFW Hall 204, Birchard Ave., Fremont, Ohio, 10-6pm

June 2, 2011 DAV Mobile Service Van, DAV Chapter #9, Ashtabula, County Veterans Service Commission, 1212 Lake Ave., Ashtabula, Ohio, 10-4 pm

June 3, 2011 DAV Mobile Service Office, DAV Chapter #50, 9540 McCallum Ave., Alliance, Ohio, 10-4pm

June 4, 2011 Century Harley Davidson, 3053 Eastpointe Dr., Medina, Ohio, 10-3pm

June 11, 2011 DAV Mobile Service Van, East-East Harley Davidson, 23105 Aurora Rd., Bedford Heights, Ohio, 10-3pm

June 16-19, 2011 90^th Annual Convention, Doubletree Columbus Worthington, 175 Hutchinson Ave., Worthington, Ohio

July 24, 2011 DAV at the Ballpark, Lake County Captains, Eastlake, Ohio.

Aug. 6-9, 2011 National Convention, Hilton New Orleans Riverfront, New Orleans, LA

August 14, 2011 DAV Day at the Indians Game, 1 p.m., Cleveland, Ohio.

August 26, 2011 DAV Day at the Cincinnati Reds Ball Park, Cincinnati, Ohio.

September 9-10, 2011 Forget-Me-Not, Willie Marcum Chapter #72, Buehler’s Grocery Store, Medina, Ohio.

Oct. 7-9, 2011 Fall Conference, Doubletree Columbus Worthington, 175 Hutchinson Ave., Worthington, Ohio.

Feb. 26-29, 2012 C&A Midwinter Conference, Washington, DC

June 21-24, 2012 91^st Department Convention, Doubletree Columbus Worthington, 175 Hutchinson, Worthington, Ohio.

Aug. 4-7, 2012 National Convention, Bally’s Las Vegas Hotel, Las Vegas, NV

Oct. 12-14, 2012 Fall Conference, Doubletree Columbus Worthington, 175 Hutchinson Ave., Worthington, Ohio.

Feb. 24-27, 2013 C&A Midwinter Conference, Washington, DC

June 20-23, 2013 92^nd Department Convention, Doubletree Columbus Worthington, 175 Hutchinson Ave., Worthington, Ohio.

Aug. 10-13, 2013 National Convention, Hilton Orlando, Orlando, FL

Oct. 4-6, 2013 Fall Conference, Double Tree Columbus Worthington, 175 Hutchinson Ave., Worthington, Ohio.

FIRST DISTRICT THOUGHT AND

PRAYERS LIST

Phillip Alexander, 1^st District

Commander

M.C. Wright – Past Commander of Valley Chapter #109 and current Sr. Vice Commander of Burger/Kirch Chapter #103.

Mary Lambert’s mother passed – Wife of NSO Charles Lambert. My heartfelt sympathy to both families.

SICK AND RECOVERY LIST

PDC Andrew Offutt – recovery

Chaplain Daniel Smiley – recovery

Commander #71 Samuel Kimmerly – recovery

Rev. Theodore Burch – recovery

PDC Dorothy Clark – recovery

Sally Keller – recovery

Vicki Johnston – recovery

Pray that everyone gets better soon. Reminder call your Commander and let me know of any sick and shut in.

s/Phillip Alexander, First District Commander

MICHAEL MOULTON CANDIDATE

My name is Mike Moulton, I am a DAV life member of Van Wert County Chapter #54 in Van Wert, Ohio. Some of you know me and some of you might not. I currently work as a letter carrier for the post office in Lima, Ohio. I have been there 14 years. I have been a member of the DAV since 1995. I am a Gulf Veteran from the 1991 Gulf War (Desert Storm). I am currently 50 years old. I am currently holding the office of 2^nd Jr. Vice Commander. I am running for office 1^st Jr. Vice Commander or higher office at the June Convention. My Mother is Billie Jo Evans a Past Department Auxiliary Commander. I was a Chapter Commander for 12 years. I have held the office of 3^rd District Commander for 4 years or two 2 year terms. I have been on the State Membership Committee for 4 years, and also have been the State Color Guard Captain. I am still working and will admit that, at first there could be times I could not make some functions due to my job. But, I do have the backing of my Postmaster and supervisor to help me in anyway they can.

If you have suggestions or comments I will listen.

Yours in Comradeship,

Michael L. Moulton

NOTES FROM YOUR STATE ADJUTANT

Frank Williams

Thought for April: If you learned you were going to die soon, and had only one phone call to make, who would you call and what would you say? Any why are you waiting???

Congratulations are in order for our District 2 Commander Ken Marcum,

who took too the “Giant Step Forward” Saturday, April 2^nd, 2011 and got married. Ken is a very busy man, putting in long hours in his Job working

with Veterans. He also helps Veterans as a District Commander. Thanks, Ken for all you do. Hope your “Honey Do” list don’t grow too long!

Thanks, also, to our State 1^st Jr. Vice Commander Don Scheerer. In spite of Don’s failing health, he has spent a lot of time and effort working with his Chapter 100 members in sending Care Packages to our service members in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Hey, I’m on a roll here…while I’m at it, let’s give a big thank you to all of our Volunteer Service Representatives, and their Deputies, who serve at our VA Medical Centers, VA Clinics and Veterans Homes throughout Ohio. A very special THANK YOU to Harlan Plummer, who at age 91 is still going strong with the “Horse Races” and many other activities he volunteers for at Chillicothe VA. Keep up the great work everyone!! We are very proud

of all of you!!!

Brain Concussions: The Army announced new guidelines for receiving the Purple Heart, with emphasis on battlefield concussions being eligible. With recent studies on brain trauma, and IED explosions, the traditional rules for awarding the Purple Heart has been modified to include concussions. To learn more, or to find out if you qualify call 1-888-276-9472 or you can email hrc.tagd.awards@conus.army.mil .

Pilots Disciplined for High Speed Flyover At Football Game:

The Air Force has disciplined six pilots who participated in a spectacular flyover before Ohio State’s game at Iowa November 20^th for flying too low and too fast. The Air Force said the four jets flew 16 feet above the stadium press box.

More Evidence of America Falling Behind in Education:

Navy Secretary Ray Mabus said Thursday “Three out of four young people between 18 and 24 in the United States cannot qualify to join the military”.

Defense Dept Stops Work On GE Fighter Jet Engine:

This new engine for F-35 Joint Strike Fighter concerns both Springfield and Cincinnati as parts are made in Springfield area, with a GE plant in Cincinnati manufacturing the engine.

How many DAV Members have you signed up this month? How about Last month?? Remember: You get credit through National’s recruiting programs for signing up Auxiliary members as well as DAV members.

As always, keep our troops in Afghanistan in your thoughts and prayers as they fight, like we have fought, to keep America free. Never shall we forget that Freedom is not Free!! May God bless all of you. God bless our troops, God bless the DAV, and may God Bless America, home of the Free, because of the Brave!

Information Bulletin

IMPORTANT NUMBERS