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DAVID FARRELL

Department Commander

Dear Comrades,

I would again like to thank everyone for all the invitations extended. It was very nice to see everyone. All the gatherings were wonderful. I enjoyed them all. As the old saying goes “good company, good food, good time by all”. I hope everyone enjoyed them as well. The hospitality you extended was very gracious.

I hope everyone had a joyful holiday season? I know my family and I had a wonderful time. Spending quality time with family and friends is good for the heart and soul. It seems to cure what ails us. I hope all your New Years’ resolutions will be obtainable? We have a tendency to set them a little too high.

Well there is no time to rest. We need to start gearing up for the Mid Winter Conference in Washington, DC. This is the time to start setting up your appointments with your representative and congressman. We need stay true to our mission. We need to ensure Washington gets it and understands it as well. I hope to see a lot of you there.

May God Bless you always. May God Bless Our Troops serving in the World’s Greatest Military. May God Bless the DAV. Most of all may God Bless the United States of America.

David K Farrell

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,

Sheila Clements (513) 475-6443

Dayton HSC, (937) 268-6511

Gene McCorkle 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

Warren Clinic (330) 392-0311

Youngstown Clinic (330) 70-9200

Ext. 105

Veterans Administration 1-800-827-1000

DATES TO REMEMBER

Feb. 28 – Mar. 3, 2010 DAV Mid-Winter Conference, Crystal Gateway Marriott, Arlington, VA

March 21, 2010 4^th District Meeting, Ottawa American Legion Post #63, Main Street, Ottawa, Ohio

March 21, 2010 3^rd District Meeting, at 2 p.m., VFW, 1115 W. Logan St., Celina, Ohio

April 10, 2010 9^th District Meeting, Meigs Chapter #53, Cheshire, Ohio. Lunch at noon and meeting at 1 p.m.

April 11, 2010 8^th District Meeting, Clint Kramer Chapter #12, lunch at 1 p.m., meeting to follow at 2 p.m., Zanesville, Ohio

April 17, 2010 Commander David Farrell’s Testimonial Dinner, Coshocton Village Inn & Suites, 115 N. Water St., Coshocton, Ohio.

June 24-27, 2010 DAV Department Convention,

The Crowne Plaza, Dublin, Ohio.

July 31 – Aug. 3, 2010 DAV National Convention, Hyatt Regency Atlanta, Atlanta, Georgia

October 8-10, 2010 DAV Department Fall Conference, The Crowne Plaza, Dublin, Ohio.

NOTES FROM YOUR ADJUTANT

Frank Williams, State Adjutant

Thought for January: “If you don’t run your own life, somebody else will!”.

FLU SHOTS! I want to take a moment and ask everyone, if you have not yet received your annual flu shot, GO GET IT NOW! I did not get mine for several years and, because I did not get the Flu, thought I was pretty smart! Well, on December 18, 2009, guess what: I CAME down with the flu, big time!!! And, apparently the people who told me I would get it worse because of not catching it for awhile were on track.....not only did I get the flu but, it developed into WALKING PNEUMONIA and I have still not recovered completely!! What a way to spend Christmas & New Year!!

ATTENTION: The DAV Board of Directors has just approved a Temporary Promotion to allow sign up of new DAV Membership with only $20 down-payment. Let’s all take advantage of this promotion and sign up every eligible veteran!!

VA DELAYS MEDICATION COPAYMENT INCREASE: The Navy Times reports “A $I increase in copayments for outpatient medications for veterans who do not qualify for free prescriptions is being delayed for 6 months while the VA reviews its options. The current charge of $8 was supposed to rise to $9 on Jan I, 2010 under regulations that call for prescription drug charges to keep pace with prescription drug charges in the private sector. But, on Dec. 31, VA officials announced in the Federal Register that they were delaying the increase until July I, 2010 so they could

reconsider how increases are calculated.”

Our Brave Soldiers Keep Us Free: An article in the Miami Herald points out that, As America celebrates, we all would do well to remember that we are able to enjoy the holiday season in freedom and security because our brave young men and women are ready and willing to go into harm’s way to defend our way of life.

The Baltimore Sun reports that a soldier home on leave from Afghanistan was shot and killed Sunday, Jan. 3, while he and his wife were on their way back home from a grocery store.

VETERAN LEGISLATION STATUS: After their session dragged into Christmas Eve, due primarily to the Health Care Reform Bill, the Senate finally adjourned at 10:19 am, Dec. 24^th. That brought an end to the first session of the 111^th Congress. The House had departed earlier on Dec. 16^th, and will reconvene Jan 12^th. The Senate had been in session for 25 straight days, one short of the all-time record, before finally closing, and was scheduled to next convene on Jan 5 and again on Jan 19 in pro forma sessions. The second (regular) session will begin in earnest at 10 am, Jan 20. A pro forma session is a daily meeting of the House or Senate during which no votes are held and no legislative business is conducted. For a listing of what Bills your legislator has sponsored, or cosponsored, you go to http://thomas.loc.gov/bss/dIII/sponlist.html .

Grassroots lobbying is perhaps the most effective way to let your Representative and Senators know your opinion. Whether you are calling their local office here in Ohio or their DC Office; sending a letter or email; signing a petition; or making a personal visit, Members of Congress are the most receptive and open to suggestions from their constituents. The key to increasing sponsorship on veteran related bills and subsequent passage into law is letting legislators know your concerns on issues. You can reach their DC Office via the Capital Operator direct at 1-866-272-6622; 1-800-828-0498 or, 1-866-340-9281 to express your views. Actually, the most convenient – sometimes most effective – way to reach your legislator is by contacting their local office in your area here in Ohio. For dates that you can meet or speak to them on their home turf, go to http://www.thecapitol.net/FAQ/cong_schedule.html .

Ohio has the 6^th largest Veteran population in the United States. Many of those Veterans

residing in Ohio are not receiving the benefits they deserve and have earned.

In an effort to make it easier for Veterans and their families to access the information they need to secure benefits and programs available, here is a brief list of federal, state and county

Resources available:

Health Care & Prescriptions – 1-877-222-8387

Disability Benefits – 1-800-827-1000 (Or contact DAV, Dept of Ohio at 1-214-228-3582)

Dependents & Survivor Benefits – 1-800-827-1000

Home Loans – 1-877-827-3702

Ohio Veterans have access to health care at 44 facilities around the state. To find the Veterans Center or Outpatient Clinic near you, call the Ohio Department of Veterans Services (ODVS) at 1-877-644-6838 or visit www.dvs.ohio.gov

As always, keep our troops in Iraq and 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!!

Information Bulletin

IMPORTANT NUMBERS