____

FROM THE DESK OF COMMANDER DAVID FARRELL

Dear Comrades,

Well another month down and only a few more to go. I can’t believe how fast the year has gone. It has been an extreme honor and pleasure to represent you this year.

We are making big strides in our diligence on our legislative issues. We still need to continue to communicate our concerns through our computers or hand written letters. We need to stay in constant touch with our Congressman and Senator to ensure they remain working for us.

For those of you who were unable to attend my testimonial dinner, it was a fun filled evening, excellent food and great conversation. Josephine’s brother was in attendance with his Captain Swashbuckler Nutterling. It was hilarious. You missed a good one comrades. National 4^TH Junior Vice Commander Johnston, Adjutant Williams and I just returned from National Commander Bobby Barrea’s testimonial dinner. It was really nice and everyone had a lot of great things to say about him. He has inspired people from around the country. One person can make a difference if you try, I know he has inspired and changed me.

Our Spring Department Convention is vastly approaching; it is just around the corner. I hope you are planning to attend. It will be held June 24 - 27, 2010. Once again we have a pretty good convention planned for everyone so you should really plan to be there.

May, God Bless you always. God Bless Our Troops, serving in the World’s Greatest Military. 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,

Charles Russell (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

DATES TO REMEMBER

May 1, 2010 Auxiliary State Commander Jeanette Scott, Testimonial Dinner, at 7 p.m., Meadowbrook Country Club, 6001 Salem Ave., Clayton, Ohio.

May 21-22, 2010 Forget-Me-Not Drive, Youngstown Chapter #2, Walmart, Austintown, Ohio.

May 21-22, 2010 Forget-Me-Not Drive, Ashland County Chapter #81, Bulher’s Market, Hawkin’s Market, Wal-Mart, Lynn Way Restaurant, Ashland, Ohio.

May 28, 2010 DAV Day at the Ballpark, Cincinnati Reds, Cincinnati

May 28, 2010 Forget-Me-Not, Ross County Chapter #18, Community Market, Wal-Mart, Sav-A-Lot Stores, Chillicothe, Ohio.

May 29, 2010 Forget-Me-Not Drive, Lloyd C. Ludwick Chapter #123, Various Locations, Hillsboro

May 29, 2010 Forget-Me-Not Drive, Meigs Chapter #53, Wal-Mart, Gallipolis, Ohio

June 24-27, 2010 DAV Department Convention,

The Crowne Plaza, Dublin, Ohio.

June 25-26, 2010 Mobile Service Van,

Dept of Ohio, DAV Convention, The Crowne Plaza, Dublin, Ohio.

July 1-4, 2010 Forget-Me-Not, Northern Hills Chapter #115, Sam’s Club, 5375 North Bend Road, Cincinnati, Ohio.

July 18, 2010 Cleveland Indians DAV Day at the Ballpark, Cleveland, Ohio.

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

August 6-7-8, 2010 Forget-Me-Not Drive, Salem Chapter #122, Salem, Ohio.

August 28, 2010 Forget-Me-Not Drive, Auglaize County Chapter #73, Wal-Mart Parking Lot, Wapakoneta, Ohio.

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

October 30, 2010 Forget-Me-Not Drive, Lloyd C. Ludwick Chapter #123, Various locations, Hillsboro, Ohio.

October 30-31, 2010 Forget-Me-Not, Putnam County Chapter #77, Ottawa, Ohio.

Feb. 28-March 3, 2011 C&A Midwinter Conference, Washington, DC

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

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

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

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

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

FROM THE DESK OF STATE ADJUTANT FRANK WILLIAMS

Thought for May: Too many people spend money they haven’t earned, to buy things the don’t need, to impress people they don’t even like!

Veterans and Caregivers Health Care Bill: The US Senate unanimously passed a comprehensive omnibus Veterans and Caregivers Health Care Bill, April 22^nd. A day earlier, the House passed the identical measure by a vote of 419-0. The bill now goes to the President for his signature. This legislation (S.1963) was strongly supported by the DAV and other National Veterans organizations and, will make a profound difference to the well-being, rehabilitation and recovery of veterans across the country, including combat veterans wounded & disabled in Iraq & Afghanistan. Personal caregivers and other family members will also benefit significantly from the new programs authorized by S.1963. For details on provisions of this bill go to: http://www.dav.org/voters/documents/WoundedVeterans.pdf

In a continuing effort to make it easier for Veterans and their families here in Ohio 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 1-614-221-3582)

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

· Home Loans – 1-877-827-3702

Don’t forget to sign up new DAV members! Take advantage of the reduced down payment of only $20 as this program will expire on June 30, 2010. While you’re at it, make sure you also

sign up the wife and other relatives as Auxiliary Members ! They need our help in all their important programs that make better lives for disabled veterans and their families!

I am looking forward to seeing a large turnout for our Convention June 24, 25 and 26^th. Come join us and learn what DAV is doing here in Ohio as well as observe as we elect new officers for 2010-2011. Your participation is always welcome.

As always, keep our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan in your thoughts and prayers as they fight, like we have fought, to keep America, the land of the free, because of the brave. Never shall we forget that Freedom is not Free!!

CLEVELAND NSO NEWS

Department Headquarters is proud to announce that NSO Jack Burlingame has been assigned as the Assistant Supervisor in the Cleveland VA Regional Office. Jack began his career in the DAV at the Cleveland Office in May, 2007. He resides in Andover and is married to Kelly for 28 years. NSO Burlingame is a member of Bob Swanson Chapter #39 and is the Adjutant/Treasurer of the Chapter. Please welcome Jack to our family.

OEF/OIF VETERANS BONUS

The Ohio Department of Veterans Services (DVS) is diligently creating an application process so that eligible veterans can request the bonus that was overwhelmingly approved by Ohio voters last November third.

DVS has drafted a comprehensive set of rules that will be reviewed in the Ohio Legislature by the Joint Committee on Agency Rule Review. At the same time, the Ohio Public Facilities Commission is taking the necessary steps so that the bonds which will finance the bonuses can be created, advertised and sold to investors.

Several other crucial but time-consuming steps also are underway:

1. Computer software and programs are being created to review the applications and determine eligibility.

2. Staff must be hired and trained to process the applications that could come from an estimated 200,000 veterans who are Ohio residents.

3. When applications are submitted, all information must be verified with military and other records to ensure that veterans are eligible and that they are applying for all that they have earned.

Nobody can accurate predict when DVS will tell eligible veterans to begin applying for the bonus and when the first checks will be mailed. Based on the experiences of other states however, DVS hopes to be mailing the first checks in October. Then, the process will continue for several months as applications are received and processed.

DVS wants to ensure that the application process is user friendly for Ohio veterans and that our veterans get the service they deserve. DVS will use the news media, this Web site and various other communications vehicles to tell eligible veterans when it is ready to receive their bonus applications.

The Ohio Department of Veterans Services wants the bonus application and approval process to be easily understood, accurate and efficient.

CHAPLAIN KELLER

Chaplain James Keller had surgery on April 29, 2010. Jim is now home resting. You may send get well cards to James Keller, 230 High Place, Jackson, Ohio 45640.

Information Bulletin

IMPORTANT NUMBERS