ROBERT BERTSCHY

Department Commander

What is Veterans Day?

World War 1, then normally referred to simply as The Great War (no one could imagine any war being greater!), ended with the implementation of an armistice [temporary cessation of hostilities - in this case until the final peace treaty, the infamous Treaty of Versailles, was signed in 1919] between the Allies and Germany at the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of November, 1918.

November 11, 1918, President Wilson proclaimed the first Armistice Day with the following words: “To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nation”.… The original concept for the celebration was for the suspension of business for a two minute period beginning at 11 A.M.

On the second anniversary of the armistice, France and the United Kingdom hold ceremonies honoring their unknown dead from the war. In America, at the suggestion of church groups, President Wilson names the Sunday nearest Armistice Day, Sunday on which should be held services in the interest of international peace.

In 1926 Congress adopts a resolution directing the President to issue an annual proclamation calling on the observance of Armistice Day. Throughout the 1920s and 1930s, most states establish November 11 as a legal holiday and at the Federal level, an annual proclamation is issued by the President.

In 1938, Congress passes legislation on May 13, making November 11 a legal Federal Holiday, Armistice Day. The United States has on *actual* national holidays because the states retain the right to designate their own holidays. The Federal government can in fact only designate holidays for Federal employees and for the District of Columbia. But in practice, the states almost always follow the Federal lead in designation of holidays.

On June 1, 1954, President Eisenhower signs legislation changing the name of the legal Holiday from Armistice Day to Veterans Day. Between 1968 and 1975 Congress had passed a law called the Monday Holiday Law which established the fourth Monday in October as the new date for the observance of Veterans Day. The law is to take effect in 1971.

Due to the uproar of Veteran’s groups, in 1975, legislation passed to return the Federal observance of Veterans Day to November 11, based on popular support throughout the nation. The law was to take effect in 1978.

Veterans Day continues to be observed on November 11, regardless of what day of the week on which it falls. The restoration of the observance of Veterans Day to November 11 not only preserves the historical significance of the date, but helps focus attention on the important purpose of Veterans Day. Veterans Day is a celebration to honor America’s veterans for their patriotism, love of country, willingness to serve, and sacrifice, for the common good for a grateful nation. Thank you to all veterans who served honorably.

FINAL THOUGHT

Veterans Day Observances in Schools

All public (and private) schools shall observe Veterans Day under this section.

(1) On Veterans Day, or one (1) of the five (5) schooldays preceding Veterans Day, one (1) class or instructional period shall be devoted to the observance of Veterans Day.

(2) Students shall assemble in one (1) or more groups, as decided by the school principal, to attend the Veterans Day program.

(3) The program shall be approved by the principal and at a minimum, shall consist of a teacher and a veteran if available.

I would like to suggest that our DAV members contact local schools and volunteer to speak with students about Veterans Day. Consider making your presentation as a two-man team.

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

Mike Shaw (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

James Keller Ext. 7916

Columbus Clinic, (614) 257-5487

Michael Hackworth

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

November 3, 2007 Information Seminar, The Buddy Chapter #43, beginning at 9 a.m., 201 E. Front Street, Findlay, Ohio.

November 3, 2007 2^nd District Meeting,

12 noon, Dayton VAMC, Building 305, Dayton, Ohio. Multi-purpose Room, lunch provided, Joint DAV and DAVA District Meeting.

November 12, 1007 Forget-Me-Not, Peerless Chapter #10, Kroger’s, Portsmouth, Ohio

March 2-5, 2008 DAV Mid-Winter Conference, Crystal Gateway Marriott, Arlington, VA

April 6, 2008 8^th District Meeting, Bellaire Chapter #117, Lunch at 1 p.m. and meeting to begin at 2 p.m., Bellaire.

April 12, 2008 Testimonial Dinner Auxiliary Commander Dorothy Clark, Holiday Inn Eastgate, Cincinnati, Ohio

April 27, 2008 6^th District Meeting, Brooklyn-Parma Chapter #116, at 2 p.m.

June 5-8, 2008 DAV Department Convention, The Crowne Plaza, Dublin, Ohio

August 9-12, 2008 DAV National Convention,

Bally’s Hotel, Las Vegas.

October 10-12, 2008 DAV Department Fall Conference, The Crowne Plaza, Dublin, Ohio.

June 4-7, 2009 DAV Department Convention,

The Crowne Plaza, Dublin, Ohio.

October 9-11, 2009 DAV Department Fall Conference, The Crowne Plaza, Dublin, Ohio.

June 10-13, 2010 DAV Department Convention,

The Crowne Plaza, Dublin, Ohio.

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

VETERANS URGED TO WEAR MILITARY MEDALS

WASINGTON – With National Veterans Awareness Week under way and the national Veterans Day observance on Nov. 12, former Veterans Affairs secretary urged all veterans to show their pride by wearing their military medals.

James Nicholson’s “Veterans Pride” initiative calls on veterans to wear the medals they earned while in uniform this Veterans Day to “let America know who you are and what you did for freedom,” he said.

“We expect Americans will see our decorated heroes unite in spirit at ceremonies, in parades and elsewhere as a compelling symbol of courage and sacrifice on Veterans Day, the day we set aside to thank those who served and safeguarded our national security,” Nicholson said.

Nicholson and the veterans group leaders hope to start a new tradition in which U.S. veterans wear their military medals every Veterans Day, Memorial Day and Fourth of July.

“It focused public pride and attention on those veterans as individuals with personal histories of service and sacrifice for the common good,” he noted in a message to veterans. “That is why I am calling on America’s veterans to wear their military medals.”

Wearing their medals, he said, “will demonstrate the deep pride our veterans have in their military service and bring Veterans Day home to all American citizens.”

FROM THE AUXILIARY

The Auxiliary wishes to thank all of you that donated and purchased items at our annual auction that was held at the State Fall Conference. Due to your generosity we made a total of $1,567.00. This will help us continue our work for our Veterans. Thanks again.

Dorothy Clark, Commander

Joyce Hutchinson, Adjutant

VA Takes Aim at Flu Vaccination Easy Way to Protect Health, Loved Ones

WASHINGTON (October 25, 2007)

To safeguard the health of America's veterans, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is urging all veterans, especially those enrolled in VA's health care system, to receive flu vaccinations this season.

Walk-in clinics, even drive-in clinics for the vaccinations -- which are free for veterans enrolled in VA's health care system – are being offered at many of VA's 153 hospitals and more than 900 outpatient clinics. Veterans should check with their nearest VA health care facility to learn about local vaccination programs.

"Vaccination is a simple way of preventing serious health care problems, especially among the elderly, those with compromised immune systems and veterans with spinal cord injuries," said Acting Secretary of Veterans Affairs Gordon H. Mansfield. "Part of VA's world-class health care service is ensuring veterans get their flu shots."

Veterans should discuss flu vaccinations with their primary health care provider. Physicians recommend flu vaccinations for pregnant women, people with chronic medical conditions, those at least 50 years of age,
patients in long-term care facilities, and people who live with those at high risk for complications from flu.

A recent study by Dr. Kristin Nichol, a nationally recognized expert on the flu and chief of medicine at the Minneapolis VA Medical Center, found dramatic reductions in deaths and sickness after getting a flu shot. Vaccination reduced hospitalizations for pneumonia or influenza by 27 per cent, and there was a 48 per cent reduction in deaths.

In addition to information about flu vaccines available in VA's medical centers and clinics, VA maintains information for consumers on its Web site at: http://www.publichealth.va.gov/flu/.

NOTES FROM YOUR STATE ADJUTANT

Thought for November: You cannot use your friends….and have them too!

Our State Commander Bob Bertschy has challenged all of us to focus on Veteran’s Day, November 11^th, and remind everyone what it means to all Americans. Perhaps one way to call attention to Veteran’s Day would be to wear our service ribbons and/or medals, thus expressing that we are proud of having honorably served our country as well as prompting more open conversations with family and friends about the importance of military service. Former VA Secretary Jim Nicholson recently suggested starting a tradition of wearing earned medals and ribbons on patriotic holidays.

Ken Fisher, Chairman of the Fisher House Foundation, which builds comfort homes at or near military and VA medical facilities so families can be near the hospitalized servicemember/veteran, just announced 6 or 7 new Fisher Houses will be built this year, and 22 to 23 within the next 4 years bringing the total to 60 houses. You may have noticed a recent increase in publicity about Fisher Houses and promoting donations to this worthy foundation.

The Scripps Howard News Service, specifically an article in The Press-Enterprise of Riverside, California, tells of a complaint from a person who witnessed the Flag Folding Recital after a burial at Riverside National Cemetery in California. The unidentified individual lodged the complaint against the words for the 11^th fold of the flag and resulted in the National Cemetery Administration banning the entire folding recital at all National

Cemeteries, nationwide. The 11^th and 12^th fold recital refers to the Christian Trinity and reputedly amounts to an endorsement of Judaism & Christianity. This ban does not prohibit the flag folding ceremony itself, but prohibits theverbal recital portion of the ceremony.

One of the “Phony Soldiers” that Rush Limbaugh referred to, is Jesse MacBeth who only served 44 days, never even finishing basic training. MacBeth tried to get VA benefits and filed documents with the VA claiming he served three years and separated as a Corporal after deploying to Afghanistan and Iraq. He also claimed to have been a Army Ranger and earned a Purple Heart. And although the VA rejected his claim, he teamed up with anti-war zealots, who helped him produce videos claiming he, along with fellow soldiers, killed innocent Iraqis. These videos were translated into Arabic and blanketed the internet worldwide, causing tremendous damage to American credibility in the Middle East and gave “aid and comfort” to the enemy. This is clearly an act of Treason, yet MacBeth was only convicted for making false statements about his military service and was sentenced to 5 months in jail plus three months in a halfway house.

The Defense Department will soon unveil a new “streamlined” disability evaluation system that, in tandem with the VA, will replace the current process with a single exam and single disability rating. Pentagon officials confirmed that veterans medically retired from service will be able to apply for, and get, VA benefits immediately. Overall, the time spent in the system from the point a service member is found unfit for duty until he begins receiving VA disability payments will be cut “by about half”, said Bill Carr, Undersecretary of Defense for Military Personnel Policy. This is all part of

the current trend to relieve the Department of Defense from the expense of paying the costs of medical disability, making the VA responsible for all disability payments to veterans.

To assist veterans and providers, the VA created a webpage containing links to Fact Sheets that provide basic information on each VA benefit program:

http://www/vba.va.gov/benefit facts/index.htm

As always, pray for our troops who are in harms way. God bless America and may he continue to bless the Disabled American Veterans. Never forget that…FREEDOM IS NOT FREE…it is bought and paid for by our Veterans like YOU and ME!

I HOPE THAT ALL OF YOU VOTED ON NOVEMBER 6^TH AND WILL CONTINUE TO EXERCISE YOUR RIGHT TO VOTE IN EACH AND EVERY ELECTION. REMEMBER: If you do not vote, then you give up your right to complain!!

LOCAL VETERANS ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (LVAP)

Opportunities have always existed for individuals to assist veterans and their dependents – and members of the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) and the Auxiliary have always answered that call. We see examples of this each and every day aimed at meeting the main objective of our organization to build better lives for America’s disabled veterans and their dependents. With this in mind, I am pleased to announce the creation of the Local Veterans Assistance Program (LVAP).

We have always enjoyed the success of a great corps of volunteers who volunteer in Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Voluntary Service (VAVS) programs at VA medical centers as well as our Transportation Network. Given the fact that not all volunteers live in close proximity to a VA medical center or other VA facility, the LVAP will allow volunteers to provide needed services to veterans and their families in their local community and be recognized for that service.

We can’t afford to have volunteers who currently volunteer in VAVS programs or drivers in our Transportation Network reallocate their volunteer time in this new program. Our VAVS and Transportation Network volunteers are vital to the continued success of those programs and the veterans who rely on them each and every day. We simply needed to create a program for those who want to do something for veterans and their families, but could not due to their geographical location in relationship to VA facilities.

DAV is the only veterans service organization which has a national volunteer recognition program to provide incentive awards for volunteers who provide service in activities in the name of DAV. LVAP volunteers will receive the same incentive awards as enjoyed by volunteers in the VAVS program.

LVAP volunteers may report volunteer time for a variety of activities which include, but are not limited to:

1. Chapter and Department Service work.

2. DAV specific outreach efforts (DAV Airshow Outreach Program, Harley’s Heroes, National Guard mobilizations and demobilizations, etc.)

3. Fundraising efforts (Forget-Me-Not and other approved fundraisers).

4. Direct assistance to veterans, widows, or families (yard work, home repairs, grocery shopping, etc.)

We have invited each chapter to report the activities of their LVAP volunteers to the designated department representative. Please be sure you report only the time volunteered under the LVAP. The Hospital Service Coordinator and DAV VAVS Representative will continue to report time for the Transportation Network and programs within VAVS.

It will be necessary to have a department representative responsible for reporting the volunteer time for the activities of volunteers in their state on a monthly basis. Perhaps the VAVS State Chairman, department officer or an employee of the department would be an appropriate person.

A user friendly online web based reporting program has been developed. A separate memo will be sent to departments which will include the username and password for their department and should be maintained by the person authorized to submit the report for their department. Information reported by the department will include the volunteer’s first and last name, last 4 digits of their social security number, mailing address, telephone number and total number of volunteer hours for the month and type of activity. It is very important to provide all of the information so we can accurately identify and recognize each volunteer.

Youth volunteers who serve in the LVAP will also be eligible to apply for a scholarship through the Jesse Brown Memorial Youth Scholarship Program so long as they meet the minimum eligibility requirements for consideration.

We are constantly looking for new ways to recruit and engage new members and volunteers and I hope you use this new program to our advantage.

Please feel free to contact me should you have any questions or concerns regarding this or any other DAV Voluntary Service Program.

s/Edward E. Hartman, National Director of Voluntary Services

Information Bulletin

IMPORTANT NUMBERS

LOCAL VETERANS ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (LVAP)