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FROM THE DESK OF

COMMANDER WILL DAVIS

The Fall Conference was great! Thanks to all that attended! A special thanks to the DAV Mobile Service Van and Henry Snodgrass of Chapter #144 for helping the National Officers with veterans that day. Thanks to Charles Lambert and staff, job well done. Thanks to Jacob Drost, Richard Clay and HSC Bill Warren. I’ve heard nothing but good comments about the conference.

The fall colors are brilliant! What a great time of the year to be State Commander; traveling 71 north and south; 70 east and west; and all the country roads in between to get to district meetings. Thank you for this opportunity to serve and the great fellowship and meetings up arrival. Looking at the calendar for November, it does not slow down. Some dates to remember are: November 8 – Election Day. This day has been set by law for the general elections of public officials. Don’t forget to let your voice be heard – get out and VOTE! November 11 – Veterans Day. Veterans Day gives Americans the opportunity to celebrate the bravery and sacrifice of all US veterans. It is the legal holiday to honor the end of World War I. There are several businesses that honor the veterans on this day also: Applebee’s eat free, go to www.applebees.com/vetsdav; Golden Corral – November 14; visit any National Park free on November 11; Home Depot and Lowe’s for military discount; and visit www.outback.com, Outback Steakhouse; just to name a few. November 24 – Thanksgiving, many Americans think this is just a long weekend, great food, and the start of the Christmas holiday season. Thanksgiving has been celebrated on many different dates but on October 3, 1863 Abraham Lincoln proclaimed “the last Thursday of November as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficial Father who dwelleth in the heavens.” So it is on Thanksgiving Day each year, Americans give thanks to the Almighty God for all His blessings and mercies toward us throughout the year. When was the last time you told a veteran thanks for serving? While I was volunteering at the Franklin County Stand Down recently, I over-heard another volunteer say “Thank You” to a World War II veteran. With a smile on his face and stance that only a veteran would have, he replied, “It was my honor and privilege to serve.” Question? What became active on November 10, 1775? Hint: The Few, The Proud. That’s right! Happy Birthday Marine Corp. Sempe Fidelis.

Please remember State Adjutant Frank Williams and PDC Ray Hutchinson in your thoughts prayers. Both had surgery and are home doing well. Wishing them a speedy recovery. Larry Frazee has rejoined our office work force, welcome back!

Let’s remember to honor our veterans this month with perhaps just a phone call, card or a word of thanks. Show them the respect they deserve. May God bless our veterans and their families.

“One Team One Goal”

Will Davis, 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

William Warren

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

Wade Park HSC, (216) 791-3800

Don Branford Ext. 4157

DATES TO REMEMBER

November 5 2^nd District Meeting, 2 p.m., Dayton VA Bldg., Room 305, Dayton, Ohio.

November 11, 2011 Forget-Me-Not, Ross County Chapter #18, Wal-Mart, Corner Market, Community Market, Sav-A-Lot, Circleville, Ohio.

November 14, 2011 Golden Corral Military Appreciation Dinner, Various restaurants, Ohio.

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

April 8, 2012 8^th District Meeting, Bellaire Chapter #117, Lunch at noon, Meeting at 1 p.m., Bellaire, Ohio.

April 22, 2012 4^th District Meeting, Ottawa Chapter #76, 2 p.m., Ottawa, Ohio.

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.

VETERANS DAY BREAKFAST IN CINCINNATI

All veterans are invited to a free breakfast in Cincinnati, at which Thompson Plumbing, Heating and Cooling will present a very generous donation to the DAV National Organization. Speakers will include Lt. Gen. Lawrence F. Snowden and Miss Ohio 2011 Ellen Bryan.

Since 2009, Thompson has raised more than $100,000 to support DAV programs by contributing a share of its profits.

Reservations are limited, so call 513-672-3113 if you wish to attend the free breakfast. Thompson’s plant is located near the Shepherd Road exit off I-75, east of the highway.

Veterans Day, Nov. 11, 2011

Breakfast 7 a.m. / Program 8 a.m.

Thompson Plumbing, Heating & Cooling

6 N. Commerce Drive

Evendale, OH 45215

NOTES FROM YOUR STATE ADJUTANT

Frank Williams

Thought for November: Education is only a ladder to gather from the tree of knowledge, not the fruit itself.

For those of you who may have called Department Headquarters, and got a “Voice Mail” message, or had to leave a message, I apologize. As you can imagine, we are a bit short of staff since my full knee replacement surgery on October 11^th, and my immediate referral to extensive physical therapy. Thanks to Sherry’s dedication and hard work, we are still “up and running”.

My surgery went well and “my wounds are healing”, however I was quickly made aware the surgery is actually the easy part!! I was heavily sedated, so that part is not “part of my memory”, and the real “hurting” has only just begun. I will try to keep everyone posted as I progress to the point that I can walk – eventually run – without a wheelchair or walker.

Draft Gulf War Task Force Report Released: October 21, 2011, our VA Secretary Erick Shinseki announced completion of a comprehensive report of how the VA will address the concerns of Veterans deployed during the Gulf War in 1990 and 1991. This report is published in the Federal Register and to ensure the needs of our veterans are properly tracked, feedback is encouraged from Gulf War Veterans. Instruction for submitting electronic feedback is posted at www.regulations.gov and the draft report will be open for comment for 30 days. Also, public discussion on the 7 recommendations may be accessed at: http://vagulfwartaskforce.uservoice.com/

IS COLA FINALLY BACK? As you know, Disabled Veterans have not had a COLA increase since December 2009. But it was recently announced there will be a 3.6 percent COLA increase for Social Security and VA disability compensation payments. I wonder what will be increased (such as Medicare) that will erase this small COLA.

How many DAV members have you signed up this month? How about last month? Remember: After you have recruited a new DAV member, sign up all eligible members in their family also. Our Auxiliary needs new members too. The more members we have in the DAV, gives us much more clout when talking with our Legislators, both here in Ohio and in DC, about rights and benefits we have earned as Veterans.

Thanks to everyone for the many get well cards and letters you sent to me over the past few weeks. They are very much appreciated!!

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!

U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES PASSES GIVE VETERANS BILLS

Legislation to improve employment and training programs for veterans is among a package of bills that passed to the House of Representatives and were sent to the Senate for consideration. The Veterans Opportunity to Work Act (H.R. 2433), a $1.5 billion job-training measure, would provide retraining for veterans 35 to 60 years old who have been out of work for at least 26 weeks and improve transition assistance, job placement and professional licensing and certification for veterans seeking work related to their military occupational specialty.

In addition to the employment measure, the House passed: H.R. 2349, which would create a pilot program to assess the skills and performance of VA claims processors and provide remedial training for deficiencies. Those whose performance is still unsatisfactory after two remedial training opportunities could face disciplinary action. Another provision in the bill would exempt insurance settlements from being considered as income when determining eligibility for means-tested veterans pensions. It would also authorize the use of electronic communications to provide notice to claimants for benefits.

H.R. 2074, which would require improvements in reporting and tracking sexual assault on VA property. The Veterans Sexual Assault Prevention Act is a result of a June Government Accountability Office report which found that lack of reporting, security measures and accountability lead to hundreds of patients and VA employees being left vulnerable to sexual assault. Another provision would order the VA to allow service dogs on all its properties and create a test program to determine whether veterans with service-connected mental health or stress disorders would benefit from working as service dog trainers.

H.R. 2302, which would require quarterly reports from the VA detailing the costs for conferences it sponsors.

H.R. 1263, which would extend protections again home foreclosures to surviving spouses of troops who die while in the military or after they leave the military of service-connected disability. The bill also would require companies lending money to service members to have compliance offices.

VA PROVIDES ADDITIONAL $10.3 MILLION TO HELP ELIMINATE VETERANS HOMELESSNESS

Eleven states will share more than $10.3 million in VA grants to community groups to provide enhanced services for homeless veterans this year.

For more information, visit VA’s website for the National Homeless Providers Grant and Per Diem Office at www.va.gov/HOMELESS/NationalCall Center for Homeless Veterans, 1-877-4AID VET (1-877-424-3838), http://www.va.gov/HOMELESS/NationalCallCenter.asp

VETERANS COST-OF-LIVING ADJUSTMENT

On October 18, 2011, it was announced that there would be a 3.6 percent cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for Social Security recipients next year. The Senate immediately and unanimously passed legislation, S. 894, to apply this same COLA increase to veterans disability compensation payments. Earlier this year, the House approved companion legislation, H.R. 1407. Once the COLA legislation is sent to the President and signed into law, it will provide a much-needed increase for the 3.2 million disabled veterans who receive monthly disability compensation payments as a result of injuries or illnesses suffered in service to the nation. For many veterans, particularly those with severe and catastrophic disabilities, these payments may be their primary or even their only source of income.

For the past two years, disabled veterans have seen no COLA increases, and for many it has become increasingly harder to make ends meet. While the official COLA may have been zero, it is important to understand that the Consumer Price Index upon which the COLA is calculated does not take into account increases in the cost of food or gasoline. In addition, as disabled veterans grow older, their needs may also increase due to declining health and increased morbidity.

While we recognize the difficult work facing Congress to make reductions in federal spending, we believe it would be irresponsible to target cuts at those who have already sacrificed so much for their country.

Please urge your elected officials to reject any proposals that would reduce disability compensation, or prevent, reduce or delay the application of a full COLA for disability compensation.

ALLIANCE CHAPTER 50 NEWS

Cleveland DAV Service Office - On August 23, Alliance Chapter 50 Adjutant Rick Steward ( L ) and Past Chapter Commander Victor Dossi ( R ) donating coffee to Assistant Supervisor, NSO Jack Burlingame ( C ).

Chapter looking for a Service Project? You may want to consider supporting our Cleveland and/or Cincinnati Service Offices. For more information, Please contact our Department Adjutant Frank Williams or our Ohio NSOs.

Department (614) 221.3582

Cincinnati NSO (513) 684.2676

Cleveland NSO (216) 522.3507

Parade of Checks is an opportunity for chapters to be recognized for making Service Donations during our Department’s State Conventions and Fall Conferences. If no one from your chapter can attend please consider asking your District Commander of a State Officer to present your service donation(s) during Department’s Parade of Checks.

Information Bulletin

IMPORTANT NUMBERS