FROM THE DESK OF COMMANDER

DAVID MAY

Service to Veterans by DAV Team Ohio Chapters! While attending DAV Department of Ohio District Meetings I am always very enthused to hear about the service provided by our chapters.

This year I would like to suggest and call upon all Chapters to consider making your service donations to DAV Department of Ohio Hospital Fund. It is as easy as 1-2-3, (1) Chapter members approving a donation, (2) send your donation to Department’s Hospital Fund with a letter stating your chapter recommendation on how your donated funds should be used for service to veterans, (3) Upon your later request, Department will send a check payable to a VA Hospital/Veterans Home, or other equity of your choice. Please focus on our DAV Mission, “Service to Veterans.”

Your Chapter can also send your Forget-Me-Not recommended “Service to Veterans” donations to the Department’s Hospital Fund. Easy as 1-2-3!

Also, DAV Department of Ohio will be setting up a special account so chapters can donate funds to support our DAV Cleveland and Cincinnati National Services Offices. This is a great service project to consider. Our National Service offices are in need of computer monitors and printer ink cartridges. You’re asking why? Yes, there is a need to purchase monitors to serve our members! When a veteran calls into the National Service office to ask for help the National Service Officers may need to switch from one VA program to another information screen on their computer. Switching programs (VA) takes a lot of time but with more than one monitor setup the NSO will be able to navigate VA programs easier and faster and answer the veteran’s questions. Therefore, it is a win-win situation for everyone. All requests to purchase items for our National Service Officers will be submitted by the National Service officer supervisor for approval by our Department Adjutant Frank Williams. I would encourage your chapter to become a strong supporter of our National Services Offices. We need to make this a DAV Team Ohio effort (Big and Small Chapters), donating together to meet the needs to our National Service Offices. Big and small donations do add up. I thank you in advance, for your chapter or personal donation to assist our NSO’s who are providing needed services for our disabled veterans and their families.

FYI: I look forward to seeing you at our Fall Conference. During our DAV Fall Conference we’ll have a “Parade of Checks.” Please present your chapter and/or personal donations, and be recognized for the “Service to Veterans” provided by you and your chapter.

On another note: I encourage you to attend your District Meetings. Many District Meetings have been scheduled. This is an opportunity as a chapter officer and members to network, support your District Commander, and learn more about the DAV and services for veterans.

DAV CORE VALUES ARE….Service, Quality, Integrity, and Leadership, to build better lives for Ohio’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,

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

October 1, 2010 Mobile Service Office, Walter J. Klekota Chapter #49, VFW 1079, 500 S. Abbe Rd., Elyria, Ohio 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

October 2, 2010 Mobile Service Office, Century Harley-Davidson, 3053 Eastpoint Drive, Medina, Ohio 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

October 2, 2010 Forget-Me-Not Drive, John W. Covert Chapter #47, East Liverpool, Ohio.

October 3, 2010 8^th District Meeting, Pioneer City Chapter #52, meal at 1 p.m. and meeting to begin at 2 p.m., Marietta, Ohio.

October 4, 2010 Mobile Service Office, Ashland County Chapter #81, American Legion #88, 1338 Claremont Ave., Ashland, Ohio 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

October 5, 2010 Mobile Service Office, Mansfield Chapter #21, CBOC, 1456 Park Ave West., Mansfield, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

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

October 16, 2010 1^st District Meeting, Lunch as noon, meeting to follow, St. Timothy’s Episocal Church, 8101 Beechmont Ave., Cincinnati, Ohio.

October 24, 2010 10^th District Meeting, 4616 W. Broad St., Columbus, Ohio, Lunch at 1 p.m., meeting to begin at 2 p.m.

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.

October 31, 2010 7^th District Meeting, Alliance Chapter #50 at 2 p.m., Alliance, Ohio.

November 13, 2010 2^nd District Meeting, 12 noon, Dayton VAMC, Bldg. 305, Dayton, Ohio.

November 15, 2010 Golden Corral Military Appreciation Monday

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

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

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

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.

NOTES FROM YOUR STATE ADJUTANT

Frank Williams

Thought for October: “A truly happy person is the one who can enjoy the scenery even when he must take a detour.”

Garry Augustine, our National Service Director, and still a Buckeye in his heart, has informed us that the Government Accountability Office (GAO) is investigating neglect and abuse in long term care at VA Community Living Centers and State Veterans Homes. If you have factual information regarding neglect and abuse in our Veteran Homes or VA Community Living Centers, please email: VETNURSINGHOMEABUSE@gao.gov

National Mortgage giant Fannie Mae plans to give military families a break on their home loan payments if they are struggling because of the death or injury of a family service member.

According to an article in the Salt Lake Tribune, female veterans are less likely to obtain VA compensation for PTSD because of the difficulty of proving sexual assault. Although we are now encountering females with combat exposure – there are no “front lines” in Iraq or Afghanistan – these ladies are experiencing the same horrors of war as their male counterparts, there is also the sexual trauma that some of them endure. Our VA system must work hard to insure our female veterans receive the same quality of health care as well as unbiased consideration for their earned benefits.

ASSAULT ON VETERAN RETIREE PAY AND BENEFITS. A retired Marine Reserve Major General, employed by a Pentagon Advisory Panel, criticized the military pension and benefit system, saying that ..”Many who leave the service after 20 years go on to take high-paying defense sector jobs while collecting a military pension and enjoying discounted military health care plans”. He also faulted Veterans Service Organizations such as the DAV, VFW, saying their main goal is to pressure legislators to make no changes to military retired pay and benefits. He went on to say “We know that it is not sustainable to pay people for 60 years to serve for 20”.

He made no mention of the fact that a Senator or Member of Congress get completely free health care and can receive retirement pay after serving only five years depending on age!!! Neither did he speak of the fact that he…..”went on to take a high paying defense sector job while collecting his military pension and enjoying discounted military retiree health care benefits”…. Sounds like hypocrisy to me! Don’t bailout Wall Street & then cut funding for those who fought for our Country!

FORGERY CHARGE FOR MARINE VET: A 63 year old Marine veteran was indicted by a federal grand jury in Nashville Tennessee on 29 criminal charges, including wire & mail fraud and forgery. The indictment cites 13 cases where he allegedly produced & sold documents ranging from Navy & Marine Corps Honorable Discharges to Combat Action Ribbons. He maintained a website, that is still “open for business” where buyers can order a Silver Star or Distinguished Flying Cross for $34.95. A “Honorable Discharge Certificate sells for $29.95. Past customers include “pretenders” who have been charged under the Stolen Valor Law. If convicted, this 63 year old Marine veteran could spend the rest of his life in prison.

I would certainly like to see a very large turnout for our Fall Conference set for October 8^th, 9^th and 10^th. There are many Chapter Officers who continue to make mistakes on their Financial Reports, and other routine functions. In order to help all our Chapters, I will again be holding a workshop for Chapter Officer Training on Saturday afternoon. Remember – I want to help you do your job. But, you have to come to our Conference, at least on Saturday, October 9^th. Thank You.

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!!

CHAPTER OFFICER REPORTS

Several Chapters have NOT submitted their officer report for the 2010-2011 membership year. National and Department Headquarters rely on these officer reports to keep records current. Department Headquarters would like to complete the 2010-2011 Directory so the officers and chapters can have access to all the chapter information.

The following chapters have NOT submitted the officer reports as required: 7, 13, 26, 28, 66, 67, 75, 88, 98 and 142.

If your Chapter needs a report form, please feel free to contact Department Headquarters at 614-221-3582.

MOTTS MILITARY MUSEUM

Fellow Disabled American Veteran,

Thank you for your sacrifice, years of military service, and dedication to our state and nation and for continuing to assist our fellow veterans since being discharged.

I know that very few of you have been to Motts Military Museum in Groveport, Ohio nor are many of you members. And I wonder why not…

Warren Motts gave up a very successful career and dedicated his life to honoring our service men and women throughout the history of our great country and to teaching future generations of the military’s sacrifices for the freedoms we enjoy. There is no single individual in Ohio who has done more to support the legacy of our military veterans than Warren Motts.

Take a look at http://mottsmilitarymuseum.org or, better still, visit the museum. You will be surprised at what it offers. Almost daily, visitors comment that, “It’s the best kept secret in Ohio.” It gets nationwide recognition. In Ohio, only the Museum of USAF in Dayton is ranked higher.

The museum is a 501 ( c) 3 non-profit organization that is managed by an elected board of trustees and dependent upon about 70 volunteers for day-to-day operations. It receives no government funding and relies solely on donations, membership dues, and sales from its outstanding gift shop.

The vast majority of items on display were donated by Ohio veterans themselves, their family members, or military organizations. There is a story behind each. It is not a collection of random items collected from flea markets or garage sales around the country. It is simply Ohio and U.S. military history at its finest.

Exhibits cover every war in our nation’s history and all branches of the service. It is by far the most comprehensive collection of military memorabilia in the Midwest. Every display is unique, something one won’t find anywhere else.

The museum also has an exact replica of Eddie Rickenbacker’s childhood home, which is furnished with a huge collection of items from his fascinating military and civilian careers. We ever have a fully restored 1925 Rickenbacker automobile.

Outside is one of only a handful of remaining Higgins boats (D-Day landing craft) in the U.S. There are two helicopters, several aircraft and a number of tanks, artillery pieces, and military vehicles.

The new sing, which is nearly completed, has special exhibits to honor women in the military over the years, Korea’s MASH units, POWs, NASA, & Vietnam – along with many other exhibits. In storage, but no yet on display is the second largest collection of Holocaust items in the U.S.

The museum is located just southeast of Columbus and north of Rickenbacker ANG Base. It is easy to find, and there is a map on the website.

Please view the website and then visit the museum. Motts could use your support, and you will be proud to be a member. Once you visit, you may want to encourage your DAV chapter to schedule a tour. There is a special lifetime membership rate that allows everyone in your post to attend for free. (Only one DAV chapter in all of Ohio has done so to date, and we would appreciate others also joining.)

Current members of the museum hail from forty different states and a number of foreign nations. Please visit, join, donate, and encourage your fellow veterans, friends, and neighbors to do likewise. You are obviously interested in helping pass along the legacy of our nation’s veterans. And there is no single organization in Ohio that does more to honor U.S. veterans than Motts Military Museum.

We know that DAV chapters are forever looking for new and different activities. There would be nothing more appropriate or appreciated by your members than a visit to Motts. Try it. Bring the spouses. Then return with your families, as you won’t see everything in one trip.

If you already belong, you know what I am talking about. Please pass the word.

Ronald L. Albers, Colonel, USAF, Retired

Life Member, Disabled American Veterans

Treasurer and Trustee, Motts Military Museum, Inc.

SUSAN M. FUEHRER, ASSOCIATE MEDICAL CENTER DIRECTOR

Mrs. Susan M. Fuehrer has been appointed the Medical Center Director at the Louis Stokes Cleveland VAMC effective September 26, 2010. Prior to this appointment, Mrs. Fuehrer served as the Associate Director of the Louis Stokes Cleveland VAMC since January 22, 2006.

Mrs. Fuehrer began her career with the Department of Veterans Affairs 25 years ago as a management intern at the Brockton/West Roxbury VAMC. She has subsequently held numerous staff and line positions at the Louis Stokes Cleveland VAMC from May, 1986 to April, 2001. From April, 2001 to January, 2006 Ms. Fuehrer served as the Chief Information Officer for the Veterans Integrated Service Network for Ohio.

Mrs. Fuehrer was detailed to serve as the Acting Director of the VA Montana Healthcare Systems from October 2009 to February 2010. She also was appointed to the VA Undersecretary for Health’s Universal Healthcare Task Force in 2008 and served eight months developing the Plan to transform care for Veterans into the 21^st century.

Mrs. Fuehrer is a graduate of the 2010 Senior Executive Service (SES) Career Development Program as well as a member of the Leadership VA Class of 2009. Ms. Fuehrer is also a graduate of the Leadership Cleveland Class of 2008. Mrs. Fuehrer currently serves as Cleveland’s Healthcare Information Management Executives Board of Directors and has worked to formulate a curriculum for Baldwin Wallace College’s undergraduate healthcare administration program.

Mrs. Fuehrer is a 1986 graduate of the University of New Hampshire with a degree in Healthcare Administration and a 1990 graduate of the Case Western Reserve University with a Masters in Business Administration. She is a member of the American College of Healthcare Executives and the College of Healthcare Information Management Executives.

Information Bulletin

IMPORTANT NUMBERS

NOTES FROM YOUR STATE ADJUTANT

Frank Williams