12/5/2023 Meeting
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LEGISLATION
There are great tools available on the Action Corp site for keeping a pulse on the legislative topics. https://heroes.vfw.org/page/28363/action/1?locale=en-US
PATRIOTIC
December 7, is a day that lives in infamy, take a moment to pause, reflect, and remember how that day changed this country. Remember those who perished that day, consider how the actions of so many shaped our future. Patriotism was high as we scrambled to go forward on that day.
11/7/2023 Meeting
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LEGISLATION
National Buddy Check Week: The first annual National Buddy Check Week is Oct.16 - Oct. 20, 2023. In this new VA program, veterans are encouraged to contact ten fellow veterans and check on how they are doing. The goal is to build peer-to-peer connections, improve mental health, and increase access to VA resources. Veteran family members, caregivers, and survivors are also encouraged to participate.
https://www.va.gov/initiatives/national-buddy-check-week-talk-to-10-veterans/
Legislation priority
To fully support service members, and protect our nation’s citizens and interests around the world, Congress and DOD must:
- Preserve the all-volunteer force.
- Expand partnerships with host nations and private/public organizations to achieve the fullest possible accounting of U.S. military personnel missing from all wars.
- Ensure DPAA is fully funded to perform its personnel recovery mission. (Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency)
PATRIOTIC
Is it proper to fly the U.S. flag at night?
The Flag Code states it is the universal custom to display the flag only from sunrise to sunset on buildings and on stationary flag staffs in the open. However, when a patriotic effect is desired, the flag may be displayed 24 hours a day if properly illuminated during the hours of darkness. The American Legion interprets “proper illumination” as a light specifically placed to illuminate the flag (preferred) or having a light source sufficient to illuminate the flag so it is recognizable as such by the casual observer.
10/3/2023 Meeting
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LEGISLATION
As the spouse or dependent child of a Veteran or service member, you may qualify for certain benefits, like health care, life insurance, or money to help pay for school or training. As the survivor of a Veteran or service member, you may qualify for added benefits, including help with burial costs and survivor compensation. If you’re caring for a Veteran, you may also be eligible for support to help you better care for the Veteran—and for yourself. Find out which benefits you may qualify for and how to access them. See http://va.gov for additional information
PATRIOTIC
What is meant by the flag’s own right?
The “right” as the position of honor developed from the time when the right hand was the “weapon hand” or “point of danger.” The right hand, raised without a weapon, was a sign of peace. The right hand, to any observer, is the observer’s left. Therefore, as used in the Flag Code, the flag and/or blue field is displayed to the observer’s left, which is the flag’s “own right.”
9/5/2023 Meeting
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LEGISLATION
Pre-Need Eligibility for VA Cemetery Burial: VA Under Secretary of Memorial Affairs Matthew T. Quinn spoke about pre-need eligibility for burial benefits during a presentation at the 124th VFW National Convention. Over the last five decades, VA has expanded the number of national cemeteries creating more access for urban veterans and jumpstarting an initiative for those in rural areas. However, Quinn revealed that only 16% of veterans will choose a VA national cemetery for their final resting place. Read more about national cemeteries or learn more about VA burial benefits.
PATRIOTIC
Voice of Democracy scholarship - 3-5 min audio plus essay Grades 9-12
--------------------
LEGISLATION
There are great tools available on the Action Corp site for keeping a pulse on the legislative topics. https://heroes.vfw.org/page/28363/action/1?locale=en-US
PATRIOTIC
December 7, is a day that lives in infamy, take a moment to pause, reflect, and remember how that day changed this country. Remember those who perished that day, consider how the actions of so many shaped our future. Patriotism was high as we scrambled to go forward on that day.
11/7/2023 Meeting
-------------------------
LEGISLATION
National Buddy Check Week: The first annual National Buddy Check Week is Oct.16 - Oct. 20, 2023. In this new VA program, veterans are encouraged to contact ten fellow veterans and check on how they are doing. The goal is to build peer-to-peer connections, improve mental health, and increase access to VA resources. Veteran family members, caregivers, and survivors are also encouraged to participate.
https://www.va.gov/initiatives/national-buddy-check-week-talk-to-10-veterans/
Legislation priority
To fully support service members, and protect our nation’s citizens and interests around the world, Congress and DOD must:
- Preserve the all-volunteer force.
- Expand partnerships with host nations and private/public organizations to achieve the fullest possible accounting of U.S. military personnel missing from all wars.
- Ensure DPAA is fully funded to perform its personnel recovery mission. (Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency)
PATRIOTIC
Is it proper to fly the U.S. flag at night?
The Flag Code states it is the universal custom to display the flag only from sunrise to sunset on buildings and on stationary flag staffs in the open. However, when a patriotic effect is desired, the flag may be displayed 24 hours a day if properly illuminated during the hours of darkness. The American Legion interprets “proper illumination” as a light specifically placed to illuminate the flag (preferred) or having a light source sufficient to illuminate the flag so it is recognizable as such by the casual observer.
10/3/2023 Meeting
-----------------
LEGISLATION
As the spouse or dependent child of a Veteran or service member, you may qualify for certain benefits, like health care, life insurance, or money to help pay for school or training. As the survivor of a Veteran or service member, you may qualify for added benefits, including help with burial costs and survivor compensation. If you’re caring for a Veteran, you may also be eligible for support to help you better care for the Veteran—and for yourself. Find out which benefits you may qualify for and how to access them. See http://va.gov for additional information
PATRIOTIC
What is meant by the flag’s own right?
The “right” as the position of honor developed from the time when the right hand was the “weapon hand” or “point of danger.” The right hand, raised without a weapon, was a sign of peace. The right hand, to any observer, is the observer’s left. Therefore, as used in the Flag Code, the flag and/or blue field is displayed to the observer’s left, which is the flag’s “own right.”
9/5/2023 Meeting
-------------
LEGISLATION
Pre-Need Eligibility for VA Cemetery Burial: VA Under Secretary of Memorial Affairs Matthew T. Quinn spoke about pre-need eligibility for burial benefits during a presentation at the 124th VFW National Convention. Over the last five decades, VA has expanded the number of national cemeteries creating more access for urban veterans and jumpstarting an initiative for those in rural areas. However, Quinn revealed that only 16% of veterans will choose a VA national cemetery for their final resting place. Read more about national cemeteries or learn more about VA burial benefits.
PATRIOTIC
Voice of Democracy scholarship - 3-5 min audio plus essay Grades 9-12
