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COMMANDER'S CORNER
Greetings to all of you, since our last publication we have been on the
fast track. I am just recovering from our Annual Picnic and it's already
time for the holiday season.
Speaking of
the picnic if you were not there you missed another great Post 162
tradition, hats off to Guy Rosenthal 2nd Vice-commander. The food as usual
was outstanding, and the ribs, Steam Ship Round, burgers, dogs and the
other specialties from the grill just melted in your mouth. As usual the
Auxiliary did one outstanding job on the pies, cakes and cookies.
The moon
bounce, kids games, ladies hammer throw, door prizes, kids prizes, boy If
you were not there this time, I suggest you start planning for next year
now.
I really
want to give a "Hat's" off to the Auxiliary and the Sons. Through their
contributions we now have a new fenced in play area for the kids with
slides, swings, and a small climbing wall.
Also thanks
to Al Amos who operated the merchandize tent, Linda (ABC Manager), Kelly
(Auxiliary), and John (SAL Commander) who provided dunk tank excitement
and to our members who showed up even though it rained to make this a
memorable event.
The day was
topped off with a caricature artist who stayed busy doing individual
sketches of members, guest and kids for about three hours.
Our membership drive is in full swing and I have been informed we are
meeting our monthly goals and that's great. However, our goal is 100% by
December 31's. I really need your support in this effort; if you have not
renewed please do so now. We have set a goal of 30 new members and are
presently at 20.
Thanks to Betty and friends, the Redskins Tail Gate party is in full
swing. She is the posts designated Cheer Leader (Pompoms and all). She
sings the fight song, has a dancing singing Skins doll, and a parking sign
proclaiming the Skins number 1. Oh by the way, she also lays out a great
spread and everyone has a great time. So if you are down Lorton way on
football Sunday stop in and say hello to her and get a bite to eat.
Our officers and their committees are working hard to ensure we continue
to identify, prioritize, and develop a plan of action to continually
address the needs of the post and our veterans.
It was good to see Charles "Tex" Demos who was visiting last week. I also
ask along with our men and women serving in "Harms Way" you keep members
Lou Ricker, Steve McCarthy and others in your prayers.
For God and Country
Sam Ramseur, Commander
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SAL News
by John Windsor
Squadron 162 has been basically non-existent for the last 2 years. The
Sons of the American Legion was established as a program of the American
Legion. At one time Squadron 162 was the largest squadron in Virginia with
nearly 700 members. We now have less than 80 and other than the Commander,
no one ever shows up for a membership meeting.
If participation in Squadron 162 does not increase, Post 162 may have to
discontinue the program. We do not want this to happen. Because this is
late notice, Squadron 162 will hold a re-organizational meeting on the 2nd
of December. We need volunteers to hold office and begin working towards
the goals of the American Legion - Namely Veterans, their families,
Children and Youth, and our local community.
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Membership
As of this writing we are standing at 73.7% of our 2007 goal!!!!! Good
job!! With just a little push, we can get over 100% before the end of the
year. And don't forget, if you don't renew before 1 January, DUES WILL
INCREASE BY $5.00!! Save money and renew now!!
The Early Bird dinner is scheduled for Saturday, 4 November. In an effort
to encourage more participation we are having this dinner catered. The
menu will consist of Rice and Chicken and Steamship Round with vegetable
medley and plenty of appetizers. You can't beat that just for paying your
2007 dues. Yes you may renew your dues at the door. Catering is by "Party
On" - our own Jennifer Cooper.
There are a lot of activities scheduled for the next three months. All of
them are great reasons to renew your membership and sign up a new members.
Please help us help you.
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Club News
by Ann. Operation Manager
This newsletter covers November; December & January so there is going to
be a lot of information in this one.
NASCAR is almost over; Gizmo is in second place and kicking Dewitt's you
know what. The end of year NASCAR Club party will be December 2. 6:00 - ?
Dinner and drinks...
Karaoke first Friday & Third Saturday of month. We are going to try
something different with Karaoke nights. We will open the kitchen from
8-11. The first few times it may be pot luck. So hang in there with us, if
you have any ideas let us know.
Sunday tailgate party every Sunday. If you would like to help with one let
Betty know. Betty has been doing a wonderful job on our tail gate parties.
Thanks Betty!
Taco Tuesday, Wings second Thursday of month, Oysters Third Thursday Jens
Wacky Wednesday starts November 1. We are all waiting to see what she will
do next.
Turkey give away November 20th 1 free turkey every 15 minutes.
Thanksgiving dinner on the 23rd -- dinner served at 1600.
Last Friday Betty juke box night. Come in and help Betty play the juke
box.
Brads pool tournament 4th Saturday of month.
Christmas party December 16th .
Free ham give away December 18th 1 every 15 min.
Spiced shrimp 3rd Thursday of month
New Years Party Karaoke by Vic.
Brunch New Years Day 12:00 noon.
Once a month we have a Birthday celebration and Helen makes a Cake and we
give out birthday cards for those who have signed the book.
Happy birthday goes out to !
November 17: R.J, (Shorty) Yoder.
December15: Arron Farly, Candy Mohaupt, Roy Webb, Dave Tutterow, Bobby K.,
Helen Shemit, Gary Pape.
January 10: Jackie Reed, Brian Reese, Walt Owens, John Windsor, Patricia
Driscoll.
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Your Service - Your Benefits
by Art Dupav. Post Service Officer
I recently found a no nonsense explanation of the VA Disability Rating
Criteria written by a former 30 year employee of the Veterans
Administration, who is also disabled vet. It addresses the lack of
knowledge many applicants have about what is involved in processing their
disability claims. When a veteran submits a claim to the VA, he/she should
understand there are several prerequisites for a successful disability
claim.
Among them are:
*The evidence of record must show the claimed condition was incurred in
(first occurred or diagnosed) during military service. That means the
medical evidence provided by the veteran and/or the service department
must show the claimed disability. If the claimed disability is not shown
in your service medical records it didn't happen. Exceptions to this rule
are conditions which may not manifest until after military service is
complete, such as in the case of PTSD. Here the veteran's service record
is requested to determine if his/her service was under such conditions,
that the present diagnosis can clearly be associated with military
service.
* Assuming service medical records show the claimed disability exists,
then it must be determined how disabling the condition is at the present
time. Usually the claimant is scheduled for an examination at the nearest
VA Medical Center or contract physician's clinic. The examining physician
completes a report showing the diagnoses and clinical findings.
*The report is sent to the Regional Office for review. The rating
specialist reviews all the medical evidence, with special consideration to
the examining physician's report. The rating specialist consults a rating
schedule. The diagnosis tells him/her under which disability to rate the
condition. In this case of a claimed disability to the knee this could be
chronic knee strain, torn ACL, or traumatic arthritis. The clinical
findings are compared to descriptions given to various percentages. The
percentage which closest agrees with the physician's findings will be
given as the evaluation of the disability.
*If the veteran has more than one disability, each of which is considered
at least 10% disabling, they will be applied to a combined rating schedule
to yield a combined evaluation. The individual disabilities are not added
to give a final percentage. Assume for example our hypothetical veteran
has 3 disabilities: knee, heart, and psychological. Each disability is
considered 50% disabling but it does not result in rating of 150%
disabled. Each percentage is applied to the remaining healthy person. With
no disabilities the veteran is considered 100% healthy. When the knee
condition is considered, the veteran is now 50% disabled and 50% healthy.
The 50% evaluation of his heart is applied to the remaining healthy 50%
and he/she is considered 75% disabled and 25% healthy. Since evaluations
are only in even 10%, the evaluation is rounded off to 80% disabled and
20% healthy. The final 50% psychological condition is applied to the
remaining 25% healthy person. Remember the actual combined evaluation was
75%. It was just rounded to 80%. He/she is now 88% disabled. The
evaluation is rounded to 90% disabled and 10% healthy.
If you need assistance in preparing an appeal to a disability rating or
wish to reopen your disability compensation based on worsening conditions
start with a review of VA Pamphlet 01-00-1, January 2000, "Understanding
the Appeals Process" and VA Pamphlet 01-02-02A, April 2002 "How Do I
Appeal".
Need more help - contact me at artdupay@us.ibm.com.
On October 14, 2006,1 am attending the Service Officer Training sponsored
by our 17th District. In our next Expressions I'll share this experience
with the hope that it will better equip me to assist you.
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BRIEF
HISTORY OF VETERANS DAY
(Historian Sam Ramseur)
World War I, then normally referred to simply as The Great War, 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.
At the first anniversary of the armistice in 1919 President Wilson
proclaims "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 thing from
which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America
to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the
nations." The original concept for the celebration was for the suspension
of business for a two-minute period beginning at 11 A.M., with the day
also marked by parades and public meetings.
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 1921 Congress passes legislation approving the establishment of a Tomb
of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery. November 11 is
chosen for the date of the ceremony. According on October 20, Congress
declares November 11, 1921 a legal Federal holiday to honor all those who
participated in the war. The ceremony was conducted with great success.
Congress passes legislation on May 13, 1938, making November 11 a legal
Federal holiday, Armistice Day. The United States has no '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.
Additionally, World War II and the Korean War create millions of
additional war veterans in addition to those of the First World War
already honored by Armistice Day.
On June 1, 1954, President Eisenhower signs legislation changing the name
of the legal holiday from Armistice Day to Veteran's Day.
In 1968 Congress passes the Monday Holiday Law, which established the
fourth Monday in October as the new date for the observance of Veteran's
Day. The law is to take effect in 1971. However, in 1975 Legislation
passed to return the Federal observance of Veteran's Day to November 11,
based on popular support throughout the nation. The law was to take effect
in 1978.
(Source: US Army Center of Military History)
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IT'S YOUR BIRTHDAY (Public Affairs
Office)
Did you know we celebrate members' birthdays? Yea that's right, with a
Birthday Party on the third Friday of each month (following Ralph's
Pizza). So let us know the date of your birthday. Ask the ABC Manager on
duty for the Birthday Notebook and give us the date of your birth.
•
November 17
• December 15
• January 10
Any changes
will be posted on the message board at the entrance to the club. IT'S YOUR
BIRTHDAY, ITS A PARTY, and HELEN IS DANCING.
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