POST and DEPARTMENT HIGHLIGHTS
(Best Practices)

• Did it provide a service to our veterans/active military or meet a community need?
• Did it involve more than just a few members?
• Did it lead to positive exposure for AMVETS?
• Did it identify and facilitate new members joining your post?
• Can you reproduce the good results again?
• Did you put the plan on paper and archive it for use again?

Submit a brief outline, and if available, an “action” photo of the activity in progress. Send to the National Programs Department. Strive to include in your photographs; banners, flags and/or clothing that identifies the activity as being sponsored or conducted by AMVETS.

Department of Missouri AMVETS presented the Federal/State/Local Government Employer of the Year for 101-300 Employees to Sheriff Glen Boyer Jefferson County Missouri. Present from left to right was MO Depart Robert Lee, MO PDC Gary Adams, MO Ex Dir Pat Scroggins, Sheriff Glenn Boyer, MO PDC Walter Burke, PNC Jerry Hotop, MO 7th Dist Cmdr Jerry Sampson, and MO Dept Cmdr Paul Pruitt.

On September 28, 2011 the AMVETS WI Ladies Auxiliary, Post 50 hosted a September Birthday Party for all veterans and other residents having birthdays in the month of September at Pleasant View Nursing Home in Phillips. President Dolores Gradinjan purchased gifts for the 4 birthday people. The Auxiliary had the Jim Pekol Band play music for the residents to listen to or if they so wished, AMVET Auxiliary members Etola Foytek and Linda Schweikert danced the "polka" with those members who wanted to dance. After dancing, all residents were served hot fudge sundaes and a cookie. A great time was had by all.

On October 5, 2011 AMVETS WI Ladies Auxiliary, Post 50 paid a visit to the First and Second grade classes at Prentice Elementary school. Trophies that were made by Auxiliary member Deb Hlavacek and her husband Laddy, were presented to First place winner in Kindergarten, Leila Heikkinen and Second Place winner in First Grade, Emily Maki, in the Wisconsin State Flag Drawing contest. Both First Grade and Second Grade students also receives certificates for participation, "Super Star" Medals and cupcakes from Auxiliary member Etola Foytek, AMVET member Gail Redmond and Auxiliary President Dolores Gradinjan.

On September 24, the AMVETS Ladies Auxiliary Post 50 had a stand on main street in Phillips for the Fall Harvest Festival. At their food stand they sold "Walking Tacos." We also raffled off a coat rack that was donated from a business in Phillips, MarquipWard United. Proceeds from the coat rack raffle will be used to purchase warm winter clothing for children in the Phillips, Prentice and Ogema school districts. Proceeds from the walking tacos will go to purchase food for our local food pantries in Price County.

Richland, WA Post 397 helps local Bank honor our active military and veterans by establishing a “Wall of Honor.” Shown here is Ms Trong Bales manager with CMDR Larry Olsen.

Trong Bales the manager and I in front of the wall. Just above my left shoulder is a double picture of my father as a Navy Lt. in 1944 and myself on the date of my commission as a 2nd Lt. in the Army in 1965

Springfield, MO. On 9-13-11
Members of Missouri Post MO-0114 went to Springfield Airport to welcome home the WW II Vets from Honor Flight 11. It was a fantastic experience! The Vets looked tired, but they all said they had a wonderful day!!! The Post also presented ARMY, NAVY and Marine Corps pins and flags to all returning veterans.

MO-0114 Commander Bob Jens welcome home a WWII Veteran

Student Winners of AMVETS Drug & Alcohol Abuse Contest

On Wednesday, July 20, 2011, AMVETS Dept. of MD and Baltimore County AMVETS Post 34 presented certificates of achievement and accompanying monetary awards to Baltimore County students who participated in the National AMVETS program “AMVETS Against Drug and Alcohol Abuse” (A.A.D.A.A.). The program’s theme for 2011 was “Drugs Come in All Shapes and Sizes” and the theme was presented by the students in poster art, poem or essay form depending upon the grade level of the student. In the picture from left to right back row is: AMVETS Post 34 Commander Ron Hall, Alex Forrester, Lauren Forrester, Sydney Newlon and AMVETS Post 34 1st Vice Commander Sonny Zybell. Front row from left to right is: Dylan Pukl, Brody Pukl, Ann Marie Neujahar, Mara Copenhaver, Gabriel Copehaver, Jarrett Newlon and Caleb Copenhaver.

AMVETS WI Post 50, Ladies Auxiliary, keeping busy!

President Dolores Gradinjan and Judith Atchley shown here driving the ATV that led the 7th Annual Spirit of America Walk/Run Race that was conducted to raise money for the Price County Women’s Health Alliance.

President Gradinjan and Ms Atchley shown with donations being made to the Ronald McDonald House in Marshfield.

May 30, 2011 Memorial Day, AMVETS members turn out to honor Cpl. Jacob C. Leicht’s memory with wreath. Far right is Kerrville Mayor Wampler. Guest speaker was Senator Kay Bailey Hutchinson, who chose to tell Cpl. Leicht’s story. The blue and white wreath was her presentation for Cpl. Leicht. Cpl. Leicht was the 1,000th US casualty of the war in Afghanistan. That is also the reason this new Texas AMVETS Post carries the number, Post 1000.

"Missouri AMVETS Post 114 presents certificates to veterans at the Northwood Hills Care Center in Humansville, MO on Memorial Day.

Members pictured (L-R) are Eva Osborne, Ladies Auxiliary; Sharayah Osborne, Junior AMVET (Post 48); Gina Stewart, Auxiliary; Larry Martin; Bob Jens, Commander; Jim Osborne, Commander Sons Squadron 114; Alice McIntosh and Robert Christensen.

Baltimore County MD AMVETS Post 34 presents the AMVETS National Medal and Ribbon for outstanding JROTC cadets on Wednesday, May 18, 2011. Standing in the picture from left to right is 1st Vice Commander Sunny Zybell, Army JROTC Cadet Ian Gonzales, Post Commander Ron Hall, and Marine Corps. JROTC Cadet Zachary Clary. A dinner followed the presentation for the Cadets and their families.

AMVETS WI Post 50,
CMDR Doug Ramussen sharing some recent Post/Auxiliary activities.

CMDR Ramussen presents a Blue Star Banner to Terry and Valeria Mustard for their son Jason who is in the USAF stationed in Germany.

Auxiliary collected and clipped coupons, 15 pounds, for families stationed overseas. This is an on-going program.

Post hosted their 5th Annual AADAA program, “Hooked on Fishing not on Drugs.” Fourth graders from Prentice and Ogema schools took part and each received their own pole and tackle box. And most of the students actually caught a fish.

AMVETS Mantua, NJ Post 77 Celebrates 12th Annual Armed Forces Day Ceremony. Event honors our Troops and community supporters.

Christian Burgin, 6th grader from JMT Elementary school is reading his Americanism Essay entry. CMDR Don Feldman on left and Membership Chairman Joe Perna seated.

John Huff, center, is being presented the Chapel of the Four Chaplains Legion of Honor Award. CMDR Don Feldman on left and LTC Andrew Savicky, Air Force Reserves is on the right.

AMVETS Missouri Post 94, Perryville MO hosted a Veterans Fair/Clinic
On Saturday, May 14, 2011. Two Services Officers: Geoff Wegrzyn, AMVETS National Service Officer and Charles "Sid" Smith from the Missouri Veterans Commission were on hand for the event. The event, which was open to the public, provided a presentation on Veterans Benefits followed by the opportunity for veterans to ask questions and to work with a Service Officer on an individual basis. The event received very positive feedback from the Veterans and their spouses that attended.

AMVETS National Service Officer Geoff Wegrzyn(right) speaking with local Veteran Paul Kohm (left).

Department of Missouri displays its POW/MIA Traveling Exhibit
AMVETS Department of Missouri recently joined the 35th annual Missouri Department American Ex-Prisoners of War Convention to display the POW/MIA exhibit. The personal interactions with the exhibit at the two-day event were both positive and personal, generating considerable interest and additional requests for the exhibit. The POW/MIA Exhibit will be displayed at the AMVETS National Convention in St. Louis Missouri this August, so make plans to visit it. Working the display at the Ex-Prisoners of War Convention were Pat Kessler, Missouri AMVETS Post 106 Ladies Auxiliary and Joanne Conklin, Missouri AMVETS Post 106.

Because We Care Day
On April 2, 2011, AMVETS Post 171 in Festus, Mo., participated in AMVETS Because We Care Day at the Jefferson Barracks VA Medical Center in St. Louis. The post handed out 150 personal hygiene kits and socks to veterans at the facility as part of the day designed to recognize and support veterans at VA facilities across the country.

New York AMVETS Support St. Albans
VAVA volunteers from AMVETS Post 10-13 in Jamaica, N.Y., consistently provide support to residents at the St. Albans VA Community Living Center, according to the facility’s VAVS chief, Yvette Cintron. The AMVETS have adopted a unit at the CLC, provided a boom box and posters for the veterans, and renamed the unit Broadway. Pictured L-R are VAVS Representative Emery Perry, James Miller, VAVS Deputy Thomas Glenn, Kenneth Gibbs, Rudolph Hall, VAVS Deputy Joe Rheams and Kendall Murphy. Photo courtesy of Yvette Cintron.

Maryland AMVETS supports Special Olympics
Baltimore County AMVETS Post #34 and AMVETS Dept. of MD donated $200.00 to Baltimore County Special Olympics.  (L to R) 1st Vice Commander Sonny Zybell, Mr. Andy Todd from Special Olympics, and AMVETS Post 34 Commander Ron Hall.

AMVETS dive into lake to raise money for Special Olympics.
By Norman Miller/Daily News staff
The MetroWest Daily News

NATICK — Robert O'Connell wanted to be the first one to jump into the frigid waters of Lake Cochituate as part of yesterday's AMVETS Passion Plunge.

But, as O'Connell stood on the ice, overlooking the dark and dirty water, he paused. He rubbed his head and made the sign of the cross before jumping in as part of the first of a group of 15 who jumped in to raise money for the Special Olympics.
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Norm Vine, 2nd VC for AMVETS Dept. of VA and VAVS Representative for the Richmond VAMC shown presenting a $1,860 check to Ms. Sandra Ranicki, Administrator for the Sitter-Barfoot Veteran’s Care Center. The money is AMVETS VAVS matching funds at work and will provide two additional tilt-top tables for use by the veteran patients. AMVETS committed to providing eight tables that may be raised or lowered to accommodate wheelchairs and/or be tilted upright and rolled out of the way during other activities.

MO Post 114 Chaplain received Missouri Lt. Gov. Senior Service Award

(BOLIVAR, MO) – Missouri Lieutenant Governor Peter Kinder presented the Senior Service Award to AMVETS Post 114 Chaplain Jim Friend, Citizens Memorial Healthcare Hospice Volunteer, during a ceremony on Friday, Feb. 4 at CMH. The Lieutenant Governor Senior Service Award was started in 2005 and is intended to promote and highlight the positive accomplishments Missouri ’s senior citizens provide their local communities.

Twice a year, winners are chosen in 10 regions of the state to receive the award. “Their volunteer services includes activities for local senior centers, long-term care facilities and other organizations like the American Cancer Society or the American Red Cross, hospitals, hospices, such as CMH Hospice, churches, schools, advocacy groups, social service organizations, and civic boards and commissions,” said Kinder.

Friend, 81, has lived in Bolivar for 35 years. He and his wife, Loeta, have five children, six grandchildren and nine great grandchildren. He is a Korean War Veteran and chaplain of the Am Vets Flemington Post 114 Honor Guard and for the 5th District Am Vets.

Missouri Post 48, Desoto, MO builds storage shed for the local police departments. The Post wanted to help the community other than just making cash donations, so they went to the Police Chief Ernie Paul and ask what was needed. He suggested a building for the weapons qualification range used by all area law enforcement agencies. Pictured from left to right D.A.R.E. officer Henry Prystalski, John Sampson, Andy Sampson (carpenter) Lee Payne (carpenter lead) Daley Merseal, (member) Post commander Jerry Sampson, Desoto Police Chief Paul, Paul Pruitt (Dept 1st Vice/Member), and Walter Burke, Past Dept Commander/Member.

Missouri Post-78 makes donation to Honor Flight. The Honor Flight photo was taken at KY3 TV station, Springfield, MO. The Ladies Auxiliary MO-78 President Cheryl Blood (standing far left) and Commander MO-78 Joy Brown (sitting far left) were invited up to the KY3 TV to make the presentation and for a tour of the studio. MO-78 Post was able to fund 2 1/2 WWII Veterans to Washington DC in November. That was the last group that went out in 2010. Ladies Auxiliary MO-78 launched the program with Post members and the general public also supported this very special program.

AMVETS Ladies Auxiliary, Post 50 Phillips, WI participated in the AMVETS Task Force DVD Project.  The nationwide effort on the part of the AMVETS/Auxiliary is to be the "boots on the ground," to collect donations of good used and new DVD's which are then shipped to servicemen and women who are deployed overseas. Pictured (L to R) Judy Atchley, Jackie DaWalt, Pres. Dolores Gradinjan and Etola Foytek.



AMVETS Ladies Auxiliary of Post 50, Phillips, WI collected over a ton of non-perishable food items, household products and baby needs during their recent holiday season food drive.  "We are so pleased and grateful for the generosity of the people throughout the county who shared the true spirit of Christmas with their donations to the food drive.  The items have been delivered to all the Food Pantries for distributions to those in need.  Pictured (L toR) Pres. Dolores Gradinjan and Judy Atchley.

Auxiliary Post 50, Phillips, WI has been very busy.
Pictured here (L to R) Judy Atchley, Jackie DaWalt, Officer Brian Roush, Pres. Dolores Gradinjan and Etola Foytek, presenting a check for $150 to Price County Deputy Brian Roush for Project Lifesaver. Those who are part of the Project Lifesaver program wear a personalized wristband that emits a tracking signal.  When caregivers notify law enforcement officials that the person is missing, a search and rescue team respond. Search times have been reduced from hours and days to only minutes. 

St. Albans VA/CLC, New York

Kenneth Gibbs (on the left) and Joseph Rheams (on the right) These two dedicated volunteers take a well deserved break after doing distribution at the Christmas/Hanukkah party at the St. Albans CLC. They also provided the cider to the residents. Which was served in plastic flutes. The residents loved it.

New Jersey Post 77 holds annual Scholarship Dinner

Pictured here: (left to right) Mr. & Mrs. Rosanno, grandparents of scholarship winner, Benjimin Firth. Gloucester County Freeholder Joseph Chila making the presentation, Mrs. Firth, accepting the award for her son and NECmen/Post Commander Don Feldman.

Proud Mom Carolyn Feldman, daughter Brittney Feldman, Freeholder Joe Chila, and NECmen/Post Commander Don Feldman. (Proud grandfather.)

National Commander Hotop presenting the National Community Service Award to MO Post 171. Accepting is Post Commander Klint Oldham and our members. Department Commander Roy Clark and the Department 1stVice Paul Pruitt were also present. It was a great honor to receive the award and we are using the money for addition programs.

AMVETS AND AMVETS Ladies Auxiliary, Post 50 participated in the annual "Kids Against Hunger" project at Park Falls, WI A total of 25,000 bags were filled by the morning crew. The project continued in the afternoon at 4-8 at the Prentice High School with members Patti Bolz, Bob Bolz and Wayne Stade who participated there. A total of 50,000 bags would be filled by the end of the day. Price County was allowed to keep as many of the bags that they wished, with the rest being sent out throughout the states and internationally.

Pictured above left to right Judy Stanke, State President Darlent Hempel, President Dolores Gradinjan, State Commander Gene Wegner, Etola Foytek, Mary Williams, Char Wegner and White Clover Princess Katie Roth. Picture by Commander Rasmussen.



Blue Star Banner presented to Jeff Wallace on Wednesday September 29th in Bruce, WI by Pete Jones, member of AMVETS Post 50 Phillips, Wisconsin. Mr. Wallace has two sons currently on active duty. Kyle Wallace is serving in Iraq with the WI Army National Guard. Ryan Wallace recently completed Marine Corps boot camp and will be continuing in his training before going to his permanent duty station. Note: Jeff and his wife Sherry knew about the banners and asked local organizations about getting one. None stepped forward. They are both very much appreciative of the banner, which proudly hangs in their Recipe Box Cafe on the west end of Bruce. AMVETS Post 50 is about 60 mile from Bruce, Wisconsin.

Missouri Post MO-0106, St Peters, MO held its annual Flag Retirement Ceremony. There were approximately 4000 worn and torn Flags retired in a dignified manner by incineration in a very hot fire. The ashes were buried in a special plot at the Post. The volunteers did another excellent job. Over 200 guests attended the ceremony and were served a free dinner after the ceremony. Special guest that assisted in the ceremony were the local Boy and Girl Scouts, Daughters and Sons of the American Revolution and the Sons of the Civil War.

Good neighbor is there for veterans
This good neighbor is Nauset Disposal of Orleans, which organized a hugely successful food collection effort for the Ma Otis Pantry to help local veterans and their families in the annual "Curb Hunger" drive. Working with Cape Cod AMVETS Post 333 Adjutant Richie Riehle and Past Post Commander Richie Sayers, Jenn Bayuk and Shawn DeLude of Nauset Disposal spearheaded a unique drive to collect food--at curbside. In their first drive in October and the second one ending today, they asked their 3,000 customers from Wellfleet to Hyannis to put non-perishable food items curbside on their regular day of pick-up. In addition, food delivery drop-off points were designated at numerous Cape Cod businesses that volunteered their services The October drive collected over 300 pounds of food, and the current drive has topped 1,000 pounds. Nauset Disposal also added $450 in cash to help the AMVETS buy turkeys for delivery for Thanksgiving to families of deployed troops and to Coast Guard families. The AMVETS credo is "veterans helping veterans." The AMVETS received valuable help from VFW Post 10274 and a host of Cape Cod businesses, from mom-and-pop organizations to huge nation-wide chain stores, all too numerous to list. When it comes to its veterans, Cape Cod cares.

In this photo taken at the AMVETS Veterans Day fundraiser concert at O'Shea's Olde Inn in West Dennis, Adjutant Richie Riehle poses with Nauset Disposal's Jenn Bayuk and members of the "Curb Hunger" team.

Members of the Junior State of America accept checks from AMVETS and the Bloomfield Veterans of Foreign WarsOn December 9th to the 11th the Junior State of America club from Bloomfield High School will be traveling to Washington DC. During their stay there they will be volunteering with Wreaths Across America to lay wreaths at Arlington National Cemetery. The Junior State was pleased to accept the generous donations from the AMVETS and the Veterans of Foreign Wars. The Junior State members developed a special relationship with the AMVETS and the Bloomfield VFW through their annual Veteran’s Day celebration. The generosity of the both groups along with other donors who wish to remain anonymous has helped reduce the cost of the trip which the students have funded themselves.

Pictured: Mr. Joseph Ellmer of the Veterans of Foreign Affairs, JSA President Cassey Kuo, JSA Treasurer Sunita Patel, and Mr. Lou.is Ginerfra of the AMVETS.

Missouri Twin Cities AMVETS Post  MO-0171 announces Scholarship winner
Missouri Twin Cities AMVETS Post  MO-0171 announced the winner of is 2010 "Ralston "Alabama" Murray Patriot Scholarship"($500) to Laurie L. Cannon. Laurie is a 2010 Graduate of Festus High School and planning to attend Jefferson College, Hillsboro, MO in the fall. Shown in the picture from left to right is Roy Clark Jr. Dept of Mo Commander, Ralston Murray "Alabama", Joe Grohs, Depart of Mo, District #7 Commander and Post 171 1st Vice, Laurie Cannon, Scholarship winner,  Klint Oldham, Post 171 Commander, and Scott Adams, Dept of MO 2nd Vice, and Post 171 Finance Officer.

AMVETS WI Post 50 Phillips presented the First place award for the AMVETS State flag drawing contest to Jada Eggebrecht. She received a certificate and a check for her drawing. Her name was also entered into the National AMVETS flag drawing contest. Pictured from left Hannah Gengenbach, Post Commander Doug Rasmussen, Auxiliary President Dolores Gradinjan, Jada Eggebrecht, Teacher Mrs. Kaliska, Laddie Holoubek.

AMVETS NY Post 1031 very supportive of Saint Albans Community
Living Center
AMVETS VAVS Representative Emery Perry of Post 1031, shown on left, takes a minute to have his picture taken with Lisa Cummings, assistant VAVS Chief and fellow AMVETS/VAVS volunteer Joseph Rheams, also of Post 1031. Picture courtesy of St. Albans VAVS Chief and strong advocate of AMVETS dedicated work, Yvette Cintron.

MO Post 171 Supports Homeless Veterans Stand Down in St Louis MO
On 24 Apr 2010, Missouri Twin Cities AMVETS Post 171 participated in a Homeless Veterans Stand Down event in St Louis Missouri which was sponsored by the Mission Continue organization. This event assisted several hundred homeless veterans and their families. Post 171 members donated time and over $4700 worth of items which included; 200 Hygiene Kits, (100) 30 minute AMVETS Phone cards, NFL RAMS T-shirts, Ball Caps, bags, and Rams fleece blankets. Special thanks go to the St Louis RAMS and Bruit Corporations for their generous donations to MO Post 171 in support of this event.

A really neat AADAA Program!
Wisconsin AMVETS Post 50, Price County, Phillips, WI hosted their fourth annual AADAA program, “Hooked on Fishing not on Drugs,” May 20, 2010. Sixty students from the Phillips fourth grade class took part in this special program. Fishing poles were purchase by the Post and given to each student. The students were also given a bag of differnt fishing baits and other items for fishing. Lunch was served at the lake. Fishing was great, all student caught fish.

Douglas Rasmussen
Commander Post 50 u

WI Post 50 Presents Blue Star Flag
Amvets Post 50 Price County, Phillips, Wiscosin. Members of Post 50 presented
a 3 Star Blue Star Banner to Michele Siewert at the monthly meeting. Michele currently has 3 daughter serving in the military, one Army, one Navy,and one Airforce. From left Laddie Holoubek, Frank Kopling, Sgt. Emily Ernst US Army, Commander Douglas Rasmussen, Michele Siewert, Hannah Gengenbach, Wayne Stade.

Eagle Scout Presentation
National Eagle Scout Award: Post 50 Price County, presented the AMVETS National Eagle Scout Award to the new Eagle Scouts in Phillips, Wisconsin at the induction ceremony. From left: Hannah Gengenbach, Norma Brotz, Douglas Rasmussen, Ben Nowak, Joe Simurdiak, Stan Smith, Gail Redmond.

Homeless Stand Down In PA Helps 40 plus Veterans
Dan DeFloria, member of AMVETS PA Post 274 and HVRP YWCA Vets Employment Specialist for the Greater Harrisburg YWCA shared some of the pictures from their recent fourth annual Stand Down. The YWCA was awarded a Homeless Veteran Reintegration Program (HVRP) Grant from the Department of Labor and Dan helped secure volunteers from various Veterans Service Organizations and Gannon University Alumni. For up-coming Stand Downs that your Post/Department may want to support please check out this link. http://www.nchv.org/standdownevents.cfm And another good resource is your own AMVETS Web site. http://www.amvets.org/programs/nchv.html The success in helping our Homeless Veterans comes from networking with other agencies and organizations in your local communities.

AMVETS MA Post 32 Awards $16,500 in Scholarships
On November 18, 2009, AMVETS Post 32, Gloucester, MA awarded a total of $16,500 in scholarship money to 30 qualified recipients. These recipients must be children or grandchildren of Post 32 members who have been in "good standing" for at least two continuous years. The Post established this scholarship fund twenty years ago, and during that time has awarded in excess of $200,000 to qualified applicants.  Reported by Post 1st VC Thomas Glenn.

Maryland Post – 34 Believes in the AADAA Program – Commander Ron Hall says; “these students really do a great job with the contest and I know it reinforces the message that we as adults want them to remember.” Pictured here (L – R): Lauren Forrester, Post 1st VC Howard Martens, Ian Gongales, Post 2nd VC Sonny Zybell, Alex Forrester, Emily Gonzales and Post Commander Ron Hall. (If your post is not using the AMVETS Against Drugs and Alcohol Abuse program you need to consider adding it to your Community Programs agenda.)

Texas Boy Scout Troop 911 Color Guard provides services on Veterans Day 2009 at the VA Medical Center in Bonham Texas.
The Perrin Field Honor Guard Corp, a Boy Scout Troop, which provides patriotic and ceremonial services. Since they were established in August, 2006 they have participated in 40 plus events, never charging fees to cover expenses incurred while planning and preparing for an event.
Their mission is to represent the Boy Scouts of America by providing an Honor Guard style flag presentation at civic functions, parades and military ceremonies. They particularly like providing services for our Nation’s Heroes, the American Veterans. They work diligently to maintain precision, professionalism and pride, while demonstrating the highest level of commitment to our country.
For more information about this outstanding Scout Troop contact Beryl Love, AMVETS National Programs Director.

Post 77 New Jersey
Annual meeting and scholarship presentation held October 24, 2009 in Sewell, Mantua Township NJ. This was their 32nd annual meeting and their 8th scholarship presentation. The Post especially thanks Sidney & Anna Bomze for their generousity. In the photo, taken by Lou Ginefra, standing (L to R) is Commander Don Feldman, Don’s granddaughter Fallon Leah Milligan, a scholarship recipient, Dr. William Feldman, Leah’s great uncle, John & Regina Palastro, the proud grandparents of scholarship recipient Nicholas John Palastro who was unable to attend. Next are the proud grandparents of Laura Kim DiBiase, Ida & Joseph DiBiase. Laura was also unable to attend. Over $20,000 of scholarships have been awarded since the post started its scholarship program. Invited guests included Gloucester County Freeholder Joseph Chila, AMVETS Department of New Jersey Commander Jack Wolf, Department Memebrship Chairman Ed Baldinger, and Community Clean Streets coordinator Jeff Hamilton. The Colors were presented by the local Cub Scout & Boy Scout Units.

Welcome Home Ceremony for the 261st Signal Brigade, Delaware Army National Guard – AMVETS in Action!
We were there to send them off last year. We handed out small flags to all the families.  Many families took pictures of their children with our Care Bear.  I was honored to have my picture taken with Capt. Beau Biden and his son.  Vice President Biden spoke not only as Vice President but as a Blue Star Father.  It was a very wonderful and exciting day to welcome home everyone we sent off a year ago, with no unit casualties. 

Dawn Premock
Commander
Dept. of DE

Organizing a County Fair Veterans Day Event
Check out this great Program Idea/Best Practice from:
Corl-Gaynier AMVETS Post 1942
Monroe, MI
David L. Eby, Commander

After downloading our PDF you will find an excellent success story from Commander David Eby. He is encouraging you to seize this simple but effective program to enhance the AMVETS Brand, recognize our veterans and just possibly attract some new members. As David suggests, there are hundreds of counties across America where we have posts located that do indeed conduct an annual County Fairs. Contact him at (daveeby@yahoo.com) or 734.242.3445

Download County Fair PDF

8th Grader Receives White Clover Honor:
Its an English teacher's dream to hear a student has won an honor for demonstrating writing and speaking skills. ORCO 8th grader Shante McTimmonds recently won such an honor when she was crowned White Clover Princess by the Department of Oregon AMVETS. Shante, who is a junior member of AMVETS Post 10, began her adventure by writing a 150-word essay on why she wanted to be the White Clover Princess. Her Grandmother, Viresa Perkins who serves as the local president of the ladies auxiliary and coordinator of the Junior AMVETS program, and her grandfather, Brad Perkins who served in the United States Marine Corp., encouraged her to enter the competition. After her essay was selected, she traveled to Willamina and read it aloud to an audience of Oregon AMVETS post representatives.

While Shante expressed that this was a nerveracking experience for her, it also was a confidence builder. She is delighted and excited to be chosen as White Clover Princess, and is looking forward to representing the state of Oregon AMVETS. She began her reign with an acceptance speech on May 16th at the local Eagles Club. She was crowned by Gene Melton and Brad Perkins. Her duties include participating in Memorial Day ceremonies and parades, being invoved in the Lebanon Strawberry Festival, and visiting the Grand Ronde Pow Wow... Upon invitation, she will visit other posts to promote and encourage AMVETS membership.

Patriotic Festival, Virginia Beach, VA:
Department of VA, Posts 30 & 69 supported AMVETS National presence at the Patriotic Festival, “A Military Celebration,” at Virginia Beach, VA. Beryl Love, AMVETS National Programs Director thanks John Cooper, PDC of VA and member of Post 69 for coordinating the local support. Larry Nicks, CMDR of Post 69 said; “This is the best public awareness event for AMVETS that I have ever seen.” Also contributing much to the very successful face time with hundreds of military families and veterans were two of AMVETS National Service Officers, Gwen Young and David Pietri who volunteered their time. Young and Pietri are members of Posts 30 and 69 respectively. Love said; “For three days there was seldom five minutes without two or more of our team engaged in conversation, telling the AMVETS story and offering assistance.” Organizers for the event; City of Virginia Beach, USO of Hampton Roads, Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce and Whisper Concerts indicated a conservative estimate of attendance for the weekend was 20 to 25 thousand people.

(Pictured working the booth; (L) David Pietri, NSO (R) John Cooper, VA/PDC)

JROTC Award Presented:
On behalf of the AMVETS Dept of GA, COL (Ret) U.S. Army, G.T. Myers, Senior Army Instructor for the JROTC program at Hart County High School, Hartwell GA, awards the AMVETS JROTC Medal to Cadet Major, Travis Todd. The Award was presented following the “Bulldog Battalion’s” pass in review on 30 April 2009

Memorial Day Ceremony 2008
AMVETS Delaware Post 4 conducts Ceremony at the Delaware Veterans Memorial. Below left to right, Roslyn Rieth, President Ladies Auxiliary Post 4 and Post 4 Commander and Delaware’s Second VC of Programs, Dawn Premock placing wreath.

AADAA (AMVETS Against Drugs and Alcohol Abuse) The purpose of this program is to help keep youth drug free. Every child in America is at risk of using drugs, regardless of race, ethnicity or economic status. The program features an annual National Essay/Poem and Poster Contest. Each state (Department) may conduct their own competition and then submit their winners for competition at the National level. Featured below are the winner of the 2004 AMVETS Department of Pennsylvania competition. All students are from the Ben Franklin School in Uniontown, Pa. The theme for this year’s contest was “There is No Use for Drug Abuse.”

Below left: (front row, left to right) second place essay winner Michael Tony, first place essay winner Zachary Kodric, third place essay winner Elizabeth Lane; (back row, left to right) teacher Pat Thomas (S.A.A.D cosponsor), AMVETS AADAA State Chair Earl Roberts, teacher Jacqueline Lukachik (S.A.A.D. cosponsor).
Below right: (front row, left to right) second place poster winner Samantha Johnson, third place poster winner Jacob Cahn, first place poster winner Emily Thompson; (back row, left to right) Pat Thomas, Earl Roberts, Jacqueline Lukachik.