Monthly News Letter

From the Commander: First, I want to thank all those members and volunteers who have supported our Post this last year, despite the construction and the ongoing repairs we have had a good year and look forward to a better one, thanks to the beautiful weather we are currently having people are traveling to see friends and family, have fun but be safe driving and watch out for hot barbecue grills. We look forward to seeing everyone and don’t forget we have an air conditioned non–smoking party room available when it gets hot again.

In June, when the new State Commander takes office, our new VFW POST 8235 Commander will be Charlie Beltram. He is a prior service Marine with an honest desire to help Veterans, I am sure the Post will benefit from his leadership, and I feel confident that the membership, volunteers and officers of the Post will support their new Commander as well as they have supported me. He has requested Sunday, 20 May for his formal installation date. After the ceremony Lynn Toomer and some of the members will host a Bar-B-Q. Charlie will publish times and particulars at the Post soon.

The Iron Hombres law Enforcement Motorcycle Club had a Fund Raiser for Fallen Police Officers on the 28 April and I want to thank our members who contributed. With the help of all of you they were able to raise $2500.00 for this very worthy cause!

As my contribution to education, I encourage all our Post members, guests and friends to think of our current and future Veterans benefits. Only 1% of Americans actually serve in the military and as the economy gets tighter all government agencies from congress to local cities will try to reduce spending on Veteran related issues. This is not a guess, we living Veterans have seen this at the end of Vietnam, and the 1st Gulf War. We love our country and proudly served, but all those VA Health and State Education Benefits were voted in by politicos to keep voters happy and they can be voted out just as easy to save money for other projects when the military voters become indifferent or aren’t looking. What can we do? We can use the benefits of membership in the VFW and other Veterans groups like the FRA and Vietnam Veterans of America to see what laws are being changed that affect Veterans. Currently, all the National Organizations have websites; I encourage you to use these resources to see what’s happening with Tri-Care, education and homelessness. These websites can also provide ways to contact your Senators and Congressmen with your opinion. Also talk to your friends and family get out the vote on issues you believe in. Apathy and ignorance can be the enemy, but we can all affect the future of Active Duty and Retired Veteran benefits by paying attention and using the unified voting power of our organizations.

FRA Annual Picnic: The FRA will be having their annual picnic and awards meeting on 26 May at the NAS/JRB Lakeside Picnic area. Starting at 1000 they will have the monthly meeting and award presentation. Following the meeting, they will be setting up for the Hamburgers and Hot Dogs. Post members are welcomed to bring a side dish or desert. The FRA is furnishing the meats and beverages. Come and have a great time with our comrades of the FRA!

Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA): www.vietnamveteransofamericafortworth.com. Don’t forget that the VVA will meets at our Post every third Tuesday at 1900 hours. Please mark your calendars and feel free to pass this information on to any and all Vietnam Veterans that you know in the area! For more information Contact Charlie Beltram at 817-480-4435 or email: vietvet1usmc@att.net

$100.00 Donation Club: Your donations are greatly appreciated and can be a single gift, or a monthly gift of $100.00. Everyone that donates will have their name placed on the $100.00 Donation Club Boards at the Post. If you wish to donate and remain anonymous that’s fine too. As always your donations are tax deductible.

Meals on Wheels: “THANK YOU” again to the Meals on Wheels volunteers! To become a part of this group of committed volunteers, please contact our Meals on Wheels Coordinator Jud Hoell at 682-556-6364.

Website: If you haven’t had a chance to look at the website by now, we would love for you to have a look. John is continuing to do an excellent job on that. Thank you so much for all the fun pictures and information that you add to our website. We now have had over 5400 visits. You can visit our website at anytime at http://www.vfwpost8235.net Thank you again John!

Martin Agee 3^rd

Commander:

VFW Post 8235