GENERAL ORDERS

VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS

DEPARTMENT OF VIRGINIA
NUMBER 10
SERVICE, HONOR, PRIDE

APRIL 1, 2003
403 Lee-Jackson Highway PO Box 2067
Staunton, Virginia 24402
540 886 8112 FAX 540 886 1732
In Virginia 800 888 3521
webpage: www.vfw-virginia.com

1. STATE COMMANDERS MESSAGE:

Comrades and Sisters: First and foremost, I really hate to feel I need to express this in General Orders, but I received several phone calls about a particular Post that had a meeting where they nominated for next years positions. During this process a member stood up and addressed the floor saying that "A State Officer Asked This Individual To Run For Office Another Year". After polling the individual for a name that may have said this, he stated that it was told to him that the State Commander said this. I'd like to assure you NO State Officer including myself, are in a position to endorse any candidate and all have stated they would not.

Having just returned from the Legislative and Community Service Conference in DC, I must say there were many things going on during that week. My sincere thanks goes out to all that came and participated in any or all events.

I must say though, that I was quite shocked to find out that the Department Policeman and Fireman of the year won the National Title. We were aware of the Patriots Pen taking Second Place, and our Eagle Scout took Fourth Place. However, as most of you know a lot of information is not passed down from higher up. Nonetheless, the Posts that submitted the winners are to be congratulated for making the Department of Virginia Shine.

I feel that a lot was accomplished on our "Day on the Hill" in Washington. As expected with what is happening in our world today, we had to meet with many staffers, but we understood that going into the days festivities. Of those that we met with, we were well received. As always, they told us what we wanted to hear. However, it appeared they were listening more to our requests. It also appeared we the veterans have more friends on the Hill then before.

I've asked the mentors to look at their respective Districts and get out to bring each District up to where they should be, and that is 100% REPORTED IN ALL ACTIVITIES.

**DISTRICT & POST COMMANDERS**:
National Junior Vice Commander-In-Chief John Furgess has been assigned to visit our state 20 - 24 May. Once you have received our proposed schedule please let the Adjutant/Quartermaster or the Chief of Staff know immediately of any conflicts that may occur causing re-routing. The Junior Vice Commander-In-Chief is from our conference, and I think it would be great to see as many Comrades and Sisters as possible to come out during his trip across Virginia. In addition, the National President of the Ladies Auxiliary, Ms. Betty Morris, will be visiting our Department on 6-7-8 April. Her schedule is short and furious. She wants to meet as many comrades as she does sisters. She is a real down to earth people person. PLEASE COME OUT and support her visit. Her itinerary will be published in these General Orders. If you plan to attend a function, please R.S.V.P. as soon as possible so the host Post/Auxiliary can make a close count.

As we draw nearer to May and the Awards Judging, we encourage each of you to take the time to fill out all the paperwork and ensure that your membership is in order. This year we are seeing many Posts reaching the 104% + mark.

On June 22, the Department will be passed on to my successor as a cleaned out of deadwood members. An operation that should give everyone inspiration to go out and get new breathing members. The Military Initiative Program (MIP) has allowed Posts to achieve "All State" honors, yet several have let regular memberships slip out the back doors. We cannot survive as a powerful organization if we let our membership dwindle, and keep getting members that for now are counted, but next year most likely gone. I'm not saying we shouldn't still go and invite our eligible military member to join for "Free" the first year. I personally think it's an excellent way for these individuals to come and join us and decide for themselves whether or not to get involved.

Nevertheless, remember once we invite and they come, we must do all we can to make them feel welcomed and want to make a difference. Consider adopting a unit, as it can't hurt anything. Enough said, stepping off my soapbox.

In closing, I would ask each of you to keep our military personnel in your hearts. Please say a special prayer for their safe and speedy return. To those of you that have family members, friends or neighbors overseas, I can assure you we as a Department stick together in wishing them the best. We have an Adopt-A-Unit Program in place and I would encourage any Post to participate. GOD BLESS EACH OF YOU AND GOD BLESS AMERICA!!

Lawrence (Larry) Mattera
State Commander

2. MEMBERSHIP:

It is only three (3) months of this year remaining. I would like to congratulate those Posts which have reached the 103% goal we set for this year. To those who are 100% and more we appreciate all the good work you have accomplished. Please keep trying to reach the Department goal. Posts that have not yet reached 100% are reminded that you can reach your quota with a little more effort. We ask that you call, visit and do everything you can to get members of your Post to renew their membership and try to sign up new and reinstated members. To those Posts that are 100% and more, please do not stop recruiting. We need all to help get the Department of Virginia to 100%.

The Department is conducting Post visits. District Commanders and Posts will be receiving letters of our scheduled visits. Please keep up all the good work that your Post has accomplished. I remind each Post Commander that the Department is always available to assist you in your recruiting efforts.

Peter (Pete) Snelling
Membership Chairman


3. ADJUTANT/QUARTERMASTER'S COMMENTS:

Items to be published in the General Orders must be in State Headquarters by the 20th of the month before publication. Headquarters can accept handwritten, typed and faxed information, BUT we would prefer to receive your input as an electronic document that we can insert directly into our draft of the next edition. Changes of address or phone numbers within the Department must be submitted in writing or by e-mail.

Audit reports must be signed by at least two trustees before they are submitted to State Headquarters or they will be returned for correction.

DONATIONS - Please send your donations (WWII Memorial, National Home, Operation Uplink telephone cards, etc.) to VFW State Headquarters, PO Box 2067, Staunton, VA 24402. National Headquarters will credit individuals and posts from the detailed list of the gifts and donors state provides.

BUDDY POPPIES - Our efforts to get rid of excess inventory at state headquarters is working. It is working so well that I am going to have to start reordering poppies soon. Since the new poppies are going to cost more than the old ones did, we are going to have to raise the price. EFFECTIVE 1 JULY 2003 Buddy Poppies will cost $105 per thousand, this will include shipping. Orders received before 1 July will be filled at the current price of $90 per thousand even if we do not get them mailed until after the first.

Operation Uplink - I will continue to do my best to get cards to support the good works of our posts and auxiliaries but I need your help. When you call to ask for domestic cards you need to tell me the time and place you intend to dispense them. If it involves an active duty, reserve or guard unit I need to know the name of the unit. If you ask for international cards I need to know the general area from which the calls will be places [Caribbean, Africa, southwest Asia, central Russia, Korea, etc.]. Even with all this information I may not be able to get as many cards as you want. If you call Kansas City directly, they are going to refer the request to state headquarters before they respond.

Shortly after I came to this office last September I issued a challenge for support of Operation Uplink. The challenge was this "If Harry Huff, of Post 2216 in Staunton, could get you to donate an extra ten thousand dollars for Operation Uplink, he would get to shave off my mustache during the 2003 state convention." So far the mustache is very safe. The total donated to Harry's cause is seven hundred dollars. I came home from the Washington conference with the feeling I had set the bar much too low. The Department of Delaware received special recognition at the conference for donating over $20,000 to Operation Uplink. Considering the relative sizes of the departments I think $50,000 would be appropriate for Virginia. But, I said $10,000 so it will stay at that level.

REPORTS AND FORMS - The forms for Individual Recruiting Award, Community Activity Report, Homeless Veterans Report, Hospital Report and Evaluation Guide, Community Activity Notebook, and Single Event Safety Activity can be found on the state web-site. If you do not have email please call or write State Headquarters and we will send the forms to you. Please send forms to the current Committee Chairman, not State Headquarters. The only report that should be mailed to State Headquarters is the Report of a Deceased Comrade.

You do not have to be a committee chair to submit a report. Anyone who knows the information to be reported can fill out the form for any of the reporting areas, and send it in. It is strongly recommended that you make at least one copy of each report for post records, and that you give that copy to the Post Adjutant.

GENERAL ORDERS - In an effort to control the cost of producing and mailing the general orders each month the mailing list is being reviewed and reduced to the State Line Officers, District and Post Commanders and Quartermasters, Past State Commanders, and Department President. For others who want to receive a copy of the General Orders each month we are once again offering subscriptions. The cost for the remainder of this publishing year (thru the General Orders for June) will be four dollars. The cost for 2003-04 will be set later. If you receive a hard copy of the General Orders and have the ability to print satisfactory copies from the internet please call us or email us at stateheadquarters@vfw-virginia.com so we can remove your name from the label file.

NOMINEES NEEDED - We need nominees for OUTSTANDING POST SERVICE OFFICER OF THE YEAR. National Headquarters will select one Post Service Officer annually as the "Outstanding Post Service Officer." Each Department may nominate one person, who is a duly appointed Post Service Officer, for this award. The Post Service Officer who is ultimately chosen to receive the award will be furnished round trip travel and hotel accommodations to attend a portion of the VFW National Convention where the award will be presented by the Commander-in-Chief. The selectee will also receive five hundred dollars to cover out-of-pocket expenses associated with the trip.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Nominees for the annual award must have demonstrated exceptional efforts in assisting veterans and their families during the period 1 June 2002-31 May 2003. A brief summary [not to exceed one page] is to be submitted explaining who, what, where and how the nominee's efforts are considered exemplary. The Department nomination must be received by the Director, National Veterans Service by 31 May 2003. Nominations for Department Service Officer of the Year must be received at state headquarters by close of business on Thursday 15 May 2003.

4. DISTRICT MEETINGS:

FIRST - 5-17-03 Post 3219, PHOEBUS, Meeting at 11:00 AM meal to follow. Representative, Lawrence F. Mattera, State Commander

SECOND - 5-18-03 POST 4809, NORFOLK, meal 12:00 NOON, Meeting 1:00 PM, Representative Ed Cluney, State Inspector

THIRD - 5-3-04, THIRD DISTRICT HEADQUARTERS , meeting 2:00 PM, meal to follow, Representative Tom Hines, State Judge Advocate

FOURTH - 5-18-03, Post 8163, Clarksville, meeting 1:00 p.m., meal to follow, Representative, Fred Wolking, State Adjutant/Quartermaster

FIFTH -5-18-03, Post 7726, INDEPENDENCE, meal 12:00 NOON, Meeting 1:00 PM, Representative, Dan Boyer, State Surgeon

SIXTH - 5-18-03; Salem Veterans Care Center, Bldg 76-2; Post 4522 will host; meeting 2:00 p.m., meal to follow, Representative, Paul T. Moore, PDC and 6th National Council Member

SEVENTH - 5-18-03, POST 9760, BERRYVILLE, meal 11:330, meeting to follow, Representative, Lawrence F. Mattera State Commander

EIGHTH - 5-18-03, FREDERICKSBURG POST 3103, MEETING 1:00 PM, Representative, Peter Snelling, State Senior Vice Commander.

NINTH -5-11-03, PULASKI, POST 1184, Joint Meeting 12:00 NOON, Meeting 1:00 PM, Representative, Lawrence F. Mattera State Commander

TENTH - 5-18-03, DALE CITY Post 1503, Meeting 1:00 PM, Representative, Tom Hines, Judge Advocate

ELEVENTH - 5-4-03, HARRISONBURG POST 632, meal 11:30 AM, Meeting to follow, Representative Tom Hines, State Judge Advocate

TWELFTH - 5-4-03, ABINGDON, POST 1994, 11:00 Meeting, meal to follow, Representative Lawrence F. Mattera, State Commander

THIRTEENTH - 5-4-03, LOUISA, POST 8947, Meeting 1:00 PM, Representative Dan Boyer, State Surgeon


5. ROSTER CHANGES:

Thirteenth District Commander - Charles W. Hughes, Jr., P O Box 966, Mineral 23117, phone 804-457-2613

Post 621 - Quartermaster Eugene L. Sveum, Sr., 209 Third Street, Luray 22835, phone 540-743-2198

Post 824 - Meeting day has been changed to the second Tuesday of the month at 7:30 PM, 1700-E George Washington Highway, Tabb Square

Post 3103 - Quartermaster Alvin Vega, P O Box 234, Fredericksburg 22404

Post 7589 - Quartermaster Pro Tem Marl L. Lucitt, 2604 Alvey Drive, Haymarket 20169, phone 703-754-9507


E-Mail Changes:

Thirteenth District Commander - Charles W. Hughes, Jr. - Chuckatbumpass@aol.com
Post 621 - post621@vfw-online.com
Post 3103 - vfw3103@yahoo.com
Post 8252 - Warren J. Davis, Jr., Chaplain - grizz813@startrek.net


6. IMPORTANT DATES FOR 2003-2005:

June 19-22, 2003 State Convention, Richmond; the Sheraton West, 6624 West Broad Street, Richmond, Virginia, 23230. Rates are $79.00 per night. Telephone 800-325-3535, FAX 804 285 8418.
July 11-13, 2003 State School of Instruction, Lynchburg; Holiday Inn Select, 601 Main Street, Lynchburg, 24504. Rates are $69.00 a night; telephone 434-528-2500
July 26, 2003 Satellite Training, various sites
August 23-29, 2003 National VFW Convention, San Antonio, Texas
September 11-14 2003 Commander In Chiefs Homecoming, Mystic, Connecticut
September 19-21,2003 Fall Council Meeting, Lynchburg; Holiday Inn Select, 601 Main Street, Lynchburg, Virginia, 24504. Rates are $69 per night, telephone 434-528-2500
November 7-9, 2003 Southern Conference, Biloxi, Mississippi
January 16-18, 2004 Winter Council Meeting, Williamsburg; Clarion Hotel, 500 Merrimac Trail, Williamsburg, Virginia, 23185. Rates are $52 per night, telephone 800-666-8888, FAX 757-220-4662.
June 17-20, 2004 State Convention
August 14-20, 2004 National VFW Convention, Cincinnati, Ohio
August 20-26, 2005 National VFW Convention, Salt Lake City, Utah

7. VOICE OF DEMOCRACY:

I just returned from Washington, D C after attending the National Community Service Conference. At this conference, the Voice of Democracy winners from all 55 Departments were judged for National awards. The National First Place winner was Chancen Flick from Oklahoma and sponsored by VFW Post 3669 and its Ladies Auxiliary. He received a $25,000 scholarship. The Department of Virginia's entrant Lee Hagy, sponsored by VFW Post 3150 and its Ladies Auxiliary finished 26th. Lee received a $1,500 scholarship from the National VFW and a check for $1,000 from the Department of Virginia. I want to thank all the students who participated in the VOD program and all the Posts and Auxiliaries that sponsored these young Americans.

Earle (Buddy) Weekely
VOD Chairman

8. LEGISLATIVE:

2003 General Assembly Veterans/Military Legislation As of March 20, 2003

1. HB 1774 (Hargrove) & SB 1092 (Edwards) - Consolidation of Veterans Services into single agency headed by a new Commissioner of Veterans Services and reconstitution of affiliated boards: Governor's reform package Passed both House and Senate .
2. HB 1381 (Janis) -Designates State Route 288 and its bridge over the James River as the WWII Veterans Memorial Highway & the WWII Veterans Memorial Bridge, respectively Passed both House and Senate.
3. HB 1411 (Cosgrove) - Designates the first full week in November as the Vietnam War Memorial Dedication Week and Veterans Recognition Week Passed both House and Senate.
4. HB 1528 (Cosgrove) - Names the Suffolk Veterans Cemetery the "Albert G. Horton, Jr. Memorial Veterans Cemetery" Passed both House and Senate.
5. HB 1793 (D.C. Jones) - Names the Richmond Veterans Care Center after two Medal of Honor recipients, Colonel Carl Sitter, U.S. Marine Corps, Retired and Colonel Van Barfoot, U.S. Army, Retired. Passed both House and Senate.
6. HB 1916 (Almand) - Protects benefits earned by state employees who are deployed by allowing them to carry forward their annual leave time without limitation Passed both House and Senate.
7. SB 910 (Wampler) - Extends to National Guard soldiers that are called to duty for 30 days or more, and remain under the Governor's authority, the same benefits that other soldiers receive under the Federal Soldier's and Sailor's Civil Relief Act. Passed both House and Senate
8. Budget Items Funding for WWII National Memorial, Washington, DC Included in Governor's budget proposal: Passed both House and Senate. Budget amendment to restore budget reductions at the Dept. of Veterans Affairs (Sen. Colgan) Not included in the Senate's budget; no companion amendment in the House.
9. Memorializing Resolution to the U.S. Congress to raise the burial allowance from $300 to $750. Overwhelmingly passed the House, Died in Senate Subcommittee. Was not brought before the full Senate for vote.

RESOLUTIONS:

Now is the time to prepare and submit your proposed resolutions and department by-laws changes for consideration at the state and national conventions in 2003. Your resolutions and proposed by-laws changes, appropriately approved at the post and district levels must reach the Department Adjutant at least thirty days before the beginning of the Department Convention.

The 2002-2003 Leadership Manual contains a very readable section on resolutions, including the proper format for stating the problem you want to solve, and the actions you propose to solve it.
John P. McAnaw
Legislative Chairman


9. AMERICANISM:

National headquarters sent state headquarters several hundred 8½ by 11 inch posters with the American flag and the "Support Our Troops" message. They are available from Commander Mattera, Senior Vice Commander Snelling and state headquarters. You can also download and print a copy from the National VFW webpage at <www.vfw.org> and click on "Support Our Troops" flag emblem on the right side. National also sent state headquarters a 4 by 8 foot banner with the "Support Our Troops" message. Those of you who attended the Saint Patrick's Day Parade in Norfolk may have seen it on display between the VFW Post and the building next door. (Thanks to Adjutant/Quartermaster Fred Wolking for the above information.)

REPORTS. Only one month to go in this VFW reporting year for Americanism. Please complete your projects and get your reports to me by 5
May. Second half reporting in Americanism adds to your point total for All-State.

Loyalty Day is 1 May. Now is the time to complete your planning for Loyalty Day (to be reported for NEXT VFW REPORTING YEAR, i.e., 2003 -2004. Add your email address to the form and I will acknowledge receipt of your report. In addition to mailing the report to the address at the bottom of the form, you may email your report to me at <103636.1543 @compuserve.com> or use the on-line report at <http://www.vfw392.org/historian.htm>

Two hundred six Second Half reports have been received from 139 posts. As of 20 March 2003 the following posts HAVE NOT submitted reports for the second half:

DISTRICT 1 - 4856, 8629, 9358, 9636
DISTRICT 2 - Congratulations - 100% reported
DISTRICT 3 - Congratulations - 100% reported
DISTRICT 4 - 4411, 5371, 7897, 8048, 8228, 9618, 9954, 10570, 10571
DISTRICT 5 - 644, 873, 2820, 7443, 8243
DISTRICT 6 - 484, 5311, 7854, 8184, 9805
DISTRICT 7 - 4698, 8613, 9292
DISTRICT 8 - 472, 7728, 8208, 9835, 9865
DISTRICT 9 - 2719, 7136, 7969, 9343
DISTRICT 10 - Congratulations - 100% reported
DISTRICT 11 - 632, 4204, 4989, 7157, 7578, 7701, 7814, 8479, 9480, 9794, 10773
DISTRICT 12 - 1994, 3782, 4301, 5715, 6975, 8652, 10298, 10310, 10611, 10673
DISTRICT 13 - 2613, 8697, 8717, 9887, 10295

J. Gary Wagner
Americanism Chairman


10. COMMUNITY ACTIVITY:

As of 20 March the following Post's HAVE NOT submitted Community Activity Reports for the second half:

DISTRICT 1: 4856, 8692, 9358, 9636
DISTRICT 2: 993
DISTRICT 4: 2584, 7559, 7897, 8048, 8228, 8446, 8902, 9618, 9954, 10570, 10571
DISTRICT 5: 644, 873, 2820, 8243
DISTRICT 6: 484, 5311, 7854, 8184, 9805
DISTRICT 7: 1150, 4698, 8613, 9292
DISTRICT 8: 472, 7728, 8208, 9865
DISTRICT 9: 7136, 9343
DISTRICT 10: 8815
DISTRICT 11: 632, 1499, 4204, 4989, 7157, 7578, 7701, 7814, 8479, 10773
DISTRICT 12: 1994, 4301, 5715, 8652, 10310, 10611
DISTRICT 13: 8717, 10295

Kenneth Vitale
Community Activities Chairman


11. HOSPITAL:

The following Post's HAVE NOT submitted Hospital Reports for the 2nd half:

DISTRICT 1: 4856, 8629, 9358, 9636
DISTRICT 4: 7897, 8048, 8446, 9618, 9954
DISTRICT 5: 644, 873, 8243
DISTRICT 6: 484, 2157, 4165, 5311, 7854, 8184, 9805
DISTRICT 7: 4698, 7899, 9292
DISTRICT 8: 472, 4468, 7728, 8208, 9835, 9865
DISTRICT 9: 4667, 7136, 7969, 9343
DISTRICT 10: 609, 8241, 8469, 8815, 9274
DISTRICT 11: 632, 1499, 3136, 4204, 4989, 7157, 7578, 7701, 7814
DISTRICT 12: 1994, 4301, 5715, 6975, 8652, 9830, 10298, 10310, 10611
DISTRICT 13: 2613, 8717, 10295

Lynn Harris
Hospital Chairman

12. SAFETY:

As of March 17, 2003 the following Post's HAVE NOT submitted Safety Reports for the 2nd half:

DISTRICT 1- 2296, 4856, 7167, 8629, 9358, 9636
DISTRICT 4 - 5371, 7897, 8048, 8228, 8446, 8759, 9618, 9954, 10571
DISTRICT 5 - 644, 873, 2820, 7443, 8243
DISTRICT 6 - 484, 5311, 7854, 8184, 9805
DISTRICT 7 - 1150, 2123, 4698, 8613, 9292
DISTRICT 8 - 472, 1177, 4468, 7728, 8208, 9835, 9865
DISTRICT 9 - 6000, 7136, 7969, 9343
DISTRICT 10 - 7916, 8815
DISTRICT 11 - 632, 1499, 3136, 4204, 4989, 7157, 7578, 7701, 7814, 8279, 8479, 9480,
10773
DISTRICT 12 - 1994, 4301, 5715, 6975, 8652,10310, 10611
DISTRICT 13 - 2044, 2613, 8169, 8717, 10295

We will be offering a 1st, 2nd and 3rd place prize for any Post that had a Safety Fair during the year June 2002 to May 1st 2003. If your Post had such a Fair please submit a detailed report to be judged. This information must be in my possession by May 1st 2003. Mail this report to: Vic Weaver, 7947 Meadow Drive, Mechanicsville, VA 23111. Forms are included in this General Orders, and are available from the state web page.

Vic Weaver
Safety Chairman

13. YOUTH ACTIVITIES:

YOUTH ACTIVITIES WEEKLY REPORT WEEK ENDING: 21 March 2003
TOTAL PROJECTS REPORTED: 605 TOTAL NO. VOLUNTEERS: 2396
TOTAL HOURS DONATED: 50,207.7 TOTAL MILES DRIVEN: 29,628.26
TOTAL MONIES DONATED: $82,841.75 TOTAL POSTS REPORTED 135
POSTS NOT REPORTED BY DISTRICT

DISTRICT 1: 4856, 7167, 8629, 9358, 9636
DISTRICT 2: 993,
DISTRICT 3: 100%
DISTRICT 4: 5313, 5371, 7559, 7897, 8048, 8228, 8599, 9618, 10570, 10571
DISTRICT 5: 644, 873, 2820, 7443, 8243,
DISTRICT 6: 484, 7854, 8184, 9805
DISTRICT 7: 2123, 4698, 8613, 9292, 9646,
DISTRICT 8: 472, 4468, 7728, 8208, 9835, 9865
DISTRICT 9: 1184, 7136, 7969, 9343,
DISTRICT 10: 7916, 8815,
DISTRICT 11: 100%
DISTRICT 12: 1994, 5715, 6975, 8652, 10310, 10611, 10673
DISTRICT 13: 2044, 2613, 8169, 8936, 8697, 8717, 9887,10295

Don L. Hall
Youth Activities Chairman


14. MILITARY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

The link shown below has the most up to date skinny on Guard/Reserve units mobilized for the war (Just scroll through the list to find Virginia). http://www.defenselink.mil/news/Mar2003/b03122003_bt111-03.html.

Posts with mobilized units in their communities are encouraged to contact those activities to see if/how they can be of assistance to the units or the dependents.

SUPPORT OUR TROOPS - National headquarters has provided two internet address you can use to express your support for the men and women currently serving in our armed services. The Department of Defense has established www.defendamerica.mil/nmam.html as part of the National Military Appreciation Month. The National VFW has established www.vfw.org/index.cfm?fa=what.leveld&did=1006, to collect messages that will be sent to various branches of the services through the Adopt-a-Unit program and the Military Assistance Program.


15. INSPECTIONS:

The following Post's and District's HAVE NOT been inspected:

DISTRICT 6: 1264
DISTRICT 7: 621, 9872
DISTRICT 8: 472, 1177, 4468, 8208, 9865
DISTRICT 11: 7814
DISTRICT 13: 8717, 10295

Ed Cluney
State Inspector


16. ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE:

SPRING IS HERE AND SO IS THE WAR/ APRIL SHOWERS BRING MAY FLOWERS - Now that the nation has embarked on War in the Middle East, we at home must keep on mind that life goes on. The industries of paper making and furniture making are important to Virginia. Also is the business of tourism and travel. Millions of people will still come to Virginia each year to see our historic site and battlefields. Those of us who are left behind can make an important contribution to all Virginians by making Virginia a better place to live and work. To do this, if each of our 189 individual VFW Posts would select a few dedicated hardworking comrades to make a tour of the areas of their Posts, they will find many areas where the severe storms and heavy rains have uprooted mature trees and blocked drainage ditches. These trees together with others dying from disease and maturity must be removed and replaced with young seedlings. What species will have the best survival rate can be determined by talks with local Public Works Officers and Forest Rangers. Paths to serve as firebreaks can be cut to reduce the spread of forest fires. Those of you who can open fields can contact tree growing firms such as Weyerhauser, ADM and Georgia Pacific. They will furnish the material, manage the area and pay the landowner a profit for use of his land. In the meantime, the shade and shelter can be enjoyed by all. Again, there are many areas where heavy snows and rains have seriously eroded the slopes and should be raked and re seeded. Drains should be cleared so that the water will not pond and harbor mosquitoes or cause flooding to the streets. Feeding stations and nesting boxes can be set out to attract son birds and bluebirds to our area. Again, we can consider the conservation and recycling of : paper, cardboard, metal, glass, plastic and wood. Local officials may be willing to set out boxes on certain days to accept the materials for recycling. Some may be willing to sponsor a controlled burning on a suitable day. If we keep in mind that we are not working only for ourselves but for our out of state visitors as well, we will be helping the tourism and travel industry. We will also be making Virginia a better place to live for all of us. So my comrades, while the month of April is still with us we can all pitch in and invite the company that helps Virginia's economy. Many hands make light work.


Ernest B. Glynn
Environmental Chairman


17. VETERANS SERVICE:

Please remind your VAVS (Veterans Administration Volunteers Services) volunteers that each one must complete the required HIPA training packet about VA patient privacy policy and the requirement to not divulge any information regarding a patient that they might learn, handle or hear while performing volunteer duties at the VA Hospital or clinic. The completed test paper must be at the Volunteer Services Office by Monday, 14 April 2003.

Volunteers at Hampton VAMC needing the training packet and answer sheet may contact Linda Wiggs at VAMC Hampton Voluntary Services (Building 66) 757 728 3124 or the VFW VAVS Coordinator Wayne Pierce at 497-3973.

Volunteers at McGuire VAMC may contact Tom Reid in the Volunteer Service Office at 675 5000, extension 3563, or call the Volunteer Service Office at 675 5135, for information or assistance. The training is also available at www.vhaprivacytraining.net/frame.htm.


18. THANK YOU:

All of your cards, phone calls and visits to me have greatly helped in my recovery from surgery January 21st. It was a major heart job they did on me. Thanks to everyone remembering me with your prayers. I am recovering at my home and have a full time nurse who does everything for me. Hope to see all of you soon.

John L. Fanshaw, Jr.
Past Department Commander*

* As these General Orders went to print, it is with deep sadness that we report John passed away on March 23, 2003, after a short bout with cancer.


19. CONDOLENCES:

Our deepest sympathy is extended to the family of Bobby W. Murphy, Quartermaster, Post 7589.


Official: By Order of:
Fred L. Wolking Lawrence F. Mattera
State Adjutant State Commander
Commanders Club Luncheon