Celebrating America's Freedom Event [CAFE]

Today I was honored to represent the VFW at the VFW Auxiliary CAFE in Eaton Rapids Michigan.

The location was the VFW National Home for Children, founded in 1925 for the purpose of keeping families left behind after war together.  Today, it encompasses 42 single-family homes spread over 600 acres and functions like many small towns, complete with gyms, a library, day care center, playgrounds, hiking trails and more.  All this is at NO COST to the qualified military and veteran families that live here!

Every year, the Auxiliary President chooses a location for the CAFE.  This year's President, Sandi Onstwedder, chose to celebrate here at the National Home. It wasn't lost on any of us that today was also the Anniversary of the September 11 attacks on our country. Sandi's words were very poignant and showed how deeply she cares about The Home and America.

To finish the event, Sandi presented, on behalf of the VFW Auxiliary, Departments and Posts, checks totaling over $20,000, all for the benefit of the Home.  If you're looking for a great cause to donate, look no further than the National Home for Children at vfwnationalhome.org !

Here's the FaceBook link to the event, might have to copy and paste.  You might even find yours truly providing some remarks in here too!

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=259238885141444&extid=wJsLbzUYnGSDCTze

Mama Cass mugging for the cameras in front of the Illinois sponsored waterfalls

How can you pass up green screen technology?

September 11: Never Forget

 It's hard to believe it has been 19 years since the day the world stopped turning.  It's even harder to believe we have troops that weren't even born then still in harm's way fighting this fight.  However, evil never sleeps and we should never forget what this is all about!

September 11th is, in my mind, the modern Pearl Harbor event that is ingrained in the minds of many, many Americans.  We can still remember where we were, what we were doing, how we reacted.  Of all the things I seem to forget these days, I know I'll never forget that.  But, I wonder if the younger generation has the same feelings that we all do.  Certainly, I don't have the same 'feelings' about Pearl Harbor that a person alive at that time has.  I see the videos played every December 7th, but I don't have that first hand, gut wrenching, feeling. 

Each year the newscasts give less and less time to September 11.  We CANNOT let what happened fade away to be a mere footnote in history.  It's up to all of us to ensure the future generations not only know what happened, but that they 'feel' what happened.

And what did happen?  In the short term Americans of every type came together for America.  We were bonded as a nation, much like what happened after Pearl Harbor.  There was a resolve, a stiffened backbone.  There was PRIDE in America.

Much has happened in the intervening years, at home and abroad.  For today, however, let's all be Americans again....even if it is only for a day.

Sport Clips! The BEST Haircut Ever!

 Once again, Sport Clips is the place to get the best haircut AND support the VFW!  Mama never misses a chance to hang out with Mary and the gang in Collinsville, Illinois.

Sport Clips is a key partner in the Help A Hero Scholarship, providing millions (yes, MILLIONS) of dollars to help veterans continue their education.

Stop into your local Sport Clips and get an MVP haircut today!

#Still Serving in Carlyle Illinois!

 Although many Post activities around the VFW have been curtailed or stopped entirely, it's heart-warming to know that our Members continue to serve their communities!

At the Carlyle VFW Post 3523, in my home district 14 in Illinois, the members have a special relationship with their community and they are a cornerstone in it.  Due to the inability of the local school to have in-person classes because of COVID-19, the school has been forced to go with virtual learning.  That presented a problem for the many children who do not have access to reliable WiFi.  And that's where the VFW came to the rescue!

The school reached out to the Post and asked if these children could use the very large VFW hall and in-building WiFi to continue their studies.  The answer was immediate:  Absolutely!  To that end, the large hall and the large parking lot have been made available for the school and the children.

There you have it in a nutshell.  The VFW continues to play an active role in the daily lives of veterans, families, and their communities.  Great job Carlyle Post 3523!

One Vote CAN Matter

 I traveled to VFW Headquarters this week and last to assist in overseeing the election of our new Judge Advocate General.  As we did not have a National Convention, open positions were elected by votes from the National Council of Administration.  All but one position was filled.  Of the ballots that came in by mail, the election was too close to call for JAG with other ballots not yet received.

Over the course of several days, the ballots trickled in and a see-saw battle took place.  Finally, on Monday, the last of the ballots arrived and were scrupulously checked and counted.  The result?  The winning candidate was victorious by ONE VOTE.  For those of you who think your vote doesn't count, believe me, it does.  No matter what the election is for, every vote matters.  If you want a say in your life, ensure you vote. 

We did have one good weather day so of course I had to get a photo of Mama Cass by the impressive "Citizen-Soldier" Statue on the Headquarters grounds.  If you are ever in Kansas City, stop by HQ and see this stirring sculpture!

Virtual National Council of Administration Meeting!

 This certainly is a year of firsts!  We weren't able to have a national VFW convention and that non-event pushed our current Commander in Chief and me into our new roles without a vote!

Next, we had to cancel the in-person Council of Administration because of the resurgence of COVID-19.  Fortunately, Zoom allowed us to have many days of committee meetings, workshops, and yes, even the Council of Administration...all electronically.  Because we had open positions as a result of no convention, mail in balloting occurred and then our Commander in Chief Hal performed yet another first when he installed the newly elected officers over the internet.  It certainly is an amazing time to be alive and serving veterans through the VFW.

I'm excited to be the Senior Vice Commander in Chief and I'm looking forward to seeing you all again at some point in the future!

Illinois VFW Council of Administration Meeting

Even though COVID-19 has placed travel restrictions, and I'm recovering from back surgery, I was able to participate in this Council meeting today via the Zoom platform.  That's what the VFW is all about.  Things might make "the usual" unattainable, but we work through it and get the job done for Veterans!

It was great being able to see old friends and listen to the reports on how the state is doing.  More importantly, I picked up on the vibe that everyone is ready to go and do great things.  Congrats to Commander Laurie and the other officers who pulled together as a team to make this meeting successful.

Zooming into a meeting does have its issues.  I wasn't aware I was on a really big screen.  While I was looking down at my phone and texting to work out technical problems with the feed, it certainly did look like I was sleeping.  Many thanks to all of you in the meeting who were texting me to tell me to wake up...every time I replied I compounded the idea that I was sleeping!!  Hmmm, maybe I WAS sleeping.  But I was texting and that's my story and I'm sticking to it.

Good luck in this coming year Illinois!  As our Commander in Chief says, it's a 20/20 Vision for Veterans!

South Africa Joins Us!

Welcome new readers from South Africa!  I appreciate you finding the blog!

While there haven't been many travels to write about lately, I encourage you all to look back at some of the more interesting blog entries I've made as I've skipped around the world.  And, trust me, I'll be providing new content as soon as I can.

Invasion of Kuwait - 30 Years Later

Hard to believe, but it has been 30 years since Saddam Hussein decided to invade Kuwait.  Poor decision making on his part, and I believe that would be the understatement of the century.

Little did the Dictator know that the entire world would not stand for this naked aggression.  There would be no appeasement.  This day in history marked the beginning of the end for Saddam's intervention.

To those of you, like me, who served in Desert Storm and Desert Shield, take this time to reflect on the important part you played in the history of the world.  Thank you for your service!

Week One of the Second Year

And what a week it has been!  Of course, not traveling yet, but that has not stopped the hours of daily virtual meetings and preparations for the future.  Travel is just one small part of how we get the mission accomplished:  The mission of the VFW never stops!

In anticipation of COVID-19 restrictions lifting one of these days [months?], the Chair Officers and senior leaders met via a special multi-hour Zoom to start the travel planning.  There are a lot of moving parts to determine who will go where, at what time, to what event, to fulfill this mission.  While we worked through a potential March end date, I can only say it could all go up in smoke if 2020 decides to throw us yet another curve ball!  In fact, DURING our meeting we received a cancellation notice for an assignment that we were at that time working to fill!  All I can say is that we are doing our best to create and maintain a travel schedule so that we can jump in as soon as things start sorting themselves out.

And, in the spirit of getting information to all of our stakeholders, the Chair officers continue to reach out to our state counterparts [for me it would be Department Senior Vice Commanders] to ensure a continual transparent flow so they know what's going on.

It would be easy to just sit back and do nothing, claiming the pandemic has tied our hands.  Dear readers, I can assure you NOTHING is further from the truth!

Thailand!

I'd like to welcome our new readers from Thailand!  Joining us this week, they become the 31st country to start following this humble blog.  As COVID-19 restrictions begin to lift and I can start traveling again, I can't wait to fill these pages for all the readers to follow along on my adventures.  In the meantime, feel free to take a trip back in time if you want to see where I was at this point last year.

Thank you Thailand!

PART TWO: Senior Vice Commander in Chief of the Veteran of Foreign Wars of the United States

Greetings dear readers and welcome to Part Two in my journey to become the Commander in Chief of the VFW.  Today, I become the Senior Vice Commander in Chief.

Usually, this would occur at an election during our national convention but due to COVID-19 the convention was cancelled as a matter of public health and safety.  Avoiding a "constitutional" crisis,  rational minds came together in the National Council of Administration and determined that even though an actual election could not take place, the Congressional Charter and our National By-Laws clearly outlined the succession of certain offices.  And that is why, today, at the end of my term as the Junior Vice, I move up to take the position of Senior Vice.  The current Senior Vice, at the time of this writing, will have assumed the position of Commander in Chief.  An orderly transition of power is the hallmark of a truly civilized organization!

I look forward to serving under Commander Hal Roesch and I promise you things are not going to move forward in the same manner we have always done them.  COVID-19 is still an enemy but it will be defeated and we will be out visiting with all of you once again, eventually.  We are in a new age of enlightenment in this country and so too in the VFW.  The winds of change are blowing.  Change can be uncomfortable and it can be difficult, I understand this.  However, we cannot grow if we are not capable of change.

Thank you for supporting me and for your continued support as I move forward.  Check in from time to time to see what's new in the blog.  All I do, I do for the mission of the VFW and I want to share that with you as best I can!

The End of My Junior Vice Commander in Chief Year!

How time flies, whether you are having fun or not!  One year ago I took the oath of office to become the Junior Vice Commander in Chief of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States.  What a proud moment, and coincidentally, the birth of this humble blog also.

I took the duties and responsibilities to heart and began the business of the VFW with an assignment the very next day!  After that, it was a fast paced blur of succeeding assignments.  In between however, came the real work of moving the VFW forward, continuing the eternal push for veterans service and legislation to make the lives of veterans and their families better.  Many in the ranks of the VFW, and outside the ranks too, see only the visits to events.  I can assure you this is part of the job, but only the tip of the iceberg to be sure.

COVID-19 came quickly and the traveling stopped, but the work didn't.  We continued to meet electronically on almost a daily basis to continue the mission of the VFW as best we could.  Our Washington office continued the mission of legislative affairs.  Our Veterans Service branch increased output to meet the demands of veterans seeking assistance with the VA in both medical and compensation matters.  While the world seemed to come to a standstill, the leadership of the VFW kept the engines stoked and kept the ship on its course.  That's what we do, day in and day out.

We had to cancel our annual convention in Reno, Nevada, certainly a first, but the safest thing for our membership.  Did this cause some concern over the future of our leadership going forward?  Yes.  Did we resolve it according to our By-laws, Ritual, and Congressional Charter?  Yes.  Did we affirm that nothing will stop the VFW from doing what we are here to do?  YES!

This post ends Part One of my proposed three year blog of my adventures as a Chair officer. I thank all the 30,000 views and multiple countries that have been following.  You can always go back and view some of your favorite blogs I wrote over the year.  Maybe I'll highlight a few in the coming weeks and months for your reading pleasure. Tomorrow, I begin Part Two, as the Senior Vice Commander in Chief of the greatest combat veterans organization in the world!  

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for you support!

All Hands Zoom with the VFW

Today was a first.  Using technology we had an "all hands call" bringing together every Department Commander, Senior Vice, and Junior Vice...as well as Department Adjutants and Quartermasters if they desired.  To top it off, the meeting was hosted by the soon to be Commander in Chief, Senior Vice CIC, and Junior Vice CIC.

For far too long each group/team/class was an entity within itself and we didn't see [or didn't want to see] the synergy that could be created if we all rowed in the same direction.  To that end, Hal, Tim, and I thought it would be a great idea to introduce ourselves to all of the Department leadership teams across the entire VFW.

Nothing earth-shattering happened, but we didn't expect that.  What we did expect was a breaking of the ice and the levels that have been ingrained.  Everything we do, we do as a team.  If one hand doesn't know what the other is doing, you're not going to get very far.  I can say with confidence now that everyone knows exactly where they stand and what is expected of them.  We are moving forward smartly and it's going to be exciting!

More Spine Surgery!

This week I once again allowed a very skilled VA neurosurgeon to operate on my back.  Personally, I think he just wanted to see if he left his watch in there last time!

While he didn't do another, separate, fusion above the last one, he did say this was "delicate and difficult" and spent six hours in there.  I'm under some pretty severe restrictions, more so than last time.  Nonetheless, I'll follow all of them as best I can to minimize going down this road again.  A huge heartfelt thank you and I love you to Megan for getting me through this.

As an aside, I left the hospital with a ton on Percocet and muscle relaxers... Plus a two pack of Narcan just in case I decide to throw myself a party!

Y-Kiki Divers and new VFW members

Welcome to the VFW family Valerie and Ken Elliott, owners of Y-Kiki Divers in St Louis Missouri!

As some of you know, I've been a professional scuba instructor with Y-Kiki for a few years now.  Several of the instructors are also veterans.  Here's a sharp salute to Divemaster Tom McLerran, who also happens to be the Department of Missouri VFW Adjutant, for signing up Valerie and Ken into Post 8828 in Troy, Missouri.  Val and Ken are Army and Navy veterans respectively.  They stay pretty busy with the shop and other activities but the time was finally right.  As I've always said, tell the good news about the VFW and when people are ready, they will join.

Diving, for me and many other veterans, offers peace of mind and respite from injuries.  Now that we've got Val and Ken on board, hopefully we can reach out to the veteran community and bring them into the sport.  If you're interested in learning how to dive, and you're in the St Louis area, give Y-Kiki Divers a call and you won't regret it.  Who knows, I just might be your instructor!

Valerie and Ken!

Finally out of the house and presenting Valerie with my Commander photo [with Mama, she's part of the dive scene too].  I also presented Val and Ken my Commander's Coin.

Two locations!  Chesterfield and South County

Social Spacing, not Social Distancing!

I'm not keen on the phrase Social Distancing.   

Distancing sounds like you WANT to get away. Being distant has the connotation of being physically and emotionally away from others.  We are constantly being told to be socially distant.  That's just not a good thing at all.  Humans want to be around each other.  We are social animals and we don't like being told what to do.  I know The Bard said a rose by any other name, but why beat ourselves up with a phrase?

I'm good with social "spacing."  It sounds better.  Most of us would rather not be packed in together like sardines in a tin.  Give us some space and we're good being around others.  If we socially space ourselves, we don't have that distancing word haunting us.  Plus, spacing will keep us healthier in the long run.  When we beat this virus, I'd almost like to continue social spacing.  I sure know that I'm going to be suspect about handshakes and hugs for a long time into the future.  Maybe I'll take up politely nodding my head or bowing.

Writing from Illinois, so I'll leave you with this:  Practice Social Spacing and stand at least one President Lincoln away from each other!

  

Independence Day: The Fourth of July

No flags here, no fireworks.  Just two images as food for thought for all Americans:

VFW Visit: Post 3830 in Hawaii

No, don't get excited.  I didn't fly over there to attend a meeting.  However, I did harness technology and attended a Post meeting via Zoom on the Big Island last night.  Given the current state of medical affairs in the world we need to do more than think outside the box; we have to burn the box, get away from it, and start from a new perspective!

My counterpart in Hawaii is Senior Vice Commander Lewis and she is also the Post Senior Vice Commander.  State Commander Lockwood flew over from Oahu to be part of the meeting.  These two are a force to be reckoned with over the next few years. They have big ideas and the most important thing of all, they understand that our mission is to serve veterans, their families, and their communities.  No matter what issues may have occurred in the past, these two understand the need for teamwork.  They both exude a can-do spirit and, as we all know, that spirit is a great motivator and huge factor in the success of any organization.

The official Post name is:  Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States Post 3830, Pahoa, Lance Corporal Hayward Kimo Hamili Peleiholani Memorial Post.  I'm pretty sure I can remember Post 3830!

Special thanks to Auxiliary President Sauer for taking me on a 'tour' of the building and grounds.  The Post home is beautiful and is full of memorabilia and history.  One of these days I will make a visit in person!

Mahalo nui loa!

VA Hospital in St Louis

I visited the John Cochran VA Medical Center on Monday, in anticipation of an upcoming surgery.  I've always had the best care here and this visit topped them all.  I haven't been to the facility since February.

Upon entering, I was greeted and asked why I was there. After saying I had an appointment, I was directed to another station to wash my hands, then moved to a technician in full PPE.  She took my temp and asked the usual COVID Questions, then verified where I was to go.  I received a yellow wrist band and was on my way.

The waiting room in neurosurgery still had all the chairs, but I was really surprised to see the efforts they took to ensure proper spacing.  The chairs all had these coverings on them.  All of the employees were their usual chipper selves and morale was high.  Maybe that had to do with the fact they had a lot fewer patients, but I'm just guessing on that!  All throughout the hospital, as I went from location to location to get pre-op procedures checked off my list, everyone I met with was in that same frame of mind.  It was a pleasure being around dedicated health professionals who, although surrounded by pandemic procedures, were able to continue providing the great care that I've become accustomed to receiving.

Thank you VA, I appreciate all that you do for veterans!