VFW Programs E-Newsletter
A Bi-Monthly Publication
of the VFW Programs Department November
1, 2009 Volume 38 Issue 1
BUDDY POPPY: POST ANNIVERSARY COMMEMORATION
Commemorate
your Post’s anniversary in Buddy Poppy style! As your Post celebrates 25, 50 or 75 years, order special silver-,
gold-, or diamond-colored Poppies for distribution throughout this monumental
year.
Remember:
With Buddy Poppy, every day is Veterans
Day.
· No extra cost for the commemorative poppies.
· Designate part of your regular poppy order as anniversary poppies.
Different sizes
of ads can be found at www.vfwdepartmentresourses.com. Click on the VFW
Cross of Malta
beside Buddy Poppy option.
Contact information: nclifton@vfw.org (816) 968-1148. For Buddy Poppy merchandise, go to http://www.vfwstore.org/SearchResult.aspx?CategoryID=128
COMMUNITY SERVICE:
Post Special Project Entry
due April 30
Posts Special
Project entries for the Fred C. Hall Memorial Outstanding Post Special Project Award are due to National from Departments
by April 30. The selected Post will receive a plaque at the VFW and Ladies Auxiliary National Convention, travel expenses,
and a $1,000 service scholarship for Post community service projects.
The Post Commander and spouse will receive airfare, hotel accommodations for three nights and a daily per-diem. All
entries will receive recognition from national.
Past winning
national projects
include coordinating support for the Columbia Shuttle disaster search teams, a special dinner for spinal cord patients from
a local VA Hospital, construction of Veterans Memorials and the 2008 – 2009 Fred C. Hall Memorial Post Special Project
Award recipient, VFW Post 7806, Manton, Michigan, lead the efforts in building a new Veterans Memorial Museum with Military
Artifacts. Information and the entry form can be found on page 31 of the combined Programs Chairmen’s Guide or
visit www.vfw.org and go to Programs/Section Introduction and VFW Programs on right hand side of page. Contact information: nclifton@vfw.org (816) 968-1148
Important Dates
Nov. 8 -
14 – National Veterans Awareness week.
Programs Deadline Dates:
Patriot’s
Pen and VOD: Teacher’s Award:
Entry to Post
– Nov. 1
Entry to Post – Nov. 1
Post to District.
– Nov. 15* Post to District – Nov. 15*
District Judging
by Dec. 6* Dist to Dept– Dec. 15*
Dept. to National
– Jan. 15 Dept. to National–Jan. 15
* SUGGESTED
National
Award for Public Servants:
Department
to National March 31.
YOUTH
ACTIVITIES:
Make the Most of Your Winners
When your Post scholarship winners are announced take pictures and provide them to local newspapers. Don’t
mail them, take them in person! Be sure to identify each winner and the
scholarship program
by name and give the newspaper a contact name and telephone number where interested teachers/students can find out about next
year’s competition. Newspapers love pictures of young people being honored and it gives your Post (and the scholarship
programs) a ton of public recognition.
Target Corporation
is a proud sponsor of the Voice of Democracy Program since 2005. Again
this year, Target is sponsoring the individual Department winner’s trip to Washington, D.C. Contact information: kharmer@vfw.org (816) 968-1117.
Ideas for Post winners: 1669 desk pen w/flag http://www.vfwstore.org/detail.aspx?ID=28970 - great for VOD/Patriot’s Pen winner. 1886 & 1887 VOD/Pat Pen Dog
Tag http://www.vfwstore.org/detail.aspx?ID=28997
1583 &
1582 Pen http://www.vfwstore.org/detail.aspx?ID=29004
What is your Post doing for Veterans Day?
If WE don’t remember, who WILL?
CITIZENSHIP EDUCATION:
Disposing of Worn U.S. Flags – Private or Public Procedure
In August, 2000,
at the VFW 101st National Convention in Milwaukee, VFW delegates passed a resolution establishing
a U.S. Flag disposal program for Posts to conduct, privately or publicly.
The VFW feels
individuals are responsible for maintaining the U.S. Flag in their possession, however, as a public service some VFW Posts have special
details assigned for gathering and disposing* of worn national emblems.
Some Posts may go further – they make gifts of new flags to groups or provide information on how to order a U.S. Flag
from the VFW Emblem and Supply Department.
*SUGGESTED PROCEDURE FOR INDIVIDUALS TO
USE IN PRIVATE OR PUBLIC FOR DISPOSING OF A TORN, SOILED, OR BADLY FADED U.S. FLAG.
1. The Flag should be folded in its customary manner. (See VFW ritual.)
2. It is important that the fire be sizeable and of sufficient intensity to ensure complete burning
of the Flag.
3. Place the Flag on the fire.
4. The individual(s) can come to attention, salute the Flag, recite the Pledge
of Allegiance and have a brief period of silent reflection.
5. After the Flag is completely consumed, the fire should then be safely extinguished and
the ashes buried.
6. Please make sure you are conforming to local/state fire codes or ordinances.
Approved for distribution by the VFW
National Citizenship Education and Community
Service Committee, September 18, 2000.
Contact information: tbeauchamp@vfw.org (816) 756-3390 x
287
Nelda Clifton, Programs
Coordinator
Programs Department
Veterans
of Foreign Wars of the US
nclifton@vfw.org
(816) 968-1148
Fax: (816)
968-1149
We make a living by what we get, but
we make a life by what we give. - Winston Churchill
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