VFW District 8 Newsletter
CWO5 Randle M. Tolliver, USN (Ret)
Commander
For veterans in crisis, the Veterans Crisis Line's number is "988” then press "1”.
Homebound veterans requiring assistance please contact any member.
Veterans experiencing or at risk of homelessness, please contact any member or the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans at (877) 424-3838.
Buddy Check! Please call or go visit elderly or homebound veterans and see how they are doing and if they need help.
We are always looking to have veterans who are eligible and want to continue serving our community to join us. If you are interested, please contact any member or post.
Please support the annual Toys for Tots drive. The USMC and USMC Reserve program collects new unwrapped toys and distributes those toys to economically disadvantaged children at Christmas. Started in 1947 by USMC Reserve Major (Maj) Bill Hendricks and his wife Diane, his USMC reserve unit in Los Angeles collected and distributed 5,000 toys that year. Seeing such a successful community program, in 1948 the Commandant, General Alexander Archer Vandegrift ordered USMC Marine Reserve to implement a TFT campaign, transforming it into a national community program. As a side note General Vandegrift commanded the Battle of Guadalcanal. You will find our TFT collection boxes in stores around District 8 so please give the gift of a new toy to bring the joy of Christmas to a child.
For your information:
Veterans in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health care system can receive free vaccinations through the Community Care Network in-network retail pharmacies and urgent care partners. Just present a valid, government-issued ID.
Veterans, their families and caregivers should contact their local VA for information about eligibility and how to apply for burial benefits. For more information, visit https://www.choose.va.gov/burials-memorials , or call 800-827-1000.
Our annual youth scholarships programs, Patriot’s Pen, and Voice of Democracy have concluded for this year, and the essays are at the Posts for judging. These programs promote civic responsibility, patriotism and helps students develop a better understanding of American values and beliefs. The next phase will be the District judging led by the District 8 Chairman Mr. Dan Brown of Post 5331 in Cedar Hill.
Local events:
Next month District 8 Posts will hold their annual Pearl Harbor Day Remembrance Ceremonies. Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day honors the 2,403 service members and civilians killed in the Japanese attack. The time and place of these and local post meetings and other events are provided on each post’s Facebook site; come join us!
Post 2593 in Arnold is supporting the Foster Closet Organization with a new or gently used. fall/winter clothing drive for newborn to 2 years old. There is a donation box located in the Post clubroom lobby area.
Every Wednesday, VFW Post 5896 is hosting an "all-you-can-eat” breakfast at 814 E Karsch Blvd, Farmington. Food service is 7 to 9:30 am and the cost is $8 and children under the age of 10 eat for free.
Every Saturday VFW Post 1831 is hosting a Shooting Match at 1651 Veterans Dr., DeSoto. Doors open at 10 am, practice at 11 am and shooting starts at noon. Clubroom will open for drinks & appetizers. For more information call (636) 586-9271.
On 22 November, Post 5331 in Cedar Hill is hosting American Championship Wrestling (ACW) at 1 Lynn Lane in Cedar Hill, MO. Doors open at 5 pm, first bell at 6 pm. Admission is $10 for front row and $6 for general admission. You can purchase tickets at the dor or online ar acwtheshow.com.
On 6 December, VFW Post 5331 Auxiliary in Cedar Hill will host VFW Kids Christmas Store from 10 am to 1 pm. Santa will arrive at noon. Each child can buy tickets for .50 cents each max of 6 tickets and each child will have a personal shopper assistant. For more information call (314) 287-9237.
On 7 December, VFW Post 6660 in Reynolds County will hold their annual Pearl Harbor Day Remembrance Ceremony at the Reynolds County Courthouse. Event starts at 2 pm at 2319 Green St, Centerville. For more information call (803) 924-0608.
Legislative news:
A continued call to action! Folks, don’t wait for the new session to contact your state Senator and Representative to voice your support for Missouri veterans. Please voice your support to fully fund the Missouri Veterans Commission (MVC) with dedicated funding in the state budget, update the Real & Personal Property Tax exemptions for 100% service-disabled veterans, and to fight unaccredited companies (Claim Sharks) that prey on Missouri veterans.
Now let’s talk a bit about our history:
162 years ago this week and four months after the Battle of Gettysburg, President Abraham Lincoln addressed an audience with a brief speech honoring the fallen: "...we cannot dedicate – we cannot consecrate – we cannot hallow – this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. … we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain – that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom – and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth." Although not that day's primary speaker, in just 271 words President Lincoln made one of history’s greatest and most influential statements of our national purpose.
I offer this quote from President Abraham Lincoln, I offer his wise words "no man is good enough to govern another man, without that other’s consent. I say this is the leading principle–the sheet anchor of American republicanism.”
Bulletin Board:
The VA one-stop telephone number is 1-800-698-2411 and press "0” for immediate assistance. The VA one stop website is VA.gov Home | Veterans Affairs .
For more for information concerning VA "End of Life” benefits and services see www.va.gov/initiatives/end-of-life-benefits/
Veteran employment opportunities! Please visit https://news.va.gov/138283/hiring-veterans-job .
The Missouri Veterans Commission (MVC) one-stop Benefits and Resource Portal is (573) 522-4061 or www.veteranbenefits.mo.gov .
To pre-certify for burial in a Missouri Veterans Cemetery, apply at https://my.mo.gov/gsp?id=vcp_preapplication . For information on burial eligibility, visit https://mvc.dps.mo.gov/cemeteries .
The Missouri Job Center offers no-cost employment assistance for veterans and spouses. Contact (417) 257-2630 or visit jobs.mo.gov/vets.
To order military service documents such as a DD 214/Separation Document or Official Military Personnel File (OMPF), contact the National Archives, National Personnel Records Center at https://www.archives.gov/veterans/military-service-records, or call (866) 272-6272.
For more information, follow us at https://www.facebook.com/groups/967395123712841 or visit movfw.org
"Here to Serve”
