VFW Post 2667

VFW Post 2667 will participate, along with other local veterans' groups, in the Wreaths Across America program on Saturday -- placing wreaths at Veterans Memorial Plaza. Post 2667 Adjutant Dick Stender said Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2667, American Legion Post 57, the local AMVETS and representatives of the Daughters of the American Revolution and Sons of the American Revolution will be participating in the program. "Our program will begin at noon and last only about 30 minutes," Stender said. Veterans Memorial Plaza is located in the city park at Jackson Street and Temple Avenue -- just north of downtown Newnan. Individuals and organizations can provide wreath sponsorships for $15 and up. Information is available at WreathsAcrossAmerica.org . Donations may be sent to: Wreaths Across America, P.O. Box 256, Harrington, ME 04643. More details @ Times-Herald

Past VFW Post 2667 Commander and World War II veteran Jim Goodrum was recognized as Veteran of the Year in Veterans' Day ceremonies at Newnan's Veterans Memorial Plaza. Goodrum, who lives in the Sharpsburg area, attended the ceremonies with his wife Elsie and daughter Linda. "I am really overwhelmed by being chosen as Veteran of the Year. By honoring me, I feel like you're also honoring every man who served on the USS Bogue with me" and "every person who has put on a military uniform in the service of the United States of America," he said. Full story and pictures at times-herald.com

It’s an enduring image: a bunch of old guys sitting around a bar, swilling beer and remembering long-ago battles. That may have been your dad’s VFW, say officials of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. But that notion, they say, is as dated as horse-drawn cannons. Today, VFW posts are making a concerted effort to reach out to younger veterans, stressing membership benefits that transcend cheap beer. VFW reaches out to younger veterans | ajc.com

We judged our Voice of Democracy, Patriot's Pen, and Teacher of the Year entries today after the Post Meeting. Winning Entries will be forwarded to District 5 for District judging. Stay tuned for an announcement on the winners! Thanks to everyone who contributed entries and everyone who helped with judging.

Veterans of the Battle of the Bulge autographed books and documents as presented to them when they met to expand knowledge of the battle among veterans and other individuals interested in the largest land battle ever fought by the U. S. Army. The meeting was open to veterans, historians, teachers, students and other interested parties and was held from 2:00 to 4:00 PM on Friday, November 5, at the Coweta Veterans Club in Newnan. The battle began December 16, 1944 in the Belgium and Luxembourg Ardennes. 81,000 Americans were killed, captured or wounded. All classes of combat units of the Army & Air Corps were involved.

VFW Post 2667, American Legion Post 57, and Marine Corps League  Detachment 1325 co-sponsored a VA Healthcare Sign-Up event at the Coweta Veterans Club in Newnan on October 20th at 7:00 PM. It was open to all veterans. They just needed to bring their DD-214 or discharge papers and any private health plan information they had. More than 50 veterans showed up and were helped.  Special thanks to the American Legion Ladies Auxiliary for their support in feeding these veterans and all their help in making the event a success. In light of the number of veterans who need to register for VA benefits. The organizations are planning to host similar events in the future, including a special event for women veterans.

The newly formed Coweta Commission on Veteran’s Affairs, in association with the American Legion, AMVETS, VFW, and Marine Corps League presented a "Veterans Appreciation Muster" on October 16, 2010 from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM in Newnan.  The purpose of the Muster was to raise awareness within Coweta County of the contributions and sacrifices made by our military men and women on our behalf.  Muster means "Gathering" and that is what we did. We gathered the citizens of our County around the newly renovated Coweta County Courthouse where we had the history of our military on display. The community came, saw, and talked to veterans of various eras, viewed their memorabilia displays, and heard some of their heartwarming experiences. The opening ceremony was at 10:00 AM at Veteran’s Plaza located at the intersection of Jackson Street and Temple Avenue in Newnan.  The event included: The National Anthem performed by the Atkinson Elementary School Choir, A performanc

On October 10th the Coweta County Veterans Club hosted its charity golf tournament. Entry fee was $75 per player and covered 18 holes of golf, cart, beverages, prizes, 1st place trophy and, lunch after play. Hole sponsorships were $100. Event sponsorship was $250 and Team sponsorship was $300. Gold sponsorship was $500 and included special recognition at the event. Donations of gift certificates or merchandise are greatly appreciated and will help reduce our expenses. As always, donations in any amount were greatly appreciated. Funds raised this year went to the Community Welcome House - A Safe Haven for Women and Children.

There are millions of dollars waiting to be claimed by service members and veterans who were stop lossed, and time is running out! Those eligible must submit their claim by Oct. 21, 2010. The 2009 War Supplemental Appropriations Act established Retroactive Stop Loss Special Pay (RSLSP), providing $500 for each month/partial month served in stop loss status. Service members, veterans, and beneficiaries of service members whose service was involuntarily extended under Stop Loss between Sept. 11, 2001 and Sept. 30, 2009 are eligible for RSLSP. To receive this benefit, those who served under stop loss must submit a claim for the special pay. Throughout the year, the services have been reaching out to service members, veterans and their families through direct mail, veteran service organizations, and the media. But there is still money left to be claimed, and the deadline is approaching. We're reminding all service members who are eligible to submit a claim for the ben

American Legion Post 57 and VFW Post 2667 are co-sponsoring a blood drive at the Coweta Veterans Club (Hwy 29 across from A&W Nursery). The drive will run from Noon until 5:30 PM. Sign up on the ALR board in the Social Quarters. Last year we had 45 donors, let's donate more this year.

Commander Jeff Carroll Sr. Vice Commander Glenn Flake Jr. Vice Commander Ron Freese Quartermaster John Skinner Adjutant Dick Stender Chaplain David Jessel Trustee: 3-Year Paul Richardson Trustee: 2-Year Dick Dennis Trustee: 1-Year Bob Ward Service Officer Fred Scott

Donald Steven Lowery, the first Cowetan to be killed in Vietnam, will be remembered at Memorial Day ceremonies in Newnan. Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2667 sponsors the annual Memorial Day program. The event will start at 11 a.m. at Veterans Memorial Plaza in the city park at Jackson Street and Temple Avenue. If it rains, the program will take place in the chapel at McKoon Funeral Home, which is adjacent to the park. VFW members distributed Buddy Poppies on Saturday -- with donations going to help needy veterans and their families. Also on Saturday, volunteers worked with VFW members to place American flags on the graves of veterans across the county. Monday's program in Newnan follows a longstanding tradition by the local VFW of "honoring all by remembering one." "This is a way of personalizing, of giving a face and spirit to the names on our honor rolls," said Commander John O'Connor of Post 2667. "If our citizens can gain a sense of the lo

The Coweta Veterans’ Club, comprised of The American Legion Post 57 and The Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2667, on Saturday, May 29 th , will place flags on veterans’ graves in major local cemeteries. Dick Dennis, Chairman of the Board of the club, is once again asking for community assistance in this project. "The community support for the past three years has made it easy. The participation of young and old makes this a memorable experience and is a great family tradition. Decorating these veterans’ graves is a wonderful way to teach our young folks that freedom isn't free." According to Dennis, the number of flags to be placed this year will be nearly 2,200. He added, "As I said in previous years, we have an aging membership with many veterans of WWII and Korea, who are physically unable to walk long distances and cannot tolerate the bending and stooping. Civic and fraternal organizations, church groups and individuals are invited to participate. The club will

The children of military personnel who died in the line of duty since Sept. 10, 2001 can apply for an educational scholarship similar to the new Post-9/11 GI Bill. Benefits are retroactive to Aug. 1, 2009, VA begins accepting applications for the Fry scholarship on May 1, 2010. For more information or assistance applying, call toll-free 1-888-GIBILL-1 (1-888-442-4551), or visit the VA GI Bill Website at http://www.gibill.va.gov/ . VA estimates nearly 1,500 children will receive benefits under the Fry scholarship program in 2010. Recipients have 15 years to use their benefits, beginning on their 18th birthdays, through their 33rd birthdays. Eligible children attending institutions of higher learning may receive payments to cover their tuition and fees up to the highest amounts charged by a public, in-state undergraduate institution.  A monthly living allowance and stipend for books and supplies are also paid under this program. VA will begin paying benefits under the Fry scholar

Patriotic Cowetans will be gathering at the entrance to Forest Lawn Memorial Park this morning to show honor to fallen soldier Robert W. Collins. Local veterans, led by Dick Stender, have organized the 11 a.m. gathering of people with flags at the Roscoe Road cemetery. The funeral for Collins, who was killed in Iraq on April 7, will be held at 10 a.m. at New Hope Baptist Church -- North Campus on New Hope Road in Fayetteville. After the funeral, the procession will move south on Georgia Highway 85 through Fayetteville, then west on Georgia Highway 54 through Peachtree City. In Coweta County, the cortege will move along Highway 34 to the bypass and then to Roscoe Road and Forest Lawn. Collins, who is from Tyrone, was killed in Mosul when enemy forces attacked his vehicle with an improvised explosive device, according to the U.S. Department of Defense. The first lieutenant was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 64th Armor Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team from Ft. Stewart, near Savanna

KANSAS CITY, March 31, 2010 - The national commander of the nation’s largest organization of combat veterans is furious about the recent Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit Court decision ordering Albert Snyder, the father of a slain Marine to pay legal costs to the Westboro Baptist Church. Westboro Baptist Church in Topeka, Kan., led by Fred Phelps, has for years been taunting grieving mourners at military funerals nationwide. During the funeral of Marine Lance Corporal Matthew Snyder’s funeral in 2006, the anti-gay group praised the loss of the young Marine as well as other of the nation’s young servicemen and women, calling their deaths a by-product of a nation that tolerates homosexuality. "This is a travesty at best and borders on the obscene," said VFW National Commander Thomas J. Tradewell Sr., of Sussex, Wis. "The irony in this whole situation is that the blood and sacrifice of our nation’s heroes have enabled this group to spread their message of hate. Y

The first major wave of soldiers from Newnan-based Bravo Company was scheduled to arrive at Fort Stewart near Savannah sometime Wednesday night. The Georgia Army National Guard unit is returning from a year-long deployment in Afghanistan. A few soldiers have already arrived in Georgia, and there will be at least two more "waves," said Robert Stokely, co-chairman of the Family Readiness Group for Bravo 2/121. If all goes well, all members of Bravo Company should be stateside by the end of March. Full Story at www.times-herald.com

After Wendell Whitlock returned home following World War II, he used the skills he'd learned in the Navy to build a better Coweta. "Captain" Whitlock, who was involved in Coweta's road department in various capacities from 1948 to 1988, was honored by Coweta's Boy Scouts at the second annual Golden Eagle Dinner. Full article at: Newnan Times-Herald

The Tuskegee Airmen will be the focus of Newnan-Coweta Historical Society program 7 p.m. tonight at the Depot History Center, 60 East Broad Street in downtown Newnan. The program will feature original airmen Hiram Little and Leroy Eley. Admission is free, and there will be coffee and dessert. These two men will relate their experiences as this country's first black airmen during World War II. The Tuskegee Airmen overcame segregation and prejudice to become one of the most highly respected escort fighter groups of World War II. During World War II the Tuskegee Airmen had one of the lowest loss records of U.S. bombers by enemy fighters. Their achievements, together with the men and women who supported them, paved the way for full integration of the U.S. Military.

The 2010 Ole Mill NRA Disabled Shooting Sectional will take place at the Spadling County 4-H facility in Griffin, Georgia on Saturday, March 6. The two-day event will begin with an adaptive shooting clinic followed by relays of competition on Sunday, March 7. Winners will be honored at an awards ceremony immediately following the matches. The Ole Mill Sectionals will feature competitions in precision 3-position air rifle and international air pistol. Winners in each category will be invited to Colorado Springs, Colorado for Paralympic training at the Olympic Training Center. "We are very excited about Georgia Competitive Shooters, Inc. participation in the 2010 NRA National Disabled Indoor Sectional Championships," said Disabled Shooting Manager Vanessa Warner. "We're looking forward to introducing competitive shooting to individuals with physical disabilities in the Metro Atlanta area." Disabled Shooting Sectionals are open to those with disabilities in t