VFW Post 2667

At last count we had at least 27 VFW and Auxiliary members out here running, walking, working, supporting... And that doesn't count the Legion, SAL, Legion Aux and Marine Corps League members. Great turn out!

The first Veterans Employment Seminar of the year will be March 14 from 1-3 p.m. This seminar is among several to be held for veterans in 2012. The session will be facilitated by Peter Ludlow, manager of the Newnan office of the Georgia Department of Labor. Ludlow, along with Alan Hurd of the DOL office will be explaining the new Gold Card Veterans Preference Programs for Post-9/11 veterans that are currently available. A main concern is that post 9/11 veterans need to be aware of specific programs available to veterans through the Department of Labor. The DOL and sponsoring veterans organizations are interested to hear the issues directly from the veterans who are facing obstacles in finding employment. Hank Berkowitz, local Veterans Service Officer for the sponsoring veterans organizations, is coordinating the seminar events. "We are interested to hear from veterans whether the current DOL programs meet their needs," said Berkowitz. "We recognize that Post 9/...

Veterans who believe they may be suffering from post traumatic stress disorder were encouraged to get more information about the condition and its impact on veterans and their loved ones when the Coweta Veterans Club hosted its third clinic to benefit veterans Oct. 26 at 7 p.m. The Coweta Veterans Club is at 130 Veterans Club Drive, off U.S. Highway 29, just north of the Hwy. 34 bypass across from A&W Nursery. The Oct. 26 clinic concentrated on Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, focusing upon the veterans who might be suffering from the emotional damage of war. This clinic included immediate family members who want to support their veteran. PTSD is a scourge of every war in which the United States has fought but was first recognized medically for the veterans of the War to End All Wars -- World War One, noted Hank Berkowitz, local volunteer Veterans Service Officer, who is coordinating the evening events. Today, PTSD is known to occur either immediately after a wartime traumat...

Our leaders in Congress are actually considering cutting 10 critical benefits that affect our nation's service members, veterans and their families. VFW is calling it the “10 for 10” plan—cutting 10 benefits to pay for 10 years of war. Read more about it. We can’t let this happen! VFW needs every member to sign this important petition. We'll let Congress know we have the full force of the VFW membership behind us, and we won't let them level unjust funding cuts on our defenders and their families! Sign the Petition America’s debt crisis calls for tough decisions. That’s a given. But there is no way we’ll allow them to make budget cuts on the backs of veterans. You can also help by getting your Facebook friends involved! We need every VFW member and everyone who supports our military to stand up and be heard! Thank you for acting quickly at this critical time.

A clinic designed for women who are military veterans was hosted on July 27 at the Veterans Club, 130 Veterans Club Drive off U.S. Highway 29 just north of the bypass in Newnan. The event was a result of the combined efforts of American Legion Post 57, VFW Post 2667, Marine Corps League Detachment 1325 and Disabled American Veterans Chapter 31 in LaGrange. Female veterans from all surrounding counties attended. The meeting was specifically oriented to female veterans who want to apply for VA medical benefits or are seeking information regarding filing claims for service connected or non-service connected benefits. Dottie Pridmore was the featured speaker and assisted veterans in filing for veterans administration medical benefits by completing the VA form 10-10EZ. Pridmore is the assistant supervisor at the Atlanta Disabled Americans Veterans (DAV) Office. She is a U.S. Marine Corps retired gunnery sergeant with 20 years of service. She served in Desert Shield/Desert Sto...

WASHINGTON (February 15, 2011) — The national commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S. is appreciative of the funding increase President Obama proposed Monday for the Department of Veterans Affairs, but he has some serious concerns about proposed reductions in programs ranging from construction and infrastructure to medical and prosthetic research. "The VFW appreciates the proposed increase because it recognizes that the proper care and treatment of wounded and disabled veterans are ongoing costs of war," said Richard L. Eubank, who leads the 2.1 million-member VFW and its Auxiliaries. "Our concern, however, is that the total discretionary request of almost $62 billion is just not enough for VA to improve all the programs and services on their watch." The proposed VA budget for fiscal year 2012 is $132.2 billion, of which $70.3 billion is for mandatory benefits such as disability compensation and pension. The remaining $61.9 billion is discretionary...

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.

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.

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 sch...

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...

ATLANTA - There is an under-used, special monthly pension benefit available to Georgia's wartime veterans and surviving spouses of deceased wartime veterans incapable of self support and in need of regular personal assistance. "Many wartime veterans and surviving spouses whose incomes are above the federally mandated limit for a basic VA pension may still be eligible for pension at the higher housebound or Aid and Attendance rate," points out Georgia Commissioner of Veterans Affairs Pete Wheeler. "Although this is not a new program, not everyone is aware of his or her potential eligibility." The Aid and Attendance pension benefit may be available to any wartime veterans and surviving spouses who have in-home care or who live in nursing-homes or assisted-living facilities. "Especially helpful if they have large medical expenses that they may not receive reimbursement," noted Commissioner Wheeler. For a wartime veteran or surviving spouse to qualify for ...

The Department of Veterans Affairs is in the preliminary stages of designing a medallion (IAW Public Law 110-57, December 2007) to be affixed to an existing privately-purchased headstone or marker to signify the deceased's status as a veteran. VA estimates the new medallion will be available in the summer of 2009. If requested, this new product can be furnished in lieu of the traditional headstone or marker. This benefit is only applicable if the grave is marked with a privately-purchased headstone or marker. In these instances, eligible veterans are entitled to either a traditional Government-furnished headstone or marker, or the new medallion, but not both. SOURCE: www.cem.va.gov/hm/hmtype.asp