November_2008 Commanders_News

One man with courage makes a majority
Andrew Jackson

Department of Missouri

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Department Commander's News Letter

Commanders 19 November 2008

We have just finished with the Branson Veterans week and I can can proudly say that the

State did a bang up job of interfacing with Veterans from all over the United States. Everett

Kelly was at the Lodge of the Ozarks on Highway 76 and as a result of that Veterans outreach

effort the following activities were accomplished:

Veteran VA Compensation Claims completed 5

Veteran requests for Military service records 9

Veteran/Family Member requests for awards 23

Verbal requests for Veterans benefit info 38

I was at the Branson Meadows Cinema where the showing "Shadow of the Blade" was done.

I was assisted by members of 621 and Mik Mikulan, a Veteran Huey Gunship pilot during

the Vietnam conflict. Several Veterans expressed their tearful thanks for the showing. I have

seen the film and I was touched. A great tribute to those members and patriots who flew those

aircraft. The highlight of my watch was, when a guy inquired about the film wearing a Navy hat

and I kidded him about the Navy only to find out he was a member of my river boat Squadron

in Vietnam and served on a sister boat, I was proud to say I recuited him for the the Forsyth

Chapter.

I think you see we had a great deal of things accomplished with a few Patriots involved. Due to

the high cost of most everything, I had decided to limit the number of patiots involved during

this week. The State as well as many of the Chapters are struggling to keep the Chapters

alive and I know any expediture of funds are difficult to replace.

WOUNDED WARRIORS RESOURCE CENTER

The Department of Defense has announced that the Military onesource service has established a

wounded warrior resource center telephone number and email address for service members and

their families. They can now call toll free or email request support 24/7:

Toll Free 1-800-342-9647 E-mail wwrc@militaryonesource.com

Military One Source provides assistance with short-term, non-medical issues via face-to-face

counseling and telephone consulation.

BRANSON VA MEDICAL CLINIC

Just for your information, the Branson Va Clinic is now open and serving all Veterans. Address is

5571 North Gretna Road, Branson Missouri Phone number is 866-951-8387/417-243-2300. This

facility is at the intersection of 248 and Gretna Road. just behind the Arvest Bank.

BONDING.

The Bylaws, Article XV, Section 4 BOND-which states in its entirety

"Each accountable officer of the Military Order of the Purple Heart of the U.S.A..,Inc, must be

bonded in a sum at least equal to the amount of funds and value of property for which they are

accountable. The fees for the bond shall be paid from the funds of the National Organization,

Departments, or Chapter as the case may be, to which officer is accountable".

Headquarters does not obtain the bond for Departments or Chapter. We will dicuss

the proper method of payment at the next Executive Council Meeting.

There is no way around this issue. It must be done.The question that remain is this,

What is the best way to remit proper funds?

FORSYTH

I am very please to inform the Commanders that new Chapter is in the works. That

Chapter is located near Branson, Missouri and will wear the name of 784. This Chapter

has eleven members and are working very hard to bring the last one in so we can ask for

a Charter and elect Officers. I wish them well and God Speed in their endeavors.

EXECUTIVE COUNCIL

The next EC will be held in Joplin, Missouri on 10th of January 2009. This event will

begin at 1100 AM at the Golden Corral, 2415 South Range Line Road.

The telephone number is 1-417-206-7184. I encourage all Commanders to make this

meeting as we will be laying the planning stages for the next year as well as deciding

how to proceed with the naming of the State Convention location.

HOLIDAY SEASON

We are approaching the Holiday Season with lots of fun at Thanksgiving, Christmas

and the New Year festivities. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of you who

have made my tenue as Commander as successful as it has been. We have accomplished

a lot of goals and can be justifiably proud. Have a Great Holiday !! Carl D

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