May 4th, 2021
Contacting the
National Personnel Records Center (NPRC)
Dear Funeral Directors:
We are asking for your assistance. As you may be aware, the government’s primary repository for military personnel records, the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC), has been closed to the public since March due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The National Personnel Record Center is now beginning to expand available services to customers.
While this is a positive step, NPRC continues to have a significant backlog of military record requests. To support NPRC’s service delivery efforts and reduce duplicative requests for the same record, the National Cemetery Administration (NCA) is asking our funeral home partners to encourage families to work directly with funeral homes for assistance with burial in our VA national cemeteries. In working together to reduce the number of requests or duplicate submissions, NPRC can focus on delivering records to customers more efficiently.
We ask you to request family members continue to search for any additional military documents which may be in their possession. Documents kept by the Veteran may be the only documents available at this time to verify his or her eligibility for burial.
We also encourage you to ask family members to check the following:
Veteran Service Organizations (VSOs) such as the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) or the American Legion. These organizations may have discharge documents on file for members.Any orders the service member may have received or any documents showing a military service number would be helpful.County clerk of the county where the service member would have returned from service. The service member may have filed their documents with the county upon discharge from military service.If the service member has a set of dog tags, please send a clear photograph of them to our agency.We thank you for your assistance.May 1st, 2021ALL
The District has two more 100% or above Posts. Bravo Zulu to the Commander, Quartermaster, and Comrades of C.E. Swisher Post 1924, Fallbrook at 100.52% and Asian-Pacific Post 4851, Chula Vista at 100.00% in membership.
District One has two more Posts that hit 95% or better.
Congratulations to 95% Post Commander, Quartermaster, and Comrades of San Marcos Post 3795, San Marcos at 95.00% and
Carter-Smith Post 5867 at 97.87%
April 10th, 2021ALL
Attached is GO 9 for your file. Your Posts Adjutant's responsibility is to print out and maintain a National and Department General Orders file. This is a Posts Annual Inspection requirement.
VFW Post-Inspection Form REV.20180408
5) Does the Post Adjutant. ..
d) Maintain a file of current orders or circulars issued from higher authority?
NEW VOICE OF DEMOCRACY AND PATRIOT’S PEN THEMES. The 2021-22 themes have been chosen by Senior Vice Commander-in-Chief Matthew M. "Fritz” Mihelcic. The Voice of Democracy theme will be "America: Where do we go from here?” and the Patriot’s Pen theme will be "How can I be a good American?”
NEW VOICE OF DEMOCRACY AND PATRIOT’S PEN BROCHURES. The new 2021-22 Voice of Democracy and Patriot’s Pen entry forms will be available soon on the VFW website.
HALF-STAFF U.S. FLAG. The U.S. Flag should be at half-staff on Memorial Day, the last Monday in May (federal holiday - half-staff until noon).
Post, District, Department Commanders, Adjutants, and Quartermasters
Requirements of Sections 216, 416, and 516 of the Manual of Procedure with regard to proof of eligibility for all newly-elected and appointed officers. Elected and appointed officers shall not be installed or assume the duties of their office until proof of eligibility has been submitted and properly reviewed. Failure or refusal to submit proof of eligibility within thirty (30) days of election or appointment shall result in the office being declared vacant.April 10th. 2021Changes in Travel Pay Reimbursements
The Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) changed processes for veterans to receive pay for their travels to and from appointments for medical conditions.
These changes started on January 1, 2021, in which some veterans may have a more difficult time filing for travel reimbursements. The VA has moved everything to an online format, therefore, all veterans who want to be reimbursed for their travel expenses now have to go to a special VA website and set up an account. Each time a veteran travels to an appointment, he will have to log into the website to create a travel claim for each appointment they have attended before they can be reimbursed.
To set up an account; <https://eauth.va.gov/accessva/
Burial Expenses Reimbursed
Did you know VA will pay burial allowances up to $2,000 if the veteran’s death is service-connected? In such cases, the person who bore the veteran’s burial expenses may claim reimbursement form VA.
Expense form; https://www.vba.va.gov/pubs/forms/VBA-21P-530-ARE.pdf
In some cases, VA will pay the cost of transporting the remains of a veteran whose death was service-connected to the nearest National Cemetery with available gravesites. There is no time limit for filing reimbursement claims in service-connected cases.
Burial AllowanceDid you know VA will pay $300 burial and funeral allowances for veterans who, at the time of death, were entitled to receive pension or compensation or would have been entitled if they were not receiving military retirement pay? Eligibility also may be established when death occurs in a VA facility, a VA-contracted nursing home or State Veterans nursing home. In cases in which the veteran’s death was not service-connected, claims must be filed within two years after burial or cremation.April 10th, 2021Congratulations to 95% Post Commander, Quartermaster, and Comrades of Encanto Post 1512 at 95.12%This is harder to accomplish for Posts in Divisions 1, 2, and 3
April 9th, 2021NCVSD has rescheduled our Stand Down to September 16-21, 2021. Our Guests are not yet ready to attend, even with COVID protocols in place.April 9th, 2021District One has two more Posts that hit 95% or better
Congratulations to 95% Post Commander, Quartermaster, and Comrades of Michael A. Monsoor Post 2082 at 95.33%
Congratulations to 95% Post Commander, Quartermaster, and Comrades of Santee Post 9327 at 95.40%
April 8th, 2021
ALL
Vietnam veterans need you to take action!
On March 17, 2021, Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee Chairman Jon Tester (MT) and Senator Ron Wyden (OR), introduced S. 810—the Fair Care for Vietnam Veterans Act of 2021. On that same day, Representative Josh Harder (CA) and Representative Pete Stauber (MN) introduced H.R. 1972—also titled the Fair Care for Vietnam Veterans Act of 2021—in the House of Representatives.
These companion bills would add hypertension and monoclonal gammopathy of unspecified significance (MGUS) as presumptive diseases to Agent Orange exposure.
In its 2018 report "Veterans and Agent Orange,” the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine noted that there is significant evidence of a positive scientific association between hypertension, MGUS, and Agent Orange exposure.
While the Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has the authority to add these two diseases to the list of Agent Orange presumptive diseases, they have failed to do so for the last three years. Therefore, we need Congressional action.
Consistent with DAV Resolution No.109, we support S. 810 and H.R. 1972, as they would add hypertension and MGUS to the list of Agent Orange presumptive diseases and provide access to VA benefits and health care for hundreds of thousands of Vietnam veterans.
We are calling on all DAV members and supporters to contact their Senators and Representatives and urge them to co-sponsor and support S. 810 and H.R. 1972. Thank you for supporting DAV in the fight for justice for our Vietnam veterans.
April 7th, 2021
All,Just a reminder if you submit using the VFW OMS you do not have to submit a copy to Department. Only copies required are one to the District and one to the District Commander for next years Roster.
March 23rd, 2021
Women Who Served in the U.S. Military
#Not Invisible #Not Ignored #WomenVetsCount
Finding Invisible Veterans
Jerry;
This past Friday, March 19th, the growing community advancing the Women Who Served survey (available here: https://bit.ly/38y975y) had the opportunity to e-meet Dr. Kate Hendricks Thomas, USMC Vetera n, researcher, author and friend. "Doc Kate" shared updates and insights into the University of Alabama's survey on the needs of women veterans, all recorded and saved for your re-viewing.
Dr. Kate shared this stunning image from the cover of Invisible Veterans: What Happens When Military Women Become Civilians Again, co-edited by "Doc Kate" and Kyleanne Hunter. This image as well as other images contributed by Brighton Marine (Massachusetts), Still Saving Veterans (Alabama), sample social media posts, and other helpful "campaign" pieces are available in a community Google Drive here. Bookmark the link until we're done in June and contribute your own best ideas, best posts, and images that work to this Drive.
We need each and every one of you to promote this free gift of intellect and time. The University of Alabama will be making raw data available to its distribution partners including states and organizations who are joining together to drive deep nationwide participation. If you paid for this kind of work, your cost would likely be over one hundred thousand dollars. Please, do your part ... and use the hashtags
#NotInvisible #Not Ignored #WomenVetsCount
March 18th, 2021Congratulations to 95% Post Commander, Quartermaster, and Comrades of LCDR A.E. Betcher Post 3788 at 95.16%District One has 11 Posts at 95% or better and 5 Posts at 100% or better. Is your Post working on getting those lapse members back?March 14th, 2021The District has its Fifth 100% or above Post. Bravo Zulu to the Commander, Quartermaster, and Comrades of Vietnam and Global War Veterans Post 9305, Imperial CA, is 100.00% in membership. Skipped right by 95%. 88.18 % to 100%
March 12, 2021Congratulations to 95% Post Commander, Quartermaster, and Comrades of Bert Fuller Post 9578 Alpine at 95.82%The District has another 100% or above Posts. Bravo Zulu to the Commander, Quartermaster, and Comrades of Southeast-John R. Simpson Post 1513 who is 100.00% in membership.Feb 22, 2021February 22-26, 2021 - Half-Staff Alert - Entire United StatesA Proclamation on Remembering the 500,000 Americans Lost to COVID-19
As of this week during the dark winter of the COVID-19 pandemic, more than 500,000 Americans have now died from the virus. That is more Americans who have died in a single year of this pandemic than in World War I, World War II, and the Vietnam War combined. On this solemn occasion, we reflect on their loss and on their loved ones left behind. We, as a Nation, must remember them so we can begin to heal, to unite, and find purpose as one Nation to defeat this pandemic.
In their memory, the First Lady and I will be joined by the Vice President and the Second Gentleman for a moment of silence at the White House this evening. I ask all Americans to join us as we remember the more than 500,000 of our fellow Americans lost to COVID-19 and to observe a moment of silence at sunset. I also hereby order, by the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United States, that the flag of the United States shall be flown at half-staff at the White House and on all public buildings and grounds, at all military posts and naval stations, and on all naval vessels of the Federal Government in the District of Columbia and throughout the United States and its Territories and possessions until sunset February 26, 2021. I also direct that the flag shall be flown at half-staff for the same period at all United States embassies, legations, consular offices, and other facilities abroad, including all military facilities and naval vessels and stations.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-second day of February, in the year of our Lord two thousand twenty-one, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-fifth.
JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR.Feb 8, 2021
The Home Depot (HD) has opened their Community Impact Grant for 2021
VFW members can receive up to $5,000 to fund repairs or construction projects at their Post building.
There are of course are no guarantees to being funded, but several VFW Posts have been awarded this grant.
To begin the process, click on the following link:
https://corporate.homedepot.com/grants/community-impact-grants
The application must be submitted online using the posted hyperlink. Telephone calls, emails or written submissions sent to Home Depot will NOT be accepted, nor will you be able to turn this application in at your local HD store.
Please find the attachment "HDGrantGuide2021,” and carefully read the instructions before attempting to complete the application. NOTE: Home Depot Foundation has completely overhauled the application process. We have created these user friendly instructions to assist you in completing the application, screen captures and thorough descriptions of how to complete each field are included. Deviation from this guide could result in the applicant being unable to submit their request.
Pay close attention to the Tax ID Instructions. You will use the Employee Identification Number (EIN) of your Post and upload the Post’s 501(c)(19) IRS determination letter at the end of the application. If you cannot locate the Post’s 501(c)(19) letter, follow the instructions below under "Lost IRS Determination Letter” on how to request a copy from the IRS.
If you receive funding it will come in the form of Home Depot gift cards that can be used to buy materials at your local HD store. You will need to recruit Post members and/or other community volunteers as the use of contractors to complete your project is not permitted. The project must be completed within six months. You will also be required to submit a final report. You must be willing to include stories and before-and-after photos of the project. Failure to do so will negatively impact your Post’s ability to receive any future funding from The Home Depot Foundation.
After submitting the application, you should receive an email response after six weeks.
Should you have any questions and or concerns, please contact Jason Couch, VFW Foundation Grants & External Relations Coordinator, directly at (816) 968-1174 or jcouch@vfw.org.Feb 4, 2021Veterans Service Organizations: We have been contacted by the California State Library regarding a program that is of interest to veterans orgs. The State Library is concerned that many of the historical items owned and exhibited by smaller organizations may be at risk because of a lack of disaster response plans and long-term protection strategies for the cultural keepsakes in their care. They contacted us because many vet orgs have military and historical memorabilia stored or on display in their halls, posts, and administration buildings. The State Library has a survey they would like your organization and your posts to take. They want to make sure you have the tools to let the next generation see and understand the history. There is also a video introduction from the State Librarian.
Deadline to complete the survey is February 21.
Take the survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/
r/CSLSurveyRegistration Watch the introduction from the State Librarian: https://www.youtube.com/
watch?v=srqWTrFudtU
So far, the State Library has seen that:
- More than 80% of early respondents do not have a long-term preservation plan. Almost half have never completed a general condition assessment of their collection.
- Approximately half of respondents do not have a written disaster plan, a significant need given the risks posed by fire, flood and earthquakes and threats from inadequate storage facilities and simple decay over time.
- Three in four of the collections surveyed have not been digitized, a crucial concern for those organizations holding works on paper and other fragile materials.
Oct 14, 2020District One has its first 100% or above Post. Bravo Zulu to the Commander, Quartermaster, and Comrades of Colonel Frank M. Brezina Post 5431, Solana Beach, is 100.83% in membership.Sept 17, 2020With sadness to report Jenny Poe, the lovely wife of Ray Poe for 71 years, passed away today.
Ray Poes' Country western Band has probably performed at the majority of the Post in District One. Some of these Posts are no longer around. Ray and Jenny belonged to Santee Post 9327, where their son (who also passed away) was once the Commander. Our prayers and thoughts are with Ray and family at this time of sorrow.
Reporting can now be done by any member on VFWCA.ORG Login is your member number and last name.
Jun 29, 2020 4:54 pmSan Diego County ordered bars, breweries, and wineries without food licenses to close.
https://youtu.be/SDtIdSJB2AQ
Congratulations to PDC Myles Fry for being selected as a California District ALL-STATE COMMANDER
Comrades:
- 2021 Podium Edition Bylaw Books
- National will not be publishing new Podium Editions for 2021, the 2020 will still be the Bylaw book to use
CongratulationsDistrict 1 Commander Paula JansenDistrict 1 President Rachel Luke
The mental health push is enormous for National, and they are encouraging Departments, Districts and Posts to get involved with one of the most important challenges among our veterans - PTSD.National VFW "A Day to Change Direction" date was Sep. 15, however Posts may host an event associated with the National level effort at any time throughout the year and report the results to Lynn Rolf at Lrolf@vfw.org. Be sure to check the link above for a wealth of information, resources, and tools for you to use.
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