Dunedin-Palm Harbor Post 2550-Newsletter

110th NATIONAL CONVENTION PHOENIX, ARIZONA     AUGUST 15 – 20, 2009

Category 1 – Public Promotion of Poppy Campaign

 First Place – Earl W. Homer Memorial Post & Ladies Auxiliary No. 7678 Cottage Hills, Illinois

Second Place – Robert H. Scholer Post & Ladies Auxiliary No. 2111 Chula Vista, California

Third Place – Okolona Post & Ladies Auxiliary No. 8639, Okolona, Kentucky Honorable Mention – Thaddeus H. Caraway Post & Ladies Auxiliary No. 2278 Hot Springs, Arkansas

Directors Award – Ladies Auxiliary to the Coquille Post No. 965 Coquille, Oregon

Category 2 – Memorial or Inspirational Displays

 First Place – Pewaukee Memorial Post & Ladies Auxiliary No. 9537 Pewaukee, Wisconsin

Second Place – Franklin Wilkins Post No. 1294, Lexington, Tennessee

Third Place – Tracy P. Mac Pherson Post No. 12043, Maricopa, Arizona

Honorable Mention – Ladies Auxiliary to the Ft. Mitchell Post No. 5180 Ft. Mitchell, Alabama

Directors Award – Herbert H. Norman Post & Ladies Auxiliary No. 4830 Moultrie, Georgia

Category 3 – Artistic or Decorative Use of Poppies

 First Place – Airport Cities Post & Ladies Auxiliary No. 10454 Grapevine, Texas

Second Place – Robert H. Scholer Post & Ladies Auxiliary No. 2111 Chula Vista, California

Third Place – Hugo Matejcek Post & Ladies Auxiliary No. 3723 Owatonna, Minnesota

Honorable Mention – General Lewis B. “Chesty” Puller Post No. 1503 Dale City, Virginia

Directors Award – Hugo Matejcek Post & Ladies Auxiliary No. 3723 Owatonna, Minnesota

Category 4 – Memorial or Inspirational Displays (Jr. Girls Units/Sons of the VFW)

First Place – Jr. Girls Unit Ladies Auxiliary to the VFW Twin Cities Post No. 3085 Hartshorne, Oklahoma

Second Place – Jr. Girls Unit Ladies Auxiliary to the Chicago Bridgeport Post No. 5079 Chicago, Illinois

Third Place – Jr. Girls Unit Ladies Auxiliary to the General Hill Post No. 3601 Paris, Illinois

Honorable Mention – Jr. Girls Unit Ladies Auxiliary to the Golden Post No. 4171 Golden, Colorado

Directors Award – Jr. Girls Unit Ladies Auxiliary to the VFW Olan Forest Smith Unit 8577 Copperas Cove, Texas

The VA has notified and is providing free medical screenings to thousands of veterans across the South who had colonoscopies and other procedures with equipment that was not properly sterilized. The precaution applies to:

6,400 veterans who received colonoscopies at the Alvin C. York Campus in Murfreesboro, TN, between April 23, 2003, and Dec. 1, 2008. These veterans should call 1-877-345-8555. More information is available at: http://www.tennesseevalley.va.gov/news/endoscopyquestions.asp.

3,260 veterans who had colonoscopies at the Miami VA Healthcare System Special Care Clinic between May 2004 and March 12, 2009. These veterans should call 1-877-575-7256. A press release is at: http://www.miami.va.gov/pressreleases/MVAHSSCCUpdate001.asp.

And to 1,800 veterans who had Ear, Nose & Throat Clinic procedures at the Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center in Augusta, GA, from January through November 2008. These veterans should call 1-888-483-9674. A press release is at: http://www1.va.gov/augustaga/page.cfm?pg=16.

Phoenix, AZ

August 20, 2009

By Way Paver

Department of Florida LAVFW Senior vice President Nancy Trivett called a special gathering of the Florida Delegation to honor our new LAVFW Department President Sheila Crane.  Our “Fancy Nancy” gave her a love gift and we all pledged our support for her, because this is a rough time in her and husband John’s life.   

John, even though ill, made the trip out with her.  John is no quitter and neither is she.  They have done a lot for us and now it time to give back.

Wayne and Susan Carrignan were gracious enough to open up there suite (the suite is another story) for the gathering.

Phoenix, AZ

 August 19, 2009

By Way Paver

Mercury Astronaut Scott Carpenter was at the VFW National Convention to accept a VFW Aeronautics and Space Metal.  I got to speak with him in the lobby of the Hyatt.  I took him away from reading his Scientific American.

I knew he was the third Mercury Astronaut to orbit, but I did not know that he was part of the Sea Lab crew.  It was off the coast of La Jolla, California.  My shipmate Ray Bolger and I used to surf there, when in port and check out the girls.  We were always listening to Jacques Cousteau talk like Donald Duck on the radio interviews, because they were breathing helium and oxygen.  The information they gathered during the experiment was used in development of the Lunar Vehicle. 

When I later was stationed at USNOMTF at White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico, I was telling him how I used to go out to see them test fire the Apollo Capsule rocket engine. (The engineers finally got it to shut down and restart) He was at the Apollo Site many times, and was surprised that I knew it was in the Jornado Del Muerte, just west of the Organ Mountains.  He wanted to know what I did there and I told him I worked on missile targets.  I also told him how disappointed I was that we have not gone back to the moon.

Mr. Carpenter said his heroes were Robert Goddard, Jacques Cousteau, and Werner von Braun, because without them we would have never got to the moon.  He also said that we must help the other countries with their space missions.  It’s not too often you get to meet a real American Icon.

August 18, 2009

Phoenix, Arizona

By Way Paver

Helen Kogel Denton, a member of Post #3650 in Riverdale, Georgia was awarded the VFW Gold Medal of Merit for her lifetime of service and volunteer work, specifically with the American Red Cross and the United Way.

A member of the Woman’s Army Corps, she served in the European Theater of Operations as a secretary to General Dwight D. Eisenhower.  She typed up the plans for the D-Day Invasion of France in June of 1944.

Ms. Denton really enjoyed herself and graciously accepted her award.  She especially enjoyed being escorted by two Georgia State Troopers and chauffeured about in a Georgia State Patrol Car.

Phoenix, Arizona

August 19, 2009

by Way Paver

The Department of Florida scored high marks by serving up deep fried Gator Tail at the All Conference Reception during the VFW National Convention held in Phoenix, Arizona. The Southern Conference Tent was by far the most popular of the four set up in the parking lot of Casino Arizona. People raved about how good the Gator tasted, and returned for seconds and thirds, which were graciously served up by Department Chief of Staff John Mingo, Judy Surface and “Fancy Nancy” Trivett. Department Commander Steve Surface, Dan Duffy, and Wayne Carningan helped Wild Game Chef and outdoor expert Gino Carroll with the cooking.  Georgia served up their famous “White Lightning Peach Margaritas”, which were in this reporter’s opinion, mighty, mighty pleasing. They had both “high test” and “unleaded” available. Folks got into a cycle, and bounced back and forth between the Florida and Georgia booths.  Arkansas had “Razorback Punch” at their booth.  I don’t know what was in it,  but one glass was supposed to make you root and snort.  There was plenty of that going on.

The Casino Arizona Staff were very gracious and provided each person with a commemorative pit pass which allowed you to enter the casino and go back to the reception grounds at will.

People asked how we caught the gator, and the real story is we didn’t.  John Mingo killed it with an errant drive on the golf course.  He dragged it back to the house with his golf cart where his wife Jolene dressed it out. (Now you know where she got those new alligator shoes and that handbag.) The head is for sale in one of the shops at John’s Pass.

August 17, 2009

Phoenix, Arizona

By Way Paver

LAVFW Department President Kathy Roman was awarded a gold medal at the VFW National Convention, held this year in Phoenix Arizona, for being the best Department President in the whole United States.

Kathy graciously gave credit to the 2008 -2009 team of officers, and all the Ladies in the Department of Florida LAVFW for their backing.  She also thanked her husband Alan for his support and understanding during this eventful year.

We of Post #2550 are very proud of our Kathy and the honor she brings to us and the Department of Florida VFW.

John’s Pass

August 8, 2009

By Way Paver

The Celebration of Unity kicked off with a scavenger hunt and poker run organized by Dee Hawkins and a gaggle of District 9 LAVFW Ladies.  A bus driven by Allen “I need the Bidness” Smart was loaded up with Scavengers at the Sheraton Sand Key, and driven down to the beach community of John’s Pass for an excellent breakfast was sponsored by Holiday Isles Post # 4256 and hosted by Commander Charlie Scott and District 9 Junior vice Commander Ed “The Cross Dresser” Holderness.  With appetites slaked, the scavengers went down through a bunch of gift shops and a dollar store searching for items and ending up on the boardwalk, looking at the pelicans, laughing gulls and Pirate Ships on the water.

Dee had the poker run card pickups conveniently located at bars and local watering holes, so no one suffered from thirst or withdrawal.  The District 9 Ladies must have done their scavenging the day before, because they spend most of the time on the patio of the Bamboo Bar and Grill.  Dee and Jolene Mingo did get very friendly with “Pirate Pete” and it may have had something to do with that pistol he had in his lap. 

The winners were announced at the Celebration of Unity Dinner.  The poker run winner must have paid off the bartenders, because he had “4 Kings”, or maybe he just kept going back to the bar until he got the card he wanted. So many people completed the scavenger list that Dee gave out tickets and had a drawing for the many prizes.

It was great way to spend the day.  Everyone made new friends, had fun and got to spend time in a unique and historic part of Florida.

August 2, 2009

Chiefland, Florida

By Way Paver

Those who didn’t participate in the Billy Moore golf tournament really missed out on a good time.  Wayne and Susan Carrignan went out of their way to make sure everything went well.  Donuts and coffee were there at the start. It was very well organized and had plenty of food and refreshments.  The Chiefland Country Club and Golf Course is a beautiful place and the staff polite and helpful.  

The Chiefland Post opened their doors and made everyone welcome at the awards dinner.  Sue even made the desserts. I didn’t see anyone who didn’t enjoy themselves.  This is what the VFW is all about.  Veterans getting together and having a good time for a good cause.

Mildred Wilson, an 89 year old retired teacher and Life Member of the Ladies Auxiliary of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Dunedin-Palm Harbor Post 2550 received the Outstanding Military Spouse Award, during a special ceremony held at Church on the Bayou Presbyterian Church of Tarpon Springs, Florida.

Her husband, the late Staff Sergeant Elmer H. Wilson, served as a member of the 99^th Fighter Squadron, of 332^nd Fighter Group. They were married for 6 months when he was drafted into the US Army Air Force 1942. He was sent to Tuskegee Army Air Field in Alabama, where he became an armament and gun camera technician.  He was awarded 2 Bronze Stars and a Good Conduct Medal for his service in the European Theater.

“Pop” and Mildred retired to Tarpon Springs in 1988.  Sergeant Wilson died seven years later and like most WWII veterans he had never talked about his service.  After his death, Mrs. Wilson started telling the stories that her husband didn’t.  “I don’t refer to him as a Tuskegee Airman, because it was an association started after the war.  They wanted to keep the history alive.  On his tomb it says 99^th Fighter Squadron.  The minute I say Tuskegee Airman they automatically think of pilots.  The pilots and the enlisted men had to work as a team.  Without the enlisted men the pilots couldn’t fly.”

She was a guest speaker at the Pasco County Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. birthday celebration where she spoke of her husband’s military service.  After the January speech, she was contacted by some who had read about it in the newspaper, who said her husband was eligible for the Tuskegee Airman Congressional Gold Medal.  This is the same medal that President George W. Bush presented to 300 Tuskegee Airman in the US Capitol rotunda in 2007.

US Representative Gus Bilirakis presented her with her award and Pop’s Medal.

“The perseverance and courage exhibited by Staff Sergeant Wilson played an important role in the liberation of millions of people. I am honored to have the opportunity to help recognize his intrepid service as well as the support and resolve of his wife, Mildred, who served as a pillar of strength back home.” , said Bilirakis during the presentation.