Dunedin-Palm Harbor Post 2550-Newsletter

SEPTEMBER NEWS LETTER

vfw2550 — Sat, 04 Sep 2010 15:31:37 +0000

Well summer has come to a close and now we look forward to the fall with cooler weather and the return of our feathered friends the “Snow Birds.” Some happenings this summer, in June at state convention our own Nancy Trivett was elected Department President of the Ladies Auxiliary to the VFW. We had a 4th of July cook out with fireworks provided by the city of Dunedin at the Blue Jays stadium in spite of the rain.

Our new rest rooms are still under construction but a little behind schedule and should be finished by the 18th of September. We hope to restart bingo by Friday the 24th. We are also redoing the the front lobby, new paint, lights and fans.

There will be a POW/MIA remembrance service Saturday the 18th of September at 5 PM. This is a very sloemn service remembering those who are still unaccounted for in wars past and present. There will be light snack to follow.

Something new we are starting is what we will call “FIRST SATURDAY.” This means that the first saturday of each month the canteen will be open for VFW members and Auxiliaries only from 6PM till closing. This will be a good time for us to meet and greet our new members and to show off our post and family.

September 25th Safety Harbor will be hosting the department golf tournament. Friday night the 24th we will be hosting the golfers at our post. This is a good opportunity for us to show off our hospitality.

We will also start our Friday nite fish frys this night (24th) That’s right we are starting Friday night fish frys every Friday night. On the 24th music will be provided by “Claude” Hope to see you all there.

Dutch Grubbs

Post Commander

TRICARE Provides Free Vaccinations

vfw2550 — Sat, 04 Sep 2010 00:16:52 +0000

TRICARE covers the seasonal and H1N1 flu and age-appropriate doses of vaccines recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Beneficiaries can visit participating TRICARE retail network pharmacies to receive seasonal flu, H1N1 flu and pneumonia vaccines at no cost. This expanded coverage is available to all TRICARE beneficiaries eligible to use the TRICARE retail pharmacy benefit. To find a participating pharmacy, visit TRICARE’s Express Scripts webpage or call Express Scripts at 1-877-363-1303. TRICARE regularly adds coverage for new vaccinations based on CDC recommendations on the CDC website. For more information on immunizations, visit the Military Health System Immunization Awareness page.

See your Post Service Officer for any Assistance.

AF Warnings on E-Cigs

vfw2550 — Sat, 04 Sep 2010 00:12:41 +0000

The Air Force surgeon general has issued a memo alerting all Airmen about safety concerns regarding electronic cigarettes, a new type of nicotine product. The e-cig contains a cartridge filled with nicotine, which is delivered to the user as a vapor and mimics the appearance of smoke. One sample of an e-cig tested by the Food and Drug Administration contained diethylene glycol, a toxic chemical used in antifreeze. E-cigs are considered to be in the same category as tobacco products, the use of which is governed by Air Force Instruction 40-102, Tobacco Use in the Air Force. This new product will be included in the upcoming revision of AFI 40-102 due out this fall.

Indianapolis Patriotic Rally

vfw2550 — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 03:59:57 +0000

Indianapolis, Indiana

August 23, 2010

by Gold Legacy

The Patriotic Rally was held in downtown Indianapolis at beautiful Victory Ballpark, home of the Indianapolis Indians, the triple A affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates. All of the delegations gathered behind the ballpark to line up for the parade of states. A special guest was Punxsutawney Phil who was down to assess the Indians chance of winning the league championship. He oversaw the parade preparations.

After awards were given out to the winning drill teams a special event was held, 120 new recruits were sworn in to the US Army, and then the entertainment started.

The first performance was given by the VFW National Home for Children Chorus. They sang some ‘50s and ‘60s songs for us and people out of the stands to dance with.

Then came Ricky Lee, that talented fellow from the hot-bed of country music Altoona, Pennsylvania put on a great show. Ricky Lee spends his time performing at VA Hospitals, military bases, and on USO tours. He was there to release his new CD, “Freedom” at our 111^th National Convention. He sang “Freedom”, “100% American” and “American Hero” from the CD.

He came up in the stands to mingle with fans, during his memorable performance, which ended with a huge fireworks display.

Go to the Photos Section to see pictures.

Buddy Poppy Girl Hit with Florida Delegates

vfw2550 — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 22:21:44 +0000

Indianapolis, Indiana

August 24, 2010

by Gold Legacy

This year VFW Buddy Poppy Girl made quite a hit with the Florida Delegation at the 111^th Veterans of Foreign Wars Convention held in Indianapolis, Indiana.

She was escorted around the convention hall floor by the Captain of the Guard and introduced to each delegation.

Senior–vice Commander Dan Duffy gave her a donation and pinned a Florida State Commanders pin on the front of her vest. She then got donation from the everyone else.

Go to Photos Section to see pictures.

Changes to the VFW National By-Laws

vfw2550 — Sun, 29 Aug 2010 03:03:48 +0000

Indianapolis, Indiana

August 23, 2010

By Gold Legacy

The following proposed changes to the VFW National By-Laws and Manual of Procedure.

The complete list is of proposed changes is located on the e-membership page. The link for the page is: http://emem.vfw.org/

The following proposed By-Laws were approved: B-1, B-4, B-5, B-6, B-7, B-9, B-10, B-12 and B-13.

The following proposed changes to the Manual of Procedure were approved: M-2, M-4, M-5,

M-6 and M-10.

Chet Tokarz Honors Veterans

vfw2550 — Sun, 15 Aug 2010 03:21:13 +0000

by Gold Legacy

When Comrade Chester Tokarz and his wife moved to Dunedin twenty-five years ago he was not happy with the plain traffic islands on his street, Palm Boulevard, the entry road to Dunedin Golf Course.

Due to his work and civic pride, Palm Boulevard has been transformed into a monument to Veterans of all services. This has been a continuing labor of love for Chet, who spends two hours each week keeping the monument clean and presentable. Like all Veterans of Foreign Wars, even though discharged, continues to serve his country and community and remember those who sacrificed for their country.

Go to Photos Section to see pictures.

V-J Day

vfw2550 — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 05:46:30 +0000

by Gold Legacy

While the celebrations on V-E Day were spontaneous and joyful, the victory over Hitler in Europe gave the world only partial peace, the war in the Pacific still raged on.

The Potsdam Declaration, issued by Allied leaders on July 26, 1945, called on Japan to surrender. The embattled Japanese government promptly refused. In response, the U.S. dropped an atomic bomb on the city of Hiroshima on August 6 and three days later another was dropped on Nagasaki.

In a radio address, Emperor Hirohito urged his people to accept the surrender. “Should we continue to fight, it would not only result in the ultimate collapse and obliteration of the Japanese nation but would also lead to the total extinction of human civilization.”

In Washington, on August 14, President Harry S. Truman announced news of Japan’s surrender, “This is the day we have been waiting for since Pearl Harbor. This is the day when Fascism finally dies, as we always knew it would.” Jubilant Americans declared August 14 ”Victory in Japan Day” or “V-J Day.”

TRICARE for “Gray Area” Retirees

vfw2550 — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 12:38:50 +0000

by Gold Legacy

TRICARE Retired Reserve, a new program being launched in the Fall, will allow certain “gray area” retired National Guard and Reserve personnel, who are not yet age 60, the opportunity to purchase TRICARE health coverage. Under TRICARE Retired Reserve, TRICARE Standard and Extra coverage will be available for purchase to “gray area” retirees. Other details involving specific eligibility rules, coverage and costs are still being coordinated and finalized. Potential beneficiaries who would like to be among the first to know about final details for TRICARE Retired Reserve are encouraged to sign up for e-mail updates from TRICARE by visiting the TRICARE website — sign up for “Benefit Changes” for “Retired National Guard and Reserve Member.”

Remembrance of Valor in the Pacific

vfw2550 — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 01:43:06 +0000

by Gold Legacy

The USS Arizona Memorial is built over the remains of the sunken battleship USS Arizona, the final resting place for many of the 1,177 crewmen killed on Dec. 7, 1941, when their ship was bombed by Japanese naval forces. This loss of life represents more than half of the Americans killed during the worst naval disaster in American history.The USS Arizona Memorial (as well as the USS Oklahoma Memorial and USS Utah Memorial) is part of the

World War II Valor in the Pacific National Monument, one of four national parks that make up the Pacific Historic Parks (formerly the Arizona Memorial Museum Association). Since 1979, the association, which also includes the Kalaupapa National Historic Park on the island of Molokai, the American Memorial Park in Saipan, and the War in the Pacific National Historical Park in Guam, has partnered with the National Park Service to support educational programs, museum displays and exhibits, and interpretive programs. Honor the bravery and sacrifices of all those who participated in the Pacific Theater.World War II Valor in the Pacific National Monument, one of four national parks that make up the Pacific Historic Parks (formerly the Arizona Memorial Museum Association). Since 1979, the association, which also includes the Kalaupapa National Historic Park on the island of Molokai, the American Memorial Park in Saipan, and the War in the Pacific National Historical Park in Guam, has partnered with the National Park Service to support educational programs, museum displays and exhibits, and interpretive programs. Honor the bravery and sacrifices of all those who participated in the Pacific Theater.