Department Communication #10 February 2018

Department of Massachusetts

Communications #10 February 2018

Patriot's Pen State Winner

Victoria M. Perry

District 6 Sponsored by Post 7239 Acushnet:

Voice of Democracy State Winner

Katrina L. Shell District 15 Sponsored by Post 8164 Tewksbury: Lexington Christian Academy

State Top 5 Winners

Patriot's Pen

1st Place District 6 Sponsored by Post 7239 Acushnet: Victoria M. Perry

2nd Place District 5 Sponsored by Post 1526 Medway: Kevin Gu

3rd Place District 18 Sponsored by Post 2394 Melrose: Rudy C. Robicheau

4th Place District 10 Sponsored by Post 1093 Ipswich: Theodore C. Gray

5th Place District 8 Sponsored by Post 1544 Milford: Maren Halpin

Voice of Democracy

1st Place: Katrina L. Shell District 15 Sponsored by Post 8164 Tewksbury, Lexington Christian Academy

2nd Place Matthew W. Lussier- District 7 Sponsored by Post 3236 Ludlow, Ludlow High School

3rd Place : Laura E. Pfeiffer District 9 Taconic High School Sponsored by Post 448 Pittsfield

4th Place Jarod W. Orlacchio- District 6 Sponsored by Post 9059 Dartmouth: Dartmouth H.S.

5th Place Christopher C. Bossi District 18 Sponsored by Post 2394 Melrose

Teachers Awardees

State Winners:

Grade K-5 Jane Milanes of Thomas Dotson Elementary School

Sponsored by Post 7239: Acushnet

100 % Posts as of 1-31-2018

VA RESUMES ONLINE APPLICATION FOR NEW ID CARDS

The purpose of the identification cards is to help veterans prove their military history without having to carry around their DD-214 certificates, which contain sensitive information. The new IDs do not replace VA medical cards or defense retiree cards, nor do they qualify as official government-issued identification

Veterans can apply at the Vets.gov website and will be asked to create an online account.

Veterans who have applied will start receiving their cards in early March, Cashour said. In the meantime, approved veterans can download an image of their IDs and print them or download them to their mobile phones.

State Service Officers and Staff

State Service Officer

Delray Dorsey

JFK Federal Building Suite 1500c

Office phone 617-303-5690

Cell phone 781-812-8125

Fax 617-227-2024

Email delray.dorsey@va.gov

Hours

Tuesdays 7am-5pm

Thursdays 7am-5pm

Fridays 7am-5pm

Saturdays Worcester

70 James Street

830am-4pm

Please call for dates

Claims Consultant

Leah Lapointe

JFK Federal Building Suite 1500c

Office phone 617-303-5689

Fax 617-227-2024

Email leah.lapointe@va.gov

Hours

Monday thru Friday

8am-4pm

Office Assistant

Dennis Gosby

JFK Federal Building Suite 1500c

Office phone 617-303-5688

Fax 617-227-2024

Email dennis.gosby@va.gov

Hours

Monday thru Thursday

8am-2pm

Assistant State Service Officer (South)

Chad Clubine

Phone 617-515-6134

Email cdesousa.vfw@gmail.com

Locations

Brockton VAMC Building 7 Room 104

940 Belmont Street ,Brockton

Tuesdays 9am-3pm

Wednesdays 9am-3pm

Jamaica Plain VAMC Main hospital c-wing 3 ^rd floor rm 32

Thurdays 9am-3pm

Assistant State Service Officer (North)

Dominic Dimambro

Phone 978-808-6558

Email domdimambro895@yahoo.com

Locations

Bedford VAMC Building 9 Room 136)

200 Spring Road Bedford

Mondays 9am-3pm

Fridays 9am-3pm

Billerica post 8819

12 Phiney Street North Billerica

Wednesdays 9am-3pm

Assistant State Service Officer (West)

Nicole Phillips

Phone 413-347-2307

Email nphillipsvfw@gmail.com

Locations

North Hampton-Leeds VAMC Building 1 Room 1062

Mondays 10am-3pm

Springfield City Hall Room 101

Tuesdays 10am-4pm

Pittsfield City Hall Room 204

Wednesdays 10am-4pm

Holyoke Soldiers Home

Thursdays 9am-3pm

Please check in at main desk

Action Corps:

DOD-VA Release Discharge Upgrade Tool: On Thursday, the Departments of Defense (DOD) and Veterans Affairs (VA) announced the launch of a web-based tool to assist veterans looking to upgrade or change their military discharge. This tool is the latest in a series of steps taken by DOD to improve the discharge review process. Previous steps have included such measures as the 2011 issuance of guidance related to individuals discharged under the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy, a 2016 internal review of policies and procedures, and the August 2017 guidance clarifying consideration of cases involving mental health conditions, such as PTSD and those associated with TBI, sexual assault and sexual harassment. The new tool will provide customized guidance to veterans who believe their discharge was unjust, erroneous, or warrants an upgrade and wish to seek a review. After answering a few questions, veterans will be provided specific information on which board to apply to, which forms to complete, where to send the application, guidance helpful to their case and tips for appealing their discharge . click here for more info

For full Weekly Corp Action Corp Website (click here)

VFW to Storm the Hill March 4-7, 2018

Since 1949, VFW's annual Legislative Conference has provided an opportunity for VFW leaders from each state to personally lobby their respective lawmakers and watch as VFW's current Commander-in-Chief testifies on Capitol Hill before the House and Senate Veterans' Affairs Committees on behalf of veterans.

Guest speakers are invited to address conference delegates, and since 1964 the VFW's Congressional Award has been presented annually to one sitting member of the House or Senate for their significant legislative contributions on behalf of those who have worn the uniform. Also at the event, the winners of the Voice of Democracy and Patriot's Pen scholarship contests are announced. Each national winner reads their winning essay before conference delegates and are presented with their winnings.

Look for #VFWDC2018 on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram .

Legislative Agenda

POST MEMBERSHIP STANDING (MEMSTATS) as of 1-31-2018

General Order # 8 February 2018

State Membership Program (click here)

District Meeting Schedules-Updated (click here)

Community Service Reports (click here)

State Calendar (click here)

Up Coming Events

VFW National Commander-in-Chief Keith Harman will make his visit to the Commonwealth on March 8-11th 2018. During his time in Massachusetts, Chief Harman will visit with members, make post visitations, and meet with our military service members. A Banquet will be held in his honor on Saturday, March 10th, 2018 at the Joseph L. Mottolo VFW Post 4524, located at their new post address 61 Lucia Avenue Revere, MA commencing at 11:30AM.

Tickets: $42.00 Per Person, Table of 10 $420.00. If you wish to seat together, please order tickets at the same time. Ticket Deadline: March 2 ^th 2018. order ONLINE at: www.vfwmaevent.eventbrite.com (credit card processing fee applies for all online orders) MAIL: DEPT OF MA VFW, 24 Beacon Street, Suite 546-1, Statehouse, Boston, MA 01233 MEMOLINE: Chief's Banquet.

COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF BANQUET

Online Ticket Purchases (click here)

98 ^TH VFW STATE CONVENTION: Join us in Leominster this year for the 98th Massachusetts VFW State Convention. Post Delegates will elect new State Officers and pass or reject Resolutions, By-Law Changes, Amendments and other such business as necessary as well as receive updates on all VFW Programs from State Level Committee Chairman. Attendees will have opportunity to visit with vendors and view Buddy Poppy Displays and discuss matters of interest to all Massachusetts Veterans. Convention opening is on Friday, June 8 ^th , 2018 at 1:00PM. The Joint Opening session and Memorial Service is schedule for June 9 ^th , 2018 at 8:30AM. The State Awards Banquet IS on Saturday June 9 ^th , 2018 starting at 5:30PM. The Banquet will recognize All-State Honors for Districts and Posts, Commanders & Quartermasters as well as winners of State Level Awards. This is a great opportunity for camaraderie and networking with fellow VFW members from all over the Commonwealth