Department Communication #9 January 2018

Department of Massachusetts VFW Communications # 9 January

Congratulations to our District Voice of Democracy, Patriots Pen Winners and Teacher of the Year Awardees:

Patriots Pen

District 1 Sponsored by Post 12158 Northeastern: Luke Stanger

District 5 Sponsored by Post 1526 Medway: Kevin Gu

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

District 7 Sponsored by Post 801 Holyoke: Jadyn L. Neiford

District 8 Sponsored by Post 1544 Milford: Maren Halpin

District 9 Sponsored by Post 893 Lee: Carina T. Brown

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

District 11 Sponsored by Post 523 Clinton: Callie Elizabeth Pugh

District 12 Sponsored by Post 2188 Middleboro: Reese Regan Hitchcock

District 15 Sponsored by Post 6538 Townsend: Owen Grady

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

Voice of Democracy

District 1 Sponsored by Post 12158 Northeastern: Victoria Rego

District 5 Sponsored by Post 1526 Medway: Ryan J. Locke- Mills High School

District 6 Sponsored by Post 9059 Dartmouth: Jarod W. Orlacchio- Dartmouth High School

District 7 Sponsored by Post 3236 Ludlow: Matthew W. Lussier- Ludlow High School

District 8 Sponsored by Post 1544 Milford: Erin R. Wheeler- Milford High School

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

District 10 Sponsored by Post 2346 Saugus: Justin C. Wildman- North Reading High School

District 11 Sponsored by Post 1807 Leominster: Abigail R. Arena- Leominster High School

District 12 Sponsored by Post 2125 East Bridgewater: Olivia M. Parsons- East Bridgewater

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

District 17 Sponsored by Post 9261 Oak Bluffs: Kaylee D. Romilus-Dennis Yarmouth Reg. HS

District 18 Sponsored by Post 2394 Melrose: Christopher C. Bossi- Wakefield Memorail HS

Teachers Awardees

State Winners:

Grade K-5 Jane Milanes of Thomas Dotson Elementary School

Sponsored by Post 7239: Acushnet

State Voice of Democracy and Patriots Pen Banquet information is provided below.

DIGITAL MEMBERSHIP CARDS: Members now have the ability to download their digital version of their membership card. Depending on whether a member has an iPhone or Android, they will be able to download and access their digital membership card from the VFW app.

This will not replace the physical VFW membership card - we will still be sending out membership cards to all our annual and Life members. This is intended as another option for our members' convenience. When asked to show a VFW membership card, a member can either produce their physical card out of their wallet or display their digital card on their smart phone.

Legislative Actions:

VFW DELIVERS PETITION URGING CONGRESS TO EXPAND VA CAREGIVER PROGRAM : The VFW, Disabled American Veterans, The American Legion and Paralyzed Veterans of America joined forces in support of pre-9/11 caregivers who are unjustly denied access to the comprehensive caregiver services VA provides the caregivers of post-9/11 veterans. Together, they delivered a petition with more than 182,000 signatures calling on Congress to expand VA comprehensive caregiver assistance benefits to disabled veterans of all eras. They were joined by Senate and House members also calling on their colleagues to pass caregiver extension legislation. “Caregivers of military veterans, the overwhelming majority of whom are family members, put their lives and careers on hold, often accepting great emotional and financial burdens to ensure their veterans have a meaningful quality of life and stay in their homes instead of having to receive institutional nursing home care,” said Bob Wallace, VFW’s Assistant Adjutant General and Executive Director, Washington Office.

MILLIONS UNAWARE OF NEW TRICARE COSTS: The VFW released the results of a survey that confirmed that potentially millions of military TRICARE beneficiaries are still unaware that in one month their health care program costs are about to increase. The VFW survey was conducted between Oct. 26 and Nov. 8, with more than 11,800 responses tallied. Only 48 percent of respondents were aware of any TRICARE program changes, which take effect in the new year. Thirty percent of respondents identified themselves as TRICARE Prime users, but only 12 percent reported being aware that Prime co-payments for military retirees were increasing. TRICARE reports 4.6 million beneficiaries in its Prime category, and 1.94 million using either TRICARE Standard or Extra. The changes were mandated by the fiscal year 2017 National Defense Authorization Act. Also beginning Jan. 1, TRICARE Select replaces TRICARE Standard and Extra, and with it comes a new flat-rate co-payment and enrollment fee. VFW National Commander Keith Harman said “I can only hope DOD ups their game to fill in the notification gaps before the Jan. 1 implementation date.”

The Veterans of Foreign Wars, Department of Massachusetts, would like to welcome Tara Cheatum as our new Department Administrative Assistant. Tara graduated from Regis College in 2012 with a four-year bachelor degree focusing in Communication and Journalism. She then spent three years in South Korea teaching English. Tara is currently becoming a member of the VFW Auxiliary, under her grandfather’s eligibility when he served in South Korea . Please join us in wishing Tara great success in her new position.

POST MEMBERSHIP STANDING (MEMSTATS) as of 1-4-2018

General Order # 7 January 2018

State Membership Program (click here)

District Meeting Schedules-Updated (click here)

Community Service Reports (click here)

State Calendar (click here)

2017 Year in Review

Up Coming Events

Our VFW State Service Officer will be working out of the Project New Hope Inc. office located at 70 James Street in Worcester Street for three Saturdays every month from 8:30 am until 4:00 p.m. Dates as follows:

Jan 6, 2018

Jan 20, 2018

Jan 27, 2018

Feb 3, 2018

Feb 17, 2018

Feb 24, 2018

Veterans of Foreign Wars

Department of Massachusetts

Council of Administration Meeting

Saturday, January 13th, 2018

10:30 AM

Millbury VFW Post 3329

16 S. Main Street

Millbury, MA

DISTRICT COMMANDER, SENIOR VICE & JUNIOR VICE COMMANDERS ARE TO ATTEND THIS MEETING

COA IS OPEN TO ALL MEMBERS OF ANY POST IN GOOD STANDINGS

VOICE OF DEMOCRACY, PATRIOT’S PEN AND TEACHER OF THE YEAR AWARDS BANQUET: Department awards banquet will be held on Sunday, January 21, 2018 commencing at 12 noon. Your attendance at this banquet honors our youth who have achieved first place in their districts and shows the dedication of our VFW and Auxiliary members for this great program. In addition, we will be honoring our Teacher of the year recipients. Tickets: $32.00 Per Person, Table of 10 $320.00. If you wish to seat together, please order tickets at the same time. Ticket Deadline: Jan 11 ^th 2018. order ONLINE at: www.vfwmabanquet.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: VOD Banquet. Please note: The Parents or Guardians of the student winners will be Invited Guests of The Department. There Is No Need to Purchase Tickets for Them.

VOD/PP Banquet Flyer

Online Ticket Purchases (click here)

Printable Flyers (PDF)