May 2023 Newsletter

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Hello Jim,

John Wiley Brock Post 6683 VFW sends newsletters, other emails, and social media posts to our members, families, volunteers, and interested citizens in and around the Enterprise and New Brockton Alabama communities. Every event we sponsor, host, or participate in directly supports our IRC 501(c)(19) nonprofit organization. Our fraternal, patriotic, historical, charitable, and educational organization helps Veterans and supports the greater Wiregrass community.

Note from the Commander

Greetings Comrades,

For those of you that have been to the Post over the past 12 months, you are aware of the improvements we have made to our Post Home and Grounds. It is exciting when members who have not been to the post in a while come to an event or meeting, and you hear their comments and facial expressions. Thanks to the Post Board of Management Team for all their hard work. The next phase of renovations at our Post Home will be building a Pavilion on the hill near the fire pit and bar b que pit and enclosing the existing pavilion to accommodate more members, especially those with disabilities. As our membership continues to grow and with the anticipation of attendance from State VA Home residents this is a must needed project. If you would like to be part of this project which will kick off in September, please don't hesitate to get in touch with the Post Board Team.

We will have our next Post Grounds Maintenance Day this Saturday, 20 June, at 7:00 am. As always, we would really appreciate any help with this monthly task. We will have beverages and a lunch meal for those that participate. Then on Saturday at 6:00 PM, we will have a Fellowship bonfire and flag retirement ceremony. This event is “bring your beverages” and is always a great time for all attendees.

On 26 May, at 9:00 am, we will celebrate Memorial Day with a quick proclamation and wreath laying at Johnny Henderson Park, followed by flag placement on the gravesites of 1500 plus deceased Veterans gravesites in Meadow Lawn Cemetery in Enterprise. More information can be found on both of these events on our post-Facebook page and website, and we hope to see you all there.

I will be representing our Post as I attend the State Convention and election of State Officers in June, the District Meeting in mid-July, and the National Convention in late July. I will pass on the information and knowledge I gain at these events over the next two meetings and newsletters.

As always, remember that this is your Post. The elected leaders are your representatives. Please make sure you come to support your Post, express your ideas, participate in our community, and enjoy the comradery of your fellow members. Our Post is only as good as we make it together, and we can always get better.

Post Commander

Robert Schmidbauer

robert.schmidbauer@yahoo.com

518-423-3390

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Note from the Junior Vice Commander

It turns out, I was wrong about April being my last meeting as YOUR Jr. Vice Commander. It was brought to my attention that my term of office ends when the new leadership at National & State takes over. Sorry about the confusion. Likewise, I lied when I stated in March that “that” would be my last Newsletter. However, THIS will be my last Newsletter as YOUR Junior Vice Commander.

As usual, it was great seeing the turnout for our May meeting. The lasagna (both red and white) was amazing. Also, I think that was Commander Schmidbauer’s quickest meeting yet. A few of us stayed after and ended up staying longer than we wanted because of the torrential downpour that lasted well after our meeting. Poor Ken Donahue even got his brand-new Dude shoes wet.

I requested to be excused from our June meeting because I will be in Arizona training. So officially, May was my last meeting as YOUR Junior Vice Commander. As stated previously, it has been an incredible year as our post has progressed and become even more relevant in our community. It was my honor to serve, and I look forward to serving again. I leave you in the competent hands of Will Clark as YOUR next Junior Vice Commander. I encourage all of you to get to know him better. He brings a fresh set of eyes and ideas that we need to continue to move our organization into the future. I would appreciate it if you could support and assist him as you did me in my year.

Although I will be in North Dakota for most of the year serving as The ND American Legion Commander, rest assured that Enterprise remains my permanent home, and I will still pop in now and then at dinners and meetings when I’m home. Continue to love each other and do the work that our Nation needs and our Veterans deserve.

As always, I remain grateful for the leadership and especially the John Wiley Brock Post 6683 volunteers. THANK YOU for who you are and what you do! Your service matters! I will greatly miss being your Junior Vice Commander. Thank You for a great year!

At Your Service,

Clarence L Carroll III

Read More about Veterans Programs

From the Post Service Officer

Happy May, Comrades. In the past couple of months, I have had the honor to assist two Veteran Spouses in submitting their claims for benefits upon their Veteran’s passing. These events have both been eye-opening to me for several reasons.

First, it has made me conclude that MY VA Benefits are not the same as MY Spouse’s and that I have been remiss in ensuring MY Spouse understands those differences. I would wager that many of you are in the same boat.

Second, I have realized that while my Spouse may have heard the terms and understands there are documents, she does NOT know where to find them. And again, I’d bet your Spouse does not know where your documents are, either. Or even where to begin; neither did the Spouse I assisted in their most dire time of need.

Lastly, correcting the mistakes of my previous revelations has become a priority within my household and sphere of influence. The Veteran’s Spouses I spoke of earlier also want to assist in ‘educating’ our Veteran and Spousal communities on the importance of not only knowing where the ‘all powerful’ DD214 is but where all of the other important documents (wills, insurance(s), POAs) are and what they need to do with them.

The number one most important document that your Spouse or Family Members need to be aware of and where to find the document is your DD214. We all know that. I'd like for you to make sure they do, as well. If you don't have a physical one, either hard copy or digital, you'll need to request one from the VA as soon as you can. None of your Spouse’s benefits can be started without this form. You can request your DD214 from the VA through the website at www.va.gov/records/get-military-service-records/. Some of you may have also filed your DD214 with the courthouse when you received it.

Access to this document can make a tremendously emotional time easier for your Spouse and Family. If you need assistance making sure that you and your Spouse/Family have everything they need to take care of your personal affairs and make the necessary claims for their benefits, please let any of the Post Officers know, and we’ll gladly assist.

Mike Sutterfield

Post Service Officer

Our next meeting is June 13, 2023, at 1800 hours.

Community Calendar

Memorial Day Events - May 26, 2023

The City of Enterprise, in coordination with the Chamber of Commerce, the Veterans Service Organizations, and Community Service Organizations, will commemorate Memorial Day with a Proclamation and wreath-laying ceremony at the Wall of Freedom at Johnny Henderson Park. The mayor will read the Memorial Day Proclamation. Guest speaker Josh Carnley, Alabama State Senate District 31 representative, will make remarks. The ceremony will conclude with the Veterans Service Organizations placing wreaths at the Wall of Freedom.

Immediately after the ceremony, at approximately 10:00 am, the Veterans Service Organizations invite you to join them in placing 1500 plus flags at the gravesites of deceased Veterans at the Meadow Lawn Cemetary at 6121 Highway 27, Enterprise.

May 20 - Post Maintenance and Campfire

Come one, Come All! Join the hard-working crew at 0800 for Post Maintenance - Bring whatever equipment you can! We will need AS MUCH HELP AS WE CAN GET!

The at 1700 - Relax with the Campfire, BYOB, and a Chair! Shareables always welcome!

Flag Retirement Ceremony too!

Community Fellowship Meal!

The Enterprise Community is invited to join the VFW on Wednesday, 7 June 2023, at the Post for the monthly Community Fellowship Dinner anytime between 5:30 pm and 7:30 pm - Dine-in or Take Out.

BBQ Chicken cooked low and slow (on-site), sides, and drink for just a $10 donation.

We will take a break in July, and in August, the Meals will move to the First Thursday of the Month!