CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR NEW POST COMMANDER, DERRICK BEGGS
VFW Post 5290 Elections were completed on Thursday, April 11, 2021. Newly elected officers will be sworn in on May 13, 2021, and these officers will then assume their responsibilities on July 1, 2021. We are grateful to have such outstanding people coming into these offices to replace those outstanding people departing.
Lieutenant Colonel Robert Kirkland (U.S. Army, Retired), a life member of the VFW and a member of the American Legion, has announced a $1,000 scholarship created in the name of a U.S. Army Special Forces soldier, Capt James Ahn, who died in a tragic parachuting accident while with his unit in Washington State in 2015. LTC Kirkland was James’ Army ROTC Professor of Military Science when he was a cadet at the University of California Riverside. Qualified students should go to the following link for additional information: CPT James Ahn Memorial Scholarship.
On April 28-29 1975, the USS Midway aircraft carrier and other U.S. Navy ships took part in the largest helicopter evacuation in history, carrying U.S. personnel and South Vietnamese refugees to safety as North Vietnamese troops pushed into Saigon. A total of 1,373 Americans and over 5,600 South Vietnamese nationals were successfully airlifted during Operation Frequent Wind, with the Midway receiving 3,073 evacuees.
Gov. Kemp has lifted the mask mandate for Georgia. If you still feel comfortable wearing your mask, please do so.
Volunteers for the WW Jones Cookout this Saturday, May 22,2021, must be fully vaccinated and be able to provide proof or they will not be able to participate in the event. The Georgia War Veterans Home does not want to take a chance with any of the Veterans there getting sick.
As a reminder the following nominations are due to Department Headquarters by April 30th.
The FEMA Funeral Reimbursement Program will launch in a week or two. FEMA is reimbursing up to $7,000.00 for COVID-19 funerals to any family member who paid for a funeral. Please keep funeral documentation.
We want to celebrate them with the flight of their dreams.
This month is one where we all focus on love and commitment, and so we’re challenging our Posts to get our members to make a Lifetime commitment to the VFW by becoming Life Members!
State Commander Joel Willis has waived the requirement to purchase of Buddy Poppies this year due to the shortage at National.
At the VFW Complex/Fairgrounds - Carrollton, GA
The Council of Administration has voted to cancel the Mid-Winter meeting due to the rise of coronavirus cases in Georgia. Our VFW family has been hit hard in recent weeks in cases and deaths.
State Commander Joel L. Willis Jr. and the Department of Georgia
State Quartermaster Jeff Carroll and State Senior Vice Commander Kevin Hammond are inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Commander-in-Chief Hal Roesch has laid down a challenge to all VFW Posts for the month of January 2021!
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, VFW Posts have been severely impacted in their ability to cover operating expenses through conventional means such as canteen sales and fundraising events. To address the challenge, in August 2020 the VFW Foundation earmarked $680,000 for the VFW Foundation Post Pandemic Relief Grant (PPRG). Eligible Posts that own or lease their own Post Homes may apply for a grant of up to $2,500.
Public Safety Awards are due to the State Chairman, John Kepler, on January 1, 2021. You can email them to jkepler@alpharetta.ga.us If you have any questions, he can be reached at 678-634-0065.
Tell Congress to Stand Up for Vietnam Veterans
Medicare 101 Briefing with national sponsor Humana including a question and answer period.There are no products to be sold. Following the Medicare briefing there will be a short briefing on the mission of the VFW. Presentation open to the public. Topic: Medicare 101 Date: November 5, 2020 Time: 6 pm – 7:30 pm Eastern
Comrades and Auxiliary Members, With the General Election coming up in November, it is important to remind you of our National Bylaws Article VII Miscellaneous Provisions, Sec. 702 Politics listed below.
Comrade Commanders, I hope you are doing well and checking on your members as this Coronavirus continues to change our lifestyles. There are some items due to state headquarters and I want to be sure you have them on your radar.
Congratulations to the Departments of Maryland, Maine, Pacific Areas, Mississippi, Europe, Arizona, North Carolina, Delaware, Virginia, Georgia, and New Jersey for achieving 100 percent in membership! Let’s make a final push to 100 percent in membership and show that we “Dared to Care.” Contact the National Membership Department at 888.JOIN.VFW (888.564.6839) or email us at membership@vfw.org if there is anything we can do to assist you with achieving your goals.
There are Georgia VFW Posts that are in danger of losing their Post Home due to the cancelation of bingo by the GBI and the Governor's closure of canteens. In some cases these activities are the only revenue streams for these VFW Posts.
Comrade Commanders, As promised, attached are the additional guiltiness from Governor Kemp. Please note the following items that pertain to the VFW.
Keeping our Veterans informed about VA Services during COVID-19
To All Department of Georgia Posts
During the COA Conference call of Thursday, March 26, the subject of the proposed change to the manner in which the VOD Awards are presented was discussed.
Dear Georgia VFW Comrades, Family and Friends,
By order of State Commander Joel Willis
