VFW Core Values

Green Township Post 10380 Veterans of Foreign Wars

February 2019

To always put the interests of our members first Treat donors as partners in our cause Promote patriotism Honor military service Ensure the care of veterans and their families Serve our communities Promote a positive image of the VFW Respect the diversity of veteran opinions

VFW Mission

Welcome from Commander Mike Donnelly

To foster camaraderie among United States

veterans of overseas conflicts

To serve our veterans, the military, and our

communities

To advocate on behalf of all veterans

The Post meeting will be the Third Thursday each month

7:30 p.m.

Nathanael Greene Lodge, lower level 6394 Wesselman Road Cincinnati, Ohio 45247

513.598.3100 (Call Lodge for meeting cancellations)

Meeting Date Staff Meeting Date

The Staff meeting will be Wednesday, February 13, 2019

7:00 p.m.

Nathanael Greene Lodge, upper level 6394 Wesselman Road Cincinnati, Ohio 45247

513.598.3100 (Call Lodge for meeting cancellations)

I hope everyone is keeping warm and dry with this crazy weather. Mother Nature can’t seem

to decide if she wants it to be winter or spring and that’s creating lots of potholes in the roads,

so be careful!

With the coming of Spring, comes busy times for Post 10380. Dan Wilcox, Charlie Wilke and I

represented our Post in the President William Henry Harrison Birthday Tribute Ceremony on February 1st

in North Bend, Ohio. Our Post donated the new flag that will be flown at Harrison’s Memorial in the

coming year.

Please mark your calendars for our Upcoming Events on page 2.

Congratulations to the Post 10380 Patriot’s Pen winners: 1st Place-Teresa Longano, 2nd Place-Ellie

Nichols, 3rd Place-Samantha Hammann, 6th Grade at St. Aloysius Gonzaga, 4th Place Ava-Stratmann,

8th Grade at Our Lady of Visitation. Special congrats to Teresa Longano and Ava Stratmann whose essays

went onto the District level. We wish you the best!

If you remember when we were discharged, we were told to register our DD214 with our local county

Recorder’s Office. In case you didn’t do that, you still can. The following information from the Hamilton

County Recorder’s Office will help you do so.

Information on Military Discharges The Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, DD Form 214, is one of the most important

documents the Service will ever give you. It is your key to participation in all Department of Veterans

Affairs (VA) programs as well as several state and federal programs. Other programs that require

DD Form 214's include: - Disability Compensation and Pension - Vocational Services - Education and

Training - Insurance Services - Home Loans - Burial at VA Cemeteries - Loan Guaranty Services There is never a fee for recording a military discharge. In Ohio, the DD Form 214 can be registered

or recorded at your County Recorder's Office just like a deed or other significant document.

Immediately after you separate, register your DD Form 214 with your County Recorder. If you register

your documents, they can later be retrieved quickly and conveniently at this office at no fee to you. For

additional information, see page 10.

I know it’s late, but I hope everyone remembered your special someone on Valentine’s Day! Mike

Happy Valentine’s Day

Page 2 V OLU ME 31, ISS UE 2 F E BRU AR Y 20 19

Upcoming Attractions!

VFW Post 10380

Flag Retirement Ceremony

Saturday, March 23, 2019

10:00 a.m.

Veterans Park

Harrison Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45247

Public is Invited

Cruise-Ins

Christine’s Casual Dining

5770 Harrison Avenue Cincinnati, OH 45248

Second Thursday of Every Month

Beginning April 11, 2019

5:30 p.m. Rain or Shine

?? Call Jim Stanghetti 513.545.3798

Kite Fly

April 28, 2019

12:00—3:00

Veterans Park

6231 Harrison Avenue

What: Post 10380 Spring Dinner Dance

When: Saturday, April 6, 2019

Time: 6—10 p.m.

Where: Aston Oaks Golf Club

Cost: $25 per person

Reservations: Call Mike Donnelly

675-4249

Saturday

April 27, 2019

Diamond Oaks

Campus

Harrison Ave.

Congratulations

V OLU ME 31, ISS UE 2, FE BR UAR Y 20 19 Page 3

VFW 30-year pins were presented to comrades

Ed Murphy and John Montag

at the October 2018 meeting and to

Pete Rebold

at the December 2018 meeting

On December 15, 2018, Comrade Ed Burke was honored by the

Fratelli Uniti with the

Military Appreciation Award

The Fratelli Uniti which, in Italian means brothers united, is a group of local men

dedicated to honoring the Italian heritage and upholding the traditional values of

Congeniality, Brotherhood, and Love of God and Family. They gather every year to

keep the tradition going and to pass it on to future generations.

The Post 10380 Color Guard was honored

to participate in the opening ceremony.

“The Fratelli Uniti

Are Honored to Present

The Military Appreciation Award

to

Ed Burke

WW II 821st Tank Destroyer Battalion

********

With Deep Appreciation

For Service to His Country and Bravery

at the

Normandy Invasion—Battle of St. Lo—

Battle of the Bulge

********

“Truly a Great” of the Greatest Generation

December 15, 2018

Thank you to Ed Murphy for organizing this important day

and to our comrades for manning the entrances in the cold!

Mike Donnelly and Bob Abrams chatted with Susan Bolser

outside Dent Kroger on “Buddy” Poppy Day.

Susan’s father, Tom Bolser, was a member of Post 10380

Page 4 V OLU ME 31, ISS UE 2 F E BRU AR Y 20 19

A Look Back at Veterans Day 2018

Post 10380 were honored to conduct the

Missing Man Table Ceremony during the

Oak Hills HS Veterans Day Program

Oak Hills Graduate Alex Griffith and

Oak Hills Superintendent Jeff Brandt pose following the ceremony

Post 10380 Dress Blue Detail was

honored to participate in the

Veterans Day Program

at the

Cincinnati VA Medical Center

VFW Post 10380 was awarded “Best Military Unit”

in the annual Hamilton County Veterans Day Parade held

November 11, 2018 in Cheviot.

Many thanks to Comrade Bill Ostermeyer and Randy Knuckles for

building this phenomenal float designed by artist Bill Durkes.

This replica of the Korean monument is a beautiful tribute to all

Korean veterans.

Veterans Day Parade 2018

“Buddy” Poppy Day 2018

Lf: Korean Veterans

Roger Sand and Joe Zang

Rt: Post comrades and

friends gather before

parade

V OLU ME 31, ISS UE 2 F E BRU AR Y 20 19 Page 5

Post Veterans Day Parade 2018

Post 10380 members proudly participated in the

2018 Western Hills Veterans Day Parade in Cheviot.

The Parade concluded in a ceremony on the grounds of the

Cheviot Administration Building.

Chaplain Bob Abrams offered the invocation and the Post Color Guard

conducted a Rifle Volley.

George Thorton, Western Hills Veterans

Council Parade Chairman

Patriot’s Pen— “Why I Honor the American Flag”

V OLU ME 31, ISS UE 2 F E BRU AR Y 20 19 Page 6

“Why I Honor the American Flag” by Teresa Longano

I honor the American Flag because of what it symbolizes—history, unity, patriotism, freedom and sacrifice.

The American Flag is a symbol of our nation’s history. On June 14, 1777, the Continental Congress declared that

the American flag shall have thirteen stripes, alternating red and white, and thirteen stars in a field of blue. The white

signifies purity and innocence. The red stands for hardiness and valor. The blue signifies vigilance, perseverance, and

justice.

The American Flag is a symbol of unity which allows us to focus on what unites us—being American. We are all

Americans regardless of gender, race, religion or political viewpoints. We honor the fact that instead of ruling

monarchy, we have a president elected by the people.

The American Flag is a symbol of patriotism. Patriotism is the love and devotion to our country. We honor the

fact that Americans are guaranteed the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

The American Flag is a symbol of freedom and sacrifice. Americans have many freedoms and these freedoms

come with a price. Thousands of brave men and women have fought and are continuing to fight for our American

freedoms. Children of our brave soldiers sit at home without their mother or father and spouses sit at home without

their husband or wife. And sometimes, those brave men and women do not make it home. We honor the flag to honor

those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom.

I honor the American Flag because of what it symbolizes—the history of our great country, the unity we share as

Americans, the patriotism it highlights, and the freedom and sacrifice it imparts. I also honor the American Flag to set

an example for my friends and for the next generation. We must show love of our country because if we do not, there

will be no one willing to fight to uphold the American principles of patriotism, justice, perseverance, and courage. We

live in the best country in the world. Many people dream of the freedoms Americans have. We must respect the

freedoms we are given, and the people that fight so we can enjoy those freedoms. We must honor the American Flag

that embodies those freedoms.

Commander Donnelly presented

Teresa Longano with the

1st Place Certificate and check.

They were joined by

Teresa’s mother and grandmother.

The National VFW established the Patriot’s Pen Scholarship Program to encourage students in grades 6—8 to examine America’s

history, along with their own experiences in modern American society, by drafting a 300- to 400-word essay, expressing their views

based on a patriotic theme chosen by the VFW Commander-in-Chief.

Congratulations to Teresa Longano

7th Grade, Our Lady of Visitation School

1st Place Winner of

2018–2019 Patriot’s Pen Scholarship Competition

sponsored by VFW Post 10380

V OLU ME 31, ISS UE 2 F E BRU AR Y 20 19 Page 7

Patriot’s Pen— “Why I Honor the American Flag”

Jack Snyder

“Why I Honor the American Flag” by Ellie Nichols

There are many ways I honor the American Flag. First, I can honor it by holding my hand over my heart.

Second, I can honor the Flag by standing and not sitting or kneeling.

Third, I can honor the Flag by honoring our troops who are fighting for our freedom.

Fourth, I can honor the Flag by standing for what unites us in the world, not what divides us.

Fifth, I honor the Flag because it symbolizes freedom and freedom is very special. Next, I honor the Flag by never

sitting, kneeling, and not putting my hand over my heart because I am thankful for those who fought for our freedom.

Also, I honor the Flag for my grandpa. He fought in Vietnam. He fought for our freedom and our right to live a

safe life. I honor the flag by listening to the ending of Ragged Old Flag because it’s about all the events that the Flag

has been through in war, “she’s been through fire, burned, dishonored, denied, and refused” and at the end of the song

we all still stand tall “for that ragged old flag”.

Another way I honor the Flag is I don’t step on it and I don’t disrespect the Flag because I am very thankful for all

of the soldiers that fought for our rights and freedom. Seventh, I can honor the flag by not letting it touch the ground.

Eighth, I can honor the Flag by stopping what I am doing and put my right hand over my heart and stand real tall in

school, football, or any sport I play because I am proud of that Flag.

Ninth, in the song Ragged Old Flag, I can honor the Flag by knowing that even if your Flag isn’t in the best shape

you can always know that you are proud of that Flag. In the song Ragged Old Flag Johnny Cash said the Flag “took a

bullet hole, turned blood red in World War I, hung limp and low at a time, now in her own home she has been abused,

burned, denied, dishonored, and refused”. The Flag has been through so much and is honored and dishonored by a lot of

people. I honor the Flag to show respect for all it stands for.

Commander Donnelly presented Ellie Nichols with the

2nd Place Certificate and check.

They were joined by Ellie’s father.

Congratulations to Ellie Nichols

8the Grade, St. Martin of Tours School

2nd Place Winner of

2018–2019 Patriot’s Pen Scholarship Competition

sponsored by VFW Post 10380

Competition Chairman Jim Crane (right back

row) joined in to congratulate the winners

Instructions from Army Certified Honor Guard Trainers

V OLU ME 31, ISS UE 2 F E BRU AR Y 20 19 Page 8

Tom Anderson

Mik

Bill Daniel

Army Sgt. Ryan Martin and Sgt. John Cecil will be instructing the

Post Dress Blue Detail in flag folding techniques, ceremonial rifle

firing, and bugle handling over the next few months.

January Post Meeting

V OLU ME 31, ISS UE 2 F E BRU AR Y 20 19 Page 9

VFW Blue Water Navy Vet Wins Federal Appeals Court Ruling

Post 10380 Dress Blue Detail was invited by the

St. Ignatius Cub Scout Troop 850

to participate in and oversee their first formal

Flag Retirement Ceremony.

Congratulations to these young men on conducting

a fine ceremony.

Alex

Griffith

oversaw the

preparation

of the flag

for

retirement

by the

scouts

January 30, 2019

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Cour t of Appeals for the Federal Circuit reversed a decade-old ruling yesterday that

potentially paves the way for the return of earned disability benefits for some 90,000 so-called Blue Water Navy

veterans from the Vietnam War.

The case, Procopio v. Wilkie, was supported by the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United

States and a number of other veterans service organizations and advocates. It had Secretary

of Veterans Affairs Robert L. Wilkie Jr. being sued by Navy veteran and VFW Life member

Alfred Procopio Jr., who was denied service connection for prostate cancer and diabetes

mellitus because he never stepped foot on dry land or served within Vietnam’s inland water-

ways. Procopio, a Life member of VFW Post 6587 in Spring Lake Park, Minn., was assigned

aboard the aircraft carrier USS Intrepid, which was stationed inside Vietnam’s 12-mile

territorial waters. Both of his illnesses are listed among the VA’s 14 presumptive diseases associated with exposure to

Agent Orange.

The Federal Appeals Court focused on the intent of the 1991 Agent Orange Act, which was to grant a presumption of

service connection for certain diseases to veterans who “served in the Republic of Vietnam.” At issue was whether ser-

vice within territorial waters constituted service in the "Republic of Vietnam." By a 9-2 decision, the Appeals Court

ruled it did.

“Although very pleased with the ruling, the VFW isn’t quite ready to celebrate,” said VFW National Commander B.J.

Lawrence. “That’s because the VA can always appeal the ruling and Congress has yet to pass a Blue Water Navy bill,”

he said. “But, it is very encouraging to now have a court of law support Blue Water Navy veterans along with the court

of public opinion. We need to get this done and reinforce to tens of thousands of veterans that our nation does have your

back when you come home from war.

“The VFW now calls on VA to make Blue Water Navy veterans whole as soon as possible, and we stand ready to assist

VA in doing so.”

Source: https://www.vfw.org/media-and-events/latest-releases/archives/2019/1/vfw-blue-water-navy-vet-wins-federal-appeals-court

-ruling

St. Ignatius Cub Scout Troop 850 Flag Retirement Ceremony November 3, 2018

January Meeting Winners

To assist you in filing a claim, contact one of the

following Veterans Service Officers directly:

Roger Giblin, 513.684.2661—VFW Veteran

Service Office, 36 E. 7th St. Rm. 225 Cincinnati

45202 (Post 10380 Comrade)

Bill Burgin, 513.946.3300 — Hamilton

County Veteran Service Office, address above

Mike Burgess, 812.537.8819 — Dearborn

County Veteran Service Office, 215 W. High St.

Rm. 100, Lawrenceburg, IN 47025

Veterans may use the services of any office in any

county; you need not be a resident of that county.

Page 10 V OLU ME 31, ISS UE 2 F E BRU AR Y 20 19

Information Corner

Attendance: Jerry Dehner

Split-the-Pot: Mike O’Mara

$100 Raffle: Tom Bedel

$50 Raffle: Ted Bevis

VA Contact Information

Hamilton County Veterans’ Service Office

230 E. 9th Street (9th & Sycamore) Cinti. OH

Room 1100 (1st floor) 513.946.3300

VA Benefits: 800.827.1000

Beneficiaries in receipt of Pension Benefits:

877.294.6380

Debt Management: 800.827.0648

Education (GI Bill): 888.442.4551

Health Care Benefits: 877.222.8387

Status of Headstones/Markers:

800.697.6947

Life Insurance: 800.669.8477

Telecommunications Device for the Deaf

(TDD): 800.829.4833

Special Issues—Gulf War / Agent Orange /

Project Shad / Mustard Agents and Lewisite /

Ionizing Radiation: 800.749.8387

How Do I Join?

VFW Post 10380 always welcomes

new members.

Contact Ben Staubach 513.941.6868 or

Mike Donnelly 513.675.4249

for eligibility requirements.

To all

February Birthdays

Local Veteran Service Officers

Hey, Have You Heard

This One?...from Larry

“Why do Optometrists live so long?”

“They dilate.”

To obtain a DD Form 214, Certificate of Release

or Discharge from Active Duty, visit

https://www.archives.gov/veterans/military-

service-records#emergency

Hamilton County Veterans who have registered their

DD214s with the Hamilton County Recorder’s Office can

obtain a Veterans Identification Card from the

Recorder’s Office at no cost. This ID Card will allow the

office to quickly locate the Veteran’s discharge record

when needed. The card will display the Veteran’s photo,

military service dates and pertinent information regarding his/her service to

our country.

In order to receive this ID Card, the Veteran must record or have recorded

his/her military Honorable Discharge with the Hamilton County’s Recorder’s

Office and show two forms of current, valid identification from the following:

An original or certified birth certificate

Department of Veterans Affairs ID card

US Military ID card

Social Security card

State issued CCW permit

State issued Driver’s license

State issued ID card

Valid US Passport

Appointments to obtain your Veteran’s ID card are scheduled Monday

through Friday, 8am—3:45pm by calling 513.946.4567, Hamilton County

Recorder’s Office Room 205, 138 East Court Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202.

Source: recordersoffice.hamilton-co.org/documents_on_file/military_discharges

2019 Calendar of Annual Events

V OLU ME 31, ISS UE 2 F E BRU AR Y 20 19 Page 11

January

February

1 Harrison’s Tomb

10 Four Chaplains

Memorial Service at

St. Boniface Church

March

23 Flag Retirement

Ceremony

April

6 Dinner Dance

9 CruiseIn at Christine’s

27 Cars & Courage Car

Show — Diamond

Oaks

28 Family Kite Fly at

Veterans Park

May

9 CruiseIn at Christine’s

25/26 Poppy Days

Fundraiser Dent Kroger

27 Post 10380 Memorial

Day Ceremony

27 Cheviot Memorial

Parade

June

3 Memorial Day Golf

Outing at Aston Oaks

13 CruiseIn at Christine’s

July

3 Green Township

July 4th Celebration

at Kuliga Park

11 CruiseIn at Christine’s

August

8 CruiseIn at Christine’s

15 Grill-Out/Post Meeting

Green Township Kids’

Fun Day at Veterans

Park

September

5 Harvest Home Parade

12 CruiseIn at Christine’s

October

5 Flag Retirement

Ceremony

Post 10380 Annual

Raffle tickets available

November

9/10 Poppy Days

Fundraiser Dent Kroger

11 Post 10380 Veterans

Day Ceremony

10 Cheviot Veterans

Parade

Community Veterans

Day Ceremonies

Reminder: Annual Dues

December

1 Pearl Harbor

Remembrance

Ceremony

6 Green Township

Family Winterfest

Reminders

Illness & Bereavement

Comrades, if you

or your spouse are

admitted to a

Cincinnati area

hospital,

please contact:

Ben Staubach 513.941.6868 or

Al Vetter 513.668.0813

Funeral Service

If you would like our Post

Honor Guard to conduct a

VFW ceremony at a

funeral service, please

contact Bob Abrams

513.609.6379

Newsletter You can also view it in

color on our website

www.vfw10380.org

For additional information on

services or programs, or

to be added to or

removed from this mailing,

contact Mike Donnelly

513.675.4249 or

email to vfwpost10380 @gmail.com

Post 10380 Officers

Commander:

Mike Donnelly

Senior Vice-Commander

Dan Wilcox

Junior Vice-Commander

Ed Kramer

Quartermaster

Tom Schmitz

Adjutant

Charlie Wilke

Judge Advocate

Don Willwerth

Chaplain

Bob Abrams

Surgeon

Jim Jansen

Officer of the Day

Ron Kelly

Guard

Bill Soto

Membership

Ben Staubach

Service Officer

Jerry Fatora

Trustee 1 Year

Larry Chuma

Trustee 2 Year

Jim Stanghetti

Trustee 3 Year

Alex Griffith

Illness & Bereavement

Ben Staubach

Al Vetter

Monthly: 2nd Thursday, 5:30 pm—Cruise-In at Christine’s, April through September

3rd Thursday, 7:30 pm—Post 10380 Meeting at Nathanael Greene Lodge

www.vfw10380.org

The Navy defends the right to travel and

trade freely on the world’s oceans and

protects national interests overseas.

The U. S. Air Force protects Ameri-

can interests at home and abroad with

a focus on air power.

The Marine Corps is often first on the

ground in combat situations.

As the oldest branch of the U.S.

Military, the Army protects the secu-

rity of the United States and its re-

sources.

Green Township Post 10380

Veterans of Foreign Wars

CHANGE SERVICE

REQUESTED

The Coast Guard protects America’s waterways and

deploys with the Navy during wartime.

NONPROFIT ORG

US POSTAGE

PAID

CINCINNATI, OH

PERMIT # 5930