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    Listen Mondays, 3 p.m. (Central) to
    The National Defense, VFW's radio hour

You won't know what you're missing -- until you're listening!!
 

VFW National News: 'Seals for Soldiers' Program Raises $520,000 for VFW's Operation Uplink
Thanks to the Doral Community of smokers across the country, more than 70,000 deployed servicemembers will be able to call home. For the second year, the dedicated troop supporters have stepped forward to honor America's men and women in uniform, raising $520,000 for the Veterans of Foreign Wars Operation Uplink free phone card program for deployed servicemembers and hospitalized veterans.

Caption: From left: Flanked by Doral smokers Dennis Dees and Oletha Lawson, Rob Dunham, vice president of brand marketing for R.J. Reynolds, presents Larry Maher, VFW quartermaster general, with Doral's $520,000 donation to Operation Uplink.

VFW in Iraq: Iraqis Determined to Succeed; US Morale High Says VFW Following Iraq Familizarization Visit
Back from a whirlwind, DOD-sponsored trip to Iraq, the VFW national commander praised the American military forces for making a difference in the lives of the Iraqi people, adding that he saw firsthand the dedication of the Iraqi people to succeed in rebuilding their government and country.

"From the commanding officers on down to the privates and airmen, our troops know that their mission is important," said Jim Mueller, a Vietnam veteran from O'Fallon, Mo. "They are enthusiastic. Their morale is high, and they know they are helping to make a difference to an entire nation--and the Iraqi people know this, too. Everywhere I went, the message that the Iraqis wanted me to take back was for America to be patient, that 'We want to get this democracy right the first time.'"

Caption: While in Iraq, Mueller met with numerous servicemembers, including airmen assigned to the 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing, Balad Air Base, Iraq. (DOD photo/Dave Evans)

Note: The VFW recently passed Resolution 440 in support of the war in Iraq. To read it, click here.

VFW Advocacy: VFW Troubled by Proposed Legislation to Double Tricare Fees for Military Retirees
The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S. is strongly supporting the Military Retirees' Health Care Protection Act (H.R. 4949) that was introduced in the House of Representatives recently in direct response to the Defense Department's fiscal year 2007 budget proposal that, if left unchallenged by Congress, would double and triple annual premiums for some retirees under the age of 65 who are enrolled in the military's Tricare health care system.

VFW on Capitol Hill: VFW Testifies Before Senate VA Committee
In his recent testimony before the Senate VA committee, the commander-in-chief of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S. said the VFW is willing to work with Congress to ensure that the VA is properly funded without having to resort to enrollment fees and prescription co-payment increases to veterans with non-service-connected disabilities.

"We want the VA system to work," testified Jim Mueller, who leads the largest organization of combat veterans in the nation. "But that's only going to happen if it is sufficiently funded in a timely manner so that programs will be in place for the veterans of today and tomorrow."

Caption: Senate Veterans Affairs Committee Chairman Larry Craig with VFW National Commander Jim Mueller following VFW testimony before the committee.

VFW Troop Support: America Supports You: Famous Marine, JROTC Unit Push VFW Effort
Retired Marine Gunnery Sgt. R. Lee Ermey, famous for his role as a drill instructor in the movie "Full Metal Jacket," has joined forces with a Midwest Junior ROTC unit to help support troops and their families.

Together, they have challenged Junior ROTC groups to raise funds for "Unmet Needs," a Veterans of Foreign Wars program that gives financial aid to military families. Unmet Needs has raised over $900,000 to help 1,000 military families since its inception in June 2004.

Caption: Retired U.S. Marine Gunnery Sgt. R. Lee Ermey signs autographs for students from Wentworth Military Academy at an "Unmet Needs" benefit concert in Kansas City, Mo. Photo by Phil Licata

VFW: Assignment Iraq: Vietnam Veteran Returns to War

"Put some miles on since arriving in-country. A sore rump is testimony to that. Traversed a fair portion of Iraq by various means: C-130, Blackhawk Helicopter, and by motor convoy in an armored Humvee. Preferred mode of transport? The Blackhawk. Hands-down."

Bagdad, March 22, 2006--Thirty years ago, "Screaming Eagle" paratrooper Jerry Newberry was too busy staying alive to complain about a “sore rump.” Newberry, who is now the VFW communications director and host of "The National Defense," VFW's weekly talk radio show, eagerly enlisted in the Army, immediately volunteering for duty in Vietnam. Today, Newberry is, once again, on the heels of war, "re-deploying" with the 101st to report the "real" stories of the war in Iraq.

From now until the end of March, you can catch Newberry's Iraqi experiences in his interviews and his thoughts on "The National Defense," which is broadcast live on www.kcte.com Mondays at 3 p.m. Central and through his online journal.

Membership Benefits: Extend Your 'Legacy' with New Membership Program
The VFW's Legacy Life Membership provides an opportunity for Life Members to leave their mark on the nation's largest combat veterans' organization. Available only to current Life Members, the new Legacy Life Membership not only offers expanded and exclusive benefits, but also helps ensure that the VFW's good work will continue for generations to come. Click here to find out more.

Member Profile:
 

Timothy P. Murray

VFW Member since: 2005
Born: 1951

Post: #3261-General William Stark Rosecrans Post; Gardena, CA

Branch: U.S. Army
Theater of Operations: Vietnam, 10/10/71 - 6/20/72 - 1st Signal Brigade, 39th Signal Battalion, 535th Signal Company
Military Medals:
National Defense Service Medal; Vietnam Service Medal w/Bronze Star; RVN Campaign Medal w/1960 Device; Overseas Bar; Expert Badge (Rifle)

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