VFW National News: VFW Salutes New VA Funding Bill
The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S. is saluting the anticipated passage of a historic funding bill for the Department of Veterans Affairs, one that would add $3.7 billion to the $34 billion in discretionary funding the administration had proposed earlier this year.

"President Bush and Congress don't always agree on every issue, but they do agree that America's veterans must be cared for," said VFW National Commander George Lisicki, a Vietnam veteran from Carteret, N.J. "This VA increase honors that commitment, and I expect the president to quickly sign it into law, and to release the $3.7 billion plus-up before the Jan. 18 deadline, as called for in the bill."

As the nation's largest organization of combat veterans, the VFW has consistently maintained that the true cost of war includes the proper care and treatment of the men and women who serve their country in uniform. The VA budget increase, part of a fiscal 2008 omnibus package that passed in the House on Sunday and in the Senate yesterday, is endorsed by the veterans' service organization community and by the vast majority of lawmakers on both sides of the aisle. The additional funding Congress provided is needed for construction and infrastructure improvements, medical and prosthetic research, and to hire additional mental health counselors, healthcare professionals and claims adjudicators.

"I salute the Congress for making this additional funding available, and the president for his untiring support of military families past and present," said Lisicki. "This budget puts veterans first, which will help ensure the world class VA healthcare system continues to be accessible and responsive to the needs of those veterans with physical and mental disabilities."

Also approved by the Senate was $70 billion in emergency funding for the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, an amount that should be sufficient to eliminate a planned furlough of 200,000 Defense Department civilians and contractors that would have been implemented had the additional funding not been approved. The House, who had approved $31 billion for operations in Afghanistan only, is expected to agree to the Senate's amount.

VFW Responds to The Washington Post
The following “Letter to the editor” is in response to a recent Washington Post article that rated veterans organizations fundraising efforts.

Dear Editor:
The Washington Post’s Dec. 13 article, entitled “Studies Fault Charities for Veterans,” helped to reinforce one very important point: charitable organizations who abuse donor generosity should be held accountable. However, it is an unfortunate error to paint all veterans' groups with the same broad brush, because the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S. and many other recognized veterans' service organizations are reliable, ethical and effectively serving America’s heroes in a time when the need has never been greater.

In 2005-2006, VFW program expenditures exceeded donor contributions. Most Americans would be surprised at the wide range of support the VFW provides to veterans and their families, including financial assistance for families of deployed troops, dedicated VFW service officers to aid veterans in filing benefits claims, and a free phone card program for deployed personnel and recovering wounded to connect with their families. In addition to troop support, the VFW sponsors scholarship programs, educational outreach, youth activities and community service. In addition, almost 90 percent of funds raised by our VFW Foundation go directly to programs, as reported by CharityNavigator.org. VFW also gives generously to other charitable causes such as Fisher House and the Intrepid Heroes Fund, both rated exceptionally well by the American Institute of Philanthropy report.

About 22 percent of the VFW budget goes to fundraising and 8 percent to administrative costs. VFW donors are our investors; they invest in VFW programs and services and are stakeholders in our success. In addition, no charity is able to operate effectively without allocating at least a portion of their resources towards generating new funds and supporting the infrastructure that makes their activities possible. For example, the VFW has hundreds of experienced and dedicated service officers in the field, on military installations, and in veterans' hospitals. Over the past year, these full-time service officers helped nearly 100,000 veterans to recoup $1 billion in earned compensation and pension benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs. This is a free service the VFW provides to all veterans, regardless of whether they are members.

As the nation’s most respected and oldest major veterans' service organization, the VFW stands ready to support America’s 24 million veterans, her 2.2 million servicemen and women, and their families. We’re proud to honor the commitment of so many veterans who served our country, and we hope Americans will continue to help us meet the growing demand for our services.

Sincerely,

George Lisicki
National Commander
Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States
Washington, DC

Vice President Cheney Praises Troops in VFW-Hosted Event
Vice President Dick Cheney today, in a speech before Veterans of Foreign Wars members and Kansas City-area active-duty troops at the National World War I Memorial, touted the recent military successes in Afghanistan and Iraq, as well as chided Congress for failing to end the budget debate for the wartime defense-spending bill.

In a largely military audience, Cheney told the 250 invited guests that it is every American’s duty to recognize the sacrifices made by today’s military in defeating a “ruthless and determined” enemy. The vice president also spoke of the recent successes in Iraq’s Anwar Provence, which until recently, was a hotbed of terrorists activities.

Now, Cheney said, instead of Anwar leaders protecting the terrorists, tribal leaders are now working in conjunction with U.S. authorities to root out the terrorists and return a sense of normalcy and security back to the province.

Cheney, who said he was speaking more as a civilian than the vice president, also chided Congress for playing partisan politics by not passing a wartime defense-spending bill that is now in its 11th month of debate.
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"I don't believe the people of the nation want to use defense appropriations as a bargaining chip in some kind of political debate," he said. “People in the military should be given all the resources they need to do the job with the tools and equipment they need.”

Cheney opened his speech by praising the Veterans of Wars for its advocacy efforts, as well as for advancing patriotism. “I have a lot of admiration for the VFW,” he said noting that he doesn’t have to tell the VFW how important troop funding it is “because the VFW keeps Congress in check.”

VFW National Senior Vice Commander Glen Gardner, a Vietnam War veteran from Round Rock, Texas, also echoed Cheney’s harsh words to Congress.

“In wartime, nothing is as important as supporting the troops. Congress has an obligation to the troops to give them what they need-- when they need it,” the combat veteran said.

After the short speech, Medal of Honor recipients Roger Donlon and Donald Ballard expressed their thoughts on an America at war:

“Americans need to wake up because our security is at stake,” Donlon said. Ballard nodded in agreement, adding, that the mission is very clear: “The nation has to get behind the troops with actions and not just words.”

Pearl Harbor survivor Clifton LaMarr, who served with a patrol squadron during the Dec. 7, 1941, attack, summed the congressional and administration squabble up best: “A lot of smart minds will argue one way, and other smart minds will argue the other way. But the important thing is: We just need to bring our troops home safely.”

To read entire speech, click here: http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2007/12/20071207-5.html

Korean War MIAs Identified
Air Force Col. Douglas H. Hatfield and Capt. Richard H. Simpson were among 11 crewmembers on board a B-29 that left Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, on April 12, 1951. Their mission to bomb targets in the area of Sinuiju, North Korea was disrupted by enemy MiG-15 fighters that attacked their B-29, resulting in a fatal crash. In 2000, the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command led a team into Kujang County where the remains of Hatfield and Simpson were recovered.
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VFW at Work: Michael Angelo's Pizza 'Tosses' Operation Uplink $12,000
Michael Shepherd, 35, wears a lot of hats these days.

Father. Husband. Restaurant owner. Four-time world pizza champion.

But it was his role as an American citizen that moved him to help U.S. troops serving around the world.

“I was sitting with my kids and watching the coverage of the war,” he remembered. “And it struck me. I’m here enjoying these moments with my children – my freedom – because other Americans have left their homes and families to protect us. I know a lot of them are my age or even younger, and their families are sacrificing so much.”

That day, Shepherd vowed to do something … Big.

As owner of two Michael Angelo’s Pizza locations in Ohio, Shepherd decided he would contribute 100 percent of pizza sales from his Kenton location for a day and collect cash donations from the public to support the troops. Many of the Pizzeria’s suppliers agreed to donate ingredients, including Ezzo Italian Meats, Grande Cheese, Stanislaus Food Products, Sofo Foods and Fontanini.

His goal was not only to raise financial support, but also awareness. He wanted everyone to remember the men and women fighting overseas, especially during the holidays.

Shepherd also commissioned the painting of a gigantic, U. S. flag on his two-story building. The mural is dedicated to all troops now serving and veterans of past wars.

“I decided early on that we would use some of the money to benefit hometown military families, and the rest would go to VFW,” Shepherd said. “Our local VFW here in Kenton – Forest Watson Post 3333 – was extremely helpful in letting us know about all the great thing VFW does and their programs that serve the military.

"I was impressed with VFW Operation Uplink, which provides free phone cards on the front line and also their Free Call Days hosted for troops serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. Plus, VFW is veterans taking care of veterans. I knew VFW was legitimate and trustworthy.”

On December 8, the Kenton, Ohio, community of 8,000 turned out in full force. The “We Support Our Troops” Fundraiser Day generated more than $18,000--$12,000 of which would be donated to Operation Uplink. The remaining proceeds provided other support items for the community's military families.

Patrons also wrote letters of support to the troops. VFW volunteers collected the hundreds of messages of support and sent to troops serving overseas.

Because of the dramatic response, Shepherd even issued “rainchecks” to be fulfilled on future days, with those sales also benefiting military members.

“We extend our deepest gratitude to Mr. Shepherd and his patriotic community,” said Michael Penney, director, VFW National Military Services. “Their generosity will help thousands of troops--many who are on their second or third deployments--enjoy very special moments with their families.”

Shepherd was moved by the dramatic show of local support.

“I think so many people want to help, but don’t know how to go about it. This gave them something to get behind,” he said. “I’m just so proud to know people here do care about and support our troops.”
Hear Shepherd on The National Defense January 4th!

Member Benefits: Dell Offers Discounts for VFW
The VFW and Dell have joined together to offer discounted computer systems to Posts, Departments, Members and Employees.

VFW Members/Employees
If you are a member or an employee of the VFW, you may visit Dell's EPP (Employee Purchase Program) site, where you can custom build a computer system to suit your needs. The savings are already calculated for you, so get started on your new computer system today!

Members click here* to visit the Dell EPP page.

To order by phone, please call 1-800-695-8133, and mention ID# PS30482412.

VFW Posts / Departments
If you are a Post or Department, you may visit the Dell Premiere page, where you can select from a list of pre-selected systems, each configured to suit your Post/Department's needs. We have provided a "base" set of configurations, but each configuration can be upgraded, depending on your specific needs. You can also custom-build a system. All computer systems purchased through the Dell Premiere page come with 24/7 U.S.-based customer support!

Posts and Departments click here* to visit the Dell Premiere page.

To order by phone, please call 1-866-746-4977, and mention ID# PS76832215.

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