Greetings
everyone!
It’s hard to
believe summer is ending and it’s back-to-school time! My mother used to tell
me that when I got older the time will just fly by. Boy, was she correct!
Summer’s end
and back-to-school time reminds me of two thoughts to share as they relate to
our efforts to support our veterans and our communities: The Illinois State
Fair and VFW Scholarship Programs.
1.
The 2022 Illinois State Fair (ISF)
officially ends today. Other than a huge downpour of rain yesterday, we had
beautiful weather throughout the fair. Veteran organizations throughout the
state hosted an impressive informational event and parade on ISF Veteran’s Day,
Sunday August 14th. Veterans young and old met with your State VFW and Auxiliary
President, fellow comrades, and veteran’s support organizations to share ideas
and voice concerns. Additionally, the ISF beer tents are staffed by volunteers
from veteran organizations throughout the state. Each organization represented
will receive monetary payment for the hours worked by volunteers. Post 10302
was well-represented with both membership and auxiliary volunteers working many
hours. Thank you to all who volunteered.
2.
Back-to-school time means it’s time
to send out information on our scholarship programs. We’ll soon be sending out
information on the VFW scholarship programs to local schools (public, home
study and parochial). The "Voice of Democracy” and "Patriot’s Pen” programs
offer scholarships to students who submit written or verbal essays expressing
their views on the selected theme. Monetary scholarships are awarded at several
levels including national awards. Both scholarships are open to students
enrolled in public, private or home study program in the United States, it’s
territories and possessions, or dependents of U.S. military or civilian
personnel in overseas schools. U.S. citizenship is not required but students
must be lawful U.S. permanent residents or have applied for permanent residence
and intends to become a U.S. citizen. Complete information and rules for both
scholarships are online at www.vfw.org.
The Voice of Democracy scholarship is open to students in grades 9-12 who compete
by writing and recording a 3–5-minute audio essay on this year’s theme, "Why Is
the Veteran Important?”. State level winners receive an all-expense-paid trip
to Washington DC, to tour the city, be honored by the VFW and its Auxiliary and
receive their portion of national awards, the top scholarship being $30k.
The Patriot’s Pen scholarship is open to students enrolled in 6-8thgrade who write a 300-400 word typed essay expressing their views on this
year’s theme, "My Pledge to Our Veterans.” Each entry is submitted to the VFW
for judging. The contest eventually concludes at the national level. First
place prize is currently $5k. SUBMISSION DEADLINE FOR BOTH SCHOLARSHIPS IS
10/31/22.
Upcoming
events:
1.
August events:
a.
8/26-28th- Council of
Administrators (C of A) meetings at the post.
b.
8/27-Commander Edwards’ Homecoming
will be held in the Northender’s Post 10302.
i.
Post
membership will pay for any post member and their spouse who wishes to attend
AND any auxiliary member and their spouse
ii.
$35
per ticket
iii.
Prime
Rib OR Chicken Dinner
iv.
Contact
Erin at State Headquarters for ticket asap as there are only 200 available.
v.
Casual
attire.
c.
8/28
- Commander’s Breakfast – Auxiliary will serve breakfast ( $8 for biscuits
& gravy, OJ, coffee, milk) from 8-11. Basically, a way for people who came
from out of town for homecoming and C of A meeting to come grab a quick bite
and get on the road- plus we’ll open it up to the public.
2.
September Events/Meetings:
a.
9/2-Dance--Need
volunteers to work the door and sell 50/50 tickets.
b.
9/5-Labor
Day
c.
9/6-Joint
Officer’s Meeting 6pm-meeting open to any member in good standing
d.
9/11-possible
membership recruiting table at local event (8-10am?)
e.
9/12-Amvets
Meeting
f.
9/13-Membership
Meeting-Meal provided by (fill
in name when edited)
g.
9/16
Dance-- Need volunteers to work the door and sell 50/50 tickets.
h.
9/17-Amvets
picnic here at post
i.
9/21-Auxiliary
Meeting-Official visit scheduled by District President Carol Shutts
j.
9/26-Honor
Flight dinner
k.
9/27-Honor
flight return to capitol airport
3.
October Events:
a.
10/8
(Saturday) District 10 Midstate Luncheon for Dept. President Marvie Wisniewski-
Open luncheon at Post 10302. Auxiliary asked to serve.
1.
Shirts: The Post
is going to order shirts again. We asked if they could check on getting women’s
cut, V-neck and/or ¾ sleeve. Cmdr. Carter will ask.
2.
Assisting Guard Members:
a.
The
Auxiliary voted to purchase $1000.00 in gift cards from Casey’s to help Air
Guard members with travel expenses during their drill weekend. We will purchase
20 $50 cards and gift them to the guard by presenting them to an appointed
command staff to distribute to those in need.
b.
We
asked and the Post Membership also voted to donate $1000 towards gas cards for
the Army Guard.
3.
Bake Sale Fund Raiser: Possible fund raiser for the Sunday before Thanksgiving here
at the post. (November 20). More
information to come as it gets closer.
Please
consider attending your monthly auxiliary meetings. It is a way to share ideas
and successes and to become a part of a team committed to assisting our veteran
community.
Respectfully,
Cindy Daugherty
