Ladies Auxiliary VFW Post 12118 making Veteran Honor bears for wounded vets

Veteran Honor BEARS!! for our sick and wounded vets in the  VA hospitals, young and old. Made from real service uniforms, for their comfort, to keep them company or to give, to their families, their friends--who ever they wish them for. As a thank you, in deep honor, for their service to us and our country. Each bear has a dog-tag shaped tag behind their necks tied on with a ribbon, with a thank you, and our Auxiliary Post number. Each bear has a heart, made from flag material appliqued on their chest. Most have stitch marks showing they are honorably authentic material.

Made by Ladies Auxiliary VFW Post 12118

VFW Leads Effort with Other VSO/MSOs, Asks President Obama to Lower Drone Medal Ranking

March 12, 2013

The Honorable Barack H. Obama
President of the United States
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20500  

Dear Mr. President:  

On behalf of millions of veterans, service members and their families, we the undersigned leaders of the nation’s largest Veterans and Military Service Organizations write to request your personal involvement to lower the Pentagon’s new Distinguished Warfare Medal on the military order of precedence. The Distinguished Warfare Medal currently ranks 9th among some five dozen active medals and ribbons — higher than the Soldier’s Medal, the Bronze Star with combat “V” device, and the Purple Heart.  

No one disputes that drone operators, cyber warriors and others are having a tremendous and immediate impact on battlefields far away, but to create a new “war” medal that doesn’t require physically serving in a warzone, and then to rank it above valor and injury medals that can only be earned in combat, has created a huge morale problem within the ranks. Tens of thousands have already spoken out in opposition, to include Members of Congress, who have introduced bipartisan legislation to force the Pentagon to lower the medal’s status to below the Purple Heart.   

VFW EXPRESSES DEEP CONCERN OVER THE IMPACT OF SEQUESTRATION ON VETERANS

VFW National Commander Testifies on Veterans’ Behalf to Cap the 2013 VFW Legislative Conference

March 05, 2013

WASHINGTON­ – During today’s testimony before a joint hearing of the Senate and House Veterans Affairs Committees, the national commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S. (VFW) pledged the organization will not let America’s veterans be forgotten by Congress or the Administration.
Today’s testimony comes just days after the announcement of mandatory Department of Defense budget cuts brought on by sequestration.  
 “The VFW is deeply concerned about the impact sequestration will have on the Departments of Veterans Affairs and Defense budgets. Maybe not this year, but in future budget submissions, and how that reduction in programs and services will impact our troops returning from Afghanistan, our veterans, and their families,” VFW National Commander John E. Hamilton, a Vietnam War Marine Corps rifleman and triple Purple Heart recipient, told the committees.
Since September 11, 2001, more than 50,000 service members have been wounded in action. Furthermore, data shows that more than half of all Iraq and Afghanistan veterans treated by the VA have suffered some sort of mental trauma, a fourth for PTSD. Other research suggests those numbers reach far higher.
“These numbers are staggering, and our efforts to provide the best possible mental health care for our newest war veterans must also include those who faithfully served in the past,” said Hamilton.  

to read more on VFW home page CLICK HERE

Bret Harte Teacher Wins VFW State Teacher of the Year Award

Jennifer Truman, a history teacher with Bret Harte since 1996, has won the VFW California State Teacher of the year award.

Truman was nominated in October for Teacher of the Year District #13 by VFW Post 12118 in Copperopolis. She was chosen as the winner for District 13 and her nomination papers were then sent to compete at a state level. Of 328 VFW Posts in the State of California, Jennifer Truman was chosen as the Teacher of the Year. She will now compete at the National level.

VFW Post 12118 Thanks you - the Community of Copperopolis

To the Copperopolis Community and everyone that participated in the first Veterans Day Parade, Nov. 11, 2012, THANK YOU!

Thanks go to the following people, organizations, businesses, state and local government offices; Lake Tulloch Lions Club, Payless IGA, Calaveras Public Works, Copperopolis Fire Protection District, Calaveras Sheriff’s Department (Deputy Newnam and Sheriff Volunteers), California Highway Patrol, McCartys Construction, Nancy Turner, Josh Pfeiffer, Foothill Sanitary/Hocking Portables, CalTel, Copper Canyon Baptist Church, Copperopolis Volunteer Fire Association (Don Rollings, Levi Rollings, Brian Nolan, Stacey Nolan), Betsy Duncan and Valerie Shimkus. And thank you to all the James D. Piper Veterans of Foreign Wars members and Ladies Auxiliary, the ‘Go Devils’ Military Jeep Club, Sierra Angels Car Club, Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association 33-2, VVA 391 Motorcycle Group, and all veterans that joined in the parade so that the community could honor your service. Thank you all.

What does the Copper VFW have to offer you?

On June 13, 2012 that was just what VFW Post 12118 Commander Al Gilbert was telling folks about, just what the VFW can do for them.

Commander Gilbert was at the Copperopolis Umpqua Bank handing out literature and answering questions, both about the VFW and about veterans interests. The VFW benefits are far reaching beginning locally with a solid group of veterans that have served during combat, allowing them the opportunity to be among others who have an idea of what they themselves have experienced. This group is involved in community events and functions and strives to be a strong community presence.

The benefits then reach beyond the community to include discounts from service providers and a representative to the district to help deal with VA red-tape.

For more information on VFW Post 12118 contact Commander Al Gilber at 209-785-4218 or coppervfw@gmail.com.

For online VFW information visit http://www.vfw.org/home/

VFW Post 12118 at Umpqua Bank

VFW Post 12118 representatives will be at Umpqua Bank on June 13, 2012 from 10:00-2:00PM.
If you or anyone you know is interested in finding out more about the VFW and what they have to offer, please stop by and talk with representatives.
Refreshments will be served.

VFW Post 12118 Memorial Day Flag Ceremony

On May 28, 2012 the newly formed VFW Post 12118 held their first community flag raising ceremony at the Copperopolis Cemetery. Weeks before much work had gone into repairing the aging flagpole for the event.

The ceremony included a moving speech from Commander Al Gilbert, a wreath laid by veteran Richard Dost, a bouquet of flowers laid by veterans Don Schand and Danny Thomas. Each a symbol of remembrance, honor and respect for those who had served in our military and are now gone...but not forgotten.

The names of each veteran laid to rest in Copperopolis Cemetery was read, as was the war or era in which they served. In the weeks leading up to the ceremony the cemetery had been carefully mapped out by members of the VFW with the names and sites of each veteran buried within its walls. Following the ceremony youth representatives from Copper Hills 4-H assisted veterans with the placement of American flags on each veterans grave.

For more pictures CLICK HERE

Fill-the-boot for the Food Pantry a record

At the Copper Fire semi-annual fill the boot, held May 26, 2012, the Copper Firefighters and the VFW veterans raised $3,028.00 for the local food pantry. "We would have a hard time keeping the doors open without their fundraising efforts on our behalf. We appreciate what they do for us so much!" Said a spokesperson from the Copperopolis Food Pantry.

 

Currently the food pantry serves between 45 -55 families per month, with greater numbers seen in the last 6 months due to the downward shift in the economy. The food pantry is set up in hopes of reaching and helping families in Copperopolis who are experiencing hardship, temporary or long-term, and need help having enough to eat.

 

 Engineer Nick Maness and Volunteer Doug Ungari

CFPD Chaplain Jim Stout and Volunteer Don Rollings

 CFPD Cadets Levi Rollings and Marshall Maness

VFW Post 12118 Veterans Richard, Robert, Ralph, Jay, and Al.

Don, David and Lorraine- Food Pantry representatives

Volunteers and Board members Ed Gouzzenne and Steve Marks, and CFPD Chaplain Father Jim Stout

VFW veterans and CFPD Cadets restore Copperopolis Cemetery Flagpole

On May 17, 2012 members of the Copperopolis VFW Post 12118 and Copperopolis Fire protection District Cadets spent a morning repairing and erecting the Copperopolis Cemetery flagpole in preparation for the VFW Memorial Day flag ceremony to be held May 28, 2012 at 8 am at the Copperopolis Cemetery. 

Earlier in the week Commander Gilbert and Quartermaster/Adjutant Ralph Murphy removed the existing pole in order to straighten, prime and re-thread it. With the help of Senior Vice Commander Bill Skellenger, the pole was threaded correctly and ready to paint and install.

Vfw Post 12118 and Ladies Auxiliary pitch in at 8A

The Veterans of VFW Post 12118 and their spouses - members of the Ladies Auxiliary-  came out in full force on May 12, 2012 to pay back 8A for use of their facilities by having a grounds clean-up day.

The grounds used extensively by families over the summer needed to have hedges trimmed up so that snakes couldn't lay in wait for little feet and the poison oak that hid beneath could be removed. Lawns were mowed, hedges were trimmed, windows washed, floors swept and edging was done all around.

A spokesperson for 8A said that this clean-up day saved the 8A membership quite a bit of money.
Anthony Alexander and Shirley Burk, Al and Sandi Gilbert, Jay Hennell, Ralph and Eva Murphy, Ken Osteen, Larry and Micki Phillips, Al Putney, Gary Taylor, and Danny Thomas all participated in the clean-up.

Local Veterans to take part in Oral History project at Bret Harte High School

Veterans of the Copperopolis VFW Post 12118 have been invited to speak with the student body of the junior and senior classes at Bret Harte High School on May 7, 2012 to share their experiences while fighting for our country. VFW Post 12118 will have representatives from WWII, Korea, Vietnam and Iraq all present for the event.

This event, which began in 1997, is the brainchild of Bret Harte History teacher Jennifer Truman. After speaking to some veterans from the American Legion in Valley Springs  the idea was created to let veterans tell their stories, their experiences to the youth of the community through an organized presentation. Following on the heels of the completion of the studies through Vietnam in their course work, the children have a "simple idea of the conflicts in which the presenters were participants of."

Ladies Auxiliary to VFW Post 12118 takes the District by storm

According to Rhonda Montgomery past District 13 president with 52 years of service to the Ladies Auxiliary "no one to my knowledge has ever formed a VFW Ladies Auxiliary in such a short amount of time."

The very first meeting of the Ladies Auxiliary to VFW Post 12118 was held March 18, 2012 and the installation of officers ceremony was held just one week later. With 20 members on the roster and more signing up each week "this group promises to be a wonderful community asset."

The announcement was made regarding the amazing achievement and speed with which the Auxiliary was formed at the Sunday April 15, 2012, meeting. Present at the meeting was a representative from  District 13 (which includes 6 counties Amador, Tuolumne, San Juaquin, Calaveras, Merced and Stanislaus) and a representative from the Stae of California. Kathy Smith District 13 President and Shirley Calvert California Jr Vice President were thrilled with the formation and the energy with which the group moved forward.

Picture of March 25, 2012 installation of officers and oath of members.

If you ar interested in becoming a Ladies Auxiliary member please contact Vice President Lynn Ernst at 770-5450.

Next Aux meeting May 20 at 3:00 pm at the 8A meeting room, 971 Feather Drive. Potluck and social hour to follow.

VFW Meeting TODAY 1-15-12

Copperopolis VFW Post 12118 will be holding a meeting Sunday January 15, 2012 at 2:00 pm at the 8A Meeting building on Feather Drive just behind the Copperopolis Branch Library.
If you are interested in learning more about the VFW, would like to join or help out, please attend the meeting or you can contact interim Commander Al Gilbert for more information at coppervfw@gmail.com.

CONGRATULATIONS VFW!!

Congratulations to all Veteran of Foreign Wars Copperopolis ....
The new post name and number are:

JAMES D. PIPER   VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS   POST 12118

If you would like more information on meetings, how to join, how you can help, please contact Interim Commander Al Gilbert at coppervfw@gmail.com.