VFW District 8 Newsletter

CWO5 Randle M. Tolliver, USN (Ret)

Commander

For veterans in crisis, the Veterans Crisis Line's number is "988” then press "1”.

Homebound veterans requiring assistance please contact any member.

Veterans experiencing or at risk for homelessness, please contact any member or the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans at (877) 424-3838.

Buddy Check! Please call or go visit elderly or homebound veterans and see how they are doing and if they need help.

We, the VFW, is an organization of war veterans, our mission is to assist veterans, their families and to serve our local community.

We are always looking to have veterans who are eligible and want to continue serving our community to join us. If you are interested, please contact any member or post.

For your information:

A big shout out to VFW Post 5896, who in partnership with American Legion Post 416 and the DAV, are addressing food insecurity in their our community by having food drives. On the 26th of August they fed over 800 folks. Well done!

Veterans, their families and caregivers should contact their local VA for information about eligibility and how to apply for burial benefits. Too often, no preparations are made and the families are left searching for the required documents and other information at the worst time. For more information, visit https://www.choose.va.gov/burials-memorials , or call 800-827-1000.

Our annual youth scholarships programs, Patriot’s Pen, and Voice of Democracy are underway. Patriot’s Pen is open to 6th, 7th and 8th grade students and this year’s theme is "How Are You Showing Patriotism and Support for Our Country?” The Voice of Democracy audio-essay is open to students in grades 9-12 and this year’s theme is "How Are You Showing Patriotism and Support for Our Country?” Children who are home schooled are also welcome to participate. These programs promote civic responsibility, patriotism and help students develop a better understanding of American values and beliefs. For more information, please contact your local VFW Post, the District 8 representative Dan Brown at (636) 677-2892, or visit https://www.vfw.org/community/youth-and-education/youth-scholarships .

Local events:

The time and place of local post meetings and events are provided on each post’s Facebook site; come join us!

On 6 September, VFW Post 1831 in DeSoto will be having hosting their 5th annual Side by Side Poker Run to support the DeSoto Police Department. Registration starts at 9 am and it starts at 11:30 am at 1651 Veterans Drive in DeSoto. For more information contact (636) 586-9271.

On 13 September, Post 2593 Auxiliary located in Arnold will host a book and luggage sale at 2301 Church Rd, Arnold, MO 63010. This event will be from 10 am to 2 pm and will raise money for children in foster care. They are collecting books and luggage now for this event.

On 13 September, Post 6660 in Reynolds County will host a free veterans breakfast and workshop from 9 am to 2 pm at 2315 Green St, Centerville. Breakfast will be served from 9 to 11Am. A VFW Veteran Service Officer (VSO) will be there to help veterans understand and apply for benefits to which they are entitled and are accredited to represent them to the VA. VAMC Poplar Bluff representatives will be there to answer medical benefits questions, and enroll you in the program. Mizzou Law Veterans Clinic will assist with discharge upgrades and the Missouri Veterans Commission to provide information on their services. Please bring all your documentation, especially your DD-214. If you need to get replacements, they can assist. That said, come anyway and they will get you started. For more information or if the veteran is homebound and cannot travel, please contact (573) 924-2382.

On 19 September, Post 2593 located in Arnold will host a Mike Bova Comedy Concert at 2301 Church Rd, Arnold, MO 63010. This event will raise money for the Post Relief Fund and the VFW Veteran Service Officer program. You can visit the Post or purchase tickets online at https://www.eventbrite.com/.../mike-bova-comedy-concert .

On 27 September, Post 3777 in Festus will be serving brunch starting at 10:30 am. Cost is $7.00 per plate and the bar will be open to purchase mimosas and Bloody Marys. For more information call (636) 937-5400.

On 28 September, Post 2593 will 4th annual Car Show at 2301 Church Rd, Arnold starting at 11 am.

29 September Post 1831 in DeSoto will be hosting their 7th annual American Graffiti Car Show to support the VFW and Spinal Cord Ward at Jefferson Barracks. In addition to the cool rides, there will be music and food. Vendor spaces are available at (314) 712-4411. For more information call John Gales at (314) 677-7700.

Missouri veteran’s news:

The July Missouri Veterans Commission (MVC) Veteran Suicide Prevention Report provided disturbing data. The report found that 42.6 of every 100,000 Missouri veterans died by suicide that year. The national average is 34.7 deaths per 100,000 veterans. Missouri’s veteran population is about 400,000. The 2024 law that made veteran suicide prevention a main priority for the MVC also mandated a veterans program to seriously tackle the problem and an annual report. As a result of the report’s findings, the MVC is creating a program to address the stigma, expand awareness and provide accessible resources within the state. The stigma around mental health obstacles was a key finding. Veterans, as members of a warrior culture, are reluctant to express weakness and ask for help. We veterans have to accept that there is a time when there’s

nothing wrong with asking for help. Another significant challenge is lack of awareness. Suicide is an emotional matter, and people can be reluctant to report and share their experiences. The 988 program, which has been widely advertised, has been successful in reducing the stigma. When you dial 988 and then hit 1, you are contacting a mental health professional that has military experience. As to resources, now it’s time for the legislature to fully fund the MVC. Don’t wait for the new session, contact your representative and senator and push now! The report can be found at https://mvc.dps.mo.gov .

Now let’s talk a bit about our history:

80 years ago, the Empire of Japan formally surrendered to the United States on the deck of the USS Missouri. On 2 September 1945, with more than 250 Allied warships at anchor in Tokyo Bay, Japanese Foreign Minister Mamoru Shigemitsu signed on behalf of the Japanese government and General Yoshijiro Umezu for the Japanese armed forces. Supreme Commander MacArthur next signed, followed by Admiral Chester W. Nimitz who signed for the United States and then China, Britain, the USSR, Australia, Canada, France, the Netherlands and New Zealand, respectively. The most devastating war in human history was over. For more information I recommend "Unconditional: The Japanese Surrender in World War II” by Marc Gallicchio.

General Douglas Macarthur said "it is my earnest hope and indeed the hope of all mankind that from this solemn occasion a better world shall emerge out of the blood and carnage of the past.”

Bulletin Board:

The VA one-stop telephone number is 1-800-698-2411 and press "0” for immediate assistance. The VA one stop website is VA.gov Home | Veterans Affairs .

Veterans can no longer use usernames / passwords to access "My HealtheVet.” To regain access, you must create a new account at www.va.gov/sign-in-changes.

For more for information concerning VA "End of Life” benefits and services see www.va.gov/initiatives/end-of-life-benefits/

Veteran employment opportunities! Please visit https://news.va.gov/138283/hiring-veterans-job .

The Missouri Veterans Commission (MVC) one-stop Benefits and Resource Portal is (573) 522-4061 or www.veteranbenefits.mo.gov .

To pre-certify for burial in a Missouri Veterans Cemetery, apply at https://my.mo.gov/gsp?id=vcp_preapplication . For information on burial eligibility, visit https://mvc.dps.mo.gov/cemeteries .

The Missouri Job Center offers no-cost employment assistance for veterans and spouses. Contact (417) 257-2630 or visit jobs.mo.gov/vets.

The TRICARE Online (TOL) Patient Portal has been replaced by MHS GENESIS. See https://health.mil/Military-Health-Topics/Technology/MHS-GENESIS/

To order military service documents such as a DD 214/Separation Document or Official Military Personnel File (OMPF), contact the National Archives, National Personnel Records Center at https://www.archives.gov/veterans/military-service-records, or call (866) 272-6272. For more information, follow us at https://www.facebook.com/groups/967395123712841 or visit movfw.org

"Here to Serve”