VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS OF THE
UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF ARKANSAS
GENERAL ORDERS #7
JANUARY 2009
2008-2009 SERIES
1. MID-WINTER
CONFERENCE: The annual Mid-Winter Conference will be held January
30-February 12009, at the Crowne Plaza Little Rock . The telephone
number 1-501-223-3000 or 1-866-276-6648. Post 9095 in Little Rock will
host a spaghetti dinner on Friday, January 30th and a steak
nite on Saturday, January 31st. More details at the
conference.
2 ARKANSAS SERVICE
MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIPS: The Arkansas Community Foundation awards
scholarships for Arkansas students whose parents have died in service to
their community, state, or nation. The awards are funded by income from
the Arkansas Service Memorial Fund, an endowment created in the
mid-eighties largely through the fundraising efforts of Sheffield
Nelson. Since 1984 the fund has provided 115 scholarships totaling over
$125,000. Qualified students may receive an application by contacting
Margaret Birdsong of the Arkansas Community Foundation at 501-372-1116
or by email
mbirdsong@arcf.org. Applications received by April 15, 2009 will be
given priority.
3. POW/MIA FLAGS: 3 x
5 POW/MIA Flags are available at your Department Headquarters, at a
price of $33.00 each.
4. Stolen Valor Act Passes Congress: This act
amends the federal criminal code to expand the prohibition against
wearing, manufacturing, or selling military decorations or medals
without legal authorization. It prohibits the purchasing, soliciting,
mailing, shipping, importing, exporting, producing blank certificates of
receipt for, advertising, trading, bartering, or exchanging such
decorations or medals without authorization. It further prohibits
falsely representing oneself as having been awarded any decoration or
medal authorized by Congress for the Armed Forces or any of the service
medals or badges. The Stolen Valor Act significantly increases penalties
for violations if the offense involves a distinguished service cross, an
Air Force Cross, a Navy Cross, a Silver Star, or a Purple Heart. The
bill was sent to the President and he is expected to sign it into law.
Note: The VFW was in the forefront, actively supporting the passage
of this act.
5. USS MAINE: Post
Commanders and Americanism Chairmen are reminded of the anniversary of
the sinking of the USS Maine in Havana Harbor, February 15, 1898. A
special meeting or a memorial program should be held to honor those
comrades who served in our Nations cause in the Spanish-American War and
especially those veterans of the Spanish-American War who formed the
Veterans of Foreign Wars 109 years ago.
6. INSPECTION: A
thorough program of Post inspection is necessary to insure compliance
with National and Department By-Laws and directives. The State
Inspector and deputies shall make every effort to inspect every Post
under their cognizance on an annual basis and correct such discrepancies
as may be disclosed.
7. OFFICER PROOF OF
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS: All Posts and Districts are reminded of the
provisions of Section 216(c), 414(c) and 515(d) of the National By-Laws,
that officers, elected and appointed, shall submit proof of eligibility
to their respective Adjutant and that officers shall not be installed or
assume the duties of their office until proof of eligibility has been
submitted and received. The commanders of all units are reminded that
their duty to enforce a strict observance of the laws and usage’s of the
organization includes the enforcement of the provisions cited above.
Failure or refusal of officers, elected or appointed, to submit proof of
eligibility within sixty (60) days of election or appointment will
result in the office being declared vacant.
8. OUTSTANDING
COMMUNITY SERVICE RECORD BOOK CONTEST: We are now entering the fourth
quarter of the community service projects record-book year, which closes
April 30, 2009. If you have not reported, please do so as soon as
possible. Send all reports to the Department, 1719 South Broadway,
Little Rock, Arkansas 72206. You are doing the work; please take a
little time to report.
9. POST MATTERS: As a
matter of policy and in accordance with the National By-Laws, letters
addressed to the Commander-in-Chief concerning Post matters are referred
back to the Department Commander whose powers and duties include
enforcing strict compliance with the National By-Laws and deciding all
questions of law and usage in his department subject to an appeal to the
Commander-in-Chief.
10. ATTENTION POST
COMMANDERS Sections 220, Vacancies and Removal of Elective Officers, of
our National By-Laws says, "Any elective officer whose membership is
not in good standing by reason of failure to pay current dues to
December 31 shall forfeit his eligibility to hold office and said office
shall be held vacated. Any elective officer whose office is vacated by
the Department Commander by reason of failure to pay current dues or by
vote of the Post under the provisions of this Section shall not be
eligible to serve in any Post office in the same administrative year in
which the office is vacated."
11. ATTENTION POST
QUARTERMASTERS: Reminder to all Posts that have not paid their 2007
Convention registration. Section 222, Delegates, County Council,
District, Department and National Conventions of our National By-Laws
and Manual of Procedure says each Post shall register, in advance, at
least one delegate to the National Convention by the payment of a fee in
the amount specified in the Manual of Procedure. Posts failing to comply
with this provision shall be considered delinquent and in arrears.
12. ATTENTION POST
COMMANDERS: You are directed to Section 218, Manual of Procedure, "Duty
of Trustees." Trustees Report of Audit must be completed IN DETAIL at
the close of each quarter, one of which ends December 31st. Commanders
are reminded that all persons handling Post funds, including the Club
Manager and Bingo Chairman, shall keep accurate and complete records.
Post Trustees shall audit these records in the same manner as Post
Quartermaster records.
13. ATTENTION POST QUARTERMASTERS…DUES NOTICES WILL
BE MAILED AROUND THE MIDDLE OF FEBRUARY. Please make every effort to
have all paid members into National by the transmittal deadline, January
31, 2009.
14. U.S. FEDERAL FLAG CODE: The U.S. Federal Flag
Code has been amended by Congress and signed by the President to add
Martin Luther King Day to the list of days on which the flag should be
displayed. The other days are: New Year’s day, January 1; Inauguration
Day, January 20; Lincoln’s Birthday, February 12; Washington’s Birthday,
third Monday in February; Easter Sunday, (variable); Mother’s Day,
second Sunday in May; Armed Forces Day, third Saturday in May; Memorial
Day (half-staff until noon), the last Monday in May; Flag Day, June 14;
Labor Day, first Monday in September; Constitution Day, September 17;
Columbus Day, second Monday in October; Navy Day, October 27; Veterans
Day, November 11; Thanksgiving Day, fourth Thursday in November;
Christmas Day, December 25; and such other days as may be proclaimed by
the President of the United States; the birthdays of States (date of
admission); and on State holidays.
15. BUDDY
POPPIES: The distribution of VFW Buddy Poppies will be conducted
according to the provisions set forth in Section 711 of the National
Constitution, By-Laws, and Manual of Procedure. District and Post
Commanders should arrange now for the distribution of Buddy Poppies for
the Memorial Day campaign in their respective areas. All profits
accruing from the distribution of Buddy Poppies shall be used for the
relief of disabled and needy veterans and their dependents.
16. OPERATION UPLINK: Today’s servicemen and women
are facing serious hardships, and they’re looking to us to help keep
them connected! In fact, demand for Operation Uplink phone time
has reached an all-time High! Your gift to Operation Uplink
will help us “put the call through.” Visit
www.operationuplink.org or call 1-800-479-5228 to lend a hand.
Remember, with our nation at war, our troops need you!
17. LIABILITY INSURANCE: Section 709 of the
National By-Laws now requires Post to maintain adequate liability
insurance including, if necessary, Liquor Liability Insurance. Such
insurance must be of a type and amount sufficient to protect the Post
and must name as additional insureds, the Veterans of Foreign Wars and
the Department of Arkansas. Additional information may be obtained from
National Insurance at 1-800-829-8390 or VFW National HQ at
1-816-968-1161.
DISTRICT MEETINGS AND OTHER IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER
Jan 11 District 4 Post 1991 – Jonesboro 2:00,
Commander Vic Kerr
Jan 15 Deadline for Voice of Democracy district
participation report to Department Chairman Gary Wellesley
Jan 15 Deadline for Patriot’s Pen district
participation report to Department Chairman Lonnie McDurmond
Jan 15 Deadline for
Teacher of the Year district participation report to Department
Chairman Charles Wilkison
Jan 18 District 3
Post 4517 – Piggott, 1:00 – Surgeon Terry Callahan
Jan 19 Department Closed – Martin Luther King
Day
Jan 25 District 9 Post 2278 – Hot Springs, 2:00
- Jr Vice Commander Bud LaVallee
Jan 30-Feb 1 Mid Winter, Crowne Plaza Little Rock,
(99.00) 501-223-3000 or 1-866-276-6648
Feb 1 District 5 Post 7769 – Beebe, 2:00 –
Commander Vic Kerr
Feb 2 Department Closed
Feb 8 District 1 Post 3031 – Rogers, 2:00 – Sr
Vice Commander Carthel Parrott
Feb 8 District 7 Post 8845 – Fort Smith, 2:00
– State Inspector Bob Julian
Feb 15 District 2 Post 10417 – Lead Hill, 2:00 –
Jr Vice Commander Bud LaVallee
Feb 16 Department Closed – President’s Day
Feb 21 District 10 Post 8124 - Taylor, 2:00 –
Commander Vic Kerr
Victor Kerr
State Commander
OFFICIAL
Christine E. Oldham
State
Adjutant
