Veterans of Foreign Wars
of the United States

Department of Arkansas
1719 South Broadway
Little Rock, AR 72206-1220
(501) 372-3621, Fax (501) 375-4548

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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