Bulletins

Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2591 recently announced the winners of the Patriot Pen and Voice of Democracy contests. Judges only identify entries by their number to ensure that the winning entry is selected on merit only.

Elaine and Michael Moore, of Urich, presented $500 to Melissa Wilson, left, director of recreation therapy, for the veterans at the Missouri Veterans Home in Warrensburg. The Moores are members of the Henry County Cattlemen’s Association, who braved cold, rainy weather to barbecue hamburgers and hot dogs for the veterans on Veterans Day.

Lincoln Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5925 adopted the 35th Combat Aviation Brigade in 2009 for continued support of all their functions including deployment. In 2010, Lincoln Chapter 4-6 of the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association joined in to support the unit.

American Legion National Commander Jim Koutz of Indiana made his official visit to Missouri Nov. 2 to 5. He stopped by the Missouri Veterans Home in Warrensburg and Whiteman Air Force Base. He was pleased with the current pace of membership growth in Missouri — seventh place nationally. His goal is to get the American Legion back to more than 3 million members by 2019, the 100th anniversary of the American Legion.

The “Tree of Stars” is an opportunity for individuals and groups to partner with the Veterans Assistance League to provide a Christmas gift for each of the 200 residents at the Missouri Veterans Home in Warrensburg.

Daffron Doghouse founders and trainers recently led the Warsaw Homecoming Parade. This organization helps veterans and soldiers train their own service dogs. Pictured from left are Carol Snider, with Sadie; Tim Snider, with Shelby; Chuck Daffron, with son Pahanna and Zeus;, Amanda Daffron, with Alli; and Rosie Daffron holding Junyer.

American Legion Post 16 recently installed officers for 2012-13. Pictured from left are Ralph Kreisel, service officer; Emmett Fairfax, trustee; Wes Shirley, historian; Robert Wenig, chaplain; George Fairfax, commander; Bill Neff, first vice commander; Bill Hanna, trustee; Cam Jennings, adjutant and treasurer; and George Shepherd, Missouri American Legion District 7 commander. Post 16 actively supports nursing scholarships at State Fair Community College, Boys State, Smith-Cotton JROTC and other community activities in the central Missouri area.

American Legion Post 642 is hosting an oratorical scholarship contest. Students must prepare and orate a speech about the U.S. Constitution. No cheat cards are allowed. Brochures are available to all high school students.

American Legion Post 642 recently hosted its second annual Kids Fishing with Vets event. The post partnered with Fishing with Harry at Clover Dell Park. Commander Darren Ross expressed his satisfaction with the results and thanked post members and others of the Legion family.

Nicholas Upton participated in American Legion Boys State of Missouri from June 16-23 at the University of Central Missouri. He is a junior at Green Ridge High School and was chosen based on his leadership, citizenship, academics and character.

Sunday was a day of remembrance and recognition for veterans of the Vietnam War — for some, a tribute nearly a half-century overdue.

Dave Woodfine, of the Warsaw Leathernecks Marine Corps League Detachment 1254, delivered a $200 check to support ongoing veteran programs at the Missouri Veterans Home in Warrensburg.

The Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4195  in Knob Noster honored Wilma Kinder’s middle school students, who participated in the nationwide youth essay writing contest competition, Patriot’s Pen.

Ted Lang, national commander of the 40 & 8, visited Voiture 333 on May 9 at Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2591. He presented a variety of awards.

George T. Murphy Post 491 will host Memorial Day services at noon Sunday at Green Ridge Cemetery.

Windsor Four County Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2610, with the assistance of American Legion Post 82, will conduct Memorial Day services at 11 a.m. Monday at Laurel Oak Cemetery in Windsor.

On Sunday, American Legion Post 305 in Cole Camp will travel more than 100 miles to visit 26 cemeteries in the Cole Camp and Lincoln area and place more than 800 flags at graves.

The American Legion National Commander David Rehbein visited George A. Whiteman Memorial Post 642 of Sedalia on April 7 for dinner. After his keynote speech, he presented a commander’s award for support of community, veterans and children to Mary McLaughlin.

American Legion National Commander David Rehbein, left, presented a certificate of honor and American Legion coins to Sgt. Ashley Koetting, of Sedalia, for her military service and her deployment to Kosovo. Paul Bennett, right, is the Legion historian for Missouri and a member of Post 642.

The Whiteman Wreath Laying Ceremony will begin at 11 a.m. May 16 at Memorial Park Cemetery.

In January, the Green Ridge High School Honor Society set a goal of collecting 100 baseball caps for veterans. They ended up collecting more than 300. These caps were presented to Voiture 333 of the 40 & 8 for distribution. The voiture’s volunteer staff took the caps to veterans

On Jan. 14, members of the Slater Ameican Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars met with Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder about the Missouri Veteran Stories program. They thanked Kinder for spearheading the program and express their support for it.

Members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5894 and Ladies Auxiliary from Warsaw recently delivered a large donation of clothing and other items to veterans living at the Missouri Veterans Home in Warrensburg.

The Warsaw Leathernecks delivered a large variety of items for veterans to choose from at the canteen at the Missouri Veterans Home in Warrensburg. They brought hats, mouse pads, razors, shaving cream, toothpaste, combs, battery-operated toothbrushes, key chains and pens.