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Illinois
American Veterans
Department of Illinois
Call to Action: Help our veterans today!
September 2016• Volume 40 No 9
AMVETS 29th annual picnic gives veterans a
chance to get out and have fun
FOX RIVER GROVE – About 500
hospitalized veterans came out
Wednesday for the 29th annual
AMVETS picnic, hosted by the
Cary-Grove AMVETS Pearl Harbor
Memorial Post 245.
interact with the community and to
see other vets that we haven’t seen in a
while.”
The buses carrying the veterans to the
annual picnic, held at Lions Park, 747
S. River Road, Fox River Grove, started
arriving about 11 a.m. Hospitalized
veterans came all the way from the
Captain James A. Lovell Federal Health
Care Center in North Chicago, the
Clement J. Zablocki VA Medical Center
in Milwaukee, Edward Hines Jr. VA
Hospital in Hines and the Jesse Brown
VA Medical Center in Chicago.
“I want to play some bingo today, but
overall I’m just going to take it easy,”
Taylor said.
Veteran Maurice Taylor, from Edward
Hines Jr. VA, talked about the
significance of the annual event.
“We’re glad to be here,” Taylor said.
“This is a great opportunity for us to
Taylor said he was looking forward to
relaxing and enjoying the nice weather.
Popular activities at the event included
bingo, bags, badminton, fishing, karaoke
singing and boat rides. Pontoon boats
were available for those who wanted a
short tour around the Fox River.
Food tents were set up at the event’s
entrance, as volunteers served the
veterans classic summer dishes, such as
brats, burgers, coleslaw and pasta salad.
Members of Target, Boy Scouts Troop
161 in Cary and Boy Scouts Troop 166
in Fox River Grove were just some of
the volunteers at the event.
Also in attendance
were military dogs
from the Lutheran
Church Charities
Kare 9 Military
Ministry. These
friendly canines were
there to provide a
calming presence for
the veterans.
nual
event
grow
in
attendance
every
summer.
According to
AMVETS Cmdr.
Gary Foster, the
picnic has come a
long way since his father, Stanley, started
the event in 1987.
“Stanley is the one that started this
picnic 29 years ago,” Foster said. “The
first time he did it, he went to Kentucky
Fried Chicken. He bought some pop
and chicken [for the veterans]. And it
snowballed from there each year.”
“It’s
gone
from
about
50
people to as many as, I would guess,
about 500,” Janu said. “Today, it looks
like a great crowd again, maybe about
500.”
Janu also has helped run the annual
picnic for the past 10 years.
Stanley passed away in 2008, but the
picnic he started
carries on.
“Most important thing today is the
veterans getting out and having some
fun,” Janu said. “It’s good for them to
get away and spend some nice time
out.”
“[Stanley] was the type of guy that would
do anything for you,
especially for a veteran,” Foster said.
This article appeared in the Northwest
Herald on 6/30/16. Written by Nate
Linhart. Used with permission.
AMVETS hospital chairman Bob Janu,
who has been a member of AMVETS
for the past 20 years, said he sees the an-
In this issue
•
•
•
•
•
Post 245 picnic a success
A thank you from Hines VA Hospital
Effective dates for compensation
Riders Chapter 169 thriving
Featured posts: 67, 77, 90, 98, 100, 140, 145, 204,
235, 245
AMVETS State Headquarters
2200 South 6th Street
Springfield, IL 62703
NoNprofit org.
U.S. poStage
paid
permit No. 174
peoria, iL
Upcoming Events
Mark Your Calendars
Commander’s Corner
Post 90 Blood Drive & Memorial
Ceremony for Patriot’s Day
September 10, 2016
10 AM - 5 PM
This all day event will be held at
Post 90, 421 Oak Street in Dekalb.
See the Calendar of Events online
at www.ilamvets.org for more info.
Dear AMVETS,
School of Instruction
September 16-17, 2016
Please contact Crystal at HQ for
more information.
Apple & Pork Festival
September 24-25, 2016
Post 14 will have a booth at the
festival in Clinton, IL.
District III Meeting
October 16, 2016 at 1 PM
The meeting will be held at Post
100, 210 East Court St. in
Jacksonville. For more information,
contact District III Commander
Jimmy Duncan.
4th District National Meeting
November 5, 2016
Marshalltown, IA
Please see our events calendar
online for more details.
Well it’s now been almost three months
since being elected your Department
Commander at our annual convention.
Since then I’ve been very busy
traveling this beautiful state. I’ve been to
26 Posts; 15 of them were post
meetings, along with four district
meetings and three parades and various
other activities. As I make my travels
around the state, and I get to listen to
you and the many different things that
are being done for both Veterans and
their communities, I am consistently
impressed and humbled by your
actions.
Again I had the pleasure of attending
two annual events that if you have not
been to, next year you should put it
on your calendar. The first one is held
the last Wednesday in June and is the
Veterans picnic in Cary Grove. Post 245
has done this now for 29 years and, at
least to me, it defines what AMVETS
is about at our core: Veterans helping
Veterans. They annually bring about
500 hospitalized Veterans to have a
picnic with them on the Fox River.
I’m very happy the Illinois AMVETS
Service Foundation has helped with this
for numerous years.
Contact Us
The second one is the 4th of July
Parade (shown) in East Moline with
Post 145, whom started this parade well
over 50 years ago and is believed to be
the only AMVETS Parade on the 4th
of July in Illinois. This is still one of
the best parade I’ve ever attended. See
more pictures on page 8.
Headquarters Staff:
Executive Director
Keith Wetherell
Membership Director
Jessica Sleek
Programs Director
Crystal Blakeman
Communications Director
Ashley Murphy
Page 2 • september 2016
Service Department:
National AMVETS Illinois Office
Located at the Chicago VA
Regional Office
312.980.4256
NSO: Rick Uldricks
NSO: Jose Garcia
Accredited VSO: Connie
Deleonardis
August was our National Convention,
held in Reno, NV, where we elected
our New National Commander and
other National Officers. More
information from this will be brought
up at our “School of Instruction”. The
State Fair was very nice, it was great to
see so many Veterans and their families
there for the “Veterans Day” at the
State Fair.
As I go around and attend meetings,
some attendance is small and some are
not. Not everyone wants to be an officer
in their post, but everyone that is able
should attend their post meetings when
they are able to. These meetings are the
foundation of everything we do. When
we are working towards
finding out what help
veterans need and how
to meet those needs,
these meetings are where
it all begins. It has always
been up to us,
Veterans, to ensure our
own future. If we stop,
who will continue?
This month we hold
our annual “School of
Instruction” in
Springfield. I look
forward to seeing many
of you there. At the
school you have the chance to meet
with other like-minded AMVETS that
want to see not only AMVETS grow,
but also the services provided to our
Veterans to grow and improve. During
this time, you will have the opportunity
to learn about membership, programs,
scholarships, grants, awards and many
lllinois Office Locations
Acting Deputy Service Director:
George Sebastian
Bob Michel Peoria CBOC
217.494.1454
Harold Dukala
Captain Lovell FHCC
847.688.1900 ext. 84138
other items of interest. This is a perfect
time if you are unsure of how to do
something at your post to come and
learn and get answers.
Yours in Service,
Richard Shea Jr
Department Commander
Joel Valera
Hines VA Hospital
708.202.2564
Auburn Greshem Clinic
(1st Wed)
217-494-4897
Chicago Vet Center
(2nd, 3rd & 4th Wed)
217-494-4897
Ed Humphrey
VAMC Marion
618.997.5311 ext. 54743
www.ilamvets.org
Membership
Dear AMVETS,
WOW…what a year! Yes, it has been a
year since I have been the Membership
Director at AMVETS State
Headquarters, and it has gone by so
fast. It has been quite the experience,
and I still have so much more to learn. I
appreciate all of you for having patience
with me and being of assistance when
I have needed it. In this year I have
met so many wonderful people and
I look forward to sharing many more
memories with all of you. With, that
being said, who is ready for September?
I look forward to great food and even
better times!
Renewal season is upon us! Please send
renewals to State Headquarters as you
receive them and membership cards
should be distributed as dues are paid.
I hope to see many members stay with
AMVETS. We will be trying many new
things in the future, and I hope to see
my fellow veterans stand with AMVETS
and be a part of our family.
To the officers of each post: please
ensure that you are revalidating with
State Headquarters. We need that
information so that we may inform you
of upcoming events. I would also ask
that you fill the forms out completely to
include a phone number and an email
address, if available, for each officer.
Please ensure that your post is up to
date with insurance and 990’s as well.
It is also imperative that you fill out the
membership applications completely.
I am still receiving applications without
the service dates and branch of service.
If I am able to process this information
in the beginning, it is a lot easier for all
of us. I do appreciate all of your hard
work and commitment. I look forward
to many years working with all of you
and I couldn’t ask for a better team.
Sincerely,
Jessica Sleek
Membership Director
Programs
Dear AMVETS,
our website on November 1st.
I am very excited to announce a couple
of new programs funded by the
Illinois AMVETS
Service
Foundation. In
addition to
providing
scholarships
to graduating
Seniors in High
School,
scholarship funds
will now be
available for
qualified veterans
attending post-secondary education.
The Illinois AMVETS Service
Foundation is committed to supporting educational goals of our Illinois
veterans. The Illinois AMVETS Service
Foundation Veteran Scholarship has
been established to invest in their
education. Honorably discharged
veterans enrolled full-time in postsecondary education are eligible to
apply. Applications will be available on
Secondly, a Christmas Assistance
Program called Operation Red Sleigh
will be available
to all honorably
discharged or
active-duty service
members. The
goal is to provide
a holiday meal
and gifts for
families
throughout
Illinois.
AMVETS Posts,
Auxiliaries, other
subsidiary organizations may also adopt
a family. Please contact me if you are
interested in doing so.
Illinois AMVETS Service
Foundation is getting ready to send six
Illinois Students to Freedoms
Foundation in early November. The
students will be working on their
leadership skills with students from all
over the United States and visiting
historical sites. This is a great
opportunity and we wish them all the
best!
We are now in a new reporting period,
December 2016. I urge each post to
report at least once a month. Veterans
Day is just around the corner! If your
Post is participating or hosting an event,
make sure that you report your
volunteerism.
Don’t forget to mark your calendar for
the February SEC, February 17-19,
2017. All members are encouraged and
welcome to attend. More information
can be found on our website at www.
ilamvets.org.
In addition, special congratulations
to Illinois AMVETS on their seventh
Paul Welsh Community Service Award
presented at the National AMVETS
Conference in Reno, NV this past
August. This award is for excellence and
outstanding achievement in enhancing
the quality of life for our veterans and
this nation’s citizens.
If you have any questions, please do
not hesitate to contact me at Crystal@
ilamvets.org or call me at 217-528-4713.
I am more than happy to assist you.
Sincerely,
Crystal Blakeman
Programs Director
Be sure to fill out membership applications completely!
Service Dates & Branch of Service are required.
Applications without this information
cannot be processed!
Veterans Serving Veterans
september 2016 • Page 3
Post 67 shines in parade
Post 98 participates in Stand Down
Post 98
Commander Homer
Bizzle represented
AMVETS and
America Cares Too
at the Homeless
Veteran Stand Down
on June 11.
Commander Bizzle
is shown with
Governor Bruce
Rauner.
Berchtold, Post 77, receives award
Beecher AMVETS Post 67 participated in their local 4th of
July parade.
Color guard left to right: Commander Burke Ford, William
Stewart, Michael Waterman, Mark Mokry
Shown in the car: (Front seat) Jim Gordon, Driver Roger
Blaylock; (Back Seat) Auxilary President Gayle Krause,
1st Vice President Shirley Boecker
Bob Dant, AMVETS Past Department Commander, presented
Dennis Berchtold the Post AMVET of the Year award for
AMVETS Post 77, Chillicothe.
Page 4 • september 2016
www.ilamvets.org
Illinois AMVETS continues support of Hines Games
Post & Auxiliary 204 place wreaths over Memorial Day weekend
Post and Ladies Auxiliary 204, Granite City, spent an
eventful Memorial Day weekend placing wreaths in their
communities. Below: Commander Brian Winfield, Auxiliary
President and PDP Claudia Kelly, Past Auxiliary 204
President Mary Scarsdale and the local Scouts and Brownies
places wreaths at St. John’s Cemetery in Granite City.
Above: Commander Winfield and President Claudia Kelly
placed wreaths on Memorial Day at Veterans Park in
Granite City.
Veterans Serving Veterans
september 2016 • Page 5
Honor Guard participates in building
rededication
Towers recognized as Post
AMVET of the Year
Post 100
Commander Jimmy
Duncan presented
Senior Vice
Commander Alice
Tower with the
Post AMVET of the
Year award.
The honor guard were present at the rededication of the
out court house on June 21. The building is 100 years
old. In the photo are members of the multi-organization/
veterans Tazewell Area Ceremonial Team. From left to
right in the photo: Lee Garman, Mary Kerby (Ladies
Auxiliary Department First Vice), Robert Morrison, Toni
McWherter, Carol Leonard, Norma Hoffman, Larry
McWherter, Steve Saal, Ken Staley, and PDC Paul Kerby.
Post 90 & Ladies Auxiliary 90 hold fundraiser
AMVETS Department of
Illinois Commander Richard
Shea Jr and Illinois AMVETS
Ladies Auxiliary Past
Department President Laurie
Shea visited Post 90 and
Ladies Auxiliary 90 last
month to support the post’s
hot dog and slaw fundraiser.
Post 90 has a dinner
fundraiser every Friday and
the AMVETS and Ladies
Auxiliary take turns benefitting from the funds raised.
A good time was had by all.
Page 6 • september 2016
www.ilamvets.org
Effective Dates for Compensation
When VA makes a determination that a
compensation award is to be paid based
on a claim, an effective date is also
assigned. The effective date determines
when benefits are payable. Effective
dates can vary based on the type of
benefit and the circumstances of the
claim.
How Effective Dates are Assigned
Listed below are the most common
types of claims and generally how
effective dates are assigned for each
type.
Direct Service-Connection
Generally, an effective date for
service-connection for a disability that
is directly linked to an injury or disease
that was incurred or aggravated by
military service is the date VA receives
a claim or the date entitlement arose,
whichever is later. The date entitlement
arose means the date the condition was
shown to exist by medical evidence.
There is an exception in cases where the
claim is filed within one year of
separation from active military service.
For these claims, the effective date will
be the day following separation.
Presumptive Service-Connection
Generally, an effective date for serviceconnection for a disability that is
presumed to be related to military
service is the date entitlement arose if
the claim is received by VA within one
year of release from active duty. If the
claim is received by VA after one year
of release from active duty, the effective
date is the date of receipt of the claim
or the date entitlement arose, whichever
is later.
Reopened Claims
Normally, the effective date for a
reopened claim is the date of receipt of
claim or date entitlement arose,
whichever is later.
Liberalizing Law Change
If there is a change in law or VA
regulation that allows for VA to pay
disability compensation, the effective
date may be assigned in the following
ways:
•
If a claim is reviewed on the
initiative of VA within 1 year from the
effective date of the law or VA
regulation, or the request of a claimant
is received within 1 year from the date
of the new law or regulation, the
effective date may be the date of the
change in law or regulation.
•
If more than one year has
elapsed since the change in law or
regulation, an effective date of one year
prior to either VA’s own review or one
year prior to the claimant’s request for
review may be assigned as the effective
date.
service and the claim is received within
one year of the Veteran’s death, the
effective date will be the first day of the
month in which the Veterans died.
•
If the death occurred after
service and the claim is received after
one year of the Veteran’s death, the
effective date is the date of receipt of
claim.
Error
If VA finds an error in a previous
decision, the effective date of the new
decision will be the date from which
benefits would have been payable had
there not been an error.
Difference of Opinion
A decision that is based on a difference
of opinion will have an effective date of
the original decision had it been favorable.
is received within 1 year from such
date, otherwise, the date the claim was
received.
Disability or Death Due to Hospitalization
•
Disability - Date the injury
or aggravation was suffered if claim is
received within 1 year after that date;
otherwise, the date the claim was
received.
•
Death - First day of month in
which the Veteran’s death occurred, if a
claim is received within 1 year following
the date of death; otherwise, the date
the claim was received.
Submitted by:
Joel Varela
Illinois AMVETS VSO
Increases
The earliest date as of which it is
factually ascertainable that an increase
in disability had occurred if claim
Dependency and Indemnity
Compensation
For claims based on death in service,
the effective will be the first day of the
month in which the death actually or
was presumed to have occurred.
•
If the death occurred after
VA provides service dog benefits to Veterans with mental health disorders
WASHINGTON – The Department
of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced
today that it is piloting a protocol to
implement veterinary health benefits
for mobility service dogs approved for
Veterans with a chronic impairment that
substantially limits mobility associated
with mental health disorders.
“We take our responsibility for the care
and safety of Veterans very seriously,”
said VA Under Secretary for Health,
Dr. David J. Shulkin. The Department
of Veterans Affairs (VA) is committed
to providing appropriate, safe and
effective, compassionate care to all
Veterans. Implementing the veterinary
health benefit for mobility service dogs
Veterans Serving Veterans
approved for Veterans with a chronic
impairment that substantially limits
mobility associated with mental health
disorders may prove to be significantly
beneficial for some Veterans. The
Service Dog Benefits Pilot will evaluate
this premise.”
VA has been providing veterinary benefits to Veterans diagnosed as having
visual, hearing or substantial mobility
impairments and whose rehabilitation
and restorative care is clinically
determined to be optimized through the
assistance of a guide dog or service dog.
With this pilot, this benefit is being
provided to Veterans with a chronic
impairment that substantially limits
mobility associated with a mental health
disorder for whom the service dog has
been identified as the optimal way for
the Veteran to manage the mobility
impairment and live independently.
Service dogs are distinguished from
pets and comfort animals because they
are specially trained to perform tasks
or work for a specific individual with a
disability who cannot perform the task
or accomplish the work independently.
To be eligible for the veterinary health
benefit, the service dog must be trained
by an organization accredited by
Assistance Dogs International in
accordance with VA regulations.
Currently, 652 Veterans with approved
guide or service dogs receive the
veterinary service benefit. This Pilot is
anticipated to provide the veterinary
service benefit to up to 100 additional
Veterans with a chronic impairment that
substantially limits mobility associated
with a mental health disorder.
Additional information about VA’s
service dog program can be found at
http://www.prosthetics.va.gov/ServiceAndGuideDogs.asp •
september 2016 • Page 7
Three Great Reasons to Shop Around For Auto Insurance
Shopping around is the number one
way of saving money on insurance. Are
you sure you’re getting the best deal
possible with your current insurance
company?
Many people find it easy to stay with
the same company for years, but fail to
realize they have the potential to save
hundreds of dollars each year by
comparing quotes from multiple
companies. You should have your
insurance needs shopped around at least
once per year. Below are three great
reasons to get comparisons on auto
insurance
You’ve just moved.
Moving is always a stressful and
usually expensive time. However, in this
expensive period of your life, there is at
least one thing you can do to cut some
expenses - shop around for auto
insurance rates.
Are you paying too much for your auto
insurance? Your new address makes
this the perfect time to find out, as rates
can change when you move. Why might
your rates change at your new address?
Because rates in various locations differ.
For example, auto insurance rates in
rural communities are almost always
lower than those in large urban centers.
Accidents tend to happen much more
frequently in big cities, due to the
number of cars on the road (aka: traffic).
You’ve bought a new car.
There are a lot of things to consider
when you are thinking of buying a new
car: what kind you want to get, what
monthly payments you can afford, what
features are the most important to you,
etc. But one thing most people don’t
think of is to check the new car’s
insurance rates.
Insurance rates differ greatly between
More Post 145 parade photos
cars. If the car is safe and performs well
in crash tests, is not frequently stolen,
and/or has certain safety or anti-theft
features, it will generally cost less to
insure. If the car is flashier, has a history
of being frequently stolen, or is more
expensive to repair, you can bet your
insurance rates will be higher.
You just think your rates are too high.
Ever been chatting with a friend or
colleague about auto insurance rates
and realized that they paid way less than
you?
While rates can differ from consumer to
consumer based on numerous factors,
you very well may be paying too much
for your auto insurance. What’s the only
way to find out? By shopping around
and comparing rates. •
ABOUT US: CONSUMERS FIRST
continually shops top-rated
companies to find clients the best
products for the best value. Also,
when you, your family or friends
purchase insurance through the
CONSUMERS FIRST AMVETS
Insurance program, AMVETS
receives funding when the policy
is purchased and EVERY time it
renews!
PLEASE REMEMBER: Of every
dollar donated to AMVETS
Department of Illinois through the
CONSUMERS FIRST AMVETS
Insurance Program, 50% goes
back directly to the Posts!
Please contact the AMVETS
Insurance program to learn more.
Call 1-888-215-0613 or go to
www.SupportAMVETS.org.
Insurance services are provided
by CONSUMERS FIRST. Offering
may vary by state.
Post 140 celebrates 25 years
On July 19th, AMVETS Post 140 in Greenville celebrated its
25th anniversary with a special recognition and
appreciation meeting. During the meeting Commander
Richard Shea Jr. presented Judge John Knight the
Outstanding AMVET of the Year Award for the year 2015.
Judge Knight was also recognized for 25 years
Distinguished Service and was presented a plaque by Post
140 Commander Tony Koonce. Post Commander Koonce
also recognized area business leaders and organizations
for there contributions to the success
of the post for the last 25 years.
Page 8 • september 2016
www.ilamvets.org
Riders Chapter 169 demonstrates local veteran support
The Illinois AMVET Riders Chapter
169 (North Pekin) continue to stay busy
and active in their community -supporting veterans and their families.
Members of the North Pekin AMVETS
Riders were honored to cook a picnic
meal for roughly 200 members and
family of the 724th Transportation
Company. (top picture) Present in
picture from left to right are PDC Bob
Dant, Paul Vinnage, Roger Johnson,
Jerry Cox, Matt Thompson, Bryan
Coulter and Jim Miller. Also in July,
members of AMVETS Riders, Chapter
169, rode in a PTSD fundraiser ride.
Over 100 motorcycles turned out for
the event. Several thousand dollars
were raised for the cause. (second pic)
In June, the Riders were present to
support the Peoria Honor Flight
veterans. Shown (third pic) is PDC Bob
Dant handing Bruce Rauner, Governor
of Illinois, an AMVETS pin.
Finally, in August, the Riders made a
special delivery to a very special
AMVET. A year ago the AMVETS
Riders rode to Streator to present Mike
Ragusa a Certificate of Recognition, not
only for his Military Service as a Marine
Veteran, but for his continued support
to fellow veterans.
Mike has always been supportive of all
the service organizations, but after that
visit, he more closely aligned with the
“Riders” and what they do, although
Veterans Serving Veterans
Mike himself is not a Motorcycle Rider.
AMVETS and AMVETS Riders’
National heard of our visit and upon
discussion suggested that Mike become
an official Rider. With that, the Riders
again rode to Streator along with the
Patriot Guard and met the Screaming
Eagle Motorcycle Club in Streator. The
support that this club displayed towards
acknowledging Mike’s service was
impressive. Many of the club members
are Veterans, themselves. As one of the
members said, “it is all about respect”.
The combined group of over forty bikes
rode to Mike’s home. As was done last
year, Mike was not aware of any of the
activities beforehand. Mike’s wife, Rose,
again arranged for the Riders arrival,
while keeping Mike totally unaware.
You can only imagine what happens
when the sound of forty motorcycles
pull up in your driveway. Friends and
neighbors joined in the recognition.
Mike was then presented with an
AMVETS Riders Membership card,
a certificate being inducted into the
Riders followed by his brother, Chris,
presenting Mike with the AMVETS
Riders “Colors” on a leather vest. Chris,
himself, is a member of the AMVETS
Riders. The Tazewell County Legion
Riders presented Mike with a Legion
Medallion. Mike then rode in a
“Sling-Shot” trike to Chipper’s
Restaurant where everyone had brunch.
Service Director, AMVETS Dept of
Illinois, Springfield. Mike is currently
on medical leave from that position due
to exposure to Agent Orange during
military service in Vietnam. Mike
continues to assist Veterans in need,
while being humble and not taking
credit for what he does for others, while
doing so much. •
Mike most recently served as Deputy
september 2016 • Page 9
Illinois AMVETS Ladies Auxiliary
A Word from President Sanders
Greetings AMVETS Ladies Auxiliary,
I hope everyone is having a nice
summer and able to keep cool. Since
announcing my special project at
convention I have decided to change
it from Camp Corral to Operation
Shower. To quote their information:
“Operation Shower hosts baby showers
for groups of military moms and
moms-to-be who are faced with the
challenges of military deployment
or extended separation during their
pregnancies. With the generous help of
sponsors, donors and volunteers, we are
able to host multiple showers a year all
over the country. Each mom or
mom-to-be receives our signature
“Shower in a Box” packed with much
needed items and gifts for her and her
new baby. We provide the moms with
a beautiful, unique shower to help them
celebrate their new babies in style with
food, fun and lots of gifts! After all, the
military moms who hold it all together
at home deserve a party!”
This, of course, includes military
spouses as well as women in service. I
am working with Doug Bowers,
Voluntary Service Chief at Marion VA;
they have already held one shower at
Marion and one at Evansville.
Mark your calendar, September 16th
– 18th is September SEC. Friday night
the Auxiliary is hosting a Paint Night,
please join an evening of creativity to
benefit our programs. Saturday
afternoon will be the annual School of
Instruction. I intend to use the round
table discussion format similar to last
year. Please bring with you 5 projects
that have worked for your Auxiliary
(one for each of our Programs: Child
Welfare, Community Service,
Americanism, Hospital and
Scholarship) to share with all. The
AMVETS Service Foundation will
once again provide one double room
per auxiliary, yes that means you could
send two members who would share
that room. You could send even more
if they have an AMVET to stay with.
IT WOULD BE GREAT TO HAVE
SOMEONE NEW ATTEND FROM
EACH AUXILIARY, but at least send
someone. YOUR INPUT IS
IMPORTANT FOR ALL TO HEAR.
Since the Auxiliary doesn’t have
Districts anymore, we need more local
participation at the state level. Please
contact Department Secretary Penny
Goins for reservations and/or
cancellation at 309-253-7846.
On Saturday after the meetings dinner
is provided by AMVETS, “The annual
Picnic” at AMVETS headquarters.
Busses will be provided for
transportation. This year we are also
having “Horse Races” so please stay and
place your bets. It is always a great time
at the RACES.
As we go through the year remember
we need to be Helping Children Reach
Their Unlimited Potential.
Yours in AMVETS Ladies Auxiliary
Service,
Larina Sanders
AMVETS Ladies Auxiliary,
Department of Illinois State President
2016-2017
rina6122@sbcglobal.net
Who are the Ladies Auxiliary?
When you sit down and think about it,
who is the AMVETS Ladies Auxiliary?
Would you be able to explain who the
AMVETS Ladies Auxiliary really was if
someone came up to you and asked?
everyone that AMVETS is not here to
gloat. We are here to support veterans,
children and communities in any way
we can so that the freedom that was
given to us doesn’t go to waste.
Well, let me explain to you who the
AMVETS Ladies Auxiliary really
is. The AMVETS Ladies Auxiliary
consists of wives, mothers, daughters,
grand-daughters, sisters and, yes, even
female veterans that are proud to say we
are related to or are a veteran. We have
developed this auxiliary to show our
support and gratitude to our veterans
who have fought in many different
forms of war, or just joined the military
to give us the freedom we have today.
We, the AMVETS Ladies Auxiliary,
are here to give back to our veterans
and communities by volunteering our
time in any way possible. Giving back
to our communities by donating to
local charities, schools or businesses
are only a few ways we can help out.
We also volunteer at our local schools,
libraries, hospitals, nursing homes, etc.
As any auxiliary member, we take the
time to visit our sick veterans, children
and neighbors in the hospital or at their
homes.
The women who have taken the time
to join the AMVETS Ladies Auxiliary
did so with a purpose. Every one of the
ladies in this auxiliary are here to help
our veterans get the word out that our
freedom is here because of our veterans. It is our opportunity as ladies to
get out into our community and show
Page 10 • september 2016
who the AMVETS Ladies Auxiliary
is, just remember we are women who
take the time to support our veterans,
children and communities by
volunteering our time, donating to
charities and visiting the people we
know no matter who they are when they
are sick.
We are the ladies that are thanking our
veterans by giving back in any way we
can.
Yours in service,
PDP Laurie Shea
NEC Woman
An auxiliary member will even take the
time to welcome home our troops at the
airports and thank them for their services. These are only a few things that
the AMVETS Ladies Auxiliary do to
support our veterans. So the next time
you sit down and think or are asked
www.ilamvets.org
Auxiliary 204 at Run for the Wall
Word from your 1st Vice
Greetings to all,
First and foremost, I wish to thank
everyone for electing me as your First
Vice-President of AMVETS Ladies
Auxiliary. It is my honor to serve in
this position. Most of you already
know who I am, but here is a bit of
information about me. Paul and I have
four children, 11 grandchildren, four
great grandchildren and a fifth on the
way. Two of our sons are also
veteran’s. I am honored to be part of
the AMVET organization because of
the service it gives to our active duty service people and our veterans. I belong
to other veteran organizations also and
am very active in the community as a
volunteer.
Members of Auxiliary 204 supported Run for the Wall at
Jefferson Barracks Veteran Hospital. Shown left to right:
Janet VanDeusen, Auxiliary 204 1st Vice; PDP Claudia Kelly,
Auxiliary 204 President; and Lisa Kalips, Auxiliary 204 2nd
Vice.
As membership chairperson, I am
responsible for our membership and
increasing it. We cannot function
without the help of our members and
their loyalty. As we all know we are
dwindling in numbers, but this is where
we can all help. If each of us would
sign up one member our numbers
would double very quickly. Personally
I am amazed at the number of things I
have learned as a member of AMVETS
auxiliary. There are so many ways we
can help our vets. Mostly just being
there when a vet or his family need
assistance and we are able to give that
help means more than any thing. Being
a member of such an organization is an
honor. We all need to stress the point
of being a member and what we can do
to help our service people and veterans.
Money isn’t always the answer. Being
human is. As a member we broaden
our knowledge and acquire so many
new friends.
If you don’t have an auxiliary at your
post organize one. It only takes 10
people to make an auxiliary. A spouse,
daughter, mother, grandmother, niece
are all eligible to be part of an AMVET
Ladies Auxiliary. Let’s all work to
increase our membership. It only takes
one to enroll one.
Once again, thank you for putting your
faith in me as your 1st Vice for
Department of Illinois.
In Service,
Mary Kerby
1st Vice President
Aux 67 promotes their card campaign
Beecher AMVETS
Ladies Auxiliary
#67 participated in
a National Night
Out event, held
at Perry Farms.
Raising
awareness
regarding the
Ladies Auxiliary
Christmas card
campaign, in which
the Ladies
Auxiliary sends
out over 16,000
Christmas cards to
our military men &
women every year. Attendees where encouraged to sign a card. Auxiliary members
present were Gayle Krause, Leilani Segert, Erin Lane, Pat Burdick, Rita Dreesen,
Tammy Hitzleburger, Janene Burkard, Shirley Boecker, Betty Ahrens and Bonnie
Ford (not pictured.)
Veterans Serving Veterans
september 2016 • Page 11
AMVETS
[membership application]
Date
Date of Birth
/
Name
City
/
Sex:  Male
State & Zip
JOIN
TODAY!
 Female
If your business or organization is
interested in helping the Illinois AMVETS by
hosting a collection site, please contact
keith@ilamvets.org.
Street
Wheeling
No attendant on duty.
AMVETS Post 66
(700 McHenry Rd)
E-Mail
Lombard
9 AM - 4 PM Every Day
345 W. Roosevelt Rd.
Mobile Gas Station
West Chicago
10 AM - 4 PM Every Day
27W 215W North Ave.
(Corner of North & County
Farm Rd.)
By Yamaha & Honda Dealer
Phone #
Des Plaines
9 AM - 4 PM Every Day
At Oakton & Lee
In the West Side of K-Mart
Parking lot
Month/Year Discharged
Tinley Park
9 AM - 4 PM Every Day
159th St. & Sayre Ave.
(East of Harlem Ave)
Burlington Coat Factory
Parking lot
Month/Year Entered
Darien
9 AM - 4 PM Every Day
75th & Lyman Ave.
In front of the Wal-Mart by
Aldi’s
Branch of Service
Minooka
10 AM - 4 PM Every Day
855 S. Ridge Rd.
(I-80 to Minooka South Exit)
Ace Hardware Parking Lot
Sponsor/Post Officer
Bridgeview 9 AM - 4 PM Every Day
7325 W. 79th St.
(79th & Harlem Ave.)
In the K-Mart Parking Lot
I verify that I am serving or have served honorable in the US Armed Forces (Active, Guard or Reserves) after Sept. 15,1940. DD 2-14 is required.
Or, you can schedule a pick-up if your location is
available by calling 708-388-7800.
*Annual dues vary by post. Please contact 217-528-4713 for this information. Lifetime dues are $250.
Mail completed application with dues payment to: Illinois AMVETS, Attn: Membership, 2200 South Sixth St., Springfield, IL 62703
If you would like to make a donation of household goods,
donations can be dropped off at the following locations.
Your Signature
Illinois AMVETS Plaza Sites
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