Saturday, December 19, 2015

John Pandora - Derving up 32nd Christmas Day Feast !

Nice article on John..........

To view digital edition this clipping was taken from,
click here


Sunday, December 6, 2015

Remember Pearl Harbor

Remembering our Pearl Harbor Veterans ! I can remember my father and grandfather talking about this ........

Friday, November 20, 2015

Post Annual Christmas Party !


 Dec 20th Post 95 Christmas Dinner at Stonehurst Manor 1630-1730(Social) 1730 Dinner - $24 per person


Thursday, November 5, 2015

Post Meeting Tuesday Nov 10th

Don't forget our Post meeting this coming Tue Nov 10th. We will be wrapping up plans for our Veterans Day parade. 1900 hours. See you there! It is also the 240th Marine Corps Birthday. OOOORAH!

Wednesday, September 30, 2015

Flu Clinic - Conway VA Clinic

For those who are interested.
Flu Shots will be available at the Conway VA Clinic Starting..
Monday October 26th thru Friday October 30th
0900 > 1200 & 1300 > 1500 Military Times
9:00 AM > 12:00 PM & 1:00 PM > 3:00 PM Civilian Times
If you have an appointment prior to these dates you will be receiving your Flu Shot then.
Steve Robinson - Post Adjutant
The American Legion
North Conway Post- 95

Sunday, September 20, 2015

MOH Honor Convention

A Fantastic evening in the presence of true greatness at the Boston Medal of Honor Convention.

WSJ - VA Needs 'System-Wide Reworking'

And now the Wall Street Journal: 
Hate to say we told ya so... all the evidence clearly points to the fact that the VA needs reform NOW!
A sweeping independent review of health care provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs shows the agency has significant flaws, including a bloated...
WWW.WSJ.COM|BY BEN KESLING

Are you a Vietnam-era Veteran who served aboard a Navy/Coast Guard ship?

Are you a Vietnam-era Veteran who served aboard a Navy/Coast Guard ship? If so, you may be eligible to qualify for presumption of Agent Orange exposure when seeking disability compensation for certain related diseases. Find out if your ship is named in the list of ships designated as having traveled on the inland waterways of Vietnam or made brief visits ashore. VA recently added 22 additional ships to this list. Learn more at http://go.usa.gov/3MXMR

Friday, September 18, 2015

National POW/MIA Recognition Day

Patriots and Friends,

I invite you to join me today in observing the 36th National Prisoner of War and Missing in Action Recognition Day in America. Today we honor two special groups of America's heroes - those military men and women who were imprisoned by the enemies of our nation, usually under despicable conditions, and who suffered unspeakable torture at the hands of their captors. Yet, through courage, resilience, and determination, they survived to return home to a grateful nation. Today they represent us in Congress, we work alongside them, and they are in our own families. I am particularly proud that many of these Patriots are loyal Members of the Military Order of the Purple Heart.
We also pay tribute today to the more than 83 thousand soldiers, sailors, marines, and airmen whose fate remains unknown. They are the service members who have never been reunited with their mothers, their fathers, their wives, or their families. For the families and friends of those who remain missing from as long ago as World War II, their silent, yet hopeful, vigil still continues as they await news of their missing loved ones. We, in the Military Order of the Purple Heart, echo an entire nation's unending support and our undying promise that, no matter how long it takes, no matter what it takes, we will not stop until we have brought every American home. Our pledge is that we will leave no one behind.
At the end of the Vietnam War, there reportedly were 2,583 Americans who could not be accounted for - they were the prisoners, missing or killed in action whose bodies were not recovered. As of June 15, 2015, 956 of those missing Americans had been accounted for, but the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency still lists another 1,627 Americans as missing and unaccounted for - most of them in Vietnam or in areas of Cambodia and Laos where Vietnamese operated during the war.  

This year marks the 70th Anniversary of the end of WWII, yet some 73,539 American service members remain on the unaccounted rolls. Two years ago, we marked the 60th anniversary of the Korean Armistice, and yet some 7,882 remain unaccounted for from that conflict. Today, I want to reissue the challenge of my predecessors to our Government - before the 50th Anniversary of the Vietnam War in 2025 -- give us a full accounting of all the 1,627 missing servicemen and women from Vietnam, as well as those MIA's from prior wars.
May God Bless our fallen heroes -- those who were captives at the hands of our enemies, those who remain missing in action -- and especially those who have lost their loved ones and await their return. Let us continue to set the Missing Man Table to honor and remember them until they all come home. May God also bless all those who have served their country in the past and those who continue to serve at home and abroad to defend the values and freedoms that all Americans enjoy. 

GOD BLESS AMERICA!  

Bob Puskar
National Commander MOPH

POW/MIA Vigil

this weekend September 19 and 20 is The American Legion Department of New Hampshire 24 hour POW/MIA Vigil at the New Hampshire \Veterans home pavalion in Tilton.
we start at 11:00 on Saturday and watches will be going on for 24 hours,, Please come by any time during the 24 hours (11:00 am on Saturday until 11:00 on Sunday) we will be there and stand a 15 minute watch and show you haven't forgotten our POW/MIA. please stop up anytime after 11:00 and stand a 15 watch for our... POW/MIA 
thank you and may God Bless our POW/MIA and bring them Home
Bill Stewart

Thursday, September 17, 2015

"Real ID Act"

" NOTE FROM THE ADJUTANT:

I was just advised that come January 1 2016, you will be required to have a special ID in order to fly in the continental US. Most states are going to be reissuing new licenses to all their residences to conform with this new ID requirement. But there are 4 states that voted down the reissuing of licenses because of the cost. NH is one of them. What does this mean if you want to travel and are a resident of NH. It means you will need to get a regular passport to comply with this new restriction or you cannot fly even if you are flying to one state from another.

Considering a lot of us have to fly at least 2 or 3 times a year, I recommend you apply for a passport now since the lead time in getting one can range from 4 to 12 weeks in some cases and I am sure there will be a lot of people in this state that will be rushing to get one now "


Steve Robinson - Post Adjutant
The American Legion
North Conway Post- 95

Monday, June 22, 2015

Battle Of Okinawa

Seventy years ago today the Battle of Okinawa ended with an Allied victory. When the Typhoon of Steel, as the battle is known, came to an end, the Allies had suffered 14,009 casualties with Japan losing 77,166 soldiers. Today we honor and salute the sacrifice and courage of all the American Servicemembers who took the island.

Monday, June 15, 2015

New Flag Pole Installed at Post

The Post has a new flag pole. Thanks to Dave Haskel who showed up with the pole during the Post's Flag Day Collection of old flags with help from Steve Woodcock, Karl Pfeil and Tom Workman. Next is to insure the lighting system is operational and fixing up the landscaping around the pole.




Tuesday, May 19, 2015

Memorial Day Plans

For those of you who can make it. The ceremonies will commence at Jackson...on to Glen, Intervale and then the Bartlett War memorial in town center. Lunch at the Bartlett VFW will follow.
Our ceremony will commence at the North Conway Cemetery at 14:00 hrs. I would very much like to have at least a four man firing squad. Two individuals to man the colors...a bugler to play taps...if not, does anyone have any idea where the tape is that we used in the past for taps? I need help on this one...Paul Devine has prepared an opening prayer. I will act as MC.
I hope most of you will be able to make it. Please be attired in American Legion Uniform, if you have one...if not, at least wear the AL cap. The ceremony will last approximately 12 minutes. That's the very least we can do for our brothers!!!!

The Concert will commence at 19:30 hrs. Sunday evening. We need at least five individuals to carry colors. (OUR WAY.)  I have only one confirmed at this time. (Karl.) Please contact me and let me know if you care to volunteer to carry one of the Services Colors...Be sure to let me know which service. The concert is usually a fun time with great music. Please be attired in either a service uniform or the American Legion uniform. I ask that you get back to me today...or as soon as possible...They want to put names of color bearers in the program.  
Frank 

Graveyard Service for 70yr Post-95 Member

Jean Fernandez’s ‘94 70yr Post-95 Charter Member, Graveside Ceremony is tomorrow afternoon 2pm @ North Conway Cemetery.

Today’s CDS: S. Jean Fernandez ~ Graveside service will be held Wednesday, May 20, at 2 p.m. in the North Conway Cemetery in North Conway for S. Jean Fernandez, 94, of North Conway who died April 8, 2015, at the Memorial Hospital in North Conway.
The Furber and White Funeral Home in North Conway is in charge of arrangements.

Wednesday, May 13, 2015

Getting ready for Memorial Day

Thanks to John Pandora, Miles Waltz, Lou Lavender and to anyone else who helped make sure that new flags were posted at our local cemeteries.

Saturday, May 9, 2015

Counsilor Joseph D. Kenney at the Job Fair attended by Post-95

State of New Hampshire Joseph D. Kenney stopped by the Post-95  booth at the Conway Job and Resource Fair Friday. Joe joined the United States Marine Corps in 1980 and after 34 years, he continues to serve as a Marine S-2 Officer with the 25th Marines at Fort Devens, Massachusetts. L to R, Commander Frank McCarthy, Joe Kenney, Karl Pfeil and David Haskell - All Marines SEMPER FI.

Thursday, May 7, 2015

Job and Resource Fair Friday May 8th Pass the word



Comrades

The American Legion
North Conway Post-95
Commander Frank McCarthy

Tomorrow we will have representatives from The American Legion · North Conway Post-95 at the Job Fair below.

Please inform anyone you may know who is looking for a JOB.

We will also have The American Legion Kiosk with Brochures for assistance programs.

Sponsored by New Hampshire Employment Security

CONWAY JOB & RESOURCE FAIRFRIDAY, MAY 8, 2015
10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
CONWAY PARKS & RECREATION
1634 E MAIN STREET · ROUTE 302 EAST
CENTER CONWAY NH



5 Must Know GI Bill Facts | Military.com

5 Must Know GI Bill Facts | Military.com

Post-9/11 GI Bill Overview | Military.com

Post-9/11 GI Bill Overview | Military.com

Thursday, April 16, 2015

UPDATE - VIETNAM VETERANS "WELCOME HOME"

Comrades
 
This Saturday April 18th 1400 or 2pm  GMT
Pease Air National Guard Base
302 Newmarket St
Newington NH
Route 16 Exit-1
Head straight to the main gate of the base off of the exit.
There will be Uniformed NHANG parking attendants giving you directions.
 
Be Early this will be a HUGH ~ Vietnam Veterans “Welcome Home” Ceremony!










Thursday, April 9, 2015

A trio of Stolen Valor phonies | The American Legion's BurnPit

A trio of Stolen Valor phonies | The American Legion's BurnPit

Fantastic Footage - Japanese Surrender


September 2, 1945 Japanese Surrender

This film is believed to have never been seen before, only shots of the surrender were known. If you are a history buff you will enjoy this. General McArthur's voice is a rarity in these old film clips.
This is an actual news reel film made of the surrender ceremony of the Japanese to McArthur in Tokoyo Bay in September 1945. Actual voice of the General. Never been shown to the public before. We always saw the "stills" but never the film itself.

Click here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=vcnH_kF1zXc&feature=player_embedded
Ford Airplane - AMAZING

This was 6 months BEFORE Pearl Harbor! Henry Ford was determined that he could mass produce bombers just as he had done with cars, so he built the Willow Run assembly plant in Michigan and proved it. It was the largest building under one roof at the time.

This film will absolutely blow you away - one B-24 every 55 minutes .....and Ford had their own pilots to test them, and they had no recalls.

Adolf Hitler had no idea the U.S.A. was capable of this kind of thing

http://www.youtube.com/embed/iKlt6rNciTo?rel=0

Tuesday, March 31, 2015

VIETNAM VETERAN WELCOME HOME – SATURDAY APRIL 18, 2015 12:00 – PEASE AFNG HANGAR 253



The NH PGR will be leading a motorcycle Ride-In for the Vietnam Veteran Welcome Home, Pease Air Force National Guard (AFNG) installation, Hangar 253 Gate entrance TBD.
MOTORCYCLE STAGING LOCATION – 1465 Woodbury Ave, Portsmouth, NH 03801 (Formerly K-Mart)
1465 Woodbury Ave, Portsmouth, NH 03801
This will be a multi-organization MC ride-in with reserved parking for ride in participants. As the AFNG section of Pease is an active military installation PPE regulations (helmet and reflective vest) are typically required for all who are riding (including trikes) on the installation. However the base CDR has waived the PPE requirement for the Welcome Home Ceremony.

Staging: 12:00 pm

Briefing: 12:15 pm
KSU: 12:30 pm

Please join in to Welcome Home our Vietnam Veterans!!!



Lynn Santosuosso, RCIC
603-205-0456
Lmsnh60@yahoo.com
Jim Constantine Co-RC
http://www.nhpatriotguard.org/2015/03/30/vietnam-veteran-welcome-home-saturday-april-18-2015-1200-pease-afng-hangar-253/



Sunday, March 29, 2015

Vietnam Veterans Day


Expanding Choice Program eligibility What changes in the 40-mile calculation mean for Veterans

On Tuesday, VA Deputy Secretary Sloan Gibson announced a change in the Veterans Choice Program that nearly doubles the number of individuals eligible to participate under the 40-mile criteria.
“We’ve heard what Veterans are saying about the Veterans Choice Program and the current method of determining eligibility based on how the 40-mile distance is calculated,” Gibson wrote here on Vantage Point. “We are going to change that.”
VA announced it will change the calculation used to determine the distance between a Veteran’s residence and the nearest VA medical facility from a straight-line distance to driving distance. The policy change will be made through regulatory action in the coming weeks.
For example, under the new distance calculation, a Veteran who lives less than 40 miles “as the crow flies” – or straight-line – from the nearest VA medical facility, but who needs to physically drive more than 40 miles to get there would be eligible for the Veterans Choice Program. Under the previous straight-line distance calculation, this Veteran would not be eligible for the program unless they were waiting for an appointment longer than 30 days from their preferred date or the date determined to be medically necessary by their physician.
Will the change in the 40-mile rule impact you? Here are answers to some of the questions we’ve been asked.
Q: When will this expansion go into effect?
A: VA must publish an interim final rule-making and this change will be effective upon publication of this rule-making in the Federal Register.
Q: How does VA plan to notify newly eligible Veterans?
A:  Because all potentially eligible Veterans should already have received their Choice card, VA will send letters notifying Veterans who will be eligible under the revised mileage calculation. If you have not received your Choice card, please call 1-866-606-8198.
Q: What mapping tool is used to calculate the 40 miles? 
A: The tool used will be a commercial product that is consistent with VA’s long-established beneficiary travel program. As every commercial product uses priority programming, the results may vary among products.
Q: Is it still 40 miles from any VA medical facility or is it 40 miles from a VA medical facility that actually provides the care needed?
A: This is currently defined as any VA medical facilityAbsent a statutory change, VA does not believe that it has the flexibility to adopt an alternative approach. In other words, the law is clear that eligibility must be based on the distance from the Veteran’s residence to any VA medical facility, even if that facility does not offer the specific medical service the Veteran requires for that particular visit. VA is working with Congress, VSOs and Veterans like you to make changes to the law so that it works for all Veterans. In testimony Tuesday, March 24, before the U.S. Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, VA Deputy Secretary Sloan Gibson answered a question about the 40-mile requirement as written into the law by Congress. Watch his response below or watch the full hearing online.
Q: Why is VA changing this criterion now?
A: The interim final regulation was based on the discussion in the House Conference Report that accompanied the Act. After further review of other information contained in the report, VA believes that revising the calculation will still be in the spirit of the law and allow improved access for Veterans.
Q: Where can I get more information about the program?
A: Visit the VA Choice website at http://www.va.gov/opa/choiceact/ 

Saturday, March 28, 2015

Combat veterans face ‘cruel’ struggle to prove their service to VA, amid missing records


Stanley Friedman was shot at. The ship he was on was attacked by enemy bombers. He saw a landmine blow apart a truck carrying two dozen of his fellow soldiers. One of them died in his arms. 
But after he came home from World War II, he found himself embroiled in another battle -- this time, with the Veterans Administration, as he tried to get his benefits. 
In the decades that followed the war, Friedman suffered from anxiety, depression and nightmares which lasted his entire life, affecting his job and his family. 
Yet, as he sought treatment and benefits, the Veterans Administration told him the military records documenting his service couldn't be found. Despite the fact Friedman knew very specific details of the dates and places he experienced the most traumatic events, there was no proof, so he wasn't entitled to benefits, the VA said. 
"I have a huge box of letters that he sent to the VA over the years in his attempt to get benefits," said Friedman's wife of 61 years, Minna Rae. "He tried over and over and over again to get help, but they just kept turning him down." 
Friedman -- who, as he would later learn, suffered from Posttraumatic Stress Disorder -- was not alone. 
Veterans of all wars, from World War II to the present, are fighting similar battles to this day against the VA -- now called the Department of Veterans Affairs -- to prove their service and obtain benefits they believe they deserve, and finding out that the VA's records are woefully incomplete. 
The John Marshall Law School's Veterans Legal Support Center and Clinic, which works to assist vets with legal and other issues, has lists of former soldiers wrangling with the VA system. 
"It's an issue many, many vets have been suffering through for a long time, including recent veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan," said attorney James Garrett. 
Garrett had been a lawyer with the firm DLA Piper Global, in San Diego, which has a division that takes on pro bono work assisting veterans. The veteran support clinic emailed him in 2009 appealing for help for Friedman. Garrett said he was stunned to learn that six decades after the war ended, a soldier was still locked in battle. 
'Frustrating does not even begin to tell you the truth of the matter'
- Attorney James Garrett, who works on veterans' cases

"I couldn't believe that after all this time, a WWII veteran was still having trouble getting benefits," he exclaimed. 
Friedman was 89 years old at that time. 
Garrett and his team began making calls, sending letters, searching the Internet, digging through documents and wading through reams of microfilm, just trying to find anything that would prove Friedman's claims. 
"Frustrating does not even begin to tell you the truth of the matter. I've found it incredibly unbelievable as a taxpayer the amount of bureaucracy and ineptitude that was occurring, not only in Stanley Friedman's case, but in other cases," Garrett said. 
Brian Clauss, who is executive director of the clinic at John Marshall, said missing records are especially a problem for veterans who served before 1973, when a fire destroyed millions of files at the National Personnel Records Center in suburban St. Louis, Mo. 
"No duplicate copies of these records were ever maintained, nor were microfilm copies produced," said Clauss. "Neither were any indexes created prior to the fire." 
A person would need to be a very good detective to come up with proof of service or experiences. 
"It can be particularly cruel -- an elderly veteran has to reconstruct their service record. They're forced to prove their qualifications," Clauss said. 
In addition to the fire, Clauss said records may not have been well kept during combat situations, especially if a person was injured and then evacuated. "It is emergency treatment under extreme conditions," he explained. "It is war, people are rushing through the chaos. They don't keep detailed records." 
Critics also claim the VA is antiquated and behind the times technologically, and there's still a great deal of material on paper -- and not enough staff to deal with it all. 
The VA did not respond to requests from Fox News for comment for this report. 
Since Friedman's case came to light, there's been more attention paid to the problem of lost veteran records, but it continues to be a serious issue for many.   
Garrett said veterans told him, "Everyone thought we were lying about things we said we had seen and experienced." 
One Vietnam veteran, who didn't want his name used, said "the more publicity we get for this problem, the better ... Americans need to know about it."   
In 2012, Garrett was able to locate some of Friedman's lost records. And after three more years of legal wrangling with the VA offices, Friedman was finally able to obtain benefits, at the age of 92. 
Once he got benefits, Friedman had greater access to care, which included long-awaited therapy for PTSD. 
"We're very fortunate he lived long enough to get verification for his service because many other World War II vets died before that happened," Minna Rae said. 
In the final years of his life, Stanley Friedman was eventually able to move to a veterans' residence not far from his suburban Chicago home, called the Green House homes at the Captain James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center. 
He found peace among the caring staff and his fellow veterans. 
Friedman died in his sleep there at the age of 94.

Friday, March 27, 2015

Kids climbing memorial a 'teachable moment'


“A teachable moment” is how American Legion National Commander Michael D. Helm characterized a viral photograph of children climbing on the Vietnam Women’s Memorial. The photo began circulating on social media earlier this week and has raised ire from organizations and patriotic citizens.
Helm said that the incident shows that Americans, or at least some Americans, may need to be reminded of the proper way to show respect for their country and the men and women who have served it.
“I am not angry with the children in the photograph who probably did not understand the significance of their actions and weren’t intending to be disrespectful," Helm said. "I do not know enough about the circumstances to know if their parents or caretakers were aware of it.
"But when I hear stories of joggers running through the grounds of the Vietnam Memorial or of people speaking loudly near the Tomb of the Unknowns, I can’t help but think that America needs a refresher course on dignity, reverence and respect. Baseball caps should come off when the Star-Spangled Banner is played and everybody should stand. The Internet is showing us that these type of incidents are no longer isolated but are sadly becoming too common.”

Use 'Common Sense' in Choice Card program

The American Legion wants the Department of Veterans Affairs to stop sending its patients to medical facilities that can’t help them. 
Under VA’s Choice Card program, veterans living more than 40 miles from a VA facility can use the cards to get treatment from private-sector health care. But if a VA medical facility is less than 40 miles away, regardless of whether it can provide the proper treatment, veterans don’t qualify for the program. 
“This arrangement is another unfortunate example of how the VA trips itself up over details,” American Legion National Commander Michael D. Helm said. “In its zeal to follow the 40-mile rule, VA is making it more difficult – not less – for some veterans to get the care they need.” 
Helm said VA demonstrated common sense by changing the measurement of its 40-mile rule from “as the crow flies” to actual driving distance. 
VA needs to demonstrate more common sense, Helm said, by making sure its Choice Card program sends veterans to facilities where they can be treated effectively. “Why is VA so hard and fast on this 40-mile rule? It is not in the spirit of the VA reform law, which was passed to make health care more accessible to our veterans, not less.” 
In a fact sheet issued March 24, VA stated that “absent a statutory change,” to the Choice Card program, it had to continue sending some veterans to facilities that cannot provide the care they need. “VA does not believe that it has the flexibility to adopt an alternative approach.” 
Helm said the explanation was specious and without merit. “VA doesn’t need the blessing of Congress to give our veterans the medical care they need. If he wanted to, Secretary McDonald could fix the problem today. That’s when The American Legion would like to see him fix it – today.”

Monday, March 23, 2015

Don't Forget - Post Elections Tonight

NOMINATED 2015-2016 OFFICERS:

Commander:             Frank McCarthy
1st Vice Cdr:              Open
2nd Vice Cdr:            John Edgerton
Adjutant:                   Steve Robinson
Finance Officer:       John Pandora
Chaplain:                  Paul Devine
Judge Advocate:      Lou Lavender
Historian:                 Miles Waltz
Service Officer:        Karl Pfeil
Sergeant at Arms:    Ron Siraco Sr

VA Changes Health Care Eligibility


VA Changes Health Care Eligibility

Effective 2015, the Department of Veterans Affairs has eliminated the use of net worth as a determining factor for both health care programs and copayment responsibilities. This change makes VA health care benefits more accessible to lower-income veterans. Instead of combining the sum of Veterans' income with their assets to determine eligibility for medical care and copayment obligations, VA will now only consider a Veteran's gross household income and deductible expenses from the previous year. Veterans may submit updated income information at www.1010ez.med.va.gov, or by visiting their nearby VA health care facility. For more information, visit VA's Health Benefits webpage at www.va.gov/healthbenefits or call VA toll-free at 1-877-222-VETS (8387).
For more on veteran programs, visit the Military.com Benefits Center.

Friday, March 20, 2015