Christmas Classic: Chef John Pandora to host 33rd dinner

Christmas Classic: Chef John Pandora to host 33rd dinner

Santa And His Elves

Santa and his Elves at our 33rd  Annual Christmas Dinner - Conway Congregational Church - 2016

John Pandora - Santa JT - Steve Robinson 

More Pics from Veterans Day

These are some pics that Susan took, If anyone else has some please forward to me.Thanks

Veterans Day 2016

Thanks to all who help plan and support our Veterans Day program this year. Also to those who participated in the Veterans Appreciation day at the Elementary schools in Bartlett and North Conway.  Here are a a few articles from the local paper.

Blue Star Mothers of America - October 2016 Newsletter

Blue Star Mothers - October 2016 Newsletter

Please click above to view.......

Leo Gerard Champoux - Taps

Leo Gerard Champoux ended his hard-fought battle with cancer on Oct. 29, 2016, four days before his 83rd birthday. He was surrounded at home by his loving family, including Doris, his wife of 63 years, as he passed peacefully from this world into the hands of our Lord.

   Leo was born in Biddeford, Maine, on Nov. 2, 1933, to Wilfrid and Georgiana Champoux. Besides his parents, he was also predeceased by his brother, Florian, and his wife Jeanne; his brother, Fernand; his sister, Rita, and her husband, Arthur Beaupre, and their sons, Richard and Gerard; and his sister, Reverend Sr. Gertrude.

   Leo served in the Army at the end of the Korean War. He was happily united with his fiancée, Doris Drapeau, after a year and a half in Germany where they were wed by an Army chaplain. Three years later, Leo, with pride, was honorably discharged with the rank of staff sergeant.

   Upon their return to the States, they settled in Wakefield, Mass., where they raised their six children. During this time, he worked 25 years at American Biltrite in Cambridge followed by 15 years at Melrose-Wakefield Hospital.

   Leo and Doris moved to Bartlett after retirement in 1994, where they enjoyed the mountain life and the welcoming community of Our Lady of the Mountains Parish. He was an active member of the Knights of Columbus as well as a member of the American Legion. He especially enjoyed playing golf at the Wentworth and Eagle Mountain golf courses and also enjoyed skiing after taking it up in his 60s. Leo and Doris also enjoyed golfing and socializing during the winters in Myrtle Beach with their close friends.

   Besides his loving wife, Doris, he leaves behind his five daughters, Jo Arnold and her husband, Ken; Sue Comosa and her husband, Brian;

Lynn Faherty and her husband, Sean; Peggy Freeman and her husband, Joe; and Cheryl Evansen and her husband, Ed; and son, Michael and wife, Doreen. Leo also leaves behind 13 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren as well as many cousins, nieces and nephews and many dear friends.

   The family would like to thank The Knights of Columbus as well as Leo and Doris’s friends and extended family for all their love, prayers and assistance during his illness.

   In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Dana Farber Thoracic Cancer Center (www.dana-farber.org) or to the Visiting Nurse and Home Hospice Care of Carroll County (www.vnhch.org ) from whom he benefitted from their exceptional care and compassion.

   A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Our Lady of the Mountains Church at 2905 White Mountain Highway in North Conway on Saturday, Nov. 19, at 11 a.m. Burial will be at St. Joseph’s Cemetery in Bartlett, followed by a luncheon for family and friends.

   To send a message of condolence, or for more information visit www.furberandwhite.com .

Executive Meeting changed to Monday Nov 7

Due to conflicts with Election Day the Post Executive meeting has been changed to Monday November 7th at 7 p.m.

How America's Highest-Ranking Woman in Uniform Defied the Odds

U.S. Air Force Gen. Lori Robinson visits airmen assigned to the 20th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron on July 9, 2015, at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam. (US Air Force/Alexander Riedel)

Link to article below:
http://www.military.com/daily-news/2016/10/02/how-america-highest-ranking-woman-uniform-defied-odds-lead-us.html

Veterans Employment & Education Division Weekly Report

North Country Veterans Conference

NEW ENGLAND PARALYZED VETERANS AND DISABLED BASS FISHING TOURNAMENT AT CAMP

Greetings:                                                                                                                September 1,2016

It is difficult in this busy age, to find the time and energy to “give back” or to help make someone’s life a little Better. Career and family commitments leave us with little time or energy for anything else.

We formed American Eagle Bass Anglers for this purpose. We are a group of bass anglers within the

Bass Federations that have come together to help our community and bring some joy to people who

Face daily challenges beyond our imagination.

On October 21^st--23^rd 2016, we will be holding our   NEW ENGLAND PARALYZED VETERANS AND DISABLED BASS FISHING TOURNAMENT AT CAMP Pine Tree in Rome, Maine 

This event is FREE of charge to any disabled person desiring to have an unforgettable day on the water. We are the only Free Tournament Trail in North America for our Veterans.

We will be pairing each contestant with a professional bass angler. Some of New England’s top anglers have volunteered their time including: Touring B.A.S.S. & TBF Pro’s Dave Barnes and Sandra Oja from Northern Bass Supply

The weekend begins with participants and their family arriving Friday, they enjoy meals, lodging, catch and release weigh in, awards banquet, and raffles.  This is a family friendly event, with new & old friends and no barriers.  This weekend is FREE to all attending and provided through donations, sponsors and fundraising efforts of the New England Paralyzed Veterans of America BASS TRAIL Board of Directors.

Events of this magnitude would not be possible without the generous Tax-deductible contributions of our sponsors. of monetary or goods.   One hundred percent of all donations are utilized for these Events. Our corporate and business sponsors will be provided on tournament t shirts, in our newsletter, newspaper article, on our Facebook page(NEPVABASSTRAIL)  and are also encouraged to set up or provide banners, etc for displays of their products and services at Camp Pine Tree.

To send your donations:             N.E.P.V.A. Bass Tournament

                                                    C/O Eugene “Tiny” LaFontaine

                                                     29 Naples Ave

                                                     Woburn, MA 01801

In the memo part of the check please put BASS TRIAL

For information, pick up of donations, banners, etc Please Contact  Lori Chase

Please feel free to call me with any questions                   BASS TRAIL BOD

                                                                                            603-581-9617

Best Regards,                 

Tiny LaFontaine

N.E.P.V.A. Bass

Trail Director

(781)460-9293

				New England Chapter Paralyzed Veterans Of American

 

he Latest Update: POW/MIA Declassification Legislation – Action Request - from Rick Downes

The Latest Update: POW/MIA Declassification Legislation – Action Request - from Rick Downes

From: Rick Downes, Coalition Executive Director [mailto:rickdownes05@gmail.com]
Sent: Saturday, October 01, 2016 7:23 PM

Hi Wiskers,

The Coalition has been working with Senator Kelly Ayotte (NH) on legislation to access still classified POW/MIA documents. Too many records holding information on missing men are unnecessarily withheld by agencies across the government. This legislation will make them available.

Last Thursday, the Senator introduced the bill, The Bring Our Heroes Home Act. 

Here’s a link is to the initial press release: 

Ayotte Introduces Legislation to Support POW/MIA Families and Help Bring Fallen Heroes Home

This is quite an accomplishment in itself.  Passing the bill is the goal, of course. The next step is to garner sponsorships from other Senators. 

Sen. Ayotte would like to include a statement from you in support of the bill, and possibly even in a followup press release next week. She needs comments on the importance of having access to any information that may help learn what happened to the missing men.  It would be nice to acknowledge the Senator’s consistent support of POW/MIA issues, as well. She has been there for us on every matter we’ve requested. Feel free to spread the word to others, as well.

Send your thoughts to me. I’ll pass them along to the Senator’s staff on Monday. This is an opportunity to be part of groundbreaking legislation that will help us learn what happened to missing men from all conflicts.

Thank you!

Rick

Richard Downes, Executive Director
Coalition of Families of Korean & Cold War POW/MIAs
P.O. Box 4194 

Portsmouth, NH 03802

818.259.9950

Honor Flight New England - Oct 16th, 2016

Bring Our Heroes Home Alive Act of 2016

FYI

From: Coalition of Families of Korean and Cold War POW/MIAs [mailto:coalitionoffamilies@gmail.com]
Sent: Wednesday, September 28, 2016 2:38 PM

Hello Everyone,

On Thursday, September 29^th, Senator Kelly Ayotte will introduce the Bring Our Heroes Home Alive Act of 2016. This is long awaited legislation to declassify documents relating to missing armed forces personnel from all conflicts. The Senator will be issuing a press release and would like to include brief statements of support from organizations involved in the accounting mission. 

Attached is a highlights page from the bill, as well as the proposed legislation itself. Please join us in support by sending comments to the Senator’s national security legislative aide, Ryan Clark: ryan_clark@ayotte.senate.gov   (Include the subject line: Bring Our Heroes Home Alive Act – 2016.)

There is too much information on missing men from all conflicts still waiting in classified documents, including intelligence reports and prisoner-of-war debriefs. Their classification status is maintained not because of critical information relating to the nation’s security but because there has never been a strong enough call to release them. This legislation will do that. 

We hope that your organization will be part of this national effort to bring new information to the fate of missing men from all conflicts and answers to their families.

Thank you.

Rick

Richard Downes, President

                 (Lt. Hal Downes, MIA)

Coalition of Families of Korean & Cold War POW/MIAs

Highlights from the bill:

Bring Our Heroes Home Alive Act 2016 (Highlights)

A BILL To provide for the creation of the Missing Armed Forces Personnel Records Collection at the National Archives, to require the expeditious public transmission to the Archivist and public disclosure of Missing Armed Forces Personnel records, and for other purposes. 

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Bring Our Heroes Home Act of 2016’’. 

SEC. 2. FINDINGS, DECLARATIONS, AND PURPOSES. 

(a) FINDINGS AND DECLARATIONS.—Congress finds and declares the following: 

(1) A vast number of records relating to Missing Armed Forces Personnel have not been identified, located, or transferred to the National Archives for review and declassification. Only in the rarest cases is there any legitimate need for continued protection of records pertaining to Missing Armed Forces Personnel who have been missing for decades. 

 (2) There has been insufficient priority placed on identifying, locating, transferring, reviewing, or declassifying records relating to Missing Armed Forces Personnel. 

(3) Mandates for declassification set forth in multiple Executive Orders have been broadly written, loosely interpreted, and often ignored by Federal Government officials in possession and control of records related to Missing Armed Forces Personnel. 

(4) No individual or entity has been tasked with oversight of the identification, collection, review, and declassification of records related to Missing Armed Forces Personnel. 

(5) The interest, desire, workforce, and funding of Federal agencies to assemble, review, and declassify records relating to Missing Armed Forces Personnel have been lacking. 

(6) All records of the Federal Government relating to Missing Armed Forces Personnel should be preserved for historical and Governmental purposes. 

(7) All records of the Federal Government relating Missing Armed Forces Personnel should carry a presumption of immediate disclosure, and all such records should be disclosed under this Act to enable the fullest possible accounting for Missing Armed Forces Personnel. 

(8) Legislation is necessary to create an enforceable, independent, and accountable process for the public disclosure of records relating to Missing Armed Forces Personnel.

District 7 Fall Joint Conference

Post 72 is asking that anyone attending the District 7 & 8 Fall Conference in Alton on October 1st bring a canned good to the meeting for a Community Service Project.  For each item brought in a free raffle ticket will be entered into a drawing for a "Free" gift.

MY VA STORY

MY VA STORY

This week CVA launched a new website as a platform for veterans to share their experiences with Department of Veterans Affairs’ facilities nationwide. Since the launch on Monday, we have already received an outpouring of stories and experiences – nearly one hundred so far, and counting!

Over two years ago the news of manipulated waitlist times broke in Phoenix, leading to the exposure of scandal after scandal at the VA. Many stories have come to light since then, including multiple veterans deaths due to extended wait times, millions spent on lavish artwork, medical records being mailed to incorrect recipients, and facilities using dirty surgical tools, just to name a few. We seem to learn about a new failure on the part of the VA just about every week.

But there is more going on at the VA than we are learning from the news; your stories are showing us that. Check out just a few of stories veterans are telling us about their experience at VAs:

Valentin, Kansas: “In all the years I have been going to the VA…I don’t understand why they don’t read your files.” “Recently I called for medication which I need for diabetes and for my usual diabetic shoes. The answer for my shoes which I have been getting for about eight years was ‘we don’t think you qualify’.”

Travis, Arizona: “I have two years of backed up medical bills the VA won’t pay.” “I try to use my ‘Choice Card’ and have all procedures done local since I am 90 miles from my VA hospital…My wife has to battle the Choice Program just to keep the paperwork going. Gaps in the paperwork being delayed which I end up in the emergency room being tapped and drained. Then the VA won’t pay for those ER visits because they delayed the paperwork.”

Jay, Pennsylvania: “VA employees not involved in my medical care began repeatedly and frequently accessing my medical records.” “I am both a severely disabled veteran and an employee of the VA. A few years ago I reported concerns of patient care and safety at the small VA hospital where I worked. In response, VA began calling my consults for care related to my service connected disability.”

Philip, Maine: “I have been in the VA system for nearly 20 years.” “Granted most of my healthcare is obtained locally from ‘civilian’ facilities because of the distance to my VA clinic, but I have never had a poor experience with the VA system to date. All positive and professional.”

Mike, California: “Medically retired in March 2016. Didn’t get in to see my VA doctor until September.” “[I’m] tired of getting asked what my disability is every time I walk into a clinic. Can’t see a VA mental therapist until November. Some respect and appreciation for my sacrifice, as opposed to attitude and condescension would be refreshing.”

A few of the stories are positive. But most stories pouring in detailing poor quality of care, retaliation, delays in wait times and benefits at VA facilities across the country.

What have your experiences been at your local VA? Tell us at MyVAStory.org. 

Post Meeting / Potluck - Tuesday Sep 26

Join us Tuesday September 27th for our Membership meeting. We will recede the Meeting (7pm) with a potluck meal starting at 6pm. Bring any dish and join us for some camaraderie. Bring a veteran with you......

NATIONAL VETERANS EMPLOYMENT & EDUCATION COMMISSION

NATIONAL VETERANS EMPLOYMENT & EDUCATION COMMISSION

TOPIC 1: ECONOMY

A leak has caused the closure of a crucial pipeline that carries gasoline to the eastern United States, a disruption that threatens to drive up prices and leave service stations without fuel to sell. A section of the Colonial Pipeline, which runs from Houston to New York, has been closed since September 9 after a spill of roughly 250,000 gallons was discovered in rural Shelby County, Alabama. The major pipeline, one pipe of which has been severed, provides gasoline for an estimated 50 million people on the East Coast each day, according to company estimates. The cause of the leak has yet to be determined, according to the company’s most recent statement.

The pipeline’s supervisor has said full services will not be restored until at least next week. The closure has set off an industry-wide scramble as suppliers seek alternative ways to transport gasoline to the East Coast. Prices have yet to move much. They are only up a penny or two in the last week in states such as Georgia, South Carolina and Tennessee, according to AAA. But gas prices could spike by as much as 15 cents per gallon or more in those three states, as well as North Carolina and Virginia, in the next week according to GasBuddy.com.

Ships have already been dispatched to carry fuel from Texas to New York as part of the effort. There are also likely to be far more tanker trucks on the road carrying gasoline than normal. But pipelines are by far the cheapest way to move gasoline or oil, so any alternative will raise costs. And not every station will be able to get the gasoline it needs. The pipeline operator said that based on its current projections, parts of Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, North Carolina and South Carolina will be the first markets to suffer potential supply disruptions.

The governors of Alabama and Georgia have already declared states of emergency. The Northeast markets such as New Jersey at the end of the pipeline are less likely to see an impact because they can get gas from other locations. Gas prices typically fall at this time of year. Thursday, September 15, was the day that stations in most of the country could start using the cheaper winter blend of gasoline rather than the summer blend, which is formulated to combat smog. It’s more than likely that people are going to be seeing a 5 to 10 cent a gallon increase at a time they’re normally seeing a 5 to 10 cent a gallon price drop.

Mansfield, Ohio, a fuel distributor, has warned its customers to take fuel savings measures and to place their orders early. The company said the supply of gasoline is currently very thin along the closed pipeline, and that it was trucking in supplies from the coast to meet demand. The company said it was treating the situation “with the same importance and urgency as a natural disaster.”

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[1] U.S. Department of Labor. Economic News Release: Employment Situation Summary, November 2015.