Veterans of Foreign Wars
Post 9785
“All American Post”
COMMANDAR
Bill Yudiskas
Ladies and Men’s Auxiliaries
Ladies Auxiliary President
P.O. Box 770266
Eagle River, AK 99577
Phone: 907-694-2739
Fax: 907-694-4537
Email: vfw9785@vfw9785.org
Web Site: www.vfw9785.org
Kathleen Just
Men’s Auxiliary President
DECEMBER 2014
COMMANDER’S CORNER
LADIES AUXILIARY
It’s hard to believe that November is behind
us and Christmas is on the horizon! I would like to
thank all of you who donated to the food drive, and
those who participated in assembling the baskets. I
would also like to extend a big thanks to Tina and
Al Stoddard for all of their hard work in putting it
together every year. Our donations are truly
appreciated by those Active Duty folks who receive
them.
If you were not around the Post on Veterans
Day, we were paid a visit by our VFW Department
Commander, Tim Albright. During his visit he
presented the Post with our “All American Post”
Award. We were the only Post from the State of
Alaska to be bestowed this prestigious award and
this is due to everyone’s efforts this past year.
We still have the Department Calendars on
sale, so if interested see myself or John Mattison.
As a reminder, Mid-Winter Convention will be held
the 23rd and 24th of January in Wasilla. If you are
planning on attending, now is the time to start
making your reservations.
Coming up this month is Friday night Steaks
along with a band, and Sunday Morning Breakfast
with NFL Football. The Ladies Auxiliary is still
hosting Monday Night Football events, which
always has great food and fun. Come on out and
support these events. Or if so inclined, volunteers
are always welcome for all events. December 9th is
the general membership meeting, so please attend if
(Continued on Page 2)
Al Stoddard
Happy Holidays,
During this festive time of year we
should remember our reasons for becoming a
part of our VFW Organizations. For most of
us, it was to show our appreciation to those
who have laid their lives on the line for our
freedom. This is a time of being thankful for all
we have and helping those who are less
fortunate. As we celebrate this year, please
lend a hand to help Veterans who have served
and currently serve our great Country, to have
a warm and happy holiday season.
The Ladies Auxiliary Chaplain, Jane
Keller is organizing a Christmas Caroling
event.
From Jane:
“Warm up your vocal
chords and join us for Christmas caroling at the
Chugiak Senior Center. You don't have to be a
Diva or Rock Star- just love to sing. The date
is Saturday, December 20th, at 1:00 pm.
Husbands and children welcome!!”
We will meet on Sunday, December
14th downstairs at the Post for a planning and
warm-up session. For more info, contact Jane
Keller at (907) 227-8341.
I want to thank all who have helped with
our events and all who have supported them.
With your help we are doing really good work
for our Veteran community.
Everyone have a safe and blessed
holiday season!
Kathleen Just,
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President
ALASKA VETERANS MUSEUM
HAPPENINGS
COMMANDER’S CORNER
Continued from Page 1)
you have the time.
In closing, I appreciate all those behind the
scenes volunteers, employees, and loyal patrons that
help make our Post great.
Bill Yudiskas
Commander
MEN’S AUXILIARY
Here it is December already, and almost
another year done. The Men’s Auxiliary has
Raffle Tickets available for purchase now. We
will be raffling off a Table with Lamp (Solid
Wood), a set of (12) Collectors Plates and a U.S.
Flag. The winning tickets will be drawn on
Christmas Eve. Get your Tickets soon. There are
tickets available at the Canteen, or ask a Men’s
Auxiliary member.
We need to have some more
participation from the Post and Auxiliary
Members. We have Friday night steaks and
Sunday
morning
breakfast
that
needs
Volunteers.
We are putting together Christmas Food
Baskets this month. Please place you’re nonperishable food donations in the barrel before
December 19th. We will be filling 50 Baskets on
December 21st at 3:30 pm. We are requesting
the following items: canned Corn, Green Beans,
Cranberry Sauce, and Yams or Sweet Potatoes.
Look for the fliers to come out soon.
Our meeting this month will be on
December 21st at 11:00 am. Mark it on your
calendar and make plans to attend.
Al Stoddard
The museum needs volunteers which is
easy work since we are on winter hours
Wednesday - Saturday 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
AVM is now reimbursing your parking so now
you don't have an excuse. Come join your
fellow veterans for coffee, comradeship, and
meeting new and interesting folks. Come see
our four new exhibits and many new artifacts
on display!!
13th Annual Meeting Fundraiser & Veteran's
Day Telethon a Success
The lucky 13th Annual Meeting was
attended by 74 folks and the Silent and Live
Auction brought in $10,490. The telethon (a
first effort) raised another $1,800. So together
we exceeded our goal of $10,000 which will be
matched by Colonel Anonymous!! Maybe we
will actually move to a bigger home in 2016!!
Stay tuned for more information on what AVM
has in mind. We will give out teaser info as it
becomes available. There’s always something
new and exciting going on at AVM.
AVM Hosts 74 East H.S. JROTC Cadets
This was a real treat and all were very
interested and excited to handle historic
artifacts. Under an agreement arranged with
the Trooper Museum the group was halved
and each Museum enjoyed the experience and
wants to repeat it. Next will come Social
Studies classes, more Girl Scouts and soon Cub
and Boy Scouts. We are planning on Boys and
Girls Clubs and Campfire Kids also. We really
do need an Educational Coordinator for all this
and also a Volunteer Coordinator too -- easy
jobs! Come on now ya'll, jump in and help
AVM ensure "They Shall Not Be Forgotten!"
President
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through the Auxiliary Cancer Aid & Research
Chairman and the Treasurer.
LADIES AUXILIARY VFW
CANCER GRANTS
Loyally
In 2014, there will be an estimated
1,665,540 new cancer cases diagnosed and
585,720 cancer deaths in the US. Cancer remains
the second most common cause of death in the
US, accounting for nearly 1 of every 4 deaths.
The Ladies Auxiliary VFW designed and
made available the Cancer Grant in 1952. A
Cancer Grant is a lump sum love gift given to a
member who has been diagnosed as having
cancer. Is not a loan, it is a gift of love and does
not have to be repaid. It is to be used to help pay
your medical expenses. . It is a tangible way the
national organization can say, “We care about
you.”
ELIGABILITY REQUIREMENTS: Applicant
must be a member of the Ladies Auxiliary VFW
one (1) full year. Current dues must be paid
before applying for a Cancer Grant. This also
applies to reinstated members. After twelve (12)
months have passed from date of last surgery,
treatment or diagnosis, application will not be
accepted. A member is allowed two (2) grants
during her lifetime. Twelve (12) months must
elapse between new surgery and/or treatment
for a second application to be considered.
Continuous treatment which lasts beyond the
twelve (12) month period will qualify for a
second grant. Applications will be accepted for
deceased members up to 30 days after death
with proof of death.
Life Members: Cancer Dues is $2 per year
and it is not taken from Life Membership Dues
fees. Life members may pay ahead for as many
years as the she desires. Cancer dues are taken
from the Annual Membership dues fees that are
collected annually. The cancer dues should be
paid directly to the Auxiliary.
An additional $1.00 per Auxiliary member
is asked as a donation to the Eagle River Post
9785 Ladies Auxiliary Cancer Fund for dispersal
as Cancer Grants.
Life members, if you are not sure if your
Cancer Dues is current, please contact me and I
will check our records. A Cancer Grant
Application can be obtained from the National
Organization’s
Website
online
at
www.ladiesauxvfw.org. Forms are also available
Tina Stoddard
Treasurer
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Ladies Auxiliary
NATIONAL PEARL HARBOR
REMEMBERANCE DAY
On a quiet Sunday, December 7, 1941
morning, America was attacked without warning at
Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, by the air and naval forces of
Imperial Japan. More than 2,400 Americans
perished and another 1,100 were wounded,
triggering our entry into World War II in the attack
on Pearl Harbor. On that day, life changed in
America, and the course of history was altered
forever.
Eighteen months earlier, President Franklin
D. Roosevelt had transferred the United States Fleet
to Pearl Harbor as a presumed deterrent to Japanese
agression. The Japanese military, deeply engaged in
the seemingly endless war it had started against
China in mid-1937, badly needed oil and other raw
materials. Commercial access to these was
gradually curtailed as the conquests continued. In
July 1941 the Western powers effectively halted
trade with Japan. From then on, as the desperate
Japanese schemed to seize the oil and mineral-rich
East Indies and Southeast Asia, a Pacific war was
virtually inevitable.
Our citizens reacted to the attack with firm
determination to defeat tyranny and secure our
Nation. This enterprise required the commitment
and effort of our entire country. At the height of the
conflict, the United States had ships on every ocean
and troops on five continents. In all, more than 16
million Americans wore the uniform of our Nation.
They came from all walks of life. They served
honorably and fought fiercely. At home, millions
more contributed to the war effort, laboring for
victory in our factories, on farms, and across
America.
On December 7th every year, we honor those
killed over 60 years ago, and those who survived to
fight on other fronts in the four succeeding years of
world war. We also remember the millions of brave
Americans who answered our country's call to the
battlefield, to the factory, and to the farm,
remembering Pearl Harbor by their deeds, their
devotion to duty, and their willingness to fight for
freedom. The attack at Pearl Harbor fired the
American spirit with a determination that freedom
PAGE 4
would not fall to tyranny; and the United States and
its allies fought to victory, preserving a world in
which democracy could grow. The tragedy of
December 7, 1941, remains seared upon our
collective national memory, a recollection that
serves not just as a symbol of American military
valor and American resolve, but also as a reminder
of the presence of evil in the world and the need to
remain ever vigilant against it.
As we fight to defend what we believe is
right, we remember the sacrifice of those who have
gone before us -- not only the heroes of Pearl
Harbor but all the men and women of the greatest of
generations who defeated tyranny. We are grateful
for their service, and honor it by pledging to do our
best to secure for our children, our grandchildren,
and all of posterity the continuing blessings of
liberty.
Today, we honor those who fought and died
at Pearl Harbor, and we pay special tribute to the
veterans of World War II. These heroes hold a
cherished place in our history. Through their
courage, sacrifice, and selfless dedication, they
saved our country and preserved freedom. As we
fight the war on terror, their patriotism continues to
Men’s Auxiliary
inspire a new generation of Americans who have
been called to defend the blessings of liberty. Like
those who have gone before them throughout our
history, our troops fighting the war on terror are
defending America from danger and liberating the
oppressed.
VFW Post 9785
RAFFLE
First Prize: Solid Wood Table & Lamp Set
Second Prize: Set of 12 Collectors Plates
Third Prize: U.S. Flag
PAGE 5
Drawing: December 24, 2014
$10 per ticket
Permit #270
Christmas
Food Baskets
DONATIONS OF THE FOLLOWING
ITEMS ARE BEING REQUESTED:
PAGE 6
Canned goods: Green Beans, Corn, Yams or Sweet
Potatoes, Cranberry Sauce and Gravy
Dry goods: Macaroni ‘n Cheese, Stuffing, and Gravy
Please place in collection barrel before December 19th.
Food baskets will be filled on
December 21st at 3:30 pm (downstairs).
SUPPORT OUR VFW POST 9785
MEMBER’S BUSINESSES
Please support our VFW and Auxiliaries
member’s businesses. If you have a full-time or
home-based business that you would like to
promote, please submit your business card to Tina
Stoddard before the 20th of each month for
submission to the newsletter. If you have already
submitted a business card once, it is not necessary
to submit a card each month.
VFW Post 9785
P.O. Box 770266
Eagle River, AK 99577
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