DAVID FARRELL

Department Commander

Dear Comrades,

I would like to say “I am Deeply Humble and Extremely Honored to be elected as your State Commander”. I will do my very utmost to ensure your trust in me was warranted, by representing this Department with the dedication and respect it deserves.

I would like to Thank all who attended our Convention and hope to see you at our Fall Conference. What a great time that was had by all attending as well. We were honor and blessed to have National Senior Vice Commander Bobby Barrera and his lovely wife in attendance representing National. What a powerful, eloquent and uplifting speech he delivered. We will be very fortunate to have him as our next National Commander.

God Bless you and our troops serving the worlds Greatest Military. God Bless the DAV and God Bless America.

David K Farrell

State Commander

IMPORTANT NUMBERS

Nat’l. Hdqrs., DAV (877) 426-2838

NSO Office, Cleveland (216) 522-3507

NSO Office, Cincinnati (513) 684-2676

Washington Office, DAV (202) 554-3501

Cincinnati HSC,

Sheila Clements (513) 475-6443

Jeffrey Riley (513) 475-6443

Dayton HSC, (937) 268-6511

Gene McCorkle Ext. 2962

Wade Park HSC, (216) 791-3800

Walter Dryja Ext. 3395

Chillicothe HSC (740) 773-1141

Larry Queen Ext. 7916

Columbus Clinic, (614) 257-5487

Michael Hackworth

Brecksville HSC, (440) 526-3030

Don Branford Ext. 7353

Warren Clinic (330) 392-0311

Youngstown Clinic (330) 70-9200

Ext. 105

Veterans Administration 1-800-827-1000

DATES TO REMEMBER

July 10-12, 2009 Forget-Me-Not, Thorold Heinlen Chapter #100, Wal-Mart, Bucyrus, Ohio.

July 25 Forget-Me-Not, Thorold Heinlen Chapter #100, Downtown Bucyrus, Ohio.

July 31 – Aug. 1, 2009 Forget-Me-Not, Darke County Chapter #57, Darke County area.

August 1, 2009 Brecksville VA Hospital Annual Summer Picnic, Brooklyn-Parma Chapter #116, Main Dining Hall between 12 noon and 2:30 p.m., Brecksville

August 1, 2009 Forget-Me-Not, John W. Covert Chapter #47, East Liverpool, Ohio

August 1, 2009 Forget-Me-Not, Northern Hills Chapter #115, 5375 North Bend Road, Cincinnati, Ohio.

August 1, 2009 Forget-Me-Not, Thorold Heinlen Chapter #100, Galion, Ohio.

August 6-7-8, 2009 Forget-Me-Not, Madison County Chapter #93, London, Ohio.

August 7-8, 2009 Forget-Me-Not, Darke County Chapter #57, Greenville, Ohio.

August 7-8-9, 2009 Forget-Me-Not, Salem Chapter #122, Salem City area, Salem, Ohio.

August 8, 2009 Forget-Me-Not, Northern Hills Chapter #115, 5375 North Bend Road, Cincinnati, Ohio.

August 13-14, 2009 Forget-Me-Not, Madison County Chapter #93, Truck Stop.

August 15, 2009 Forget-Me-Not, Thorold Heinlen Chapter #100, Crestline, Ohio.

August 20-21, 2009 Forget-Me-Not, Madison County Chapter #93, West Jefferson and Mt. Sterling, Ohio.

August 22-25, 2009 DAV National Convention, Sheraton Hotel Denver, Denver, Colorado

Sept. 17-20, 2009 Forget-Me-Not, Adams County Chapter #71, Peebles Old Timers Day, Peebles, Ohio

Sept. 24 – 26, 2009 DAV Auxiliary Fall Conference, Drawbridge Inn, Fort Mitchell, Kentucky.

October 9-11, 2009 DAV Department Fall Conference, The Crowne Plaza, Dublin, Ohio.

November 11, 2009 Forget-Me-Not, Lloyd C. Ludwick Chapter #123, Various locations in Highland County.

Feb. 28 – Mar. 3, 2010 DAV Mid-Winter Conference, Crystal Gateway Marriott, Arlington, VA

June 24-27, 2010 DAV Department Convention,

The Crowne Plaza, Dublin, Ohio.

July 31 – Aug. 3, 2010 DAV National Convention, Hyatt Regency Atlanta, Atlanta, Georgia

October 8-10, 2010 DAV Department Fall Conference, The Crowne Plaza, Dublin, Ohio.

NOTES FROM YOUR STATE ADJUTANT
Frank Williams

Thought for July: Always engage your mind before you open your mouth, unless you are sure your foot will fit in your mouth.

TRICARE FOR LIFE – Horrendous Cost for Retirees Proposed

Those of us who retired with 20 years or more in the military, have reached age 65 and are now using Tri-Care For Life “Listen Up”!! The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) has already drafted legislation that would completely change our Tri-Care For Life benefit, requiring deductibles and co-pays up to $6301.00 the first year with future years indexed to increase with inflation. This amounts to over $525.00 per month!! A reason given for this action is “Overuse by Retirees”.

As you probably know, Tri-Care For Life was instituted to correct the broken promise that military retirees would receive free healthcare for life. Now a heavy assault has begun on Veterans’/Retirees’ benefits to pay for other programs our President promised during his campaign and, it has become a high priority for his administration. The CBO strongly recommends that Tri-Care-For –Life be eventually eliminated as it is “too expensive”. Just another move to slight those of us who dedicated most of our adult lives in the defense of our country.

I would strongly suggest that you contact your Senators & Representatives and let them know that you strongly oppose any changes in Tri-Care-For-Life for age 65 & over Retirees. Also, that you oppose any increase in Tri-Care for retired veterans

under age 65.

Any questions on the above, give me a call.

A Family’s Valor – A Nation’s Freedom:

Why would a 61 year old civilian surgeon volunteer to serve in Iraq?? Bill Krissoff, a 61 year old surgeon, volunteered to serve as a combat surgeon in Iraq. His son, Nathan, was killed in Anbar Province in December 2006, apparently inspiring his father to help other young soldiers. Families like the Krissoffs have served our nation with valor. So long as America produces such families, our country will not only remain the greatest nation on earth, but also will become the most notable in history.

Joe Johnston for National 4^th Jr. Vice Commander or Higher Office: The latest DAV Magazine lists our Immediate Past State Commander, Joe Johnston as a candidate for National Office. Joe has been an outstanding State Commander during the past year and certainly is deserving of all our support in his quest for National Office. The complete support of all Ohio Chapters would certainly be appreciated.

As always, keep our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan in your thoughts and prayers as they fight, like we have fought, to keep America free. Never shall we forget that Freedom is not Free!!

THANKS TO YOU, THE STAND UP FOR VETERANS AGENDA IS MOVING FORWARD

June 23, 2009, was a great day for veterans and a proud day for DAV, so I want to take a moment to share this news with everyone because you have all played a part in this success.

On the night of June 23, The House of Representatives voted 409 to 1 to approve H.R. 1016, the Veterans Health Care Budget Reform and Transparency Act, historic legislation that will provide advance appropriations for the VA health care system. Enactment of this legislation will ensure sufficient, timely and predictable funding for the VA health care system, which will strengthen and sustain the delivery of medical services to millions of veterans, particularly disabled veterans.

I am proud to say that H.R. 1016 was developed, proposed and promoted by DAV as part of our Stand Up For Veterans initiative, and we have devoted significant time and resources to aid in its approval. I encourage you to read DAV’s press release, and a New York Times article, which highlights the significance of this legislation.

The House also approved H.R. 1211, the Women Veterans Health Care Improvement Act, another bill that comes directly out of DAV’s Stand Up for Veterans initiative. Both of these bills have strong bipartisan support in the Senate and we expect to see President Obama signing them into law sometime later this year.

Although we are not yet finished with this legislative process, I think it is important to reflect on how we have achieved these successes and to thank all of your who have played a role.

When DAV’s legislative team meets with Members of the House and Senate, we walk through the door armed with DAV’s stellar reputation, something that we have all helped to enrich. When we put DAV’s name behind a legislative proposal, we are strengthened by the many ways in which our service, volunteer, transportation and other programs have assisted disabled veterans.

So whether we are in Cold Spring, Kentucky, Washington, DC or in any one of the 50 States or Puerto Rico where DAV works on behalf of disabled veterans, you should all feel proud of the work you have done to support and sustain DAV.

If you are also one of the thousands of people who made phone calls, wrote letters or sent emails to your Members of Congress asking them to support DAV’s legislative agenda, know that you have played a key role in helping us develop such a broad and bipartisan coalition of supporters on Capitol Hill.

I am confident that there are many more good days and many more victories to come, but for now let me express my thanks for the work you do and my pride in the commitment you have shown to improving the lives of disabled veterans and their families.

Arthur H. Wilson

National Adjutant

NEW OFFICERS FOR 2009-2010

David Farrell of Coshocton was unanimously elected State Commander for the more than 34-thousand member Ohio Disabled American Veterans at the organization’s 88^th Annual State Convention, June 26-27-28, 2009 in Dublin, Ohio.

David has been a life member of Coshocton Chapter #74 since 1998 (11 years) and has held numerous offices at the Chapter level as well as the Department level.

Officers elected to serve with Commander David Farrell were David May of Canton, Sr. Vice Commander; Will Davis of Columbus, 1^st Jr. Vice Commander; Martha Tepker of Hamilton, 2^nd Jr. Vice Commander; Executive Committee Members James Fortune of Vandalia, Michael Moulton of Van Wert, Donald Scheerer of Bucyrus and Michael Stith of Akron. Verne Nygaard of Avon Lake was elected to the Finance Committee, 5-year term. Frank Williams of S. Vienna was appointed as State Adjutant/Treasurer.

Appointments by Commander David Farrell approved by the Executive Committee were James Keller of Jackson, Chaplain; Raymond Hutchinson of Hillsboro, Hospital Chairman; Joseph Lenhart of Wapakoneta, Judge Advocate; Verne Nygaard of Avon Lake, Department Inspector; Herman W. Morton of Cincinnati, Assistant Inspector; Leslie James of Cleveland, Director of Service; Glen Hale of Wilkesville, Officer of the Day; Larry Long of London, Assistant Officer of the Day; James Johnston of Loveland, Sergeant-At-Arms; Will Davis of Columbus, Chief of Staff; Frank Williams of S. Vienna, Legislative Director; and Gary Smaltz of Lynchburg, Employment Chairman.

Constitution Committee members appointed were Russell Tubbs of Parma, John Burgess of West Portsmouth and Michael Moulton of Van Wert.

Membership Committee appointments were Martha Tepker of Hamilton, Glen Hale of Wilkesville and Reynolds Robertson of Bethel.

The Department Service Program Committee will consist of David Farrell of Coshocton as Chairman with members David May of Canton, Leslie James of Cleveland, Charles Lambert of Cincinnati, Frank Williams of S. Vienna and Walter Dryja of Cleveland.

Audit Committee Members appointed were Thomas Keller of Cincinnati, Paul Snider of Toledo and David Uetterling of Defiance.

District Commanders appointed and approved were Phillip Alexander of Hamilton-Fairfield Chapter #15, District 1; Jacob Dailey of Vandalia Chapter #140, District 2; William King of Allen County Chapter #19, District 3; Dennis Hanneman of Putnam County Chapter #77, District 4; Raymond Kershaw of Louis Paul Proy Chapter #20, District 5; William Caine of Brooklyn-Parma Chapter #116, District 6; William Pacak of Youngstown Chapter #2, District 7; James Bailey of Bellaire Chapter #117, District 8; James Keller of Jackson County Chapter #45, District 9; and Kenneth McClary of Grove City Chapter #144, District 10.

Information Bulletin

IMPORTANT NUMBERS

NOTES FROM YOUR STATE ADJUTANT Frank Williams

NOTES FROM YOUR STATE ADJUTANT
Frank Williams