JOSEPH JOHNSTON

Department Commander

This will be my final article as your State Commander and it has been a whirlwind year. As I reflect on your friendships to my family, and me I am humbled by the way I have been received and treated across this great State of Ohio. Folks are dedicated to the DAV and every day are making a difference in the lives of disabled veterans and their families. It makes me glad that the DAV chose me for active membership after my retirement from the Army. It is unlikely that I would have ever become active in any veterans organization, but for the written invitation of Ray Hutchinson to come to a DAV Chapter 63 meeting was compelling to me. The Chapter treated me like they would a family member on that first meeting. It was the personal touch that made a difference in my decision and what a difference it has made in my involvement in our organization. My point is this—reach out to potential new members, make them welcome, you will never know what potential dividends that it may bring to the organization. It also creates life-long friendships, which is a hallmark of our members. When you are a DAV member, you are family! We say that and more importantly, we mean it. I would encourage every active member to become more involved in the DAV—to run for elected/appointed office in the Chapter and the Department. We need good men and women to carry our legacy and survive in the future.

Many of us are aging in the DAV and in just a few short years even the Vietnam Veterans will pass on to eternity. It is critical then that we now reach out to the Persian Gulf and Afghanistan veterans to ensure our bridge to the future. As women increasingly, take roles in the active and reserve components, it is imperative that we also extend our welcome to our women service members as they add new talents and extensive membership potential to the DAV. Without the direct and immediate involvement of these veterans, the DAV will begin a major decline of membership, programs and effectiveness.

I have been to all VA facilities in our State as well as the State Veterans Homes and I am pleased to report to you that the employees and volunteers in those facilities are rendering service to veterans that is excellent. Sometimes systems fail to properly support an individual veteran but I did not meet a single VA employee or volunteer that was not doing everything that they could be provide the absolute best services to veterans possible. This service is not a job to most of these people it is a labor of love.

I have also found that my reception by the people of our State who are not necessarily veterans is unwavering in their support to our causes. Whether it is benefits due to each veteran or respect for the uniform, which they wear or wore—Ohioans, and more importantly—Americans—support the warriors of this great Country as never before. That positive influence by all members of our communities is also causing our elected members of Congress to be responsive in passing legislation that is supportive of veterans as well.

So, as I have always closed my messages to you—so I will do so now, by invoking the blessing of our heavenly father to each of you and your families. I give God the credit in my life and for blessings and gifts that he has chosen to render to me. I pray that he will continue to bless each and every one of you day to day.

Respect, love and kindness to you all!

Joe Johnston

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

May 15-26, 2009 Forget-Me-Not, Ross County Chapter #18, Chillicothe, Ohio.

May 15 & 22, 2009 Forget-Me-Not , Youngstown Chapter #2, Wal-Mart, Austintown, Ohio.

May 22-24, 2009 Forget-Me-Not, Vandalia Chapter #140, BX Commissary complex at Wright Patterson Airforce Base.

May 22-23, 2009 Forget-Me-Not, Ross County Chapter #18, Feast of the Flowering Moon (Downtown), Chillicothe, Ohio.

May 22-23-24-25, 2009 Forget-Me-Not, Hamilton-Fairfield Chapter #15, Bass Pro Shop, Fairfield, Ohio.

May 25, 2009 Forget-Me-Not, Lloyd C. Ludwick Chapter #123, various locations in Highland County.

May 29-30, 2009 Forget-Me-Not, Brooklyn-Parma Chapter #116, Wal-mart Super Center, Parma, Ohio and Giant Eagle, North Royalton, Ohio.

June 2-3-4-5, 2009 Forget-Me-Not, Clermont County Chapter #63, Amelia Kroger, Batavia, Ohio.

June 13, 2009 Forget-Me-Not, Lloyd C. Ludwick Chapter #123, various locations in Highland County.

June 13, 2009 Mobile Service Office, Athens Harley Davidson, 165 Columbus Rd., Athens, Ohio, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

June 14, 2009 Mobile Service Office, Pickaway Chapter #70, 141 W. Main Street, Circleville, Ohio 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

June 15, 2009 Mobile Service Office, Clermont County CBOC, 4355 Ferguson Dr., Cincinnati, Ohio, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

June 16, 2009 Mobile Service Office, Dr. George P. Tyler, Jr. Chapter #90, American Legion Post, 2944 Elk River Road, Ripley, Ohio, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

June 17, 2009 Mobile Service Office, Hamilton-Fairfield Chapter #15, Hamilton VA Healthcare Associates, 1755-C South Erie Highway, Hamilton, Ohio, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

June 25-28, 2009 DAV Department Convention,

The Crowne Plaza, Dublin, Ohio.

June 27, 2009 Forget-Me-Not, Everett Dorsey Chapter #143, Neff’s Cardinal Market, Mt. Vernon, Ohio.

June 27, 2009 Forget-Me-Not, Everett Dorsey Chapter #143, Wal-Mart, E. Coshocton Rd., Mt. Vernon, Ohio.

June 27, 2009 Forget-Me-Not, Everett Dorsey Chapter #143, Kroger, E. Coshocton Rd., Mt. Vernon, Ohio.

July 4, 2009 Forget-Me-Not, Lloyd C. Ludwick Chapter #123, Various locations in Highland County.

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 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 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.

MARTHA TEPKER FOR HIGHER OFFICE

Every day is a new challenge. Every member of the Disabled American Veterans should do their best to aid our veterans and their families. I have spent most of my life assisting veterans. I served eight (8) years in the United States Air Force. I worked five (5) years on the benefits side of the Veterans Administration in Kansas City, Missouri. I transferred to the Dayton VA Medical Center and stayed there until I had to medically retire. The work I do now is the same as then, I do whatever I can to help our veterans and their families. I am the VAVS Representative for the Cincinnati VA Hospital. I also volunteer at the Cincinnati VA Hospital as often as I can. I love helping our veterans. I would like to have your support in moving up to higher office. Thank you!

DAVID FARRELL FOR HIGHER OFFICE

I would like for you to take a few minutes to read the following. I am asking for your support as I continue my service at the State Level of this Great Organization of Disabled American Veterans. I hope I can count on you supporting me for the position of Senior Vice Commander or a Higher Office within the Department of Ohio.

We now live in an electronic and technological world. Our new veterans of today are electronic and technological savvy. We need to let them know we need their help in our fight for our rights and for them to show us the smarter and quicker way through electronic technology.

We must respond to the call. Respond with the same commitment, strength and patriotism we have shown in the past. We need to stand tall, as proud veterans, behind our men and women who now carry the torch. We must let them know we are proud of them and we support them and we are here for them when they come home.

We need leaders that will not let our Nations ideals and traditions be compromised. We need to maintain the freedoms we believe in and fought for throughout history. That is the way this Great Nation was founded. Why it has survived to this day, as One Nation Under God.

We need to educate our disabled veterans and their families about their rights and benefits they earned through their sacrifices, and the sacrifices of the veterans that can before them. We must STOP the assaults and inadequacies upon these benefits. Rights earned and needed, and have been so wrongly delivered. We did our part, now it is time for the Government to stand up, and do its part. They are the ones that promised these benefits, it is time for them to start delivering them.

We need to let all of Washington’s Politicians know we will not be denied and we will fight to the end. We will fight with tenacity, honor and courage that we fought with through the years to keep our great national free!!!

Thank you comrades for your time. May God Bless you and your families, this great nation we live in and the men and women who still defend it today.

David Farrell, 1^st Jr. Vice Commander

FROM THE HOSPITAL CHAIRMAN

At the end of April both the DAV and DAVA Commanders and Adjutants completed the hospital tour for this year. We toured Brecksville, Wade Park and the Ohio Veterans Home in Sandusky. It has been a very busy year touring all the VA Medical Centers and State Homes, but also a rewarding experience in visiting with the patients and residents of these facilities. They appreciate the donations that are made to their facilities that help their stay be a little more comfortable.

I have asked all my VA Representatives to send me a report on what they have done at their facility this year, and I plan on presenting this information along with what the DAV State Department has donated to these hospitals and state homes at the VAVS program at the Convention. The DAV State Department has donated over $8,000.00 from the State Hospital Fund to these facilities in March to purchase items from their wish list and along with all the other donations that we have made for parties, bingos, picnics, and horse races you can see that we take care of our veterans.

Please consider volunteering at your local facility. You will be glad that you did.

Raymond Hutchinson, Hospital Chairman

RIDE FOR FALLEN HEROES

Charles Clements, DAV Past District 1 Commander and Cathy Weber, a Gold Star Mother, along with the “Yellow Ribbon April 9^th Scholarship Fund,” are sponsoring a motorcycle bike ride in honor of Cathy’s son, CPL Bobby Weber, and all fallen heroes.

The Memorial Motorcycle Ride will be Saturday, June 27, 2009, with the ride leaving and returning to:

Vince’s

7701 Hamilton Ave.

Cincinnati, Ohio 45231-3174

Registration is 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., and a cost is $15.00 for rider and $5.00 for passenger, with a free patch for the first 50 riders. After the ride (approx. 3:00 p.m.), there will be free food, a DJ, raffles, and door prizes at Vince’s. Please attend and/or send donations to:

Ms. Cathy Weber

Or/Yellow Ribbon 9^th Scholarship Fund

9225 Duvall Place

Cincinnati, Ohio 45231-3068

For additional information, call Charles Clements at 513-307-1474 or Cathy Weber at 513-403-5662.

DONALD SCHEERER FOR HIGHER OFFICE

For the last two years I’ve had the honor to serve State Commander’s Bob Bertschy and Joe Johnston as a member of the Executive Committee. Before that I was 5^th District Commander for two years and acted as Adjutant for District Commander Christman the two years before.

On the chapter level I have been a member for 25 years. The last nine as Treasurer and this year as Adjutant. I also serve as Chairman of the Forget-Me-Not Drive. The last two years Commander Christman and I have co-chaired our care packages committee. We have sent 1,800 lbs. of supplies to about 121 troops serving overseas.

I am a 100% disabled Vietnam vet having served in a Co. 75^th Airborne Rangers. The last two years has been a learning experience for me. I would like to thank the PDC’s and the State Staff for all their help and advice.

I ask the Nominating Committee and the membership to consider me for 2^nd Jr. Vice Commander. Thank you one and all.

Respectfully,

Donald J. Scheerer

NOTES FROM YOUR STATE ADJUTANT
Frank Williams

Thought for JUNE : There are only two types of military warriors in this world…Those that serve tyrants, and those that serve free men!! And, America is the Land of the Free Because of Our Brave Warriors.

When listening to a recent TV News Anchor, who was talking about our nation’s current financial crisis as well as the efforts by our political leaders to “jump start” our economy,

and the controversy over “enhanced interrogation” of terrorists, I remembered a quote of another leader. That quote: The Budget should be balanced; the Treasury should be refilled; public debt should be reduced; the arrogance of our government officials should be tempered and controlled, and the assistance to foreign lands should be curtailed, lest our country becomes bankrupt. People must again learn to work, instead of living on public assistance.” Now, you might think this quote was made a couple of weeks or months ago! However, believe it or not, this came from Cicero, Ruler of Rome, in 55 BC!! Needless to say, our leaders of today ---and our own citizens---need to study and learn from history!

The Heavy Burden of War Shouldered by The Few: A USA Today article of May 26, 2009 reports that: Military duty in a democracy is the ultimate act of public service. But, while America has been waging war on two fronts since 2003, many Americans are not acting like we are at WAR! Our daily life continues without even a hint of the many sacrifices made by everyday citizens during WW2. Many Americans have left the defense of their way of life to the small group of people who make up our all-volunteer military. I have often heard comments by our troops serving in OEF/OIF that “America is not at War! We are at War”. These brave men and women certainly deserve more than just our gratitude!

Blast Injuries result in new VA Trauma Centers: A small polytrauma program that was originally designed for car wreck victims has been expanded by the Department of Veterans Affairs into a National Network of four major polytrauma hospitals and 21 Regional centers that specialize in the challenges of the grievously wounded returning from Iraq & Afghanistan.

VA HEARING AID/EYEGLASS UPDATE: It is now VHA policy that all enrolled Veterans with any compensable, service connected disability, are eligible for medical services that include diagnostic audiology and diagnostic and preventive eye care services, and that the prescription and provision of hearing aids and eyeglasses must be furnished to all eligible veterans in accordance with the parameters and criteria defined in VHA Directive 2008-70 dated Oct 28, 2008. Full details of the directive can be viewed at http://www.va.gov/vhapublications/ViewPublication.asp?pub_ID=1789. It identifies eligible veterans to include:

· Those with any compensable service-connected disability.

· Those who are former POWs.

· Those who were awarded a Purple Heart.

There is a long list of other eligibles and the criteria for replacement of eyeglasses and hearing aids and it is all spelled out in the Directive that can be viewed at VA’s website as shown above. Or, contact the nearest VA Medical Center nearest you.

REMINDER: Our June Convention is June 26, 27 & 28th! Of course, the Chapter Service Officer/HSC Training is Thursday, June 25^th from 9AM to 4PM. We also have Committee Meetings & other leadership functions Thursday evening. I am looking forward to seeing everyone at our Joint Opening Ceremony 8:30 A.M., Friday June 26^th.

Everyone, including our Department Officers, are required to make their own hotel reservations at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, 600 Metro Place North, Dublin, OH 43017, Phone 614-764-2200. You must tell the Hotel Staff that you are attending the DAV Convention in order to get the discounted rate. And, you must send in your registration paperwork to Sherry here at Department Headquarters ASAP, if you haven’t done so already. Any questions give me or Sherry a call at 614-221-3582.

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!!

CHAPTER #47 DAV SIGN

The above photo is the new sign for Chapter #47 in East Liverpool. Pictured left to right is the new Commander Mart Talbott, Sr. Vice Commander Jim Jenkins and Treasurer Robert Bertschy.

Information Bulletin

IMPORTANT NUMBERS

NOTES FROM YOUR STATE ADJUTANT Frank Williams

NOTES FROM YOUR STATE ADJUTANT
Frank Williams