Mail Call
November 2020 | Issue 5
Upcoming Events:
Southern Conference **CANCELED!
Fall Conference
November 20-22, 2020 Holiday Inn Alexandria, LA
Mid Winter Conference
January 14-18, 2021 Holiday Inn Alexandria, LA
Inside this issue:
• District Meeting Dates –Page 2
• CIC Membership Challenge - Page 2
• Post Bonds Information - Page 3
• All American Requirement Update– Page 3
• Membership Round Up – Page 4
• Recruiter Spotlight - Page 4
• COVID Grant Information– Page 4
• State Commander’s Article –Page 6
• Sr. Vice & Jr. Vice Article –Page 7
• Department COVID-19 Relief Application
for Post—Page 8
• Post Bond Application– Page 9
• Disaster Relief App. - Page 10
• Mem Stats– Page 11-12
“Laissez Les Bon Temps Rouler for Veterans”
State Commander Bobby Lovergne
DISTRICT 2 MEETINGS: Jan. 23, 2021 Post 3750 Registration 9:00 am Meeting 10:00 am Lunch ($7) 12:00noon May 15, 2021 Post 3121 Registration 9:00 am Meeting 10:00 am Lunch ($7) 12:00noon
DISTRICT 3 MEETINGS: January 30, 2021 Registration 9:00 am Joint Meeting 10:00 am Meeting 10:30 am Lunch 12:00noon May 22, 2021 Registration 9:00 am Joint Meeting 10:00 am Meeting 10:30 am Lunch 12:00noon
DISTRICT 4 MEETINGS: Jan. 23, 2021 Post 12065 Registration 9:00 am Meeting 10:00 am Lunch($7) 12:00noon
DISTRICT 9 MEETINGS: Nov. 7, 2020 Post 8290 Registration 9:00 am Joint Meeting 10:00 am Meeting 11:00 am Lunch 12:00noon Jan. 9, 2021 Post 3652 Registration 9:00 am Joint Meeting 10:00 am Meeting 11:00 am Lunch 12:00noon April 24, 2021 Post 5735 Registration 9:00 am Joint Meeting 10:00 am Meeting 11:00 am Lunch 12:00noon
DISTRICT 10 MEETINGS: Nov. 14, 2020– CANCELED! Registration 10:00 am Meeting 11:00 am Lunch($10.00) 12:00noon Feb. 13, 2021 Registration 10:00 am Meeting 11:00 am Lunch($10.00) 12:00noon May 8, 2021 Registration 10:00 am Meeting 11:00 am Lunch($10.00) 12:00noon
DISTRICT 11 MEETINGS: Jan. 9, 2021 Post 3615 (Tentative) Registration 10:30 am Meeting 11:00 am Lunch ($10) 12:00noon May 15, 2021 Post 1809 Registration 10:30 am Meeting 11:00 am Lunch ($10) 12:00noon
DISTRICT 12 MEETINGS: Jan, 9, 2021 Post 5187 Registration 9:00 a.m. Meeting 10:00 a.m. Lunch ($7) 12:00 noon May 8, 2021 Post 4588 Registration 9:00 a.m. Meeting 10:00 a.m. Lunch ($7) 12:00 noon
DISTRICT 5 MEETINGS: Nov. 14, 2020 Post 2130 Registration 9:00 am Meeting 10:00 am Lunch 12:00noon Feb. 20, 2021 Post 3619 Registration 9:00 am Meeting 10:00 am Lunch 12:00noon April 17, 2021 Post 3802 Registration 9:00 am Meeting 10:00 am Lunch 12:00noon
DISTRICT 7 MEETINGS: Nov. 14, 2020 Post 5153 Registration 9:00 am Meeting 10:00 am Lunch ($8) May 15, 2021 Post 8971 Registration 9:00 am Meeting 10:00 am Lunch ($8) DISTRICT 8 MEETINGS: Dec. 12, 2020 Post 3784 Hosted by 11169 Registration 9:00 am Meeting 10:00 am Lunch ($7) 12:00noon
Thank you to everyone who has volunteered to assemble Buddy Poppies! It’s amazing how we can come together as
one in a time of need.
Please note: Although it took long dedicated hours to assemble the poppies, please do not include these hours on
your Community Service Reports. They will be rejected. According to National, Post can not use this as Community
Service hours due to the fact that they are getting paid.
Fall Conference: November 20-22, 2020
Holiday Inn Alexandria
During this conference we will hold an Awards
Luncheon to give out awards from the 2019-2020
year. Tickets are $15.00 each.
ALL VFW & AUX MEMBERS ARE WELCOMED!
Post Bonds:
The following Post have NOT submitted their Bond
Payment for the 2020-21 year. Any Bonds that have not
been renewed are considered delinquent and the funds
of the Post will not be protected. The cut off date to pay
the Bond premium for this year is November 15th.
5852 7194 5097
7755 12181 4215
3106 3686 7321
5153 6720 3693
3766 7286 3841
5002 DIST 10
4586 4588
If you Post has an OUTSIDE Bond, please submit
proof.
Disaster Relief Applications: For those that were affected by Hurricane Laura or
Hurricane Zeta, you may still submit your Disaster
Relief Applications. There’s a copy in this month’s
mail call. You may also submit your application on
our website www.vfwdeptla.org under Resources -
Disaster Relief.
Please email or mail all applications to Department
Headquarters:
10185 Mammoth Ave. Baton Rouge, LA 70814
Email: [email protected]]
DEADLINE TO FILE FOR DISASTER RELIEF
IS FEBRUARY 1, 2021!
All American Requirement’s
Updated:
The requirement for Post to
purchase Buddy Poppies has been
removed from the All American
criteria.
Veteran’s Day
November 11th Conduct a Veterans Day Program on November 11: Organize a community event on Veterans Day honoring all veterans. For
a ceremonial procedure refer to the pages in the current VFW Manual of Procedure and Ritual and speech/activities in the Citizenship Education Program Chairman’s booklet on CD or go to VFW Web page www.vfw.org -- click on programs for
speeches. Now, what are your plans for Veterans Day?
******************************
The Department would like to send a heartfelt thank you to all of our Veterans for
their Service!
This Holiday Season…. Now is the time to start preparing food baskets for the needy for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Call Churches
or City Hall for names of those most in need.
Each month we will highlight
someone who has excelled in their
recruiting efforts for our
Membership. Our Recruiter Spotlight
will shine on the Commander of Post
3665 in Raceland, LA—James
Prestenback!
As of September November 2, 2020 we are at 84.52%. We need 1,646 members to make
100%!
ATTENTION: Post Commanders should hold a Membership Roundup this weekend. Whether it’s
a calling system, door knock, letter mailings we need to have each Post do something to help
contact the Unpaid, Relocated, Members at Large to get them to extend their Membership in the
VFW.
Sharee Arends– [email protected]
CONGRATS TO THE FOLLOWING POST ON ALREADY REACHING
THEIR 100% GOAL:
POST 5951, 8971, 3665, & 12182
Recruiter
of
The Month
VFW Foundation Post Pandemic Grant:
The VFW National Foundation Post Pandemic Grant is still open for Post to apply.
Please visit www.vfw.org/grants for more information.
Department COVID Relief Grant:
The Department COVID Relief Grant is still open for Post to apply. See the application on
Page 8 in this month’s mail call for more information.
POST ACTIVITY REPORT:
Please visit the follow
link to view the most up-
to-date report!
https://docs.google.com/
spreadsheets/
d/1r63_WwtMGPIObwc2
FDQHomlRVZIDqmJK326
xzW8_ntQ/edit?
usp=sharing
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON PROGRAMS PLEASE VIS-
IT WWW.VFW.ORG AND CLICK ON THE PROGRAM SEC-
TION! Note all deadline dates!
THE DEPARTMENT IS NOW ON
FACEBOOK, PLEASE GO LIKE OUR PAGE TO BE
UPDATED WITH IMPORTANT INFORMATION!
Future National Convention Dates: July 31-Aug 5, 2021 July 16-21, 2022
Baltimore, MD Kansas City, MO
July 22-27 , 2023 July 27-Aug 1, 2024
Phoenix, AZ Louisville, KY
Department Conference/Convention Dates:
2020-2021 MW-January 14-17, 2021
SC– June 24-27, 2021
**All the above Conferences/Conventions will be held at the
HOLIDAY INN ALEXANDRIA, LA!
2021-2022 CofA– August 13-15, 2021
MW– January 27-30, 2022
SC– June 23-26, 2022
**All the above Conferences/Conventions will be held at the
WYNDHAM GARDEN HOTEL 1801 W. PINKHOOK RD. LAFAYETTE, LA 70508
VFW Department of Louisiana Headquarters CONTACT INFORMATION:
Office- 225-928-5025 | Fax– 225-928-5025
State QTM/ADJ: Precilla Wilkewitz Email: [email protected]
State Administrative Assistant: Tori LeBlanc Email: [email protected]
State Commander: Bobby Lovergne Cell: 504-251-5628 Email: [email protected]
Community Service Reporting: All reports to be submitted online. Any questions contact State
Chairman, Tim Sloan - [email protected]
*Any National Veterans & Military Service reporting information,
please send a copy to State Chairman, Paul Hamburger
173 Cherokee Dr., Abita Springs, LA 70420
Email: [email protected]
Welcome to the 2nd to last month of 2020, November, let’s
hope we don’t see a blizzard or any other natural disaster these last
2 months. The hurricane season of 2020 has seen all 10 Districts in
our Department affected by one of the many storms that hit our
state this year. But as always our members have shown their
courage and fortitude by continuing to support their communities
and this organization through all of this. CIC Hal Roesch has told me
over and over at how impressed he is with the members of the
Department of Louisiana and the work we continue to do. Thank
each of you for your support and being as strong as you are.
Membership has continued to grow, congrats to Post
Commander Debbie McElhannon from Vinton for winning the
October 3-5 Commanders Membership Roundup. Also concerning
Membership, we have a Steak or Spam Competition going on among
the District Commanders, if you have not heard of this by now
contact your District Commander, they may need your help ASAP.
All of the members affected by Hurricane Laura if you have not filed for a Disaster Relief
Check from the Department please do so ASAP as we want to help as many of you as possible. We
have set a deadline to apply for February 1, 2021 to receive all applications.
As we move towards Veteran’s Day take time to reflect on what it means to you to be called
Veteran. This is your day, enjoy yourself and participate in Community and local Veterans Day
events that will be going on.
Thanks to all the Posts and Auxiliaries who have been working very hard assembling Buddy
Poppies, even though this does take time and volunteers to complete the work, according to
National this cannot be counted towards your Community Service hours due to the fact that you are
getting paid to assemble. Please do not file a Community Service Report for this as it will be rejected
from the Department and National.
Looking forward to spending time with the National President for her visit to the Department
as I have had the opportunity to entertain the Commander in Chief during a great fishing trip and
also presentation of a few Posts awards in the latter part of October, great having all these visitors
to witness all the good you are doing.
Thank you all again for allowing me this opportunity to be the Commander of the Best
Department in the VFW, our members and Auxiliary members make this what it is.
See you around the Department and remember I am only a phone call away.
State Commander
Bobby Lovergne
Looking back through the month of October we have had some great things
going on in our department. We have come together and weathered two hurricanes,
stood strong together through another month of COVID, continued our great work in our
communities, and gained positive momentum on our membership. All with a positive
attitude and willingness to help each other out.
As we move into November we celebrate the Marine Corps birthday and
Veterans Day. If your Post or city is having a Veterans Day event, get out and support it.
Wear you VFW gear and be proud. Remember that the whole month is National Veterans
and Military Family month. See If your Post or District can sponsor an event during the
month.
I want to thank you for your continued Community Service reporting. Please log
into the Members Only section on the Department website to complete your reports. As
we continue to complete our programs, all Americanism, Patriots Pen, and VOD entries
should be at your posts as you begin the judging process. These programs show our
communities our pride in them and instill pride and patriotism in the youth of our
country.
As we continue to isolate with COVID and move into the holiday season,
remember to check on your comrades, friends, and family. The holidays can be a rough
time for many without anything else to make it worse.
With that I will leave you with a quote. “If you don’t like something, change it. If you can’t change it, change the way you
think about it.” — Mary Engelbreit
See you around the state!
State Sr. Vice Cmdr
Tim Sloan
As we begin November, Patriot Pen and Voice of Democracy entries should be in
the posts and the process of judging should begin. These programs as well as Americanism
help instill pride in our history from our youth and give them respect for those who have
made and protected our wonderful country.
Also recognizing our teachers for what they do to promote patriotism and
recognizing our first responders with the safety program help give the VFW respect from
the communities.
Completing these programs is essential for the connection of the VFW to our
communities. We served in the armed forces to protect the freedom of our country and we
continue to teach and serve our communities and our Veterans.
We can only continue to serve so long as we have strength in our membership. It
is important that we recruit for our posts and auxiliaries. We must focus on each of our
posts to develop a family atmosphere making them non-smoking and provide internet wi-
fi. Only in doing so will we provide incentive for our younger veterans and families to join
with us.
On this upcoming Veterans Day, I know most of our Louisiana posts are doing
something to promote recognition for veterans. Welcome them to your post and if they are
not a member, do them the honor of inviting them to become a member. In so doing we
keep the circle going, Americanism, Patriot Pen, Voice of Democracy, serve our country in the armed forces, join the VFW and
continue to serve the community and our veterans.
Thank you one and all for your service to our country and your continued service through the VFW.
State Jr. Vice Cmdr
Don Reber
Louisiana as of Monday, November 2, 2020
Post Dst Life New Reinst Cont Total Adjusted Prior Year Percent Div City N/R LM
Prior Annual Retention N/R %
3121 2 137 3 0 31 171 210 81.42% 5 GRETNA 1 87 39.08% 1.90 %
3267 2 103 2 0 17 122 140 87.14% 7 HARAHAN 1 43 41.86% 2.14 %
3337 2 141 3 0 98 242 261 92.72% 4 LA PLACE 2 115 67.83% 1.92 %
3750 2 94 2 0 40 136 156 87.17% 6 LULING 0 66 68.18% 1.28 %
5852 2 44 0 0 18 62 86 72.09% 9 LUTCHER 0 42 45.24% 0.00 %
6640 2 154 0 1 12 167 210 79.52% 5 METAIRIE 0 52 21.15% 0.48 %
7194 2 57 0 0 1 58 66 87.87% 10 ARABI 0 9 22.22% 0.00 %
7307 2 38 0 0 5 43 59 72.88% 10 MARRERO 0 11 54.55% 0.00 %
7732 2 19 0 0 1 20 27 74.07% 11 KENNER 0 9 11.11% 0.00 %
8973 2 216 0 0 16 232 289 80.27% 4 NEW ORLEANS 1 69 20.29% 0.35 %
2 1003 10 1 239 1253 1504 83.31% 4 5 0 0.00% 1.06 %
3665 3 83 13 10 25 131 129 101.55% 7 RACELAND 2 46 67.39% 19.38 %
4222 3 70 1 0 8 79 103 76.69% 8 MORGAN CITY 0 27 40.74% 0.97 %
4752 3 51 1 0 15 67 71 94.36% 9 DULAC 0 21 76.19% 1.41 %
5097 3 91 0 0 9 100 129 77.51% 7 THIBODAUX 0 35 31.43% 0.00 %
7755 3 33 0 0 6 39 52 75.00% 10 BOURG 0 17 35.29% 0.00 %
8538 3 61 0 0 9 70 101 69.30% 8 LAROSE 0 37 29.73% 0.00 %
9608 3 28 0 0 2 30 33 90.90% 11 CHAUVIN 0 3 66.67% 0.00 %
12182 3 18 2 0 19 39 36 108.33% 11 PATTERSON 0 22 100.00% 5.56 %
3 435 17 10 93 555 654 84.86% 6 2 0 0.00% 4.43 %
1982 4 71 2 0 12 85 113 75.22% 7 NEW IBERIA 0 38 34.21% 1.77 %
3793 4 21 0 0 5 26 38 68.42% 11 KAPLAN 0 17 47.06% 0.00 %
4158 4 28 0 0 5 33 41 80.48% 11 ABBEVILLE 0 12 50.00% 0.00 %
4201 4 58 0 0 10 68 79 86.07% 9 FRANKLIN 0 20 50.00% 0.00 %
4215 4 32 0 0 8 40 43 93.02% 11 BREAUX BRIDGE
0 11 63.64% 0.00 %
9210 4 32 0 0 9 41 64 64.06% 10 YOUNGSVILLE 0 32 31.25% 0.00 %
9822 4 146 0 0 67 213 268 79.47% 4 JUDICE 0 117 70.94% 0.00 %
12065 4 26 0 1 5 32 45 71.11% 11 NEW IBERIA 0 19 21.05% 2.22 %
4 414 2 1 121 538 691 77.85% 6 0 0 0.00% 0.43 %
2130 5 141 0 0 5 146 218 66.97% 5 LAKE CHARLES 0 64 9.38% 0.00 %
3106 5 550 3 2 33 588 663 88.68% 3 LEESVILLE 1 107 30.84% 0.90 %
3619 5 233 18 10 100 361 499 72.34% 3 DE RIDDER 1 269 31.97% 5.81 %
3686 5 40 0 0 3 43 50 86.00% 11 JENNINGS 0 8 37.50% 0.00 %
3802 5 42 0 0 2 44 54 81.48% 10 DE QUINCY 0 10 30.00% 0.00 %
4759 5 27 0 0 3 30 42 71.42% 11 STARKS 0 14 28.57% 0.00 %
7321 5 129 0 0 9 138 184 75.00% 6 LAKE CHARLES 0 49 18.37% 0.00 %
9046 5 24 0 0 0 24 29 82.75% 11 WELSH 0 0 100.00% 0.00 %
9854 5 76 1 0 27 104 105 99.04% 8 VINTON 0 31 96.77% 0.95 %
5 1262 22 12 182 1478 1844 80.15% 4 2 0 0.00% 1.95 %
2483 7 23 0 0 7 30 36 83.33% 11 OPELOUSAS 0 10 60.00% 0.00 %
Post Dst Life New Reinst Cont Total Adjusted Prior Year
Percent Div City N/R LM Prior Annual
Retention N/R %
2483 7 23 0 0 7 30 36 83.33% 11 OPELOUSAS 0 10 60.00% 0.00 %
3803 7 59 0 0 5 64 73 87.67% 9 VILLE PLATTE 0 13 46.15% 0.00 %
5153 7 94 0 0 13 107 135 79.25% 7 ARNAUDVILLE 0 38 36.84% 0.00 %
6720 7 61 0 0 7 68 91 74.72% 8 CROWLEY 0 26 26.92% 0.00 %
8678 7 14 0 0 3 17 25 68.00% 11 PORT BARRE 0 11 36.36% 0.00 %
8971 7 103 7 7 74 191 180 106.11% 6 EUNICE 0 80 100.00% 7.78 %
9903 7 23 0 0 10 33 58 56.89% 10 CHURCH POINT
0 33 48.48% 0.00 %
7 377 7 7 119 510 598 85.28% 6 0 0 0.00% 2.34 %
3693 8 85 2 1 15 103 124 83.06% 7 GONZALES 0 40 40.00% 2.42 %
3766 8 10 0 0 11 21 33 63.63% 11 DONALDSONVILLE
0 23 47.83% 0.00 %
3784 8 165 0 1 11 177 204 86.76% 5 BATON ROUGE 0 38 28.95% 0.49 %
3785 8 12 0 0 9 21 34 61.76% 11 ADDIS 0 20 40.00% 0.00 %
4224 8 73 0 1 8 82 112 73.21% 7 BAKER 0 40 25.00% 0.89 %
7017 8 35 0 0 38 73 80 91.25% 9 DENHAM SPRINGS
0 45 82.22% 0.00 %
11169 8 53 0 0 1 54 63 85.71% 10 BATON ROUGE 0 10 10.00% 0.00 %
8 433 2 3 93 531 650 81.69% 6 0 0 0.00% 0.77 %
3652 9 57 0 0 5 62 69 89.85% 9 HAMMOND 1 13 38.46% 1.45 %
5174 9 42 0 0 4 46 56 82.14% 10 PEARL RIVER 0 13 30.77% 0.00 %
5735 9 84 0 0 7 91 131 69.46% 7 SLIDELL 1 48 10.42% 0.76 %
7196 9 32 0 0 1 33 39 84.61% 11 FRANKLINTON 0 7 14.29% 0.00 %
7286 9 53 0 0 2 55 65 84.61% 10 COVINGTON 0 11 9.09% 0.00 %
8290 9 76 0 0 11 87 106 82.07% 8 LACOMBE 0 32 40.63% 0.00 %
8720 9 97 10 0 38 145 161 90.06% 6 ABITA SPRINGS
0 64 60.94% 6.21 %
9 441 10 0 68 519 627 82.77% 6 2 0 0.00% 1.91 %
1736 10 401 0 0 12 413 427 96.72% 3 ALEXANDRIA 0 22 54.55% 0.00 %
1962 10 37 0 0 12 49 56 87.50% 10 NATCHITOCHES
0 17 58.82% 0.00 %
3139 10 30 0 0 14 44 58 75.86% 10 MARKSVILLE 0 27 51.85% 0.00 %
3841 10 13 0 0 1 14 22 63.63% 11 MANSURA 0 8 12.50% 0.00 %
5002 10 31 0 0 4 35 48 72.91% 11 JENA 0 17 23.53% 0.00 %
7643 10 31 0 1 2 34 39 87.17% 11 SIMMESPORT 2 9 33.33% 7.69 %
8852 10 83 0 0 4 87 98 88.77% 8 ALEXANDRIA 0 13 23.08% 0.00 %
10 626 0 1 49 676 748 90.37% 6 2 0 0.00% 0.40 %
1809 11 70 1 0 12 83 106 78.30% 8 MONROE 1 33 36.36% 1.89 %
3155 11 55 1 0 8 64 86 74.41% 9 WINNSBORO 0 29 41.38% 1.16 %
3375 11 60 0 0 5 65 86 75.58% 9 RAYVILLE 0 24 29.17% 0.00 %
3615 11 86 0 0 5 91 100 91.00% 8 RUSTON 1 16 31.25% 1.00 %
3977 11 12 0 0 5 17 23 73.91% 11 OAK GROVE 0 11 45.45% 0.00 %
3993 11 24 0 0 3 27 30 90.00% 11 WEST MONROE
0 4 75.00% 0.00 %
4317 11 35 0 0 22 57 68 83.82% 9 JONESBORO 0 32 75.00% 0.00 %
5442 11 65 0 0 10 75 88 85.22% 8 FARMERVILLE 1 22 31.82% 1.14 %
11 407 2 0 70 479 587 81.60% 6 3 0 0.00% 0.85 %
2885 12 32 0 0 9 41 48 85.41% 11 MINDEN 0 16 62.50% 0.00 %