Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States

Department of Pacific Areas Commander James Oden

Military Order of the Cootie Grand of the Pacific

Commander Orville Humfleet

Volume VI – Number 1 A non-profit official publication 20 July 2010

The Around the Pacific newsletter showcases activities throughout the VFW Department of Pacific Areas and the MOC Grand of the Pacific through articles, photos, etc., as well as information from outside the Department.

Pacific Areas VFW Convention & MOC Grand Scratch

20-24 June 2010 Angeles City, Philippines

Veterans Affairs Commission of the Republic of China, Mr. Lin Wen-Shan, Deputy Minister of Veterans Affairs Commission, addressing our membership at the Department of Pacific Areas Convention Opening Ceremony.

Department JVC Hirshbein, SVC Oden, VARO Manila Director Jon Skelly, Past CINC Banas, CDR Malott, Deputy Minister VAC Republic of China, Mr. Lin Wen-Shan, ADJ Keeley and, Mr. Hans Song, Director, Overseas Liaison Department

VAC Deputy Minister Deputy Minister Lin Wen-Shan

presenting CDR Malott with gift.

Department SVC Oden, VARO Manila Director Jon Skelly, VAC, Republic of China, Mr. Lin Wen-Shan shared mutual interests regarding support for veterans. Mr. Skelly and Minister Lin Wen-Shan discussed veteran programs together. Mr. Skelly met with CDR Malott where they discussed matters on improving service to veterans and the relationship between the VARO Manila and the Department of Pacific Areas. The meeting was very informative and mutually beneficial for the VARO and the VFW in the Pacific.

CDR Malott presentation to Past CINC Ed Banas with an Army ball cap and a Navy ball cap to District 16 Councilman

Preston ‘Nick’ Nelson.

The Department of Pacific Areas flag will be presented to VFW National Home for Children at the VFW National Convention. Flag will be displayed at the National Home along with flags from other Departments and States.

Commander-in Chief Tommy Tradewell requested the flags during the VFW Legislative Conference in Washington, D.C.

PDC Bob Zaher and Lenny worked on the design and production of the final design. The flag represents our Post locations throughout the Pacific in countries, Guam and Saipan CNMI. Thank you both for a great job.

The VFW National Home Director Todd Marriott called JPDC Malott by phone to express how impressive and beautiful the flag is.

Department Officers 2010-11 taking the oath of office.

SVC Hirshbein and JVC Combs with Officers during the

Oath of Office.

Past VFW CINC Ed Banas installing the incoming officers.

Past CINC Ed Banas presents CDR Jim Oden with his orders.

JPDC Malott presents CDR Oden with his DPA CDR pin.

Mrs. Oden present husband with his Commander’s cap.

JPDC Jim Malott, SVC Barry Hirschbein, CDR Jim Oden and JVC Darin Combs join together as they pledge their support and

dedication to CDR Oden, the Department of Pacific Areas and the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States.

ENTERTAINMENT ABOUNDS!!!

Who Let The Dogs Out?

Ed Banas and Nick Nelson lead the entertainment.

Billy Quintero and Tom Aldrich hit the high notes!

Big Bug Orville Humfleet leading the way at the Gran Scratch

Past Supreme Commander Marty Ellingwood closely escorted

by Provost Marshalls Shawn Watson and Keith Michaels.

At his own expense PSC Marty kept the humor going

throughout the Scratch. Cooties Banas and Nelson carefully monitoring activities from a safe distance.

DPA CDR/ PGC Malott (1999-2000), Deputy Minister Lin Wen-Shan, Past Supreme Commander Marty Ellingwood

(1999-2000) and Mr. Hans Song, Director, Overseas Liaison

More ENTERTAINMENT Cootie style.

PSC Ellingwood installing Grand Officers 2010-2011.

Grand Commander Orville Humfleet taking the Oath of Office from PSC Ellingwood. Big Bug was ailing a bit and at the direction of

the installing officer took his oath seated. Big Bug chosen by the Cooties to continue on as our Grand Commander this year.

Hail to the Big Bug!!!!

DDiissttrriicctt IIII MMaaiinnllaanndd JJaappaann

DISTRICT II REMEMBERS PAST DISTRICT COMMANDER AT CLARK CEMETERY

ANGELES CITY, PAMPANGA, PHILIPPINES - On a hot sunny afternoon on 28 May 2010, Joe Mortimer, Senior Vice Commander, District II, Mainland Japan accompanied by the newly elected Department of Pacific Areas Surgeon Patrick "Doc" Higgins, Pay their respects to Virgil Eugene "Gene" Gann, Past District Commander, District II Mainland Japan at Clark Cemetery, Angeles City, Pampanga, Philippines after the Department of Pacific Areas Annual Convention. Since the passing of Gene Gann on 10 October 2007 and subsequent burial in Clark Cemetery, Joe has made visits, cleaned up the gravesite, and planted a U.S. Flag each time he is in Angeles City for a DPA Convention or Council of Administration representing District II Mainland Japan.

"I only met Gene once and he impressed me very much," said Joe. "I wish I could have known him better. It only seems fitting as part of the VFW to remember and visit the gravesite for a past District Commander from my District when I am here and all others who may be here from District II. Afterwards, I also pay respects and take a moment to remember all who are buried there."  

DISTRICT II TAKES PART IN INDEPENDENCE DAY PARADE NAF ATSUGI, JAPAN - Independence Day was celebrated in true form on Sunday, 04 July 2010, on board NAF Atsugi Japan. VFW Post 9612 was invited by the command to take part in the parade. The VFW was the second formation of the parade, which started as the kick off of the NAF Atsugi Independence Day festival. Joe Mortimer, District Senior Vice Commander, John "J.J." Johnson, Past District Commander, District 2 Mainland Japan, and Post Trustee Casey Roberts, and Comrade Malone, VFW Post 9612 Camp Zama attended.

          

  Yours in Comradeship, Joe Mortimer Commander

ROVING AMBASSADOR Comrades,

From July 1-5, I was in Washington D.C. for a Grief Conference. It was training as part of my job. After the conference concluded, I had the honor and privilege of visiting the WWII, Korea, and Vietnam Memorials and paying my respects to our fallen Comrades. I was also able to visit the Lincoln Memorial, Washington Monument and attended the 4th of July Parade. Below are several photos I wanted to share with you. Please take care of yourselves and I will see you soon!!

YIC, Kevin E. Mitchell Roving Ambassador

DDiissttrriicctt VVII GGuuaamm,, SSaaiippaann--CCNNMMII

  QM/ADJ Bill Bradford (Gaan Point Memorial Post 2917) manning the Post's Agat Mango Festival booth on June 12 & 13. You will notice the jars of Spicy Mango Jam that was provided by QM Bradford in keeping with the theme of the festival. The Poppy sales were very successful and all the Jam was sold with the donation's going to the Relief Fund.

For VFW Department of Pacific Areas news and information visit us at:

http://www.vfwdeptpacific.org

For VFW Department of Pacific Areas news and

information visit us at: http://www.vfwdeptpacific.org

DPA ALL-STATE PROGRAM FOR 2010-2011 To view the Department of Pacific Areas All State Program, please click on the link below:

http://vfwdeptpacific.org/Awards%20Programs/allstateDPA.pdf

POST COMMUNITY SERVICE REPORTS All members please submit!

Reminder to submit your Monthly Volunteer / Community Service Reports to your Post Junior Vice Commander as directed by your Posts. Reports are due on the Department Website on or before the last day of each month for that month.

MOVNG, TRANSFERRING, OR LEAVING THE LOCAL AREA OF YOUR POST?

If moving, be sure to let your Post Quartermaster / Adjutant know and provide your change of address, so you will not miss any of your VFW Magazine subscriptions and other VFW benefits.

VFW BUDDY POPPY DONATIONS

Donations for Buddy Poppies are greatly appreciated and accepted. Please see your Post Buddy Poppy Chairman for details.

CLARK CEMETERY

Clark Cemetery Maintenance Fund donations accepted to support the maintenance of this cemetery, which is completely dependent on individual and group donations. VFW Post 2485, located in Angeles City, Philippines, is the caretaker of Clark Cemetery for the VFW Department of Pacific Areas and is in need of your help.

http://www.vfwpost2485.com/cemetery.htm If you make a donation, we thank you very much and ask you to please inform your Post Adjutant / Quartermaster.

DEPARTMENT OF PACIFIC AREAS GRAVE DIGGERS

Become a member and support the Department of Pacific Areas Grave Diggers Program which is open to anyone who has a desire to support the Clark Cemetery. To use our PDF "fill-able" application form log:

http://www.vfwpost2485.com/grave_diggers.pdf

- Please mail your application and membership fee, as well as any future donations to:

VFW Post 2485 Attn: Grave Diggers PSC 517, Box RC-V FPO AP 96517-1000

If you make a donation or become a member of the Grave Diggers, we thank you very much and ask you to please inform your Post Adjutant / Quartermaster.

MOC PADDY DADDY PROGRAM M.O.C. Grand of the Pacific is asking you to help support the Paddy Daddy Program. Applications are available online on the VFW Department of Pacific Areas website:

The Paddy Daddy Application for signing up Comrades, Cooties, Friends, Family, and yes, even your Pets can be signed up!

Please fill out as many applications as you like for a very good cause. The VFW National Home Special Project is the recipient of the proceeds from our very own program in the Pacific Areas. Send the application to me along with a check made out to “Ee CHI GAE Pup Tent #2, in the amount of US$25.00, and I will promptly prepare your Certificate, Card and Pin and mail them to you. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to e-mail bthaney@vfw10223.org.

Yours in Comradeship, L.O.T.C.S. Billy Haney Paddy Daddy Chairman Pup Tent #2 Military order of the Cootie

If you make a donation or become a member, we thank you very much and ask you to please inform your Pup Tent’s Custodian of the Crummy Duffle Bag and be quick about it!

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111th VFW National Convention

Convention Information: -Mail-in Registration Form/Online Registration Form -Pre-Registration Brochure -Convention Agenda

Housing: -Department Hotel Assignments -Mail-in Housing Form/Online Housing Form -Department Assignments (Quick Map) -Hotels & Attractions (Map)

Parking: -Downtown Parking Map -RV Campgrounds

Special Discounts/Services: -Tour the VFW National Home for Children -Scootaround -Mobility Solutions -Food & Drink -VFW Golf Tournament -Visit a Local Post

http://www.vfw.org/

Women Veterans VA Health Care and VA Disability Claim The VFW is interested in the timeliness, quality, and accessibility of health care female veterans are receiving at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health care facilities. We would also like to know if VA is meeting your expectation of privacy during both office check-in and during the actual physical examination. We are seeking comments regarding experiences you have encountered both negative and positive. Please send to vfw@vfw.org, using the subject line Female Veteran Concerns. In addition, if you have questions about your VA disability claim please contact us at the same email address listed above.

See how you can help: http://www.vfw.org/

If you make a donation, we thank you very much and ask you to please inform your Post Adjutant / Quartermaster.

PLEASE DON”T WAIT UNTIL TOMORROW

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