American Legion Family Yard Sale/Craft Show

The American Legion family is hosting a yard sale and craft show at the Veterans Club on October 9th and 10th starting at 8:00 AM both days. The sale will go thru 3:00 PM on Friday and stay open until 4:00 PM on Saturday.

Table space is available for rent for $20 on a first come, first choice basis. The $20 will get you a table for one or both days.

The Legion is also accepting donations. If you have sellable items but you can't make these dates, consider donating them to support our local veterans.

For more information, call 770-365-0644.

POW/MIA Day 2009

Post 57 held the annual POW/MIA remembrance at 11 a.m. today at Veterans Memorial Plaza in Newnan.
A table with six seats was set up for the program, each seat represented significance to the day honoring prisoners of war and those missing in action in service to their country.

This year's national poster, with the words "All gave some ... some gave all!" honors their service.

Newnan Times-Herald Article

Blood Drive - August 24th

The Coweta Veterans Club, American Legion Post 57, and VFW Post 2667 are hosting a blood drive on Monday, August 24th, from Noon till 5:30. The drive will be held at the Veterans Club on Highway 29. If at all possible, please sign-up beforehand by calling 770-251-6949.

Even if you don't sign-up early, show up at the Veterans Club on Monday the 24th to give this precious gift. All blood types are needed.

Champion of Veterans to Speak During VFW Memorial Day Program

Newnan's new Veterans Memorial Plaza will be dedicated May 25 during the annual Memorial Day program.

Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2667 will conduct the community Memorial Day ceremonies at 11 a.m. Guest speaker will be John Gwizdak, VFW past national commander. Gwizdak, a retired Army officer, is a Vietnam veteran.

He has been the featured speaker at similar events held all across the nation and has for 25 years been a champion for veterans programs here in Georgia. A short musical program will be presented by Northside Elementary School Chorus, under the direction of Miss Joan Nelms.

VFW Commander Jeff Carroll said this year's program will pay homage to every name on the community Honor Rolls that will be the plaza centerpiece. "This is a change from our normal ceremonies, which for each of the last 12 years has honored one of Coweta's war dead," said Carroll.

"This year, while we remember those men, we celebrate this wonderful community achievement that tells the world that Cowetans cherish the memory of their sacrifices," Carroll said.

The park will feature plaques that list Coweta's war dead in each conflict from World War I forward. "We offer a special invitation to the family and friends of each man whose name is displayed on the bronze plaques," Carroll said.

The plaza was built with donations from individuals, businesses, the Newnan City Council and the Coweta County Board of Commissioners. More than 2,000 memorial engraved bricks were sold and will form the floor of the monument's two levels.

Mike Furbush, landscape architect for the City of Newnan, said the bricks were on the site late last week. "They're going to start laying those on Monday or Tuesday," Furbush said.

As future generations buy bricks, they will be placed once a year until the 10,000 capacity is reached. Still in production are life-sized statues of Coweta's two Medal of Honor recipients, Col. Joe Jackson and Major Stephen Pless. It is anticipated that the statues will be placed in time for a Veterans Day dedication.

Those planning to attend the May 25 ceremony should consider bringing lawn chairs. There will be some parking at McKoon Funeral Home, which is next to the park. In the event of rain, the program will be held at Wadsworth Auditorium on Jefferson Street.

Immediately following the ceremonies, the Coweta Veterans Club is inviting the public to a Memorial Day Dinner at the club on U.S. Highway 29 North. Food will be served until 2:30.

VA to Offer Medalions for Veterans Grave Markers

The Department of Veterans Affairs is in the preliminary stages of designing a medallion (IAW Public Law 110-57, December 2007) to be affixed to an existing privately-purchased headstone or marker to signify the deceased's status as a veteran. VA estimates the new medallion will be available in the summer of 2009. If requested, this new product can be furnished in lieu of the traditional headstone or marker. This benefit is only applicable if the grave is marked with a privately-purchased headstone or marker. In these instances, eligible veterans are entitled to either a traditional Government-furnished headstone or marker, or the new medallion, but not both.

SOURCE: www.cem.va.gov/hm/hmtype.asp

Apr 17 - Southern Pride Band @ Club!!!

Come see the Southern Pride band at the Coweta Veterans Club Friday night, April 17th. Just $5 cover to hear great music! Band starts @ 8:00 pm.

National Guard Sendoff - April 13

On April 13, Georgia National Guard's 48th Infantry Brigade Bravo Company Second Battalion will leave Newnan on the first leg of their deployment to Afghanistan.

The community is encouraged to show support by lining the streets of Newnan to see them off.

The company will travel to Camp Shelby, Miss., on April 13. The brigade will remain in Mississippi until the end of May/beginning of June, at which time they will deploy to Afghanistan.

Approximately 130 soldiers are attached to the local brigade, which is based in Newnan at the Jackson-Pless National Guard Armory next to Newnan High School. Their mission abroad during the year-long tour will be to train and mentor the Afghan National Army.

Roughly half of the 130 soldiers went with the brigade to Iraq in 2005.

According to Newnan Police Chief Douglas L. "Buster" Meadows, the unit is scheduled to depart the armory at 10 a.m. -- though that time is subject to change -- and the route will take them to the Court Square and up Bullsboro Drive to I-85 Exit 47. Organizers are hoping to raise the large Newnan Fire Department flag in downtown for the unit to travel under on their way out of town.

The soldiers will be escorted southbound on Interstate 85 all the way to the Meriwether County line where a new escort will pick up the transport.

"Come out and show your support," said Meadows. "Let them know that you're thinking about them."

Meadows invites the community to unite in a show of patriotism. Supporters are encouraged to wear red, white and blue and wave American Flags. Meadows hopes to have people lined all the way out Bullsboro Drive.

Downtown Newnan merchants have been invited to show support by displaying yellow ribbons in their storefronts.

"The community showing support reminds the soldiers that the sacrifices they make for the country have not gone unnoticed and the community supports their efforts," said First Lt. Jason Rich, who is among those deploying. "When a town comes out and rallies around a deploying unit, it is an awe-inspiring sight for a young soldier who is being thrust into the unknown. It is a bit of comfort in an uncertain time."

Local volunteers are building a Web site for the deploying unit so the public can track changes, receive updates, show support and purchase merchandise.

T-shirts, magnets and other unit paraphernalia will be available from the Web site, and the net proceeds will go to support the troops and their families. Web site organizers hope to build the site up as time passes to allow area residents and churches to adopt soldiers online as a way to provide ongoing support.

The Web site is www.bravo2-121.com . Check online for the latest updates to the Newnan send-off.

Making Christmas Brighter

The Coweta Veteran's Club annual golf tournament, held this fall, was successful in raising $4,000 in support of Community Welcome House.

The club, consisting of the members of the American Legion Post 57 and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2667, has sponsored the event for four years.

Proceeds are part of the club's community outreach charity donations. "We live here and want to be a serving spirit to our city and county." said Chairman Dick Dennis. "While our principal effort is to help veterans and families of veterans, we feel that Welcome House touches the lives of everyone. We sincerely appreciate the support of the players and our business partners who make our tournament successful."

Welcome House Director Linda Kirkpatrick received the donation. "The Veterans' Club serves as a great example of caring organizations, who unselfishly give of themselves to help the spouses and children who are victims of abuse and neglect," said Kirkpatrick.

"We sincerely hope that this donation will make Christmas a little brighter for all the residents of Welcome House," said Dennis.

Compensation Panel Wants Retirees to Pay More

These proposed changes could have a significant impact to retirees...

WASHINGTON (AFRNS) -- The Quadrennial Review of Military Compensation has recommended fee changes to Tricare, the military's health system.

The recommendations would mostly affect retirees and will not affect active-duty servicemembers or their dependents, retired Air Force Brig. Gen. Jan D. "Denny" Eakle, the director of the study, said in a Pentagon briefing Aug. 5.

"Retiree fees ought to relate to how much the plan is worth," she said. "The... higher-value plans should have higher premiums associated with them."

The panel believes fees need to be fair to all retired military members, General Eakle said. "They ought to reflect how much income an individual has, so that if they make more money and are therefore better able to pay for a system, they should do so," she said.

The full article is available at www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle/aspx?id=50705

Jack Lucas, Youngest Marine to Receive Medal of Honor

Jack Lucas, who forged his mother's signature on an enlistment document so he could join the military at 14 during World War II and who became the youngest Marine to receive the Medal of Honor, has died. He was 80.

Lucas, who was diagnosed with leukemia in April, died Thursday at Forrest General Hospital in Hattiesburg, Miss., after asking to be removed from a dialysis machine, said Mary Draughn, a close friend.

Three years after joining the Marines, Lucas was stationed at a supply depot in Hawaii when he stowed away on a ship headed to Iwo Jima because he was afraid he would never see combat, he later recalled.

On Feb. 20, 1945 -- six days after he turned 17 -- Lucas was fighting Japanese soldiers in a trench during the Battle of Iwo Jima when he dived on top of two grenades and pushed them deep into the beach's volcanic ash to shield three other Marines from harm.

More on the article at www.LATimes.com

Pre-War Football Legend To Be Honored On Memorial Day

Newnan's Post 2667 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars will once again conduct the community ceremony for Memorial Day on Monday, May 26, at 11:00 AM, at Veterans Memorial Plaza, on Jackson Street. For nearly 50 years, the post has sponsored Memorial Day activities for Newnan-Coweta citizens. In the event of inclement weather, the ceremonies will be held in the McKoon Funeral Chapel.

This year, in keeping with the theme, "Honor All By Remembering One," the ceremonies will seek to remember the life of Robert Earl Beers, the youngest son of one of Newnan’s old families. Known during the late thirties as the "Newnan Flash," Bobby Beers was an outstanding high school athlete and a football standout at Georgia Tech. While short of stature, at just five feet 8 inches and weighing no more than 155 pounds, "Little Bobby Beers" captured local headlines with his prowess on the gridiron and received national recognition for his exploits in games against perennially top-rated college teams.

Beers enlisted in the Army in 1940 and received a commission as a pilot in the Air Corps. Shortly after Pearl Harbor, in February 1942, he was assigned as part of the first contingent of the legendary 8th Air Force, in England. Sadly, Beers never got to see much action, dying in a plane crash near his Midlands base in August of 1942.

Bobby was one of four of the Beers brothers who served during WWII, all of whom had distinguished military records. Elizabeth Beers, a local historian and community supporter, is the widow of Frank Beers, Bob’s older brother. Much of the memoribilia that will be displayed at the ceremony, comes from her collection of family memories.

The program seeks to give the audience a picture of the life of Bobby Beers, as given by family, friends and available records. Anyone attending the ceremony, who has a recollection of Beers and his life is invited to share their memories. It is hoped that by knowing this one sacrificed life, we may better appreciate the sacrifices made by so many, in the protection of our lives and liberties.

Following the Monday ceremony, the Coweta Veterans' Club invites the public to join them for a luncheon at the club. Food will be served until 2:30 PM. Commander Jeff Carroll will host the luncheon and promises that there will be a bounty of food, so there will be no need for guests to arrive early.

Loyalty Day

Loyalty Day originally began as "Americanization Day" in 1921 as a counter to the Communists' May 1 celebration of the Russian Revolution. On May 1, 1930, 10,000 VFW members staged a rally at New York's Union Square to promote patriotism. Through a resolution adopted in 1949, May 1 evolved into Loyalty Day. Observances began in 1950 on April 28 and climaxed May 1 when more than five million people across the nation held rallies. In New York City, more than 100,000 people rallied for America. In 1958 Congress enacted Public Law 529 proclaiming Loyalty Day a permanent fixture on the nation's calendar.

VFW Low Country Boil/Membership Drive

Come join us Saturday, May 3rd at Noon!
as
VFW Post 2667
presents a
Membership Drive &
Low Country/Crawfish Boil
simmered to delectable goodness

$10 - All You Can Eat
(or till we run out)

New VFW Members Eat Free!
(You must sign-up and pay that day)

Senate Approves Renaming Post Offices in Honor of Fallen Soldiers

On Wednesday, April 23rd, the Senate approved legislation to rename several U.S. Post Offices in Georgia in honor of fallen soldiers.

The U.S. Post Office located at 3035 Stone Mountain Street in Lithonia, GA, will be renamed the “Specialist Jamaal RaShard Addison Post Office Building.” The U.S. Post Office located at 5815 McLeod Street in Lula, GA, will be renamed the “Private Johnathon Millican Lula Post Office.” The U.S. Post Office located at 116 Helen Highway in Cleveland, GA, will be renamed the “Sgt. Jason Harkins Post Office Building.”

These men served without desire for credit, but on behalf of their country and everything positive that we stand for. Naming these post offices after them is one small way to honor the sacrifices they made to make the United States and Georgia a better place.

Learn more about these brave men.

Senate Passes Veterans Benefits Enhancement Act

The Veterans Benefits Enhancement Act of 2007 is a comprehensive bill providing benefits to veterans, their families and their survivors. Provisions of the bill include expanding eligibility for traumatic injury insurance, increasing benefits for veterans pursuing apprenticeships or on-job training programs and expanding eligibility for specially adapted housing assistance. The bill also provides an automatic annual increase in burial benefits (based on inflation) for the families of veterans.

Watch the status of this bill at www.opencongress.org/bill/110-s1315/show

Georgia Remembers Korean War Veterans

The citizens of Georgia, the Republic of Korea and the American Legion fulfilled their objective on March 28th in Macon and again at Tybee Island on April 7th, with the Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway dedication. Many Korean officials and citizens, and former ROK soldiers joined with State officials and Korean War veterans to honor the memory of those killed, or still missing, and pay tribute to all who served during the war in which 75,000 Georgians helped to stem the spread of Communism and slavery.

Through the efforts of State Senators John Douglas and Cecil Staton, and State Representatives John Yates and Allen Freeman, a Resolution was Columbus to Tybee Island. The principal speaker for the Macon affair was Commissioner Pete Wheeler of the Georgia Department of Veterans Service and at Tybee Island, the group heard Jack Kingston, the United States Representative from the First District.

State Commander Dale Barnett, of The American Legion, served as Master of Ceremonies at both events. In his remarks, he thanked the many individuals and groups who assisted with making the Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway in Georgia a reality.

From The Georgia Legionnaire, Vol. 2, No. 4.

Veterans/Servicemembers: Salute the Flag When Not in Uniform

WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Jim Inhofe (R-OK) praised the passage by unanimous consent of his bill (S.1877) clarifying U.S. law to allow veterans and servicemen not in uniform to salute the flag. Current law (US Code Title 4, Chapter 1) states that veterans and servicemen not in uniform should place their hand over their heart without clarifying whether they can or should salute the flag.

"The salute is a form of honor and respect, representing pride in one's military service," Senator Inhofe said. "Veterans and service members continue representing the military services even when not in uniform.

"Unfortunately, current U.S. law leaves confusion as to whether veterans and service members out of uniform can or should salute the flag. My legislation will clarify this regulation, allowing veterans and servicemen alike to salute the flag, whether they are in uniform or not.

"I look forward to seeing those who have served saluting proudly at baseball games, parades, and formal events. I believe this is an appropriate way to honor and recognize the 25 million veterans in the United States who have served in the military and remain as role models to other citizens. Those who are currently serving or have served in the military have earned this right, and their recognition will be an inspiration to others."

This bill was passed July 27, 2007. Let your veteran friends know about the passage of this bill.

National World War II Museum's Expansion Officially Under Way

Under a brilliant blue sky Monday afternoon, a gathering of trustees, donors, fans, politicians and veterans officially broke ground for a major expansion of the National World War II Museum on Andrew Higgins Drive, across the street from the original location.

The 2-square-block site, decked out in red, white and blue balloons, held about 200 seats for guests, along with a World War II Jeep, a PT boat, a half-track and a Sherman tank. A flyover by four F-17 planes in formation kicked off the ceremony, which included music by a U.S. Navy band, a trooping of colors by the Washington Artillery and a burst of confetti.

Set to be completed by 2015, the $300 million expansion will include a campus of six new buildings covering 5.7 acres bounded by Magazine Street, Andrew Higgins Drive, Calliope Street and the Camp Street down-ramp of the Crescent City Connection. The ambitious expansion will quadruple the size of the original museum, which opened in 2000.

http://blog.nola.com/elizabethmullener/2008/04/national_world_war_ii_museums.html

Interact with the Online Vietnam Veterans Memorial

Family and friends of servicemen and women who died or vanished in the Vietnam War no longer have to travel to Washington to pay their respects at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.

An interactive version debuted online this week, a project of historical document archive site Footnote.com in conjunction with the National Archives and Records Administration.

The virtual version of the famous memorial -- which is a pair of 246-foot black granite walls inscribed with the names of more than 58,000 American military casualties -- is searchable.

Every name etched onto the real-world wall is viewable online and linked to the veteran's service record. Online visitors can add photos and describe their memories of the servicemen and women who died in the war.

For more of this article: News.Yahoo.com.

To see the virtual Vietnam Veterans Memorial: Go.Footnote.com/thewall.

Pancake Breakfast to Benefit Relay for Life

The American Legion Riders are sponsoring a pancake breakfast Saturday, April 5 from 8:30a to 11:00a to benefit the Relay for Life.

Relay For Life is a fun-filled overnight event designed to celebrate survivorship and raise money for research and programs of your American Cancer Society. During the event, teams of people gather at schools, fairgrounds, or parks and take turns walking or running laps. Each team tries to keep at least one team member on the track at all times.

The ALR Ride to benefit Relay for Life will start at noon.

Hope to see you there!

National Commemoration Day of 5th Anniversary of Fall of Baghdad (April 9)

All Americans are urged to join the nation in a moment of national reflection April 9 in remembrance of the 5th anniversary Iraqi Liberation Day and the fall of Baghdad to celebrate the hope given to the Iraqi people because of the courageous actions of U.S. and multinational forces.

At 5 p.m. EDS -- as the sun sets across Arlington National Cemetery-- Americans are urged to honk their car horns to celebrate, honor and recognize the courageous actions of U.S. and multinational forces in giving hope to the Iraqi people. The National Remembrance Ceremony will culminate with a joint U.S-Iraqi wreath–laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery honoring those who have made the ultimate sacrifice, as well as salute our troops, our veterans and our military families.

The national remembrance moment is being initiated by “Families United for Our Troops and Their Mission," a not-for-profit 501(c)3 grassroots coalition of Gold Star and Blue Star families, veterans and Americans, who share a deep appreciation and support for the uniformed services men and women in their efforts to make America safer. Collectively the group’s mission is ensuring that the sacrifices of courageous warriors have not been made in vain, and that the heroic soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines who have been charged with such a vital mission will be given the support they need to complete their mission.