VFW District 8 Newsletter
Randle Tolliver, Junior Vice Commander
For veterans in crisis, the Veterans Crisis Line's number is "988” then press "1”.
Homebound veterans requiring assistance please contact any member.
Veterans experiencing or at risk for homelessness, please contact any member or the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans at (877) 424-3838.
Buddy Check! The winter can be hard for a lot of veterans, particularly the elderly or homebound. Please call or go visit and see how they are doing.
Congratulations to Reynolds County, who supported by Post 6660, has been recognized by the Jefferson Barracks POW/MIA Museum and awarded designation as a POW MIA County. This program recognizes municipalities that honor and recognize all who served our country in any branch of the United States military who were captured by enemies of the United States or who are missing in action from any year and from any conflict.
Doug Collins, former Georgia congressman, is the new VA Secretary. He is a veteran who served in both the Navy and Air Force Reserve as a chaplain and deployed to Iraq as a member of the 94th Airlift Wing. He has announced intent to provide more veteran health care options by expanding the VA’s Community Care program and improving care in VA Medical Centers.
Veteran employment opportunities! Weekly, the VA post jobs announcements from employers and employment websites who want to hire veterans. If you are looking for opportunities, please visit https://news.va.gov/138283/hiring-veterans-job .
Road trip! Please attend the 8 am, 11 March Veteran’s Legislative Rally in the capitol rotunda in Jeff City to support the veteran’s community. VFW supports the following legislation:
First, to fully fund the Missouri Veterans Commission (MVC). The MVC manages the Missouri Veterans homes, cemeteries, and other veterans programs. These are at risk!
Second, to amend the Missouri Constitution to update the Real & Personal Property Tax exemptions for all 100% service disabled veterans.
Third, to fight unaccredited companies (Claim Sharks) that prey on veterans by offering to file claims disability benefits for presumptive conditions, and charge as high as 40% for services the VFW, DAV and American Legion do for free.
The Missouri legislature is in session; please contact your state senator and representative to voice your support.
Speaking of the MVC, they have announced a new electronic Pre-Certification Application for Burial veterans and their eligible dependents who desire burial in one of the five state Veterans Cemeteries. To apply using this online application process, go to https://my.mo.gov/gsp?id=vcp_preapplication , create an account, and then complete the application. More information on Missouri burial eligibility can be found at https://mvc.dps.mo.gov/cemeteries . Paper applications will still be accepted, and Veterans Service Officers will continue to assist veterans.
Local events:
The time and place of local post meetings and events are provided on each post’s Facebook site; come join us!
On 21 February, Post 3777 in Festus will hold a BBQ starting at noon and on the 22nd, they will be doing a "Texas Hold’em” tournament. Registration starts at 1 pm, play at 1:30pm. For more information call (636) 937-5400.
On 23 February, 9 and 23 March, VFW Post 6883 will be host BB gun shooting contest at 1112 Roe Street in Bonne Terre. These will start at 1:00 PM. For more information, call (573) 358-4440.
Now let us talk a bit about our history:
80 years ago, the five-week Battle of Iwo Jima began on 19 February and was some of bloodiest fighting of World War II. The operation, designated as "Detachment”, was the United States effort to capture the entire island, including the three Japanese airfields, to provide bases for air attacks on the Japanese main islands. Both sides fought fiercely. Only 216 of 21,000 Japanese soldiers on Iwo Jima were captured. It has been estimated that as many as 3,000 continued to resist within the various cave systems for many days afterwards, eventually either dying of wounds or surrendering. American casualties were also high with 6,800 dead and over 19,000 wounded. The valor of the US Marines and sailors who participated in the battle of Iwo Jima was unquestionable and resulted in the Medal of Honor being awarded to 27 U.S. Marines and U.S. sailors and 14 were posthumous. Joe Rosenthal of the Associated Press took the most famous photo of the battle. The image of six U.S. Marines raising the U.S. flag on top of Mount Suribachi became iconic. It came to represent the American war effort in the Pacific and was the inspiration for the Marine Corps War Memorial, which was dedicated on 10 November 1954. For more information, I recommend "The U. S. Marines on Iwo Jima” by Raymond Henri, Jim Griffing Lucas, and W Keyes Beech.
A quote from Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz, United States Navy "Among the men who fought on Iwo Jima, uncommon valor was a common virtue."
Bulletin Board:
The 2025 VA Federal Benefits Guide for Veterans, Dependents, Survivors, and Caregivers Handbook is now available. It provides a listing of VA programs, with phone numbers and websites. You can pick up a copy at any VA facility or download the handbook at https://www.va.gov/opa/publications/benefits_book.asp .
Veterans can no longer use usernames / passwords to access "My HealtheVet.” To regain access, you must create a new account at www.va.gov/sign-in-changes.
The Missouri Job Center offers no-cost employment assistance for veterans and spouses. Contact (417) 257-2630 or visit jobs.mo.gov/vets.
For local VA health care info contact either the Poplar Bluff VAMC at (573) 686-4151 / www.poplarbluff.va.gov/services/index.asp or the Farmington Robert Silvey VA Outpatient Clinic at : (573) 760-136 / www.va.gov/poplar-bluff-health-care/locations/robert-silvey-department-of-veterans-affairs-outpatient-clinic/
The VA one-stop telephone number is 1-800-698-2411 and press "0” for immediate assistance. The VA one stop website is VA.gov Home | Veterans Affairs .
The Missouri Veterans Commission (MVC) one-stop Benefits and Resource Portal is (573) 522-4061 or www.veteranbenefits.mo.gov .
For more for information concerning VA "End of Life” benefits and services see www.va.gov/initiatives/end-of-life-benefits/
To order military service documents such as a DD 214/Separation Document or Official Military Personnel File (OMPF), contact the National Archives, National Personnel Records Center at https://www.archives.gov/veterans/military-service-records, or call (866) 272-6272.
For more information, follow us at https://www.facebook.com/groups/967395123712841 or visit movfw.org
"Here to Serve”