American Legion
Post 305

Citizens Flag Alliance

The Post 305 Bugle

August 2006

Volume 2, Issue 6

COMMANDER'S CORNER

By now all 2006 members should have received a renewal notice from State for the 2007 year. While it is true that you still have until next June to join and retain your benefits and longevity, you don’t have to wait that long. You can send in your renewal now and be done with it, and help the Post at the same time. Don’t wait, do it now!

We had a great 4th of July Parade. Some Legion members though the crowd was larger than usual. The crowd was most appreciative of the American Legion. Most clapped and cheered as we walked/rode by. Many thanked us for our service. If you didn’t come out to participate, I hope you watched. To me the Parade is what makes the 4th of July different from any other patriotic holiday and a vital part of the day

Our August meeting will feature a presentation from our Boy’s State participants. If you haven’t met some of these members of the younger generation, you should come out and visit with them. They are truly outstanding. We will also have another speaker plus refreshments provided by the Auxiliary. That’s always worth the price of admission.

For God and Country, Jim Bolin

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MEETING HIGHLIGHTS

We voted not to participate in Legion Baseball this year as, due to a SNAFU, we didn’t field a team. Hopefully next year we can. We also presented continuous years of service pins to a couple of people who weren’t there last month, and two people that we had the wrong information about. We also approved the Executive Committee meeting minutes which provided for presenting a $50 gift certificated to the owner of the trailer we used in the 4th of July Parade, and approved Chuck Suhr to dispose of collected American Flags in an informal manner.

Installation of the new officers for next year was conducted by C. W. (“Butch”) Sparks, Past Department Vice Commander and Candidate for Department Commander at this years Department Convention. Many thanks to Butch and we wish him well in his new position. The new officers are listed at the normal place in the newsletter.

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Veteran Affairs and Rehabilitation program has been established to constantly work for protection and preservation the rights and benefits to veterans earned through service to their country.

The Board of Veterans appeals specializes in affording representation to veterans and claimants seeking satisfactory resolution of benefit claim determinations made by local VA regional offices or VA medical centers.

National Field Services insures that veterans receive the quality of medical care they deserve and expect. It conducts field visits to individual VA medical centers and to network offices. The information gained is used to support VA&R activities in both congressional testimony and personal contracts with Members of Congress.

Military/Naval Discharge Review and Correction Boards are Legion representatives to provide assistance to former service members who seek upgrade in their less than honorable discharge of dismissal from the Armed Services. The Unit also assists veterans in obtaining decorations and medals through the various Armed Forces.

Persian Gulf Task Force was created out of concern for American’s newest generation of wartime veterans, providing service to these veterans, their families and their advocates.

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VETERANS ADVOCATE

The Houston VA Medical Center reports that they are one of only six sites in the United States and the only VA medical facility conducting a clinical research study funded by the National Institute of Mental Health to compare the effectiveness and side effects of two widely used medications for bipolar disorder. The study focuses on both veterans and non-veterans, over the age of 60 who are experiencing changing moods and who meet study eligibility criteria. Prticipants will be compensated for their time and travel. The research study has been approved by the Baylor College of Medicine. For a free confidential bipolar screening or more information, call 800-553-2278, ext 2247.

A leading cardiologist, Dr. David Paniagua, has joined the Houston VA Medical Center as Co-Director of the Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory. The laboratory incorporated a technologically advanced x-ray system for viewing detailed images of a patient’s coronary structure. Physicians use this equipment to see and work in the heart and arteries, making diagnoses, opening blocked vessels, and dissolving blood clots. The new x-ray offers sharper and more detailed x-ray images thus speeding up diagnoses, reducing radiation doses and offers heart patients a safe and effective alternative to surgery.

A substance abuse specialist, Dr. Thomas Kosten, has joined the staff of the Houston VA Medical Center. In 2003 and 2004 it was estimated that 8% of male veterans 18 and older were dependent on alcohol or drugs, thus more likely to have recurring serious mental illness and disorders than older veterans. The Substance Dependence Rehabilitation Section (SDRS) is truly needed. The SDRS is an out patient treatment program (approx. 6 months or longer if needed) that works closely with the VA health care and vocational rehabilitation programs.

The Texas Veterans Commission (TVC) is a state agency And an advocate for Texas Veterans, their families and survivors. The SVC provides free quality service by assisting veterans and their survivors with claims for compensation, pension and appeals, and with participation in many other VA programs. The TVC also helps veterans with state benefits. The TVC has employees in all Texas VA hospitals, out patient clinics, and VA regional offices. For the Houston TVC office, call 254-299-9950, and for the TVC Headquarters in Austin, call 512-463-5538. For more info and listings, call 1-800-252-8387 or visit www.tvc.state.tx.us.

Still no word on the location of the Conroe VA Outpatient Clinic scheduled for an early 2007 opening. I’ve been unable to get the names of the site selection committee. If I do, I’ll get you more information. At the end of 2005, there were 113,000 veterans enrolled at the Houston VA Medical Center. That number is increasing rapidly, with many of them from the Conroe catchment area. There are 1,755,000 veterans in Texas with 330,000 in the Houston area. These numbers are increasing daily. Notice: For further information, contact Kay Lee, Montgomery County Veterans Service Officer, at 1-936-539-7842 or by email at Vetsvc@montgomery.tx.us.
 

Dutch Dettinger, Veteran's Advocate
The American Legion

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POST ACTIVITIES

• July 2006 (as a web page) - July 2006 Newsletter in Adobe Acrobat PDF format

• May 2006 (as a web page)

• April 2006 (as a web page) - April 2006 Newsletter in Adobe Acrobat PDF format

• March 2006 Newsletter (as a web page) -- Click here to download in Adobe Acrobat PDF format

• February 2006 Newsletter (as a web page) -- Click here to download in Adobe Acrobat PDF format

• January 2006 Newsletter (as a web page) -- Click here to download in Adobe Acrobat PDF format

• December 2005 Newsletter (as a web page)

• November 2005 Newsletter (as a web page)

• August 2005 Newsletter (in Adobe Acrobat .pdf format)

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