C. V. Cummings, VFW Post 9100, Chapel Hill

Help for Disabled Veterans

2011-12-20T11:51:00.000-05:00

There there is a new local group training dogs for veterans with disabilities. Similar to the mission of Paws4Vets, this group is in our town helping local veterans. It is Eyes, Ears, Nose and Paws (EENP). They were those sharp looking dogs in the Chapel Hill Christmas Parade.

American Legion Post 6 is working with them to find ways to support their efforts. Their group is only three years old and serves Chapel Hill, Carrboro, and the surrounding area. EENP trains and places assistance dogs.

John Stephens, Board Chair for EENP, states, "Our programs create a healthier community by increasing independence for individuals with disabling medical conditions, improving opportunities for individual control over medical care, and encouraging therapeutic interventions that improve physical and mental health." Learn more

How can you help? The post will need someone to work with the American Legion and EENP as we explore ways we can assist them in them through fundraising, post events, and community outreach. Sound like you? Contact our Veterans Service Officer.

Veterans Day Remembered in our Town

2011-11-29T11:03:00.001-05:00

Veterans Day this year was filled withactivities for our post. The requests we received exceeded thenumber of people and time we had to meet all requests. We joinedschools, hospitals, groups, and companies in Cary, Chapel Hill,Carrborro, and Hillsborough over a four-day period. Wow.

We have come a long way during the lastfive years and the startup of our post Speakers' Bureau. We can nowrespond to most requests. Here are some highlights of the Novemberevents:

Flag retirement education and ceremony at Charles House, Carrboro.
Lunch and discussion with World War II and Vietnam veterans at OWASA.
Students celebrate veterans at Grady Brown Elementary School, Hillsborough.
Veterans Day commemoration at North Carolina Memorial Hospital (UNC Hospitals).
Veterans Day fundraiser for Hospitalized Amputees held at St. Thomas More Catholic Church; raised $3,600.
Veterans Day Breakfast with area veterans at Hillsborough Senior Center.
Veterans Day visit to Aveda Institute in Chapel Hill
Buddy Poppy distribution downtown Chapel Hill for Veterans Relief
Veterans Day Poppy Distribution at University Mall.
Ladies Auxiliary provides winter coats to homeless veterans via VA Medical Center.
UNC Chapel Hill Veterans Day event hosted by ROTC.

A special thanks to all who were ableto participate in these many events. You have put a face on Veteransin Chapel Hill and provided the touchstone for families of those whohave served and serve today.

Christmas Dinner December 2nd

2011-11-23T11:43:00.001-05:00

Each year our post members and families gather for a special meal to celebrate our successes during the post year. We have much to be proud about and look forward to you joining us for dinner.

It will be at Captain John's Dockside Seafood Restaurant at 11550 US 15-501, Chapel Hill, NC. We gather at 6 p.m. and place our orders at 6:30 p.m. Members get to select from a special menu with a choice of steak, chicken or a fish entree with tea or coffee. As always, there is a no host cash bar. The meal is no cost to post members and one guest.

This year in lieu of a gift exchange we will collect cash donations for veterans. Our money will either go to the Fisher House at Ft. Bragg or the RDU USO. The Fisher House Foundation gives military families a place to stay while wounded loved ones recover. The RDU USO is open 24 hours a day supporting our military and their families traveling through RDU.

Veterans Remembered on Veterans Day

2011-11-09T20:11:00.002-05:00

We honor the living on Veterans Day. We are out and about in the community waving the flag for our veterans, our returning veterans, and for our community. Here is our salute to Chapel Hill. It is your VFW serving you everyday.

Post Decorates Chapel Hill Memorial Cemetery for Memorial Day

2011-05-19T17:23:00.001-04:00

The post is continuing its annual tradition of decorating the Chapel Hill Memorial Cemetery located on Legion Road in Chapel Hill. Each year we place about 500 flags on the graves of veterans. We are joined by members of American Legion Post 6 and Boy Scout Troop 835.

"The roadway was filled with about 20 cars and trucks last year. We had a strong turnout and that made easy work of flag placement," said Lee Heavlin, post commander. "We also end the event with a special Veterans of Foreign Wars ceremonial to honor the dead and to reflect on the origins of this special holiday. Memorial Day, as opposed to Veterans Day, honors our dead." he said.

This is an early morning event. We start at about 6:30 a.m. so that the sun rises over decorated graves. The flags are there for the complete weekend so that flags are there when out of town family stop by. Everyone is invited to help place the flags and to stay for the 8 a.m. memorial ceremonial. Each year we see more event attendees. Some are new, but many of last year's helpers are sure to return.

USO North Carolina

2011-03-25T21:39:00.000-04:00

You have heard about the USO. You may even have seen a USO Show. Maybe you have even seen Bob Hope. But it is the show that goes on behind the scenes in USO Service Centers throughout the state that are the most remarkable.

In our post, we have Hy Marks, David Lucas, and Kathi Lucas working with hundreds of other volunteers at the USO at RDU airport. They meet and greet our military personnel coming home, going to their duty station, or just traveling through on orders to somewhere. They also see the families that gather at the airport to meet a deceased family member. Their job is not easy, but it is full of reward that can only be found in the smile in the face of those they meet. If you, too, would like to work with the USO, talk to Hy or David and learn how you can help.

The USO is marking its 70th year of service and has commissioned a film series to tell the story of the USO and its volunteers. Thirteen episodes are planned with the first airing in April. The series will focus on the many service centers and their volunteers. Learn more...

Watch for the upcoming air time schedule. In the meantime, watch this teaser video.

North Carolina Voice of Democracy Results

2011-03-08T16:14:00.000-05:00

Wow, wow, wow! Kinston Post 2771 is one happy post as their candidate, Logan Beyer, took 3rd Place in the national Voice of Democracy competition and won a $10,000 VFW Scholarship. This is a first time in 40 years for North Carolina!

Charles Kuralt won Voice of Democracy top honors while in Central High School in Charlotte in 1951.

Winners were announced late yesterday at the 2011 VFW Legislative Conference in Washington, DC.

The competition, sponsored by the VFW Ladies Auxiliary, is keen and starts fresh in Washington, where each state winner must present their oral audio-essay to judges.

The first-place winner, Kelsey Woo, sponsored by Post 10694 out of Santa Ana, Calif., received an all-expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C., where she was presented with the T.C. Selman Memorial Scholarship award in the amount of $30,000. The second-place winner, Sarah Olive-McStay, sponsored by Post 7089 out of Tumwater, Wash., received the $16,000 Charles Kuralt Memorial Scholarship Award. All other state winners received at least a $1,000 college scholarship. Nearly 50,000 students participated in this year’s competition.

Learn more about this contest, the National Teacher of the Year, and Patriot's Pen contest winners..

Get ready for next year's program now. Our state took top honors last year with the National Teacher of the Year (High School) winner, and this year we have a top winner for Voice of Democracy. It would be great to win both of them again and to add a national winner for Patriot's Pen to our North Carolina pride list. Details...

Thanks for the Memories

2011-03-07T08:24:00.000-05:00

A true hero to all of us who served from World War II through Korea, Vietnam and countless conflicts up to 2000 was Bob Hope. He lifted our spirits, brought joy to many a sad and lonely GI, and linked our families to us as we served overseas.

Here is a tribute to Bob Hope. May it remind you of your service and your contribution to our American history and today’s freedom. May it give today’s Americans a better understanding of what you gave and what our men and women are giving today. God Bless America.

Baghdad Bad Boys Play for Marathon Jam

2011-02-25T11:23:00.000-05:00

Okay. The storm clouds are passing and there are clear skies over Chapel Hill. Tomorrow promises to be a beautiful day and you are thinking of fun things to do. You may be even heading out of town. But wait, we need you!

Halfway around the world, right now, there are a bunch of soldiers gathering to form The Baghdad Bad Boys. They are tuning their guitars, harmonicas and banjos. Chairs are getting setup. It's time to jam.

It's hotter than blazes, but the strings will get hot too. It's time to jam in support of the Marathon Jam and raise money for the Fisher House.

So, no matter what you do on Saturday, February 26th, take a swing by the American Legion and sit a spell. Enjoy the music. Clap and stump your toes. Give John Santa and his musicians a listen, then listen to your heart. Be generous and give to support Fisher House. John will thank you, your post will thank you, and our troops in Camp Victory, Iraq, will thank you. Above all, the hundreds of families helped by and staying at a Fisher House will thank you.

Learn more about Camp Victory. Read today's Chapel Hill Herald story.

Marathon Jam to Benefit Fisher House

2011-02-23T10:29:00.000-05:00

Fisher House Ft. Bragg

Chapel Hill will again host a Marathon Jam at the American Legion Post 6 this weekend. The event is for 12 hours and starts at 1 p.m., Saturday, February 26th. The jam ends at 1 a.m., Sunday. This is the 3rd Annual Marathon Jam to be held at the American Legion, Chapel Hill.

If you have not attended before, you are missing a treat. The musicians play almost continuously for twelve hours. It's bluegrass music and it is a lot of fun. It is open to all and you are encouraged to bring the family, especially the kids. Kids love to hear the rhythms and bluegrass sound. Learn more...

It is also an opportunity to be a host for the musicians. Bring an covered dish or dessert for musicians and guests. They enjoy the treats and so does the crowd.

John Santa, organizer and a participating musician, reports that each year they have raised about $10,000. Last year was a little less than normal, but that was because of the faltering economy. He is hopeful that they will meet or exceed their goal of $10,000. The Chapel Hill Marathon Jam will benefit the Ft. Bragg Fisher House.

The Fisher House Foundation is similar to the very popular McDonald's House program. It provides temporary lodging to families of soldiers recovering at nearby military and VA hospitals. There are two Fisher Houses in North Carolina. They are

This is a good opportunity to show our continued support for the local American Legion Post 6 and Fisher House. Why not stop on by and sit awhile. Don't forget your checkbook! Cash donations are also cheerfully accepted.

The Post will make donations to Fisher House from our Veterans Relief Fund. We plan to support both the Marathon Jam and to the Fisher House at Camp Lejeune. Details at our March 1st meeting.

Remembering our World War II Veterans

2011-01-31T17:58:00.001-05:00

Today, our Post participated in the graveside services for Dr. Samuel Klauber, MD. He was just two weeks away from celebrating his 102nd birthday.

The doctor served in World War II in the U.S. Army as a Captain in the Medical Corps. He commanded a medical detachment that landed on Utah Beach. He also served in the North African Campaign, Belgium and France. He was awarded a Purple Heart.

He was not a member of our post or the American Legion Post, but he was in our midst and had served his country at a time of great peril. He saved hundreds of his brothers on Utah beach and in Antwerp and France. He did not just think about his soldiers, he understood the needs of the locals. It is reported that he went through the enemy lines to deliver a baby on a nearby farm.

Captain Klauber, like thousands of other returning soldiers, did not consider himself a hero. He was just doing his duty for his country.

He was also serving his newly adopted country, as he had immigrated to the United States from Russia in 1921 at age 12, The Great Depression was his greatest obstacle as a young man, but he still managed to graduate from the Kansas University Medical School. He then entered the army in 1939.

After the war, he returned to Europe to help rebuild it. Returning to the states, he had a private practice in Chelsea, Massachusetts. Many of his patients could not afford medical care and he took care of them at no cost. He was a giving man, a caring man, a man of great love for his fellow man.

The doctor did not marry until he was 51. He was blessed with two children who gave him great happiness. His daughter went on to practice medicine, too, and she is an oncologist. Today, we learned that she saved the life of the wife of one of our VFW Post members. He said, "She would not be here if not for her. She saved her life." The "six degrees of separation" or human web is hard at work in our post.

Our town is full of veterans from the conflicts since World War II. They, too, have similar stories and we are proud that many of them are members of our post. We are especially proud of our World War II veterans. Without them, we would not enjoy the freedom we share today. Without them, we would not have grown into the modern marvel that citizens of other countries want to live in.

For most of us, we can not fully appreciate the sacrifices made by them. They went as the best we had. They were our future. Many did not come home. Maybe this short movie of VJ Day in Honolulu will give you a better appreciation of what it was like to be 19 or 20 and full of life and ready to defend our freedom. Dr. Klauber and his generation made it--our freedom--a reality.

VJ Day, Honolulu Hawaii, August 14, 1945 from Richard Sullivan on Vimeo.

We are working with the North Carolina Archives to create video interviews of our surviving veterans. We call them "conversations with friends." If you know of a veteran who is not part of our post, let them know that we are interested in meeting them. They don't have to join us. We will still help them with the VA and VA disability claims, answer questions about how they can help us make a difference in our town, or just be there for them and their family. We know that they will find that we share in their love for country and community.

Returning Soldiers

2011-01-31T09:14:00.001-05:00

In our midst there are many, many soldiers, sailors and Marines shifting from active duty to private citizen. Some are in the local work force, some are students in local community colleges and UNC, and others are still searching.

Today, the Daily Tar Heel took a look at one returnee, Cody England. Cody served with the U.S. Army and now works in Chapel Hill. His is just one of many stories and we applaud the Daily Tar Heel for taking a look at our returning soldiers. Read the story.

Let's do our part to find ways we can better serve them and to find ways to help ease their return to civilian life.

President's New Military Family Program

2011-01-28T09:17:00.000-05:00

Chapel Hill remembers our military

There is a renewed interest in doing what is right for our military men and women who serve our country. I noticed it last year when the Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki spoke to the Veterans of Foreign Wars in Washington, DC.

He spoke of steps in the ways the Department of Veterans Affairs was taking to eliminate veteran's homelessness and change veteran's claims adjudication from adversarial to assistance.

If you have been following veterans news stories this past year, you, too, may have sensed a change.

The big news today is a new initiative aimed at helping military families. President Obama has announced a new Military Family Program. Mrs. Obama is now appearing on television talk shows and meeting with the media to promote it. She is doing a good job drawing attention to the sacrifices of our military families, help for returning veterans, and is the fact that our active and veteran military families are everywhere in our communities.

Preparing to deploy, again.

Special attention was drawn to Blue and Gold Star families. Do we know who they are in our town? Do we know who is serving today in our neighborhoods, our churches, and our workplace? Many of us do not.

We should and we must.

With our all volunteer military, about one percent of our population is carrying the load for the rest. We have lost touch with those who serve because it does not now directly affect us as it did during the days of a military draft. Many families have not had a veteran in them for one or more generations.

Our post has done a lot during the past year to draw attention to veterans in our community, but there is so much more that we can do. Our post is committed to re-doubling our efforts to ensure that the towns people we represent gain a greater understanding of the sacrifices made and endured today by our men and women in uniform.

Let's do our part to support and recognize those who serve. Take a look at the new initiative and share your thoughts on what we can do at our Post.
Learn more....

Voice of Democracy Post and District Winners Announced

2010-12-03T00:45:00.004-05:00

The judging of Voice of Democracy entries was completed earlier this month and the winning entry was submitted to District 6 for consideration.

Our winner was Michael Bojanski. His speech was outstanding and we were very encouraged and hopeful.

District competition judging was completed this week and the results are:

     First Place - Kerry Dutra, Post 10777, Butner
     Second Place - Michael Bojanski, Post 9100, Chapel Hill
     Third Place - Joy Bryan, Post 2740, Durham

Our post will invite Michael and his parents to our January 4, 2011, meeting. District awards will be presented at the January 22, 2011, District meeting in Chapel Hill, NC.

The first prize district winner now continues on to North Carolina State Department competition and a chance to advance to national competition as the state's candidate. The national first prize winner receives a $30,000 scholarship that is paid directly to his or her American university, college or vocational/technical school.

The Voice of Democracy Scholarship Competition started in 1947. The Veterans of Foreign Wars, through national, state, and post level awards, gives $3 million annually to participating students.

Postscript...

The Durham Herald-Sun published two significant stories on Michael Bojanski and the Voice of Democracy. On Dec 29th it published a lengthy article entitled Bojansky is VFW Voice and one week later on Jan 2nd it followed up with the printing of his audio essay Faithful in small things under its visiting columnist heading Think About It. We are very proud of Michael and greatly appreciate the strong coverage given Voice of Democracy by our local print and radio media.

National Aide-de-Camp Appointment Announced

2010-11-30T20:13:00.000-05:00

Post Commander Lee Heavlin was appointed National Aide-de-Camp. The announcement came in an appointment letter from Allen "Gunner" Kent, Veterans of Foreign Wars Adjutant General.

Post Commander Heavlin was appointed National Aide-de-Camp to Commander-in-Chief Richard L. Eubank. North Carolina State Commander Douglas L.Seay recommended him for this honorary appointment for his outstanding services to Posts and the North Carolina Department above and beyond the call of duty.

Commander Heavlin commented, "While I received the personal recognition from the national commander, it was the hard work and support of the post membership and Chapel Hill VFW Ladies Auxiliary that brought attention to our post. We work hard to build our post, increase awareness of veterans programs and activities, and support our veterans and returning active duty service members."

A national aide-de-camp assists the state VFW commander in promoting VFW department and national programs.

Local Vet Remembers Korean Waters

2010-11-28T21:46:00.012-05:00

1st Lt Jim Stallings, U.S. Army

Our Senior Vice Commander, Jim Stallings, served in Korea as the Craft Master of an Army LCU (landing craft). Here is what he remembers:

I have been watching with interest this last few days as things heated up in the several little islands off the coast of North Korea claimed by both North and South Korea. I have been to several of these islands carrying supplies to build the fortifications and so-called "spy stations" on the north coast of Yeonpyeong that they have been talking about in the news.

In fact, the picture of my vessel, LCU 1103 is pictured unloading a bulldozer, a truck, a generator and some other supplies there in the spring of 1954. The landing site was on the north coast and the place I got chased by a North Korean vessel was just off the NE point of the island. I went south as fast as I could in a slow LCU and went between Tang-do and Moi-do, as best I can remember.

Offloading at Yeonpyong Do to build a facility

At the stage of the tide at that time I could get through, but the North Korean vessel couldn't. Unloaded, I was drawing only about 7 feet and the North Korean vessel was large enough that it was obviously drawing more. Remember that the tides in this area were as much as 29 feet. You could walk across many places where ocean going vessels had gone just a short time before.

The reason I have such good color pictures of Korea is that my parents gave me an Argus C-3 camera which took color pictures just before I went to Korea. This is when color was relatively new. I always had my camera with me, so much so that I was assigned the radio call sign of "Shutter One."

Jim is thinking of writing an article on this while the topic is "hot." Let's let Jim know that we are eager to read more and that we'll publish it right here for all to read.

Basketball Raffle Winner Announced

2010-11-22T23:00:00.007-05:00

We have just completed a very successful fall basketball raffle. We did not make a lot of money, but we made a lot of friends in downtown Chapel Hill as we greeted football fans from far and wide.

The winner is always chosen at the end of the last at home football game. This year it was UNC vs. NC State. That was a great game and we always cheer our home team on! We then popped open the ticket basket, tossed and tossed the tickets, and picked one.

This year's winner is Brian Cooper of Sandusky, Ohio. Brian was in town to watch a weekend game and stopped by to support our veterans.

Brian was quite surprised! He will not be able to return for every home game, but he tells us that he will see some of them. He has friends and family here at UNC and they will share his season tickets.

So to everyone who helped us this year, we thank you very, very much.

p.s. For those of you who tossed a dollar or two in the Buddy Poppy tin, your donations went to purchase warm, insulated coats with hoods for area homeless and at risk veterans through the Durham VA Medical Center. Chapel Hill VFW veterans sent 19 coats!

Black Mountain State Veterans Cemetery

2010-11-21T20:57:00.008-05:00

Marv McWherter was traveling this past week or so and he stopped off at the Black Mountain cemetery. As you may recall, this is the location Dan Murphy chose for his wife, Elizabeth, and himself.

The cemetery is beautiful. Marv came back with a few photos and a lot of praise. The stones are now surface stones. The only upright headstones are those around the central building.

Marv stated that he walked into the office to locate Dan's gravesite. He said that the caretaker said, "...oh, you mean Dan Murphy who is buried with his wife Elizabeth." He then quickly located the site as I1-32. Marv was amazed that he remembered Dan in that he was buried two years ago.

We have placed the photos on line for you to take a look. You may want to consider the site for future needs or to recommend it as an option for a friend. It helps our families to prepare for the future. We can make our desires known now, apply for space for ourselves and spouses (and some children), and have everything preapproved and ready to go. Learn more...

Coats for Homeless Veterans

2010-11-12T20:04:00.006-05:00

The generosity of Post 9100 never fails to amaze me. When we heard of a need at the VA Hospice and Palliative Care Center, we responded within days with DVD players and music CD players. This time it was a call for winter coats for the homeless.

The VA asked the many local veteran volunteer groups to help them obtain 100 coats.

Working with the local St. Thomas More Church Knights of Columbus, we put out a call and they responded with five coats. Post 9100 then added 12 more. We delivered the 17 coats last week to the VA Voluntary Service Office and Mr. Dave Grupy. Dave was elated to receive the five boxes of brand new parkas and down-filled coats. The forecast was for freezing temperatures and the requests for coats were building.

This week we received additional donations from post members and we bought seven more coats! That puts us as meeting 24% of the VA's request.

Many other groups are reaching out and supplying coats this week, too. We thank all post members for their support of our local veterans, especially the homeless.

Story postscript. Since the original posting, there has been additional donations to the post so that we could add more coats. The count as of November 30th is 24 winter coats. The VA rep reported that the response of all local groups has been beyond their expectations. They were looking for 100, but now have received over 200 coats. Dave Grupy stated that the extra coats arrived at just the right time. Temperatures have dropped, winds have picked up, and winter rain is upon us. The coats are flying out the door. They are now looking for gloves.

Ice Cream Social - A Winner!

2010-11-07T22:13:00.005-05:00

Just about everyone loves ice cream!! The Ladies Auxiliary to VFW Post 9100, Chapel Hill, confirmed this when they held an Ice Cream Social recently at the VA Hospital in Durham.

"A good time was had by all, and we anticipate scheduling projects at the VA on a regular basis," said Kathy Voss, Chairman of the event. Several post members also joined in the fun.

While we could not take pictures of the hospitalized veterans, we can share with you a photo of auxiliary members preparing the sundaes. Their friendly smiles and helpfulness were a big hit with the veterans.

You, too, can make a difference. The Ladies Auxiliary is currently conducting a membership drive. Interested women can contact Virginia Neville, Auxiliary President, at 919-542-2040, for more information.

CINC Moves to Dissolve VFW PAC

2010-10-18T22:54:00.003-04:00

News flash....

Commander in Chief Richard Eubank has moved toward dissolution of the VFW PAC (Political Action Committee) and has rescinded all PAC appointments effective last Friday, October 15th.

The action was taken after the PAC failed to respond to significant concerns by the VFW leadership and members over their choice of political candidates. Learn more...

See the CINC's statement on the VFW Blog.

Legacy Life Membership

2010-10-17T22:01:00.005-04:00

Did you know that most of our members are Life Members? Life membership not only shows the member's commitment to the Veterans of Foreign Wars, but it also saves them money over their lifetime. We have two members that converted to life membership so far this year.

Your post commander is also very proud to report that we had 100% membership renewal last year and we are almost there again this year!

So, "What is Life Member Legacy?" It is a way for members to ensure the survival of their post. Should they pass, their dues keep going to their post just like they were still there. Their legacy is also tax deductible. Learn more...

Another legacy option is the donation to the post of real or personal property. C. V. Cummings did this for us by providing for our future with a sizable bequest. His bequest has made possible some of our projects, subsidized post operations, and give us a nest egg for future growth.

Would you like to see a new and permanent Chapel Hill VFW Post building? Do you, your families or friends have a suitable structure or land that you can donate to the Veterans of Foreign Wars? Maybe you have a business interest that is looking to liquidate excess real estate. If so, talk with them.

Lastly, there is a legacy to the post that each and everyone of us can provide. It is our time and talent. It costs nothing, but it has the longest lasting reward. You are what makes us an All State Team post!

General Hugh Shelton at Regulator Bookshop

2010-10-13T08:22:00.004-04:00

The Regulator Bookshop in Durham has done it again. They are hosting another outstanding author and American Hero, General Hugh Shelton.

General Shelton will talk about his book, Without Hesitation: The Odyssey of an American Warrior, and sign copies. at the Regulator this Friday, October 15th, at 7 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.

The Regulator Bookshop is at 720 Ninth St., Durham, NC 27705. There are a lot of nearby dining spots and you are sure to fine a great place to relax before or after the signing. Directions

Born in Tarboro, NC, General Shelton served two tours in Vietnam as a member of U.S. Special Forces. He served in the U. S. Army for 34 years as a specialist in airborne strategies and special operation tactics, was promoted to General in 1996 and served as commander in chief of the U. S. Special Operations Command from 1996-1997. Shelton was chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff from 1997-2001. He has been awarded the Congressional Gold Medal, the Purple Heart and six Distinguished Service Medals and knighted by Queen Elizabeth. He now serves as executive director of the General Hugh Shelton Leadership Center at NCSU.

Annual Women Veterans Luncheon set for Nov 6th

2010-10-10T23:21:00.005-04:00

The 13th annual Betty H. Carter Women Veterans Historical Project Women Veterans Luncheon is set for November 6th. It is in the Cone Ballroom, Elliott University Center, UNC Greensboro. An exhibit and social starts at 11:30 a.m. with the luncheon at noon.

This year's speaker is Command Sergeant Major Teresa S. King, the first female commandant of the U.S. Army's Drill Sergeant School at Fort Jackson, SC. CSM King is a native of Clinton, North Carolina. Learn more...

UNC Greensboro Chancellor Linda P. Brady will also give remarks. Entertainment is provided by the UNC Greensboro a cappela group, the Sapphires.

Interested in attending? Cost is $10 for women veterans. Guests are $15.

For reservations, contact Beth Ann Koelsch, Curator of the Betty H. Carter Women Veterans Historical Project. Email her at bakoelsc@ungc.edu or call (336) 334-4045.

Learn more about the Women Veterans Historical Project.

Triangle Flight of Honor

2010-10-08T10:03:00.005-04:00

The first Triangle Flight of Honor took 100 North Carolinian's to Washington, DC, on October 7, 2010. They went to see the World War II Memorial.

From our post, two went with the group. They were Hyman Marks (Army) and Gene Drogos (Navy).

The plane took off at 7:30 a.m. and returned 12 hours later to a heroes welcome of about 2,000 flag waving well wishers. It was a very emotional moment for them. You could see tears of pride, beams of joy, and a lot of hugs and hand shakes.

Two women World War II veterans were in the group. One was Norma Schrader. Norma is a Navy veteran and resides in our area. She is still very active and serves as the President of the NC Seagals Chapter of WAVES National. Her Navy career included service during World War II, Korean, and Vietnam eras. She is over 90 years of age. Learn more about Norma.

The oldest Flight of Honor participant was 97 years old and he was having the time of his life.

The welcoming committee was full of veterans. There were World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Iraq and other conflict vets there from all over our area. Some families and friends drove several hours to be there for the returning veterans.

Music was played by the Cardinal Gibbons High School Band and they played from before 6:30 p.m. 'til after 8:30 p.m. The thunderous sound of Rolling Thunder was there to provide a 200' wall of full-size American Flags along both sides of the walkway. The veterans were led to the atrium by a bagpipes and active U.S. Marines, as the crowd cheered their welcome home messages with enthusiasm.

Bud Hampton, Tarinee Fritz, the Heavlin's, Al Olsen, and Gil Montoya represented the post at the homecoming at the airport.

WRAL was a major sponsor of the event and published 75 pictures of the veterans. You can see them on their website.

We thank the Johnson Automotive Group, WRAL and the many local businesses that sponsored this trip. Their support of the veterans' Triangle Flight of Honor project is funding a total of three trips. One more this fall, and one in the spring. Bud Hampton is taking the next trip on November 4th.

World War II - Major Alvin Meers

2010-10-03T21:21:00.010-04:00

Rusty Edmister got a chance to meet one of our newest members and World War II POW, Major Alvin Meers, USAAF.

As you know, Rusty is interviewing veterans for the North Carolina Veterans Historical Collection. Alvin has just moved here from Chicago and is residing in Hillsborough.

The interviews will be recorded and made into a DVD, but the hard part is getting us relaxed enough for the interview. This is what Rusty did this past week. Rusty held a conversation with Alvin and explored his final mission, capture and return to U.S. control. Alvin was very relaxed and shared a lot of great stuff.

Here is what we have learned so far, and it is quite interesting.

Alvin was a member of the 463rd Bomb Group (The Swoose Group), 5th Bombardment Wing (H), 15th Air Force flying out of Celone AAB, Foggia #1, Italy, from 1944-45. He flew in a B-17 as a 2nd Lieutenant and bombardier. He flew on 12 successful bombing missions, including Zagreb, Yugoslavia; Ploesti, Romania; Pioppi Viaduct, Italy; Belgrade, Yugoslavia; Germany; Hungary; and Pola, Italy. It was his 13th flight that went down. See photos of his airbase, personnel and planes.

His aircraft (No. 42-31842), flying as part of Mission 44 on June 16, 1944, was shot down by flak en route to the target, Vienna, Austria. 2/Lt James Klentzman was the pilot. The aircraft crashed near Dijon, France. Read German wartime report. Alvin was severely wounded and ended up in a medical stalag.

Even today, people are asking questions about the fate of his aircraft. One person posted this: "On 16 June the target was Kagram Oil Refinery at Vienna, Austria. Twenty-eight planes dropped 57.5 tons of bombs. One ship was missing to the heavy flak. Enemy fighters were sighted over the Lake Balaton area but none of them attacked the formation." Learn more and see the crew names.

This was an unrecorded practice interview.

We are proud to have Major Alvin Meers join our post. And, as Rusty will attest, it is important that we record his experiences for our future generations.

How about you? Are you ready to be interviewed?

Wow! Carolina beats East Carolina 42-17!

2010-10-02T22:10:00.008-04:00

It was a great day with fabulous weather. We had a lot of fun and made a lot of new friends. We were even visited by our 2007 raffle winner, Kurt Pearson of Mebane.

This week we had five World War II era veterans greeting people. Our visitors were pleased to meet a real survivor of Iwo Jima and a member of Patton's Third Army. There was a lot of handshaking and "thank you for serving" commendations.

Joining us for the first time was Elmer Hughes. Elmer brought his son, also named Elmer, and they had a ball passing out Buddy Poppies. Dad was proud of his son as he watched him pass out Buddy Poppies, but young Elmer was beaming with pride at his dad reeling them in. Elmer branished a few $5 bills, then a $10 and near the end he had a $20. It must have been the smile.

We have been selling raffle tickets downtown Chapel Hill for over ten years and each year we seem to have more fun as we people watch and talk to people about the Veterans of Foreign Wars and our local activities.

We often gain new members and meet a lot of other veterans. This week we met a post commander from a VFW post in central Texas. We shared ideas on promoting our posts and making a difference in our communities.

Come on out and join us at our next Carolina home game on October 9th. It is sure to be a great game as Carolina meets Clemson. The pre-game show of veterans on parade on Franklin Street is a great way to start your day.

Boy Scout Troop Honored

2010-09-30T12:04:00.006-04:00

Our post formally honored Boy Scout Troop 835 for their support of Memorial Day events. A presentation was made at the troop's Circle of Honor ceremony on Wedesday, September 29th, at the Amity United Methodist Church.

The citation read:

Presented in recognition of participation in the Annual Chapel Hill joint Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9100 and American Legion Post 6 Memorial Day 2010 events. Troop 835 supported flag placement and memorial services at Chapel Hill Memorial Cemetery, provided military vehicles and equipment for static display, and provided meal service for 400 people. Without their direct participation and support, the annual Memorial Day Remembrance would not have been a success. We, the men and women of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9100, commend them for their service to our community.

It seems that the scouts got a lot out of helping us. Many stories are recounted and I realized that were very motivated and enjoyed participating. One scout, Justin Chrisco, was very impressed with Garland Neville and his bugle playing during our Memorial Day graveside ceremonies. He told his dad that he wanted to do that, too. He did some research, practiced and practiced, and can now play many of the U.S. Army bugle calls. He even took his bugle to summer camp and used the calls for the troop. Oh, did I mention that they were selected Honor Troop at the camp? Small wonder.

The Circle of Honor was impressive. There were 86 new merit badges, new promotions, and a new scout. It was a new record for this energized troop.

Troop 835 was formed in 1955. The troop recently lost Paul Trembley. Paul was the Scoutmaster of the original Troop 835 from 1955-1978. To honor him, Troop 835 Alumni presented one of the original troop dutch ovens and scout hat to the troop. Also displayed was the original troop bugle. It was battered, but you could see Justin sit up straight went he saw the bugle.

Our post is blessed with local Boy Scout support. Presenting an award to the Troop and sharing in their Circle of Honor made this writer proud. He was witnessing our future community leaders. That was indeed an honor.

Our special thanks goes to Chapel Hill Troop 835 in this commemorative video:

Friendly City Civitan Club honors World War II Vets

2010-09-28T11:33:00.004-04:00

Robert Patton and Bill Childress were guests of the Friendly City Civitan Club of Durham this week. They joined 53 other World War II veterans that were honored.

Their stories varied and were freely shared. Like most veterans, they remember the lighter side of their service. Even the most difficult times are often remembered as a short, humorous story. Soldiers bond. Soldiers share. Soldiers and sailors everywhere become lifetime friends. They never, ever forget the bond that held them together and that made the most unbearable situation tolerable.

You can read the full story, Band of Brothers, Then and Now, on the Durham Herald-Sun website. Read story...

Six Guys And A Jeep : Coolest One

2010-09-28T11:23:00.001-04:00

This is for all of you World War II, Korea, and Vietnam vets who shared in the experience of the American GI Jeep.

The video shows the disassembly and reconstruction of the GI Jeep by a team of six men. Enjoy the show!

Six Guys And A Jeep : Coolest One

Supporting other Posts

2010-09-27T19:47:00.007-04:00

Your post commander took off for Yanceyville on Saturday to support Post 7316 at their Hoedown. This was his third trip to Yanceyville in just over 45 days.

Mrs. Heavlin, representing the VFW Ladies Auxiliary, joined me and we took along our granddaughter. She remarked that there was a lot of food. Yep. There were a lot of local groups and churches with tents everywhere. Hot dogs, fried chicken, chicken wings, barbecue, pulled pig, hamburgers and other county fair food.

Everyone seemed to be having a good time and we did too. The Hoedown is a rural town tradition in the southeast. Besides the food there were antique cars, dancing, singing, and kid races on mini-John Deere tractors.

The Yanceyville Post teamed up with the American Legion and they set up two adjoining tents. Everyone who stopped by received a small American flag. The Yanceyville Post also shares a post building at the fairgrounds.

This was another opportunity for our post to learn from our neighbors and have some fun with fellow veterans.

Ladies Auxiliary Hosts Ice Cream Social for Hospitalized Vets

2010-09-21T22:07:00.004-04:00

The VFW Ladies Auxiliary, 9100, is working with the Durham VA Hospital to host an ice cream social for hospitalized veterans.

The event is on October 28th at 7 p.m.

Kathy Voss is recruiting volunteers to join her and her team at the hospital for this event. This is our first event and the auxiliary is looking forward to regularly scheduled Ice Cream Socials on a quarterly basis.

Contact Kathy

Veterans' Stand Down Coming Oct 7th

2010-09-19T19:04:00.006-04:00

Durham County is partnering with Project Homeless Connect for a Veterans' Stand Down on October 7th. The will gather at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park, 409 Blackwell St., Durham. The park is next to the American Tobacco Campus. Doors open at 10 a.m. and the Stand Down ends at 4 p.m.

What's a stand down? Our Vietnam era combat veterans will remember it as a time and place of safe refuge and retreat. Clean socks, uniforms, a shower, and hot chow. Food from a mobile kitchen's chow line, not a can or MRE (ration pack).

Today it is for our homeless veterans. It is a time to get off the street and get care, attention, help, and medical/dental attention. Winter is fast approaching and our veterans need access to services now. Some may find a new home in Durham's new housing for homeless veterans. (Learn more...)

The Stand Down team will provide "food, clothing, medical, legal/expunctions, substance abuse and mental health assistance, job counseling, VA benefits, local health and human services, personal care, supplies, showers, entertainment and drawings." Although Durham County is hosting the event, they have enlisted the support and services of many other groups to help our veterans. The list includes the NC Employment Security Commission/JobLink, Durham VA medical Center, Raleigh Vet Center, Healing with CAARE, Department of Labor, Volunteers of America, Durham County Veterans' Services, Local, State and County Veterans Service Officers, and TROSA.

Their announcement proudly proclaims, "Giving Veterans A Hand Up, Not a Hand Out."

If you need help or know of a veteran who does, contact Louis Washington at 919-560-8387.

Volunteers are needed, too. To volunteer to help during this event, contact Karen Johanson at 919-451-7203 or email her at kjohanson@measinc.com.

Flu Season Solution

2010-09-13T14:30:00.003-04:00

The Chapel Hill American Legion Ladies Auxiliary has arranged for flu shots at the post's November 9th meeting. The Durham VA Medical Center is sending a team to the post. You only need to be a veteran to get your shot.

All members are encouraged to get their flu shot. It will save you a trip to the VAMC or your local primary care center.

If you are not a member of the American Legion, you can still stop by and get your shot. The nurses will be on-site at 6 p.m.

Learn more about the local American Legion Post. Visit their site.

Flight of Honor

2010-09-12T19:25:00.004-04:00


Iwo Jima survivor Bud Hampton

The Triangle Flight of Honor is fast approaching. Gene Drogos, Hyman Marks, and Bud Hampton are some of the post members going in October.

Are your a World War II veteran and interesting in going? The first flight on October 7th is booked solid, but there is a second flight set for Thursday, November 4th.

Interested? Details are available on the sponsor's web site.

Remember, you do not have to be a post member to participate. You only have had to have served during World War II. Learn more...

Letting Freedom Ring

2010-09-12T15:31:00.012-04:00

There is nothing like patriotism in small town America. Everyone comes out to make an event happen and the local community supports it 110%. This was the case in Graham, NC, where the community got together to remember 9/11 and to support firemen, policemen, and EMS teams.

My guess is that there were more than 5,000 people in attendance.

A local church, the Burlington Carolina Christian Church, provided 7,000 hot dogs and lots and lots of water and soda. Vietnam veteran Mike Johnson, seen here cooking a batch of dogs, said that the ladies and helpers started at 6 a.m. to package individual servings and they were still wrapping at 1:30 pm. They never took a break. They freely gave of their time and treasure.

During the ceremonies at 2 p.m., two of our VFW members were recognized on stage. Don Horne of Burlington Post 10607, and Marv McWherter, Chapel Hill Post 9100, represented all Veterans of Foreign Wars district posts.

Your post commander and Ed Gill, along with Yolanda Heavlin, joined with the Mebane and Burlington Posts to provide information, friendly conversation, and a warm welcome to those who visited the District 6 booth. And now, the rest of the story...

Post prepares to recognize local talent

2010-09-07T14:20:00.001-04:00

The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S. has many programs that recognize excellence. Awards are for students, teachers, fire and policemen, and community leaders.

Our Chapel Hill Post submitted two candidates that went on to win National Teacher of the Year and North Carolina state Voice of Democracy! Click on the links to read their stories.

We have a lot of talent in our area. Recognize it and submit an application. You make the difference.

For our post, here are the programs and submission deadlines:

* Citizenship Education Teacher of the Year Award - Nov 1, 2010
* Public Servant National Award (Law Enforcement, firefighter, Emergency Services) - Dec 15, 2010
* Voice of Democracy - Nov 1, 2010
* Patriot's Pen - Nov 1, 2010
* Scout of the Year - Mar 1, 2011

Use the links to see details. Submit your application or nomination to the post commander. More details...

Call the post at 919-741-5183

Hospice Information

2010-09-07T09:29:00.005-04:00

Father and son team

Aaron Klink, a chaplain at Amedisys Hospice in Durham, will visit the Post tonight. He previously served as a chaplain at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Durham.

Aaron will present information on hospice options, especially the stay at home option.
As he stated, "Hospice at home can be a great option, but people don’t always understand the benefits."

This is a great opportunity for you to learn what is available. We meet a lot of veterans who have questions in this area.

Let's learn more so that we can be better informed on this important program.

Learn more...

American Legion Post 6 Web Site

2010-09-05T23:52:00.005-04:00

Our brothers at the Chapel Hill American Legion Post 6 had a problem with their web site. The former webmaster passed away and there was no way to rebuild the website he created for them.

We have assisted the Legionnaires in many ways and this is one more. It's brother helping brother.

Take a look at their site and bookmark it for a return visit. They will post events and programs that affect all of us.

The address is www.americanlegionchapelhill.com

Day tripping at the Post

2010-08-28T09:41:00.005-04:00

Meetings are one thing, but you can't build a strong relationship with once a month or bi-weekly sessions. If you talk to Ed Gill, it is "Let's go fishing." He is also game to district field trips, parades, exhibits, museums, or just hanging out.

Ed's latest excursion was a day trip to see the traveling bus-eum on German POWs in the United States. He joined your post commander and both were accompanied by their wives. The Durham Herald-Sun's photo-journalist from Chapel Hill arrived mid-visit and she interviewed everyone and took many, many pictures. Four were selected and published in Saturday's edition. See the story here.

After the visit to downtown Durham they journeyed up to North Durham for a visit to the Duke Homestead and Tobacco Factory. The museum was re-shingling one of the tobacco curing buildings and the roofers presented Ed with a weathered 70-year-old cedar shingle. It looked nearly new!

To cap the day they headed to the "Ole NC Barbecue" This is the restaurant that we visit after our annual Rougemont Easter Parade. Lunch was only $6.79 before the seniors discount.

Do you have a story to share? Are you getting out with your post buddies and their families? If not, go have some fun on a day trip with a friend.

Durham County Library World War II Exhibit

2010-08-21T09:03:00.006-04:00

The Durham County Library has invited the members of the post to two special programs at the library that are of special interest to veterans.

Held on the Homefront Exhibit
Friday, August 27 from 9:00 am – noon and
Saturday, August 28 from 10:00 am -4:00pm
Main Library, 300 N. Roxboro St. (parking lot)

This exhibit, about the German POWs in the United States during World War II, will be on view in the BUS-eum, a renovated school bus that serves as a traveling mobile museum for the TRACES Center for History and Culture in Saint Paul, Minnesota. Visitors are invited to bring stories, photographs, or other “traces” of encounters with German POWs with them.

Nazi POWs in the Tar Heel State
Sunday, August 29 at 3:00 p.m.
Main Library, 300 N. Roxboro Street

More than 10,000 German prisoners of war were interned in 18 camps in North Carolina during World War II. Yet most people were — and remain — unaware of their presence. Robert D. Billinger, professor at Wingate University and author of Nazi POWs in the Tar Heel State will discuss this fascinating period in our state’s history.

Let's support our local Durham library and thank them for hosting a military-oriented exhibit.

For our members who can't make the trip, here is the exhibit in video.

Hospice and Palliative Care at the Durham VA Medical Center

2010-08-14T22:30:00.014-04:00

A continuation of "...Before they are gone."

Your post commander visited the Veterans Affairs Medical Center on Friday and had the opportunity to visit the Hospice and Palliative Care Center.

The VA is paying special attention to this program and is now expanding the Durham facility from four beds to ten. This is a five-year plan. In the near term, they are doing cosmetic work on existing rooms in part of the long term care unit. This should get them to ten rooms faster.

I spoke with Dr. Toni M. Cutson, MD, and asked her what is on her wish list. The VA funds the big budget items, equipment and necessities, and items to improve patient quality of life and care. I was looking for things that are coming, but there yet. We wanted to know about special needs. We wanted to know what our Chapel Hill post can do now that would really make a difference.

Dr. Cutson told me of a recent situation where one patient's family came to visit him in hospice. His daughter brought with her a CD containing photos of their new home and family. There was no way to show it to him (you can’t put personal items on networked equipment). He is now gone and never got to see the pictures.

She also mentioned that it would be nice to have some way for the hospice patients to listen to music in their rooms. CD players would be very helpful. She was planning on building a CD library for the center.

Another hot item is a refrigerator for the hospice for use by the visiting families. They come and they stay for hours, if not days. They needed a place to put things while they waited.

All of these items are things that can really make a difference, especially a DVD player to view photos.

I told Dr. Cutson that I would see what we could do to help our veterans. I didn't know how long it would take, but we would make it our local project.

Returning home I detoured and visited several stores and shopped for items that would work. I also explained the purpose and our plan. I even suggested a small discount or donation to help make this a reality now. No luck. A letter to "corporate" would take weeks or months. Our veterans don't have that much time, not in hospice.

The mental picture of the veteran in hospice with his daughter and family haunted me. The pictures were there, but there was no way to see them. These men and women don't have time to wait for a special project. The need was real, the need is now.

Our post raised funds during the past year specifically for our special needs veterans. By passing out VFW Buddy Poppies we receive donations and we use the money for veterans’ welfare and for the well being of their dependents. Those donations are just for this type of project.

So where are we now? What are we going to do? Well, we are going to meet the most urgent needs and have done just that.

We have purchased two portable, handheld DVD players for movie viewing. They can also display .jpg photo images on a CD. One of the players can also read flash memory as it has a built-in SD/MMC/MS card reader. Our veterans will be able to see and view photos on a DVD, CD, USB flash drive or camera memory!

We also bought three bedside-sized CD players with an AM/FM radio. We'll work on some music CD's and a few movies, too.

This is our start. There is much more to do for our senior citizen veterans. They are not just in the VA long term care or hospice centers. They are in nursing and convalescence centers throughout our local area.

We want to use only new items. The donated equipment is going to a hospital and our veterans deserve to be treated special. I, too, want to make sure that their days in hospice are filled with special treatment. That's Dr. Cutson's and the Department of Veterans Affairs wish, too.

If you would like to help local veterans, contact us. You can email the post at cdrpost9100@vfwwebmail.com.

"Being unwanted, unloved, uncared for, forgotten by everybody, I think that is a much greater hunger, a much greater poverty than the person who has nothing to eat." Mother Teresa

Postscript.

The VA Medical Center has a Voluntary Service Office that supports the special needs of all patients, especially palliative care and hospice. They do this by enlisting the support of hundreds of volunteers, veterans groups, and local citizen groups. The Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion, Disabled American Veterans, Knights of Columbus and other veterans groups also provide volunteers and promote fund raisers.

Their list of accomplishments and on-going programs reflect very well on the commitment of the Department of Veterans Affairs and especially our local medical center in Durham. You can volunteer or donate to one of their many programs. Each VA Medical Center has a program and invites your participation. No gift of time or money is too large or small. Do your part now and sign up.
Learn more about VA Voluntary Services…

Patton on Patton

2010-08-12T11:59:00.011-04:00

This is the first in a series of reflections on our members and their contributions to our Country, our history, and our legacy...

Our post has our very own Patton, Robert Patton.

Bob, as he liked to be called, served in General George S. Patton's Third Army, but they are not related. Our Bob was in the 65th Infantry, XX Corps, Third Army. And, as Bob is quick to point out, "...and I am not a general."

It took about 60 years for some of the best stories of Bob Patton's contributions to World War II history to come out. In the last five years he has been back to Europe several times and he has also been honored at the Holocaust Museum in Washington. He doesn't consider himself a hero, but he is in the eyes of many holocaust survivors.

General Patton's Third Army liberated many prison camps. Some housed our own men, some political prisoners, and concentration camp prisoners. They were too late to save millions of Jewish prisoners. Many were found near starvation and near death. Bob witnessed first hand the sites of mass graves at Mauthausn, Austria.

He visited the camp several years ago and noticed that there was an unmarked area where a mass grave existed. Other locations at Mauthausen had monuments, but there was none where thousands were entombed. He brought the oversight to the authorities and an investigation resulted in recognition of the grave site. He returned two years ago to be part of the dedication.

Last year he was honored by the Holocaust Museum.

Hanging in Bob's closet in Chapel Hill was World War II Army uniform in perfect condition. In Austria they were remembering the end of the war and the impact of the Third Army. They needed uniform items for their museum. You guessed it, Bob's uniform with decorations was accepted by the Shardinger City Museum in Austria. Staff Sergeant Robert Patton made the long journey to personally present the uniform to the Mayor of Schardinger, Ing Franz Angerer. Learn more...

You can learn more about Bob's history by visiting these additional links:

World War II Forum
Carolina Byways - "A World Apart"
USA TODAY, article, Sara J. Bloomfield, April 10, 2010
Profile, United States Holocaust Museum, Robert Patton and Mauthausen
Video - Remembrance at Mauthausen 2009
Video - Mauthausen bob Patton's story
Story - We Remember Mauthausen!

Homeless Veterans find help and a home in Durham

2010-08-12T11:02:00.001-04:00

A very good story appeared in this week's The Durham News. It was on homeless veterans finding a place to live that is safe, a good place to live, and where they are treated with dignity. Read the full story.

The The Maple Court Transitional Housing Program consists of 24 one-bedroom apartments in northern Durham. It is sponsored by Volunteers of America -Carolinas. This is transitional housing and is available for up to 24 months. The residents are veterans who were homeless or at risk for homelessness. Most resident veterans are age 45-58 and Vietnam era.

Residents are not just housed. There is on-site counseling, training, employment counseling, education, and medical care.

Some interesting highlights in this story are worth noting. Top on the list is that the sponsoring group, Volunteers of America, has low admin costs! They state that 88 cents of every dollar goes to support the community.

The cost of this project was huge, but you have to spend a lot to do it right. Topping the list of contributors were the city of Durham ($300,000), Volunteers of America ($700,000), the Department of Veterans Affairs ($500,000), North Carolina Housing Finance Agency with $1,000,000, and the NC State Employee's Credit Union Foundation donated $435,000!

Maple Court opened in 2009 and it has served a lot of our veterans. This project and the increased funding for the Durham VA Medical Center shows a strong commitment to our veterans, and especially the homeless and at risk veterans.

Federal Stimulus $ Helping Durham VA Medical Center

2010-08-10T14:46:00.002-04:00

The Herald-Sun reported today that our local VA hospital received $8 million as part of the federal stimulus program. Total stimulus funding for the VA was $1.8 billion.

How is the funding being used? They are upgrading the walkway connecting the hospital and parking garage; installing a new electrical system for power distribution to the main building; resurfacing VA Medical Center roads and parking areas; and they are using the bulk of the funding ($963,000) to expand the psychiatric ward. Read the complete story...

There is a lot going on at the VA Medical Center. Our post is also supporting bi-monthly visits to the second floor patients. We play bingo and visit with the patients. You, too, can make a difference by assisting David Lucas with this important post project.

We don't stay home at the post

2010-08-08T21:37:00.009-04:00

The Veterans of Foreign Wars member posts do more than meet locally. They attend district and department sponsored events.

Our district events include pig roasts, trips to bases and museums, the Airborne Museum, and parades in Yanceyville, Caldwell, Chapel Hill, and Rougemont. The district meetings are held in all posts in rotation. This past weekend we visited Yanceyville, NC, and Post 7316, for our August District 6 meeting. Learn more…

Yanceyville is a very small town near the Virginia border and Danville. The post is small, but the hearts are huge. We gathered in a country church fellowship hall for our meetings and lunch. The host post commander, Fred Smith, made our trip extra special by arranging for us to visit the local historic sites.

We got to look at the town museum and toured the Caswell County Courthouse. Our excellent tour guide was Sterling Carter of Yanceyville.

Built in 1858, it was there for the Civil War, Reconstruction, the Spanish-American War, two world wars, Korea, Vietnam, Desert Storm, many smaller conflicts and, now, Iraq and Afghanistan. It has served thousands of North Carolinians, listened to famous and not so famous orators, and celebrated the contributions of its citizen soldiers. Entering this historic site put you in a state of awe. Sharing a few pictures of the courthouse does not do it justice.

We have put together a short video of our visit to the courthouse and hope you will enjoy it as much as we did. We recommend you put it on your list of places to visit.

There are many other places to see and we are going to visit many of them, too. It’s just another reason why you should step up and join our post. Help us give a “voice to those who cannot speak for themselves.” You can do serious things and have fun with us at the same time.

Graham, NC, Remembers 9/11

2010-08-04T14:00:00.004-04:00

When you need solid examples of patriotism, you will always find it in a small North Carolina town. Little towns have the biggest hearts!

Flags were flying everywhere after 9/11. Evening news footage overwhelmed us with replays of the planes hitting the twin towers. But, as time passed and the PC (politically correct) journalists, editors and writers slowly diminished the coverage, we heard less and less of the attack.

Small town America has not forgotten 9/11. Neither have we. Come join us on 9/11 as we journey to Graham, North Carolina, to remember. Graham is having a tribute to our military, our firemen, police, rescue and public servants.

It starts at 12 noon at the Graham Downtown Court Square. Bring your family! There plenty of things to see and do. There will also be a car show, music, free food and fireworks.

Grave medallions

2010-08-03T15:06:00.006-04:00

When a veteran is lost, his family is faced with a lot of questions regarding interment and grave markers. A lot of emotion-filled decisions create unforeseen consequences.

Each Memorial Day weekend we hear, "You guys forgot to put a flag on my dad's grave." We do miss a few as we walk the local cemetery, but it is not intentional. We usually find that he veteran's grave has a private, personal stone. It has their name and dates of birth and death. If it does not clearly show military service or grade, there is no way for us to know it is the grave of a veteran.

Now, there is a solution. The Veterans Administration will provide a grave medallion. Veterans who died on or after November 1, 1990, are eligible.

This is a bronze medallion that shows the branch of service and it comes in three sizes. It will fit on a private stone or columbarium niche. Check with your funeral director or cemetery manager to learn which one is acceptable for the grave site.

An alternate is to obtain a flat marker to supplement the existing headstone. Learn more...

There is a lot of information at www.cem.va.gov. Learn more...

"Before they are gone..."

2010-08-02T18:03:00.004-04:00

Our post is frequently contacted for assistance with our World War II veterans. They are in their 80's and 90's.

Our post has a number of very active World War II vets. Some are in better physical condition that Korea or Vietnam veterans! Some, however, are not.

We meet this special need by assisting them. We visit them in their home or nursing home. They do not even have to be a member of the VFW. If they are a vet, they are a brother to us.

We also assist families with veterans outreach. Our members take older vets to the VA hospital or a local doctor. We also provide information to them on veterans benefits, application process, and claim filing. We'll hold their hand to help them get with the right people for help and medical care.

That's what we do. It is just one of many examples of our veterans helping others in our local community. We will never forget that we all need help, sooner or later.

You, too, can assist. If you are a veteran and not a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, come talk to us. Help make things better for other veterans. We are sure to have a job for you. Learn more...

A Salute to our Military

2010-08-02T17:51:00.004-04:00

If you frequent this site, you are patriotic or in search of information on our local military veterans. This post, however, is not about us or what we do locally.

Sure, we are proud of what we do, but we are more proud of our men and women in uniform.

We have hung up our uniforms, put away our hats and melded into our local community. We have "been there, done that." It's our pleasure to turn the spotlight on others, "over there."

Gene Simmons did a tribute to our military. It was captured on video and it is well worth a look. So, take a break and play the video and go back in time to the spirit and pride in country and our military. Sing along! George M. Cohan's spirit lives on...

Lights, Camera... Action!

2010-07-23T12:06:00.009-04:00

The North Carolina Archives Military Collection is a project to record the history of men of women who served their country. It started about 14 years a a Civil War historical project and has grown from there.

A local interviewer, Russell "Rusty" Edmister, provided this bit of history on the project:

"The Military Collection was established as a part of the North Carolina archives on July 1, 1996. The idea then was to collect information about North Carolinians in the Civil War. Needless to say, it has expanded tremendously since then and is an attempt by the state of North Carolina to pay tribute to its veterans and to give them a permanent "voice' via the Archives. While I do not know the exact number, my guess is that there are hundreds of thousands of veterans - men and women who have served time in the military - either born in our state or living here now or both. It is way past time to get those folks and their military memories into their rightful place in the Archives."

Have you told your story? We already know that some of our members have great stories to tell. There is Iwo Jima, the European Theater, Africa, the Philippines, Germany, Vietnam, and now Iraq and Afghanistan. These are stories that will never be heard if not recorded for future generations. You can do your part to ensure history is accurate and that it does not fall victim to "rewriting."

The project is open to anyone born in North Carolinians or has made North Carolina their permanent residence.

Special note: When you are discussing the project with friends, be sure to include our allies. The project includes any person serving with the armed forces of another nation, if they migrated to the U.S. and became a naturalized citizen and now has North Carolina as their permanent residence.

If you are interested, contact Rusty Edmister at 919-468-5634. Rusty is an interviewer and is ready to help you add your story to the collection.

Living History - USS North Carolina (BB-55)

2010-07-14T21:51:00.004-04:00

I enjoy history and I search for old books written by people who were part of the story being told. When it comes to military history, our Post is blessed with many members who "led interesting lives during interesting times." Jim Stallings has been doing a yeoman's job of recording many of their stories.

Today we have an opportunity to learn more about the battleship USS North Carolina (BB-55). One crewmember, Leo Bostwick was interviewed by Living Out Loud Magazine. Bostwick, now 87, served on the USS North Carolina during World War II. Shipmate Bill Brewer, a resident of Wilmington, came across the article and we are posting a link to it here. (Learn more...)

The USS North Carolina, nicknamed the Showboat, is our state's jewel of North Carolina at Wilmington. If you have not been aboard it, you are missing a an opportunity. Maybe we can do a field trip this fall!

Caldwell NC July 4th Parade Report

2010-07-13T13:14:00.011-04:00

We had our largest July 4th parade gathering this year. We counted between 50-60 veterans, family, and friends. There were three tents and a fourth from the Vietnam Veterans. Our chairs lined the road for 75 feet and were two deep in some spots.

Two of our members were 83 and 77 years of age and both walked the one mile parade route with the color guard. In the Knights of Columbus, one of the color corps members, Joe Acciaritto, was 75! They represented World War II and Korea.

Ed Gill and Al Olsen, both Vietnam veterans, carried the national ensign forming a frame around our post flag carried by Enduring Freedom Vet Jorge Heavlin.

One thing about this parade always makes us stand a little prouder. When Old Glory passes,the people of Caldwell stand and salute the flag. Overheard as we approached the parade starting point, “Stand up! Here comes the flag. … You will be standing a lot, today. There are a lot of American flags flying ins this parade.” Patriotism and pride in country is alive and well!

This year we were joined by Bill and Joan Brewer from Wilmington, NC. Bill is 77, a retired Navy senior chief, Korea vet, and member of Post 9100. Bill was not sure if he would walk the mile or ride, but the excitement perked him up and he walked with us!

The Veterans had three vehicles and the District 6 Command Car (golf cart) and trailer. They were followed by one Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA 530) vehicle, and several Knights of Columbus vehicles.

Each year we add about 30% more Post participants. Everyone who attends this event tells everyone they know that Caldwell is the place to be on July 4th.

Our two grills quickly prepared 100 Nathan’s Famous Hot Dogs. There were plenty of chips, watermelon, cool drinks and other goodies to feast on.

A special thanks goes out to the Divine Mercy Assembly, Knights of Columbus, Chapel Hill. Their Color Corps followed the veterans and their local Chapel Hill and Durham Councils passed out Tootsie Rolls.

A Voice Still Strong and Patriotic

2010-07-06T11:01:00.011-04:00

Our Post is privileged to have a patriotic singer as a member. Hyman Marks, a professional singer and World War II vet, had his own radio show broadcasting over the Armed Forces Radio Network from Salzburg, Austria. The show aired three times a week for about a year. He has also performed for our our military troops many times. Today, at 85, he is a regular volunteer at the Raleigh-Durham USO, where he continues to serve our active duty military.

Hyman has also performed by singing patriotic music at our state capitol building on Veterans Day as part of the annual commemoration ceremonies. He has been invited to perform for the last three years.

This past weekend, Hyman sang before a huge crowd of 11,674 people at the Durham Bulls game against the Gwinnett Braves.

"We were very honored to have WWII Veteran and USO-NC Volunteer, Hyman Marks sing the national anthem on July 4th at the Durham Bulls Military Appreciation Event sponsored by US Falcon. I was at the game and Hy’s voice was amazing as it resounded throughout the stadium," wrote Patricia DeZetter, Assistant Center Director.

The USO stated that the Durham Bulls represented the military by wearing camouflage jerseys. The Durham Herald-Sun carried a picture of the jersey worn by Virgil Vasquez. It was a sharp looking and carried a large USO shoulder patch. All of the jerseys were auctioned off with all proceeds going to the USO-NC RDU Center. (Learn more)

The North Carolina National Guard was honored with the game ball and throughout the game the Durham Bulls honored military support through the USO-NC “Text To Donate” program. We do not yet have a dollar value for the Text To Donate project. Additional donations can be mailed to:

USO-NC RDU Center
PO Box 91443
Raleigh, NC 27675

Preparing for a Small Town July 4th

2010-06-09T22:48:00.006-04:00

THIS YEAR'S PARADE IS ON SATURDAY, JULY 3RD

There is nothing more enjoyable than journeying back in time to front porch swings, ice cold tea, an RC Cola, cards flapping on bike spokes, friends, family and storytelling. It was a quieter time, a slower pace. No iPods, smartphones or email. Remember when you had to put a nickle in a pay phone at the drug store to call your sweetheart?

Well, once each year on July 4th we get our chance to reminiscence. The Post packs up its flags, stove top, food, coolers, canopies and chairs and heads north to Caldwell. We celebrate our Nation's birthday with an old fashioned small town parade. There is sure to be the smells, feel, and colors that your grandfather described to you many, many years ago. A time when Durham and Orange Counties held parades everywhere.

For us, it is still a time to stop and remember why we are the United States of America. It's our birthday.

We don't have a band, but we have music blaring from floats and horses and cars and trucks of every description. The Veterans of Foreign Wars will lead the parade followed by the Knights of Columbus Color Corps from Divine Mercy Assembly 3500 from Chapel Hill. The Knights have added color and patriotism to the parade for about six years and come back each year to the cheers and praise of the local Caldwell community.

How can you participate? Just be there at about 10 a.m. on July 3rd (July 4th falls on a Sunday this year). If you come early, it is okay. But, don't be put off by the lack of a crowd and just a blinking yellow light at the crossroads on NC57. Just put your chair down and sit awhile. The crowds start to gather along Guess Road starting at the Caldwell Volunteer Fire Station at 7020 Guess Road. At 10:30 the crowds will double, and double again. They will line up all the way to the Caldwell Community Center, located about a mile past NC57 on Guess Road.

At 11:00 a.m. the flashing yellow light at NC57 and Guess Road is changed to a stop light and all traffic, accept for the parade, stops. And, if you are lucky enough to hit the light at 11 a.m., you may well be selected as Parade Grand Marshal! As the parade approaches the crossroads, all goes silent and the parade stops to honor Old Glory and the we sing the National Anthem.

BRING YOUR FAMILY. BRING YOUR CHILDREN. WEAR RED, WHITE AND BLUE. Kids are invited to ride their bikes and pull their decorated wagons in the parade.

Since the veterans are leading the parade, they arrive at end at (Caldwell community center) early. They get to sit back and enjoy the rest of the parade as it arrives.

The Veterans of Foreign Wars will have a tent for veterans and the Knights of Columbus and their families. We will serve Hot Dogs at the end of the parade to veterans and knights. We encourage all members bring their family picnic lunch and a little extra to share.

We need all veterans to join in and walk the parade route following the color guard. Wear your VFW cap and a uniform item. Several of us will carry banners and Post 9100 colors. District 6 will also provide colors and the district colors. If you can't walk the parade, head to the community center and put your chair along the side of the road near our VFW Post canopy. Just be sure to stand tall when Old Glory pass you by and render a salute.

Directions: Take Highway 57 from Hillsborough to Roxboro. Turn right at first flashing yellow light. Meet at the Caldwell Firehouse. Everyone meets at 10:30.

Want to see a preview of the parade?

Memorial Day - We have not forgotten!

2010-05-27T22:53:00.007-04:00

Our newspapers hawk mattresses, RV's, cars, televisions, and other stuff at discounted prices to commemorate or celebrate Memorial Day. We will see the same thing on Veterans Day. Sad, but true. Our radios and televisions continually remind us of the great savings, if we act now. The original intent or message of these two holidays seems somehow lost.

But wait, there are some in Chapel Hill and the surrounding area that do remember why we take time out from work on Memorial Day. And, they are not all veterans of military service. There are many among us who hold our military and veterans in high regard.

Memorial Day is the successor to Decoration Day. It began in the 1860's as a day in May where Southern widows and family decorated the graves of their war dead. It started right here in the south, but grew in importance to where it became a national holiday.

On May 30th, 1868, flowers were used to decorate the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers buried in Arlington National Cemetery.

Our Chapel Hill Post continues a long tradition of the Veterans of Foreign Wars to decorate the graves of local veterans. We will rise on Saturday, May 29th, at about 5 a.m. and gather at the Chapel Hill Memorial Cemetery (on Legion Road) at 6:30 a.m. We will be veterans of World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Kuwait, Iraq, Afghanistan and other conflicts. Our children, grandchildren and friends will be there with us as we walk among the graves looking for signs of a veteran's grave. We read aloud the name of the veteran and place a flag above the stone.

No, not all are combat deaths, although Chapel Hill has lost three people in the current conflict. But each veteran answered the call of their country and stood ready to give their life. Fortunately, they returned home.

We, the men and women of VFW Post 9100, encourage you to join us and help us Saturday, May 29th, as we remember the veterans interred in Chapel Hill. We will have a simple ceremony and honor the dead at 8 a.m.

On Monday, May 31st, we will return to the cemetery at 8 a.m. for a Memorial Day ceremony. When finished, we will go to the American Legion Post 6 at 1714 Legion Road for an open house, 11 a.m. memorial service, and a concert. Won't you join us? it's free. No down payment is required. Your veterans have already paid for you.

... "The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields."
-- excerpt from In Flanders Fields by Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, MD

For more details, schedules and events, visit our post website at http://www.vfwpost9100.org

Rougemont Easter Parade

2010-03-29T23:38:00.004-04:00

Chapel Hill is again excited about an opportunity to start the warm season and Spring 2010 by participating in the District 6 Color Corps and golf cart extravaganza this Saturday.

As you can see here, it is a fun event. It's a one mile walk in the country. Every year that we participate, we have more veterans and we have a lot of fun. Won't you come join us this year?

If you need a ride, contact a comrade. If you can’t hitch a ride, we can meet as a group and caravan. No one has to be left behind.

Let the post commander know ASAP, if you are stranded and need transportation!
A No Host Lunch follows the parade at Ole North Carolina Barbecue at 4201 North Roxboro Road (at the Staple’s Shopping Center) in Durham. (No Host means that each person pays their way.)

Harlan Cornell Remembered

2010-03-22T22:38:00.003-04:00

As you all know, we lost Harlan on March 15th. He will be greatly missed as he was very active in our Post, in the district, and as a member of the State Department's Long Range Planning Committee.

The American Legion is hosting a memorial service for Harlan on Saturday, April 10th at 11 a.m. This is a joint remembrance. Both Robert Patton and I will speak, representing the American Legion Post and C. V. Cummings Chapel Hill Post, respectively.

In the meantime, please take a moment to view a short video remembering the things that were important to him at his "home away from home," the American Legion Post.

National Award Winner - William Melega

2010-03-11T16:03:00.004-05:00

Your Post Commander has just gotten back from Washington and the VFW National Legislative Conference where our very own Bill Melega was awarded Teacher of the Year for grades 9-12.

The Post is very honored to have sponsored this outstanding teacher. I had an opportunity to join one of his senior classes today. The topic: Japan - Going to War with America. It was a very interesting class.

I was not only struck by the energy of the class, but by what was visible and unsaid. The classroom was filled with historical clippings, posters, photos, and teaching aids, but what was most impressive was a whiteboard filled with student names and the colleges they are bound for; Harvard, Duke, UNC Chapel Hill, UNC Greensboro, Cornell, Elon, VMI, NC State, USC, Davidson, ASU, Lenoir Rhyne, Pomona and the list goes on and on. I can't help but think that the efforts of our teachers at Chapel Hill High, and especially Bill Melega, motivated and encouraged these young minds.

Our hats are off to Bill Melega, and to all the teachers of Chapel Hill High School. Our kids are in good hands.

Love Thy Neighbor...

2010-02-23T11:35:00.005-05:00

We get letters and email, and here is one that especially caught our attention:

“ My Dad will be 90 on February 19, 2010. He was in the 88 Infantry Division - Blue Devils. His live savings goes to pay the nursing home. I am asking/praying. Somebody can visit him for his birthday. I am on social security disability and live in Logan, Utah. I hope not like the government they will only contact my Dad for money. He is along and I am his only family. I cannot afford to visit. Do to our government will not give disable pay increase. My Dad is John C. Pollock, 500 Carolina Meadows, Apartment # 109, Chapel Hill, North Carolina. ... I am hoping somebody will visit him. Since I asked for help for medical before. NOTHING. He is very hard of hearing. Problems listening on the telephone. I do hope you can help?" (name withheld)

Helping veterans is what we are about, so I contacted the daughter and we have exchanged some additional emails. I have also spoken to Ralph Todd, a member of the American Legion and one of our newest VFW members. Ralph lives in the same complex. Ralph is going to locate John Pollock and visit with him.

My wife, Yolanda, joined me on a visit to John. He is in the HC Center at Carolina Meadows. This means he gets extra attention and cannot get about without assistance.

We learned that he was born in Chicago and spent most of his life in Westfield, NJ, area. He was an accountant. John is a great talker and his room is filled with photos of family, his two wives (he was married twice), movie stars, models, castles and other favorites. He has beer steins, art pieces, books, and other cherished items about his room. What he does not have is a buddy.

Oh, I almost forgot. His wife is also in Carolina Meadows. She is suffering from Alzheimer’s disease. She visit’s him every day at 7:30 p.m.

John is also a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and American Legion in Westfield, NJ. He has his roots there and will continue membership with that post.

How do you get to where John is staying? You can get to HC by going to the main Carolina Meadows villa offices and head toward the lobby store/gift shop. To the left of the entrance to the store is a hallway leading outside to a patio. HC is just beyond the patio.

As his daughter wrote, his birthday is Feb 19th. I am going to buy a birthday cake and take it to him that night. I’ll be there at about 7:45 with candles in hand. Can a few of you join me?

And, of course, you can stop by anytime to see him. He eats lunch from 12-1 each day.

“’Leave no man behind’ is one of those rules infantry units try to live by.” John was in the 88th Infantry Division, 5th Army. I’d like to say that at our Post, we leave no man alone, especially a veteran and comrade in arms.

Voice of Democracy Winner Wows the Crowd

2010-02-06T17:50:00.002-05:00

The event was the Voice of Democracy Banquet at North Carolina VFW Council of Administration Meeting at the North Raleigh Hilton. The crowd included Veterans of Foreign Wars Commander-in-Chief Thomas Tradewell, many post commanders, state officers, and other senior VFW officers who gathered for the meeting.

You would think that an 11th grader standing before a huge audience of dignitaries, veterans, spouses, peers, and the most critical observers (his family and grandfather) would have exhibited signs of fear and nervousness. Not so for Samuel J. Johnson. He delivered his audio-essay with only an occasional reference glance to his notes.

His voice was clear, distinct, and eloquent as he took us on a trip through American history. He spoke of George Washington, combat veterans, Vietnam, and our current heroes serving today. Each example built on the previous one to set the stage for the most critical point. We, you and I, are free to write and speak without fear. We can express our views in any crowd. We can rest easy in our homes at night, but only because others have given their lives to make it possible.

An aspiring lawyer, Samuel is a member of a debating team and this is what got him into the Veterans of Foreign Wars' Voice of Democracy contest. To debate well, you need to know your facts and believe in what you are going to present. Debates are not for the weak-kneed.

You will have to wait until March before we report the results off the national contest, but, from what we saw and heard yesterday, we have a strong contender.

Chapel Hill, Post 9100 and the veterans of North Carolina are proud of Samuel and look forward to hearing great things about him in the future.

Post Members in Christmas Parade

2009-12-13T21:39:00.007-05:00

The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States represented the veterans of Chapel Hill by again participating in the 2009 Chapel Hill Holiday (Christmas) Parade.

The Post was joined by District 6 Commander Ken Sellers and Past District 6 Commander B.J. Boak who brought along the unofficial district command car and trailer. BJ has been a strong advocate of veterans participation in local parades, including the July 4th Caldwell and Rougemont Easter parades. Our Post also participates in these parades.

Comrade Ed Gill took charge of the arrangements and was senior post officer present. He was joined by Al Olsen, Major Bud Hampton, and Tarinee Fritz of the Post Ladies Auxiliary. William McCollum and his wife, Jo, were also there with their old tyme GMC flatbed truck. Bill joined our band and represented American Legion Post 6.

My hat is off to those who could participate. The weather was brutal and quite cold, but our presence was noted.

Thank you Ed, for taking the lead in this project and making it happen.

Support for Memorial Builds

2009-12-09T14:11:00.004-05:00

The editor of the Chapel Hill News published an editorial on November 29th, 2009, supporting a memorial for our veterans. His argument is compelling and I wanted to share it with you. Link to it here.

We thank the citizens and leaders in our town for their support. We, too, believe that it is time to remember those who have been and who are on the front lines around the world defending our right to stand in front of the old post office and speak out for those who are not heard. "Freedom is not free."

Tears for Our Fallen Men and Women

2009-12-07T13:52:00.003-05:00

Sometimes we come across something that someone is doing elsewhere that puts a tear in my eye. When I find it, I share it. This item was provided by one of my friends.

It is the story of one American citizen who takes an exact replica of the Liberty Bell to funerals in and around Texas. He has tolled at over 200 funerals. He tolls the bell every 20 seconds before the event, and every three seconds during the procession. He went to England to learn the correct way to toll a funeral bell so that the replica is played the way it was in our country several hundred years ago.

That is not the real story here. The story is that this American is not a veteran. He is just a "John Q. Citizen." David Hall is a sand blaster by trade and he works on sites that put him on the road to support funerals for our fallen heroes. His current truck has over 300,000 miles on it and it is just one of many he has used.

We can learn much from watching and listening to those around us. We salute you, David Hall, for your dedication to your fellow man.

Smyrna United Methodist Church Veterans Memorial

2009-12-06T23:28:00.003-05:00

A Post roving reporter was traveling near Robbins, NC, and found a Veterans Memorial in the church cemetery. Now, as you can see from the photos, this is no small stone. The memorial "...is in memory of veterans from all wars."

You can visit the memorial at 1924 Smyrna Church Rd.,Robbins, NC 27325. It is just off NC 705. Their number is: 910-464-3188

Robert Patton Speaks Out on Veterans Memorial

2009-12-06T14:57:00.006-05:00

Robert Patton recently spoke to WCHL on the topic of a Chapel Hill Memorial. They aired his interview and you can listen to it too.

We thank the local media, and especially WCHL, for covering this topic. It is under consideration by the Town Council and we would not want it to lose momentum.

I'll announce soon an opportunity for you to submit you personal support for a local veterans memorial. No, we will not ask you for money, but just your name. You see, this memorial is not just a local veteran's desire. It must be a memorial of and for the people of Chapel Hill.

We are honoring the sacrifices of our town's finest. Many made it home, others did not. We have lost three of our own during this current conflict.

There are hundreds of tombstones in Chapel Hill Cemetery bearing the distinct markings of service to our Country. Next time you are near Wendy's, take a quiet stroll through Chapel Hill Memorial Cemetery on Legion Road. Most are not combat dead, but their stories and their contributions during and post-conflict are many. And, many helped make Chapel Hill what it is today.

Photo by Lauralee H Long, used with permission

History Came Alive at Cary Academy

2009-12-06T14:44:00.003-05:00

This year we were asked to send some of our veterans to speak to elementary school age children at the Cary Academy. They were especially interested in having a World War II veteran. We sent three. One was a combat veteran of Iwo Jima, one was an Army forward scout in France, and another served in Patton's Third Army and participated in the liberation of Mauthausen Concentration Camp.

You can watch a short video and hear their words. Be sure to view it full screen.

Our veterans joined others from the Raleigh-Durham area at this event. We are very proud that these men took time to speak on behalf of all veterans in Veterans Day, November 11th.

Why Do We Want a Chapel Hill Veterans Memorial?

2009-12-06T14:28:00.011-05:00

You may not have seen all of the stories that were published recently on a Veterans Memorial in Chapel Hill. We will try to keep track of what hits the news and will link them here for you to view.

The Chapel Hill Herald did a nice community interest story. Their question was, "Why do we (veterans) feel a need to have a memorial.? View the story.

In another Post Blog article, we will share with you the thoughts of several members of our Post, a combat pilot from Vietnam, and a Tuskeegee airman. You can view it here. Their comments are quite heartening.

The grave marker at the beginning of this blog is right here in Chapel Hill. I'll bet you did you know that we have a Tuskegee Airman buried right here in our town? Someone from our town visited the grave of Second Lieutenant John Brister Turner on Memorial day and placed a flower on his and many nearby graves. You can visit the grave at the Chapel Hill Memorial Cemetery on Legion Road. It is on the north side of the cemetery near the garden center. We took a picture of his grave on Memorial Day, 2009.

Photo by Lauralee H Long, used with permission

Chapel Hill Honored Veterans Nov 9, 2009

2009-12-06T14:20:00.002-05:00

Our town council recognized local veterans at their November 9, 2009, Town Council meeting.

We salute the Councilmen and women of Chapel Hill for remembering our veterans, and our active duty members who are still serving. We all look forward to their save return home.

Here is the ceremony.

Post Adjutant Speaks Before Town Council

2009-11-23T21:40:00.003-05:00

Our Adjutant, Robert Patton, was joined tonight by Post Commander Lee Heavlin and Past Post Commander Harland Cornell, as he spoke in support of Councilman Jim Merritt's petition for a Veterans Memorial. Here is what he said:

"Mayor Foy, Chapel Hill Councilwomen, & Councilmen

My name is Robert Patton, resident of Chapel Hill for over 40 years. I am a Veteran of WWII. I served with General Patton’s Third Army in France , Germany, and Austria.

Several years ago Roland Giduz, whom many of you remember, called me about a plaque he had stored in a closet at his home. He had rescued the plaque when the old high school had been demolished in the University Square location. This plaque contained the names of all those who had lost their lives in WWII from the Chapel Hill area. The local American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars had the plaque refurbished and it is now permanently mounted on the wall in The Chapel Hill Historical Society. This happens to be the only visible tribute to anyone in Chapel Hill who has ever been in the service of our country.

We do not know at this time any of the names of Chapel Hill people who lost their lives in the Korean, Vietnam, Iraq, or Afghanistan wars. We do not have a Veterans Memorial where this information can be preserved. The American Legion on several occasions has considered a Veterans Memorial. For several reasons such as cost & upkeep the memorial has never become a reality.

Therefore I am here tonight to welcome and support Councilman Jim Merritt’s petition for a Veterans Memorial. It is time that Chapel Hill recognizes the Veterans of our community. Several other areas such as Mebane, Cary, and Wilmington already have a Veteran’s Memorial. Your help in providing this recognition and making this happen will enable many of us feel that some of our sacrifices for this great country and community were not in vain."

The petition before the town council was accepted and sent to committee. This is just the first in many steps before the memorial becomes a reality.

Read a report on the town council meeting and Councilman Jim Merritt.

Republican Women of Chapel Hill Supports Our Heroes

2009-11-23T09:09:00.005-05:00

Far away from home serving their country. Far from family, a hug, a quiet room, a peaceful sleep, they stand guard and defend us at home. All yearn for a touch of home. Anything works, but who will do it? Well, one of them is the local Republican Women of Chapel Hill.

The women held their monthly meeting last Friday and collected a huge amount of socks, crackers, baby wipes, CDs and DVDs for our soldiers. The club also instantaneously gave Mike Dorman's group, Military Missons in Action (MMIA) $125. Since Mike and his volunteers were going to pack all the donations he had the next day, Kathy Voss and her family took our club's donations to Fuquay Varina and they stayed to help with packing. Kathy is a member of our Post's Auxiliary.

There is no picture of Kathy in action as she was our duty photographer!

Our Post salutes Kathy for her work supporting veterans and the members of our community. Last month she was hard at work collecting old cell phones to raise money for calling cards for our service men and women. She was there all day when we collected cell phones, but she also bundled them up and sent them to the people who take care of them from that point.

We also salute the Republican Women of Chapel Hill for making a difference and helping our troops overseas.

Wilmington Memorial Dedicated

2009-11-22T19:51:00.006-05:00

While we are thinking about a local veterans memorial, other North Carolina towns and cities have completed theirs.

On Veterans Day 2009, Wilmington, NC, unveiled and dedicated a veterans memorial on their historic waterfront. This is an area that is visited by thousands of tourists and the local citizens.

Take a moment to see what they have done to honor our veterans.

Chapel Hill Veterans Memorial

2009-11-22T17:25:00.004-05:00

The idea of a Veterans Memorial in Chapel Hill is coming from an unexpected source. It is a town councilman.

Jim Merritt is stepping down as a member of the town council and he is asking that the council consider a Veterans Memorial.

Jim is a Vietnam veteran and served with the Ninth Infantry. He is not asking for a Vietnam memorial, but a memorial for all service men and women. Councilman Merritt is making his petition on the anniversary of his wounding in action.

I think that all local veterans should show their support for this memorial. It may never get approved, but it will never get considered if we don't let our voices be heard. The OUR here is not just the voice of veterans, it is the voice of the Chapel Hill Community.

Here is the agenda and the meeting will be Monday, November 23rd, 7:00 p.m., at the Town Hall. The address is 405 Martin Luther King Blvd, near the fire station. Will we see you there?

Local Church Honors Amputees

2009-11-16T12:49:00.003-05:00

St. Thomas More Catholic Church once again quietly digs deep to make a difference in our community.

There are soldiers, sailors and Marines in Camp Lejeune and Ft. Bragg hospitals. Some are just back from the war zones and are being treated for lost limbs. It takes weeks and longer for them to heal and for them to get fitted for with prosthetics. They can not go home for Christmas unless they have the money. The Knights of Columbus Assembly at St. Thomas More Church started changing this for some of the veterans three years ago. They passed the hat to pay to send some of them home. The first year $3,600 was raised! Throughout the state the Knights raised about $9,000 the first year.

For Veterans Day, the parishioners again put coins, dollars, and checks in the collection basket at the end of five masses. When the money was counted it was just over $3,000. Another $60 came in by mail. They expect to reach a goal of $3,500.

Each dollar raised locally is passed to the Military Order of the Purple Heart. Their Wounded Warrior Program matched the $9,000 and some soldiers and marines were homeward bound. Last year the church again raised $3,600 and $53,000 was raised in North Carolina. That sent 230 veterans home. This year they expect to raise $75,000 and send about 238 people home.

This is just another example where your local Veterans of Foreign Wars members are making a difference and championing projects to help active duty and returning veterans.

You, too, can assist by joining the Veterans of Foreign Wars. You just need to have been boots on the ground in a conflict. Most active duty military are eligible because most have been overseas in defense of our nation. You can visit our national web site and check your eligibility.

Learn more about our post. Visit our web site at www.vfwpost9100.org

UNC Basketball Raffle Winner Announced

2009-11-16T12:42:00.003-05:00

The last home game has been played and it was a wow! Miami was not happy with some of the plays, but Carolina bested five great teams this year and three these last few games. When you are good, you are good.
That win set the stage for our annual raffle drawing. All of the tickets were put in a huge bag, tossed, tossed again, and mixed some more. Then, one ticket was pulled and the winner found.
Our winner is Tim Wood of Carrboro. It took us a day to track him down and he was not sure if this was a good call or a bad call. He was not sure who was trying to reach him. Shock and excitement soon set in and he was thrilled.
We thank all of our Carolina fans for their strong support this year. It was a great year for ticket sales. The money we earn in this project goes to help local veterans and hospitalized veterans. Our fundraisers are not for us, but for our troops. We thank you for helping us help others.

Carolina Hurricanes Honor Vets on Veterans Day

2009-11-06T11:32:00.005-05:00

There is a storm brewing at the RBC Center next week on Veterans Day. There will be hundreds of veterans and their families there to make noise and cheer their team to victory. You, too, can join in the fun and at the same time show your pride in service to your Country.

Through the generosity of the Carolina Hurricanes, our Post has been given a block of tickets for the November 11th game. These tickets are free to active duty military, veterans, and their families.

Game time is 7 p.m.

This is a great opportunity for all of us and I am actively working on locating other veterans who are not a member of our Post, but who should have the opportunity to go. That being said, you should ask your non-member veteran friends to join you. I am providing tickets to all veterans at my work site.

Ready to order your tickets? Just complete this form.

Blue Star Quilt

2009-10-18T19:35:00.008-04:00

Mothers have been saying goodbye to their sons who were going off to a foreign war for America since the days of the First Barbary War in 1801. It was a custom for sailors to leave their mother with an ornate pillow stitched with a poem or prose to warm the heart.

Years later we were fighting a ground war in Europe and many men and women were enlisted to fight or serve. Many mothers banded together to do what they could do to help over here, while they were "Over There." Click on the link to hear several vintage George M. Cohen recordings of Over There.

About 1917, an Army Captain with sons serving overseas came up with the idea of a Blue Star Flag. The Blue Star Mothers report, "the Blue Star Flag, was designed and patented by WWI Army Captain Robert L. Queisser of the 5th Ohio Infantry who had two sons serving on the front line." This flag became the symbol of a son serving overseas. Additional stars were added for each son. If a son was lost in a conflict, a star was changed from blue to gold.

Today, we have men and women again serving and fighting in two wars at the same time. The banner has made a strong comeback and is often on display. (This writer was proud to have one in his window while a son was serving in Afghanistan.)

Peg Gibson of the Chapel Hill Popular Davie Chapter of the North Carolina State Daughters of the American Revolution chose this banner as the design for a quilt. It is now complete and is making its way around local military and civic groups as a fund raiser. Their fund raising project is to help raise $45,000 to purchase a new passenger van for the Durham VA Medical Center. The van will be used to provide local transportation to long-term in-patient veterans. These vets have no way to conveniently get to sporting and other recreational events. This van will get them out of the hospital and into the local community.

You, too, can have an opportunity to own this beautiful quilt. A donation of $2 gets you a ticket. For $5 you can get three tickets. And, if you are very supportive of our service men and women, you can make a cash donation of any size. It will take a lot of $2 tickets to make a dent in $45,000.

So, let's help the DAR ladies! It is for a good cause--our veterans. Contact Elizabeth Feifs, Regent-General of the General Davie Chapter by clicking on this link. You will connect to their home page and there is an e-mail link there.

Proud Chapel Hill Sailors and Marines

2009-10-13T23:05:00.003-04:00

If you have not seen the new Navy recruiting commercial, it is right here for you. There are some outstanding historical shots in the film. We are only too proud to share it with you and hope that you enjoy it and share it with your shipmates and comrades.

Veterans Helping our Vets

2009-10-07T12:44:00.003-04:00

The Post had the honor to welcome Mike Dorman, USCG retired, to our meeting last night. Mike heads up Military Missions in Action. He joined us to share his story and to explain his project to our members.

Mike is a man on a mission. He said it best when he shared the comment of NC Congressman Bob Etheridge. The Congressman stated that we are good at waving the flag when we send our men and women overseas. We also do a good job waving the flag and welcoming them home. But... What about the time in between? That really hit home.

We all remember our time overseas. Those are lonely times full of memories of home, family, loved ones, sweethearts, friends, barbecue, tailgating, RC Cola and Moon pies. Mike asked for our help in taking care of some of those needs for the in-between time. Our Ladies Auxiliary is stepping up to the plate for that one. They know how to and are already doing that type of project.

Mike also shared many of his stories about helping returning veterans from the current wars, and there are two of them going on right now. He told us that his group also reaches out to veterans of World War II, Korea, Vietnam and other conflicts. If they are disabled and need help making their house a home again--because they can't now climb stairs or move around without a wheel chair--that is what they are going to do. He has spoken to many military, church, civic and business groups. He has found that he is not alone. Many want to help.

Last night we voted to send them a check, but one Afghan vet pulled me aside. He asked, "Can't we do more? Can't we join in a local project and do some hard work?" Amen! So, this will be our third point in our triad of assistance. We will give cash, support a project for active military, and serve as a catalyst to support a local project for a disabled veteran. It's what every soldier, sailor, Marine, airman, and Coast Guardsman does best. We learned early on to help each other, to roll up our sleeves and to get the job done.

We'll support them. That is our mission. To "Honor the Dead by Supporting the Living."

We are confident that all of our District 6 Posts will join us in supporting the Military Missions in Action.

Post 9100 - Community Partner of the Year

2009-09-29T00:07:00.006-04:00

I am pleased and humbled to announce that the Post was awarded The Arc of Orange County Community Partner of the Year Award!

I accepted this award on behalf of the membership on Sunday, September 27^th. In my acceptance comments, I explained the purpose and membership requirements of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. We are combat and support personnel who have served in a combat zone, but today, we are strong supporters of our community and our veterans, everywhere.

This is a prestigious award given to a community group that has made a significant impact on the Arc’s programs.

We were recognized for our Christmas 2008 program where we contributed about $2,000 to purchase items for Arc-supported families. In addition, many of our members made additional personal donations valued at about $1,000.

This project was brought to the Post through Kathy Voss, now a member of our Auxiliary. Many thanks also go to Virginia Neville and her daughter, Beth, for encouraging our veterans to help make a difference in our community.

I thank you all for making this award possible. You made a difference and it was recognized.

Fall Fundraiser is in full swing

2009-09-05T17:43:00.003-04:00

Our first home game at Chapel Hill is with The Citadel. They are a great team, but we are waving our flags and banners for the Tarheels.

The Post and Auxiliary spent the afternoon before the game talking to passersby and getting donations for our project. The winning ticket holder gets two season tickets for every home basketball game at the Dean Smith Center.

This year's fund raiser benefits long-term patients at the Durham VA Medical Center. The VA spends a lot of money on transportation for these vets and that can be a show stopper, if they are short on funds. The solution is getting the patients a van. Our post will work with other District 6 and State Posts to raise the money needed.

Post Honors Area Vets with a Day at the Ball Park

2009-08-06T17:50:00.007-04:00

That's right, the Post provided 60 seats at this coming Sunday's Durham Bulls game to local veterans and their families. This did not include the 30 plus seats that some members bought for their own families.

All seats were provided to non-members of the Post. The only criteria was that they were veterans and no strings were attached. Well, we did attach a note to show the benefactors.

It was a fun experience walking up to a veteran and thanking them for their service. Many were surprised that anyone knew they served. Each were given two tickets to the game Sunday against the Syracuse Chiefs (Washington). Some, with children, were given extra because we know that a ball game is no fun without beaming kids and budding memories of times with Dad.

This Post project is in conjunction with the Durham Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA). The VVA also provided tickets to patients of the Mapleview Veterans Facility in Durham and TROSA Durham.

Many of our members are also members of the VVA, as was our Senior Vice Commander, Colonel Larry Jakes, USAF (Retired).

My personal thanks to the members for helping make this special project possible. Our guests will join Disabled American Veterans and many other service members at the DAP.

Loss of Larry H. Jakes, LTC, USAF

2009-07-31T12:29:00.005-04:00

We lost a valued comrade this past week and he will be sorely missed. Larry was a motivator, inspiration, and doer within the Post. He was always there ready to help in any way he could. There were many a time when this post commander was in need of help and a buddy to attend to Post business. He was at the ready and always responded with, "Why Not? I can help."

I joked with him a lot and we had a little Navy to Air Force rivalry. My favorite comeback to his flying vs. Navy flying was that our sea air bases changed their longitudes and latitudes, and if that was not enough, they moved the landing field to port and starboard and dropped 1 to 30 feet or jumped up at you! That was always worth a good laugh.

A good man, a good friend, and a patriot, that was Colonel Jakes. His service was yesterday at St. Thomas More Catholic Church in Chapel Hill. The service was well attended by family, friends, and comrades from the many fraternal organizations he was a member of. The Air Force sent a Honor Guard from Pope Air Force Base. They were one of the best honor guards that this writer has ever seen. Totally professional and in league with the finest at Arlington. A fitting farewell tribute to an American Fighting Man.

District Meeting Saturday

2009-07-31T12:17:00.003-04:00

District 6 is meeting tomorrow in Mebane at the Mebane Arts and Community Center.

This is our first meeting with our new District Commander, Ken Sellers. Let's give Ken a lot of support and attend the meeting.

The Mebane Arts and Community Center is located at 633 Corigidor St., Mebane. Here is a link to their site and a map.

July 4th Parade in Caldwell

2009-06-03T18:19:00.007-04:00

Celebrate an Old-Tyme 4th of July with the smells, feel, and colors that your Dad remembers and has told you about. Yes, you, too, can experience a July 4th parade that is reminiscent of the '50's when Orange County was alive with patriotism, marching soldiers, and with bands playing and flags a-waving.

We don't have a band, but we have music blaring from floats and horses and cars and trucks of every description. The local veterans lead the parade followed by the Knights of Columbus Color Corps from Msgr. Francis K. O'Brien Assembly in Burlington. They have added color and patriotism to the parade for about five years and come back each year to the cheers and praise of the local Caldwell community.

How can you participate? Just be there at about 10 a.m. on July 4th. If you come early, it is okay. But, don't be put off by the lack of a crowd and just a blinking yellow light at the crossroads on NC57. Just put your chair down and sit awhile. The crowds start to gather along Guess Road starting at the Caldwell Volunteer Fire Station at 7020 Guess Road. At 10:30 the crowds will double, and double again. They will line up all the way to the Caldwell Community Center, located about a mile past NC57 on Guess Road.

At 11:00 a.m. the flashing yellow light at NC57 and Guess Road is changed to a stop light and all traffic, accept for the parade, stops. And, if you are lucky enough to hit the light at 11 a.m., you may well be selected as Parade Grand Marshal! As the parade approaches the crossroads, all goes silent and the parade stops to honor Old Glory and the we sing the National Anthem.

BRING YOUR FAMILY. BRING YOUR CHILDREN. WEAR RED, WHITE AND BLUE. Kids are invited to ride their bikes and pull their decorated wagons in the parade.

Local veterans and the Knights of Columbus are leading the parade, so they arrive at the community center early. We all sit back and enjoy the rest of the parade as it arrives.

For VFW Veterans and the Knights of Columbus and their families, we will have Hot Dogs at the end of the parade. We encourage all members bring their family picnic lunch and a little extra to share.

We need all veterans to join in and walk the parade route following the color guard. Wear your VFW cap and a uniform item. Several of us will carry banners and Post 9100 colors. District 6 will also provide colors and the district colors. If you can't walk the parade, head to the community center and put your chair along the side of the road near our VFW Post canopy. Just be sure to stand tall when Old Glory pass you by and render a salute.

Directions: Take Highway 57 from Hillsborough to Roxboro.Turn right at first flashing yellow light. Meet at the Caldwell Firehouse. Everyone meets at 10:30.

Post Decorates Local Veterans Graves

2009-05-24T12:22:00.003-04:00

Veterans of Foreign Wars and American Legion veterans, joined by their wives, children and grandchildren, descended upon Memorial Cemetery on Legion Road, at 6:30 a.m. today to decorate the graves of military men and women.

Flags were placed on every grave identified as that of a veteran. “We put flags out on the first day of the three-day holiday weekend to bring attention to the sacrifices of our veterans,” said Lee Heavlin, VFW Post Commander. “You can see them waving over the graves from US 15-501. Those visiting the cemetery this weekend and on Memorial Day will be greeted by a sea of American Flags. They will know that we took time to remember those who are buried here,” he said.

A call for “Attention to Colors” was played by bugle. This call is the warning given on ships not underway and naval shore commands to alert everyone that the National Ensign would soon rise to the top of the command flag gaff. This was followed by a brief memorial service at 8 a.m., the normal time of assembly or formation of troops for the day.

At the conclusion of the ceremonies, Taps was played.

Attending the ceremony were representatives of local Boy Scout Troop 835 and veterans from World War II, Korea, and Vietnam. American Legion Post Commander Robert Patton also attended. He recently returned from a memorial service in Mauthausen, Austria, a former concentration camp. Bob Patton was part of the liberating forces and he and others were honored for their efforts to memorialize the loss of life at Mauthausen.

The decoration of graves is a tradition that started 141 years ago, after the Civil War, with the declaration of Decoration Day on May 30th, 1868. It was renamed Memorial Day in 1968.

Memorial Day Preparations Underway

2009-05-18T01:01:00.010-04:00

This coming Saturday morning, May 23rd, we are gathering at about 6:30 a.m. at the Chapel Hill Cemetery on Legion Road to carpet the cemetery with flags. The result is stunning, as there are many graves identified as that of a veteran.

We will have Boy Scouts, friends of veterans, American Legionnaires, and members of our Post doing the honors. We will follow the flag laying with a special Memorial Service at 8 a.m. Taps will be played at the conclusion of the ceremony. This event is open to the public.

On Monday, the veterans will return for a morning service at 8 a.m. followed by an Open House at the American Legion Post at 1714 Legion Road.

A special remembrance: Major Daniel Murphy, U.S. Army, former Post Commander and a former District Commander, passed away this past year. He is pictured here participating in our decoration of graves in 2008. He is sorely missed.

Ladies Auxiliary Chartered

2009-05-11T00:15:00.004-04:00

After many years of trying, the Post is proud to announce that we now have a Chapel Hill VFW Ladies Auxiliary. This is a great milestone in the history of our community as the Ladies Auxiliary is a strong advocate and supporter of Veterans. Membership in the Auxiliary is local supporters of our veterans.

Virginia Neville of Chapel Hill was elected the Charter President. Watch our post web site for more details about the auxiliary and to learn how to join this fine group.

For more information about the VFW Ladies Auxiliary, visit the National web site.

Civil Air Patrol Honored

2009-05-10T23:55:00.004-04:00

The Post recently honored three cadets of the Hillsborough Civil Air Patrol at an honors ceremony.

Cadet 1st Lieutenant Daniel Kong, Cadet 2nd Lieutenant Garrett Dahms, and Cadet Command Master Sergeant Johnny Rubow received a Veterans of Foreign Wars certificate and medal in recognition of their leadership and outstanding service in the Civil Air Patrol. Representing the post for the Air Force was LTC Lawrence Jakes, USAF (Ret.)

The three cadets are also members of the unit Color Guard which received top honors recently. The North Carolina Wing website reports, "The cadet color guard competition with the Middle East Region was added 10-years ago and this was the first year that the NC Wing has taken both titles—color guard and drill team—for the region. Both teams will advance to the national competition in June."

The Post was honored to participate in this recognition ceremony as a representative of the North Carolina Department, Veterans of Foreign Wars. Representing the Civil Air Patrol was Colonel Roy W. Douglass, Wing Commander.

We Make a Difference in Chapel Hill

2008-12-23T09:10:00.002-05:00

Today’s Chapel Hill Herald (part of the Durham Herald-Sun) has a lead story above the fold on the VFW Chapel Hill Post and American Legion Post’s joint participation in a Make a Wish-type Christmas Tree. If you recall, this is the tree loaded with requests for Christmas gifts for ARC-supported families. The total value of the tree was about $1,500.

The members of the Post voted to fund all gifts not picked by our members. The support was outstanding. Some members took two or three gift requests. Some took more. The American Legion members took care of the remaining requests. All gifts were purchased in time for delivery yesterday.

The story may be found at the Chapel Hill Herald web site.

A special thank you goes to Garland and Virginia Neville. Their work on the project was significant. They helped make a lot of dreams come true. On behalf of the membership, I salute them for a Job Well Done! They and all of our members are the face of the VFW in our local community. We can be proud of the things we are doing in Chapel Hill to make a difference and to promote patriotism and the Veterans of Foreign Wars as a civic organization..

Carolina Basketball Raffle Results - 2008

2008-11-29T19:51:00.003-05:00

Each year the C V Cummings Chapel Hill Post has held a Raffle of two season tickets to Carolina Basketball. This is for each home game of the season.

As is our tradition, immediately following today's UNC Chapel Hill - Duke Basketball game, we have drawn one winning ticket.

This year the phone rang, and rang, and rang. No answer. Just a voice message recording, "... please leave your name and number at the tone." We did and in just about 15 minutes we got a call back from Larry Cribb of Jacksonville, NC. He was shocked and excited. He could not believe his fortune.

Larry said, "I always buy tickets from the Vets. This year I was there for the UNC-NC State game and i made it a point to participate. I asked them, "Are you going to call me if I win?" He went on to say that he did not expect to win, he just wanted to support the Veterans.

Congratulations, Larry. Your winning tickets will be on their way to you on Monday via. UPS Letter Delivery. Send us a few snapshots of you with family and friends. It is not often that we get such an opportunity to wave the flag of success. You are Carolina bound! See you at the Dome!

We hope you enjoy your seats, and we thank you for helping our Veterans.

Veterans Day Successes

2008-11-24T19:46:00.003-05:00

We had a very productive Veterans Day program. Our Post gave out Buddy Poppies to shoppers at the Chapel Hill University Mall. This was a first time in many, many years that the VFW has been given the opportunity to give away poppies in the mall.

Thanks to the new management we were given a large table in the center court area. We set up several tripods with information on our Post and our community's losses during the current conflict and Desert Storm.

We were on site both Sunday, November 9th, and Veterans Day, November 11th. The generous passersby donated nearly $400. The money from our program goes specifically to help veterans. It does not go into the general fund. We are looking at a way to use some of this fund to help long term patients at the Durham VA Hospital.

Wounded Warriors

2008-11-09T23:32:00.004-05:00

The Post joined with the local Knights of Columbus to raise money for hospitalized amputees at Ft. Bragg and Camp Lejeune. The Knights of St. Thomas More Catholic Church in Chapel Hill held their second annual fund drive on Veterans Day. The collected funds are matched and used to send in-patient amputees home for the Christmas Holidays. Last year there were 145 in-patients and this year the number is about 185.

Funds are raised and passed to The Military Order of the Purple Heart for their North Carolina Wounded Warrior Program. The Post made a donation of $200 and the Knights raised a total of $2,405. Matching funds bring the total Chapel Hill contribution ot $4,210.

On the Eleventh Day of the Eleventh Month

2008-11-08T22:48:00.003-05:00

We have been passing out a lot of Buddy Poppies this past weekend and we found that many people do not know what it is all about. That is sad, because in England, the Poppy is very, very important. The poppy grows in abundance in West Sussex, England, and in Flanders (France). You can read more on the history of the poppy by reading Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae's immortal poem, In Flanders Fields. He was a medical doctor and just buried a close friend when he put pen to paper to capture what he felt and saw.

The Post will remember our fallen soldiers, sailors and airmen by passing out Buddy Poppies at the University Mall on Sunday, November 9th, and on Veterans Day, Tuesday, November 11th, from 1 to 5 p.m. Our poppies are made by hospitalized veterans and given away free to everyone. Of course, you are welcome to leave a donation to defray the cost of making the poppies. We dedicate all monies collected to support a veteran in need. Come on by and visit with the vets. They will be glad to tell you the story of the Buddy Poppy and Flanders Fields.

Mark R. Sumner Honored by France

2008-11-06T00:12:00.005-05:00

It is with great personal pride that I announce that our Mark R. Sumner will receive the French Republic Legion de'Honneur.

The Legion d'Honneur is France's highest decoration. It was established by Napoleon Bonaparte in May 1802 and is awarded for gallantry in action or twenty years distinguished service in military or civilian life.

Here is the official announcement:

Consulat General de France a Atlanta

October 28, 2008

Dear Mr. Sumner,

With endless respect and affection, in recognition of your noble contribution during World War II and in remembrance of those who sacrificed their lives for the cause, a ceremony to bestow upon you the award of the "Legion d'Honneur" will take place at:

North Carolina Museum of History
5 East Edenton Street (between Salisbury and Wilmington Street)
Raleigh, NC 27601-1011

...

In the hope of meeting you on November 11, I would like to thank you again for the incredible service you rendered to my country and assure you of my deepest gratitude.

Sincerely,
Philippe Ardanaz
Consul General

New Videos Tell Our Story

2008-10-10T18:22:00.008-04:00

They often say that pictures and music convey more than our words. The soft blend of music with pictures of our Post in action bring a tear to a comrade's eye.

Take a moment to view our lastest short video. As we prepare for Veterans Day, it is good to remember what we are all about.

If you are new to our Post web site or blog, may this video encourage you to join the VFW. If you are a business, I think it will show that we are proud to have served our Country. We are now serving you and the Chapel Hill community.

Basketball Raffle and Poppy Event

2008-09-07T22:44:00.003-04:00

We have kicked off our fall basketball raffle sales. We will be in front of the Chapel Hill Downtown Post Office each Saturday when there is a home game. This is a significant fundraiser for the post.

Our first event was on Aug 26th. Plenty of tickets were sold and we had a lot of fun meeting people and telling them the VFW story.

Carpeting Chapel Hill Memorial Cemetery May 23rd with a Sea of Flags

2008-05-20T23:31:00.005-04:00

The year was 2007 and several men of the VFW, American Legion, and St. Thomas More Church met to place flags on the graves of Chapel Hill veterans. Joining them were a daughter and granddaughter. The mission was clear… Place one flag on the grave of each found veteran. The instructions to the youngest, Leanna Long, were from her mother. “When you see a stone, read aloud the name of the person. Take a moment to remember them.”

One by one she found a stone. They were easy to find. Some were for Navy, some for Army, some were Marines. There were emblems of Army Air Corps, medics, and signs of valor. Some were buried alone, and some were with a spouse, a mother, a sister, or a brother. One by one their names were read aloud and a flag pushed firmly into the soil. A little nine-year-old daughter and granddaughter (pictured below), who shared in a recent journey to Arlington National Cemetery, remembered, respected, and honored.

“If you visit a cemetery,” her grandfather would say, “remember that a person is never really gone if you stop and read their stone. They are remembered.” Words heard by a daughter and passed on to her own daughter. This is the essence of Memorial Day. It is a tradition passed from father to son, mother to daughter, soldier to soldier. We, the men and women of Post 9100, take time each year not to run to the beach or local picnic, but to honor those who left their homes, their families, their friends to take up arms in defense of their Nation.

This year we are joined by Cub Scouts, Girl Scouts, and high school students. We are happy to have the young of our community join us to learn more about their heritage and their history.

What are you doing on Memorial Day? Visit our web site for our weekend events and schedule.

Memorial Day Approaches

2008-04-30T17:10:00.005-04:00

Originally known as Decoration Day and first held on May 30, 1868, Memorial Day is a special day to remember our fallen heroes. It is also a time to recognize the sacrifices of our present day soldiers, sailors and airmen who are serving today around the world.

Thanks to the joint cooperation of the VFW and American Legion Post Commanders, we are going to have a very special Memorial Day commemoration. Click here for more details.

It all starts on Saturday, May 24th. We are going to blanket the Chapel Hill Cemetery with flags Friday night. Then we will have a special ceremony at 8 a.m. on Saturday. In the Navy, this is the traditional Morning Colors. We will have one or more local pastors/deacons joining us for the event. Our Comrade Garland Neville is officiating. We expect to have the ceremony open with a vocalist solo.

On Sunday, we will tend the graves of our veterans and assist families visiting the cemetery.

Monday, May 26th, is our big event at the American Legion Post, 1714 Legion Road. Veterans groups from the area are joining us. This includes the Disabled American Veterans, Seabee Veterans of America, Vietnam Helicopter Pilot's Association, Vietnam Veterans, and Rolling Thunder. We hope to be joined by some active duty service men and women. We have invited the North Carolina National Guard to join us.

The day starts at 9 a.m. with an Open House that continues to 3 p.m. Formal ceremonies will begin at 11 a.m. Our guest of honor and speaker is Navy Captain Ted Triebel, retired. He is a Vietnam veteran and fighter pilot. He flew F4 Phantom jets over North Vietnam, was shot down, captured, and interred.

We will have static displays outside, vintage military equipment, and a Vietnam veteran helicopter. Some current military equipment is also expected. We will have both the Chapel Hill Police and Fire Departments with us and they will demonstrate some of their current programs. Music will be provided in the afternoon by the Village Band.

Inside the Post we will have displays of memorabilia from all periods of conflict from the World War II era to present. Each hour we will have something going on. Veterans from each conflict will spend about 30 minutes in a panel to answer questions about their conflict, life in the service, and as a veteran.

We are serving free Coca-Cola soft drinks and at 12 noon we will serve hot dogs to our guests.

See our full schedule.

A special thanks from all our veterans goes to Dan Shannon, publisher of the Chapel Hill Magazine. He has been very helpful in assisting the veterans and his magazine is sponsoring the event.

We hope you will join us. Stop by for a hour or stay the day. Take time to remember and give thanks.

History in the Making - Will you be there?

2008-04-10T23:04:00.003-04:00

Many of you are totally unaware of the events on April 26^th at the State Capitol.

It is the LARGEST PARADE IN NORTH CAROLINA HISTORY. It is history in the making. It may be the largest event you will have have an opportunity to witness in your lifetime.

You, as a patriotic citizen, and as a member of one of the many military veterans organizations, should be there.

Follow this link for full details

Here is the event’s official site by going to Salute Our NC Troops.org and find even more details.

Wear your patriotic attire. Take your kids and grandchildren. What more can I say?

I shall be there.