Dear Fellow Comrades,
This month has been another very busy one. Betty & I attended the VFW National Convention in Orlando, Florida 16-22 August. We had a great time and met several old friends and made many more new ones. The weather could have been a lot nicer though. We arrived in Sunny Florida on Saturday with heat & humidity and then Tropical Storm Fay arrived on Sunday with rain and wind. I guess you can say most of the convention was a blow out with 40-60 mph winds and lots of rain.
Besides endless meeting during the convention we also had time for a little socializing in the various department hospitality rooms. Some of the highlights of the convention included, Senator McCain on Monday, Senator Obama on Tuesday and President Bush on Wednesday. At the convention banquet, Ann Margaret and Mickey Rooney were presented the VFW Hall of Fame Awards for all the work they have done during USO shows around the world. General Pete Pace (Former Chairman Joint Chief of Staff) was also presented the VFW Dwight D. Eisenhower Distinguished Service Award.
The annual OTI “Officer Training Institute” classes were held at Wisconsin Rapids on the 25-26th of July and Commander Anderson and I attending. Ben, Betty and I also attending the VFW King Day on the 27th and had a great time.
On 02 August several members from various 9th District posts visited the VA Homeless Center at Klein Hall in Chippewa Falls. We presented them with boxes of donated items and then had a tour of the facilities. We were all very impressed with the facility. They are still in need of several items. If you have any items to donate, contact Herb Zimmer or me and I will make sure they are delivered.
On August 20 & 21 the VFW Department of Wisconsin sponsored a picnic for 3400 Army National Guard Unit members at Fort McCoy. I was unable to attend as I was still in Florida but heard it was a great success. I had many compliments from many VFW National officer and committee members during the convention that praised us for planning such a great event for our troops.
13 September will be the 9th District Fall Conference and that will be held at Post 305 in Eau Claire. I would like to see several members from our post attend this meeting.
- **** If you know of any member who is sick or could use some sunshine, please contact Ted Kuchera at 434-3123.
Upcoming Event:
7 Sep - Barron County ALL Veterans Picnic (Cameron)
13 Sep - 9th District Fall Conference (Eau Claire Post 305)
16 Sep - Monthly Meeting
Yours in Comradeship,
John L. Fredrickson
9th District Commander