Title: Hannibal Days
Location: Hannibal, MO
Description: Hannibal Days will be held on March 2 and March 3 this year. Events will include both a brunch and banquet plus a variety of speakers. Tickets are available for the brunch ($30), banquet ($35), or you may sign up for all of the events for $40. If you cannot attend either of these you may sign up for just the speaking events for $25. For more details contact Norbert Shacklette at 314-609-8981
Start Date: 2012-03-02
End Date: 2012-03-03
Browsing Posts published by namvet
This Saturday, January 28th, St. Lous is hosting a parade to thank our American servicemen and women for the sacrifices they and their families have endured for the last nine years. This is the first parade of this nature in the entire country. This is a great example of what grassroots organizing can do. This parade has been organized by individuals utilizing facebook, twitter and other social media. Read the story here: http://www.examiner.com/progressive-in-national/st-louis-to-host-nation-s-first-welcome-home-parade-for-iraqi-war-veterans
Rachel Maddow just covered this event last night on MSNBC, and the story is going viral.
“The Super Bowl doesn’t happen until two weekends from now—you wanna know what happens next weekend? St. Louis happens,” explained Rachel Maddow on her MSNBC program last night. “St. Louis, Missouri is set to be the first city in the United States to host a welcome home parade for veterans of the Iraq War.”
The parade will start at noon on Saturday, January 28th, at Kiener Plaza in front of the historic Old Courthouse and head west to end at Saint Louis Union Station.
There will be a Veteran’s Resource Village with 100 Veteran organizations tabling located at the end of the parade route at the St. Louis Union Station.
To help volunteer or for more information please visit: http://january28group.org/ or call Craig Schneider at 636-262-3772.
If you are a veteran or currently on active military duty stop into a local Applebee’s on Friday, November 11, 2011 to get your Veteran’s day free meal. You’ll be able to choose a meal from a limited menu that includes steak, cheeseburgers, chicken tenders, salad, pasta, chicken, and shrimp. This deal is dine-in only and beverages and gratuity are not included.
You will need to bring in one proof of military service such as a U.S. Uniform Service ID card, U.S. Uniform Services Retired ID card, current Leave and Earnings statement, photograph in uniform, be wearing your uniform, or a veterans organization card such as American Legion or VFW, or a DD214.
The closest Applebee’s locations are:
1960 Washington Crossing, Washington, MO (636-390-9714)
314 South Service Road East, Sullivan, MO (573-860-2143)
198 Eureka Town Center Drive, Eureka, MO (636-398-7400)
Friday Nov. 11 is Veterans Day and we would like to take a moment to thank all of the Veterans, past and present, who have sacrificed so much on our behalf. Your efforts represent a debt that cannot easily be repaid, if at all.
Let’s not forget those still in harm’s way, or who have been injured and are fighting to recover. A special thanks to all the families supporting each and every servicemember – you are “veterans” as well. Thank you.
Please take a moment to watch this video tribute to those who have given so much for their country.
Clyde Voelkerding (chairman of the Franklin County Democratic Central Committee) recently won a $1000 gas card through the Red Cross “Be Extraordinary” campaign. Clyde donates blood platelets once a month at the Red Cross Apheresis Center in Krakow. The “Be Extraordinary” program runs through Labor Day weekend. Anyone who attempts to donate blood at a Red Cross blood drive or donation center will automatically be entered in a drawing to win a $250 gas card. If you donate blood during the Labor Day weekend you will be eligible to win a $1000 gas card. A new winner will be drawn every week during the campaign.
Clyde Voekerding shown above receiving his gas card from RN Tech Kathleen Rosen
Clyde commented:
I have watched through the years the great work that the Red Cross has done throughout the U.S. and around the world when people are struggling with disasters, natural and otherwise,” he says. “I wanted to make a small contribution to those efforts, and for a long time I simply gave blood regularly. Later, I was inspired by my mother’s participation in the apheresis program…It’s a great feeling to know that the time spent giving is helping so many others.”
The American Red Cross is currently under a national appeal to blood donors to help with a critical shortage of blood donations. All blood types are needed, especially O negative.
For your chance to be entered into a drawing for a gas card, visit www.redcrossblood.org or call 1-800 RED CROSS and schedule an appointment to give blood or platelets at a drive or donation center near you. The Red Cross thanks donors like Voelkerding who, through their generous blood donations, help save thousands of lives every year.
Although the default rate for VA backed mortgages is well below the national rate for prime loans, in todays economy veterans might find themselves behind in payments. The VA has prepared a quick reference guide to avoid foreclosure and guide veterans to available resources. This assistance is available to any veteran. The VA suggests that any veteran who may be encountering a problem making their mortgage payments speak with their lending institution to explore their options. Depending on the specific situation there are several options that will avoid foreclosure. Some of the options available are:
1) Alternate repayment plan
2) Special forbearance
3) Loan modification
4) Additional time to arrange a sale
5) Short sale
6) Deed in lieu of foreclosure
7) Plus other options that the VA has available
The above options plus other solutions are explained in greater detail in the VA reference guide “Veterans Borrowers in Delinquency Quick Reference Sheet”.
Across the country, there are many benefit programs that many veterans are often unaware they could be taking advantage of. One of the first persons to contact will be your contact your local Veterans’ Services Officer (VSO). The VSO usually has an office in City Hall or other municipal building. The VSO can be a tremendous advocate in educating veterans about available options and assisting them in applying for assistance. To expedite your initial entry into the veterans’ benefits process, you will need your DD214 or other discharge certificate. You can also learn more about veterans’ benefits by visiting the Department of Veterans’ Affairs Veterans Benefits website at www.vba.va.gov.
To learn more about your state’s veteran benefits, visit the Military.com State Veteran’s Benefits Directory
Your VSO for Franklin County is Mary Kientzy. Her office is located at the County Government Center, 400 East Locust, Room 205. She is not there every day so it would be best if you call first (636-584-6211) or email at mary.kientzy@mvc.dps.gov
VA benefits checks will soon be a thing of the past. The U.S. Department of the Treasury recently announced that as of May 1, anyone applying for Social Security, VA or other federal benefits will need to choose an electronic payment method because paper checks will no longer be an option. Additionally, people currently receiving federal benefits by check, including payments from the VA, must switch to direct deposit by March 1, 2013. Information about the change in the delivery of benefit payments, as well as application procedures, are posted on the federal Go Direct website. Assistance is also being offered by the U.S. Treasury Electronic Payment Solution Center for free at (800) 333-1799.
In addition to this ,the Department of Veterans Affairs (through the Treasury Department) will offer beneficiaries without bank accounts the option to enroll in the Direct Express debit card program with Commercial Bank. Direct Express payments will be directly deposited into that account and made accessible through a debit card. Personal funds cannot be transferred into this account as it can only be used to receive Federal benefits. Direct Express cardholders have 24/7 access to their money at automated teller machines and are able to make purchases at any retailer that accepts MasterCard.
The Small Business Administration has a program called “Patriot Express” which is designed to offer special loan guarantees to small businesses owned by veterans, reservists, and their spouses. As you are aware many federal programs have been cut in recent months but the SBA recently announced that this particular program has been extended for 3 years.
These loans can be used for most business purposes including start-up, expansion, equipment purposes, working capital, inventory or business related real estate purposes. Patriot Express loans are available up to $500,000 and are offered by the SBA’s network of participating lenders and have a fast turn-around time for loan approval.
Patriot Express loans feature the SBA’s lowest interest rates for business loans, generally 2.25 percent to 4.75 percent over prime depending upon the size and maturity of the loan. Your local SBA district office will have a listing of Patriot Express lenders in your area.
For more information on SBA loans you can go to the SBA website
Local veterans now have a VA community based outpatient clinic at their disposal. Located in Washington on Roy Drive between Fantastic Sams and Hibbett Sports, the clinic can be used for most primary care needs. If you currently used the VA facilities in St. Louis or Columbia you can have your records transferred by just visiting the clinic or calling 1-800-228-5459 ext. 57950. The clinic will be open from 8:00am to 4:00pm Monday through Friday. Patients who need specialty care will still have to go to a main VA hospital but the Washington facility can take care of most routine medical issues. For more information please call the clinic at the number listed above.
