Newsletter: May/June 2008

We have been notified that the following members of Post 3404 have passed away since the last newsletter.

Ronald L. Crawford: August 1, 2008. He was a U.S. Marine and a Vietnam Veteran. He was a Life Member of Post 3404.

Raymond A. Monette: August 20, 2008. He retired after 31 years of service in the Marine Corps, and was a Veteran of WW II. He was a Life Member of Post 3404 and was a member of the Veteran's Memorial Team.

Report from the Veterans Commission:

Nothing reported.

Bernadette Miller, Missouri Veterans Commission

Where and how do I get a copy of my DD214?

Perhaps the best way would be to call the Missouri Veterans Commission at 895-6532. Tell the Service Officer that you want a copy of your DD214 and need the Standard Form 180 or SF 180(a formal request for records). Tell them if you need help filling out the form and they may ask you to come in.

The Missouri Veterans Commission's new location is 1410 S. Kansas Expressway (at the corner of Bennett and Kansas Exp.) Springfield

You can also go online and print out the SF180 and the Instruction and Information Sheet which has a chart showing the location (address) of the military records of each of the services. This will tell you the address where you must send your completed SF 180.

e-mail: www.vetrecs.archives.gov.

You may also pick up a copy of the SF 180 at Post 3404 during the hours we're open.

This article was written at the request of a VFW member.

From Pow/MIA Chairman

What Would You Say?

What would you say to a POW - just released - if he entered your post or home for the first time? I've asked that question of many people, especially veterans, in the last few weeks. I've gotten a lot of "Welcome homes", and then silence. I will leave it up to each and everyone of you to answer that question. If you would like to share your thoughts, feel free to e-mail me at jpsmithbergGwahoo.com If you will let me share some of them, please say so in your letter or e-mail Thanks.

Well, what would I say? The word "sorry" would have to be used over and over. Sorry I didn't do this. Sorry I didn't do that. Sorry I didn't do more. I would be especially angry at myself for admitting to him that most people, even veterans, thought that the government was doing all it could. I would be saddened and embarrassed.

On another note, I would like to share some of my interview with a local ww it POW who spent time in German camps. While in prison, this poor man thought at one time that he had one more week at most to live. Along with thousands of others, he was being starved to death. He had lost over one hundred pounds and could barely walk. Thank God, he was liberated just in lime. Keep praying.

Post 3404 is looking for any other ex POWS in the area. We would like to invite them to our POW recognition ceremony on the 19th of September. Please ask them to notify the Post or me(889-7052) or jpsmithberg@yahoo.com

John Smithberg

Pow/MIA Chairman

THANK YOU!

A huge Thank You to the following members of Post 3404:

"Monday Morning Cleanup Crew"• Tommy Ginger, Warren George, George Smith, Larry
McKinnis, John Smithberg, Kevin Young, Buck Leonard, Joe Sanchez, Gary Stamper,
and Clarence Donaldson.

Bingo Workers: Bettie Hickman, John & Ginny Smithberg, Kim Stacye, Gary Stamper,
George & Judy Smith, Bill & Rita St. Gemme, Warren George, Kevin Young, Larry
McKinnis, Pam Hensley, Al Klebofski, Ron Stacye, Joye Kane, and Gene Emerson.

Newsletter: Printing, Copying, and Mailing: Nancy & Warren George.

Folders/Labelers: George & Judy Smith, Joye Kane, Tommy Ginger, Bill & Rita St. Gemme,
Clarence & Nancy Donaldson, and Peter Holpmann.

Donations for Postage: Ron Hemstead and Edward & Lois Schmidt.

Lawn Mowing: Larry Hartman. Special Thanks to Gaytha and David Anderson for mowing
while Larry was off for a couple of weeks.

4th of July Dinner: Ron Stacye and John Smithberg for helping cook the food.
Ladies who helped by serving the food: Ginny Smithberg, Kim Stacy; Linda Camp,
Patsy Tipton, and Nancy George.

Congratulations!

BINGO WORKERS

-WANTED­

TO SELL PULL TABS