Recently, VA announced a budget shortfall that may delay the timely delivery of benefits to people nationwide. Veterans, family members, and caregivers have earned VA benefits through service, and we are frustrated to hear certain VA benefits may not be adequately funded through the end of the fiscal year. This is not a problem caused by Congress, however, our elected officials in Washington D.C. have the responsibility to ensure benefits are paid on time to those who have earned them. Each year Congress has provided VA with the resources it requested for veterans’ care and benefits, and they must ensure that happens this time as well. Congress must pass a supplemental funding bill by September 20th to make sure veterans, survivors, and caregivers receive their next months’ benefit payment without interruption. Congress must also hold VA accountable to make sure issues like this don’t happen in the future. This accountability though can happen AFTER Congress provides supplemental funding, so veterans, survivors, and caregivers don’t go without, or face financial difficulties due to inadequate government funding. VFW Asks Congress to pass the Veterans Benefits Continuity and Accountability Supplemental Appropriations Act to provide supplemental funding for VA benefits in order to make sure these vital programs are funded through the end of the fiscal year. Do not make veterans, survivors, and caregivers struggle unnecessarily due to inaccurate budget estimates. Our post is always looking for new members. This past months meeting we had one new member join our ranks and I’m sure that there are more veterans on the mountaintop who qualify for membership and we welcome them to come and see what we are all about. I met a Vietnam veteran the other day and introduced myself to him and welcomed him home. I also asked if he was a member of the VFW. He said no and didn’t want to join. In a way I could see myself about 20 plus years ago being introduced to join the post by then commander Ron Delong and my initial response was no to him. Being a bit pushy, he convinced me to come and see the post and after some convincing I joined. The fact that I found out about some of the VA benefits that I was intitled to receive, the comradery and being a part of a great group of veterans form past wars and Vietnam veterans I found myself enjoying myself. I had always stayed away from even letting anyone know I served in Vietnam due to the horrendous treatment we received upon coming home. I kind of felt that we were not welcome home so why bother. Subsequently I found that I was not the only one who felt that way. Being welcomed by WWII and Korean veterans at the post was a welcome I never thought was possible. We honor each other and the big part of being a member is helping veterans whenever and however we can. This week is the 23rd anniversary of the terrorist attacks that changed America forever. The memories of that day are still vivid, but the heroism that emerged from the rubble of the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and in the air above a rural Pennsylvania field should inspire us for generations to come. As we remember 9/11 and the nearly 3,000 innocent lives lost that terrible day, the VFW hopes all Americans pause to reflect and keep in mind those who continue to sacrifice in the defense of freedom. On a community note, this Saturday September 14th the Windham Rotary will be holding a Food Truck Festival at Ashland Town Park from 4pm till 8pm. Come and have a taste of some of what the food truck vendors are offering. Admission is free and music will keep you entertained. At our post starting every Thursday at 6pm you can join the Mountaintop Corn hole group and enjoy some competition and fun trying to get that bean bag into the hole. For information, please contact Jason Post at 518-337-9406. A reminder to all veterans and community, the WAJCS will be holding a POW/MIA assembly on September 20th in the school gymnasium starting at 1:15. Our post will perform a flag folding ceremony along with a POW/MIA table ceremony. I want to thank Melissa Palumbo and all the teachers, along with the administration for putting this on. They all do such a great job instilling patriotism in the students. Remember the following POW/MIA: The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency announced three burial updates for service members who have been missing and unaccounted for from World War II and the Korean War. The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) announced today that U.S. Army Pvt. Robert L. Skaar, 18, of La Crosse, Wisconsin, killed during World War II, was accounted for June 7, 2024. In early 1945, Skaar was assigned to Company C, 1st Battalion, 222nd Infantry Regiment, 42nd Infantry Division. On March 10, Skaar was killed in action while his unit was on patrol near Wildenguth, France. The Germans never reported Skaar as a prisoner of war, and his remains were not immediately recovered. The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) announced today that U.S. Army Air Forces Sergeant Henry H. Packard, 34, of Plymouth, New Hampshire, who was captured and died as a prisoner of war during World War II, was accounted for November 30, 2023. In summer 1942, Packard was a member of the Chemical Warfare Service, U.S. Army, when Japanese forces invaded the Philippine Islands in December. Intense fighting continued until the surrender of the Bataan peninsula on April 9, 1942, and of Corregidor Island on May 6, 1942. The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) announced today that U.S. Army Private 1st Class Robert J. Wright Jr, 20, of Hollybrook, Virginia, who died as a prisoner of war during the Korean War, was accounted for Apr. 28, 2023. In late 1950, Wright was a member of G Company, 2nd Battalion, 38th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division, Eighth U.S. Army. He was reported missing in action on Nov. 30, 1950, after his unit attempted to withdraw from Kunu-ri, North Korea, on Nov. 30, following the Battle of Ch’ongch’on. In 1953, two POWs who returned during Operation Big Switch reported Wright had been a prisoner of war and died in March 1951 at Prisoner of War Camp #5. We just had our Presidential debate this past week and remember that it is the Veteran, not the Politician, who has given us the right to vote. God Bless America and keep our military who are serving our country around the world in your thoughts and prayers.
Marc Farmilette – Commander VFW Post 1545. | 
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