As we start a New Year, I personally want to wish everyone a very Healthy and Happy New Year.
One thing I would like to begin with this year is to let veterans know the reason we should belong to a veteran’s organization such as the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States.
Among the many reasons for being a member is the fact that over the last 100 years since the VFW has been in existence, it has been on the forefront in working for veterans rights.
Over the years, especially after WWII when membership boomed, our membership has fallen.
When an organization has a great number of members their power is much greater in Washington, DC as our congressmen and senators, whatever party they are associated with, listen much more to our agenda.
Politicians are a breed in themselves. They look at numbers and a powerful number of members means votes, in many cases that seems to be the bottom line.
I have been on the legislative committee and met with the legislators in Albany, and they listen, although it takes a bit of time to get them to understand what we feel we deserve.
The larger our contingent, it seems that they become more interested in what we are asking for.
Whichever veterans’ organization, VFW or American Legion, consider joining and be a part of helping yourself and other veterans.
As I have said in previous articles, veterans help veterans. To do that with a bit of power, we need numbers.
Just before Christmas our Post traveled to Stratton VA hospital where we, along with the Windham Rotary, donated $500 gift cards each.
The volunteer group give to veterans in need with food items, clothing and supplies. The one thing that they do not have is refrigeration.
They use our gift cards to Hannaford to purchase milk, butter etc. that they do not have at Stratton VA.
We also met with a few veterans while we were there and, just to hand them a welcome home and a handshake, meant a lot to them.
I had one of my daughters with me and the veterans she met were so thankful to her. She undoubtedly never saw so many old veterans besides me.
This week’s MIA update is U.S. Army Air Forces Staff Sgt. John H. Danneker, 19, killed during World War II. In June 1944, Danneker was assigned to the 565th Bombardment Squadron, 389th Bombardment Group, 2nd Combat Bomb Wing, 2nd Air Division, 8th Air Force, in the European Theater. On June 20, Danneker, the left waist gunner onboard a B-24J “Liberator” bomber, went missing in action when his plane crashed into the Baltic Sea off the coast of Denmark after colliding with another B-24 in the same formation. The pilot and co-pilot of Danneker’s aircraft were able to bail out and survived, but all evidence points to the rest of the crew being killed in the crash. The U.S. War Department issued a Finding of Death for Danneker on June 21, 1945.
In early 1948, the American Graves Registration Command (AGRC), the organization that searched for and recovered fallen American personnel in the European Theater, investigated the crash, but were unable to find any of the missing crewmen. Over the next couple of years, the AGRC also assessed unidentified remains that washed ashore in the area where Danneker’s aircraft crashed but were not able to identify any of the crew. Danneker was declared non-recoverable on May 12, 1950.
Start our new year by remembering the brave who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our Country and always keep our troops still serving in your thoughts and prayers. God Bless America.
Marc Farmilette, VFW Post Past Commander
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