This year’s Super Bowl is in the books, with the Eagles securing a dominant win. I was surprised by Kansas City’s performance, though the Eagles certainly played a big role in that.
Last week, I mentioned that I was hoping the Eagles would pull off an upset and stop the Kansas City streak, and they did just that. As someone who tends to pick the wrong team, I decided not to place any bets on the game.
It feels like our country is coming together. Of course, it was just a football game, but with the President attending and receiving a warm reception from the crowd, it felt significant.
I didn’t know that a sitting President had never attended a Super Bowl before. The national anthem performance was impressive this year, though I still think Whitney Houston’s rendition is the best.
Our monthly business meeting is this Thursday at 7 pm, and we’re hoping for an update on our bingo license. We were told it might take 4 to 6 weeks for approval. I’ll keep you posted on the progress.
Bingo was a big hit when we had it a few years ago, and I’m looking forward to bringing it back. If you're a veteran and interested in joining our proud organization, we’d be happy to give you a tour and provide more information about membership.
Lately, we’ve had a few requests to use the post facilities for different events, and there are more bookings coming up.
If you have an event on the horizon and think our hall would be a good venue, please reach out to us at vfwpost1545@gmail.com for more details.
Veterans can request a copy of the Federal Benefits for Veterans, Dependents, Survivors, and Caregivers from the VA by visiting www.va.gov/getstarted. It’s a great resource to help you navigate all the benefits available to you.
A quick reminder that the deadline to use your My HealtheVet username and password has been extended to March 4, 2025.
VA Medical Centers are offering in-person assistance to veterans and their families if they’re having trouble switching their My HealtheVet or DS Logon accounts. I’ve had my own struggles with this and can tell you it took me about an hour to get it sorted.
And, to hopefully warm you up a bit, Daylight Savings Time starts on March 9, 2025, just before the first day of spring on March 20, 2025. I can’t wait!
In other news, Douglas A. Collins has been confirmed as the 12th Secretary of Veterans Affairs following a 77–23 vote in the Senate.
He is the first post-9/11 veteran to hold this position. Collins served in the Navy, is a Colonel and Chaplain in the Air Force Reserve, and is a former U.S. Representative from Georgia.
In his message to veterans and VA employees, he emphasized his commitment to delivering timely access to care and benefits, focusing on customer service and convenience, challenging the status quo, and celebrating excellent performance by VA employees while holding those who fall short accountable.
The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) announced today that U.S. Army Air Force 1st Lt. Joe A. De Jarnette, 24, of Fort Thomas, Kentucky, killed during World War II, was accounted for June 20, 2024.
In spring 1944, De Jarnette was assigned to the 732nd Bombardment Squadron, 453rd Bombardment Group, 2nd Combat Bomb Wing, 2nd Air Division, 8th Air Force, in the European Theater. On April 8, De Jarnette, the pilot onboard a B-24H “Liberator,” Little Joe, was killed in action when his plane was shot down by enemy fighter aircraft fire while on a bombing mission to Brunswick, Germany. Airmen aboard other aircraft flying in formation with Little Joe did not report seeing any crewmembers exiting the aircraft before it crashed in the vicinity of Salzwedel. The crash site could not be located by Allied forces during the war, and the remains of all ten crewmembers, including De Jarnette, were unaccounted for following the war.
Between 2021 and 2023, DPAA investigators returned to the crash site and continued investigation, and then excavations and recoveries. By the end of November 2023, all evidence, including possible osseous remains and possible life support equipment, had been recovered and returned to the DPAA laboratory. To identify De Jarnette’s remains, scientists from DPAA used anthropological and dental analysis. Additionally, scientists from the Armed Forces Medical Examiner System used mitochondrial DNA analysis. De Jarnette will be buried in Erlanger, Kentucky, on a date to be determined.
For all you romantics out there, just a reminder that Friday the 14th is Valentine’s Day! No excuses—this year, a box of chocolates or a card would make a lovely gesture. Wishing everyone a very happy Valentine’s Day!
Let us all keep our still serving military and veterans in your thoughts and prayers. May God Bless America.
Marc Farmilette – Past Post Commander
To help VFW Post 1545 continue helping veterans and the community, please use the QR code. Thank you.
0 comments:
Post a Comment