I want to inform everyone that the VFW breakfast scheduled for March 16th has been canceled. The Windham Chamber of Commerce will be hosting a pancake breakfast that day, and we do not want to create any conflicts with their event.
The Chamber's breakfast will take place at Christman’s Windham House from 9 AM to 12 PM, and it is ALWAYS good!
However, we are planning to hold our pancake breakfast on Sunday, March 30th, from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.. More details on that will be shared next week.
Additionally, the VFW conference in Washington, D.C., is currently underway through March 6th. This event brings hundreds of attendees together to ensure that veterans' voices are heard on Capitol Hill.
VFW National Legislative Committee members will lead delegations, including the 2024/2025 VFW-SVA Fellows, to present our legislative priorities to Congress and its staff.
VFW National Commander Al Lipphardt was set to testify before a joint hearing of the Senate and House Committees on Veterans' Affairs on Tuesday, March 4th.
VFW National Legislative Director Patrick Murray recently testified before the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs regarding several pieces of pending legislation.
These include bills aimed at streamlining the VA’s firing authority, improving community care, securing Second Amendment protections for veterans with fiduciaries, and restoring education benefits.
On the recent mass firing of VA employees, Murray stated, “Members of this committee often say the VA needs to weed out bad actors, but the dismissal of thousands of employees wasn’t warranted—it was just easier to do.”
He also emphasized, “While the fiduciary issue affects a small percentage of veterans, every veteran deserves protection of their constitutional rights.”
I share this information to highlight the ongoing work of the VFW in fighting for our benefits and rights.
This is a key reason to consider joining the VFW—more members mean more power when advocating for these important issues in Congress.
Lastly, this Saturday, our District 3 VFW will be holding a meeting to discuss district business. I will share any updates from that meeting next week, including the winners of the essay contests, which will be announced at the Gold Chevron dinner.
This week’s POW/MIA report shows the extent that the Defense POW/MIA Agency goes to bring back lost warriors. They announced today that U.S. Army Air Forces 1st Lt. Herbert G. Tennyson, 24, of Wichita, Kansas, killed during World War II, was accounted for on Sept. 25, 2024.
In March 1944, Tennyson was assigned to the 320th Bombardment Squadron, 90th Bombardment Group, 5th Air Force and deployed in present day Papua New Guinea. On the morning of March 11, Tennyson, the pilot onboard a B-24D “Liberator” Heaven Can Wait departed Nadzab Strip #1, Papua New Guinea, as part of a bombing mission against enemy positions at Boram Airfield, and Awar Point, Hansa Bay, located along the northern coast of New Guinea. Observers from other aircraft in the formation reported seeing flames erupting from the bomb bay, spreading to the tail quickly. Heaven Can Wait was seen pitching up violently before banking left and crashing down into the water. It is believed anti-aircraft fire hit the plane, causing an un-dropped ordnance to explode. Several aircraft circled the crash site in hopes of locating any possible survivors, but none could be seen.
From March 9 through April 13, 2023, an underwater recovery team (RT-U) excavated the crash site, where they recovered possible osseous materials and material evidence, to include life support equipment and identification tags. The recovered evidence was sent to the DPAA Laboratory for review and analysis. Tennyson will be buried in Wichita, Kansas, on a date yet to be determined.
To the family of 1st Lt. Tennyson, they will be able to honor his service and sacrifice to our Nation. Along with them let us all honor him and all who gave the ultimate sacrifice. Keep our still serving men and women along with all the veterans who served, in your thoughts and prayers. God Bless America. Keep us safe and united.
Marc Farmilette – Past Commander Post 1545
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