As you know, we’re now well into the summer season. That means it’s time for me to stop complaining about the cold—and start complaining that it’s too hot! I think we can all relate.
There’s some great news coming out of the Supreme Court that will interest many veterans. In a unanimous 9–0 decision, the Court ruled in favor of veterans involved in a class-action lawsuit concerning Combat Related Special Compensation (CRSC).
The decision states that the six-year time limit imposed by the Barring Act does not apply to these cases. This ruling is a major victory for around 9,000 medically retired veterans, allowing them to retroactively receive full disability compensation dating back to January 2008.
Our post is participating in this year’s Fourth of July celebration with a float honoring all branches of the U.S. military. We’ll proudly recognize the U.S. Army on its 250th anniversary, along with the Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, and Coast Guard.
As always, Windham Hose Co. #1 will host the parade, and we’ll be marching right behind the lead fire trucks. We hope to see you there!
A big thank you to everyone who came out for Bingo night last Thursday! We're working on getting our flashboard repaired—our circuit board has been sent out—which should make it easier for everyone to follow the games once it's back up and running.
Special thanks as well to the Main Street Community Center for running the kitchen. They offer a range of great programs for both kids and adults.
To learn more, visit them at 5494 New York Highway 23, Windham, NY 12496, check out their website, or give them a call at (518) 734-4168. Their hours are 10 AM to 5 PM.
Mark your calendars! Our next Bingo nights will be:
Thursday, July 3rd at 6 PM
Thursday, July 17th at 6 PM
We hope to see you there—and stay cool out there.
This week I would like to highlight a Medal of Honor recipient from the Vietnam War. Bennie G. Adkins, Command Sergeant major, hometown Waurika, Oklahoma, a member of the Special Forces Group (Airborne) 1st Special Forces Detachment A-102, 5th Special Forces Group.
Sergeant First Class Adkins distinguished himself during the period 9 March 1966 to 12 March 1966 during combat operations at Camp A Shau, Republic of Vietnam. When the camp was attacked by a large Viet Cong force, Sergeant First Class Adkins rushed through intense hostile fire and manned a mortar position. Although he was wounded, he ran through exploding mortar rounds and dragged several of his comrades to safety. When the hostile fire subsided, Sergeant First Class Adkins exposed himself to sporadic sniper fire and carried his wounded comrades to the camp dispensary. During the evacuation of a seriously wounded American, Sergeant First Class Adkins maneuvered outside the camp walls to draw fire and successfully covered the rescue. During the early morning hours of 10 March 1966, a Viet Cong regiment launched their main attack. Within two hours, Sergeant First Class Adkins was the only man firing a mortar weapon. Although he was painfully wounded and most of his crew was killed or wounded, he fought off the fanatical waves of attacking Viet Cong. After withdrawing to a communications bunker where several Americans were attempting to fight off a company of Viet Cong, Sergeant First Class Adkins killed numerous insurgents with his suppressive fire. Running extremely low on ammunition, he returned to the mortar pit, gathered the vital ammunition, and ran through intense fire back to the communications bunker. After being ordered to evacuate the camp, all signal equipment and classified documents were destroyed. Sergeant First Class Adkins and a small group of men fought their way out of the camp and evaded the Viet Cong for two days until they were rescued by a helicopter. Sergeant First Class Adkins’ extraordinary heroism in close combat against a numerically superior hostile force was in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.
Let us remember the brave in the “Home of the Brave.” Keep our troops now serving our Country safe during these troubling times. This past week we got a small glimpse of what our brave Soldiers, Marines, Navy and Air Force do to protect our Nation and the World. God Bless America.
Marc Farmilette, PDC – Commander VFW Post 1545.
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