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American VeteransDepartment of Illinois Illinoisamvets

AMVETS State Headquarters2200 South 6th StreetSpringfield, IL 62703

NoNprofit org.U.S. poStage

paid

permit No. 174peoria, iL

Welcome Richard Shea Jr. as New CommanderI wish to thank everyone for all of their support as I have moved up through the various positions. Over the course of this next year, I hope we can meet and I can thank youpersonally. If you would like me to either attend your post meeting or some other function, please don’t hesitate to contact headquarters and we’ll see if we can make it happen. Even if I don’t hear from your post I plan on visiting you at some point. This is the beginning of a new year for us, so I challenge each of us to do more than we did the previous year: to add more Veterans to our ranks, to be more active within our community, to actively engage the Veterans we know and support them to learn and grow within our organization, to continue to teach the Veterans that are coming after us just like the Veterans that came before us did.

Don’t ignore those just because they are non-veterans. When most of us got out of the military, it would have seemed that every other person you talked with

had served at some point. These days, it’s more like 1 in 10. Our non-veterans make up our Ladies Auxiliary, our Sons of AMVETS, our Rid-ers and without them a great many posts would be either be hurting more or gone completely. They all are affiliated because of a Veteran. I look forward to seeing you at the School of Instruction in September, and

spending time with you all at our picnic afterwards held at Headquarters in Springfield. It’s a great opportunity to learn important items that are necessary in functioning as an AMVETS Post, along with meeting other posts and hearing from them some of the things that may or may not have worked for them.

More about Commander Shea:Richard Shea Jr., born 27 April 1973 in Ft. Riley, Kansas to Randy L. Watkins and Richard Shea from the Southside of Chicago, and then raised on the Southside of Chicago. Richard Shea Jr. has been married for 16 years to PDP Laurie Shea with whom they have two girls aged 16 & 14; Richard also

has a 25-year-old son from a previous relationship.

Following in a long family tradition of serving in the U.S. Military, Shea Jr. joined the U.S. Marine Corps in October 1993, attending basic training in San Diego, Ca. (Hollywood Marine) and then going on to Courthouse Bay in Camp Lejeune, NC. to become a Combat Engineer, and then on to his final duty station, Camp Hansen, Okinawa Japan with the 3rd Marine Division 3rd Engineer Battalion. It was to be short lived, after a debilitating knee injury he would receive an Honorable Discharge in December 1994, and come back home to Chicago.

After doing rehab at the Lakeside VA in downtown Chicago, he would go on to do odd jobs until finally being hired as a firefighter for the City of Chicago, where he has worked for the last 18 years in some of the toughest parts of Chicago. Richard’s AMVETS life really began when he was a young boy and his father would bring him to various events held by or at AMVETS Post 43 in Burnham. So, while on leave before going to Okinawa, his dad once again brought him to Post 43 but this time suggested Shea Jr. join before he left. In April 1994, Shea Jr. became an annual member of AMVETS Post 43, a life member in 2004 and started becoming a very active member in 2005, when he began bartending at Post 43. This

continued until 2010 when Shea Jr. was elected the Post Commander and continued in that position until this year finally giving up the gavel at Post 43.

While as a Post Commander, he was also an officer for District 1 (Cook County) and the Department of Illinois. He served as Adjutant in 2011-13, Junior Vice Commander in 2012-2013 District Commander in 2013-2014 for the District, and R.O.T.C. Chairman in 2012-2015, Second Vice Commander of Programs in 2014-2015 and First Vice Commander of Membership in 2015-2016 for the Department.

Richard Shea Jr. has been an AMVET member for the last 22 years. Although his military life did not turn out the way he had wanted, through AMVETS he has been able to connect with Veterans and help. One of those venues that he has taken pride in is being able to go to our Nation’s Capital in Washington D.C. and talk with our Illinois Congressional and Senatorial lead-ers about current Veteran issues that AMVETS believes in and would like their support. •

In this issue

• Meet your new Department Commander• Save the date: listing of department and district meetings• Find out more about the School of Instruction• Learn more about all of Illinois AMVETS subsidiary organizations• Featured posts: Post 3, 77, 90, 98, 100 and 235

Call to Action: Help our veterans today! August 2016• Volume 40 No 8

• august 2016 www.ilamvets.org

Con

tact

Us Service Department:

National AMVETS Illinois Office

Located at the Chicago VA Regional Office 312.980.4256

NSO: Rick Uldricks

NSO: Jose Garcia Accredited VSO: Connie Deleonardis

lllinois Office Locations

Acting Deputy Service Director:George SebastianBob Michel Peoria CBOC217.494.1454

Harold DukalaCaptain Lovell FHCC847.688.1900 ext. 84138

Ronique HeardDanville VAMC217.554.4838

Ed HumphreyVAMC Marion618.997.5311 ext. 54743

Joel ValeraHines VA Hospital708.202.2564

Auburn Greshem Clinic (1st Wed)217-494-4897

Chicago Vet Center (2nd, 3rd & 4th Wed)217-494-4897

Upcoming EventsMark Your CalendarsNational ConventionAugust 7 - 14, 2016Meeting will take place in Sparks, NV. Please see AMVETS.org for more information on how to register.

Veterans Day at the State FairAugust 14, 2016Illinois State FairgroundsSpringfield, ILFree admission to all veterans and their families

District II MeetingAugust 21, 2016 at 1 PM1601 Weld Rd.Elgin, IL

District IV MeetingAugust 21, 2016 at 1 PMPost 52, 301 E. Division St. Fisher, IL

District V MeetingAugust 28, 2016 at 1 PMPost 204, 1711 Kennedy Dr.Madison, IL

Post 90 Blood Drive & Memorial Ceremony for Patriot’s DaySeptember 10, 201610 AM - 5 PMThis all day event will be held at Post 90, 421 Oak Street in Dekalb. See the Calendar of Events online at www.ilamvets.org for more info.

School of InstructionSeptember 16-17, 2016Please contact Crystal at HQ for more information. See flier in this issue for details.

Headquarters Staff:Executive Director Keith Wetherell

Membership Director Jessica Sleek

Programs DirectorCrystal Blakeman

Communications DirectorAshley Murphy

Upcoming department meetings:

School of Instruction September 16 & 17, 2016President Abraham Lincoln Hotel700 East Adams in Springfield

February SEC February 17-19, 2017Crowne Plaza3000 South Dirksen Parkway in Springfield

72nd Convention June 9-11, 2017Crowne Plaza3000 South Dirksen Parkway in Springfield

September School of Instruction September 8-10, 2017Crowne Plaza3000 South Dirksen Parkway in Springfield

Meeting dates subject to change.

Upcoming district meetings:

District I September 15, 2016 at 7 PMFebruary 16, 2017 at 7 PMApril 20, 2017 at 7 PMMay 18, 2017 at 7 PM

All meetings held at the Hines VA Spinal Cord Building.

District II August 21, 2016 1 PM1601 Weld Rd. in Elgin

District III October 16, 2016 at 1 PMMarch 3, 2017 at 1 PMMay 21, 2017 at 1 PM

All meetings held at AMVETS Post 100, 210 E. Court in Jacksonville.

District IV August 21, 2016 at 1 PMPost 52, 301 E. Division in Fisher

District V August 28, 2016 at 1 PMPost 204, 1711 Kennedy Dr. in Madison

All meetings subject to change.Contact the District Commander for more information.

Department & District Upcoming Meetings

veterans serving veterans august 2016 •

Membership

Programs

Learn more about our new 1st Vice Commander, David Hicks.

Dear AMVETS, I joined the Navy right after high school in 1978. I served until 1985, when I got out for medical reasons. I met my Wife Tammie in May 1985 right after I separated from the Navy, and we were married in October that same year. I attended a business school in Jacksonville from September 1985 to March 1987, receiving a certificate in business management and account-ing. After business school, I worked in a couple of low paying jobs until I

decided to return to school. I started at Illinois College in Jacksonville in January of 1990 and received my BA in History in May of 1995. I joined the AMVETS in 1993 while I was still in college, and was elected to office the following year. I have served in all positions except trustee at the post, and I have been through the District III chairs three times. I served as the Department 2nd Vice Commander for programs, Provost Marshall and Vice Commander of Districts III, IV, and V. I have also held the Son’s of AMVETS Coordinator for few years. My wife and I adopted our daughter

Aerycka at birth in 2009, and have been busy trying to get her a good start in life since. I didn’t feel I should run for a higher position before now because I felt the amount of travelling might cause me to miss too much of her early years. She now enjoys going with me to Memorial Day and other observances, as well as going to the hotels when we have meetings.

Thank you for electing me to be the 1st Vice Commander. I am looking to serving this year. Sincerely,

David Hicks1st Vice Commander

Learn more about our new 2nd Vice Commander, Darrel Tucker.

Dear AMVETS, I have a story about exercising opportunity and freedom. First, I would like to start with a “Thank you” to everyone who supported me with their encouragement and votes for Department 2nd Vice-Commander. It is truly an honor for me to serve. Now I would like to tell you a little about me and my AMVET life.

I was born in Topeka, Kansas, and then moved to Twin Falls, Idaho, when I was two years old. I grew up in Twin Falls, living in a two-room log cabin with my mother and older brother until I was 10 years old (my father went back to Kansas after less than a year in Idaho). My mother remarried when I was eight; it was then my brother, stepfather and I worked to convert the two-room log cabin into a house, having running water, a bathroom, two bedrooms and central heat. We had to work very hard to survive, and that is what makes me a workaholic, I think, even to this day.

I graduated from high school in 1965 and went to a Junior College for a year. When Uncle Sam said, “I want you,” probably for Viet Nam, I joined the US Air Force. After a year of training at Chanute AFB learning to repair and

fly flight simulators (during this time, I met my wife-to-be from Mattoon), I was sent to Reese Air Force Base, Lubbock, Texas. I then became an Instrument Trainer Instructor, teaching student pi-lots how to fly the T-38 aircraft, a small supersonic jet that flies like a bullet at mock 1.3.

I married my wife Mitchi and, at the same time, became a father of a two year old girl in 1968. We later had another daughter in 1970. My wife was attending Eastern Illinois University when we married, and she transferred to Texas Tech to obtain her teaching degree in English, Speech, and French. She then worked on her “PHT Degree” (putting hubby through) as I got out of the service and went back to school at Texas Tech to earn a degree as an Electrical Engineer. I graduated in 1973 and returned to Illinois to work as a Service Area Engineer for Illinois Power in Mt. Vernon, Illinois.

In 1977, I accepted a transfer to Headquarters in Decatur, Illinois, working as a Distribution Design Engi-neer. After a year, while walking by Hu-man Resources, I was asked if I would be interested in working as an engineer at the newly announced nuclear plant that the company was building. So in 1978, I entered the field of nuclear power at Clinton Power Station (CPS). It has been my career

for almost 40 years. One example of my nuclear walk was in 1980, when the plant manager asked that I go to California to help with the assembly and factory testing of the plant’s main control room. My wife, two daughters and our Irish setter packed up the station wagon and went to San Jose, California, for almost a year. Our oldest daughter graduated from Junior High in San Jose in a class of over one thousand. Both my wife and our daughters were real troopers during our California experience. I am now the proud grandfather of five, ranging from age 25 to age 14.

My AMVET experiences have become a wonderful part of my life. I joined “at the barber shop” in 2002, and then became a Life Member in 2008. My early AMVET activities were very limited due to the demands of my work at CPS. Then after retiring in 2008, and my return from working at a nuclear plant in South Carolina, I became much more active. At the time, our Post appeared to be struggling with finances, so I “volunteered” to become the Finance Officer. We went from a time of check-to-check to having a budget and managing to save enough money to procure a building. We have the promise of a Illinois Grant, from which we have yet to see the money, so we have a small loan on the building until the grant is released by the state. I

have also become the Post 14 Publicity Officer and enjoy bragging about how dedicated all the Post 14 members are towards both the Post and Veterans. Over the years, Post 14 has gone from just a few attending to almost 20 people at monthly meetings I attribute this to the energy we have developed as well as our visibility in the community. People usually want to be part of something that has a spark. I must say I am very proud of every one of the Post 14 members for all the work they do not only for our small AMVETS Post but also for area Veterans.

Continued on Page 9


Memorial Day Ceremony in DeKalb

Post 90 participated in DeKalb’s Memorial Day Ceremony.

Commander Richard Shea Jr. was the speaker.

AMVETS at the Pekin Memorial Day

Illinois AMVETS, including PDC Bob Dant, Paul Kerby and

Richard VanNatta participated in the Pekin Memorial Day

ceremony.

Post 77 supports vets memorial

Post 77 donated $5,000 to the Veterans Memorial Project. This money is raised by members cooking at the VFW Post

4999 during drawing nights. From left to right: Rich Gollnitz, Tom Nebgen, Craig Fetzer, Tom Harms, Benny

Worrick, Jeff Anderson (Commander), Andy Gusman, and Mert Selburg.


This year on Memorial Day, I had the honor of being invited to make the Memorial Day speech at Grandview Memorial Gardens at the request of the Post 3 Event Coordina-tor, Rich Barnett. If any of the readers of this article EVER want to see a wonderful tribute to our Veterans, I invite you to go to Grandview Memorial Gardens just west of Champaign/Urbana on Memorial Day.

To give you an idea of what this event involves, there are about three to four hundred (300 – 400) people who regularly attend this Memorial Day Veterans Tribute. They are surrounded

by the Av-enue of Flags, which is a display of three hun-dred fifty (350) large

flags posted on both sides of the cem-etery drive. Each of the flags is spon-sored by a family who gave a contribution to purchase the flag to fly in honor of their loved one. Besides the speech, the attendees also come to hear a special patriotic medley of music sung by the “Sweet Adelines,” the playing of “Taps,” and prayers on behalf of our Veterans, both past and present. They also watch the Posting

of the Colors, salutes by the Veterans to their fallen comrades, and a special dedication ceremony.

The special dedication was led by the Mayor of Champaign, Debra Feinen, who helped in the unveiling of the beautiful Veterans Memorial. This Memorial is dedicated to those Veterans who fell in war and those who have passed away since returning home. Maintained by AMVETS Post 3, this impressive Memorial has small brass plaques with the names of all the Veterans whose families have donated funds in order to have their loved one’s name posted. Consequently, it is an ever-changing Memorial that is updated twice a year, both on Memorial Day and on Veterans Day.

Submitted by: Darrel Tucker

Post 3 Does Awesome Job Honoring Our Veterans


The “flea market” is as common as American culture is. Historians say the original bazaar-like merchandising started in Texas in the late 1800's, where people would go to buy horses, and eventually bring and sell their own goods. The “bazaar” has historic origins in many Middle-Eastern and European countries; each with their own termi-nologies and ways of buying and selling. Some bazaars would be the genesis of many successful trading routes and empires in the Middle East. But...no matter how the “bazaar” or “flea mar-ket” came into being, a well-known flea market location in the city of Chicago would be the site of Illinois AMVETS Post 98's latest effort to raise money to

help area veterans and their families.

“Swap-O-Rama” is a popular chain of swap meet locales in the Chicago area, with locations in both within the city limits and suburbs. When it's open and running, Swap-O-Rama is packed with both vendors and shoppers looking to make deals on just about everything customers can imagine. Post 98 took advantage of this popularity this past April, with Commander Homer Bizzle arranging a post fundraiser at the Swap-O-Rama location at 4200 South Ash-land Avenue in Chicago. Members of the post greeted and talked with vendors and shoppers; raising awareness of the post's mission to help

area veterans and their families in their times of need. Despite only being on-site for 1 day, Commander Bizzle thought the overall event was a success. “We tried to tap into different locations outside our immediate area, and we wanted to let people know we're more than just an organization that collects old clothes in parking lots.”, the Commander said. “Despite being out of our comfort zone, I believe we did very well.”

Submitted by: Harlin S. Neal, Public Relations Officer, Post 98, Forest Park, Illinois

Top:Commander Richard Shea

Jr. represented Illinois AMVETS at the Morgan Park

JROTC awards.

Left:Shown is AMVET awardee

Cadet Marisol Garcia during their annual Awards Convocation at North

Chicago HS.

Post 100 Trustee Lewis is shown helping get the Post’s facilities spruced up.

Post 98 Does The “Swap”

Jacksonville Post 100 spruces up their facility

More Illinois AMVETS-sponsored ROTC medals presented


Burial in a national cemetery is open to all members of the armed forces and Veterans who have met minimum active duty service requirements and were discharged under conditions other than dishonorable. Their spouse, widow or widower, minor children, and, under certain conditions, unmarried adult children with disabilities, may also be eligible for burial. Eligible spouses and children may be buried even if they predecease the Veteran. Members of the reserve components of the armed forces who die while on active duty or while performing training duty, or were eligible for retired pay, may also be eligible for burial.

• Gravesites in Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) national cemeteries cannot be reserved in advance. However, families are encouraged to prepare in advance by discussing cemetery options and setting aside copies of any discharge documents.

• VA will provide – at no cost to the Veteran’s family – a gravesite, headstone or marker, Presidential Me-morial Certificate, U.S. flag, perpetual care of the gravesite and will open and close the grave. Fees for services provided by funeral directors and other related costs must be paid for by the Veteran’s family.

• VA’s Veterans Benefits Administration pays a burial and plot

allowance for those Veterans who are eligible by law. This is total of $2000 for service connected death or reimbursement of up to $300 funeral / burial + $745 for a plot on non-service connected death.

• To establish eligibility for burial in a VA national cemetery, the family should provide: the Veteran’s discharge document; report of casualty; or the Veteran’s full name; military rank; branch of service; dates of entry and discharge; serial, Social Security, and/or VA claim numbers; date and place of birth; and date of death.

• If the discharge document is not available, a copy may be obtained from the National Personnel Records Center, Military Personnel Records Office, 1 Archives Drive, St. Louis, MO 63138. This should be done prior to the time of need. Additional information about requesting military personnel records is available at the National Archives Website, www.archives.gov.

• At the time of need, a funeral director or the next of kin should contact the National Cemetery Scheduling Office. Fax all discharge documentation to the National Cemetery Scheduling Office at 1-866-900-6417 and follow-up with a phone call to 1-800-535-1117. It is important to have all eligibility documentation available prior to calling the Scheduling Office.

• If you have no eligibility documentation, Scheduling Office agents will assist you with the verification process. Requests for eligibility determination when no military discharge documents are available may require 48 hours or more for verification. Scheduling Office personnel will contact you within 48 hours of the initial process with verification results or an explanation of the delay.

• The same procedures should be followed to determine the eligibility of a Veteran’s spouse or dependent. In most cases, one gravesite is provided for the burial of all eligible family members, marked by a single headstone or marker. When both spouses are Veterans, two adjacent gravesites and two headstones or markers may be provided, if requested.

• The Department of Defense (DOD) is responsible for providing military funeral honors. The DOD program “Honoring Those Who Served” calls for funeral directors to request military funeral honors on behalf of the Veteran’s family. Veterans’ organizations may assist in providing military funeral honors. Additional information is available on the Internet by visiting www.militaryfuneralhonors.osd.mil.

• Formal funeral services are not held at national cemeteries, but a final committal service may be performed at the cemetery. For safety reasons, these services are held in committal shelters located away from the gravesite. Burial will take place following the committal service. Immediate family members may be allowed to witness the interment only if arrangements have been made in advance with the cemetery director.

• National cemeteries do not normally conduct burials on weekends or federal holidays. However, weekend callers may schedule burials for the upcoming week.

• A limited number of floral arrangements may accompany the casket or urn and will be placed on the grave after burial. Floral arrangements are removed at a later date in accordance with VA’s Floral/Grounds Policy.

Your Department of Illinois AMVETS Service Officers will be happy to assist you in preparing for this benefit or contacting the Department of Veterans Affairs at the time of need.

Submitted by:George SebastianActing Deputy DirectorIllinois AMVETS VSO

WASHINGTON – Secretary of Veterans Affairs Robert McDonald has granted equitable relief to more than 24,000 Veterans following a national review of Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) medical examinations conducted in connection with disability compensation claims processed between 2007 and 2015.

This action by the Secretary allows the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to offer new TBI examinations to Veterans whose initial examination for TBI was not conducted by one of four designated medical specialists and provides them with the opportunity to have their claims reprocessed. Equitable relief is a unique legal remedy that allows the Secretary to correct an injustice to a claimant where VA is not otherwise authorized to do so

within the scope of the law.

“Traumatic Brain Injury is a signature injury in Veterans returning from the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, and VA is proud to be an organization that sets the bar high for supporting these, and all, Veterans,” said Secretary Mc-Donald. “Providing support for Veterans suffering from a TBI is a priority and a privilege, and we must make certain they receive a just and fair rating for their disabilities.”

To ensure that TBI is properly evaluated for disability compensation purposes, VA developed a policy in 2007 requiring that one of four specialists – a psychiatrist, physiatrist, neurosurgeon or neurologist – complete TBI exams when VA does not have a

prior diagnosis.

Since 2007, medicine around TBI has been a rapidly evolving science. VA designated particular specialists to conduct initial TBI exams because they have the most experience with the symptoms and effects of TBI. As more research became available, VA issued a number of guidance documents that may have created confusion regarding the policy. VA has confirmed that its TBI policy guidance is now clear and being followed.

“We let these Veterans down,” Secre-tary McDonald said. “That is why we are taking every step necessary to grant equitable relief to those affected to ensure they receive the full benefits to which they are entitled.”

VA understands the importance of an accurate exam to support Veterans’ disability claims. The Secretary’s decision to grant relief will enable VA to take action on any new examinations without requiring Veterans to submit new claims. If additional benefits are due, VA will award an effective date as early as the date of the initial TBI claim.

VA will contact Veterans identified as part of this national TBI review to offer them an opportunity to receive a new examination and have their claims reprocessed. More than 13,000 of these affected Veterans are already receiving service-connected compensation benefits for TBI at a 10-percent disability evaluation or higher, which means that the diagnosis has already been established.•

VA Secretary Provides Relief for Veterans with Traumatic Brain Injuries

Arranging burial in a National VA Cemetery


This month I wanted to bring your attention to some great resources from the Military Family Learning Network. I’ve been working with them on the nutrition side of topics for a little over a year now, but all the topics are great. The purpose of the Military Families Learning Network is to serve military family service professionals through engaged online communities which identify and make use of the highest quality, best practices, research-and evidence-based information, educational and curriculum materials, and programming activities and efforts. However, anyone can log in to these great resources.

The primary concentration areas for the Military Families Learning Network are Community Capacity Building, Fam-ily Development, Family Transitions, Military Caregiving, Network Literacy, Nutrition and Wellness, and Personal Finance. I work with the Nutrition and Wellness team (https://blogs.extension.org/militaryfamilies/nutrition-and-wellness/). More about the whole

Military Families Learning Network can be found at https://blogs.extension.org/militaryfamilies/military-families/.

The webinars we organized can all be watched for free. Most recently, Dr. Ken Wilund discussed exercise, diet and kidney disease. Dr. Wilund is an Associate Professor in Kinesiology at the University of Illinois. He discussed his research about dialysis, food, and exercise. If you or someone you know has kidney disease and is taking dialysis, this may be one for you to watch!Earlier, Ashley McCartney, MS, RD, LDN, a Bariatric Dietitian at Carle Clinic in Urbana provided updates about bariatric surgery, the surgery to help very obese people lose weight. Both of these recorded webinars are available at https://learn.extension.org/events/tag/mfln%20nutrition%20and%20wellness?type=recent#.Va0lcxN-Viko. Ashley also shared some of her resources. You can access these from the Learn pagehttps://learn.extension.org/events/2550, scroll down to Event Materials.

You will find the following resources shared:

• America Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Allied Health Nutritional Guidelines for the Surgical Weight Loss Patient• Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Complete Counseling Kit for Weight Loss Surgery available for purchase at Eatright.org• Post Op Foods• Pregnancy After Weight Loss Surgery• Vitamin Tips for Gastric Bypass Patients• Vitamin Tips for Sleeve Gastrectomy Patients

Robin Allen, MS, RD is our social media specialist for the Nutrition and Wellness team. She posts a blog at https://blogs.extension.org/militaryfami-lies/category/nutrition-and-wellness/ that you can scan to get a variety of updates from an expert in nutrition. “What is dialysis?” is explained in one blog post. AN easy to read explanation of what dialysis is, and how it works.

The Military Families Learning Network is an informa-tive site for everyone. I hope you have time to do a little “surfing” around the site. If you have questions or comments, feel free to contact me.

Dr. Karen Chapman-Novakofski, PhD, RD, is an Associate Professor at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. She is an internationally recognized expert in the area of nutrition education theory and applied nutrition education interventions.

Doctor’s Note

ABOUT US: CONSUMERS FIRST continually shops top-rated

companies to find clients the best products for the best value. Also, when you, your family or friends purchase insurance through the

CONSUMERS FIRST AMVETS Insurance program, AMVETS

receives funding when the policy is purchased and EVERY time it

renews!

PLEASE REMEMBER: Of every dollar donated to AMVETS

Department of Illinois through the CONSUMERS FIRST AMVETS

Insurance Program, 50% goes back directly to the Posts!

Please contact the AMVETS Insurance program to learn more.

Call 1-888-215-0613 or go to www.SupportAMVETS.org.

Insurance services are provided by CONSUMERS FIRST. Offering

may vary by state.

People are exposed to many different types of risks in their lives. Practical ways to deal with these risks normally means insurance. Finance and investing texts define two main types of risk:

•Systematic risk: The type of risk that is impossible to avoid completely. Examples include: inflation, recessions, and war. You can do either very little or nothing to protect yourself from systematic risks, and no amount of preparation or money can eliminate systematic risk.

•Unsystematic risk: The risk that affects an isolated group of businesses, industries, or countries. A company’s stock plummeting after the news that a corporate office was involved in a scandal an example of unsystematic risk. Diversification significantly reduces and can even eliminate unsystematic risks.

However for our purposes: Risk is better defined as uncertainty. For example:

1.) Will you continue to be employed?2.) Will your company require you to relocate?3.) What happens if your teenager wrecks the car?4.) What if the interest rate on your adjustable rate mortgage skyrockets?5.) What if your in-laws have to move in?6.) What happens if you live to be a centenarian?7.) What happens if your spouse dies prematurely?8.) What happens if your child or significant other is diagnosed with a long-term illness requiring you to quit your job and stay home to care for them?9.) What happens if you wake up at age 60 and discover that you no longer want to work for a living, but you haven’t saved enough to retire?10.) What if your home is destroyed by a flood?11.) What if you’re sued because your dog bites the neighbor’s kid?

The list could go on and on. Insurance is designed to help you when can’t afford to bear a risk personally and attempts to eliminate, minimize, or transfer the risk of the predictable bad outcomes.

Establishing a safety net of three - six months cash reserves, adequately insuring your home and property, your health, and your income, and remaining very aware of potential dangers goes a long way toward ensuring that you and your family won’t be financially devastated when bad things happen — and they do happen. It’s not a matter of if, but a matter of what and when.

Calling CONSUMERS FIRST – AMVETS Insurance Program is a great first start! 1-888-215-0613

Understanding how insurance works


About four years ago our Post Commander encouraged me to attend District meetings, and I was later elected District IV – Senior Vice-Commander. The following year, I served as District IV Commander and met with nearly every Post in my District. Last year, I was selected as the Illinois Outstanding AMVET of the Year, and it was truly a humbling honor. I now know I must work harder for the AMVETS to uphold the example of what this award means to the AMVETS, to other Veterans and to me. At the 2015 State Convention, I was elected as Department Provost Marshall. One of the highlights of my year of service was carrying the American Flag in front of the Commander’s car as it drove from one end of the State Fairgrounds to the other end. I am now looking forward to serving as Department 2nd Vice-Commander – Programs for 2016 – 17! May God Bless America!

Sincerely,

Darrel Tucker2nd Vice Commander

Programs continued

The North Pekin AMVETS Riders Chapter 169 was duly chartered on December 15, 2008. At that time the membership stood at 15. Since then our membership has swollen to as many as 38 and currently stands at around 30. AMVETS Riders membership requires that you be a member of the AMVETS, Auxiliary or Sons of AMVETS. Requirements are that you own a motorcycle and be insured. Spouses are not required to also own a bike. Every member has a voice and a vote on the floor. One can also be a support member. That is defined as someone that does not ride a motorcycle but wants to participate in the many activities that Riders take part in. National Riders currently have a $12.00 a year membership dues. Chapter 169 dues are a one time $20.00. Each Chapter can set their own fee structure. Vests are provided by the member and are referred to as colors or cuts. The required vest patches costs are $60.00 and each patch must be placed on the vest as per the National Constitution and By-laws. No profanity or gang type of symbols or references are allowed on the vest. We are a Veterans Organization not a gang or MC. Since Chapter 169 is the sole Chapter in the State, we have members from different sections of Illinois.

Having a Riders Chapter at Post 169 has been very rewarding. Several of the new members, who joined the AMVETS in order to become Riders, have gone on to hold regular AMVETS Post offices. The last several Post 169 AMVET of the Year recipients are not only AMVETS but Riders as well.

Chapter 169 is a very active Chapter and due to the patriotism in the country today, riding a motorcycle and being a Rider presents us with many opportunities to participate in Welcome Homes at airports and bus stations. We participate in community events and parades for a multitude of reasons. With a heavy heart we also attend the funerals for our fallen heroes, whether

they be 18 years or 80 years old. If our presence is requested by the family and only if requested, we stand outside of funeral homes and cemeteries for hours holding flags or sometimes just standing at at-tention. Before leaving for the evening we pass by the deceased one by one rendering a final salute to our fallen comrade. Despite occasional outside distractions, we will continue to be vigilant to the cause and mission and offer whatever a family needs to get through a trying period.

Riders Chapter 169 raise funds by cooking homemade tenderloins at the AMVETS post around every other month. We hand cut, pound and tenderize each piece to perfection. We offer a great meal at a fair price, usually serving between 150 to 225 dinners a night in a two hour span. We make a donation to the club each time we cook and one of the nights each year the net proceeds are earmarked to the club. Funding has also been used to renovate restrooms, improve lighting and signage at the post.

Besides helping to support the post, funds raised have been used to provide two annual $500 scholarships for deserving Tazewell County students. We also dedicate one night receipts to fund a behavior program at our local school district. We have purchased two vans and renovated them to be sold to a disabled Veteran and a Home for

Veterans, each for $1.00 apiece. We have purchased trees and planted them in memory of those locally who gave their lives for their country. Each event has created a media storm at the Post and at-tracted the public and dignitaries from the VA to Congressmen and State Representatives. This brings a lot of attention to

the post. With the help of the Illinois AMVETS Service Foundation we

cook steaks at a local Home for Veterans in

our area. Christmas gifts are also made available through the Riders and Auxiliary. The Riders donate funding to the Post Christmas baskets and Auxiliary community events.

Riders members are encouraged to wear their vests during each event they participate in. This not only brings recognition to the Riders but also to AMVETS. New membership should be valued however it can be obtained. AMVET Riders are not bikers. We are AMVETS, Auxiliary and Sons of AMVETS riding for a mutual cause which is the betterment of AMVETS.

PDC Bob Dant is the Riders Chairperson. You may contact him via email at [email protected] for more information. •

Sad Sacks is part of AMVETS. A fun and honor organization comprised of AMVETS members. The Sad Sacks (who derive their name from a famous Cartoon Character of WWII) provide as their chief community service project "scholarships for Nurses" AMVETS/Sad Sacks were formed in 1947 and held their first Scrimmage in that year. President Truman signed the charter.

The Sad Sacks, like all other Veterans organizations, find that they have a declining membership. Any one interested in joining (main quality is a sense of humor) can contact State HQ. According to Sad Sacks rules we'll need a minimum of 4 active posts by Jun. 17, 2017, or all of us will be gone like the Edsel and will be forced to put Snoopy up for adoption.

Snoopy's Pooper Scooper,

Dennis McFaddenState Saddest

Sad Sacks NEED you

Editor’s NoteThere is a correction to the Commander’s Appointments listed in the July 2016

edition of Illinois AMVETS. The Sons Chairman is Mike Steele from Post 43.

Riders aren’t “just” bikers


Just What are the ‘Sons’The Sons of AMVETS, as its name implies, is a nationwide subordinate organization of the AMVETS. We have been part of the AMVETS family since 1974. We are comprised of the sons (male descendants), grandsons, adopted sons, stepsons, fathers, husbands, widowers and brothers of American veterans who are members of the AMVETS, or service personnel who died and would have been eligible for membership in the AMVETS. The Sons play an active role in promoting AMVETS legislative agendas, providing services to hospitalized veterans and supporting charitable initiatives. To be eligible for membership, you must be 18 years of age and not eligible for membership in the parent organization. This is not include in-laws of any kind.

What we doThe Sons of AMVETS were formed to help promote the Aims and Purposes of AMVETS.

• To serve our country in peace and in times of war, to build and maintain the welfare of the United State of America toward lasting

prosperity and peace for all its inhabitants

• To encourage, in keeping with policies of our government, the establishment of concrete plan to

secure permanent international peace

and to assist in the maintenance of

international peace• To inspire in our member-ship a sense of responsibility to develop leadership for the preservation of our American democratic way of life• To help unify divergent groups in the overall interests of American democracy• To aid in the fulfillment of the aims and purposes of the parent organization, and to cooperate with one duly recognized veterans organization in the furtherance of the aims of veterans *To cooperate with all duly recognized existing veterans organizations and their subordinate groups in the furtherance of the veterans who have served or are serving in the Armed Forces of the United States• To train our youths to become purposeful citizens in a democracy with full knowledge of the responsibilities as well as the privileges of citizenship• To promote the welfare and fellowship of our members and their

families• To recognize and promote the interests of our parent organization known as AMVETS, which was chartered by Congressional Action on July 3, 1947• To keep the American public forever reminded that the American Veterans who have served or are serving in the Armed Forces of the United States fought and served to preserve our peace, liberty and democracy for our nation

How a Sons Squadron helpsA Sons of AMVETS Squadron will allow your post to increase its membership and presence in your community. It will allow more members of your family to become members of the AMVETS family. The Sons will add a new vitality to your post’s activities; and many more activities to what your post has to offer to its membership.

A Sons of AMVETS squadron provides a great opportunity for the descendants of veterans to be parent of the AMVETS family. It also provides the opportunity to be involved in supporting our veterans. An example of that support is our recent donations to the Lake VAVS and Wounded Warriors. We encourage all post members to spread the word and ask

guests to join us. •

Why your post should have a Sons of AMVETS SquadronMeet Commander Srebalus

Michael L. Srebalus was elected as the Department of Illinois Sons of AMVETS Commander at the Department Convention in June. He has served as Adjutant for four years, and as First Vice Commander for nine months. Srebalus is a charter member of Squadron 43 in Burnham, where we was also the Adjutant for two years, First Vice Commander for two years and Commander for three years. Srebalus has been married to his wife, Joyce, for 22 years. His father service in the US Army during WWII as a Staff Sargent and was a POW. He was also a member of AMVETS Post 1.

Find a local squadronSquadron 4

Mt. Vernon, IL

Squadron 16Litchfield, IL

Squadron 33Palestine, IL

Squadron 43Burnham, IL

Squadron 52 Fisher, IL

Squadron 100Jacksonville, IL

Squadron 103Aurora, IL

Squadron 169North Pekin, IL

Squadron 204Madison, IL

Illinois Sons of AMVETS OfficersCommander

Michael L. Srebalus

1st Vice CommanderMike Lungren

2nd Vice CommanderChris Podalski

3rd Vice CommanderTim Lungren

AdjutantKevin Cook

Finance OfficerMark Antle

Judge AdvocateMichael Sullivan

Provost MarshallRonald Phelps

HistorianRonald Fisher, Jr.


Greetings AMVETS Ladies Auxiliary,

My name is Larina Sanders, and I am extremely proud to be re-elected as your AMVETS Ladies Auxiliary Department of Illinois State President. I look forward for the opportunity to improve on last year and continue to visit as many local auxiliaries that I can. My ultimate goal is to increase the local reporting, encouraging all members to participate, and attempt to improve the attendance at the SEC's and Convention. This next year will be my 20th year as a member of the AMVETS Ladies Auxiliary. I joined AMVETS Auxiliary #67 Beecher in 1997 as a life member when PNP Denise LaBatt was National President. I began my trip though the chairs in 2008 when I became the Department Sergeant-at-Arms, a posi-tion I held for three years. The following year I served as Ways & Means Chairman, and then it was 3rd Vice President, 2nd Vice President, and 1st Vice President being elected President in 2015. Previously I served

as Scholarship Chairman and later as Treasurer of the now disbanded Division/District IV. At the local level, I continue to hold the office of 2nd Vice President and Scholarship Chairperson. Local Hospital Chairperson is another position I have held.

While I now live in Crete, I graduated from Beecher High School. I have an Associate’s degree from Prairie State College, BA degree in education from Trinity Christian College. I am a certified Special Education Teacher; however, currently I work at Target and substitute teach for the Peotone School District. My father is Past Department Commander, Lawrence Sanders, and my mother is Past Department President, Ruthann Sanders. I have a brother, Larry Jr. He and his wife, Sherry, have 3 children and 2 granddaughters. Two of my uncles are also life members of AMVETS Post #67.

My theme again this year is: “Helping Children Discover their Unlimited Potential”. Children are our

future; they are valuable asset to society. To become a more successful adult they need all the help they can get to reach their ultimate potential.

My project is also the same: Camp Corral. Camp Corral is a free, week long summer camp for military children, age 8-15, with priority given to children of wounded, disabled, or fallen military service members. They provide a fun and developmental experience where kids are free to be kids apart from the day to day challenges they face within their military families. Camp Corral’s mission is to “Serve those who have served us.” Campers participate in traditional camp experiences like horseback riding, canoeing, swimming, and other outdoor activities. While there, they are learning new skills, building character, and making new friends.

Being re-elected Illinois AMVETS Ladies Auxiliary Department President is an honor. I will do my very best to uphold the high standard of this position.

Yours in AMVETS Ladies Auxiliary Service,

Larina Sanders AMVETS Ladies Auxiliary, Department of Illinois State President 2016-2017 [email protected]

Department President: Larina Sanders from Auxiliary #671st Vice President: Mary Kerby from Auxiliary #3

2nd Vice President: Shirlie Holmes from Auxiliary #333rd Vice President: Carol King from Auxiliary #169

Chaplain: Ann Phelps from Auxiliary #4NEC: Laurie Shea from Auxiliary #43

Sgt.-at-Arms: Donna Guerrero from Auxiliary #35

Chairmen Appointments:Americanism Chairman Norma Studebaker Aux. # 115Parliamentarian Ruthann Sanders Aux. # 67Scholarship Chairman Pam Lukemire Aux. # 3Honors & Awards Chairman Debra Dant Aux. # 169Hospital Chairman Dixie Kalips Aux. # 204Liaison Officer Laurie Shea Aux. # 43Quartermaster Linda Showens Aux. # 169Advisory Board Chairman Laurie Shea Aux. #43Gaveliers President Cindy Callaghan Aux. # 115Department Convention Chairman Claudia Kelly Aux. # 204Department Convention Co-Chairman Debra Dant Aux. # 169

Illinois Ladies Auxiliary Officers Ladies Auxiliary presents $500

scholarship

North Pekin AMVETS Post 169 Ladies Auxiliary President Amanda Webb, left, is shown presenting the Ladies Auxiliary's $500 scholarship to Laura LaMere, right, a Pekin Community High School senior. Laura will be attending ICC to become an occupational therapy assist. The Auxiliary has presented a scholarship annually for more than 25 years.

Illinois AMVETS Ladies Auxiliary

A Word from President Sanders

If your business or organization is interested in helping the Illinois AMVETS by

hosting a collection site, please contact [email protected].

[mem

bership application]AMVETSJ

OIN

TO

DAY!

Date

Nam

e D

ate of Birth / / Sex:

Male

Fem

ale

Street C

ity State & Zip

Phone # E-M

ail

Branch of Service

Month/Year Entered

M

onth/Year Discharged

I verify that I am serving or have served honorable in the U

S Arm

ed Forces (Active, G

uard or Reserves) after Sept. 15,1940. D

D 2-14 is required.

Your Signature Sponsor/Post O

ffi cer

*Annual dues vary by post. Please contact 217-528-4713 for this information. Lifetim

e dues are $250.M

ail completed application w

ith dues payment to: Illinois AM

VETS, Attn: Mem

bership, 2200 South Sixth St., Springfield, IL 62703

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w w w . f a c e b o o k . c o m /A M V E T S . I l l i n o i s

Bridgeview 9 AM - 4 PM every dAy

7325 W. 79th St. (79th & Harlem Ave.)In the K-Mart Parking Lot

dArien 9 AM - 4 PM every dAy

75th & Lyman Ave.In front of the Wal-Mart by Aldi’s

des PlAines 9 AM - 4 PM every dAy

At Oakton & LeeIn the West Side of K-Mart Parking lot

MinookA 10 AM - 4 PM every dAy

855 S. Ridge Rd. (I-80 to Minooka South Exit)Ace Hardware Parking Lot

Tinley PArk 9 AM - 4 PM every dAy

159th St. & Sayre Ave. (East of Harlem Ave)Burlington Coat Factory Parking lot

wesT ChiCAgo 10 AM - 4 PM every dAy

27W 215W North Ave. (Corner of North & County Farm Rd.)By Yamaha & Honda Dealer

wheeling no ATTendAnT on duTy.AMVETS Post 66 (700 McHenry Rd)

Illinois AMVETS Plaza SitesIf you would like to make a donation of household goods, donations can be dropped off at the following locations.

Or, you can schedule a pick-up if your location is available by calling 708-388-7800.

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