AMVETSAMVETSAMVETSAMVETSAMVETSAMVETSAMVETSIllinoisIllinoisIllinoisAMVETSIllinoisAMVETSIllinoisAMVETSIllinoisAMVETSIllinoisIllinoisIllinoisAMVETSIllinoisAMVETSIllinoisAMVETSIllinoisAMVETSCall to Action: Volunteer & help our veterans today!July 2013: Convention issue! Volume 37 No. 7

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www.ilamvets.org

Paul Kerby elected Department Commander 2013-2014 My name is Paul Kerby, and I was just elected as Illinois AMVETS Depart-ment Com-mander. I live in Pekin with my wife of 51 years, Mary. We have four children, eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. They live in Illinois, Ohio, Texas and Pennsylvania. I served in the Marine Corps Reserve in high school; en-listed in the Army, serving four years, eight months; and retired from the Air Force in 1976 af-ter serving 16. I was a combat engineer, supply sergeant and an Electronic Tech. I originally joined AMVETS when my wife signed me up at Post 235 in Pekin in the late 80s. In 1999, I became a Life Member. I started up through the local chairs about 1999, and took some time off from that when I became a State Veteran’s Service Officer for AMVETS and moved to Glen Ellen to work in our VA Regional office in Chi-cago. After two years there, an opening arose in Springfield and I moved there for four years, retiring in 2005. I began mov-ing through the chairs at Post 235 serving as Commander for two-and-a-half years, as well as various other positions at the

post. I presently serve on the honor guard based out of Post 235. I have served as an officer in Division III (District III now). Last year it was my pleasure to serve as Senior Vice Commander of Membership. Thank you for having faith in me and giving me this position. I shall do my best. If you would like to reach Commander Kerby, you may contact him by email at com-mander@ilamvets.org, or by phone at (217) 494-8387. •

In this issue:

• Kerby elected Department Commander

• Convention photos

• Scholarship winners announced

• Honors & Awards presented

• Town Hall meeting review

68th Annual Department Convention a success

www.ilamvets.org

The 68th Annual AMVETS Department of Illinois was once again a success! During this three-day event, AMVETS, Ladies Aux-iliary, Sons of AMVETS and Sad Sacks from throughout the state joined together to celebrate AMVETS. This educa-tional meeting provides a time and space to review impor-tant AMVETS by-laws and constitutional items, to gather information about member-ship, programs and public relations. Members were able to bounce ideas off one another on how they could work more effectively for veterans in their communities. In addition to the learn-ing experience, our new officers were elected at Convention. Candidates from around the state were afforded the op-portunity to announce their candidacy, campaign and ul-timately exercise their right to vote. Congratulations to all the newly elected and appointed officers. Finally, this conven-tion was a great opportunity to meet your fellow veterans! There were plenty of places to greet your friends and make new ones. A hospitality room, game night and luncheon and banquet all took place to promote friendship and fellow-ship. This issue of Illinois AMVETS highlights our con-vention. Please enjoy seeing all photos throughout the issue! •

Page 2 July 2013Illinois AMVETS

Illinois AMVETSContact Information

Headquarters Staff:Executive Director: Len Baumgartner

Membership Director: Keith Wetherell

Programs Director: Yolanda Bell

Public Relations Director: Ashley Murphy

Executive Assistant:Britton Czmyr

Illinois AMVETS HQ2200 South Sixth St.Springfield, IL 62703

217.528.4713

Service Department:National AMVETS Illinois OfficeLocated at the Chicago VA Regional Office, 312.980.4256

Regional Director: Richard MillerNSO: Jose GarciaAccredited VSO: Connie Deleonardis

Illinois Office LocationsMike RagusaDeputy Service Director309.235.5090

Mark RossDanville VAMC217.554.4838

Harold DukalaCaptain Lovell FHCC847.688.1900 ext. 84138

Ed HumphreyVAMC Marion618.997.5311 ext. 54743

George SebastianBob Michel Peoria CBOC 217.494.1454Moline Vet Center309.762.6954

Mary Ann WhiteHines VA Hospital 708.202.2564 Auburn Greshem Clinic773.651.7459

AMVETS:

I am Richard Van Natta, born and raised in Avon, IL. In the middle of my senior year, I enlisted in the U.S. Air Force on the delayed enlistment pro-gram. Two weeks after gradu-ating school, I was off to basic training. After basic training, I became a materials handling specialist at Cannon AFB, then

at Eielson AFB. I spent 4 ½ years in the U.S. Air Force. After service, I used my G.I. bill to attend college. I received an associate degree in business administration from Carl Sandburg College, where I was president of the Business Club, and listed in Who’s Who in American Junior Colleges. I went to Western Illinois College for 1 year, and then started working as a service technician on feedlot equip-ment. I now have thirty years at McGrew Feedlot Equipment Company. After joining AMVETS in 2005 as an annual member, I changed to a LIFE member. I have been an officer in the Post since joining AMVETS, start-ing with an appointment as Provost Marshal. I have been an officer in one capacity or another ever since, including Commander for the last 2 years.

In 2010, I was elected to Jr. Vice Commander for District III; 2011 elected to District Commander District III; and in 2012 I was elected to Department Provost Marshal. I have three sisters and various nieces/neph-ews, along with my Mom, who are all supportive of my efforts. I have various family members who have served in the Armed Forces including my Dad who served in the Korean War while his older brother was a WWII vet. Dad’s younger brother, my uncle, served during peacetime, while my nephew served in the National Guard.

Yours in service,Richard VanNatta

S/V of Programs

AMVETS:

Hello, my name is Chris Studebaker and I am your newly elected Senior Vice Commander of Programs. I would like to thank everyone that voted for and supported me. I am the grandson of two WWII Army veterans and the son of a Vietnam War Army veteran. I served in the US

Navy for six years from 1992-1998. I was stationed onboard the USS Sacramento AOE-1 for five years, home ported in Bremerton, WA. While I was in the Navy, I reached the rank of Machinist Mate Second Class Petty Officer E-5. My primary duties onboard the ship were as an underway replenishment hy-draulic specialist and an underway replenishment safety officer. I made two six month Western Pa-cific deployments to the Persian Gulf in support of Operation Southern Watch. I earned two Navy Achievement Medals, Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist Breast Insignia and ten other medals and ribbons during my enlistment. I joined AMVETS in 1992, when my father signed me up. I am a life and charter member of Post 115 in Pontiac, where I am currently the finance officer and adjutant. On the state level, I have been

the District IV Commander, Department Provost Marshal and Senior Vice Commander of Programs. My father is Past 4th National District Com-mander and Past Department Commander Robert Studebaker, and my mom is Past Department Presi-dent Norma Studebaker. I am currently employed by the Illinois Department of Transportation as a highway maintainer, working out of the Blooming-ton maintenance yard for the last 11 years. I am a life member of AMVETS and the VFW, and a member of the American Legion and Teamsters local 26 in Champaign. I currently reside in Pontiac.

Yours in service,Christopher Studebaker

S/V of Membership

Membership Department

Programs Department

July 2013 Page 3Illinois AMVETS

UpcomingEvents

Editor’s Note: Whoops! In the June 2013 issue of Illinois AMVETS, Commander Weglewski is listed on page one as having attended the Congressional Medal of Honor ceremony

for Richard Johnson. This ceremony for Mr. Johnson was for a Congressional Gold Medal.

My apologies!

District I Officer InstallationJuly 7, 2013 at 3 PM

Location: Amvets Post 43, 14032 S. Torrence, Burnham, IL

Contact: RSVP to Commander Richard Shea

Phone: 773-306-5496

Tribute to the TroopsJuly 12 - 14, 2013

Location: DuPage County Veterans Memorial in Lombard, ILCost: Donation for food

Contact: Raleigh ShowensPhone: 815-482-7897Email: rlcs@mc.net

AMVETS Golf ScrambleJuly 13, 2013

Granite City, ILBe sure to get your registration in

early, as spaces are limited. The form can be found at:

http://www.ilamvets.org/pr_releases.cfm

District IV MeetingSunday, Jul 21, 2013 at 1 PM

Location: Post 52, 301 E. Division St. in Fisher, IL

Contact: Terry NorgaardPhone: 815-341-0886

Email: FADEALER@gmail.com

District IV MeetingSunday, Jul 21, 2013 at 1 PM

Location: Post 52, 301 E. Division St. in Fisher, IL

Contact: Terry NorgaardPhone: 815-341-0886

Email: FADEALER@gmail.com

National AMVETS Convention

July 24 - August 4, 2013Location: John Ascuaga’s Nugget

1100 Nugget Avenue inSparks, NV 89431

Cut-Off: June 9, 2013

Editor’s Note: Whoops! In the June 2013 issue

2013-2014 AMVETS Department of Illinois Officers

Paul KerbyCommander

Chris StudebakerS/V Membership

Richard VanNattaS/V Programs

Dave LennoxProvost Marshal

Rudy SpauldingNEC

William BucknerAlt. NEC

Ben FlerlageJudge Advocate

Harlow PuesCommander 1&2

Raleigh ShowensFinance Officer

Lee GuerreroSad Sacks Saddest

Mike CookSons Commander

Terry NorgaardCommander 3, 4 & 5

Page 4 July 2013Illinois AMVETS

District ICommander:

Richard Shea, Jr. S/V Membership:

Wayne GryzbowskiJ/V Programs: William Luna

District IICommander: Don Wesner

S/V Membership: VacantS/V Programs:

Jim Mosby

District IIICommander: Teresa Pickle

S/V Membership: Mike Allen

J/V Programs: Andrew Morrisey

District IVCommander: Richard Prete

S/V Membership: Ryan CarruthersJ/V Programs: Darrell Tucker

District VCommander: Don Johnson

S/V Membership: Brian WinfieldJ/V Programs:

Loren Ramsey, Sr.

2013-2014District Officers

Luncheon Highlights

Clockwise: Brandon “Boomer” Nell performs our POW/MIA ceremony; PDC Cheryl Weglewski receives VA honors from VA rep Reginald Booker; Weglewski receives her honorary license plate from Secretary of State representative Greg Curran; Curran speaks to our scholarship winners about safe driving; and,

Lincoln-Way Central High School Color Guard

Joint Memorial Service

July 2013 Page 5Illinois AMVETS

Scholarship Winners

Ricky GoService Foundation

Jamie DaltonService Foundation

Chelsey WerrlineTrade School

Briana BrixService Foundation

Chase SmithService Foundation

Tyler BouslogService Foundation

Stephen DyerTrade School

Meagan BuntonService Foundation

Marissa CahillService Foundation

Corey ManningService Foundation

Stephanie McCluskeyService Foundation

Kendal AndersonSad Sacks Nursing

Calee BoedigheimerLadies Auxiliary

Service Foundation ScholarshipsSamantha RudeMargaret WolfeCarlos LinaresNicholas A. BeaudetteShannon PurcellJodi HooverCorey MaischTaylor BoothbyEmily SargentSamantha TrianiMichaela Mirkovich

Junior ROTC ScholarshipsAlexis TorresQuasha S. Graves

Sad Sacks Nursing ScholarshipKeaton Zirkle

Ladies Auxiliary ScholarshipsHunter LyonZabrina YoakumNicholas BaumanTaylor BoothbyYasmine StewartMacey Coppinger

Scholarship Winners Not In Attendance

Page 6 July 2013Illinois AMVETS

Honors & Awards WinnersHonors & Awards

Americanism: Pontiac Post 115Sponsored by PDC Bob Dant & PDP Debby Dant

Outstanding Firm District II: All People’s In-terfaith Food Pantry (Rep. by Don Wesner)

Commander’s Award & Post of the Year:Phillip Carpenter Post 66 Commander’s Award: Clinton Post 14

Employee Membership 1st Place:Michael Ragusa

Employee Membership 2nd Place:George Sebastian

Americanism Award,sponsored by PDC Bob & PDP Debby Dant:Post 115 in Pontiac

AMVETS Membership Award, sponsored by PNC Don Russell:Bob Stuebinger

Commander’s Award:Phillip Carpenter Post 66Clinton Post 14

Francis Swinnen Service Award, sponsored by PDC Ben Flerlage:Michael Burmeister, Post 169

Outstanding AMVET of the Year: Bill Luna

Outstanding Firm Recognition:District I: Matt’s CookiesDistrict II: All People’s Interfaith Food PantryDistrict III: Goodwill Home for VeteransDistrict IV: Exelon Nuclear/Clinton Power StationDistrict V: NACO Printing

Outstanding Individual Recognition Award: Tammy DePasse

Peter J. McKierman Memorial Hospital Award, sponsored by Ted Knusman Post 13: Ted Knusman Post 13

Post of the Year: Phillip Carpenter Post 66

Employee Membership:1st Place Michael Ragusa2nd Place George Sebastian

AMVETS Membership Award:Robert Stuebinger, Post 103

Cong

ratu

lations to all the honors & awards winners!

•

July 2013 Page 7Illinois AMVETS

Name PostLeroy Kelso 8

Walter J. Komarnicki 13Jr. Clark 14

Kenneth W. Cress 16Stan Williamson 30

Ralph Dyson 32Steven L. Stork 33Mark Morrow 43Chuck Hanson 66

Burke Ford 67Ron "Scoop" Edwards 103

John Ruhl 107Steve Leonard 115

Kathryn E. Langford 140Ronnie Britt 145

Michael W. Burmeister 169Barry Roberts 202

Harry M. Robertson 245Harry Breighner 257

Don Stage 269James P. Cecille 277

Ray Barry 312Abundio Zaragoza, Jr. 326

Post AMVET of the Year Winners

Chuck HansonPost 66

Donald StagePost 269

Abundio ZaragozaPost 326

Quality Post of the Year

Clockwise: Post 34, represented by Com-mander Dennis Johnson; Post 326, repre-

sented by Commander William Luna; and, Post 503, represented by Commander An-gelo DeLiberti. Post 90 was not present at Convention, but also received this award.

Luna announced as Outstanding AMVET of the YearPost 326 Commander William Luna was selected as the winner of the Outstanding AMVET of the Year Award. Please read his nomination to learn more about this valu-able AMVET!

I am submitting AMVETS member William Bill Luna for “Outstand-ing AMVET of the Year Award”. We support this nomination because of his volunteer service and qual-ifications. He is a member in good standing, AMVETS Dr. Hector P. Garcia Post 326 for the period April 2 of the previous year through April 1 of the current year. Bill currently serves in several leadership capacities he is cur-rently the Commander of Post 326 and Senior Vice Commander of District I. Under his leadership he motivates and inspires other Veterans, these are some of his accomplishments this past year;• He serves as the USO Coordinator at Navy Pier, Chicago, Illinois.• He coordinates our Post 326 award of a Laptop Computer to the top R.O.T.C. cadet at Far-ragut Military Academy.• He serves as Chairman of our AMVETS 21st Annual Cinco de Mayo Banquet• He was interviewed by the Library of Con-gress on his life story and contributions which will be archived in Washington, D.C.• Spearheaded the passing of a Cook County Board of Commissioners Resolution to honor the legacy of Dr. Hector P. Garcia, whom our Post 326 is named after.• Worked with the Farragut High School to

place a banner to Honor Dr. Hector P. Garcia on his birthday in the High School breezeway.• Honored Manuel Perez, Jr. Medal of Honor WW II for 11 straight years on his birthday. Coordinated sev-eral Veteran organizations to attend the ceremony at the Memorial Plaza.• Coordinated AMVETS participation in Memorial Day activities in Chicago.

• Represented AMVETS Post 326 and displayed Military Exhibit at the first annual VAC Resource fair in Cook County for Cook County Commissioner 7th District Jesus Garcia along with other Veteran agency and organizations.• Invited as guest to the Milwaukee, Wis-consin Annual Mexican Fiesta with assistance from AMVETS, American Legion and M.A.V.A. members.• Participated in the Annual Mexican In-dependence day parade in Chicago representing AMVETS Post 326.• Served as Chairman of our “OctoberFest” fundraiser in collaboration with other Veteran organizations.• Serves as Color guard for the Chicago Youth Boxing Club, Coach and Board Member, honoring Veterans with the American Legion and M.A.V.A. Commanders for Veterans Day. His cooperation and drive has inspired many Veterans at each task he is involved in. His actions speak louder than words and we are recom-mending Bill Luna as our “Outstanding AMVET of the Year” to receive this prestigious award. •

Page 8 July 2013Illinois AMVETS

Veterans IssuesVA Hires Over 1600 Mental Health Professionals to Meet

Goal, Expands Access to Care and Outreach Efforts, Directs Nationwide Community Mental Health Summits

WASHINGTON (June 3, 2013)– The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced that it has met the goal to hire 1,600 new mental health professionals outlined in President Obama’s Aug. 31, 2012, Executive Order to Improve Access to Mental Health Services for Veterans, Service Members, and Military Families. “Meeting this hiring mile-stone significantly enhances our ability to improve access to care for those Veterans seeking mental health services and demonstrates our continued commitment to the health and well-being of the men and women who have served the Nation,” said Secre-tary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki. “Meeting this goal is an important achievement, but we recognize that we must continue to increase access to the quality mental health care Veterans have earned and deserve.” As of May 31, 2013, VA has hired a total of 1,607 mental health clinical providers to meet the goal of 1,600 new mental health professionals outlined in the Executive Order. Addition-ally, VA has hired 2,005 mental health clinical providers to fill existing vacancies. VA has also hired 318 new peer specialists towards the specific goal of 800 peer specialists by Dec. 31, 2013 as outlined in the Executive Or-der. VA expects to meet that goal as well. VA also recognizes that meeting the needs of Veter-ans and their families requires collaboration and partnership between VA, other federal agen-cies, and local communities. “Locally-driven summits pro-vide a well-established method to strengthen our community partnerships, and they have been successful in support of VA’s goal to end homelessness among Veterans,” said Veterans Health Administration, Undersecretary for Health, Dr. Robert Petzel. “The President is directing all VA health care systems nationwide

to conduct locally-driven Men-tal Health Summits to further engage with local community partners and nurture community engagement to address the broad mental health needs of Veterans and their families.” Each VA health care system will reach out to relevant Veteran Service Organizations, community based organizations, health care providers, and lo-cal governments to develop and conduct the Summits. VA provides a full range of comprehensive mental health services across the country. In Fiscal Year 2012, more than 1.3 million Veterans received special-ized mental health care from the VA. This number has risen each year from 927,052 in Fiscal Year 2006. In addition to hiring more mental health professionals, VA is expanding the use of innova-tive technology to serve Veterans in rural or underserved areas. VA expects to double the number of Veterans receiving care from tele-mental health services to over 800,000 in fiscal year 2013, and has increased the number of Vet Centers, which provide readjust-ment counseling and referral services from 233 in 2008 to 300 in 2012. In November 2011, VA launched an award-winning, national public awareness cam-paign called Make the Connec-tion, which is aimed at reducing the stigma associated with seek-ing mental health care and in-forming Veterans, their families, friends, and members of their communities about VA resources. More information on Make the Connection can be found at www.maketheconnection.net. Mental health profession-als interested in seeking employ-ment with the Department of Veterans Affairs can obtain infor-mation at www.vacareers.va.gov. Veterans interested in learning more about the mental health services provided by VA can go to www.mentalhealth.va.gov. •

Lest we forget that the sole purpose of the Veterans Ad-ministration, the multiple VA Hospitals, clinics and medical facilities, as well as the many regional offices nationwide are to take care of the Veteran. The folks that took the oath, served, wore the uniform, gave a piece of, and too often more) themselves in defense of our country. Stated another way, you the target audience of this publication. Occasionally, however, confusion amasses upon how and who is defining “take care of.” In many cases, this confusion is in the interpreta-tion, and other times it is the process for which a veteran has to manipulate in order to receive the care and assistance they may seek. One very common cause for confusion is that many factors can determine how benefits are administered. Factors, such as, dates of service, length of service, injuries and illnesses during ser-vice, wartime versus peacetime, specific location of service, fi-nancial status of the veteran, and many particulars can be used to determine eligibility to certain benefits. As an AMVET Veteran Service Officers, we strive to remain adept of changes and procedures when applying for your benefits to make the process as efficient as possible. We also put great effort into learning the roles of the various offices, and services throughout, and at times outside, the VA network. We do this in order to direct veterans as appropriately as possible on all issues the veteran brings to our attention. As a VSO, about to com-plete his first year on the job, I know my knowledge and experi-ence is limited, but I will always try to find the right avenue for

the veteran’s issue. I spend a little of each day reaching out to VA employees, learning what they do, and how they serve the vet-eran so I can build my network of resources. This is one way I feel will help me take care of veterans.

Yours in AMVETS,

Mark RossVeterans Service Officer

Danville VAMC

Learning more about the VA

For updates, visit the following

websites:

www.va.gov

www.veterans.illinois.gov

July 2013 Page 9Illinois AMVETS

Veterans IssuesHUD & VA Team Up To Provide Permanent Homes to 9,000

Homeless Vets

WASHINGTON – Approximately 9,000 homeless Veterans living on the streets and in the nation’s shelter system will soon find a permanent place to call home. U.S. Housing and Urban Devel-opment (HUD) Secretary Shaun Donovan and U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Secre-tary Eric K. Shinseki announced today that HUD will provide $60 million to local public housing agencies across the country to offer permanent supportive hous-ing to homeless Veterans, many of whom are living with chronic disabling conditions. The supportive housing assistance announced today is provided through the HUD-Vet-erans Affairs Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) Program which combines rental assistance from HUD with case management and clinical services provided by VA. Since 2008, a total of 48,385 vouchers have been awarded and 42,557 formerly homeless Veterans are currently in homes because of HUD-VASH. Donovan and Shinseki announced this additional sup-port for homeless Veterans in an address to the National Coalition of Homeless Veterans conference today in Washington. Find out how much of this assistance will help homeless veterans in your area. “It’s a national tragedy that those who served our Nation in uniform can end up living in our shelters or on our streets,” said Donovan. “Today we make another investment in meeting President Obama’s challenge that we end Veteran homelessness once and for all.” “These HUD-VASH vouchers are a critical resource to accomplish our shared goal of ending Veterans’ homelessness in 2015,” Shinseki said. “With the continued support of Presi-dent Obama, Congress, and our community partners, we will end homelessness among Veterans and provide these brave men and women with the earned care and benefits that help them live pro-

ductive, meaningful lives.” HUD-VASH is a critical part of the Obama Administra-tion’s commitment to end Veter-an and long-term chronic home-lessness in 2015. Opening Doors: Federal Strategic Plan to Prevent and End Homelessness serves as a roadmap for how the federal government will work with state and local communities to con-front the root causes of homeless-ness, especially among former servicemen and women. HUD’s annual “point in time” estimate of the number of homeless per-sons and families for 2012 found that Veteran homelessness fell by 7.2 percent (or 4,876 people) since January 2011 and by 17.2 percent since January 2009. On a single night in January 2012, 62,619 veterans were homeless. The grants announced today are part of $75 million ap-propriated this year to support the housing needs of homeless veterans. Local public housing authorities provide rental as-sistance to homeless Veterans while nearby VA Medical Centers (VAMC) offer supportive services and case management. This is the first round of the 2013 HUD-VASH funding. HUD expects to announce more HUD-VASH funding this summer. VAMCs work closely with homeless Veterans then refer them to public housing agencies for these vouchers, based upon a variety of factors, most impor-tantly the duration of the home-lessness and the need for longer term more intensive support to obtain and maintain perma-nent housing. The HUD-VASH program includes both the rental assistance the voucher provides and the comprehensive case management that VAMC staff provides. Veterans participating in the HUD-VASH program rent privately owned housing and generally contribute no more than 30 percent of their income toward rent. •

WASHINGTON (May 15, 2013) – As part of its ongoing effort to accelerate the elimination of the disability compensation claims backlog, the Department of Vet-erans Affairs (VA) is announcing today that it is mandating over-time for claims processors in its 56 regional benefits offices. This surge, which will be implement-ed through the end of fiscal year 2013, will be targeted to elimi-nating the backlogged status of claims. The additional overtime hours that will be worked during this period will be used to help eliminate the backlog with con-tinued emphasis on high-priority claims for homeless Veterans and those claiming financial hard-ship, the terminally ill, former Prisoners of War, Medal of Honor recipients, and Veterans filing Fully Developed Claims. “VA is dedicated to pro-viding Veterans with the care and benefits they have earned and deserve,” said VA Secretary Eric K. Shinseki. “This increased over-time initiative will provide more Veterans with decisions on their claims and will help us achieve our goal of eliminating the claims backlog.” This is the latest effort in support of the Secretary’s plan to reduce the backlog. Last month, the VA announced an initiative to expedite compensation claims decisions for Veterans who have waited one year or longer. On April 19, VA began prioritizing claims decisions for Veterans who have been waiting the lon-gest, by providing provisional decisions that allow eligible Veterans to begin collecting com-pensation benefits quickly. With a provisional decision, a Veteran has a year to submit additional information to support a claim before the decision becomes final. More information can be found here. “We’re committed to get-ting Veterans decisions on their claims as quickly and accurately as possible,” said Undersecretary for Benefits Allison A. Hickey. “We need to surge our resources

now to help those who have waited the longest and end the backlog.” Claims for Wounded Warriors separating from the military for medical reasons will continue to be handled separately and on a priority basis with the Department of Defense through the Integrated Disability Evalua-tion System (IDES). On average, Wounded Warriors separating through IDES currently receive VA compensation benefits in 2 months following their separa-tion from service. Veterans can learn more about disability benefits on the joint Department of Defense—VA web portal eBenefits at http://www.ebenefits.va.gov. More information about filing Fully Developed Claims is available at: http://www.benefits.va.gov/transformation/fastclaims/ •

VA Mandates Overtime to Increase Production of Compensa-tion Claims Decisions

Page 10 July 2013Illinois AMVETS

Callaghan elected Department PresidentGreetings AMVETS Ladies Auxiliary Mem-bers, I am proud to by your new Department Presi-dent for the coming 2013-2014 year. About me... I have been a member of Auxiliary # 115 since 2006 and cur-rently hold the offices of PRO, Parliamentar-ian and Treasurer. On the District level, I have held the offices of 2nd Vice President / Child Welfare and 3rd Vice President / Communi-ty Service for two years when they were active. On the Depart-ment level, I have held the offices of PRO, Chaplain and 1st Vice President / Membership before becoming Department President. I have attended numer-ous state SECs, attended Na-tional Convention in Louisville Kentucky as well as attending a NEC/ Silver Helmut Ceremonies in Washington DC. I am the granddaughter, daughter and niece of deceased Veterans. My son Michael served in the United States Coast Guard. I reside in Pontiac with my husband of 21 years, Mike. He is a Life Member of Sons of AMVETS # 103 in Aurora. I am heavily involved with my local theater group, the Vermillion Players. I am from a family of five brothers, one of whom is my

twin. My project for this year is Health Care For Homeless Veter-ans/ Danville. My slogan for my project is “Because We Care”. It is an honor to be your Department President, and I will do my level best to continue the great things the past Presidents before me have accomplished. Please contact me anytime if there is anything I can do for you.

Yours In AMVETS Ladies Auxiliary Service,

Cindy Callaghan

AMVETS Ladies Auxiliary Department President

2013-2014

AMVETS Department of Illinois Ladies Auxiliary

We thank you Lord for the dedi-cated people who offer themselves to further the aims of Amvets Ladies Auxiliary. Protect and give them strength to serve us well during their term of office. Keep us all safe until we meet again.

Yours in Auxiliary Service,Janet VanDeusen

Dept. Chaplain

Prayers from the Chaplain

Wounded Warriors receives $5,100 donation from AMVETS Ladies Auxiliary

Illinois AMVETS Ladies Auxil-iary Past Department President Claudia Kelly made it her mission to support the Wounded War-riors program during her term as president. At different events, she (and others) carried a red

solo cup around to be filled with donations. At the end of her term, PDP Kelly was able to present Wounded Warriors representative Garrett Anderson with a check fro $5,100! •

PDP Claudia Kelly at Convention

PDP Kelly received honors from the Secretary of State and from VA

representative Reginald Booker.

July 2013 Page 11Illinois AMVETS

2013-2014Ladies Auxiliary

Officers

Banquet Highlights

Clockwise: Sgt. Garrett Anderson of Wounded Warriors speaks to the audience; AMVET members Terri Hintz and Brandon “Boomer” Nell salute during the POW/MIA cer-emony; PDC Cheryl Weglewski with Lincoln-Way Central

High School Color Guard (and MSgt. Daniel Schliffka); PDP Claudia Kelly arriving to her banquet; PDP Weglewski

being escorted in

Swearing in of officers

Past National Commander Jim King swore in our officers and newDepartment Commander Paul Kerby.

President Cindy Callaghan 115 1st Vice President / Membership Laurie Shea 43

2nd Vice President /Child Welfare Larina Sanders 169

3rd Vice President / Community ServiceJoyce Srebalus 43

Chaplain Janet VanDusen 204

Sgt-At-Arms Mary Kerby 235

Treasurer Debra Dant 169 Americanism/ PRO/Historian PDP Norma Studebaker 115

Parliamentarian PDP Ruth Ann Sanders 67 Scholarship Dixie Kalips 204

Honors and AwardsPDP Claudia Kelly 204

Hospital PDP Martha Bean 115

Ways and Means Rose Caffrey 204

Quartermaster Linda Showens 169 NEC/Liaison PDP Leslie Nell 169 Advisory Board Chairman PDP Claudia Kelly 204 Gaveliers President PDP RuthAnn Sanders 67

Dept. Convention ChairmanAnn Phelps 4

Dept Convention Co-ChairmanPNP Denise LaBatt 169

Illinois AMVETS Service Foundation offers a great oppor-tunity for you to help support our nation’s servicemen and women. Within the Chicago-area AMVETS offers specific locations to drop off donations of household goods and clothing. Attendants will as-sist you with your donations at each location, so please see the list below for the drop-off site near you. Each site location is open ev-eryday 9-5, unless noted. You can also go to www.amvetspickup.com to email your pickup re-quests directly from home or call 708-388-7800. The pickup service operates on a routing system allowing for pickups every few days or weeks depending upon your location. We greatly appreci-ate your generous donations and continued support of AMVETS.

All donations are tax-deductible.

Or, make a cash donation:

Site Name Location Host

SiteBridegview 7325 W. 79th

St.Kmart Lot

Bridgeview 10260 S. Harlem Ave. (Site is open everyday from 10-4)

Walmart Parking Lot

Darien 1 blk. west of 75th & Fair-view

Walmart Parking Lot

Des Plaines Oakton/Lee Rd.

West side of parking lot in front of KMart

North Joliet 1401 Illinois Rte. 59 (�eo-dore & Rte 59)

Walmart

Lombard 345 W. Roosevelt Rd. (M-Sa. 8-5, Su 9-5)

Kmart lot

Minooka 855 S. Ridge Rd. (Site open everyday 10-4)

Ace Hard-ware

West Naper-ville

776 S. Rte. 59 Walmart

Oak Lawn 111th/Cicero Ave.

Kmart (By Garden Center)

Plain�eld 127th St. & Rte. 59 (Site open everyday 10-4)

Walmart (Southside of Lot)

Tinley Park 159th St. (Just east of Harlem Ave.)

Burlington Coat Fac-tory

Wheeling 700 Mc. Henry Rd. - Drop box in the back of the parking lot - No attendant for receipts

AMVETS Post 66

Date: Membership: 0Annual 0Life Would you like more info about Riders? 0Yes 0No

Name: Date of Birth: / / Sex: 0Male 0Female

Street: City: State & Zip:

Phone Number: E-mail:

Branch of Service: Month/Year Entered: Month/Year Discharged:

I verify that I am serving, or have served, honorably in the US Armed Forces (Active, Guard or Reserves) after September 15, 1940. DD-214 is required. Your Signature: Sponsor/Post O�cer:

[Membership Application]Mail to: AMVETS Department of Illinois

2200 South Sixth Street, Springfield, Illinois 62703www.ilamvets.org

AMVETS JoinToday!

Support our troops today!Donate to AMVETS

makes it easy!

www.ilamvets.org

Donate to AMVETS today!We accept

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Donate today to support our veterans and their families

Town Hall meeting a successThe AMVETS Department of Il-linois Veterans Service Officers hosted a Town Hall Meeting during the 68th Annual Depart-ment Convention. VSOs discussed information regarding: VA claims,

education and GI Bill benefits, employment services and other valuable veterans services. Ap-proximately 70 veterans attending this event. •