Monthly Archives: May 2011

Summer Scholarship Showcase: Patriots Pen Essay Contest (6-8)

Posted on by vfwlady

YOU TOO CAN WIN!

WHO CAN ENTER:
The Patriot‘s Pen program is open to students in grades 6-8, who are enrolled in a public, private or parochial high school or home study program in the United States and its territories.

HOW TO ENTER:
Students should first ask a teacher or youth group leader to supervise their progress in the competition. Then the student should contact a local participating VFW Post and establish a contact person who is a member of that Post or its Ladies Auxiliary.

Next, it’s time to start drafting considering the annual theme. Essays must be no less than 300 words and should not exceed 400 words and should be submitted to the Post, along with the completed Patriot’s Pen entry form no later than November 1st.

JUDGING CRITERIA:

Knowledge of the theme is worth 30 points: You must show a thorough knowledge of the theme in your work. Demonstrate you have researched the issue extensively.

Theme development is worth 35 points: Answer all relevant facts about the theme such as the who, what, where, when and why. Relate the theme to your own experiences.

Clarity of ideas is worth 35 points: Write your essay in an easy-to-understand format. Leave your reader with a clear understanding of your explanation of the theme.

The “Summer Scholarship Showcase” is a month-long series of blogs (May 30, 2011-June 30, 2011) written by the vfwlady, Laurie Cox.  Each post is designed to promote a wide variety of annual grants and scholarship competitions available to K-12 students.  All scholarships featured are solely sponsored by a menagerie of  Not-For-Profit Veterans Support Groups and organizations.

Summer Scholarship Showcase: Voice of Democracy (9-12)

Posted on by vfwlady

YOU TOO CAN WIN $30,000!

WHO CAN ENTER:
The Voice of Democracy Program is open to students in grades 9-12, who are enrolled in a public, private or parochial high school or home study program in the United States and its territories.

HOW TO ENTER:
Students should first draft their essay based on the annual theme.  Students should then record their reading of the draft to a CD. The recording should be no shorter than 3 minutes and no longer than 5 minutes (plus or minus 5 seconds).

Entries begin at the Post level. Once the student has created their essay and completed burning the audio version to a CD, they should submit their typed version, CD and the Voice of Democracy entry form to their local participating VFW Post no later than November 1.

JUDGING CRITERIA:
Originality is worth 30 points: Treatment of the theme should show imagination and human interest

Content is worth 35 points: Clearly express your ideas in an organized manner. Fully develop your theme and use transitions to move smoothly from one idea to the other.

Delivery is worth 35 points: Speak in a clear and credible manner.


The “Summer Scholarship Showcase” is a month-long series of blogs (May 30, 2011-June 30, 2011) written by the vfwlady, Laurie Cox.  Each post is designed to promote a wide variety of annual grants and scholarship competitions available to K-12 students.  All scholarships featured are solely sponsored by a menagerie of  Not-For-Profit Veterans Support Groups and organizations.

How to Display Your American Flag Properly

Posted on by vfwlady

I hope that all of my fellow Patriots who have chosen to take part in Memorial Day, Flag Day, 4th of July, or Veterans Day activities are aware of the Federal Flag Code.  For those that have chosen to display the American Flag proudly, here are some tips on how to do so properly:

The Coalition to Salute America’s Heroes “Send a Thank You & Get Well Card to a Wounded Warrior” Program

Posted on by vfwlady

The Coalition to Salute America’s Heroes (CSAH) was created to provide a way for individuals, corporations and others to help our severely wounded and disabled Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom veterans and their families rebuild their lives.

The CSAH provides:

Emergency Financial Assistance,

Educational and Motivational Conferences, and even

opportunities for employment

to OIF/OEF combat-injured veterans.  In a nutshell, they do “Whatever it takes to meet the needs of hundreds of wounded and disabled American veterans, one hero at a time.”  They have already helped almost 20,000.

In order to help you thank Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom Wounded Warriors for their services both on and off the battlefield, CSAH is giving every freedom-loving patriot an opportunity to send an “America Thanks You” card absolutely FREE (or you may choose to donate) through their website.

To send your card today, click here

Rolling Thunder Memorial Day Weekend POW/MIA Observance

Posted on by vfwlady

The Rolling Thunder Memorial weekend “Ride” began in 1987 with 2500 patriotic motorcycle enthusiasts.  It was organized by a group of Vietnam Veterans who wanted to bring attention to the POW/MIA’s that were left behind after the Vietnam War ended.   Today, more than 250,000 motorcyclists participate in this annual ride through the streets of Washington D.C.  Assuring that the U.S. Government “Never Forgets” that all soldiers left behind deserve to make it home.

Join in the 2012 “Ride For Freedom”

Like Patriotic Motorcycle Runs?  Check out these:

2011 Nation of Patriots “Patriot Tour”

2nd Annual “Never Forget” Ride

Free Housing for Families of Wounded Warriors: The Fisher House Foundation

Posted on by vfwlady

The Fisher House Foundation has been supplying free housing to veterans and their families since 1990.  To date, they have provided more than 3 million days of free housing to over 120,000 families. Due to the increasing number of combat casualties returning from Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom, “Fisher Houses” have become an essential part of the recovery process for America‘s “Wounded Warriors”.

The primary purpose of the Fisher House Foundation began with the goal of providing a ‘home away from home’ for military families to be close to their loved one during hospitalization for an illness, disease or injury.  Thanks to the coordinated efforts of the Fisher House Foundation, several independent airlines, and passengers willing to donate their frequent flier miles: flights for families to and from the many Fisher House Homes are also free.  This is called the “Hero Miles” program.

Beyond housing, The Fisher House Foundation has worked hard to enrich the lives of veterans. By “joining forces” with the U.S. Paralympics and Department of Defense, they helped support the 2011 Warrior Games held at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo.

More than 200 wounded, ill or injured service members from the Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard and Special Operations Command took part in various events.

Disaster Assistance from VA and FEMA

Posted on by vfwlady

If you are a Military Veteran or are currently on active duty, and you have suffered any type of loss due to Natural Disaster, FEMA and the VA might be able to help.  Due to recent tornadoes,  the VA is now offering special disaster assistance to Veterans and Military personnel who have VA-guaranteed home loans.

Veterans should also start the FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) application process as soon as possible by calling 1-800-621-3362 or by visiting their website here:

If you are the victim of a natural disaster, then you may also qualify for assistance through a multitude of other government programs.  I strongly urge you to visit DisasterAssistance.gov and take the Pre-Screening Questionnaire to learn exactly which services may be available in your area here

Child Care Assistance for Military Families

Posted on by vfwlady

The National Association of Child Care Resource and Referral Agency:

“NACCRRA is working with the U.S. Military Services to help those who serve in the military find and afford child care that suits their unique needs. Through several innovative civilian/military efforts between the Services, NACCRRA and Child Care Resource and Referral agencies (CCR&Rs) are building the quality and capacity of child care throughout the country.”

Visit their website, and click on your Branch Seal for more information!


200 Places to Get Your Military Discount

Posted on by vfwlady

Blockbuster, Chevy’s, Denny’s, Extreme Outfitters, Foot Locker, and many other businesses out there offer 10% to 50% discounts on their products and services.  Some require a coupon code, some only allow the discount if ordering online, but most require a Military ID.

Thanks to the U.S. Veterans Compensation website, a comprehensive list of companies offering Military Discounts is now available.  For the complete list click here:

GET MY MILITARY DISCOUNT

If you are a veteran, you are also eligible to receive many of these discounts with your

GET MY VETERAN ID CARD 

The U.S. Veterans Compensation website is also a great resource for finding information about many other Veterans programs!