THE VETERAN’S VOICE
Volume
25 Issue 12
www.post639.com
December 2005
The Medicare Modernization Act (MMA) and Medicare Part D
The Medicare Prescription Drug
Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003, also known as the Medicare Reform
Act, established a voluntary drug benefit for Medicare beneficiaries and created
the new Medicare Part D. It also established a new, open enrollment period for
Medicare Advantage plans. Medicare Part D gives elderly
and disabled people, already on Medicare, access to
prescription drug coverage
starting in January of 2006. This legislation expands health care benefits for Medicare beneficiaries. Accordingly, in January 2006,
Medicare will launch Medicare Part D prescription drug plans to help
beneficiaries save on prescription drug costs. It adds an outpatient
prescription drug coverage option to traditional Medicare— something Medicare
beneficiaries enrolled in traditional Medicare have never had before .It
provides generous drug coverage for low-income beneficiaries and special
protections for those with the highest annual drug costs .It replaces the
temporary Drug Discount Card Program .It provides additional funding for
employers offering prescription coverage either through a Part D plan or through
a 28 percent tax-free subsidy from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid
Services (CMS) .Kaiser Permanente will participate in the Medicare Part D
program. We will make the transition to Medicare Part D as seamless as possible
for members and employers. The Medicare Part D prescription drug plans are
government-sponsored insurance policies that are issued by commercial insurance
companies. They are designed to help protect you against the rising costs of
prescription drugs. Anyone with Medicare Parts A and Part B can purchase a
prescription drug benefit plan through Kaiser Permanente Senior Advantage
beginning on November 15, 2005. The prescription drug plans take effect on
January 1, 2006.
Arizona
Steve
Steve
Johnson from Post 26 in Arizona has been diagnosed with terminal cancer and has
about 3 months. He has
had his membership
transferred to Post 639 and would appreciate visits and phone calls as he can no
longer drive. Show him that we
care. His phone # is 417-823-7094
Deer Hunting Big Business
Every
year, thousands of people take vacation time to spend their daylight hours in
the woods, hoping to bag a trophy buck.
Last year, hunters harvested more than 300,000
deer statewide. But it’s not just people who live here. Many hunters from out
of state travel to Missouri to hunt each year. And that can be big business.
The Missouri Department of Conservation says the money doesn’t just come from
licenses and permits. "They’ve got to buy gas; they’ve got to buy food.
If they’re coming from out of state, they need motel reservations," notes
department spokesman Francis Skalicky. "It does a lot of business for
Missouri; it’s a big moneymaking activity in Missouri." And the amount of
money spent by people coming from out of state is staggering. The Conservation
Department says Missouri’s 13,000-plus non-resident deer hunters spend about
$139 per day in our state. That means more than $57 million for Missouri.
Post
Office Tips
If you shop for a loved-one overseas this holiday
season, you should start thinking about shipping now. Postmaster Bill Brayman
says, "The earlier, the better."
Mark it on your calendar. The U.S. Post Office asks
family, friends, and supporters of troops to send early this year. That’s the
only way to make sure your package arrives in time for the holidays. To make
sure your gifts arrive safely, the Postal Service offers these
tips: Select a box that is strong enough to protect the contents. Leave
space for cushioning inside the carton. Cushion the package contents with
shredded or rolled newspaper, bubble wrap, or Styrofoam. Always use tape that is
designed for shipping. Do not us wrapping paper, string, masking tape, or
cellophane tape.
Page
2
The Veteran's Voice
From
the Commander
My thanks to
all the members who have had a
strong impact on this Post in the last year. You’re dedication has been
appreciated by us all. Now, as we look forward to 2006, let’s be aware of the
need for getting involved at Post 639.You don’t have to pitch a tent here,
just do whatever you can with your time and talents. We are in the planning
stage for the construction of a lighted sign on the north side-end of our
driveway. It should be ready sometime in the spring. Our BIG SCREEN TV will
be raffled off at the New Years Eve Party on Dec 31st and all proceeds will be
applied to the cost of the sign. The REDNECK ROCKERS will be here for the
party so be here for the fun. Please try to be at the Post on Sunday, Dec.11th
for the POST CLEAN UP PARTY. This is a good time for us all to get
together and do something to help our Post look presentable to everyone. A big THANK
YOU to the Ladies Auxiliary for being there when you are needed the most.
I would like to welcome aboard the new members, and thank you for
selecting our Post.
With some help from others, we need to get the membership over 100 % by the
end of December. If you have not paid, please do so. The members who have not
been to the post in awhile, please come out and see the improvements we
have done and are doing. We're doing a lot of things for the better! Don’t
forget the TOYS FOR TOTS run on the 4th, and the kids Christmas party on the
10th.
Phil Richardson
Adjutant’s
Report
Membership
cards are in for 2006. The door key cards will be changed Dec. 31, 2005 and the
new one will be given out to you with a membership card that has the year 2006
on it. If you have paid 2006 dues, mail them in or come by the post if you wish
to pay. We have 376 members
that have re-upped for 2006. Post
639 is trying for goal of 100% in membership. The post will be having a New
Years Eve Party Dec. 31 for the membership & friends to enjoy. I’d like to
take this time to wish everyone a happy holiday and a fantastic New Year.
J.C.
Ponder
Ladies
Auxiliary
Our Halloween party for the children was a huge success! The children all
looked so good and they had a great time, too. We enjoyed all of them
immensely. We all hope that Dea is feeling much better after the whack she took
from the Pinata stick! As for the gown ups party they all looked frighteningly
good and had a spooktacular time! Thanks to all who helped to make it a success! On the 5th of November, we had our special
Veteran's Day. We all enjoyed the vets that came from Mt. Vernon so much. I want
to give a special thanks to everyone that was there for the guys. You know who
you are. Our "special"
Merle turned the big 60 this year, too. Hope you have many more to come. .Hip,
hip hooray! There will be Toys for Tots on Dec. 4th, from 5-9pm, with a chili
cook-off. Thanks to all of you who showed up for the special occasion for
the children. It is wonderful to know so many people care about them. There will
be Christmas wrapping of the gifts for the vets at Mt. Vernon, on Dec. 6th,
starting at 9am. We will have a Christmas party for the kids on Dec. 10th,
from 1-3pm. There will be lots of things going on and of course
Santa will be there, so think of some good things for him to get ready for
Christmas. The Ladies Auxiliary will have a Christmas dinner on Dec. 12th
at Jose's Place, 2185 S. Campbell Ave. We all hope Buttons, the cat will not
cost mom and dad $50.00 anymore. That's a lot for your little black butt, but
you were worth it. We all miss Barb and John, but we will see them again next
year. From Bev, thanks for the pictures. They are being enjoyed. I want to put
out a special thanks to Mr. Olen Provow from Willow Brooke for our turkeys for
the Thanksgiving Day dinner we served to those who came to enjoy it. I'm glad I
got to see him on his special day, Marines birthday. Thanks for the picture
also. And of course a great hoorah for your kindness.
As always, say something special to someone today and everyday.
Beverly
Miller-President
Chaplain’s
Report
MERRY
CHRISTMAS
The ACLU wants
to take this statement away from us. They
would like to take Christmas and every holiday off of the calendar forever.
This Nation was founded on the belief of one God, our true commander and
chief. This God had one Son who came to earth about 2000 years ago as a Baby
born in Bethlehem to a Mother named Mary and a Father named Joseph. This baby
lived to age 33 never owning anything except the clothes that he wore. We still
study his teachings today and there are some religions that will behead you if
you are found with them. So let's
take time to think of the real meaning of Christmas - the love for our fellow
man. Remember - this is a very difficult time for some of our brothers and
sisters, a first Christmas without some one they love.
They may be gone forever or serving in our military overseas and can not
be with us. Please remember our men
and women in the military, our POW's and MIA's in your prayers. Ruth and I want
to wish each one of you a very Merry Christmas.
Bob
Carroll
The
Veterans
Voice
Page 3
Editors
Report
I’ve
just found out that Bill Roark is in the process of updating our website to a
different address so as soon as I find out what it is, I’ll let you know. The
Toys For Tots run will Be Dec. 4th with a chili cook off so bring your best pot
of chili and antacids. Please
be at the Post on Dec.11th for the clean up party. We can DO IT ALL if we
ALL DO IT. The Building and Grounds committee has been working on the road sign
for the end of our driveway. Many thanks to the guys who are donating their
time, equipment and money for this project. Buy a ticket for the raffle on the BIG
SCREEN TV because all proceeds will be going towards the new sign. Remember
to check the calendar for the up and coming events this month. Please keep Steve
Johnson in your prayers these holidays and give him a call just to let him know
we care. New Years Eve is the big party with the Redneck Rockers and a champaign
breakfast will be served sometime after midnight. Yes, we will have coffee too.
Gene
Beattie-Editor
BAR
& KITCHEN REPORT
We
will be open regular hours on Christmas day & new Years day. See you at the
parties. Have a great holiday.
December BIRTHDAYS
7th…..Beverly Davidson, Tessa Booth
& Sondra Gladfelter
8th…..Rcena Denny
12th…Conita Shields
15th…Betty Weeks
18th…Claudea Gonzalles (Dea)
22nd…Melissa Chandler & Marie Gray
We hope you all have the greatest birthday ever. I’m
sure someone will be left out but that is only because…..
no
one told me! Gene
B.
This
Is Navy Month
An old Sailor and an old Marine were sitting at
the American Legion arguing about who'd had the tougher career. "I did 30
years in the Corps," the Marine declared proudly, "and fought in three
of my country's wars. Fresh out of boot camp I hit the beach at Okinawa, clawed
my way up the blood-soaked sand, and eventually took out an entire enemy machine
gun nest with a single grenade. "As a sergeant, I fought in Korea alongside
General MacArthur. We pushed back the enemy inch by bloody inch all the way up
to the Chinese border, always under a barrage of artillery and small arms fire.
"Finally, as a gunny sergeant, I did three consecutive combat tours in
Vietnam. We humped through the mud and razor grass for 14 hours a day, plagued
by rain and mosquitoes, ducking under sniper fire all day and mortar fire all
night. In a firefight, we'd fire until our arms ached and our guns were empty,
then we'd charge the enemy with bayonets!"
"Ah," said the Sailor with a dismissive wave of his hand,
"You’re a lucky man, all shore duty, huh?"
REAL
CHIEFS
Don't remember any time they weren't Chief's.
Don't have any civilian clothes.
Don't know how to tell civilian time.
Can find their way to the CPO Club blindfolded, on
15 different Navy Bases.
Have pictures of ships in their wallets.
Know that the black tar in their coffee cup makes
the coffee taste better.
Think John Wayne would have made a good Chief, if
he had not gone soft and made Marine movies.
The
Five Most Dangerous Things You'll Ever Hear in the US Navy...A
Seaman saying, "I learned this in Boot Camp..."A Petty Officer saying,
"Trust me, Sir..."A Lieutenant J G saying, "Based on my
experience..."A Lieutenant saying, "I was just thinking..."A
Chief chuckling, "Watch this shit..."
10
WAYS TO SIMULATE LIFE IN THE NAVY
1.
Buy
a dumpster, paint it gray and live in it for 6 months straight
2.
Every
couple of weeks, dress up in your best clothes and go the scummiest part of
town, find the most run down, trashy bar you can, pay $10 per beer until you're
hammered, then walk home in the freezing cold
3.
Raise
your bed to within 6 inches of the ceiling.
4.Have
your mother-in-law write down everything she's going to do the following day,
then have her make you stand in the back yard at 6am and read it to you.
5.
Invite
200 of your not-so-closest friends to come over, then board up all the windows
and doors to your house for 6 months. After the 6 months is up, take down the
boards, wave at your friends and family through the front window of your
home...you can't leave until the next day you have duty.
6.Shower
with above-mentioned friends.
The Veterans
Voice
Calendar Back
Continued
from page 3
7.
Repaint your entire house once a month.
8.
Cook all of your food blindfolded, groping for any spice and seasoning you can
get your hands on.
9
.Use
eighteen scoops of budget coffee grounds per pot, and allow each pot to sit 5
hours before drinking.
10.
Attempt to spend 5 years working at McDonalds, and
NOT get promoted.
A ship was on maneuvers one night when a light
appeared on the horizon. The crew followed the proper procedures for when a ship
is sighted. They took a bearing, calculated the distance between the two ships
and quickly transmitted a warning message:
-Have taken bearing. We are on collision course.
Please bear right.
They received this message back:
-Your message is received. You bear right.
The crew notified the commanding officer because a
U.S. Ship of the Line isn't normally expected to change course to accommodate
others. The CO ordered the following message sent:
-We remain on collision course. This is a U.S. Ship
of the Line. Please bear right. The response came back:
-You bear right.
Angry at the lack of respect and adherence to naval
protocol, the CO ordered this message:
-We are approaching situation extremis. Critical
that you bear right immediately.
The response came back:
-You bear right. We are a lighthouse.
What
is a vet?
He is the cop on the beat who spent six months in
Saudi Arabia sweating two gallons a day making sure the armored personnel
carriers didn't run out of fuel. He is the barroom loudmouth, dumber than five wooden
planks, whose overgrown frat-boy behavior is outweighed a hundred times in the
cosmic scales by four hours of exquisite bravery near the 38th parallel.
She - or
he - is the nurse who fought against futility and went to sleep sobbing every
night for two solid years in Da Nang. He is
the POW who went away one person and came back another - or didn't come back AT
ALL. He
is the Quantico drill instructor who has never seen combat - but has saved
countless lives by turning slouchy, no-account rednecks and gang members into
Marines, and teaching them to watch each other's backs. He is the parade - riding Legionnaire who pins on his
ribbons and medals with a prosthetic hand.
He is the
career quartermaster who watches the ribbons and medals pass him by.
He is any
of the three anonymous heroes in The Tomb Of The Unknowns, whose presence at the
Arlington National Cemetery must forever preserve the memory of all the
anonymous heroes whose valor dies unrecognized with them on the battlefield or
in the ocean's sunless deep.
He is the
old guy bagging groceries at the supermarket - palsied now and aggravatingly
slow - who helped liberate a Nazi death camp and who wishes all day long that
his wife were still alive to hold him when the nightmares come.
He is an
ordinary and yet an extraordinary human being - a person who offered some of his
life's most vital years in the service of his country, and who sacrificed his
ambitions so others would not have to sacrifice theirs. He is a soldier and a savior and a sword against the
darkness, and he is nothing more than the finest, greatest testimony on behalf
of the finest, greatest nation ever known.
So
remember, each time you see someone who has served our country, just lean over
and say "Thank You." That's all most people need, and in most cases it
will mean more than any medals they could have been awarded or were awarded.
Two little
words that mean a lot, "THANK YOU".
HAPPY
NEW YEAR
Did you hear
that one of Santa's reindeer now works for Proctor and Gamble?
Its
true....Comet cleans sinks!
When you stop believing in Santa Claus is when you start
getting clothes for Christmas.
A man in Phoenix calls his son in New York the day before Christmas and
says, "I hate to ruin your day, but I have to tell you that your mother and
I are divorcing; forty-five years of misery is enough." "Pop, what are
you talking about?" the son screams. "We can't stand the sight of each other any
longer," the father says. "We're sick of each other, and I'm sick of
talking about this, so you call your sister in Chicago and tell her."
Frantic, the son calls his sister, who explodes on the phone. "No
way they're getting divorced!" she shouts, "I'll take care of
this." She calls Phoenix
immediately and screams at her father, "You are not getting divorced. Don't
do a single thing until I get there. I'm calling my brother back, and we'll both
be there tomorrow. Until then, don't do a thing, DO YOU HEAR ME?" and hangs
up. The old man hangs up his phone
and turns to his wife. "Okay," he says, "they're coming for
Christmas and paying their own way."
Golfing
with the Weed Whackers!!!
Ladies and Gentlemen: Remember to mark your calendars. We golf every THIRD
Sunday of the month. This month it is December 18th, 8:00am at Horton
Smith Golf Course. For the non-golfing, and fair weathered golfers, remember
this:There is always food at the post following our outing/adventure. Come out
to the post, get some grub, enjoy a drink, watch football, or just listen to
J.C. brag about his fabulous self-proclaimed score for that day. P.S.—J.C.’s
team tied the winning AND losing teams for the month of Nov. Golf tip
of the month: When the weather’s a little ‘uncooperative’ for
your liking, skip the first 18 holes and go straight to number 19!
Page
4
The Veteran’s Voice
The Veteran’s Voice
Vietnam War Memorial
American Legion Post 639
2660 South Scenic
Springfield, MO 65807
417-882-8639
“The
Willingness with which our young people are likely to serve In any war, no
matter how justified, shall be directly proportional as to how they perceive the
veterans of earlier wars were
treated and appreciated by their nation.” —George Washington—
UP AND COMING EVENTS
Dec.
4th…..Toys For Tots Motorcycle
Run—Chili cook-off—3:00
pm
Dec.
6th.….General Meeting
6:00 PM Dinner 7:00 PM Meeting
Dec.
10th…..Kids Christmas Party
1:00 to 3:00 pm
Dec.
11th…..Post Clean-up Party 8am
Dec.
17th…..USSUI
Dec.
25th…..Christmas Dinner- Provided by Mick & Kris
Dec.
26th…..E-Board Meeting
6:00
Dec.
31st…..New Years Eve Party w/THE REDNECK ROCKERS !!!
Check
with Pat for “Happy Hour” prices on your favorite drinks
What
Ya Wait’n For
COME ON IN !!!
American Legion Post 639
American
Legion Post 639
Every
Friday night
Pull
Tabs start at 4:30
Early
Bird starts at 6:30
Guaranteed
Pay-out will be $ 3,600
Plus
Progressive
& Pull Tabs
The
Bingo Hall is located at
2032
West Bennett Street
(Just
West of Kansas Expressway)
-Across
from The Post Office-