50th EDITION

VFW POST 10804

111 Hwy 57 N.Little River SC 29566843-399-0877www.vfwpost10804.orgFind us on Facebook

NEWSLETTER – AUGUST 2021

America without her Soldiers would be like God without his Angels !!Claudia Pemberton

1

VFW POST 10804 NEWSLETTER August 2021

HAVING PROBLEMS? NEED TO TALK TO SOMEONE?...The “VETERANS CRISIS LINE” is open 24/7. Just call 1-800-273-8255 and press 1. It takes an average of 8 seconds for your call to be answered. You are NOT alone!

HOT!! – The new, 3 digit (9.8.8) crisis line (suicide prevention) Is FCC approved, However it will not be operational until sometime in 2022. It will connect with the National Suicide Prevention Hotline..

VA - WOMEN VETERAN HELP LINES…1-855-829-6636 or www.womenshealth.va.gov

HAVE YOU – Gotten your COVID shots, your Flu shot, a Pneumonia shot, the new, two dose Shingles shots? If not, what are you waiting for???

CAUTION: As of this month ONLY 48% of the eligible people of S.C. have gotten their COVID shots. This means there is still a great danger of getting COVID sick.

Commander – Mike Mishoe Auxiliary President – Mary Lou RiggsSr. Vice-Commander – Mike Mallory Auxiliary Sr. Vice-President – Franklin StricklandJr. Vice-Commander – Allen Rundall Auxiliary Jr. Vice-President – Maureen SedelowQuartermaster – Dan Farley Treasurer – Jacqui WilliamsChaplain – Jim Risser Chaplain – Karen Camera3 Year Trustee – Margo Sheridan Conductress – Tina Bast2 Year Trustee – Bill Foley Secretary – Helen Walker1 Year Trustee – Nick Camera Guard – Marty Bast

Welcome New Members – MARTY BOLO, DENNIS FRONHEISER, FREDERICK GARLAND, BRANDOM SIMS, PETER IMPROTA. Congratulations to Mr. Garland for attending his first meeting and offering his services in trying to establish a Post Honor Guard, and to Mr. Sims on becoming a Life Member.

Commander’s Call – Another busy month with a huge Auxiliary event and a State School of Instruction.   The State hosted its annual School of Instruction where Post and District Leadership received instruction and guidance on the many programs and issues facing the VFW.  We had the honor to have as our guest the National Commander in Chief Hal Roeach.  Come to find out, the Post he originally joined is the Sumter SC. Post.   A very nice man who jumped in and helped with a lot of the routine labor, moving tables etc.   

Congratulations to the Auxiliary for hosting the Annual Christmas In July.   A fabulous holiday meal and 25 cent auction.   Fun for all. 

We have one month left to get out and get sponsors and gift cards for our 9/11 Golf Tournament. Any and every one can help. Get with Dan to see where else we can go to contact for donations. This is the main fundraiser for our Post.

2

On the subject of volunteers, volunteers supporting special and monthly events and developing plans for the future.   

Background:   For the last four years, as I have become involved with the post, over and over I hear stories of how new members volunteer for something only to be used beyond their capacity and eventually burn out and quit.   It is a failing model that is not sustainable in the long run.  We have a handful of members and nonmembers that keep our events going.    I also hear and understand members when asked to do something say they did (that) for years and simply will not and that it is someone else turn or some are simply not interested.   All understandable.   

I hear some of our more senior members who reflect on how we might have 120 attend a Friday night dinner or Pasta Night.    There are probably many factors which impact our dwindling numbers.   The social, demographic and age of our patrons, COVID probably all play a part in the dwindling numbers.   Somethings we can change other we cannot.   The key to survival is to adapt.   

Our post is reaching a difficult decision point:  Should we continue our business model which uses volunteers to host events to include:    Friday night dinners, Sunday Brunch, Wednesday Wing Night, Thursday Fiesta Night, and Pasta Night, etc?  Right now, if it were not for approximately 10 people many of these events would fail.   

What we cannot do is walk down the road into the future with blinders on, oblivious to the changes taking place.   The status quo is not sustainable and will not grow our Post financially and its membership.   

We currently need approximately 16 additional volunteers who can step in and provide approximately 4 hours every 2 months.   These hours are mostly needed for Thursday and Pasta Night.  The kitchen also needs a couple of volunteers (only one at a time) to clean the fryer once a week (this takes approximately 2 hours and can be done any afternoon and depending on usage maybe every two weeks).  If you can help in any capacity reach out to any Post officer or anyone on the House Committee.   

Way Ahead:    I formed a Commander’s Advisory Council to address our future operational plan.   This council, I hope, will develop capital improvement plans to include:  building floor plan redesign, bar upgrades, exterior expansion to include an outdoor bar, cooking and dining area.  In addition, seek avenues of additional income possibilities.  With the end state of selling our Post to the next generation as a place they will be excited to join.   

I am very positive on our future and am committed to its success. 

I welcome any ideas on how we can successfully move forward.   

Upcoming:

Aug 5. US Congressman Tom Rice will answer questions 5pm in the hallAug 7.  Auxiliary Fundraiser for National home for ChildrenAug 8.  Sunday Brunch

3

Aug 14.   Post and Auxiliary meeting followed by Quilts of Valor.   Aug 28.  District 7 School of Instruction

Mike MishoePost Commander803-807-8185Mikemishoe@yahoo.com

A word from YOUR Auxiliary President – Mary Lou Griggs

What a great month of July we had with Christmas dinner, singing and quarterauction. I would like to thank all who attended.August will be a busy month.August 2nd we will help the Post with pasta night $10.00 per person.August 7th is the fundraiser for National Home for Children Dinner will be stuffed pork chop by our Chef Cathey Farley with potato vegetable and dessert. Price $15.00 contact Debbie Hartleroad for ticket or sign up at the post. Jeff James will be the evening entertainment.August 8th we will help the Post with Breakfast cost $9.00 per person.August 14th is our monthly meeting followed by Quilts of Valor Ceremony. The Auxiliary meeting will start at 10AM.Our District meeting will be held Saturday August 28th in Georgetown. Our District Commander Mike Mishoe along with myself District Auxiliary President will hold School of Instruction for District 7.The whole month of August we will help Post getting ready for their big fundraiser the GOLF TOURNAMENT.

For our actual Korean War veterans – A couple of days ago marked a milestone in the Korean War. On July 27, 1953 the Armistice was signed and war ended.

Every THURSDAY Night – YOUR Post has a combination FIESTA NIGHT, Trivia and Karaoke (by Cheryl – Z). The food is good, the drinks the cheapest you will find around and the entertainment (Karaoke singers) might be a little suspect.

4

So, if you are looking for a reasonable night out? Come to VFW POST 10804 on Hwy 57N (next to DMV). Food includes, Tacos, Taco Salad, Nachos, Chicken Quesadillas, Fries, Onion Rings, Mozzarella Sticks, Cheese Fries and sometimes Fried Breaded Shrimp.

For both nights, they start taking orders at about 5:30 and stop when the food line gets thin.

Drinks are always cheap!

PS: If you have a couple of hours of free time on Wednesday or Thursday? You can contact Carolyn Mishoe and volunteer to work once in a while. She will love you for that!!

YOUR Post in action around the community:

KNOW ANYONE THAT CAN COOK LOOKING FOR A PART-TIME JOB - Your Post is looking for some lunchtime meal help along with availability for an occasional function meal. If you know of anyone have them contact the post or Carolyn Mishoe, or Dan Farley

How did you spend your 4th of July? For some members of YOUR Post, it was doing this. Post member Bill La Monte and Auxiliary member Bunny La Monte (far left and right) are pictured. Also marching at other locations were Post members Nick Camera, Al Stahl, Lon Pike, Mike Mallory and Bobby O’Shea.

On July 1st, the Post received a call from a lady who wanted to have her flag pole functioning for the 4 th of July. Bobby O’Shea went to her house to see what the problem was. The whole flag pole system was a mess with the flag pole laying on the ground. Using HIS OWN money, Bobby replaced the ropes, cleats, put the pole in place with a new flag.

Mo & Bob Sedelow are frequent visitors to a restaurant in Loris. They recently saw the flag on the roof of the building was very faded and looking bad. They asked the restaurant owner if they could replace the worn flag. With an affirmative answer they went out and using their own money, purchased and installed the new flag. _____________________________________________________________________________________

5

MEMBERSHIP – Back at the June State Convention. Lynn Rolf, National Director of VFW Plans, talked about the absolute need to go out and recruit new members and to try and get expired memberships re-instated. He emphasized the number ONE MILLION. That is the number the VFW CANNOT go below

if it expects to have any political influence on veteran issues in Washington. Right now, membership stands at about 1.2 million. BUT the VFW is losing about 70 thousand members a year who have died or failed to renew their annual membership. That means that in LESS THAN 3 YEARS, if we don’t do something now? The VFW will NO LONGER have any influence in veteran affairs in Washington.

With the draw-down in Afghanistan almost complete and the fact there are very few troops stationed today in a location that qualifies them for VFW membership. It is more imperative than ever that we work hard on getting those post- 911 eligible in the fold and work hard in re-instating those that have gone by the wayside.

Forget about the sign-up bennies that are offered. THINK ABOUT how your veteran rights WILL BE dissolved in Washington, IF we, the VFW, do not have a large enough voice to influence Washington politics. You all know that there are those in Washington who want to diminish/do away with veteran benefits. ONLY YOU can help stop this from happening! _________________________________________________________________________________ Monthly Business Meeting Highlights;*The Florence Assisted Living Facility will start taking patients in August. If you know of an interested veteran? Have them contact the Florence VA.*Carolyn Mishoe expressed a need for Wednesday & Thursday night dinner help, a need for cooks and the need for a Canteen Manager. If you can help, or know anyone who can. Please contact/have them contact Carolyn, Dan Farley or Al Stahl*Bill Foley reported the Post had achieved 100.19% membership with a total membership of 518.*Nick Camera reported the Post membership donated 1,180 towards veteran and community activities with a value of $31,124.*John Brough reported that Hutton House volunteers donated 142 hours of time, drove 102 miles in support of veteran activities, helped 179 veterans with a value of $12,000. That they assembled and delivered 6 emergency food boxes for veteran families in need and have 7 veterans in-residence.*Commander Mishoe reported the Auxiliary donated $1,000 to the Post*Jim Risser reported the Red Cross is in need of blood donors. They are giving $10 gift cards to donors.*Allen Rundall reminded everyone to support the 9-11 Golf Tournament. He has a specific need for someone to pick-up food items at 7AM that morning at Krispy Kreme and Chik-fil-A. Contact Allen if you can help*Kevin Rorer is looking for help in keeping the outside of the Post looking good. If you can volunteer a couple of hours, please contact him*Bill La Monte advised everyone that the Post Chaplain is a veteran in distress and asked they contact him with some well wishes.

During the last 18 months of this pandemic, y’all have had to adjust your eating habits to conform to the times. Many had to revert to eating from the NEW four major food groups that materialized because of COVID. They are : CANNED, BOXED, FROZEN & TAKEOUT!

6

Highlights from the Department School of Instruction held last month:

The real treat for S.C VFW and the School of Instruction was the arrival of the National Commander-In-Chief Hal Roesch who spent Friday & Saturday getting to know the VFW of S.C. Commander Roesch originally joined the VFW in Sumter at Post 3034 in 1991. He attended a “Welcome Home” party at Post 3034 on Friday. On Saturday, Commander Roesch spent the whole day attending the School of Instruction, meeting everyone he could and even participated in some of the training sessions, answering any and all questions.

Picture 1: Post 3034 Commander Jimmy Brownlee, National Commander Hal Roesch and State Commander Dwight Hora at Post 3034 –SumterPicture 2: Commander Roesch and ‘yours-truly’Picture 3: Stte Commander Hora and National Commander Roesch at July School of Instruction

*One post in the state had its charter suspended because it was operation the post/canteen WITHOUT a liquor license or post insurance*District 7 (US) will be doing a Poppy and Recruiting Drive at the Gun Show at Myrtle Beach Convention Center the weekend of 30/31 October. Contact Commander Mishoe if you’re interested in working any part of that weekend.*The department will be attending portions of the SC State Fair October 13 to 24 in Columbia to hold recruitment drives. If interested in helping out? Contact Department Jr. Vice-Commander Jim Fox at jf7122@gmail.com

Commander Mishoe with National Commander in Chief Roesch

*SC finished 208 members ahead of previous year’s totals. GREAT JOB!! There are all kinds of recruitment awards for this year. Check with Commander Mishoe for the details.

7

*SC chartered a new post last month. Post 12207 *28 posts made All American *In order to qualify for All American Post this year. YOUR post has to reinstate a delinquent member to a Life membership, OR have a new/life member join at the Legacy Life Level*Only 35% of the state posts participated in the Teacher Awards this past year. 10804 needs to make sure they participate. *There was a complaint that the Department was not adequately supporting the Posts. There needs to be good, two-way, communication.*The Department Commanders goal is to finish the year with at least 14,600 state members.*There is a new award this year. The Rodney J. Burne Post Beautification Award which will go to the best looking Post outside.

YOUR Post held it’s annual Christmas in July Dinner and Quarter Auction on July 24th to a SOLD OUT crowd of revelers, who, if they wanted to eat Turkey Dinner? They had to sing for their dinner (thanks?? Karen).Thanks to Cathey Farley, her team of Post and Auxiliary volunteers, the cooks, servers, bartender Sue and especially all those who came to dinner!

DON’T FORGET – to check the Post Monthly Calendar, Post Web Page and Post Facebook page for things happening in YOUR Post during the upcoming months.LUNCH is Noon to 2PM Monday thru Friday. WINGS on Wednesday, TACOS on Thursday. ALWAYS good! and the best prices in town. Bring a friend or two, or 3, or!!

Bill La MonteEditor/Writer4william6@gmail.com

It’s not the price you pay to become a member.It’s the price you paid to become eligible!

8