VFW Urges Russia to Reopen Archives to POW/MIA Researchers

WASHINGTON (October 28, 2009) — The national commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S. recently returned from a 12-day trip to Europe to urge the Russian government to revitalize the U.S.-Russia Joint Commission on POW/MIAs, and to meet with American servicemembers stationed in Italy to discuss how VFW can better serve them and their families.

In Moscow, Thomas J. Tradewell Sr. met with members from both houses of the Russian Federation's parliament, as well as the leadership of two prominent veterans' organizations. His message was for them to urge their government back to the Joint Commission.

He said an exchange of diplomatic notes in July was a positive step forward, but Russia has yet to act.

"The diplomatic note was viewed as a sign that they would quickly revive their end of the Joint Commission," said Tradewell, a Vietnam veteran from Sussex, Wis., "but Russia has yet to appoint a new co-chairman, and U.S. researchers are still barred from their central military archives, which hampers research efforts and further diminishes the hopes of American families everywhere.

"The Russian government needs to do what they said they would do," he said.

According to U.S. officials in the Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office, Russia's military archives are vitally important to the Full Accounting Mission because documents could help to determine the fate of some of the 88,000 missing and unaccounted-for Americans going back to World War II. Created in 1992, the Joint Commission had been the key to accessing those archives, until a reduction in the size of their government’s executive branch removed the Russian co-chairman. The U.S. was told it was an oversight, but the oversight has now kept American researchers out of the archives since October 2006.

Tradewell is the sixth consecutive VFW national commander to journey to Russia on a veteran-to-veteran initiative to help account for missing Americans. This trip followed one he made to the People's Republic of China in September, where permission was obtained for VFW to visit their archives next year. According to news reports published yesterday, Chinese military archivists discovered documentation that could help locate 15 airmen who died when their B-29 bomber crashed on Chinese soil on Nov. 5, 1950. Other documents related to missing Americans were also reportedly found that could help determine the fates of some of the 8,100 missing Americans from the Korean War.

"I am proud of the VFW’s lead role in helping to account for missing American servicemen," said Tradewell. "Our veteran-to-veteran initiative is bearing fruit because of the worldwide respect professional military men and women have in each other. We know the service and sacrifice that is inherent to our profession, and that mutual understanding helps to convince governments that the Full Accounting Mission is a humanitarian issue that transcends politics."

For more on U.S. full accounting efforts, go to the Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office website at http://www.dtic.mil/dpmo/, or the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command website at http://www.jpac.pacom.mil/.

31 Stadiums, 1 RV, 3 Friends and a Fallen Hero’s Dream

In 2002, while training for the U.S. Army in Fort Rucker, Alabama, football enthusiasts Nathan Thompson and his friend Joe Lusk dreamed of traveling the United States in an RV during football season. They would visit each of the thirty one NFL stadiums across America, watching a different matchup at a different venue each Sunday, and even catching a few college games along the way.

That dream, however, remained exactly that – a dream.

In 2005 both Joe and Nathan deployed to Iraq with the U.S. Army, and tragically, Joe would not return home. “I arrived to Kuwait three days before his [Joe’s] apache crashed during a training exercise,” recalls Nathan. The apache gunner lost his life on January 21, 2005.

Thompson, upon returning from his second deployment to Iraq, wanted to honor his friend’s memory in the best way he knew how. The dream of a 31 stadium tour they once shared was never far from his thoughts and he decided turning this dream into a reality would be the perfect tribute.

“Joe and I planned this trip together when we were in flight school at Fort Rucker…I know Joe would do it for me,” said Thompson.

He recruited his brother Aaron, friend Nolan Myers and began mapping out the cross country tour. They would travel 30,000 miles, visit 31 NFL stadiums, and 9 college stadiums. They would host tailgate fundraisers along the way to raise money for the Joe F. Lusk II Memorial Fund,an organization set up by Lusk’s family to provide financial assistance to families of military personnel killed or wounded while serving our country. They named the project simply,"31 Stadiums."

“Joe was a proud proponent of having a good time and enjoying the company of friends and family. He worked extremely hard at everything he did and was an outstanding and inspirational athlete, student and leader at the U.S. Military Academy,” says Thompson.

The tour kicked off on Sept. 7 in Tallahassee as the Hurricanes defeated the Seminoles, and three days later they witnessed an exciting overtime victory at Pittsburgh’s Heinz Field.

The three men have been able to cover most of the expenses like gas, parking and food on their own. The Veterans Ticket Foundation (Vettix) helped them prepare a tailgate-ready RV, complete with 31 Stadium tour and Lusk Fund decals, and even provided them with tickets to a few games.

When VFW National Headquarters was informed the group had not received tickets to a Kansas City Chiefs game, the VFW wanted to do its part to support the cause. Located in a city ranked 8th according to the America’s Best Football Tailgating Cities Index, VFW provided each of the men with a ticket to Arrowhead Stadium on October 25 as the Chiefs take on conference rival, the San Diego Chargers.

The very colorful “31 Stadiums” RV has drawn a lot of attention already according to Thompson. “People are constantly asking questions and most of them want to join us for the trip and are very jealous; I never said we weren’t going to have fun along the way, in essence, it’s what Joe would’ve wanted.”

So far, more than $1,500 has been raised for the Lusk Fund. For more information or to make a donation, please visit 31stadiums.com.

Citibank Email Phishing Attempt on Military Members

Be advised that the following email has been sent out to Citibank's account members. The email is a phishing attempt and any links contained in it should not be followed. The link that appears in the email will not take you to the Citibank login page, but a false page set up to look like the Citibank account log in page. This is commonly done to either steal your login information or install malware on your computer without you knowing.

The bottom line is, no financial institution will send out an email to request anything of you, whether to log into your account or provide information. They will always wait for you to contact them or contact you in an official manner.

Below is a copy of the actual email. You can see the link presented in the body of the email and then the actual link in brackets (spoofed address). As you can see he links do not match. Whenever receiving an email with a hyperlink, always copy and paste the actual text into the address bar of your internet browser to make sure it is not spoofed. The link enclosed in brackets has been altered slightly to protect the curious but left as an example.

"Dear Citibank Customer,

A scheduled maintenance on the Citibank Online Banking system has just
been completed. In order to ensure your account (s) held at Citibank
remain active, you will be required to immediately Login to your account
(s). Kindly follow the link below to Citibank Online to continue:

https://online.citibank.com/US/JPS/portal/Index.do
<http://ups-901.steamcom.com/ >

Thank you for choosing Citibank"

IA Manager

VFW Washington Weekly

In This Issue:
1. Advanced Funding Ready for President
2. Veterans May Receive $250 Payment
3. House VA Committee Hearings
4. Maine Troop Greeters — The Movie
5. Entire Military Exceeds Recruiting Goals

1. Advanced Funding Ready for President: The Senate this week approved the VFW’s top priority—advanced funding for veterans' health care. The legislation now heads to the President’s desk for his signature. VFW thanks Congress for its support in getting this critical bill passed. The new law will allow VA to receive its funding a year in advance so that VA's managers will be able to provide high-quality health care and better address the needs of America's veterans. The VFW has called on President Obama to quickly sign it. Read the VFW Partnership’s press release.

2. Veterans May Receive $250 Payment: A proposal that would provide another one-time $250 payment to Social Security recipients, VA-compensated veterans and others collecting disability payments, has earned the backing of the President. The payment is designed to help seniors and veterans who are unlikely to receive a cost-of-living-adjustment in 2010 due to the inflation rate and other factors being negative. This is the first time in decades such payments have not received a COLA increase.

3. House VA Committee Hearings:
• On Wednesday, the House VA Committee held a hearing to discuss the current “State of VA.” Secretary Eric Shinseki assessed the challenges his agency is facing, to include new GI Bill implementation, health care enrollment, the claims backlog, cemetery planning, among many other. He answered questions concerning accountability, program improvements, new initiatives for veterans, and his vision for the VA in the 21st century. To read his report, go to the House VA Committee website.

• On Thursday, the House VA Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity held another oversight hearing on GI Bill implementation. VA Director of the Office of Education Services Keith Wilson testified on recent delays in education payments, and the lack of communication regarding resources, which has angered members of Congress. Subcommittee Chair Stephanie Herseth Sandlin (D-SD) asked VA to speak about IT upgrades and the unique demands of the new benefit. Others asked about feedback from veterans on the problems they encountered and if legislative fixes are needed.

• Also on Thursday, the House VA Subcommittee on Health held a hearing on inappropriate VA billing practices. Subcommittee Chair Michael Michaud (D-ME) questioned witnesses about overbilling, copayment charges and the overall inefficiencies in the billing system. Witnesses discussed data collected from independent surveys that suggested VA was incorrectly billing veterans and private insurance companies for service-connected conditions. Members agreed that VA has attempted to implement more accurate billing practices and relies on third party collections, but has failed to document the non service-connected care provided to insured veterans, and assign the appropriate billing codes essential to accurate collections.
For more on any of the hearings, visit the House VA website.

4. Maine Troop Greeters — The Movie: Since 2003, a band of patriotic veterans and citizens have greeted every deploying and redeploying troop plane that landed at Bangor International Airport regardless of the hour or the weather. At last count, they have now shaken the hands of more than 970,000 service personnel heading to or back from Afghanistan, Iraq, and elsewhere. Their devotion is now the subject of an 86-minute documentary entitled, “The Way We Get By,” which is now showing in select theaters nationwide. Highlighted in the film are VFW Post 1761 member Bill Knight and friends Joan Gaudet and Jerry Mundy. Click here for a theater nearest you.

5. Entire Military Exceeds Recruiting Goals: For the first time since the All Volunteer Military went into effect in 1973, all four active duty services and six Guard/Reserve components reached or exceeded their recruiting goals for the fiscal year ending Sept. 30. The Pentagon cited the economic downturn and job market, as well as enlistment bonuses and other incentives as contributing factors. By the numbers:
• Army had 70,045 accessions, making 108 percent of its 65,000 goal.
• Navy had 35,527 accessions, making 100 percent of its 35,500 goal.
• Marine Corps had 31,413 accessions, making 100 percent of its 31,400 goal.
• Air Force had 31,983 accessions, making 100 percent of its 31,980 goal.
• Army National Guard had 56,071 accessions, making 100 percent of its 56,000 goal, and the Army Reserve had 36,189 accessions, making 105 percent of its 34,598 goal.
• Navy Reserve had 7,793 accessions, making 101 percent of its 7,743 goal.
• Marine Corps Reserve had 8,805 accessions, making 122 percent of its 7,194 goal.
• Air National Guard had 10,075 accessions, making 106 percent of its 9,500 goal, and the Air Force Reserve had 8,604 accessions, making 109 percent of its 7,863 goal.

Sport Clips: Help a Hero Call Home

Beginning this Sunday, October 18, 2009, Sport Clips, the nation's largest men's and boys’ hair-care provider, will begin accepting donations for VFW's Operation Uplink program which provides free phone time to America’s service members and hospitalized veterans. Donations will be accepted this Sunday through November 14th.

On November 11th, Veterans Day, "The Biggest Haircut Day of the Year," Sport Clips stores across the country, will donate $1 of every haircut given that day to Operation Uplink. Support the troops and veterans; stop by your local Sport Clips for a haircut!

VFW Helps to Connect Father and Daughter Thousands of Miles Apart

Kansas City, Mo., October 15, 2009 - This past July, as Staff Sgt. Brett M. Bennethum lined up in formation at deployment, his 4-year-old daughter, Paige Bennethum, just “didn’t want to let go.” The picture of Paige holding her father’s hand as he prepared to deploy immediately touched hearts around the world, especially those at the VFW National Headquarters, an organizations with a long standing history of supporting military families. Berks County’s Reading Eagle newspaper runs a column titled “Kelly’s Korner,” where on the 5th of October, the now famous photo of Paige refusing to let go of her father’s hand appeared alongside mother, Abby Bennethum’s, statement explaining that the their current computer did not have webcam capabilities for videoconference sessions with her deployed husband.

When VFW National Headquarters heard of this poignant story, it immediately responded. It contacted the VFW Department of Pennsylvania to inform the Commander, Frank Mills, that the family’s computer would not allow for much communication between Paige and her dad, and that a new laptop, with a built-in webcam, would be a great donation in order to make the deployment a little easier on everyone, especially Paige.

VFW’s Military Assistance Program (MAP), agreed to provide the VFW Department of Pa. with a grant in order to purchase the laptop for the Bennethums. State Commander, Mills, District Commander, Jim Lindsey and Department Director of Communications, David Sandman arrived at the Bennethum’s home yesterday bearing the gift of communication!

“We will really enjoy being able to stay in closer contact with him as the birth of our third child draws near,” said Abby.

Abby also mentioned to the VFW members that as a child, she remembers her grandfather being very active in the VFW. She went on to explain that her husband Brett had expressed interest in joining too. Again, VFW wanted to help.

In Sinking Springs, Pa., VFW Post 6150 Commander, Barry Weitzel, is offering Sgt. Bennethum one year free membership. Paige’s aunt and uncle are new members to Post 6150 so he will already have familiar company. The Post is about 6 miles away from the family’s home in Laureldale, Pa. and has been in contact with Bennethum’s 733rd Transportation Company since it deployed, expressing interest in adopting the unit through VFW’s Adopt-A-Unit program. They have been accepting donations for the family and will continue to help keep little Paige’s mind busy through the program with care-packaging events and other activities that go along with adopting a unit.

"I can’t tell you how grateful Paige and I are for all the help and support people have given us,” concluded Abby.

VFW National Commander Urges Decisive Action in Afghanistan

KANSAS CITY, Mo., October 16, 2009 - The national commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S. is concerned that the intense debate in Washington over the assessments and recommendations by the U.S. military commander in Afghanistan is posing a direct threat to troops as well as to the nation’s defense.

In a statement, Thomas J. Tradewell Sr., a Vietnam veteran from Sussex, Wis., said, “In battle, weaknesses are exploited and attacked, which proved to be the case during the Vietnam War. North Vietnam correctly perceived that the United States government did not possess the political will to complete the mission, and that perception became reality. Their strategy revolved around the fact that U.S. political interests trumped important military decisions, which resulted in a lengthened war and more U.S. casualties.

"In Afghanistan, the extremists are sensing weakness and indecision within the U.S. government, which plays into their hands, as evidenced by the increased attacks in Afghanistan as well as Pakistan. I fear that an emboldened enemy will now intensify their efforts to kill more U.S. soldiers.

"President Obama’s primary responsibility is that of Commander-in-Chief, and he has a obligation to ensure his commander's advice takes precedence over opinion polls and politics. When the president addressed VFW delegates during its 110th National Convention in August, he was very specific when he stated, ‘This is not a war of choice. This is a war of necessity. Those who attacked America on 9/11 are plotting to do so again. If left unchecked, the Taliban insurgency will mean an even larger safe haven from which al Qaeda would plot to kill more Americans. So this is not only a war worth fighting. This is fundamental to the defense of our people.’

"When the president directed more troops into Afghanistan in March, he issued a statement that said, ‘This increase is necessary to stabilize a deteriorating situation in Afghanistan, which has not received the strategic attention, direction and resources it urgently requires. The Taliban is resurgent in Afghanistan, and al Qaeda supports the insurgency and threatens America from its safe haven along the Pakistani border.’

"In other words, President Obama identified Afghanistan as a counterinsurgency operation requiring appropriate planning, which means our commanders are the experts in this regard, not our politicians.”

In addition to the deployments that have occurred, Army Gen. Stanley McChrystal also requested 40,000 additional troops he says are necessary to prevent the country from falling into the hands of the Taliban. That request has provoked opposition in Washington from some administration officials as well as congressional members who do not want to further escalate a war that so far has been under resourced and undermanned.

“I urge the president to heed the assessment and advice of his military leaders who have provided a clear path forward for achieving success against al Qaeda and its allies. I ask that he be decisive during this critical juncture. Time is not a luxury when our magnificent men and women in uniform are in harm’s way,” concluded Tradewell.

Thomas J. Tradewell Sr., was elected national commander of the 2.1 million-member Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S. and its Auxiliaries in August 2009. He served as an Army demolition specialist with the Americal Division in South Vietnam from 1967-1968.

Click here to read VFW's resolution on supporting the War on Terrorism

VFW delivers for family of Laureldale girl famous for holding father's hand

Paige Bennethum's famous stand with dad leads group to give military family a laptop

Published in Reading Eagle By Dan Kelly

When Abby Bennethum mentioned that her computer wouldn't let her videoconference with her husband, Staff Sgt. Brett M. Bennethum, who is serving in Iraq, she never dreamed her words would reach the national headquarters of the Veterans of Foreign Wars in Kansas City, Mo.

But in little more than a week the message made it to Missouri and back to Berks County in the form of a brand-new laptop computer courtesy of the VFW.

The Reading Eagle ran a Kelly's Korner column on Oct. 5 with a copy of a photo Abby took of her then-just-shy-of-4-year-old daughter, Paige, refusing to let go of her father's hand as he stood in formation about to deploy to Iraq.

The column, photo and mention of Abby's balky computer were seen on the Internet by national VFW spokesman Jerry Newberry. It hit home.

"I'm a pretty tough guy, but I had to shut my door so no one would see my eyes leaking on me," Newberry said.

Newberry said he made printouts of the story and showed them to the top VFW brass.

"I said, 'We've got to get this family a computer,' " Newberry said. "They said, 'Make it happen.' "

Newberry said the perception that the VFW is a club for old men is something the organization is constantly trying to change.

"People think the VFW is a bunch of old men sitting around, drinking beer and telling war stories," he said.

The VFW does everything from issuing grants to military families in need, to helping spouses of deployed soldiers with chores and baby-sitting.

On Wednesday, Frank G. Mills Sr., VFW state commander, and James L. Lindsey, Berks County commander, delivered the new wireless computer, with a built-in camera for videoconferencing, to the Bennethums' Laureldale home.

"This is what we're all about: service to our military families," Mills said. "We're hoping if some of the younger veterans learn about what the VFW really does, the younger veterans will want to join."

Sgt. Bennethum called from Iraq as VFW spokesman David A. Sandman was setting up the family's new computer.

"It's Daddy," Paige declared, as she whirled around the room.

Sgt. Bennethum said things are going well for him and the soldiers of the U.S. Army Reserve 733rd Transportation Company of Reading.

"We have Internet connections in our rooms over here," he said. "They're not the best and they're very expensive, but we should be able to connect pretty soon.

"I can't tell you how grateful Abby and I are for all the help and support people have given us."

Original Story- Little Soldier Girl 'Didn't Want to Let Go'

VA Increases Agent Orange Illness Presumptions List

WASHINGTON (October 13, 2009) — The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S. is applauding Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric K. Shinseki’s decision to increase by three the number of illnesses that can now be linked to the herbicide defoliant Agent Orange, which was used extensively during the Vietnam War.

Today’s addition of hairy cell leukemia, Parkinson’s disease and ischemic heart disease raises to 15 the total number of “presumed” service-connected illnesses the VA considers linked to Agent Orange.

"This is very significant," said VFW national commander Thomas J. Tradewell Sr., a Vietnam veteran from Sussex, Wis. "Veterans who contracted one or more of the 15 associated illnesses no longer have to prove their illness was due to their service in Vietnam during the war. The VA is saying ‘We believe you,’ which will enable more veterans to receive the healthcare and benefits they earned and deserve."

Shinseki’s decision is supported by an independent study by the Institute of Medicine, entitled, "Veterans and Agent Orange," which was released on July 24, 2009.

Tradewell called the IOM report — the eighth in a series — extremely important because scientific research is continuing into the long-term effects of Agent Orange and other herbicides used during the Vietnam War.

"The report also means scientific research is continuing to validate what the veterans' community has been saying for decades — that Agent Orange is making people sick," he said.

"As a former Army chief of staff and twice-wounded Vietnam combat veteran of two tours, Secretary Shinseki knows how to take care of troops and their families. His acceptance of the IOM recommendations also proves that he will listen to the scientific community and act on their recommendations if it helps to better serve veterans and their families,” said Tradewell. "The veterans community is extremely fortunate to have him in our corner."

The new list of 15 illnesses now recognized under VA's "presumption" rule are:

• Acute and Subacute Transient Peripheral Neuropathy
• AL Amyloidosis
• Chloracne
• Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia
• Diabetes Mellitus (Type 2)
• Hairy Cell Leukemia
• Hodgkin's Disease
• Ischemic Heart Disease
• Multiple Myeloma
• Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma
• Parkinson’s Disease
• Porphyria Cutanea Tarda
• Prostate Cancer
• Respiratory Cancers
• Soft Tissue Sarcoma (other than Osteosarcoma, Chondrosarcoma, Kaposi's sarcoma, or Mesothelioma)

Read the VA press release with links to more information on each illness.

The Partnership for Veterans Health Care Budget Reform

Representing America's Veterans

Veterans’ Partnership Hails Historic House Vote
on Veterans Health Care Funding Reform

For Immediate Release: October 8, 2009

The following statement was released on behalf of the Partnership for Veterans Health Care Budget Reform, comprised of The American Legion, AMVETS, Blinded Veterans Association, Disabled American Veterans, Jewish War Veterans, Military Order of the Purple Heart, Paralyzed Veterans of America, Veterans of Foreign Wars and Vietnam Veterans of America:

“We applaud the House of Representatives for giving final approval to legislation that will provide sufficient, timely and predictable funding for veterans health care programs. With today’s overwhelming House vote to approve H.R. 1016, the Veterans Health Care Budget Reform and Transparency Act, the expected rapid Senate approval of the legislation and the President ready to sign it, we are on the final leg of a long journey to fix the VA health care funding process.

“Enactment of this historic legislation will ensure that veterans health care no longer suffers when Congress fails to pass a budget on time, as has been the case for most of the past two decades, including this year. Instead, the Veterans Health Care Budget Reform and Transparency Act will authorize advance appropriations for veterans medical care programs, providing VA managers sufficient time to plan how best to deliver quality health care. This legislation also adds much-needed transparency to the VA budget process to help remove partisan politics from interfering with future veterans health care funding.

“The Partnership is grateful to Veterans’ Affairs Committee Chairman Bob Filner, the legislation’s sponsor, for leading the fight in the House and successfully reaching an agreement with the Senate that we expect will become law very soon. We are also grateful to many other leaders in the House for the key roles they played in achieving this success, especially House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Appropriations Committee Chairman David Obey, Appropriations Subcommittee Chairman Chet Edwards, Veterans’ Affairs Health Subcommittee Chairman Mike Michaud, Congressman Phil Hare and Congressman Walter Jones.

“For two decades, the Partnership has worked to reform the budget and appropriations process to ensure that veterans receive the health care they have earned in a timely manner. With the historic House vote today, we are on the brink of a victory that will help ensure quality medical care for the men and women who have served, are serving and will serve in defense of our nation.”

######

VFW’s Operation Uplink Free Call Day (10/18/09)

Host: Veterans of Foreign Wars VFW

Type: Meetings - Club/Group Meeting


Start Time:Sunday, October 18, 2009 at 12:00am
End Time:Monday, October 19, 2009 at 11:59pm
Location:Iraq/Afghanistan/Kuwait (call times are demonstrated in Iraq/Afghanistan/Kuwait time zones)

October 18, 2009 is VFW Salutes the Armed Forces Operation Uplink Free Call Day!

Troops in Iraq, Afghanistan and Kuwait can call the U.S for free for a full 24 hours courtesy of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Free Call Days are available at more than 800 MWR internet cafes using SPAWAR located on military instillations in Iraq, Afghanistan and Kuwait.

Take advantage and call your loved ones!

Soldiers, to place a call, use regular dialing procedures using your SPAWAR prepaid PIN, if you do not have a PIN number, get one from the cafe manager. You will hear the sponsor announcement informing you that your call is FREE!

Feedback is welcomed and encouraged!
Lferguson@vfw.org
www.operationuplink.org

Full schedule of Free Call Days

The VFW of Tomorrow

The organization knows that it must evolve to survive. At Post 210 in Lakeville, they're going full-bore into the 21st century.

By DEAN SPIROS, Minneapolis Star Tribune
October 5, 2009

Lakeville's Arnold Zach knows that if his local VFW and others around the state are going to survive, they'll have to reinvent themselves.

So when Post 210, of which he is the commander, decided it needed a new building, the consensus was that it's time to build a new identity, as well. And the new model they're pursuing goes well beyond the image of an insular social club where members get together for beers and pulltabs.

The new post would include a resource center equipped with computers for veterans to access information in such areas as health care, employment and veterans benefits. The post also will hold monthly workshops to help veterans in any way possible, according to Sue Palm, a member of a committee directing the project.

"We're looking not just at a new building, but to make it the new face of what the VFW is about," Palm said. "It's a new way to look at things, to partner with members of the community who may have new ways of seeing things."

The experiment will be closely watched by other posts. "We hope to be the light for other posts to see they can exist," Zach said.

It will take about $1 million in donations to make it happen, with the hope that community members and big business will join hands to get the job done. The committee leading the charge is made up of local veterans and members of Lakeville's Warrior to Citizen program, which was established this year to aid soldiers in their return to civilian life.

Zach and other leaders also are anxious to do away with the image of the typical VFW as a place to belly up to the bar. The new facility will have an expanded and more attractive dining area, as well as a performance stage.

The goal is to retain the post's existing 304 members, which includes 93-year-old World War II veteran Ralph Pendergrass, and to add others with an emphasis on convincing veterans from the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts that their local VFW has something to offer.

An unlikely savior

Zach may seem an unlikely candidate to be the face of a group determined to save VFWs from extinction: The Vietnam veteran served two years in Saigon (now Ho Chi Minh City), and felt the disdain of the American public upon his return. Zach, 64, takes medication for post-traumatic stress disorder, which went undiagnosed until three years ago. The effects of Agent Orange have wreaked havoc on his lungs, which before the state smoking ban left the smoke-filled VFW all but off-limits. And as a nondrinker, what reason did he really have for showing up, anyway?

Yet he's leading the charge to transform the typically cave-like Lakeville facility into the model VFW for the 21st century.

"When they built these places they built them without windows," Zach said. "What, did they want to make it a fortress? Were they afraid someone was going to attack it? Or did they want to make it just so private?"

The efforts officially kicked off last weekend, with the VFW hosting an Oktoberfest. The post celebrated its 90th anniversary Sept. 21, making it one of the oldest posts in the country.

Zach said he is considering a door-to-door campaign to find veterans who are not members.

"They're not going to come unless they are invited," he said.

Pendergrass, a Navy veteran who took part in the famed Battle of Guadalcanal in 1942, said he joined the VFW in 1946 to be "with a group of people I wanted to associate with." He regularly makes the drive to Lakeville from his home in Apple Valley (yes, he still drives) for a "short beer" that costs him 50 cents. He said he looks forward to the changes.

Upgrading to 'family-friendly'

"It needs updating," Pendergrass said of the VFW in general. "It needs to become family-friendly. For years it was basically a 'Good ol' boys club.' I don't believe in that."

Zach said Post 210 recently became debt-free, adding that things will stay that way after the remodel. The committee already has what they are referring to as "verbal commitments" from some heavyweights in the corporate world to provide financial support and other resources.

"This isn't just a pipe dream, this is real," Palm said. "We are going to make it happen. Our mission in this 90th year is to get the ball rolling and be in position to start construction next summer."

The committee has created a video that highlights the history of the Lakeville VFW and its plans for expansion. It will be used as a marketing tool to raise funds for the project.

Palm said a copy also will be sent along to the TV show "Extreme Makeover, Home Edition," to see if it might be interested in becoming involved. But the committee expects the project to remain in local hands.

"We look at it as though we are doing our own extreme makeover," Palm said. "We have skilled craftsmen and tradesmen, who I think will want to help us. We just have to give them a direction."

Dean Spiros • 952-882-9203
http://www.startribune.com/local/south/63568917.html