The president's fiscal year 2009 budget doesn't include funding to help National Guard members and reservists in their transitions from combat to civilian life. The Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program, authorized in legislation (H.R. 2090) supported by Sen. Barbara Mikulski, D-Maryland, can't continue its work without sufficient funds.
During recent Senate Appropriations Committee hearings, Mikulski decried the shortfall of funding for several programs she considers vital, including reintegration initiatives for National Guard and reserve soldiers returning from combat. Mikulski, a senior member of the Appropriations Committee, criticized the FY 2008 emergency supplemental request from President Bush, saying it "shortchanges those communities and other Americans struggling to meet pressing needs."
"The brave men and women in our National Guard have been fighting side by side with our active-duty troops in Iraq and Afghanistan so that we may live in freedom," Mikulski said. "They deserve the same support from the government when they return to their civilian lives."
The Yellow Ribbon program is set up to provide counseling and other support functions for U.S. service members and their families. Active-duty units returning from combat receive reintegration and counseling services, but returning Guard members are not offered anything comparable.
For fiscal 2009, the Yellow Ribbon program needs about $73 million. Mikuski is fighting for $45 million to be included in the emergency supplemental spending bill, which Congress is considering this month, to support soldiers returning this year. She also sent a letter to Defense Secretary Robert Gates, urging him to fund the national reintegration program despite the lack of funding in the president's budget proposal.
With no national reintegration program, some states have established their own programs. The Defense Department has refused to fund such state-supported programs.
I'm not aware that Ohio has created such a program for our returning Guard and reserve members.
The American Legion Online Update Story provided the information for this report.
VFW 3290 OFFICERS: Jack Nichols has been re-elected to serve as commander of VFW Post 3290 in Maple Heights. His officers include Arthur Ledger III, senior vice commander; Tom Golembiewski, junior vice commander; George Cooper, quartermaster; Oscar Clinkscales, adjutant; Ervin Sharp, chaplain; Roy Lopez, surgeon; Metro Holchick, officer-of-the-day; and Bob Bates, guard and service officer. Trustees elected to serve for one to three year terms respectively include Nichols, Cooper and Ledger III.
Information about these officers is contained in the post's attractive newsletter which I received last week. Our kudos for a job well done.
The post's next meeting is June 5 at 7 p.m. No meetings will be conducted in July and August. The post hall is available for rental. For dates, prices and other information, call Carla at 216-346-1227. And, the kitchen is open Fridays from 5 to 9 p.m. Breakfast is served from 9:30 a.m. to noon every Saturday. The post will hold a flag raising ceremony May 26 at 7 a.m. Members will then move to the Zion Cemetery for the annual Memorial Day service. A Flag Day steak dinner is set for June 14. Call the post for reservations at 216-663-9512.
AL 309 ELECTIONS: Cmmdr. Al Glontz and President Patti Tropf of American Legion Post 309 and Auxiliary, Maple Heights, say the men voted for their new officers on May 6. The ladies will elect officers May 13; and members of the Sons of American Legion will meet May 12 at 8 p.m. Questions? Call the post at 216-662-7768.
VFW 1082: Cmmdr. Joe Bright and President Dina Battista of VFW French-Bartlett Post 1082, Bedford, say information about their programs and activities is available by calling the post at 440-232-9035.
CWV 1812 AT BVAH: Cmmdr. Steve Dzurnak and President Ruth Balewski of Catholic War Veterans Post 1812 and Auxiliary, Garfield Heights, will lead a group of members to the Brecksville VA Hospital this evening, May 8, to provide a treat and to entertain patients. The next post meeting is May 12 at 7:30 p.m. Chairman Chet Balewski and his volunteers will distribute poppies to members of area Catholic churches the weekend of May 17-18, and May 24-25. Chairman Dick France says the post's annual Memorial Day services will be held May 26 at 7:20 a.m., followed by Mass in St. Monica Church on Rockside Road.
DAV 125 ELECTIONS: Cmmdr. Roy Zeman and Auxiliary Cmmdr. Sue Zeman of Maple Heights Chapter 125, Disabled American Veterans, say they will nominate officers for the new term at the June meeting. For more information, call the chapter at 216-475-9943.
AMVETS 80 INFO: Cmmdr. Jim Soltis and President June Nemec of AMVETS Post 80, Maple Heights, say information about current programs is available by calling 216-662-0340. The post is located at 16536 Broadway Ave.
BLUE STAR MOTHERS: Cmmdr. Al Glontz of American Legion Post 309, and chairman of the annual Maple Heights Memorial Day parade, is looking for mothers who have a son or daughter serving in the military. He would like them to participate in the program. Interested Blue Star Mothers can call him for more information at 216-581-1170.
NEWS about your post and auxiliary can be mailed to Ron Seman at 5811 Renwood Drive, Parma, OH 44129, or, e-mailed to SemanRJ@aol.com.