THE FRANK E BOOMA POST 6

 NEWSLETTER

Founded 1919

 APRIL 2005

 Commander -- Richard “Brooksie” Brooks

Commander’s Message

I want to thank Frank Desper, Sue Desper, Karen Hemstraught and Gene Schmitz for their work making the membership dinner a success. I want to congratulate Troy Lavigne on Squadron member of the year, Paula Hollingsworth on Unit member of the year, George McCall on Post member of the  year and Dan Yoder, Leo Peters, Paul Hollingsworth, Earl Pettiford, Elliott Antequera, Chris Boyle and Tony Lozada on Co-Color guard members of the year. Our next big event is elections on Thursday April 21, 2005 from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Please come out and vote for your choice of leaders for the coming year. I want to thank Amanda Stevens and her crew for a good children’s Easter party.  I have had a couple of members approach me about attending the National Convention in Hawaii in August and wondering if we had a package deal where they could come to support our color guard as they defend their national title. If anyone is interested in this, please contact me and I will look into arranging a package deal for all interested parties. Thank you for a successful year as Commander and it has been a honor to serve you again.

Richard “Brooksie” Brooks - Commander

Senior Vice Commander’s Message

I would like to thank everyone who attended the membership dinner.  A lot of awards were handed out, many of them for volunteerism.  It made me feel good inside to know that if we did not have everyone’s help, our programs would not be possible.  I encourage you to help this year in anyway you can.  IF you donate money or one hour of your time, it would make every difference in the world. Spring and summer are closely approaching and we have a lot on our schedule. Parades, conventions, the children’s outing, the adult outing and the color guard will be departing to defending their title as national champions.  Then soon after, thanksgiving dinner, the children’s Halloween party just to mention a few.  Keep an eye on upcoming newsletters for these events and any other happenings around the post to help out, or log on to the post website (www.feboomapost6.org) to see if a last minute change or addition was made where we will need your help. PLEASE CONSIDER DONATING SOME OF YOUR TIME THIS YEAR.  THANK YOU. Elections will be held on April 21, 2005.  Please come out and vote for your organization's officers.  There are a lot of good people running this year and they need your support.  After elections, the incoming post commander will be asking members to help form a grille committee consisting of 5 post members (volunteers) and a small host of other positions.  If you are interested in volunteering for these or any other positions, contact the incoming post commander, unit president or squadron commander.  Yours in comradeship.

 Frank Desper - Senior Vice Commander

Adjutant’s Message

Second nominations for Post officers and Audit committee members was held at the March meeting.  For the year 2005-2006 the nominees are as follows.

Commander Kenneth Newport Richard "Brooksie" Brooks Alphonse "Butch" LaFrenier Arthur Vancour Carl Walton Senior Vice Commander Bill Decker Eugene Bragg Junior Vice Commander No Candidate Historian Elliott Antequera Audit Committee James Bailey Bill Phelps

Adjutant George McCall Finance Officer Mariann Perreault Service Officer Keith Davis Asst Service Officer No Candidate Chaplain James Bailey Sergeant-At-Arms Dan Yoder

NOTE!: Eugene Bragg has removed his name from nomination for the office of Historian.  District 3 has set a new date for the Spring Conference and election of officers.  The time and place will be Friday, April 14, 2005 at 7:30 p.m. at Post 47 Rollinsford.

George McCall – Adjutant

Service Officer's Message

Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to enroll to receive VA health care?  While most veterans must be enrolled to receive VA health care, some veterans are exempt from the enrollment requirement due to meeting special eligibility criteria.  If you fall into one of the following categories, you are not required to enroll.  If you are seeking care for a VA-rated service-connected disability  If VA has rated you with a service-connected disability.  If less than one year has passed since you were discharged for a disability that the military determined was incurred or aggravated in the line of duty, but that VAS has not year rate. 
Why does VA encourage enrollment from those veterans who Congress specifically exempted from the process?  The reason we encourage all potential VA health care patients to enroll is for planning and budgeting purposes.  Enrollment numbers help to identify the potential demand for VA services.  By including all potential patients in the enrollment count, including those that are exempt, we are in  a much better position to identify necessary funding levels to Congress. 
What if demand for VA service exceeds its budget?  When the demand for services exceeds our ability to provide quality and timely health care, decisions will be made to ensure that the level of services for enrolled veterans is not compromised.  Those decisions may include suspending enrollment of veterans in lower priority groups (such as VA's decision to restrict higher income veterans who fall into priority Group 8 if they apply for care after January 16, 2004) or, in more drastic times, may include removing (disenrolling lower priority Group veterans from our enrollment system. 
I already receive VA car, but don't remember enrolling.  How can I verify my enrollment?  If you are uncertain of your enrollment status, check with the Enrollment Coordinator at your local VA health care facility or you may cal the VA Health Benefits Service Center at 1-877-222-VETS (8387)

Keith Davis - Assistant Service Officer

Women Veterans

Women veterans are eligible for the same VA benefits as male veterans.  However, additional gender specific services and benefits are available for women veterans including breast and pelvic examinations and other general reproductive health care services.  VA provides preventive health care counseling, contraceptive services, menopause management, pap smears and mammography.  Referrals are made for services that VA is unable to provide.  Women Veterans' Coordinator are available in a private setting at all VA facilities to assist women veterans seeking treatment and benefits.  VA health care professionals provide counseling and treatment to help veterans overcome psychological trauma resulting from sexual trauma that occurred while serving on active duty.  Appropriate care and service are provided for any injury, illness or psychological condition resulting form such trauma.

Surviving Colds and Flu Season

If you're like most Americans, expect to get as many as four colds this winter.  A cold may seem like a harmless malady but can lead to more serious infections such as sinusitis, pneumonia or influenza (the flu).  The flu causes more than 36,000 deaths in the United States each year.

Conquering Colds - A cold is a viral infection of the upper-respiratory tract.  Symptoms include a runny nose, sore throat, mild headaches or body aches, sneezing coughing and fever (less than 101).  "Antibiotics won't help the common cold, but frequent hand washing helps prevent the spread of viruses that cause colds", Over the counter medications may provide relief.  See your doctor if your cold doesn't get better within seven to 10 days, your symptoms worsen or you have a chronic respiratory condition.

Hand Washing 101 - Wet your hands with warm running water and apply liquid or clean bar soap.  Lather well and rub your hands together vigorously for at least 10 to 15 seconds.  Scrub your wrists, the backs of your hands, between your fingers and under your fingernails.  Rinse well and dry with a clean or disposable towel.  

George McCall - District 3 Service Officer

Sergeant-At-Arm’s Message

The Post will be hosting a Texas Hold Em.  The funds generated from this will help in sending the Post Color Guard to the American Legion National Convention to again compete for the National Championship.  The games will take place at the Post. NOTE! Color Guard meeting will take place every Tuesday at the Post home at 6:30 p.m. 

 Dan Yoder -Sgt. at Arms

Chaplain's Message

May their souls rest in peace! Post - Albert LaValley, Carlton S. Mack, John McFadden, Edward C. Law, and Unit - Donna Pariseau, and Helen Peabody.

 Michael Richard - Chaplain

S.A.L. Adjutant’s Message

The nomination for officers for the year 2005-2006 are as follows:

Commander Richard "Brooksie" Brooks Drew Hogan Senior Vice Commander Bob Prendergast Junior Vice Commander Gene Schmitz Historian Troy Lavigne

Adjutant Bob Prendergast Finance Officer Matt Karlson Chaplain Mike Richard Sergeant-At-Arms Jim DeButt Nathaniel Nicholas Grant Bergeron

Elections for Legion, Auxiliary and S.A.L. will be held on Thursday, April 21, 2005 from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m.  Please plan on voting for the officers of your choice for the coming year. 

Richard “Brooksie” Brooks - Adjutant

A Message From Squadron 6

There are still open seats for delegates at the Department of NH Convention in June.  At the April 20th meeting we will accept nominations for these open chairs.  Any member willing to participate is encouraged to attend.  Elections will be held on Thursday, April 21st.  Come out and vote.