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VFW Post 3243 Election of Officers for 2009 -2010
Post Business Meeting 3rd Thursday 7:00 pm Clubroom Committee Meeting 3rd Thursday 6:00 pm Commander: Gerald K Hawkins SV Commander: Bill Bastian JV Commander: Richard Petts Quartermaster: Ken Rodenbo Chaplain: Lowell (Sam) Elston Surgeon: Asuki (Hazel) O'Neill Judge Advocate: Ernest A Paulin
Is the flag 'backwards' on soldiers' sleeves?
By Lisa Burgess
Stars and Stripes European editionSaturday, February 28, 2004 ARLINGTON, Va. Why do American soldiers wear the U.S. flag insignia "backwards" on the right shoulder of their utility uniforms, with the canton (the rectangle with the stars) on an observer's right? It's a question that soldiers hear frequently as they travel through civilian airports, or talk to members of other services. And it does look "wrong," because U.S. federal code calls for the canton to always be positioned to the left. The soldiers aren't wrong, however, and neither are their tailors, Lt. Col. Stanley Heath, an Army spokesman, explained in a Friday telephone interview. The Army actually has two authorized flag patches, one to be worn on the left shoulder, with the canton facing left, and another "reverse field" patch worn on the right, with the canton facing right. The two different orientations are mandated because Army regulations call for the flag "to be worn so that to observers, it looks as if the flag is flying against a breeze," Heath said. What does a stiff wind have to do with this custom? In fact, the rule is a nod to the U.S. Army's early history, when wars were fought as a series of carefully choreographed battles -- two armies meeting on a field, clashing head-on until one side emerged victorious. In those battles, both mounted cavalry and infantry units would always designate one soldier as "standard bearer," to carry the Colors into the fight. As the standard bearer charged, his rapid forward momentum would cause the flag to stream back. And since the Stars and Stripes is mounted with the canton closest to the pole, that section would always be forward. So if a soldier is charging into the battle, the flag would give the appearance of forward motion. For the right shoulder, the flag only appears "backward." And that's why soldiers wear the flag patches on the right shoulder "backward." Because retreat in battle, as any soldier will tell you, is not the Army way. Army Uniform Rule Requires Flag For All
By Lisa Burgess Stars and Stripes European Edition February 24, 2004 ARLINGTON, Va. Every soldier in the Army, not just those deployed, must now wear the U.S. flag insignia on his or her utility uniform, according to a new Army rule. By tradition, soldiers don't sew the flag on the shoulder of their right uniform until they are deployed. As soon as they are back at their home station, the flag must come off. But on Feb. 11, Army Chief of Staff Gen. Peter Schoomaker authorized the universal adoption of the insignia as a reminder to all soldiers that the Army is at war, according to Army spokesman Wayne Morse. "We're more of an expeditionary force now," Morse said in a Friday telephone interview. "We're at war, and we will be for the foreseeable future." There's another, more practical reason behind the new rule, Morse said: "It saves wear and tear on the uniform." "Instead of having people tear the patch off when they get home [from a deployment], and then having to put it back on again, we're all going to wear it," he said. Soldiers have until Oct. 1, 2005, to get the insignia sewn on their uniforms. The flag Schoomaker has authorized for wear is the "reverse field" patch, in red, white and blue. Subdued flags (those whose colors match either the woodland or desert camouflage Battle Dress Uniform) are not authorized. Army regulations call for the flag to be sewn on the right sleeve, one half-inch below the shoulder seam. If a combat patch is also placed on the right shoulder, the flag is sewn 1/8 inch below the combat patch. Soldiers can purchase the flags now at all Army Military Clothing Sales Stores, according to a news release sent out Thursday by the Army & Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES). The flags will also be online at www.aafes.com after March 1
VFW Supports Recommendation to Increase VA Budget
Washington, D.C., March 1, 2004--"The House Committee on Veterans Affairs recommendation to add .5 billion to the Bush Administration fiscal year 2005 budget request for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical care programs represents a solid commitment to this nation veterans" said the leader of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S. Expressing recognition of the House Veterans Affairs Committee rejection of the inadequate 1.8% increase in veterans' medical care funding contained in the Administration proposal, VFW Commander-in-Chief Edward S. Banas Sr., of Voluntown, Conn., said "The Committee has hit a triple and it is now up to the budget committee to drive us home and fully acknowledge the debt our nation owes its veterans. "While the House Veterans Affairs Committee "Views and Estimates" funding plan falls short of what the Independent Budget shows is needed to meet the demand for quality veterans' health care, it is a real step in the right direction. Aside from not balancing the budget on the backs of veterans, it provides persuasive reasoning for rejecting the President request to realign funding, charge enrollment fees for access and more than doubling the prescription drug co-payment. "With the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid projecting a 7.8% increase in health care spending and VA officials testifying that the veterans health care system requires 13-14% annually to meet the needs of sick and disabled veterans, anything less than the House Veterans Affairs Committee recommendations would amount to a denial of care. It would also fail to fully acknowledge our duty to those service men and women returning from Afghanistan and Iraq. "I urge the House Budget Committee to build upon the recommendations of their colleagues on the House Veterans Affairs Committee. I know that the American people will support their actions in defense of America's veterans, especially at a time of war." Banas said.
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