VFW District 8 Newsletter
CWO5 Randle M. Tolliver, USN (Ret)
Commander
For veterans in crisis, the Veterans Crisis Line's number is "988” then press "1”.
Homebound veterans requiring assistance please contact any member.
Veterans experiencing, or at risk of homelessness, please contact any member or the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans at (877) 424-3838.
Buddy Check! During the holiday season, please call or go visit elderly or homebound veterans and see how they are doing and if they need help.
We are always looking to have veterans who are eligible and want to continue serving our community to join us. If you are interested, please contact any member or post.
Who are the Veterans of Foreign (VFW) wars? We are an organization of U.S. war veterans. All veterans who, as soldiers, sailors, marines, guardians, and airmen served the nation in wars, campaigns, and expeditions on foreign soil or in hostile waters are eligible to join.
Some believe the VFW is a club for old guys to sit around, drink beer and tell stories. While enjoyable, and you can hear some great stories, our core mission is support to fellow veterans, advocacy of veteran’s causes, education in patriotism and service to the communities in which we live. We advocate for our nation's veterans, service members and military families in Washington DC and state capitals. At no cost, our Veterans Service Officers (VSO) assist veterans of every generation to navigate the VA’s bureaucratic red tape. We sponsor several scholarship programs which are dedicated to promoting patriotism and investing in our future generations.
For your information:
The 2026 VA disability Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) increase is 2.8%. Payments reflecting this increase will start in January 2026.
The Social Security COLA increase for 2026 is also 2.8%.
Women veterans enrolled in VA health care system can now schedule appointments directly with VA gynecology providers without a referral from a primary care provider.
The VA is reorganizing the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) management structure to improve health care for veterans. The new organizational and personnel changes will take 18-24 months to implement. VHA will reduce a management structure that is overstaffed with middle managers who have overlapping responsibilities. Staffing and operations at VA medical centers and clinics will not change as part of this reorganization.
Local events:
The time and place of these and local post meetings and other events are provided on each post’s Facebook site; come join us!
Post 2593 in Arnold is supporting the Foster Closet Organization with a new or gently used. fall/winter clothing drive for newborn to 2 years old. There is a donation box located in the Post clubroom lobby.
Every Tuesday, VFW Post 5331 in Cedar Hill host "Veterans Coffee Talk” at 9 am at 1 Lynn Lane in Cedar Hill. If you have questions or would like more information, please call EverTrue @ (314) 446-2539, Col. (retired) Ted Hodgson @ (314) 221-2096 or Mark Newton @ (636) 222-3521.
Every Wednesday, VFW Post 5896 is hosting an "all-you-can-eat” breakfast at 814 E Karsch Blvd, Farmington. Food service is 7 to 9:30 am and the cost is $8 and children under the age of 10 eat for free.
Every Saturday, VFW Post 1831 is hosting a Shooting Match at 1651 Veterans Dr., DeSoto. Doors open at 10 am, practice at 11 am and shooting starts at noon. Clubroom will open for drinks & appetizers. For more information call (636) 586-9271.
Legislative news:
The new Missouri legislative session is fast approaching so please contact your state Senator and Representative to voice your support for Missouri veterans. We need your support to fully fund the Missouri Veterans Commission (MVC) with dedicated funding in the state budget, update the Real & Personal Property Tax exemptions for 100% service-disabled veterans, and to fight unaccredited companies (Claim Sharks) that prey on Missouri veterans.
Now let us talk a bit about our history:
35 years ago, with 500,000 U.S. troops deployed to the Persian Gulf, Congress passed the "Authorization for Use of Military Force against Iraq” bill. Five days later, when the UN deadline for Saddam Hussein to withdraw his military from Kuwait expired, coalition aircraft launched from U.S. carriers and bases in Saudi Arabia and naval launched cruise missiles began decimating Iraq's air force, and air defense infrastructure. Operation "Desert Storm" had begun. In an attempt to split Arab nations from the coalition, Saddam Hussein ordered Soviet-built "Scud" ballistic missiles be fired into Israel in an attempt to draw Israel into the campaign. A total of 39 Iraqi Scud missiles were launched on Israeli targets, including Tel Aviv. On 22 February the U.S. issued an ultimatum to Iraq to withdraw from Kuwait. This was rejected, and on 24 February the coalition ground attack commenced in Kuwait and Iraq and on 26 February Iraqi forces withdrew from Kuwait City. After the elite Iraqi Republican Guard ' Hammurabi' Armored Division was destroyed by the U.S. 24th Infantry Division, the Battle of Rumaila, Iraq accepted the cease-fire on 3 March.
250 years ago, one of the most influential documents of the American Revolution was published. Thomas Paine’s pamphlet "Common Sense,” set forth his arguments in favor of American independence. Originally published anonymously, "Common Sense” advocated independence for the American colonies from Britain and served to unite citizens and political leaders behind the idea of independence by reframing colonial squabble as the American Revolution. Born in England in 1737, he worked as a corset maker, a sailor and schoolteacher before becoming a prominent pamphleteer. Arriving in Philadelphia in 1774, he became a supporter of American independence. After publishing Common Sense, Paine served in the Continental Army and worked for the Committee of Foreign Affairs. He returned to England in 1787 where he continued writing pamphlets in support of revolution. He released "The Rights of Man,” supporting the French Revolution in 1791-92, in answer to Edmund Burke’s famous "Reflections on the Revolution in France” (1790). His political opinions were unpopular with the British government, so he fled to France, where he was arrested for his opinions. He returned to the United States in 1802 and died in New York in 1809. For more information, I cannot recommend better than reading Paine’s own work. You can also visit the Thomas Paine Society at https://www.thomaspainesociety.org/common-sense.
I offer this from Thomas Paine’s, 1791 book "The Rights of Man "whatever is my right as a man is also the right of another; and it becomes my duty to guarantee as well as to possess.
Bulletin Board:
The VA one-stop telephone number is 1-800-698-2411 and press "0” for immediate assistance. The VA one stop website is VA.gov Home | Veterans Affairs .
For more for information concerning VA "End of Life” benefits and services see www.va.gov/initiatives/end-of-life-benefits/
Veteran employment opportunities! Please visit https://news.va.gov/138283/hiring-veterans-job .
The Missouri Veterans Commission (MVC) one-stop Benefits and Resource Portal is (573) 522-4061 or www.veteranbenefits.mo.gov .
To pre-certify for burial in a Missouri Veterans Cemetery, apply at https://my.mo.gov/gsp?id=vcp_preapplication . For information on burial eligibility, visit https://mvc.dps.mo.gov/cemeteries .
The Missouri Job Center offers no-cost employment assistance for veterans and spouses. Contact (417) 257-2630 or visit jobs.mo.gov/vets.
To order military service documents such as a DD 214/Separation Document or Official Military Personnel File (OMPF), contact the National Archives, National Personnel Records Center at https://www.archives.gov/veterans/military-service-records, or call (866) 272-6272.
For more information, follow us at https://www.facebook.com/groups/967395123712841 or visit movfw.org
