The United States Army Reserve will be celebrating their 109th birthday on March 23. The reserve began in 1908 when Congress created the Medical Reserve Corps. Through the years, Reserve soldiers have served in numerous capacities and in every major military campaign. Since that time, the Army Reserve has established itself to be a critical component in the United States military structure.
Thousands Pre-Enroll for VA National Cemetery Interment
Since first announced last December, more than 10,000 eligible veterans have taken advantage of a new VA benefit that allows them to pre-enroll for interment in a VA national cemetery, which means less paperwork that survivors will have to complete following their loved one’s death. Interested veterans can submit VA Form 40-10007, Application for Pre-Need Determination of Eligibility for Burial in a VA National Cemetery, and supporting documentation, such as a DD Form 214, if readily available, to the VA National Cemetery Scheduling Office by toll-free fax at (855) 840-8299; email to Eligibility.PreNeed@va.gov; or by regular mail to the National Cemetery Scheduling Office, PO Box 510543, St. Louis, MO 63151.
Help Build Memorial on National Mall
The Desert Storm Memorial has been approved to be built in Washington, D.C. Now, the question is where, since the use of public space in Washington is always subject to intense scrutiny. The memorial foundation is seeking the VFW’s help to convince the National Capital Memorial Advisory Commission that the best placement would be in the vacant corner section of Constitution Avenue and 23rd Street, NW, which would be adjacent to the Lincoln Memorial and Vietnam War Memorial, and within easy walking distance of the District of Columbia’s World War I Memorial, the National WWII Memorial, the Korean War Memorial, and the yet-to-be-built Vietnam War Educational Center. VFW support of the Desert Storm Memorial is through the passage of Resolution 305 at the 115th National Convention in St. Louis. To date, the VFW is also the only national veterans organization to contribute money toward its construction, a pledged $500,000. Help get the Desert Storm Memorial built in the corner of Constitution Avenue and 23rd Street, NW, by writing: Peter May, NCMAC Chairman, 1100 Ohio Drive, SW, Room 220, Washington, D.C. 20242.
VFW Supports Second Division Memorial Modification Act
Last Wednesday, the VFW announced its support for S. 907, the Second Division Memorial Modification Act. The Second Division Memorial was originally constructed to memorialize the United States Army Second Division’s dead from World War I. Introduced by Senator Murkowski of Alaska, S. 907 would authorize the modification of the existing Second Division Memorial by adding three new benches to honor the three areas of conflict the Second Division has fought in since its last upgrade – the Korea DMZ, the war in Iraq and the war in Afghanistan.
VFW National Home for Children
The VFW National Home for Children was created to help veteran families in your community. Active duty military families, veteran families, and the families of VFW and Auxiliary members may qualify for the program. If there is a struggling veteran family in your area, please refer them to the VFW National Home or tell them to call toll free at (800) 313-4200 to learn more about this life-changing opportunity.
POW/MIA Update
* Army Air Forces 2nd Lt. Marvin B. Rothman, 21, of Cleveland Heights, Ohio, will be buried April 19 in Arlington National Cemetery, near Washington, D.C. Rothman, a P-47D Thunderbolt pilot, was assigned to the 311th Fighter Squadron, 58th Fighter Group. Rothman was attacked by enemy fighter aircraft and failed to return from the mission. He was officially declared deceased as of Feb. 6, 1946. Interment services are pending. * Electrician’s Mate 3rd Class Don O. Neher was assigned to the USS Oklahoma, which was moored off Ford Island, Pearl Harbor, when Japanese aircraft attacked his ship on Dec. 7, 1941. Interment services are pending. * Navy Reserve Ensign William M. Thompson was assigned to the USS Oklahoma, which was moored off Ford Island, Pearl Harbor, when Japanese aircraft attacked his ship on Dec. 7, 1941. Interment services are pending. * Army Technician 4th Grade John Kovach, Jr., was assigned to Company C, 192nd Tank Battalion. He died Nov. 19, 1942, while stationed in the Philippines. Interment services are pending. * Marine Corps Capt. John A. House, II, was assigned to HHM-265 Marine Aircraft Group 16. On June 30, 1967, House’s CH-46A Sea Knight helicopter crashed after being hit by enemy fire while attempting to insert a Marine reconnaissance team into hostile territory in Thua Thien-Hue Province, Vietnam. While most of the reconnaissance team survived, House and four others were killed. Interment services are pending. * Lance Cpl. John D. Killen, III, was assigned to Company A, 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion, 3rd Marine Division. On June 30, 1967, Killen was onboard a CH-46A Sea Knight helicopter attempting to insert his Marine reconnaissance team into hostile territory in Thua Thien-Hue Province, Vietnam, when it was struck by enemy fire and crashed. Interment services are pending. * Cpl. Glyn L. Runnels, Jr., was assigned to Company A, 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion, 3rd Marine Division. On June 30, 1967, Runnels was onboard a CH-46A Sea Knight helicopter attempting to insert his Marine reconnaissance team into hostile territory in Thua Thien-Hue Province, Vietnam, when it was struck by enemy fire and crashed. Interment services are pending.
Till next week, praying for all service members.
– Charles Castelluccio
