2012 Memorial Day Program Announced - Five Gold Stars

Newnan's VFW Post 2667 Post Commander, Jeff Carroll announced the theme for the annual Memorial Day Ceremonies, to be held at Veterans' Memorial Plaza on May 28, at 11:00 AM. For the past twelve years, the ceremonies have remembered one selected service member who died in the service of our country, representing and honoring all who made the supreme sacrifice. This year, Carroll explained, the ceremony will be entitled, "Five Gold Stars," honoring five additional names recently placed on the plaza honor rolls. The Gold Star, often seen on window banners, is a symbol of the loss of a family member, killed in action.

During the preparations for last year's visit of the Vietnam Healing Wall, it was discovered that there were two Vietnam KIA's from Coweta County who were overlooked on the original honor roll. They are John Dozier and Daniel Post, both of whom have surviving family members in the area.

In the past two years, three Cowetans have died, serving in combat. They are Chad D. Coleman, of Moreland, who died in 2010 while assigned to Afghanistan. Adrian G. Mills, a graduate of Northgate High School, died in 2011, in Kirkuk, Iraq. Nicholas S. Whitlock, graduate of Newnan High School and Mercer University, died in Djibouti, Africa, while piloting a special operations aircraft.

Surviving family members of all five have been invited to attend and be a part of the program. Carroll issued a special invitation to any Gold Star families to attend. He also announced that commemorative bricks had been purchased by the VFW for the five men being honored. As a gesture of remembrance, two bricks are also being purchased. First, for Korean War casualty, Richard E. Clapp, a native of Seattle, whose remains were recently identified after 62 years. His sister resides in Senoia. Michael C. Braden, whose family recently moved to Newnan, and who recently died in Afghanistan. The commemorative bricks will be installed prior to Veterans' Day in November.

Commander Carroll noted that the Memorial Day weekend will include the annual "Buddy Poppy" drive, with VFW members stationed in local venues, seeking donations which are exclusively used to help veterans and veterans' families and scholastic patriotism programs.

On Saturday, the Coweta Veterans' Club will conduct the annual flag placement on veterans' graves in local cemeteries. This year, the Sons of the American Legion (SAL) will host the placements. The SAL was organized to provide a way for non-veteran sons and grandsons of veterans to participate in programs and services in support of the American Legion. The SAL extends an invitation to the community to participate in helping to remember the service of deceased veterans. Caring citizens are asked to assemble at the Veterans Club on Hwy 29N (Across from A&W Nursery), at 8:30 AM or meet at the cemetery entrances. The Veterans' Club will make available a limited number of flags for local church and private cemeteries.

In keeping with a wonderful tradition, the Coweta Veterans' Club will host a dinner for the public, immediately following the ceremonies on Monday. Food will be served from 12:30 till 2:30. A special invitation is extended to all public service and emergency personnel. For additional information, please contact the Club at 770-251-6949. 

Veterans Employment Seminar March 14

The first Veterans Employment Seminar of the year will be March 14 from 1-3 p.m.

This seminar is among several to be held for veterans in 2012. The session will be facilitated by Peter Ludlow, manager of the Newnan office of the Georgia Department of Labor.

Ludlow, along with Alan Hurd of the DOL office will be explaining the new Gold Card Veterans Preference Programs for Post-9/11 veterans that are currently available. A main concern is that post 9/11 veterans need to be aware of specific programs available to veterans through the Department of Labor.

The DOL and sponsoring veterans organizations are interested to hear the issues directly from the veterans who are facing obstacles in finding employment. Hank Berkowitz, local Veterans Service Officer for the sponsoring veterans organizations, is coordinating the seminar events.

"We are interested to hear from veterans whether the current DOL programs meet their needs," said Berkowitz.

"We recognize that Post 9/11 veterans will face the same difficulties all veterans have faced in transferring military skill sets to civilian employment and they need the guidance of trained DOL experts," Ludlow emphasized.

In addition, employers from the community will also be present to discuss their hiring procedures and what they are looking for in various skill categories. They will respond to difficulties that may be inhibiting successful employment.

"Young discharged veterans returning from the 'Sand Boxes' of Iraq and Afghanistan need to have proven programs in place and we hope this Seminar will start the process," said Berkowitz.

The seminar is hosted by Newnan's American Legion Post 57, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2667, Marine Corps League Detachment 1325 along with DAV Chapter 31 in LaGrange.

The March 14 seminar is scheduled from 1-3 p.m. at the Coweta Veterans Club, 130 Veterans Club Drive off U.S. Highway 29 north of the bypass and just across from A&W Nursery. (Click here for Directions to the Club)

The presentation includes opportunities for veterans to discuss job search concerns with actual local employers, current opportunities and efforts for assistance toward finding jobs in present economic conditions and Veterans Preference and Priority of Service.

Berkowitz may be reached at Hberkowitz.vso@gmail.com. For more information, calls may be made to 770-254-7220.

Coweta Participates in Wreaths Across America

Coweta veterans will participate in the national "Wreaths Across America" program with ceremonies Saturday.

Having its beginning in a small New England holiday wreath making company, "Wreaths Across America" has grown and now covers the entire nation, furnishing Christmas wreaths for placement on the graves of fallen warriors.

Arlington National Cemetery, for example, is provided with enough wreaths for every grave. Additionally, the program provides to other national cemeteries, communities and veterans' organizations, a symbolic number of wreaths to be appropriately used to commemorate their war dead.

Through the efforts of John O'Connor, a member of both the American Legion and VFW, the Coweta Veterans' Club receives seven wreaths each year, which are placed on the honor rolls at Veterans' Memorial Plaza at the Newnan city park at Temple Avenue and Jackson Street.

This year's ceremony will be held on Saturday, Dec. 10, at noon.

The wreath placement is a solemn ceremony, touched by the spirit of Christmas. Participants include members of veterans' and other patriotic organizations.

O'Connor, speaking for the sponsors, extended an invitation to the public to attend. "This ceremony, which remembers and honors, is also a time to reflect on all the Christmases missed by those names on the cold bronze plaques. Those departed souls, who made the supreme sacrifice, may just rest easier knowing that we wish the memory of them, a Merry Christmas."

The program will last only about thirty minutes. There will be a limited number of folding chairs available for attendees. Anyone needing more information is asked to call Dick Stender at 770-301-6076.

70th Year Remembrance of Pearl Harbor

The Coweta Veterans Club, through VFW Post 2667 and American Legion Post 57 held a memorial ceremony on December 7 at McKoon Funeral Home at 11:00 AM. It was moved from Veterans’ Memorial Plaza due to inclimate weather. “It was described by FDR as a Day of Infamy,” said Ron Freese, Club Chairman. “It was also the day that brought America into the war and certainly put the nation in a fighting mood. We must not forget the two thousand plus who died in sinking ships, on airfields and in the skies. Their spirits still, and will forever, need to be remembered. We cannot let this day pass without pausing to remember what was a defeat, a defeat that drove us to eventual victory.”

The short program included a reading of President Roosevelt’s speech to Congress, declaring war on Japan. Freese made a special invitation to WWII veterans and senior citizens who have memories of Pearl Harbor Day they might wish to share. “Those who were young adults at that time can tell us more about the terror and anger experienced than any history book,” said Freese.

In keeping with a tradition born in WWII, the Veterans’ Club had coffee and donuts available at the Plaza, both before and after the ceremony.

Clinic for Military Veterans with PTSD

Veterans who believe they may be suffering from post traumatic stress disorder were encouraged to get more information about the condition and its impact on veterans and their loved ones when the Coweta Veterans Club hosted its third clinic to benefit veterans Oct. 26 at 7 p.m.

The Coweta Veterans Club is at 130 Veterans Club Drive, off U.S. Highway 29, just north of the Hwy. 34 bypass across from A&W Nursery.

The Oct. 26 clinic concentrated on Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, focusing upon the veterans who might be suffering from the emotional damage of war. This clinic included immediate family members who want to support their veteran.

PTSD is a scourge of every war in which the United States has fought but was first recognized medically for the veterans of the War to End All Wars -- World War One, noted Hank Berkowitz, local volunteer Veterans Service Officer, who is coordinating the evening events.

Today, PTSD is known to occur either immediately after a wartime traumatic situation, or even decades after military service. Either situation becomes a difficult medical issue for a veteran.

This is compounded for our current Iraq and Afghanistan veterans, who because of a small all-volunteer military force, are required to spend two, three, four or more tours in full combat situations and then cope with the resulting stress, Berkowitz said.

Michelle Lindsey-Bailey, a PTSD Trauma Specialist from the Decatur VA Medical Center, led the Oct. 26 clinic program.

According to Lindsey-Bailey, veterans are known to make every attempt to cope with this stress that can limit productivity whether in work or personal life.

Active military members have habitually covered up PTSD symptoms, rather than have any mention made in their military medical jackets that would prevent promotions or even cause their discharge, said Berkowitz. Now, there are resources available for assistance, no matter the life stage of the veteran, and greater acceptance of PTSD within active service members.

Mike Hudson, manager with Georgia State Veterans Services in LaGrange, was available to answer all VA compensation questions related to PTSD or other VA issues. Guests were urged to bring all VA related questions and or issues for discussion.

Dinner was served at 7 p.m. with the clinic beginning at 7:30 p.m.

This VA medical clinic was hosted by American Legion Post 57, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2667 and Coweta-Fayette Marine Corps League Detachment 1325. Veterans from all military conflicts were encouraged to attend this event, Berkowitz said.

Say No to Congressional Cuts

Our leaders in Congress are actually considering cutting 10 critical benefits that affect our nation's service members, veterans and their families. VFW is calling it the “10 for 10” plan—cutting 10 benefits to pay for 10 years of war. Read more about it.

We can’t let this happen! VFW needs every member to sign this important petition. We'll let Congress know we have the full force of the VFW membership behind us, and we won't let them level unjust funding cuts on our defenders and their families!

Sign the Petition

America’s debt crisis calls for tough decisions. That’s a given. But there is no way we’ll allow them to make budget cuts on the backs of veterans.

You can also help by getting your Facebook friends involved!

We need every VFW member and everyone who supports our military to stand up and be heard! Thank you for acting quickly at this critical time.

Labor Day Cookout

We're hosting a cookout this Monday, Labor Day, from 3:00 - 6:00 PM. It's all-you-can-eat for $10 and proceeds go to benefit VFW youth and community programs. We're going to smoke a couple of hogs plus will have hotdogs for the kiddies. Bring your chairs, bring your friends, come out and enjoy the fresh air  with us. The lounge will be open or you can bring your own beverages. Hope to see you at the Veterans Club on Monday.