VFW POST 4325
1220 South 19th Street Mattoon, Illinois 61938
Telephone (217) 234-3637
POST MEETINGS
6:00 pm- 2nd  Wednesday

Ladies Auxiliary
6:30 pm 2nd Tuesday

Mens Auxiliary
6:00 pm  3rd Tuesday
POST HOURS
Monday- Thursday- 3:00 pm- 10:00 pm
Friday-3:00 pm- 12:30am
Saturday 12:00 noon- 12:30 am
SUNDAY   12:00 PM- 7:00 p.m.


VFW POST OFFICERS
2009-2010
VFW MEN'S Auxiliary Officers
2009-2010

President    Brian Hoenes
Sr. Vice       Denny Thorton
Jr. Vice        Gerry Protz
Treasurer    Bill Campbell
Secretary     Kevin Reynolds
Trustee 1yr  Dustin Thorton
Trustee 2yr  Fred Davies
Trustee 3yr  Gary Grafton
Post Commander            Dana Denny
Sr, Vice Commander       Cory Bentley
Jr. Vice Commander       Bill Nash
Quartermaster               Gene Hampson
Adjutant                         John Protz
Chaplain/Historian          Larry Owen
Judge Advocate  George McMichaels
Surgeon                     John R. Blagg      
  
Service Officer          Bill Highland
Officer of the Day      Joel "Doc" Dufrain
Trustee                     Joel "Doc" Dufrain
Trustee                     Hardy Williams
Trustee                     Joe Kirk
Board of Directors
Scott Buesking          John Protz
Jim Highland                Terry Glaze
Harland Latch              Bill Jackson

P.X Manager             Cory Bentley
Bartenders             Ashley, Shayla,       
                          Amber & Stephanie
Genes Corner Post Quartermaster
    In 2009 our Post lost 19 member's to Deaths.  We also lost several member's due to non payment of dues.  We
have picked up several new members and right now our membership is 550.  When member's pay after December
31,   As I go through the record's there are quite a few members who have not paid their 2010 dues.  When
member's pay after Dec. 31 then they have to Start over for Death benefit's  eligibility which is three full year's before
any benefits earned can be distributer to the recipient.  Please do not let this happen to you.  Tell your family about
this.  If possible buy a life membership for your Veteran.
"I have mentioned this before but it is so important that it needs to be said again.  Please members keep your
beneficiary card up to date and place it in your important papers about your benefits upon your passing. Two things
for your information.  Our Honor team is getting a big work out with funerals and parades.  Please consider being
apart of this team in Honoring those who have departed.
                                                                             Gene Hampson Quartermaster
From the Post Chaplain
The Post Honor Guard has conducted (6)  Military
rites for the  Month's of     Nov. 25th -2009- Jan 11,
2010.  We could use some more help.      God bless
America and our Brave Men and Women around the
World.
"Until they are Home"

Chaplain:  Larry Owen
From The Post Surgeon; Rick Blagg;  
We have several items in our nventory.
for use by our Veterans that need
Temporary assistance If you are one
please let us know.  thank you.   
Lindas Letters
Ladies Auxiliary President
Well Winter is here, we have started 2010, and the Auxiliary is in full swing.  Christmas is over but
we want to thank all of you who baked cookies for the Nursing home.  Our next big projectwill be our
District Bingo Party in April at Danville.  We would enjoy seeing you at the meeting's.  Our meeting's
are on the second Tuesday of every month.  I try to keep the meeting to one hour and we have
snacks afterward.  We still have our bake sale on the third Monday at Bingo all donations are
appreciated.  We could still use some help on the other nights at Bingo.  If you would like to donate
a couple of hours.  If you have any suggestions or need anything let me know my Number is
235-0654. Please remember our young men and women serving on foreign soil and keep them in
your prayers and thoughts.  Until next time.

Your president                                               Linda Keepes
VFW LIFE MEMBERSHIP FEES

Age as of December 31
of year of application.....................FEE
Through  30............................$425.00
31-40......................................$410.00
41-50......................................$375.00
51-60......................................$335.00
61-70......................................$290.00
71-80......................................$225.00
81 and over............................$170.00
The life members fees are based on
the applicants age as of December 31
of the year of application regardless of
the applicants birth day.
VFW LADIES  AUXILIARY LIFE MEMBER   FEES
  
ATTAINED AS OF 12/31 OF YEAR WHEN
APPLYING FOR THE LIFE MEMBERSHIP
THROUGH AGE 20          $220.00
21-25                      $210.00
26-30                      $200.00
31-35                      $190.00
36-40                      $185.00
41-45                      $175.00
46-50                      $170.00
51-55                      $160.00
56-60                      $150.00
61-65                      $140.00
66-70                      $130.00
71-75                      $115.00
76-80                      $95.00
81-85                      $75.00
86-90                      $60.00
91AND OVER          $50.00
Monthly Meeting Attendance Drawing for
February 2010

$50.00 #518 Robert Washburn (not present)
$25.00 # 328 William McDowell (not  Present)
$15.00 # 544 Ron Yelk, (Not present)
Medical problems- Questions-
Appointments Cancellations.
CALL
M-F 8am-4pm_________217-258-3370

Toll
Free_____________800-320-8387
Evening/
Weekend/Holiday____217-554-4560
Mattoon     FAX______217-258-3379

Department of Veterans Affairs
501 LakeLand Blvd
Mattoon, IL. 61938

Team Alpha Ext. 49021
Doctor:  Dr. Shantha Monippallil, MD

Nurse: Craig K.  RN
From the Mens Auxiliary President  Brian
Hoenes
   We are planning some fund raiser's for
the future bring your ideas to the
meeting.  Membership is going good we
still need some invite your friends.  See
you at the meeting on the 3rd tues .
Thanks Brian
Crabby Old Man

What do you see nurses? . . . .. . What do you see?
What are you thinking . . . . . When you're looking at me?
A crabby old man .. . . . . Not very wise,
Uncertain of habit . . . . . With faraway eyes?

Who dribbles his food . . . . . And makes no reply.
When you say in a loud voice . . . . . 'I do wish you'd try!'
Who seems not to notice . . . . . The things that you do.
And forever is losing . . . . . A sock or shoe?

Who, resisting or not . . . . . Lets you do as you will,
With bathing and feeding . . . . . The long day to fill?
Is that what you're thinking? . . . . . Is that what you see?
Then open your eyes, nurse . . . . . You're not looking at
me.

I'll tell you who I am. . .. . . . As I sit here so still,
As I do at your bidding, . .. . . . As I eat at your will.
I'm a small child of Ten . . . . . With a father and mother,
Brothers and sisters . . . . . Who love one another.

A young boy of Sixteen . . . . With wings on his feet.
Dreaming that soon now . . . . . A lover he'll meet.
A groom soon at Twenty . . . . . My heart gives a leap.
Remembering, the vows . . . . . That I promised to keep.

At Twenty-Five, now . . . . . I have young of my own.
Who need me to guide . . . . . And a secure happy home..
A man of Thirty . . . . . My young now grown fast,
Bound to each other . . . . . With ties that should last.

At Forty, my young sons . .. . . . Have grown and are
gone,
But my woman's beside me . . . . . To see I don't mourn.
At Fifty, once more, babies play 'round my knee,
Again, we know children . . . . . My loved one and me.

Dark days are upon me . . . . . My wife is now dead.
I look at the future . . . . . Shudder with dread.
For my young are all rearing . . . . . Young of their own.
And I think of the years . . . . . And the love that I've
known.

I'm now an old man . . . . . And nature is cruel.
Tis jest to make old age . . . .. . Look like a fool.
The body, it crumbles . . . . . Grace and vigor, depart.
There is now a stone . .. . . Where I once had a heart.

But inside this old carcass . . . . . A young guy still dwells,
And now and again . . . . . My battered heart swells.
I remember the joys . . . .. . I remember the pain.
And I'm loving and living . .. . . . Life over again.

I think of the years, all too few . . . . . Gone too fast.
And accept the stark fact . . . . That nothing can last.
So open your eyes, people . . . . . Open and see.
Not a crabby old man . . . Look closer . . . See ME!!


Remember this poem when you next meet

An older person who you might brush aside

Without looking at the young soul within.

We will all, one day, be there, too!

(copied)


From The Commander
By Commander Dana Denny
We have started the new year.  A lot off things are changing around the post.  You need to stop in and check
thing's out.  Nomination's Are going to be taken at the February meeting. if you know of someone who would be a
good candidate for an Office please show up and Nominate them.  The New VA Clinic location is 501 lakeland
Blvd. Mattoon IL. The phone No's. are (217) 258-3370 M-F 8am to 4pm.     We are still hoping to get a helicopter
for display.  Membership is going good we are at 95% still need several to make 100 %  If you know of someone
who is eligible ask them to join up. If any one has other Ideas let us Know.  Dana
Stop in and see what is happening at the post and visit Cory and the girl's.
       VFW Auxiliary officers
2009-2010

President                      Linda Keepes
Sr. Vice President         Hester Birch
Jr. Vice President         Carol Protz
Secretary                      Dee Nichols
Treasurer                     Janet Snow
Chaplain                       Gabrielle Martin
Conductress                 Dorthy Trame
Patriotic Instructor        Gabi Martin        
Guard                          Marsha Allen    
Flag bearer                 Lynn Owen
Color Bearer 1            Pauline Browning
Color Bearer 2             Cathy Abbott
Color Bearer 3             Deloris Allen
Color Bearer 4          Edith Lowery
Trustee 1                   Lynn Owen
Trustee 2                   Marsha Allen  
Trustee 3                   Carol Protz
Historian                    Carol Protz