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
Iraq-Afghan vets
6:00 p.m. 3rd Thursday
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
2011-2012
VFW MEN'S Auxiliary
Officers
2011-2012

President    Brian Hoenes
Sr. Vice       John Hamilton
Jr. Vice        Gerry Protz
Treasurer    Bill Campbell
Secretary     Kevin Reynolds
Chaplain    Brian McMichaels
Trustee 1yr  Don Upton
Trustee 2yr  Fred Davies
Trustee 3yr  Gary Grafton
Post Commander            Dana Denny
Sr, Vice Commander       Cory Bentley
Jr. Vice Commander       Dennis Ernst
Quartermaster/ Adj.        John Protz
Chaplain/Historian          Ed Davis
Judge Advocate             Bill Nash
Surgeon                        John R. Blagg        
Service Officer              Bill Highland
Officer of the Day      Joel "Doc" Dufrain
Trustee 1yr                Joel "Doc" Dufrain
Trustee 2yr                 Larry Smith
Trustee 3yr                 Ray Hoffman
Board of Directors
Scott Buesking             Joe Kirk
Jim Highland                Terry Glaze
J.D. "Doc" White          Bill Jackson

P.X Manager             Cory Bentley
Bartenders  Ashley,  Shayla,                       
& Stephanie, Kaitlyn, Mallory.
John's Corner Post Quartermaster
Our membership is doing good.  If you know a vet who may be eligible talk to him about joining. We were 100% for
last year.  Lets see if we can make 100% again this year we are off to a good start we have 16 new members and 2
life transfers and to new Lifemembers  to get us started.  Remember to tell any annul members that they have to pay
their dues by Dec. 31 to be eligible for the death benefit.   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 distributed to the
recipient. So lets see what we can do for this year. The 17th District meeting is January 8th at Paris, IL.  

"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.
                          John Protz Adj./Quartermaster
From the Post Chaplain
The Post Honor Guard has conducted (06)  Military Rite for
the months of Nov. and Dec. 2011.  We could use some
more help.  As your New Chaplain I will need your help for a
while I appreciate all that you have done so far.     It is the
season we all honor our troops around the Globe..
     "Until they are Home"
     Chaplain:  Ed Davis
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.   
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  
January 2012

$50.00 # 473 Donald Stuart, (not  present)
$25.00 # 392 Daniel Porter,( not  Present)
$15.00 # 264 Mark Keller, (not  Present)
From the Mens Auxiliary President  Brian Hoenes   There
are things happening around the Post.  Officers  were
elected at the April meeting.   We still need volunteers to
help with Bingo.  We are holding a Gun Raffle See Brian
Hoenes or Bill Campbell for Tickets,
Membership is going good we still need some invite your
friends.  See you at the meeting on the 3rd tues at 6:00
p.m. .   
          Thanks Brian
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
Topics For OEF/OIF Veterans Support Group
Choose as many as you wish for the list below

1. Transitionimg into society
a. Driving                 
b. Malls                   
c. Restaurants         
d. Church                 
e. Large Crowds       
2. Job Related Issues         
a. Employer       
b. Co-Workers  

3.  Maritial/ Relationship Issues
a. Roles   
b. Sex     
4. Parenting Issues               
a. Discipline     
b. Child Care   
c. relationships
5. Finding a Job             
6. Financial Issues        
7. Educational Issues  
8. Housing I
ssues         
9. Trusting Issues         
a. With Others outside your unit
b. Family                 
c. Co Workers           
10. Dietary Issues
a. proper Nutrition
b. Exercise             
c. Weight Control    
11.  Medical Issues
12. Anger Issues    
13. Suiciidal/ Homicidal Tendences
14. Substance Abuse


If you are having problems with any of these
issues you can contact the Local VA Clinic.  Or
you are welcome to attend the New
IRAQ-AFGHAN Group that is meeting on the 2nd
Thursday of the month at the Mattoon VFW Post
4325 at 6:30 p.m.             
Lindas Letters
Ladies Auxiliary President
Well another year has come to a close and a new one beginning.  Hope everyone had a wonderful
Holiday Season.  Things have calmed down with the Auxilliary.  We took Santa and treats to the
Armstrong center.  The Kids always enjoy Santa so much.  We Want to thank Steve
Keepes-England for playing Santa for us all these years.  Gifts and treats were taken to the nursing
home Veterans at 5 Nursing Homes.  District meeting is coming up January 8th.  Help is always
needed in the kitchen and for the floor on Bingo nights.  If you can help one night a month, for just
an hour or two, please call me at 235-0654.  Our meetings are on the 2nd Tuesday at 6:30 p.m.   
The Auxiliary needs everyone to make it a great Auxiliary.  We need you all.   We still have our
Bake sale on the third Monday night at Bingo.  All donations are appreciated.     If you need
anything or have suggestions for the Auxiliary, please let me know.  My number is 235-0654 Please
remember our young men and women serving our country and keep them in your prayers. Maybe
someday they will all be Home!    Until next time.
                                                   Your president    Linda Keepes
From The Commander
By Commander Dana Denny
If you know of someone who is eligible to be a member encourage them to join up.  We have taken in 16 new
members so far keep up the good work.  Christmas is over and A New Year is starting we are on our way to
another good year.  The 17th District meeting is January 8th.  Things are happening here stop in and check us
out.  You can also check us out on facebook at Mattoon VFW and see who the bands are that are going to be
playing here.       Thanks for all your Help this year.    Dana
Stop in and see what is happening at the post and visit Cory and the girl's.
VFW Auxiliary officers
2011-2012

President                      Linda Keepes
Sr. Vice President         Hester Birch
Jr. Vice President         Carol Protz
Secretary                      Dee Nichols
Treasurer                     Janet Snow
Chaplain                       Gabrielle Martin
Conductress                 Dorothy Trame
Guard                          Marsha Allen
Patriotic Instructor        Gabi Martin
Historian                    Carol Protz  
Trustee 1                   Carol Protz
Trustee 2                   Pauline Browning  
Trustee 3                   Marsha Allen
Banner Bearer           Kay Smith

Flag bearer                 Madalaine Massey
Color Bearer 1            Pauline Browning
Color Bearer 2            Wilma Hancock
Color Bearer 3            Deloris Allen
Color Bearer 4            Sharon Catt
Savings for Veterans these places
listed. Are offering Discounts up to
10% for purchases.  Home Depot,  
Hardees Resturant, Lowes in
Efingham.  If you know of others let me
know and I will add to the List. John
Protz Quartermater.