Keystone XL would provide needed jobs for vets.
With the unemployment rate among veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan exceeding 13 percent, the head of the nation’s largest veterans organization expressed “deep disappointment” that President Obama denied a permit request for the Keystone XL Pipeline.
“This project would not only have provided thousands of shovel-ready jobs at a time when our economy desperately needs them, it would have reduced America’s dependence on oil exports from the Middle East,” said American Legion National Commander Fang A. Wong.
“This isn’t just an economic issue, but a national security issue as well,” Wong pointed out. “Iran is threatening naval traffic in the Strait of Hormuz and piracy continues to be a problem. With gas prices again approaching $4 a gallon, this project is clearly in America’s interest.”
The $7 billion privately funded pipeline would carry an estimated 700,000 barrels of oil per day from Canada, the Dakotas, Montana and Oklahoma to Gulf Coast refineries. It has undergone years of environmental review but must be approved by the State Department since it would cross an international border. The oil would be extracted from Canada’s tar sands. Last summer, delegates to The American Legion’s 93rd National Convention in Minneapolis passed Resolution 107 in which they urged all segments of the U.S. government to pursue and grant all required permits for the proposed pipeline “without further delay.”
Sen. Richard Lugar, R-Ind., explained his disappointment with the president’s decision in a statement to Bloomberg News. “The studying time is done,” Lugar said. “The environmental concerns have been addressed. The job creation, economic and energy-security arguments are overwhelmingly in favor of building it. The president opposing pipeline construction is not in the best interest of the United States.”
The president’s rejection still leaves the door open for the company funding the project, TransCanada Corp., to re-apply once a new route is established.
“We hope that this project is not dead, but only delayed,” Wong added. “While we feel it is needed now, the administration must find a way to address our economic needs and security concerns as soon as possible.”
With a current membership of 2.4-million wartime veterans, The American Legion was founded in 1919 on the four pillars of a strong national security, veterans affairs, Americanism, and youth programs. Legionnaires work for the betterment of their communities through more than 14,000 posts across the nation.
Mr Kerrie Gene Gill was the American Legion representative who visited Michael and his mother at Allegheny General Hospital. Mr. Gill presented them with the $1800.00 check and they were overwhelmed with the generosity. It will help them tremendously in paying bills for December and January. We all had a very good visit and talk as Kerrie is quite an experienced soldier and gentleman. Thank you so much for the coordination of the financial assistance. SrA Suehr is the type of young man who will always remember and someday help another airman in need. Please thank all those involved at the Legion and wish them a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from all of us at the 171st Air Refueling Wing.
Paul Homza, MSgt, PaANG
171st CES/First Sergeant
Congressmen introduced legislation to block the Air Force from relocating the seven C-130 aircraft at the 911th Airlift Wing.
The bill from U.S. Rep. Tim Murphy, R-Upper St. Clair, effectively prevents the Pentagon from closing the base. A face-to-face meeting with Air Force officials, which was brokered by Murphy, is scheduled for the Pennsylvania delegation this Thursday at 1 p.m. to discuss the 911th.
“Congressional intervention is needed to stop the Air Force from making a hasty and unwise decision,” Rep. Murphy said in a statement. “The 911th is one of the most cost-effective bases in our military. I’m putting down a legislative marker that stops the closure and ensures there’s a deliberate review of the Air Force realignment.
“The Air Force may not be in compliance with existing law that requires congressional approval to close any base with more than 300 civilian personnel.”
Original cosponsors of the legislation include Reps. Jason Altmire (PA-4), Mike Doyle (PA-14) and Mark Critz (PA-12).
“Can’t Say Goodbye” by Josh Gracin was created in collaboration with Sears Heroes at Home. The song, based on the winning entry from the Sears “Portraits of Heroes” song contest, reflects a young war widow’s story (Seana Arrechaga) and her commitment to keeping her husband’s memory alive. All proceeds from the song will go to Heroes at Home and Rebuilding Together. “Can’t Say Goodbye” is available for download at iTunes at: http://bit.ly/pjV8FI and also at Sears Heroes at Home: http://bit.ly/dxTW7F,
Military careers must remain viable
By: Rep. Joe Wilson
October 13, 2011 04:34 AM EDT
America is blessed by our Armed Forces.
They are the most effective military in history to achieve peace through strength. The men and women who wear U.S. uniforms are not only brave, they are volunteers who have made defending our freedom their life’s work. Americans have long understood that to preserve our military we have to treat those willing to fight as well as we can.
President Barack Obama and Congress have already made serious cuts to the military budget. If the supercommittee fails this fall, defense appropriations will be slashed. This could reduce military funding to levels not seen since before World War II - with dire consequences our troops and their families.
These cuts keep me up at night. As the chairman of the House Subcommittee on Military Personnel, I have a special obligation to make sure our fighting men and women and their families are treated with the respect they deserve. We must keep faith with them.
As part of a military family, I know how stressful life in the armed forces can be. Minimizing that stress, and maintaining our fighting edge, is just as important as giving troops the best equipment.
We must also ensure that a military career is seen as a viable, even optimal, vocation for hundreds of thousands of Americans and their families. Service members must achieve fulfilling lives, to the highest of their potential. Potential cuts from the supercommittee put this at risk.
Historically, when the military budget is cut, the Defense Department reduces the number of people in our armed forces. We have done this after every war, and the process is already underway. The question is - how far will we go?
Armed Services Committee Republicans project that as a result of the $465 billion in cuts already passed, as well as the additional $500 billion cuts expected, DoD would likely have to lay off some 200,000 soldiers and Marines.
We are in the longest conflict our all-volunteer force has ever confronted. The Sept. 11 attack caught America by surprise and our military was not prepared to sustain the campaigns that followed. Our military forces were too small and not properly equipped.
Who paid the price? The men and women in our all-volunteer military and their families. The cost to them is not measured in dollars, but in more human terms: repeated deployments, mental and physical damage, families separated, strained and, in some cases, broken.
Have we learned nothing from their sacrifices over the last decade, which have successfully isolated terrorists overseas?
It seems not. Again, we appear bent on significantly reducing our forces as threats against America grow. With increasing global challenges and fewer forces to meet them, should anything beyond “peace” occur, our military men and women will be asked to deploy frequently, with less time between deployments to train, refit or spend time with their families.
In other words, the future for military personnel and their families could look like the past - with great strain on the warfighter and a greater strain on the warfighter’s family.
On the home front, Armed Services Committee Republicans project that military benefits will also be cut. Given the staggering reductions contemplated, no family support program will likely be untouched. Support to military families, a factor that sustained the all-volunteer force in 10 years’ of war, will be marginalized.
Keep in mind that deployment schedules; retirement and health plans, and day-to-day benefits are all part of a promise made by Americana to the men and women who defend us. Those are promises that Washington politicians must not break in the name of deficit reduction.
Defense spending as a portion of the budget has been on the decline recently. Our military budget is not driving America’s debt crisis - it accounts for less than 20 percent of the budget. Indeed, while the Defense Department has sustained deeper cuts than any other part of discretionary spending, deficits and debt are still out of control.
Liberals are pushing for most budget cuts to come from defense spending - a disproportionate percent putting American families at risk.
Those in Washington who want to revisit Defense accounts must take a sober look at their actions’ real consequences. Military life is tough, but so far we are blessed by those who choose to serve.
Moreover, we have come to learn that family readiness equals military readiness. “If mamma ain’t happy,” former Armed Services Committee Chairman Ike Skelton used to say, “ain’t nobody happy.”
Extending deployments while reducing benefits would put extra burdens on military personnel and their families. They have already sacrificed more for this nation than most other Americans. Breaking promises to these relatively few dedicated citizens will drive many of the best and brightest from our ranks.
Before we break faith with these men and women, we should ask ourselves how we are prepared to cope without them - especially when our freedoms and way of life are at risk.
ATTENTION ALL LEGIONNAIRES AND LEGION CLUB OFFICERS
Our Governor has signed the “Gaming Bill”. The new law and its parameters will go into effect on 3 March 2012. This new law will pertain to every post running small games of chance. This is great news for many of our clubs who have been struggling with the LCE and their enforcement of small games of chance laws. We are in the process of dissecting the new law and building an informational package to go out to all our Legion Clubs. The following is the actual press release from our State and we have put together some quick bullet points describing the changes to the old law. Please see that you disseminate this information to all posts in your respective areas. This information will be available on our web site ( www.pa-legion.com) If you have any questions please feel free to contact us. We will put out additional information as it is available.
Yours in comradeship,
Kit D. Watson
Kit D. Watson
Department Adjutant
Pennsylvania American Legion
Gov. Corbett signs bill increasing prizes for small games of chance
HARRISBURG - Governor Tom Corbett signed eight bills into law Thursday, including a bill that amends the Local Option Small Games of Chance Act to create new definitions, increase prize limits, and provide for additional rules and regulations for licensing of organizations.
The bill was sponsored by Rep. Sheryl Delozier (R-Cumberland), and would amend the current Small Games of Chance law to allow nonprofit associations, charitable organizations and other civic groups to raise revenues to support their community as well as maintain their operation.
Delozier’s bill would update the Local Option Small Games of Chance Act, which has not been changed since 1988, allowing for increased limits for prize payouts.
Small games of chance licenses are used by charitable organizations to raise funds to assist those in the local community. These nonprofit groups assist community residents by sponsoring youth sports, supporting fire companies and veteran events, refurbishing local parks, and giving out grants and scholarships to our students.
“The passage of this bill means we are actively working to preserve the role that local organizations have in our communities,” said Delozier. “Most of the money that is spent on these small games of chance does return to the community with a multiplier effect that benefits all of us.”
House Bill 169 would increase limits for prize payouts from $500 to $1,000 for daily drawings, from $5,000 to $25,000 for weekly drawings and from $5,000 to $10,000 for raffles per calendar month.
Under the bill, at least 70 percent of proceeds raised by these organizations would be distributed for public interest purposes, and up to 30 percent of the money raised can be used by the organizations to help maintain capital projects such as fixing a roof or heating system.
“The upcoming budget season is going to be a tough one,” Delozier noted. “Allowing for increased fundraising will help our nonprofits to fill some of the gaps in funding from government and stay afloat during hard economic times. This bill is the support system our communities need.”
House Bill 169 was amended in the Senate to include measures that permit fire and emergency services to hold a raffle with a $50,000 limit. Measures to require clubs with liquor licenses to submit semi-annual reports to the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue were also among the changes to the House version of the bill.
“House Bill 169 has been overwhelmingly supported statewide by community organizations and legislators on both sides of the aisle,” said Delozier. “I am pleased we are finally able to get this bill to the governor’s desk and ensure our nonprofit organizations are able to continue to meet their expenses and fund projects and services throughout our local communities.”
HOUSE BILL 169
A. SYNOPSIS:
Amends the Local Option Small Games of Chance Act to create new definitions, increase prize limits, and provide for additional rules and regulations for licensing of organizations.
B. BILL SUMMARY:
Preliminary Provisions:
· Clarifies the following terms: Civic and service organization, club, daily drawing, eligible organizations, fraternal organizations, games of chance, public interest purposes, raffle and weekly drawing.
· Defines “licensed distributor” as a distributor of games of chance that is licensed under Act.
· Defines “prize” as cash or merchandise awarded from a game of chance.
· Defines “proceeds” as the difference between the actual gross revenue collected by an organization from the conduct of games of chance and the actual amount of prizes paid by an organization from a game of chance, plus the cost of the purchase of the game.
Games of Chance:
· Increases the maximum prize for a single chance from $500 to $1,000.
· Increases the maximum weekly prize limit from $5,000 to $25,000 in a seven-day period.
· Raises the prize limit for raffles from $5,000 to $10,000 per calendar month.
· Allows a raffle to exceed the $1,000 per single chance limit if the organization has obtained a special permit. Eligible organizations can obtain no more than 8 special permits per license term, except for volunteer fire, ambulance and rescue organizations which can obtain 10 per license term. Total cash value of all prizes under a special permit is $100,000 per calendar year.
· Permits a volunteer fire, ambulance or rescue organization to award up to $50,000 from raffles that is not subject to the aggregate limit.
· Clarifies that only a daily drawing and weekly drawing can be conducted at the same time.
· Requires each manufacturer and distributor to submit a background check for all officers, managers and other responsible persons. These background checks shall be obtained from the PA State Police and shall be submitted with their application or renewal.
· Requires organizations to report to Revenue on prizes awarded of $600 or more, as required by the Tax Reform Code.
· Requires organizations to report the amounts expended on public interest purposes.
· Clarifies that an auxiliary group is not eligible to obtain a license or limited occasion license to conduct games of chance.
· Clarifies that the licensing authority can use the license fees to administer the act.
· Clarifies that an organization must conduct small games of chance at their licensed premise. The organization must list the licensed premise on their application. Only one license shall be issued per licensed premise.
· Allows an organization which has obtained a limited occasion license to use the premise of another licensed organization. When an organization permits a limited occasion licensee to use their premise, the organization must cease the operation of their own games of chance.
· Requires an organization to keep a separate bank account for proceeds of games of chance and retain account records for two years.
· Requires a club licensee to submit an annual report at the time of application for a license or renewal.
· Requires each organization to submit a background check for the executive officer and secretary or any other person required by Revenue. Background checks shall be obtained from the PA State Police and shall be submitted with their application or renewal.
Club Licensees:
· Provides additional requirements for club licensees.
· Beginning in 2013, a club shall submit semi-annual reports to Revenue for the preceding 6-month period containing the following information:
Ø The proceeds received by the club from each game of chance, itemized by week.
Ø The amount of prizes paid from all games of chance.
Ø Other costs incurred related to the conduct of games of chance.
Ø The verification of amounts distributed for public interest purposes, itemized by recipient.
Ø An itemized list of expenditures made or amounts retained.
Ø The address and county where the club is located.
Ø Other information required by Revenue.
· Requires Revenue to provide a copy of the report to the Bureau of liquor Control Enforcement (BLCE).
· Requires Revenue to post reports on their internet site.
· Permits clubs to use proceeds for operating expenses, as well as public interest purposes (not less than 70% public interest, 30% general operating). Proceeds may not be used for wages, alcohol or food purchases, or fines levied against the organization. Operating expenses include: Real property taxes, utility and fuel costs, heating and air conditioning equipment and repair, water and sewer costs, mortgage payments, interior and exterior repair costs, new facility construction, entertainment equipment, and other expenses as regulated by Revenue.
· Requires that amounts retained for public interest purposes are to be expended within the same calendar year unless the organization notifies Revenue that the funds are being retained for a specific purchase or project.
· Requires a club to maintain records, including invoices for games purchased. Records shall be made available to the BLCE or other entity authorized to enforce the Act.
· Requires a club to maintain records relating to the printing or purchase of raffle tickets and the printing or purchase of materials to be used for a weekly drawing.
Enforcement:
· Adds the following as grounds for suspension, revocation or nonrenewal:
Ø Failure of a club licensee to file an accurate report
Ø Failure of a club licensee to comply with the filing requirements or the distribution of proceeds
· Requires licensees to, upon request, provide their license, books, accounts and records relating to games of chance to the licensing authority, BLCE, or law enforcement agency or official. A club licensee shall retain their records for 5 years.
· Permits the licensing authority to enforce the Act and impose civil penalties.
· Permits BLCE, for club licensees only, to enforce the Act. An administrative law judge may impose civil penalties following the issuance of a citation by BLCE.
· Requires BLCE to conduct random audits of 5% of club licensees.
· Permits the District Attorney to investigate all violations of the Act. If a violation has occurred the DA may impose a criminal penalty.
· Clarifies that, for a club licensee, violations of the Act do not constitute a violation of the Liquor Code. If the club has committed three or more violations of the Act, BLCE may enforce a violation of this Act as a violation of the Liquor Code.
· Imposes civil penalties as follows:
Ø For organizations:
o First violation – up to $500.
o Second violation – up to $1,000.
o Third or subsequent violation – up to $1,500.
Ø For Clubs:
o First violation – up to $800.
o Second violation – up to $1,000.
o Third or subsequent violation – up to $2,000.
· Changes criminal penalties to:
Ø First violation – not exceeding $1,000 and forfeiture of license for not more than 30 days;
Ø Second violation – not exceeding $1,500 and forfeiture of license for not less than 30 days and no more than 180; and
Ø Third violation (within 3 years of most recent violation) – not exceeding $3,000 and forfeiture of license for 30 months.
New Law effective date: 30 days (3 March 2012)
C. CURRENT LAW:
The Local Option Small Games of Chance Act (Act 156 or 1988) recognizes that certain nonprofit organizations need to raise funds, for the promotion of charitable or civic purposes, by having small games of chance. The Act establishes the rules, regulations, and guidelines necessary for the conducting of small games of chance.
Click Here for a printer friendly version
Click Here for a Small Games of Chance Annual Operating Record
Congratulations to all that won! The Rehab Raffle Winners were picked at a live drawing at Department Headquarters on December 17, 2011. And the winners are …
Jemes McMillen, Pittsburgh PA — $200
Herman G Siever Jr., Pottstown PA — $200
George R Winkler, Gettysburg PA — $200
Fred D. Hormel, Oakdale PA — $200
David A Priebe, West Grove PA — $200
Willard W Phoenix, Souderton PA — $200
Wallace Frenchak, Butler PA — $200
Larry M Heinly, Albrightsville PA — $200
George Coan, Scranton PA — $200
Harry C Miller Jr., Summit Hill PA — $200
Raymond L Carl, Cleveland GA — $250
William N Gibboney, Tyrone PA – $250
Barry L Schleig, Coal Township PA — $250
Nancy L Stockley, Dillsburg PA – $250
George Novotny Jr., Perkiomenville PA — $500
Bruce V Gardner, Little Genesee NY — $1000
Raymond A Robinson, Butler PA — $2500
Walter W David, Frankenmuth MI — $10,000
Click Here for a printer friendly version of the winners and the winning tickets
Needless to say, everyone gets a bit anxious in the winter. But there are some things we can do to help get through winter reasonably active and mentally healthy.
Safety and Health: Winter can be a scary time for anyone especially the elderly, who fear slipping on ice or wonder whether they’ll be able to pay the heating bills. There are a few things that we can do for ourselves or for our friends and family to help alleviate these sources of anxiety.
Keep driveways and walkways shoveled and free of ice. You can hire someone to clear driveways and walkways; though, some communities offer free driveway-plowing services to senior citizens. Call city hall to find out if this service is available.
Find out about heating bill assistance. If getting bills paid is a worry, contact your local Area Agency on Aging to find out if you or your loved one is eligible for an energy assistance program.
Change furnace filters. For maximum efficiency, this may need to be done as often as once a month.
Check the home for drafts. Draft prevention is an important factor in preventing colds and muscular pains, but it also helps to keep the electricity and gas bills down. Do a quick inspection of any cold air coming in through the windows and doors. These problems can easily be fixed by buying an insulation kit and some draft stoppers.
Chores: Help with the grocery shopping Whether you have to go and get some of the groceries yourself or accompany them to the supermarket, make sure that they have some help especially when the weather is particularly miserable. Ensure that their refrigerator and pantry is stocked with the basic essentials that lead to a healthy life.
Socializing: When it’s cold and dark, it’s easy to get isolated. Before you or your loved ones begin feeling lonely, think about how you can help them connect with others during the cold winter months. When it’s safe to venture out, be sure your loved one can get out and about.
Keep up social commitments if possible. Continue to be active in your community and the American Legion, arrange rides to church, the senior center, or to other activities.
Don’t forget group meals. Many communities have group meals for seniors. There might be a senior center in town, or the hot meals might be served at a community center. There are sometimes activities after these meals. Bingo, cards, blood pressure checks, and the opportunity to visit with others can provide a needed break in a seemingly long day.
Prepare and share a meal. You might like to enjoy a quiet meal together. Or if a neighbor offers to bring a casserole, suggest she stay and have a meal.
Entertainment at home: Sometimes, it’ll just be too unpleasant to get out. Or maybe your loved one is homebound by a physical or mental disability. There are still some things that we can do to brighten those long months.
Buy and fill a birdfeeder. You can find birdfeeders that attach directly to a window, so your loved one can easily see the ongoing show the cardinals and chickadees provide.
Offer to pick up and return books and videos. Your local public library may even have a delivery service for homebound people.
Send a letter. Even long-distance caregivers can bring some light into a dark day. Make a point to send a note or letter, especially in the winter. Yes, an old-fashioned letter in this age of electronic communication means a lot.
Watch for signs of depression: During winter, when stress levels and isolation increase, be sure to watch for persistent sadness, discouragement, reduced energy, and sleep problems.
Many people are unwilling to admit being depressed for fear of being seen as weak or unstable.
Recently, The American Legion, 31st District of Pennsylvania presented Senior High School History teacher Brad Wetzel and his students of the Vietnam: Tour of Duty class with a $500 check in support of their educational excursion to Washington, DC to visit the Vietnam Memorial planned for March 29, 2012.
During the Vietnam: Tour of Duty class, students have the opportunity to meet Vietnam War veterans who graciously discuss their story. A major component of the course is the reading of David Maraniss’s They Marched into Sunlight. The book examines three major areas, the leadership of The Johnson Administration, the struggles of the protest movement and the struggles of battle in Vietnam. A major character of the book happens to be a local hero named, Mr. Thomas Hinger.
In preparing for the culminating experience in Washington DC, students will choose one soldier from the 58,000 plus whose name is inscribed on the Vietnam Memorial wall. They will then spend several class periods researching this individual. Students will find out, to the best of their ability, who this soldier was, what he liked to do, what his hobbies were, where he went to school, what the name of his wife or his children were, etc. They will go to the respective panel on the Vietnam memorial and make an etching of their soldier. They will then take the etching and safely put the name on their person and ‘bring him home.’
In addition to the Vietnam Memorial, students will also visit the Lincoln Memorial, The World War II Memorial, the Korean Memorial, and visit The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and watch the presentation of the changing of the guard. Upon returning to class, students will then retrieve their etching and bring them to class and present to the class what name they brought home and who exactly this person was and will explain what this project means to them.
Vietnam: Tour of Duty class teacher Brad Wetzel said, “I have made the trip three times. Each time I have witnessed some of my students and our veteran guests weep in raw emotion. We have witnessed the visitors’ reaction to the Vietnam memorial and have been moved to see the real healing process up close as our guests pay their respects at the wall. In my nearly twenty years of service in public education, but I have rarely if ever watched as my students become so emotionally moved in a lesson. More importantly, the value of this project can be found in the healing the veteran guests receive which they should have received 40 years ago.”
William Lozier, Finance Officer, American Legion Post 446 said, “We served our country and through the legion, we are still serving our communities and helping out schools; that is why we wanted to support this class trip for the students.”
To date, the class has received a total of $800 toward their $2,000 goal for their trip from American Legion District 31, Legion Home Association of Jeannette, Legion Club of Mount Pleasant and from individual donors. If you or your organization would like to support this trip, please contact Brad Wetzel at Greater Latrobe Senior High School.
Photo Caption
American Legion members present Greater Latrobe Senior High School students and history teacher with a check toward the Vietnam: Tour of Duty class education extension to Washington DC.
From left to right:
Kerrie Gill, Commander, American Legion, Department of Pennsylvania
James Guiher, Commander, American Legion, 31st District of Pennsylvania
Victoria Watson, Greater Latrobe Senior High School Junior
Adella Hillebrecht, Greater Latrobe Senior High School Senior
William Lozier, Finance Officer, American Legion Post 446
Brad Wetzel, Senior High history teacher and Social Studies Department Teacher Leader.
Legion family members,
Past Department President Virginia Holden (1967-1968 Unit 472) has passed away.
Service for Virginia Holden will be Tuesday November 29 at 11:30 AM at the:
John M Dobrinick Funeral Home 702 7th St Trafford, PA 15085 (412) 372-3111
Our prayers go out to Virginia’s family and friends.
SAL Alternate NECman, Ken Warner has been admitted to York Hospital. Ken will be having surgery on 11/30/2011. I received an email from Kathy Warner and she indicated that Ken has a blockage of 99% in his main heart artery and 92% blockage three others. As soon as she provide me with any further information, I will pass it along. Please keep Ken in your prayers.
Cards can be sent to:
Ken Warner
3971 Sticks Road
Glen Rock, PA 17327
Department Service Officer Glenn King wants to thank the Legion family members who sent cards or attended his father’s funeral.
Mario Maloberti’s Wife Sara wanted to thank all who sent cards, flowers or attended Mario’s services, and also all who made a donation to the Pennsylvania American Legion’s Homes for Homeless Veterans Corporation in Mario’s name, it is appreciated.
Yours in comradeship,
Kit D. Watson
Department Adjutant
Pennsylvania American Legion
P.O. Box 2324
Harrisburg, PA 17105-2324
kit@pa-legion.com
717-730-9100
Fax 717-975-2836