Everyone deserve a good laugh

   Navy Chief goes fishing

The rain had stopped and there was a big puddle in front of the bar
just outside the American Legion Post.

A rumpled old Navy Chief was standing near the edge with a fishing
line in the puddle.

A curious young Marine fighter pilot came over to him and asked what
he was doing.

"Fishing," the old Chief simply said.
"Poor old chief," the Marine officer thought to himself and invited
the old Navy Chief into the bar for a drink.
As he felt he should start a conversation while they were sipping
their spirits, the young jet pilot winked at another pilot and asked
the Chief, "How many have you caught today?"
"You're number 14," the old Chief answered, taking another sip from
his double shot of 12-year-old Scotch, "2 Air Force, 3 Navy and 9
Marines.”

MOPH Patriots.  If you plan on fishing this coming Saturday, maybe you can pickup a fishin' buddy at the Chapter 711 10:00 am meeting at the Sumemerlin I-HOP. Come at 9 am for breakfast and tell us your fish tales.

--
Len Yelinek
Commander
Las Vegas Chapter 711
Military Order of the Purple Heart
(702) 362-7673-h    (702) 460-0769-c

Purple Heart medal engraving ... MGM Resorts veteran free self-parking

Patriots -- During the National MOPH Convention in Dallas mid-August, the Dept. of Texas will be engraving Purple Heart medals.  NV Commander Richard Small will be attending the convention and has agreed to get your PH medal engraved with your name.  Bring your medal to Saturday's Chapter 711 meeting. Suggest you put it in a snack/sandwich bag with your full name.  Thanks Richard!

I've just found out that MGM Resorts has created a special MVP M life Rewards card for veterans that gives an automatic upgrade to Pearl status which includes benefits such as free self-parking, designated buffet line and more.  You can enroll at any MGM Resorts property.    

Chapter 730 will be conducting a ceremony commemorating Purple Heart Day on Sat, Aug 5th from 9 am to 10 am at the Southern Nevada Veterans Cemetery in Boulder City. The following Saturday, Aug 12th, the Southern Nevada Veterans Home in Boulder City will have an Open House with tours from 9 am to noon.

Chapter 711 Vice Commander Craig Mandeville is planning some fundraisers and a social or two for us.  Learn more Saturday.  Thanks Craig.

--

Len Yelinek

Commander, Las Vegas Chapter 711

Military Order of the Purple Heart

(702) 362-7673-h    (702) 460-0769-c

VA FISHER HOUSE MONTHLY REPORT

VA FISHER HOUSE MONTHLY REPORT

VA Hospital VA Southern Nevada Healthcare System Month May 2017

1. Occupancy rate: 34%_______

2. Number of Unoccupied days due to construction, maintenance, or refurbishment: 0____

3. Total number of families accommodated during the month: 62________

4. Families of Active Duty Service members accommodated during the month: 0_____

5. Families of Post 9-11OIF/OEF/OND Veterans accommodated during the month: 2____

6. Average Length of stay for families of Active Duty Servicemembers accommodated during the month: 0____

7. Number of new families accommodated this month: 28_____

8. Number of new individual guests accommodated during the month: 51_____

9. Cumulative number of families accommodated: 442__________

10. Number of families checking out: 56_______

11. Number of lodging nights provided through Fisher House Hotels for Heroes Program:0_____

12. Average length of stay: 2.76_______

13. Total number of families on waiting list during the month: 0____

14. Families referred for accommodations in the community during the month: 0__

15. Monetary donations received by VA this month: $5,150.00___

16. Monetary Donations received by the local 501c3 this month: $1,521.99___

17. Total monthly donations for the year: $33,591.75____

18. Number of hours volunteered: 151___

19. Total Number of volunteers: 17___

20. Number of VCS Canteen Booklets distributed to guests: 0____

21. Describe activities/special events held during the month:
5/2/17: Dinner provided by Girl Scout Troop; 5/4/17: Dinner and Game Night provided by Nellis 5/6; 5/12/17: Breakfast provided by Capital One Military Network; 5/12/17: Check presentation from Smith’s Food & Drug Stores; 5/17/17: Fisher House had a table at the VA Health Fair; 5/22/17: Dinner provided by Wells Fargo; 5/25/17: Attended scholarship presentation ceremony at Nellis AFB Commissary; 5/31/17: Keyless entry project completed.

Submitted by: Cadie Franco_________ Date 6/15/17___ Fisher House Manager

 

VA FISHER HOUSE MONTHLY REPORT

VA Hospital VA Southern Nevada Healthcare System Month June 2017

1. Occupancy rate: 43%_______

2. Number of Unoccupied days due to construction, maintenance, or refurbishment: 0____

3. Total number of families accommodated during the month: 57________

4. Families of Active Duty Servicemembers accommodated during the month: 0_____

5. Families of Post 9-11OIF/OEF/OND Veterans accommodated during the month: 3____

6. Average Length of stay for families of Active Duty Servicemembers accommodated during the month: 1.66____

7. Number of new families accommodated this month: 23_____

8. Number of new individual guests accommodated during the month: 54_____

9. Cumulative number of families accommodated: 499__________

10. Number of families checking out: 54_______

11. Number of lodging nights provided through Fisher House Hotels for Heroes Program:0_____

12. Average length of stay: 3.58_______

13. Total number of families on waiting list during the month: 0____

14. Families referred for accommodations in the community during the month: 0__

15. Monetary donations received by VA this month: $1,879.96___

16. Monetary Donations received by the local 501c3 this month: $3,079.45___

17. Total monthly donations for the year: $38,551.16____

18. Number of hours volunteered: 84.5___

19. Total Number of volunteers: 8___

20. Number of VCS Canteen Booklets distributed to guests: 0____

21. Describe activities/special events held during the month:
6/1/17: Delta Master Beta Sigma Phi Tour; 6/1/17: Ardiente Donation; 6/12/17: Dinner by Wells Fargo; 6/27/17: Dinner by Shadow Hills Church.

Submitted by: Cadie Franco_________ Date 7/14/17___ Fisher House Manager

Purple Heart Day - August 7th

 

Patriots:

I had been working with Tom Waters, who writes for the Veterans Reporter, to write an article for the August addition of the Veterans Reporter acknowledging "Purple Heart Day", Tom is also a member of Chapter 730.

So, for your early reading is a advanced copy of the article; I hope you enjoy it and I hope others do also.

Thanks!

Dan

 

FYI - Here is another Politics 101 article for your reading enjoyment or ...  :-)  This is the focus on Purple Heart Day and the Purple Heart medal.  

Below are 'links' to the Purple Heart Monument at the Southern Nevada Veterans Cemetery and to Governor Sandoval's Proclamation designating August 7, 2017 as Purple Heart Day in Nevada.  

You can read previous Politics 101 articles in the back issues of the Veteran Reporter Newspaper on line at <www.VeteranReporterNews.Com> 

Tom

Dr. Tom Waters

Lt. Col. USAF (Ret)

Pahrump Town Board (2011-2014)

(702) 379-3449 - Cell

VFW, DAV, & MOPH Member

DAV Website - www.dav15nv.org

Politics 101 – An Article Written by Dr. Tom Waters – What is Purple Heart Day?  August 7, 2017

While there are many of you reading this that already know that August 7^th each year is recognized as National Purple Heart Day, there remain many who do not.  It I my hope that this article will clarify “all you need to know about Purple Heart Day and the Purple Heart medal."  It will also include some recent information by Governor Sandoval for this day that means so much to so many (the Purple Heart recipients and their families).

Let’s begin by explaining Purple Heart Day.  It is ALWAYS celebrated on August 7^th each year.  

Purple Heart Day on August 7^th commemorates the day in 1782 when General George Washington created the Purple Heart Medal – a military decoration that is awarded to those wounded or killed while serving in the United States Armed Forces.  

I am pleased to write this article because, as a Purple Heart recipient (and as a student of history), I think often about all of the recipients who made the ultimate sacrifice as well as those who also met the award criteria for presentation of this medal that no one wants to earn.  However, once “earned” this medal is graciously accepted and worn. 

The Purple Heart medal is ranked immediately behind the Bronze Star and ahead of the Defense Meritorious Service Medal in order of precedence.  Possession of the Purple Heart medal does not by itself qualify veterans for Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) disability compensation.  However, since November 1999, Purple Heart recipients have been placed in VA’s enrollment priority group 3, unless eligible for the higher priority groups (1 or 2) based on service-connected disabilities.  Recipients are also exempt from co-payments for VA hospital care and medical outpatient care, but not from pharmacy co-payments for medications prescribed for non-service connected conditions.  

So much has already been written about the Purple Heart Medal so this article is a compilation of many public reports, articles, speeches, comments, discussions, etc. 

The Purple Heart Medal is one of the most recognized and respected medals awarded to members of the U.S. armed forces.  It was introduced as the “Badge of Military Merit” by General George Washington in 1782.  With that introduction, the Purple Heart also became the nation’s oldest military award.  In military terms, the award had “broken service,” as it was ignored for nearly 150 years until it was re-introduced on February 22, 1932, on the 200th anniversary of George Washington’s birth.  The medal’s plain inscription “FOR MILITARY MERIT” barely expresses its significance.  So, on February 22, 1932, the War Department (predecessor to the Department of Defense) announced the establishment of the Purple Heart award in General Order No. 3 that stated; “By order of the President of the United States, the Purple Heart established by General George Washington at Newburgh, August 7, 1782, during the War of the Revolution, is hereby revived out of respect to his memory and military achievements.” 
At current estimates, about 1.8 million Purple Heart medals have been awarded since then. 

With General Order No. 3 in 1932, August 7^th became Purple Heart Day and has been recognized annually ever since.  The holiday also encourages people to pay their respects to fallen military personnel, to listen to the stories of active duty military and veterans, and to thank them for their service to the nation. 

The observance is also called the National Purple Heart Day, Purple Heart Appreciation Day, and Purple Heart Recognition Day. 

Purple Heart Day is an unofficial observance.  This means that businesses, government offices and public transport do not close on this day. 

Veteran and military organizations hold remembrance meetings for fallen heroes and special events to thank Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, Coast Guardsmen, Veterans, and Purple Heart recipients on this day.  Many people fly the American flags at their homes and businesses as a way to show their solidarity with the troops. 

The Military Order of the Purple Heart (MOPH) was chartered by an Act of Congress in 1958 for “Combat Wounded Veterans” who received the Purple Heart for wounds suffered in combat.  Although the MOPH membership is restricted to the combat wounded, the local Chapters support all veterans and their families with a myriad of nation-wide programs by the Chapter, as well as, National Service Officers. 

Many of the Purple Heart recipients become members of the Military Order of the Purple Heart (MOPH) and join a local Chapter.  I happen to be a member of the Henderson Nevada Chapter #730 where Dan Peterson is the Commander. 

For more information on Chapter 730, go to their web page at http://www.purpleheart730.org for location and contact information.  If you are a Purple Heart recipient, or know of a Purple Heart recipient, contact Chapter 730 or look for a Chapter near you.  The MOPH is very active in supporting all veterans.  

For the State of Nevada, there is “A Proclamation by the Governor” dated July 5, 2017 that concludes with the statement:
“Now, Therefore, I, Brian Sandoval, Governor of the State of Nevada, do hereby proclaim August 7, 2017 as PURPLE HEART DAY IN NEVADA.” 

With support like this, it is no wonder that the State of Nevada has been recognized as a Purple Heart State to receive the same recognition as the Purple Heart Counties and Cities.  According to the MOPH website there are over 410 Purple Heart Counties and Cities across the United States.  In the State of Nevada, the following cities have “earned” the distinction of being named a “Purple Heart City”:
The MOPH website lists the City of Henderson as the first in Nevada.  

City of Henderson – January 13, 2014

City of Las Vegas – May 18, 2016

City of Mesquite - September 13, 2016

City of Carson City – April 20, 2017

The State of Nevada earned the distinction on Mar 15, 2017.  

I hope that you have a clear understanding of Purple Heart Day and why we celebrate by honoring those recipients of this medal.  Please celebrate with us on August 7^th as we say to each recipient (or the families of the recipients) “Thank You for Your Service to Our Country and the Sacrifices You’ve Made for Our Freedoms.”  

If you missed any of my earlier articles you can go to the Veterans Reporter News webpage at <http://www.veteransreporternews.com/> to review any Back Issues. 

I hear from MANY readers about my articles (most are positive) and I thank you for your positive or challenging “constructive” comments.  Feel free to contact me if you believe any of the information provided is inaccurate or if you have additional information that I can share with our readers. 

By: Thomas (Tom) Waters, Lt. Colonel, USAF (Ret), Ed.D. / twaters2015@gmail.com

https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?ui=2&ik=929f5f4d54&view=att&th=15d247194933b4f0&attid=0.1&disp=inline&realattid=f_j4vwa2380&safe=1&zw

https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?ui=2&ik=929f5f4d54&view=att&th=15d244dd6a445b79&attid=0.1&disp=safe&realattid=f_j4vuuy6i0&zw

--

Daniel Peterson

Commander

MOPH Chapter 730 Henderson, Boulder City, Nevada

702-449-4491

dpeterson6525@gmail.com

Kids can be such a joy

 

While I sat in the reception area of my doctor's office, a woman rolled an elderly man in a wheelchair into the room. As she went to the receptionist's desk, the man sat there, alone and silent. Just as I was thinking I should make small talk with him, a little boy slipped off his mother's lap and walked over to the wheelchair. Placing his hand on the man's, he said, “I know how you feel. My Mom makes me ride in the stroller too.”

*****

As I was nursing my baby, my cousin's six year old daughter, Krissy, came into the room. Never having seen anyone breast feed before, she was intrigued and full of all kinds of questions about what I was doing. After mulling over my answers, she remarked, "My mom has some of those, but I don't think she knows how to use them."

*****

Out bicycling one day with my eight-year-old granddaughter, Carolyn, I got a little wistful. “In ten years,” I said, “you'll want to be with your friends and you won't go walking, biking, and swimming with me like you do now.

Carolyn shrugged. “In ten years you'll be too old to do all those things anyway.”

******

Working as a pediatric nurse, I had the difficult assignment of giving immunization shots to children. One day, I entered the examining room to give four-year-old Lizzie her injection.

“No, no, no!” she screamed.

“Lizzie,” scolded her mother, "that's not polite behavior.”

With that, the girl yelled even louder, “No, thank you! No, thank you!"

******

On the way back from a Cub Scout meeting, my grandson innocently said to my son, “Dad, I know babies come from mommies’ tummies, but how do they get there in the first place?”

After my son hemmed and hawed awhile, my grandson finally spoke up in disgust, “You don't have to make up something, Dad. It’s okay if you don’t know the answer.”

*****

Just before I was deployed to Iraq, I sat my eight-year-old son down and broke the news to him. “I’m going to be away for a long time,” I told him. “I’m going to Iraq.”

“Why?” he asked. “Don't you know there’s a war going on over there?”

*****

Paul Newman founded the Hole in the Wall Gang Camp for children stricken with cancer, AIDS, and blood diseases. One afternoon, he and his wife, Joanne Woodward, stopped by to have lunch with the kids. A counselor at a nearby table, suspecting the young patients wouldn’t know Newman was a famous movie star, explained, “That’s the man who made this camp possible. Maybe you’ve seen his picture on his salad dressing bottle?”

Blank stares.

“Well, you’ve probably seen his face on his lemonade carton”

An eight-year-old girl perked up. “How long was he missing?”

*****

And my personal favorite...

God’s Problem Now!

His wife's graveside service was just barely finished, when there was a massive clap of thunder, followed by a tremendous bolt of lightning, accompanied by even more thunder rumbling in the distance. The little, old man looked at the pastor and calmly said, "Well, she’s there."

*****

Keep a SMILE on your face ~ And a SONG in your heart!

A smile - is a sign of joy.

A hug - is a sign of love.

A laugh - is a sign of happiness.

And a friend like me? - Well that's just a sign of good taste!

We'll be friends until I'm senile.

Then we'll be NEW friends!