We are looking forward to celebrating and remembering at our annual event this year. Like many things in 2020 things will be a little different.

On November 16, 1992 VFW Frontier Post 11453 was chartered. Shortly thereafter founding members sought a way to formally recognize the patriotism of this nation’s warriors on Pearl Harbor Day. Post members did so by holding an annual Pearl Harbor Remembrance gathering. For many years the event was attended by survivors of the December 7, 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor and included noteworthy guest speakers.   

Throughout the years Post 11453 supported the national VFW programs: Patriot’s Pen (PP), an essay writing contest for Junior High School (grades 6-8) students; Voice of Democracy (VOD), a speech contest for High School (grades 9-12) students; and the Teacher of the Year (TotY). Levels for teacher of the year are elementary (K-5), middle (6-8), and high school (9-12). Each year the Post receives submissions for all these contests by October 31. Then the Post must have the submissions judged and winners forwarded to the district (next higher level in the VFW hierarchy) by Thanksgiving. Post 11453 would usually hold a small awards banquet for the participants of these contests. However this busy time of year caused the awards banquet to be overshadowed by various holidays, family occasions, school events, and even our Post’s own Pearl Harbor Remembrance dinner.

Several years ago post members decided to combine the awards banquet with our Pearl Harbor Remembrance dinner. Initially it was feared that having two such different events together would cause neither to receive the recognition warranted to each. As it turned out the mixture of youth with experience displayed mutual admiration for each other’s generation and enriched the event. Over these several years of the combined event it has grown to be our post’s most anticipated happening of the year.

In the past the event has been on December 7th and has been open to the public. Post 11453 will continue to recognize the accomplishments of today’s youth and the sacrifices made by yesterday’s youth. This year with serious health concerns to consider our goal is for a respectful event that is short and safe. We plan to gather in the social hall at First Christian Church on Saturday, December 5, 2020, at 1 PM to remember the attack on Pearl Harbor and congratulate our post winners for PP, VOD, and TotY contests. Refreshments and desserts will be available. Unfortunately this year attendance will be by invitation only; contest winners, judges, post members, and VIPs are asked to limit guests to those necessary and to RSVP online, text send a SMS, or call 307.509.0839. RSVP deadline is November 30, 2020 at 8 PM.  

Phone call, long distances, Msg & Data rates may apply.

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Contest Winners

We had a good turn out again this year for our Patriot's Pen and Voice of Democracy contests. Many thanks to all participants.  Our post winners are listed below. All are reminded to participate again next year, we usually start in late August with the announcement of the new contest themes.

Patriot’s Pen

1. Bella Davis

2. Mariah Hilliard

3. Landen Davis

Voice of Democracy

1. Luke Constantino

2. Haley English

3. Riddick McCabe

The first place winners have been forwarded to District 5 for judging at that level; we are hoping for good news soon.

Special thanks to this year's judges from the Delta Kappa Gamma Society International – Upsilon Chapter– Cheyenne, WY

OFFICERS AND CHAIRMEN, DUTIES AND OBLIGATIONS

208

A. Officers
1.     Duty of Commander.  Among the duties of a Post Commander, he shall:
 

A.     Preside at all meetings of the Post, conducting such meetings in accordance with Article X of the By-Laws and Manual of Procedure and other applicable parliamentary rules.
 
B.     Enforce strict observance of the laws and usages of this organization, including Post, County Council, District and Department By-Laws and the Congressional Charter, National By-Laws, Ritual and Manual of Procedure, and all lawful orders from proper authorities.
 
C.     Insist that Post business and activities be conducted in such a manner that they do not violate any applicable governmental law, ordinance or regulation nor bring or tend to bring opprobrium or embarrassment upon the Post, its members or the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States.
 
D.     Decide all questions of law and usage in the Post, subject to appeal pursuant to the By-Laws.
 
E.     Appoint officers, committee chairmen and committees not otherwise provided for.  He may remove such appointed officers, committee chairmen and committees at his pleasure.  He shall, by virtue of his office, be a member of all committees.
 
F.     Approve all orders drawn upon the Quartermaster for the disbursement of money by motion made and passed at a meeting of the Post end countersign all checks for the disbursement of Post funds.
 
G.     Assure that the office of Quartermaster is bonded according to Section 703 of the By-Laws.
 
H.     Assure that all dues and other monies due the National headquarters and Department are forwarded promptly together with accurate reports and returns pertaining thereto.
 
I.     Assure that all reports are correctly prepared and promptly forwarded, that all the business of the Post is handled with dispatch and that alt necessary licenses and permits are obtained for proper operation.
 
J.     Assure that eligible veterans are encouraged to join and maintain membership.
 
K.     Assure that he or his representative attend all properly called District Conventions or meetings and County Council meetings.
 
L.     Comply with and perform all of the duties required by the laws and usages of this organization, the provisions of these By-Laws, the Ritual and Manual of Procedure and Department, District, County Council or Post By-Laws pertaining to the duties and obligations of a Post Commander and lawful orders from proper authority and perform such other duties as are usually incident to the office.  Failure without just cause to perform these duties may result in removal from office.

 
2.     Duty of Senior Vice Commander.  The Post Senior Vice Commander shall assist the Commander in preserving order, preside in the absence of the Commander, provide such advice or assistance as may be required and perform such other duties as are usually incident to such office or may from time to time be required by the laws and usages of the organization or lawful orders from proper authority.
 
3.     Duty of Junior Vice Commander.  The Post Junior Vice Commander shall assist the Commander in preserving order, preside in the absence of the Commander and Senior Vice Commander, provide such advice or assistance as may be required and perform such other duties as are usually incident to such office or may from time to time be required of him by the laws and usages of the organization or lawful orders from proper authority.
 
4.     Duty of Commander Pro Tempore.  In the event that neither the Commander, Senior Vice Commander or Junior Vice Commander is present, the Post shall elect a Commander Pro Tempore to preside at the meeting of the Post.
 
5.     Duty of Quartermaster.  Among the duties of a Post Quartermaster, he shall:
      

A.     Receive and hold all monies, securities, vouchers, and other personal property of the Post as may pertain to his office.
 
B.     Pay out or expend monies only after the Post has authorized payment by motion made and passed at a meeting of the Post.  All checks for the expenditures of Post funds shall be numbered in sequence, the number of each check to correspond with the voucher authorizing the same, and in addition to the signature of the Quartermaster, shall be countersigned by the Post Commander.
 
C.     Before entering upon his duties and for the faithful performance thereof, he shall qualify by good and sufficient bond, in accordance with Section 703, in a sum at least equal to the amount of the liquid assets for which he may be accountable, the cost of which shall be paid from Post funds.
 
D.     Collect all monies due the Post, giving receipt therefore.
 
E.     Keep an account with each member and notify all members in arrears.
 
F.     Collect the annual membership dues and credit the dues fund with a sum equal to the annual National, Department, District and County Council dues.
 
G.     At least once each month, transmit to the Department Quartermaster the Department and National dues payable from the annual dues collected from each member during the preceding month, such payment to be accompanied by transmittal forms provided by the National Headquarters.  The Quartermaster will be responsible for prompt payment of dues when due to the proper authorities.
 
H.     Retrain from issuing official membership dues receipts to new members until be has received the required admission fee and the required dues, unless the same shall have been remitted by the Post.  He shall collect the admission fee and dues prior to the election of the new member and immediately thereafter will credit one dollar ($1.00) to the Department in which the Post is located, the same to be forwarded to the Department Quartermaster.
 
I.     Maintain a dues reserve fund to which shall be credited not less than one-half of the Posts part of the current years dues paid by each member prior to July 1, including Life Membership per capita taxes received from the National Organization on account of Life Members.  (This shall not apply to dues remitted by the Post.)  He shall not disburse nor shall an obligation be incurred against this fund until after July 1, at which time it shall be transferred to the Posts general fund and be available for expenditures.
 
J.     Expend any and all dues paid by the Post on members whose dues have been remitted from the general fund of the Post.
 
K.     Maintain a relief fund, which shall be credited with the net proceeds of all sales of Buddy Poppies and such other monies as may be solicited or donated for veterans relief purposes.  Expenditures from the relief fund shall only be made for the purposes outlined in Section 704 of the Manual of Procedure.
 
L.     Maintain the books and records at all times in a neat and efficient manner.  The books and records of the Quartermaster shall be uniform and shall be those prescribed by National Headquarters; provided, however, that computer record keeping systems may be used, so long as the records contain the same data as required on forms prescribed by National Headquarters.  Books and records shall be available for inspection by authorized officers at all reasonable times.  Unless authorized by the Post to remove such books and records from its facilities, all such books and records shall be kept at the Post facilities.
 
M.     Deliver to his successor in office or to anyone designated by the Post or higher authority, all books, records, vouchers, monies, securities and other property of the Post in his possession or under his control.
 
N.     Serve as Treasurer of all Post committees handling funds.
 
O.     Comply with, and perform all duties required of him by the laws and usages of this organization, applicable By-Laws and order's from lawful authority and perform such other duties as are usually incident to such office.

 
6.     Duty of Adjutant. Among the duties of the Post Adjutant, he shall:
 

A.     Under the direction of the Commander, prepare all reports and returns required of him.
 
B.     Attest by his signature and the seal of the Post all official actions of the Post.
 
C.     Keep in books or files properly prepared the following:
 

1.     Current By-Laws, Ritual and Manual of Procedure of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States and copies of the By-Laws of the Post, Department, District and County Council.
 
2.     In a proper file, the original application of every member admitted to the Post.
 
3.     A record of all the proceedings of each meeting of the Post after the same shall have been corrected and approved.
 
4.     An order file in which shall be kept all orders or circulars issued by the Commander-in-Chief, the National Council of Administration, the Department Commander, the District and/or County Council Commander or the Post Commander.
 
5.     A letter or correspondence file.
 
6.     A file containing a copy of the proof of eligibility submitted by officers pursuant to Section 216(c).
 
7.     A roll of departed comrades.

 
D.     Transfer to his successor, without delay, all books, papers, records, monies and other records and property of the Post in his possession or under his control.
 
E.     Comply with and perform all duties required of him by the laws and usages of this organization, applicable By-Laws and orders from lawful authority and perform such other duties as are usually incident to such office.
 
F.     Unless authorized by the Post to remove books and records under his control from its facilities, all such books and records shall be kept at the Post facilities.

 
7.     Duty of Chaplain.  The Post Chaplain shall be chairman of the Visiting Committee of the Post.  He shall, with the assistance of such other members as may be appointed by the Commander, visit the sick and disabled members of the Post and make a report to the Post concerning same. He shall perform such other duties as are usually incident to the office or as may from time to time be required of him by the laws and usages of this organization or lawful orders from proper authority.
 
8.     Duty of Judge Advocate.  The Post Judge Advocate shall give the Post Commander such legal assistance, incident to his office, as he may request, and perform such other duties as may be usually incident to the office or as may from time to time be required of him by the laws and usages of this organization or lawful orders from proper authority.
 
9.     Duty of Surgeon.  The Post Surgeon shall be the chairman of the Health Committee and, with the assistance of such others as may be appointed by the Commander, he shall promote and put into effect health programs for the benefit of his Post and the community.  He shall perform such other duties as are usually incident to the office or as may from time to time be required of him by the laws and usages of this organization or lawful orders from proper authority.
 
10.     Duty of the Officer of the Day.  Among the duties of the Officer of the Day, he shall:
 

A.     Be the custodian of the Post colors, altar flag, Bible, ballot box, gavel and such other Post properly as is incident to a Post meeting.
 
B.     At the beginning of every meeting, cause the official membership dues receipt card or life membership card of every member present to be inspected.  He shall instruct comrades who may not have paid dues for the current calendar year and, as a result, do not possess an official membership receipt card, to immediately pay the required dues to the Quartermaster.  In the event the member does not have an official dues card receipt or life membership card in his possession, but claims that his dues are paid, or were remitted, the Officer of the Day will ascertain the membership status of the comrade from the Post Quartermaster.  Unless dues have been property remitted in accordance with the By-Laws or Manual of Procedure, delinquent members will immediately pay dues to the end of the current calendar year or leave the meeting room.  The Officer of the Day must not permit a member whose dues have not been paid or remitted to the end of the current calendar year to remain at a Post meeting.
 
C.     Prior to a meeting, have the Post colors in position to be properly presented, the altar properly decorated with flag and Bible and all officers? stations in proper position and in order.  He shall, with the assistance of the Color Bearers, present and retire the National Flag and Post Colors and properly present and introduce distinguished guests.
 
D.     At the close of the meeting, assure that all Post properly under his control is properly and safely taken care of.
 
E.     At the direction of the Post Commander, prepare the ballots, permit only those to cast their ballots who are qualified and observe that the balloting is done in a secret and proper manner.
 
F.     To the best of his ability, carry out the orders of the Commander and the Post and perform such other duties as may be usually incident to the office or may from time to time be required of him by the laws and usages of the organization or lawful orders from proper authority.

 
11.     Duty of Trustees.  Among the duties of the three (3) elected Post Trustees, they shall:
 

A.     Not later than the end of the month following the last day of each quarterly period, properly audit the books and records of the Post Quartermaster, Post Adjutant, and any activity, clubroom, holding company or unit sponsored, conducted or operated by, for or on behalf of the Post, and submit a detailed statement of such audits to the Post.
 
B.     Quarterly, through the Post Commander, submit a Post Trustees Report of Audit to the Department Quartermaster for referral to the Department Inspector.  The Report shall be in accordance with and upon such form as may be prescribed by the Adjutant General.  The audit shall be signed by the Post Commander and Trustees, who shall, by their signatures, certify to the accuracy of the information contained therein.  Trustees of Posts not under the jurisdiction of a Department shall submit the Report of Audit to the Adjutant General.
 
D.     Verify all expenditures of the Post and certify by their signature as to the correctness of each expenditure voucher.
 
E.     Audit the records and accounts of all committees, officers and members having to do with the receipt and expenditure of Post funds.  Trustees shall not be eligible to serve on committees or as officers whose books, records and accounts are audited by the Trustees.
 
F.     Perform such other duties as may be usually incident to the office or may from time to time be required by the laws and usages of the organization or lawful orders from proper authority.

 
12.     Duty of Guard. Among the duties of the Post Guard, he shall:
 

A.     Allow no one to enter the Post meeting room who does not possess a dues receipt card for the current calendar year or a life membership card, should the person requesting admittance state that his dues were paid but that he does not have the official receipt card or life membership card in his possession. then the Guard shall inform the Commander who shall ascertain from the Quartermaster whether the person seeking admittance has paid dues for the current calendar year and, if so, the member shall be admitted, provided he is otherwise in good standing.
 
B.     Notify the Officer of the Day of the presence of all distinguished guests who may be awaiting admittance.
 
C.     Perform such other duties as may be usually incident to the office or may from time to time be required of him by the laws and usages of this organization or lawful orders from proper authority.

 
13.     Duty of Service Officer. The Post Service Officer shall assist members of the Post, their widows and orphans and other worthy cases brought to their attention in obtaining rightful benefits from the federal and state governments, in the preparation of the proper forms for applying for such benefits and in assembling evidence required in connection therewith.  The work of a Service Officer shall be performed in accordance with the instructions contained in the VFW Guide for Post Service Officers under the general supervision of the Department Service Officer.  He shall perform such other duties as may be usually incident to the office or as may from time to time be required of him by the laws and usages of this organization or lawful orders from proper authority.
 
14.     Duty of Assistant Adjutant.  The Assistant Adjutant shall assist the Adjutant in his duties as requested.
 
15.     Duty of Assistant Quartermaster.  The Assistant Quartermaster shall assist the Quartermaster in his duties as requested.

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I understand it will be like a craft fair, with booths/tables of local people selling things. The reason this is important to us is the GFWC Meadowlarks have invited VFW Post 11453 to be in on the initial Meadowlark Market, that is to say we'll have a table at the event. Of course we'll be distributing Poppies, but this is a chance to be in our community, explaining what we do, recruiting new members, and maybe selling some of our own things.

We're looking for ideas and people to work the event. 

Flyer

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Raffle Winners

Jim Bush - 9/30/2020

VFW Frontier Post held their Annual Raffle September 8, 2020. The drawing was originally planned to take place earlier in the year, but COVID-19 caused the drawing to be postponed.   

The raffle drawings were held, and the following prizes awarded.

• Rifle AR-15 – Grant Kepp
• Quilt – Loren Morris
• Afghan – Ed Hoehn
• Beer Growler – Tom Kelley
• $10 Subway Gift Certificate – Justin Tripp
• $15 Dairy Queen Gift Certificate – Ed Hoehn

Congratulations to all the winners, many thanks to all those who bought tickets. And a big THANK YOU to those who donated prizes:

•  Sharps Rifle Company
• Mary Lee
• Jim B.

A Little Hand

Jim Bush - 9/20/2020

Hannah, age 7 and daughter of Post Quartermaster Justin, helps during Post Poppy Drive at Albertsons (Yellowstone Highway) in Cheyenne on Saturday, September 21, 2020.

VFW Post 11453 Member

After careful consideration, the Bylaw Review Committee believes our post's bylaws do not serve a useful purpose and suggests abolishing them. The post will, of course, continue to operate under the bylaws and standing rules of VFW National and the VFW Department of Wyoming. The vote on abolishing the bylaws will take place at our next regularly scheduled meeting, which is October 13th, 7:00 pm, at the Orchard Valley Community Center.

This email fulfills the provision that each member will be notified 20 days prior to a vote. If you would like a copy of the current post bylaws, please request it through a return email to me. 

Trish Peoples

VFW Post 11453 Adjutant

 VFW Post 11453 Bylaws 2015

Past Post Commander Jim Rish was formally recognized and thanked by our new Post Command Jim Bush with the presentation of this plaque at the regular post meeting on August 11, 2020. Rish is currently the Senior Vice Commander for the VFW Department of Wyoming with his sights set on Department Commander. We truly do thank him for his past leadership and future support at the local level and beyond.

The plaque reads:

James Rish

Post Commander

2017 - 2020

In appreciation of your devoted

leadership and continued support

of Frontier Post 11453.

Thank you.

VFW Post 11453 will be collecting "In Kind" Donations at our monthly meeting on November 10, 2020. Here are some ideas.

Veterans’ Rock

Needs List

Initial items
for the building: Monetary funds for:
Monthly expenses: rent, utilities, phone

Shelving, wooden or metal
Clothing racks
Plastic storage bins
Washer and dryer
Kitchen sink w/cabinet Items for Veterans:
Kitchen cabinet with drawers Please, very gently used and clean
Folding tables, 6’ & 8’ (they deserve nice things)
2 small office desks and chairs Clothing: 30/32 jeans; boxer briefs, med
Washer and dryer short sleeve, color t-shirts, med, lg, xlg
Coffee
Nondairy creamer, sugar Small household furniture, apt/dorm size:
Sm kitchen tables/chairs, recliners,
love seats, TV trays, end tables,
sm lamps, sm dressers, night stands
Coffee pots, crock pots, toasters
Alarm clocks, radios
New mattresses/box springs
TracFones and minutes

Gift cards for food, gas, car repairs
Towelettes, wipes for personal cleaning

Individual tissue packets
Large size shampoo, body wash, bar soap
Denture cleaner & cream,
Mouth wash(no-alcohol)
Tooth paste/tooth brushes

Donations taken Monday-Friday, 12-3pm
605 South Greeley Highway, Suite 1
Cheyenne, WY 82001
307-514-0035

At our Post meeting in June, I announced that a Scout needed to designate a beneficiary for an Eagle Scout Project she was interested in doing. While it is our fallen comrades who will benefit from this project, Frontier Post 11453 is to oversee the project and will be listed as the beneficiary on paper. Please check the following links for details.

Wyoming News Now Article

Navigating the Eagle Scout Service Project: Information for Project Beneficiaries

Learn more about the National Desert Storm War Memorial

Distilleries Make Hand Sanitizer

Jim Bush - 3/28/2020

Thanks to local distilleries (Chronicles, Backwards, Pine Bluffs, Still Works) and Snowy Elk (Coffee), a collaborative effort began to make and donate hand sanitizer to those in need across Wyoming during the Coronavirus pandemic.

See more at Snowy Elk Foundation

Summertime on the Streets

Jim - 6/17/2020

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Teacher of the Year

Jim Bush - 2/12/2020

Our Post Teacher of the Year (Grades 6-8) nominee, Neil Hokanson, not only won in VFW Wyoming District 5, but also won the VFW Department of Wyoming and will continue to compete at the VFW National Level. Thank you Neil and good luck.

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KGAB Radio

   You know for a small post we do many good things, just a couple years ago our nominee at the High School level also won in District 5 and the Department (State) of Wyoming and represented us well in the national competition. See WTE article.

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Membership Recruitment Planning Meeting

Jim Bush - 2/11/2020