NEWSLETTER
Midway Chapter 16
P.O. Box 1774, Salina, Kansas 67402-1774
August 2024 Issue: 8
OFFICERS: President – Gary Keil 785-822-4131; Vice President – Ronald Sondergard; 785-819-5527.
Secretary - Bill Vinyard 785-827-8394; Treasurer - Roger Thull 785-827-7981; Chaplain – Moses Stewart 785-827-5956.
Sergeant of Arms – Bill Quinley.
LOCATION/MEETING DATES: Saline County Senior Center, Boardroom, August 9, September 13, October 11,
November 8, and December 13.
MEAL: Bacon Swiss breaded chicken breast sandwich, winter blend vegetable, pineapple tidbits, and bun
SECRETARY'S REMARKS: I don't know if you recently watched (July 14) the news on KSN-TV. I did, and I thought about our
chapter membership situation. The TV channel Interviewed a couple of American Legion Post 406 officers in Andover, KS.
Notable was that Post 406 was recruiting members and having fundraisers to stay open, with roughly 60 members left. The
bottom line was how long they could remain an organization and do things in the community. Currently, our chapter has 45
members. Membership renewals: two are overdue in June, and four are due in July. Please renew your membership. If you have
already done so, I thank you.
WELLNESS: Rachel Holt Fikes, Shirley Wagner, and Dick Trow. Keep them in your prayers for well-being.
BIRTHDAYS IN AUGUST: Christopher Deitering, Rachel Holt Fikes, Gary Keil, and Moses Stewart. Happy Birthday to you all!
HELP IS ON ITS WAY: Troops Will Start Getting Economic Hardship Bonuses This Month. Though Only $20 on Average.
The Pentagon says it's finally ready to pay troops the "economic hardship bonuses" that Congress authorized last year
to help offset rising prices and higher living costs across the country. However, the sums troops will get seem unlikely
to make a major impact, putting renewed attention on lawmakers to do more. A senior defense official told Military.com
in an interview Friday that troops in the most junior ranks -- E-1 to E-3 -- will automatically see the bonus in their
paychecks starting this month and going through December
;
but, on average, they will be getting only $20 a month.
(source military.com)
BENEFITS: VA Warns Congress that
Benefits Payments Are at Risk Due to Projected $15 Billion Budget Shortfall. The
Department of Veterans Affairs expects to be nearly $15 billion short of what it needs to pay for benefits and health care this
year and next, in part because more veterans are using VA services than expected, officials told Congress this week.
An increase in benefits claims driven by the PACT Act could leave VA benefits accounts $2.9 billion short this year.
Meanwhile, healthcare accounts could be nearly $12 billion short next year because of higher-than-expected staffing
and prescription drug costs, among other factors. (source military corn)
TIDBITS OF JUILY MEETING: Treasurer Roger Thull presented the July 2024 treasurer's report with a balance of
$4497.44. The chapter had income of $181.00 and expenses of $143.60. Roger Thull was the attendance drawing winner
for a $20 gift card.
Members edited some papers required for the fundraiser: Chapter Sponsorship Form, Letter of Solicitation, and
Advertisement flyer. Moses Stewart reported he had reserved the Carver Center for the Veterans Dinner/Auction on
11/08/24.
SOME COMPANIES THAT HIRE VETERANS: Amazon, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, AAR Corp, Chevron, Combined
Insurance, Capital One Bank, ManTech International, Raytheon, Lockheed Martin, BAE System, Boeing, CACI International
Inc, American Systems, General Dynamics Mission Systems, Northrop Grumman, Advanced Technology Services Inc, Booz
Allen Hamilton, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Amentum, Ascension Health, and Leidos.
CLAIMS CLINIC: Kansas VA Claims Clinic, August 15, 2024, Hilton Garden Inn, 221 W. 43rd St, Hays, KS, 6:30 AM to
6:30 PM. POCs: Kyle Sander 785-559-0066 or Michael Robben 785-823-2862/1502 E. Iron Ave STE B, Salina KS,
A QUOTE FOR AUGUST: "I love borders. August is the border between summer and autumn; it is the most beautiful
month I know." Tove Jansson
UNITED WE STAND
