Dear Comrades,

Thanks to all of you who have renewed your membership for 2008. We finished 2007 among the top posts in the State. We should receive the "All Time High" membership award.

THE DUES FOR 2008-2009 ARE $35.00.

THIS SHOULD PUT US AT 100% PAID TOWARD OUR QUOTA FOR 2008.

Comrade and Past Commander Shem Ray, Jr. continues to improve after a very close shave at University of Texas Medical Center in Dallas. We look forward to his complete recovery and return home.

District 1 Commander Bobby Baker stated that we need to become more attuned to local Legion Post efforts such as Boys State, Awards such as Law Officer of the year, Fireman of the year, Employer of the year Oratorical contests and etc. He also strongly encouraged recruiting new members, especially those returning from current military operations.

REMEMBER OUR NEW MAILING ADDRESS: P. O. BOX 1235, SULPHUR SPRINGS, TX 75483-1235

SAM RAYBURN MEMORIAL VA MEDICAL CENTER, BONHAM, TX CURRENT NEEDS AND INFORMATION. SALUTING THE FLAG Saluting, While Out of Uniform, During Hoisting, Lowering or Passing of the United States Flag by Current Members of the Armed Forces and Veterans. Title 4, United States Code section 9 has been amended by NDAA FY 2008 to read: “All persons present in uniform should render the military salute. Members of the Armed Forces and veterans who are present but not in uniform may render the military salute. All other persons present should face the flag and stand at attention with their right hand over the heart, or if applicable, remove their headdress with their right hand and hold it at the left shoulder, the hand being over the heart.”

IDENTITY THEFT UPDATE 09: Start the New Year right by taking the following precautions against loss of wallet, checkbook, etc. 1. The next time you order checks have only your initials (instead of first name) and last name put on them. If someone takes your checkbook, they will not know if you sign your checks with just your initials or your first name, but your bank will know how you sign your checks. 2. Do not sign the back of your credit cards. Instead, put "PHOTO ID REQUIRED." 3. When you are writing checks to pay on your credit card accounts, DO NOT put the complete account number on the "For" line. Instead, just put the last four numbers. The credit card company knows the rest of the number, and anyone who might be handling your check as it passes through all the check-processing channels will not have access to it. 4. Put your work phone # on your checks instead of your home phone. If you have a PO Box, use that instead of your home address. If you do not have a PO Box, use your work address. Never have your SS# printed on your checks. You can add it if it is necessary. However, if you have it printed, anyone can get it. 5. Place the contents of your wallet on a photocopy machine. Do both sides of each license, credit card, etc. You will know what you had in your wallet and all of the account numbers and phone numbers to call and cancel. Keep the photocopy in a safe place. Also carry a photocopy of your passport when traveling either here or abroad. 6. When you check out of a hotel that uses cards for keys do not turn the "keys" in. Take them with you and destroy them. Those little cards have on them all of the information you gave the hotel, including address and credit card numbers and expiration dates. Someone with a card reader, or employee of the hotel, can access all that information with no problem whatsoever. Some critical information to limit the damage in case you or someone you know has a Loss is: - Cancel your credit cards immediately. The key is having the toll free numbers and your card numbers handy so you know whom to call. Keep those where you can find them. - File a police report immediately in the jurisdiction where your credit cards, etc., were stolen. This proves to credit providers you were diligent, and this is a first step toward an investigation (if there ever is one). Perhaps most important action of all is to call the three national credit reporting organizations immediately to place a fraud alert on your name and Social Security number. The alert means any company that checks your credit knows your information was stolen, and they have to contact you by phone to authorize new credit The numbers you always need to contact about your wallet and contents being stolen are: a.) Equifax: 1-800-525-6285 b.) Experian (formerly TRW): 1-888-397-3742 c.) TransUnion: 1-800-680-7289 d.) Social Security Administration (fraud line): 1-800-269-0271 [Source: Various Dec 07++]

QVMB PROGRAM: The U.S. Senate unanimously passed legislation (S.2277) on 19 DEC to increase opportunities for veterans to purchase homes through the Qualified Veterans Mortgage Bond (QVMB) program. U.S. Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX), a member of the Armed Services Committee, pushed to secure provisions in the Defenders of Freedom Tax Relief Act that will open an existing low-interest housing loan program to all veterans, including those who served after 1977. The overall legislative package now moves to the U.S. House. Under current law, the Qualified Veterans Mortgage Bond (QVMB) program is only open to veterans who served on active duty prior to 1977. S.2277 would greatly expand the QVMB eligibility criteria for veterans who served in more recent conflicts by eliminating the pre-1977 requirement. QVMB is a program to purchase certain mortgage loans to qualified veterans from lending institutions. The funds to be used for these purchases may be the proceeds of tax-exempt state-guaranteed, Qualified Veterans Mortgage Bonds. The program will thereby provide low interest single-family mortgage loans for permanent financing of owner-occupied homes including new and existing single-family residences and existing duplexes, triplexes and fourplexes. Eligible duplexes, triplexes and fourplexes must have been occupied as a multi-family dwelling for at least the preceding five years. These loans will reflect a low interest rate because they are subsidized by State appropriation and may be funded through the proceeds of tax exempt bonds. States presently eligible to participate in this program are Alaska, Oregon, California, Texas, and Wisconsin. Program requirements are: . You must be a "qualified veteran" as that term is used in the Internal Revenue Code. A qualified veteran for purposes of this program includes specified veterans of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, Public Health Service, NOAA, the Coast and Geodetic Survey, and you must demonstrate that you are a qualified veteran by obtaining a certificate from the Veteran's Administration. . Although there are no limits on the acquisition cost of your residence, you must be able to demonstrate that your residence will become your principal residence within a reasonable time after the financing is provided. . Residences which are likely to be used in a trade or business or as an investment property or recreational home do not qualify, and you will need to certify that your residence is not of these types. . You will need to certify that personal property which is not a fixture is not being financed. . Land underlying the residence may be financed only if it reasonably maintains the basic livability of the residence and does not provide other than incidentally a source of income to you. . The proceeds of the loan may not be used to acquire or replace an existing mortgage. . If you do qualify for and receive a low interest loan under this program, the loan will have to be paid in full at the time you sell or in any other way transfer your ownership interest in your house other than by loan assumption. This provision will be a condition of your Deed of Trust. This does not mean that you will not be able to sell your home, just that the new purchaser will have to obtain other financing or qualify to assume the loan. [Source: Senator Cornyn Press Release 20 DEC 07 ++]

VA MILEAGE REIMBURSEMENT UPDATE 03: In the FY2008 Omnibus Appropriations $125 million was allocated to pay for an increase in the travel reimbursement rate for disabled veterans to go to VA hospitals for care. The present 11 cents a mile was set in 1977. The increase is 17.5 cents per mile. However, it could not go into effect until VA Secretary Peake announced the change and directed the VA to put it into effect. In JAN 12 bi-partisan rural Senators wrote the Secretary asking him to put the change in effect as soon as possible. The Secretary of Veterans Affairs has now made the decision to increase VA's beneficiary travel mileage reimbursement rate effective 1 FEB 08, to 28.5 cents per mile for travel related to health care per VHA Dir 2008-006 . This would include travel for recalls due to a deficient lab, electrocardiogram (EKG), and x-ray in relation to a Compensation and Pension (C&P) examination (convenience of the Government). Mileage reimbursement claims for travel prior to 1 FEB 08, may still be submitted. Such claims will be processed using the previous rates and deductibles.

Our Mission:

The American Legion strives to promote a better understanding of the principles of democracy and to inculcate among all people a higher appreciation of the benefits of American citizenship. To serve the needs of all veterans and their families. To fulfill our commitment to community, state, and nation.

“For God and Country”