A SERVICE INFORMATION UPDATE FOR ALL VETERANS

Normandy Jubilee of Liberty Medal Eligibility: To be eligible for the Normandy Jubilee of Liberty Medal you must have served in the Normandy invasion between June 7, 1944 and August 31, 1944. An application form can be obtained from Ben Rodini, Trustee. A copy of your discharge validating your service between the dates cited above must accompany your application.

NOTE: A seal of a Veterans Association must be affixed to the form. There may be a cost associated with this medal. When completed, the form must be returned to Curt Weldon's office.

Health Care Benefits: Under the Veterans Health Care Eligibility Reform Act of 1996, Veterans must be enrolled with the Veterans Administration Health Care System to receive health care. A VA outpatient clinic is located at 1489 Baltimore Pike, Springfield, PA. This office is located across from the Granite Run Mall. Phone (610) 543-1588 for more info.

Benefits Booklets: The Government Printing Office-Superintendent of Documents, P.O. Box 371954, Pittsburgh, PA 15250-7954 is distributing booklets titled, "Federal Benefits for Veterans & Dependents" at a cost of $3.75. It covers changes in eligibility for VA medical care. The GPO Stock number for the handbook is 051-000-00214-8.

CAKELESS CAKE SALE UPDATE

To date, we've received $1005.00 from 65 donations. We will conclude this effort with a final report presented to the membership at the February 3^rd meeting. Anyone wishing to help can mail contributions to:

Thanks to everyone who helped with this effort.

General membership meetings are held the first Wednesday of every month starting at 7:30 PM for members. CWV Officers meet before the general membership meeting at 7:00 PM sharp.

The CORSAC Home Association Board of Directors meets every other month, on the third Wednesday of the month, at 7:00 PM.

COMMANDER'S REPORT - Fred Steigerwalt

We're still looking for people to take a proactive role in the many activities we sponsor. Our 1^st Vice Commander has provided a list of several activities in his report. Take a look and make a commitment to helping us expand our service as Catholics to our community.

Thanks to all who helped with the "Keep Christ in Christmas" Poster Contest and the

Make note of the next CORSACS meeting on April 21.

1^ST VICE COMMANDER'S REPORT - Charlie Farrell

A Historic Event: A New Year's Eve Party is being planned for December 31, 1999. We can accept no more than 120 reservations. The cost per ticket will be $40.00. A deposit of $20.00 per ticket will be required by April 30, 1999.

Only CWV or Auxiliary reservations will be accepted until then. After that date, other reservations will be accepted if there is space. Payment in full will be needed by October 1, 1999. Welcome the year 2000 with your friends. Don't get shut out -- call early! Reservations can be made by contacting any of the following individuals:

Other Activities

Specifics

2^ND VICE COMMANDER'S REPORT - Vince Gisondi

We are happy to report a total membership base of 150, but unfortunately note that we are well behind last year's membership count. We are continuing to pursue past members in hopes that we can get them to renew their memberships in 1999.

If you have misplaced or lost your application, call me, Vince, at 449-1159. We'll work out the details over the phone.

3^RD VICE COMMANDER'S REPORT � Ernie Beck

"Keep Christ in Christmas" Poster Contest Report: The poster contest was held in December and 284 students in the 7^th and 8^th grades from eleven local parish schools participated in the contest. The posters were judged on Sunday, December 13^th, and the winners were:

1^st Place: Caitlain Crowley - St. Andrews

2^nd Place: Michael Gioia - St. Charles Borromeo - ^rd Place: Brian Bullock - St. Dennis

3^rd Place: Brian Bullock - St. Dennis

Each of the winners received a monetary prize and a framed CWV certificate. The winning posters have been sent to the State (and possibly National) offices for entry into their contests to be held in January 1999.

Special thanks to judges Charlie Demeo, Betty Beck, and Monica McLaughlin. Also, thanks you to Sam Zampino whose experience from past years was a big help in running the contest.

Children's Christmas Party Report: The Children's Christmas Party was held on December 20^th at the Post Home. The children were entertained with song and dance by "Gotcha Hoppin." Santa Claus greeted the children, made note of those Christmas wishes, and presented each child with a toy. Ice cream and cookies topped off an enjoyable afternoon for all the children.

Special thanks to Betty Beck, Jan Zampino, Pat Brown, Charlie Demeo, Betty Hall, Charlie Farrell, Tom Loftus, Sam Zampino, and Pat Farrell for once again filling Santa's shoes.

Spelling Bee Update: Letters are being sent to local parish schools. The spelling bee will be held at the Post Home on Sunday, February 21^st, starting at 2:00 PM. Students will compete for prize money and trophies. Past Commander, Bob Rachor, will act as the Enunciator of the contest. Ben Rodini and Stan Bodalski will be backup judges.

WELFARE OFFICER'S REPORT - Tom Loftus

Please keep the following members and their family in your prayers as they recuperate from their illnesses, injuries, and losses: Vince Hanna, Rick Guglielmo, and Art Beaumont.

UPDATE ON AN ONGOING INSURANCE SCAM

Council of Better Business Bureaus, Inc. Press Release - For Immediate Release

***Consumer Alert*** July 18, 1997: Watch Out For Scam Run By "Veteran's Center"

The Better Business Bureau in New Orleans reports that veterans are being targeted as part of a national scam to gain access to personal financial information. An organization calling itself "Veteran's Center", located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania has been sending letters to residents throughout the country advising them that they could be eligible for refunds or dividends from military life insurance policies. The letters claim that the Veteran's Administration will not automatically send you the dividend, [and] that you must apply for it. The letters are accompanied by a form requesting personal information from recipients, including Social Security numbers, birth dates, GI insurance numbers and military service histories. Recipients are encouraged to mail the form to the Veteran's Center, P.O. Box 8079, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where it will be "reviewed for eligibility."

The BBB in Philadelphia reports that the Veterans Administration has received thousands of letters from veterans requesting dividends on insurance the veterans had while on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces. The Veterans Administration considers the letters from "Veteran's Center" a hoax and states that no service-related group's life dividends or refunds are being distributed.

Cynthia Albert with the BBB in New Orleans, an area the scam has hit hard, says "what bothers me is all this personal information they're asking for. This could lead to the access of personal bank accounts, or other scams."

Knowledge is a consumer's best defense. Always call the BBB for information on such offers. The Better Business Bureau reminds consumers to never give out any personal information, including social security numbers, birth dates and bank account numbers to people who don't have a legitimate reason to have them. This type of information could be used for illegal purposes. If you have sent information to the Veteran's Center, contact the Social Security Fraud Division at 1-800-269-0271 and the Attorney General's Office at 1-800-351-4889.

More information is available online at http://www.bbb.org/alerts/veteran.html.

HAVE YOU VISITED OUR WEB SITE?

If you have Internet access or have a friend who does, don't forget to visit our web site. It's been expanded to include a help section which I expect will grow as I receive your feedback. I will be including a special section with links to Catholic sites in addition to the special links section which already exists. While you're visiting, don't forget to sign the Guestbook.

ROLL UP THOSE SLEEVES

The next bloodmobile visit will be on February 25^th at the Sacred Heart Church cafeteria. Donations will be accepted between 1:00 PM and 7:30 PM. Call Ches Hall at 449-0804 to reserve a donation time.

EARLY NOTICE: CASINO TRIP "IN THE WORKS"

The CWV will be hosting a Casino trip in March. We're still working with the Casinos on incentive packages.

The February edition of the Short Sheet will contain the points of contacts, date, times of departure and arrival, and everything else. Plan on joining your friends "break the bank!"

FROM THE EDITOR'S DESK

I'll need all inputs for the February Short Sheet as soon as possible in order to accommodate sufficient notice for the Casino trip.

I'm slowly getting caught up with "things" and want to thank everyone for their assistance with getting past editions of the Short Sheet out the door. I want to extend a special thank you to Kay Farrell and all CWV and Auxiliary members who show up on "Short" notice to fold and stuff the envelopes. You are a BIG help!!!

LADIES AUXILIARY REPORT - Madam President Kay Farrell

BIG NEWS!! The Auxiliary of John J Hickey Post 731 is celebrating its 50^th year with a Mass and luncheon on Saturday March 20^th, 1999 (see other side for more details). All current and former members of the CWV Auxiliary and all members of the CWV are welcome.

Lent is approaching. Traditionally the season "to do without", why not consider doing "something special for" Lent this year, perhaps something as simple as a prayer every day at a certain time for all veterans alive and deceased. Because of them, we are citizens of a free nation. We can never forget what they have done for us in the past and what they continue to do for us today! God Bless, Kay.

1^st Vice President � Pat Brown: Sunday, January 31^st will be our corporate Communion Sunday. Please try to attend Mass at Sacred Heart and join us at the Post after Mass for breakfast. Remember how grateful we should feel that our Veterans and Auxiliary can worship together and relax over coffee at this dreary time of year.

Once again the Auxiliary is joining Sacred Heart for a Day of Recollection at Saint Raphael Mary Retreat House. The program starts at 9:00 AM and is over at about 3:00 PM. The date is Wednesday, March 17^th and the donation is $20.00. This is a wonderful opportunity during Lent to focus on the Lord and prepare for Easter. Please call Pat Brown 449-2419 to make your reservation.

Please bring a package of Valentines to the February meeting, and we will sign and collect them that night.