Once again our Department of Ohio AMVETS Family was well represented in Columbus at the Special Olympics Uified Bowling Tournament, over the weekend of October 19 and 20.  AMVETS Family members helped keep our Athletes organized and in high spirits during the competition. And in the end, handed out awards to all of the Champions. Well done Family!!!

Good morning AMVETS members,

As you know, we have been working with Congress to create legislation that would solve our organization's tax issues. The Charitable Equity for Veterans Act of 2019 was the solution we came up with to allow local AMVETS posts to accept tax-deductible charitable donations. The bill was introduced this year by Representative Rob Kind and Representative Brad Wenstrup, and we need to increase the number of co-sponsors in order to get this bill passed. 

If you think your local post would benefit from receiving tax-deductible charitable donations, ask your Representative to support H.R. 1715.  

A few talking points you can use:

Commander Vern Davenport spoke at the America's Freedom Lodge fund raising event on Saturday September 21, 2019. He told a room of about 1300 people about the AMVETS Family and especially the Sons' efforts to support and aid our Veterans. From community service, to personal care, to fundraising, to even meeting with our Legislators in Washington lobbying for Veterans issues, the AMVETS Family leads the way. He also spoke on the close cooperation between the AMVETS and America's Freedom Lodge and the importance of both groups' missions in helping our Veterans return to a sense of normalcy and purpose. Great work Commander! 

News Driving the Week
- VA Secretary Robert Wilkie last week encouraged House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to pass bipartisan legislation to help VA build partnerships with community groups who can offer direct help to Veterans who are at risk of harming themselves. The IMPROVE Well-Being for Veterans Act, from Reps. Jack Bergman (R-Mich.) and Chrissy Houlahan (D-Pa.) would allow VA to direct grant funding to these groups across the country. These community-based groups would be able to use that funding to identify Veterans who pose a suicide risk. “H.R. 3495 is one-way Members of Congress from both parties can support Veterans and their local communities, and I believe it can be the beginning this year of a longer-term collaboration with the VA to get at the root causes of the suicide crisis in the nation,” Wilkie wrote to Pelosi in a letter last week. “I hope your caucus can support this bipartisan effort.”

It's that time again, gather your foresome and have a day of fun in the sun! This year's outing will be hosted by the Sons of 66 Covington at Stillwater Valley Golf Club. We need sponsors for our tournament, they are the only way we make any money to help the Veterans Day Bus Trip. Please see forms posted on this website. For more information please contact, Beener Wood (937)417-0768, Bobby Floyd (937)541-1328, or Keith Westfall (937)214-1790.

All of our deserving Sons squadrons and individual award winners were honored today at the Annual Awards Ceremony at the State Convention. Lifetime  Acheivement Award Winner - Joe Kirkpatrick, a well deserved award! Great job Joe! The Gil Garza Award went to Commander Owen Jackson, also a very well deserved award. We're so proud of how these award recipients represent the organization in everything that they do. Keep up the good work gentlemen. .

Reports from all Department Officers, including District Commanders are due to HQ by Thursday June 6, 2019. If you have any issues submitting your report by the date due, please contact Commander Jackson ASAP. 

It's that time again!! You can now start reserving your spot on the Bus Trip!

You can find  a flyer for the trip as well as the reservation form in the Programs Section of the Forms page of the website.

It is with the heaviest of hearts that we pass along the information on the passing of Sons of AMVETS Ohio PDC Randy Smith. Randy was commander in 2009-2010, received the Lifetime Achievement Award in 2015, and the Gil Garza Award in 2008. He was a shining example of what the Sons of AMVETS should be, and will be greatly missed by all those who loved him. Our deepest sympathies go to his wife Michelle, his family, and friends everywhere. Visitation is Thursday afternoon 3:00pm - 7:00pm and funeral services are Friday March 29 at 10:00am at Engle-Shook Funeral Home & Crematory.... 135 North Washington St Tiffin, Ohio 44883.  Obituary Informatin is below. 

All Department Officers (including District Commanders) are required to submit their Midwinter Conference reports by February 8, 2019. If you have any issues meeting this deadline, contact Commander Jackson ASAP.