Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 192

VFW Annual Voice of Democracy Contest

2010-08-22T20:40:00.000-07:00

VFW Annual Patriot's Pen Essay Contest

2010-08-22T20:36:00.000-07:00

VFW Annual Outstanding Citizenship Education Teacher Contest

2010-08-22T20:34:00.000-07:00

REPATRIATE WWII VETERAN'S REMAINS (CLICK on image to enlarge size)

2010-04-02T08:56:00.000-07:00

VFW Buddy Poppy Campaign (CLICK on Image for larger size)

2010-04-02T07:53:00.000-07:00

FREE MONEY for VFW Post 192

2010-04-02T06:17:00.000-07:00

WASHINGTON ELM POST NO. 192

ESTABLISHED 1939

VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS OF THE U.S.

620 CLIFF STREET

HO-HO-KUS, NJ 07423

March 25, 2010

Dear Supporter of Our Military Service Veterans and Troops:

For your information and consideration, I am providing below the text of a letter similar to one that VFW Post 192 members are receiving and that Boiling Springs Savings Bank (BSSB) has promised to send to all their account holders in Ho-Ho-Kus (although this program is available to all BSSB accountholders wherever they are located) to acquaint them with a BSSB program that will provide our Washington Elm VFW Post 192 with FREE MONEY! Yes, FREE MONEY!

*******

     BSSB has introduced a new program that gives non-profit organizations like the Washington Elm VFW Post 192 the opportunity to earn money based on the account balances of BSSB accountholders AT NO EXPENSE OR LOSS OF INTEREST TO THE ACCOUNTHOLDERS. In the program called the Community Alliance Program (CAP), BSSB will make a quarterly donation to the Washington Elm VFW Post 192 account based on the average daily balances in all accountholders’ new or existing designated accounts. To receive the quarterly donation, our Post 192 must have twenty or more, new or existing accountholders designate their account(s) as included in CAP. The CAP number for the Post 192 account is 136. Eligible accounts include Checking, Savings, CDs (including IRA CDs), Premium Checking, Money Market Checking and Savings, and all Business Accounts.

     The amount of the quarterly donation will be calculated as follows:

¼% on CDs, including IRA CDs, Premium and Money Market Checking and all Business Accounts designated by the accountholder.

½% on Checking, Savings and Money Market Savings Accounts designated by the accountholder.

     It is important to note that ALL account information is kept strictly confidential with Boiling Springs and no one from the Washington Elm VFW Post 192 has or will have any knowledge of any accountholder’s account information.

     Both new and existing accounts are eligible. When you open your new account(s) at the BSSB, just tell the Customer Service Representative that you would like this/these account(s) included as part of the CAP for the Washington Elm VFW Post 192. If you already have existing accounts with BSSB, then just call or visit any branch and indicate that you would like all your accounts included in the CAP for the Washington Elm VFW Post 192.

*******

Thank you for your continued support of our Post and Troops!

May God continue to Bless America!

/s/ Stanley A. Kober
Stanley A. Kober

Commander

TEL: 201-445-1121 FAX: 201-445-2091 E-MAIL: sakober@yahoo.com

John Domville (RHS) Awarded First Place in NJ VFW State Citizenship Education Teacher Competition

2010-02-09T11:48:00.000-08:00

February 4, 2010

It was cold and snowing outside on Saturday, January 30, 2010, but inside the ballroom of the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Cherry Hill, NJ there were over 300 comfortable and enthusiastic military veterans, guests, and over 40 awardees of the Veterans of Foreign Wars annual programs for Patriot’s Pen (6th-8th grades), Voice of Democracy (9th-12th grades), and Citizenship Education Teacher of the Year (one each for K-5th; 6-8th; 9-12th grades).

First place awardees from 20 of the VFW NJ Districts from all over NJ were present to be honored and anxiously await to hear who would be the Patriot’s Pen and Voice of Democracy Awardees representing NJ at the National competition. The three Citizenship Education Teacher awardees were previously announced and then at the Cherry Hill dinner the 14 yr-old Patriot’s Pen finalist from the Teaneck VFW Post 1429 (Bergen County) was announced to represent the NJ State VFW at the National Patriot’s Pen Competition.

The VFW members attending and representing the Washington Elm VFW Post 192 (Ridgewood—Ho-Ho-Kus) were Stanley Kober, Post Commander, and Donald Alverson, Trustee. VFW Post 192 was sponsoring John K. Domville, Social Studies teacher from Ridgewood High School who was selected previously by the VFW NJ State committee to represent the NJ State VFW at the National VFW Citizenship Education Teacher for grades 9-12 competition. From all indications, this was a great honor not only for Domville, but also for Ridgewood High School, and the Washington Elm VFW Post 192.

In Domville’s gracious and moving speech at the Cherry Hill ceremony as well as at the local VFW Post 192 ceremony held the night before, he dedicated his award both to his deceased father, a Korean War veteran, and to a close family friend, SGT Christopher Hrbek, a Marine from Westwood (Domville’s home town) who was recently killed in Afghanistan and for whom an overwhelming tribute was made recently when his body was returned home for internment.

Domville, while holding the NJ State VFW award also was presented a “challenge” coin from the NJ Deputy Commissioner of Military Affairs , Col. Stephen Abel (U. S. Army, Ret.) while Stanley A. Kober, Commander, VFW Post 192 looked on during the off-line presentation to Domville of the highly sought-after coin. Commanders give a challenge coin in the military to select subordinates and others who are deserving of high recognition for a job well done.

At the earlier local VFW Post 192 combined awards ceremony on Friday, January 29, 2010, Domville also received a plaque from Commander Kober of the sponsoring VFW Post 192. In addition, Domville was presented from VFW District Two (Bergen County) a certificate and check for $100 that Domville had requested be made payable to the Ridgewood High School.

The Washington Elm VFW Post 192 with its 86 members is the official Veterans of Foreign Wars Post for the municipalities of Ho-Ho-Kus and Ridgewood since its chartering by the National VFW in 1939.

All military personnel on active duty or honorably discharged veterans in Ho-Ho-Kus, Ridgewood, Saddle River, or Upper Saddle River who are VFW members-at-large or not members of the VFW organization, should immediately contact Stanley Kober at 201-445-1121 to see if they qualify under the new criteria to join the local Washington Elm VFW Post 192.

May God continue to Bless America!
/s/ Stanley A. Kober
Stanley A. Kober
(sakober@yahoo.com)
Commander,
Washington Elm VFW Post 192
620 Cliff Street
Ho-Ho-Kus, NJ 07423
TEL: 201-445-1121
FAX: 201-445-2091

Washington Elm VFW Post 192 Announces Awardees in 2009 Annual Competitions

2009-12-24T07:56:00.000-08:00

WASHINGTON ELM VFW POST 192
620 CLIFF STREET
HO-HO-KUS, NJ 07423

TAX EXEMPT                                  NJ CHARITY REG. NO.
N.J.S.A. 54:32B-9(b)(4)                            1933600
     IRC 501c(19)                           FED IDENT: 22-2305057

* * * * * * PRESS RELEASE * * * * * *

Dear Editor:

     The Washington Elm VFW Post 192 (Ho-Ho-Kus—Ridgewood) recently conducted several annual contests and recognition programs promoted by the National Veterans of Foreign Wars as was published in local newspapers from August through October 2009. Each of the applicants named below has been notified of their local Post and/or District selections as awardees for the various programs and are given hearty congratulations from the veterans of VFW Post 192.

     1. The VFW’s Annual National Patriot’s Pen Essay Contest for open to all 6th thru 8th graders, had the theme of “When is the Right Time to Honor Our Military Heroes?” and had almost 80 applicants submit papers from only the Ho-Ho-Kus Public School. The five applicants chosen this year to be submitted to the VFW District Two Level of the competition were, in alphabetical order: Salvatore Goldblatt, Claire McAndrew, Connor Nicholson, Carolyn Anne Perricelli, and Natalie Jean Waterhouse. These five applicants will be recognized with awards from the Washington Elm VFW Post 192 local level competition at an award ceremony planned for late January 2010.

     2. The VFW’s Annual National Voice of Democracy Competition had the theme of “Does America Still Have Heroes?” and Andrew G. Pallela from Northern Highlands High School, was the applicant that was selected to be submitted to the VFW District Two Level of the competition representing VFW Post 192. Pallela also will be recognized with awards from the Washington Elm VFW Post 192 local level competition at the award ceremony planned for late January 2010.

     3. The Community Relations Advisory Board of Ridgewood and Glen Rock put forward to the local VFW Post 192, John M. Ward, Detective Captain, Ridgewood Police Department, as a candidate for the Annual National Law Enforcement Officer Recognition Award. VFW Post 192 subsequently selected Ward and submitted his application to the VFW District Two Level of the competition. CPT Ward also will be recognized with awards from the Washington Elm VFW Post 192 local level at an award ceremony planned for late January 2010.

     4. Lastly, John K. Domville, Social Studies teacher at Ridgewood High School, was submitted by his supervisor, Jane S. Blakely, Ed.S., to VFW Post 192 as a candidate for the VFW’s Annual National Teacher Recognition Competition and was subsequently selected to represent the Post in the VFW District Two Level of the competition. Domville also has received the honor of being selected by the VFW District Two judges to represent District Two at the NJ VFW’s State Level competition competing against twenty other candidates, one from each county in NJ. Domville also will be recognized with awards from the Washington Elm VFW Post 192 from the local level at an award ceremony planned for late January 2010 and the District Two at another time to be scheduled.

     On behalf of the all the veterans of the Washington Elm VFW Post 192 (Ridgewood—Ho-Ho-Kus), I would like to thank all the candidates who submitted essays, CDs, and other materials for these competitions and we look forward to receiving even more applicants at next year’s competitions.

     To learn more about the VFW programs, projects, and legislative victories, visit www.vfw.org and to learn more about our local projects and/or join the local Washington Elm VFW Post 192 (Ho-Ho-Kus—Ridgewood), contact Stanley A. Kober at 201-445-1121.

May God continue to Bless America!

/s/ Stanley A. Kober

Stanley A. Kober
(sakober@yahoo.com)
Commander,
Washington Elm VFW Post 192
620 Cliff Street
Ho-Ho-Kus, NJ 07423
TEL: 201-445-1121
FAX 20-1445-2091

Hopper-Zabriskie Cemetery Search

2009-10-18T11:32:00.000-07:00

"WANTED: For Veterans of Foreign Wars historic project by VFW Post 192 in Ho-Ho-Kus--photos, newsclippings, post cards, maps, aerial photos, and similar items of the immediate area around and/or including the Hopper-Zabriskie cemetery on First Street in Ho-Ho-Kus, from 1966 and prior. All materials will be returned after scanning/copying. Contact Stanley Kober at 201-445-1121."

VFW Program of Outstanding Law Enforcement, Firefighter, and EMT Recognition for 2009-2010

2009-09-19T07:43:00.000-07:00

News Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DATE: August 17, 2009
CONTACT: Stanley A. Kober

The Washington Elm VFW Post 192 is one of the oldest organizations in Ho-Ho-Kus and Ridgewood. The Post members have enjoyed a log-standing relationship with many organizations in both communities such as the Police Department, Ambulance Corps, and the Fire Department. In fact, some of the members of these agencies have been or are VFW Post 192 members.

As we near the 70th anniversary of the Post on September 23, 2009, we are reaching out to you as the head of one of the Ho-Ho-Kus or Ridgewood Law & Safety organizations to provide us with an individual or individuals who you believe should be considered as outstanding in your organization and who should be considered for recognition by the VFW according to the guidelines below.

Eligible candidates for each award are as follows:

Law Enforcement National Award
Any individual who serves in a municipal, county, state, or federal unit tasked with enforcement of the laws pertaining to their area of responsibility. This award does not apply to individuals employed by private companies or security services.

Firefighter National Award
Any individual who actively fights fires as a member of any public or volunteer company organized to fight fires and give assistance to our nation’s citizens.

Emergency Medical Technician National Award
Any individual who actively gives emergency medical treatment, provides rescue service or civil disaster assistance as a member of any public or volunteer company organized to give emergency medical care, provide rescue and civil disaster assistance to our nation’s citizens.

Criteria for all National Awards:
Candidates must have demonstrated:
• Recognition by their colleagues or those they serve.
• Consistent excellence in the performance of their duties.
• Consistent dedication to their official responsibilities over a period of years and continuous growth in responsibilities and skills within their profession.

The following documentation required for all candidates needs to be sent to: Commander, Washington Elm VFW Post 192 at the above address NO LATER THAN WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2009:

• Nomination letter containing the candidate’s name, title, address, telephone, and identification of the award for which the individual should be considered.
• One page resume of the candidate’s overall background.
• One page resume of the candidate’s background in their field.
• One page listing of the candidate’s accomplishments and awards in their field.
• Photograph (preferably a head shot) of the candidate.

All of us in VFW Post 192 thank you for your professional services to us and our communities as well as your continued cooperation and assistance in supporting and encouraging our troops and their families locally and throughout the world.

If you have any questions regarding this VFW program or any VFW matters such as membership, needy veterans or their families, etc., please do not hesitate to contact the undersigned at 201-445-1121.

May God continue to Bless America,

/s/ Stanley A. Kober
Stanley A. Kober
Commander

TEL: 201-445-1121 FAX: 201-445-2091 E-MAIL: sakober@yahoo.com

VFW Teacher Recognition and Cash Awards

2009-09-19T07:35:00.000-07:00

News Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DATE: August 17, 2009
CONTACT: Stanley A. Kober

LOCAL K through 12th GRADE TEACHERS
COULD WIN CASH AWARDS FOR PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT EXPENSES
IN VFW’S CITIZENSHIP EDUCATION TEACHER AWARD

VFW Post Commander Stanley A. Kober of the Washington Elm Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post #192 (Ho-Ho-Kus—Ridgewood), announces the kick-off of this year’s National VFW and its Ladies Auxiliary “National Citizenship Education Teacher Award” contest. One teacher in each grade category of grades K-5, 6-8, AND 9-12 will have the opportunity to compete in the VFW’s annual teacher recognition competition to win $1,000 cash, a plaque, and an all expenses paid trip to Washington, DC, to be honored at the VFW and Ladies Auxiliary Community Service Conference. In addition, $1,000 cash and a plaque will be awarded to the teacher’s school.

VFW’s citizenship Education program stimulates interest in America’s history, traditions, institutions, civic responsibility, flag etiquette, and patriotism.
All current classroom teachers (teaching at least half the school day in a classroom environment) in grades K-12 are eligible. Previous state and national VFW winners are ineligible. Nominations may be submitted by fellow teachers, supervisors, or other interested individuals (not relatives). Self-nominees are not eligible.

Deadline for the nominations to arrive at VFW Post #192 is November 1, 2009. Post awardees advance to District. District awardees compete in the NJ state VFW competition. The NJ State VFW awardees compete with all the other state awardees for the National cash awards, commemorative plaques, and an all-expense paid trip to Washington, D.C.

Interested people from Ho-Ho-Kus or Ridgewood who want to nominate teachers who care deeply about America and our children, should contact the Washington Elm VFW Post #192 (Ho-Ho-Kus—Ridgewood) by telephone at 201-445-1121 or immediately write to the Washington Elm VFW Post #192 (Ho-Ho-Kus—Ridgewood) at 620 Cliff Street, Ho-Ho-Kus, NJ 07423 for more information.

May God continue to Bless America!

/s/ Stanley A. Kober
Stanley A. Kober
Commander,
Washington Elm VFW Post #192
Ho-Ho-Kus—Ridgewood
620 Cliff Street
Ho-Ho-Kus, NJ 07423

TEL: 201-445-1121 FAX: 201-445-2091 E-MAIL: sakober@yahoo.com

VFW 6th, 7th, or 8th Grade Student Scholarships, Cash Awards, and Recognition

2009-09-19T07:27:00.000-07:00

News Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DATE: August 17, 2009
CONTACT: Stanley A. Kober

LOCAL 6th, 7th, or 8th GRADE STUDENT
COULD WIN A $10,000 U.S. SAVINGS BOND
IN VFW’S PATRIOT’S PEN ESSAY COMPETITION

Students begin by competing at the local Post level. Deadline for the student’s original entries to arrive at VFW Post #192 is November 1, 2009. Post awardees advance to District. District awardees compete in the NJ state VFW competition. The NJ State VFW awardees compete for more than $91,000 in U.S. Savings Bonds with the 1st Place awardee receiving a $10,000 U.S. Savings Bond and an all-expense paid trip to Washington, D.C. in March of 2010.

Each year, more than 130,000 students participate in the Patriot’s Pen Essay Competition. Students are invited to write in their own words a 300-400 word essay on a patriotic theme. This year’s theme is “When is the Right Time to Honor our Military Heroes?”.

Interested 6th to 8th grade students and teachers from Ho-Ho-Kus and Ridgewood should contact the Washington Elm VFW Post #192 (Ho-Ho-Kus—Ridgewood) by telephone at 201-445-1121 or immediately write to the Washington Elm VFW Post #192 (Ho-Ho-Kus—Ridgewood) at 620 Cliff Street, Ho-Ho-Kus, NJ 07423 for more information.

May God continue to Bless America!

/s/ Stanley A. Kober
Stanley A. Kober
Commander,
Washington Elm VFW Post #192
Ho-Ho-Kus—Ridgewood
620 Cliff Street
Ho-Ho-Kus, NJ 07423

TEL: 201-445-1121 FAX: 201-445-2091 E-MAIL: sakober@yahoo.com

VFW High School Scholarships, Cash Awards, and Recognition

2009-09-19T07:04:00.000-07:00

News Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DATE: August 17, 2009
CONTACT: Stanley A. Kober

LOCAL HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT
COULD WIN A TRIP TO WASHINGTON, D.C. AND A $30,000 SCHOLARSHIP
IN VFW’S VOICE OF DEMOCRACY COMPETITION

VFW Post Commander Stanley A. Kober of the Washington Elm Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post #192 (Ho-Ho-Kus—Ridgewood), announces the kick-off of this year’s National VFW and its Ladies Auxiliary “Voice of Democracy (VOD) Scholarship Competition.” High school students in this area have the opportunity to compete in the annual audio essay competition and win thousands of dollars in scholarships, a trip to Washington, D.C., as well as dozens of other awards. This program is endorsed by the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP).

High School students begin by competing at the local Post level. Deadline for the student’s original entries to arrive at VFW Post #192 is November 1, 2009. Post awardees advance to District. District awardees compete in the NJ state competition. The state awardee will enjoy a four-day tour of Washington, D.C. along with the awardees from every state, the District of Columbia, the Pacific Areas, Latin America/Caribbean, and Europe.

During the more than 60 years that the Veterans of Foreign Wars and its Ladies Auxiliary have been involved with Voice of Democracy, more than 7 million high school students have participated. Students compete by writing and then recording in their own words a three-to-five minute audio/essay expressing their views on this year’s patriotic theme, “Does America Still have Heroes?”.

All state awardees receive at least a $1,000 national scholarship but any one of them could win the $30,000 first place award. A total of $149,000 in national scholarships is awarded to national finalists in addition to the scholarships and awards given at the preliminary levels of competition.

Interested high school students and teachers from Ho-Ho-Kus and Ridgewood should contact the Washington Elm VFW Post #192 (Ho-Ho-Kus—Ridgewood) by telephone at 201-445-1121 or immediately write to the Washington Elm VFW Post #192 (Ho-Ho-Kus—Ridgewood) at 620 Cliff Street, Ho-Ho-Kus, NJ 07423 for more information.

May God continue to Bless America!

/s/ Stanley A. Kober
Stanley A. Kober
Commander,
Washington Elm VFW Post #192
Ho-Ho-Kus—Ridgewood
620 Cliff Street
Ho-Ho-Kus, NJ 07423

TEL: 201-445-1121 FAX: 201-445-2091 E-MAIL: sakober@yahoo.com

Veterans Death Book

2009-08-28T07:10:00.000-07:00

"Ex-soldiers don't need to be told they're a burden to society. "

By JIM TOWEY WSJ
(to read the full article see the reference below)

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204683204574358590107981718.html

From 71542: See my personal comments below as posted at another blog as well:

The VFW in Bergen County says NO to "Death Book"

The VFW in Bergen County and at the State level is extremely upset about this. The website at the VA now has a disclaimer which was not there we were told, prior to the WSJ article and the discovery of this abominable action. The authors of this "death book" belonged to the Hemlock Society, now going under a different name, but promoting the same type of euthanasia as the Nazis did during Hitler's time...first those unable to contribute to society, the unborn, the maimed, the mentally disabled, the elderly, etc. What a travesty our Country has become and to think this is what we veterans fought for?

See also http://vfw-post-192-nj.blogspot.com/ for a local example of the disrepect of our veterans.

Labels: Death Book, destructive policies of Barack Obama, Healthcare Reform, Hemlock Society, Nazis, Obamacare, Veterans Administration, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 192, VFW

War Veterans Need Help

2009-07-30T16:02:00.000-07:00

Dear Supporter of our Country’s Veterans:

We war veterans are writing this letter to you to appeal for your support on an issue very critical to the survival of the seventy-year old Washington Elm VFW Post 192, at 620 Cliff Street, Ho-Ho-Kus, NJ, 07423 which serves our Veterans and military personnel globally, in addition to Ho-Ho-Kus and Ridgewood, NJ,. As many of you may have read in the local newspapers, Twitter®, Facebook®, MySpace®, internet blogs, or on our own internet blog (http://vfw-post-192-nj.blogspot.com/), we are currently involved in a contentious dispute with the tenant of our Post home, The Ramapo Valley Model Railroad Club (RVMRC). The dispute centers, to the detriment of the VFW, on the RVMRC's inconsiderate, unapologetic, and abusive exercise of the lease of our Post home. Their uncompromising and combative behavior towards the members of the Post and the physical changes that they have made to the interior of our Post building have had a crippling effect on our ability to conduct regular VFW business, recruit new members, and function as a viable voice of, and for, our war veterans and as a charitable organization to our citizens.

The current membership of VFW Post 192 represents decorated war veterans from WWII to present day Iraq and Afghanistan. Our members are humble recipients of the military Purple Heart, Silver Star, Bronze Star, Expeditionary medals, and numerous others for their sacrifices and gallantry during this Country's wars to defend freedom. Additionally, many of us are recipients of the New Jersey Distinguished Service Medal - the highest civilian award for military service given by New Jersey. Some of us sacrificed greatly for our Country and are disabled as a result of lost limbs and other serious injuries. We are not asking for much…only for the returned control of our Post home so we can continue serving our Veterans and our communities.

In 1994, through the club’s connection with the Ho-Ho-Kus Mayor and RVMRC member (now deceased), the RVMRC executed a lease with the then-Post Commander for the use of the Post building for the sub-market rate of only $50.00/month. The lease signed by the RVMRC and the now deceased Post Commander was apparently done without the required consent and approval of the VFW and Post members. Even worse, the lease was renewable every five years, at the pleasure of the RVMRC, for as long as they like – i.e., FOREVER. The lease is not only considered illegal and invalid by the VFW, it also has been called “unconscionable” by two attorneys and at least one attorney has said that it may not have been appropriate for the Mayor as a club member to have had even an arm’s-length association with this matter due to a conflict of interest, especially considering the generous deal that the RVMRC received, and still is receiving.

It seems inconceivable that such a deal, so detrimental to the VFW, could have been struck without regard for the voice of the Post members. Aside from alleged political influence, the only explanation one might entertain for such a lop-sided deal was that the then-Post Commander, faced with an aging and declining membership, was in need of revenue to continue operating the Post. (While there were other options that might have been pursued, there apparently is no VFW documentation stating that any were.) So, the Post Commander unlawfully leased the building to the RVMRC with what he believed to be just enough space set aside for the VFW Post members at that time to operate, in peaceful coexistence with the RVMRC. But as time progressed, all that would change for the worse.

Eight years later, in 2002, the RVMRC proposed a revised renewal of the lease containing changes as unfavorable to the VFW as the original lease.

Inconceivably, as in 1994, the 2002 lease was signed again by the same Post Commander and apparently without the consent and approval of the VFW and Post membership. This time, however, the former Mayor of Ho-Ho-Kus signed the lease as the president of the RVMRC. The new lease still provided the RVMRC with controlling rights over the building, FOREVER, and limited the VFW to only one on-site meeting per month, with that meeting still to be conducted in a tiny, less-than-desirable area.

Since then, the RVMRC has behaved as though the signed document is a surrender decree for the RVMRC over the VFW, granting the club “ownership” of the building, as one RVMRC member was witnessed to have said publicly to one of our decorated Korean War Veterans.

Over the past few years since the passing of the former Post Commander, the RVMRC has behaved publicly and through its attorney(s), without cause, in a vicious, predatory, and intimidating manner toward our new Post Commander. Furthermore, in their disregard for the war Veterans, they have built a somewhat semi-permanent, expansive structure inside the Post building (“too big to fail” as one Post member calls it), and occupied areas and made changes to them against our will, the lop-sided lease in some aspects, and the best interest of the VFW. Additionally, they have threatened the Post Commander and members with legal action if we pursue our current course in what we believe is our rightful approach to “righting a wrong” so that we might regain control of the home that Post members built with the “sweat of their brows”, and have rightfully and legally occupied and owned since 1954.

We believe, and we think that you will agree, that no outside organization, acting as a tenant, should have the right to force its will on us war Veterans, FOREVER and without regard or concern for the hardship and damage that it is causing our patriotic organization. This is just as inherently wrong now as it was wrong at the outset for the RVMRC to exploit our members and our deceased, aging Commander in the signing of the restrictive, “FOREVER” leases in 1994 and 2002.

Although we have been told by various attorneys, and the NJ State VFW, that the lease is unlawful and illegal, due at least to its endless term and the limitations and financial constraints that it places on the Post, without a qualified attorney or the funds to hire one, we are neither allowed nor able to pursue this injustice in the courts. We are not asking for much…only for the returned control of our Post home so we can continue serving our Veterans and our communities.

Hence, the purpose of this letter…We are appealing to you and your sense of fairness to please consider our predicament and support our cause with either the donation of legal representation in court or a financial contribution to help us fund our legal expenses.

When you support us Veterans, you are supporting our troops everywhere. So, please send your tax-deductible donations to our Post at: Washington Elm Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 192, 620 Cliff Street, Ho-Ho-Kus, NJ 07423. If you have any questions on this matter, please call 201-445-1121.

Speaking on behalf of all our Post 192 patriots, I thank you for your support, consideration, generosity, and thoughtfulness.

May God continue to Bless America!

/s/ Stanley A. Kober
Stanley A. Kober,
Commander,
Washington Elm VFW Post 192
620 Cliff Street
Ho-Ho-Kus , NJ 07423
TEL: 201-445-1121
FAX: 201-445-2091

WHAT IS A VETERAN?

2009-07-26T07:16:00.000-07:00

“A veteran is someone who, at one point in his [or her] life wrote a blank check made payable to 'The United States of America’ for an amount of ‘up to and including my life’. That is Honor, and there are way too many people in this country who no longer understand it.'' [In my own opinion, as a Nation we have come to a point of having many people in our Country who are “Flag wavers and not Flag bearers”, unlike all of the honorable veterans who have served and are serving in our military.][Author unknown, italics by Stanley A. Kober]

WHAT IS THE VFW?

2009-07-26T07:06:00.000-07:00

What is the VFW?
(We’re More than Meets the Eye)
[Excerpted from VFW sources and compiled by
Stanley A. Kober, Commander
Washington Elm VFW Post 192 (Ho-Ho-Kus—Ridgewood)]

(published in 2007)

“You’ve most likely heard of us. Our initials —VFW— are emblazoned on some 9,000 Posts around the world. We are the nation’s oldest major veterans group, and we’ve been a part of the country’s social fabric for more than 100 years.

“The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) is an organization of more than 1.7 million veterans who have served overseas in war zones or areas demanding hazardous duty.

“VFW traces its origins to 1899 when a group of 13 Spanish-American War veterans convened in Columbus, Ohio, to assist their fellow veterans. By 1914, this group had merged with two other Spanish-American/Philippines War veterans groups to become known collectively as the VFW.”

But who are we and what do we do? No, we’re no longer the beer-drinking, war-story-telling folks whose tarnished image has overshadowed our beneficent actions over the many years. Instead, the entire VFW organization is changing from that old image to a group that is focusing our efforts on how we are able to help others…”honor the dead by helping the living”.

Many of our WWII veterans are passing away and we need all combat/hazardous duty qualified veterans (male and female) regardless of age to join us so that we can pass on our patriotic history, values, and memories to our future generations. To join the local Washington Elm VFW Post 192 (Ho-Ho-Kus—Ridgewood), contact Stanley A. Kober at 201-445-1121.

Specifically, we are seen in at least several major areas as:

1. Veterans’ Advocates
“VFW and Ladies Auxiliary members have strong ties to Washington, D.C. We are always in the forefront lobbying for veterans rights. In recent years, we witnessed three impressive legislative victories take effect:
• Reimbursement for Certain Armed Forces Travel Expenses covers the cost of one round-trip ticket for troops in Iraq and Afghanistan under the Central Command Rest and Recuperation Leave Program.
• The Campaign Medals Act creates separate campaign medals for service in Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom.
• The National Defense Authorization Act of 2006 grants a 3.5% raise for those in
uniform; extends coverage of TRICARE for six months; and permanently increases the family separation allowance and imminent danger pay amounts to $250 and $225, respectively, per month.
“VFW continues to fight for veterans (sic) benefits, but our contributions do not stop there. VFW reaches out to communities where Posts are located to provide scholarship programs, educational outreach, youth activities, and community volunteerism.”

2. Youth Program Sponsors
“Each year we offer scholarships to high school and middle school students. VFW annually awards more than $2.5 million in scholarships during its Voice of Democracy contest—an audio-essay competition for students in grades 9-12. Patriot’s Pen, an essay contest for students in grades 7-8, awards more than $900,000 to students annually.” [Look for more information in the form of news releases coming out in August from the Washington Elm VFW Post 192 (Ho-Ho-Kus—Ridgewood)]

“In November, veterans visit local schools to promote Veterans in the Classroom Month, during which they demonstrate flag etiquette and share wartime stories with children. VFW also partners with the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund to distribute Echoes From the Wall—a curriculum that educates students about the Wall—to 25,000 public and private high schools each year. In addition, we provide educational brochures and posters, as well as background material for Memorial Day and Veterans Day.

“Posts continue to sponsor different programs for children—such as sporting events, Boy Scout troops or the Junior Olympics—locally in their area.”

3. Volunteers
“Members volunteer more than 13 million hours each year to help their local communities, while more than 5,000 volunteers donate 1 million hours of service annually at VA medical facilities through Veterans Affairs Voluntary Service; and, VFW Posts annually raise an average of $100,000 for the March of Dimes.”

While not everyone can join the VFW to volunteer their time, those combat/hazardous duty qualified veterans who will join the Washington Elm VFW Post 192 can help us lobby our elected representatives in government for veterans’ rights and benefits just by being a part of the sheer number of us. As any elected representative will tell you, more than 1.7 million people are a sizable voting block.

To learn more about the VFW programs, projects, and legislative victories, visit http://www.vfw.org/ and to learn more about our local projects and/or join the local Washington Elm VFW Post 192 (Ho-Ho-Kus—Ridgewood), contact Stanley A. Kober at 201-445-1121.

May God continue to Bless America!

/s/ Stanley A. Kober
Stanley A. Kober
Commander,
Washington Elm VFW Post 192
Ho-Ho-Kus—Ridgewood
620 Cliff Street
Ho-Ho-Kus, NJ 07423

Post 192 Veterans Need Help

2009-07-20T09:28:00.000-07:00

Dear Friend and Supporter of our Country’s Veterans:

WE NEED YOUR HELP!!

I apologize for the length of this post, but for the last several years, the Washington Elm VFW Post 192 (the only chartered Veterans of Foreign Wars Post for Ridgewood and Ho-Ho-Kus) situated in Ho-Ho-Kus at 620 Cliff Street, Ho-Ho-Kus, NJ 07423, has been attempting to rectify a wrong foisted on its members in 1994 and 2002 when the Post’s command group entered into a lease, after discussions with the Borough’s former mayor (who apparently was simultaneously a member of the lessee-railroad club), which at those times signed away, apparently without the Post membership’s permission, substantially all of the Post’s assets in a lease that is perpetual and “unconscionable” (as at least one attorney calls it). As the Post Commander for the last several years, while directing the Post in its many endeavors to get back into supporting the communities of Ho-Ho-Kus and Ridgewood and all veterans and their families, according to the “Purposes of the Corporation”, my burdensome duty has been to try to find a “pro bono” (at no cost) attorney that would litigate our case in court against this unlawful, illegal lease, so determined by the NJ State VFW Staff Judge Advocate who appears to be supported by at least two NJ statutes.

The lessee, the Ramapo Valley model railroad club, initiated a unilateral legal action against the veterans of our Post when in the Fall of 2005 their club member-attorney (the same club member-attorney who wrote the original lease in 1994) went before the Borough of Ho-Ho-Kus Mayor and Council complaining of the Post (the landlord) wanting to demolish the building and to reconstruct it, stating that they would fight for their leasehold rights, or words to that effect, even though the club was planned to be offered the entire second floor of the new building. That unilateral, uncooperative, aggressive action by the railroad club and its member-attorney commenced only two days after the Post Commander and the club’s president agreed to a meeting with club members to discuss the reconstruction project. Unfortunately, the meeting did not take place until many months later, since the VFW Post was now required to find its own attorney to represent it.

While the railroad club tenant has found an allegedly high-priced, “pro bono” litigating attorney from Closter, NJ to represent the approximately twenty-five club members, the ninety-four veterans in our VFW Post (as of June 30, 2009), all of whom have served OR ARE SERVING honorably in our Country’s military service, have not found any qualified, willing litigator, despite numerous discussions with attorneys, to take our case “pro bono” as the lessee has done. To my recollection, every one of the attorneys we contacted has reviewed the lease and every one has said words to the effect that they “have never seen a lease like this before” in which the lawful property owner (the Veterans of Foreign Wars) is so limited, among other issues, and in which that limitation extends forever!

It must be said, however, that several of the attorneys that we have contacted have been very helpful in providing some ideas and assistance, even though they have not been able to take on our case “pro bono” for various reasons, such as, they are not litigators, not specialists in the required field, etc. There was one local attorney, however, who after several very encouraging and favorable telephone discussions with me, said that he would take on our case and then suddenly made a complete reversal and became very antagonistic. He personally gave me the “cold shoulder” by not returning numerous phone calls (even when he did answer and said he would) and writing a very disturbing letter to me after I went to his office to find out what was wrong. While other attorneys have not returned or taken my follow-up phone calls, this one attorney appears to be the essence for the bad lawyer jokes. These actions and similar ones by other area attorneys have made some Post members think and remark that there may be something in play of which we are not cognizant.

Be that as it may, after contacting these many attorneys and not receiving what we required, we attempted to get the ball rolling by going “pro se” (representing ourselves) in the eviction process.

The eviction notice prepared by me as the Post Commander and given the tenant and its attorney, with copies to the Ho-Ho-Kus Mayor and Council among others, was filed with the Superior Court of Bergen County listing over two pages of inequities and contract violations by the tenant. For example, the lease is a perpetual one (not 99-years, but forever); it limits the use of the facility by the veterans (the landlord) to only once per month for its meeting; it sets the annual lease payment at an unconscionably low annual rate of $1,217 set for this year for a space of at least 2,500 square feet in Ho-Ho-Kus; the lease appears not to permit the landlord (the VFW) to cancel the lease at the time of renewal, only the tenant may do that in writing; it permits the tenant, without the notification to, or permission of, the landlord to alter the insides of the building for whatever it wishes to whatever extent it wishes; it relegates the once per month VFW meeting to an area that is impractical for complying with the VFW rituals and by-laws as well as the local fire code; and these are only a few among the restrictions or violations regarding the lease stated in the eviction notice papers.

To our dismay, the case was “dismissed without prejudice” because as a corporation in NJ a litigant is required to have legal representation (an attorney) in the court proceeding.
That legal hurdle, however, has not stopped us in our pursuit to rectify the injustice perpetrated on us veterans. It is just another obstacle that we need to overcome and we believe that in the end, our Post, like the principles of Truth and Justice, as naïve as that may sound to some folks, will prevail. After all, aren’t they two principles that we veterans fought for and many of our comrades died for and our current troops are fighting and dying for, for us and others around the world, every day?

As a result, after much effort on our own, we veterans are at the point of asking the help of, you, the residents, business owners, and organizations of the communities of Ridgewood and Ho-Ho-Kus, whom we specifically serve, as well as others who read this, to assist us financially by sending whatever money you are able to provide for our legal expenses, to the Washington Elm VFW Post 192, 620 Cliff Street, Ho-Ho-Kus, NJ 07423, so that we might hire a qualified litigating attorney to represent us and to rectify this unjust situation without further delay.

Those of you who have the opportunity to have a matching fund donation from your company/corporation, please use this means to double your donation. All the IRS numbers for our organization for a tax-deductible donation are at the top of this letter.

We recognize that times are financially tight for all of us, but anything you can send for our legal expenses would be helpful and very much appreciated by the patriots, and in memory of those who have sacrificed all, from the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 192.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the undersigned at 201-445-1121.

May God continue to Bless America!

/s/ Stanley A. Kober
Stanley A. Kober
Commander,
Washington Elm VFW Post 192
620 Cliff Street
Ho-Ho-Kus, NJ 07423
TEL: 201-445-1121
FAX:201-445-2091