GENERAL ORDERS # 5

October: 2009
TO BE READ, ACTED UPON, AND FILED
Listen Cooties,

On Friday, September 11, 2009, I had the honor of being with over 250 hospitalized veterans on the Sharing and Caring boat ride in Pittsburgh, PA. This was the first time I had this experience, but I really enjoyed myself - and it was evident that the patients had a good time also! Thank you to the Sharing and Caring Committee and my fellow Cooties and Cootie Auxiliary members that were in attendance. This was a memorable experience.

Thank you to Ben Bowers, Mary Van Orden, and Gap VFW Post #7418 for providing the Grand Commander and Grand President’s testimonial. The meal was excellent and I hope that everyone enjoyed themselves as much as we did. Thank you again.

The next Council of Administration meeting will be held at the Four Points Hotel in Chambersburg, PA on December 4 - 6, 2009. Room rate for two (2) double or a king size bed is $68.00 a night plus 6% PA Occupancy and 3% County Tax - and the room rate includes a complimentary hot and cold breakfast. Call the hotel at (717) 263-9191 to make a reservation.

ROSTER CHANGES

Grand Membership Chairman - Jackie Sampson
Grand Judge Advocate - George Kohler
VFW Booster Chairman - George Kohler

I will be attending Dept. of PA VFW Commander Frank Mills’ testimonial at the Eisenhower Hotel and Conference Center in Gettysburg, PA on October 30 - 31, 2009.


ALL STAR YEAR PGC KOHLER
First off thanks for a great year, we were 1005% in hospital work. With some special help from an anonymous donor we picked up several members in the Pup Tents who had not paid their dues. You pup tent Seam Squirrels and CCDB's know who these members are. This gave the Grand 100% in membership. Cooties let’s not let this happen again for our new Commander Pat Hafer. We won awards in Booster, Blood work and were Number One for Commanders Historian book. We had all our audits and warrants turned in, and we were 100% inspected. Every Pup Tent registered for the Grand Convention in Bedford. Thank you.

One thing that each Pup Tent did not do was register at least one member for Supreme Convention. I registered the Pup Tents who failed to register at a cost was $10.00 per Pup Tent. The Supreme can and will revoke a Pup Tent Charter for failure to register for the Supreme Convention. If you would read your Cootie Courier you would know this. To avoid the Pup Tents being billed $12.00 and having Grand 100% in all programs I paid for the following Pup Tents 6, 14, 26, 27, 33, 38, 39, 58, 65 & 77.

I am not saying your Pup Tent owes me ten dollars but you owe me ten dollars. I respectfully request you mail ten dollars to the Grand CCDB Ed Wood and mark the check to the Relief Fund for the Grand. If all ten pup tents donate I will match that amount. Since you are donating to relief fund this can be use as Hospital Fund report under gift. I am sure you that I will meet my obligation if your Pup Tent meets yours. Please mail prior to the December Council of Administration.

Finally I am your Membership Chairman for the year 2009-2010. To be eligible for cash awards you must have be inspected, fill out one Booster Report, mail in a Hospital Report, complete your audits on time, have your Warrant turned in on time and most of all be 100% in membership in your Pup Tent. The money for these awards are already approved in the budget for 2009-2010. We did not give all the money away last year because many of you failed to turn in reports. Let’s give it all away, get the reports in. A booster report will be mailed out to each Seam Squirrel in the near future. You must fill out one and mail it back to me prior February 14, 2010 to have a chance at winning cash awards for your Pup Tent. Thanks again for everything and may we all continue the good work of the Honor Degree.

VA warns veterans to be wary of phone scam

from Army Times Staff report
The Veterans Affairs Department has issued a warning about a phone scam in which con artists claim to be updating veterans’ prescription drug information in VA’s files.

VA officials caution veterans not to give credit card numbers over the phone if they receive such a call.

“Veterans have become targets in an inexcusable scam that dishonors their service and misrepresents the department built for them,” said Dr. Gerald Cross, VA Undersecretary for Health. “VA simply does not call veterans and ask them to disclose personal financial information over the phone.”

Callers reportedly misrepresent VA to gain personal information over the phone by claiming that the department recently changed procedures for dispensing prescriptions and that their personal credit card number is needed to update their VA files.

“VA has not changed its processes for dispensing prescription medicines,” Cross said. “Nor has VA changed its long-standing commitment to protect the personal information of this nation’s veterans.”

Veterans service organizations brought the issue to VA’s attention, Cross said.

Veterans with questions about VA services may contact the nearest VA medical center or call toll-free 877-222-8387.

By-Laws Changes Approved at Supreme Convention

To see what By-Laws and Ritual changes were presented at the Supreme Convention see the July "Cootie Courier" however B-1 and B-4 were the only changes approved. B-4 concerns Hospital Reporting. The MAJOR change (B-1) is as follows:

"The officers of each Pup Tent shall consist of a Seam Squirrel, Blanket Bum, Hide Gimlet, Custodian of the Crummy Duffle Bag, and three (3) Tightwads----"
All other positions will be appointed by the the Seam Squirrel.

That means that the only positions needed to be reported on an Election Report are the elected officers, not those appointed by the Seam Squirrel.

Grand Scratch

L/R Grand Commander Pat Hafer, MOCA President Betty Wert, Stan Wert Jr., Supreme Quartermaster Jack Roberts.

The September Grand Scratch was held in Gap, Pennsylvania on September 12th, 2009. The Women's Auxiliary held their meeting at the Continental Motel in Lancaster, PA. Saturday evening was topped off with a Testimonial Dinner in honor of Grand Commander Pat Hafer and M.O.C.A. President Betty Wert. Guests included Past Supreme Commander Ray Fern.

Bill Reynolds

William J. Reynolds of Pup Tent 29 Grand of Pennsylvania died Saturday, Sept. 5, 2009. Bill was 91. Cooties will remember Bill for his work with hospitalized veterans and documenting Civil War veterans service and resting place. A past Cootie of the Year Bill's passing will leave a hole in the service provided to veterans across the state.

Friends will be received at McCabe Bros. Inc. Funeral Homes, 5300 Penn Ave. in Bloomfield, from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday. A funeral service will be at noon on Wednesday in the Temple of Memories at Allegheny Cemetery. Pittsburgh Tribune Review

GENERAL ORDERS # 4

September: 2009
TO BE READ, ACTED UPON, AND FILED
Listen Cooties,
I attended the Supreme Scratch in Phoenix, AZ - this was the first time I attended a Supreme Scratch and I hope it isn’t my last. PGC George Kohler accepted awards earned during his term of office. The awards will be handed out at the next C of A. Congratulations to PGC Kohler and all who will be receiving awards.

Now that the Supreme Scratch has been held, it is now time to get working on the programs for 2009 - 2010. I know that everyone doesn’t want to hear this but this has to be done.
Reminder - The next of C of A will be held on Saturday, September 12 at Gap VFW at 1 PM and the School of Instruction will follow the scratch. The testimonial for Grand Commander and Grand President is also going to be held on September 12 at Gap VFW at 7 PM.

On Friday, September 11, I will be representing the Grand of PA MOC at the Sharing and Caring boat ride in Pittsburgh, PA. I am looking forward to being able to be with some of our hospitalized Comrades.

I hope that everyone has a safe Labor Day. And don’t forget to fly your American flag.

Information
Pass the word that flash information of interest to Pennsylvania Cooties can be found on the Internet at http://pa-grand-cootie.blogspot.com/. The PA Grand Cootie blog is the place to go if you want to read the General Orders and you don’t get them mailed to you. It is also the place to go for links to the Supreme website as well as other Grand’s.

Help save the earth and the Grand budget by opting out of snail mail delivery of information. Get your General Orders through your e-mail box and save your Grand the cost of mailing. In addition to you anyone in your Pup Tent can receive e-mail General Orders. So, be the first on your block to receive Lousy stuff from the Grand. Anyone who would like to receive communications from the Adjutant via e-mail send a note to Mike Bookser and let him know that you want your Lousy stuff fast.