VFW POST 3258 PAGE 1 OF 9

Volume 7, 𝐼𝑠𝑠𝑢𝑒 4 December 2015

Post 3258 would like to welcome the

following men to our ranks:

Tim Sutherland - Sgt., Army William Terpeluk - Maj. Gen., (Ret.) Army

Congratulations men, you won't find a better Post.

Welcome on Board!

Commander’s Call By Woody Hippel

When is enough, enough?

The great football legend, Vince Lombardi, had many

great quotes that are classics and have lived on. Some of his

quotes apply to us as a Post and life in general.

For instance, one of his famous quotes was “Individual

commitment to a group effort –that’s what makes the team

work.” I agree, and although it’s not rocket science, Mr.

Lombardi’s quote is profound. Sinatra, as well, in one of his

tunes, “High Hopes” sings of the little old ant that eventually

moved the rubber tree plant because he had “high hopes”,

and believed he could. Individually or as a part of a group –

attitude and teamwork are the names of the game.

If we stand back and take a look at what we’ve

accomplished as a Post and where we’re headed, it’s difficult

not to have a strong sense of pride. Just consider the level of

individual and group commitment it takes to progress and

continue to grow our strong team. Whether it’s our Service

Officers, Membership Committee, Finance and Fund Raising

Committee, Webmaster, Education Chairman, Shamrock Reins

Coordinator, Field Trip Coordinator, Chaplain, Quartermaster,

Adjutant, Officers and members alike, Lombardi would

believe, “we’ve got game”- He would see our Post embracing a

can-do attitude that won’t quit. Our winning attitude is

contagious. And thanks to all your efforts, success begets

success.

We’re overwhelmingly committed to serving Veterans

and the Community and our Post is increasingly becoming

even more known for our core mission of serving others. Our

tentacles are far reaching and we’re spreading our wings as a

focal point for service to Veterans and their families as well as

youth in a variety of ways both inside and out of our local

Post 3258 Officers

Commander: Elwood Hippel

Sr. Vice Commander: Noel Pelletier

Jr. Vice Commander: Robert Collier

Quartermaster: Jim Dunn

Chaplain: Larry Duchnowski

Judge Advocate: Tom Redstreake

Surgeon: Bob Page

Trustees: (1st yr. of 3) Verne Keats

(2nd

yr. of 3) Thomas White

(3rd

yr. of 3) John Peyton

Adjutant: Larry Polgar

Service Officers: William Malone

Anthony Callum

Continued on Page 2

VFW POST 3258 PAGE 2 OF 9

Chalfont community. It’s evident through observation that while our Post primarily supports Chalfont; our

members’ ability to touch Veterans extends throughout Bux-Mont and beyond. That’s why we’re All State and

dutifully recognized as a top-performing Post unique in the nation.

In addition, our website is a vehicle that expands our outreach worldwide by highlighting our

achievements for all to see. Our success is not in what we say, but rather in what we do and the quality and

integrity of our service to others.

Another of Vince Lombardi’s quotes that integrally applies to our Post is “The measure of who we are

is what we do with what we have”.

Even though we don’t have a home of our own, no bar, or other amenities, last year, National HQ

recognized us as the Outstanding Community Service Post. We’re in it for the right reasons and it shows. It’s

also felt in the camaraderie that our members show toward each other as members of our Post team.

With the myriad of quality activities engaged in by our Post to serve Veterans and the community,

can we expect our Ops Tempo to level off in the future? Is there a time when we’ll consciously slow down and

toss the towel into the ring and say, “Enough’s enough? Is that attitude really in our Post DNA?

I can foresee a time where we may slow, but this is only after there are no Veterans and their families

to help and no more patriotic youth to assist, either in or outside of our community. Maybe then we’ll take a

rest.

But for now, there’s just too much to do. So long as our mission continues to serve those who serve

and served our great nation, let’ s keep our sleeves rolled up (Red shirts, of course) to go where the need is,

serve and continue to make a positive difference. Thank you all for what you do.

Having said this, there does seem to be an exception to every rule. In this case, maybe we can slow

down just a little bit to enjoy the Christmas Spirit in December with our families as well as at the Post’s

Annual Christmas Party at the Hippels on December 12th. We plan on starting at 3:30pm at our home at 65

Woodside Avenue, in Chalfont. So please be sure to put this time aside and stop by with your family. Tammy

and I hope you’ll be able to make it. Regardless, we wish you all a wonderful Christmas and the best for a

Healthy and Happy New Year,

Woody

“Commanders Call” continued from Page 1

Frank DeStefano presents Bill Naydan with a Post certificate

for his work in establishing the Veterans Monument in front

of Hatboro Horsham High School. Bill spent years securing

funds, designing the monument and supervising its

construction. The monument honors all Veterans for their

sacrifice and commitment to keeping this country safe and

strong. Thank you Bill for all your hard work and dedication.

VFW POST 3258 PAGE 3 OF 9

Member Bio – Thomas Redstreake Interviewed by Larry Polgar

As has been done in the past, we will try to feature one of our own in

forthcoming Newsletters. Selection is on a random basis and we believe the bio

helps us get to know our comrade in arms a little bit better. Tom Redstreake, who

was the guest speaker at this year’s New Britain Township Veterans Day Ceremony,

was chosen for this edition.

Tom has lived in the Bucks/Montco area most of his life having grown up in

North Wales. After graduating from North Penn High School, Tom said he had an

interest in radio broadcasting and attended Montgomery Co. Community College

for a brief time, but was unsure of what he wanted to do with his life and felt he was

just drifting. His father, an Army Combat Engineer during the Korean War, partly in

frustration, mostly in concern, suggested Tom go in the military. (Sometimes

Fathers do Know Best) Tom did just that enlisting in the Navy for four years active duty followed by two years

inactive. He said one side effect of that decision was the strengthening of his relationship with his father,

something for which he is grateful.

For Tom, enlisting in the Navy meant boot camp at Great Lakes, and Great Lakes, located just north of

Chicago, meant cold winters. Note: Tom enlisted on January 3, 1990. Next stop was Dam Neck, VA for

specialty training as an Operations Specialist. Tom graduated second in his class. This achievement afforded

him the opportunity to choose his own billet. Knowing that the Kitty Hawk, CVA-63, was homeported in sunny

San Diego, CA, he chose that carrier. What Tom quickly learned is you don’t always get what you want in the

Navy. The Kitty Hawk, it turned out, was at the Philadelphia Naval Yard undergoing an overhaul.

“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.” Tom said being close to home afforded him the

opportunity to take the commuter train home regularly and to invite his shipmates to hang out with him. The

down side was, while in port, an Operations Specialist has little to do in his specialty and Tom ended up on

work crews, sweeping out compartments, chipping and grinding paint, swabbing decks and, for a while,

sleeping on a barge while the carrier is being refitted. Tom told me that there was a hidden blessing in having to

do these mundane tasks that would “break me down and then build me back up again”. Tom credits these work

crews, and his overall experience in the Navy, as “having turned a foolish kid from North Wales, PA into a man

and was a big part of my growth as a human being.”

Finally, in August 1990, the Kitty Hawk left Philadelphia and Tom not only began a worldwide tour, he

was doing the work for which he was trained. His duty station was in the Combat Directional Center where

assessment of threats to the ship was ongoing. Tom’s duties included radar navigation and communicating with

the bridge. Tom said he worked on the opposite side of a clear panel from command staff and learned to write

backwards so that the information was legible from their side. Tom says he has retained this skill and can also

read upside down which is useful during business meetings. His division worked alongside the air traffic

controllers communicating with aircraft in the air to identify and determine if surface and air contacts were

friendly or hostile. That’s a lot of responsibility for someone who, only a year before, didn’t know what he was

going to do with his life.

On its way to San Diego, the Kitty Hawk made port of calls in Saint Thomas, Mar del Plata in

Argentina, and then went around Cape Horn with stops in Chile. Tom recalls one incident off the coast of Chile

when a tanker manned by a Spanish speaking crew did not acknowledge the carrier’s right of way. (Fools come

in all sizes and shapes.) Neither type of ship was known for the ability to from turn quickly and, not until a lowly

VFW POST 3258 PAGE 4 OF 9

bi-lingual seaman recruit was found in the crew was the tanker captain convinced to change course. Tom said

they avoided collision only by the narrowest of margins.

In November 1992, the Kitty Hawk left San Diego and spent

nine days off the coast of Somalia supporting Marines and coalition

forces involved in Operation Restore Hope. With UN violations

occurring in Iraq, the Kitty Hawk was rushed to the Persian Gulf

arriving on December 27, 1992, to participate in Operation Southern

Watch. Seventeen days after arriving, on January 13, 1993, the Kitty

Hawk lead an offensive strike against designated missile sites in

southern Iraq. Tom told me the strike had to be delayed a day after

CNN broadcasted the attack plans. You just gotta wonder! In March

1993, the Kitty Hawk was relieved and began the long voyage back

to San Diego. Tom said port of calls during this cruise included

Hawaii, Hong Kong, and Singapore. How often do you get to sail the world with room and board thrown in for

free?

Tom said he returned home after his enlistment motivated to work hard and to take his life to the next

level. He returned to Montgomery Co. Community College and later transferred to Bloomsburg University

where he earned a BA in Speech Communications. Not wanting to write political speeches, Tom said he

navigated toward sales and has now been doing that type of work for almost twenty years. Tom’s company

distributes fasteners for all types of industrial uses. He takes pride in his ability to blend an aggressive sales

approach with expertise in the field and a desire to ensure his customers get a quality product.

Tom, his lovely wife, Kristy, and their daughter, Mickey, only recently moved to Chalfont. Tom joined

the Chalfont VFW where he sees as an opportunity to continue serving his country while “giving back” to his

community. Kristy, a Chloe + Isabel merchandiser, shares his passion and donated 25% of her profits to the

Post during the NBT Fall Festival this past September. Tom has kept in contact with several of his shipmates

over the past two decades and hopes to develop new lifelong relationships with Post members who share the

common purpose of keeping America strong by serving others in this great country.

“Voice of Democracy” Winners

As many of you are aware, each year our Post

conducts two contests – the Voice of Democracy,

whereby students in grades 9-12 record an audio essay

to be judged by initially our Post, then District, State

and hopefully National. The theme of this year’s VOD is

“My Vision for America”. Overall winners in the VOD

can will up to $30,000 in scholarships.

The other contest is Patriot’s Pen for grades 6-8.

In this case, the students write an essay about

patriotism. The Patriot’s Pen theme was “What

Freedom Means to Me”. The National winner in this

contest can win up to $5,000 and an all expense trip to

Washington.

Since we have so many participants, and the

Post is only allowed to submit one contestant, we give

all the participants an equal shot at winning by

“sharing” those we did not select with other Posts who

may not have had a participant.

This year, as has occurred for several past years,

we swept the 1st, 2nd and 3rd places in PA District 8. All

three winners were from Mt. St. Joseph Academy and

are students of Marge DeStefano. Great job Marge, and

thank you for all you do for us. Our VOD winners were:

1st Place:

Laurie Metzler, Senior

2nd Place:

Julianna Kardish, Senior

3rd Place:

Hannah Tubman, Senior

BIO – Continued from Page 3

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Veterans Day Celebration

To the right is an article which appeared in

the newsletter of Mary Mother of the

Redeemer Catholic School. Chalfont Post

3258 was asked to participate in a Veterans

Day ceremony at the school. In addition to

the initial ceremony honoring all Veterans,

we were fortunate enough to be able to

speak to numerous classes. We broke up

into small groups of two or three and

fielded many questions from the children.

The level of understanding of the role of the

military in these classes was impressive. We

all had a great time.

YUENGLING® ANNOUNCES MULTIYEAR COMMITMENT TO THE VFW IN

SUPPORT OF OUR NATION’S HEROES REPRINTED FROM THE VFW NATIONAL SITE

THEIR 'RESPECT. IT’S EARNED.' CAMPAIGN KICKS OFF IN 2016

November 12, 2015

POTTSVILLE, Pa., – D.G. Yuengling & Son, Inc. will support the VFW with a multi-year

commitment through their “Respect. It’s Earned.” campaign, kicking off in 2016.

This new initiative is a great way for Yuengling to demonstrate the brewery’s respect for our

nation’s veterans and the sacrifices they’ve made to protect our great country. Yuengling’s

#LagersForHeroes program will be promoted at restaurants, retail locations and bars starting

in May 2016. Consumers, retailers and wholesalers will be able to join Yuengling in its

commitment to help support the many VFW programs and services that benefit our nation’s

heroes.

“We have tremendous respect for those that have served and their sacrifices,” said Richard

“Dick” Yuengling, President and Owner of Yuengling. “As a family with generations of service

members, we know the toll it takes to leave your family to protect and serve our great

country. This is our way to support those who give so much.”

The VFW offers scholarships, financial grants, employment assistance and other services to veterans, service members and their

families.

“We’re extremely pleased to have the support of America’s oldest brewery,” said John E. Hamilton, VFW adjutant general.

“Yuengling’s generosity and commitment to the VFW will help ensure we’re able to provide the assistance that America’s veterans

deserve well into the future.”

“Of the four wars in my lifetime, none came about because the U.S. was too strong.” - Ronald Reagan

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Post members at the Flag Retirement Ceremony held at

Noel and Tina Pelletier’s home. The Red & White shirt on

the right is a transition shirt between summer and winter

attire. Since there’s a month when people are confused as

to the proper color to wear, we now have a two tone shirt

so they can’t be wrong in their choice.

Sgt. Tim Sutherland, and Maj Gen (Ret.) William Terpeluk, both

U.S. Army (Yea!), taking the VFW oath, recited by Commander

Hippel.

One of our Poppy sales crew,

Bob Collier, Woody Hippel,

Tom Redstreake, and

Lou Vitola, stationed

in front of the State store.

Post members at the New Britain Twp. Veterans Day Ceremony. Looking sharp guys!

VFW POST 3258 PAGE 7 OF 9

Some thoughts to Ponder Venison for dinner again? Oh deer!

A cartoonist was found dead in his home. Details are

sketchy.

I used to be a banker, but then I lost interest.

Haunted French pancakes give me the crêpes.

England has no kidney bank, but it does have a Liverpool.

They told me I had type-A blood, but it was a Type-O.

I changed my iPod's name to Titanic. It's syncing now.

Jokes about German sausage are the wurst.

I know a guy who's addicted to brake fluid, but he says he

can stop any time.

I stayed up all night to see where the sun went, and then it

dawned on me.

This girl said she recognized me from the vegetarian club,

but I'd never met herbivore.

When chemists die, they barium.

I'm reading a book about anti-gravity. I just can't put it down.

I did a theatrical performance about puns. It was a play on words.

Why were the Indians here first? They had reservations.

I didn't like my beard at first. Then it grew on me.

Did you hear about the cross-eyed teacher who lost her job because she couldn't control her pupils?

When you get a bladder infection, urine trouble.

Broken pencils are pointless.

What do you call a dinosaur with an extensive vocabulary? A thesaurus.

I dropped out of communism class because of lousy Marx.

All the toilets in New York's police stations have been stolen. The police have nothing to go on.

I got a job at a bakery because I kneaded dough.

Don’t worry about old age; it doesn’t last.

Getting Flu Shots Easier for Veterans With flu season right around the corner, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and Walgreens are making it easier than ever for veterans to protect themselves against the influenza virus. Veterans who are currently enrolled in the VA Health Care System can visit their local Walgreens or Duane Reade location to receive a free flu shot. With your free flu shot, Walgreens will also automatically update your VA health care records. To find a location near you, call 800-WALGREENS (800-925-4733) or visit www.Walgreens.com/FindAStore

Remember this guy? Reaganisms….

“I have wondered at times about what the Ten Commandments would have looked like if Moses had run them

through the U.S. Congress.”

“The taxpayer: That's someone who works for the federal government but doesn't have to take the civil service

examination.”

“The trouble with our liberal friends is not that they're ignorant; it's just that they know so much that isn't so.”

Victor Lemus and crew replacing one of the

roofs on a shed at Shamrock Reins. Victor

donated all labor and material free of charge.

VFW POST 3258 PAGE 8 OF 9

How does the VFW stand regarding Dr. Ben Carson’s statement to remove the

VA? Reprinted from VFW national

VFW AGAINST CANDIDATE’S CALL TO ELIMINATE THE VA

'IT PROVIDES AN IRREPLACEABLE SERVICE TO THE NATION’S WOUNDED, ILL AND INJURED VETERANS'

August 27, 2015

WASHINGTON — The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States is 100 percent against suggestions made by Dr. Ben Carson to

eliminate the Department of Veterans Affairs by moving it under the Department of Defense. The presidential candidate’s remark

was made while appearing on the nationally syndicated Dave Ramsey radio program yesterday.

While discussing how to reduce the size of government, Carson questioned why there is a VA, that what it does “should be folded in

under the Department of Defense,” that veterans should be given health savings accounts and sent out into the economy, and that

VA facilities should be used just for specialized care for traumatic brain injury, limb replacements and research.

“I could not disagree with Dr. Carson more,” said John A. Biedrzycki Jr., the national commander of the 1.7 million-member VFW

and its Auxiliaries.

“The Defense Department’s focus in the personnel realm is on recruiting and retention. Taking care of veterans is a mission they

gladly cede to the VA, which provides a continuum and continuity of care that is unmatched anywhere,” he explained. “To suggest

that disabled veterans could be sent out into the economy with a health savings account card overlooks the fact that civilian health

care has waiting lists of their own, that private practices often limit the number of government plan patients they accept due to low

reimbursement rates, and presupposes that civilian doctors have the same skillsets as VA doctors, who see veterans of every age and

malady every day. And to suggest that VA medical facilities should only be used for traumatic brain injuries, limb replacements and

research ignores the entire mission and purpose of the VA,” he said.

“The VFW is 100 percent against any effort to privatize or diminish the effectiveness of the VA,” said Biedrzycki. “It provides an

irreplaceable service to the nation’s wounded, ill and injured veterans, and my organization will not let any candidate for any office

suggest anything otherwise.”

Hear Carson’s comments at https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=814&v=VfGQG7oH-CY.

On a recent trip to Montgomery Community College, we met with several student Veterans and

explained not only the benefits of the VFW, but that we are here for all Veterans whether they are

VFW members or not. We put them in touch with several programs in the area to assist Veterans, as

well as introduced them to Shamrock Reins. They were already familiar with Shamrock Reins after

having just recently visited and partaking in some of the programs offered.

At left is one of the Veterans along with his Service Dog Trigger, posing with Commander Hippel and

Jr. Vice Commander Bob Collier.

Conundrums:

We are advised to NOT judge ALL Muslims by the actions of a few lunatics, but we are encouraged to judge ALL gun owners by the actions of a few lunatics. Funny how that works.

Why are we cutting benefits for our veterans, no pay raises for our military and cutting our army to a level lower than before WWII, but we are not stopping the payments or benefits to illegal aliens. (and yes – they are ILLEGAL ALIENS)

VFW POST 3258 PAGE 9 OF 9

Memory Lane

Anita Fleming (L) and Commander Hippel with a

teacher at Mary, Mother of the Redeemer

Catholic School.

Noel Pelletier

places more

flags onto the

fire during our

Flag Retirement

Ceremony.

Joe Greene

and Larry

Duchnowski

manning our

booth during

the annual

Poppy sales.

Woody Hippel, Angela (Lou’s daughter),

and Lou Vitola during Poppy sales.

The surest sign that intelligent life exists elsewhere in the universe, is that none of it has tried to contact us!

WWII Vets Cassel Williams, Bob Page, Lou Vitola, with Jim Dunn

and Noel Pelletier honoring WWII Vets at Doylestown Airport.

Tom Redstreake

and daughter, Mickey,

at the New Britain Twp.

Annual Veterans Fall

Festival.