Portsmouth Project Blue Star

July 14, 2016

DAV hosts fishing trip on July 20

Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Chapter 15 hosts a fishing trip for the residents of the Rhode Island Veterans home from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Wednesday, July 20, at the Colt State Park fishing pier. Volunteers are welcome to help the veterans to enjoy a few hours outside. Contact Wally Coelho 508/965-1557 for more information, or just drop by to help out. The deadline for the VFW 5390 of Portsmouth’s $1,000 Gleason Scholarship is Aug. 1. Any senior or graduate of a secondary school of higher education who has a parent, grandparent or legal guardian who’s a member in good standing of Post 5390 may submit
an application. Contact Wally Coelho at 508/965-1557 for more information. DAV Lawson-Raiola Chapter 15 East Bay meets at 2 p.m. on the second Tuesday of every month in the employee dining room at the Rhode Island Veterans Home, 480 Metacom Ave., Bristol. There are no meetings in July and August, however; the next meeting is Sept. 13. Contact Post 5390 SVC Carlton Johnson and/or Service Officer Walter Coelho for details and information about joining DAV.
Veterans Corner is a roundup of news and events that are of interest to local veterans.

July 7, 2016

Apply for vets’ honor roll

The June 17 bake sale fund-raiser for the Portsmouth Honor Roll Committee was a success, and the panel expresses its appreciation to Clements’ Marketplace for hosting the event, as well as to supporters for purchases, donations. A Veterans Honor Roll information table will be set up at the American Band Concert tonight, July 7, at the American Band concert organized by the Glen Manor House Authority. Applications to be included on the Honor Roll will be available.
DAV chapter 15 will host a fishing trip for the residents of the Rhode Island Veterans home from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Wednesday, July 20, at the Colt State Park fishing pie. Volunteers are welcome to help the veterans to enjoy a few hours outside. Contact Wally Coelho 508/965-1557 for more information, or just drop by to help out. The deadline for the VFW 5390’s $1,000 Gleason Scholarship is Aug. 1. Contact Wally Coelho at 508/965-1557 for information.

May 26, 2016

Memorial Day events on Friday and Monday

Hosted by VFW Post 5390 and Project Blue Star
It’s time once again to honor those soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice. Portsmouth has two Memorial Day observances planned, the larger one to be held at 10 a.m. Monday, May 30, at the VFW  Alvaro E. Vieira Post 5390, 822 Anthony Road. The guest speaker will be Kim A. Ripoli, a life member of VFW Post 5390 who assumed the duties of associate director, Division of Veterans Affairs, in August 2012. She manages the Division's operations, coordinates mission execution and oversees more than 220 employees in the three branches. Cub Scout Pack 50 will post the colors and lead in the reciting of “The Pledge of Allegiance.” American Legion Post 18 Commander Dave Duggan will give a brief history of Memorial Day. Voice of Democracy contest winners Emma Rainer and Kelly Conley, along with the second-place winner of the Patriot’s Pen, Nathaniel W. Harris, will read their essays. Adjutant Charles A. Peterson will read the names of the deceased members of Post 5390, including the three who died since last
Memorial Day. Post Auxiliary President Shauna Fournier will read the remembrance for the guests who want to remember their relatives for friends. VFW Chaplain Comrade Michael Nott, chairman of the Portsmouth Veterans Honor Roll Committee, will discuss the criteria to have a name added to the Honor Roll. Outside the hall, guests will gather in front of the memorial to the late SSG Christopher Potts, the only member of Post 5390 who was killed in action. VFW Chaplain Comrade Michael Nott will offer the invocation and American Legion Chaplain Francis "Cisco" Gutierrez will offer the benediction. “Taps” will be played by Richard W. Ashmore, a Navy veteran and Portsmouth resident. The program will end with the scouts raising the Holiday Ensign on the flagpole and then lowering it to half staff. Afterward, guests are invited back inside for refreshments.
Wreath-laying on Friday Project Blue Star will hold an outdoor Memorial Day ceremony and wreath-laying at 10 a.m. on Friday, May 27, at the World War I Monument in front of Portsmouth Town Hall, 2200 East Main Road

May 19, 2016

Memorial Day events scheduled in Portsmouth

Several Memorial Day celebrations are happening in Portsmouth and elsewhere in the coming days.

Project Blue Star will hold an outdoor Memorial Day ceremony and wreath-laying at 10 a.m. on Friday, May 27, at the World War I Monument in front of Portsmouth Town Hall.

VFW Post 5390 will host its annual Memorial Day ceremony beginning at 10 a.m. on Monday, May 30, at the Post home on Anthony Road in Common Fence Point.

The Bristol Memorial Day service and parade, organized by the Bristol Veterans Council, will be held at the North Burial Ground at the entrance to Colt State Park followed by a parade through the town to the War Garden on Hope Street at 9 a.m. on Monday, May 30. (The Bristol Veterans Council is made up of DAV, VFW, AMVET, American Legion). This event will include high school bands, cannons, military personnel and state officials.

There will be a “Gathering of Veterans" on the State House lawn in Providence at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 21, — Armed Forces Day — to show support for both Senate and House bills to eliminate the Rhode Island state tax on veterans’ benefits.

A tattered/faded flag collection station will be at Clements’ Marketplace from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sunday, June 5.

A Flag Retirement Ceremony will be conducted at the Pete Sepe Pavilion in Warren at 5:45 p.m. on Tuesday, June 14. Volunteers are needed to sort and inspect flags prior to ceremonial burning at approximately 6:45 p.m.

A bake sale fund-raiser will run from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Friday, June 17, at Clements’ Marketplace, to support the Veterans Honor Roll project.
Veterans Corner is a roundup of news and events that are of interest to local veterans.

April 14, 2016

Post 18’s scholarship essay deadline is April 28

The deadline for the American Legion Post 18 Portsmouth High School scholarship applications and essays is Thursday, April 28. Forms may be obtained from the PHS Guidance Department. In other news of interest to local veterans: ! VFW Post 5390 meets at 7 p.m. on Monday, April 25, at the Post home on Anthony Road, Common Fence Point.
! The annual joint meeting of American Legion Post 18 and American Legion Auxiliary Unit 18 will be held on Saturday, May 7, at the Naval War College Museum. RSVP is required; call 401/2362224 or send an e-mail to RIPOST18LEGION@aol.com. ! Disabled American Veterans Lawson-Raiola Chapter 15 East Bay will meet at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, May 10, at the Rhode Island Veterans Home, 480 Metacom Aven., Bristol, in the employee dining room.
! The flagging schedule for Portsmouth start at 8 a.m. Saturday, May 14, at St. Mary’s Cemetery on East Main Road. The group will travel across East Main Road to Trinity Cemetery and proceed by caravan to Portsmouth Burial Ground on Turnpike Avenue. ! Deadline for the American Legion,Post 18 2016 Portsmouth High School Scholarship Applications/Essays isThursday, April 28, 2016. PHS Guidance Department has the form.
! The Joint Annual Meeting of AmericanLegion, Post 18 & American Legion Auxiliary, Unit 18 will be held onSaturday, May 7, 2016 at the Naval War College Museum. RSVP required. Membersshould call 401-236-2224 or send email to: RIPOST18LEGION@aol.com. ! Disabled American Veterans Lawson-RaiolaChapter 15 East Bay will meet on Tuesday, May 10th at the Rhode Island VeteransHome, 480 Metacom Avenue, Bristol, RI. in the employee dining
room (2:00pm). ! The Flagging Schedule forPortsmouth, RI will be as follows: Saturday, May 14, 2016 (8am) starting at St.Mary’s Cemetery on East Main Road. We will travel across East Main Road toTrinity Cemetery and proceed then to Portsmouth Burial Ground on TurnpikeAvenue by caravan.
Veterans Corner is a roundup of news and events that are of interest to local veterans.

March 24, 2016

Honor Roll group to brief the Town Council

The Portsmouth Veterans Honor Roll Committee (PVHRC) was formed to review the requirements for having a veteran's name listed on the "Veteran Wall of Honor" at the Town Hall.  The PVHRC members are Post 5390Senior Vice Commander Carlton Johnson, Post Chaplain Michael Nott, Trustee Walter Coelho, post member Jeffrey Richard. American Legion Post 18 Post Commander David Duggan, and Carolyn Evans-Carbery, Project Blue Star Coordinator.  The Committee will brief the Portsmouth Town Council at the Monday, March 28 meeting at 7:00pm at Portsmouth Town Hall.

On Thursday, April 7, 2016 at Gillette Stadium, 1Patriot Place, Foxboro, MA 02035, 11am to 3pm,there will be a DAV Recruit Military New England All Veterans Job Fair where a great mix of local, regional and national companies will be available.  This job fair is for anyone who has served on active duty at any time, members of the National Guard and reserves, and their spouses.

Recruit Military New England is working to create the best event possible for local veterans.  In order to help us target the right companies, please let us know what kind of job and career opportunities you are looking for by taking a few minutes to fill out this short survey at https://midwife.recruitmilitary.com/links/PaAhsBk0bsm1agiueMQS/click?recipient_id=H-7IFe-NA0OLLeSPP1G
and register at https://midwife.recruitmilitary.com/links/CubPzuf7SDS1oyK8Kftu/click?recipient_id=H-7IFe-NA0OLLeSPP1G-

American Legion, Post 18 meeting is scheduled on Tuesday, April5th at the VFW Post 5390 in Common Fence Point (7pm).

Disabled American Veterans Lawson-Raiola Chapter 15 East Bay will meet on April 12th at the Rhode Island Veterans Home, 480 Metacom Avenue, Bristol, RI. in the employee dining room (2:00pm).

VFW, Post 5390 meeting is scheduled on April 25^th at the VFW Post 5390 in Common Fence Point (7pm).

February 26, 2016

Veterans invited to take part in war history program

Please help us to preserve our military history by being part of the Library of Congress Veterans History Program “Voice of War”. 
If you, a relative, or friend would like to share your military experiences, please contact Walter Coelho at (508) 965-1557 (cell), or
email at whcoelhovet1@gmail.com.

American Legion, Post 18 meeting is scheduled on March 1st at the VFW Post 5390 in Common Fence Point (7pm).

VFW, Post 5390 meeting is scheduled on March 28^th at the VFW Post 5390 in Common Fence Point (7pm).

Disabled American Veterans Lawson-Raiola Chapter 15 East Bay will meet on March 8th at the Rhode Island Veterans Home, 480 Metacom Avenue, Bristol, RI. in the employee dining room (2:00pm).

Please join the Auxiliary to the Veterans of Foreign Wars for our St. Joseph's Day Feast Fundraiser on Saturday, March 19, 2016 (3pm-5pm) at the VFW, Post 5390, 822 Anthony Road in Common Fence Point, Portsmouth, RI. Your $10 donation will support the Bristol Veterans Home. The menu will include: Garden Salad, Spaghetti, Meatballs &Sausage, Italian Bread, Zeppole for dessert. Kids under 12 eat free.  Get your tickets online through Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/st-josephs-day-feast-sponsored-by-vfw-auxiliary-5390-tickets-21315726913.

Congratulations to Cynthia M. Mello-Wolz, Committee Chairwoman for the VFW, Post 5390 sponsored Cub Scout Pack 50 who received the Silver Beaver Award for distinguished service to youth at the Narragansett Council Annual Meeting and Recognition Dinner.

Scout of the Year applications are due to VFW Posts by March 1, 2016.  Go to VFW.ORG for information and applications.

District Two Patriot Pen (PP) and Voice of Democracy (VOD) winners are from Post 5390.  State VOD First Place winner is Kelly Conley. Kelly will travel to Washington, DC for the National VFW competition. She and other state winners will visit the White House. Patriot Pen Post and District winner Nathaniel Harris placed second in the Department of Rhode Island competition. Congratulations to Kelly and Nathaniel!

A motorized electric three wheeled scooter is available to a disabled veteran.  New battery recently installed.  Contact VFW Post 5390, 822 Anthony Rd, Portsmouth, RI 02871.

February 11, 2016

Motorized scooter available through VFW

American Legion Post 18 will conduct their next meeting on Tuesday, March 1 2016, 7pm, at the VFW Hall, Common Fence Point, Portsmouth (weather permitting).

A motorized electric scooter is available to a disabled veteran. Contact VFW 5390, Common Fence Point.

Disabled American Veterans Lawson-Raiola, Chapter 15 East Bay will meet on February 9, 2016, 2pm, at the Rhode Island Veterans Home, 480 Metacom Avenue, Bristol, RI in the employee dining room.

DAV "Boot Camp Breakfast" is scheduled for Saturday, March 5, 2016, 8:30am at VFW Post 4487, Underwood Lane, Middletown, RI. If you have questions or want to know about veterans benefits and entitlements, come for breakfast. Send $5.00 per person with a note and name for each person attending to: Lawrence Matika, 35 Adams Point Road, Barrington, RI 02806. Please make check payable to RI, DAV, Chapter 15. Deadline for reservations is February 26, 2016.

Four Chaplains Memorial Service will be held on February 7, 2016, 9:30am, at Cornerstone Methodist Church, 1081 Main Street, Coventry, RI to honor the four Army Chaplains who gave up their life preservers to soldiers as the Dorchester, torpedoed by a German submarine, was sinking. All are welcome. Brunch will be served; RSVP by February 5 to Jane Deptula, 397-4232, or josephdeptula@cox.net.

House Resolution No. 7226 introduced by Lancia, Naughton, Azzinaro, Costa, and Reilly entitled HOUSE RESOLUTION PROCLAIMING 2016 TO BE "THE YEAR OF THE VETERAN" IN THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND was read and passed.

House Bill No. 7112, introduced by Lancia, Malik, Azzinaro, Reilly, and Costa, entitled AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION - PERSONAL INCOME TAX (Exempts the amount of military pension which is included in federal adjusted gross income from the state income tax.) has been referred to House Finance.

House Committee on Veterans Affairs Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs. On February 8th, 4:15pm to 5:30pm, Congressman Ryan Costello will deliver a short Veterans Briefing. Q & A to follow. Biltmore Hotel, 2nd floor conference room.