VFWMI

Merry Christmas from our family to yours

MI KIA VIETNAM

DONALD GEORGE BOUSLEY
Army - PFC - E3
Age: 19
Date of Birth Mar 18, 1949
From: ANN ARBOR, MI
Marital Status: Single

PFC - E3 - Army - Selective Service
25th Infantry Division

His tour began on Nov 20, 1968
Casualty was on Dec 22, 1968
In TAY NINH, SOUTH VIETNAM
HOSTILE, GROUND CASUALTY
GUN, SMALL ARMS FIRE
Body was recovered

Panel 36W - Line 63

On December 18, 1968, the 4th Battalion, 9th Infantry "Manchus" established a patrol base camp, nine and a half miles south of Tay Ninh City in Tay Ninh Province, RVN. In just one day, Company A, 65th Engineers, converted 186,000 pounds of building materials, transported by twenty-seven helicopters, into a fortified position known as Patrol Base Mole City. This base, situated on one of the most frequented infiltration routes in the III Corps, was attacked by the enemy four days later.

In the early hours of December 22, 1968, Mole City was subjected to an intense ground assault by 1500 soldiers from the 272nd Regiment of the 9th North Vietnamese Army Division. The onslaught began shortly after midnight with a severe mortar, 75mm recoilless rifle, and RPG attack, immediately followed by heavy small arms and automatic weapons fire. The 500 U.S. defenders retaliated with their unit weapons, quickly receiving air and artillery support. When gunships from the 25th Aviation Battalion, stationed fifteen minutes away at Cu Chi, contacted the ground commander for a situation report, they were informed that they were encircled and at risk of being overrun.

The battle raged on for several hours, with the NVA breaching the wire; however, once they entered the trench line, they were eliminated by Manchu sharpshooters. A human-wave attack was thwarted by the brave Manchus who laid down an immense field of fire. The intensity of the fire was such that four M60 machine gun barrels completely melted. The Manchus lowered their 105mm artillery tubes to chest height and fired beehive rounds at point-blank range. As dawn approached, the NVA retreated. The battle resulted in 106 enemy casualties. Aviation units circling the battlefield in the morning light reported bodies scattered everywhere, along with a plethora of personal and crew-served weapons. The American losses amounted to nineteen killed, including SP4 Justin K. Anderson, SFC Richard G. Barnard, PFC Phillip E. Benjamin, PFC Donald G. Bousley, PFC Richard T. Chambers, SP4 Donald I. Culshaw, PFC Dennis L. Dulebohn, PFC Gary W. Everett, PFC Charles P. Glenn, SP4 Thomas L. Goodale, 1SG Manuel D. Madruga, PFC Henry E. Maul, SGT Michael A. Minko, SP4 Dionisio Sanchez-Ortiz, 1LT Ernest J. Stidham, SP4 Willie J. Tate, PFC Malcom R. True Jr., PFC Alfred Viel, and PFC Terry J. Ward.

We shall never forget.

On Christmas Eve 1914 during WWI, German and British soldiers stepped out of their trenches and made what is now known as "The Christmas Truce." This event was a testament of human connection by celebrating Christmas, despite the brutality of war.

WWI's Christmas Truce: When Fighting Paused for the Holiday | HISTORY Over Christmas 1914, singing and soccer broke out between British and German forces.

Congratulations to Ann Arbor Post 423 on achieving 100%

Lawmakers press for more outside help in stopping veteran su***des Some want to expand a $174 million grant program which funds su***de prevention efforts run by community groups.

VFW Director Receives Department of Defense Patriot Award The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) is proud to announce VFW Director of Member Services David Prohaska, was awarded the Patriot Award today by the Department of Defense’s Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) department during a special presentation at VFW National Headquarters in Kansa...

Texas attorney general sues company accused of preying on veterans The attorney general’s charges against VA Claims Insider echo allegations in an investigation The Texas Tribune published in July.

District 15 has passed 90% in Membership!

MEET THE OFFICERS
Ricky Young is the District 10 - VFWMI Commander. Ricky served as a track vehicle repairman in the US Army from 1986-2020. He is from Davison, Michigan and is a Life Member of VFW Post 822

Another great week for Michigan! Keep up these numbers and we'll reach our goal in no time.

The Veterans of Foreign Wars VFW has issued a Membership Challenge for the month of January!

A VFW Service Officer connection led to Superior Services RSH, Inc. donating Christmas gifts to a veteran and family in need. Mary, a Michigan National Guard veteran from West Michigan, unexpectedly lost her husband in a motorcycle accident last month, leaving Mary and five daughters to pick up the pieces.
Superior Services R.S.H stepped up to the plate to make sure this family's Christmas was surrounded with love and support during this difficult time. Thank you so much for this selfless generosity and walking with the veteran and family community of Michigan.

Happy Birthday Little Bro! United States Space Force

MI KIA Vietnam

Don’t Feed The Sharks Holiday PSA http://dontfeedthesharks.org/

Congratulations to Flat Rock Post 9363 and Milan Post 5977 on achieving 100%

Michigan has passed 89% in Membership!

12 years ago, then-General Lloyd J. Austin III cased the colors of the U.S. Forces – Iraq, officially marking the end of Operation New Dawn.

VFW Honors America’s Iraq War Veterans On Dec. 15, the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) joins a grateful nation in remembering the end of the Iraq War, taking time to honor the service and sacrifice of the veterans of the conflict, and paying tribute to all those who made the ultimate sacrifice in the fight against terror.

MEET THE OFFICERS
Craig Latarte is the VFW Michigan District 9 Commander. Craig served as a machine repairman in the US Navy from 1969-1976. He is from Saginaw, Michigan and is a Legacy Life Member of V.F.W. Post 7302

Don’t miss this week’s issue of the Action Corps Weekly! Stay in the know on the work the VFW is doing on Capitol Hill .

Read the latest issue here: http://vfw.org/advocacy/grassroots-efforts/vfw-action-corps-weekly

Another week and another 150 renewals! Keep up the great work and let your Post Commanders and Quartermasters know that they are doing a great job! It takes all of us working together to be successful.

Congratulations to Sebewaing Post 4115 for achieving 100%

National Wreaths Across America Day event to be held at Great Lakes National Cemetery in Holly A wreath-laying event will be held at Great Lakes National Cemetery in Holly on National Wreaths Across America Day, Saturday, Dec. 16.

🏈 ITS ARMY-NAVY GAME DAY🏈
Who are you cheering for today?

VFW Michigan Service Office Christmas! Thank you to all of our service officers who work hard for veterans and their families all year. Happy Holidays!

MEET THE OFFICERS
Robin Bailey is the VFWMI District 8 Commander. Robin served as a yeoman in the US Navy from 1990-2010. She is from Carlsbad, NM and now lives in Holland, Michigan and is a Life Member of VFW Post 2144 Holland, MI

82 years ago today, our nation watched in stunned silence as the Japanese forces attacked the islands of Hawaii. This ultimately spurred the U.S. involvement in World War II. We remember, lest we forget.

Michigan continues to renew over 100 members a week! We need 524 to make 90% by the New Year. Can we do it?

Our December Newsletter is out! Find out what is happening around VFW Michigan!

VFWMI Advocate VFWMI Advocate - Description

There is something special happening today and here it is! Happy Birthday Commander Lopez!

Registration for the 2024 Heroes to Hives course is now open! This is a FREE online beginning beekeeping program for active, reserve and military veterans, and their families. Learn more and register before February 28, 2024 at https://miffs.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_dgwmkDFIUN4MoGG

WILX News 10 highlighted the Heroes to Hives program and its impact on veteran wellness. Gary Brown is spearheading the free program with Charlotte VFW Post 2406, and course registration is now open!

You’re Not Alone: Unique local program offers veterans PTSD therapy centered around beekeeping "Beekeeping will change your life." Veteran and Master Beekeeper, Gary Brown is helping provide therapy through beekeeping.

Happy Birthday to VFW Department of Michigan Inspector Bob Williams!
Thank you for all you do for veterans and PVT James D Donovan/ Romulus VFW Post 78!

District 13 has passed 90% in Membership!

Congratulations Springport Post 6056 on achieving 100%

MI KIA VIETNAM

LESLIE DONALD ROSEKRANS
Army - SP4 - E4
Age: 20
Date of Birth Jul 19, 1948
From: AUBURN, MI
Marital Status: Single

SP4 - E4 - Army - Selective Service
2nd Field Force

His tour began on Sep 10, 1968
Casualty was on Dec 3, 1968
In , SOUTH VIETNAM
HOSTILE, HELICOPTER - NONCREW
AIR LOSS, CRASH ON LAND
Body was recovered

Panel 37W - Line 35

We shall never forget.

VA workers face more mandatory overtime amid record claims processing The backlog of overdue disability claims is expected to keep rising over the next year.

"They knew if the confederates took that flag, they would take the heart and soul of their men,” Eric Calley said.

Muir-Lyons VFW Post 4646 and Ionia VFW David A. Huhn Post 12082 have teamed up in raising funds to restore the last known Michigan Civil War Flag on public display. Read more about this project here: https://vfwmi.org/di/vfw/v2/default.asp?pid=1253&d=y&subid=70979

Great numbers from each District over the month of November. Heading into the cold winter months we'll need to keep our foot on the gas, because in order to achieve our goal of 102% we're going to need to average 650 members per month. Keep your eyes out for new incentives and remember, every Post that achieves 100% by the start of Mid-Winter will be entered into a $200 drawing.