Category: Benefits

How to Gain an Honor Degree…With the Cooties

By Alyson M. Teeter

 

While attending the Post 3063 2017-2018 officer induction ceremony and business meeting May 4, 2017, installing officer and state junior vice commander, Linda  Fairbank, gave a plug for the “Military Order of the Cootie.” She said this organization within the VFW is a quirky organization that helps others while having fun.

 

The name alone piqued my interest, so I did a little research and found out some other interesting tidbits about the MOC at http://www.lotcs.org:

 

  • “It is a distinction reserved for “active” members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars; those who have succeeded as an officer on any level, or who have demonstrated ability as a leader of a major Post committee or function.”
  • “Cooties take on the added responsibility of support for the kids at the VFW National Home for Children in Eaton Rapids, Michigan, …and support the hospitalized veterans in VA Medical Facilities, domiciliaries, and hospitals around the United States, and throughout the world. “
  • “The prime directive of the Military Order of the Cootie is to Have Fun.”
  • Their favorite slogans: “Keep ’em Smilin’ in Beds of White,” “Closer than a Brother, Busier than a Bee,” “Increase and Multiply”
  • “As our hero, The Great Blue Louse instructs us, “A smile is the one thing that you can give that you will always get back,” we strive to bring humor to our efforts, to our fellow veterans and to those less fortunate than us.

 

If you’re interested in joining the Military Order of the Cootie and the local “Pup Tent,” contact Linda Fairbank at [email protected].

 

Yoga: New Instructor, New Time

The post has resumed one-hour yoga classes on Wednesday mornings at 9:30 a.m. Classes are free to veterans and their families. Please wear loose clothing and bring your yoga mat and a blanket to cushion your knees, if desired.

 

Yoga Instructor
Alicia Brill

Alicia Brill is our new instructor and is a veteran of the United States Army, having enlisted as an Intelligence Analyst for the Army Reserves and the Montana Army National Guard. Alicia first began practicing yoga on a deployment with the Army. While the military taught her discipline, yoga provided her with a sense of discipline plus honoring one’s self exactly where you are.

 

Since getting out of the military in 2007, Alicia has admired the sense of camaraderie she felt in the military and has sought ways to be of continued service to other military veterans. Alicia became a certified yoga teacher with 8 Limbs Yoga Centers in April 2017 and completed Level One training with Veterans Yoga Project in January 2017. Her concentration has been on Yoga for Trauma Healing and Yoga for PTSD.

VA and Walgreens Team Up to Provide Flu Vaccinations

The cold and flu season is upon us and the Department of Veterans Affairs has once again teamed up with Walgreens Pharmacies nationwide to allow all veterans who are currently enrolled in the VA healthcare system to be able walk into any of the over 8000 Walgreens nationally (and the Duane Reade pharmacies in the New York metropolitan area) to receive a vaccination at no cost.  Vaccinations will be available through March 31, 2017.Free flu shot

 

Veterans wishing to receive the no cost vaccination simply need to present a Veterans Identification Card and a photo ID, at any participating Walgreens to receive the vaccination.

 

In addition, after the Walgreens pharmacist administers the vaccine Walgreens will transmit that information securely to VA where it becomes part of the patient’s electronic medical record.

 

VA is committed to keeping Veteran patients healthy, and during this flu season, vaccination is the best way to prevent the spread of flu.  No matter where you live, visit your local VA clinic or Walgreens to get a free flu shot.