Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States of America, or more commonly referred to as the VFW, was established on September 29^th, 1899 in Denver Colorado. It was founded by a small group of veterans from the Spanish American war, to help the veterans and families of those fallen. Since that time, it has grown to a national organization, active in every state in the U.S.

            Growing up, I never knew any of this. All I knew was my father, Iris Joe Kelley, was a member. When I was little, I never knew why or what exactly he did, I just knew every Thursday night my parents went to Bingo at the VFW hall. Bingo is just one of the many things the VFW uses to raise funds. As I got older I learned more about the VFW, but it was not until recently that I got the chance to actually learn.

            Dad joined the Navy in March of 1970. He served for a total of four years, the entire time assigned to the U.S.S. White Plains AFS-4. The White Plains was an Auxiliary Fleet Stores frigate, tasked with restocking the fleet it was assigned to. “The Great, Grey Pig,” was the name given to it by the men onboard. They even had a slogan: “Happiness is a San Miguel and an LBB.” He was the ship’s Quartermaster, basically he kept the records. Dad did three tours in Vietnam waters, for a total of twenty-nine months in a combat zone. Serving in combat is one of the requirements to join the VFW.

            Dad joined the VFW in 1985. I was only three at the time. Living near Norwood, he joined the nearest VFW post, Post 3770 which is in Mountain Grove. In 1987 he was assigned to the Post Adjutant, which is the equivalent of a secretary for a committee. He kept the minutes and things for the meeting. In 1989, he was appointed Senior Vice-Commander, or vice president. During 1980, the current Commander at the time had to take a transfer to another post, leaving my dad as the post Commander. Dad was then re-elected twice to Commander and in 1993 Dad took up the quartermaster position for the post. While still the Quartermaster today, dad has received four other promotions alongside, all of which he currently still holds. In 2005 dad was assigned as the District Adjutant, then as the District Deputy Inspector, tasked with inspecting all of the posts in the district to make sure the follow the VFW by-laws and rituals. In 2006 he was assigned as the Departmental Blog Master for the VFW for the state of Missouri, and also as the District Trustee. Basically he watched over the District Quartermaster and makes sure he stays honest.

            Dad has served faithfully in the VFW, and sees himself as an Ambassador for the public, promoting a positive image while not being afraid to go against the higher-ups to make sure his members and community gets what they need. My dad has volunteered countless hours for the VFW. He does the calling for the VFW every Thursday night. I have watched my dad spend hours going over books and receipts, talking on the phone to businesses and members, raising awareness for those who might need help. For my father, one such memorable occasion happened just a couple of years ago. It was in the middle of winter, bitter cold outside. A young woman came to the VFW needing help for her family. Her husband was an Iraqi veteran and was bound in a wheelchair. They also had an eight-month-old baby. The propane in her tank had run dry; they had no money for heat, and nowhere to go. The VFW paid for her fuel for her fuel until the young struggling family was able to get on their feet again. My dad told me that is why he volunteers so much.

Why should people join the VFW? This was a question that I thought would be easy. It turns out the answer I was expecting is not what I got. Instead Dad told me how every year the National Commander of the VFW gets to speak at a special session of congress, in front of both the house and senate at the same time. During this time, he argues for rights and benefits, not for those who have served in the past, but for the young men and women currently serving, and their families, for support for them and the hardships they will face as some have to give the ultimate sacrifice for their country. When the Commander speaks, the senate and the house listen. Why? Because the commander mentions just how many members, nation-wide, are the ones actually speaking. The VFW literally encompasses millions, and without those members, the VFW would not have such a strong voice.

“Honor the dead by helping the living.” This was the slogan given out about three to four years ago by the national commander at the time. Dad could not recall his name, but told me that simple phrase has meant more to him than any other over the years. It is still posted and used at post 3770 today, and the members even had the phrase put on shirts.

The VFW is an organization determined to help those who need it. So much to the fact that I asked dad, “If you help so many people, how do you know sometimes when a stranger comes asking for help, he’s not just running a scam?” without even hesitating or thinking about it, dad simply replied, “I don’t. I don’t even think about it. None of us do. Some time ago, our post all agreed. How can we judge others? It’s not our place to sit back and think, is this a scam? Instead, we help anyone who asks. It’s just what we do. If we didn’t help someone who really needed it, because we were scared of a scam, would we ever help anybody? It’s better to just not think about it, and just do.”

Over the years the VFW has provided many services to the community. Post 3770 of the VFW currently sends "Operation Uplink" phone cards to local area service members whenever the post gets a good military address from the family. They keep that name and address on file to send packages of various supplies (jerky, snacks, pens, paper, envelopes, etc for Christmas) and boxes of reading material throughout the year. Post 3770 is always on call to help veterans and current service members in times of crisis, if contacted. One of the main problems the post has though is that they do not always know when someone needs assistance. In the twenty-three years Dad has been a member, Post 3770 has never denied someone needing help. Post 3770 has a program that goes to area schools and talks about our military experiences and gives flag folding demonstrations along with an explanation of the meaning of each fold to any grade that has the time to allow them.  National VFW calls the program "Veterans in the Classrooms". “The students always seem to be happy to see us and are usually quite attentive as we speak. We never know what kind of questions they will ask during the time given for asking questions.”

The VFW also performs "Color Ceremonies" in observance of certain holidays throughout the year.  I. E.: Flag Day, D-Day, V-E Day, V-J Day, 9-ll, Memorial Day, Veterans Day, Fourth of July, Vietnam Peace Accord Day, Korean Armistice Day and several more.  Post 3770 holds special ceremonies in observance of POW/MIA Awareness Day, usually at one of the area schools.

Post 3770 hosts the Community Blood Center of the Ozarks bloodmobile twice a year, April and August, in which they provide volunteers and baked goods in addition to the building for the day.

Growing up, I knew my dad did a lot with the VFW. Until now, I never knew to what extent, and just how important they are to the community. I feel my dad is a shining example of just what this organization stands for, and who they are.

The following short story is one I recently submitted for my English composition class. Amanda liked it so much, she encouraged me to post it here, so here it is:

     She lies on the floor, her nose tucked in between her two front paws. She has her tail wrapped around on her left side, just sitting on the floor like a coiled up snake ready to bite. Sadie is a five year old German Sheppard. She’s a light silver color, with a black saddle over her back and a small black diamond right in the middle of her forehead. As she lies there, you can see the small downward curve of her snout that is so typical of most American Sheppard’s. Her ears are perked up, with the black tips pointing straight up to the ceiling. Like two little radar antenna’s, they are constantly swinging left to right and back again, neither one of them moving together, taking in all of the sounds in the house, as if waiting for someone to call her name. Her dark brown eyes have certain sadness in them. Sadie is a working dog, and loves to play, but right now there is no one to play with, as everyone is off doing their own thing. Using her two little radars, she can hear the children playing just outside of the office door, Mom is in the far end of the house, maybe doing laundry, or possibly changing clothes, it sounds the same at this distance. She hears a distinct clicking noise coming from somewhere in the room with her. She rolls her big brown eyes up, just ever so slightly, and can see Dad, sitting at his computer, typing away. It’s just another lazy afternoon for Sadie.

            Just then a new sound catches her attention, and she picks her head to look toward the office door. “Footsteps! Maybe Mom is coming to play!” she thinks to herself, already unable to control her excitement as her thick tail starts swinging back and forth, creating a slight breeze and sending shedding hair flying up, leaving even more white hair embedded in the carpet to be vacuumed up later. As Mom walks into the room, Sadie’s excitement is just brimming. Her tail wagging even harder, she starts to breathe heavy, panting, with an almost distinct smile forming as she looks up at Mom, who is walking right towards her. She watches anxiously for some sign that Mom wants to play, but her excitement and smile is replaced once again with the dark sadness in her eyes. Mom walked right past to give Dad something, and as fast as she came in, she walks out again, the footsteps going back towards the far end of the house.

            Sadie lowers her head once again, resting it between her paws, letting her tail settle back down, tucked alongside her. She almost didn’t notice Dad stand up, almost. Lying in between him and the door, he would have to walk past her; surely he’ll play with her. She looks up at him as he casually steps over her, like he didn’t even notice. He disappears around the corner. As he rounds the corner, Sadie notices what it is Mom had given him. It’s her toy! She starts to get excited again, but realizes he didn’t even seem to notice her. Just then, at that moment when it seems nobody wants to play, she hears dad. “Sadie! Come here!” he yells. Sadie jumps up and runs into the next room, her tail wagging as hard as it can go, smacking into the doorjamb with a loud thump, the sadness has been replaced with beaming excitement, as the smile returns to her. She disappears around the corner, happy to have someone to play with.

Why work today when I can put it off until tomorrow? Unfortunately I'm running out of reasons to not do any work around the house (and I think Amanda is getting suspicious.) If she ever found out all I do is play games and watch t.v while she's at work, I might have to...GASP! Dare I say it?....Get a job! AHHHH!

I GOT MY FIRST GRADE AND IT WAS AN "A"! Hopefully my grades will continue this way! The "A" was only on the assignment for week one in just one class, but it's a start! Anyway, that's all I have to say at the moment. I'll post the rest of my grades as I get them, later everyone!

I really have nothing new to post, I just wanted to be at the top of the list.

It's that time. After eight years, I have FINALLY decided to enroll in college. Thanks to my law enforcement academy, I already have 15 credit-hours and only need 45 more to get my associates. My plans are to get a criminal justice degree, although Crim and Psychology use almost the same classes, so I can get both fairly easily and only have to pick up a few classes. I was also thinking about some type of business degree, but it doesn't share hardly any with either one.

I'm taking all online classes for now, and they start August 27th. So far, my classes are:
English 150-Composition; taught by Ruth Schafer
Criminology 221-Victimology; By Rickie Veach
Psychology 230-Life Span Development; By Warren Washington
Library 161-Computer Technology; By Dan Swadley

The books I need are:
The Curious Writer by Ballenger
Crime Victims By Karmen
Human Development Across the Lifespan By Dacey
Microsoft Office 2007 3-pack XP By Rutkosky

If anyone has any of these books i would love to borrow or even buy them from you! They are a little pricey brand new.

Star Wars Galaxies is another one of those games that eats up all of my time. For anyone that has never played it before, I suggest giving it a try. I have spent more time in this game than ANY other. It's an online game, and Amanda plays also.

SWG has had a rough life over the five years it's been out. It has suffered two completely different re-writes of HOW the game plays. Originally, you could choose between 32 professions, mixing and matching how you want. There was a HAM bar, which stood for Health, Action, and Mind. As you fought, you would use up one or more of those performing actions, and as such an opponet could attack any one of them. If any of the three went empty, you died.

Then Sony changed the gameplay with a "combat upgrade" to two bars. A health, and an action. Action was used to do special attacks, and you could now only be killed by a total loss of health. Other than that change, it remained basically the same.

Two years ago, Sony again got a big change idea. This time, they called it the NGE and things changed. The two bars remained, but they slashed out all of the professions, and re-wrote nine. Before, you could change and swap as you wanted, now you are stuck with the skills and profession you pick. It's hard to explain if you have never played the original.

I miss things like they were. Is the game easier now? Yes, much. But it has also lost what made it different from every other online game out there, and that was a world of complete freedom. No other game had ever let you so freely choose who and what you were.

Anyway, I have made the best of what I'm left with, and below are some pictures of me. I did some photoshop work and have put both on so you can see what was done.

Fallout is probably my most favorite game of all time. It came out in 1997 and was released by Interplay. It was ahead of it's time back then, including detailed animations, a huge library of sound effects and in-game interactive, dialog driven cut-scenes.
The game was set in the future, around 2161, after Nuclear war with China has devastated the land. You emerge from an underground "vault", on a quest to find a part to fix the water purifier. Sounds simple, but it turns into a quest to save what is left of mankind from a growing mutant army. Although set in the future, the technology in it is a throwback to the 1950's "idea" of what the future would look like. yep, a great game.
The sequel, released in 1998 also by interplay, expanded on the original. 80 years later, your a descendant of the "vault-dweller" or primary character from the first. It looks and plays the same, and while also a great game, it didn't really accomplish any technical feats, it was just a copy of the original with a new map and story.

Now, ten years later, Fallout 3 is about ready to surface and is taking considerable heat from the fans of the original. Interplay sold the license to Bethesda Softworks, and although they have kept true to the canon of the original, instead of an isometric, third person game, they have instead opted for a 1st person.
Bethesda were the first to ever create a fantasy setting (swords, magic) with a first person view and pull it off. They did it gloriously with The Elder Scrolls series. However, that was swinging a sword, not shooting a gun. The big argument is right there. Is it a roleplaying game (crpg) or a first person shooter (FPS)? Fans of the the original say it is an FPS, but Bethesda promises it ha all of the elements of a crpg, just from the character's view. The original was turn-based, meaning you move, then the opponent moves taking turns. F3 is real-time, meaning everything happens at once. Bethesda has some sort of contraption devised they say allows you to mimic the original gameplay style, and also provides accuracy and other bonuses, instead of te typical FPS point and shoot style.
I am very eager to play F3. I have been waiting ten years for this. I recently got to play the tech demo for Interplay's F3 that would have been released six years ago, but unfortunately Interplay went bankrupt after making several bad gaming choices. Anyway, the tech demo, while lacking polish and only being a small area with only a couple features working, had the potential to be the best Fallout ever. It's a shame it will never come to be, and hopefully the new F3 will fill the gap nicely, but I must admit, after playing the tech demo, I am more skeptical now than ever about whether Bethesda has got what it takes to make a true Fallout experience!

I'm proud to endorse Hobie Johnson for Wright County Sheriff.
Changes need to be made in Wright County and it needs to start with a new Sheriff.



AUGUST 5TH VOTE FOR
HOBIE JOHNSON!!!!

     We went to Six Flags yesterday. Although it was a lot of fun, I was ready to come home by the end of the day. We rode several rides while we were there and got to meet some of the Looney Toons! My only complaint would have been the cost of food. I have nothing against paying $10.00 for a good meal at a nice restaurant, but to pay that much for a small basket of chicken strips and it not even include the drink seemed a bit steep! It wasn't even that good! but overall, it was a fun day, but I think next time I'll just go to Silver Dollar City (I can't beleive I am even saying that!)

Did you ever wonder what makes up life? Now I'm not referring to the biological side of it, everybody that has kids know how THAT accident happens, and yet can turn out to be the best thing to ever happen to you. What I'm referring to is the involvements and experiences that make us who we are.

Anybody that has ever read my Dad's blog, Kelley's Dairy, knows he has had some considerable defining moments in his life. Or you could read my wife's, The Pink Chronicles, in which she talks about several life-lessons learned among our family. But no matter who you are, we've all had experiences in our life which defines us.

Recently I took a trip to Florida with my wonderful wife. While we were there, we spent an hour playing in the water of the Atlantic Ocean. I'll never forget how beautiful it was there, and every day I long to go back. I had no idea it could have such an impact on me. Some day I hope to go back, but it won't be soon enough. I truly felt at peace with myself while I was floating there in the water.

I am back home now, and life has continued to go on as if I never left at all. Work needs done, cars need fixed, stoves need replaced, couples fight. Did my experience on the beach change me? Most definitely. Do I know in what way? Not a clue. Maybe I'll be more patient and calm, maybe I'll miss it so much that it will tear me apart, or maybe things will go on, just as before. But then again maybe whenever things get too overwhelming, I'll just sit down, close my eyes, and remember the one hour in my life in which everything disappeared and I had found inner peace. Then, sitting there in my tranquil ocean of thought, the answers I seek will find me, and the world around me won't seem so small anymore. definately

This is a silly little poem I came up with at four in the morning:

There once was a procrastinator
who hailed from Nantuckit.
Whenever he was asked to work,
he simply said "I'll do it later."

Hey! What did you think I would put? I don't use that kind of language (at least around mama.)

    I guess the news is out. If anyone didn't know already, I got promoted to Sergeant last week. I got three pretty little chevrons on my sleeves now. We've went three years without one, and I think the boss finally realized he needed some type of supervisor at night, so since I had seniority I was picked. That, and I'm the only one that works straight nights. Now as Paul Harvey says, "And now you know, the rest of the story!"

Hey look I'm hijacking Jacob's blog... At least someone is posting...

"Turn It Off" I tell this to Jacob all the time. Jacob is a police officer 24/7. Even if he's not on duty he's still a police officer. Sometimes I just want him to TURN IT OFF! This happened the other night when we went out to dinner. Jacob had taken his lunch break and I was looking forward to spending an hour with just him and Connor at the restaurant. Upon entering Jacob immediately spots a person that he has previously arrested. I quickly tell him to "turn it off" We set down and order. Jacob asks if they have a restroom and excuses himself from the table. As he returns I notice he is on the phone. Apparently he went to the restroom to call dispatch to have this persons name ran for warrants. When he gets back to the table he asks where **** went. I tell him they left and he starts looking out the window to see if they are still in the parking lot! Again I tell him to "turn it off: They are already gone and he's not leaving dinner to go chase them down. He's disappointed and eats quickly before returning to work early from his break. I love him for who he is and what he does but man I wish he could TURN IT OFF!

Amanda

    Apparently I have not been posting often enough for some, so her is a post about me not posting. It's really not about anything exciting, so I encourage you to not read past this point. No, really stop reading. Okay, don't say I didn't warn you.
    Norwood prepares to begin sewer work on Highway C. Paul Defino to speak at Mtn. Grove C of C. Debris pickup completed from ice storm. The last surviving WWI veteran is Frank Buckles, born in Missouri turned 107 years old on February 1st. Texas County approved for energy conservation program.
    If you would like to read up on these articles, find a copy of the Mountain Grove News Journal volume 83 issue 17, April 23, 2008.
    Now for some more incoherent babbling about absolutely nothing. Abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz. Now I know my abc's. pausdnf ap na naw pfawe fnwaofn apwf nwpo efn wefpwnef weo fnwpao nfw nfwwopeifnwapeifnw pweofn waoefn woeinfwo peifn wae fwofn   oi fn  fw nfewn pw fn wdnf ngkfngpgn ;a gn  gjna ;ng;gnlfgnign  ngerigjn ign egerjng geirng ...............................................................................................................................................................................................
........................................................................................................................I got nothing more. Later all.
   

Now, this just seems horribly wrong to me. They have successfully put a price on the life of someone. I could commit murder, which is what vehicular manslaughter still is, and only have a fine and lose my license! They refer to it as an "accident." I have stopped using that word and now use the term "collision." "Accident" implies there is no one to blame. What's next? "Shoot your neighbor, $10000 fine, lose your dog." This sign just disgusts me. Anyone bother to ask the widow if $10,000 is enough? Another thing this sign implies is they could just be injured. What is the speed through most highway construction zones? usually between 45-55 mph. Let a vehicle hit you at 30 mph and let me know if you survive.
Too many deaths are associated with traffic collisions, and instead of making punishments more severe, they just put a price on life. I could rant on all day about how stupid this is, but I think everyone probably gets my point.

Potholes, potholes,
Potholes all around.
Potholes in the ceiling,
Potholes on the ground.

Potholes everywhere,
no matter where I look.
That's the last time
I tell my wife she can't cook.

Taken from "The Red Green Show"
Thought everyone would like this one.

Teens Arrested After Attempting To Rob Police Station

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- Two teenage boys are in big trouble after police said that they tried to rob a South Florida police station."You know what, this is probably the dumbest thing I've ever seen," Port St. Lucie Police spokesman Rob Vega said.Vega told WPBF News 25 that the two boys, ages 12 and 14, walked into the lobby of a regional station around 4:30 p.m. Wednesday and demanded money from an aide behind the glass enclosure.Vega said the 12-year-old hid one hand under his jacket as if he had a gun. Another aide ran into the back screaming for help.Within minutes, a half dozen officers, some with guns drawn, burst into the lobby and arrested the boys."In all my time here, whoever would have thought that someone would come to a police department and attempt to rob it. It's unbelievable. It's lucky that they're only going to jail and not to the morgue," Vega told WPBF.Both boys have been charged with attempted armed robbery. The 14-year-old was also charged with violating his probation.Vega told WPBF that the kids were laughing while being arrested and remarked, "We'll be famous now."The boys were taken to the juvenile detention center.

Just thought I would share this story. there's a video on it also:
Source page with video