44 Holton, Mack Dunford, Bill McCoy, Past Commander Bob Shelton, Al Ford, Fred Harrell, Fred Himelwright, and Commander Jim Simerly. <strong>The</strong>y requested that Congressman Davis support the KWVA request for a national charter. 299 KOREA WAR VETERANS [MA] <strong>The</strong> KVA had a great meeting in Worcester. We accomplished many things, including lining up all our meetings for 2008 and coming up with new 14-inch patches for the backs of our jackets with Chapter #299 rockers on them. New KVA embroidered shirts for meetings and the new KVA chapter posters were also introduced. CID 299 members meet <strong>The</strong> KVA will have its Color Guard in Worcester in October and Plymouth in November. <strong>The</strong> KVA was also presented an award by the Marine Corps League for its participation in the funeral of a fallen Iraq Marine. Jeff Brodeur, 48 Square Rigger Ln, Hyannis, MA 02601-2100 DEPARTMENTS DEPARTMENT OF CALIFORNIA I express my appreciation for the out-of-state support for the formation of the California State Department - KWVA. During January/February 2007, nineteen of you took the time to wish us success in our endeavor. This support group included: J. Feaster, L. Dechert, W. Hutton, E. Buckman, J. Brodeur, W. Wiedhahn, J. Henderson, J. Ferris, J. Stevens (1st Marine Division), M.M. Parker, P. Martinez, R. Waldron, T. McHugh, M. Brown, R. Christie, M. Dunn Jr., and T. Trousdale. Thank you for your support and Semper Fidelis!! I’m happy to report the completion of all department official documentation with the Internal Revenue Service and the Secretary of State - State of California. I just received the long-awaited letter from the IRS, dated 10.03.2007, stating that the Department (EIN 39-2050609) is exempt from Federal income tax under Section 501(c)(19) of the Internal Revenue Code. <strong>The</strong> Department EIN was recorded on 03.09.2007. We also received news from the State of California that, according to our Articles of Incorporation # 2976363 filed on 03.05.2007, the Department is recorded as a nonprofit Mutual Benefit Corporation. Also, the State of California declared on 08.28.2007, the Department is exempt from State Franchise or Income Tax under Section 23701w of the Revenue and Taxation Code. It is interesting to note in the IRS letter mentioned above the following statement: Based on your representation that at least 90 percent of your members are war veterans and that you are organized and operated primarily for purposes consistent with your current status as a war veterans organization, donors can deduct contributions made to or for the use of your organization. So, California veterans, with the guidance and wisdom of George Lawhon, we’ve completed our formation work. “<strong>The</strong> ball is now in your court!” Mike Glazzy DEPARTMENT OF VIRGINIA At the Department of Virginia meeting in Fredericksburg on April 14, KWVA President Dechert had the great pleasure of presenting the <strong>Korean</strong> Defense Service Medal to Ben Thomas. <strong>The</strong> two men had served together in the 5th Special Forces Group in Vietnam. Ben subsequently served two tours in Korea. Ben had been the commander of the VFW Post which was hosting the Virginia Department meeting. Leave it to Jeff Brodeur, National Membership Chairman, to invite him to join the KWVA: he signed Ben up on the spot. Director <strong>War</strong>ren Wiedhahn, who also attended the meeting with President Dechert and Director Brodeur, signed up an Associate Member. <strong>The</strong> brother of Director Lee Dauster, Mike Dauster, also attended the meeting as a visitor and brought two Marines with him to sign up. It was a good day for the Department of Virginia to invite national visitors. Jeff Brodeur, Ben Thomas, and Lou Dechert at Dept. of Virginia meeting in April September-October 2007 <strong>The</strong> Graybeards
<strong>The</strong> Graybeards September-October 2007 45
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