Letters

Letters to the editor

TBO.com
Published: February 8, 2012

VFW vote

This is in response to the Feb. 4 letter written by VFW Post 4300 member David Nuske.

First, before you voted at the sign-in table, there were three signs posted that stated a two-thirds majority was required for the vote to pass. This table was manned by our trustees and post officers and overseen by myself and a past post commander. This rule is not a Post 4300 requirement, but a requirement of our Congressional Charter By-Laws Manual of Procedures of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States. This would be a change in our By-Laws.

Secondly, some members did not want a change in the way we operate. This is called freedom of choice – one of the freedoms we as veterans enjoy and fought for. As in all voting, we will have a winner and a loser. Please don't sit back and criticize the rules of our organization if you don't know the rules. The best way to be informed is to attend our post meetings, ask questions and familiarize yourself with VFW rules.

Our deck was built with the realization that someday we would be non-smoking. To that extent we called for the vote. As a result, the motion failed to pass by one vote. I sent out 772 postcards to our paid-up members and 149 showed up. If David needs someone to sound-off on, sound-off on the 623 members that did not care enough about our post to attend the vote, not the officers and members that conducted the vote.

It's not time for Post 4300 to re-examine its priorities; we have shown our concerns. The statement that many members rarely go to VFW anymore is a misstatement. A handful has turned their allegiance to other organizations. That is their choice.

There is no need to keep referring to American Legion in your remarks. This is not American Legion. Post business, should be discussed at a post meeting, not at other organizations or in the press.

Some people can accept the rules of a vote and some people can't. I'm sorry that David Nuske cannot. Most of our members have accepted the rules and continue to participate in programs, charities and recognitions we extend to our members, veterans and community.

Fran Collum

Commander

VFW Post 4300

Sebring

Seeking history?

I am a Vietnam veteran and a strong supporter of our troops and in spending whatever it takes to protect and care for them regardless of what war they were in. I'm sure with the upcoming Defense Department budget cuts that our veterans' care will suffer more and our casualties will mount as we reduce our troops in Afghanistan.

So why is it that the Air Force's Avon Park Bombing Range can afford to employ a cultural resources manager and archaeologist who is to speak on the history of the range? Go on over to the Sebring VA clinic if you are looking for a better way to spend our defense budget money. You can get plenty of history there, also.

John Booth

Avon Park