American Ex-Servicemen's Association, Inc.

American Ex-Servicemen's Association
Melbourne Australia

Our normal monthly meeting is now on the third Thursday of the month except December and January (holiday break) at Bentleigh RSL in Bentleigh, starting at 1:15 PM. We meet about midday for lunch before the meeting.
Our AGM is the July meeting (July 15, for 2010). Our November meeting is in conjunction with our Thanksgiving Luncheon at the London Tavern in South Caulfield on the 4th Thursday in November.

The Bentleigh RSL is located at:

538-540 Centre Rd (east of Jasper)

Bentleigh, VIC 3204

melways page 77 grid F-1

Closest train is the Frankston line
On Tram line 701 and 703

The London Tavern is located at:

414 Hawthorn Road

Caulfield South 3162

Melways Ref: p68 A5

On Tram line 64 and near tram line 67

Purpose

The American Ex-Servicemen's Association is a social organization formed for the purpose of promoting the welfare of American Ex-Servicemen and women in Australia and to secure better relations between Americans and the Australian Community. We join together to enjoy comradery and remember those who have served our home country.

Officers

President:

Vice-President: Mal Cooper - (03) 9388-0640

Secretary/Treasurer: Ed Bartosh - (03) 9739 1879

History

to be added... The American Ex-Servicemen's Association was started in March 1946 by a group of American Service personnel who emigrated to Australia. Included in that first group were: Jimmy Fratturo, Mal Cooper, Bill Gray, and Betty Shergold. Mal provided a picture from 1951.

Honors to the Flag

If you have an old flag that is tattered, faded, or unservicable, please contact a member about proper disposal for it. We will dispose of it with proper honors. You may turn it in to any member or leave it at the Kew RSL or the American Consulate in Melbourne for a proper disposal. Please do not throw it out with your trash. For more information about our Flag, visit the American Legion "Flag Code" page.

Activities

Annual Barbeque - Sunday, 16 January 2011
Washington's Birthday Party - Sunday, 20 February 2011
Non-AESA event: Kew RSL ANZAC March - Sunday, 24 April 2011
Meet at the Kew RSL at 1PM for a march and wreath laying followed by a service at Holy Trinity Church and reception at the RSL afterwards.
Non-AESA event: Melbourne ANZAC Day Parade participation - Monday, 25 April 2011 more
  ¤ Meet with the group under the American Flag on Flinders St across from Federation Square after 1140 hrs
  ¤ Step off at 1230 (or so)
  ¤ Call Secretary if you need vehicular transport to/from or during the parade - we have requested rides for up to 6 Veterans.(to/from needs must be coordinated before 12 March)
  ¤ Reception afterwards - at the Kew RSL - starting after 2PM.
  ¤ See us march in 2005 and 2006
Please review the RSL Guidelines for participating in the parade. Dress appropriate to the sanctity of the event is required. No utility uniforms or sweatsuits, t-shirts, shorts or sandals.
Note: Discount parking at Fed Square for veterans ($5) and free rail/bus transport on the day - Wear medals to verify eligibility.
Non-AESA event: Battle of the Coral Sea Commemoration Ceremony at the Shrine of Remembrance
Muster at the Sanctuary within the Shrine at 11:30 hours.
Sponsored by the Australian American Association (VIC) and the Naval Commemoration Committee of Victoria
(use this link for US Navy photos of the battle.)
Memorial Day Ceremony at the Shrine of Remembrance - Sunday, 29 May 2011
Muster at the Sanctuary within the Shrine at 1330 hours
Service with wreath Laying at 1345 hrs
Reception afterwards - at the Bentleigh RSL, (contact Ed for details)
View pictures of the 2006 event.
Non-AESA event: D-Day Remembrance Ceremony at the Shrine - 6 June 2011
Independence Day Party - Sunday, 3 July 2011 at the Laymon-Kroner home (RSVP essential)
Annual General Meeting - Thursday, 15 July 2010 at the Bentleigh RSL
Non-AESA event: VP Day ceremony at the Spotswood RSL - 15 August 2010 at 10:30 AM for the parade - service to follow
Non-AESA event: Vietnam Veterans Day ceremony at the Shrine - 18 August 2010 at 12 noon
Non-AESA event: Battle for Australia Day Service at the Shrine - Wednesday, 1 September 2010
Non-AESA event: September 11th Commemoration by the Australian-American Association of Victoria. Service at the Parliment House, Spring Street - Thursday, 9 September 2010
National POW/MIA Recognition Day - 17 September 2010
- Desert Storm - 1 American is still missing and unaccounted
- Vietnam - 1,773 Americans are still missing and unaccounted
- Korea - 8,100 Americans are still missing and unaccounted
- WW II - 78,000 Americans missing and unaccounted
State RSL Remembrance Day Service at Springvale - 7 November 2010
Thanksgiving Luncheon - Thursday, 25 November 2010 (London Tavern, Caulfield South, about noon, RSVP essential)
Pearl Harbor Remembrance Service at The Shrine of Remembrance - 5 December 2010 at 1:00pm
Non-AESA event: Pearl Harbor Remembrance Service at Springvale - 5 December 2010 at 2:30pm
Christmas Party - Saturday, December 11, 2010 at the Daic home at noon.

Other Past Activities

Dedication of a plaque and tree commemorating the service of American veterans at the Shrine on Friday, 7 December 2007 - started at 11:45am. The Premier of Victoria and the Consul General presided. See the Premier of Victoria's remarks and the RSL Vic MUFTI article.

Veterans Benefits Seminar - still pending more presentations in other locations around Victoria.

Veterans Benefits Seminar - Thursday, 15 June 2006
We arranged for Consulate and DVA speakers for a seminar at the Kew RSL between 1 - 3 PM instead of our regular meeting. We have been invited to present more of these by the DVA. Keep posted for more info.

Honors to Our Veterans

We are proud to support the families of American Veterans in their hour of grief. The American military has a tradition of honoring its fallen with a ceremony where a special flag, used to drape the coffin of the deceased veteran, is presented to the veteran’s next of kin. Normally, the flag is presented by two serving military personnel, but this is not always possible in Melbourne. The American Ex-Servicemen’s Assoc. provides veterans and a service modelled after the RSL tribute to recognize the service and sacrifice made to protect freedom in the Armed Forces of the United States. Contact the Secretary or President at the numbers below to request assistance.

Burial and Memorial Benefits

Military Funeral Honors: Upon request, and in Australia subject to personnel availability, DoD will provide military funeral honors consisting of folding and presentation of the United States flag and the playing of "Taps." The American Ex-Servicemen's Association strives to provide this service when the DoD is not able to do so - however, we cannot provide this service beyond the general Melbourne area at present. Please provide a copy of the DD 214 or discharge at the time of the request, if possible.
Burial Allowances: The VA will pay $300 burial and funeral allowances for Veterans who, at the time of "non-service connected" death, were entitled to receive a pension or compensation. See the VA Fact Sheet for more information. (May 2008)
Burial at a National Cemetery: Burial in a VA national cemetery is available for eligible veterans, their spouses and their dependents at no cost to the family. Transportation of the casket or cremains is the responsibility of the family - however, certified mail has been used for containers of ashes. Sending cremains into the US requires a Consular Mortuary Certificate as transport document. (Submit the Australian Death Certificate, Certificate of Cremation, and a Packing Certificate (or letter) from the crematorium certifying the contents of the container.) Also, if the family wishes to scatter ashes themselves, the National Cemetery Administration can arrange for a memorial service at a National Cemetery with a marker placed there for the veteran.
Headstones and Markers: Families of eligible Veterans who died on or after November 1, 1990 may apply for an inscribed headstone or marker for their grave at any cemetery - public or private. Inscription will consist of the name of the deceased, branch of service, and year of birth and death. VA may otherwise "furnish, upon request, a medallion or other device of a design determined by the Secretary to signify the deceased’s status as a veteran, to be attached to a headstone or marker furnished at private expense." Regardless of the date of death, VA will furnish, at no charge to the applicant, a Government headstone or marker for the unmarked grave of any eligible veteran in any cemetery around the world. VA Form 40-1330 is needed for either a headstone or marker.
Presidential Memorial Certificate: This may be issued to honorably discharged military veterans by completing VA Form 40-0247 and submitting it with a copy of the Veteran's discharge.
VA Death Pension for Widows/Widowers and Dependent Children: This pension is a "means tested" benefit paid to an unremarried surviving spouse, or an unmarried child of a deceased wartime veteran. The VA has a FAQ page on this benefit. If on a VA pension, the last month’s payment received for the month of death (and any other checks received) should be sent back to the Department of Treasury with "Deceased" written on the envelop. It may speed things to call the VA (+1 800 827-1000) and report the death. They will reissue the last payment in the surviving spouse’s name as a "month of death" payment. This office can also determine whether there is a VA Life Insurance policy in force and any other eligible benefits. If the veteran had a Veterans Group Life Insurance Policy in force, an application for benefits must be completed. The VA has a FAQ page on this benefit.

The US Consulate (or Embassy) will prepare some of the paperwork required for these benefits. For more information, contact your servicing organization. They will generally need to see the original death certificate, the honorable discharge (DD form 214 or other form), and the deceased veteran's US passport (for initial workup).

It also may speed things with SSA to call the Manila office to report the death (+63 2 301-2000). They issue a one-time lump-sum payment to the spouse, and they can determine whether survivor’s benefits are due. They will arrange for a telephone interview with the spouse to arrange for payment and apply for benefits, if eligible.

If the veteran was on a DoD pension, there are other notification requirements and added forms to start any eligible Survivor's Benefit Plan payments. (see www.dfas.mil/)

If the veteran had a Veterans Group Life Insurance Policy in force, an application for benefits must be completed. The form is available from their web site at www.insurance.va.gov)