CHAPLAIN'S CORNER

I'm honored to have been elected for another term as Dept of California state chaplain.   I can be reached at fcorreaVFW@gmail.com
Chaplain Frank Correa
 
 
 
 
 
Link to VFW Chaplain Service Dispatch monthly newsletter  https://lotcs.org/vfw_chaplain.html   use "News" tab
 
Message from the National Chaplain
From JANUARY VFW Chaplain Service Dispatch

 Dear Comrades and Friends, In my role as VFW National Chaplain, my primary goal is to support fellow chaplains in their vital work of minister-ing to veterans and their families. I do this by providing regular emails, offering live and zoom training sessions, writing articles, and developing materials tailored to the unique needs of our community. Alongside my team, which includes conference chaplains and past national chaplains, we emphasize the importance of interfaith cooperation, selfless service, and unity in all our efforts, fostering an inclusive and compassionate environment for all those we serve. Next month, on February 3, 2025, our nation will once again honor the memory of the four chaplains who made the ultimate sacrifice when the USAT Dorchester sank during World War II. These four chaplains, from different faith traditions, gave their lives to save others, embodying the principles of interfaith cooperation and selfless service. As VFW chaplains, we continue to uphold and promote these ideals, working together in unity to provide emotional and spiritual care to veterans and their families, regardless of background or belief. With deepest gratitude and blessings,
Rev. Peter R. Hook National Chaplain Veterans of Foreign Wars 2024-2025 January 3, 2025 
 

 
Department of California Chaplains Check in Meeting notes January 21, 2025 Key points and links to resources
 
Chaplain Training Opportunities
3rd Thursdays of most months 1730 PST Monthly Chaplains training meetings.(rotating topics and speakers)

Monthly Chaplains Zoom Training Classes

******To get on the list to receive the Zoom link*****
To sign up for VFW Chaplain Zoom training, you can email Reverend Peter Hook at: PeterHook@verizon.net. Be sure and enter the information below if you email him directly. Message Body: I wish to sign up for the VFW Chaplain training sessions. My name is: My email is: My phone number is: My state is: My district is: My post is:

The content varies each month and is well worth your time. It’s a fantastic resource for training and equipping all our chaplains.

 Dashboard Reporting for Chaplains training video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jiGC4xMZHPs

Dashboard Reporting PowerPoints /uploads/Documents/Dashboardreporting.pptx
There is a new option for veterans who prefer burial in private cemetery or personal urn retention by family by the VA starting June 1st.  https://news.va.gov/131136/nca-adds-options-for-ommemorative-plaques-and-urns/
Primary site for Archives of Chaplains training and Multiple recourses
Link https://lotcs.org/vfw_chaplain.html Select blue "Training" tab and then select the link for the video or PowerPoint you want to see.
Comrade Chaplains,
Here's the link to the YouTube video for the Ethics and VFW Ritual training:  https://youtu.be/eu3IDmb_8xs.
It's also on our web page:  https://lotcs.org/vfw_chaplain.html.
Here's the link for the updated Chaplain's Handbook:   Dated March 2024
https://lotcs.org/Forms/Chaplain/VFW_Chaplain/Manuals/VFW%20Chaplain%20Handbook%202024%20MAR%2018th.pdf
VFW Chaplain's Training:   "Suicide Awareness" by Guest Speaker; Certified Trauma Training Specialist (CTTS) and a Loss & Grief Specialist, Chaplain Ron RIngo

The Suicide Prevention Training Zoom session is now live on YouTube:  https://youtu.be/rxjpSuPyq4M.  It's also under the Training tab on the VFW National Chaplain web page:  https://lotcs.org/vfw_chaplain.html.

CA POST CHAPLAINS Basic  Training  (Link to PowerPoint) Covers the most importantly basics such  as where to find resources and all the training opportunities available. Plus how and why to enter chaplain reports into the Dept website dashboard. Ill teach you how to enter reports.   

Chaplains Basic Training Video link   https://drive.google.com/file/d/1TRkZ8MgbI-W1PTvAvFOm1PiMOxVjGSWX/view?usp=sharing


CA District Chaplains Training Meeting PowerPoint  from Aug 30th Please share with all your chaplains. There are a lot of great resources for chaplains here.  A special thank you to newly elected National Chaplain Dave Frei for joining and supporting us.

  
Please check our or CA chaplain page on Facebook   VFW Dept of CA State Chaplain 
 
Please check out our National Chaplain's Page (its hosted on the Cootie Site)

National Online Reporting System

 
CHAPLAIN OF THE YEAR   Guides
District and Department Chaplain of the year awards   Due Feb 1 to Dept Chaplain.
Chaplain of the Year nomination instructions -  Due March 1st to National Chaplain

 
CHAPLAIN TRAINING RESOURCES 
 Chaplain's Handbook       March 2024 Revision*
Chaplain's Resource Manual
Resources for Chaplains   ** Excellent list of Chaplain resources
Various Prayers for 9-11 Remembrance
We shall Never Forget
 Remembrance Ceremony
Graveside Service basic template
 
Additional sites with useful reference materials
https://vfwpa.org/di/vfw/v2/default.asp?pid=88797
https://vfwmo.com/di/vfw/v2/default.asp?pid=76106   includes duties of chaplains