The Sanatoga Post

State Sen. John Rafferty, at right above, laughs with Calvin Books, leader of the honor guard (below at left) that presented the colors during Saturday’s veterans’ breakfast at Sunnybook Ballroom.

SANATOGA PA – Hundreds of greater Pottstown area veterans from all branches of the U.S. Armed Forces filled Sunnybrook Ballroom, 50 Sunnybrook Rd., Pottstown PA, on Saturday (Oct. 30, 2010) to enjoy a free annual Veterans Day breakfast in their honor hosted by Pennsylvania state Sen. John Rafferty.

Rafferty, who has conducted the event for several years with the assistance of state Rep. Tom Quigley and others, was all smiles and handshakes as veterans came up to him, said hello, and thanked him for their invitation. Several said they had attended the event every year since the breakfast began, and were “happy to be around for it again,” as one put it.

In addition to the food and musical entertainment, Rafferty presented Philadelphia Judge Seamus McCaffery as a guest speaker.

• See a Post gallery of photos from the event, below. Click on any thumbnail image to enlarge it.

POTTSTOWN PA – U.S. Army National Guard Pvt. Trent B. Long, a 2005 graduate of Pottsgrove Senior High School, recently graduated from One Station Unit Training at Fort Knox KY, according to the Joint Hometown News Service.

Long’s training included basic combat training and advanced individual training. During his first nine weeks, Long completed basic combat training with instruction in drill and ceremony, weapons, marksmanship and bayonet training, chemical warfare, field training and tactical exercises, marches, military courtesy, military justice, physical fitness, first aid, and Army history, traditions, and core values.

Long later completed the armor crewman course for skill training in conducting tank unit defensive and offensive combat operations. He was trained to operate, service and maintain armor tracked and wheeled vehicles, load and fire tank weapon systems, perform ammunition handling and supply duties, and assist in target detection and identification.

He is the son of Tammy Long of Rivendell Lane, Lower Pottsgrove (PA) Township.

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SANATOGA PA – What has become an annual breakfast salute to U.S. Armed Forces veterans in the state’s 44th Senatorial District, which includes Lower Pottsgrove and Limerick PA townships and the borough of Pottstown, will be held Oct. 30 (2010; Saturday) from 8-10 a.m. in Sunnybrook Ballroom, 50 Sunnybrook Rd., Sanatoga PA, Sen. John Rafferty has announced.

• This event has been added to The Post calendar.

Rafferty, in a mailing to veterans and others from his 3770 Ridge Pike, Collegeville PA, district office, said the morning would consist of a free breakfast for veterans, and “a patriotic celebration” featuring a keynote speaker. All veterans who live in the district may attend, but advance registration is required.

Seating is limited. The registration deadline is Oct. 26. For more information or to register, call Rafferty’s office at 610-831-8830.

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They’ll travel 14 miles north to get it, but Lower Pottsgrove (PA) Township veterans needing assistance on problems with their benefits can find it Wednesday (Nov. 5, 2008) from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the offices of Open Line, 452 Penn St., Pennsburg PA. For information, call 215-679-4112.

Open Line is a community, non-profit, social service agency dedicated to helping adults and families in the greater Upper Perkiomen Valley.

It is offering help to veterans on disability claims, including those related to presumed exposure to Agent Orange chemical use; replacement of military records or medals, and job searching. It also is accepting applications for the Cold War Recognition Certificate, being issued to any veteran who actively served between Sept. 2, 1945, and Dec. 26, 1991; and for the Korean War Service Medal, being issued to Korean War veterans.

Surviving members of veterans’ families who qualify also may apply for services, but must provide documentation of their relationship and the veteran’s active duty service.

Purple Heart postcard.

Sanatoga households received bright yellow postcards Saturday (Sept. 13, 2008), seeking donations to a veterans’ organization mired in controversy over its fund-raising costs and effectiveness.

The Virgina-based Military Order of the Purple Heart Service Foundation Inc. mailed the postcards, which proclaim that it raises funds to assist members who are wounded, disabled, or handicapped veterans or their immediate survivors. The foundation asked for donations of small items and usable clothes, and said a pick-up would be scheduled in Sanatoga for Sept. 22.

But arguments rage over whether the foundation successfully meets its stated mission.

Last month a Spartanburg SC veterans’ advocate gave a scathing speech in which he charged foundation representatives “scammed, abused and robbed disabled veterans of their valuable benefits.” ABC News reported the foundation last year received a failing grade from the American Institute of Philanthropy because its administrative and fund-raising costs were deemed excessive. The national Better Business Bureau won’t recommend the foundation to donors because, the BBB says, it hasn’t supplied information for evaluation.

Donors must decide for themselves which organizations merit their hard-earned charitable gifts. In making that decision, donors have the right to ask for specifics on where and how donations will be used, and what percentage of donations pays for fund-raising efforts.

When in doubt, the best suggestion often seems to be “give locally.” Dozens of local non-profit groups work miracles daily with veterans, children, the homeless, single-parent families, and many other worthwhile causes. They deserve support.