hollyvetcenter

Our History

Mon, 19 Aug 2024 14:11:42 GMT

HOLLY AREA VETERANS RESOURCE CENTER

The Holly area Veterans Resource Center was created in 2014 in response to the lack of services and support for Veterans in the Holly Area. A committee was formed, and we developed a survey that demonstrated the problem in our area. The original founders were Joe Mishler & Ray Pfenning. They became the co-directors. They create a board of trustees and the executive committee.

The Holly Area Schools Board of Education and the Village of Holly approved the creation of the center. We spent the first 10 years in the Richter Campus. We paid no rent or utilities. We have and continue to enjoy widespread community support. Holly is a veteran friendly community. We have no boundaries.

Through the years we established a Hometown Heroes project thanks to Jim and Ima Golden. People going into the service have a ribbon around a tree in front of Holly Elementary School. When they get out of the service, we remove the ribbon. We hold a service at the tree.

We started the Vet-to-Vet Dinner which was a free dinner for veterans and their families. We hold this dinner at the American Legion on the third Monday of the month. The meal is free and we usually have a speaker.

We have, from the beginning, provided Accredited Service Officers who can handle claims for the VA. We started with limited assistance from the Oakland County Veterans Office. Since Covid we have had full time Service Officers from the Vietnam Veterans Of America. They can handle any claims. This is very successful. We estimate that we are putting Two million dollars a year back into the greater community. Oakland County estimates that each veteran dollar turns over 5.6 times. Which means our base amount is over ten million dollars. That is community impact.

We have held many programs, computer classes for veterans, yoga, Vietnam Veteran Pinning’s, round tables with legislative leaders, we work with Holly VFW 5587 and American Legion Post 149, resource events, resource fairs partnering with Oakland County, The Vietnam Traveling Wall in 2022, and more. We also provide a place for veterans and their loved ones to come and talk.

We are a resource center and not easily put off. Until we had to move out of the Richter Campus, we were open Tuesdays and Wednesdays. We average about 30-40 phone calls per week. Our VVA Service Officers work 4-5 days a week. We averaged, not counting events, 20-30 people coming into the center. This does not include board members or committees.

We are constantly doing outreach and helping people outside of regular hours. We are always open to helping people. Veterans and their loved ones come from all over seeking help.

Our Service Officers handle between three to six people per day seeking claims and other help from the VA.

MISSSION STATEMENT

To provide Veterans access to information and services that will improve the quality of their life and that of the community.

To never forget the commitment made by our Veterans to our community, State, and Nation.

SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE HOLLY AREA VETERAN RESOURCE CENTER

Referral and Assistance Areas

· Health Care

· Veterans Benefits and Claims

· Assistance in applying for Claims

· Homeless Veterans

· Mental Health Services

· Training & Education

· Emergency Financial Assistance/HAVRC doesn’t give out money.

· Legal Assistance

· Long Term Care/Assisted Living

· Employment

· Family, Spouse Assistance

· Help with food and other Necessities

· Information Center/Military Library

· Computer access.

· Gathering Place for Veterans.

HAVRC will do all that we can to help people. We are a resource center and we will reach out to connections that will help the Veteran and their family.

Correct Method of Folding the United States Flag

Tue, 13 Aug 2024 17:56:59 GMT

Flag Folding

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Retiring the Flag

Tue, 13 Aug 2024 17:54:57 GMT

When and how to retire an Amercian flag respectfully

The United States Flag Code outlines proper flag etiquette for everything from properly folding a flag to flying a flag correctly. It even describes in great detail how to retire an American flag respectfully.

The U.S. Flag code states that, “the flag, when it is in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem for display, should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning.” Thus, when a flag is torn and tattered beyond repair, it’s time for it to be retired.

In Chicago this past June, there was a televised retirement ceremony for more than 7,000 flags. The ceremony featured members of each branch of the military. Recently Twin Falls Christian Academy principal, Brent Walker, held a ceremony to show students on how to properly retire old American flags. However, these are just two separate events of hundreds across the nation where members are respectfully retiring American flags.

When an American flag becomes worn, faded, torn or soiled, it should be retired and replaced with a new flag. There are several ways to respectfully dispose of the American flag without showing disgrace. The most common method is burning the torn or tattered flag in a special ceremony. Here are the steps you should follow.

The Veterans Department of Affairs suggests starting by folding the flag in a customary triangle manner. Then prepare a large enough fire space to sufficiently burn the flag completely. Next place the flag in the fire and while it burns, individuals at the ceremony should salute or recite the Pledge of Allegiance. Finally, end the ceremony with a moment of silence and bury the ashes once the flag is completely consumed.

Many groups that hold annual or semi-annual flag retirement ceremonies often have their own unique traditions they also follow. But these are the minimum steps everyone should at least follow when they retire an American Flag.

Displaying the Flag

Tue, 13 Aug 2024 17:11:24 GMT

Displaying the Flag

If you are displaying several national flags, you should display the United States flag first, followed by any other national flags in alphabetical order. For example: if you have flags for Great Britain, Ireland, Germany, Canada, and the United States, you would put them in the following order (again from left to right when viewing the flags): United States, Canada, Germany, Great Britain, and Ireland. The United States flag is put in the most prominent position. If you are flying flags from several different countries during peacetime, all other country flags must be the same size and flown at the same height.

If the flags are to be flown in a circle or group of poles, the United States flag is always in the center and higher than any other flag, other than national flags. If you are displaying several flags on one pole (no other national flags are allowed), the United States flag must be in the highest position. If you wish to display the United States flag on something other than a flag pole, it needs to be displayed flat in a prominent place with the stars on the viewer's upper left hand corner.

Displaying Military Flags

Military flags are displayed in the order when that branch of service was founded. The order should go:

Army
Marines
Navy
Air Force
Coast Guard
Any other group

Displaying a US Flag with a State Flag

When flags of States, cities, or localities, or pennants of societies are flown on the same halyard with the flag of the United States, the latter should always be at the peak with six inches between each flag.

Displaying a US Flag with a State or Company Flag

When the flags are flown from adjacent staffs, the American flag should be jousted first and lowered last. No such flag or pennant may be placed above the flag of the United States or to the United States flag’s left.

The American flag, when displayed with another flag against a wall from crossed staffs, should be on the right (the flag's own right) and its staff should be in front of the staff of the other flag.

Displaying a US Flag with Multiple Flags

The American flag should be at the center and at the highest point of the group when a number of flags of States or localities or pennants of societies are grouped and displayed from staffs.

Displaying a US Flag with International Country Flags

When flags of two or more nations are displayed, they are to be flown from separate staffs of the same height. The flags should be of approximately equal size. International usage forbids the display of the flag of one nation above that of another nation in time of peace.

Displaying a US Flag around a Speaker’s Platform

When used on a speaker’s platform, the flag, if displayed flat, should be displayed above and behind the speaker. When displayed from a staff in a church or public auditorium, the flag of the United States of America should hold the position of superior prominence, in advance of the audience, and in the position of honor at the clergyman's or speaker's right as he faces the audience. Any other flag so displayed should be placed on the left of the clergyman or speaker. This will make the flag on the right of the audience. Our presentation sets include all U.S. states, American Flag, all world flags, historic flags, military flags, province and territory flags and city and district flags plus religious flags. We can also create any presentation flag you want, just visit our custom flag page for details.

Displaying a US Flag at Half-Staff

The flag, when flown at half-staff, should be first hoisted to the peak for an instant and then lowered to the half-staff position. The flag should be again raised to the peak before it is lowered for the day. On Memorial Day, the American flag should be displayed at half-staff until noon only, then raised to the top of the staff. By order of the President, the flag shall be flown at half-staff upon the death of principal figures of the United States Government and the Governor of the State, territory or possession, as a mark of respect to their memory.

In the event of the death of other officials or foreign dignitaries, the flag is to be displayed at half-staff according to presidential instructions or orders, or in accordance with recognized customs practices not inconsistent with law. In the event of the death of a present or former official of the government of any State, territory or possession of the United States, the Governor of that State, territory or possession may proclaim that the National flag shall be flown at half-staff.

The flag shall be flown at half-staff thirty days from the death of the President or a former President; ten days from the death of the Vice President, the Chief Justice or a retired Chief Justice of the United States, or the Speaker of the House of Representatives; from the day of death until internment of an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court, a Secretary of an executive or military department, a former Vice President, or the Governor of a State, territory, or possession; and on the day of death and the following day for a Member of Congress. The flag shall be flown at half-staff on Peace Officers Memorial Day, unless that day is also Armed Forces Day.

Displaying a US Flag on a Vehicle

Motorcycle

When the US flag is flown alone, it needs be at the center on the back of the motorcycle, or to its “marching right.” The "marching right" is on the right side of the motorcycle to the rider's perspective when facing forward. If the US Flag is on your bike with another, it should be to its “marching right.” All flags flown with the US Flag are the same size and at the same height of the US Flag. While the US Flag is on your bike with several other flags the US flag is placed at the center and highest. Other flags should be arranged in alphabetical order and in decreasing importance - Nations first, states (in order of admittance) and territories second, military third (in order of establishment), and then any others.

Vehicle

The orientation of the flag on vehicle decals should be treated the same as arm patches. The National Flag Foundation suggests "The decals or paintings on a vehicle would also be placed so that the union on the driver’s side of the vehicle would be to the viewer's left while the union on the passenger side of the vehicle would be to the viewer’s right." Read more about the National Flag Foundation by visiting their Web site at www.AmericanFlags.org .

Displaying a US Flag: Other

Display on Arm Patches

"No part of the flag should ever be used as a costume or athletic uniform. However, a flag patch may be affixed to the uniform of military personnel, firemen, policemen, and members of patriotic organizations. The flag represents a living country and is itself considered a living thing. Therefore, the lapel flag pin being a replica, should be worn on the left lapel near the heart."

-- U.S. Code, Title 4, Chapter 1, Section 8(j)

The National Flag Foundation suggests "...we recommend that the flag patch on the left sleeve of a uniform should have the union to the viewer’s left while a patch on the right sleeve should be displayed with the union to the viewer’s right so that, in both cases, the flag is facing forward and is streaming to the back as the person moves forward." Read more about the National Flag Foundation by visiting their Web site at www.AmericanFlags.org .