It’s a new year and a new format. We thought it would be a good time to try something different. Hopefully it will be easier to read.

Included in this mailing: An updated “poster” and January’s Press Release. We would appreciate it if you would help boost your viewership by displaying the poster and highlighting your community. As for the Press Release, please fill in your information on the bottom of the page and request that your local news editor print it. Stress the importance of keeping veteran’s informed about issues that affect them.

Everyone is welcome to use any part of the “On-Line” newsletter, which they think would be of interest to veterans.

We would like to wish a warm WELCOME to the following new play cities: Windom, Paynesville, Bemidji (serving Cass Lake, Lake Mobile, LaPort, Besidia, Wilton and Turtle River). Also, we would like to welcome a new STATE to Vet’s Visits. Yankton, SD is the first city in South Dakota to join our network. They join the states of Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa and North Dakota (respectively in that order). If you know of a veteran who resides in a county-seat and who is interested in bringing Vet’s Visits to their county, please have them contact me and I will advise them of start-up procedures.

A SPECIAL THANKS to Gale and Carrie Dinsmore who donated a brand new Smith-Corona typewriter (with dictionary display) to the Vet’s Visits Corporation. It is making my life much easier. Carrie is a new Board Member and both of the Dinsmores are a great help with their computer skills.

Vet’s Visits on TV uses free cable access channels to inform the public (veterans and non-veterans), of issues regarding veterans in their communities and others throughout the region.

January 2002 Program Contents

Take a walk down memory lane as we visit three communities and share in their events:

Duluth, MN: Duluth’s railroad depot has been undergoing long-term renovations, as it is transformed into Veteran’s Memorial Hall. Brian, the curator, takes us back to WWI, WWII and the Korean War as we view the displays and watch as items are unpacked.

Northfield, MN: The veteran’s from Northfield sent me an edited tape of the walk, which occurred in January 2001, from the National Guard Building to the train depot on the 50^th Anniversary of Reactivation for the Korean War. Watch the Walk, listen as old buddies share their memories.

Historic Ft. Snelling: Located in southeastern Minneapolis, Minnesota maintains a History Center Building where regular panels of veterans have shared their experiences. We will hear about the 60^th Anniversary of the bombing of Pearl Harbor.

YOUR EVENTS ARE NEEDED

Why not share your special event with others. It can be invaluable as a learning experience. So why not share it with Vet’s Visits??

Most high schools have a Media Department. Try contacting the director and suggest that students tape your special event.

Rather than tape long speeches, try to arrange special interviews with featured speakers. Students will learn not only the technical part of the interview, but interviewing skills as well.

The channels that air Vet’s Visits want the best quality possible, so please check to make sure all equipment is functioning properly.

Gerald Perry, Rochester Attorney and Marine Veteran, has served as our legal counsel since the beginning. He is now a member of our Board of Directors. We were given our 501(c)(3) status number (411891279) by the IRS with the stipulation that we would operate with a major percentage of donations coming from the public, not foundations, for five years. Our five years is up as of December 31, 2001. Mr. Perry states “As of that date, we will file for Permanent Status.”

With the support of over 70 veteran’s organizations and small foundation grants, Vet’s Visits will now qualify for Permanent Status.

THANK YOU FRIENDS.

YOU MADE IT HAPPEN!

DONATIONS

Top 9 Reasons why you should donate to “Vet’s Visits on TV”, Inc.

1. We provide important information to the general public.

2. We feature events from ALL veteran’s organizations

3. We are viewed in FIVE states

4. We interview National Service Officers

5. We give you ideas for projects to try

6. We encourage non-members to join YOUR organization

7. Co-Host, Tim Burton, has been a Veterans Service Officer for 20 years and brings with him the knowledge of available veteran’s benefits.

8. You will hear from veteran’s who will share their stories and memories of the past.

9. We are received in 290 communities almost 3,000 times per month!!

DONATIONS RECEIVED (2001):

General Fund

11-05 Zumbrota VFW Auxiliary $50.00

11-10 Morris AL Post 29 $50.00

12-04 Duluth VFW Post 137 $50.00

Balance of General Fund (12/15/01) $286.50

Digital Equipment Fund

8-20 Golden Valley American Legion $1,000.00

10-09 Olmsted Co.(Rochester)

40&8 Voiture Local 327 $1,000.00

10-23 Moorhead AL Post 21 $ 250.00

Oct/Nov Rochester VFW Post 1215 $1,000.00

Our deepest thanks to each of these Organizations for their support. Our next listing will be included in the March “On-Line”. Please ask your organization to contribute to the General Fund. We are a 501(c) (3) organization.

Endorsement has been given by MN State Council and Executive Officers of the AMVETS, American Legion (Honor Group), 40&8, DAV and VFW, but none of them have made donations as of this date.

Any publicity that you can share with your community about Vet’s Visits regarding Public Relations, will be gratefully appreciated.

Digital Equipment – Progress Report:

On page one, we acknowledged the $1,000 donations from three veteran’s groups and one corporation. Our first request went out in September and the fast response we received showed how much they care about their veterans. If you have any questions about how to make a donation, PLEASE contact me at the address listed on the upper left hand corner of page one.

WHY DIGITAL? Digital Equipment shows a much higher quality image, which is now required of ALL Public Television stations by the FCC. Vet’s Visits has been refused by two PBS and one cable access city only because of the picture quality*. There was no problem with the content of the show. Please ask your screening committee to spread the word about Vet’s Visits.

(*Names of city and PBS stations given upon request)

Why are Vet’s Visits Costs so Low??

1. 3M tapes that were gifted to VV for you to pick up and use.

2. Postage and copying are provided by the Olmsted County Veteran’s Office via co-host, Tim Burton.

3. The production studio, engineer and equipment is provided by CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS of Rochester, MN.

4. Our volunteers are dedicated to providing current and up-to-date information to veterans and the community.

Please help us to continue with our cause. We can’t do it without your DONATION$$$$$.

This issue of “On-Line” was written by Producer Barnhart (and edited by the Dinsmores and Karen Applen). Your feedback, as with each month’s installment of Vet’s Visits, is welcome and appreciated.

We trust you had a most blessed Christmas or Hanukkah and wish you a very Happy New Year.

If WE don’t do it, WHO will???

VET’S VISITS on TV Inc.

Established April 1997

Non-Profit Organization/Lic # 411891279