PeteRepublic on Fox6

Cross posted from PeteRepublic.org

It’s July 1st!

Have you filled out your MV2118 (PDF) from the Wisconsin DOT yet?

I have, and it’s already in the mail.

Previous Post: “AB-518 News (Military License Plate Bill)“

Cross posted from PeteRepublic.org

It's been awhile since I said anything on AB-518 (PDF) (mostly because there hasn't BEEN a word from Rep. Musser on this issue).

Well, today, while I was down in Chicago at an event, I received the following email (press release) from Rep. Musser announcing that an agreement had been reached with the DOT on switching back to the the former design. It outlines the procedure for switching back to the "traditional" red, white, and blue if you have already received the modified design:

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

Terry Musser
State Representative - 92 Assembly District
June 5th, 2008 News Release - For Immediate Release

Traditional Veterans Plates to be Re-Issued

MADISON...Many veterans were surprised by the new look of the veterans license plates when the renewal forms arrived in the mail. The traditional red, white and blue design had been changed. According to State Representative Terry Musser (R-Melrose), veterans from around the state have contacted him saying they want the old design back.

Musser introduced legislation (AB518) to change the plate design back to the traditional red, white and blue favored by so many Wisconsin veterans. During deliberations in the Assembly Committee on Transportation, it was decided to negotiate the design change with the WI Department of Transportation (DOT), avoiding the sometimes lengthy process of enacting a new law.

Musser now considers the basic negotiations complete. He summarizers the process of applying for the slightly modified traditional red, white and blue plate as follows:

• If you are still to receive the new plates, you will get the new design in the mail, until June 30, 2008. You are urged to accept the plate and pay the fees as usual.

• If you like the new plates that were sent to you, no special steps need to be taken.
  
  

• As of July 1, 2008, the slightly modified traditional plate will be re-issued. If you want the traditional plate again, you will need to request it from DOT and send them $10. The DOT will not send information to you. It will be up to each veteran to apply for the newly issued red, white and blue plate.
  
  

• If you are applying for a veterans plate for the first time, you will receive the new plates until June 30, and the traditional plates beginning July 1.
  
  

• To apply for the traditional plates you can visit: http://www.dot.wisconsin.gov/drivers/vehicles/plates/
  replaceplate.htm. Choose form MV2118. Fill out the form, choose the ‘military' option, and enclose the $10 fee. The application should be mailed after July 1 to: Wisconsin Department of Transportation, P.O. Box 7949, Madison, WI 53707-7949.
  
  

• Your new plates will have a new number unless your plates are personalized. In that case you will keep your personalized plate number. If you have questions on the process, you can call DOT at (608) 266-1466.

Representative Musser welcomes your views on this or any state issue and may be contacted at State Capitol - Room 11 West, Madison WI 53702, 1-888-534-0092 or rep.musser@legis.wi.gov

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

While this is somewhat a victory, I'll still stand by what I said in my post back in January in which I indicated to Rep. Musser my displeasure about the lack of teeth of a law that would have required the DOT to consult with veterans groups such as the DVA prior to making such plate changes in the future.

There is nothing in this press release that leads me to believe that the DOT is prevented in another 10 years from simply arbitrarily changing the design of the plate yet again. What kind of reassurances did Rep. Musser get from the DOT? Did he get it in writing?

Don't get me wrong, I am truly grateful for Rep. Musser's efforts in this fight, I really am. He led the charge in getting this done and there are many veterans who are happier today, including me. Let's just hope it's not short lived.

Previous posts:

"Update on AB-518 (Military License Plate Bill)"
"Mr. Fanning Goes To Madison"
"Public Hearing on Military Veteran Plate Bill"
"Another Update On Wisconsin Military Plates"
"Update on Wisconsin Military Plate Bill"

UPDATE 1: I've already pre-filled out my copy of MV2118...it only takes a couple of minutes.....follow the link above, download your copy if you've been affected and get prepared to send it in on July 1. Mine already has a stamp on it. :)

Crossposted from PeteRepublic.org

Thanks to Senator Jim Inhofe (R-OK), Senate Bill S.1877 was passed by unanimous consent this summer.

110th CONGRESS

1st Session

S. 1877

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

July 26, 2007

Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary

---

AN ACT

To amend title 4, United States Code, to prescribe that members of the Armed Forces and veterans out of uniform may render the military salute during hoisting, lowering, or passing of flag.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. CONDUCT BY MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES AND VETERANS OUT OF UNIFORM DURING HOISTING, LOWERING, OR PASSING OF FLAG.

Section 9 of title 4, United States Code, is amended by striking `all persons present’ and all that follows through the end and inserting `those present in uniform should render the military salute. Members of the Armed Forces and veterans who are present but not in uniform may render the military salute. All other persons present should face the flag and stand at attention with their right hand over the heart, or if applicable, remove their headdress with their right hand and hold it at the left shoulder, the hand being over the heart. Citizens of other countries should stand at attention. All such conduct toward the flag in a moving column should be rendered at the moment the flag passes.’.

Passed the Senate July 25, 2007.

This is OUTSTANDING news. I can’t tell you how many times, as a Veteran of the United States Navy, I have wanted to salute the Flag but could not out of respect. And now I can. Thank you Senator Inhofe!

Source: govtrack.us

I wanted to post about a reunion site that's available for veterans (and active duty!!!) that is gathering alot of steam.

There are several sites actually......the first being:

http://marines.togetherweserved.com

Obviously for Veterans and Active Duty of those who served in the U. S. Marines.

The second, and one near and dear to my heart since I'm a Navy Veteran, is:

http://navy.togetherweserved.com

for Veterans and Active Duty of those who served in the U. S. Navy.

Those two sites are up and running with a full head of steam.....

Two more sites are in the works but I don't believe they are at full capacity or fully operational as yet....they will be:

http://army.togetherweserved.com
http://airforce.togetherweserved.com

Right now if you tried to go to the army site you'd get the Air Force login page, so I don't think the Army site is quite done yet.

Here is a Star's and Stripes article about Togetherweserved.com......NOTE: It's in PDF format, so make sure you have Adobe Reader or some other PDF capable reader installed.....

I have already located a couple of buddies from 20 years ago. Not only is this site good for interacting with your former shipmates, but it allows the experienced veterans to interact with the current active duty personnel and provide some helpful guidance and advice when needed, which I think is invaluable!

If you're a veteran, check it out!

I've decided to follow BadgerBlogger's lead and assume my outside blog's name as my identity here on Fox 6 Blogs......once my avatar has been approved and I've uploaded my photos into the new profile I'll close out the older "fanningp" profile.

Unless there is a way to migrate the posts over here, those posts will just go away.....and any future posts will now be posted here.

So welcome to my new second home on Fox 6 Milwaukee.....

Pete Fanning
http://peterepublic.org