FEBRUARY - MARCH 2009 NEWSLETTER
| VIETNAM VETERANS OF AMERICA, INC. P.O. BOX 6608 TEXARKANA, TX 75505-6608 www.vva278.org
OFFICERS JOIN VVA and AVVA |
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| VVA # 278's NEXT MEETING |
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VVA # 278's next meeting will be Sunday, February 15, 2009 at the American Legion Post at 525 East Broad Street.
The meal will begin at 1:30 pm and will consist of: Chili, crackers, cheese, onions, fritos, soft drinks and coffee.. We ask all members to bring a covered dish and/or dessert to share. The business session will begin immediately after the meal is finished. Topics to be discussed will include: Veterans' issues updates; Committee reports; 13th Annual Veterans Information Fair; Fundraising ideas; Upcoming events; Chapter election in April; Membership's plans and goals for VVA # 278; etc., etc.. We have invited Major John Fox, USA, retired, to come speak to us about the Wounded Warrior Project (see following article). Major Fox is a two tour Vietnam veteran helicopter pilot. We need a good turn out of membership to show that we support him and what he is trying to do with the WWP. Remember: Sunday, February 15 at 1:30 pm at the American Legion Post at 525 East Broad Street. We hope to see you there! This is your chapter, take part in it! |
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| VVA # 278's MARCH MEETING |
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VVA # 278's March meeting will be held on Sunday, March 15, 2009 at the American Legion Post at 525 East Broad Street. The meal will start at 1:30 pm and will consist of: pot luck, soft drinks and coffee. We ask members to bring a covered dish and/or dessert to share. The business session will start immediately after the meal. Topics to be discussed will include: Veteran's issues updates; Committee reports; 13th Annual Veterans Information Fair; Upcoming chapter elections (April 19th meeting); Report on VVA Texas State Council meeting; Upcoming events; Legislative issues; etc., etc. Remember: Sunday, March 15 at 1:30 pm at the American Legion Post at 525 East Broad Street. We hope to see you there! This is your chapter, take part in it! |
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| WOUNDED WARRIOR PROJECT |
| The Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) began when several individuals took small, inspired action to help others in need. One night while watching the evening news, a group of veterans and brothers were moved by the difficult stories of the first wounded service members returning home from Afghanistan and Iraq. They realized then and there that something needed to be done for these brave individuals beyond the brass bands and ticker tape parades. The resulting objective was to provide tangible support for the severely wounded and help them on the road to healing, both physically and mentally. What had been initially viewed as a small contribution (compared with what the warriors had sacrificed while serving our country) has become WWP's signature program. "WWP backpacks delivered bedside to wounded warriors."
The Wounded Warriors project was founded on the principle that veterans are our nation's greatest citizens. The WWP seeks to assist those men and women of our armed forces who have been severely injured during the conflicts in Iraq, Afghanistan, and other locations around the world. Many of the injuries are traumatic amputations, gunshot wounds, burns, and blast injuries that will retire these brave warriors from military service. PURPOSE *To raise awareness and enlist the pblic;s aid for needs of severely injured service men and women. CORE VALUES *Fun - Enjoying what we are doing is paramount to the continued success of WWP's efforts.
*Integrity - Integrity and ethics are woven into the core of WWP. |
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| VVA #278 MEMBERSHIP |
| As of December 31, 2008 VVA # 278 has 141 members: 62 Life members, 43 annual and/or three year members, and 2 Incarcerated members, with 13 Life AVVA members and 18 annual and/or three year AVVA members. Since the beginning of the year we have had nine members who haven't renewed. They are: John Barros, Sidney Cooper, Gary L. Dorsey, Larry Joe Edington, Tommy Rutherford, Edward Schanefish, Michael White, Mickey Woods, and Angela Honea. We would like to encourage them to come back into the VVA # 278 family! We want you, we need you!! Together then, together now!!
Since the last newsletter we have had three members pass away - Violet Burgess-Brabham, our beloved Treasurer Raymond Burns, and charter member Harry Corneluis. Violet was an avid supporter of veterans, being a member of most veterans organizations in town at one time or another. She knitted literally hundreds of lap blankets for hospitalized veterans. She will be missed! Raymond, a Life member of VVA # 278, had been our treasurer for many years, he was also a delegate to the VVA Texas State Council, the Texarkana Area Veterans Council and to several VVA National Conventions. He was Chair of our scholarship committee for many years and took care of our speakers bureau for years. He was a past Commander of the American Legion, a Life member of the VFW and treasurer of the Council for several years. He was the Council's coffee liaison for the local VA clinic for years. He was a good friend of veterans and of mine. Raymond will be missed by veterans in this area and across Texas. Harry Corneluis, a Marine and Army veteran, in-country with the Army, VVA 278 Life & charter member, and laborer on the Korea/Vietnam Memorial passed away January 20, 2009. Harry will be missed! And sadly, since the first of the year we have had four members pass away: Samuel Hannah, Paul Fisher, John Carmeli and Charlie M. Jones. We will always remember them! As of December 31, VVA National has 58,551 members on the rolls, compared to 56,469 this time last year, a 3.7% increase. Region VII has 5,406 members (325-AR, 818-LA, 1134-OK, & 3,129-TX) AVVA National has 7,321 members on the rolls compare to 7,031 last year. Region VII has 706 AVVA members (26-AR, 125-LA, 135-OK, & 420-TX). Join VVA & AVVA. |
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| VVA TEXAS STATE COUNCIL MEETING (TSC) |
| February 20-22, 2009 TSC meeting to be held in Tyler, hosted by VVA # 932.
Next meeting to be held in Houston, June 5, 6, & 7, 2009 hosted by VVA #353. February 2010 meeting to be hosted by VVA # 1000 in Killeen. June 2010 meeting to be hosted by VVA # 137 in Dallas. At our December meeting we had to elect our TSC delegates to get back into the two year rotation. Our TSC delegates are: Greg Beck and Sarah Behringer, and our alternates are: Bill Brockett, Freddie Weathers and Wade Seastrong. |
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| PRISONERS OF WAR/MISSING IN ACTION - POW/MIA |
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As of January 31, 2009, according to the National League of Families, there are still 1742 Americans unaccounted for from the Vietnam War, 1334 in Vietnam (North-479; South-856), 343 in Laos, 57 in Cambodia, and 7 in China. 20 from Arkansas, 24 from Louisiana, 36 from Oklahoma, and 113 from Texas. 572 are Air Force, 558 are Army, 213 are Marines, 369 are Navy and 34 are civilians. Since the end of the war in 1975 there have been 1632 Americans acccounted for from the Vietnam War. We will never forget!
There are 3349 Americans unaccounted for from World War I. There are approximately 78,629 Americans unaccounted for from World War II. There are 8133 Americans unaccounted for from the Korean War. There are 120 Americans unaccounted for from the Cold War. There is one American unaccounted for from the 1st Iraqi War (Desert Storm). There is one American unaccounted for from the ongoing Iraqi Freedom War. WE WILL NEVER FORGET!! |
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| ROLLING THUNDER XXII |
| Rolling Thunder XXII, a demonstration of support to bring the POW/MIAs home, to pay respect to our brothers and sisters who gave their lives for the freedom we enjoy every day, and to keep and maintain the rights and care veterans deserve, will take place in Washington, DC. on Memorial Day weekend, May 24, 2009.
For more information: Rolling Thunder; P.O. Box 216:Neshanic Station, NJ 08853 or call 908/369-5439 or come to the next VVA # 278 meeting where flyers will be available. Roll on Rolling Thunder!!! |
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| CAMP LEJUNE MARINES |
| The Marines are looking for Marines and people who resided, worked or visited for an extended time aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejune, NC between 1957 and 1987 for our notification registry. This registry is a means to provide updated information to former residents regarding the past water quality aboard the base. If this includes you or your family you should respond by visiting their website at: www.Marines.mil or by calling: 877/261-9782
Unregulated chemicals were discovered in some of the base drinking water systems in the early 1980's. The Marine Corps is funding studies to determine when the drinking water was first impacted, who may have consumed it, and whether or not there may be an association between exposure to the water and certain health conditions. We encourage any and all Marines, and others effected, who this may effect to respond to this notice. Semper Fi |
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| TEXARKANA AREA VETERANS COUNCIL |
| The next meeting of the TAVC will be Thursday, February 5, 2009 at 6:00 pm at the American Legion Post at 525 East Broad Street, where they will be planning the trip to Shreveport VA for the "Salute to Hospitalized Veterans" week (Feb 9, 2009); planning for the annual Chili Cook-off (Feb 13, 2009); and planning for the 2nd Annual Fish dinner fundraiser (March 28, 2009).
Each member organization was to elect their delegates at their January meeting and bring a letter stating who they are and how to contact them to give to the TAVC Secretary. At the February meeting of the Texarkana Area Veterans Council, Council officers for 2009/10 will be elected. VVA # 278's delegates are: Homer Harvin, Billy Walker, and Fisher Plymale. Our alternate delegates are: Donna Carmeli and Freddie Weathers. Each member organization has been asked to contribute $200 to the Council and the Council will donate that to the VAVS (VA Volunteer Services) in the Shreveport Medical Center for a tv or whatever they (the VAVS) think is needed there. This will help more veterans, and their family members than the normal goody bags we have been taking down each year. We will still take them back scratchers and fresh fruit February 9. We will meet and leave the American Legion Post at 10:00 am . We would like to see as many as we can as the "Vets for Vets" will be making a formal presentation of their $8000. A new DAV van has been ordered to again assist local veterans in getting to the VA Clinic to make their appointments. The bikers group (Vets to Vets) has donated $8000 for this van and the E-Z Mart foundation has donated $1000. Thanks to these two organizations, we will be able to pay for this van. Help us help veterans! |
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| FOUR CHAPLAINS |
| On February 3, 1943 the U.S.A.T. Dorchester was only 150 miles from its destination when 3 torpedoes from the U-223, a German submarine, were fired at 12:55 am. The one that hit was decisive- and deadly-striking the starboard side amid ship, far below the water line. Panic and chaos erupted aboar ship. Men jumped into life boats. overcrowding them to the point of capsizing tossing men into the icy artic waters.
Through the pandemonium four Army chaplains brought hope in despair and light in darkness. These chaplains were Lt. George L. Fox, Lt. Alexander D. Goode, Lt. John P. Washington, and Lt. Clark V. Poling. They spread out among the soldiers were they calmed the frightened, tended to the wounded and guided the disoriented. The chaplains began handing out life preservers and when they ran out they took off their own and handed theses out also. As the ship went down, survivors in nearby rafts could see the four chaplains, arms linked and braced against the slanting deck. Their voices could also be heard offering prayers Of the 902 men on board, 672 died leaving 230 survivors. The four chaplains heroically gave their lives to help save others. The Distinguished Service Cross and Purple Heart were awarded posthumously on December 18, 1944 to the next of kin. A one time only Special Medal for Heroism was authorized by Congress and awarded by President Eisenhower on January 18, 1961. |
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| TEXARKANA AREA VETERANS COUNCIL FISH DINNER |
| On Saturday, March 28, 2009, the TAVC will hold a fish fry at VFW POST 4562 located on East 9th Street (HWY 82 E) on the Arkansas side. The doors will be open from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
The cost is $8.00 adults, $4.00 children, and $6.00 military. All funds go to the TAVC to purchase a DAV when needed. Carryout is available! |
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| 13th ANNUAL "VETERANS INFORMATION FAIR" |
| The Texarkana Area Chapter # 278 of the Vietnam Veterans of America will again host their 13th Annual "Veterans Information Fair." It will be held Saturday, May 16 (Armed Forces Day) at the Southwest Center at 3222 West 7th Street. It will be open from 9:00 am until 1:30 pm to the public to assist the veterans and their families, active duty military personnel and their families, and Reserve & National Guard personnel and their families obtain information from a variety of sources on VA benefits & VA programs, state (AR & TX) veterans benefits & programs, and other programs designed for military & veteran personnel and their families.
Agencies to be invited will include: Texas Veterans Land Board, Texas Veterans Commission, Arkansas Veterans Department, Texarkana VA Outpatient Clinic, VA Medical Center (Shreveport), Vet Center (Shreveport), Social Secuirty Adiminstration, Texas WorkForce Commission, Texas Veterans Commission, American Red Cross, Funeral Specialists (East Funeral Home), Alzheimer's Association, Agency on Aging, AARP, Veterans Service Officers, Retiree Board (Barksdale), and others that may pertain to veterans, active duty, & National Guard & Reserve personnel and their families. There is no charge for this service. All area veterans of all eras, Reserve & National Guard and active duty personnel and their families are invited and urged to attend. A voters registration drive will also be conducted (AR & TX). For more information call 870/773-8279 (leave message), or 903/799-6828 or 903/824-2727 or e-mail at USMCgreg@aol.com, or visit the VVA 278 website at: www.vva278.org |
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| USES OF STANDARD FORM 180 |
| The SF 180 (Standard Form 180) has two uses. (1). To request replacement medals; & (2). To request replacing military records.
When requesting military medals, type the veteran's full name, branch of service, service number and/or Social Security number and provide the veterans exact or approximate dates of military service. If possible include a copy of the veteran's discharge or separation document (WDAGO Form 53-55 or DD Form 214), and send to appropiate address. To request a copy of the veteran's military records, type veterans full name, branch of service, exact dates or approximate dates of service, service and/or Social Scurity number, type of records requested (examples: complete, medical or just DD 214) and send to appropiate address. A DD Form 149 "Application for Correction of Military Records" is used to request a correction in the veteran's military records. A review of discharge may be made using a DD Form 293 "Application for the Review of Discharge from the Armed Forces of the United States." However if the discharge was more than 15 years ago, a veteran must petition the appropiate service for Correction of Military Records using DD Form 149. Help from a Veterans Service Officer or someone familar with any of these forms should be requested. |
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| ORDER OF THE SILVER ROSE |
| Agent Orange and other defoliants were a weapon of war deployed by American forces against the enemy during the Vietnam War. Over 22 million gallons were sprayed during the war and that does not take into consideration what was sprayed by hand, helicopter, truck, or by the Vietnamese. Millions of our own servicemen and women have been wounded and killed by these defoliants, which contain dioxins, since the end of the war.
The Veterans Administration and the U.S.Government recognizes some 43 cancers and sicknesses, including Diabetes II as Agent Orange related and therefore service-connected. But they offer no honors or recognition to these heros. The Order of the Silver Rose intends to correct this injustice. They came up with an award, in lieu of the Purple Heart, to present to these afflicted personnel to honor and reconize their chemical wounds - The Silver Rose! If you are interested in receiving a Silver Rose award, for yourself of a loved one, please contact me at: USMCgreg@aol.com or 870/773-8279 or at VVA 278 PO Box 6608 Texarkana, TX 75505-6608. You will need a copy of your DD 214 (showing service in Vietnam), VA medical records showing Agent Orange (herbicides) related illness or cancer, and a completed application form. Note: This is not an offical US Government award, but comes from the heart! |
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| CALENDAR OF EVENTS
February 5 : TAVC meeting February 9 : TAVC trip to Shreveport VA February 13 : TAVC Chili Cook-off February 15 : VVA meeting February 20 - 22 : VVA TSC meeting March 5 : TAVC meeting March 15 : VVA # 278 meeting March 28 : TAVC Fish Fry April 2 : TAVC meeting April 19 : VVA # 278 meeting (elections) May 7 : TAVC meeting May 15 : Police Officers Day May 16 : Veterans Information Fair May 17 : VVA # 278 meeting May 24 : TAVC Memorial Day Services May 25 : Memorial Day Services at 11:00 am, 11:45 am & 1:30 pm June 4 : TAVC meeting June 5 - 7 : VVA TSC meeting June 21 : VVA # 278 meeting |