APRIL - MAY 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 |
| VVA # 278's next meeting will be Sunday, April 19, 2009 at the American Legion Post at 525 East Broad Street. The meal will begin at 1:30 pm and will consist of: Larry David is bringing chicken spaghetti and 2 dozen enchiladas. The chapter will furnish 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 elections; Membership's plans & goals for VVA # 278; Upcoming Texas State Council meeting; Cassion update; Special Olympics; Annual Financial report; etc. We hope to see you there! This is your chapter, take part in it! Bring your ideas on what you would like to see this, your chapter, doing! We will be having a drawing for some door prizes at this meeting. You must be present to win. |
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| VVA # 278's CHAPTER ELECTIONS |
| At our April 19th meeting we will elect officers, directors and delegates to the National VVA Convention. Officer positions are: President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer. We will elect three directors and three delegates. To run for one of these positions you must meet three requirments:
1. Be a member in good standing (dues paid up & DD 214 on file with chapter). AVVA members will also elect a chapter Representative to represent them at the Texas State AVVA meetings. AVVA members must be in good standing and sign a roster to vote. They must sign a letter of intent to run for this position. |
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| VVA # 278's MAY MEETING |
| VVA # 278's May meeting will be held on Sunday, May 17, 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 events; Legislative issues; Upcoming Events: etc., etc.. Remember: Sunday, May 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 LAST MEETING |
| At our February meeting we had guest speaker Major John Fox, US Army, retired, speak on the Wounded Warrior project. We then passed the hat, uh helmut, and collected $200.50 for this program. A motion was made, seconded and passed to match this amount from chapter funds making our check to Wounded Warrior Project to $401.00. After the meeting I talked to Don Ruggles and he donated another $100. Thanks to everyone! This is a great program!
We also had a report from Freddie Weathers (Special Assistant) about the cassion. It should be up and rolling very shortly and available for use for veterans funerals, upon special request. Also, Herb Davison made it back from Iraq where he has spent the last 12 months. He brought back an American flag that had flown over the FOB where he was stationed and it also went up in a Black Hawk helicopter. This was all done in VVA # 278's honor. Thanks Herb and Thanks to our troops for all they do. As our fundraiser this year, we are giving away a Model 1000 Stoeger 12 gauge pump shotgun and/or $500.00, with first drawing getting their choice, second drawing getting whatever is left. At the March meeting Freddie Weathers was appointed as VA Clinic Liaison. We have some approximately 12" X 18" decals "All Gave Some -Some Gave All" on an eagle with an American and POW/MIA flag for sale. We also have chapter t-shirts, Wall t-shirts, Agent Orange t-shirts and VVA logo t-shirts and various patches and hats and decals for sale. |
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| VVA #278 MEMBERSHIP |
| As of February 28, 2009 VVA # 278 has 138 members: 62 Life members, 42 annual and/or three year members, and 2 Incarcerated members, with 13 Life AVVA members and 18 annual and/or three year AVVA members. We would like to extend a hearty welcome to our newest member: Paul Blecke. WELCOME ABOARD & WELCOME HOME!!
Since the beginning of the year 2008 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 miss you all! As of February 28, VVA National has 59,292 members; Region VII has 5,484 members (325-AR, 819-LA, 1154-OK, & 3,186-TX). AVVA National has 7,406 members; Region VII has 696 AVVA members (25-AR, 124-LA, 133-OK, & 414-TX). Join VVA & AVVA. |
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| VVA #278 NEWSLETTER "NEWS & VIEWS" |
| Since we won't be receiving any bail-out funds from the US Government, we have to cut back where we can, but at the same time try to get information out on VVA # 278, VA benefits & programs, POW/MIAs, Agent Orange, upcoming events, etc. etc.. We are constantly trying to improve the content and distribution of our "News & Views," and save what funds we can.
On improving content, we're open to any and all suggestions. We do keep the authority to edit any and all submissions. On our last mailing we mailed out 360 copies, 84 with a 718 (AR) zip code, 209 with a 755 (TX) zip code and 151 other zip codes. This would cover our 278 members, the US Senators and local US Representatives (AR & TX), local state Senators and Representatives (AR & TX), all VVA chapters and State Council Presidents in VVA Region VII (AR, LA, OK & TX) and the Region VII Director, AVVA State & Region VII Directors, local veterans organizations, local media, and our local supporters. a few special friends, and veterans agencies (AR & TX). Please make sure we have your correct address if we are mailing you a newsletter. If it's returned, we have to pay 42 cents to have it returned. Counting what we intially invested in mailing it the first time, we'll have around 60 cents in it and you still haven't gotten your newsletter. I beleive the Post Office is trying to force out the non-profit mailing with these extra charges. If you mail a letter (with a 42 cent stamp) and the address is incorrect, you don't pay to have it returned, but with the bulk-rate you do. Go figure. I know you are getting tired of reading about the newsletter in the newsletter so I'll try to make this the last column on that. . |
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| VVA TEXAS STATE COUNCIL MEETING (TSC) |
| The Vietnam Veterans of America, Texas State Council recently met in Tyler, and it was a very successful meeting and was also very enjoyable seeing all the old friends and making new friends. A short report was made at our last meeting. We have copies of the Texas State Council Scholarship application. These have to be returned by May 15, 2009.
The next TSC meeting will be June 5-7, 2009 in Houston sponsored by VVA # 343. It will be held at the Ramada Inn Houston-North @16510 I-45. Reservations at 281-821-2570. King bed or double bed @$59.00, King Suite with full kitchen @$100, and King bed with pull out sleepers @ $80. Remember plus 15% tax. Remember to mention VVA when making reservations. Cut-off date is 06-01-09. Registration is $25 for delegates and $20 per guests payable to: The AMIGO project is "The De George at Union Station" Homeless shelter in Houston. Their want list includes:Hygiene products, bed pillows and twin sheets (new), Coffee, packets of creamer & sugar, coffee cups, cleaning supplies, non-perishable food items, Wal-Mart gift cards, shower curtains, toilet tissue, bathroom throw rugs, gas gift cards, etc., etc.. February 12-14, 2010 meeting to be hosted by VVA # 1000 in Killeen. Our TSC delegates are: Greg Beck and Sarah Behringer, and our alternates are: Bill Brockett, Freddie Weathers and Wade Seastrong. I am sorry to inform you that Lucio Moreno, of El Paso, a longtime delegate to the Texas State Council and Board Member of VVAFT passed away February 23, 2009. Semper Fi Lucio! You will be missed my friend! |
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| VVA NATIONAL CONVENTION |
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From July 27, 2009 til August 2, VVA delegates from across the nation will be in Louisiville, Kentucky to take care of the business of Vietnam Veterans of America, Inc.. They will be discussing and voting on VVA Constitutional admendments, and Resolutions. They will also elect the next slate of VVA National Officers for 2009-2011. We are allowed three (3) delegates for National Convention this year.
If you have any changes, additions of deletions you would like to see in the VVA Constitution you need to submit a form to do this. Also to submit a resolution you will also have to submit a form. We will discuss this at the April VVA # 278 meeting. |
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| PRISONERS OF WAR/MISSING IN ACTION - POW/MIA |
| As of March 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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| LEGISLATIVE NEWS |
| There are two bills, one in the House (HR1016) and one in the Senate (S. 423) that are supported by the "Partnership for Veterans Health Care Budget Reform." These bills are companion bills and are identical in their wording. Their short title is "Veterans Health Care Budget Reform and Transparency Act of 2009."
These bills read: "To amend title 38, United States Code, to provide advance appropiations authority for certain medical care accounts of the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes." This would be very similar to the bills in the past stating "Mandatory" or "Assured" funding. We urge erveryone to contact their federal elected officals and ask them to support the appropiate bill of their position. This would provide sufficient, timely, and predictable funding thereby allowing the VA to properly plan for and meet the needs of veterans better. Copies of these bill will be available at our next meeting. The "Partnership for Veterans Health Care Budget Reform" is made up of nine major veterans organizations: American Legion, AMVETS, Blinded Veterans Association, Disabled American Veterans, Jewish War Veterans of the USA, Military Order of the Purple Heart, Paralyzed Veterans of America, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and Vietnam Veterans of America. For Texas residents. HB 1299 would establish a scratch-off lottery ticket to help fund the "Permanent Fund for Veterans Assistance." HB 3950 & HB 3953 would assist those Texas veterans who are forced to travel more than 200 miles to receive care at a VA facility. HB 3954 would make the "Texas Veterans Leadership Program" a permanent program. For Arkansas residents HB 2174 would create an "Arkansas Veterans Land Board." We will have more information at our next meeting on both Arkansas and Texas bills, but we do urge you to contact your elected state officals and urge them to support these bills. |
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| VA FORM 10-10EZ |
| VA Form 10-10EZ is used to apply for enrollment in the VA Health care system, or for nursing home, domicilary or dental benefits. |
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| MEMORIAL DAY 2009 |
| Memorial Day 2009 for the Texarkana area begins Sunday, May 24 at 2:00 pm at East Memorial Gardens on Hwy 67 East, out past the Texarkana Airport. Here The Texarkana Area Veterans Council will host, along with East Memorial Gardens, their annual Memorial Day Service.
Then, Monday at 11:00 am at the Miller County Courthouse, the American Legion Post 25-58 will host their annual Service. Immediately after that is finished, we will form for the annual Memorial Walk to the Korea/Vietnam Memorial where VVA # 278 will host their 25th annual Memorial Day Service there. Then at 1:30 pm Texarkana Funeral Home will host the final service for the day at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens on Hwy 67 West, out past K-Mart. We encourage all VVA members to try to attend each and everyone of these services. If we don't remember our fallen brothers and sisters, then how can we expect the general public to remember. Of course, I believe we should remember them every day! I do! At 3:00 pm the National Moment of Remembrance will be observed. LEST WE FORGET |
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| TEXARKANA AREA VETERANS COUNCIL |
| The next meeting of the TAVC will be Thursday, April 2, 2009 at 6:00 pm at the American Legion Post at 525 East Broad Street.
At the February TAVC meeting, the Officers for 2009/10 were elected. They are: Chair-Gregory Beck; 1st-Vice-Ernest King; 2nd-Vice-James Sutton; Secretary-Billy Walker; Treasurer-Jay Hodge; Trustees-Homer Harvin, Mike Hoover & Joe Murray. VVA # 278's delegates are: Homer Harvin, Billy Walker, and Fisher Plymale. Our alternates are: Donna Carmeli and Freddie Weathers. On Monday, February 9, TAVC made a trip to the Shreveport VA Medical Center to observe "Salute to Hospitalized Veterans" week. While there, we were formally presented with $8000 from the "Vets for Vets" to assist us in buying a van. Then we presented the VAVS there with a check for $1000 for them to purchase whatever they felt would do the most good inside the VA Medical Center. Then we split up into 3 groups and delivered bananas and back scratchers to the hospitalized patients there. From Shreveport we returned to Texarkana and then proceeded to New Boston (Johnston Motors) where we purchased a van to transport the veterans to the Shreveport VA Medical Center. (The one we ordered from the DAV Foundation was turned down). We will use the present one to transport local veterans to the local VA Outpatient Clinic here in Texarkana. From there we went to the Red River Federal Credit Union and changed over our account from Centrury Bank to RRFCU. At our March 28 fish dinner at the VFW we cleared approximately $1300 to $1400. We would like to thank everyone who participated and/or supported the TAVC in these endeavors. THANK YOU! Help us help veterans! |
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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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| VETERANS HEALTH COUNCIL |
| Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA) formally debuted a new alliance that will offer veterans, their families, and health professionals a new resource for information about healthcare risks experienced by those who served in the military. The Veterans Health Council, made up of veterans and health organizations announced is mission, particpants, and web site: www.veteranshealth.org
The mission of the Veterans Health Council is to improve the health of veterans by creating an ongoing forum for health professionals, employee representatives, advocacy organizations, and healthcare firms. The Veterans Health Council web site provides information on health conditions associated with military service and provides links to healthcare sites related to specific diseases. Most importantly, it offers general information on how to file a claim for disability compensation and provides a locator service for accredited veterans' service representatives who can assist in filing claims for benefits. The Veterans Health Council is a program of the Vietnam Veterans of America, Inc. |
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| VVA BROCHURES |
| We have just received an order of various brochures from VVA National. They are: Women Veterans. Suicide Risk & Prevention, Agent Orange Rlated Health Issues, PTSD, Prostate Disease,Type II Diabetes, Veterans & Their Families: What your Health Care Provider Should Know, VetJobs, Veterans Initiative-POW/MIA, Veterans Support Foundation, Transitional nd Permanent Supportive Housing for Veterans, & the VVA Self-Help Guide for Agent Orange.
We will have copies at our next meeting and at the "Veterans Information Fair" and at our set-ups. There is a lot of information contained in these brochures and we need to get this information out to those who need it! |
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| CALENDAR OF EVENTS
April 2 : TAVC meeting April 17 - 19 : Boy Scout Jamboree April 19 : VVA # 278 meeting (elections) May 7 : TAVC meeting May 10 : Mother's Day May 15 : Peace Officers Memorial 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 July 2 : TAVC meeting June 19 : VVA # 278 meeting June 27 - August 2 : VVA National Convention |