issue 147 together then together now december 2014 up...

VIETNAM VET “GAZETTE” Issue 147 Together Then ..... Together Now December 2014

Up-Coming Meetings BOD Meeting

2nd Wed of the Month

7:00 PM

Regular Meeting

3rd Wed of Month

No AVVA Meeting this month

VVA meet @ 7:00 PM

at the

ROCHESTER VFW

Be Sure To See

Important Dates to Remember

Upcoming Events— 5

Vietnam Vet Gazette August 2001

COMMITTEES

Executive Board All 724 Area Codes

L. Skip Haswell - -President -843-6930 Mike Mikulich - - 1st V.P.—266-6663 Jon Neely - - - - -2nd V.P.—891-2089 Lee Corfield - - Secretary —775-3027 Bill Muns - - - - Treasurer-—643-9169

Board of Directors

Blaine Allinder——————375-4168 Bob Eiler———————— 457-8234 Bill Harlow——————-—378-0984 Bill Laughner———-———-843-6828 James Montgomery———-—827-2782 John Namath———————847-9296 Nick Pavkovich——————847-0592 Don Villella———————-843-7401 Bill Weiss————————827-2460

Delegates JoAnna Williamson 1st —— 847-9389 Tracey King ———————513-0389 Reuben Fuller ——————-378-4990

Nominating Committee * - - Denotes Chairman

Bill Bischak - - *- - - - - - - - - 774-4198 JoAnna Wiilliamson - - - - - 847-9389 Tony Squadrito - - - - - - - - - - 643-1714

Agent Orange

Jon Neely- - *- - - - - - - - - - --891-2089 John Helbing - - - - - - - - - - - 843-0706 Tony Yannachione - - - - - - - -770-2267

Associate Liaison

Cheri Pickering - - * - - - - - 643-4397 Dave Tucker - - - - - - - - - - - 774-4074 John Wakeley - - - - - - - - - - -378-6938

Color/Honor Guards James Montgomery - - * - - - 827-2782 Don Pickering - - - - - - - - - - -643-5267

Community Affairs

John Namath - - * - - - - - - - --847-9296 Don Villella - - - - - - - - - - - - 843-7401 JoAnna Williamson - - - - - - - 847-9389

Constitution & By-Laws

Reuben Fuller - - * - - - - - - - 378-4990 Bill Muns - - - - - - - - - - - - - -643-9169 Tony Squadrito - - - - - - - - - - 643-1714 JoAnna Williamson - - - - - - - 847-9389

Finance Bill Muns - - * - - - - - - - - - - 643-9169 Bill Bischak - - - - - - - - - - - - 774-4198 Lon Hogue - - - - - - - - - - - - - 846-8857 Bill Laughner - - - - - - - - - - - 843-6828

Legislative Pete Petroskey - - * - - - - - - - 643-8999 Mike Mikulich - - - - - - - - - - 266-6663

Membership

Lee Corfield - - * - - - - - - - - - 775-3027 Bill Harlow - - - - - - - - - - - - -378-0984 Bill Bischak - - - - - - - - - - - 774-4198 Tracy King - - - - - - - - - - - - - 375-4046

Page 2 VIETNAM VET GAZETTE December 2014

POW / MIA - Information taken from the National League of POW/MIA Families

AMERICANS ACCOUNTED FOR: There are

still 1,639 personnel listed by the Department of Defense as miss-

ing and unaccounted-for from the Vietnam War, a number finally

changed after several months. The remains of SSG James L

Van Bendegom, USA, missing in Cambodia since July 12, 1967,

were recovered March 21, 1986, and identified August 26, 2014.

The remains of Capt Richard L. Whitesides, USAF, missing in

South Vietnam on March 26, 1964, were recovered September 9,

2013, and identified September 22, 2014. The number of Ameri-

cans announced by DoD as returned and identified since the end

of the Vietnam War in 1975 is now 944. Another 63 US person-

nel, recovered by the US and ID’d before the end of the war, bring

the official total of US personnel accounted for from the Vietnam

War to 1,007. Of the 1,639 total, 90% were lost in Vietnam or in

areas of Cambodia and Laos under Vietnam’s wartime control:

Vietnam-1,274 (VN-469, VS-805); Laos-306; Cambodia-52; PRC

territorial waters-7. Over-water losses on DoD’s list of No Further

Pursuit cases number well over 600.

ONGOING POW/MIA REORGANIZATION: In response to grow-ing concerns over direction, a meeting was called on October 31st, during which then-Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel acknowl-edged momentum had slowed and confidence in the reorganiza-tion had diminished. He responded to our concerns with very spe-cific pledges of support, in the presence of Under Secretary of De-fense for Policy Christine Wormuth, the senior DoD official directly responsible, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Public Af-fairs/Community Relations René Bardorf, PACT staff, five major national veteran organization representatives and the League Chairman, as well as other family and veteran group participants by conference call. The Secretary made the following specific commitments: 1) Failure is not an option; 2) Secrecy will end now, and there will be full transparency; 3) Agreed to name, in consulta-tion with Joint Chiefs Chairman General Martin Dempsey, a senior uniformed military advisor to the USDP; and 4) Expressed full con-fidence in Under Secretary Wormuth’s ability to get the reorgani-zation right.

Due to Secretary Hagel’s personal involvement and commitment, there was reason for cautious optimism that the reorganization he directed would prove to be beneficial. Now that he has resigned or been removed, the outcome is uncertain.

Chapter 862 Officers & Committees

(All 724 Area Codes unless noted)

Executive Board

L. Skip Haswell .. President.. ... 495-9612 Bill Laughner... Exec VP….. . .601-3597 Rich Kamzelski …1st VP……494-5752 Cliff Hawes ......... 2nd VP ...... 728-5065 Lee Corfield ........ Secretary .... 775-3027 Larry Googins ..... Treasurer .... 869-7090

Board of Directors

Gary Shaffer …...…1..............643-8941 Rich Tindell ………1......... .... 622-0724 Pete Herman………1….…….712-4324 Jake Barsottini…….2……......601-7293 Chuck Inman……...2…... ....... 709-7747 Rich Raich………...2…...412-974-6282 Michelle Wilcox ….3……….847-3463 Don Villella ………3….. ....... 843-7401 Philip Morris………3………..643-5725

Delegates

Skip Haswell ........................... 495-9612 Bill Laughner .......................... 601-3597 Lee Corfield ............................ 775-3027 Larry Googins ......................... 869-7090 Rich Kamzelski....................... 494-5752 Philip Morris ........................... 643-5725 Rich Tindell .......................... 622-0724 Chuck Inman…………………709-7747 Terri Carr ……………….330-692-1849 Pete Herman………….……....712-4324 Jake Barsottini…..…………....601-7293 Ray Rapp……………….…….316-6786 Michelle Wilcox ………..……847-3463 Nick Pavkovick….1st Alt…....847-0592

COMMITTEES * Chairman

Agent Orange Mike Coligure *………………412-613-1810

Color/Honor Guards

Ray Litzinger* ............................... 378-5855

Community Affairs Dan Sinclair* ................................. 846-7475

Constitution & By-Laws William Weiss* ............................. 827-2460

Finance Larry Googins* ............................. 869-7090

Homeless Veterans Bill Porupsky* ............................... 495-7051

Legislative Bart Farzati* .................................. 777-2193

Membership Gary Shaffer* ................................ 643-8941

Merchandise Bill Laughner* .............................. 601-3597

Minority Affairs Reuben Fuller* .............................. 378-4990

VIETNAM VET GAZETTE December 2014

AVVA / VVA 862 Christmas Tree on display at the

“Festival of Trees” at the Brady’s Run Lodge

VVA 862

COMMITTEES (Cont)

Scholarship Lon Hogue* ....................... 846-8857

Sgt of Arms Roy Barlett* ....................... 378-0272

Veterans Affairs - Advisor

Kathy Nairn........................ 770-4450 Veterans Assistance Committee

Bill Laughner* ................... 601-3597 Hospital Committee

Lon Hogue* ....................... 846-8857

Woman Veterans Michelle Wilcox…*………847-3463

Auditing Committee Bill Winkle* ....................... 774-2626 Wayne Cumer .................... 947-3859 Joe Mavero ......................... 494-1505

Webmaster

Lee Corfield* ..................... 775-3027 [email protected]

Nominating Committee Lon Hogue* ....................... 846-8857 Bart Farzati ........................ 777-2193 Ken Pingatore .................... 876-0335

PTSD Rich McCracken * ............. 266-4914

POW / MIA Phil Morris ……*……….. 643-5725

^

AVVA 862 - Officers

President.. Bobbie Morris ... 643-5725

V.P. Marji Slawianowski ... 378-7315

Secretary . Veronica Grant...462-3717

Treasurer . Sue Bridgewater. 643-0731

AVVA BOD

Keith Black………………..513-3177 Carl Curtis………………...869-0294 Sandy Giordano…………...203-4569

AVVA Membership Chair

&

Parliamentarian Veronica Grant ............. …..462-3717

Chaplain

Barb Googins ..................... 869-7090


Minutes from November 19th, 2014 Meeting

Meeting called to order by Exec. V P Bill Laughner @ 7:0 0 PM with Pledge of Allegiance and an Opening Prayer by Chaplain Don Villella. Attendance was “ 137 ” Veterans “Sick or In Distress” - Bob Bogovich, Guests and/or Prospective New Members - John Klimovich, Paul Loedding, John Rodney, Ross Prickney, Earl St George, Bill Morrow.

Roll Call of Officers - 13 - Present 1 - Absent 1 - Excused

Secretary’s Report: Minutes: were accepted as printed in the recent Newsletter. Treasurer’s Report: was read by Treasurer Larry Googins to be accepted as read, pending audit.

Motions made by the BOD that need voted on by Membership:

(1) Motion was made by Wally Cheuvront 2nd by Frank Petz to reimburse Chuck Inman the amount needed to help him decorate the Christmas Tree up to $200.00. Motion Carried.

(2) Motion was made by Bill Harlow 2nd by Joe Feltes to give Kaleb Martin $1,000.00 towards his trips he has coming up next year. Motion Carried.

(3) Motion was made by Joe Feltes by 2nd by John Szatkiewicz to donate $100.00 to chapter 948 for their raf-fle ticket that they are selling. Motion Carried.

(4) Motion was made by Denny Thompson 2nd by John Szatkiewicz to donate $100.00 to the mother & daughter under the “Christmas Presents for Veterans Program”. Motion Carried.

Extra Motion:

Motion was made by Joe Feltes, 2nd by Wally Cheuvront to donate $600.00 to Chuck Schrankel towards the Mechling-Skakley Commercial Dishwasher. Motion Carried.

Committee Reports:

Agent Orange - Mike Coligure gave an update on what all his committee has been up to. Honor Guard - Rich Raich gave an updated report on what all our Honor Guard has been working on. Legislative - Bart Farzati spoke about the Toxic Exposure Research Act of 2014, and several other items. He also spoke about the Blue Water Navy Ship Availability Act. He spoke about the Healthcare and Prostrate Cancer being a presumptive.

Membership -Gary Shaffer reported that we have 697 VVA members with LIFE 470. Women Veterans - Terri Carr spoke about a Blood Drive they have coming up this Friday at the Red Cross. AVVA - Bobbie Morris gave the report on what the AVVA is up to 144 with 51 Life Members. They will be visiting the Veterans at the Beaver Valley Nursing Home on December 19th. Communications: Lee read the communications he had. 1st VP - Rich Kamzelski stated that Frank Petz will be taking over the Christmas Tree Vigil

2nd VP - Cliff Hawes - put on a short visual on a young fellow who is Autistic / Blind10 years old, Christo-pher Duffy. Good of the Chapter - Chuck Schrankel gave a report on Mechling-Skakley Veterans Home and their need of a dishwasher. Bart Farzati spoke about how they need DAV Van drivers. Need some volunteers to step up. Jim Crytzer brought in a box of books for anyone who wants to take them home to read. Chuck Inman spoke about Wreaths Across America. Ceremony will be Dec 13th at noon. Chuck Inman spoke about the Festival of Trees at the Brady’s Run Lodge Come down and check out our tree. Bill Laughner made several announcements especially concentrated on the upcoming TET Party.

Minutes (cont on Page 5)


Minutes (cont from Page 4) Good of the Chapter - Bill Laughner spoke about the USS Frank Evans being struck by a cutter during Viet-nam War. They would like those killed to be added to the Memorial. There were 3 brothers, 1 father & son. Bill also thanked all who helped at the Wall. Bill explained about the plaques from the wall will be given to those families Tom McCormack wanted to thank everyone who helped unload the containers from Panama. Don Villella spoke about the Veterans Honor Dinner coming up. Pamphlets are on the table. Alex Del La Cruz read a letter of proclamation from Keith Rothfus. DAV Dinner - Cam Adamson spoke about the upcoming DAV Dinner. Nov 8th. at the Aliquippa Elks. 5:30 Wreaths Across America - Chuck Inman spoke about this upcoming event being held on December 13th. TET Party - still need volunteers. Larry Googins spoke about needing more people for the committees. Next meeting will be December 15th. Please attend and offer to help. Tickets will be $25.00 ea. $250 per ta-ble. Festival of Trees - Chuck Inman spoke about needing ideas for the tree that will be on display at the Festival of Trees. Marine being held in Mexico - Al Whitehill asked for prayers for the Marine being held in Mexico. POW Ride - Phil Morris gave a report on the recent POW Ride will held the 13th Ride to the Wall. AVVA drawing winner was Ray Litzinger which we understand he gave back to the AVVA. Respectfully submitted Lee Corfield - VVA 862 Sec.

These projects are going to need filled Highway Clean – Up Dave Kane is still looking for someone to take charge of this project. We need some-one to take this over. If you have a large group of people, it takes no time at all.

Support the Troops Rally - Date will be Sunday June 14, 2015 Time: will be 5:00 PM

We will be behind our memorial again this year (same park as the wall) I need some help with all as-

pects of the rally.

Bob Gwin will take care of the FOOD TENT

Everything else is up for grabs, I will be heading for Arizona right after Christmas so I would

like to get as much done before I go as I won`t be back until May of next year. We are in the process of

moving and our house is up for sale, combine that with the holidays and there is not a lot of time for

other things right now.

Any help would be appreciated...

Contact me by phone at 724-847-0634 (home)

724-312-1089 (cell)

[email protected]

I will also try to be at the December meeting This will probably be my last rally, I am getting to old for

this stuff

Thank You

Dave Kane


A Brief History of the C-ration & P—38

There’s an old war story about a G.I. who attended a USO show where one of the acts was a man who consumed unusual items. As the audience watched, the entertainer chewed glass, gob-bled nails and even swallowed swords. Unperturbed by the spectacle, the soldier turned to a friend sitting next him and asked, “But can he digest C-rations?” Relished and reviled, C-rations fed millions of troops in the field. The iconic green cans were far from home cooking, but they did sustain a fighting man when he was far from home—or at least the mess hall—until 1981, when they were replaced by the Meal Ready to Eat, or MRE. “If you were in the field, hungry and you could heat them up, they were great—slightly better than shoe leather,” Dick Thompson, vice president of the Vietnam War Foundation & Museum in Ruck-ersville, Virginia, and a retired U.S. Army lieutenant colonel, told War Is Boring. “If you were in garri-son where you had a choice, forget about it!” Napoleon once said an army marches on its stomach. In other words, poorly fed troops fight poorly—food is a force multiplier. But food preservation for long periods of time and the logistics of moving food to troops on the bat-tlefield are two of warfare’s oldest challenges. The U.S. military is no different. During the 1930s, the War Department did its best to develop sev-eral kinds of compact, long-lasting rations that could feed men in combat. One was the C-ration, first issued in 1939. It was three cans of different meat and vegetables—field manuals of the time described the contents as having “the taste and appearance of a hearty stew”—and three cans containing crackers, instant coffee and sugar. It wasn’t Mom’s home cooking, but it was filling. Each complete C-ration contained about 2,900 calo-ries and sufficient vitamins to keep the troops healthy. C-rations were just one of the letter-coded rations the military issued during World War II. Most sol-diers and Marines from that time remember—and detest—the K-rations of the era, which had three separate meal units for breakfast, lunch and dinner. During the Korean War, C-rations soon eclipsed the K-ration as the most commonly issued field ra-tion.

C - Rations (cont on Page 7)


But the food was boring—“menu fatigue” was the term military dieticians used. In 1958, the Defense Department created 12 different menus. Each menu contained one canned meat item; one canned fruit, bread or dessert item; one “B unit” that contained items such as crack-ers and chocolate; an accessory packet containing cigarettes, matches, chewing gum, toilet paper, coffee, creamer, sugar, and salt; and a spoon.

Below—crew members on a UH-1 helicopter deliver C-rations to soldiers in the field during the Vietnam War. U.S. Army photo

Although the meat item could be eaten cold, even the military conceded the improved ration was more palatable when heated. The Pentagon dubbed the new rations “Meal, Combat, Individual.” Nobody paid attention—soldiers in the field still called them C-rations. Troops considered some of the items downright tasty. Canned fruit, canned fruit cocktail, canned baked goods like pound cake and cinnamon nut roll and canned meat items like ham slices and tur-key loaf were G.I. favorites. But one menu item was universally loathed by soldiers—ham and lima beans. It was considered so ghastly that it acquired an obscene nickname— “ham and mo-fo’s” is a polite rendering of its nom de guerre. “It was an unnatural mix of ingredients,” Vincent Falter, who enlisted in the Army as a private during the Korean War and retired as a major general after 35 years of service, told War Is Boring. “Why not red beans? Navy beans? Any beans other than lima beans?” Efforts to improve the taste included troops adding heavy doses of Tabasco sauce or serving the ra-tion hot. Falter, who served in the 101st Airborne and commanded various nuclear weapons units in the Army, tells of a time when his men attempted to heat their ham and lima beans on the engine manifolds of their vehicles.

C - Rations (cont on Page 8)


C - Rations (cont from Page 7) There was just one problem—the soldier tasked with strapping the C-rations to the engines forgot to punch holes in the cans to release the steam. “A few miles into our road march the cans started exploding,” Falter said. “We were denied permis-sion to stop, shut off the engines and clean up the mess. In less than five minutes we were sub-jected to a stink that lingered for days, even after repetitive engine cleanings. It smelled something like ham and lima beans.” Other C-ration menu items earned equally colorful names. G.I.s called beans with frankfurter chunks in tomato sauce “beans and baby dicks.” Chopped ham and eggs earned the nickname “H.E.s”—high explosives—because of the bloating and gas they caused. If you didn’t have an engine manifold handy, there were “heat tabs” made of a solid fuel called Triox-ane to warm food. If troops ran out of heat tabs, there was always C-4. Yes, C-4 the explosive. When ignited, a small chunk of it burned like Sterno with a steady, hot flame sufficient to heat food and beverages. To open the cans, C-rations came with what many consider the Army’s greatest invention—the P-38 can opener.

The P-38 can opener next to a penny for scale.

Wikipedia photo.

Some say the P-38 acquired its name from the 38 punctures around the C-ration can that were necessary to open it. Another theory is the can opener performed with the speed of the legendary World War II P-38 fighter plane. Whatever the origins of its name, the P-38 could do more than open cans. Made of sheet metal, it was just the right size and shape to serve as a tool used to field strip a soldier’s weapon, pry open a jammed lid or dig out an ingrown toenail. “If you ask any GI from the C-ration era, he will still have his P-38 on his dog tags,” explained Thompson, who flew both helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft during the Vietnam War.


Associates of Vietnam Veterans Chapter 862 November 19, 2014

A regular meeting of the AVVA Chapter 862 was called to order by Presi-dent Bobbie Morris at 6:00 p.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance and a mo-ment of silence for the POW/MIA.

A word of prayer was given by Barbara Googins.

All Officers and Board Members were present except for Sue Bridgewater, Treasurer who was ex-cused.

President Morris welcomed guest Amy Thompson.

A motion by Sandy Giordano to accept the minutes of October 15, 2014 as drafted in the November newsletter, seconded by Marji Slawianowski. Motion carried.

In the absence of Sue Bridgewater, Treasurer Margi Slawianowski gave the financial report and ap-proved pending audit.

Margi Slawianowski, Vice President reported that we will be visiting the veterans at Beaver Valley Nursing Home on December 19, 2014 at 2 pm; at which time we will give them a Christmas gift. Everyone is to meet in the lobby at the nursing home at 1:45 pm. A motion to reimburse Marji Slawi-anowski $130.42 for the Christmas gifts was made by Judy Hage and seconded by Sandy Gior-diano. Motion carried.

Membership Chair Veronica Grant reported that our Chapter has 93 regular members, 51 life mem-bers for a total of 144. Amy Thompson joined the chapter this evening. Welcome Amy.

The VVA/AVVA will continue to have a food drive to help the first U.P. Church of Darlington. Bring your nonperishable foods to our December meeting.

In December after the VVA meeting there will be a luncheon for VVA/AVVA members only, please bring your favorite dessert. Please note: the AVVA will be wrapping gifts for the veterans this eve-ning before the luncheon.

A motion by Judy Hage and seconded by Sandy Giordano to reimburse Barbara Googins for Christ-mas decorations for the luncheon.

The meeting was adjourned at 7:00 pm; the next meeting will be January 21, 2014 at 6:00 P.M. at the VFW Post 128 in Rochester, PA.

Submitted by,

Veronica Grant, Secretary, Chapter 862 DRAFT UNTIL APPROVED

Next AVVA 862 - Meeting

January 21st 2015 - 6:00 PM


“Thank You” to the Speakers at the New Brighton Middle School. I would like to thank the Vets that came to New Brighton Middle School to speak with the eighth grade class. Thank you to Bill Lloyd, John Barber, John Bojanic, Bill Crowley, Dan Sinclair, Bill Laughner, Chuck Jen-kins, Larry Googins and Jim Wagner. The men were well received by the students. I am looking forward to seeing you all next year. Thank You Gary Wink

*

Why were the Indians here first? They had reservations.

Please Note: Please Note: Please Note: Please Note:

The views and opinions are solely that of the

writer and do not necessarily reflect the views

and opinions or policies of the Vietnam

Veterans of America, (National, State or Local).

All articles written by the editor unless

otherwise stated.

Submissions will be gladly accepted by the

editor

.

Lee Corfield - Editor VVA 862 Beaver Co., Pa

140 Knob Vue Drive

Freedom, Pa. 15042

We reserve the right to edit submissions as

space allows.

Death Notices

Rose Malack - 91 of Patterson Twp. Rose was the mother of VVA 862 LIFE Member John Malack.

Thomas E. Harper - 68 of Hopewell Twp passed away on Veterans Day, November 11th, 2014. Tom was a member of VVA 862 and served with the US ARMY while in Vietnam. David Gold - 92 of New Sewickley Twp. Passed away on November 25th, Dave served with the US Navy in WWII. Dave was the father of AVVA 862 member Kathy Varna and father-in-law of VVA 862 member Dan Varna.

May They “Rest In Peace”

*VVA/AVVA will be having a food drive to help the first U.P Church of Darlington (VVA Member Chuck Ray brought this need to our attention. Please Bring your non perishable food in for our December meeting. This will provide food for 22 Veterans that they provide food for and a couple of WWII Veterans. Thank You Charles (Homer) Ray


HAPPY BIRTHDAY

TO OUR

MEMBERS

December

Rich Daman ......................... Dec 1

Ron De Salle ........................ Dec 1

Allen Goforth ....................... Dec 1

John Papasodero .................. Dec 1

Paul Fennych ....................... Dec 2

William Patterson ................ Dec 2

Roseanne Robinson ............. Dec 3

Harry Lang ........................... Dec 4

Dan Brynczak ...................... Dec 5

Larry Laughlin ..................... Dec 5

Roger Zallon ........................ Dec 5

Rich Dickhart ....................... Dec 6

Jim Harley ............................ Dec 6

Darlie Sowers....................... Dec 6

Mike Hresko ........................ Dec 7

Joe Feltes ............................. Dec 9

Wally Cheuvront ................ Dec 10

Ron Ippolito ....................... Dec 10

Tim Mulhollen ................... Dec 10

Bob Bucholtz ..................... Dec 11

John Galanski..................... Dec 11

Garen Steele ....................... Dec 11

Lynn Possage ..................... Dec 12

Lee’s Tid Bits

If you have upcoming events

coming up in 2015, Please get them to

me as I am setting up the

2015 Calendar of Events.

You will notice on the last page, a picture

from the recent CCBC Breakfast. Can

some one tell me the names of some of

those people in the back row. They don’t

look familiar but this may have been

their first breakfast and maybe I didn’t

get around to meeting them.

PRINT OUT YOUR NEWSLETTERS

You will notice a little article I placed at

the bottom of Page 13. Using that excuse

that you don’t use a computer or don’t

know how, is no longer an acceptable

excuse for not getting your newsletter.

Everyone has relatives and / or

neighbors. You can always go to your

local library wherever you live and have

them Print it out for you. Yes they may

have to charge you a small fee but you

have to remember, this stuff does cost

money to send them out. Last January

went “All Electronic” We were spending

over $1,000.00 a month for the Printing

and Postage. That over $12,000.00 a

year. That is money that we could be

helping local Veterans.

Do It Yourself - As stated at the bottom

of Page 13, if you don’t want to use your

local library, you can go up to the Mall to

the “Center at the Mall” and they will be

glad to show you how to do it. After 2 or

3 times you’ll be able to do it yourself.

To all VVA & AVVA members

Merry Christmas & Happy New Years

Lee & Donna Corfield

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

TO OUR

MEMBERS

December

Robert Staranko ................. Dec 12

Chuck Bedison .................. Dec 13

Terry Moore ...................... Dec 13

Larry Laughlin ................... Dec 15

Gary Williams ................... Dec 15

Bill Persuitte ...................... Dec 16

Tony Pietrandrea ............... Dec 16

Kim Tesla .......................... Dec 16

Guy DiMarzio.................... Dec 17

Fred McAnallen ................. Dec 17

Bill Winkle ........................ Dec 17

Robert Frantz ..................... Dec 18

Wayne Cumer .................... Dec 22

Rich Baker ......................... Dec 23

John Ferry .......................... Dec 23

David Wilson ..................... Dec 23

Frank Papa ......................... Dec 28

Wilbur Snyder ................... Dec 28

Charles Jenkins .................. Dec 29

Jerry Baylor ....................... Dec 30

Charles Garrett .................. Dec 30

Rich Bales ......................... Dec 31

Next VVA 862 Meeting December 17th - 7:00 PM

Chuck Inman says “Thanks” "THANK YOU" to everyone that helped and supported the Tree at Brady's Run "Festival of Trees. The tree is very highly considered as the “People's Choice”.

Try to get down and see it. Also; Thank You to all that participated in the “Wreaths Across America” project, we started late but still made a dent in the goal of putting a wreath on every veterans grave. Again, Thanks to all who helped on these projects !

15th Annual Mister Rodgers Sweater Drive

VVA Chapter 862 has been asked by Quentin Butcher from the national office of Viet-nam Veterans of America in Silver Springs, Maryland to assist on the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh’s 15th Annual Mister Rodgers Sweater Drive. Since 2000, the Children’s Museum has collected more than 30,000 sweaters to share with families in need throughout our southwestern neighborhood . These sweaters will be dis-tributed through Vietnam Veterans of America and Presbyterian Media Mission . As previously announced in last Friday’s updates, we can help any Chapter 862 member or their families .

Also I will need two or three volunteers to pick up sweaters at The Children’s

Museum in Pittsburgh and then deliver them to Veterans Place and the

Homeless Veterans program run by the Veterans Administration . Lastly we

will also make a delivery to the Beaver County Women’s Center . This will oc-

cur between December 17th and the 20th .

If you wish to help with this project or you have a need I may be

reached at 724-843-6828 or by email at [email protected]

Thank You, Bill Laughner


Tom Robes Cancer Fund

As you noticed in the minutes, what used to be called Vets 4 Vets, will now be called the Tom Robes Cancer Fund.

What a great tribute to the man who came up with this idea originally.

We have had many talks and discussions on how this campaign that Tom Robes started should be kept going. Tom Robes helped many Veterans in this area, and we probably will never know the total count. Tom would walk around, while the meeting was going on collecting donations from one who wanted to give. We all knew it was going to a good cause. If you had any loose change or anything you wanted to give you placed it in his jug.

Well, that’s not going to change.

What is going to change is that we will “No Longer” be walking around taking a collection. There will be a container at the front door when you come in. If you want to donate, you will be able to place your donation in that container. So, “You can still bring that loose change or whatever you want to donate and put it in the jug at the door”. This committee will now be taken over by the AVVA 862 in which Cliff Hawes has offer to be chairman. Cliff has agreed to keep us up to date on any reports that need to be given at the meetings. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Cliff. @ 724-728-5065


The Luncheon after the

December Meeting will be

for:

AVVA / VVA 862

“Members” Only

AGENT ORANGE “BALLOON RELEASE” - 2014

Every year on Veterans Day, Our Agent Orange Committee conducts an Agent Orange Ceremony and concludes it with our annual Agent Orange Balloon

Release.

In honor of all those who we've lost and those who are still suffering from exposure to Agent Orange.

FYI - For Your Information Go to “Center at the Mall” to Print your Newsletter!

For those of you who do not print out your newsletter, you may now go up to the “Center at the Mall” and Print out your newsletter for $ .15 for both sides. So If You have a 16 Page newsletter, that equals 8 pages, both sides = $1.20. That is a very reasonable price to keep your newsletter. Stop up and ask them. They will be glad to help you.

VVA CHAPTER 862 IS ACCEPTING ORDERS for memorial walkway bricks to be placed at the Vietnam Memorial in Beaver. You may honor Veterans of the armed services, loved ones and friends (both living and deceased) with an “In Memory of” brick. You may also want to honor your American Legion post, your Veterans of Foreign Wars post and/or all Veterans Service Organizations. Orders are accepted year round, with placement every spring and fall. Engraving is donated by Rome Monument in honor of county veterans.

Mail completed forms to:

William Laughner 119 Jonathan Drive Darlington, PA 16115

Please Note: Our Chapter Web site has been updated with several

“Links” with more being added everyday. Check all the “Links” !

“Agent Orange” Link now has a Reference to all the Illnesses Re-

lated to Agent Orange along with the Birth Defects and it also in-

cludes the “Faces of Agent Orange” This would be a Good Link to

refer your friends to that don’t know what Agent Orange is and how

it can affect your family.

C-123 Link Just Added! They Sprayed it!

Go to http://www.vva862.org & “Check it Out”


Calendar of Events for 2006 PAGE 12 VIETNAM VET GAZETTE January 2006

‘TOGETHER THEN” “TOGETHER NOW”

VVA 862 Honor Guard recently placed a Wreath at the “Tomb of the Unknown”

Video of our presentation https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fR8uAklyBIw&feature=youtu.be

Calendar of Events for 2014


“TOGETHER THEN”“TOGETHER THEN”“TOGETHER THEN”“TOGETHER THEN” “TOGETHER NOW”“TOGETHER NOW”“TOGETHER NOW”“TOGETHER NOW”

December

Dec 7 “Pearl Harbor Day” 73 years

Dec 10 VVA 862 - BOD Meeting Rochester VFW 7 PM

Dec 12 Honor Guard Practice 7:00 PM Midland VFW

Dec 13 “Wreaths Across America - Gazebo Irvine Park Beaver

Dec 15 TET Party Meeting - Rochester VFW 7:00 PM

Dec 17 VVA 862 - Meeting - 7:00 PM Short Meeting with Food / Drinks after

Dec 24 VVA 862 Christmas Tree @ Memorial. Frank Petz (Chairman)

Dec 25 “Merry Christmas”

Dec 31 “New Year’s Eve”

VIETNAM VETERANS OF AMERICA MEMBERSHIPVIETNAM VETERANS OF AMERICA MEMBERSHIPVIETNAM VETERANS OF AMERICA MEMBERSHIPVIETNAM VETERANS OF AMERICA MEMBERSHIP

IS OPEN TO ANY VETERAN WHO SERVEDIS OPEN TO ANY VETERAN WHO SERVEDIS OPEN TO ANY VETERAN WHO SERVEDIS OPEN TO ANY VETERAN WHO SERVED

ANYWHERE DURING THE VIETNAM WAR ERAANYWHERE DURING THE VIETNAM WAR ERAANYWHERE DURING THE VIETNAM WAR ERAANYWHERE DURING THE VIETNAM WAR ERA

Name:______________________Phone:_______________Birthday___/___/___ Address:___________________City:________________State:______Zip______ ____I served in the US military (for other than training purposes) between 8/5/64 & 5/7/75

Or ____I served in the US military in Vietnam between 2/28/61 and 5/7/75 ____DD-214 enclosed (Applications without DD-214 will be processed as Associate Memberships) ____Renewal Membership Card #_________________New Member:_____________ ____I wish to join the (AVVA) - Associates of the Vietnam Veterans of America $20.00 P/Year Type: __ 1 Year Individual Member- $20.00 __ 3 Year- $50.00 __ Life Member Optional Time Payment $50 down/ $25/mth __ $250.00 (Ages 49 and under) __ $225.00 (Ages 50-55) __ $200.00 (Ages 56-60) __ $175.00 (Ages 61-65) __ $150.00 (Ages 66 + )

Return this form to:

GARY SHAFFER

VVA CHAPTER 862

709 OHIO AVE

MIDLAND, PA 15059

issue 147 together then together now december 2014 up...

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