AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2010 NEWSLETTER
[ NEWSLETTER ARCHIVES ]
| 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, August 15, 2010 at the American Legion Post at 525 East Broad Street. The meal will begin at 1:30 pm and consist of a pizza pie party. The chapter will furnish the soft drinks and coffee. We ask members to chip in 4 or 5 bucks for this. We will need some desserts. This will be VVA # 278's 24th Anniversary celebration (August 29, 1986). All charter members and past officers are especially encouraged and invited to attend.
The business session will begin immediately after the meal is finished. Topics to be discussed will include: Veterans' issues updates; Committee Reports; Legislative news; Fundraising ideas; Upcoming events; and we'll have a special guest - Darryl Lasker, from the Vet Center in Little Rock; etc. We ask everyone to bring some non-perishable items for the "Hero's Pantry" (see below). Remember: Sunday, August 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! Bring your ideas on what you would like to see this, your chapter, doing! |
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| VVA # 278's SEPTEMBER MEETING |
| There will be no meeting in September. October's meeting will be Sunday, October 17 @ 1:30 pm. |
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| VVA #278 MEMBERSHIP |
| As of June 30, 2010 VVA # 278 has 110 VVA members; (70 Life members, 38 annual and/or three year members, and 2 Incarcerated members), and 25 AVVA members, with 14 Life members and 11 annual and/or three year members.
We have one member whose membership have lapsed. He is Tom McLeod. We want you, we need you!! A reminder: To become a member of the Vietnam Veterans of America, Inc, you do not have to have served in-country Vietnam. You just have to have served in the United States military (for other than training purposes) between August 5, 1964 and May 7, 1975. If you served in-country: between February 28, 1961 and May 7, 1975. VVA has a program whereas the dues of a permanently hospitalized Vietnam era veteran is waived. If you know of a veteran in these circumstances that would like to become a member of VVA let us know. We need a copy of his DD 214 and a letter from the Doctor stating the veteran is permanently confined to a hospital and/or nursing home. We want you, we need you!! Together then, together now!! Help us help veterans!!! Join VVA & AVVA. |
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| PRISONERS OF WAR/MISSING IN ACTION - POW/MIA |
| As of August 1, 2010, according to the National League of Families and the DoD, there are still 1713 Americans unaccounted for from the Vietnam War. Of these 1713, 1321 in Vietnam (North-478; South-833), 336 in Laos, 59 in Cambodia, and 7 in China. These numbers have changed again due to investigations resulting in changed location of loss. Of these 1713, 18 are from Arkansas, 24 are from Louisiana, 34 are from Oklahoma, and 111 are from Texas. 556 are Air Force, 549 are Army, 213 are Marines, 369 are Navy and 32 are civilians. 450 of these are losses over sea. Since post January 27, 1973 there have been 933 Americans accounted for from the Vietnam War; sadly, none were returned alive after the fall of Saigon. We will never forget!
There are 3347 Americans unaccounted for from World War I (two more sets of remains have recently been identified). There are now 74,074 Americans unaccounted for from World War II. There are now 8,025 Americans unaccounted for from the Korean War (108 from Arkansas; 151 from Louisiana; 152 from Oklahoma; and 451 from Texas). There are 125 Americans unaccounted for from the Cold War. There is one American, Ahmed Altaie, unaccounted for from Operation Iraqi Freedom, and one American, Bowe Berghal, unaccounted for from Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. Friday, September 17th will be National POW/MIA Recognition Day! The 23rd Annual POW/MIA Vigil will be held September 3 & 4, 2010, Labor Day weekend. We hope to see you there again! The "Ride to Remember" will be Saturday, September 4, leaving the Arkansas Welcome Center on Hwy 71 North at 2:40 pm. See the events page for more information. WE WILL NEVER FORGET!! WILL YOU? |
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| ANNUAL POW/MIA VIGIL |
| As stated above, we will host our 23rd annual "POW/MIA Vigil on Friday & Saturday, September 3 & 4, 2010 at the Korea/Vietnam Memorial in downtown Texarkana. The opening ceremonies will start tentatively at 3:11 pm (time changes if any more POW/MIA's are identified between now and then). We will have the First Candlelight Services at 8:30 pm Friday night. Saturday we will have our annual POW meal at 12:00 noon. Then at 2:50 pm the annual "Ride to Remember" will arrive at the Memorial and then we will have our POW/MIA Service (3:00 pm). Our closing/Candlelight Service will begin at 8:00 pm Saturday night. We will send one minute for each American (1719) unaccounted for from the Vietnam War, one minute for each local American (26?) unaccounted for from the Korean War (whose name is engraved upon this Memorial), and one minute for each American unaccounted for from Iraq & Afghanistan (1 each as of when this goes to print). See events page for more information. |
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| POW/MIA T-SHIRTS |
| We now have t-shirts that have a POW/MIA logo on the front and have the list of POW/MIA's on the back. We have both Arkansas and Texas. These shirts are black (no pocket). The names are listed along with the city and branch of service. These go for $20 each, with XXL, XXXL & XXXXL $2 extra. We will have these at the next meeting. These t-shirts are made in the U.S.A.! |
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| TEXARKANA AREA VETERANS COUNCIL (TAVC) |
| The August meeting will be held Thursday, August 5 at 6:00 pm. The September meeting will be held September 2. Remember: The Texarkana Area Veterans Council meets the first Thursday of each month at 6:00 pm at the American Legion Post.
VVA # 278's delegates and alternates are: Billy Walker, Fisher Plymale, Ann Walker, Donna Carmeli, Freddie Weathers, and Greg Bischoff. The TAVC meetings are open to all members of the member organizations. To schedule a ride on one of the vans call the following numbers: To ride the van to Shreveport call: 1-800-863-7441 Ext 7025. To get a ride on the local van call 318-286-6735. Volunteer drivers are needed to drive these vans and provide this service for our veterans! You do not have to be a veteran to drive the van, just a clean driving record and be able to pass a VA physical exam. Help us help veterans! |
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| VVA TEXAS STATE COUNCIL MEETING |
| The next VVA Texas State Council meeting will be in Beaumont February 11-13, 2011 at the MCM Elegante hotel. Room rates are $89.00 per night. Call 409/842-3600 for reservations. Use code VVAC. Rates are good until January 21, 2011. Registration is $40 for delegates, $35 for AVVA & guests. Forms will be available at 278's next meeting. VVA # 292. Beaumont is host. |
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| TEXAS CAPITOL VIETNAM WAR MONUMENT |
| More than 500,00 Texans served in the Vietnam War and 3,416 sacrificed their lives there. Work is being done to place a monument honoring their service on the Texas Capitol grounds. The granite and bronze monument will acknowledge the sacrifices of US military men and women and the Vietnamese military, during the Vietnam War.The 14 foot tall monument will be five figures that represent the "Dawn Patrol", a military defensive circle. A seated figure represents a wounded Vietnamese Ranger. He is receiving blood from an African-American medic. The radioman is a Native American. A kneeling figure represents a Hispanic scout/sniper. A standing figure is a Caucasian grunt.
So far $300,00 has been raised. They have figured that since around 572,000 Vietnam veterans now reside in Texas, if each gave just 2 dollars they would have enough to finish the project. Last month VVA # 278 donated $132, 2 dollars for each name on our local Korea/Vietnam Memorial who was KIA or is listed as unaccounted for from Texas on the Vietnam War side. All donations are tax deductible, payable by cash, check, money order or credit card to the "Texas Capitol Vietnam War Monument." To learn more or to donate visit their web site: http://www.buildthemonument.org. |
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| GULF WAR PRESUMPTIVE DISEASES |
| VA Secretary Eric Shinseki recently announced he is taking steps to make it easier for veterans to obtain disability compensation for certain diseases associated with service during the first Gulf War; as well as those who served in Iraq and Afghanistan on or after September 11, 2001. VA will publish a proposed regulation in the Federal Register to establish new service-connection presumptions for nine (9) specific infectious diseases. Specifically: Brucellosis, Campylobacterjejuni, Coxiella bumetii (Q fever), Malaria, Mycobactertium tuberculosis, Non typhoid Salmonella, Shigella, Visceral leishmaniasis, and West Nile virus.
Without a rule change for presumptive conditions, veterans are required to provided medical evidence to establish an actual connection between a specific disease and military service in Southwest Asia or Afghanistan. With the proposed rule, a veteran would only have to prove service in Southwest Asia or Afghanistan, and a current diagnosis of one of the nine diseases. A final regulation will be published after a 60-day public comment period. For more information about disability compensation or health problems associated with military service during the first Gulf War and OEF/OIE go to www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/gulfwar/ or www.va.gov. |
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| U.S. VETERAN COMPENSATION PROGRAMS |
| U.S. Veteran Compensation Programs is the first unique web site dedicated to helping U.S. veterans discover the benefits they have earned. Complete details about service-connected compensation issues and important updates about veteran benefits as they occur. Also, services that help veterans gain quick and easy access to vital VA departments and information. They provide free and user-friendly resources for veterans and their family members. Just go to: http://www.veteranprograms.com. |
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| NATIONAL RESOURCE DIRECTORY |
| The National Resource Directory (NRD) is a Web site for wounded, ill and injured Service Members, Veterans, their families and those who support them. It provides access to services and resources at the national, state and local levels to support recovery, rehabilitation and community reintegration. Visitors can find information on a variety of topics including benefits & compensation, education & training, employment, family & caregiver support, health, homeless assistance, housing, transportation & travel and other services & resources. For help on how to find resources on the site, visit the How to Use this Site section of the NRD.
The NRD is a partnership among the Departments of Defense, Labor and Veterans Affairs. The information contained within the NRD is from federal, state and local government agencies; Veterans service and benefit organizations; non-profit and community-based organizations; academic institutions and professional associations that provide assistance to wounded warriors and their families. |
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| VA Announces Change to Medication Copays for Some Veterans |
| WASHINGTON - As previously announced on January 7, 2010, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) froze prescription co payment increases for six months. Veterans who generally have higher income and no service-connected disabilities - referred to as Priority Groups 7 and 8 Veterans - will now pay an additional $1 for each 30-day supply of outpatient medications. Taking effect July 1, the increase to $9 from $8 is the first change in VA's medication co pay since Jan. 1, 2006. Because of the harsh economic reality facing many Veterans, we delayed the change," said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki. "We're now ensuring the Veterans most in need of VA care are those least affected. Yet, even with this increase, VA medication co pays are lower than much of the private sector. This change does not impact Veterans in Priority Groups 2 through 6 who will continue to pay $8 for each 30-day supply of medications for their non-service connected conditions unless otherwise exempted. These Veterans will also continue to have their out-of-pocket expenses for VA outpatient medications capped at $960 per calendar year.
Veterans who have an injury or illness connected with their military service resulting in a disability rated 50 percent or greater – who are known as Priority Group 1 Veterans -- are exempt from the co pay VA generally sets its outpatient medication co pay rate based upon a regulation that ties the rate to the Medical Consumer Price Index for prescription drugs. Veterans who have difficulty paying co payments for outpatient medications should discuss the matter with their local VA enrollment coordinator. Veterans may also contact VA at 1-877-222 VETS (8387) or visit VA's health eligibility Web site at www.va.gov/healtheligibility. |
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| County Veteran Service Officers |
| To find a County Veteran Service Officer in Arkansas go to the web site: http://www.veterans.arkansas.gov/cvso.html
To find a V.S.O. in Texas go to: www.tvc.state.tx.us/about/county-service-officers To find a Texas Veterans Commission claims office go to: www.tvc.state.tx.us/about/claims.office |
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| VA Makes Filing Claims Easier and Faster for Veterans Simpler Forms and New Program Reduce Paperwork and Speed Process |
| WASHINGTON - As part of Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki's effort to break the back of the backlog, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is reducing the paperwork and expediting the process for Veterans seeking compensation for disabilities related to their military service. "These reductions in paperwork, along with other improvements to simplify and speed the claims process, symbolize changes underway to make VA more responsive to Veterans and their families," said Secretary Shinseki. VA has shortened application forms to reduce paperwork for Veterans. The new forms, which are being made available on VA's Web site at http://www4.va.gov/vaforms/, include:
A shortened VA Form 21-526 for Veterans applying for the first-time to VA for disability compensation or pension benefits. This form has been cut in half - from 23 to 10 pages. It is immediately available to Veterans via Web download, and will be available through VA's online claim-filing process later this summer at http://vabenefits.vba.va.gov/vonapp/main.asp. Form 21-526b for Veterans seeking increased benefits for conditions already determined by VA to be service-connected. This new form more clearly describes the information needed to support claims for increased benefits. In order to make the claims process faster, VA has also introduced two new forms for Veterans participating in the Department's new fully developed claim (FDC) program, which is one of the fastest means to receive a claims decision. Gathering the information and evidence needed to support a Veteran's disability claim often takes the largest portion of the processing time. If VA receives all of the available evidence when the claim is submitted, the remaining steps in the claims-decision process can be expedited without compromising quality. To participate in the FDC program, Veterans should complete and submit an FDC Certification and VA Form 21-526EZ, "Fully Developed Claim (Compensation)," for a compensation claim, or a VA Form 21-527EZ, "Fully Developed Claim (Pension)," for a pension claim. The forms were designed specifically for the FDC program. These six-page application forms include notification to applicants of all information and evidence necessary to "fully develop" and substantiate their claims. With this notification, Veterans and their representatives can "fully develop" their claims before submission to VA for processing. Along with the application and certification, Veterans must also submit all relevant and pertinent evidence to "fully develop" their claims. A claim submitted as "fully developed" may still require some additional evidence to be obtained by VA, to include certain federal records and a VA medical examination. VA provides compensation, pension, education, loan guaranty, vocational rehabilitation, employment, and insurance benefits to Veterans and their families through 57 VA regional offices. Disability compensation is a tax-free benefit paid to a Veteran for disabilities that are a result of -- or made worse by -- injuries or diseases that happened while on active duty, active duty for training or inactive duty training. Pension is a benefit paid to wartime Veterans with limited income, and who are permanently and totally disabled or age 65 or older. For more information, go to www.va.gov or call VA's toll free benefits number at 1-800-827-1000 |
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| HERO'S PANTRY |
| The "Hero's Pantry" is a food bank that is specific for our Texarkana area veterans and their families who are having trouble putting food on their tables. The most needed items are: peanut butter, chunky soups, canned meats, canned tuna, canned vegetables, juice, cereal, macaroni & cheese, pasta, pasta sauces, pudding cups/fruit cups/jello cups, crackers, sugar-free snacks, dried milk, reduced sodium soups, high fiber cereals, canned chicken, dried fruits & nuts, coffee, and paper goods (plates, napkins, towels, toilet paper). Any non-perishable item will be accepted. Please don't use this to get rid of all your out-dated stuff! All donations can be dropped off at the Texarkana VA Clinic during normal working hours (8:00 am til 4:00 pm) - ask for Stephanie or Jeff Greer. Also we will collect this items and/or cash for this pantry at our VVA # 278 meetings, starting at the August 15 meeting. This is an easy way to assist local needy veterans. I think we need to really get behind this! |
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| Nick Bacon - Medal of Honor |
| Nick Bacon, who was awarded the Medal of Honor for actions in Vietnam, passed away Saturday, July 17 from throat cancer. Nick Bacon, the Arkansas native who received the Medal of Honor for action in Vietnam and later served as head of the state veterans affairs agency, die today. Bacon, 64, was one of the few surviving Medal of Honor recipients—having earned the nation’s highest award for valor while serving in the United States Army in Viet Nam. On August 26, 1968, then SSG Bacon assumed command of his platoon—and then another—as he led an attack against a dug-in enemy attacking a unit of the First Cavalry Division near Tam Ky, Viet Nam. Bacon also served a number of years as Director of Veterans Affairs in Arkansas and was former President of the Medal of Honor Society. Nick was also our guest speaker when we had the Moving Wall here in Texarkana in 1999. Nick was a Life member of VVA in Arkansas. |
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| CALENDAR OF EVENTS
August 5: TAVC meeting August 12-14: Hope Watermelon Festival August 10-15: VVA National Leadership Conference, Orlando, FL August 15: VVA #278 meeting August 18-21: New Boston Pioneer Days September 2: TAVC meeting September 3-4: 23rd Annual POW/MIA Vigil September 11: Defense Community Appreciation Day (Tentative) September 17-26: Four States Fair & Rodeo October 2: DeKalb's OktoberFest October 2: Quadrangle Festival October 7: TAVC meeting October 17: VVA #278 meeting November 2: Election Day -- GET OUT AND VOTE! November 4: TAVC meeting November 6: Dedication of Fouke's Veterans Memorial Park November 10: Marine Corp's Birthday November 11: Veterans Day November 13: Veterans Day Parade November 21: VVA #278 meeting December 2: TAVC meeting December 19: VVA #278 meeting January 6, 2011: TAVC meeting January 16, 2011: VVA #278 meeting |