APRIL - MAY 2011 NEWSLETTER
[ NEWSLETTER ARCHIVES ]
| VIETNAM VETERANS OF AMERICA, INC. P.O. BOX 6608 TEXARKANA, TX 75505-6608 www.vva278.org
OFFICERS JOIN VVA and AVVA |
| VVA # 278's NEXT MEETING |
| VVA # 278's next meeting will be Sunday, April 17, 2011 at the American Legion Post at 525 East Broad Street. The meal will begin at 1:30 pm and will be our Easter dinner. I will bring ham, macaroni & cheese, and soft drinks. 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; Legislative news; Fundraising ideas; Set-up at Texarkana College; Upcoming events; Planning for the 15th annual "Veterans Information Fair" and the 24th Annual POW/MIA Vigil;etc. We ask everyone to bring some non-perishable items for the "Heros Pantry." Remember: Sunday, April 17 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 MAY MEETING |
| VVA # 278 will meet Sunday, May 15, 2011 at 1:30 pm at the American Legion Post at 525 East Broad Street. This will be a pot luck dinner. We ask all members to bring a covered dish and/or dessert to share.
The business session will begin right after the meal. Topics to be discussed will include: Veteran's issues updates; Committee Reports; Legislative news; Fundraising ideas, Upcoming events; etc., etc.. We ask everyone to bring items for the Hero's Pantry! Remember: Sunday, May 15 at 1:30 pm at the American Legion Post. We hope to see you there! This is your chapter, be part of it! Together then - Together Now! The June meeting will be held Sunday, June 19 at 1:30 pm at the American Legion Post at 525 East Broad Street. |
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| 2011 FUNDRAISING PROJECT FOR VVA # 278 |
| VVA # 278's major fundraising project for 2011 will consist of a raffle for a Smith & Wesson MP 15 in .223 caliper. This is an M-16 type rifle. It will come with six 30 round magazines amd a hard case. Second place drawing will be a handmade patriotic quilt. Tickets will be $2.00 each; 3 for $5.00; & 7 for $10.00. Drawing will be at the 2011 Veterans Day Parade on Saturday, November 12, 2011. Tickets are available now! We are also still selling the Arkansas and Texas POW/MIA t-shirts which list those unaccounted for from each state. |
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| VVA # 278's RECENT MEETINGS & OTHER ACCOMPLISHMENTS |
| We recently approved a donation of $250 for the Bowie County Special Olympics, and another $100 donation to the Texas Capitol Vietnam War Monument. We will be setting up booths at the 2nd Annual Kiwanis Club of Dekalb's Craft Show, the annual Boy Scout Jamboree, and an informational/display booth at Texarkana College (Thanks to Tom McLeod for loaning us some equipment to show at the Jamboree & College and to Dawna Rogers for inviting us). |
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| VVA #278 MEMBERSHIP |
| As of March 21, 2011 Vietnam Veterans of America # 278 has 110 VVA members; (70 Life members, 38 annual and/or three year members, 2 Incarcerated members), and 27 AVVA members, with 14 Life members and 12 annual and/or three year members. We would like to extend a hearty welcome to our newest members to our VVA # 278 family. They are: Barrie Davis, Laverne Oestreich, and Gary Young. WELCOME ABOARD & WELCOME HOME!! Also a big Welcome back to George Wisdom !!
We have four whose membership have become delinquent recently. They are: Charles Attaway, Dan Bookout, Terry Strong, and John Webb. We really want you to remain in the VVA # 278 family. And we are still looking for: John Barros, Sidney Cooper, Gary Dorsey, Daniel Fedd. Timothy Fultz, Kathy & Rusty Hicks, Pamela Pierce, Tom Powers, Billie Robinson, Tommy Rutherford and Edward Schanefish. We really do want you back!! On a sadder note Donna Carmeli's son died in Iraq on March 15; and our Calvin Smith suffered a stroke March 25. Keep these families in you thoughts and prayers! Also Jay Rowe, a Marine Corps veteran of Iwo Jima passed away March 14. You'll remember Jay as the older gentleman who was stooped over but he made every veteran related activity and helped us set up for the POW/MIA vigil and Memorial Days services. He was one of our AVVA members, and John Fooks hauled him around. Jay volunteered at the VA Clinic for 15+ years. We will miss him! Semper Fi Jay! 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 March 26, 2011, according to the National League of Families and the DoD, there are still 1698 Americans unaccounted for from the Vietnam War. March 2009. of these 1699, 1304 in Vietnam (North-476; South-826), 332 in Laos, 59 in Cambodia, and 7 in China. These numbers have changed again due to investigations resulting in changed location of loss. of this 1698, 18 from Arkansas, 24 from Louisiana, 34 from Oklahoma, and 108 from Texas. 544 are Air Force, 545 are Army, 212 are Marines, 369 are Navy and 32 are civilians. Over 450 of these are considered losses over sea. Since the end of the war (1975) there have been 881 Americans acccounted for from the Vietnam War, sadly, none were returned alive after the fall of Saigon.
There are 3347 Americans unaccounted for from World War I (two more sets of remains have recently been identified). There are now 74,064 Americans unaccounted for from World War II. There are now 8,019 Americans unaccounted for from the Korean War (108 from Arkansas; 151 from Louisiana; 152 from Oklahoma; amd 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 Eduring Freedom in Afghanistan. Our 24th Annual POW/MIA Vigil will be held Friday & Saturday, September 2 & 3, 2011. As of right now we will spend 33 hours & 57 minutes at the Korea/Vietnam Memorial - one minute for each American unaccounted for from the Vietnam War (1998), one minute for each local (names engraved upon this memorial)American unaccounted for from the Korean War (37), and one minute for each American unaccounted for from the Iraq and Afghanistan wars (2). WE WILL NEVER FORGET!! |
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| TEXARKANA AREA VETERANS COUNCIL (TAVC) |
| Memorial Day will be observed locally at four different services. The first one will be the Texarkana Area Veterans Council and East Memorial Gardens service. It will be held Sunday, May 29 at 2:00 pm at East Memorial Gardens on Hwy 67 east, just past the Texarkana Airport. On Monday, May 30 (which happens to be the traditional Memorial Day) there will be three different services. The first will be at the Miller County Courthouse at 11:00 am and is hosted by the American Legion Post 25-58. Right after that service we will form up on 5th Street for the annual "Memorial Day Remembrance Walk" and walk to the Korea/Vietnam Memorial where the second service will be held. This service is hosted by Vietnam Veterans of America # 278 and will begin at approximately 11:45 am and will be our 28th Memorial Day Service at this site. Then at 1:00 pm the third and last service of the day will be held at HillCrest Memorial Cemetary hosted by Texarkana Funeral Home. We encourage all veterans and the general public to attend as many of these services as possible, show your appreciation for those that gave their very life to protect the freedoms we, as Americans, enjoy everyday! If you can't attend these services (or even if you can) at 3:00 pm locally across the nation will the "National Moment of Remembrance " will be observed. Give our heros a moment of your time and remember them - it's the least you can do for what they done for you!!! Remember, Memorial Day is the day set aside to remember and honor those who gave their lives while in the U.S. military in service to this country. They died so you can enjoy the freedoms and liberty that we have - Remember them!
LEST WE FORGET! |
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| TEXARKANA AREA VETERANS COUNCIL (TAVC) |
| The April meeting will be held Thursday, April 7 at 6:00 pm. The May meeting will be held May 5. Remember: The Texarkana Area Veterans Council meets the first Thursday of each month at 6:00 pm at the American Legion Post at 525 East Broad Street.
VVA # 278's delegates and alternates are: Billy Walker, Fisher Plymale, Ann Walker, Donna Carmeli, and Greg Bischoff. Recently Red River Federal Credit Union donated $5000 to the Council to be used to purchase the next van - THANKS RRFCU!!! Also, Whiskey River Harley Davison and the local H.O.G. Chapter are planning a fundraiser for the Council to help purchase the van. Tentative plans are for a crawfish boil to be held Saturday, May 7, 2011 at Whiskey River Harley Davison. THANKS Whiskey River Harley and H.O.G.!!! Make your plans to attend. Also, Thanks to Bob Bradley, VFW & VVA member who nominated the Council to the H.O.G. Chapter for this fundraiser! By the way, we made $1278 from the Chili Cook-off. Thanks to all who helped and those who cooked!! 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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| 50th ANNIVERSARY of the VIETNAM WAR |
| The Department of Defense announced recently its program to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the Vietnam War. It will:
(1) thank and honor veterans of the Vietnam War, including personnel who were held as prisoners of war (POW), or listed as missing in action (MIA), for their service and sacrifice on behalf of the United States and to thank and honor the families of these veterans. (2) highlight the service of the Armed Forces during the Vietnam War and the contributions of Federal agencies and governmental and non-governmental organizations that served with, or in support of, the Armed Forces. (3) pay tribute to the contributions made on the home front by the people of the United States during the Vietnam War. (4) highlight the advances in technology, science, and medicine related to military research conducted during the Vietnam War. (5) recognize the contributions and sacrifices made by the allies of the United States during the Vietnam War. The DoD will coordinate with other federal agencies, veterans groups, state and local governments, and non-government organizations for their input in Vietnam War commemoration activities. VVA # 278 will plan some activities during this period of commemoration. So think what and when you would like VVA # 278 to do and let us know. |
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| VVA TEXAS STATE COUNCIL MEETING |
| Borger Chapter # 440 will host the June TSC meeting on June 3 , 4, & 5, 2011. It is going to be held at the Holiday Inn Express at 1351 West Wilson. Room rates are $77.00 or Suites -$105. For reservations call 1-806-274-3333. Registration fees are $30 for delegates and $25 for AVVA members and guests. Mail to: VVA # 404; P.O. Box 34; Fritch, TX 79036. Cut-off date is May 3, 2011. VVA # 404 contact is Myron Peterson @ 806-857-3950. AVVA Project Amigo recipient will be "Living Waters Ministries" who provides food & clothing to Hutchinson County's needy. |
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| NATIONAL VVA CONVENTION |
| Vietnam Veterans of America's 15th National Convention will be held August 17-20, 2011 in Reno, Neveda. This is the time when VVA elects their 4 National Officers and 19 Board of Directors. This is also the time when any changes to the VVA Constitution are made and Resolutions guiding the organization are made and amended. VVA # 278 is allowed three delegates to this convention. |
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| AGENT ORANGE |
| We encourage all Vietnam veterans to get their Agent Orange exam through the VA. This is free, won't cost you anything but a trip to a VA medical Center. Call the VA or your County Veterans Service Officer to make an appointment.
Agent Orange Registry Health Exam: 1-877-222-8387 (Ask to speak to the Environmental Health Coordinator or Patient Care Advocate) VVA has published a new Agent Orange Self-Help guide. It is on the VVA website (www.vva.org) and we will have copies at the chapter meetings. We will also have the list of ships authorized by the VA for Agent Orange claims and a list of state side military bases that are on the EPA superfund site list. |
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| LAST KNOWN AMERICAN WORLD WAR I VETERAN PASSES AWAY |
| Frank Woodruff Buckles passed away Thursday, February 27 ar 110 years of age. Frank Buckles was the last known American World War I veteran. He also survived being a civilian POW during World War II when the Japanese took over the Phillipines. Mr. Buckles had for years been advocating for a national World War I Memorial to be in Washington, DC honor his brother veterans. |
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| STROKE SYMPTOMS |
| Sometimes symptoms of a stroke are difficult to identify. Unfortunately, the lack of awareness spells disaster. The stroke victim may suffer severe brain damage when people nearby fail to recognize the symptoms of a stroke.
Now doctors say a bystander can recognize a stroke by asking three simple questions:
Ask the individual to SMILE. If he or she has trouble with ANY ONE of these tasks, call emergency number immediately and describe the symptoms to the dispatcher. New Sign of a Stroke -------- Stick out Your Tongue NOTE: Another 'sign' of a stroke is this: Ask the person to 'stick' out his tongue. If the tongue is 'crooked', if it goes to one side or the other that is also an indication of a stroke. |
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| VETERANS INFORMATION FAIR |
| VVA # 278 will host our 15th Annual "Veterans Information Fair" Saturday, May 21 (Armed Forces Day) at the Southwest Center at 3222 West 7th Street from 9:00 am until 1:30 pm (see attached flyer). We will have representatives from several agencies (VA Medical Center, Shreveport; VA Clinic, Texarkana; Texas Veterans Land Board; Texas Veterans Commission; Social Security Administration; Texas WorkForce Commission; Texas A&M Vet Reps; Visiting Angels; Agency for the Aging; Red River Federal Credit Union; Vet Center; Vietnam Veterans of America # 278. This service is free to all veterans, active duty military personnel, National Guard and Reserve personnel and their immediate families. |
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| TEXARKANA, TEXAS ELKS LODGE # 2771 |
| The Texarkana, Texas Elks Lodge # 2771 serves a free breakfast to veterans every third Saturday of each month at their home at 3702 New Boston Road. Guest's breakfasts are five dollars. These breakfasts are served from 7:00 am until 11:00 am. The funds they raise from these breakfasts will be used to support and/or honor veterans. So stop by and enjoy a good breakfast. Tell them I sent you and they might let you wash dishes. Thanks Elks!! |
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| New Website Links Vets, Spouses to Jobs |
| Unemployed veterans, wounded warriors, Reserve Component members and all their spouses can now link to a new Employee Partnership of the Armed Forces website at http://www.employerpartnership.org/ that helps link people looking for a job with public and private employers who are ready to hire former servicemembers and their spouses. For more information, go to http://www.defense.gov/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=62751. |
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| CONTACT YOUR ELECTED U.S. OFFICIALS |
| Find contact information for your elected senators and representatives here. |
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| ROLLING THUNDER XXIV |
| Rolling Thunder XXIV "Ride For Freedom" will be held Memorial Day weekend, May 29, 2011. Rolling Thunder is an annual motorcycle rally that is held in Washington, DC during the Memorial Day weekend to call for the government's recognition and protection of Prisoners of War (POWs) and those Missing in Action (MIAs). About 400,000 veterans will roar across Washington, DC on their motorcycles as a tribute to American war heroes. This is a demostration, not a parade or protest. For more information go to their website: www.rollingthunder1.com. |
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| The Wall: Facts and Figures |
| The walls of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial are made of black granite, quarried near Bangalore, India. All cutting and fabrication took place in Barre, Vt. On the Memorial’s walls, listed chronologically by date of casualty (not always the date of death), 58,267 names are inscribed. Each name was inscribed using a stencil generated from the computer tape of the official DOD Vietnam casualty list. The names are 0.53 inches high and are typeset in Optima font.
Of the 58,267 names on The Wall, eight are women and 16 are members of the clergy. Names are added to the Memorial each year in May just prior to Memorial Day. DOD has strict parameters for inclusion of a name on The Wall. The Wall is built in the shape of a chevron. Both the east and west portions measure 246 feet and 8 inches and meet at an angle of 125.12 degrees. Each corner of the Memorial points exactly to the northeast corners of the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial. Today, The Wall is one of the most visited memorials on the National Mall, with around 4 million visitors annually. Visitors often leave remembrances at The Wall. These items – medals, photographs, helmets, jewelry -- are collected by NPS and stored in a facility in suburban Maryland. Remembrances left at the Memorial now number more than 150,000. The Vietnam Veterans Memorial's reach is felt throughout the United States through several replicas (The Wall's design is not copyrighted) that annually visit many cities and towns. VVMF’s traveling memorial, The Wall that Heals, encompasses a half-sized replica of The Wall and a comprehensive, educational traveling museum. Additionally, VVMF's website provides the opportunity for family and friends to honor their loved ones who made the ultimate sacrifice in the Vietnam War. The Virtual Wall, which is located on this site, features tens of thousands of remembrances, both text and photographs, of those honored on The Wall in Washington, D.C. |
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| CALENDAR OF EVENTS
April 7: TAVC meeting April 9: Boy Scout Jamboree April 17: VVA #278 meeting April 20: Set-up at Texarkana College May 5: TAVC meeting May 15: Peace Officer's Memorial Day May 21: Veterans Information Fair May 22: VVA #278 meeting May 29 : TAVC Memorial Day Service May 30: VVA # 278 Memorial Day Service June 2: TAVC meeting June 3 & 4: VVA TSC meeting - Borger June 19: VVA #278 meeting July 7: TAVC meeting July 17: VVA #278 meeting August 4: TAVC meeting August 21: VVA #278 meeting September 2 & 3: 24th Annual POW/MIA Vigil |
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| JOIN VIETNAM VETERANS OF AMERICA (VVA) & ASSOCIATES OF VVA All veterans should belong to at least one veterans organization!! |
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| VETERANS INFORMATION FAIR - 15TH ANNUAL |
| SATURDAY, MAY 21, 2011, 9:00 AM UNTIL 1:30 PM "SOUTHWEST CENTER" 3222 WEST SEVENTH STREET PARTICIPANTS & SERVICES INVITED BUT NOT LIMITED TO: FREE TO VETERANS, ACTIVE & RESERVE DUTY & NATIONAL GUARD & THEIR FAMILIES HOSTED BY: TEXARKANA AREA CHAPTER # 278 (VIETNAM VETERANS OF AMERICA, INC.) FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL 870/773-8279 OR 903/824-2727 OR 903/628-7216 or 903/799-6929 www.vva278.org |