JUNE - JULY 2011 NEWSLETTER
| 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, June 19, 2011 at the American Legion Post at 525 East Broad Street. The meal will begin at 1:30 pm and will be pot luck. I will bring ham 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; Report on the Texas State Council meeting; Report on the Veterans Information Fair; Legislative news; Fundraising ideas; Upcoming events; planning for the 24th Annual POW/MIA Vigil;etc. We ask everyone to bring some non-perishable items for the "Hero's Pantry." Note: The "Hero's Pantry" is no longer operated out of the VA Clinic, it has moved to a church but still assists veterans!
Remember: Sunday, June 19 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 JULY MEETING |
| VVA # 278 will meet Sunday, July 17, 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, July 17 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 August meeting will be held Sunday, August 28 at 1:30 pm at the American Legion Post at 525 East Broad Street. Note - We moved the August meeting to the 4th Sunday due to the VVA National Convention being the 3rd Sunday. This will be VVA # 278's 25th Anniversary observance - we were chartered August 29, 1986. Congratulations 278!! Remember: There is no meeting in September! The October meeting will be Sunday, October 16. |
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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 caliber. This is an M-16 type rifle. It will come with six 30 round magazines and 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 ($20 each). We also have some chapter t-shirts (blue & gray) for $10 each. We also have some patches, P38s, bumper stickers, and hats. |
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| VVA # 278's RECENT MEETINGS & OTHER ACCOMPLISHMENTS |
| Since the last newsletter we have done two set-ups, both for educational purposes. The first one was at the Boy Scout Jamboree and the second one was at Texarkana College. Tom McLeod loaned us some Vietnam era gear and the scouts and students enjoyed the chance to put these articles (flak jacket, helmet, pistol belt with holster and canteen, and a trainer M16{rubber} on and take pictures. We also had some personal items and pictures. This was two great opportunities to teach a little on Vietnam. Thanks Tom!! By the way, we are looking for Vietnam era gear to make up our own display. We are buying the M16 trainer from Tom. We are looking for training grenades, replica weapons (M79, M60, AK47, SKS, Ma Duece, LAAW etc.). packs, helmets, etc. if you have any to loan or donate.
On Armed Forces Day we hosted our 15th annual "Veterans Information Fair." I consider it a complete success. We had around 100 veterans come thru and from what I understand we helped all of them to an extent - no complaints. We had a couple of agencies that couldn't make it, ie, Texas Veterans Land Board and Social Security, and we missed them. We would like to thank all of the agencies and organizations that did show up, I hope they had an opportunity to learn something also - THANKS!!! We hope to see you again next year (May 19)! And to all the VVA # 278 members who showed up to help - Thanks!!! |
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| VVA #278 MEMBERSHIP |
| As April 30, 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 15 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: Judy Franklin and Fred Beach.
We have five members who are delinquent. They are: Dan Bookout, Terry Strong, John Webb, Grace Smith, and Dona Millward. We really want you to remain in the VVA # 278 family. We Want You - We Need You!! I'm sorry to say that one of our Life Members - Howard Willis passed away May 15. 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 May 31, 2011, according to the National League of Families and the DoD, there are still 1689 Americans unaccounted for from the Vietnam War. March 2009. of these 1689 , 1296 in Vietnam (North-476; South-820), 328 in Laos, 58 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 107 from Texas. 542 are Air Force, 536 are Army, 212 are Marines, 367 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 894 Americans accounted for from the Vietnam War, and another 63 before 1975. 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 73,792 Americans unaccounted for from World War II. There are now 7995 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. We will never forget!! Remember them!! Our 24th Annual POW/MIA Vigil will be held Friday & Saturday, September 2 & 3, 2011. As of right now we will spend 28 hours & 44 minutes at the Korea/Vietnam Memorial - one minute for each American unaccounted for from the Vietnam War(1685), 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!! Join VVA & AVVA. |
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| THE WALL |
| Of the original 58,193 names on the Wall 38,209 were in the Army, 14,838 were Marines, 2,584 were Air Force, 2,555 were Navy, and 7 were Coast Guard. The Wall was dedicated November 12, 1982. Over 2550 of these names were Prisoners of War or Missing in Action. Over the years names have been added, there were five added before Memorial Day, bringing the number of names of our brothers and sisters (8) on the Wall to 58,272 .
Each name is preceded (on the West Wall) or followed (on the East Wall) by a symbol designating status. The diamond symbol denotes that the service member's death was confirmed. Those whose names are designated by the cross symbol were in missing or prisoner status at the end of the war and remain missing and unaccounted for. In the event a serviceman's remains are returned or he is otherwise accounted for, the diamond symbol is superimposed over the cross. This has happened 894 times. If a man returns alive, a circle, as a symbol of life, will be inscribed around the cross. No such cases have occurred though some men have been found to be alive with their names on The Wall due to clerical errors. To put a circle around their names would not give a correct historical context to the symbols. These names are and have been removed from periodic revisions of the printed Directory of Names, but are left on the Wall. For more info go to their web site at: www.vvmf.org. |
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| VIETNAM WAR FACTS AND STATISITCS |
| There are several sources of information on the Vietnam War. Listed below are a couple of these sources. I believe you will find these very interesting. These are but a few of the web sites available. There are also web sites for World War II, Korea, Iraq, Afghanistan and others. For info on Vietnam go to: www.vhfcn.org/stat.html (This is the History Channel) www.veteranshour.com/vietnam_war_statistics.htm www.mrfa.org/vnstats.htm www.militaryfactory.com/vietnam/casualties.asp Also you can go to Wikipedia and go to: United States Military Casualties of War. This covers all wars the United States has been involved in as does: www.teacheroz.com/Military_History.htm and www.fas.org/sgp/crs/natsec/RL32492.pdf. Civil War info: www.phil.muni.cz/~vndrzl/amstudies/civilwar_stats.htm |
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| TEXARKANA AREA VETERANS COUNCIL (TAVC) |
| The June meeting will be held Thursday, June 2 at 6:00 pm. The July meeting will be held July 7. 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. On May 7, 2011, the H.O.G. Chapter (Harley Owners Group) and Whiskey River Harley Davison combined resources and hosted a Benefit Crawfish Boil. The beneficiary was the Texarkana Area Veterans Council. On Saturday, May 14 they presented the Council with a check for $8000! It is truly rewarding to work with a group like the HOG chapter who says it is going to support the troops and the veterans and then puts its money (and sweat) where their mouth is - wasn't any lip service here! We sincerely appreciate their efforts and results on this endeavor! Thanks H.O.G. members and Whiskey River Harley Davison!!! 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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| 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 web site (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. Due to presumed exposure to herbicides collectively referred to as Agent Orange, Secretary Shinseki has determined that B cell leukemia, Parkinson’s disease, and ischemic heart disease will allow presumptive service connection. What follows is a brief overview of these conditions: Leukemias are a very complex group of diseases. B cell leukemia refers to several types of lymphoid leukemia that affect B cells. These types of leukemia include B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma, acute lymphoblastic leukemia, mature B-cell type, B-cell prolymphoblastic leukemia, mature B-cell type, B-cell prolymphocytic leukemia, precursor B lymphoblastic leukemia, and hairy cell leukemia |
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| Survivors and Dependents Benefits -- Death After Active Service |
| One of the more difficult tasks a survivor faces after the death of the veteran is completing the numerous claims forms for VA survivors' benefits. The anxiety and fear of the unknown - who to call, what to do, or where to go for help - can be an unpleasant experience. To help ease the burden and to ensure you will have the necessary details for filing a claim, here are some basic quick tips.
Documents Needed: Contact your Veterans Service Officer for assistance. |
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| 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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| ASBTDC TO OFFER FREE INTERNET MARKETING WORKSHOPS FOR VETERANS THIS SUMMER |
| ASBTDC's Herb Lawrence will serve as instructor for several of the hands-on seminars.
Veterans, the Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center has a deal for you, one it has never offered before. The ASBTDC is offering free hands-on training seminars for veterans in locations around the state starting June 7. Internet marketing is the common theme among the workshop topics. Participants will use ASBTDC's mobile computer lab to do hands-on online exercises.
In addition, veterans may still attend ASBTDC's fundamental "Starting a Business in Arkansas" class at no charge. Take a glance at the schedule of free training opportunities: The webinars are free, but registration is encouraged. Go to ArkansasVeteran.com/webinars to reserve your seat. |
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| CALENDAR OF EVENTS
June 2: TAVC meeting June 3 & 4: VVA TSC meeting - Borger June 14: Flag Day/Army Birthday June 19: VVA #278 meeting July 4: Independence Day July 7: TAVC meeting July 17: VVA #278 meeting July 27: Korean War Ended August 4: TAVC meeting August 11-13: Hope Watermelon Festival August 15-20: VVA National Convention August 18-20: New Boston Pioneer Days August 28: VVA #278 meeting September 2: Victory in Japan Day September 2 & 3: 24th Annual POW/MIA Vigil September 9: Day at Texas A & M Day September 11: Patriot Day/Constitution Day September 16: National POW/MIA Recognition Day September 16-25: Four States Fair & Rodeo September 18: Air Force Birthday September 25: Gold Star Mother's Day October 1: OktoberFest/DeKalb October 7: TAVC meeting October 13 : Navy Birthday November 5: Cullen Baker Days/Bloomburg November 8: Election Day November 10: Marine Corps Birthday November 11: Veterans Day/Gazette's "Salute to Veterans" November 12: Veterans Day Parade November 20 : VVA #278 meeting November 24: Thanksgiving Day December 7: Pearl Harbor Day December 18: VVA #278 meeting December 25: Christmas January 5, 2012: TAVC meeting January 15, 2012...VVA # 278 meeting: VVA #278 meeting |
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| JOIN VIETNAM VETERANS OF AMERICA (VVA) & ASSOCIATES OF VVA All veterans should belong to at least one veterans organization!! |