OCTOBER - NOVEMBER 2018 NEWSLETTER
VIETNAM VETERANS OF AMERICA, INC.
P.O. BOX 6608
TEXARKANA, TX 75505-6608
www.vva278.org
OFFICERS
PRESIDENT: Gregory Beck
VICE-PRESIDENT: Harry Campbell
SECRETARY: Johnnie Gentry
TREASURER: Jimmy Smith
AVVA REP: Merle Morris
BOARD of DIRECTORS
Robert Brown
Freddie Weathers
Kenneth Cosby
EDITOR: Gregory Beck
JOIN VVA and AVVA
VVA #278's OCTOBER MEETING
VVA #278's next meeting will be Sunday, October 21, 2018 at 1:30 pm at the Texas Elks Lodge at 3702 New Boston Road. The meal (pot luck) will begin at 1:30 pm. We ask members to bring a covered dish &/or dessert to share. Topics to be discussed will include: Veterans' issues updates; Committee reports; Our 2018 fundraising project; Upcoming set-ups and events; the 2nd annual 'Wagons for Veterans' & the disbursements made out of this fund; Report on the Veterans Salute in Linden; Report on our 31st annual 'POW/MIA Vigil'; Our plans for Veterans Day Parade; Plans on our 30th Anniversary of the Korea/Vietnam Memorial; Hosting a VVA Texas State Council meeting (April 26 & 27, 2019); etc. I will also have our new chapter t-shirts at the meeting: M, L & XL are $15, 2X are $17. I will also have VVA hats for sale at $6.00 a piece.
REMEMBER: Sunday, October 21 at the Elks Lodge at 3702 New Boston Road.
VVA #278's NOVEMBER MEETING
VVA #278's November meeting will be held Sunday, November 18 @ 1:30 pm at the Elks Lodge at 3702 New Boston Road. The meal will begin at 1:30 and will be our Thanksgiving dinner. The chapter will furnish ham & turkey and we ask members to bring a side dish and/or dessert to share. Topics to be discussed will include: Updates on Veterans' issues; Committee reports; Texas State Council meeting; 2nd Annual Wagons for Veterans; etc., etc..
REMEMBER: Sunday, November 18 @ 1:30 pm at the Elks Lodge @ 3702 New Boston Road.
VVA #278's meeting will be Sunday, December 16 @ 1:30 pm at the Elks Lodge.
VVA #278's MEMEBERSHIP
As of August 31 VVA #278 has 139 members: 113 Life, 24 Annual and/or 3 year; 2 IVI. Remember: You don't have to have served in-country Vietnam to join VVA, you just need to have served during that time. We would like to extend a warm welcome to our new members of the VVA #278 family: Phillip D. Doss, Nora M. Prestinari, Michael D. Bender, and Stuart F. Beck. WELCOME ABOARD & WELCOME HOME!!!
Membership is open to U.S. armed forces veterans who served on active duty (for other than training purposes) in the Republic of Vietnam between February 28, 1961, and May 7, 1975, or in any duty location between August 5, 1964, and May 7, 1975. $20 per year, $50 for 3 years, & $100 for Life membership. Join and be as active as your time, talents and interests allow. ATTENTION: New members: You must submit a copy of your DD- 214 form along with the application and dues payment!
Associates of Vietnam Veterans of America #278 has 34 members: 21 Life; 14 Annual and/or 3 year.
Together then, Together now.
VVA #278's ACTIVITIES
Since our last newsletter VVA #278 has set up a booth at New Boston Pioneer Days, donated $2500 and a bunch of foodstuffs to the Hero’s Pantry, assisted with the funeral expenses of a veteran with a donation, assisted a veteran by having his house tore down & hauled off. A tree had fell on it and demolished it beyond repair. We set up a booth at the 1st annual “Veterans Salute” in Linden (great event). We took a load of supplies to Farmers Bank & Trust to assist with their “Red, White & blue Military Drive.” We set up a booth at a gun show (at all our booths we distributed information and worked on our fundraising project). We assisted a young veteran who needed help with bills and the expenses of having custody of a three year old girl. We hosted our 31st Annual POW/MIA Vigil & our 24th Annual “Ride to Remember.” The weather was what you might call inclement (about 4 ½ inches of rain) but considering that we still had a pretty fair turnout at all the services. See you September 20 & 21 for our 32nd POW/MIA Vigil!
JOHN DANIEL FOOKS
I am sad to report that one of our members: John Daniel Fooks passed away September 20. John was a Marine that served during the Vietnam War. He was in the Marine Corps band in New Orleans. He was a retired reporter from the Texarkana Gazette. John done a lot promoting VVA # 278 with his “Days Gone By” columns. He had done stories on at least ten VVA # 278 members in this column. He had also written up many of our activities and events. John promoted veterans and their issues. Thank you John Fooks! Rest in Peace my friend!
PRISONERS OF WAR/MISSING IN ACTION - POW/MIA - WE WILL NEVER FORGET!
AMERICANS ACCOUNTED FOR: As of September 25, 2018 the number still missing (POW/MIA) and otherwise unaccounted-for (KIA/BNR) from the Vietnam War is 1,594. Of that number, 90% were lost in Vietnam or in areas of Cambodia or Laos under Vietnam’s wartime control: Vietnam-1,248 (VN-453, VS-795); Laos-291; Cambodia-48; PRC territorial waters-7. The total accounted for since the end of the Vietnam War in 1975 is 989. A breakdown by country of these 988 Americans is: Vietnam – 670, Laos – 274, Cambodia – 42, and the PRC – 3. In addition, 63 US personnel were accounted for between 1973 and 1975, the formal end of the Vietnam War, for a grand total of 1,052. These country-specific numbers can and do fluctuate when investigations result in changes to loss locations. Of these 1594, 15 are from AR; 24 are from LA; 30 are from OK; and 101 are from TX. US Army -512; US Navy -355; US Marine Corps – 202; US Air Force – 494; Civilians – 31.
There are still 126 Americans unaccounted for from the Cold War 2 from AR; 1 from LA; 3 from OK; & 4 from TX.
As of August 22 , 2018 there are still 7,886 Americans unaccounted for from the Korean War: 100 from AR; 142 from LA; 144 from OK; 428 from TX; 5856 from the Army; 908 from the Air Force; 276 from the Navy; & 645 from the USMC.
As of May 5, 2018, there are still 72,884 Americans unaccounted for from World War II, 849 from AR; 979 from LA; 1220 from OK; & 3639 from TX; 16,748 from the Army; 20,146 from the Army Air Corps; 31,199 from the Navy; 2871 from the USMC.
There are 6 Americans unaccounted for from Iraq Theater and other conflicts in the Middle East.
WE WILL NEVER FORGET!!
VIETNAM VETERANS OF AMERICA TEXAS STATE COUNCIL MEETING
We are making plans to host the Vietnam Veterans of America Texas State Council meeting here in Texarkana April 26 & 27, 2019. It will be at the Texas side Convention Center. We will announce rooms rates & registration rates, etc at a later date. As a chapter we will have a lot of work to do for this event.
In the Texas State Council there are 38 chapters across the state. Plus 2019 being an election year for VVA National officers I would assume some of these candidates might come in. There’s a chance you might get to meet someone you served with and if nothing else you’ll get to see what goes on at a Texas State Council meeting. And you’ll get a chance to meet some great people! So make plans for Friday & Saturday, April 26 & 27, 2019.
VA programs for Veterans and their Family Caregivers include:
In-Home and Community Based Care: This includes skilled home health care, homemaker home health aide services, community adult day health care and Home Based Primary Care.
Respite Care: Designed to relieve the Family Caregiver from the constant challenge of caring for a chronically ill or disabled Veteran at home, respite services can include in-home care, a short stay in one of VA’s community living centers or an environment designed for adult day health care.
Caregiver education and training programs: VA currently provides multiple training opportunities which include pre-discharge care instruction and specialized caregiver programs in multiple severe traumas such as Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), Spinal Cord Injury/Disorders, and Blind Rehabilitation. VA has a Family Caregiver assistance healthy living center on My HealtheVet, www.myhealth.va.gov, as well as caregiver information on the VA’s main Web page health site; both Websites include information on VA and community resources and Caregiver health and wellness.
Caregiver support groups and other services: Family Caregiver support groups, offered in a face to face setting or on the telephone, provide emotional and peer support, and information. Family Caregiver services include family counseling, spiritual & pastoral care, family leisure and recreational activities and temporary lodging in Fisher Houses.
Other services: VA provides durable medical equipment and prosthetic and sensory aides to improve function, financial assistance with home modification to improve access and mobility, and transportation assistance for some Veterans to and from medical appointments.
Starting May 9th, Veterans may download a copy of the Family Caregiver program application (VA CG 10-10) at www.caregiver.va.gov. The application enables the Veteran to designate a primary Family Caregiver and secondary Family Caregivers if needed. Caregiver Support Coordinators are stationed at every VA medical center and via phone at 1-877-222 VETS (8387) to assist Veterans and their Family Caregivers with the application process.
VETERANS DAY PARADE
THE TEXARKANA AREA VETERANS COUNCIL (TAVC) IS PROUD TO ANNOUNCE THAT IT WILL HOST THE ANNUAL "VETERANS DAY PARADE" THIS YEAR ON SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2018. IT WILL START AT 11:00 AM AT EAST BROAD & HAZEL STREETS. ALL AREA ORGANIZATIONS, SCHOOLS, CLUBS, CHURCHES & BUSINESSES ARE INVITED TO PARTICIPATE. CALL EITHER 870/773-8279 OR 877/824-4862 OR E-MAIL USMCGREG@AOL.COM TO BE INCLUDED IN THE LINE-UP.
THE THEME THIS YEAR IS "WORLD WAR I - 100 YEARS" SO COME DOWN AND SHOW YOUR SUPPORT FOR THE VETERAN -PAST-PRESENT-FUTURE!
COME DOWN & WAVE YOUR AMERICAN FLAG!!!
30th ANNIVERSARY OF THE KOREA/VIETNAM MEMORIAL
This coming November 12 at 6:30 pm, we will celebrate the dedication of the Korea/Vietnam Memorial here in Texarkana. Yes, thirty years ago, during a monsoon like storm we held the dedication services for the Korea/Vietnam Memorial. We have added names and updated the status of some whose remains were returned over the years, we have added the POW/MIA enlarged bracelet and the Law Enforcement Officers Memorial at the site. We have redone part of it after a car crashed into part of it. We have held Memorial Day, Veteran Day, POW/MIA, World War II Commemorative, Korea War Commemorative, Vietnam War Commemorative services, Flag services, Tet services, 20th Anniversary services, Support the Troop rallies, and other services at the site. We have shed blood, sweat and tears at this site. We have shared trials and tribulations. We have laughed and we have cried. We have celebrated new found friends and we have mourned lost friends. We have recalled past times and we have prayed for future times. We have honored friends and family. And yes we have discussed and cussed the wannabees, those who steal the Valor of others. We've been hot, we've been cold. We've been dry and we've been wet. But the main thing is we have done all of this together, as brothers and sisters. And I am very proud of that!!!
TEXARKANA AREA VETERANS COUNCIL’S 20th ANNUAL CHILLI COOK-OFF
ON FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2019 THE TEXARKANA AREA VETERANS COUNCIL (TAVC) WILL HOST THEIR 20th ANNUAL CHILI COOK-OFF AT THE TRUMAN ARNOLD CENTER AT THE TEXARKANA COLLEGE. AREA CHILI COOKS WILL BE COMPETING FOR TROPHIES IN THREE CATAGORIES: BUSINESS, CIVIC GROUPS AND INDIVIDUAL. THERE WILL ALSO BE A "PEOPLE'S CHOICE" AWARD AND AN AWARD FOR "BEST PRESENTATION", BOTH CHOSEN BY THE PUBLIC.
FUNDS FROM THIS EVENT WILL BE USED TO PURCHASE A NEW DAV VAN (WHEN NEEDED) TO TRANSPORT LOCAL VETERANS TO THE VA MEDICAL CENTER IN SHREVEPORT, LA & TO ASSIST LOCAL VETERANS AND THEIR FAMILIES. THE DOORS WILL OPEN TO THE PUBLIC AT 11:00 AM UNTIL 1:00 PM. TICKETS ARE SIX DOLLARS. EACH TICKET WILL ALLOW YOU TO SAMPLE EACH CHILI AND WILL ENTER YOU TO WIN DOOR PRIZES.
FOR MORE INFORMATION AND/OR TO ENTER PLEASE CALL: 870/773-8279 OR 903/628-7216 OR 903/824-2727 OR E-MAIL @ USMCgreg@aol.com
ELECTION DAY 2018
Election Day 2018 is Tuesday, November 6. We urge all VVA # 278 members, all veterans and all American citizens to get out and vote! If you are not registered do so immediately! There are 58,000 + names on the Wall in Washington, DC who cannot vote. Many, if not most of them, never got to vote! There are 1,594 Americans unaccounted for from the Vietnam War. They cannot vote! We, You, need to be their voice, their voice to keep this country safe and secure. We, You, need to be their voice so that their families can retain their freedoms. They have paid the price! We, You, need to vote to help keep our current military strong and well equipped. The politicians in Washington have, for the most part, shown that they are more concerned about their careers than they are anything else. We, You, have to keep them straight, and we help do that by voting. And this also goes for local and state elections. We won’t and can’t tell you who & what to vote for, but we can urge you to vote. It’s your civic duty. We owe it to those 58,000+ names on the Wall! We owe it to each other!
2nd ANNUAL "WAGONS FOR VETERANS"
When? March 30, 2019. What? A fundraiser to raise funds to assist local disabled and needy veterans of all eras. As of this writing we have assisted local veterans to the tune of $6000 from last years event, and have a couple of more applications to determine. You can come out and see 15 or more chuckwagons (and other displays) hear local bands, gates open at 9:00 am, (looking is free) and for just $10 for adults, $5.00 for children 12 and under, eat from a varied menu of food cooked the old fashioned way – in cast iron pots over an open fire. Will start feeding at 12:00 noon. Live auction.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
October 4: TAVC meetingOctober 6: Dekalb's Oktoberfest
October 20: Elks Breakfast
October 20: New Boston Trade Days
October 21: VVA #278 meeting
October 26-27: VVA TSC meeting
November 1: TAVC meeting
November 3: Bloomburg's Cullen Baker Days
November 6: Election Day
November 10: Veterans Day Parade
November 12: 30th Anniversary of our Korea/Vietnam Memorial Service
November 17: Elks Breakfast
November 18: VVA #278 meeting
December 6: TAVC meeting
December 16: VVA #278 meeting
March 29, 2019: National Vietnam Veterans Day (Four States Fairgrounds)
March 30, 2019: 2nd Annual "Wagons for Veterans"
United States Army National Guard: December 13, 1636
United States Army: June 14, 1775
United States Navy: October 13, 1775
United States Marine Corps: November 10, 1775
United States Coast Guard: August 4, 1790
United States Air Force: September 18, 1947
JOIN VIETNAM VETERANS OF AMERICA (VVA) & ASSOCIATES OF VVA
All veterans should belong to at least one veterans organization!!