NAKHON PHANOM

Thailand

Royal Thai Navy BaseDuring the Vietnam War Nakhon Phanom Royal Thai Air Force Base (NKP) was a front-line facility of the Royal Thai Air Force used by the United States in its efforts to defend South Vietnam against insurgency by North Vietnam and the Pathet Lao Communist guerillas in Laos from 1961 to 1975.

Beginning in the late 1950s, North Vietnam began to move troops into areas of eastern Laos in support of the Pathet Lao, and also as a defensive measure to protect their long transit route for men and supplies to support the insurgency in South Vietnam. In September 1959, North Vietnam formed Group 959 in Laos with the aim of building the Pathet Lao into a stronger force in its guerilla war aimed at overthrowing the Royal Lao Government. Group 959 openly supplied, trained and supported the Pathet Lao militarily.

With Thailand sharing a long common border with Laos along the Mekong River, the Thai government was increasingly concerned about the spread of a communist insurgency into Thailand, which already faced a growing insurgency of its own in that part of the country. The Thai government were concerned about the activities of the Communist Party of Thailand. It was therefore receptive to the idea of allowing U.S. military personnel to use Thai territory for operations in support of the Lao Government, and later in support of the Republic of Vietnam.

The first American military personnel to arrive at NKP in 1962 were the U.S. Navy's Mobile Construction Battalion Three (Seabees) who undertook the task of constructing runways and raising the first buildings at the new base as part of a United States commitment under SEATO.[1] Detachment 3 (Provisional) of the Pacific Air Rescue Center with three HH-43B helicopters became the first USAF unit assigned to the base in June 1964. Followed by the 507th Tactical Control Squadron who began arriving in August 1964, with the bulk of its

Newsletter of the Carson Area Chapter - 388 of the Vietnam Veterans of Americacommobunker388@charter.net

388TH

NOVEMBER 2015

ANR SE OT FE V A MM EA RN IT CE AIV

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Cont’d. from Page 1 Operation Ivory CoastSon Tay Raiders - 1970

NKP was one of the staging bases for the failed Son Tay POW rescue mission in November 1970. Its objective was the rescue of approximately 90 American Prisoners of War from the prison camp. The attempted rescue itself was a failure, and prisoners had been moved some months before, and none were found at the targeted POW compound in North Vietnam.

Beginning of the EndA-26 Invader of the 609th SOS, 1969

By 1971 North Vietnamese forces were fighting conventional battles in Laos as mobile, regular battalions rather than insurgent guerrilla units. The US pulled out of Laos in 1973 as part of an overall peace and disengagement plan. North Vietnam ignored the agreement and retained its army in Laos. The national government was forced to accept the Pathet Lao into the government.[3]

In 1975, North Vietnamese and Pathet Lao forces began attacking government strongholds. A deal was eventually brokered that gave power to the Pathet Lao to save the government from total destruction. Pathet Lao troops marched into Vientiane on 1 May and took over the government.

Palace Lightning - USAF Withdrawal

With the collapse in Laos and the fall of both Cambodia and South Vietnam in the spring of 1975, the political climate between Washington and Bangkok began to sour, and the Thai Government demanded that the U.S. remove the bulk of its forces out of Thailand by the end of the year. Under operation Palace Lightning, the USAF began to withdraw its aircraft and personnel from Thailand. On 30 June 1975 the 56th Special Operations Wing was inactivated and the 656th Special Operations Wing was activated as a placeholder unit at NKP until the USAF could complete its withdrawal. The Search and Rescue units were among the last to leave the country. The 3rd Air Rescue and Recovery Group lowered its flag on 31 January 1976 and NKP was returned to the Thai government.

personnel arriving in 1964. The 5th Tactical Control Group exercised command jurisdiction over the 507th until May 1965 when the 6235th Air Base Squadron was formed. Overall control of the USAF units was then turned over to the 35th Tactical Group (now the 631st Combat Support Group) at Don Muang Airport. On 8 April 1966 the 6235th Air Base Squadron was discontinued and the 634th Combat Support Group along with its subordinate squadrons was activated.[2] With U.S. irregular warfare operations already being conducted from the base, on 2 February 1966, the Thai government approved the establishment of a United States Air Force Air Commando unit in Thailand, using the existing USAF facilities at NKP to give the appearance that the United States was not introducing another unit into Thailand. USAF forces at NKP were under the overall command of the United States Pacific Air Forces (PACAF).

NKP initially housed USAF search and rescue forces and maintained a communications capability in support of U.S. Air Force objectives in Southeast Asia. NKP was the location of TACAN station "Channel 89" and was referenced by that identifier in voice communications during air missions. The 634th Combat Support Group was inactivated and the 56th Air Commando Wing was formed on 8 April 1967. The [606th Air Commando Squadron] formed the operational backbone of the new wing, and the 56th Combat Support Group took over the major support functions. Nearly one year later the 56th ACW designation was changed to 56th Special Operations Wing, 1 August 1968.[2]

There were a number of special operational squadrons attached to the wing over time, including the 1st, 18th, 21st, 22nd, 602nd, 606th and 609th, and a number of other operational squadrons and detachments, including the 23rd Tactical Air Support Squadron and the 554th Reconnaissance Squadron. The major operational associate units stationed at NKP were the 1987th Communications Squadron (AFCS), Det 5, 621st Tactical Control Squadron, elements of the 40th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron and Task Force Alpha (PACAF). Along with USAF Air Commando and Special Operations forces, MACV-SOG units operated out of NKP, along with Air America, Echo 31 and other clandestine organizations which used NKP as an operating base for their activities in Laos, Cambodia and North Vietnam.

Only older propeller driven aircraft and specialized aircraft, some dating back to World War II, operated from the installation. Some of the aircraft operating out of NKP bore civilian markings or were unmarked. In addition, the 56h SOW also worked closely with the U.S. embassies in Laos and Thailand to provide training for special air warfare units..Operation Barrel Roll

Operation Barrel Roll was a covert U.S. Air Force 2nd Air Division (later the Seventh Air Force) and U.S. Navy Task Force 77, interdiction and close air support campaign conducted in the Kingdom of Laos between 14 December 1964 and 29 March 1973 concurrent with the Vietnam War. The initial purpose of the operation was to serve as a signal to the Democratic Republic of Vietnam (North Vietnam) to cease its support for the insurgency then taking place in the Republic of Vietnam (South Vietnam). The operation became increasingly involved in providing close air support to Royal Lao Armed Forces, CIA-backed tribal mercenaries, and Thai Army elements in a covert ground war in northern and northeastern Laos.

Major USAF Units at Nakhon Phanom Royal Thai Air Force Base

56th Special Operations Wing 56th Combat Support Group 1st Special Operations Squadron 18th Special Operations Squadron 21st Special Operations Squadron 23d Tactical Air Support Squadron 37th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron (Detachment) 38th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron (Detachment) 40th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron (Detachment) 361st TEWS 456th Munitions Maintenance Squadron 554th Reconnaissance Squadron 1987th Communications Squadron 6994th Security Squadron 6908th Security Squadron Task Force Alpha 6 Aerial Port Squadron (MAC) (Detachment)DET4 6 APS 621st Tactical Control Squadron (Detachment) Red Horse Squadron, Civil Engineering squadron 602nd Fighter Squadron

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Contact Information:

Newsletter Email: commmobunker388@charter.net Chapter 388 Website: http://vva388.com/

Chapter Facebook Page: VVA Chapter 388 Carson City Nevada

Chapter President: Frank Reynolds: vva388@gmail.com

Chapter Meetings:Veterans Hall - 2nd and Curry Streets, Carson City, NV 89701

1st Thursday of each month - 5:30 pmBreakfast Meetings

Grandma Hatties Restaurant - 2811 So. Carson St., Carson CityMid- Month - email vva388@gmail.com for specific date and time.

TH388

388th is a monthly publication of the Vietnam Veterans of America - Carson Area Chapter 388 and is published solely for the education of and communi-cation with it’s membership and other interested parties. Not for Sale.

CHAPTER ORGANIZATION

AD HOC COMMITTEES Vietnam Veterans Recognition Day

Wreaths Across America

Others (as called for by the President)Veterans Day Committee

** Membership established by Chapter By-LawsChapter President is a member of all Committees

Scholarship Darrol Brown/Bruce Bertram

Health/Transportation Neal Davies

Darrol BrownGovernment Affairs Chaplain’s Bruce Bertram

STANDING COMMITTEES: CONTACT

POW/MIA Darrol BrownCommunications Verne Horton/John Hussong

Welcome Home Rick Arnold

Membership Affairs Tom SpencerOutreach Verne Horton

Finance Committee** Frank Reynolds Executive Committee** Frank Reynolds

Women’s Affairs Lee Jackson

Adopt-a-Vet Dental Program Brenda Horton

VSO Joe Matisohn

ELECTED OFFICERSFrank Reynolds

Tom Spencer

Jack McQuirk

Lee Jackson

President

Vice President

Treasurer

Secretary

Community Services Committee Rick Arnold

Rick Arnold

Special Events Jack McQuirk/Larry Knack/Ron Moore

A BRIEF HISTORY OF VETERANS DAY

U.S. President Woodrow Wilson first proclaimed Armistice Day for November 11, 1919. In proclaiming the holiday, he said

"To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country's service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations."

The United States Congress passed a concurrent resolution on June 4, 1926, requesting that President Calvin Coolidge issue another proclamation to observe November 11 with appropriate ceremonies.[2] A Congressional Act (52 Stat. 351; 5 U.S. Code, Sec. 87a) approved May 13, 1938, made the 11th of November in each year a legal holiday: "a day to be dedicated to the cause of world peace and to be thereafter celebrated and known as 'Armistice Day'."

In 1945, World War II veteran Raymond Weeks from Birmingham, Alabama, had the idea to expand Armistice Day to celebrate all veterans, not just those who died in World War I. Weeks led a delegation to Gen. Dwight Eisenhower, who supported the idea of National Veterans Day. Weeks led the first national celebration in 1947 in Alabama and annually until his death in 1985. President Reagan honored Weeks at the White House with the Presidential Citizenship Medal in 1982 as the driving force for the national holiday. Elizabeth Dole, who prepared the briefing for President Reagan, determined Weeks as the "Father of Veterans Day."

U.S. Representative Ed Rees from Emporia, Kansas, presented a bill establishing the holiday through Congress. President Dwight D. Eisenhower, also from Kansas, signed the bill into law on May 26, 1954. It had been eight and a half years since Weeks held his first Armistice Day celebration for all veterans.

Congress amended the bill on June 1, 1954, replacing "Armistice" with "Veterans," and it has been known as Veterans Day since.

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OUR FORGOTTEN DEAD FROM VIETNAM

FALLEN SERVICEMAN COMING HOME 50 YEARS AFTER DEATH

There are other Americans who died in Vietnam while serving our nation, but because they were not in uniform – or because they died at enemy hands before the war “officially” began – they are not formally recognized by the US government as being Vietnam War casualties. They are thus not included among the 58,307 “official” Vietnam War casualties.

The list of such “unofficial” war dead is not a particularly short one. The US Merchant Marine lost 56 sailors while supporting operations in Vietnam. The CIA lost 17 personnel due to the conflict in Southeast Asia – not counting more than 30 Air America personnel who died in Southeast Asia, or the two CAT employees lost prior to the official start date of the Vietnam War. The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) lost 37 personnel during the Vietnam War – including one who later posthumously was awarded both the Presidential Medal of Freedom the Distinguished Service Cross. And at least 22 American journalists died in the Vietnam War as well, along with a number of other civilians unaffiliated with the US government.

The list of unofficial Vietnam War dead is not all male, either. Besides the eight US military women who died in Vietnam (and whose names are included on the Vietnam Memorial), if one includes the 5 April 1975 crash of a US C-5A aircraft at Da Nang during Operation Babylift at least 59 US civilian women also died due to the Vietnam War. Many were US civilian government employees; a number of them died as the direct result of hostile action.

What follows is a small example of some of the “unofficial” casualties:

Shortly after the end of World War II – on September 26, 1945 – an American soldier was killed in Vietnam. He was the first US

citizen to die at the hands of communist Vietnamese forces. His name was LTC A. Peter Dewey, US Army. He was the son of US Congressman Charles S. Dewey. LTC Dewey was a member of the OSS. He was serving a post-World War II assignment to Vietnam at the time as his demise.

Two other American civilians were killed in action while serving our country during Vietnam. They died prior to the start of the “official” Vietnam War era. Because of this – plus the fact that they were civilians – they are not officially recognized as US casualties of the Vietnam War. The two were pilots working for the CIA and were killed on 6 May 1954, during the final resupply mission at Dien Bien Phu. Their names were James B. McGovern, Jr., and Wallace Buford.

Barbara Ann Robbins was a civilian employee of the CIA. She died in the line of duty on 30 March 1965 in Saigon. Robbins was working under diplomatic cover for the CIA at the US embassy in Saigon. On 30 March 1965, a car bomb exploded outside the US embassy. Robbins – along with a US Navy storekeeper from the Philippines and 19 Vietnamese citizens – were killed. Robbins was one of the original 31 CIA employees lost in the line of duty who were honored with stars on the Agency’s Wall of Honor at its creation in 1974.

One US civilian was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for service in Vietnam. That individual was John Paul Vann. Vann served in the Army for 20 years, joining at age 18 in 1943 He retired from active duty in 1963 as a Lieutenant Colonel. Roughly two years later, Vann returned to Vietnam as a civilian with USAIDHe was killed in a helicopter crash shortly after the Battle of Kontum and was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for his actions during that battle (as a civilian, he was not eligible to be considered for the Medal of Honor). He was also posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom. At the time of his death, Vann had been serving his nation in Vietnam virtually continuously for over seven years (March 1965 – May 1972).

Rest in peace “comrades”. Rest in peace.

Staff Sgt. Donald Stewart was 28 when his plane was s h o t d o w n w i t h 8 5 Vietnamese soldiers and four Americans on board Dec. 11, 1965. Troops were unable to do perform a rescue mission due to hostile fire on the ground. Stewart was a paratrooper in the Army before he joined the Air Force.

A memorial service was held for Stewart in 1966 in his home town.

In 1974, 17 bags of remains were brought out of the jungle by indigenous people.

In 2000, Stewart’s wife, and daughter, found Stewart’s plane deep in the jungles of Vietnam and brought artifacts and clothing home from the plane.

Stewart’s brother, Bobby, provided DNA to be tested and a match was found at a U.S. Air Force base in Hawaii.

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VETERAN IS GRATEFUL HE SURVIVED THANKSGIVING DAY 1968

The VSM was issued in 1965 by President Lyndon Johnson in order to recognize service during the Vietnam War. It is authorized for wear by service members of all branches of the .S. Armed Forces, provided they meet the the award requirements: “The VSM is awarded to any service member who served TDY for more than 30 consecutive days or 60 non-consecutive days and was attached to or serving an organization participating in, or directly supporting military ground operations in the Republic of South Vietnam, Thailand, Laos or Cambodia between 15Nov61 and 28Mar73 and between 29Apr75 and 30Apr75. U.S. Naval vessels operating in Vietnam waters qualify for the VSM provided that the naval vessel was engaged in direct support of Vietnam combat operations. It is also awarded to flight crews that flew missions over Vietnam airspace.”

The Vietnam Service Medal is retroactive to 1961 and supercedes the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (AFEM). This award was issued for Vietnam service prior to 1965. The AFEM can be exchanged for the Vietnam Service Medal upon request from the service member by contacting the National Personnel Records Center. The VSM is authorized three devices for wear on the service medal ribbon and the ribbon bar:

Service Star (bronze/silver) - one bronze service star for participation in each of the 17 recognized campaigns - one silver service star in lieu of 5 bronze

Arrowhead Device - campaign participation involving aerial or amphibious operations

FMF Combat Operations Insignia - for naval personnel attached to the Marine Corp

DoD Consolidated Campaign Periods for All ServicesName of Campaign Start Date End DateVietnam Advisory Campaign 15 Mar 1962 7 Mar 1965Vietnam Defense Campaign 8 Mar 1965 24 Dec 1965Vietnam Counteroffensive b 25 Dec 1965 30 Jun 1966

1 Jul 1966 Vietnam Counteroffensive Phase II 31 May 1967Vietnam Counteroffensive Phase III 1 Jun 1967 29 Jan 1968Tet Counteroffensive 30 Jan 1968 1 Apr 1968Vietnam Counteroffensive Phase IV 2 Apr 1968 30 Jun 1968Vietnam Counteroffensive Phase V 1 Jul 1968 1 Nov 1968Vietnam Counteroffensive Phase VI 2 Nov 1968 22 Feb 1969Tet 69 Counteroffensive 23 Feb 1969 8 Jun 1969Vietnam Summer-Fall 1969 9 Jun 1969 31 Oct1969Vietnam Winter-Spring 1970 1 Nov 1969 30 Apr 1970Sanctuary Counteroffensive 1 May 1970 30 Jun 1970Vietnam Counteroffensive Phase VI 1 July 1970 30 June 1971Consolidation I 1 Jul 1971 30 Nov 1971 Consolidation II 1 Dec 1971 29 Mar 1972Vietnam Cease-fire! 30 Mar 1972 28 Jan1973Operation Frequent Wind 29 Apr 1975 30 Apr 1975 (USN, USMC, USAF only)

AWARDS AND DECORATIONS

by John Hussong

Vietnam Service Medal(VSM)

By Douglas KreutzThe Arizona Daily Star, Tucson -October 28, 2015

John Moore will forever remember Thanksgiving Day 1968. It has nothing to do with turkey and stuffing — but rather with a traumatic, life-threatening experience.

A Marine serving in Vietnam, Moore was on a patrol to knock out an enemy mortar position when he and his fellow soldiers came under a barrage of mortar fire. One of the mortars landed close — very close.

“The shrapnel hit me and threw me over on my side,” said Moore.

“All 10 of us (in the patrol) were hit. I had shrapnel in my elbow and leg. I was terrified.”

Moore, who is now 67, was alive, but he was bleeding and in great pain as he and others were loaded onto helicopters for evacuation.

“I never stopped bleeding until I hit the operating room,” he said.

Moore, who also suffered hearing loss, lost part of his elbow and has shrapnel in his body to this day.

After his condition was stabilized, Moore was flown to a naval hospital in Japan for further treatment and then to a hospital in the United States, where he remained for three more months of care.

Later, after recovering sufficiently to work in a non-combat capacity, he remained in the Marines until receiving an early honorable discharge as a corporal in March 1970.

Moore’s path to the Marines and Vietnam began after his youthful years in Milton, Indiana, and a brief stint in junior college.

Unsatisfied with the college experience and looking for something new, Moore joined the Marines, completed training and arrived in Vietnam in August 1968.

He soon found himself in combat, often lugging eight grenades and seven canteens of water in addition to ammunition and other supplies.

“I learned there are so many ways to get killed,” he said, reflecting on his own close brush with death.

Moore, who moved to Tucson in 1970, worked on ranches and in other jobs before starting work with Pima Animal Control in 1983.

He worked there for 27 years before retiring in 2010.

DON’T LET TIMERUN OUT!

Until December 31, 2015, the Vietnam Veterans of America is offering Life Membership for only $ 1 0 0 ! U s u a l l y L i f e Membership is based on the applicant’s age and ranges from $200.00 for ages 56 to 60 and only down to $100.00 for those who are over 72.

$100Contact Vice President

Tom Spencer fordetails - 775 291-6203

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DAYTON VALLEYDAYS

OUTREACHyDecades after the end of the U.S. war in Vietnam, more than one in ten American veterans from the conflict still experience at least some symptoms of post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), according to a new study.

One third of veterans with PTSD also suffer from major depressive disorder, the research team reports in JAMA Psychiatry.

For some of these aging veterans, mounting health problems and declining cognitive function can exacerbate PTSD, as can the social isolation that often accompanies retirement, said lead study author Dr. Charles Marmar, chairman of psychiatry and director of the veterans’ center at New York University Langone Medical Center.

“All of these make it more difficult to suppress and control traumatic memories,” he said by email.

To assess PTSD, Marmar and colleagues followed up with 1,450 Vietnam veterans who had participated in a study in the 1980s assessing their quality of life about ten years after the end war.

For the current study, researchers mailed questionnaires and conducted phone interviews to assess four aspects of PTSD: re-experiencing and avoidance, withdrawal and numbing, arousal and emotional control and self-persecution or survivor guilt.

Almost 11 percent of the war zone veterans had either full-blown PTSD or at least some symptoms that impacted their daily lives, researchers estimated. That compares with roughly 15 percent in the 1980s.

PTSD from any cause, including for veterans who didn’t fight in the war zone, afflicted about 12 percent of men and 8.5 percent of women, the researchers found.

Based on this representative sample of vets, the authors conclude that roughly one in four Vietnam war zone veterans alive today have experienced PTSD or some symptoms of the condition at some point in their lifetime.

The study highlights the need to diagnose and treat not just PTSD, but also what’s known as sub-threshold PTSD, or symptoms that impair daily life without meeting the current clinical definition of full-blown disease, Dr. Charles Hoge, author of an editorial accompanying the study and a senior scientist at Walter Reed Army Institute of Research.“The study confirms what we know from several decades of PTSD research and clinical care – that war-zone PTSD can at times have a chronic and even lifelong impact,” Hoge said by email. “The most important take-home message for Vietnam veterans is that there are many more treatment options available now than when they returned from Vietnam, and it’s never too late to receive treatment.”

For some Vietnam veterans, PTSD may be particularly acute because they lacked social support when they returned home from war, said Dr. Alan Peterson, a psychologist at the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio who specializes in combat-related PTSD.

“Our nation turned its back on many of our Vietnam veterans after

they were involuntarily drafted into service,” Peterson said by email. “It has been a long and uphill road to recovery for many of them.”

Depression, while common in the elderly, may be even more common among Vietnam veterans, particularly if they have PTSD and avoid many activities that might also make them happy such as having intimate relationships and friendships and enjoying leisure activities such as sports or going to the movies, he added.

Signs that veterans have PTSD can include withdrawal from family and friends, inability to get restful sleep, deterioration of work or school performance, rage behavior, excessive use of alcohol or drugs, engaging in risky behaviors or talking about suicide, Hoge said.

Treatment for PTSD can include a combination of medication and psychotherapy, Hoge said.

“It has been suggested that no one comes home unchanged after a deployment to a war zone,” Peterson said. “However, most will naturally recover over time, especially with support of friends and family who are willing to talk with them about their experiences and encourage them to gradually get back into the normal routine of life.”

MANY VIETNAM VETERANS HAVE PTSD 40 YEARS AFTER

WAR’S END

GIANT POW/MIA FLAGDEDICATED FOR VETERANS DAY

A giant 40’ x 75’, 300 lb. P I O / M I A fl a g w a s hoisted to the top of a 1 6 0 ’ fl a g p o l e i n Steelvi l le , IL. The POW/MIA flag will, for Veterans Day, replace a similar sized American flag normally flown from the lofty pole.

The pole is on the grounds of the United Steelworkers complex in Steelville and was erected in 2009. The pole and flags are the brainchild of Steelworkers president Kim Rasnick who said, "I'm just proud to be an American, and that's the bottom line".

The $9,000 POW/MIA flag was made by U.S. Flag of Fort Worth Texas.

“I just wanted to honor our veterans and military,” Resnick said.

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Adopt a Vet Dental ProgramAAVD

®

CCCC

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Brenda Horton, HLMVVA-388/Adopt a Vet Dental Program Volunteer Case Manager

Recently, contact has been made of 2014 AAVD waiting veterans to determine if they are interested in going to Reno for their dental treatment due to the establishment of a one day weekly dental clinic conducted by 2 retired dentists. Many of the veterans on the list have not responded to the letter sent to them by the AAVD and I have been asked to ascertain if their contact information is still correct.

Here locally 12 veterans are receiving dental treatment and there are 3 veterans waiting for dentists to accept them as a patient. The program remains active and I am placing veterans in dental chairs weekly. It is rewarding to see the positive response by the veterans when they become aware that their name has come up in the queue for placement and fully realizing that there is a solution to their dental condition.

A pre-screening has been scheduled for January 14th at the Veterans Hall where the next list of veterans will undergo the processing. It is at this time that the AAVD forms are completed and any medical clearance are obtained.

Recently a grant has been awarded to the AAVD that will specifically be utilized to pay for lab cost in 2016. As you are aware that is primarily the only cost incurred for the participating dentist who pro bono their professional treatment and in-house costs. Please continue to express the Chapter’s appreciation to those dentists that contribute to this program.

AUCTION!AUCTION! AUCTION! AUCTION!This beautiful hand-made beaded wall hanging of the Harley -Davidson logo will be auctioned off at the 388’s 2015 Christmas Party!

Proceeds in excess of the Auction Reserve will bedonated to the Chapter!

Created and Donated by Don Bemis & Debbie Salzman

WreathsAcross

America

Northern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery - Fernley, NV(Details to follow)

Saturday, Dec. 129:00AM

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2015 CALENDAR

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

2811 So. Carson St., Carson City

Family Restaurant

Great ServiceGreat ServiceGreat FoodGreat Food

Great PricesGreat Prices

Breakfast Lunch Dinner Catering

(775) 882-4900

Date Event Location

December 3 Christmas Party Gold Dust West Hotel - Casino

December TBA Christmas Shopping for Walmart -Topsy Ln. Families December 12 W reaths Across America Fernley

VVA Chapter-388 Fellowship Breakfast Location

A limited number of VVA POW-MIA Challenge Coins are available for a $10.00

or more donation to the Chapter!

commobunker388@charter.net

To Order, Contact:

NOVEMBER FACTOID97% OF VIETNAM-ERA VETERANS WERE HONORABLY DISCHARGED

Dean Hall No v 1Gary Norton, Jr Nov 7Dave Pierson Nov 15Bob Stevenson Nov 15Duane Spencer Nov 16Lee Jackson Nov 17Bruce Bertram Nov 18Adrian Kohi Nov 18Mike Samaniego Nov 21Dave Heckman Nov 24Dan Rash Nov 25Bob Crowell Nov 28

Ben Swanson Dec 14Don Waller Dec 16Rick Ashley Dec 19John Nosek Dec 21Steve Nimie Dec 31Jack Warden Dec 31

There will be no Chapter Meeting in December

There will be no Chapter Breakfast in December

VVA-388’s2015 Christmas Party

December 3rd!(In lieu of our December Meeting. Details to follow)

January 7, 2016 Monthly Meeting Carson City

January 21, 2016 Breakfast Grandma Hattie’s

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USEFUL CONTACTS

WebsitesVVA www.vva.org - Programs, News, Forms, Services, Applications Benefits, Publications/Forms, LSO Listings 1-877-222-8387 (Help Line) 1-800-237-8255 (Crisis Line) 1-877-424-3838 (Homeless)

Service Records www.archives.gov

Memorial Wall Research www.virtualwall.org

Agent Orange Website www.lewispublishing.com - FAQ’s, Maps, VA Compensation & Claims

Local Veteran Services

Reno Veteran Center 5580 Mill Street Reno, NV 89502 Office: 775-323-1294 Fax: 775-322-8123

F.I.S.H. 138 Long Street Carson City, NV 89706 Office: 775-992-3474 email: www.info@nvfish.com

State of Nevada Department of Veterans Services

Veterans Service Officers

Reno, NV 89511 Office: 775-321-4880 Fax: 775-321-4848

Reno- 5460 Reno Corporate Dr. Ste. 104 Fallon- 458 W. B Street, Ste. 103 Fallon, NV 89406 Office: 775-428-1177 Fax: 775-423-9371

Nevada Job Connect 775- 4684-0456 1929 N. Carson Street Carson City, NV 89701

Veterans Healthcare USA 145 Esmeralda Drive. Washoe Valley, Nevada 89704 Office: 887-338-8807

Veterans Employment Services State Dept. of Employment, Training &

Rehabilitation

1933 N. Carson Street

Carson City, NV 89701Office: 775-684-0400

US Veterans Employment Services 500 E 3rd Street Carson City, NV 89713 Office: 687-4632

Nevada Dept. of Veteran Services www.veterans.nv.us - Benefit Info, News

Army Times www.armytimes.com - Online Publication, News, Benefit Info

Navy Times www.navytimes.com - Online Publication, News, Benefit Info

Marine Corps Times www.marinecorpstimes.com - Online Publication, News, Benefit Info

Air Force Times www.airforcetimes.com

-Online Publication, News, Benefit Info

50th Anniversary - Vietnam War www.vietnam50th.comEvents, Photos, Interactive Timeline

Western Nevada College Veterans Resource CenterWestern Nevada CollegeCedar Building 3272201 West College ParkwayCarson City, NV 89703(775) 445-3000

419 W. Plumb LaneReno, NV 89509775-284-8387

305 N. Carson St., Suite 201Carson City, NV 89701(775) 283-4838(775) 360-2157 - fax

General Military www.military.com - Benefit Info, News, Stories, Buddy Finder

Healthcare for Homeless Veterans 350 Capitol Hill Reno, NV 89502 Office: 775-324-6600

Northern Nevada Veterans Resource Center

Reno

CarsonCity

Caleb Cage, Director of Military and Veterans Policy - Nevada Governors Office(775) 684-5670

Carson Area Chapter - 388, Vietnam Veterans of America website ; email: vva388@gmail.comwww.vva388.org

Joe Matisohn, Veterans Service Officer

(775) 835-3181 email: benefits.al@gmail.com

®

Katherine Miller, Director - millerk@veterans.nv.gov