the vet connection · signed to an lp with 3 other fellow marines to observe the viet cong along...
TRANSCRIPT
the name of the President to any member of the Armed Forces who, while serving under competent authority, has been wounded for killed. I am excited to report to you that we have ex-panded our Veterans Outreach Center (VOC) mission. The idea actual-ly came from one of our Luke AFB volunteers, Zach Regehr. His step-mother is a senior execu-tive with a company that has strong connections with Fry’s Foods. She is able to get donations to help veterans in need. To
that point, Zach is going to start bringing up to 40 “goody bags” for our military veterans to take with him once they have enjoyed a home-cooked meal, provided by the Veterans Club. The bags will contain items like trail mix, nuts, bottle of water, and who knows what else. Special thanks to mission leader, Rich-ard Brown for working with Zach on this idea and getting the infor-mation over to our VOC
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“The Vet Connection” is
a monthly newsletter for
the members of the Trilo-
gy Veteran’s Club. If you
have an article that you
would like published,
please send to Scott Duke
Dates for monthly meetings (Meetings start at 4:30 pm)
From the President Page 1
Meet a Vet Page 3
They Loved the Ribs! Page 4
Who am I? Page 4
Membership Update Page 5
Back-to-School Brigade Page 7
Events Schedule (August)
Page 8
The only Flag that Does Not Fly
Page 11
New Rules Open for Shopping at Exchanges
Page 12
Pima Air and Space Museum Field Trip
Page 12
Scholarships Awarded Page 13
What is the Moving Wall of Healing
Page 13
In this Issue...
The Vet Connection
August 2019 Volume 3 Issue 8
From the President Scott Duke
January 29, 2019 June 25, 2019 November 26, 2019
February 26, 2019 July 30, 2019 December 17, 2019
March 26, 2019 August 27, 2019
April 30, 2019 September 24, 2019
May 29, 2019 October 29, 2019
T his month we celebrate the birth of the United States
Coast Guard! Congrats to club members, Derek Rietksts, Harry Java-ras, and Larry Al-phadeff. The Coast
Guard turned 229 on August 4th. We also
took a moment on Au-gust 7th to pay tribute to
those Americans that were awarded the Purple Heart. I know for a fact, we have numerous members in the club that have been awarded this medal. As we all know, the medal is awarded in
mission leaders, Chris Salzer and Jose Lopes. We hope to start this new edition to our feed the military homeless mission this month. Things are coming together for our support of the Moving Wall in Rio Vista Park (Peoria, AZ). As of this arti-cle, we have 33 club members signed up to help. We have volunteered for the 8:00 AM—noon time slot, from September 5th thru September 9th. . Even if you are not able to volunteer, it is well worth a visit. Check out page 13 to see what the Moving Wall is all about. OPERATION BRIGHT IDEA will commence at 1:00 PM on August 15th at the lower level parking lot of the Kiva Club (near the mailboxes). Club member Marv Shadman will be assisting me with this mission that will bring light bulbs to military veterans living at the Grand Veterans Village in Phoenix. Check out the arti-cle on page 6 for more details. Operation Homefront’s “Back-to-School” Brigade was another huge success! Thanks so much to the 56 club members, spouses, and residents of Trilogy for coming out on Pack Day to fill 500 backpacks! We lost count of the number of school supplies, but we believe it to be around 50,000 individual items that will go into backpacks for military children at Luke and Davis-Monthan Air Force Bases, and Yuma Marine Corps Station. Special thanks to mission leader, Bill Morse for leading this effort. Check out the pictures on page 7. How cool was it for our club to stand tall at last month’s club meeting and present $2K in scholarship checks to three deserving Airmen from nearby Luke AFB. The winning essay was written by SSgt Justin McKenzie, who was awarded a check for $1K. Two checks for $500 were presented to the runners-up, SSgt Justice Tarburton and SSgt Abraham Reyes. Full article and pictures on page 13. As we are three quarters into the year, we have our two big charity events starting to kick-off and get orga-nized. The Trilogy Veterans Club Variety Show will be happening October 26th at the Masonic Lodge in Sun City. The theme for this year’s event is “All American Variety Show!” Once again, our own Bob Meizinger will be handling the talent portion of the show, while I will take on the challenge of logistics for the show. We have already identified task leaders for the show and a meeting will happen very soon to bring everyone to-gether. Additionally, our Trilogy Veterans Club Charity Golf Tournament committee has met and got their marching orders from Tournament Director, Nancy Duke. The date of the golf outing is set for March 27th, 2020 at Falcon Dunes Golf Course. Thanks to Nancy and Marv Shadman, Chris Salzer, and Gloria Vormestrand for their efforts as committee members.
Finally, time to start thinking about the “reins of command” of the Veterans Club. This October, we will open the floor for nominations for all elected positions (President, Vice-President, Treasurer, Secretary, and Manager of Charities). Under the By-Laws, the two members-at-large will end their term at the conclusion of the year, and the newly elected President will either retain (with membership approval) or nominate new club members to serve. All terms are for two years for all Board positions. If you would like to step up and bring your knowledge, skills, and abilities to the Board, feel free to self-nominate during our October meeting.
Look forward to seeing everyone at our August 27th meeting at the Kiva Club (4:30 PM).
(Continued from page 1)
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O ur “Meet a Vet” this month is Richard Larini.
Richard was born in Maywood, California in August 1947. He attended El Segundo Elementary School in Compton California. His parents moved to Norwalk Cali-
fornia and Richard attended junior high and high school in Norwalk, Ca. He worked at a Mayfair market in Santa Fe Springs, Ca. until he joined the Marine Corps at age 17. He completed boot camp in San Diego and ITR training in Camp Pendleton. He was transported to Vietnam in a troop carrier in May of 1965. Richard spent the first week in country unloading ammunition from supply ships and was later assigned to the 3rd Marines in Chu Lai where he served as a rifleman. He was assigned to F company guarding the airstrip that
was being constructed at the time. He participated in various patrols around the airstrip and was later was as-signed to an LP with 3 other fellow Marines to observe the Viet Cong along their supply trails. He then partic-ipated in Operation Star Light against the Viet Cong in October of 1965. In June of 1966 participated in oper-ations against the Viet Cong in Hue-Phu Bai area.
Later in June 1966 was transferred to G company 2nd battalion 1st Marines. Participated in various opera-tions throughout the I Corps area. Richard was sent home after his 13-month tour and spent 30 days on leave. In August he was stationed in NBC Weapons in Yuma Arizona where he was assigned to guard top secret weapons. Richard was Honorably Discharged in November 1968. He spent 2 years in inactive reserves.
After discharge Richard went to work as a laborer in heavy construction company in L.A., Ca. During this time was married to his first wife and had a daughter, Anjannette. He moved to Orange Ca. where is worked closer to home in a Roof Truss company. He quickly worked his way up to Foreman. Richard worked in this capacity for various companies until he decided to start his own company in the home improvement field. His company, Cooks Construction was named after his father “Cook” who introduced him to construction. Richard worked very closely with homeowners in the architectural designing of their home improvements. This was a self-run company.
During the recession, business slowed down to a crawl….so he had to find another way to make a living. He teamed up with a partner and started LM2 Construction which was a Service-Disabled Veteran owned small business company working with the Corp of Engineers and Department of Veterans Affairs, and the Department of the Navy. This company specialized in VA Hospitals in the Southern California area. LM2 was instrumental in constructing a facility to enable disabled veterans the ability to live in an apartment set-ting. This was the most satisfying project that he worked on for the VA. LM2 also worked on various large remodel developments in Long Beach, Loma Linda and West L.A. Ca. He was also awarded a contract at the Navel Base and Air Base in Guam. After a back surgery, Richard sold his share of LM2 to another disabled veteran and retired.
Richard met his wife Kim in college in 1982 and they married in 1984. Richard and Kim have 3 children and 6 grandchildren. They are celebrating their 35th anniversary In August this year by going on a cruise to Alaska. Richard and Kim have traveled extensively throughout their marriage. Richard and Kim moved to Trilogy in March this 2019 where Richard became active in the local Veterans Club which has been a very satisfying experience for Richard to assist other veterans. He and his wife Kim are very happy to a part of this community.
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Club member Richard Brown is working with the Kiva Club leadership to have a trophy case erected in the building to hold some of the honors that the Veterans Club has received over the years. It would also hold any awards or recognition from the other clubs in Trilogy at Vistancia. We might be looking at a club member to build that trophy case. Hint! Hint!
Do you know who I am?
I am a member of the Trilogy Veterans Club and served in the United States Air Force.
Answer can be found on Page 15
T hose were the words of mission leader, Jose Lopes when he and his team returned from the Vet-
erans Outreach Center. Twenty-nine (29) homeless military veterans were served and fed by Colleen Tucker, Rich-
ard Larini, Jim Farrell, and Ian Gale. Also on hand to help were Luke AFB Air-men, Jonathan Williams and Zachery
Regehr.
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It was hot! It was muggy! It was the last Saturday of the month, so hitting the streets to clean them up were Chris Salzer, Russ Brown, John Nawrocki, John Wojdyla, Jack Dreyfus, Joe Setticase, Gerry Schatz, Bob Prow, Frank Priore, and acting mission leader, Jim Reavis. Helping with this mission were three Airmen from nearby Luke AFB; SrA Dorothy Zurlinden, A1C Jonathan Williams, and A1C Zachery Regehr Their efforts do not go unnoticed. As one member wrote on
MTL, “Thank you Veterans Club Members. You are a wonderful asset to our community.”
A nother respectful showing at the Cross Eyed Cricket this month for Thirsty Troop Thursday. Some new faces
arrived to take part in the libations and complimentary appetizers provided by our good friends at “The Cricket.”
Stop by on the second Thursday of each month at 3:00 PM and see why, on
average, 23 club members show up each month. We had 24 this month!
O ur Secretary has just returned from a cruise, so he let me take care of this month’s mem-bership update.
We have reached 219 mem-bers as of this article, but the 220th has arrived (just not fin-ished her application form). We are excited about the growth of the club, which allows us to do more in the way of volunteering for our many mission (core and ad-hoc). As always, we remain appreciative of all those that do volunteer.
That being said, as I said on day one of becoming the club’s
O PERATION BRIGHT IDEA! This event will take place on August 15th at the lower level parking lot at the Kiva
Club, between the hours of 1:00—2:00 PM. Club mem-bers, Marv Shadman (Air Force) and Scott Duke (Air Force) will be collecting light bulbs from Trilogy resi-dents. This program allows Trilogy residents to drop off their used/new light bulbs, which will be delivered to the Grand Veterans Village (operated by U.S. VETS of Phoenix). Last year, the club collected over 1,100 light bulbs!
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president back on Janaury 1st, 2018; “To be a member of this club, all you need is $10 and a DD214.” That has not changed in my nearly 2 years “in the seat.” I love the versatility this club has to offer and most importantly being around those that served.
A mission that start-ed in early July came to a success-ful conclusion last
month when 56 volunteers arrived at the Kiva Club to fill 500 backpacks for military children living at Luke AFB, Davis-Monthan AFB, and Marine Corps Station Yuma.
Mission Leader Bill Morse was in-charge in orchestrating the pack-day, which around 50,000 pieces of school sup-plies were either packed in a backpack or loaded into boxes to be sent for additional back-packs at the Army National Guard warehouse in Phoenix.
Special thanks to the spouses and friends of the Veterans Club who took time away from their schedules to participate in the event. With-out their help, it would have taken much longer to get the job done.
Thanks to all the club members who served as driv-ers, storage workers, loaders, and unloaders. Well done!
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Events August 2019
Point of Contact
Date
My Trilogy Life (MTL) Training Scott Duke August 1
Coast Guard Birthday Coast Guard Members August 4
Purple Heart Day All applicable members August 7
Thirsty Troop Thursday Club members August 8
Veterans Outreach Center (VOC2) Chris Salzer August 9
Operation Bright Idea Scott Duke August 15
TVC Board of Directors Meeting Scott Duke August 20
Club Meeting Scott Duke August 27
Adopt-A-Street Paul Bernard August 30
Veterans Outreach Center (VOC4) Jose Lopes August 31
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PRESIDENT
Scott Duke
SECRETARY Mark Grindle
VICE-PRESIDENT
Bob Meizinger
Member-at-Large Richard Brown
TREASURER Les Kessler
Manager of Charities
Chris Salzer
Member-at-Large
Joe Ingalls
Here is a funny story From Jim Long (Marines)
Last month, I went to the NWVA on Grand Avenue for blood tests and was checking in at the Intake desks where you wait in line for the next Counselor Volunteer. I was next in line when a shook up gentleman cane up pushing his walker. He walked in front of me and he was agitated, confused and s little shook up. I asked if I could help since I was next in line and he was in a big hurry. I also noticed he was wearing. WWII Cap. I introduced myself and he explained his predicament. I escorted him to be first in line and requested a lab worker to help him and the Intake Volunteer to get him fixed up. I was just about to be taken care of when a old guy with a Korean War Cap walked ahead of me and asked “How do I get seen in here?”. I told him also that he should go next also. He did and was grateful that I assisted him. Just as I was about to converse with the next Volunteer when a young(er) guy also came to the head of the line and asked how this intake system worked. I suggested he watch me and go next. It does not take much to humor me these days
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L ast month, we had another raffle winner (Stan Estes), who
will have a great a month of free car washes from Mr. Shine!
Will you be the next win-ner? All you need to do is
show up at our June 25th meeting at 4:30 PM and purchase a ticket for $1. Heck, increase your odds and buy five!
All proceeds from the monthly raffle offset costs of operating the club and funding various events and operations.
T his was sent to me by club member, Dan Martinez (Army). I had not heard about this and was so impressed, I felt like I had to share
it with you…..
Between the fields where the flag is planted, there are 9+ miles of flower fields that go all the way to the ocean. The flowers are grown by seed companies. It's a beautiful place, close to Vandenberg AFB. (CA!) Check out the dimensions of the flag. The Floral Flag is 740 feet long and 390 feet wide and maintains the proper Flag dimensions, as described in Executive Order #10834. This Flag is 6.65 acres and is the first floral flag to be planted with 5 pointed stars, comprised of white larkspur. Each Star is 24 feet in diameter; each stripe is 30 feet wide. This Flag is estimated to contain more than 400,000 larkspur plants with 4-5 flower stems each, for a total of more than 2 million flowers.
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T ickets will go on sale at the front desk of the Kiva Club, starting on September 1st.
Cost of the ticket, as of this article is $52; however if we don’t fill the bus with 56 veter-ans, the cost will go up a few dol-
lars.
The bus will depart the Kiva Club at 7:00 AM on October 16th, and return no later than 6:00 PM on the same day. Here is the break-down:
10:00 AM - Check in at the Museum 10:15 AM - 11:30 AM - On your own walkabout around the Museum 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM - Pay as you go lunch period (they offered a lunch package for $19 that included a sandwich, chips, and soft drink/tea, but decided it would be better for you to purchase lunch ala carte, or bring a bag lunch). 12:30 PM - 1:15 PM - Tram Tour of the outside grounds of the Muse-um 1:15 PM - 2:00 PM - Continue with your own walkabout around the Museum Depart Museum: 2:15 PM Arrive Kiva Club: 5:30 PM NOTE: We will make one (1) stop at a Pilot Travel Center on our way back to the Kiva Club
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A bout 3 million more people will soon be eligible to shop at mil-itary stores, officials
are working to make sure these new customers will have access to bases, and that the shelves will be stocked.
Starting January 1, 2020, all ser-vice-connected disabled veterans, Purple Heart recipients, former prisoners of war and primary vet-eran caregivers will be eligible to shop at commissaries and ex-changes, and officials from three federal agencies are preparing the way.
The newly eligible customers will also be able to use certain morale, welfare and recreation activities.
It’s the largest patronage expan-sion in more than 60 years, said Virginia Penrod, principal deputy assistant secretary of defense for manpower and reserve affairs, who spoke at a recent meeting of the American Logistics Associa-tion.
The departments of Defense, Veterans Affairs, and Homeland Security have been planning for the expansion for more than six months, with four teams totaling about 70 people. Among other things, they’ve decided how the
new customers will get access to military installations and to the stores; assessed the impact on the stores, and have been making plans to ensure enough products get to the shelves in the right assortment.
The fiscal 2019 National Defense Authorization Act expanded the pool of eligible shoppers. Because the expansion also applies to Coast Guard facilities, the Department of Homeland Security has been in-volved.
The law also included Medal of Honor recipients, but they already had shopping privileges. Previously, veterans with 100 percent service-connected disabilities were able to shop; now all with service-
connected disabilities can shop. The benefit extends to MWR pro-grams that are “revenue-generating facilities,” according to the law.
Example of ticket for trip
I t was a wonderful night for the Veterans Club as three Airmen from Luke AFB were presented with scholarship checks in their
effort to obtain academic degrees in pursuit of a commission in the Air Force.
Only two were able to make the presentations, as Lt Ryan Allen (Chairman of the Company Grade Officers Chapter) explained the pro-
cess for selection and helped with the presentation of certificates and checks to SSgt Justin McKenzie and SSgt Abraham Reyes. SSgt Justice Tarburton will receive his check and certificate from Lt. Allen.
The exhibit features a three-quarter scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. The replica is 375 feet in length and stands 7.5 feet high at its tallest point. Visitors ex-perience The Wall rising above them as they walk towards the apex, a key feature of the design of The Wall in D.C. Like the
original Memorial, The Wall is erected in a chevron-shape and visitors can do name rubbings of indi-vidual service member’s names on The Wall. The replica is constructed of Avonite, a synthetic gran-ite, and its 140 numbered panels are supported by an aluminum frame. Machine engraving of the more than 58,000 names along with modern LED lighting provide readability of The Wall day and night. As on The Wall, the names on The Moving Wall are listed by day of casualty. Beginning at the center/apex, the names start on the East Wall (right-hand side) working their way out to the end of that wing, picking up again at the far end of the West Wall (left-hand side) and working their way back in to the center/apex, joining the beginning and end of the conflict at the center.
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SSgt Mc Kenzie (center) poses for pictures after re-
ceiving his certificate and check from club president
(right) and Lt. Allen (left)
SSgt Reyes (center) is all smiles after receiving his
certificate and check from club president (right) and
Lt. Allen (left)
B elow is our price list and as of today, no increase in prices are being forecasted.
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Item Cost
Club Polo Shirt (red) Branch of Service Logo $45
Club Tee-Shirt (red) Branch of Service Logo $35
Club Hat - (blue) with Club name and American Flag $15
Club Memorial Brick $40
Club Coin $10
Vietnam Veteran Necklace $10
H ere is a look at the agenda for this month’s meeting of the Veterans Club. We hope to see you there!
Meeting comes to order at 4:30 PM
Pledge of Allegiance
Guest Speaker: Major Richard Willie (Luke AFB)
President’s Comments
Secretary Report
Health & Well Being Update
Old business
New business
Good of the Club
Adjourn
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If you thought it was Jack Todd, you would be cor-rect!