Vietnam Vet Gazette

Our Motto: Never again will one generation of veterans abandon another.

Vietnam Veterans of AmericaVietnam Veterans of AmericaChapter 862, Southwestern Pa.Chapter 862, Southwestern Pa.

www.vva862.org PO Box 26, Rochester, PA 15074

Board of Directors Second Wednesday

General Membership Third Wednesday

All mee ngs held atRochester VFW • 179 Virginia Ave • Rochester, PA 15074

MonthlyMonthlyMeetingsMeetings

7pm7pm

— continued on page 5 —

Feb 2018Issue 184

Tet Party 2018Tet Party 2018

Guest Speaker Todd DePastino

On February 17, Vietnam Veterans converged on the Fez in Hopewell to do what they have

done every February for the past 19 years: to observe the anniversary of the Tet Off ensive, to honor and remember fallen comrades and to enjoy

2 Feb 2018

Upcoming Chapter 862Upcoming Chapter 862Special Mee ngs & EventsSpecial Mee ngs & Events

2 Lee Batt ista Robert Pudo 3 Tom Foley Clarence Yount 4 Sharon Namath Ron Worstell 5 Sam Beechan Jim Dempsey Carl Jones Pompeo Montagnese John Zachodni 8 John Barber Don Pickering Bernard Shaw 9 John DeChellis 11 David Knorr Wayne Kerkovich 12 Jeff Cruce 13 Gary Scheib 14 Harry Hage Dennis Thompson Jr 16 Steve Collins Ken Jones

17 Gary Hall Lewis Villa 18 James Bowser John Summers Charles Szabo 19 John Buerkle Kenneth Jones Larry Phillips 20 Gerald Dunn Dan Keener 21 Don O’Neill 22 Robert Chess Jim Janicki William Schillig 23 Jim Boyce Jim Clonan Todd DePastino 24 Michelle Haswell Dan Murdoch Larry Turner 25 James Ditt mer John Harvey Albert Lohry 27 Lionel Gower Jr 28 John Mamone Frank Tavern Jr. 29 Allen Dzambo Vanessa Campagna 30 Greg Hogan

Apr 7-8 - Maple Syrup Festival, Bradys Run Park, 8:30 am - 4:30 pm (Frank Petz)

Apr 7 - Army JROTC Military Ball award presentations, Shadow Lakes CC

Apr 18 - Chapter ElectionsMay 5 - Spring Banquet, VFW (Barb Googins)May 12 - Marine JROTC Military Ball award

presentations, Monaca TurnersMay 19 - Armed Forces Golf Outing, Black Hawk

Golf Course @ 8:00 amMay 24 - Sylvania Hills Flag placing (Joe Mavero)May 28 - Memorial Day Parade, Midland (Rich

Raich)Jun 2-3 - PASC Conference, State CollegeJun 10 - Support Our Troops Rally, 3:00 pm,

Beaver Gazebo (Bob Gwin)During the month of January, red roses were sent in memory of twelve deceased Vietnam Era veterans and one VVA 862 family member Our Chapter sends a single red rose and vase to the funeral home for

every military veteran, or family member of a member of our chapter, who passes away. Chaplain Don Villella scans the newspapers daily and orders the roses sent to the appropriate funeral home in honor of the deceased veteran(s) or family member.

Red Rose Honors

Red text indicates updated informa on

Birthdays

Other Fun EventsApr 4 – Veterans Breakfast Club, Seven Oaks

CC, 8:30 amMay 5 - Veterans Breakfast Club, Uncommon

Grounds, Aliquippa, 9:00 amJun 6 – Veterans Breakfast Club, Seven Oaks

CC, 8:30 am

Buddy Howe (L) and Rich Gillin

Who WAS the mysterious man with two red shoes?? (Ans. on p. 7)

TET

PARTY

Feb 2017 3

DRAFT COPY

General Meeting MINUTESJanuary 17, 2018

Lee Corfi eld, Secretary VVA 862

Minutes continued on page 4

Called to order by President - Larry Googins @ 7:00 PM Opening Prayer by Chaplain Don Villella. Att endance was - 104 Pledge of Allegiance Introduction of Guests - Duztin Watson & Stephanie Rosser (RIP USA Inc.). Harry Riper, Bill McCoyVVA Mott o: Reminder - “Never Again Will One Generation of Veterans Abandon Another”Call for Veterans “Sick or In Distress” – Bob Grant, Ray Litz inger, Hank Labik, Ed Bernstein. After the meeting we were reminded of Joe Mavero needing a kidney. Roll Call of Offi cers – 13 - Present 0 - Absent 1 - ExcusedSecretary’s Report: Minutes: Were accepted as printed in the Newslett erCommunications - All communications were readNewslett ersWebsite – Lee stated is waiting on his computer tech to update it. Slow Progress.Treasurer’s Report: Jake Barsott ini gave his report. Jake went over all the accounts

Motions Recommended by the BOD:1) Motion by Bob Horner 2nd by Joe Gallagher to donate $250 to VVA 862 LIFE member Jerry Baylor

towards his participation the upcoming National Veterans Wheelchair Games in Orlando, Florida (late July). Motion Carried.

Committ ee Reports:Membership - VVA 790 LIFE 733 - Gary Shaff er will be calling 22 people. 51 members are not LIFE member. Note: Michigan chapter is behind us by 10 members. We need to get more applications out there.Public Aff airs - Rich Pegg – spoke about medical marijuana. He read the information to all those in att endance on what all you have to do to apply, if you’re permitt ed. He also invited anyone who served with the 1st Cav to att end the upcoming 1st Cav Reunion. June 20 – 24th, in Charleston, WV. Please Note: If you have a Pa. License to Carry Firearms (concealed carry permit) and you are approved for medical marijuana, cannot legally own or purchase a fi rearm. (Ed. Note – for more information, go to htt p://www.pennlive.com/news/2018/01/medical_marijuana_patients_mus.html )POW MIA – Philip Morris – Amount is the same 1602. Only 1 Vietnam Vet has been re-patriated.Agent Orange – Jake Barsott ini gave a short report that he got from VVA National on Toxic Exposure. More info will be passed out at the upcoming Leadership conference.Maple Syrup Festival – Frank Petz will need help at the upcoming Maple Syrup festival, Apr 7, 8Support the Troops Rally - We need somebody in VVA to help Bob Gwin with the upcoming Support the Troops Rally on June 10, 2018. Need someone to help with organization.Honor Guard – Rich Raich – gave report on recent (2) Funerals. Practice this Friday at MidlandVets Assist – Bill reported that we helped 2 veterans that needed assistance.Memorial Bricks – 7 bricks were installed by Rich Kamzelski at our Memorial.

New Business – Phil Morris stated next TET Reunion Party meeting will be February 5th here at VFW at 7:00 PM. We will be doing a 4 member (Table Recognition) since now we have 4 Vietnam Vets from Beaver county that are missing.

4 Feb 2018

DRAFT COPY

VVA Minutes contiued from page 3

You may honor Veterans of the armed services, loved ones and friends (either living or deceased) with an “In Memory Of” brick. You may also want to honor your American Legion post, your VFW post or any other Veterans Service Organizations. Orders are accepted year round, with placement every spring and fall. Engraving is donated by Rome Monument.

Mail completed form with check to: VVA Chapter 862, P.O. Box 26, Rochester, PA 15074

Memorial Walkway Bricks at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Beaver, Pa.

Brick Walkway Order Form Please PRINT LEGIBLY in BLUE or BLACK inkDonor Name: _____________________________________________________Address: ________________________________________________________City/State/Zip: ____________________________________________________contact telephone number: __________________________________________

2 Sizes Available (check one) Checks payable to: VVA Chapter 862

8"x4"3 lines,13 characters*

8"x8"6 lines,13 characters*

* includes punctuation and spaces

$75

$200

Old Business - Membership Cards – Larry Googins gave an explanation about the yellow cards that we all received recently in the mail. He made a call and they did not pressure you to buy a Membership Directory; all they asked was to make sure the information they have on you is correct. Quay Park – Larry Googins also explained about what changes are going to be made at Quay Park. Our Memorial will not be aff ected.Chapter Elections – will be at the upcoming April 18th Meeting. Executive BOD and Delegates.Scholarship – Lon Hogue – Lett ers and Applications will be going out to all school districts this month. Calendar of Events – Larry went over all upcoming events. Memorial Day Parade will be in Midland this year. We are going to start moving around the Valley each year.Vice Presidents’ Reports - Bill Laughner - Bill has TET Tickets. He explained about the tickets and the Cash Raffl e. He also spoke about our Challenge Coins if anyone wants them. $5.00 each.1st VP - Phil Morris – No report.AVVA –Bobbie Morris – gave the AVVA membership report. AVVA – 162 - LIFE 105 She also spoke about the diff erent groups and folks that they support. They also have Elections coming up same night as VVA, April 18. Good of Chapter – Milen Cokrlic spoke about the Pledge of Allegiance @ NFL Games; John Szatkiewicz thanked all those who came down to the Xmas Vigil from Christmas Eve thru Christmas Day; Don Tice / Harry Van Riper spoke about Veterans Connection. Slips were passed around to all inviting them.Closing Prayer – by Chaplain Don VillellaAdjourned at 8:38 PM

Feb 2017 5

the warmth of lasting friendships that were formed during, or because of, the Vietnam War.

The evening began with the National Anthem (splendidly sung by professional vocalist and AVVA member Vanessa Campagna), and the Pledge of Allegiance. Chapter 862 Color Guard and the Marine Corps JROTC performed the ceremonial duties of presentation of colors, and batt lefi eld cross ceremony, respectively. Co-chair Phil Morris pointed out the MIA table and the meaning of objects upon it.

All seventy-three names of ourbrothers who are listed on the the Beaver County Vietnam Memorial were read, with each name honored by a bell strike while his portrait was displayed on two large projection screens. After that, the names of eleven other deceased brothers from more recent wars were accorded the same solemn honor. The commemoration concluded with a rifl e salute and playing of taps.

With this year marking the milestone of the 50th anniversary of the Tet Off ensive, historian Todd DePastino was invited to address the audience that numbered close to 500, and included Veterans from World War II and the Korean War, as well as from more recent encounters (Gulf, Iraq and Afghanistan wars).

The Tet Off ensive was one of the largest military campaigns of the Vietnam War, and although launched in January, the term has come to refer to the entire fi rst eight months of 1968, according to some historians, including Todd. More than 58,000 enemy soldiers were killed during this period (Ed. - although Todd did not specify the number of US deaths during this period, I believe the ratio of enemy deaths to American deaths was approximately 10:1).

Tet Party contiued from page 1

About Todd DePas noAs founder and execu ve director of the Veterans Breakfast Club, Todd is in a unique posi on to gather personal histories and details of Veterans’ eyewitness accounts of historical events that otherwise might never be shared. The tes monies that Todd elicits from Veterans during the gatherings have a profound eff ect on both the Veterans and upon those who hear their accounts. The breakfast events off er a rare combina on of educa on, healing and inspira on (see the Calendar of Events on page 2 for upcoming Veterans Breakfast Club mee ngs).

Phil Morris reads the Beaver County KIA/MIA names while Rich Kamzelski strikes the bell

Commemorative T-shirts Brandon Rumbaughnew AVVA member Kerrie Caivano

and her fi ancé Brandon

Despite the overwhelming military victory by US and South Vietnam forces and allies, the Tet Off ensive also came to be remembered as a political and strategic defeat for the US, and was a major turning point of the war. Public support for the war and our military and political leaders began noticeably declining.

Todd explained that the Tet Off ensive was one of the most signifi cant events in our nation’s history. The loss of confi dence that Americans experienced in their leaders marked the beginning of decades of decline of the public’s trust that its government will “do the right thing most of the time.” We live in the shadow of Tet today.

It is important that we remember Tet, not only for its signifi cance in American history, but also so that

contiued on page 7

6 Feb 2018

Goodies in the tentDRAFT UNTILAPPROVED

A regular meeting of AVVA Chapter 862 was called to order by President Bobbie Morris at 6:00 pm with a reciting of the Pledge of Allegiance and a moment of silence for the POW/MIA.

AVVA Meeting MINUTESJanuary 17, 2018

Keith Black, Secretary

Chaplain Barb Googins said a word of prayer.

Roll Call of offi cers and board members: Sue Bridgewater, Sandy Giordano, and Rita Swezey were excused. New member Kerrie Caivano and guests Carol Trepler, Kathy Brink, Lance Engle, and John Shaw were welcomed.

Meeting Minutes: Secretary Keith Black read the minutes for November. A motion was made by Barb Googins to accept the minutes as read with a second by Judy Hage. Motion carried.

Treasurer: Sue Bridgewater: No report given.

Correspondence: A thank you card was received from Wings for Vets for our donation and a thank you lett er was received from the Women’s Center of Beaver County for our help and donation to the children in their program for Christmas.

Membership: Sue Smith – We now have 162 members and 105 life members. We are 3rd in the Nation, 2nd in the region, and 1st in the State.

VISTA: Laurel Beitsinger: 267.5 hours were submitt ed for the previous month.

Old BusinessPresident Bobbie Morris thanked everyone who helped with visitation at the Beaver Valley Nursing Home. Everyone was happy to be visited and be given gifts.

Vice-President Linda Szatkiewicz gave report on the Christmas Vigil. Approximately 150 people att ended in spite of the very cold temperatures.

President Bobbie Morris thanked Sandy Giordano for fi lling in as Secretary while Keith was deployed.

Barb Googins and the AVVA Members were thanked for helping at Christmas dinner.

TET Party is on Saturday, February 17, 2018. Doors open at 4:30 pm with the program starting at 6:00 pm. Help is needed to setup on Friday, February 16th at 5:00 pm as well as at the TET Party itself.

New BusinessAn e-Motion for $150 was requested by Carl Curtis and approved by the AVVA Board of Directors for assistance to a veteran in need of heating oil in cooperation with the VVA. Judy Hage made a motion to approve reimbursement of $150 to VVA. Seconded by Linda Szatkiewicz. Motion carried.

A veteran in need of basic items was presented by President Bobbie Morris and Carl Curtis. Barb Googins made a motion for a $200 Walmart gift card. Seconded by Diana Feltes. Motion Carried.

A motion was made to donate $200 to Children’s Hospital for Trozo’s Kids by Keith Black. Seconded by Judy Hage. Motion carried.

Good of the ChapterThe Traveling Quilt of Tears will be in Georgetown, OH on Sunday, May 6th. More information to come.

April 18th at the regular AVVA meeting, Chapter elections will be held for President, Vice-President, Treasurer, Secretary and three Board of Director Members. If interested, a lett er of intent and an AVVA biography is needed.

A planning meeting for the Support out Troop rally will be on Sunday, January 28th at 1:00 pm at the Rochester VFW.

Candy and 50/50 will be sold during the VVA meeting.

Feb 2017 7Proud to be an American...

we can bett er connect with our soldiers and honor their sacrifi ces. Todd praised Chapter 862 for holding an annual Tet Party; he is not aware of any other celebration that keeps Tet in the public eye. With less than 1% of our population serving in the military today, it is critical that we as a nation not lose sight of, or appreciation for, our men and women in the armed forces, or how to relate to them.

Thanks to Vietnam Veterans of America and their pledge—Never again will one generation of veterans abandon another—today’s soldiers are enthusiastically welcomed home from their tours of duty and they enjoy spirited public admiration. Most civilians, when they encounter a Veteran on the street, reach out to thank him/her for his/her service; Todd proposed that we can do bett er than that. The best way to thank a Veteran is to listen to him/her.

Following Todd’s remarks, Brandon Rumbaugh was invited to say a few words. Brandon is a double-amputee combat veteran (Afghanistan) whose life mission is to serve his community through charitable works and motivational speaking engagements. As he expertly maneuvered back and forth across the dance fl oor so that he could make eye contact with both sides of the room, he paid tribute to Vietnam Veterans in his community who assisted him in countless ways after he fi rst returned home from almost two years of medical therapy at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. The crowd was moved by his determination, gratitude and engaging personality.

Tet Party contiued from page 5

The rest of the evening proceeded with dinner, and dancing to Voices, featuring Rudy Zetz , Janet Falotico and Sharon Grey. Quite a number of people enjoyed dancing, but the song that brought more than half of the people to their feet was “God Bless the USA.” It was quite a sight to see arms raised and hear the chorus, “And I’m proud to be an American...” If you were unable to att end this year’s party, you missed a special evening.

Friendly effi cient service, and delicious food from the Fez

Answer from page 2:

Rudy Zetz

8 Feb 2018

4th Annual “Armed Forces Golf Outing” Benefiting local Vietnam Veterans Chapter #862

Saturday, May 19th 2018 (Armed Forces Day)

8:00 A.M. Shotgun Scramble

Entry Fee: $75.00/player ($80.00 after May 1st, 2018) Includes golf, prizes, meal and refreshments

Bringing together both civilian and military golfers in an event that thanks our Armed Forces for all their hard work and sacrifice

For $25.00 you can be a sponsor on our Banner Tee Sign Name _________________ Address _______________________________

Phone # _______________ _______________________________

List players below and remit payment to:

Black Hawk Golf Course, 644 Blackhawk Rd. Beaver Falls, PA 15010

Captain ____________ Email ________________ Phone _______________

Player 2 ____________ Player 3 ______________ Player 4 _____________

For Additional Information contact Black Hawk Golf Shop (724) 843-5512 x1

www/blackhawkgolfcourse.com

Feb 2017 9

VVA’s Guidance for the Rapid Appeals Modernization Program (RAMP) January 29, 2018

This letter is intended to provide general guidance on the Rapid Appeals Modernization Program (RAMP) for you to use or disseminate as appropriate to your membership. On August 23, 2017, Congress enacted the Veterans Appeals Improvement and Modernization Act of 2017, which will drastically change the VA claims and appeals process. The new law will offi cially go into effect February 2019; however, VA has already initiated a temporary program that partially implements the new law. This temporary program is called RAMP.

To participate in RAMP, veterans must receive an “opt-in” letter from VA asking if they wish to participate in this optional pilot program. Choosing to opt-in to RAMP is an irreversible decision. RAMP uses different legal standards and rules that may not be pro-veteran; a “faster decision” does not mean a “favorable decision.” Due to various factors it is the current position of the Veterans Benefi ts Program (VBP) that veterans not opt-in to RAMP at this time.

Importantly, it is strongly encouraged for anyone receiving a RAMP letter who has questions to reach out to his or her local accredited service representative for guidance. Accredited service representatives are able to look up the claim and see what is going on, as well as, provide claim specifi c advice. Without the proper training and expertise, it may be diffi cult for a person who is not a service offi cer to answer some of the more intricate and complex questions that may arise from RAMP inquiries.

To locate a VVA accredited service representative that is nearby to your membership, please visit the following and search by state or zip code. https://vva.org/what-we-do/veteran-services/claims-assistanceVBP is directly reaching out to each veteran or family member that will receive an opt-in letter to provide legal support and guidance if the individual is represented by VVA. The direct line to VVA’s National Veterans Benefi ts Program offi ce is (202) 530.9180. For any additional questions about RAMP or the new law, please do not hesitate to reach out to me at the contact information below:

Sincerely, Kelsey Yoon Director, Veterans Benefi ts Program Vietnam Veterans of Americakyoon@vva.org(301) 335.2183

Important Announcement

Many thanks to Tom Decker (L) and Ken Aikens for their help checking in guests to the Tet Party

Until They All Come Home

1 6 0 2

Americans Missing and OtherwiseUnaccounted-for From the Vietnam War

10 Feb 2018

Vietnam Veterans of America Membershipis open to any Veteran who served

Anywhere during the Vietnam War eraVietnam Veterans of AmericaMEMBERSHIP APPLICATIONName:______________________________________Phone:________________Birthday____/____/____

Address:_______________________________City:____________________State:_____Zip___________

I served in the US military (for otherthan training purposes) between8/5/1964 & 5/7/1975ORI served in the US military in Vietnam between 2/28/1961 & 5/7/1975DD-214 enclosed

I did not serve in the military during these mes, but I wish to join the Associates of

Vietnam Veterans of America (AVVA) - $20.00 / Year

NEW MEMBERRENEWAL - Membership Card #_____________

One (1) Year Membership $20.00

Three (3) Year Membership $50.00

Life Membership $75.00

Mail completed form, copy of DD-214 and check to:

VVA Chapter 862P.O. Box 26Rochester, PA 15074

Standing Commi eesAgent Orange / Dioxin– Mike Coligure ....................412-613-1810Chapter Service Coordinators– Michelle Wilcox ............847-3463 Nick Pavkovich ..............847-0592Community Services– Chuck Inman ...............................709-7747Finance / Auditor– Bill Winkle ........................................774-2626Government Aff airs– Bart Farza ...................................777-2193Membership– Gary Shaff er .............................................643-8941Minority Aff airs– Reuben Fuller ......................................378-4990POW / MIA– Phil Morris .................................................643-5725Public Aff airs– Kathy (Katy) Miller ...................................709-8104Veterans Aff airs / Benefi ts Advisor– Kathy Nairn ...........770-4450Women Veterans ................................................................ Vacant

Chapter 862 Offi cers & Directors(All 724 Area Codes unless noted)

Offi cersPresident– Larry Googins ................................ 869-7090Exec– VP Bill Laughner .................................... 843-68281st VP– Phil Morris .......................................... 643-5725Secretary– Michelle Wilcox ............................. 847-3463Treasurer– Jake Barso ni ............................... 601-7293

DirectorsBob Horner (3)Don Tice (3)Don Villella (3)

Chapter 862 DelegatesLarry GooginsBill LaughnerPhilip MorrisMichelle WilcoxJake Barso ni

AVVA Chapter 862Offi cers

President– Bobbie Morris ....................... 643-5725VP– Linda Szatkiewicz .............................. 643-8422Secretary– Keith Black ............................. 513-3177Treasurer– Sue Bridgewater .......................643-0731

DirectorsCarl Cur s ................................................ 869-0294Rita Swesey .............................................. 775-7529

Parliamentarian ....................................Chaplain Barb Googins .......................... 869-7090Membership Susan Smith ..................... 728-6741

Special Commi eesHonor / Color Guard– Ray Litzinger ........................ 378-5855Homeless Veterans– Bill Porupsky .......................... 495-7051Hospitalized Veterans ..................................................VacantNomina ng– Lon Hogue ......................................... 846-8857PX– Frank Petz ......................................................... 774-1867PTSD / Substance Abuse– Ray Litzinger .................. 378-5855Scholarship– Lon Hogue .......................................... 846-8857Veterans Assistance– Bill Laughner ........................ 601-3597

Other Posi ons / ChairpersonsChaplain– Don Villella. ............................................ 843-7401Highway Clean-up– Charles Ray ............................. 827-8310Memorial Bricks– Ron Heitzenrater ........................ 452-7483Newsle er– Susan Fudurich .print@myinkstar.com 847-2940Veterans Memorials– Rich Tindell .......................... 336-5457Webmaster– Lee Corfi eld........................................ 775-3027

Rich Raich (1) Gary Shaff er (1)Ken Pingatore (1)

Lee Corfi eldNick PavkovichRich RaichRay RappJohn Szatkiewicz

Gary Shaff erDave WalkerBob Weismantle

Ron Heitzenrater (2)Ron Ippolito (2)Nick Pavkovich (2)