The Official Newsletter of Vietnam Veterans of America

Chapter 172

17 North Liberty Street

Cumberland, Maryland 21502-2316

The First VVA Chapter in the State of Maryland, the Gold Standard

Phone 1-301-777-7001 Fax: 1-301-777-7041

1-800-482-VETS Email:vva172@atlanticbbn.net

November 2007

We Must Be Doing Something Right

In October we received a phone call from a local credit union telling us that one of credit union members has died and left a gift to the Chapter. When the paper work was done and the check was cut the amount was for $116,000.

Then along comes November and we receive a phone call from a gentleman who wanted to meet with us about a donation to the Chapter. He said that he had a stone house in the Meyersdale area on a one acre lot in the woods that he would like to donate to Chapter 172. Bobby Cook and I drove up the mountain to check out the proposed gift. Much to our pleasant surprise we found a large stone chalet looking place in the woods well off the main road. The deal has not yet been finalized, but it seems to be a no brainier. Now before you ask, no, we don’t know what we are going to do with it.

When asked why Chapter 172 the gentleman said that he had looked into out organization and said that we have a successful veterans organization and he knows that we won’t waste it away. So, let’s see what happens in December.

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The 25^th Anniversary of “The Wall”

The anniversary and the bus trip to the festivities is history. From what we have heard it was a success. Many veterans were surprised at the large amount of Vietnamese who came to participate.

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REFLECTIONS OF A PAINTING

BY: JIM SHIPE

I saw a picture in a painting of a life that was reflective

of a past that I once lived through one that I had buried.

And when I see this painting I go back to the beginning

and live my life out one more time

drained and running on empty.

It’s been so long in returning that the nightmares are still scary

that I wake up screaming and sweating all through,

People look at me – like I’m crazy.

When I tell them of my feelings

If you weren’t there, I know you may not care.

We have homeless vets on the streets,

Not enough to go around and feed,

Shelter is being out of the rain.

You go seek help at a VA clinic and it turns out

that they mimic what is told to them from the top.

Time will solve our problems

When we all die off tomorrow

if the booze don’t get ya, your body will.

So when you see a painting that has a reflective picture

there’s more to the story than at first

but you must look into their eyes.

So next time you see a veteran look closely into his eyes

Don’t be afraid if you see a reflection

of a hero deep inside.

I’ll take a quote from Charlie Daniels

in a song that he once wrote about our government

sending soldiers into a foreign land – not close

don’t send the boys over if you don’t plan on bringing them back,

And, I’ll add a little ditto on top of that.

Don’t send anyone over if you’re not willing

to help a vet.

Because wounds can be deeper than a bullet in the chest.

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Keep the faith!

How about putting my nephew's name in the point, this is his second tour in Iraq. it is as follows:
SGT Eric R. hull
730th Quartermaster Company
APO-AE 09333

Charlie Pennington
U.S. Navy, Ret.

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I Wonder if They Thought Hard Enough to Hurt Their Brains?

EDITORIAL OPINION

Okay, let’s get the Ten Commandments out of the court houses and off the court house lawn. When we say the pledge of allegiance they don’t want you to say “…one nation under God…” The flag folding ceremony has been banned from federal cemeteries; once again it’s the “G” word that seems to be the problem. How they plan to enforce this I don’t know. So they try to redeem themselves by passing a law that says that it is okay for veterans to salute the flag, even if they are not in uniform. Now isn’t that a real ground shaker! We can salute the flag if we want to, like we haven’t been doing that all along and we needed someone’s permission. Oh well I guess getting this bill passed was better than doing real work like fighting terrorism.

It just seems like a week can’t go by without this “They” guy making some stupid ruling that affects veterans. I mean do “They” ever ask us what offends us. I am offended that someone thinks that I need a law to make it proper or legal for me to salute my flag. Meaning; that it may have been improper or illegal for me to salute my flag prior to this brave piece of legislation, another giant step for freedom. Meanwhile how is that thing going on with the illegal aliens and isn’t there a war going on someplace?

Several members of the Chapter including myself spoke at schools throughout the county last week in observance of Veterans Day. You would be surprised at just how much these kids know about what is happening in this country and with the war. It would be safe to say that 50% of the kids that I spoke to had someone in the military. A few of had lost someone close to them.

When we opened the discussion up for questions and answers it got very interesting. There were the three standard questions of course, what did you eat, where did you poop and did you kill anybody? But, there were also questions like are we doing any good, do the people over there hate us, when will it be over? Sgt. Muir the Army recruiter who spoke with us explained to the kids about the schools and hospitals that we have built and the good that we have done and the lives that we have saved. This was something positive that they could understand and they seemed to appreciate. But, and there always is a but. The students were also concerned if the war would still be going on when they were ready to graduate. I am sorry but thee is no answer for this question. When I was there age is when I first heard the words Vietnam.

Steve Parsons

November 2007

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Benefits for our American Veterans

During the Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln affirmed our nation’s commitment “to care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow and his orphan”. Over the years, federal benefits for Veterans have evolved to meet their changing needs. While much of our immediate attention focuses on our generations of veterans, we certainly have not forgotten veterans who served in past wars. When we defend our constitution serving in harms way causes a great toll. We as Veterans did not hesitate to serve and bear the cost of freedom for all.

Eligibility for most VA benefits is based upon discharge from active service under other than dishonorable conditions. Active service means full-time service, other than active duty for training. Certain VA benefits require service during wartime. Veterans applying for VA benefits for the first time must submit a copy of their service discharge form DD-214, DD-215 or for World War II Veterans a WD form, this documents service dates and type of discharge.

Applying for benefits in the VA Health care system begins with completing VA form 10-10 EZ. If you qualify for enrollment veterans can receive health care at VA Health care facilities anywhere in the United States.

The VVA has entered into a working agreement with the National Association of County Veteran Service Officers. This partnership will give us a significant increase in coverage across the country.

The VVA is the organization that insists on funding, accountability and outreach. This agenda has been presented at a special joint session of the House and Senate Veterans Affairs Committees. We have also testified before both committees reiterating our concerns that the VA’s proposed budget for Health Care and claims processing is insufficient. We participated in a special meeting of the House Veterans Affairs Committee with all of the committee members and the leaders of all the veterans and military service organizations in order to develop an agenda. Because of political changes our efforts will increase significantly this year. This will require even more effort by those of us within VVA to make the changes we so richly deserve and earned.

Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter 172, Cumberland, MD helps to assist all veterans in filing for these benefits. If you have any questions or concerns contact the Vietnam Veterans of America at 301-777-7001 or toll free 800-482-8387.

Bob Cook

Veterans Benefits Chair

CHAPTER 172 OFFICERS AND BOARD FOR 2007-2008