NEXT MEETING
Our next Meeting will be April 9th, 2005 at the VFW in Edinburg. The Board will meet at 10AM and the Chapter at 11AM.

CHAPTER ELECTIONS
Our April meeting is time for elections. Remember, according to our VVA National Constitution, you must be present to vote. While our present officers are all seeking reelection, there is nothing to preclude a write-in vote on the ballots. In addition the following members are seeking your vote to fill the vacant seats on the Board of Directors; Ken Watts; Charlie Towe; and Bill Fadley. After the elections we will have the installation of officers.

VETERAN'S BUDGET INCREASE AMENDMENT PASSES IN THE SENATE
(Mar 16 2005) U.S. Senator Larry Craig (R-Idaho), chairman of the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, thanked his colleagues today for passing an amendment that will increase money available for veterans' benefits and services by $410 million, bringing a total increase of $1.2 billion in discretionary spending for VA's budget for 2006.

The measure passed by a vote of 96-4. It was sponsored by Sens. Larry Craig (R-Idaho), John Ensign (R-Nevada), Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas) and David Vitter (R-Louisiana).

VA Reaches Out to Veterans Exposed to Mustard Agents
(17 Mar 2005) The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) today announced a national outreach campaign to locate veterans who were exposed to mustard gas or the chemical weapon Lewisite during their service.

"Many of these veterans have already sacrificed for their country, above and beyond the normal call of duty,'' said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Jim Nicholson. "At VA, we will ensure they receive the benefits and care they have earned."

Most of these veterans participated in chemical testing programs during World War II. They were exposed to mustard agents, which includes sulfur mustard and nitrogen mustard, and Lewisite, which is a blister-producing chemical that contains organic arsenic. VA launched an awareness campaign in 1993 about benefits for veterans exposed to chemical warfare materials. This new effort includes direct mailings to veterans newly identified by the Department of Defense (DOD).

U.S. POW/MIA
(18 Mar 2005) U.S. POW/MIA Delegation Leads Talks in Laos. Senior officials from Laos and the U.S. concluded talks this week reaffirming close cooperation in the mission to account for missing Americans from the Vietnam War.

While in Laos, the team spent a day and a half in southern Laos where specialists from the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command are seeking to recover American remains. U.S. officials noted the "one team" concept being put into practice at all levels during their visits to the Ta-oy base camp as well as to several excavation sites.

Missing in Action Serviceman Identified
(18 Mar 2005) The Department of Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office (DPMO) announced today that the remains of a U.S. Navy pilot, missing in action from the Vietnam War, have been identified and will be returned to his family for burial with full military honors.

Navy Commander Thomas E. Dunlop of Neptune Beach, Fla., was buried in Arlington National Cemetery on March 21.

On April 6, 1972, Dunlop took off in his A-7E Corsair II from the USS Coral Sea on a bombing mission of enemy targets in Quang Binh Province, North Vietnam. While over the target area, his aircraft was struck by an enemy surface-to-air missile and as his wingman watched, Dunlop's aircraft exploded in a fireball and crashed. No emergency beeper signals were received from the area of his crash.

COLONEL BURNETT FUNERAL
A funeral will be held at Arlington National Cemetery on April 13th at 9:00 am for COL Sheldon J. Burnett, USA, from New Hampshire, listed as MIA in Laos on March 7, 1971. The DPMO announcement concerning COL Burnett has not yet been made; however, this information came from his family, and they authorized release to those who may be interested in attending. In view of expressed interest in knowing of and/or attending such events to demonstrate your support, that COL Burnett's family finally has an answer.

30th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War.
Charlie Montgomery, President, VVA Virginia State Council, wants to remind everyone of the rally at The Wall on 30 April 2005 commemorating the 30th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War. VVA Chapter 48 is putting together a bus to go up to The Wall for this event. If you need more information on this event, contact Charlie at (757) 481-6513 (Home #).

So we ask you to mark your calendar for Saturday 30th of April 2005. A rally will be held at 2 pm at (Upper) Senate Park in Washington, DC and then a program at "The Wall" will be at around 6PM, April 30, 2005. The rally is for health care for all veterans and the program is for the 30th Anniversary of the end of the war.

Times have been set:
--3 pm at Senate Park
--6 pm at “The Wall”

We do need Marshals for the rally. Their job, more than less, is to tell the Capital Police who/where the problem is. The Capital Police will take it from there. You will have a shirt and hat that tells them who you are. Appreciate anyone’s help in this planning event for your organization Vietnam Veterans of America.

What is needed are some volunteers to help at the event...could be passing out programs, directing people from one place to an other or some other task. If you feel you could help with this event please email Lester - LaLaub@aol.com or call him at home - 703-590-8348.

FROM SHABOOM’S KITCHEN
This is quick and easy and great for a Spring day! You can now buy fresh Chesapeake Bay Rockfish at the Shenandoah Farms Market * on Orkney Grade (Rte 263)---order by Monday and pick it up Thursday!

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Remove and discard any tiny bones from fish; wash fillets thoroughly under cold running water and pat dry with paper towels. Place fish in a glass or non-reactive pie plate or dish. Pour lemon juice over and turn to coat. Let stand at room temperature 15-20 minutes, turning once to marinate thoroughly.

Meanwhile, in a small bowl, combine mayonnaise, sour cream, chile powder, onion powder and garlic powder. Remove fish from lemon juice, pat dry and place on a greased shallow baking pan. Slather mayonnaise mixture over top of the fish. Bake 10-12 minutes or until just cooked through. Test doneness with your index finger---if the flesh slightly resists pressure, it's done. Remove from oven, tent with foil to keep warm. Garnish with cilantro and serve hot.

Questions? Suggestions? For more information about joining our Chapter, please e-mail us!

MAILING ADDRESS
VVA Chapter 936
594 Cave Spring Lane
Edinburg, VA 22824

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