NEXT MEETING
MEMBERSHIP NEWS
Please give a warm welcome home to our two new members; Larry Geary of Basye, VA; and Gordon Taylor of Toms Brook, VA.

NEXT MEETING
Our next meeting will be held on the 11th of February at the VFW Post in Edinburg. The Board of Directors will meet at10:00 and the membership meeting will begin at 11:00.

PURPLE HEART STAMP TO BE REISSUED
Washington - The U.S. Postal Service will re-issue the Purple Heart stamp, which was originally issued on May 30, 2003, to honor the sacrifice of members of the United States military services who have been killed or wounded in action.

The Purple Heart stamp is a unique stamp subject depicting a military medal that recognizes the sacrifice of men and women who shed their blood in the defense of the country.

"At a time when our military service members continue to serve in Afghanistan and Iraq, it is appropriate that the Purple Heart stamp be reissued at the new First-class rate," the Postal Service said.

PRESIDENTIAL MEMORIAL CERTIFICATE
A Presidential Memorial Certificate (PMC) is an engraved paper certificate, signed by the current President, to honor the memory of honorably discharged deceased veterans.

This program was initiated in March 1962 by President John F. Kennedy and has been continued by all subsequent Presidents. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) administers the PMC program by preparing the certificates which bear the current President’s signature expressing the country’s grateful recognition of the veteran’s service in the United States Armed Forces.

Eligible recipients include the deceased veteran’s next of kin and loved ones. More than one certificate may be provided.

Eligible recipients, or someone acting on their behalf, may apply for a PMC in person at any VA regional office or by U.S. mail only. Requests cannot be sent via email. There is no form to use when requesting a PMC. Please be sure to enclose a copy of the veteran's discharge and death certificate. Please submit copies only, as we cannot return original documents.

If you would like to request a Presidential Memorial Certificate, or if you requested one more than eight (8) weeks ago and have not received it yet, you are asked to either:

1. Fax your request and all supporting documents (copy of discharge and death certificate) to: (202) 565-8054, or

2. Mail your request and all supporting documents using either the U.S. Postal Service or a commercial mail service, such as one of the overnight or express mail delivery services, to:
Presidential Memorial Certificates (41A1C)
Department of Veterans Affairs
5109 Russell Road
Quantico, VA 22134-3903

If you have any questions about a certificate you have received, a request you have already sent in, or about the program in general, you may call (202) 565-4964.

PLEASE NOTE: The above telephone number is for questions about the Presidential Memorial Certificate Program only.

VA SECRETARY APPOINTS NEW VETERANS’ LIAISON
WASHINGTON – The Honorable R. James Nicholson, Secretary of Veterans Affairs, recently appointed Kevin B. Secor, of Woodbridge, Va., as his senior advisor on issues relating to major veterans groups.

"I'm grateful that Kevin was willing to take on this assignment and continue his long and distinguished service to our nation, its military personnel and its veterans," Nicholson said.

In his new role as special assistant to the Secretary, Secor will serve as the primary liaison between the department and veterans organizations, informing veterans groups about VA's efforts on their behalf while communicating the concerns of the veterans groups to Secretary Nicholson.

MORE DRUGS TARGETED FOR TRICARE’S THIRD TIER
The Defense Department's Uniform Formulary Beneficiary Advisory Panel (BAP) met in December to consider recommendations from DoD's Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee. The panel recommended the following drugs for Tricare's Third Tier: the Alzheimer class drug Tacrine (Cognex); Nasal Corticosteroids Drugs, flunisolide (Nasarel), fluticasone propionate (Flonase) and mometasone furoate (Nasonex); Antidepressants (AD1) Drugs, fluoxetine (Sarafem), fluoxetine weekly (Prozac Weekly), escitalopram and paroxetine CR, duloxetine, and bupropion XL; Oral Macrolide/Ketolide class drugs, telithromycin and the Zmax formulation of azithromycin. The panel also recommended that a prior authorization be required for Mescasermin (increlex). All committee recommendations will go to the Director of Tricare Management Activity for final approval or modification. Third tier drugs cost $22 for a 30-day supply at retail network pharmacies or a 90-day supply via the Tricare Mail Order Pharmacies. BAP members represent beneficiary groups such as The Military Coalition.

RESEARCHERS DEVELOP NEW VACINE CANDIDATE AGAINST HEPATITIS C
January 10, 2006 University of Saskatchewan; Researchers at the University of Saskatchewan's Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization have developed a vaccine candidate for hepatitis C, leading to hope in the fight against a disease for which no vaccines are yet available. The team, funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and the Canadian Network for Vaccines and Immunotherapeutics produced a vaccine candidate that decreased the amount of a carrier virusexpressing hepatitis C virus (HCV) protein in mice by 100,000 times compared to the control. "This technique uses the body's own cells, called dendritic cells, to vaccinate against hepatitis C," said Bhagirath Singh, Scientific Director of the CIHR Institute of Infection and Immunity. Dendritic cells are key components of the immune system, activating and shaping the immune response. About 20 per cent of people who contract HCV overcome the virus on their own. For those who develop chronic hepatitis, the immune system cannot clear the infection. HCV is the leading cause for liver transplants in the western world, and its annual death toll is expected to triple in the next 10 years. Worldwide, there are about five times more people infected by HCV than with the HIV virus.

Hepatitis C information:
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/diseases/hepatitis/c/index.htm
Source:
http://www.usask.ca/events/news/articles/20060110-1.html

FROM SHABOOM’S KITCHEN
This decades-old recipe is the result of many trials and errors before I finally got it right, including my “secret ingredient”. My best friend pronounced this “Awesome!”. This sauce freezes well in sealable 1-quart plastic containers. For February, put this on a pasta buffet for the big game, have it for a romantic dinner with your Valentine, or just have it as some good wintertime comfort food.

Put olive oil into a cold Dutch oven or large heavy saucepan and heat over medium-low heat until just barely hot. Add onion and carrot, sprinkle with a little salt and pepper to bring out the flavors, and sauté until softened. Add garlic and sauté 1-2 minutes more, but do not let garlic burn.

Add beef, and pork if used; cook and stir until no longer pink. Drain off excess fat. Add oregano, basil and red pepper flakes; mix well. a little more salt and pepper is good right here. Stir in the tomato paste. Stir in the wine until well-blended. Add crushed tomatoes and tomato sauce and mix well. Stir in sugar and cinnamon and bring slowly to a simmer.

Simmer uncovered over low heat from 1 to 1-1/2 hours, stirring occasionally. Stir in Parmesan; simmer 1 hour longer, stirring occasionally. Taste and adjust seasonings.

Meanwhile, cook spaghetti according to package directions; drain and divide into 6 warm serving plates. Ladle sauce over the pasta and serve with additional Parmesan on the side.

NOTES:
- In the past, I’ve added a heaping teaspoon of bacon fat to the olive oil and used all beef, no pork (but it's not necessary).
- Best brands of crushed and whole tomatoes are San Marzano, Muir Glen, Cento.
- A wooden or plastic spoon is best to stir so no metal-like flavors create an "off" taste to the sauce.
- Also, if you really love meat, add some ready-to-cook frozen meatballs during the last hour of simmering.

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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