VVA CHAPTER 936
January 2005
PRESIDENT'S CORNER
Our membership has recently expanded by three. Please welcome: Ken Watts who resides in Winchester and is employed with the Veterans Administration; Carol Stevens, wife of our Vice-President and news letter editor, Carol is an associate member; and Guy Miller of Woodstock. Guy became interested while walking his dog. He met a fellow member, Martin Ritenour. Additionally, Richard Neff is now a life member of Vietnam Veterans of America. Richard proudly showed me his new life membership card.
During the weekend of December 3-5 of 2004, your Chapter delegates attended the VVA State council Meeting held in Virginia Beach. The Council meeting was very well attended. The State Council President, Charles Montgomery, reiterated the importance of veterans issues and stressed the fact that veterans were our principle concern. Expenses for this meeting were held to a minimum. Half of the money allocated for food given to our delegates was placed back into our Chapter treasury. All in all the Chapter expended $20.00, $10.00 of which was given as a donation. This is an important factor because our membership has continually contributed and supported the Chapter events by making such donations and sacrifices. Thanks!
Additional points of interest:
Hope to see you at our next meeting on Saturday, January 8th, 2005 at 11 AM. The first meeting of the new year.
Thanks to one and all.
OFFICERS
NEXT MEETING
POW/MIA MEMORIAL
VSC 2005 DATES SET
VVA Chapter #81 will host the March 2005 meeting in the Days Inn Hotel located at Exit #146, Interstate #81 in Roanoke, VA. For reservations, call 1-800-329-7466 or (540) 366-0341.
SUPPORT OUR WOUNDED TROOPS
Wal-Mart has good prices on AT&T cards; Sams Club is even better, if you are a member.
The Landstuhl Regional Medical Center (LRMC) in Germany got an influx of about 500 wounded troops from
Iraq last week and more arrive almost daily. They arrive straight from the battlefield, with only the torn, dirty, bloody clothes on their back. They have no clothes, underwear, or toiletry items. The hospital provides them with only a cotton gown or pajamas, robe and disposable slippers. Some stay only a few days before being sent to hospitals stateside, while others are there up to several weeks. The military gives them a $250 voucher to buy clothing and toiletries at the BX, but many are not ambulatory, and those who are have to wait for a bus to get down to the BX on Ramstein Air Base 7, miles away. The BX runs out of things and it takes weeks for more to come in. Those who can go to the BX still need something to wear to get there!
They need toiletries and undergarments, both male and female, for both males and females, any size but mostly medium and large. It is cold in Germany and warm items are needed. Items need not be name brands. Your money will go further at places like Wal-Mart and K-Mart where items can be purchased less expensively.
If you would like to help, they would greatly appreciate it, no matter what the quantity. Send your donations to:
DRIVERS NEEDED
Qualifications are: Current drivers license, pass a physical exam to be administered by the VA, and attend a briefing to be given by the VA. If you are interested or desire more information contact:
CHAPTER BALL CAPS
SICK CALL
HAPPY BIRTHDAY
E-NEWSLETTER
WELCOME HOME
2004, A LOOK BACK
FROM SHABOOM’S KITCHEN
The beginning of 2005 marks our flow into a new year of goals and support efforts. Our development as a new Chapter within the Vietnam Veterans of America has been an excellent transition. Please be aware of upcoming elections and the preparation of required financial reports. Everyone’s input is so important. Membership participation has been so creditable and such an instrumental factor in our success. Our meetings have a “down to earth” exchange of ideas and input.
1. Roger Stevens and myself attended the Mount Jackson Town Council Meeting at the invitation of the Mayor, Joe Williams, in regards to the Mount Jackson Veterans Memorial. Our chapter volunteered any assistance for the program in the area of fundraising, etc. This is going to be a well deserved memorial. The project is well coordinated by the Town of Mount Jackson. The theme of the memorial is for all veterans and the sacrifices made by them and their families. Joe Williams has undergone hip surgery and we wish him well and a speedy recovery. The idea for this memorial was initiated by a town employee now serving in Iraq.
2. We will be having guest speakers at our Chapter membership meetings in the future. They will be from the Veterans Administration, Community representatives, and I also hope to have some Iraqi veterans as speakers. This will give us a clear idea of some of their first hand needs. This is going to be of real impact to us and be quite interesting.
3. Fundraising is an important segment of our Chapter, and planning in this area for a raffle will be fun and worthwhile. We are moving in the direction of raffling a generator, power washer or other such related ideas.
4. Please don’t forget to inform Roger Stevens or myself of your e-mail and if you prefer to have your newsletter e-mailed to you. In addition, don’t forget membership renewal as your renewal dates approach. Elections are up-coming and anyone interested in holding office please speak out.
5. If anyone knows of a veteran in need of medical advice, let’s “Med-a-Vac” them into the Veterans Health Program. Our Chapter has some excellent representatives in the area of agent orange (Bill Dumsick). Bill is very knowledgeable of this program and is very enthusiastic to help and discuss the program. Diabetes-related illness and effects should be given immediate Let’s not forget about Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Lou James, our Resource Services Officer, can assist veterans and family members in this area. Lou has recently been in touch and is ready to assist. We can all help! “Med-a-Vac” and help a buddy reach out. We have done this before, it’s nothing new.
6. Ed Gzaw is our POW/MIA representative with Rolling Thunder for the Winchester Memorial. Ed will be filling us in on this program. Ed has been affiliated with a Veterans Biker Chapter in Rhode Island and has a lot to contribute in this area. Thanks Ed.
Peter J. Mulligan
President: Pete Mulligan (540) 740-3392
Vice President: Roger Stevens (540) 856-2871
Treasurer: Jon Clark - (540) 984-3056
Secretary: TBD
Sergeant at Arms: Martin Ritenour
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Russell Hasler
Jon Clark
Peter J. Mulligan
William Mader
Harry Scheeler
Roger Stevens
Martin Ritenour
Rolland Aylesworth
STATE DELEGATES
Jon Clark, Pete Mulligan, Roger Stevens
Our next Meeting will be January 8, 2005 at the VFW in Edinburg. The Board will meet at 10AM and the Chapter at 11AM. NOTE: We are meeting here on the 2nd Saturday of every month.
Fifty-one Virginians were listed as Prisoners of War or Missing in Action (POW/MIA) from the Vietnam War. There are also POWs and MIAs from previous conflicts as well as from the Gulf War. To date, there is no permanent memorial dedicated to these heroes.
Virginia Chapter 1 of Rolling Thunder, Inc. has undertaken the task to correct this shortcoming with the establishment of a permanent memorial to be located in Jim Barnett Park in Winchester.
We feel this a worthwhile project and worthy of our support.
The VVA Virginia State Council 2005 meeting calendar is as follows:
12 February - VSC Budget Meeting in Richmond
4-6 March in Roanoke, VA.
10-12 June in Galax, VA.
8-10 July - VSC Campout at Lake Sherando, VA.
9-14 August - VVA National Convention in Reno, NV.
16-18 September in Onley, VA.
2-4 December in Virginia Beach, VA.
The number ONE request at Walter Reed hospital is phone cards. The government doesn't pay long distance phone charges and these wounded soldiers are rationing their calls home.
Please consider sending phone cards of any amount to:
Medical Family Assistance Center
Walter Reed Medical Center
6900 Georgia Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20307-5001
Lt Col Lori Noyes
PSC 2 Box 6037, APO AE 09012
In order for the VFW Post in Edinburg to continue its outstanding work of providing transportation for patients to the VA Hospital in Martinsburg they need volunteer drivers. The days of the week involved are Mon, Wed, & Fri. The day usually begins at 7 AM and ends around 4 PM, depending on how many people need to be picked up. Free meals will be provided by the VA. There will be no requirement to drive when snow or ice conditions exist.
Dottie Hough, Volunteer Services, 1-800-817-3807, ext 99.
Russ Hasler donated 11 new Chapter hats that sold out immediately with the funds going into our treasury. The hats will sell for $10.00 and we have ordered more. They are black caps with the VVA Logo and our Chapter name and number surrounding the logo. Make sure you get your order in quickly as they are real neat.
Please keep Bob McKinney in your prayers and thoughts as he is recovering from surgery.
In keeping with the tradition of our great nation in recognizing the birthdays of our American Heroes, we would like to wish a very Happy Birthday to our heroes who celebrate a birthday this month:m
Zane Green January 1st
Russell Miller January 15th
Jon Clark January 31st
This month and next (Feb) we will be sending out the newsletter by regular mail and e-mail. After this two month trial, and there are no problems with those who have internet access receiving and viewing the news letter, we will send them their newsletter by e-mail only. This will result in substantial savings. Postage to mail the newsletter is our largest expense.
A warm welcome to our new members; Ken Watts of Winchester, Guy Miller of Woodstock, and Carol Stevens of Basye (AVVA). Welcome to Chapter 936.
2004 was a great year for our young Chapter. We received our charter in early March and began operations as a legitimate organization. We started with 29 charter members and the membership has more than doubled since then. It was acclaimed at the Virginia State Council meeting in September that we were the 4th largest Chapter in the Commonwealth of Virginia. We received several donations and a lot of help from several outstanding folks in the early stages of our formation. We have since given out certificates of appreciation to thank them. VFW Post #2447 in Edinburg graciously opened their doors to us, providing a place to meet in the surroundings of many memories of times past. Over the months, we participated in several community events such as Mount Jackson and New Market Heritage days, Apple Harvest days and others. We purchased a table, and then a banner describing our chapter to be used at these events. Several of our members participated in the Memorial Day ceremonies co-hosted by the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion in Woodstock. The year continued with our putting out a newsletter that has been favorably commented on by many, including the Mayor of Mount Jackson. We obtained our own e-mail address and made the entire world aware of our existence by getting our web site on the internet. In September we hosted the VVA Virginia State Council meeting in Woodstock. The first time for such an event here in the Shenandoah Valley Area. And, by the way, a great success. In the closing months of 2004 we saw attendance at our monthly meetings increase twofold. We attended a meeting with the Mayor of Mount Jackson and then with the Town Council in preparation for a Veterans Memorial to be erected in Mount Jackson. And, to end the year on a bright side, we obtained our baseball caps with our logo on them. All in all, a very productive nine months. Now, a challenge for the new year; let’s all try to bring in one new member.
It’s almost Super Bowl time! And what’s better than a mess o’ wings to munch on while watching the big game? Here are 2 ways to enjoy them. Remember Mark May? Here’s his own personal recipe he uses these days.
1 cup flour
2 teaspoons salt
4 teaspoons black pepper
18 chicken wings, tips cut off
2 cups corn oil, or vegetable oil
1/4 pound butter
3 tablespoons Tabasco sauce
Heat oil in a large skillet to 375 degrees. Combine flour, salt and pepper in plastic or paper bag; mix well. Cut wings at joints; shake in flour mixture until well-coated. Fry wings in hot oil over medium heat, a few at a time (do not crowd), turning several times, until cooked through. As wings are cooked; drain well on paper towels. Melt butter; add the Tabasco; mix well. To serve, arrange wings on a large platter; pour butter sauce over, turning so all are well-coated. Serve immediately.
1 jar Old El Paso Hot Taco Sauce (16-oz.)
2 cups dry Bread crumbs
1 package Old El Paso Taco Seasoning mix
Preheat oven to 375 degrees; grease a shallow baking pan. Cut wings at joints; pat dry with paper towels. Place taco sauce in a pie plate; Combine breadcrumbs and taco seasoning in another pie plate. Dip wings in taco sauce; roll in breadcrumb mixture; arrange on the baking pan. Bake 30-35 minutes or until cooked through, turning once.
Enjoy more of Shaboom’s recipes at
www.shaboomskitchen.com.
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Questions? Suggestions? For more information about joining our Chapter, please e-mail us!
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VVA Chapter 936
594 Cave Spring Lane
Edinburg, VA 22824