NEXT MEETING
Our next meeting will be held on the 14th of January at the VFW Post in Edinburg. The Board of Directors will meet at 10:00 and the membership meeting will begin at 11:00.

WELCOME HOME
Let us all extend a warm welcome to our newest member, Bill Corbin of Staunton, VA. Welcome home Bill and thank you for choosing our Chapter.

FROM YOUR VICE PRESIDENT
As 2005 winds down and a new promising year begins let us look at a few milestones from the past year. We participated in the Old Dominion 100 mile marathon by manning aid stations; we hosted a “Meet Your Candidate” forum for Shenandoah County candidates; we obtained a long overdue Bronze Star Medal for one of our members; and we ran our first raffle to obtain funds to help other veterans. These are just a few of the many activities we participated in. While we lost a few members due to moves and other personal reasons, we were able to bring home 12 new active members and two new associate members.

Not long ago, I was talking with some fellow veterans about our accomplishments and successes and the reasons for them. I thought of many ideas as to what we in our Chapter are doing correctly. The subject of tolerance came to mind. This thought intrigued me because in Chapter 936, tolerance is something that is taken for granted. We have that level of acceptance in our Chapter, that feeling of brotherhood that only seems to flourish in backyard clubhouses, among twelve year olds, that is such an amazing thing to witness. To spend even a short time with us is to witness just that.

This is also reflected during Chapter business meetings. No faction exists to work against each other, and the only aim of every member attending is to achieve the same goals. It is this kind of cooperation amongst very different people that has allowed our Chapter to thrive. It is this air of tolerance that keeps our Chapter held high in the esteem of others, where every member is respected and their contributions, big or small, lauded. But it is very easy to see how things could be very different.

The question has been asked “What do the Vietnam Veterans of America do anyway?” Even among ourselves I have heard, “are we even relevant today?” “Do we even have a purpose other than a men’s club?” For most of us who are members we answer that with a yes, and then search for the right answer among so many correct answers. Among many of the answers: To help foster, encourage, and promote the improvements of the condition of the Vietnam veteran; To promote physical and cultural improvement, growth and development, self-respect, self-confidence, and usefulness of Vietnam veterans and others; To eliminate discrimination suffered by Vietnam veterans and to develop channels of communications which will assist Vietnam veterans to maximize self-realization and enrichment of their lives and enhance life-fulfillment. Those are just a few of the answers.

Now I ask, what brought you to our Chapter? Was it a personal journey? Was it a family member, friend, curiosity, or were you simply searching? Were you looking for a sense of community? The need to help your fellow veteran? Wanting to belong? Or were you looking for something else?

What keeps you coming back? Is it also personal? Is it the comfort of consistency, knowing that all will be well? Is it the warm greetings? The heart felt handshake? The greeting from across a parking lot when you are with your family? Or is it knowing in your heart that should you be in need of help, all you have to do is ask and you shall receive it if it is humanly possible? Whatever your reasons, we hope that you have found them in Chapter 936.

Now, as we begin the new year, let me say that I am deeply honored to be associated with the finest group of men I have ever known, and I look forward to the new challenges we as a Chapter will face together.

GOD Bless America and GOD Bless you all.

Roger A. Stevens

Veterans exemption from across-the-board budget reduction
Washington, D.C. - House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Chairman Steve Buyer (R- Ind.) today hailed the decision by Congress to exempt the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) budget from the 1 percent across-the-board reduction that was applied to other fiscal year 2006 discretionary spending.

“America’s veterans have safeguarded our liberties and made possible the blessings we give thanks for this holiday season,” Buyer said. “Safeguarding the funds our nation has generously provided for veterans’ health care was a top priority for me and the members of the Veterans’ Committee.”

VETERANS TO BENEFIT FROM NEW HEALTH CARE LEGISLATION
Washington, DC (December 22, 2005) - During a late night session in Washington, DC, the U.S. Senate on Wednesday approved two bills which will improve the health care of the nation’s military veterans.

"Congress has sent a powerful message to the troops that we support you and will continue to support you when you get home. Much of the new health care bill (S. 1182) will ensure that our returning service members get the care and attention that they need so that they can enjoy long and healthy lives after defending our freedom," said Craig (R-Idaho), who sponsored the legislation. "With the passage of the Vet Center Enhancement Act (S. 716), sponsored by Sen. Akaka (D-Hawaii), the ranking member of our committee, we will ensure that parents and immediate family members of soldiers killed in action receive the help they need."

VA Adds Nearly 2 Million Records to Online Gravesite Locator
WASHINGTON (December 22, 2005) - The burial locations of more than 5 million veterans for whom the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has provided grave markers are now available on the Internet, as well as the information inscribed on the markers.

Online since April 2004, the nationwide gravesite locator http://gravelocator.cem.va.gov helps veterans' families, former comrades-in-arms and others find the graves of veterans.

VA recently added 1.9 million records for veterans buried primarily in private cemeteries to its database. The gravesite locator previously carried records on 3 million veterans buried in VA national cemeteries since the Civil War, and in state veterans cemeteries and Arlington National Cemetery since 1999.

Payments for Traumatic Injuries Begin Under New VA Insurance Program
WASHINGTON (December 20, 2005) - American troops and their families now have more financial security, thanks to the Department of Veterans Affairs' (VA) new Service members' Group Life Insurance Traumatic Injury Protection (TSGLI) program. Prudential Financial Inc., the insurer under the program, began making payments under this new program.

The TSGLI payments, ranging from $25,000 to $100,000, are made to service members who have suffered certain traumatic injuries while on active duty.

FROM SHABOOM’S KITCHEN
Here’s a wonderful comfort food dish for those cold January nights! Although this is designed to serve only 2, it’s very easy to double for more folks. Enjoy!

Season chicken with salt and pepper; dredge chicken in flour and shake off excess. Place oil in a large deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat and heat the oil until almost smoking. Add chicken pieces skin side down, and brown about 5 minutes per side or until golden brown. Remove chicken to a plate and tent with foil to keep warm.

To the drippings in the pan, add onions, green pepper and garlic; season with a pinch of salt and pepper and saute 2-3 minutes or until softened. Add the tomatoes, tomato sauce and wine; bring to a boil. Stir in basil, oregano and sugar. Add chicken back to the pot; reduce heat to low, cover and simmer40- 45 minutes or until tender. Serve over hot cooked spaghetti, garnished with basil and cheese.

TO BAKE:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees; grease a glass 13x9x2 baking dish. Prepare chicken pieces and place in prepared baking dish. Prepare sauce as described above and pour sauce over chicken. Cover and bake 30 minutes; uncover and bake 15-30 minutes more or until chicken is cooked and vegetables are tender. Serve over hot cooked pasta. ladle sauce over all, and pass additional Parmesan cheese.

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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