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

UPCOMING EVENTS
July 2nd, 0900, Bryce Fest at the Bryce Resort. Our table will be located close to the resort.

July 8-10, VSC Campout at Lake Sherando. This years theme will be Halloween.

September 9-11, VSC Meeting at the Comfort Inn in Onley, VA. Make your reservations ASAP by calling (757)787-7787

House passes Flag Protection Act
Washington, D.C.-The U.S. House of Representatives passed H.J. Res. 10, the Flag Protection Act, by a vote of 286-130. This joint resolution proposes an amendment to the U.S. Constitution, authorizing Congress to prohibit the physical desecration of the flag. Congressman Steve Buyer (IN-04) co-sponsored the bill and voted in favor of the joint resolution.

"The Stars and Stripes is a powerful symbol of our nation, and the ideals that we as a people hold dear...the freedom of America's citizens, the courage of those who have defended it, and the resolve of our people to protect 'liberty and justice for all' from enemies within and without. The ideals it embodies are recognized here at home, but also abroad, by friend and foe alike. This symbol of liberty is so powerful, that Congress should have the right to prohibit its willful and purposeful desecration," Buyer said on the floor today.

The amendment states that "The Congress shall have power to prohibit the desecration of the flag of the United States." Because of court decisions that undercut laws prohibiting desecration of our flag, H.J. Res. 10 provides the only option to protect our nation's symbol. H.J. Res. 10 will permit Congress to set parameters within which this conduct could be prosecuted. All fifty states have passed resolutions calling on Congress to adopt a flag protection amendment.

"It was not a piece of cloth that rose from the ashes of the fallen Twin Towers or that was draped from the Pentagon in the aftermath in September 11. After that day, the flag suddenly seemed to appear everywhere, overnight...any size, any fabric...even those made by school children from construction paper. Stuck in flower pots, pinned on lapels, decals posted on the back window of our automobiles and trucks...the message was the same: I'm proud to be an America," Buyer said.

In the last five Congresses, the House of Representatives has passed a flag protection amendment by more than the 2/3 majority needed but the Senate has failed to pass the measure. Each time Congressman Buyer has co-sponsored and voted to pass a flag protection amendment.

"The flag is a symbol worth defending. Long may she wave," Buyer remarked.

H.J. Res. 10 now heads for consideration in the Senate.

Air Force Officer MIA from Vietnam War Identified
The Department of Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office (DPMO) announced today that the remains of a U.S. serviceman, missing in action from the Vietnam War, have been identified and returned to his family for burial on July 3 at Savannah Ga.

He is Air Force Capt. David J. Phillips Jr. of Miami Beach, Fla.

On July 3, 1966, Phillips was attacking enemy targets over Kien Giang Province, South Vietnam, when his F-5 "Freedom Fighter" was hit by enemy ground fire and crashed. Phillips was unable to eject from his aircraft before the crash, and radio contact was lost. Heavy enemy ground fire precluded a search at the time.

Vietnam War Missing in Action Serviceman Identified
The Department of Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office (DPMO) announced today that the remains of a U.S. serviceman, missing in action from the Vietnam War, have been identified and are being returned to his family for burial at Arlington National Cemetery today.

He is Air Force Col. James L. Carter of Johnson City, Tenn.

On Feb. 3, 1966, Carter was the aircraft commander of a C-123 "Provider" aircraft which had taken off from Khe Sanh in South Vietnam on a supply mission to Dong Ha, South Vietnam. The plane was not seen again, and searches along the flight route did not find a crash site.

Joint U.S. and Vietnamese teams investigated potential crash sites in Quang Tri Province on three occasions between 1993 and 1999. They interviewed Vietnamese villagers who took them to three different crash sites. Only one of the sites revealed wreckage consistent with that of a C-123 aircraft. Several of the informants said that the bodies of the crew and passengers were buried near the site where the aircraft crashed into a mountain in 1966.

OLD DOMINION 100 MILE ENDURANCE RUN
On Saturday, June 4th, Ray Oksa, Tom Keveny, and myself had the opportunity to help out with the Old Dominion, 100 mile, 1 day Endurance Run. We manned three different aid stations throughout the one hundred mile course here in the Shenandoah Valley. There were runners from all parts of the country, an individual who had just returned from Afghanistan, and also a member from the U.S. Coast Guard, plus one 65 year old gentleman from Germany. This race gives the runners the opportunity to test their abilities against a mountainous trail, a 24 hour clock and to be recognized by their peers. While this was not a scheduled Chapter event, the Vietnam Veterans of America got excellent exposure. We were also recognized at the awards breakfast the following morning, where we were able to sell more raffle tickets. When many of the runners saw the VVA emblem on my truck they took the time to say “thanks for your service”. This day, sitting on a mountain top, at the halfway point, taught me the importance of patience, and I enjoyed what I was doing so much, that I volunteered to go back to the mountain top again next year. I would love to see our Chapter involved in this event next year. For more information on this event, see their website at: www.olddominionrun.org

Roger Stevens

This recipe is the real thing and is our favorite! Most important: DON'T FORGET THE OLD BAY SEASONING!. Second most important---don't mess the crab cakes up with a lot of ingredients that mask the fresh taste of crab!

In a medium bowl, combine bread crumbs with parsley and Old Bay. Add the egg, mayonnaise, mustard, Worcestershire, Tabasco and salt and mix so that all the ingredients are well-incorporated. Gently fold in crabmeat until just combined (try not to break up lumps of crabmeat).

Using wet hands, shape mixture into 6 patties---8 patties if you like them smaller (do not pack too firmly; cakes should be as loose as possible and still hold their shape). Put the crab cakes on a platter or cookie sheet as they're shaped. Cover with foil and refrigerate at least 1 hour before cooking.

In a large heavy skillet, heat butter or vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Gently add crab cakes to the pan and cook 3-4 minutes. Use a spatula and your hand to gently turn the crab cakes and cook an additional 2-3 minutes or until golden brown. Drain on paper towels. Serve with cocktail sauce or tartar sauce.

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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