VVA CHAPTER 936
October 2005
PRESIDENT'S CORNER
Bob’s family was very proud and sends their thanks to everyone. Bob’s son, Chris, a U.S. Marine, Iraqi veteran, stood tall in his dress blues next to his mother, Gail.
On the weekend of September 9th and 10th, State Council meeting was held in Onley, Virginia. Roger Stevens and myself attended. Several items of interest were discussed:
The State Council meeting was recorded by Roger Stevens, and there are notes available in order to discuss the meeting with anyone interested. All in all, another excellent meeting.
On Saturday, September 17th, 2005, our Chapter hosted another table at the Edinburg Old-time Festival in Edinburg. This was a beautiful day, well attended by everyone. We made some additional progress in our raffle ticket sales. The event held by the Veterans of Foreign War Post 2447 was outstanding. Once again the chicken sale was amazing.
On Saturday, September 24th, we participated in an other community event held at the Shenandoah Caverns. We were centrally located at the front entrance to the “Celebrate America” building. We were helped at this event by Amy Proctor, who is a manager there and the daughter of our fellow Chapter member, Orville Ryman. Also of great help was Debbie (Wine) Scott, she is also an employee involved with the Cavern’s. Debbie’s son had just been deployed to Iraq, two days prior to the 24th. This was another excellent event and more raffle tickets were sold. Thank you for the support.
Currently we have two (2) more community events scheduled for October 2005. These are; the Mount Jackson Festival to be held on October 8th and the New Market Festival scheduled for October 22nd. Both events are on a Saturday.
It is important to remember that the drawing for the raffle will be held on Veterans Day, November 11th, in Woodstock. Everyone needs to have their money and raffle tickets turned in to George Rogers by November 1st. You need to turn in money or the unsold tickets. Thanks to everyone for their help.
Of special interest to everyone is that our Chapter, Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter 936, has been requested to host the candidates forum for the Shenandoah County Board of Supervisors and School Board members. This event is usually presided over by Mrs. Joan Sharpe, the wife Hal Sharpe, Commander of Post 2447. Mrs. Sharpe has to be out of the area due to an illness in the family. Our Chapter is in the process, as of this writing, in organizing this event and coordinating with the candidates. At this time the event is scheduled for Saturday, October 22nd, 10AM until 12 noon. As it happens, that is on the same day as the New Market Festival. Again, these details are being worked out.
This is a very good community event in that the delegates have an outstanding opportunity to react with the citizens of Shenandoah County. Here they have the chance to express their thoughts and positions on various items. The procedure to be used have been approved by the League of Women Voters. More on this as it develops.
Our Chapter meeting for October will be held in Mount Jackson at the Mt. Jackson Festival. Anyone with a particular issue of interest for the Chapter, please contact me and we will coordinate it.
I would like our Chapter members to please keep in mind two (2) Chapter members who are experiencing health issues. Hive a though to Harry Scheeler and Billy Mader.
Our Chapter has been very busy with various events and assisting other Chapter members. Hopefully, in November, we can have our Chapter meeting over a big breakfast somewhere.
Thanks to everyone - please take care and stay healthy.
NEW MEMBER
SICK CALL
VVA Veterans Initiative Task Force Meets with the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations
CRAIG SAYS "NO" TO BURYING MURDERERS AT MILITARY CEMETERIES - WILL SEEK TO REMOVE KILLER'S REMAINS AT ARLINGTON
In 1997 Congress passed a law to prohibit those convicted of capital crimes from being interred in our nation’s military cemeteries, but the law allowed continued eligibility to those who could be paroled.
"If the 1997 law cannot prevent the interment of a notorious serial killer, then what good is it?" Craig said. "One thing is certain already – the parole loophole must be closed."
The law was originally created to prevent Oklahoma City bomber Timothy McVeigh from being buried with military honors.
Craig said he will work with VA officials and veteran’s organizations to craft a sensible change.
Is Iraq another Vietnam?
In just a few weeks, I found more than 60 of these veterans working in a variety of capacities throughout Iraq. From 1964 to 1971 they served in the Army, Air Force, Marines, and Navy from the Gulf of Tonkin to the DMZ. Their present ages range from 51 to 70.
These veterans say that it was a mistake to do so much for the South Vietnamese, both militarily and in the civil sector. They say we made two major errors. First, we took away their pride and sense of self-sufficiency and gave them the impression that we felt ourselves to be superior, generous entities who would solve their difficulties.
Second, we failed to educate them for when they would have to take care of themselves. We failed to heed the old parable “Give a man a fish and he eats for one day. Teach him to fish and he eats for the rest of his life.”
In the first seven weeks, 358 projects were identified, developed, and prioritized with contracts solicited and awarded. Wherever possible, efforts were made to hire Iraqi contractors and workers. At one point, 21,000 Iraqis were employed on these projects.
About 10 projects are being completed every day. So far, PCO has completed 1,727 projects.
We’re doing this one right! Vietnam veterans in Iraq emphasize.
DECEMBER STATE COUNCIL MEETING
FROM SHABOOM’S KITCHEN
I would like to report to everyone that on Tuesday, September 20th, 2005, our fellow Chapter member, Bob McKinney was placed to rest at Arlington, National Cemetery. This was an extremely moving experience. He received a twenty-one gun salute. Taps, of course, is always an emotional experience. As I looked around, I viewed the endless rows of headstones . All I could think of, was what a huge sacrifice. When will it all end.
1. Delegate Lewis of the Eastern Shore area addressed the Council and spoke about Veterans issues and the Virginia State Assembly’s involvement.
2. We spoke about Agent Orange and related points of interest. Once again how important it is to enroll in the Veterans Administration Health Program and to be placed on the Agent Orange Registry.
3. Also covered at the meeting was the relationship needed to improve involving Vietnam Veterans of America and the Governor’s Council on Veterans issues. Lot’s of positive progress has been made in this area.Peter J. Mulligan
OFFICERS
President: Pete Mulligan (540) 740-3392
Vice President: Roger Stevens (540) 856-2871
Treasurer: Jon Clark - (540) 984-3056
Secretary: Ken Watts - (540) 678-0978
Sergeant at Arms: Martin Ritenour
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Charlie Towe
Jon Clark
Peter J. Mulligan
William Mader
Ken Watts
Roger Stevens
Martin Ritenour
Bill Fadely
STATE DELEGATES
Pete Mulligan, Roger Stevens, Jon Clark,
Ken Watts (alternate)
Let’s all give a warm welcome home to our newest member, Ronald W. Will Jr. Thanks for choosing our Chapter Ron.
Please keep George Corbett and his family in your thoughts and prayers while he is recuperating from surgery. For those of you who don’t know him, George is our VVA State Council Recording Secretary. It is through his untiring efforts that all the VVA Chapters in the Old Dominion are kept abreast of what is going on. His efforts make many a newsletter newsworthy, including this one. Get well soon George, we miss your e-mails (and humor).
Report from Hanoi, September 2005: The VVA Veterans Initiative Task Force met with the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations (VUFO) and was presented with the 'Medal for Peace and Friendship among Nations'. The award was presented to the delegation in recognition of the contributions VVA has made in the exchange of information about fallen Vietnamese during the war.
September 22, 2005 (Washington, DC) At a hearing of the U.S. Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, Chairman Larry Craig announced that he will introduce legislation to close a loophole that allows convicted murderers to be buried in the national cemeteries created for veterans and those killed in action.
By Tom Clarkson (Army News Service)
BAGHDAD, Iraq (Sept. 21, 2005) -- There are a number of professionals in Iraq today who are qualified to answer the question: Is Iraq another Vietnam? They are men who served in Vietnam and are now helping rebuild Iraq.
The Virginia VVA State Council meeting will be held on the 2nd through the 4th of December at the Virginia Beach Resort. If you are interested in going it is recommended that you make your reservations by the 2nd of November. Telephone: (757)581-9000 and ask for Scooter or Chris and tell them that you are there for the VVA State Council.
I promised this recipe to George Corbett. It’s an easy and delicious way to enjoy Chesapeake-style cooking. If you can’t get fresh crabmeat, good quality canned crabmeat will be fine.
Serves 4
2/3 cup crushed saltine crackers (about 15)
2 tablespoons minced onion
1 teaspoon Old Bay Seafood Seasoning
1 egg
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
Dash Tabasco sauce
Kosher salt and fresh ground pepper
6 ounces lump or backfin crabmeat
2 tablespoons mayonnaise
4 large flounder fillets
Juice of 1 large lemon
2 tablespoons butter
Additional Old Bay Seafood Seasoning
Chopped fresh parsley for garnish
In a medium bowl, combine the crushed saltines, onion, Old Bay Seasoning, egg, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, Tabasco sauce, and a little salt and pepper to taste. Mix well and set aside to soften the crackers and allow the flavors to blend, about 1 hour. Add the crabmeat and mayonnaise, and mix gently to just combine the ingredients.
While the stuffing is resting, wash fillets under cold water and pat dry with paper towels. Put lemon juice in a large shallow dish, add the fillets and turn to coat. Allow to sit about 10-12 minutes.
Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. and liberally oil a medium baking sheet.
Remove fillets from the lemon juice and pat dry with paper towels. Place one fillet on a flat surface and put 2 heaping tablespoons of stuffing toward the larger end of the fillet. Carefully roll the fillet up, place on the prepared pan and secure with a toothpick inserted vertically to keep the fillet from coming apart. Repeat with remaining fillets. Brush with the melted butter, sprinkle with additional Old Bay, and bake 15-17 minutes or until just cooked (do not overbake or the fish with be dry). Serve immediately, garnished with chopped parsley.
Enjoy more of Shaboom's recipes at
www.shaboomskitchen.com.
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VVA Chapter 936
594 Cave Spring Lane
Edinburg, VA 22824