VVA CHAPTER 936
September 2005
PRESIDENT'S CORNER
On Monday, August 15th, 2005, memorial services were held for Bob at the Methodist Church in New Market. This service was handled by the Rev. Ken Whetzel, who is a retired military chaplain. The presentation of the American Flag was presented by Sam Garman, Commander of American Legion Post 199, Woodstock, Virginia, and Chaplain Tom Cooley of the post. Prayers and reflections were given by Chaplain Cooley.
Bob's resting place will be Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia. The services are scheduled for Tuesday, September 20th, at approximately 1400 hours. It is requested that anyone attending the services please meet at the administration building at approximately 1330 hours. Any one with questions, please call me.
If I may reflect on Bob McKinney. I know many of our Chapter members didn't know him. In the brief year or so I have known him I came to cherish his friendship. Bob had a terrible illness, but never did I ever witness a complaint or a harsh word from him. I say this with all sincerity. Bob exemplified courage and dignity throughout his illness. He showed me how it's done.
I am proud to have been in the company of a soldier who expressed his thoughts so well maintaining a dignity that compassionately demonstrated a patriotism and love of our country. When we shared thoughts about Vietnam, never a bitter expression about the war or his experiences. He always presented a well thought out opinion or point of view. Our conversations were a pleasure, his sense of humor unique to his thoughts. Absolutely no hard feelings. His sacrifice for his country was based solely on his love of country and pride as a U.S. Marine.
Bob represented America as an everyday guy, family man, husband, and proud father. On behalf of all the Vietnam Veterans of America membership and this Chapter we will miss Bob. His family will miss him. America can be proud of another soldier. It has been an honor and a pleasure to have served with Bob.
I would like to thank Sam Garman and Tom Cooley so much for their participation in the services. Our Chapter was excellently represented and stood tall at the services. Our sacrifices and love of Country continue to show. How proud we serve. Thanks.
As I continue, please let me point out that the Chapter raffle is ongoing. Please help in getting the tickets out. George Rogers and myself are available to get the tickets to anyone anywhere! This is an excellent fund raiser and it's going to be a great way to obtain funds for veterans needs. Remember the drawing will be in Woodstock, November 11th, Veterans Day.
There is a scheduled State Council meeting to be held the weekend of the 9th - 11th of September in Onley, Virginia. Therefore, our scheduled meeting will be held on Saturday, September 17th at the VFW Post in Edinburg in conjunction with the Edinburg festival. We will be having a chapter table setup on the 17th. This is also a great event. On the following weekend we are scheduled to attend the "Shenandoah Caverns America Celebration" at the caverns on Saturday, September 24th, at around 10oo hours. This is a first for us at this event. I am looking forward to the event as it is a great opportunity for even more exposure.
Anyone with knowledge of a veteran in need, let's get together and help. Once again I wish to express my thanks to all the members of this Chapter for their participation and spirit. Thanks for the calls. The support can only make one so proud. Thanks!
John Rowan Elected National President of Vietnam Veterans of America
Rowan was a founding member and the first president of VVA Chapter 32 in Queens, New York. He recently retired as an investigator in the City of New York’s Comptroller’s Office. He is a veterans’ service representative for Vietnam Veterans of America in New York City. He lives in Middle Village, New York, with his wife, Mariann.
VA Gives $14.7 Million Grant for Virginia Veterans Home
"This grant honors our commitment to care for the men and women who have served in uniform," said the Honorable R. James Nicholson, Secretary of Veterans Affairs. “Our federal-state partnership will provide a comfortable home for Virginia’s veterans in a time of personal need.”
The $14.7 million grant will pay up to 65 percent of the cost to construct and equip a 160-bed state veterans home in Richmond. Overall cost of the project is estimated at $22.6 million.
VA Supports Sept. 11 "Freedom Walk" from Pentagon
"This is everyone's chance to salute the valor of ordinary Americans during the 9-11 attack and the extraordinary sacrifices of our service personnel in the Global War on Terrorism," said the Honorable R. James Nicholson, Secretary of Veterans Affairs.
The "Freedom Walk" begins Sept. 11 at 10 a.m. in the Pentagon's south parking lot. It winds two miles through Arlington National Cemetery and over the Potomac River before ending at the Reflecting Pool on the National Mall. The walk will include a free concert on the National Mall by country music performer Clint Black.
The Defense Department, which is sponsoring "Freedom Walk," hopes to make it an annual event, with other communities holding their own "Freedom Walks" next year.
Critics blast veterans' mental health care
"All I hear is 'we're doing everything right.' All I hear is 'everything's fine.' Everything's not fine - we have suicides," Rep. Bob Filner, D-Calif., told a panel of witnesses from the VA and the Army at hearing of the House Veterans Affairs Committee on Wednesday. He went on to call government claims about proactive treatment of PTSD in soldiers "demonstrably false."
Post-traumatic stress disorder, an anxiety disorder, was first identified in 1980 and occurs following exposure to a life-threatening event. Symptoms can include insomnia, nightmares and depression and nervousness. The disorder is marked by both biological changes and emotional symptoms.
About 20 percent of soldiers returning from Iraq suffer from PTSD, depression or anxiety, according to Col. Charles Hoge, chief of psychology at the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research in Washington.
Hoge told hearing attendees that about 30 percent of soldiers who served in the Vietnam War developed PTSD at some point during their lives.
"Every time someone re-experiences an event or has a flashback ... the memory becomes more and more intractable, the harder and harder it is for the persons brain wiring to go around the memory," explained Lizbet Boroughs, deputy director of government relations for the American Psychiatric Association.
NEW MEMBERS
OVERDUE RECOGNITION
FROM SHABOOM’S KITCHEN
As most everyone knows, on Monday, August 8th, 2005, our fellow chapter member, Bob McKinney passed away while a patient at Martinsburg Veterans Medical Center, after a lengthy illness. Bob, a devoted husband, married to Gail. They are the proud parents of one son, Chris, who at the time of his Dad's death was serving in the U. S. Marines, stationed in Iraq. Bob and his family reside in Harrisonburg, Virginia. Bob was also a U.S. Marine, served in Vietnam and was the recipient of the Purple Heart.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)
Washington, D.C.) – John Rowan was elected National President of Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA) at the organization's Twelfth National Convention in Reno, Nevada. Rowan, who has served as the chairman of VVA’s Conference of State Council Presidents and three terms on the organization’s Board of Directors, is the president of VVA’s New York State Council. He served as a linguist in the U.S. Air Force’s Security Service during the Vietnam War. VVA is the nation's only congressionally chartered veterans service organization dedicated to the needs of Vietnam War-era veterans and their families.
WASHINGTON – Veterans in Virginia will have greater access to long-term health care, thanks to a $14.7 million grant awarded Aug. 3 by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to build a state nursing home in Richmond.
WASHINGTON – The Secretary of Veterans Affairs has urged employees of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), veterans, their families and all Americans to take part in the "Freedom Walk" that begins Sept. 11 at the Pentagon.
Several Members of Congress blasted the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Pentagon this week, saying the agencies not doing enough to aid soldiers returning from Afghanistan and Iraq with post-traumatic stress disorder.
We would like to welcome two new members to our chapter. James “Bart” Rogers of Basye, and Steven E. Spitler of Mount Jackson. thanks for choosing our Chapter guys, and welcome home.
Our new member Steve Spitler waited over 35 years for his Bronze Star. Steve spent 25 months in “Nam” and was awarded the Bronze Star. Sometime after rotation back to the ConUS his award elements caught up with him however, the medal itself was lost. After years of waiting the resourcefulness of our Chapter obtained the medal for him. In keeping with his wishes it was given to him privately in the company of his wife Martha. Congratulations Steve, and welcome home.
This is sure to please everyone at a Labor Day Barbecue. Serves 6.
2 medium red onions -- thinly sliced
3 tablespoons sugar
3 tablespoons cider vinegar
1 teaspoon salt, divided
1/2 teaspoon pepper, divided
1 beef flank steak, about 2 pounds
On a non-stick 12-inch skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of the butter or olive oil over medium-low heat; add the onions and cook until soft, about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in sugar, vinegar, 1/2 teaspoon of the salt and 1/4 teaspoon of the pepper. Reduce heat to low; simmer 8-10 minutes, stirring. Spoon into small bowl; keep warm.
Wash and dry skillet well. Sprinkle steak with remaining salt and pepper. Melt the remaining butter in the skillet over medium-high heat and cook steak 6-7 minutes, turn and cook 7-8 minutes more or until desired doneness. Transfer steak to platter; keep warm.
Return glazed onions to skillet; heat through. Pour accumulated juices from platter into onions. Slice steak crosswise against the grain; spoon onions around steak slices and serve.
Enjoy more of Shaboom's recipes at
www.shaboomskitchen.com.
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VVA Chapter 936
594 Cave Spring Lane
Edinburg, VA 22824