Vietnam Reflections
 
 
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The Point Dec.2008
-The Point-
Vietnam Veterans of America, Inc.
Chapter 172
17 N. Liberty Street
Phone 1-777-7001 Cumberland, Maryland 21502-2316 FAX 1-301-777-7041
1-800-482-VETS Email vva172@atlanticbbn.net
The First Chapter in the State of Maryland – The Gold Standard
December 2008
Merry Christmas
Happy Hanukkah
Seasons Greetings
The Best of the Holliday Season to all the members and friends of Chapter 172. Even though our country is going through some tough times we still have the security and safety provided to us by centuries of tough people who have had to did their feet in and keep the wolf away from the door. They call these brave men and women “Veterans” and that is who we are.
“We sleep safely in our beds at night because rough men are awake, prepared to visit violence on those who would do us harm.”
George Bernard Shaw.
From Roger Krueger President, Steve Parsons 1st VP, Bobby Cook 2nd VP, Bill Lange Secretary, Stan Kline Treasurer and the Board of Directors, Chip Bosley, Rodger Long, Bob Peck, Denny Bantz, Joe Brennen and the ever popular Dave Shaulis we bid you health, wealth and happiness for you and your loved ones.
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Chapter Christmas Party A.A.R.
As you should know the Chapter Christmas part was held December 6th at the Rocky Lodge and Golf Resort. Things seemed to go pretty smoothly; the band was ‘Queen City Funk and Soul’ and they got the job done in fine fashion. I thought the food was as good as it gets for a banquet, no complaints there.
There were a few knocks concerning seating but for the most part things worked out. The crowd was a little less than usual this year and we were able to get everybody into one room so that was a little good with the bad. So we will put this one in the books as a win. Have any suggestions for next year’s party bring them to a meeting, help is always welcome.
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The Bailout
As I write this the news on the tube it that the auto-corporation bailout is dead. Normally this would not be a Chapter newsletter event but this may be so large that it will affect the Chapter. Although the Chapter finances are secure we must consider those around us who will be affected, we also operate a retail store which may take a hit depending on how seriously the national and local economy is smacked. The calls for help may become louder and more frequent. This might be a good time to say a prayer.
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Letter To The Editor
Dear Sirs;
I usually do not respond to editorial opinions, but I enjoyed reading Steve Parsons comment in the last “Point.”
I went to a Vet’s dinner for the first time this year. I was invited by the Everett, Pa. VFW. I enjoyed the dinner; there was nearly 25 people there, some with their wives. I felt special tat the young people at the club had the dinner for us. I served in Vietnam in 66-67 over 40 years ago. Most young people today were not even born then. We have a wonderful country and place to live.
I had a great experience the other day in the IGA food store in Everett. I was walking down the aisle and an older lady, perhaps in her 80’s come up to me and ask if I was a veteran. I said “yes” and she said.
“God bless you.” I really felt special.
John Davis
Everett, Pa.
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FOX News’s Blunder
While listening to the news today FOX reported that a couple was robbed in New York. They reported that the “elderly couple in their 60’s was not harmed…’ What the hell do they mean by “elderly… in their 60’s.” This is not responsible journalism, 60 is not elderly.
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Get Your Stuff Together
Hopefully the war in the Middle east will be winding down and a lot of new vets will be coming home and needing the same kind of help we needed when we were still green. This as you know will probably further confuse things at the VA and just generally slow everything down to just a speed a little faster than a crawl. Now is the time if you haven’t done so already to get your VA and medical records together if you haven’t already done so.. The following article I gleaned from the VVA National website. Sounds like sage advice.
Maintaining Your Medical Records
BY PATRICIA BESSIGANO, CHAIR
VVA members are now either in our retirement years or quickly approaching them. One of the challenges facing Veterans Service Officers is the filing of new claims for Vietnam veterans without proper medical evidence. If veterans have not kept copies of their records, it can be virtually impossible to document the progress of an illness, especially if they have received medical care in the private sector.
Private physicians are required to maintain medical records for seven years. Many keep them at least ten years. However, record storage beyond that often becomes cumbersome and those records are destroyed. The opportunity for the patient to obtain those records is then lost, and the opportunity to document an illness also is lost. Also, private physicians have not always documented whether their patients have served in the military or if they were exposed to any hazardous chemicals or materials. They also have not always documented illnesses or injuries that occurred during a veteran’s service.
One of the goals of the Health Care Committee is to educate returning veterans about maintenance of their medical records as they progress in life and to educate private physicians about taking a complete and accurate military medical history.
A sample medical history form will be available on the VVA Health Care Committee web page. The new prostate and diabetes brochures are also available on the VVA website.
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By George
A few years ago Chapter 172 was asked to give a donation toward a statue of our first president George Washington. George’s statue replaces the old WWI, 155mm cannon in front of the Allegany County Courthouse. Well George is finally here, last Saturday he was hoisted into place and dedicated. If you are up in the courthouse area check him out.
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Playing in the Sandbox Again
SFC PENNINGTON
USACE, ARSIC-WEST
HERAT
APO AE 09354
Charlie Penningtons son, drop him a line say hi.
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Zoning Meeting for Re-Entry
December 17 was the zoning hearing for Re-Entry as you may or may not know they are seeking to build a new more handicap friendly facility at 830 Williams Street in Cumberland. There had been one objection to new facility and a zoning board meeting had to be convened complete with lawyers and swearing in and the whole works. There were about 40 people in the room and about 30 of them were veterans or veteran’s wives, so we were well represented. Anyway, to make this story shorter the ruling went in favor of Re-Entry. It was food to see this show of support for Peggy and her staff. Several veterans were sworn in and entered testimony to the good work done by Re-Entry
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Starting Anew
Editorial Opinion
Here we go in a few weeks we will start a whole new year. It’s kind of like getting the slate wiped clean and a new year to screw up.
It’s hard to believe that we are nine years into a new century. Hell, Edie and I are still drinking our Y2K water that we hoarded when the century changed and all of the computers were going to shut down and the world was going to stop spinning. But back to being a new year, this last year as more and more members have retired or kicked the kids out of the nest more have become active in the Chapter, volunteering to help anyway they can , I see this as a good thing and a chance for some new ideas and new events.
It would be a good time for the membership to become more involved in the day to day workings of the Chapter. What’s going on, how we do things, how we have done things in the past, and what traditions if any does the Chapter have.
We have a good tool that most of us aren’t using and that is the Chapter Chat Room or Bulletin Board accessed through the internet.
When we started this years ago it was supposed to be a way for members to stay in touch and share information and have ready access to Chapter news and events, but it has been somewhat lackluster in its application. So we are trying again in this New Year to kick start (old biker tern) the chat room and get it doing what it is supposed to do. To bring the Chapter closer together make the officers more accessible outside of a social gathering. But, it requires participation from the membership, not just the same old faces, and we may have to kick start some of the officers to get them to participate and communicate.
And if this all sounds like it could work keep in mind that it requires participation. Something more than a caustic comment made during a social event when we don’t conduct Chapter business. There are a few things that we could tweak just a bit and make them better and lets face it we have it pretty good right now, but there is always better. More on this later.
Merry Christmas
Steve Parsons
December 2008
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I just recently found this out and it’s true. All polar bears are left handed. Also true, I am left handed…what’s that mean?
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