Vietnam Reflections
 
 
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The Point Nov.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
November 2008
RESPECT
Editorial Opinion
November 11, 2008 I went to Rocky Gap Veterans Cemetery for the annual Veterans Day observance. It was for the most part just like the last 20 or 25 that they have had. Some guy whose name I can’t remember made a speech I can’t remember. Then they sounded taps and fired three shots and we all flinched and it was over. Even though the weather was nice the crowd was smaller than usual, but the veterans were there, the color guards were there and a few families were there.
There was a reception at the VFW afterwards and a bunch of people went there to do something. I don’t know if I would say to celebrate, I don’t know what you would really call it, I guess it was just having a drink with a bunch of other veterans. And that’s my report on Veterans Day 2008.
I have gotten to that point in my life where I don’t really care about who shows up at these activities. If the younger people don’t show, that’s fine there day will come when they are standing where we are wondering where all the people are. As long as we the veterans show respect for our brothers and sisters that’s what matters.
We veterans will always be the minority of Americans who when we heard the wolf knocking at the door we went out and kicked his ass. And some people said thank you, and the Gold Star families felt the pain. Everybody else went to the mall for the sales. But like it or not we made that possible for them so I guess we did our job didn’t we?
Steve Parsons
November 20, 2008
On something of a related issue on the day that I wrote this editorial I was home with pneumonia. I called the clinic for some help and was advised that I should drive to Martinsburg and go to the ER. Does anybody but me see a flaw in this plan?
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Comfort Keepers Announces Home Care Services for Veterans
Comfort Keepers, a Cumberland Maryland based company delivering non-medical home care services, is pleased to announce the introduction of two new programs servicing local veterans. For those veterans residing in Allegany and Garrett counties in Maryland and Mineral and Hampshire counties in West Virginia, Comfort Keepers has been endorsed as a referral based provider of in-home care through the VA Medical Center in Martinsburg, West Virginia. Additionally, for those veterans and/or their surviving spouses who qualify; they may be eligible to receive financial benefits that enable them to pay for in-home care directly through Comfort Keepers affiliation with the Veterans Improved Pension Benefit Program.
Comfort Keepers is a locally owned franchise that opened its doors in March of 2008. It is owned by John and Susan McMullen of Ridgeley, West Virginia. John has spent his career in corporate sales and marketing with experience in the manufacturing and health insurance fields. Susan, a RN MSN, has spent her entire nursing career in Family, Geriatric and Women’s Health practices. The issue of Veterans Benefits and Services is especially important to them as both their sons currently serve in the U. S Navy. One son, Bryan, is currently assigned to the USS Wyoming, a nuclear submarine, while the other, Conor, is assigned to the Naval Air Support team in Jacksonville, Florida.
Comfort Keepers provides a comprehensive range of services and products designed to allow you to lead independent lives in the comfort of your own homes. They include Light housekeeping, Meal preparation, Laundry, Transportation as well as Personal Care services such as, Bathing, Mobility, Feeding, Transporting and Incontinent Care. At Comfort Keepers the emphasis is on the relationship between caregiver and client. Their caregivers are carefully screened; undergoing multiple background checks before hire. They are insured, trained and bonded for their protection as well as our clients. Their Care Coordination Team conducts free in-home evaluations as well as free, timely re-evaluations to ensure the consistent level of care and service
Additionally, they offer a complete range of Personal Emergency Response products through their, Safety Choice Program. These are designed to ensure home security and safety for those with limited mobility as well as offer peace of mind for family and loved ones. These are easy to install and operate and are affordably priced.
To find out more about the Veterans Programs offered and whether or not you qualify for them please contact Comfort Keepers at the following:
117 Valley Street
Suite A
Cumberland, Maryland 21502
Phone: 240-362-7074
www.comfortkeepers.com
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Did You Read That???
If you took the time to read the above article it is a good resource to know as we get older and a little more feeble. This is the second resource like this in the county area; please keep both of them in mind if the need arises.
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Christmas Party
The Christmas party is coming in a few weeks, hope you have made your reservations and paid at the office. The committee has worked with diligence to make it a success.
There will be a social at the Chapter December 20 with the best egg nog you have ever tasted in your adult life. Then there will be the New Years Eve party, them the Super Bowl etc.
So lots of parties and social get togethers. But we are not supposed to be a social organization. So you as a member what have you done for the Chapter or Vietnam Vets in general to warrant all of these goodies? Think about it. Are you in the Veterans movement or just a member of an organization? We are supposed to be a radical veterans organization when was the last time you did something radical. Think about it get involved be more than an active member.
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VFW 1411
Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 1411 are having some difficult times. The current Commander Jack Yarnall who is also a former BOD member of Chapter 172 is busting his ass trying to turn things around and keep the doors open. We can’t afford to lose another VSO post. As I have said in the past every time a VSO closes it doors it diminishes the veterans movement and weakens our standing in the community. Here’s your chance to help veterans next time you are going out for a beverage or some company why not give the VFW a shot and if you tell Jack I sent you something will happen or maybe not. And while I am on the subject not just 1411 any VSO and here’s some more advice if you go to a VSO your wife won’t even think about looking for you there.
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Flu Snots
Have you gotten your flu shot it’s definitely cold and flu season call the clinic 301-724-0061 to see when you can get punctured.
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Speaking of Being Cold
Three years ago I bought a pellet stove at the time of purchase I asked the salesman if there would be any problem getting pellets and he very emphatically said “No Problem.” We took it home and hooked it up and it worked great for about a month then we ran out of pellets. Suddenly there was a problem pellets were in short supply. You had to be there when the truck pulled in or you were sol. This has been the case for three years now. When I got my stove three years ago pellets were $140 a ton. Now they are $275 a ton if you can even find them. One of the problems is for that price it is just as cheap to turn the gas up. I recently bought an electric heater at Lowes which will Heat my living room for .08 cents an hour a ton of pellets last 20 days, you do the math.
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A Word of Thanks
To everybody at Chapter 172 who was so nice to me and my family during the recent death of my father please accept this heartfelt thanks from my wife Edie and me Steve Parsons. Your kindness helped us through a very difficult time.
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