Vietnam Reflections
Vietnam Veterans Association Chapter 172

The Point September 2009

 

-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
 
September 2009                                                                                                                 


 
The following story is meant for mature audiences. It may contain language that is not appropriate for some readers, reader discretion is advised.
“My name is Ned Yazgur and I’m a farmer.”
Retrospective
Lately there has been a lot of talk about the Woodstock Music Festival in 1969 seems that this is the 40th anniversary of the great three days of peace and music. Or translate that to drugs, sex and rock and roll. It is also the 40th anniversary of my return from across the pond. You know the great freedom bird. The ol’ duffle bag drag and a bowl of corn flakes, but I digress.
So I heard some veterans talking the other day about Woodstock and the f- - - - - - g hippies and the long hairs and the stoners. However, I did not hear any complaints about the “naked broads” that seems to have been okay. I mean, hey, it was and is still okay with me.  So now that most of us have become ‘country and western’ rednecks, let’s take a little stroll back through time down the proverbial memory lane. 
Woodstock happened in August of 1969, I was back from the Nam and lounging in the Portsmouth Naval Hospital, although I was stationed in Norfolk at a garden spot known as Camp Elmore. It had been constructed during WWII as a German POW camp, after the war it was condemned and given to the Marine Corps.
 
The Marine Corps gave it a new paint job and waa laa we have a new base. When the news of Woodstock broke most of us felt an immediate connection with the event that we had missed. When the music album and later the movie was released the Woodstock nation grew. Much like the Vietnam War later, almost immediately millions of people were claiming to have been at Woodstock. Vietnam wannabes and Woodstock wannabes, see you have something in common with those dirty hippies. I am also told, that some of you guys in the services just like the hippies enjoyed smoking the weed from time to time; then make the trip to Jim’s Sub Shoppe on Littlecreek for the meatball sub. But, it was the music that was the real legacy of Woodstock. We played it loud and long and drove the “lifers” nuts. Especially country Joe McDonald’s ‘I feel like I’m fixin’ to die rag.” You remember that, it started out “Well come on all of you big strong men Uncle Sam needs your help again he’s got himself in a terrible jam way down yonder in Viet Nam…”    Yeh, you’re smiling now, singing the next line of the song and firing up that imaginary rainy day woman, that left handed cigarette, the party bomber, the needledick, or as the young people say now days, blazing up the blunt. Now if we could find a young naked broad someone in their forties.
So what do you know maybe you aren’t the big conservative redneck that you think you are.
 
 
And, if you can’t remember Ned Yazgur shame on you. I’m not telling you.
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UPCOMING CHAPTER EVENTS
 
STEAK FEED
 
The Steak Feed will be Saturday, September 19th at the Mt. Savage Fire Hall starting at 6:00pm.  This year there will be a $5.00 charge per person at the door.  You do not have to RSVP for this event.
 
 
25TH ANNIVERSARY
 
Friday, October 2nd there will be a Memorial Service starting at 2:00pm at the chapter.  This is for members only.  The Friday Social will start at 4:30pm this is for members and one guest.
 
On Saturday, October 3rd there will be a dinner at Windsor Hall located on the Downtown Cumberland Mall, Baltimore Street.  Starting a t 1:30pm there will be a few members speaking and at 3:00pm a buffet style dinner will be served.  This is open to member and one guest.  The cost is $15.00 per person and there is limited seating of 225.  You must call the chapter office at 301-777-7001 or 800-482-8387 to reserve seating and pay for this event.  RSVP must be in by September 20th.
            Question and comments have been made about the 25th Anniversary attendance being limited to 225. We just can’t find a room big enough to hold us we are a victim of our own success.
 
The chapter office will be open Friday, October 2nd till 6:00pm and Saturday, October 3rd from 1:00pm till 7:00pm will 25% off purchases both days.  Clearance excluded.
 
CHRISTMAS DINNER & DANCE
 
The chapter Christmas Dinner & Dance is Saturday, December 5th at Rocky Gap Resort.  The Fabulous Hubcaps will be playing again this year.  The cost is $20.00 per person (member and one guest).  You must call the chapter office to reserve seating and pay for this event at 301-777-7001- or 800-482-8387.  If you would like to stay at Rocky Gap you must call and reserve you room at 301-784-8400 or 800-724-0828.  The cost of the room this year is $99.00.  Also after 8:00pm drinks at the dance will be $2.00 same as last year.  RSVP must be in by November 23rd.
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Before you read to the end, does anybody know what the main ingredient of WD-40 is?  Don't lie and don't cheat.   
 
 
  I had a neighbor who had bought a new pickup.  I got up very early one Sunday morning and saw that someone had spray painted red all around the sides of this beige truck (for some unknown reason).  I went over, woke him up, and told him the bad news.  He was very upset and was trying to figure out what to do probably nothing until Monday morning, since nothing was open.  Another neighbor came out and told him to get his WD-40 and clean it off.  It removed the unwanted paint beautifully and did not harm his paint job that was on the truck.  I'm impressed!  
WD-40 who knew?  'Water Displacement #40' The product began from a search for a rust preventative solvent and
degreaser to protect missile parts.  WD-40 was created in 1953 by three technicians at the San Diego Rocket Chemical Company.  Its name comes from the project that was to find a 'water displacement' compound..  They were successful with the fortieth formulation, thus WD-40.  The Convair Company bought it in bulk to protect their atlas missile parts.  
Ken East (one of the original founders) says there is nothing in WD-40 that would hurt you.  When you read the 'shower door' part, try it.  It's the first thing that has ever cleaned that spotty shower door....  If yours is plastic, it works just as well as glass.  It's a miracle!  Then try it on your stove top ...  Viola!  It's now shinier than it's ever been.  You'll be amazed.  
Here are some other uses:
1. Protects silver from tarnishing.  
2.. Removes road tar and grime from cars.
3. Cleans and lubricates guitar strings.
4.  Gives floors that 'just-waxed' sheen without making them slippery.
5.  Keeps flies off cows.
6.  Restores and cleans chalkboards.
7.  Removes lipstick stains.
8.  Loosens stubborn zippers.
9.  Untangles jewelry chains.
10.  Removes stains from stainless steel sinks.
11.  Removes dirt and grime from the barbecue grill.
12.  Keeps ceramic/terra cotta garden pots from oxidizing.
13.  Removes tomato stains from clothing.
14.  Keeps glass shower doors free of water spots.
15.  Camouflages scratches in ceramic and marble floors.
16.  Keeps scissors working smoothly.
17.  Lubricates noisy door hinges on vehicles and doors in homes.
18.  It removes black scuff marks from the kitchen floor!  Use WD-40 for those nasty tar and scuff
      marks on flooring.  It doesn't
seem to harm the finish and you won't have to scrub nearly as
      hard to get them off.  Just remember to open some windows if you have a lot of marks.
19.  Bug guts will eat away the finish on your car if not removed quickly!  Use WD-40!
20.  Gives a children's playground gym slide a shine for a super fast slide.
21.  Lubricates gear shift and mower deck lever for ease of handling on riding mowers.
22.  Rids kids rocking chairs and swings of squeaky noises.
23.  Lubricates tracks in sticking home windows and makes them easier to open.
24.  Spraying an umbrella stem makes it easier to open and close.
25.  Restores and cleans padded leather dashboards in vehicles, as well as vinyl bumpers.
26.  Restores and cleans roof racks on vehicles.
27.  Lubricates and stops squeaks in electric fans
28.  Lubricates wheel sprockets on tricycles,
wagons, and bicycles for easy handling.
29.  Lubricates fan belts on washers and dryers and keeps them running smoothly.
30.  Keeps rust from forming on saws and saw blades, and other tools.
31.  Removes splattered grease on stove.
32.  Keeps bathroom mirror from fogging.
33.  Lubricates prosthetic limbs.
34.  Keeps pigeons off the balcony (they hate the smell).
35.  Removes all traces of duct tape.
36.  Folks even spray it on their arms, hands, and knees to relieve arthritis pain.
37.   Florida 's favorite use is: 'cleans and removes love bugs from grills and bumpers.'
38.  The favorite use in the state of New York , WD-40 protects the Statue of Liberty from the elements.
39.  WD-40 attracts fish.  Spray a little on live bait or lures and you will be catching the big one in no time.
 Also, it's a lot cheaper than the chemical attractants that are made for just that purpose.  
      Keep in mind though, using some chemical laced baits or lures for fishing are not allowed in some states.
40.  Use it for fire ant bites.  It takes the sting away immediately and stops the itch.
41.  WD-40 is great for removing crayon from walls.  Spray on the mark and wipe with a clean rag.
42.  Also, if you've discovered that your teenage daughter has washed and dried a tube of lipstick
      with a load of laundry, saturate the lipstick spots with WD-40 and rewash.  Presto!  The lipstick
      is gone!
43.  If you sprayed WD-40 on the distributor cap, it would displace the moisture and allow the car to
      start.
44. Mixed with rum it will probably kill you.

P.  S.  The basic ingredient is FISH OIL.
This was submitted by Jim Shipe he thought you all needed educated.
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The Health Care Debate
I will give you some solid word on this issue. I don’t understand it; I don’t see the logic of the whole town hall shouting matches. You know the idea is to exchange ideas and try to come up with a solution. The one thing I do know is that according to both sides no matter what happens it will not affect veterans care…or that’s what they say. Do you think that they would lie to us? Did you vote in the last election?