-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

you 1-800-482-VETS                                                                      Email vva172@atlanticbbn.net

The First Chapter in the State of Maryland – The Gold Standard

Live Ordinance?

I guess buy now, unless you have been out of the country or out of range of CNN you know about the live ordinance scare at the chapter museum last week. A chapter member working as a volunteer in the Museum decided that we had a display that looked like it was live and decided to call the bomb squad.  The next day the bomb squad, the fire marshal, Homeland Security, and everybody else on the East Coast who wears a badge showed up at the chapter. Liberty Street was blocked off and everything seemed really tense for about 10 minutes. The offending rocket  was located, carried across the street and put in the back seat of a Chevy Suburban and strapped in with the seatbelt. There was high fives all around then everybody went to Coney Island and celebrated with wieners.

Contrary to what you may have heard the rocket was not destroyed.  United States Army EOD personnel dismantled the device

and confirmed that it was inert.

This rocket has been in the chapter museum for two or three years now.  It has been knocked over, dropped and rolled down the basement steps at least once. I guess we can always say, better safe than sorry, but it seems to me that a simple phone call to the chapter president should have been the first

move made.  You know, they don't call it a chain of command for nothing.

For all the people who read the original print story in the various newspapers.  I wonder how many of them saw a retraction the next day that it was not live ordinance.  How many people read that story and thought it was just another group of irresponsible Vietnam Veterans? As Roseann Roseanna Dana would say “It's always something.”

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Elections Elections, Elections

Once again you are being notified that Chapter elections will be held at the general membership meeting Thursday, April 3, 2008.

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Believe It Or Don’t

I know it seems unlikely, but it is time to start thinking about the chapter family picnic June 21 at the Ali Ghan Shrine club picnic grounds.  We do not have any word yet as to the possibility of camping this year when we get the information we will of course pass it along to you.  As always, the picnic will start at noon and as always volunteers will be needed.

I'm Not Sure They Have the Right Idea

Editorial Opinion

With all the election rhetoric that's going on right now, I would like to take my turn and flip-flop on an issue. At the last directors meeting Roger read a request for a monetary donation the amount being somewhere between $2000 and $4000.  The request came from the Cumberland Rotary Club.  This is by no means a knock on that club they do a lot of fine work and are an asset to our community.  The purpose of this donation was to buy small American flags to decorate several cemeteries in Allegany County where veterans are buried. Originally I thought that this seemed like a good idea and I made a motion to donate $500.  My motion was voted down, and after having time to reflect on and I'm glad that it was.

Historically, this task was handled by American Legion Post 13. But they have the decided to give it up due to the age of their membership and lack of volunteers.  VFW Post 1411 also wanted no part of this project for the same reason.  The Rotary Club took this one as their project and said that with the help of volunteers and various Boy Scout troops,  Naval Sea Cadets, Civil Air Patrol, and Young Marines that they would be responsible for the Memorial Day decorations.  But they have run into the same problems.  Not enough volunteers and not enough money to buy the flags.  So they came to the Chapter for money and volunteers.

Now here's where my flip-flop comes in.  I was all for this project at first, and the more I thought about it the more my opinion changed.  If you want to honor veterans on Memorial Day please go ahead and do it it's the right thing to do, but I don't think that we the veterans should be asked to pay for the flags and contribute to the work party.

I don’t think that we should have to do this ourselves. This would be veterans honoring veterans, and that's something we do every day of the week. The funding for this should come from private donations and not from the various veterans’ organizations. It may just be me, but I detect a real lack of sincerity and commitment for this project.

This should be a community project that everybody should be proud to participate in.  It should be done before the barbecue, before the trip to the mall to take advantage of the sales and before you buy the beer.

And while we are at one this subject I have heard reports about people pissing and moaning that a flag was not placed on their veteran’s grave. Other than a regular Veterans Cemetery, this has not been done for several years. But I know how to remedy this come down to the chapter purchase a flag and place it on the gravesite yourself.  You will find that this small act of remembrance will be a reward in itself.

Don’t have a ride call us 301-777-7001 we’ll get you to the cemetery.

Steve Parsons.

February 2008

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CHAPTER OFFICE NEWS

FROM BARB & SUSAN

Happy New Year!

We hope that you all had a wonderful holiday.  The New Year has begun and new things have already started happening in the chapter office.  New tee shirts and hats have arrived just in time for Valentines Day.  These are military branch screened tee shirts in a variety of colors.  For the month of February all tee shirts and hats will be 20% off.  Spring is just around the corner so come in and stock up.  Keep watching the Cumberland Times News for our ads and other specials.. 

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Do you know what happened this week back in 1850, 157 years ago?

1. California became a state.
2. The state had no electricity.
3. The state had no money.
4. Almost everyone spoke Spanish.
5. There were gunfights in the streets.

So basically, it was just like California today; except the women had real boobs and the men didn't hold hands.

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The Social  Event

The 'January German fest ' social was a huge success. By success, I am referring to the member turn out.

Yes... We ran out of food. The monthly social committee plans for 80 people, we estimated about 130 members and guests' attended the January social.

The monthly chapter socials are planned by a member (or 2) and the spouse.

This function is for you the member, home cooking and socializing with other chapter members, one night a month.

The February 16th ’Pig Roast' social is  being hosted by the guys from Bedford. Mark your calendar now... And let's show the Bedford boys we appreciate them hosting a social. And, while you have your pen out Mark the 3rd Saturday in January for another 'German fest' we’ll be prepared this time for another record turn out.

I over heard Marie and Harlan talking about ‘Spaetzle’ and bee-sting cake sounds good to me.

Nelson Lindeman

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How about dropping a card.
thanks,
Charles J. P`ennington 
U.S.Navy,retired 
to 

SPC Tami Ramos 
400TH MP BN
Camp Bucca, Iraq
APO AE 09375
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Super, Super Bowl

Finally a great Super Bowl game to go along with a great Super Bowl party, even if your team didn’t win. Give special credit to Philomena Zapf and her helper Bill for an Italian feast fit to remember. First the German fest now this, the bar is being pushed way high.

I would to thank all the folks that have brought in desserts and other side dishes and who have helped set up and clean up. Also a thank you to Debbie Strong for her chicken and dumplings, no wonder I’m fat.