VIETNAM VETERANS OF AMERICA, CHAPTER 415
Meeting November 2, 2009
The meeting convened at 1930 Monday November 2, 2009.
Present were; President Willever, Vice President Rusty Wolfe, Secretary Donald Bear, George Puzio, State Delegate Jerry Nugent, John Bowen, Bob Lippincott, Bill Merryman, Ken Howard, Ed Banach, Duane Cerino, Pat Roxberry, Jerry Ferraro, Jo Roseberry, James Bullivant, Bob Faro, Sam Borso, Paul Strahle, Mike Regrut and John Halasovski.
Following opening ceremonies the minutes of October 5th were read.
Treasures Report – Treasures report was read. A motion was made by Jerry Ferraro to accept the report seconded by Ken Howard and approved by all present.
Membership – Ken Howard is now the new Membership Chairman and George Puzio will take over Public Relations. Both are hard at work with their new assignments and there will be more to follow at the next meeting. Pat Roxberry thanked George for his work over the years as Membership Chairman and the membership agreed with Pat.
Community Service – President Willever informed us that the schools were coming up and members should be ready for phone calls to participate. George Puzio is working on a Power Point Program involving Chapter 415 that could be used at schools.
AVVA-Nothing at this time.
POW / MIA - 1728. Sam Borso gave a breakdown for each branch and in formed us that 918 remains were repatriated since the end of the war.
Candance D. Lokey, PO Box 206, Freeport, PA 16229 needs your help. The Nat’l League of POW/MIA Families is attempting to locate photos of 1728 service members still unaccounted for in Southeast Asia. If you still have your “Recruit Training” book she would like you to copy the photos (with the names) and mail them to her. They will try to figure out if the photo belongs to a POW/MIA.
LVMAC –Duane didn’t make the meeting however, Bob Faro told us there was a great turnout for the Veterans Sanctuary Zoning meeting in Allentown. There will be another meeting at City Hall on November 19th at 7 pm. The address is, 455 Hamilton St., Allentown, PA.
Veterans Benefits- As of Oct. 1st the monthly GI Bill payment rate increased 3.6% to $1368.00
Relying on an independent study by the Institute of Medicine, General Shinseki decided to establish a service connection for Vietnam Veterans with three specific illnesses based on the latest evidence of an association with the herbicides Agent Orange. They are B cell leukemias, such as hairy cell leukemia, Parkinson’s disease and ischemic heart disease.
Veterans Affairs –John Bowen informed us that you need an appointment at the VA Clinic for a Flu Shot. They will not take walk-ins. Also, John told us the Steelworker’s will be holding a Veterans Day affair honoring Veterans at their Memorial located at 3rd & Fillmore Streets. Call John Solotwa at 610 360-7896 if you want to attend.
Agent Orange – President Willever informed us that a lot is going on behind the scenes to establish new rules that will help Agent Orange victims. Under a new policy adopted by the Dept. of Veterans Affairs, the VA will now start providing free care to any of the 2.1 million Vietnam Era Veterans who can show that they might have been hurt by exposure to Agent Orange.
PTSD-Nothing new at this time.
State Council – There will be a State Council Meetings on March 6th & 7th as well as June 5th & 6th and October 23rd and 24th for 2010.
Old Business –Phillipsburg High School will have its’ Veterans Day Salute on November 8th at noon. They will have a Two Star Admiral as guest speaker and President Willever said they do a remarkable job recognizing all Veterans.
New Business – November 11th, Veterans Day President Willever will be at The Wall in Washington, DC.
President Willever stated that different members were asking him about setting up a bus trip on Veterans Day next year 2010 to go to Washington. He is checking into it and will provide details at a future meeting.
Good of the Order – President Willever has cleared it with the hospital that we can continue meeting here the 1st Monday of each month in 2010.
We will be having a December meeting here on Dec. 7th at 7 PM.
Be advised that Applebee’s is providing free meals for Veterans on Veterans Day. Just bring some type of proof that you are a Vet.
George Puzio put together a slide show of photos he took at Kokomo and Cario, NY to show us at this time. After watching the photos we felt it was a very entertaining and interesting show. We all enjoyed it. Thank you Brother Puzio.
Adjourn – There being no further business a motion was made at 20:30 by Duane Cerino to adjourn the meeting seconded by Rusty Wolfe.
Respectfully, Don Bear, Secretary.
VIETNAM VETERANS OF AMERICA, CHAPTER 415
Meeting August 3, 2009
The meeting convened at 1930 Monday August 3rd. Present were; President Barry Willever, V/P Rusty Wolfe, Secretary Don Bear, State Delegate Gerald Nugent, Product Sales Mgr. Howard Shaneberger, Jo Roseberry, Jerry Ferraro, John Bowen, Pat Roxberry, Duane Cerino, Geoffrey Bruen, Ken Howard, James Bullivant, Richard Hudzinski, Luis Alfonso, Bob Faro, Ed Banach, Robert Lippincott, George Puzio, Wayne Zellner, Dave and Willa Strahle.
Minutes – The minutes were printed and handed out to all members present. The minutes stood as presented.
Treasures Report – Treasures Report was read. A motion was made by Jerry Ferraro to accept the report and it was seconded by Ken Howard and approved by all present.
Membership – President Willever would like to see AVVA built back up as it once was. He asked members to help with this endeavor. He “enlisted” his charming wife Judy to join AVVA. Jo Roseberry will post recruiting information in her area.
Ken Howard and Bob Faro talked to us about ways to increase Chapter #415 membership. Ken printed posters to be displayed where the public can see them. He handed them out to the Chapter and asked us to post them as conspicuously as possible. Ken & Bob suggested posting them in restaurants, barbershops, grocery stores, churches, VA Clinic’s, newspapers, work sites, etc.
George Puzio has a list of members at large. Anyone that can assist George in contacting these individuals about joining the Chapter please talk to him. George also printed up a news letter that he feels would enhance membership.
AVVA – Members make motions, vote and present ideas at Chapter Level functions. Also, can hold fundraiser’s.
Public Affairs – Duane Cerino attended the Lehigh Valley Military Affairs Council Meeting, he told us the speaker from the VFW talked about helping veterans coming back from Iraq and Afghanistan find employment. Duane was appalled to discover the high suicide rate among these veterans.
POW/MIA – Now stands at 1737.
Veterans Affairs – President Willever and Richard Hudzinski attended a meeting with Charlie Dent and others concerning opening a Veterans Center in the Lehigh Valley. It appears we have a very good chance of this happening in 2010. President Willever told us he was amazed with the fact finding report Mr. Hudzinski prepared and presented to this committee. The report was truly comprehensive and undeniably accurate resulting in a positive response from the people that can make this happen.
Richard Hudzinski who is VA Affairs Officer for the Lehigh Valley Military Affairs Council informed us about the Medical Foster Home Program. They will have a guest speaker talking about this at their August 20th LVMAC meeting. This is an alternative to long-term care for America’s Heroes. Medical Foster Homes provide Veterans; A secure stable home, Personal attention & medical care, affordability, freedom, independence & socialization. If you are a veteran or you know a veteran who is interested contact Teresa Stump-Klinger, Medical Foster Home Coordinator at 717 272-6621 or 1-800 409-8771 ext. 5739. Email: Teresa.Stump-Klinger@va.gov
Veterans Benefits – http://www.veteranprograms.com/index.html
Agent Orange – Only Vietnam Veterans of America is pushing for Veterans that have heart disease, high blood pressure or Parkinson disease to be automatically compensated since these diseases are directly related to exposure to Agent Orange. The American Legion, VFW etc., are not onboard with us at this time to push for this. We would appreciate their help with this legislation.
PTSD – Check our website for updated information at;
http://415vva.homestead.com/home.html
State Council – State Council meeting will be on October 24th and 25th in Harrisburg.
Old Business –Remember September 25th at the first Phillipsburg High School football game the band will honor veterans with a program “Heroes Fallen never Forgotten”.
New Business – October 2nd there will be a reception on the front lawn of the Phillipsburg High School with light snacks and beverage time to socialize for Veterans. You will be asked to remain and participate on the track during halftime.
Nov. 3rd The United States Navy Band “The Commodores” Big Band Swing will provide a free concert in the Phillipsburg High School Gym at 7:30 pm. It is free however, everyone attending must have a ticket which can be obtained by calling the PHS Band Director at 908 213-2419.
Nov. 8th Phillipsburg High School Annual Veterans Tribute in the PHS gym will start at noon with several vintage military vehicles displayed on the property along with a Power Point presentation at 12:30. Retired Rear Admiral Steven Chadwick, USN, will be the keynote speaker at 1 pm.
Good of the Order – The next meeting would fall on LABOR DAY. Therefore the September meeting is cancelled. The next meeting will be Monday October 5th at 7:00 pm.
John Bowen has football raffle tickets to sell. The tickets are $10 dollars each and are good for the entire season. The Chapter makes $3 dollars on every ticket sold.
Ed Banach informed us that his company manufactures a drug known as MDXO1O knick-named “Ippy” that shows remarkable success in treating prostate cancer.
Adjourn – There being no further business Pat Roxberry made a motion to adjourn the meeting seconded by Geoffrey Bruen and approved by all.
Respectfully, Don Bear, Secretary Chapter 415.
