ANNOUNCEMENTS
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CHAPTER INFORMATION
OFFICERS:  President:  Gregory C. McNeill
      Vice President:  Stan Bollinger
              Secretary:  Robert Jordan
                               Treasurer:  Dennis "Doc" Kauffman
CHAPTER ADDRESS:  Vietnam Veterans of America, Inc.
      Chapter 500
              P.O. Box 255484
                         Sacramento, CA 95865
TELEPHONE:  916-481-6020
E-MAIL:  vva500@sbcglobal.net
CHAPTER WEBSITE:  www.norcaltrav.com/vva500.htm
FOR INFORMATION:  Call or e-mail, Executive Director,
             Mary Lou McNeill
NEWSLETTER SUBMISSIONS:  Mail to Chapter address or
             e-mail information.  Please send pictures in jpeg form.
VVA Chapter 500 is a non-profit organization, #68-0208305, CT#75945, United Way #12583.  All donations to support our projects such as our Scholarship Fund, Helping Hands Fund, Honor Guard and Library of Congress Veterans Stories Project will be gratefully appreciated.  You may earmark your donation to the project you wish to support.
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UPDATE ON THE VIETNAM VETERANS MEMORIAL

MOST RECENT DEVELOPMENTS.....12/04 UPDATE
The artist who does the bronze work at the Memorial has been given a deposit to begin the work on the damage.  When will he start?.............this is an unknown. 
SICK CALL
Jesse Garcia, due for  shoulder surgery Nov. 30
Bill Bailey, recovering from treatment
 

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"A Continuing Tradition"

   Rebecca Lee                  916-501-8788
  Call Rebecca for the Special Discounts available for Veterans
Many East Lawn locations in the Sacramento area
Pre-Arrangement Plans are also available.

43rd & Folsom Blvd., P.O. Box 19334, Sacramento, CA 95819
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www.eastlawn.com

HELP YOUR BUSINESS AND SUPPORT THE VVA
by advertising in the Capitol Veteran.  Reasonable Rates!!!
One issue, business card size is $5.00.  Get one month free by advertising for 6 months at $25.00.  Call the office for more information or submit your copy with a check to VVA by mail.
☻☻☻☻☻☻☻☻☻☻
WELCOME HOME NEW MEMBERS
Henry Davis, USMC
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!              
     November:  John Fitzke - Navy♫♫♫Jim Armstrong - Air Force♫♫♫Pete Conaty - Army♫♫♫Jimmie Walker - Army♫♫♫Henry Davis - Marines♫♫♫December:  Paul Flieger - Army♫♫♫Grace Calles - AVVA♫♫♫Steven Fleck - Army♫♫♫Mike Kelley - Army♫♫♫Orville Osborne - Air Force♫♫♫Bob Parker - Army♫♫♫Steve Burman - Army
If your birthday is in Nov. or Dec.  and you don't see your name here, the Chapter does not have a copy of your DD214.  National VVA has it.  If you have a copy, send us one for our files and we can wish you Happy Birthday too!  AVVA members we also need your Birthday Dates !!!

FACTS ABOUT VETERANS
FROM THE U.S. CENSUS BUREAU

     24.9 million - The number of military veterans in the United States.
     1.7 million - The number of veterans who are women.
     9.7 million - The number of veterans who are age 65 or over.
     8.2 million - The number of Vietnam-era veterans. Vietnam veterans account for more than 3 in 10 veterans, the largest share of any period of service.  The next largest share of wartime veterans, 4.4 million or nearly 2 in 10, served during WWII.
     381,000 - The number of veterans who served during both the Vietnam era and the Desert Storm era (August 1990 or later).  In addition, 429,000 veterans served during both the Korean War and the Vietnam conflict.  143,000 served during three periods:  WWII, the Korean War and the Vietnam War.  498,000 served in WWII and the Korean War.
     6 - Number of states with 1 million or more veterans.  These states are California (2.3 million), Florida (1.8 million), Texas (1.7 million), New York (1.2 million), Pennsylvania (1.2 million) and Ohio (1.1 million). 
     $20.8 billion - Aggregate amount of money received annually by the 2.5 million veterans receiving compensation for service-connected disabilities.
     $56.9 billion - Total amount of federal government spending for veterans benefits programs in fiscal year 2003.
     All of the above numbers are taken from the upcoming Statistical Abstract of the United States:  2004-2005.  And note:  Some of the preceding data were collected in surveys and, therefore, are subject to sampling error.  From:  U.S. Newswire.
     Note:  24.9 million Veterans could carry a lot of weight when it comes to legislative issues concerning Veterans if they unite and  put their mind to it. 

 MARINE FINALLY GETS A HEADSTONE

One of the benefits of being a Veteran is to have a headstone provided by the VA.  However, for the family of Marine Sgt. Hans A. Johnsen, this almost proved to be an impossibility.  Hans enlisted in the U.S. Marines in 1882, was promoted to Sergeant in 1883.  He passed away in 1929.  About 10 years ago, Johnsen's grandson David began his quest for information and a headstone for his grandfather.  He almost gave up when by chance he happened to meet Gus Kanelos, Veteran Advocate from the Unaffiliated Veteran's Advocate Coalition.  With help from Gus and the Folsom W. H. Nichols Marine Corps League, the headstone was finally obtained.  On November 12, a ceremony was held for Sgt. Johnsen.  Marine Corps League and VVA members (above) Ken Nelson and Sanford Ross participated in the ceremony.  The old Marine has finally received his due.

AFTER ACTION REPORT

11/1 - M.L. McNeill attended the Roseville Veterans Hall Board Meeting for out-of-town Joe Cavanagh.  Locker and key distribution were the main topics of discussion.
11/1 - President McNeill attended visitation for Larry Wood, VAC Past Commander and VAC Honor Guard.
11/2 - M.L. McNeill attended the funeral for Larry Wood.
11/3 - M.L. McNeill attended a Parade Committee meeting.
11/6 - The VAC Honor Squad Dinner was attended by President and Mary Lou McNeill, Dennis "Doc and Jan Kauffman, Floyd Volker and Mary Ann Wisner. 
11/7 - The Marine Corps Ball was attended by President and Mary Lou McNeill, Dale and Fran Kehoe, Karen Winnett, Kris Hollinger, Floyd Volker and Mary Ann Wisner, President McNeill's sister and brother-in-law Gene & Joan Qualls and of course Marine Corps League and VVA500 members, Mike Slater and Ray Case. 
11/8 - M.L. McNeill attended a meeting with the Sacramento Parks and Recreation Dept. re:  the upcoming Veterans Day Parade.
11/9 - M.L. McNeill attended the line-up Parade Committee Meeting.
11/10 - President McNeill went on a Marine Corps Birthday Cruise
11/11 - Several members marched in the rain at the Elk Grove Veterans Day Parade.
11/13 - VVA 500 marched in force and several vehicles in the VAC Sacramento Veterans Day Parade.   The sun came out and the parade went well with about 53 participants and several Veterans and government dignitaries in attendance.   After the parade, members gathered at the "Bunker" for a Veterans Day celebration.  Thanks to all to brought food.
SPECIAL NOTE: We are pleased to announce that the points have been tallied for the parade and VVA500 won first place in the Veterans category for the parade. The Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Assoc. won 2nd place.  You just can't beat those Vietnam Veterans. The trophies will be presented at the VAC meeting/Christmas party on December 8 at 7PM.  All are welcome to attend at the VFW Post #67, 2784 Stockton Blvd. - Sacramento
11/16 - VVA500 held the regular General Meeting.  Doug Haney presented information regarding the relationship of Agent Orange and Molds to illnesses of Vietnam Veterans.
11/24 - M.L. McNeill attended an after-action meeting for the VAC Honor Squad Dinner.

Most of VVA500 that marched in Elk Grove.  A very wet but enthusiastic group.  Photo by:  Deanna Williams

"JUNGLE ROT"

     Those who didn't attend the November meeting missed a great presentation by member Doug Haney on Agent Orange and Molds and how they affect the Veteran.  As a follow-up to the meeting, here is an article regarding the subject:

WHAT'S MISSING HERE?
by:  Douglas R. Haney 

     Why is it that many people cannot connect the dots?  For instance, in speaking with Joseph R. Moore, an excellent veteran’s benefit claims attorney located in Washington D.C.  We were discussing my pending case with the VA involving exposure to chemicals of “Agent Orange” and major bout with fungal “jungle rot”, while in Vietnam. Agent Orange (2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-para-dioxin, 2,4- dichlorophenoxyacetic acid, and 2,4,5-trichlorophenoxyacetic acid) was one of several color-coded herbicides sprayed over land to expose the enemy, destroy plant life and food sources, and clear bases and landing zones.
      I was explaining that molds as primary “decomposers” (the first microbes in line to feed of dead and decaying matter) attempt to break down “slow or non-biodegradable” chemical products within human fat cells as one’s health for some reason begins to decline. Suddenly he stopped me. “Wait, but what does all that have to do with Agent Orange and your exposure to it?” I retorted, “Because if something cannot break down by itself, it cannot cause disease, and ecologically-speaking molds definitely instigate this process!” He continues, “With Agent Orange the government is not looking for causation they are looking for symptoms related to exposures.” Then, it got worse… “There is no research indicative of fungal disease connected with Agent Orange.  The VA will deny your case, if that is what you are proposing.”  Needless to say, that is true, and Mr. Moore is of course correct. A “first line” analyst looks at the claim and if it is not exacting to the illnesses as previously determined by medical experts, it is denied. As I informed Mr. Moore, “All I want is someone to handle my case as a process to get needed fungal exposure research on Vietnam veterans funded.”  His answer to this was, “I specialize mainly in PTSD cases, sorry.” This was not one of my better days.
     While Vietnam veterans continue to suffer and die as a result of the unknown causes attributable to Agent Orange exposures all authorities want are “associative studies” and not “definitive studies.” What’s missing here?  Well, if exact causation is never formally established, the companies involved in the manufacture, sale, and distribution of the chemical products will never have to 
admit fault.

 

 WHAT/S MISSING HERE, continued..... 

     If an associative connection is made it is not as expensive, limited in scope, and does not “break the bank” with lawsuits. I refer to this as protecting the American economy from massive litigation (remember there were over 2 million veterans who actually served in Vietnam between 1959 and 1975.)  As it was, the class action case against the companies involved: Dow Chemical, Diamond Shamrock, Hercules, Monsanto, T. H. Agriculture, Thompson Chemical, and Uniroyal, settled out of court to the tune of $180 billion in 1984, of which attorneys in the case received legal fees totaling $100 million.
     How were the remaining funds distributed? Here’s an example quoted from Gary D. Moore’s “Agent Orange Talking Paper #1” (see:   www.gmasw.com/aotalk1.htm):
     “A woman whose husband suffered, and eventually died… leaving her alone with three children was given just over $3,000… Another friend (Vietnam Vet) suffered with a brain tumor along with other herbicide related diseases for over three years. He was awarded $1,860… pathetic, isn’t it?” 
      Moore went on to state that, “Victims and families of those exposed to herbicides in Vietnam had until January 17, 1995 to apply for compensation. This means that since the matter is no longer a court matter the VA is left to pick up the pieces. What do you think would happen if the Veterans Administration were to spend the funding necessarily to adequately research the connection between molds veterans were exposed to in Vietnam (or even Desert Storm) and various herbicidal chemicals used during the war? If found factual, veterans would be lining up literally by the thousands at VA medical centers across the globe to find medical support for the hundreds of medical and mental health problems that molds and their secondary chemicals, called mycotoxins cause in humans. 
     Veterans, especially if it was found that studies were available on the dangers of mold exposures as early as in 1956, would want answers as to why they were not told? What would happen if many veterans who had contracted fungal diseases while in Vietnam later in life developed serious and life-threatening diseases such as cancers, bone degenerative diseases, hepatic diseases, and birth defects and other health problems?  What’s missing here is the “dedicated research” in to mold exposures in Vietnam. If the U.S. government neglects molds in scientific research, which it is doing, and concentrates specifically on other pathogens that do not possess similar cell structures, which other cellular forms e.g., bacteria and viruses do not, then the public will continue to remain ignorant and life will continue on as we know it. Eventually, what normally occurs is that a disease process is battered back and forth between fact and myth so much by the media that the public tends to disregard it as important unless an individual becomes personally affected by it or involved in it as a “cause.” This is what we observe in cancer, MS, ALS, HIV/AIDS, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and others. Continued on Page 8..................

From left, President McNeill, Members Kris Hollinger, Karen Winnett chat during Stand Down duty.

The Get-A-Way Crowd at Scotts Flat

President McNeill (in costume) receives the Grant Check from Sam's Club (Walmart) during the Halloween Dance.

We will resume our "Oldies but Goodies" photos next month.  Keep sending or e-mailing them to:  vva500@sbcglobal.net.
 

VAC Commander and VVA500 President McNeill presides over the VAC Veterans Day Parade

VVA500 Color Guard leads our entry in the Parade

The lovely Diana Titus singing the VVA500 song in the Parade

 

     WHAT'S MISSING HERE, continued...............

     What’s missing here is that if one man screams loud enough only a very few will listen or become interested, and the man is thought of as a lunatic. If a few scream loud enough people in the vicinity might hear and become interested, but without anyone to fan the flames the story soon dies and the few remain discontented that they had not done enough or done it right. If a few fan the flames consistently a whole body of people begin to listen and start to participate in the excitement gaining the attention of those who form the laws, handle medical care, and fund the science. This is what happened to start activities in Vietnam and to stop the activities. This is what brought Thomas Edison’s electricity into our homes, and still today lights tall skyscrapers.
     I am dropping my personal case because I found that it would not help other veterans without the proper research available to support the fact that literally thousands upon thousands of Vietnam veterans were either treated for mold exposure diseases or much as myself, were treated without having to visit the infirmary. Until these epidemiological studies are developed and researched not much is going to work with a VA that obviously is not interested. What’s missing here? Vietnam veterans who want to hear the full story and get involved. Your vote counts!

SOME INTERESTING NUMBERS
Provided by The FAIR Foundation
(Fair Allocations In Research)

• The death rate in California's newly infected AIDS patients has plummeted 97% and the overall death rate from AIDS in the USA has fallen well over 80%, yet AIDS still receives 10% of the entire disease research budget.

• Diabetes kills more Americans than AIDS and breast cancer combined, yet only $80. is spent in research on each diabetic versus $3,084. on each AIDS patient.

• Just the increase alone in AIDS funding since 1999 is greater than the entire 2005 budget for every other disease except cancer and cardiovascular disease.

• The amount spent on the "Health Effects of Climate Change" is greater than the funding for each of these:  brain cancer, cystic fibrosis, cerebral palsy, cervical cancer, child leukemia, COPD, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Crohn's Disease, Down Syndrome, emphysema, epilepsy, fibromyalgia, hepatitis B & C, Hodgkin's Disease, the flu, multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy, SIDS, uterine cancer and many others.             For more information on health research dollars, call 760-200-2766, e-mail at FAIR@dc.rr.com, or visit: www.FAIR.Foundation.org.