January 2009

PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

Dear Fellow Members:
Well, here we are already more than a week into 2009! We ended last year with a bang, between the Veterans Day parade in November, the 20th Anniversary o the California Vietnam Veterans Memorial and last, but not least, our own Chapter 500 Christmas Party! What a year! I have really enjoyed meeting chapter members I had not yet gotten to know and seeing the return of charter members that I had not seen in a long time! So, keep in mind that we have our January General Meeting on the 20th with Dan Sebby from the Military Museum and in March, our own "Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day" event , and hopefully the St. Patrick's Day Parade. I hope that I will see all of you again, many times this year and I would personally like to wish you all a terrific 2009 and your best year ever!
Your President, Karen Winnett

THERE'S STILL TIME!!
COUNTY SEEKS VOLUNTEERS TO HELP COUNT
SACRAMENTO'S HOMELESS POPULATION!!

As you know, and especially if you have volunteered at the annual Sacramento Stand Downs, many of the homeless in our area are Veterans. Much of the funding to get the homeless off the streets and camps depends on an official count of the homeless. From recent statistics, it appears that even more of our new Veterans due to the poor job market and financial reasons are now among the homeless ranks. And of course, our older Veterans are experiencing the same problems with layoffs and housing foreclosures. The count takes place on Tuesday, January 27. This does require some training and that will take place at various places and times the week of January 18. If you are interested, you can download a registration form here: www.dhaweb.saccounty.net/Homeless/StreetCount/index.shtm. or call Ruth MacKenzie at 916-447-0750.

CURRENT NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
GENERAL MEETING
TUESDAY, JANUARY 20, 2009
TIME 7:00PM AT THE ROSEVILLE HALL
Guest Speaker will be:

Dan Sebby
Director and Curator, The California State Military Museum
Veterans Representative for Mayor Kevin Johnson
City of Sacramento

How many of you have actually been to the CA State Military Museum? Did you know that while it was established first in 1991, it was made the state's official military museum by Governor Schwarzenegger in 2004. It's not only a museum that contains historical military memorabilia items and artifacts, but also has the MG William P. Story Memorial Library and Research Center. containing over 10,000 volumes of general military history as well as one of a kind documents which is available to the public for research at no charge.
Come to the meeting and let Dan entice you to come and tour the museum. Dan is also the newly appointed Veterans Representative for Mayor Kevin Johnson, City of Sacramento. Bring your questions and comments regarding what the City is doing, not doing, or should be doing for Veterans.

Did you miss out on purchasing any of the Memorial Anniversary items or maybe purchase some for gifts. The patch seen here is sold separately, or on a black hat. We also have pins available commemorating the anniversary. Pick yours up at the meeting. Hats are back to pre-event prices at $12. Pins and patches are $5. each.

VETERAN BENEFITS

MORE VETS CAN NOW ENROLL
FOR VA HEALTH CARE

     WASHINGTON - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced today plans to re-open enrollment in its health care system by July 2009 to about 265,000 veterans whose incomes exceed current limits.
     "We're pleased to be able to offer what has been called 'the best care anywhere' to many more new veterans," said Dr. James B. Peake, Secretary of Veterans Affairs. "We'll be able to provide these newly enrolled veterans with the kind of timely, high quality health care veterans who already use our system are accustomed to."
     The change affects veterans whose incomes exceed the current VA means test and geographic means test income thresholds by 10 percent or less. Congress provided funds in VA's fiscal year 2009 budget to support the new enrollment.
     In 1996, Congress established a priority-based enrollment system for VA and a uniform package of medical benefits for all enrollees. The legislation opened enrollment in VA's health care system to all eligible veterans and required that each year the Secretary of Veterans Affairs assess veterans' demand for services and determine if the necessary resources are available to provide timely, quality care to all enrollees.
     Enrollment for the lowest priority of the eight groups-veterans who are not being compensated for a military-related disability and who have incomes above a set threshold-was suspended on January 18, 2003, although veterans in that priority group who were already enrolled for care were permitted to remain enrolled.
     VA originally suspended enrollment for Priority 8 veterans because it was unable to provide all enrolled veterans with timely access to its health care due to a tremendous growth in the number of veterans then seeking enrollment. VA now plans to reopen enrollment for a portion of these veterans without compromising the Department's ability to provide high quality health care services to all enrolled veterans who are eligible for care.
     VA's computer systems are being modified to accommodate the changes, and the Department is preparing communication and education materials to ensure that Congress, veterans service organizations, and the public are aware of the coming changes.
     "The rule will take effect by June 30, 2009, if the regulatory process proceeds smoothly," Peake said. "We look forward to welcoming these newly eligible veterans into the VA system. VA will continue to monitor wait times to ensure the quality of care is not adversely affected.

More Benefits Information regarding enrollment in the VA Health System in the next column►►►

MORE BENEFIT INFORMATION

MORE ON ENROLLMENT IN VA HEALTH CARE

     WASHINGTON - For veterans struggling financially due to a job loss or decreased income, the VA offers an assortment of programs that can relieve the costs of health care or provide care at no cost. "With the downturn in the economy, VA recognizes that many veterans will feel the effects," said Secretary of VA Dr. James B. Peake, etc. Veterans whose previous income was ruled too high for VA health care may be able to enter the VA system based upon a hardship if their current year's income is projected to fall below federal income thresholds due to a job loss, separation from service or some other financial setback. Veterans determined eligible due to hardship can avoid co-pays applied to higher-income veterans. Qualifying veterans may be eligible for enrollment and receive health care at no cost.
     Also eligible for no-cost VA care are most veterans who recently returned from a combat zone. They are entitled to five years of free VA care. The five--year "clock" begins with their discharge from the military, not their departure from the combat zone.
     For the Sacramento area, if you did not qualify for VA enrollment in the Medical system previously due to not meeting the means test, or you had to pay co-payments, but your projected income will be lower for the next year, to see if you may now qualify, go to the VA Mather Hospital and visit the Enrollment Department located in the trailers in front of the hospital. This ruling should take effect immediately as opposed to the opening up of the Priority 8 category enrollments.

VETERANS' SPOUSES TO RECEIVE COMPENSATION DUE

Due to a VA computer program error, many spouses of veterans who were receiving compensation did not receive a check for the month in which the veteran passed away. The VA is making corrections to the computer system and attempting to locate all those spouses affected. In some cases the funds that were not distributed could be minor amounts. But in the case of say a 100% compensated veteran the amount could be in excess of $2,000. The time period in which the veteran died and computers were not updated per a change in the law, is between December 31, 1996 and December, 2008. If the spouse applied for death benefits, it is likely that all was taken care of. But if not, or unsure, spouses are urged to call 1-800-749-8387 and speak to a counselor. Have available the veteran's social security number or VA claim number, current full name and address of surviving spouse. Research will then take place and if due, a check will be issued. Spouses can also submit inquiries through the website: www.vba.va.gov/survivorsbenefit.htm. Please pass this information on to any surviving spouses that you know of.

NEW VA SECRETARY APPOINTED - SEE PAGE 7

PLEASE SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS

"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
East Lawn Insurance Services, Inc. License #0747585
www.eastlawn.com

272 Mandalay Ct. smith8834@sbcglobal.net
Roseville, CA 95747 916-543-3390

HELP YOUR BUSINESS AND SUPPORT THE VVA
Advertise 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.

THE CAPITOL VETERAN CALENDAR................JANUARY, 2009........Page 4

SUN	MON	TUES	WED	THURS	FRI	SAT
11	12	13	14	15	16	17 Bob Smith Memorial Service Marine Cadet Training Day
18	19 Martin Luther King, Jr. Day	20 Inauguration Day VVA General Meeting Battle of Khe Sanh Began-1968	21	22	23 CSC Quarterly Meeting-Fresno	24 CSC Quarterly Meeting-Fresno
25 CSC Quarterly Meeting-Fresno	26	27 Homeless Count Signing of Vietnam Peace Accord-1973	28	29	30 Tet Offensive Began-1968	31 CSC-After Action Anniv. Meeting Battle of Hue Began - 1968

FEBRUARY, 2009

SUN	MON	TUES	WED	THURS	FRI	SAT
1	2 Groundhog Day	3 VVA500 Board Meeting	4	5	6	7 Marine Cadet Training Day
8 Boy Scouts of America Founded-1910	9	10	11	12 Lincoln's Birthday Operation Homecoming Began-1973	13	14
15	16 President's Day Marine Corps League Meeting-Folsom	17 VVA500 General Meeting	18	19	20	21 Marine Cadet Training Day
22 Washington's Birthday Operation Junction City Began-1967	23 Post-Tet Offensive Began - 1969	24 Mardi Grax	25 Ash Wednesday	26	27	28
NOMINATIONS ACCEPTED THIS MONTH FOR VVA500 OFFICERS, BOARD MEMBERS, STATE DELEGATE, AND AVVA REP.			MARK YOUR CALENDARS! ST. PATRICK'S DAY PARADE?- MARCH 17 WELCOME HOME VIETNAM VETERANS DAY CELEBRATED-MARCH 28 More information to come on the above items.

NEW MEMBER BONUS

     As of January all new members will receive a Memorial Anniversary Hat and a VVA pin. For existing members who bring in a new member, they will receive a pin of their choice.
     Some of the benefits of membership are our monthly newsletters which contain up to date information on benefits and Veteran issues, general meetings that have speakers of interest and benefit to the Veteran community, several events each year where Veterans can meet and communicate with each other, speaks for Veterans on state and local Veteran issues, alerts Veterans to other organizations' events and services, a quarterly state publication, and the National VVA publication. The VVA National organization speaks before Congress on a regular basis for Veterans in Washington D.C. before the Congress.
     VVA is a non-profit organization, therefore membership dues are tax deductible. Dues are $20. per year, $50. for three years and life memberships are determined by age. Services provided far outweigh the minimal amount of membership dues.
     Veterans who call the office for direction to resources and services receive a free VVA500 newsletter for several months. Letters will be going out soon to those to invite them to join VVA500. If anyone needs membership applications, you can call or e-mail the office or download applications off the website. Contact information and website address is on the back page of the newsletter

HOLIDAY UPDATE ON SGT. SAM from Sam's Father Eric
First Erin reported that Sam became unhappy with his catheter and wanted to use the restroom. He fought his way through the door of the restroom himself using his strong right arm to maneuver his wheelchair into position. He couldn't go but the doctors were very encouraged that he had not only the sensation to go, but the presence of mind to initiate the move to the restroom. Next as Erin gave Sam a haircut, she presented him with a mirror and asked how he thought he looked? He replied, "sexy as hell". Ha! That's my boy...One evening Sam informed Erin that "she was in his way"; even brushing her foot off of his wheelchair. She asked where he was going and he replied, "I'm going to bed" and then attempted to get out of his chair and into bed. One afternoon Erin was doing a Mad-lib with Sam and asked for an adjective. He had trouble getting it out so he took the pen from her hand and wrote the word on a poster board. The word was GREAT. It was hard to see at first, but when I blew it up on my computer screen, if was easily read....And finally one afternoon, Sam said to Erin that "they should go home now." Erin didn't think too much about it as in the past had had to remind him of his injuries and explain the need to stay in the hospital for now. She did that again and she thought he was pacified. Approximately 10 minutes passed, and he thoughtfully declared "he didn't need to be there" and again tried to get out of bed...Well, I was so happy to hear that out of his own mouth...I try to see it as a faith statement, and some more of that is just what Dr. Jesus has ordered. As he progresses in his mind to see what he already holds to be true in his spirit, he will progress exponentially. The fact that he doesn't see himself as injured, and in need of round the clock care speaks volumes to me...This week is a movement by God on Sam's and Erin's behalf and nothing under the sun will convince me otherwise.

AFTER ACTION REPORT

11/1 - The Marine Cadets held their regular training day.
11/4 - VVA500 held their regular Board Meeting.
11/6 - VVA500 Anniversary Committee members attended the regular Committee Meeting.
11/8 - VP McNeill and E.D. McNeill and several other members attended the American GI Forum Fund Raiser Dinner where VP McNeill participated in the POW/MIA Ceremony.
11/9 - E.D. McNeill and AVVA member Nitsche attended the Veterans Day memorial ceremony at the Sacramento Veterans Resource Center.
11/10 - VP McNeill and E.D. McNeill attended the annual Marine Corps Birthday Ball where VP McNeill performed Master of Ceremony duties.
11/11 - VVA500 participated in the Elk Grove Veterans Day Parade.
11/11 - E.D. McNeill attended the Veterans Day Memorial Ceremony at Mather.
11/11 - E.D. McNeill and several other members attended the Veterans Day Memorial Ceremony at the Mexican-American Memorial.
11/15 - Marine Cadets held their regular training day.
11/18 - VVA500 held their regular General Meeting with Commander Harvey Wilson of the Military Order of the Purple Heart introducing free lifetime memberships to those who qualify for membership in the MOPH.
11/19 - Board Member Don Harper spoke at the Memorial Auditorium to the current group of new citizens of the United States.
11/20 - VVA500 Anniversary Committee members attended the regular Committee Meeting.
12/2 - VA500 held their regular Board Meeting.
12/4 - VVA500 Anniversary Committee members attended the regular Committee Meeting.
12/8 - E.D. McNeill attended the quarterly Veterans Advisory Committee Meeting held at Mather Hospital.
12/10 - 14 - Memorial Anniversary - See after action on Page 8.
12/20 - VVA500 held their annual Christmas Party at the Luau Gardens.
1/6 - VVA500 held their regular Board Meeting.

FOR NEW READERS - WHY SGT. SAM?

For those of you new to the newsletter, Sgt. Sam, USMC upon serving his 2nd tour in Iraq was severely wounded in July of 2007, and not expected to live. Julie Neria from Bugles Across America who has performed taps for the chapter at many events throughout the years, most recently at our "Reading of the Names" in May of this year is Sam's mother-in-law. Sam's wife Erin, is Julie's daughter. We keep track of Sgt. Sam's progress so all are made aware of the struggle our wounded and their families must endure while recovering and making their way back to a normal life as possible depending upon their injuries. You can view the history of Sam's struggle by going to Julie's husband, Tony's blog at: www.tneria01.wordpress.com. You can send your wishes to Sam and his family from there.

PRESIDENT ELECT OBAMA APPOINTS
RETIRED ARMY GEN. ERIC SHINSEKI AS
SECRETARY OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

     WASHINGTON - Retired Gen. Eric K. Shinseki pledged to move quickly to fix gaps in health care if confirmed as Veterans Affairs Secretary, saying he will reopen benefits to hundreds of thousands of middle-income veterans denied during the Bush administration. In a 54 page disclosure obtained by the Associated Press, Gen. Shinseki also urged Congress to set VA funding a year in advance to minimize political pressures. The former Army Chief of Staff said he will step down from the corporate boards of defense contractors to alleviate potential conflicts of interest. "If confirmed, I would focus on these issues and the development of a credible and adequate 2010 budget request during my first 90 days in office," Shinseki wrote to the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee, noting that VA funding in the past created" significant management difficulties" that delayed medical care.
     Shinseki, who was once vilified by the Bush administration for questioning its Iraq war strategy, said a top goal will be to fulfill Obama's campaign promise to expand care to veterans who were denied access due to cost-cutting. Such "Priority 8" veterans, whose income exceeded roughly $30,000 annually (depending upon residence location) were locked from enrollment in the VA system in January 2003.
     In his questionnaire, Shinseki also: 1. Pledged to cut down six-month waits for disability benefits in part by switching from paper applications to "an integrated, all electronic claims processing system." Shinseki said his starting point will be achieving VA's strategic goal of roughly 145 days, a benchmark that has eluded the agency despite years of promises by current VA Secretary James Peake and his predecessor, Jim Nicholson.
     2. Initiate an "independent, thorough" review to ensure that the VA will not delay rollout of millions of dollars in new GI benefits in August. The VA initially suggested it might not be able to meet the deadline, but after criticism insisted it could handle the needed improvements to its information technology systems. At least 520,000 veterans are expected to take advantage come this fall, up from about 250,000 currently.
     3. Work more closely with the departments of Housing and Urban Development, Labor and the Small Business Administration to increase economic opportunities for veterans and reduce homelessness.
     Shinseki is a native of Hawaii and the first Army four-star general of Japanese-American ancestry. If confirmed, he will be the first Asian-American to hold the post of Veterans Affairs Secretary.
     A little background on Gen. Shinseki and interesting opinion from the ROA Bulletin follows:
     "Nominating retired Army Gen. Eric Shinseki as Secretary of Veterans Affairs is the latest bold move by President-Elect Barack Obama to reassure troops and veterans that he intends to look out for their welfare.   Continued in the next column ►►►

GENERAL ERIC SHINSEKI, CONT.

     Like his decisions to keep Defense Secretary Robert Gates in that job and naming retired Marine Commandant Gen. Games Jones as his national security adviser, Obama's nomination of the former Army Chief of Staff to lead VA has the potential to prove similarly inspired. Shinseki served for 38 years, despite losing part of a foot to a land mine in Vietnam. As a combat veteran and a disabled veteran, he has instant credibility as VA secretary. But in his years as Army Chie of Staff, Shinseki showed a quirk that could work against him at VA - he sometimes went into a defensive crouch when his views and decisions were criticized. When he decided in 2000 that all soldiers would wear black berets, for example, his refusal to define his reasons for such a dramatic change and to make any effort to sell it to his troops led to a public relations fiasco that dragged out for many months. Shinseki resisted commenting to the media and even Congress; it took a subpoena to get him to Capitol Hill to discuss the issue. In 2003, his statement to lawmakers that "several hundred thousand troops" would be needed to occupy Iraq brought a humiliating public rebuke from former Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, who wanted a much smaller force for that mission.
     While hindsight has shown that Shinseki's views were right on the mark, he refused to defend himself at the time and quietly retired a few month later. But a small vignette at the Chief of Staff's annual holiday party in 2000 at his personal quarters on Fort Myer, VA., illuminates another side of Shinseki. During the party, attended by many top-level Pentagon officials and members of the media, Shinseki was introduced to the wife of an Army Times editor. In the ensuing small talk, she mentioned that her father also was a Vietnam veteran. Shinseki left his own party, bounded upstairs and returned with one of the commemorative coins that senior military leaders hand out on their official travels. He gave it to his guest and asked that she present it to her father, with thanks from the Army Chief of Staff for his wartime service. That tale highlights Shinseki's deep bond with those who serve. But the job of VA secretary is a far cry from that of a general who issues orders with impunity and expects them to be followed without question or dissent.
     VA receives heavy, constant scrutiny both from Congress and from the many advocacy groups for veterans and their families - and for good reason. In recent years, VA has endured a string of embarrassing problems, including badly underfunded budgets and a health care system still struggling to accommodate the swelling ranks of disabled veterans from the current wars. Personal data on millions of veterans has gone missing, documents to verify benefits claims have been trashed and a stubborn mountain of 400,000 backlogged benefits claims has resisted all efforts to reduce it. Shinseki can expect to take frequent flak on these and other issues. To effectively lead VA in confronting the challenges, he can't go into bunker mode; he must publicly and forcefully make the case for getting VBA the resources required to fully serve the needs of our veterans - and then work to build consensus to make it happen. If he does that, he has the opportunity to become a truly transformational leader at VA.         (Confirmation hearing is (was) January 14..)

20TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE DEDICATION OF THE
VIETNAM VETERANS MEMORIAL AFTER ACTION REPORT

     Vietnam Veteran brothers and sisters along with their spouses came from in state and out of state to gather for the Anniversary of the Dedication of one of the most beautiful memorials to those California citizens who gave their lives during the Vietnam War.
     VVA500 wants to express our thanks to all of those who participated in the Chapter's portion of the events.
     Thank you first of all to our members that were part of the Anniversary Committee and worked for months on the event and are as follows: Don Harper, in charge of vendors, and the movie night, Doc Kauffman, the ceremony, Gregory McNeill, the "Reading of the Names", and Ted Puntillo, the parade.
     The "Reading" began on Wednesday in the Westminster Presbyterian Church Chapel which proved to be the perfect setting for the "Reading". Our thanks to all of those who volunteered to read names or stopped in to listen and honor those on the Memorial Wall. Special thanks goes to those who opened and closed the "Reading" each day, Rev. Bill McDonald, Chaplain Frank Russell, Robert Greene, BG Robert Cervantes, Bagpiper Chuck Jamison, BG Mary Kight and her aide for taking time out of a busy schedule to read names, and Author Bernie Elderman. Special thanks to AVVA member Fran Kehoe for helping each day with checking in the readers, along with Secretary Ted Adams, Dale Kehoe and Greg McNeill for holding down the fort selling Memorial Memorabilia items each day at the "Reading". Fran, Dale and Greg also helped sell items later that night at the free movies where the authors Elderman and Galloway also talked about their books from which the movies were made. Governor Schwarzenegger also made an appearance at the movies that night.
     While many were attending the dinner in honor of the original Memorial Commission on Friday night, VVA500 held a Bar-B-Que dinner at the "Bunker", (The Torch Club). Fran, Dale and Jerry helped with the dinner ticket sales. All had a great time, and attendees exceeded the number we planned for. Many reunions with old friends took place and new friends were made.
     Saturday was a busy day with the parade in the morning and the ceremony early in the afternoon. We have to thank our AVVA members Grace Calles, Fran Kehoe and Rhona Nitsche for the handling of the busy Memorial items sales booth. Pat Boltinghouse and Dale Kehoe kept the ladies supplied with coffee.
     A cold and dark Sunday morning came early for the scheduled 6AM POW/MIA Sunrise Ceremony. While sunrise didn't arrive and the program didn't begin until after 7AM, the balloon release finally took place around 8AM.
     Later that morning several met at East Lawn Memorial Park for a tribute to B.T. Collins hosted by VVA500. It was an intimate gathering where Stan Atkinson, Maureen Collins Baker, (B.T.'s sister), Andy Anderson (B.T.'s Radio Man) and others talked about their personal memories of B.T. Afterward, just as the rain started to fall, the group visited B.T.'s grave site and a wreath was laid in his honor. Continued next column ►►►

20th ANNIVE5RSARY, CONT.

Throughout the celebration, many friendships were renewed, new friendships made, and the bonds of "brotherhood" strengthened. It makes no difference what branch of service Vietnam Vets were in or MOS held; no matter when or where these types of events are held, large or small, they have one thing in common. "Home" is where Vietnam Veterans are meeting together and they all greet each other with a sincere "Welcome Home".

Here are just a few of the pictures from the Anniversary Event. CD's from various places are being put together. At this time, you can see several more pictures on the Anniversary website at: www.cavietnammemorial.com. Here we see Joe's Big Blue in the parade and on stage at the afternoon ceremony.

                                    CHAPTER INFORMATION
OFFICERS: President: Karen Anne Winnett
Vice President: Gregory McNeill
Secretary: Ted Adams
Treasurer: Jerry Quint
BOARD MEMBERS: Hank Davis, Don Harper, Monty Montoya
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, Events for Veterans, and Honor Guard will be gratefully appreciated. You may earmark your donation to the project you wish to support.
DIRECTIONS to the Roseville Veterans Memorial Hall. From I-80. Take the Douglas West exit. Go to the third light which is Folsom Rd. Turn right, go to the second stop sign, which is Sutter, turn left, follow the curve, you will see a sign on the right and left that says "Royer Park", turn left there. You will immediately see the hall to the right and the parking lot. That's it. Meeting room is downstairs. When you leave, the street is one way, so you will go to the right. You will come up to Douglas Blvd. again and a left will go back to the freeway and whichever direction you need to go from there.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
JANUARY BIRTHDAYS
♫♫♫Jim Klauder - Navy♫♫♫John Gates - Army♫♫♫William Thomas - Army♫♫♫and George Bouchard from the previous month

If your birthday is this month and not listed, we may not have your DD214 on file, or maybe just inadvertently missed it. Let us know and we'll check it out.

EXTRA SPECIAL THANKS TO AL SHUSTERMAN FROM MOUNT VERNON MEMORIAL PARK FOR THE BEAUTIFUL WREATHS HE SUPPLIED FOR THE "READING" AND CEREMONY FOR THE ANNIVERSARY EVENT!!!

WELCOME HOME NEW MEMBERS!
Mac Henderson - Navy, Frank Soto, Army, Tin Haas, AVVA

HELP SUPPORT OUR SCHOLARSHIP FUND
CALL TOLL FREE FOR PICK UP OF YOUR USED HOUSEHOLD ITEMS: 1-866-241-8387

Vietnam Veterans of America, Inc.
Sacramento Valley's Chapter 500
P.O. Box 255484
Sacramento, CA 95865
916-481-6020 - vva500@sbcglobal.net

         ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED