July 2011

VETERAN BENEFITS, NEWS

DISABLED LICENSE PLATES OR
DISABLED VETERANS LICENSE PLATES???

While many of you may have the regular Disabled License Plates, did you know that if you qualify for the Disabled Veteran License Plates, there is no charge for the license and registration? Do you qualify??? Check out the criteria...
"A veteran who, as a result of an injury or disease that occurred while on active service with the U.S. Armed Forces, qualifies if any of the following apply:
• Has a disability rated at 100 percent by the U.S. Veterans Affairs or the military service that discharged the veteran, due to a diagnosed disease or disorder that substantially impairs or interferes with mobility.
• Is so severely disabled as to be unable to move without the aif of an assistive device.
• Has lost, or lost the use of, one or more limbs.
• Is permanently blind, as defined in § 19153 of the California Welfare and Institutions Code.
Information and how to acquire the DV License Plates can be found at: www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/brochures/fast_facts/ffvr7v.htm.

VA FIDUCIARY PROGRAM

The Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (CAVC) on April 26th issued a decision on a petition by William Freeman that ordered VA provide a process for veterans to challenge the appointment of a VA fiduciary to control his or her finances. Mr. Freeman wanted to challenge the appointment of a stranger to handle his finances instead of his sister, a woman who had taken care of him and his father for more than two decades. However, he and his sister were repeatedly told by the VA, along with thousands of other veterans and family members, that there was no appeal of a VA fiduciary decision. VA told Mr. Freeman that he would just have to learn to live with a stranger telling him what he could spend of his own money and when he could spend it. For some being a - federal fiduciary has become a cottage industry where individuals are assigned dozens and dozens of veteran's finances. *****The CAVA has now made clear that the VA fiduciary program managers have to precisely comply with the legal requirements for qualifying and appointing fiduciaries and respond to veteran's challenges to fiduciary appointments. In a unanimous opinion CACV rejected every reason offered for keeping the fiduciary system protected from judicial review. Veterans also now have the same right to appeal fiduciary decisions as any other VA decision affecting their benefits. Veterans and their advocates may now appeal to the Board and to the Veterans Court, if needed. The Court made clear that the Secretary is required, among other things, to perform an investigation into the fitness of an individual before that individual may be certified to serve as a fiduciary and perform a credit check on the potential fiduciary.
Continued on Page 7............................

VETERAN LEGISLATION/NEWS

SACRAMENTO COUNTY SUPERVISORS
VOTE TO RESTORE FUNDS TO
COUNTY SERVICE OFFICER PROGRAMS

We must extend our utmost gratitude to our Sacramento County Supervisors who voted to restore funds to the County Service Officer Program. The Supervisors decided not to cut the number of County Service Representatives to two, but to fund the program for the existing four. This means that another representative will be hired to replace Jan Wald who will be retiring in a few weeks.
We thank our Sacramento County Supervisors for their wise decision and realizing that spending funds on the County Service Officer Program is an investment in our economy. If the Representatives are successful in enabling Veterans to receive compensation for their service connected disabilities, everyone (the Veteran, his/her family, the Community and the State) benefits from the federal funds brought in as a result.

VA CLAIMS BACKLOG

The Department of Veterans Affairs again took heat from lawmakers about the slow adjudication process for veterans who are seeking disability benefits and compensation. 'The failures of [VA regional] offices to process these claims in a timely manner is unacceptable," said Rep. Jon Runyan (R-NJ), the chair of the House Veterans Affairs disability assistance and memorial affairs subcommittee, during a 3 JUN hearing. 'We continue to throw money and employees at this...and yet the problems are getting worse," Runyan said. As of 31 May, more than 800,000 disability claims are pending across the country, according to a House VA Committee press release. Of those, more than 60% have been pending for more than 125 days. That wait could increase to 230 days by next year, according to the committee. From the RAO Bulletin....
Chapter Note: In some defense of the VA in the timely adjudicating of claims, there are several reasons for a potential backlog at any time, for instance the volume of claims coming in from both new Veterans and older Veterans alike, changes in VA policy affect the process due to having to adapt to new processes and policies, claims are slowed up when Veterans themselves file the claims incorrectly or incompletely along with some Service Officers who do the same. In regard to volume, the Regional Office in Oakland tells us that in May, 2300 claims came in, and 1800 were adjudicated. The production target per month is 1988 out. So, while you may run into some snags with the VBA in getting your claim out the door, and as in all businesses there may be some VBA employees that don't work up to their expected level of production, we believe that the majority of the time, the VBA does have the best interests of the Veteran in mind and they want to help the Veteran. But they must also follow the rules and procedures which sometimes are not to anyone's liking.

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

Navy League of the United States
“Citizens in Support of the Sea Services”

Navy, Marines, Coast Guard, & Merchant Marine
Please join us for dinner & speaker in 2011
Sacramento Council Dinners 1730 1st Tuesdays
Plaza Hof Brau, 2500 Watt Ave. (at El Camino)

Contact: Phelps Hobart, NLSAC@cwo.com
Website: http://www.navyleaguesacramento.org

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.

WHAT'S ON THE VVA500 CALENDAR?

     Along with the July 4th Parades, VVA 500 will participate in the First Responders/Military Appreciation Day. We will have a table all day from Noon until the last Firework crackles at 10PM.
     Several members signed up at our last meeting to help at our table and we can use more. If everyone put in a few hours, all could help the chapter and still spend time at the fair.    This is the day we promote our chapter, and provide information to all those concerned or needing help with Veterans issues. It's also a good time for members to get together.
     It is also traditional at the fair for the chapter to award our three $500. scholarships and a certificate for the $1,000. Sarah Bonnifield scholarship. So, it is nice to have members there to congratulate the scholarship winners and take a group picture.
     According to the fair website, it looks like Lee Greenwood will be the headliner concert on July 20. While the concerts are free with General Admission, reserved seats for the concerts are $10. each, so if you want to see Mr. Greenwood up close you will need to purchase tickets.
    We are going tentatively plan the scholarship awards for 6PM until we find out exactly what time the concert starts. We don't want anyone to miss it if you want to attend. Some years back, due to the help of Diana and Ron Titus, the chapter was treated to front row seats at the Lee Greenwood concert. What a great concert and what a great time we all had.
     And let's not forget....Veterans get in free, just bring something that I.D's you as a Veteran. They have also accepted AVVA membership cards in the past. We also will have a certain number of comp tickets for spouses of Veterans coming to help.
     Call or e-mail the office to sign up to help with the fair.

BENEFITS WORKSHOP

Saturday, July 30 from 10AM to 4PM, the chapter will be holding another Benefits Workshop with Sac County Service Rep Josh Brantley presiding. Pass the word to all Veterans and their families that might need information on the benefits they might qualify for, enrollment in the VA Medical System, and Vocational Rehabilitation.
Light refreshments will be served.

YOUNTVILLE FIELD TRIP

We have had some requests to take a field trip to the Yountville Veterans Home. If you are interested let us know if you would like to participate, then we can make plans based on the number that would be going. If you are planning to downsize as retirement approaches or the time has come, there isn't a much better place to retire to. It has been compared to a resort for Veterans and is very affordable.

VVA500 HALL SCHEDULE

►►Office hours are: Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri. 10-4PM
Wednesdays - Noon - 5:30
►►Every other Tuesday - 1:30-5:30PM - Josh Brantley, Sac County Veterans Representative available to file claims, provide information re: claims and other benefits. (Best to call the office and make an appointment).
►►Chaplain Garrett is now coming in on Mondays, late morning through the afternoon. He's a good listener if you have any issues you would like to discuss with someone. He's there for you.

The Hall is open for computer use, TV, games, movies, conversation, etc. Drop in during open hours to visit with each other. You can also use it as a meeting place for each other or others that you need to meet with.

CALL TO PARTICIPATE IN FUND RAISING
FOR THE CHAPTER

The Chapter will be participating in the Macy's "Shop for a Cause"! This is a great way to earn funds for the chapter and at the same time get something for yourself. This is how it works....We have tickets that you purchase for $5. each. Then, all day on August 27th, you can shop at any Macy's and online and use your ticket for a 25% discount on regular, sale & clearance items, including home, and save 10%on electrics/electronics, furniture, mattresses, and rugs/floor coverings. The ticket also allows you to enter for your chance to win a $500. shopping spree at Macy's.
How does the chapter benefit??? We get to keep the $5. paid for the ticket. So, the more tickets we sell, the more we earn. Everybody is a winner. Tickets are available at the office or we can make arrangements to get them to you. Flyers are also available, if you have somewhere to post them. We'll also be e-mailing the flyers to all.

OTHER ORGANIZATION'S EVENTS OF INTEREST

Event: Veterans Business Resource Day
Seminar on Self-Employment
Date: Thursday, 7, 2011 Time: 12PM to 5PM
Where: VFW Post #67 - 2784 Stockton Blvd.
Information: 916-393-1690 - Free, but must pre-register

Event: Placement of Memorial Bench honoring U.S. Submariners on Eternal Patrol.
Date: August 6, 2011 Time: 10AM
Where: Sacramento Valley National Cemetery
Information and RSVP to: 916-966-3354 - SacSubVet@aol.com.

VETERANS BENEFITS, CONTINUED

VA FIDUCIARIES, CONTINUED

Also, the Court agreed with Mr. Freeman that the law requires that adequate evidence be presented which shows that the certification of a particular individual as a particular beneficiary's fiduciary is in the interest of that beneficiary. Most importantly, the Court recognized and emphasized that VA must show that certification of a certain individual to handle the beneficiary's funds is "in the interest" of the beneficiary. Fiduciaries are paid 4% of the veteran's earned compensation. VA recently testified that over 110,000 veterans have federal fiduciaries appointed for which over $96 million is deducted from those veterans benefits.
From the www.vawatchdogtoday.org.

VA HISA GRANTS

     Veterans with service-connected disabilities or Veterans with non-service-connected disabilities may be eligible to receive assistance for a some improvement necessary for the continuation of treatment or for disability access to the home and essential lavatory and sanitary facilities. There is a Federal grant program called the Home Improvements and Structural Alterations (HISA) program. On May 5, 2010 the President signed the Caregiver and Veterans Omnibus Health Service Act of 2010 increasing the amounts available under the HISA grant as follows:
■ Home improvement benefits up to $6,800 may be provided for a service-connected condition or for a non-service connected condition of a Veteran rated 50 percent or more service-connected.
■ Home improvement benefits up to $2,000 may be provided to all other Veterans registered in the VA health care system.
     Some examples of that HISA may pay for include: Allowing entrance or exit from a Veteran's home, Improving access for use of essential lavatory and sanitary facilities, Improving access to kitchen and bathroom counters, Handrails (bathrooms and stairs), Lowered Electrical outlets and switches, Improving paths or driveways.
     Some examples the HISA will not pay for are: Walkways to exterior buildings, routine renovation, Spa, hot tub or Jacuzzi, Exterior decking (in excess of 8 x 8 ').
     In order to receive a HISA grant, the Veteran must first have a prescription from a VA or fee-basis physician for improvements and structural alterations that are necessary or appropriate for the effective and economical treatment of hi/her disability. This must include: specific items required, the diagnosis with medical justification, the Veteran's name, address, SSN and phone number(s). The Veteran must also provide: A completed Veterans Application for Assistance in Acquiring HISA and detailed quotes from licensed contractors.
     The process may seem complex and time consuming but with t little help from your local VA office, the HISA Grant may be very beneficial to improve your quality of life.
                                         From the RAO Bulletin............................

VIETNAM VETERANS MEMORIAL - D.C.

     In the early morning, just as the sun breaks over the Capitol dome, a small group of volunteers gathers at the black granite Vietnam Veterans Memorial, that heart-breaking slash in the earth by the Lincoln Memorial on the Mall. They quietly hook up hoses, attach nozzles and spray down the wall, removing a week's worth of dust, dirt and debris. Then they fill up buckets with a mild detergent switch to soft brushes and, starting on either end of the wall, begin to scrub. Countless fingerprints, smears and tears that have accumulated since the last wash, a week ago. So many hand have touched the Wall over the past 29 years. Most of these men and women have touched it, too, and it touches them even as they work to keep it clean.
     The washing of the dead, with its religious resonances, arose out of frustration. In 1998, dissatisfied with the job that the National Park Service was doing and upset that bird droppings had filled in some of the engraved names, Jan Scruggs of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund took action. He handed 37 toothbrushes to visiting vets from Wisconsin, who scrubbed the filth away. Members of the Silver Spring chapter of the Vietnam Veterans of America and the Air Force Sergeants Association at Andrews Air Force Base stepped in and began monthly cleanings. A little more than a decade ago, the vets and the Park Service began working more closely together, and the organized weekly cleanings began. They expanded to the nearby Three Servicemen statue, the Vietnam Women's Memorial and, on alternate weekend days, the Korean War Veterans Memorial. Each year after the cherry blossoms are past, until the first snowfall the volunteers turn up Saturdays and Sundays at 6:30AM, long before the tourists arrive. The work takes less than an hour. Many military veterans are among the regular volunteers, but there are also church groups, Boy Scouts, college sorority sisters, union members and a few people who visit the nation's capital specifically for this duty. More than 58,000 names are on the Wall. On Father's Day last year, sons and daughters of some of those names were among the washers.
     If you are planning a trip to D.C. and would like to volunteer to help wash the Wall, contact the National Park Service at 202-426-6841. The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund (VVMF), which was the power behind the construction of the memorial in 1982, has recently raised the money to improve the lighting, maintain the landscaping, restore the nearby Three Servicemen statue and investigate the hairline cracks in the Wall.
                      From the Washington Post & RAO Bulletin......
     Chapter note: This might be something might want to think about for our own CA Vietnam Veterans Memorial. Let the office know if anyone is interested in spearheading such a program.

STOLEN VALOR UPDATE

The full U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals on March 22, declined to rehear an earlier ruling by a three-member panel determining that a law barring people from lying about their military heroics was unconstitutional, Continued on Page 8.....

STOLEN VALOR, CONTINUED

.....a breach of Freedom of Speech. The court ruled that the act violated the First Amendment by prohibiting people from falsely claiming they had received certain military decorations or medals. A prohibition against wearing unearned medals was not affected. In 2007, Xavier Alvarez was fined and ordered to perform community service for lying about his military services. Alvarez had claimed at a meeting of the Three Valley Water District in Pomona, CA, that he had been awarded the Medal of Honor. The ruling affects only those cases in California and the eight States covered by the Ninth Circuit. Whether government prosecutors will appeal the Circuit Court decision to the Supreme Court remains in question. From the RAO Bulletin...........

VVA500 COMMITTEES/SPEAKERS

     We still need to complete our election report for National which includes Committee chairs. So far, Don Harper has signed up for the Government Affairs Committee, Lorna for the Women Veterans Committee, Several for our Scholarship Committee, Monty Montoya for Veterans Incarcerated, Ted Adams for the Food Committee. The Committees are:
Membership Affairs, Public Affairs, Government Affairs, Veterans Affairs, Employment, Training and Business Opportunities, Minority Affairs, Constitution, Veterans Benefits, Finance, Women Veterans, POW/MIA, Agent Orange/Dioxin, Veterans Incarcerated, Community Services, Health Care, PTSD, Helping Hands, Veteran Services, Scholarship, Food.
     A description of the Committees can be found on the our website: www.norcaltrav.com/vva500.htm or also on the www.vva.org website. Let the office know if you have questions or would like to sign up for any of the Committees.
     We also have a "Speakers Bureau". At times during the year, schools and/or other organizations may ask us to come and speak about the chapter and the VVA organization and in the case of the schools, speak to the students about experiences in Vietnam or in the service. We also would like those of you who would be interested in performing this service for the chapter.
     We want to thank Steve Keller, Monty Montoya, and Charlie Peterson and J. C. Terry for being our most recent speakers at Roseville High School. The students were impressed with their performance and sent thank you notes to each of the speakers. We'll have pictures next month.

HUMOR IN UNIFORM
"All you idiots, fall out?" shouted the sergeant at the soldiers standing in formation. As the rest of the squad dispersed, one soldier remained at attention. The sergeant stalked over and raised a single eyebrow. The private grinned. "Sure was a lot of them, huh, sir?" Matthew Haworth

MORE NEWS

CALLING ALL VETERAN ARTISTS, WRITERS, MUSICIANS!

We are beginning planning on having an event featuring Veteran artists, writers and musicians, probably teamed up with wine-tasting, cheese, etc. This will be a fund-raiser for the chapter by selling tickets, but also promoting the Veterans who can sell their wares at the event. So, if you are one of our talented Veterans, please let us know if you would like to participate in this event.
If anyone would like to help with the planning of this event, please let us know.

CITY OF SACRAMENTO COMING WILL
HONOR VETS THIS VETERANS DAY

     The City of Sacramento is stepping up to the plate this year and will be honoring Veterans this by hosting a Veterans Day Parade to be held on Veterans Day with the theme of "Honoring our Heroes Past and Present".
     The Grand Marshall will be General Chuck Yeager.
     Following the parade festivities will include military displays, children activities, marching bands and veteran informational booths.
     VVA500 will be participating in this parade this year. and is anticipating having a booth also.
     We also want to thank Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson for running in the Memorial Day 5K Race of which VVA500 is a beneficiary.

VVA NATIONAL CONVENTION

VVA500 will be sending our 5 delegates to the VVA National Convention this year in August. VVA500 members receive the VVA National Magazine "The Veteran". In the last issue, their are statements from the candidates running for the national offices in the upcoming election.
If you as VVA members have any questions, comments that you would like our delegates to address at the convention, please let us know. Also as in each National Convention, there are officers, board members, amendments and resolutions for the delegates to vote on. If you are interested in reading them and commenting on how you would like our delegates to vote, check them out on the VVA website, at www.vva.org. under the events/convention link.

BACK TO TOP

BACK TO VVA500

PLEASE PATRONIZE OUR ADVERTISERS

SUPPORTING OUR TROOPS, ONE CARE PACKAGE AT A TIME. THE DEFENDERS OF FREEDOM, CALIFORNIA CHAPTER IS A NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION (501c 3)FORMED SOLELY TO SUPPORT OUR TROOPS ACTIVELY SERVING OUR COUNTRY TO KEEP AMERICA SAFE.

ACTION BUYS MILITARY ITEMS!

Sea Kayaking is a great, low-stress, outdoor recreation. After kayaking on the East Coast for many years, Steve Keller, Chapter 500 member, and wife Mary, discovered Penguin Paddlers, right in their town of Rocklin. The owner of Penguin Paddlers is a USAF Pararescue Veteran. Penguin Paddlers has an active, friendly club, with the average age in the 60's. They have local and road trips, with clinics and demonstrations. So it's an ideal recreation for VVA members. You can ask Steve at a meeting, or contact him at 916-919-3991, or e-mail: doublekayak@yahoo.com. The Penguin website is: www.penguinpaddlers.com.

                                    CHAPTER INFORMATION
OFFICERS: President: Charles W. Peterson
Vice President: Ted Adams
Secretary: Hank Davis
Treasurer: James Singleton
BOARD MEMBERS: Monty Montoya, "Easy" Smith, Marty Snezek State Delegate: Gregory McNeill
                Alternate State Delegate: Mike Callison
AVVA Representative: Vacant at this time.
ADDRESS: Vietnam Veterans of America, Inc., Chapter 500
                                            P.O. Box 255484
                                           Sacramento, CA 95865
TELEPHONE:                 916-481-6020 FAX: 916-481-2609
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.
VVA500 HALL PHYSICAL ADDRESS: 4441 Auburn Blvd., Suite J
Hall is located at the corner of Auburn Blvd. and Orange Grove Ave. There are several ways of reaching the hall, Auburn Blvd. exits off I-80, Madison exit to Auburn Blvd., Watt Ave. to Auburn Blvd. When you get to the complex, the Hall is on the far end off Auburn Blvd.. Just look for the flag pole in the back corner.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
JUNE BIRTHDAYS
♫♫♫Frank Greer - Navy♫♫♫Charles Townsend - Marines♫♫♫James Vogeli - Army♫♫♫Patrick Graham - Air Force♫♫♫Richard Fuller - Army♫♫♫W♫♫♫Christopher Barsetti - Navy♫♫♫Michael Brassil - Army♫♫♫Mark Richards - Michael Callison - Army♫♫♫Warren Lew - Army♫♫♫Pat Boltinghouse - Army♫♫♫Dave Dutton - Marines♫♫♫William Dunnaway - Army♫♫♫Nora Lee Parsons - AVVA♫♫♫Ignacio Evangelista - Army♫♫♫Dale Kehoe - Navy♫♫♫Keith Lamb - Marines♫♫♫Michael Navin - Air Force♫♫♫David Clem - Army♫♫♫Gary Gomez - Army♫♫♫JULY♫♫♫Remon Shields - AVVA♫♫♫Raymond Lavorico - Air Force♫♫♫Stephen Keller - Navy♫♫♫Josef Asher - Army♫♫♫Eddie Getz - AVVA♫♫♫Jerimas Barboza - Air Force♫♫♫Philip Thulander - Marines♫♫♫Thomas Robinson - Army♫♫♫Jurita Kilborn - AVVA♫♫♫Dino Gomez - Army♫♫♫Dennis "Doc" Kauffman - Navy♫♫♫Mary Lou McNeill - AVVA♫♫♫Ron Titus - Navy♫♫♫Todd Stenhouse - AVVA♫♫♫Melvin Posey - Marines♫♫♫Jerry Alexander - Army♫♫♫John Hanretty ♫♫♫Thomas Bird - Navy♫♫♫Bradley Etzkorn - AVVA♫♫♫
If your birthday is not here, data is incorrect, submit the correction and/or addition to the office. Contact information is in column on the left. We are not required to list birthday information, but do it as an extra service for our members. Again, National may have your DD214, we may not have received it, it could be misfiled. Resubmit!

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