June 2008

Remember In Memory of Bill Wolf and all of our fallen brothers.....

Chapter Board Meeting: 1st Tuesday, 7:00 PM
Chapter Membership Meeting: Tuesday, June 17, 7:00PM - Stan Atkinson - Senior Freedom Corp. - Held at the Roseville Veterans Memorial Hall
***AWARD WINNING NEWSLETTER***

CAPITOL CITY
VETERAN

Newsletter for Sacramento Valley's Chapter 500 of the Vietnam Veterans of America, Inc.

"We remember!" JUNE, 2008 "Be Proud"

PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

Dear Chapter Members!
What a wonderful month May was and we had great weather for the annual Reading of the Names! At times, it was actually a little on the cool side in the morning and late afternoon. We had many volunteers stepping up to help us remember our fallen. VVA, AVVA, Young Marines, other Veteran Organization members and members of the public, all read names or helped with the table for the day. We were also pleased to see Chapter members some of us hadn't seen recently. It was so good to be there with friends and family for this important day. I was very honored to represent the chapter on this special day. We also received a kind donation for the Chapter's participation in the 5k No Excuses Run on Memorial Day. Now we have our next General Meeting coming up soon and I hope everyone will be able to come, not only to welcome our special guest, Stan Atkinson, but for the fellowship and to enjoy each other's company. I hope to see you all very soon!
Your President, Karen Winnett

"READING OF THE NAMES"
We want to thank all who attended the "Reading" last month, especially all of those who read names and our program participants: Rev, Bill McDonald, the Young Marines, the Navy Sea Cadets Corps, Diana Titus, Ted Cadwallader, "Easy" Smith, Bagpiper Neil Henderson, Gayle Culuko, Honor Guard from the Folsom Marine Corps League, the Wolfhounds and Former Vietnamese Political Prisoners for laying their wreaths, Barbara Ward, Deputy Secretary for Women and Minority Affairs, CDVA, and especially to our Keynote Speaker, BG Mary J. Kight, the Assistant Adjutant General of the CA National Guard. Thanks to Don Harper and Mike Callison for bringing water, Grace Calles, Fran Kehoe, Nancy Hayashi for watching the table, Merlin Knittle for being our sound man, our VVA Color Guard, and to East Lawn Memorial Park for the beautiful VVA wreath. Very special thanks goes to Board Member Don Harper who took over the MC duties because of the illness of Stan Atkinson.

CURRENT NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

GENERAL MEETING
JUNE 17, 2008 - 7:00pm
Stan Atkinson
and personnel from the SENIOR FREEDOM CORP
Stan and members from the Senior Freedom Corp. will give a presentation on Reverse Mortgages. A Reverse Mortgage can be a powerful tool to help eligible home owners obtain tax-free cash flow. Find out if a Reverse Mortgage could be the financial avenue that is right for you. Senior Freedom Corp. is a direct endorsed FHA lender, along with Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and a VA approved lender. They are one of the larger Reverse Mortgage originators in the U.S., and one of the very few that are allowed to process those loans in-house. Family and friends are invited to attend.

IN LOVING MEMORY OF
Irving Leonard Cousin, Jr.
Aug. 6, 1947-May 16, 2008

Leonard actually left us sometime in March. He was never revived from a massive heart attack at that time and spent the last three months on life support. Leonard suffered from the effects of his two year service as a medic both physically with diabetes and heart problems along with PTSD. Homeless for a time, found his way and just a short six months or so ago was able to buy a house and car. He volunteered several years at the Stand Down and other chapter events and was looking forward to helping others in our new office. He was brilliant with three degrees and loved jazz. Unable to find his estranged family, Leonard lies waiting at this time. VVA500 will assume responsibility of a Veteran's burial when he is finally released from the Public Administrator. We will miss him. He was loved by all who knew him. Photo taken by Grace Calles at our 2007 Christmas Party.

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THE CAPITOL VETERAN........JUNE, 2008.......Page 2

VETERAN BENEFITS

PTSD RATINGS

Ever wondered how the ratings are determined for PTSD? From the RAO Bulletin, per Title 38 CFR DC 9440 the evaluation criteria for chronic adjustment disorder and General Rating Formula for mental disorders is:
►100% - Total occupational and social impairment, due to such symptoms as: gross impairment in thought processes or communication; persistent inability to perform activities of daily living ) including maintenance of minimal personal hygiene); disorientation to time or place; memory loss for names of close relatives, own occupation, or own name.
►70% - occupational and social impairment, with deficiencies in most areas, such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood, due to such symptoms as: suicidal ideation; obsessional rituals which interfere with routine activities; speech intermittently illogical, obscure, or irrelevant; near-continuous panic or depression affecting the ability to function independently, appropriately and effectively; impaired impulse control (such as unprovoked irritability with periods of violence); spatial disorientation; neglect of personal appearance and hygiene; difficulty in adapting to stressful circumstances (including work or a work like setting); inability to establish and maintain effective relationships.
►50% - Occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity due to such symptoms as: flattened affect; circumstantial, circumlocutory, or stereotyped speech; panic attacks more than once a week; difficulty in understanding complex commands; impairment of short and long-term memory (e.g., retention of only highly learned material, forgetting to complete tasks); impaired judgment; impaired abstract thinking; disturbances of motivation and mood; difficulty in establishing and maintaining effective work and social relationships.
►30% - Occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks (although generally functioning satisfactorily, with routine behavior, self-care, and conversation normal), due to such symptoms as : depressed mood, anxiety, suspiciousness, panic attacks) weekly or less often), chronic sleep impairment, mild memory loss (such as forgetting names, directions, recent events.
►10% - Occupational and social impairment due to mild or transient symptoms which decrease work efficiency and ability to perform occupational tasks only during periods of significant stress, or; symptoms controlled by continuous medication.
►0% - A mental condition has been formally diagnosed, but symptoms are not severe enough either to interfere with occupational and social functioning or to require continuous medication.
See VA PTSD Claim Support on Page Seven...........

LEGISLATIVE ISSUES FOR VETERANS AND MORE

     As of this time, state and federal bills are still going through committees for final passage or rejection. More information on final results will be reported when we receive them.

     Member Stephen Keller drew our attention to this article from the New York Times. "A COURT FOR VETERANS".
     There is a small bright spot on the normally bleak terrain for military veterans who return home and fall into addiction, mental illness and crime. Buffalo (New York) has established a specialized court to give veterans and their family members, mainly those accused of nonviolent crimes, a chance to avoid jail and rebuild their lives.
     The program - the only one in the country, according to the Department of Veterans Affairs - operates on the same principles of temperate justice and guided rehabilitation that govern "drug courts" and "mental-health courts," which have been strikingly successful around the country in reducing crime, saving money and repairing lives.
     Buffalo's experiment, profiled in USA Today, began after a city court judge, Robert Russell, and his office noticed more veterans, many with drug and psychiatric problems, coming through the system. It offers defendants a chance to stay out of jail or avoid more serious charges in return for entering addiction or mental health treatment and taking other steps to right their lives.
     The court also puts the sturdy bonds of military service to good use. It enlists other veterans as volunteer mentors to help overcome participants' resistance to treatment and "to point them in the right direction," as one mentor told the newspaper.
     Other cities would do well to study and learn from Buffalo's experiment, and the federal government should do more to help, with grants for programs that direct troubled people out of the prison stream and into life-saving treatment. The effectiveness of alternative-sentencing programs is no longer in question, and the nation's responsibility to its veterans and their families is undeniable.
     For soldiers, mental trauma and debilitating stress are part of the job description. When former soldiers go astray they deserve all the creativity and support the system can muster to get them back where they began: clean, sober and on the right side of the law.
►Chapter note: While judges in CA do have the option in some cases to send a veteran to rehabilitation instead of jail, we have not heard of many cases where this has happened and in some cases the option is ignored. A program such as the one in Buffalo could possibly relieve some of the overpopulated jails and/or prisons in the state. Once in prison or jail, an incarcerated veteran rarely or never receives treatment for mental illness, drug or alcohol addiction. The funding of effective rehabilitation programs is always less expensive than housing the incarcerated and recidivism.

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THE CAPITOL VETERAN...........JUNE, 2008.........Page 3

___________________________________________________

___________________________________________________
Rebels With A Cause
Where your journey of a lifetime begins.....
Kathleen Renee' DeSpain-Moore
Executive Director/Founder
3801 Duckhorn Drive #914
Sacramento, CA 95834
916-628-3180 prpersonfromhell@juno.com
www.rebelswithacause.us - www.holidaymiracles.org
Proud producers of the Capital To Capital
Ride Across America!

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.

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THE CAPITOL VETERAN CALENDAR................JUNE, 2008........Page 4

SUN	MON	TUES	WED	THURS	FRI	SAT
8	9	10 VCSN Meeting	11	12 Memorial Anniversary Meeting	13	14 Flag Day U.S. Army founded 1775
15 Father's Day	16 MCL Meeting	17 VVA500 General Meeting	18	19	20	21 Young Marines Training Day Summer Solstice
22	23	24	25	26	27	28
29	30

JULY, 2008

SUN	MON	TUES	WED	THURS	FRI	SAT
		1 VVA500 Board Meeting Siege of Fire Base Ripcord Began 1970	2 US Army Corps Established 1926 Operation Buffalo Began 1967	3	Independence Day Roseville July 4th Parade	5
6	7	8 VCSN Meeting	9 Battle of Minh Thanh Road Began 1966	10 Memorial Anniversary Meeting	11	12
13	14	15 VVA500 General Meeting	16 Operation Kingfischer Began 1967	17	18	19 Young Marines Training Day
20	21 MCL Meeting	22	23	24	25	26
27	28	29	30	31	AUG 19TH - FIRST RESPONDERS DAY AT THE STATE FAIR

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THE CAPITOL VETERAN................JUNE, 2008........Page 5

NEW OFFICE UPDATE

     We have been waiting for some weeks now from response from the City Planning Office as to why we will be required to apply for a Special Permit. We have been told that the Special Permit is required because we are considered a "Social Services" organization. On June 12 we finally did receive a response regarding the fees that will be required. They are as follows:
►Special Permit: $9,000. (For "Social Services)
►Environmental: $1,669. ►Technology: $853.52
►Engineering: $250.00, For a Grand Total of: ►$11,772.52
     Along with this came a 10 page application which has questions on everything from topography to roofing materials.
     We reviewed the nine categories that would classify the office as a "social services" organization. All were basically Care facilities, either residential or non-residential, Day care facilities, Financial Management Facility (Payees for SSI, SSA), Non-Profit Food Preparation, Non-Profit Food Storage and Distribution, Temporary Residential Shelters. After questioning the planning person, the only category she could hang her hat on was: #6. "Meal Service Facility, which means a facility where meals are served on-site to individuals or families on a not-for-profit basis. Facility may be referred to as a congregate meal facility or a dining hall. " So because we may have pizza at meetings and sandwiches for volunteers or maybe a hungry veteran in to discuss a claim, etc., all of a sudden we have become a "Meal Service Facility".
     As to the application, we had to explain once again that we are only going to be a tenant in this building, we are not building it. We were told that to ignore anything that would not apply to us, but that was the application for the "Special Permit" which we need because we are considered "Social Services". Of course the application fees of $11,772.52 are to be paid with the application whether anything in the application applies to the Chapter or not.
     By now, I'm sure you are getting the picture that the City of Sacramento really does not want to have anything to do with Veterans and are attempting to discourage us from even attempting to comply with any regulations. After much discussion on the matter, we were told to contact the Planning Director, which produced no results previously anyway. But, we have left a message and will see what happens. Stay tuned for the next episode.
     What is really interesting is the difference between talking and doing. We hear politicians everyday about how much they care about Veterans. Yes, there are a few that do care. But for the majority, it is just talk, and every once in awhile, they throw Veterans a bone just to keep them quiet. and then pat themselves on the back. So, in the case of the new office, it is pretty obvious that the City of Sacramento is not interested in whether Veterans receive the services they deserve. Of course in Sacramento, if we were a fancy new restaurant or hotel, the red carpet would be laid out and they would even give us money just to be there. Yes, restaurants and hotels attract conventions and some business to the City, but does all of this development have to be achieved on the backs of people who live there? Real communities have a variety of people and businesses and they support each other. Guess they don't realize that Veterans also live in the community and VETERANS VOTE! And many more will be returning. Entrenchment in office does not need to be permanent.

AFTER ACTION REPORT

5/3 - Members and Marine Cadets participated in the Elk Grove Western Days Parade. The Marine Cadets won 2nd place in the Drill Team Category.
5/3 - Secretary Adams and E.D. McNeill attended the "Welcome Home OIF/OEF personnel event at Mather Hospital.
5/6 - VVA500 held their regular Board Meeting.
5/8 - VP McNeill, Bd. Member Harper and member Kauffman attended the monthly 20th Memorial Anniversary Meeting.
5/9 - E.D. McNeill attended the VA volunteers awards luncheon where Bd. Member Hank Davis received an award for 5000 hrs. of volunteer service as patient advocate at Mather Hospital.
5/17 - Young Marines and Marine Cadets held their regular training day.
5/20 - VVA500 held their regular General Meeting. Guest Speaker Alma Ortiz gave a presentation of CA Access Telephone Equipment available for the disabled.
5/20 - E.D. McNeill was interviewed by Bee columnist, Anita Creamer in regard to chapter functions and new office.
5/25 - VVA500 held the annual "Reading of the Names"
5/26 - Several members participated as volunteers in the 5k No Excuses Race of which the chapter was a beneficiary.
5/26 - Members Bollinger and Feirl attended the Memorial Ceremony at Mt. Vernon. Another member attended a ceremony at East Lawn.
5/26 - E.D. McNeill attended the Memorial Ceremony at Mather Hospital.
5/26 - Member Kauffman presented the VVA500 flag at the Jazz Festival Memorial Ceremony.
5/26 - Member Bollinger attended the Memorial Ceremony in Roseville.
6/2 - Joe Cavanagh represented VVA500 at the Roseville Veterans Memorial Hall meeting.
6/3 - VVA500 held their regular board meeting.
6/4 - Several members attended the B.T. Collins book signing at Borders.
6/7 - Young Marines and Marine Cadets held their regular Training Day
6/11 - Several members attended the Memorial Ceremony for B.T. Collins at East Lawn Memorial Park.

VP McNEILL, AUTHOR MAUREEN COLLINS BAKER, STAN ATKINSON AT B.T. COLLINS BOOK SIGNING

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THE CAPITAL VETERAN..........JUNE, 2008........Page 6

BUBBA AND THE ROCK

     By now, I'm sure most of you that have e-mail have seen throughout the years pictures of the famous rock in Iowa painted with a different patriotic theme each year for Memorial Day. Since I was able to actually visit the rock early in June this year, thought you might enjoy the story of the rock and the young artist who paints the freedom/patriotic rock.
     Ray Michael Sorensen II was born in Creston, Iowa on August 13, 1979 to Mike and Dixie Sorensen of Fontanelle, Iowa. Ray was the second child born into the family with an older sister Heidi and a younger sister Mandi. As a toddler, Ray received his nickname "Bubba" for being a chubby baby and the name stuck.
     Bubba attended school in Fontanelle, Iowa until his 10th grade year. His sophomore year, Greenfield, Fontanelle, and Bridgewater schools joined together to make Nodaway Valley where he would later graduate with the class of 1997.
     After high school, Ray attended Des Moines Area Community College in Ankeny, Iowa where he majored in Commercial Design and later transferred to Iowa State University majoring in Art and Design.
    In 1999, while attending college, nineteen-year-old Bubba was inspired by the movie "Saving Private Ryan" and painted a sincere thank you to the veterans. The work was so moving local veterans asked Bubba to keep on painting the rock every year for Memorial Day. Bubba continues painting the rock with different scenes every year as a tribute to those who defend our freedom. The rock takes Bubba anywhere from 1 to 3 weeks to paint, using a latex house paint that he pays for himself along with donations given to him. Today Bubba and his wife Maria (Galanakis) live in Greenfield, Iowa where they plan to start their own business in the summer of 2008. Bubba already owns his own business called Babbaz National Artwork in which he does graphic design and mural/portrait painting. Bubba is looking for Corporate Sponsors so he can paint murals for patriotic organizations. For more information on this contact Al Conover at 515-491-8078 or Mike Sorensen at: 641-745-7949. If you are interested in Bubba's services you can visit: www.bubbazartwork.com.
     ►Chapter Note: I was privileged to meet this young man when he was in the Sacramento area painting a wonderful mural on the outside wall of the VFW Post #6158. We published a picture of that one in the newsletter. If you want to see his work up close, the Post is located at 8990 Kruithoff Way in Fair Oaks. Along with the rock, Bubba has painted other murals. There is a little restaurant called the KC Cafe in the small town of Casey, Iowa where the farmers and townspeople meet mornings for coffee and breakfast. There he has painted a whole patriotic wall and the entire side of a building next door that overlooks a memorial garden dedicated to all veterans. M.L. McNeill
     The next story Vietnam Veterans will find especially heartwarming........as told by Bubba: "In 2006 as I painted a tribute to Vietnam Veterans on the north side of the rock . Some Vietnam Veteran Bikers stopped by the rock. They were on their way to the Vietnam Wall Memorial in Washington. Cont. next column►

BUBBA AND THE ROCK, CONTINUED

They had the ashes of some recently passed Vietnam Vets with them and they asked if they could spread the ashes at the base of the rock. I said it's just going to blow away in this Iowa wind. So I had them dump the ashes in the green paint and I painted 8 different Vietnam Veterans into two little green helicopters. The following year I decided to leave the helicopters and was asked to add another Vietnam Veteran. This year as the paint faded and started to flake I decided to preserve the veterans ashes by combining the two helicopters into one. As I did that I added another Vietnam Veteran, which brought the tally to 10 different Vietnam Veterans painted into the rock. This means a lot to me that Veterans want some of their remains to stay with the rock forever."

SIDE OF THE 2008 ROCK HONORING ALL VETERANS

HELICOPTER WITH ASHES OF 10 VIETNAM VETERANS

THANK YOU BUBBA FOR HONORING ALL VETS

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THE CAPITOL VETERAN................JUNE, 2008........Page 7

VA PTSD CLAIM SUPPORT

From the RAO Bulletin (Article by VFW VSO Scott Langhoff). There has been some confusion what is a decoration for Valor in combat to support PTSD claims filed due to combat. The decorations on the below list are the only decorations recognized for Valor in combat. If the Veterans has one of these decorations, he (or she) does not need a diagnosis of PTSD, as exposure to combat is conceded by the VA. They only need to complete VA form 21-0781 detailing stressful incidents to the best of their ability, and provide a "Stressor Statement" detailing the symptoms they are experiencing. There can be other acceptable evidence in the form of official Unit Records, Diaries and ship's Deck Logs on occasion. The decorations are: Air Force Cross, Air Medal with "V" Device, Army Commendation Medal with "V" Device, Bronze Star Medal with "V" Device, Combat Action Badge, Combat Action Ribbon (Note: Prior to FEB 69, the Navy Achievement Medal with "V" Device was awarded.), Combat Aircrew Insignia, Combat Infantry/Infantryman Badge, Combat Medical Badge, Distinguished Flying Cross, Distinguished Service Cross, Joint Service Commendation Medal with "V" Device, Medal of Honor, Navy Commendation Medal with "V" Device, Navy Cross, Purple Heart, and/or Silver Star.

PTSD VS. " ADJUSTMENT DISORDER"
Due to an e-mail from a VA hospital's PTSD program coordinator suggesting that due to the number of Veterans claiming PTSD that they be given a diagnosis of "adjustment disorder" instead, the organizations VoteVets.org and Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington filed a Freedom of Information act request asking the VA for all documents relating to PTSD. The e-mail also stated, "Additionally, we really don't have time to do the extensive testing that should be done to determine PTSD." On May 28th, they requested that the Inspector General for the DVA open an investigation into the process and manner by which the VA makes a diagnosis of PTSD in veterans. Their basis for making this request was additional information they became aware of indicating: ►The VA has adopted incentive programs that, by rewarding those employees and hospitals that distribute lower levels of compensation to veterans, encourage "adjustment disorder" diagnoses rather than the most appropriate but also more costly diagnosis of PTSD. ►VA's internal computer system permits medical files to be changed by health professionals who did not conduct the initial examinations, a practice that appears to have resulted in changed diagnoses from PTSD to adjustment disorder, even where there is no additional medical evidence to support the downgraded diagnosis. ►Assertions from VA employees that they suffered retaliation for their failure to support these practices.
►►Chapter Note: Brandon Friedman, Vice-Chair of VoteVets indicates that the object of these requests is to find out where these directives come from, whether it is the head of the VA, the Administration, or individual hospitals. VA Secretary James Peake neither confirms nor denies these types of directives but says "We are committed to absolute accuracy in a diagnosis and unwavering in providing any and all earned benefits".

               EXPIRATION TIMES FOR VETERAN BENEFITS
     Veterans just coming home most of the time do not want to be bothered with a lot of details; they are just glad to be home. So if we have new Veterans reading the newsletter, or family/friends of new Veterans, keep this page to stay on top of federal benefits that will expire if not taken advantage of within the expiration times. Older Veterans can still take advantage of some. We will address state benefits in another issue. You can easily check for details on: www.military.com/benefits/veteran-benefits/veterans-benefit-expiration-dates.
►►EDUCATION, TRAINING, EMPLOYMENT PROGRAMS:
     ►Montgomery GI Bill for Active-Duty - 10 years from date of last discharge or release from active duty.
     ►Veterans Education Assistance Program - 10 years from date of last discharge or release from active duty.
     ►Montgomery GI Bill for Selected Reserve - 14 years from the date of eligibility for the program or until released from the Selected Reserve or National Guard.
     ►Reserve Educational Assistance Program - No time limit while remaining in the same level of the Ready Reserve.
     ►Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment - Generally 12 years of separation from service or within 12 years of being awarded service-connected VA disability compensation.
►►VA LIFE INSURANCE PROGRAMS:
     ►Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (includes Traumatic Injury Protection. - Coverage ends 120 days after separation or can be extended up to 1 year for totally disabled veterans.
     ►Family Group Life Insurance - Coverage ends 120 days after separation.
     ►Veterans Group Life Insurance - Must convert for 5 yr. term within 120 days of separation.
     ►Service Disabled Veterans Insurance - For service-connected vets - apply within 2 years from the date of being notified of the service-connected status, premiums can be waived for totally disabled.
     ►Veterans Mortgage Life Insurance - For severely disabled veterans who have received grants for Specially-Adapted Housing from VA - Must apply before age 70.
►►VETERANS HEALTH CARE ADMINISTRATION:
     ►Veterans Health Care - Must enroll into the VA Healthcare System - No time limit but various financial details depending on service connected status and finances.
     ►Combat Veterans Health Care - Free health care if anytime in combat since the Gulf War or any period after 11/11/98. - 5 years from release from active-duty.
     ►Dental Treatment - One time dental treatment for those no6t provided dental examination or treatment within 90 days of discharge or separation - Within 180 yeas of separation.
►►VA PENSION AND COMPENSATION:
     ►Disability Compensation - Compensation depends of Service Connected Status - No time limit.
     ►Disability Pension - Veterans with war time service that are permanently and totally disabled due to non-service connected disabilities or who are 65 or older - No time limit.
►►VA HOME LOAN GUARANTY PROGRAM:
     ►VA Home Loan - Purchase home at low interest with no down payment - No time limit.

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THE CAPITOL VETERAN -JUNE, 2008........Page 8

UPDATE ON SGT. SAM NICHOLS
Left: Sam and Julie Neria at the "Reading of the Names" 2005.
Right: Sam and his wife Erin.

Sam's progress from father-in-law Tony's blog at: www.tneria01.wordpress.com.

     We were so pleased and happy to have Julie play taps for us at the "Reading of the Names". It was wonderful to see her and hear her play again. You can tell she has such honor for Veterans and puts her heart into playing that one song that everyone recognizes as remembering and honoring our fallen heroes.
     Sam's condition from Tony's blog....Lots of steps forward and just a few backward, but progress is there. "Erin spent 3 days in Dallas at a caregivers conference, just before she arrived back to see Sam, the nurse told her e had five seizures. The first seizure was "Grand Mall" and the other four were "Petit". Sam is just getting over another bladder infection and the doctor said the seizures may have occurred because his immune system was weak. He wa on oxygen as a safety precaution but Erin said he was talking and doing well. When one of the nurses came in to give him some Tylenol, he asked her, "what are you giving me?" That was pretty cool because he initiated the conversation himself without being prompted. When Erin called Eric (Sam's father) to tell him about the seizures, even though Sam was falling asleep, he kept repeating words that he heard Erin saying. Erin and Eric got a laugh out of that."

ANNOUNCEMENTS

We received word from Representative Doris Matsui that she has been named to the Energy and Commerce Committee. This Committee is one of the oldest standing committees in the House and has broad jurisdiction over a broad range of issues, from renewable energy to health care, from commerce to consumer safety. We congratulate Congresswoman Matsui on her appointment to this powerful committee and thank her for her continued support of Veterans.

We also received news from Assemblyman Dave Jones that speaker Karen Bass has appointed Dave as the incoming chair of the key policy making Assembly Health Committee. Dave will assume this responsibility in December, and will continue his post as chair of the Judicial Committee until then. We also congratulate Dave on his appointment and thank him for his continued support of Veterans.

CALLING ALL WOMEN VETERANS

Barbara Ward, Deputy Secretary for Women and Minority Veterans Affairs is inviting all women Veterans to attend CALVET's first annual Women Veterans Conference. The purpose is: ►To provide a network forum for women veterans from all wars. ►To educate women veterans on their benefits and health care programs, and ►To provide assistance with employment opportunities. The conference will be held on Friday, Aug. 8th at the Lions Gate Hotel in McClellan AFB. You can call for a registration form: 916-653-2192 or download one from online at: www.calvet.ca.gov.

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THE CAPITOL VETERAN................JUNE, 2008........Page 9

ALMA ORTIZ DEMONSTRATES PHONE EQUIPMENT FOR THE DISABLED DURING MAY GENERAL MEETING

THANKS TO GRACE CALLES AND "EASY" SMITH FOR ALL PHOTOS FROM THE "READING".

BG KIGHT-KEYNOTE SPEAKER AT READING 08

DEBORAH GETZ, "NEVER FORGET OUR FALLEN BROUGHT THE NAMES OF THE IRAQI/AFGHANISTAN FALLEN

BARBARA WARD GIVES THE GOVERNOR'S PROCLAMATION

RON & DIANA TITUS, JULIE NERIA, VP McNEILL

KEVIN JOHNSON COMES TO READ NAMES

Grace and Easy took many more great pictures of the "Reading". Will send these out by e-mail. Next month we will post the pictures of the B.T. Collins Memorial Ceremony that took place 6/11.

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THE CAPITOL VETERAN............JUNE, 2008........Page 10

                                    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!
JUNE BIRTHDAYS
♫♫♫Christopher Barsetti-Navy♫♫♫Frank Greer - Navy♫♫♫William Dunnaway - Army♫♫♫Michael Callison - Army♫♫♫Charles Townsend - Marines♫♫♫Charles Peterson - Army♫♫♫Dennis White - Army♫♫♫James Vogeli - Army♫♫♫Patrick Graham - Air Force♫♫♫ and we missed Carl Guimbellot-Air Force last month.

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

WELCOME HOME NEW MEMBERS!
Chuck Jamison - Army

SICK CALL
Board Member and Color Guard Captain and VA Patient Advocate Hank Davis spent a week in the ICU unit at VA Mather Hospital with Bacterial Pneumonia. He is home now but recovery will take awhile. Give him a cheer up call at 916-961-1016.

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

"NEVER AGAIN WILL ONE GENERATION OF VETERANS ABANDON ANOTHER"

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