Remember                                                        In Memory of Bill Wolf                  

CAPITOL CITY
VETERAN

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

"We remember!"  NOVEMBER, DECEMBER, 2006  "Be Proud"

               
                             

     First of all, I would like to thank all of you that participated in the Veterans Day Parades.  The Elk Grove Parade was a little wet, but a great one.  There weren't a lot of people watching this year, but it wasn't bad and the Sacramento Parade was a lot bigger.  As you know, VVA500 hosted the parade this year.  And you will be glad to hear that there were no war protesters in or around the parade.  After the Parade on Saturday, Mary Lou called me and said that the Sacramento Kings had called and wanted three Vietnam Veterans to come to the game on Sunday night.  So the first available members that Mary Lou was able to reach were off to the Kings game.  That included myself, Mike Callison, and Hank Davis.  The Kings honored all the Veterans that  were at the game.  We were given free parking, and free tickets for the game.  We were told when there were 8 minutes left on the clock of the first quarter to come down to the hard wood and someone would take us to where we would form up. Then they escorted us out onto the floor and read each name off ; and as each one's name was read, we stepped forward.  All of Arco came to their feet and cheered.  When we went back to our seats all the people on the ends of the aisle put their hands out and told all of us "Thank you for Your Service!".  Sunday night, November 12, 2006 is a date I think we all will remember for a very long time.  And as a Veteran myself, I would like to say to each and everyone of you "Thank you for your Service and Welcome Home".

        CURRENT NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

GENERAL MEETING
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2006 - 7PM.

GUEST SPEAKER
Sandy Moreno, Counselor
Sacramento Vet Center

     The Vet Center Program was established by Congress in 1979 out of the recognition that a significant number of Vietnam era vets were still experiencing readjustment problems.  They are community based and provide a broad range of counseling, outreach, and referral post-war adjustment to civilian life and are a part of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.  Originally set up to benefit Vietnam Veterans, the services have been extended to wars and conflicts subsequent to the Vietnam War.  Many Vets prefer and feel more comfortable in the Vet Center setting as opposed to the hospital type setting at the VA.
     Many things have changed since 1979, and more recently since the Iraq and Afghanistan Wars.  So we've called on Sandy, an Iraqi Veteran who is a counselor at the Vet Center to update us on the changes and to find out if enough funds and personnel are being furnished to the Vet Center to accommodate our recent Iraqi and Afghanistan returnees along with those Vietnam, Gulf, etc. and Veterans who still need help.  Bring your questions.

IT'S DECEMBER AND IT'S CHRISTMAS TIME
VVA500 CHRISTMAS PARTY
DECEMBER 19 - (Regular Meeting Night) 7PM

     Hey, bring the family, bring a snack and bring a $1. gift and come to the VVA500 Christmas party.  That night, we will also be awarding the trophies to the winners from the Sacramento Veterans Day Parade.  We've always had lots of fun drawing numbers for those $1. gifts, along with food and good company.  So don't miss out this year. 
     Both the November meeting and the Christmas Party are at the Roseville Veterans Memorial Hall.  Directions on Page. 10.

SUN

MON

TUES

WED

THURS

FRI

SAT

19

23

 

29

30

SUN

MON

TUES

WED

THURS

FRI

SAT

6

7
Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day 1941

10

11

12

13

14
Hanukkah (Thru Dec 22nd)

15

16

17

18
Marine Corps League Meeting

19
VVA500 Christmas Party

20

21
Winter Solstice

 

22
 

23

24
Christmas Eve
USAF Began Strikes on Laos 1964

25
Christmas Day
 

26
Kwanzaa (thru Jan. 1st)

27

28

29

30

31
New Years Eve

January 1st New Years Day

 

January 2nd
VVA500 Board Meeting

                                       AFTER ACTION REPORT

10/16 - Sec. McNeill attended the Marine Corps League Meeting.
10/21 - Training Day for the Young Marines, Sec. McNeill, VP Winnett and AVVA Kris Hollinger attending.
10/31 - Incarcerated Chair Montoya, E.D. McNeill met for discussion on Incarcerated Matters.
10/28-29 - Sec. McNeill attended the California State Council Quarterly Meeting in Fresno.
11/4 - Training Day for Young Marines, attendance as above.
11/5 - Treasurer Quint, E.D. McNeill, Ron & Diana Titus attended special Veteran Church Service organized by Diana Titus.
11/5  - Several members attended the annual Marine Corps Birthday Ball.
11/6 - Joe Cavanagh & Monty Montoya attended the Roseville Veterans Memorial Hall Board Meeting.
11/7 - VVA500 held their regular Board Meeting.
11/11 - Several members marched in the annual Elk Grove Veterans Day Parade.
11/12 - VVA500 hosted the Sacramento Veterans Day Parade.

SACRAMENTO VALLEY NATIONAL
VA CEMETERY INFORMATION

Location:  5810 Midway Road
                   Dixon, CA. 95620
Phone:  707-693-2460
Fax:       707-693-2479
Office Hours:  Monday thru Friday 8AM - 4:30PM
                           Closed Federal Holidays
Visitation Hours:  Open daily sunrise to sunset.
Acreage:  561
     This National VA Cemetery is the closest Veterans' Cemetery to the Sacramento Area.  The next closest is the  Northern California State Veterans Cemetery which is located near Redding.  However, there are several privately owned cemeteries located in the Sacramento area that have sections set aside for Veteran burials as well as areas for cremated remains.
     You cannot make reservations for burial ahead of time.  If you have any intention of being buried in a National or State Veterans Cemetery, detail your instructions and include a copy of your DD214 for your family or someone in charge of your estate in a readily accessible area.
      Military Honors at the time of burial should be arranged by the funeral home.  Include the funeral home of your choice with the above instructions.  They will also need a copy of your DD214 in order to arrange for Military Honors.
      Funeral arrangements are not something any of us like to think about, but age creeps up on us and as we all have experienced with friends and loved ones, the unexpected deaths do happen.  Instructions completed ahead of time will save loved ones much frustration during their time of grieving.

SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS

     This month are publishing the 2nd winner of our Scholarship Awards this year.  This essay was written by Jeff Cichocki, who graduated  from Jesuit High School.  He is from Roseville and is attending Santa Clara University.  He hopes to be a network security analyst, either independently or for a tech company.  The topic for this year's essay was:  "How Vietnam Veterans paved the Way for a Psychological Definition, as well as Treatment for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder for Themselves, Future Generations of Servicemen and Women, as well as the Public at Large".  Here is Jeff's essay:
     "Plagued by visions of death and destruction, many Vietnam Veterans suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).  It is no surprise that, especially under the horrific circumstances of the Vietnam War, veterans of Vietnam are the most overwhelmed of all veterans, in numbers and intensity of PTSD cases.  According to the National Vietnam Veterans' Readjustment Study (NVVRS), about 31% of Vietnam veterans have suffered, or still suffer, from PTSD.  Along with PTSD, some veterans suffer from alcohol/drug abuse, depression, and other disorders.  As seen through studies, especially the NVVRS, Vietnam Veterans need the most treatment for post-war trauma.  With care in high demand, many advancements have been made toward the treatment of PTSD because of the number of Vietnam veterans suffering from the disorder.
     Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, although discovered in recent decades, has been a recurring disorder associated with combat, depression, and family instability.  The most severe cases can be seen in post-war victims, who exhibit a variety of symptoms including flashbacks, insomnia, anxiety, and depression.  Symptoms, especially in war victims, typically occur when the victim comes in contact with something that reminds him/her of the traumatic event.  PTSD can be a lifelong or short-term disorder.  Among Vietnam Veterans, about 15% suffer from long-term PTSD, a high number.  Over one million Vietnam Veterans have been documented as having PTSD.
     With this in mind, the development of a way to treat PTSD was crucial, due to the sheer number of individuals suffering from the disorder.  To combat the psychological trauma, an individual must undergo an evaluation to gauge the intensity of the trauma, and to understand how the trauma developed in the individual.  Once the evaluation has been completed, the individual is informed of what PTSD is, and how it can be treated for their specific case, which usually involves reliving the traumatic experience in a controlled environment.  The individual must observe his or her own reactions to the event and work to resolve the feelings that the event caused.  It is important that the individual be able to cope with the flashbacks and control his or her reactions.  Currently, the system of treatment for individuals with PTSD is called Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), which works to change emotions to the traumatic events.
     Without the high volume of veterans significantly impacted by PTSD, the advancements made to treat individuals diagnosed with the disorder would not have been as successful. 
                          Continued in the next column►►►

SCHOLARSHIP ESSAY, cont.

Due to the gruesome sights and events of the Vietnam War, veterans are haunted by images of fallen comrades and innocent civilians.  Some call to memory, in full detail, terrifying experiences of war.  They can vividly describe and feel the events that they endured.  For example, they can describe the sounds of mortar rounds and small arms fire, as well as the scenes of dead and wounded human beings.  Two of the most distinct differences between the Vietnam War and other wars are the brutality of the enemy, and the lack of support for the soldiers.  This lack of support and gratitude upon returning homes to the states significantly wounded the mental health of many Vietnam Veterans.  The use of guerrilla warfare and booby traps heightened the fear of all soldiers in Vietnam.  If a GI had not been wounded, he would still be in fear of an ambush or  a deadly trap.  For some who had not experienced combat, the fear alone was enough to develop PTSD.  As seen through the retelling of events by many veterans of Vietnam, deployed soldiers were in constant fear.  Experiences and images of massacres, for example, the Mi Lai and Duc Duc massacres, were enough to traumatize many soldiers.  One of the most significant causes of PTSD among veterans is viewing the death of a fellow soldier or civilian.
     Most significant of all developments, PTSD was added to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-III) in 1980, the catalyst for which was the Vietnam War and its veterans.  Without the help of Vietnam Veterans, and their strength to overcome their experiences, more information is being provided to help treat individuals diagnosed with PTSD.  By telling and writing stories about their experiences in Vietnam, soldiers are able to cope with their feelings, and provide experts with helpful information, which helps to better our understanding of PTSD.  veterans continue to publish books relaying their experience to the public.  These published works and anecdotes help describe their experiences with PTSD, and how they were able to cope with their trauma.  Many Vietnam Veterans with help from these books, are able to cope with their own PTSD a well.
     Although many individuals suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, ongoing developments continue to help those affected and traumatized in or outside of war.  Vietnam Veterans have had a major impact on the development of newer treatments, as well as providing help to individuals who need it.  Without the helpfulness and courage of the Vietnam Veterans to overcome their trauma, much of the treatments we have today would not exist.  They (Vietnam Veterans) were the spark that started the fire of research, and they continue to keep it lit until everyone has received help, and until we have a complete understanding  of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

CONGRATULATIONS JEFF!

MORE VA MEDICAL SYSTEM INFORMATION

     This is a question that comes up frequently...If I am enrolled in the VA system and because of an urgent medical problem and an ambulance is called, why won't the ambulance take me to the VA hospital?    The answer is:  Because the Urgent Care facility at Mather Hospital is not a County agency and the ambulance must take you to a County Hospital that is the closest to where you are and a designated County Emergency facility.  As per the last newsletter, if you are taken to another hospital, and under VA care, you or your representative must call the VA and notify them.  If  and when you are stable, they will want to have you transported to the VA Hospital.  If you do not notify the VA, you very possibly will end up paying for your stay.  Some additional criteria may also need to be satisfied, such as:  1.  Is the condition truly an urgent care issue or the lesser than, emergent care? 2.  Have you seen your primary physician in the last two years?  3.  Is the condition service connected?  4.  Does the patient have any other insurance in effect.

     Another question that comes up is the subject of care if needed after hospitalization.  If the patient cannot adequately care for him/herself, there are several options depending on the severity of the case.  Aid & Attendance is helping with basics in the home, - Convalescent or Nursing Home Care, total care of the patient in another facility, Home Health Care - A nurse will visit and monitor the patient, and Adult Day Care.  The primary doctor must make a indicate what the patient needs after a determination of the patient status and then the VA Social Worker will make the arrangements.  Payment for many of these items is also dependent upon the status and category 1-8 of the patient, service connection, etc.

     To take advantage of any of the benefits a Veteran is entitled to in regard to the VA Medical System, is that the Veteran must first be enrolled into the system.  Whether you have other insurance coverage or not; or whether you have a service connected disability or not,  every Veteran needs to get themselves enrolled in the system.  You may not fit into the categories that allow you to seek care at the VA right now, but should you become service connected, or for whatever your insurance coverage is reduced, or your income is reduced, with some adjustment, you will be able to take advantage of the the health system.  Yes, it is a matter of filling out paperwork, but it is better to do it now, then wait until there is an emergency.  The best and easiest way for any Vietnam Veteran that was in Vietnam for any length of time is to call to arrange for an Agent Orange Test.  You are required to enroll into the system in order to get the Test.  You can be sent the paperwork to fill out and an appointment will be set.  The testing is a thorough physical.  This gives you a benchmark on your physical condition.  Take the time now, call 916-561-7405 to make the appointment.   

     Important VA numbers + in the next column........

VA NUMBERS YOU NEED TO KNOW

     These number are for those already in the system.

THE ADVICE NURSE - 1-800-382-8387 - An Advise Nurse is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  You may call the Nurse for any problems you think you may be having and establish whether to set an appointment or not.  Appointment scheduling is available through the same number 8AM-4PM, Monday thru Friday.  If you have been given an appointment for a condition, and you feel the condition is worsening before the date of your appointment, you may call the Advise Nurse and get that appointment moved up. 

PHARMACY ADVICE - 1-866-600-8279 - Having a problem with your prescription...drug reactions, etc., call here for advice, and changes.  Prescription refills are also available at this number, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  Refills on expired prescriptions may require you to see your primary physician or the specialist physician again before being able to renew, so don't wait until the last minute if you are taking a required prescription.  This may also apply to prescriptions that are not expired depending upon the condition and how often you are required to see the doctor.  Many times a patient needs to be monitored for results when taking medication.

     If your problem can wait and is not an emergency situation for both the above numbers, the non-peak hours are Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday afternoons.

     A VETERAN - MINIMAL OR NO INCOME
WAITING FOR A CLAIM FOR SERVICE CONNECTION?
OR....DEFINITELY NOT SERVICE CONNECTED....
CAN YOU RECEIVE MEDICAL CARE?

     Yes you can.  You need to enroll obviously.  Call the VA Hospital number 916-366-5366 and ask for Eligibility and how to enroll.  Get that taken care of.  When you receive notice that you are enrolled call to make an appointment and be assigned a Primary Doctor.  If you think you have a Service Connected Disability or illness, (this includes PTSD) and want to file a claim for compensation, you will have to have documentation for proof if you don't already have a diagnosis. If you are diagnosed with what may be a Service Connected Disability, you should file a claim for compensation.  Call the office 916-481-6020 for referral.  If you are not diagnosed with what might be a Service Connected Disability, or waiting for a claim to be adjudicated and you have little or no income, you may still be able to file a claim for a Veteran Pension.  Again, call the office for information on this.

     As Veterans, there are benefits you are entitled to.  There may not be enough or in many cases complicated to apply for but it is the Veteran's responsibility to take the first step and follow through to get them.  Nothing is automatically accomplished.

LEFT TO RIGHT MEMBER CHARLIE BROWN AND GENERAL WESLEY CLARK - OCTOBER 2, 2006

THE NEW PLACER COUNTY SERVICE OFFICER SPOKE AT THE CHAPTER GENERAL MEETING IN SEPTEMBER

MICHELLE SHOCKLEY, MC BEGINS THE PROGRAM FOR THE SACRAMENTO VETERANS DAY PARADE

MAJOR GENERAL WILLIAM H. WADE II, GRAND MARSHALL FOR THE PARADE ADDRESSES THE AUDIENCE

THE NATIONAL ANTHEM SUNG BY DIANA TITUS

VFW POST #85 PERFORMS THE 21 GUN SALUTE
AT THE END OF THE MEMORIAL CEREMONY