November 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, 7:00 PM - Commander Harvey Wilson of the MOPA- 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!" NOVEMBER, 2008 "Be Proud"

PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

Greetings Members!
Well, here we are into the fall season and looking forward to all of the "incoming holidays" with all of the hustle and bustle that go along with them. Yet, we still have much going on within the chapter and more to come! Some VVA members spent a weekend enjoying the Annual Get-A-Way, which yours truly missed due to severe allergy problems, and before we know it, we have Veterans Day coming up! The chapter will be marching in the Elk Grove Parade. So whether you want to strut your stuff or hop aboard a vehicle, I hope you will be able to come out for "your" day and share it with your fellow veterans and friends! Also, don't forget, election time is here, so we all need to get out there and vote for the candidates of our choice. I hope to see you all soon!
Your President, Karen Winnett

NEWSLETTER NOTES

No, you didn't miss the October newsletter. There were so many things we needed to tell you about, we decided to make the November issue larger so we could cover it all. Check out all of the supplemental information such as state legislation passed this session re: Veterans issues, events around town celebrating Veterans Day during November, information re: the upcoming 20th Anniversary Celebration of the CA Vietnam Veterans Memorial. Also in November let's not forget to do one of the most important things you can do as a citizen, VOTE on November 4th.

CURRENT NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

GENERAL MEETING
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2008
TIME 7:00PM AT THE ROSEVILLE HALL
Guest Speaker will be:

Harvey Wilson
Commander of the Military Order of the Purple Heart

Harvey will explain his organization and have some special announcements for all who are Purple Heart recipients.

We will also be honoring some special guests, Al Shusterman and Darian Drake from Mount Vernon Memorial Park and Mortuary. Of course we will have our pizza break and drawing.

Get ready for the Anniversary. We have the official patches for the event and hats with the patches attached. The patches are for sale at $5.00@. Hats with the patches are $12.@ pre-sale. They will be $15.@ at the event. We also have the official coins for sale at $15.@.

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

VETERAN BENEFITS

VETERANS' COMPENSATION COST OF LIVING
INCREASE ANNOUNCED
Effective December 1, 2008, veterans' disability compensation, among other benefits, will be increased by 5.8 percent, to respond to the increasingly high cost-of-living in the United States.

OMNIBUS BENEFITS BILL S3023 PASSED AND
TO THE PRESIDENT - Highlights follow:
►It would order the VA to simplify what it tells veterans when it denies benefits claims or asks for more information. "Notification letters to veterans about the status of their claims have become increasingly long, complex and difficult to understand," Senator Akaka, Chairman of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, said. "These notification letters must be simplified. They should use plain and ordinary language rather than bureaucratic jargon. Veterans should not be subjected to confusing information as they seek benefits."
►It would temporarily extend an increase in veterans' home loans through the end of 2011. The temporary measure allows loans of up to $730,000, but it is due to expire at the end of 2008. Akaka said extending the loan limits for several more years "would enable more veterans to utilize their VA benefit to purchase more costly homes."
►It would apply the maximum loan limit to home refinancing, and let homeowners refinance with a veterans' loan if they have 5% equity in their homes instead of the current 10% requirement.
►It would require more federal help for service members who have problems with employment and re-employment rights. Under the bill, the Labor Department would investigate more complaints and federal agencies would provide more assistance. The bill calls for mandatory training for federal human resources workers in the Uniformed Services Employment and Re-employment Rights Act. Burr said every employer should obey the law, but the federal government has a particular responsibility to be a model employer.
►It would grant spouses of severely injured disabled veterans up to 20 years after the veterans are discharged to use education benefits, twice the time currently allowed.
►It would prevent the Department of Veterans Affairs from making changes in its disability rating schedule without first notifying Congress. Burr said the current ratings system is "riddled with outdated criteria that do not track with modern medicine," especially in the areas of combat stress and traumatic brain injuries. VA has been working on several studies that could lead to an overhaul, but may veterans a lawmakers remain concerned that a change could result in lower benefits. Burr said the bill would "make sure these studies do not get put on a shelf to collect dust" by requiring a report to Congress on the findings and what action is planned by the VA.

LEGISLATION FOR VETERANS AND
SOME VA ANNOUNCEMENTS

STATE PROPOSITION #12
Make sure you vote "YES" on this proposition on Tuesday, Nov. 4. This is the Veterans Bond Act of 2008. It provides for a bond issue of nine hundred million dollars to provide loans to CA veterans to purchase farms and homes through CAL VET Home Loan Program. This will enable more veterans to secure loans for homes especially our returning veterans who have been unable to use the program up until federal legislation allowed CA to issue these bonds. Throughout the history of the CAL-VET program there has never been any direct cost to taxpayers and the program has been totally supported by the participating veterans. But this proposition must be passed by CA voters. So make sure you don't overlook this one and vote "YES" for our veterans young and old.

VA CLAIMS BACKLOG UPDATE
Lawmakers have high expectation that they can reduce the backlog and processing time for veterans' benefits claims through a combination of new procedures, including two pilot projects. The Veterans Benefits Improvement Act of 2008, which passed congress recently and is being prepared for submission to the White House for President Bush's signature, pushes the Department of Veterans Affairs to use electronic filing and processing of claims to try to improve the speed of claims decisions, reduce the disparity in decisions involving similar issues and cut the number of claims decisions that end up being overturned. The bill also creates a new authority to provide a temporary disability rating for some veterans who have severe and multiple disabilities that are not fully healed. Stabilized and unstabilized disabilities that have an impact on employment could be considered in assigning the temporary rating that would be used to provide disability compensation during the first year after leaving the military. One of the pilot projects ordered by the compromise bill requires special, expedited treatment for disability claims where the veteran had the help of a veterans' service officer to prepare the paperwork. This one year test would be carried out in at least 10 regional offices.

VETERAN DOCUMENTS SHREDDED?
An investigation is has been ordered after Inspector General Auditors found that in three of the VA Regional offices, veteran documents were found among those identified for shredding. These documents could have affected veterans' eligibility for benefits. Regional offices have been told that they are to suspend all document shredding while the IG and VA officials determine whether the problem is more widespread.
►Chapter Note: ALWAYS make copies of what you submit!!!

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

___________________________________________________

___________________________________________________

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THE CAPITOL VETERAN CALENDAR►►►NOVEMBER, 2008►►Page 4

This month we are not using our normal calendar format in order to be able to list all of the events and activities in November for
Veterans Day celebrations. If any event announcements come in after this printing, we'll send update e-mails.

Tuesday - Nov. 4 - VOTE
Tuesday - Nov. 4 - VVA500 regular Board Meeting at the Roseville Hall.
Thursday - Nov. 6 - 20th Anniversary Memorial Meeting.
Friday - Nov. 7 - VETFUND Veterans Day Golf Tournament
                             Fundraiser-Project Gold Star to raise the necessary funds to cover the costs of producing
                             Gold Star Family License Plates at no cost to the state's General Fund and to support
                             "Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Week, Dec. 10-14.
                             Registration begins at 9AM - Lunch and awards after 18 holes.
                             Cost $150. Includes 18 holes of golf, cart, brunch.
                             Registration and sponsorship: Roz Jaurequi - 916-503-8095
                             To get involved with the program: Ron Brand - 916-503-8094
Saturday - Nov. 8 - American GI Forum 6th Annual Awards Dinner/Dance Fundraiser
                                 Social 6:30-7PM - Dinner/Dance to follow.
                                 Location: St. Anthony's Memorial Center - 660 Florin Rd. - Sacramento
                                 Tickets: Adults $25.@ Children under 12 $10.@ Tables for 10 $250.00
                                 For information contact: 916-393-0347
Sunday - Nov. 9 - Veterans' Memorial held at the Sacramento Veterans Resource Center - 7270 E. Southgate Dr.
                                Dedication of 2 Memorial Bricks in honor of 2 fallen Vietnam Veterans from the Center.
                                 11AM - Refreshments afterward. Information: 916-393-8387
Monday - Nov. 10 - Happy Birthday Marines
Monday - Nov. 10 - Marine Corps 18th Annual Birthday Cruise (Only for former Marines and Corpsman)
                                  Cruise from Benicia to Pittsburg. 8AM-4PM. Cost: $45. includes breakfast, lunch,
                                  and cruise. Contact: Mark Holm-916-984-4449 - John Holm-916-354-8756
Monday - Nov. 10 - Marine Corps Birthday Ball, hosted by Marine Corps League Det. #940
                                  All Active Duty, Veterans, Families, Public invited. Tickets $35.@
                                  Cocktails/Dinner 5-7PM. Ceremony, Live Band & Dancing will follow.
                                  Held at: the Folsom Community Center - 52 Natoma Street - Folsom
                                  Contacts: Veterans Hall - 916-985-7911    Charlie Kank - 916-984-8455
Tuesday - Nov. 11 - 3rd Annual Veterans Day Celebration - 10AM - Mather Hospital
Tuesday - Nov. 11 - Elk Grove Veterans Day Parade - Starts at 11AM. - Corner of Elk Grove
                                  Blvd. and Elk Grove/Florin Rd. VVA500 members.....Assemble 9:30AM
                                  Vehicles will be available for you to ride in. Hot Dogs available for participants after the Parade.
Tuesday - Nov. 11 - Veterans Day Cruise on FDR's Presidential Yacht cruising in the Bay Area
                                   Hosted by the City of Sacramento - $84. per person. Info. at: 916-8687
Tuesday - Nov. 11 - Mexican-American Memorial Ceremony at the Memorial 10th between L & N - 1PM
Tuesday - Nov. 11 - Veterans Day Concert - Memorial Auditorium - 15th and I - 3PM-5:30PM
                                   Hosted by the City of Sacramento - Program and 59th Army Band Concert - Free
Tuesday - Nov. 11 - Veterans Day Ceremony at the Roseville Veterans Memorial Hall - Do not have complete information.
Wednesday - Nov. 12 - Second Annual Veterans Day Chapel - hosted by Adventure Christian School, wishing to thank Veterans
                                        for their dedication and willingness to service our great country. 9:30AM - 6401 Stanford Ranch Rd.-Roseville
Thursday - Nov. 13 - PBS Special Movie called "Lioness". 9PM on PBS. (Check your own area's Listings) Directors Meg
                                      McLagan and Daria Sommers give an intimate look at war through the eyes of women during the Iraq War.
                                      With the U.S. Military policy that bans them from combat, how did five female army soldiers end up fighting
                                      alongside the Marines in some of the bloodiest battles of the Iraq War?
Saturday - Nov. 15 - Book/Sale/Swap hosted by the Colonial Manor Neighborhood Association, Bill Bean Jr., Memorial Park
                                     7400 17th Ave. (17th Ave., near 73 St.) - 1130AM-3PM. Fundraiser to support our troops and the Association.
Saturday - Nov. 15 - Grand Opening Celebration of Patriot's Park - 6827 Palm Ave. - Fair Oaks. Wall of Honor Dedication.
                                     Names placed on the Wall of those who gave their lives for service to their country or community.
                                      10AM. Speakers, refreshments, music, family activities. 10AM. Info:   916-485-5322 x 23
Tuesday, Nov. 18 - VVA500 General Meeting - 7PM - Roseville Veterans Memorial Hall
Thursday, Nov. 20 - Memorial Anniversary Meeting
Thursday, Nov. 27 - Thanksgiving Day
Miscellaneous Dates - Jesuit High School's Annual Play - The play, "Achilles in America: A Play about Coming Home".   This play was written by the students themselves and is about our troops coming home from the war. The actors are from Jesuit, Loretto and St. Francis High Schools.    Dates are: Nov. 6,7,8, @7:30PM and Nov. 5th @4PM Nov. 9th@2PM. Students $8. General Public $12.
Contact: 916- 482-6060 Location: 1200 Jacob Lane - Carmichael.

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

ATTENTION VETERANS & VETERANS-OWNED SMALL BUSINESSES: New, Complimentary Resources for
Small Businesses

     IBM and the International Finance Corps of the World Bank is extending its on-line resource for small business to veteran's organizations and veterans owned small businesses. Called the SME Toolkit (www.smetoolkit.org), it is an on-line resource and it has an array of new features providing expert advice for starting, growing or maintaining a business. The new tools include daily expert advice by Jim Blasingame, the #1 ranked small business expert on the Internet. A new small Business video learning series is available covering topics such as incorporating, bookkeeping, managing credit and avoiding burnout. The toolkit was introduced last year in the U.S. for Asian, Black, Hispanic, Native American and Women-owned businesses, and contains thousands of how-to articles, free Web software, press release distribution offerings and directory listing, financial calculators, business readiness quizzes, human resources and more. Most of the toolkit is now available in Spanish.                              Submitted by Pete Conaty.
              ARE YOU VETERAN SMALL BUSINESS OWNER?
     The California Department of Veterans Affairs is now providing a submission form to be utilized by California certified Small/Micro Businesses and Disabled Veteran Business Enterprises (DVBE) who wish to be included in the California Department of Veterans Affairs’ Small Business and DVBE Database. The database is used to give CDVA contract managers and purchasers a resource in finding possible Small Business/DVBE vendors and service providers.
     Get Certified! If your small business or DVBE is not yet certified with the Department of General Services, you may go to DGS's On-Line Certification site and apply on-line. (Small businesses may receive immediate certification. Prospective DVBEs will be prompted to send eligibility documentation.) Go to the site:
http://www.pd.dgs.ca.gov/smbus/getcertified.htm.

UPDATE ON SGT. SAM from Sam's Father Eric
Sam and Erin are doing tremendously…Erin’s describes their days as great, full, and productive. He is at the end of a treatment that has been so unpleasant for him that he had to have morphine both before and after the procedure. It is called bladder irrigation and it hurts. It is used to fight the recurring urinary tract infections with something more than just antibiotics. They pump his bladder full of water with antiseptics and topical antibiotics and then force him to hold it in there for an hour. Ugh! Not only does he have the sensation to pee, but it hurts as well. I asked him how the shot of morphine made him feel and he answered “fuzzy”. Better than pain, I guess…Erin said tonight that while she gave him a haircut today, he became quite talkative and that he had a great afternoon. You see, Marines have to have that high regulation haircut to make them happy. Ha! Talk of transfer back to Palo Alto won’t even be entertained by his Darling Dr D. until his meds are regulated to her satisfaction…

AFTER ACTION REPORT
9/12 - E.D. McNeill attended a meeting at the Midtown Lions Club to explain chapter functions and the goals of the chapter.
9/12, 13, 14 - Members participated as volunteers for the Sacramento Stand Down.
9/16 - VVA500 held their regular General Meeting. Janet Lial, VA Suicide Prevention Coordinator gave a presentation on recognizing the symptoms and prevention of suicide.
9/18 - The chapter sponsored a VIP dinner for "The Road Home", a program for community colleges promoting facilitating the transition of Veterans from war to school. VP McNeill and Secretary Adams attended the dinner. The chapter POW/MIA flag was brought to the dinner and special tribute was paid to our POW/MIA'S due to the POW/MIA Day on the 19th.
9/19 - Secretary Adams attended "The Road Home" program held at American River College.
9/20 - Members attended the American Legion "Oktoberfest" at the Roseville Veterans Hall.
10/04 - Several members attended the 2nd annual "Never Forget our Fallen" Memorial Event for Iraq/Afghanistan KIA's held at the All Veterans Memorial.
10/07 - VVA500 held their regular Board Meeting.
10/09 - Committee members Harper and Kauffman attended the 20th Anniversary of the Memorial Meeting.
10/14-16 - AVVA member Rhona Nitsche participated in the North Bay Stand Down in Dixon.
10/10,11,12 - Members attended the annual VVA500 Get-A-Way in Scotts Flat.
10/20 - E.D. McNeill met with marketing representative from Sam's Club re: Chapter activities, goals and services that can be provided by Sam's.
10/23 - Committee members Harper, Kauffman & McNeill attended the 20th Anniversary of the Memorial Meeting.
10/25/26 - VP McNeill attended the quarterly CSC meeting.
10/25 - AVVA member Rhona Nitsche hosted a farewell dinner for Stand Down Camp Commander Mike Evans and Assistant Director Larry VanCuren, both who are moving out of state.

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.

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

VVA500 SCHOLARSHIPS AWARDED

     This is the second essay of the three scholarships awarded this year by the chapter. The winner, Lucio Tolentino is from Corona, Ca. and is attending Cornell College in Iowa. Lucio tells us that his father signed up voluntarily for ROTC while he was a sophomore in college, and then went into the service after he graduated with a degree in chemistry. His father's family received American citizenship after Lucio's grandfather fought for the United States in World War II as a Filipino scout. Lucio's father felt it right to show his gratitude for his country and fight again when the cause was called for. He served as a communications officer in Vietnam and was honorably discharged.
     Lucio will be graduating after this year and applying to graduate schools across the United States. He is undecided in which field specifically to pursue as he will graduate with a degree in Mathematics and Computer Science. He hopes to earn a PhD in one of the two, and go on to work in the industry. The following is Lucio's essay...The topic this year was "Explain in Detail the Many Roles Women Played in the Vietnam War".
     Unsung Heroes.....The ideal concept of a Hero is not limited to the strength, bravery, or courage of an individual; rather it is a general definition encompassing bold actions and daring overcoming of difficult trials--and it is not bound to one gender. During the Vietnam War, in which the United States aided the Vietnamese in their struggle against Communism, women played a significant and often overlooked role. The women of the Vietnam War personified heroism through their voluntary services to the military and exemplified a bold spirit. Though the military kept intricate details of the number of captured enemy weapons and other odd details, they failed to count the number of women who volunteered to be nurses, photojournalists, clerks, typists, intelligence officers, translators, and flight controllers--even though there women were crucial to the events that took place in Vietnam.
     The "women of the Vietnam War" were most commonly thought of as the nurses that provided voluntary care for the soldiers that were wounded in battle. Often nurses lack their rightfully earned glory, but the families of soldiers that came home because of the superb medical treatment of the volunteer nurses understand the nurses' true worth. Arguably the toughest job in Vietnam, the nurses everyday had to deal with victims of gun shots, mortar bombs, and other Vietnamese devices. Even without necessary supplies and medical tools the nurses did everything they could to save the victims.
     The soldiers on the field were not the only ones who suffered during the war--the Vietnamese children were growing up in a harsh world with explosions and gun shots happening all over the place. The nuns that ran the Catholic schools and orphanages created a home for these children displaced by the war. Their compassion towards the youth went beyond the children's need for a home and food, it extended to offer a sense of family, an education, and a loving environment. These women aided the generation that would be inheriting the war torn country: Those that were innocent in the conflicts of the day.
                    Continued in the next column.....

SCHOLARSHIP ESSAY, CONT.

The contribution of the women of the Vietnam War were widespread, extending out their hands to help everyone that needed their care. At that time, as women were not allowed to serve in combat roles, they took it upon themselves to help in the war efforts in other ways. They took a bold action to help the hurting, and daringly overcame the hard obstacles that faced the. Everything from taking g care of wounded soldiers to taking care of innocent children the women of the Vietnam War were heroines for the United States. ..... Thank you Lucio and Congratulations!

                        CDVA SECRETARY'S CONFERENCE
     Lorna Perrigo, member of VVA500 and Treasurer of the WACVA, Sacramento Chapter 96 attended the conference early and October and this is her report:
     On October 3, 2008, I attended the CDVA Secretary's Conference at the "Medal of Honor Hall", CDVA Headquarters.
     After the Pledge of Allegiance and Invocations Secretary Tom Johnson's opening remarks were regarding the support needed for Proposition 12 Bond Act of 2008. Secretary Johnson also mentioned the importance of SB 1345 Gold Star Plate Fund which would be signed by the Governor in the near future.
     The agenda began with speakers giving the updates on the National Guard Troops', College Education and Careers. Updates on the facilities for nursing homes and home assistance for our handicapped veterans followed. We were informed about plans for new locations for National Cemeteries and the CA Vietnam Veterans Memorial 20th Anniversary event beginning December 10-14, with Veteran Reunions, Reading of the Names and a Parade to the Memorial.
     We received a long list of Senate and Assembly Bills that have been signed with the changes in the laws governing the administration of Veterans Homes, support for housing, improvements in Veteran Memorials, Compensation benefits, loans for the CAL-VET Home and Farm Loans programs and other authorized provisions for veterans. The New Federal GI Bill overview boasts the best comprehensive education benefits package since the original GI Bill signed into law in 1944. This new benefit will go into effect August 1, 2009.
     The Division of Veteran Homes updates were on Homes in Yountville, Barstow, and Chula Vista. The recent growth and accomplishments in these Homes and the future Homes in Redding and Fresno are in the program design phase.
     Veteran Support Opportunities for Communication and Marketing and Website Outreach Programs were explained. This new outreach program for Veterans will update the website, Title 38 updating for Veterans Courts for all veterans, incarcerated veterans and others with legal problems. There is a new outreach "Dial 211" phone number for services for veterans that is now being used in some cities. Each organization needs to register for the "211" phone line, to place your organization as a lead for services. The conference adjourned at noon. This Conference was a great opportunity for me to attend. There was a great overview of updates and information on the latest progress being made to assist our veterans.

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

VIETNAM SURVIVAL GUILT
Submitted by: Douglas R. Haney

     September 7th marked the 40th anniversary of my one-year tour in South Vietnam as a U.S. Army combat Medic. I don't know if anyone can identify with this, or if it is just me, but I've been plagued by the intrusive replaying of this life-changing event all year long. Arriving "in Country," I was just short of my 20th birthday. In fact, I remember silently celebrating it on October 1st, 1968, by sitting at a table by myself in a dark corner of the room; beer in hand, waiting to go back into emergency surgery should the need arise, and thereafter back to my official morgue detail assignment. My first birthday ever away from home was spent in the 1st Infantry Division's "Dr. Delta" field hospital NCO Club in Ben Cat, northwest of Saigon.
     While sitting there starring down at my beer and pondering my wearily anticipated "short-time" future, I couldn't help but think of my best friends from Advanced Individual Training (AIT), both of which also graduated out of the Medical Training Center (MTC) at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio a short month earlier. I wondered where they were assigned and how well they were adjusting. Two months later in reading a copy of the military's Stars and Stripes newspaper I was horrified to learn the fate of one of them. The paper listed PFC John Edwin Lutze, 20, of Flint, Michigan as "Killed in Action." He was assigned to D-Co., 2nd BN, 22nd Infantry, 25th Infantry Division. Years after the war I discovered that John, along with three other members of his unit were killed in a firefight on November 8, 1968, 17 kilometers southeast of Tay Ninh City. Posthumously, he was awarded a Silver Star medal, the third highest offered by our nation for bravery above and beyond the call of duty. Of the three of us, John was the one who was most "worldly." By his own admission, he had lived a fast paced life for a single young man prior to entering the service, and he was at times both careless, and carefree. It did not surprise me then, that he was heroic in the field. Somehow, I had premonitions that if stationed in the field, John would never make it out of Vietnam alive. Though word of his death was a shock none-the-less. It was a tragic moment in my life that has to this very day, affected me deeply. John was a remarkable soldier, and to me, it was a if I had lost a blood brother.
     The day before we left our temporary transport quarters at the Oakland Naval Base on September 6, 1968, the three of us, John Lutze, myself, and my very best friend, with the same birth date as mine, Michel Harold Flood of Toledo, had pledged to meet post-Vietnam at this same base in reunion. Of course, with John's death, that would never be. However, one day in late August, I received a letter from Michel's mother. This came as a complete surprise as I was totally unaware that she even knew who I was. Her letter began... "Dear Douglas: I know that you were a great friend of my son Michel as he often spoke very highly of you. I hope this letter finds its way to you as I had to contact our local Army recruiting office in order to have it channeled somehow to you in Vietnam. I hope you are safe and well. I wanted you to know that our son Michael, serving with the 101st Airborne was killed..."            Cont. in the next column►►►

Vietnam Survival Guilt, cont.

I was not able to read the rest of her letter before breaking down into a sobbing mass of despair. I don't remember every finishing it as out of everything I had endured in Vietnam, now a seasoned combat Medic having braved several firefights against both Viet Cong and North Vietnamese Regular Army enemy insurgents with A Co., 1/61st 5th Mechanized Infantry Division, this perhaps was the ultimate blow to my greatly traumatized mental state. Michael H. Flood was extremely intelligent; a born leader. Out of the three of us, I expected that I would die once in the field, but never, ever, did I consider that I would be the sole survivor. My return from Vietnam was not a pleasurable one, and for years thereafter I needed to know how and why Michael had died, and I didn't. It was extremely distracting in my life, and left me with a feeling of total remorse. For years I felt as if I had cheated death; that, I should have been the one to die not Michael, due to all the foolish things I did, and unnecessary chances I took, during my tour of duty. Thereafter, never felt heroic. Nor did I feel that I was worthy of having survived. Stateside, this translated into years of feeling inferior and guilty. It has only been in the past two years, since 2006 that I ever have pursued in any manner a Bronze Star with Valor medal that had been officially promised by my former Company Commander after a major battle fought in Khe Sanh one long night in April of 1969.
It wasn't until nearly 37 years later by sheer coincidence, that a great friend a post-military soul brother Don Harper, a former Marine in Vietnam, and at the time serving as Executive Director of the South Sacramento California Vietnam Veteran's Resource Center, called me out of the blue to invite me our to the Center to meet a former Army Captain Phil Robinson. In 1969, then Lt. Robinson was also on Hamburger Hill (or otherwise classified as Hill 937) at or about the time our small contingent group was there. As we spoke, the subject of my quest to find information about Sp-4, combat Medic Michael Flood surfaced, and had he ever perhaps come across him while serving with the 1st Battalion, 506th Infantry. Somewhat bewildered, Mr. Robinson asked me if I believed in "de'jevau"? I asked, "Why? Do you believe you have seen me before in a dream or something"? "Or, perhaps you somehow remember me from some reason up on Hamburger Hill"? His response to this literally floored me. "Yes, your face is familiar. However, Michael Flood was my medic; I was his commanding officer in the field the day he was killed." Then, without further response, he produced a file from his briefcase with information he had been carrying around with him for years as if longing for the opportunity and dedicated to this moment in time. This chance meeting suddenly became so surreal that my friend Don Harper remarked."...that the hair on his arms and neck were standing straight up as if a ghost had suddenly entered the room!" I was totally both shocked and elated to the degree, that for the moment, time practically stood still and immediately my mind, body, and spirit drifted back to a time long ago as tears filled my eyes. In this file were Michael's last known letter to his mother, pictures, field reports, and many other items pertaining to his service on the field. Cont. on Page 8►►►

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THE CAPITOL VETERAN NOVEMBER, 2008........Page 8

VIETNAM SURVIVAL GUILT, CONT.

     And what was not covered in this report, the man who was the last man to actually observe Michael die heroically in battle was there personally before me to fill in the blanks. Totally unreal! He even had pictures of what I believe show our unit's Armed Personnel Carriers (APC) that he had taken during that time on Hamburger Hill.
     Michael, Mr. Robinson explained had observed a fellow soldier wounded in an area heavily occupied by NVA insurgents. Lt. Robinson suggested that it was suicide for anyone to attempt a rescue of this soldier, but Michael offered to try anyway above his objections, and simply took off running. He reached the soldier, but as he started to carry his injured comrade to safety he was hit several times and died moments later. For at least the next two days, the area was extremely hostile and to reach both dead soldiers was virtually impossible under the circumstances. Once the area was again secured the bodies were recovered, but not before being mutilated and stripped of clothing useful you the enemy and jewelry. During this recovery, Michael's specially made watch which he literally cherished, was extracted and issuing from his wrist. Thought to be lost forever, a few days later it was rediscovered on a captured NVA soldier. The captive soldier under intense interrogation revealed that during the fight that ensued after Michael's demise that nearly two thirds of his Regiment force had been killed or wounded; this, compared to eight American casualties. His unit was then forced to regroup and retreat back toward the north. For his heroic actions under extreme hostile conditions Michael too, as preceded in death months earlier by his close friend PFC John E. Lutze, was posthumously awarded the Silver Star medal.
     This extraordinary event in my life provided a sense of closure, but as anyone who has experienced tragedy such as this know, in being a sole survivor the loss is rarely ever fully comforted.
     This month, 40 years later the war is never far removed from my mind. For years I have felt as if I have had to live life for two other people who've never had the chance to experience the birth of a child; the extreme changes in technology and science; the historical events, and many other things in life I have been able to participate in. Indirectly, my life has been tormented with the abstract illusion that I am living my life in relationship to all three of us. Thought I am motivated to succeed, my personal "internal war" throughout the past 40 years is fought with the determination that such ignorance costing 58,269 American "human asset" deaths, 153,452 wounded, and 1947 missing in action tragedies might never occur again for merely, nothing. I cannot do much about what has been done already, but I am dedicated to 21st century intellectual expansion that might one day prevent the same or a similar situation in the future.
     Ever since Vietnam my lifelong conviction has been, "Why should we waste human lives on war and barbaric warfare tactics when Americans are incredible and vastly rich resources for inventions and medical research; leaders for human achievement, worldwide. Continued in next column►►►

VIETNAM SURVIVAL GUILT, CONT.

Why should we concentrate our human and fiscal resources in putting out senseless civil hostilities worldwide instead of investing our academic intellect in ways that might educate and cultivate human existence toward a non-violent future of human development and maturity?" Therapy, in dealing with PTSD has brought defiant tears and intrusive recall over the years from a seasoned former military draftee who was selected as "soldier of the week" twice during basic training years ago at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri (i.e., "Little Korea"), but not without fierce resistance. The road traveled since Vietnam has been wrought with long-term recovery from adversities such as alcohol abuse, divorce, and fiscal failures, intertwined with measurable successes in career, education, and personal achievements. Unfortunately, the devastation of war has many tentacles with life-long aftereffects. For sole survivors, there are few solutions to fully eliminate the intrusive memories, but many of the personal battles can be won in order to lead a measurably healthy and productive life. Everyday day in my life since Vietnam has been likened to "frosting on the cake" as I had many "close calls" meaning those incidents taking place within a fraction of an inch or within seconds. No one an tell me exactly why my luck was any better than the over 2096 other medics listed on the Vietnam Memorial who died, but is was, and don't think for one moment I am not grateful. I am.
Note: Vietnam Memorial Washington DC; PFC/E3 John Edwin Lutze, Panel 39W, Line 037; SP-4/E4 Michael Harold Flood, Panel 27W, Line 008.

UPCOMING EVENTS FOR DECEMBER
VVA MEMBERS AND FAMILIES - MARK YOUR CALENDARS

VVA500 ANNUAL CHRISTMAS PARTY
DECEMBER 20, 2008 6-9PM
HELD AT THE LUAU GARDEN CHINESE BUFFET
1890 ARDEN WAY - SACRAMENTO

COST: $10 PER PERSON-CHILDREN UNDER 12 FREE
BRING A WRAPPED DOLLAR STORE GIFT
RESERVE YOUR TICKETS BY DECEMBER 8.
SEND YOUR MONEY IN TO THE OFFICE OR BRING TO A MEETING. SEND TO: VVA500 - P.O. BOX 255484 SACRAMENTO, CA 95865

"NEVER FORGET OUR FALLEN"
DECEMBER 20, 2008 1-3PM - DETAILS TO COME
XMAS PARTY FOR CHILDREN OF ACTIVE DUTY, GUARD AND RESERVE CHILDREN!

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

JANET LIAL, VA SUICIDE PREVENTION COORDINATOR GIVES HER PRESENTATION AT VVA500 SEPT. MEETING

VVA500 MEMBERS ATTENDED THE "NEVER FORGET OUR FALLEN" ANNUAL MEMORIAL

"NEVER FORGET OUR FALLEN" GOLD STAR MOTHER DEBORAH GETZ AND SON, NICK, IRAQI VETERAN

VVA500 ANNUAL GET-A-WAY AT SCOTTS FLAT

DALE KEHOE WITH BILL WAGNER ON LEFT. THANKS TO BILL FOR BEING THE GET-A-WAY CHAIR, PLANNING THE GET-A-WAY AND BEING THE CHEF.

LEFT TO RIGHT, FIRST TIMER ALAN HAYASHI, VP MCNEILL AND TREASURER QUINT RELAXING AT FIRESIDE.

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THE CAPITOL VETERAN............NOVEMBER, 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!
OCTOBER/NOVEMBER BIRTHDAYS
OCT-♫♫♫Bill Wagner-Army♫♫♫Lemuel Murray - Marines♫♫♫Karen Anne Winnett - Marines♫♫Jim Morris - Army♫♫♫Douglas Wright - Army♫♫David Kruger - Air Force♫♫♫♫Sheryl Schmidt - Air Force♫♫♫♫Kenneth Crouse - Marines♫♫♫♫Michael Kunda - Air Force♫♫♫♫Robert Kinzsel - Marines♫♫♫♫NOV♫♫♫♫Pete Conaty - Army♫♫♫♫Bud Lee - Army♫♫♫♫Eugene Cirillo - Air Force♫♫♫♫Henry (Hank) Davis- Marines♫♫♫♫Ted Puntillo - Army♫♫♫♫And back in September we missed Lucio Lopez - Marines♫♫♫♫

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.

WELCOME HOME NEW MEMBERS!

Alex "Batman" Briones - Army, Josef David Asher - Army
and Ted Puntillo, Army

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

"NEVER AGAIN WILL ONE GENERATION OF VETERANS ABANDON ANOTHER"

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