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

CAPITOL CITY
VETERAN

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

"We remember!"  SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER, 2007 "Be Proud"

        CURRENT NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

COME AND JOIN US

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 8
FOR VVA500'S FAMILY PICNIC
10:00 AM Until.......Food at Noon
TAKES PLACE AT CAMP POLLOCK
1501 Northgate Blvd. (Northgate and Del Paso)

     The Chapter will be providing hot dogs, hamburgers and chicken and the drinks.  You just need to bring a potluck dish, or a snack yourself and your family.  Kids are welcome.  We will have live music and our big raffle for the year.  So, make sure you bring all of those tickets for attending Chapter events you have been saving. Some of the prizes are:  A beautiful limited edition print of a Huey Helicopter, donated by Rev. Bill McDonald, a Power Washer, donated by Buck Parham, a Tent and Sleeping Bag donated by President Ted, a great Picnic Set for four from the Chapter and some other great prizes.  In case we haven't seen you around much, we'll be giving the members a ticket for coming to the picnic.  So everyone will have a chance to win something.  BUT, YOU MUST BE THERE TO WIN.  There will be some prizes for the kids too.  You need to RSVP so that we can get a count for the food.  So, plan on coming and enjoying some good food and good company.
       GENERAL MEETING - SEPTEMBER 18, 2007 - 7PM
                  GUEST SPEAKER - NICK PETRUZELLI
     We have something really different and fun for you this meeting.  If you came to the last meeting, you were able to meet the Petruzelli Team explaining Cal-Vet and the Real Estate market to you.  The members really enjoyed meeting Michelle and Nick.  They are coming back this time to tell us about some unbelievable affordable travel opportunities.  If you have always wanted to travel, but couldn't afford it, this might be the way.  From what they tell us, there is a way to make your travel into a business opportunity also.  We'll get to see a video and all of the details.  So, be at the hall on 9/18 at 7PM.
          OCTOBER MEETING IS AT THE GET-A-WAY

SUN

MON

TUES

WED

THURS

FRI

SAT

6
 

12

SUN

MON

TUES

WED

THURS

FRI

SAT

14

15

16
NO VVA500 General Meeting Come to the
 Get-A-Way

17

18

19

20
Young Marines Training

21

22

23
Battle of La Drang Valley 1965

24

25

26
CSC Meeting

27
CSC Meeting

28
CSC Meeting

29
Battle of Loc Ninh Began 1967

30

31
Halloween

 

MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR NOVEMBER!

November 10th - "Shadow of the Blade"  See page Page 5
November 11th - Veterans Day Parade - Elk Grove
November 11th - Marine Corps Birthday Ball

     CONNECTIONS

     We received this e-mail in August.  If anyone can help this Australian Vietnam Veteran,  please call or e-mail the Chapter. 
     "I am an Australian Vietnam Veteran who served in Vietnam 1969-70 at the Australian Task Force Base at Nui Dat in Phouce Tuy Province.  During my time in Vietnam I witnessed a Chinook crash that claimed the lives of the American crew.  Recently I stumbled across the names and details of the crew.  One of the Pilots was CW2 MARVIN JEAN BUTTERFIELD from Penryn, CA, he was 32 and was married.....he died on the 30th August 1969.
     I believe I was the last person to speak with the crew immediately prior to their death....the Chinook was Geronimo 161.....
     I would appreciate any assistance you could give me in contacting any members of Marvin's family that might still be in the Penryn area....
     I have been haunted for the last 38 years not knowing the names of those in the crew now I have found that information, contact with family members could well bring me some closure on this tragic incident...Hoping to hear from you soon,
     Yours in arms,   Steve Pemberton

                                      THE ROAD HOME
                       "From Combat to College and Beyond"
     VVA's motto is:  "Never again shall shall one generation of veterans abandon another".  That is why we feel the above program is an important one to attend.  Sierra College explains:  Colleges across America are witnessing a wave of veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan.  Sierra College currently has over two hundred Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom veterans.  "The Road Home..." forum goal is to increase community awareness and understanding and to foster greater collaboration among colleges, communities and veteran service providers.  The program takes place on Friday, September 28 from 8:30AM-3:30PM at Sierra College Dietrich Theatre.  Register by e-mail to Sierra's Veteran Counselor, Catherine Morris-cmorris@sbcglobal.net, or call for information at 916-781-0411.

     SACRAMENTO BLUE STAR MOMS GOLF TOURNAMENT
     The Blue Star Moms are hosting their 2nd Annual Golf Tournament to honor our American Heroes in the Armed Forces on Friday, September 28, starting at 1PM at the Timber Creek Golf Course.  To help support this great organization who supports our troops, and are Moms of those currently serving, call Terri Chumbley at 916-715-0544.  Hurry though, reservations are limited.
                         "IN THE SHADOW OF THE BLADE"
     If you have never seen this film, it is a "must do" for your list.  Rev. Bill McDonald will be hosting an event on November 10 at the Franklin Public Library in Elk Grove that will show the film about the helicopter trip around the country visiting many veterans and/or their families that were rescued by the dust-offs when injured.  The Chapter will be participating in this event.  More information will come in the next newsletter.  Mark your calendar!

                                       AFTER ACTION REPORT

7/4 - VVA500 marched in the Roseville July 4th Parade.
7/7 - Young Marines held their regular Training Day
7/9 - E.D. McNeill attended the Stand Down Board Meeting
7/10 - E.D. McNeill attended the regular Veterans Task Force Meeting of the Interagency Council to End Homelessness
7/16 - Sec. McNeill attended the Marine Corps League Meeting
7/16 - E.D. McNeill attended the Stand Down Task Force Meeting
7/17 - VVA500 held their regular General Meeting, with Michelle Petruzzelli explaining the benefits of Cal-Vet Home Loans
7/21 - Young Marines held their regular Training Day
7/22 - VVA500 Color Guard performed services for the Women's Overseas Service League
8/4 - Young Marines Graduation Day for Recruits
8/7 - VVA500 held their regular Board Meeting
8/9 - E.D. McNeill attended the Salvation Army Interim Care Program Open House
8/11 - VVA500 members attended the annual Purple Heart Day held at the Capitol
8/12 -  VVA500 members attended the annual American Legion Veterans Picnic at the Roseville Hall
8/13 - E.D. McNeill attended the Stand Down Board Meeting
8/14 - E.D. McNeill attended the Veterans Task Force Meeting of the Interagency Council to End Homelessness
8/15 - E.D. McNeill attended the State Fair 1st Responders Meet.
8/18 - Young Marines Training Day
8/20 - E.D. McNeill attended the Stand Down Task Force Meet.
8/22 - Members attended the pre-screening by invite of the movie "In the Valley of Elah".  After the movie, a PTSD Counselor was present to answer questions.
8/27 - E.D. McNeill attended the Stand Down Board Meeting
8/28 - Members spent the day at the Fair for 1st Responders Day and awarded scholarships to recipients.
9/1 - Young Marines Training Day

                 TROUBLE AT THE MEMORIAL........AGAIN!
     As we were writing this newsletter, we received a call from Bill Thomas our downtown resident AVVA member that the Memorial had been vandalized once again.  Evidently according to the time, the event would have happened in broad daylight at around 6PM or so on Sunday, September 2.  Kind of unbelievable, but someone with a spray can, can do a lot of damage in a very short period of time.
    Paint was sprayed on the panel where the soldier is holding the M-16.  A footprint was seen on the M-16.
    We were told that a downtown group of people, with Bill, helped take the paint off the panel and worked through the early hours of the morning, with the CHP bringing coffee and doughnuts to the workers.  Even some people who just happened to be passing by helped with the work.
     While the Memorial does have cameras fixed on it, there are blind spots.  We will be checking with CDVA Veterans Services as to the re-polishing of the bronze where the paint was removed and check for any further damage.

Left:  Sam and Julie at 2005 Reading of the Names
Right:  Sam and his wife Erin
     Early in August, we told those of you that have e-mail about the serious injuries suffered in Iraq by Sgt. Samuel Nichols, USMC.  Julie had notified us that at the time Sam was in a coma and not expected to survive, and if he did, possibly would remain in a vegetative state. While we hear of injuries and casualties every day, this news especially caused heartache for the Chapter.  Julie Neria, Sam's mother-in-law has played taps many times for us for the Reading of the Names, Parades, other ceremonies and has given much of her time to honor Veterans with her talent.  Sam came to the Reading in 2005 while he was home from his first tour in Iraq.  But, he was there for his second tour and that's when he was hit with an IED.   Sam and Erin have only been married for four years, and much of that time, Sam has been in Iraq.
     Sam is making progress from his many injuries, but is still in a coma.  His status is listed as:  Critical, but stable condition.  He is in a coma, bleeding in his middle brain and has extensive damage to his brain stem.  He seems more animated and sensitive to movement and attention to his other injuries.  Sam will be transferred to Palo Alto where the state of the art center for Traumatic Brain Injury has been established when he is released from Bethesda Naval Hospital.
     The family has been back and forth to be with Sam.  There is a blog online, www.tneria01.wordpress.com , kept up by father-in-law Tony,  where you can keep up with Sam's progress as well as the listing of many organizations that have helped pay for the expenses should you wish to contribute to help with the family expenses.  Julie has asked us to pray for a miracle.  Keep him in your thoughts and prayers to bring him back to his family.

                 THE PURPLE HEART HALL OF HONOR
     The National Purple Heart Hall of Honor is conducting a nationwide effort to register Purple Heart recipients in the museum's database.  So far, 70,000 recipients have been registered since the Hall of Honor opened in New Windsor, NY in November, but organizers hope to enroll as many as 1.5 million.  Hall visitors can access the list of Purple Heart recipients on the museum's 15 computers that chronicle photos and stories about those who have earned the medal.  To register with the Hall of Honor, you must submit the appropriate official documentation and can also submit stories, photos, articles, and an optional taped interview chronicling your service, etc.  Call the Hall at 845-561-1765, or check the website at www.thepurpleheart.com for more information.     

VETERANS BENEFITS AND MORE, CONT.

     If treatment is provided with antiviral drugs with the first couple of days it can reduce the pain and may help prevent a shingles complication know as post herpetic neuralgia.  This condition results from damaged nerves and can continue long after the rash heals.  While not life threatening, Shingles can develop into chronic pain that may bring with it insomnia, weight loss, depression and other medical problems.  Fortunately, only about 10% of all people with shingles develop post herpetic neuralgia and in most cases the pain is not severe and goes away within a couple of months.  If shingles appear on the face it can lead to vision or hearing problems.  If the cornea becomes infected the result can cause permanent blindness. 
Chapter Note:  Even though the VA is offering the vaccine to mostly those 60 yrs. and older, you might check with your primary just in case you might be a candidate that should receive the vaccine.
                    FOR OUR INCARCERATED VETERANS
     As you know Board Member and Incarcerated Veterans Committee Chair, Monty Montoya maintains a Veterans Group in Folsom Prison of which many are our Chapter members.  Many questions come up in regard to benefits for Incarcerated Veterans.  Here is some information:  VA benefits are affected if a beneficiary is convicted of a felony and imprisoned for more than 60 days.  Disability or Death Pension paid to an Incarcerated beneficiary must be discontinued.  Disability compensation paid to an incarcerated veteran rated 20 percent or more disabled is limited to the 10 percent rate.  For a surviving spouse, child or dependent parent receiving Dependency and Indemnity Compensation, or a veteran whose disability rating is 10 percent, the payment is reduced to half of the rate payable to a veteran evaluated as 10 percent disabled.  Any amount not paid may be apportioned to eligible dependents.  Payments are not reduced for participants in work-release programs, residing in halfway houses or under community control.  Failure to notify VA of a veteran's incarceration can result in overpayment of benefits and the subsequent loss of all VA financial benefits until the overpayment is recovered.  VA benefits will not be provided to any veteran or dependent wanted for an outstanding felony warrant.  Persons convicted of a federal or state capital crime are barred from receiving VA burial benefits.  You also cannot receive a Veterans Pension while Incarcerated.
     Chapter Note:  This does not mean that a Veterans who is incarcerated cannot apply for deserved benefits.  We are working at this time to determine who in our group may qualify and a Service Officer who would be able to help file those claims.  And while it does not seem fair that although Veterans served their country honorably and got themselves into trouble later, possibly even due to PTSD from their service, that they cannot receive VA burial benefits, it would take difficult to pass legislation to do away with that provision.
     Once again, we would like to thank our Veterans Group in Folsom for their generous donation to the Chapter from their food sale fund-raiser.  Monty deserves thanks to for his tireless work  of helping an often forgotten group of Veterans.

        SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS

     Each year the Chapter gives scholarship awards to relatives of Vietnam Veterans who will be attending college or a vocational school in the fall.  These scholarships are given out in honor of all of our fallen Vietnam Brothers and Sisters.  It has become tradition to present the scholarships at the State Fair Veterans and/or 1st Responders Day, which once again, we did this year.  The applicants along with being a relative of a Vietnam Veteran must also write an essay on various topics that are chosen by the Chapter Scholarship Committee.  The winners are chosen along with the other criteria on the merits of that essay.  The topic this year was:  "Why Should We Honor All Veterans and What are the Opportunities for Doing So?"  The winner's essays are published in subsequent newsletters in alphabetical order.  This year's winners are:  Michelle Schmidt and Micaela Torres-Gil.  They received scholarships of $500. each.
     Michelle Schmidt's essay will be the first in this newsletter.  Michelle graduated from Folsom High School.  Michelle's goals in her words are: "My Educational Goal is to obtain a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration.  Obtaining a higher education will give me a set of tools that I can use for the rest of my life.  I will receive good academic training for an occupation but more importantly, I will gain knowledge and skills that can be used in a variety of situations.  In college I will be required to work as a team with people from all backgrounds, to utilize technology and come up with innovative solutions, and to view the world from political, historical, and scientific perspectives.  My goal is to graduate a well-rounded person contributing to the workplace and the community."  Here is Michelle's essay............
     "From the Revolutionary War to the current War on Terrorism, veterans have paid the price for my freedom.  Many have paid the ultimate price.  Our Armed Forces have not only defended our freedom, but have also ensured the freedom of many other nations' citizens.  As a result of our veterans' service from the founding of our nation to today, I have the freedom to choose my political party, my vocation, my religion, and to follow my dreams.  Many people around the world owe their freedom to our veterans.  However, there is no other country whose citizens have as much freedom as the United States and the corresponding responsibility to honor those who have protected and defended our nation.
     Those of us who have been blessed with so much personal freedom need to understand and honor the personal sacrifices made by those who have served in the military.  While I was deciding which shoes to wear to my high school graduation, many of our military personnel in Iraq missed their child's graduation.  While I was complaining about the thermostat setting at home, our military personnel in Iraq were suffering in the heat.  While I was whining about having a headache, our military personnel were suffering from battle wounds.
                     Continues in the next column........................

THE PETRUZELLI TEAM EXPLAINS THE BENEFITS OF CAL-VET HOME LOANS TO MEMBERS

NEWLY GRADUATED YOUNG MARINES RECITE THE MARINE CORPS OATH

MEMBERS RELAX AT THE AMERICAN LEGION'S ANNUAL VETERANS PICNIC HELD AT THE ROSEVILLE HALL

 

SOME OF THE MEMBERS THAT ATTENDED THE FIRST RESPONDERS DAY AT THE FAIR

MICHELLE SCHMIDT ACCEPTS HER SCHOLARSHIP

MICAELA TORRES-GIL'S FATHER ACCEPTS THE SCHOLARSHIP FOR MICAELA WHO HAS ALREADY STARTED ATTENDING CLASSES IN COLLEGE