Sept 2005

PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

A great day was had by all at the years California State Fair's recognized First Responders/Veterans Day. The day started about 10:30AM with Mary Lou and I unloading and setting up our display. A very nice one at that. The fair didn't open until 12:00 so we had plenty of time to set everything up. I would like to thank our members and AVVA members that showed up to help man our table. A big thanks to the following members: Chip Fong, Jerry Quint, Joe Feirl, Bill Wagner, Greg McNeill, Patrick Boltinghouse, Karen Winnett, Kris Hollinger, Grace Calles, David Dutton Lorna Greiss. If I missed anyone I'm very sorry, and a very big thank you to our Executive Director Mary Lou McNeill, if it wasn't for her hard work and dedication all of this wouldn't have happened. Thank You Mary Lou. As you can see we had a great turn out for the fair from our members. All day and night we had fun talking with each other, intermingling with the other veterans groups there, meeting and sharing our information with the other veterans in and out of our area. Again, we had a great spot this year, right in the middle of the food court so we had a lot of traffic. Free fair entrance for all veterans, sandwiches and drinks on hand for all. If you didn't make it out to the fair this year you missed a great time, hopefully you will next year. Don't forget on the 16th, 17th and 18th of September is Stand Down. If you can help out for a hew hours please let Mary Lou know what days and hours.
Your President, Ted Adams

                                   THE GET-A-WAY
     OK members, what happens every year in October right around Columbus Day? Those who have been there, know the answer. Those who haven't missed a good thing. Yes, it's the annual Chapter 500 Get-A-Way. Time for the members to get a little R & R, renew old friendships, start new ones, and enjoy some great food. This year's dates are October 7, 8, and 9th. Those who come for the first time can't wait for the next year to come. So don't miss it this year. So, get the dates on your calendar, pack your gear and call the office to let us know you are coming so we can get a head start planning for the food.
     The Get-A-Way is ONLY for PAID-UP VVA500 members with DD214's on file So, get your dues in quickly if they are past due.

CURRENT NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

GENERAL MEETING
Tuesday, September 20, 2005

Time: 7PM
Place: Roseville Veterans Memorial Hall
                      (Directions are on Page 4)
Speaker: Members from the Senior Freedom Corp.
                   "The Reverse Mortgage Program"
      AND we will have a special treat. Stan Atkinson is the spokesman and ambassador for the Reverse Mortgage Program, so he will be joining us for the meeting.
      If you are worried about not having enough funds for your retirement, and you own a home, this may be the solution for you. While the age for taking advantage of a Reverse Mortgage is 62, and some of you may not be there yet, time does not stand still and pre-planning for you and your family's future years is essential.   Feel free to bring members of your family and tell your friends about the meeting, they are also welcome to attend and all will get a chance to meet Stan.

STAND DOWN 2005

"A HAND UP, NOT A HAND OUT, FOR SACRAMENTO COUNTY HOMELESS VETERANS"

The annual Stand Down will take place September 16, 17, and 18th. Registration for the veterans will start at 8AM on Friday and Saturday. Community Service Providers and volunteers join forces on these days to enable homeless veterans and their families to start the process to return to a stable and productive life. The Stand Down takes place at the Boy Scout Camp, Camp Pollock located at Northgate Blvd. at Del Paso Blvd.
Volunteers are always welcome to assist in the various chores needed to serve the veterans on the above three days, such as parking lot security, clothing sorting and distribution, volunteer check-in, kitchen help. Help can also be used for camp set-up on Wed. 9/14 and Thurs. 9/15. If you are able physically to help with setting up tents we need you on the 14th and 15th. If you know of homeless veterans that need assistance, tell them about the Stand Down. If you want to volunteer to help, call the office and we will get you signed up. Remember , Stand Down is a "Hand Up, not a Hand Out"!

BENEFITS FOR VETERANS
IMPORTANT: FOR THOSE WHO HAVE CLAIMS FILED FOR PTSD OR ARE ABOUT TO

Recently we heard that there were going to be reviews of PTSD claims and those receiving compensation for PTSD and re: a possible change in granting compensation for PTSD. We have received information re: this review. The following is from the VA Regional Office in Oakland.

PAO Field Guidance:
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Case Review

Issue: In response to a review by VA's Office of Inspector General (OIG), VA agreed to review Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) cases in which the veteran was awarded disability compensation at the 100 percent rate between 1999 and 2004 and the veteran's primary disability is PTSD or cases in which the veteran was awarded "individual unemployability" and PTSD is the primary component. This entire review process has been ongoing, starting with the VBA review of the OIG's list of 2,100 cases that formed the basis for their findings related to PTSD. The lessons we are learning from reviewing those cases originally identified by the OIG will be used throughout this careful review process.
     The review was precipitated by the OIG's findings that VA had failed, in some cases, to obtain all required evidence to fully document decisions to award or increase disability compensation for PTSD. It is expected that the majority of the claims to be reviewed will be found to include full documentation and will require no further action. Those cases found to require additional documentation will be referred to the appropriate regional office for corrective action.
Background: The essential feature of PTSD is development of characteristic symptoms following a psychologically traumatic event ("stressor") that is generally outside the rage of usual human experience. Many veterans experience PTSD six months or more after being exposed to a stressor in service.
     Frequently the symptoms manifest themselves after the veteran is separated from service. In those cases where there is no sign of the condition during active duty, the veteran is asked to describe the incident(s) or stressor(s) experienced, which is then confirmed by service records or other accepted criteria such as evidence of exposure to combat or other traumatic events.
     The review conducted by the OIG included 2,100 randomly selected PTSD cases. OIG stated that more than 25 percent of the cases lacked adequate VA documentation of a stressor - an essential element to support a grant of service-connected compensation.
     VBA is reviewing these same 2,100 PTSD cases to gain a better understanding of the deficiencies found by the OIG to identify those cases in which VA did not obtain thorough stressor documentation or otherwise substantiate the decision made; and to determine what additional evidentiary development is needed. The first stage of the review of the 2,100 cases by VBA has been completed, and the cases needing additional development have been referred to the regional offices for corrective actions. Cont....Page 6....

LEGISLATIVE AND NEWS FROM THE GOVERNMENT

     AB 357 Veterans Quality of Life Fund. (Shirley Horton)
Provides for taxpayer contributions on the check-off form on the State income tax reports for the welfare and recreation funds at the State Veterans Homes. Signed by the Governor.
     AB 720 California State University: observance of Veterans Day. (Michael Villines, Fresno)
Requires the campuses of the California State University to observe Veterans Day as a holiday by closing on that day. Signed by the Governor.
     SB 1082 Child support: military reservists. (Bill Morrow, San Juan Capistrano/Carlsbad.)
Existing law sets forth provisions by which a support order may be revised by the court and specifies that a support order may not be modified or terminated as to an amount that accrued before filing of a motion or an order to show cause to modify, except as specified. Creates an additional exception to this rule to permit service members activated to United States military duty or National Guard service to request modification of a support order. Signed by the Governor.
    AB 1439 Veterans Benefits (CAL-VET Farm and Home Loan Program) (Assembly Committee on Veterans Affairs)
Current loan limits for the CAL-VET Program are tied to the federal Fannie Mae loan limits, which are considerably less that the average home costs in California. This bill proposes to increase the limits to 125 percent of the Fannie Mae amounts.    Passed by the Senate as of this writing.
     Passed by the Legislature as of this writing and is waiting for the Governor's signature: AB787 - Crime: Impersonating a Veteran . This bill would make it a misdemeanor for a person to falsely claim to be, or present himself or herself to be a veteran member of the Armed Forces of the United States, with the intent to defraud. The bill would not apply to face-to-face solicitations involving less than $10.
     AB1542 - Parra - Crimes by Veterans - Sentencing. This bill creates a diversion program for veterans who suffer post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), substance abuse, or psychological problems resulting from their combat service. Passed by the Legislature as of this writing and is waiting for the Governor's signature.
     AB276 - Baca - State Employees, Military Benefits. This bill revises provision regarding compensation for state employees who are military personnel. Increases the number of days that a state employee in the CA National Guard or a US Military Reserve organization is authorized to receive compensation benefits for time absent for military duty, to a period not to exceed 365 days. Bill has passed and on it's way to the Governor.
     AB599 - Gordon - Mental Health Account - primary goals - California Veterans. This bill specifies that veterans in need of mental health services who are not eligible for care by the US Dept. of Veteran Affairs or other federal health care are prioritized as "targeted populations" and should be provided services to the extent resources are available. This bill requires counties to refer a veteran to the county veteran service officer, if any, to determine the veteran's eligibility for, and the availability of, mental health services provided by USDVA or other federal health care provider. This bill has been signed by the Governor.

SUN	MON	TUES	WED	THURS	FRI	SAT
MARK YOUR CALENDARS!!! September 20 - VVA500 General Meeting - Learn about Reverse Mortgages. Meet spokesman Stan Atkinson - All Veterans, families and friends are welcome. 7PM September 16, 17, 18 - Sacramento Stand Down October 3 - Stand Down Task Force Debriefing Meeting October 5 - Stand Down Dinner - (Volunteers only) October 7, 8, 9 - VVA500 Get-A-Way - (VVA Members only) October 29 - Navy League-SeaPower Luncheon 356-6314 November 5 - American GI Forum Dinner - 393-0347 November 10 - Marine Corps Birthday Dinner - 985-7911 November 11 - Elk Grove Veterans Day Parade November 12 - VAC Veterans Day Parade				1	2	3
4	5 Labor Day	6 VVA500 Board Meeting	7	8	9	10
11 Patriot Day Remember 911 Siege of Con Thien Began 1967	12 Stand Down Task Force Meeting Camp Pollock	13	14 VAC Meeting Stand Down Prep at Camp Pollock Operation Attleboro Began 1966	15 Stand Down Prep at Camp Pollock	16 Stand Down National POW/MIA Recognition Day	17 Stand Down Purple Heart Meeting Nor-Cal Young Marines Training
18 Stand Down USAF Established 1947	19 Marine Corps League Meeting	20 VVA500 General Meeting	21 "The Eagle-96.9" Golf Tournament Benefit for the Stand Down "See Below"	22 First Day of Autumn	23 VVA California State Council Meeting-Fresno	24 VVA California State Council Meeting-Fresno
25 VVA California State Council Meeting - Fresno	26	27 Wed. 28 Thurs. 29 Fri. 30	2nd Annual Charity Golf Outing Nothing like golfing a top-tier, championship golf course, with your friends, all raising money for a veteran's charity. YOU HAVE TO join The Eagle for this year's "Slice & Dice" golf tournament at Whitney Oaks in Rocklin. Cost is $100 for each player, and all proceeds go to benefit "STAND DOWN," a charity that helps struggling veterans get back on their feet. The shot-gun start has us teeing off at 12:30 p.m. See website for info and entry form. http://www.eagle969.com/php/sliceanddice.php

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. In the hall, from the main door, follow the VVA sign to the meeting room. When you leave, the street is one way, so you will go to the right. You will then come up to Douglas Blvd., left will go back to the freeway and whichever direction you need to go from there.

Vietnam Veterans of America, Inc.
           Chapter 500
P.O. Box 255484
Sacramento, CA 95865
916-481-6020
                                   vva500@sbcglobal.net