September 2009

PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

Greetings all!

     Well, we are deep into the month, the kids and grand kids are all back in school and of course, we are still experiencing summer well into the 90s! No matter how much we change, some things are always much the same.
     Even though there is still work to be done, your board has already held its first meeting at our new facilities, and I have to tell you all, that it did seem nice to have "a place of our own...". Which leads to the reminder not to miss out on the Grand Opening on September 26.
     Also, the next big thing coming up after the Grand Opening, is the VVA500 Annual Get-A-Way for its VVA 500 members. This is a chance for the Chapters' Veteran members to get away, relax, reflect, let down their hair and have some fun!! Not too mention there is usually some pretty good chow happening and no one goes hungry!
     I look forward to seeing you all soon!
                                               Your President, Karen Winnett

NEWSLETTER INFORMATION

     Due to the preparations for the new Hall, this edition of your newsletter will be pretty brief. But we did want you to be aware of other events that you may need or want to calendar.
     Also, this edition will only be in the printed form so we won't have to take time to change the online format. All should be back to normal after the new hall is open.
     In regard to the Hall, we'll be asking for volunteers to help staff the hall, helping to greet visitors, etc. Help from agencies that work with Veterans and would like to extend their outreach capabilities are all invited to spend time at the service center area. We'll have a sign up sheet ready at the Grand Opening or anyone can contact the office.

CURRENT NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

GRAND OPENING AND OPEN HOUSE FOR
THE VVA500 NEW HALL

DATE: September 26, 2009
TIME: 1PM - 4PM
WHERE: 4441 Auburn Blvd. Suite J (Look for the flag)

We'll have a brief ribbon-cutting ceremony, tours of the new Hall and food. We've asked Congresswoman Matsui, if she is not in session to come cut the ribbon. Members, come and see your new home. Friends of VVA500, come join us in celebrating the opening of our new hall and service center for all Veterans.

Go to this link for a map and more information: http://events.sacbee.com/sacramento-ca/venues/show/1160178-vietnam-veterans-of-america-chapter-500-veterans-hall. If you do not have internet access, the Hall is in the office complex at the corner of Auburn Blvd. and Orange Grove Ave. Look for the flag at the far end of the complex.

The next General Meeting on October 20th will be held at the new hall at 7PM as usual. Guest speaker will be announced at a later date.

Check out the enclosed flyers re: other important events taking place in October. One of which is the Chapter's annual Get-A-Way taking place October 9, 10, and 11 at Scott's Flat. Bill Wagner will be coordinating this annual event, so please give him a call at 916-686-6752 if you are going to attend and Bill will then give you your food assignment. Check out the flyer for directions.
REMINDER: You must be a paid up VVA member, meaning only a Veteran with a DD214 can participate in the Get-A-Way.

Also check out the flyer for the Deborah Getz, Never Forget our Fallen third annual Memorial to be held on Saturday, October 3rd at the Renegade Classics Outlet on Folsom Blvd.

NEWS BRIEFS AND UPDATES

CHAPTER INFORMATION REMAINS THE SAME

Although we are now establishing a physical address, for everyone's information, because we are still in the same phone exchange area, we will not have to change our phone number, so the chapter number will remain 916-481-6020. There may be a few days during the week following the Grand Opening when everything will be in transition. Also, the e-mail address will remain the same vva500@sbcglobal.net. And the mailing address of P.O. Box 255484, Sacramento, CA 95865 will also be the same.

WELCOME HOME VIETNAM VETERANS DAY!!!! Well, we almost had the official day in California. HR279 passed both the state Senate and Assembly. But the Resolution was vetoed by the Governor with this explanation: "Our state is facing significant challenges, including the need for comprehensive changes in our policies on water, energy, and corrections and the need to take meaningful steps to stimulate the economy and rein in the rising levels of unemployment. This bill does nothing to address any of these issues. I look forward to considering this measure when these other major issues are addressed".
There was a flurry of activity after this veto and statement with coverage both in the TV and newspaper media, along with conference calls and communication with the Governor's office. Assemblyman Cook reintroduced the resolution as an amended bill, AB 717. The bill passed both the Senate and Assembly again, and now sits on the Governor's desk again, with a good chance that he will sign it into law this time. The Governor has until Oct. 12 to review, sign into law or veto some 400 bills for this session. Pete Conaty, lobbyist for CSC, VVA, will keep us informed of any updates regarding AB717.

               IMPORTANT!! - WARNING FROM THE VA
The Department of Veterans Affairs is warning Veterans not to give credit card numbers over the phone to caller claiming to update VA prescription information.
     "America's Veterans have become targets in an inexcusable scam that dishonors their service and misrepresents the Department built for them," said Dr. Gerald Cross, VA's Under Secretary for Health. "VA simply does not call Veterans and ask them to disclose personal financial information over the phone."
     Veteran Service Organizations have brought to VA's attention that callers are misrepresenting the VA to gain personal information over the phone. They say VA recently changed procedures for dispensing prescriptions and ask for the Veteran's credit card number. "VA has not changed its processes for dispensing prescription medicines," Cross said. "Nor has VA changed its long-standing commitment to protect the personal information of this nation's Veterans."
     Veterans with questions about VA services should contact the nearest VA medical center or call toll-free, 1-877-222-8387.

MORE NEWS AND UPDATES

UPDATE ON DALE AND FRAN KEHOE - Fran and Dale are doing well, of course despite the circumstances. The insurance company has moved them into a home and are providing them with their current needs. Plans are being made to rebuild their home.
They do extend their thanks to all those who contributed to the fund for them. They were overwhelmed with the generosity shown to them that came from many areas of their lives.

AVVA NOW RECOGNIZED AS A
NATIONAL VETERANS SERVICE ORGANIZATION

AVVA President Elaine Simmons announced that AVVA is now recognized by the Department of Veterans Affairs as a national organization which will be able to use accredited service officers to assist in the preparation and process of benefits claims for Veterans and eligible family members.
In regard to Accredited Service Officers for our own VVA500, we are happy to announce that AVVA member and Air Force Veteran Rhona Nitsche is taking the required course at this time to become an accredited service officer for VVA500. Rhona will than be able to help Veterans and families with their claims at the new hall.

SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS - The chapter awarded scholarships this year at the State Fair to: Michelle Schmidt (Winner of the Bonnifield Memorial Scholarship), and to Johnny Smith. We will be publishing the essays in future newsletter issues.

VETERANS AFFILIATED COUNCIL
HONOR GUARD DINNER

The main function of the VAC is to provide Honor Guard Services for those Veterans who have passed away. Once a year a dinner is held to raise funds to support and honor the members of the Honor Guard. This year the date is: October 16th. Location is VFW Post #67, 2784 Stockton Blvd., Time: 7:00PM. Tickets are $12. per person. For information call: Past-Commander John Canfield at 916-483-1576. Deadline for reservations is Oct. 12.

                                  THE PRESIDENT'S OWN...
                  UNITED STATES MARINE BAND IS COMING
    The Marine Band will be in Sacramento on Friday, Oct. 16th at 7:30PM at the Memorial Auditorium. The tickets are free, but you must request them. You may request up to four. Send the request plus a self-addressed stamped envelope to:
Marine Band Tickets - P.O. Box 154825 - Sacramento, CA 95865.
     The Band will be appearing in many areas in Northern CA, so if you are from another area, and want to know if there might be a closer location, e-mail the office vva500@sbcglobal.net . And we can send you the addresses for all of the areas.

                                    CHAPTER INFORMATION
OFFICERS: President: Karen Anne Winnett
Vice President: Ted Adams
Secretary: Gregory McNeill
Treasurer: Jerry Quint
BOARD MEMBERS:Don Harper, Alan Hayashi, Monty Montoya
AVVA REPRESENTATIVE: Tina Haas
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.
VVA500 HALL PHYSICAL ADDRESS: 4441 Auburn Blvd., Suite J
Hall is located at the corner of Auburn Blvd. and Orange Grove Ave. There are several ways of reaching the hall, Auburn Blvd. exits off I-80, Madison exit to Auburn Blvd., Watt Ave. to Auburn Blvd. When you get to the complex, the Hall is on the far end off Auburn Blvd.. Just look for the flag in the corner.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
SEPTEMBER BIRTHDAYS
♫♫♫Bill Wagner - Army♫♫♫Karen Anne Winnett - Marines♫♫♫Marlaena D. Hebert - AVVA♫♫♫Jim Morris - Army♫♫♫Douglas Wright - Army♫♫♫David Kruger - Air Force♫♫♫Sheryl Schmidt - Air Force♫♫♫Kenneth Crouse - Marines♫♫♫Michael Kunda - Air Force♫♫♫Robert Kinzel - Marines♫♫♫Bob Jordan - Army♫♫♫Mac Henderson - Navy♫♫♫Dennis Brazeal - Army♫♫♫James Leiser - Ari Force♫♫♫Lloyd Roy♫♫♫Fred Buchman - 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. We are going over all of the files to make sure we enter everyone that we have a DD214 on.

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