1

Website: www.vva535.org

Volume 28 Issue 11 November2018GentlemanandLadies,Capturethemoment.Captureitwiththerealizationthatournationisclosinginonthe100thanniversaryoftheendoftheWWI,“thewartoendallwars.”WorldWarIbeganin1914,followingtheJune28,1914assassinationinSerbiaofAustrianArchdukeFranzFerdinand,andlasteduntil1918.Duringtheconflict,Germany,Austria-Hungary,BulgariaandtheOttomanEmpire(theCentralPowers)foughtagainstGreatBritain,France,Russia,Italy,Romania,JapanandtheUnitedStates(theAlliedPowers).TheUnitedStateshadjoinedthewaronApril6,1917.UndertheleadershipofMajorGeneralJohnJ.Pershing,morethan2millionAmericantroopsfoughtonthebattlefieldsofFrance.InNovember1918,some47milesnortheastofParis,intheForestofCompiègne,AlliedSupremeCommander,MarshalFerdinandFoch,afterthreedaysofnegotiations,at5:00a.m.signedanarmistice,acessationofwar-onair,landandsea-inacarriageofFoch’sprivatetrain.TheArmisticewastotakeeffecthourslater,at11:00a.m.on11November1918.Post-war,in1919PresidentWoodrowWilsonproclaimedNovember11asArmisticeDay.Beginningin1954,the

UnitedStatesdesignatedNovember11asVeteransDaytohonorveteransofallU.S.wars.BritishCommonwealthcountriesnowcalltheholidayRemembranceDay.Inthepresentday,the11thHourofthe11thDayofthe11thMonthisatimetogivepauseandtoreflectuponallwhoserve.ItmightalsobeatimetoreflectuponthevaluesexpressedbyourUnitedStatesarmedserviceswithinwhosebranchesallofusrightfullyclaimdutytoGodandCountry.Commontreadsrunthroughtheexpressedvaluesofallbranches.Isitfairtosuggestthesevaluescontinuetoconstructivelyimpactourlives?ArmyCoreValues:Loyalty;Duty;Respect;SelflessService;Honor;Integrity;PersonalCourage.MarineCorpsCoreValues:Honor;Courage;Commitment.AirForceCoreValues:Integrityfirst;Servicebeforeself;Excellenceinallwedo.NavyCoreValues:Honor;Courage;Commitment.CoastGuardCoreValues:Honor;Respect;Devotiontoduty.

2

VVAChapter535MissionStatementTofostercamaraderieamongmembersandassistthosewithdisablingmentalandphysicalinjuries,topromotethewelfareofourbrethrenaffectedbythewar,andtoengenderpublicunderstandingofthesacrifice,patriotismandbraveryofthosewhoserved,thosewhogaveall,andthoseleftbehind.The50:50RaffleinitiatedonMay3,2018currentlyhas$208inthecan.Ifyouchoosetoparticipate,theRafflewillcontinueatthemeetingofNovember1,2018.Atthecurrent$208,ifyoudrewtheBlackMarble

youwouldpocket$104.SurelythatsumwillgrowonNovember1st.Theoddsaregettingbetterasonlysixmarbles,includingtheBlackMarble,remaininthesock.Iplantobuyinandtakemychances!

GuestSpeakerNovember1,2018TomWoollardhasworkeddiligentlytoengageguestspeakersforourmeetingsbuthegetsabyeforNovember.JoiningusforourNov.1stmeetingwillbeDavidWestII,NevadaCounty’snewVeteransServiceOfficer.

Attention

IfyoudonotdriveandneedaridetoameetingoranyVVA-535function,pleasecontactBartRuudoranylocalVVA-535memberandwewilldoourbesttoarrangetransportationforyou.

Table of Contents

Pg. 1 President’s Message Pg. 1 Mission Statement Pg. 2 Guest Speaker Pg. 2 Table of Contents Pg. 2 Upcoming events Officers & Directors Pg. 3 Board Meeting Aftermath Pg. 3 Marine Corps Birthday Pg. 4 Majority of Vets Want Us Out… Pg. 5 Writing your story Pg. 7 Volunteerism Pg. 8 Free Dental Clinic Pg.9MembershipApplicationPg.10ABitofHistoryPg.11CalendarsPg.14VictorianChristmassign-ups Upcoming Events General Meeting ……….. November 1, 2018 Director’s Meeting …… November 1, 2018 NCCVC meeting: November1,2018

VVA CSC Fresno – Oct. 26-28, 2018 U.S. Marine Corps 243rd Birthday – Nov. 10, 2019 VVA-535 Christmas Dinner December 6, 2018 Victorian Christmas… Dec. 9, 12, 16, 19, 2018 Chapter 535 Officers President Bart Ruud bruud45@gmail.com (H) 530-823-1368; (C) 530-305-0493 Vice-President Dale Epps ………….……………. 368-6156 Treasurer Ralph Remick ………………………559-7716 Secretary Dave Johnson ……………….…… 887-8297 Directors Dave Chaix …………….….…269-1431 Dale Epps ………………….. 368-6156 Kent Hawley ………………… 432-3551 Bill Holman …………….……. 265-8387 Chuck Holmes ………………. 478-1126

3

Dave Johnson ……………… 887-8297 Dave Middleton ……………... 205-9375 Ralph Remick …………….… 559-7716 Bart Ruud ……………..… … 823-1368 Ric Sheridan ……………… 274-1413 Tom Woollard ……………… 432-1212 Committee Chairs Finance ……Ralph Remick & Dave Johnson Parade and Honor Guard ………. Dick Corn Membership Affairs ………….…Ric Sheridan Newsletter …..… Interim editor Bart Ruud Victorian Christmas ….…..….. Jose Gonzales Nominations ……………………Dick Corn Veterans Assistance …...…. Bart Ruud NCCVC ……………………...... Dick Corn Speakers Bureau …………….. Tom Woollard Web Master …………………... Ralph Remick Quartermaster ……………….... Kent Hawley Facebook Master …………..… Mike Laborico Nevada County Fair …….……. Bart Ruud VSO Liaisons …………… (Open opportunity) CA State Council Rep. ……….. Vacant Nevada County Veterans Service Officer VSO Officer -David West (530) 273-3396 office (530) 913-5046 cell 988 McCourtney Road, Grass Valley 95949 ncvso@co.nevada.ca.us Thursday, 9:00 to 12:00 and 1:00 – 4:00 is a “Walk-In” day. PlacerCountyVeteransServiceOfficerSuziVinci….916-780-3290.1000SunsetBlvd,Suite115,Rocklin,CAMonday–Friday,8:00–12:00and1:00–5:00p.m.

Matters of interest as outlined at Board

Meeting of October 4, 2018 TheBoardvotedtocontribute$200tothe2018StandDowncommittee,iftheyneedthefunds,with$100designatedforYear2017and$100designatedfor2018.RalphwillcontactWillBucktoseeiffundsareneeded,andiftheyare

notspecificallyneeded,thefundswillbereturnedtotheVVA-535treasury.ChuckHolmesreportedthereisasmallchancehemightbeabletoattendtheOctober26–28,2018meetinginFresno.HewillbeintouchwithDickSouthernregardingpossibleattendance.ReimbursementforexpenseswillbeassuredifChuckdoesattend.VVA535isinneedofanewliaisontotheCaliforniaStateCouncil.NooneontheBoardiswillingtoassumetheposition.BarthascontactedRicSheridanandRicwillagainchairaChristmaspotluckdinner,whichwillbeheldDec.6,2018inlieuofaregularmeeting.AfreedentalclinicwillbeheldinAuburnfrom0800–1500hoursonNov.9andNov.10,2018at3113ProfessionalDriveforallhonorablydischargedveterans.TheBoardcontinuestoresearchafittinglegacyprojectforexpenditureof$3,750thathasbeencontributedinmemoryofPast-PresidentHaroldGraves.Whenresearchiscompleted,areportwillbesharedwiththemembershipforitsconsideration.

U.S.MarineCorps243rdBirthdayBash

TheMarineCorpsLeaguehasannouncedplansarebeinglaidforthestagingthe243rdBirthdayandWWICentennialCelebrationLuncheononSaturday,November10,2018attheGrassValleyVeteransMemorialBuilding,235S.AuburnStreet,GrassValley,CA.Doorsopenat10:00a.m.Ceremonyat12:00noon.Lunchat12:30p.m.TheNevadaUnionHighSchoolBandandRoseville’sJohnAdamsAcademyChoirwillperform.Menuoptions:PrimeRiborRoastedChicken,orHerb-BrushedSalmonat$30.Vegetarianat$20.Mailchecksto:PlacerBulldogs#1247.1608PoppyCircle,Rocklin,CA95765.

4

1stAnnualTexasHold‘EmTournamentAgoldstartoDaveMiddleton!Followingweeksofplanningandalmostsingle-handedlycoordinatingthetournament,stagedonOctober20th,thetournamentcanbenotedasasuccess.Althoughtheturnoutofplayerswassmallerthanhadbeenanticipated,observationwasthattheplayersthoroughlyenjoyedtheiroutingattheVeteransMemorialHall.WithDave’splanning,andwithtournamentlogisticsbeinghandledbyBlueDogEvents,thegamingcameoffwithoutahitch.Attheendoftheday,playersenthusiasticallysaidtheywouldbehappytoreturnfora2ndAnnualevent.Thereisnostrongercompliment.Twonotableattractionsduringtheeventalsodeservemention.First,BillandCamilleHalddisplayedanarrayoffabuloussculpture,andsecondly,thehand-craftedtributeknifedonatedforaFriendsofVinhSonOrphanageRaffleresultedinVVA-535makinga$1,065contributiontoFVSO.ManythanksareextendedtoDaveMiddletonforsecuringthetributeknifefromVietnamDarkHorsecrewchiefBillJenkins,aMasterBladesmith,wholivesinthemountainsofKentucky.It’sfairtosaymuchwaslearnedandthedrillwillbelessforebodinganothertime.Toallwhowereinvolvedwithsolicitingraffleprizesandsponsorships,ortolendahandwithset-up,takedownandeverythinginbetween,thankyou.Andtothewinner,VVA-535memberGaryB.,congratulationsonstoicallyplayingthecardsdealt,rightdowntothelastbet!

AMajorityofVeteransWantTroopstoReturnFromAfghanistan

ByMikeLudwigTruthoutPUBLISHEDOctober10,2018SeventeenyearsaftertheUnitedStatesledaninvasionofAfghanistan,amajorityofthegeneralpublic—especiallymilitaryveterans—donotthinktheseeminglyendlesswarhasbeen

successful.MostAmericanssupportbringingUStroopshome.AccordingtoanewpollconductedbyYouGovandreleasedthisweek,about57percentofpeoplelivingintheUnitedStatessaidtheywouldsupportamovebythepresidenttoremovealltroopsfromAfghanistan.Amongmilitaryveterans,supportforendingthewarwasevenstronger:69percentwereinfavorofbringingthetroopshome.About63percentofthegeneralpublicand64percentofveteranssaidsomeoralloftheUStroopsstationedinAfghanistanshouldreturnwithinthenextfiveyears.Amajority(53percent)ofthosesurveyed—including60percentofveterans—saidtheUSgovernmentdoesnothaveaclearmilitaryobjectiveinAfghanistan.Aftercriticizingforeignwarsonthecampaigntrail,PresidentTrumpannouncedavaguestrategyforendingthewarinAfghanistanlastyear.However,healsoliftedrestrictionsonwartimespendingandgavemilitarycommandersonthegroundwiderlatitudetolaunchattackswithoutWhiteHousepermission.Earlierthisyear,Trumpsignedadefensespendingbillauthorizing$69billionforforeignconflictssuchasthewarinAfghanistan,thehighestpricetagsince2014.Thepollwascommissionedbytheconservative-leaningnewssiteRealClearPoliticsandtheCharlesKochInstitute,aright-libertarianthinktankfundedbybillionaireCharlesKoch.Progressivesandtheanti-warlefthaveopposedthewarfromthebeginning,andgrowingconcernamongfiscalconservativesisaclearsignthatoppositiontothewarinAfghanistancrossesideologicalandpartylines.“Lookingbackatthemanyyearsoffightinginourlongestwar,atthesuccessesandsetbacks,andthedeathorwoundingofthousandsof

5

Americans,alliedservicemenandwomen,andourAfghanfriends,it’sclearthatcontinuingonthecurrentcourseisnotinournationalinterest,”saidRep.RubenGallego,aDemocratfromArizonaandaveteranofthewarinIraq,inastatementthisweek.“Americantroopsshouldcomehome.”IntheYouGovpoll,abouttwo-thirdsofrespondentsandastriking73percentofveteransdonotthinkthewarhasbeenasuccessfortheUS,despitethehigh-profilekillingofal-QaedaleaderOsamaBinLadenin2011.Fortypercentofveteransnowsaythewarefforthasbeenunsuccessful,while33percentcharacterizedthewarasneithersuccessfulnorunsuccessful,accordingtothepoll.Lessthanoneinfourveteranssaidthewarhasbeenasuccess,alongwithabout21percentofthepublic.Sundaywasthe17-yearanniversaryoftheUSandBritish-ledinvasionofAfghanistanaimedattopplingtheTalibanandrootingoutal-Qaedamilitants,lessthanamonthafterthe9/11attacks.TheTalibanmarkedtheoccasionwithattacksonUS-backedsecurityforces,anddozenswerekilledasviolenceeruptedacrossthecountryovertheweekend.Lessthanoneinfourveteranssaidthewarhasbeenasuccess,alongwithabout21percentofthepublic.ATalibanassaultonMondayinnorthernJawzjanprovinceleft12securitymembersoftheAfghansecurityforcesdeadand10otherswounded,accordingtoreports.TheTalibanreleasedastatementthesamedaycallingupcomingelectionsinAfghanistan“bogus”duetothecontinuedUSoccupationofthecountryandcalledonmilitantstodisrupttheprocesswithattacks.After17yearsofwar,theTalibanstillclaimstocontrolabouthalftheterritoryinthecountry.

BythemostrecentUSestimates,theUS-backedgovernmentcontrolsonly56percentofAfghanistan’sdistricts,andabout30percentremaincontested.Nearly14percentofdistrictsareundercontrolofinsurgents,a1percentincreasefrommid-2017.Meanwhile,thecostofthewarcontinuestomount.Morethan104,000peoplehavelosttheirlivesduetothewarinAfghanistan,includingmorethan31,000civiliansand2,351USservicemenandwomen.ThousandsmoreUSmilitarymembershavereturnedhomewithinjuriesandmentalhealthproblems.Inacommentaryprecedingthe17thanniversaryofthewar,MaryHladkyofthegrassrootsgroupMilitaryFamiliesSpeakOutnotedthatmuchofthatmoneygoestomilitarycontractors.UStaxpayershavespentanestimated$5.6trilliononthe“waronterror”sincetheBushadministrationlaunchedtheworldwidewarin2001—includingabout$45billiononthewarinAfghanistaneachyear.Atleast$15.5billionintaxpayerfundinghasbeenwastedonfaultyprograms,failedeffortsandfraudandabuseamongcontractorsinAfghanistan.“Warssince9/11havelittletodowithprotectingAmericansbutareallabouttheimmenselyprofitablebusinessofwar,”Hladky,whosesonservedinAfghanistan,wrote.“Wearetoldthatourmassivewarspendingisnecessarytosupportthetroops.But,infact,itsupportsdefensecontractorsmakingrecordprofits.”From2002to2017,theUSgovernmentspentabout$4.7billionon“stabilizationeffortsandprograms”inAfghanistan,accordingtothemostrecentquarterlyreporttoCongressfromtheSpecialInspectorGeneralforAfghanistanReconstruction(SIGAR).Despitethismassiveinvestment,thereportconcedesthatAfghanistanis“clearlynotyetstable;”anditremainsunclearhowthecountrycanbestabilizedafterenduringviolentinvasionsand

6

occupationsbyforeigngovernmentsfordecades.SIGARalsotoldlawmakersinJulythatatleast$15.5billionintaxpayerfundinghasbeenwastedonfaultyprograms,failedeffortsandfraudandabuseamongcontractorsinAfghanistan.Lookingbackat9/11andearlydaysofthewar,thepublicisdividedandunsureaboutwhetherinvadingAfghanistanwasagoodideainthefirstplace.Thirty-ninepercentnowsaythatsendingtroopstoAfghanistanwasa“mistake,”while30percentsayitwasthecorrectchoiceand31percentarenotsure.Aslimmajorityofveterans(54percent)sayPresidentBushmadetherightchoice,but31percentsayitwasamistakeand15percentareunsure.“Whenwillwestanduptochangethedirectionofourcountry?”Hladkyasked.Now,withanoverwhelmingmajorityofveteransquestioningUSwars,maybethetimehascome.

Writing Your Story for INCOMING (Ongoing repeat solicitation)

Ideas for your story: • Think about what you appreciated about the

Vietnam experience. There is surely a means to segue into that with very little reflection on the negative aspects of war.

• What did you appreciate about the Vietnamese people during your deployment?

• Can you steer away from the bad stuff and \reflect on the best experience you had in the Nam?

• Surely you had a close buddy and you supported each other. Maybe there is a story in that.

• What really got you through the day-to-day anxieties and fears? There might be a positive recollection in that regard.

• How did your experience instill in you a sense of patriotism that you possibly express every day of your life.

So far we have heard from Ruud, Epps, Chaix, Hamer, Chuck Holmes, current Marine LCpl. Jesse Hernandez, Kent Hawley, and Mike Laborico. (Thank you!) No writer needs to dwell on the negatives of war. Each of us who was there lived the negatives, and all of us are better people for having served, especially when we look at how we matured as a result of our experiences. Each of us has derived a sense of being and an energy that is different from what it might have been had we not been sent across the pond. Do share with us, in your own words, something of that chapter of your life. And, thank you for your service. Forward your story to Bart Ruud at bruud45@gmail.com or hand deliver to Bart.

ALinktotheFriendsofVinhSonOrphanagewebsite:

https://www.friendsofvso.org

7

AttachedisaniPhonephotoofthebeltbucklecraftedbyartisanandsculptorBillHaldandpresentedtoPast-PresidentChuckHolmes,whosoablyservedusasVVA-535PresidentandasourrepresentativetoStateCouncilmeetingsduringhispresidency.ThephotoyourstrulytookdoesnotdojusticebutitdoesprovideanacknowledgmentofBillHald’sthoughtfulnessandanacknowledgmentofChuck’sservicetoVVA-535andtohisservicetoourcountryintheMedicalCorpsoftheUnitedStatesAirForce.

AGentleReminderAboutVolunteerism

ExcerptedfromINCOMING,October2018

Nowisthetimeforself-introspectionregardingvolunteerism.Weneedengagement!Withoutengagementwerisknotmeetingourgoals.Disengagementisbadnewsandevenathreattooursurvivalasaworthyandproudorganization.Activeengagementbringspersonalandorganizationrewards.Justaskthosewhovolunteeredatour2018NevadaCountyFairtosetupandtakedownourbooth,andthenfillashiftortwotogreetthepublic.Likewise,askthosewhovolunteeredtoassistDaveMiddletonwithourrecentTexasHold‘EmPokerTournament.Iwouldventuretosaytothemanorwomanthatthesewerefunandinterestingtimes.Thehardpartisgettingstarted,butonceengaged,therewardsareapositiveinfluenceonhowwefeelaboutourselves.Wetendtofeelgoodaboutourcontributionstothecause.

VolunteerismallowsustofeelthatwearecontributingtothesuccessofVVA-535.Volunteerismgivesusasenseofpurpose.Volunteerismhelpsuslearntobeateamplayer.Volunteerismhelpsuslearninterestingthingsaboutourcohorts.

VictorianChristmasislaborintensivebuttherewardsandsatisfactionsfromparticipationarereal.

ThankyouJoseGonzalesfortakingonaleadershiproleinthisproject.

8

VeteransFREEDentalCare

Dr.ErikMatson–RockCreekDental,Auburn,CA.,hasorganizedadentalclinictoserveeligibleveteransatnochargeonNovember9thand10th.

Dr.Matson’sofficeislocatedat3113ProfessionalDrive,Auburn.

7:30a.m.CheckIn–Location:3113ProfessionalDr.,Auburn,CA.

Servicesoffered:Fillings,Extractions,andCleaning.

VeteranStatusIDrequired.

Dr.Matsonhas15+dentiststhatvolunteeredandtheywillbeworkingoutof5officeswithinwalkingdistanceofthecheck-inpoint.

Dr.MatsonbecameaNavyrecruitfreshoutofhighschoolattheageofeighteen.AfterservingonshoreintheMiddleEast,hewastransferredtooneofthelastSpruance-classdestroyersintheNavalfleet,stationedinJapan.Therehewastrainedforoceanrescueoperations.Aftersixyearsofservice,withtheendofhissecondstintintheNavy,thefuturedentisttookadvantageofveteraneducationprogramstostudyHumanBiologyatthejuniorcollegelevelandthenattheUniversityofCalifornia,SanDiego.

ActiveinServiceattheCollegeLevel

WhileatUCSD,Dr.Matsonnotedthatitwasdifficulttoreceivetheservicesveteranswereentitledtoasuniversitystudents.Hehelpedformastudentveteranorganizationthatadvocatedforallveteransoncampus.ThenotorietyofhisroleinleadingthisgroupledtohisinclusioninlocalcampaignappearancesforSenatorJohnMcCainduringthepolitician’spresidentialrun.

Afterhisundergraduatestudieswerecompleted,Dr.MatsonenrolledinthefirstdentalprogramatWesternUniversity.HisgrandfatherhadservedasadentistinSacramentoandrecommendedthecareer.Dr.MatsonnowfocusesonhelpingAuburnresidentsfightthetwolargestproblemsheseesinhisoffice:periodontaldiseaseandtoothdecay.

9

ApplicationForMembershipVIETNAMVETERANSOFAMERICA,INC.,CHAPTER535

P.O.Box37,GrassValley,CA95945

MembershipisopentoU.S.armedforcesveteranswhoservedonactiveduty(forotherthantrainingpurposes)intheRepublicofVietnambetweenFebruary28,1961,andMay7,1975,orinanydutylocationbetweenAugust5,1964andMay7,1975.Name:_________________________________________________DateofBirth:_____________________MailingAddress:__________________________________________________________________________City:_____________________________________________________State:_______Zip:_________________HomePhone:(_______)_____________________CellPhone:(______)_________________________EmailAddress:___________________________________________Gender:________________________(Optional)ChapterNumber:_____________________Sponsor:___________________________________IamalreadyaVVAmemberandIwanttobecomeaLifeMember.MyVVANumberis_____________________. TypeofMembership:Individual______1year@$20.Individual______3years@$50.LifeMembership:______$100.(Checktypeofmembership)ATTENTIONNewmembersandnewlifemembers:YoumustsubmitacopyofyourDD-214formalongwiththisapplicationandduespayment. PaymentMethod:____Check____MoneyOrder____CreditCard(Visa,MasterCard,AMEX,Discover) Credit CardNumber_________________________________________Exp.Date_______________________Signature________________________________________________________Returnyourcompletedapplication,paymentandacopyofyourDD-214to: VietnamVeteransofAmerica,Inc.,Chapter535 P.O.Box37 GrassValley,CA95945 Revised:January2017

10

ANicebitofHistory-tokeepourspiritsupasweallVoteon6NovemberFrankSinatraconsideredKateSmiththebestsingerofhertime,andsaidthatwhenheandamillionotherguysfirstheardhersing"GodBlessAmerica"ontheradio,theyallpretendedtohavedustintheireyesastheywipedawayatearortwo.Herearethefacts;Thelinkatthebottomwilltakeyoutoavideoshowingtheveryfirstpublicsingingof"GodBlessAmerica".Butbeforeyouwatchityoushouldknowthestorybehindthefirstpublicshowingofthesong.Thetimewas1940.Americawasstillinaterribleeconomicdepression.HitlerwastakingoverEuropeandAmericanswereafraidwe'dhavetogotowar.ItwasatimeofhardshipandworryformostAmericans.ThiswastheerajustbeforeTV,whenradioshowswereHUGEandAmericanfamiliessataroundtheirradiosintheevenings,listeningtotheirfavoriteentertainersandnoentertainerofthaterawasbiggerthanKateSmith.Katewasalsolarge;‘plussize’aswenowsay,andthepopularphrasestillusedtodayisindeferencetoher;"Itain'tovertillthefatladysings."KateSmithmightnothavemadeitbigintheageofTV,butwithhervoicecomingovertheradio,shewasthebiggeststarofhertime.Katewasalsopatriotic.IthurthertoseeAmericanssodepressedandafraidofwhatthenextdaywouldbring.ShehadhopeforAmerica,andfaithinherfellowAmericans.Shewantedtodosomethingtocheerthemup,soshewenttothefamousAmericansong-writerIrvingBerlin(whoalsowroteWhiteChristmas)andaskedhimtowriteasongthatwouldmakeAmericansfeelgoodagainabouttheircountry.Whenshedescribedwhatshewaslookingfor,hesaidhehadjustthesongforher.Hewenttohisfilesandfoundasongthathehadwrittenbutneverpublished,22yearsbefore-in1917.Hegaveittoherandsheworkedonitwithherstudioorchestra.SheandIrvingBerlinwerenotsurehowthepublicwouldreceivethesong,butbothagreedtheywouldnottakeanyprofitsfromGodBlessAmerica...AnyprofitswouldgototheBoyScoutsofAmerica.Overtheyears,theBoyScoutshavereceivedmillionsofdollarsinroyaltiesfromthissong.ThisvideostartsoutwithKateSmithcomingintotheradiostudiowiththeorchestraandanaudience.Sheintroducesthenewsongfortheveryfirsttimeandstartssinging.Afterthefirstcoupleverses,withhervoiceinthebackground,scenesareshownfromthe1940movie,“You'reInTheArmyNow”.Atthe4:20markofthevideoyouseeayoungactorinthemovie,sittinginanoffice,readingapaper;it'sRonaldReagan.Tothisday,GodBlessAmericastirsourpatrioticfeelingsandprideinourcountry.Backin1940,whenKateSmithwentlookingforasongtoraisethespiritsofherfellowAmericans,IdoubtwhethersherealizedjusthowsuccessfultheresultswouldbeforherfellowAmericansduringthoseyearsofhardshipandworry...andformanygenerationsofAmericanstofollow.Nowthatyouknowthestoryofthesong,Ihopeyou'llenjoyit.Manypeopledon'tknowthere'saleadintothesong,sinceitusuallystartswith“GodBlessAmerica...”Sohere'stheentiresongasoriginallysung.

Enjoyit!Clickbelow:KateSmithintroducesGodBlessAmerica-YouTube<https://www.youtube.com/embed/TnQDW-NMaRs?rel=0>

11

October 2018

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1 2 3 4 5 6

VVAGeneralMeeting&BoardMeeting

7 8 9 10 11 12 13

ColumbusDay

InvasionofNorthKorea(1950).FirePreventionDay

BombingofUSSCole(2000)

U.S.Navyestablished(1775)30thAnniversaryVietnamMemorial.Sacramento

14 15 16 17 18 19 20

StandDownRevolutionaryWarended(1781)

StandDownTexasHold‘Em

21 22 23 24 25 26 27

BombingofMarineBarracks,Beirut(1983)

UnitedNationsDay

NavyDay

28 29 30 31

Halloween

12

November 2018

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1 2 3

VVAGeneralMeeting&BoardMeeting

4 5 6 7 8 9 10DaylightSavingsTimeEnds

ElectionDay

FreeDentalClinic

U.S.MarineCorpsestablished(1775)FreeDentalClinic

11 12 13 14 15 16 17VeteransDay.SigningofWWIArmistice(1918)

18 19 20 21 22 23 24

GettysburgAddress(1863)

Thanksgiving

25 26 27 28 29 30

13

December 2018

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1

2 3 4 5 6 7 8Advent

Hanukkah

VVAGeneralMeeting/Potluck&BoardMeeting

PearlHarborRemembranceDay

9 10 11 12 13 14 15VictorianChristmas

HumanRightsDay

VictorianChristmas

BillofRightsDayWreathsAcrossAmerica

16 17 18 19 20 21 22VictorianChristmasBattleoftheBulgebegan(1944)

VictorianChristmas

FirstDayofWinterPilgrimsLanded(1620)

23 24 25 26 27 28 29VictorianChristmas

ChristmasDay

30 31 Officialendof

WWII(1946)

14

VictorianChristmas2018ShiftSign-Up

EventHours:Sunday–1:30p.m.to6:00p.m. Wednesday-5:00p.m.to9:00p.m.

Sunday,December9thKitchenManager:_______________________________

Individualresponsibleforobtaining$300cashforcashboxchange:___________________

Kitchen:10:00a.m.Phone#Booth:1:00p.m.Phone#______________________/_______________________________________________/_____________________________________________/______________________________________________/______________________________________________/_____________________________________________/_______________________________________________/____________________________________________/__________________________

Wednesday,December12thKitchenManager:_______________________________

Individualresponsibleforobtaining$300forcashboxchange:________________________

Kitchen:1:30p.m.Phone#Booth:4:30p.m.Phone#______________________/_______________________________________________/_____________________________________________/______________________________________________/_____________________________________________/_____________________________________________/_______________________________________________/____________________________________________/_______________________

15

Sunday,December16thKitchenManager:_______________________________

Individualresponsibleforobtaining$300forcashboxchange:________________________

Kitchen:10:00a.m.Phone#Booth:1:00p.m.Phone#______________________/_______________________________________________/____________________________________________/______________________________________________/______________________________________________/_____________________________________________/_______________________________________________/____________________________________________/__________________________

Wednesday,December19thKitchenManager:_______________________________

Individualresponsibleforobtaining$300forcashboxchange:________________________

Kitchen:1:30p.m.Phone#Booth:4:30p.m.Phone#______________________/_______________________________________________/_____________________________________________/______________________________________________/_____________________________________________/_____________________________________________/_______________________________________________/____________________________________________/__________________________

Sunday,December23rdKitchenManager:_______________________________

Individualresponsibleforobtaining$300forcashboxchange:________________________Kitchen:10:00a.m.Phone#Booth:1:00p.m.Phone#______________________/_______________________________________________/_____________________________________________/______________________________________________/_____________________________________________/_____________________________________________/_______________________________________________/____________________________________________/__________________________