November 2018 INCOMING1 Website: Volume 28 Issue 11 November 2018 Gentleman and Ladies, Capture the...
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1 Website: www.vva535.org Volume 28 Issue 11 November 2018 Gentleman and Ladies, Capture the moment. Capture it with the realization that our nation is closing in on the 100 th anniversary of the end of the WW I, “the war to end all wars.” World War I began in 1914, following the June 28, 1914 assassination in Serbia of Austrian Archduke Franz Ferdinand, and lasted until 1918. During the conflict, Germany, Austria-Hungary, Bulgaria and the Ottoman Empire (the Central Powers) fought against Great Britain, France, Russia, Italy, Romania, Japan and the United States (the Allied Powers). The United States had joined the war on April 6, 1917. Under the leadership of Major General John J. Pershing, more than 2 million American troops fought on the battlefields of France. In November 1918, some 47 miles northeast of Paris, in the Forest of Compiègne, Allied Supreme Commander, Marshal Ferdinand Foch, after three days of negotiations, at 5:00 a.m. signed an armistice, a cessation of war - on air, land and sea - in a carriage of Foch’s private train. The Armistice was to take effect hours later, at 11:00 a.m. on 11 November 1918. Post-war, in 1919 President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed November 11 as Armistice Day. Beginning in 1954, the United States designated November 11 as Veterans Day to honor veterans of all U.S. wars. British Commonwealth countries now call the holiday Remembrance Day. In the present day, the 11 th Hour of the 11 th Day of the 11 th Month is a time to give pause and to reflect upon all who serve. It might also be a time to reflect upon the values expressed by our United States armed services within whose branches all of us rightfully claim duty to God and Country. Common treads run through the expressed values of all branches. Is it fair to suggest these values continue to constructively impact our lives? Army Core Values: Loyalty; Duty; Respect; Selfless Service; Honor; Integrity; Personal Courage. Marine Corps Core Values: Honor; Courage; Commitment. Air Force Core Values: Integrity first; Service before self; Excellence in all we do. Navy Core Values: Honor; Courage; Commitment. Coast Guard Core Values: Honor; Respect; Devotion to duty.
Transcript of November 2018 INCOMING1 Website: Volume 28 Issue 11 November 2018 Gentleman and Ladies, Capture the...
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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.
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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 [email protected] (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
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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 [email protected] 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.
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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
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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
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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 [email protected] or hand deliver to Bart.
ALinktotheFriendsofVinhSonOrphanagewebsite:
https://www.friendsofvso.org
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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.
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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.
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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
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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>
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October 2018
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
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VVAGeneralMeeting&BoardMeeting
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ColumbusDay
InvasionofNorthKorea(1950).FirePreventionDay
BombingofUSSCole(2000)
U.S.Navyestablished(1775)30thAnniversaryVietnamMemorial.Sacramento
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StandDownRevolutionaryWarended(1781)
StandDownTexasHold‘Em
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BombingofMarineBarracks,Beirut(1983)
UnitedNationsDay
NavyDay
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Halloween
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November 2018
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
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4 5 6 7 8 9 10DaylightSavingsTimeEnds
ElectionDay
FreeDentalClinic
U.S.MarineCorpsestablished(1775)FreeDentalClinic
11 12 13 14 15 16 17VeteransDay.SigningofWWIArmistice(1918)
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GettysburgAddress(1863)
Thanksgiving
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December 2018
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
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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)
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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#______________________/_______________________________________________/_____________________________________________/______________________________________________/_____________________________________________/_____________________________________________/_______________________________________________/____________________________________________/_______________________
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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#______________________/_______________________________________________/_____________________________________________/______________________________________________/_____________________________________________/_____________________________________________/_______________________________________________/____________________________________________/__________________________
