Rochester New York

TOGETHER THEN...TOGETHER NOW

November 2007Issue 106

Vietnam Veterans of America, Inc., Chapter 20

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photo by Joanne Peck

5Share theWarmth

6State Council

Meeting Report

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Hope everyone had a greatmonth; weather’s changing andturkey day is just around the cor-ner. When you read this we willhavemadeourtriptoWashington,DC,forthe25thCelebrationoftheVietnam Veterans Memorial. Weall need to thankourMouseDickOleksyn for ANOTHER great joband all those who made the tripwithus. Thelasttwomembershipmeet-ings,inSeptem-ber and Octo-ber,had a greatturnout withover50inatten-danceateach.Iwanttokeepthemomentum go-ing and will belookingforwaysto make themeetings betterandalittlemorefun.Ifyouhaveany suggestionsplease feel freeto call me andletmeknow. AttheOcto-berboardmeet-ingwevotedtodonate $3000totheNewYorkCouncil of theVietnam Veter-ans of Americatohelpwiththefunding of theVeteransServiceOfficersprogram.NYStatecouncilprovides Chief Service Officers todoclaimworkintheregionalofficesinNewYorkCityandBuffaloNY,andwiththeirfundinglowandtheprogramsoimportanttoveteransitwastherightthingtodo. AsforfinancesintheChapter,wearenowdoingokandarefinan-cially sound, thanks in big part toour executive committee making

some hard cuts and the ChapterLLCboardheadedbyRichIsamandoinganincrediblejobatthethriftstore.Thankstoall. OnOctober14MaxLill,hiswifeandIattendedthe75thAnniversarydinnerfortheDavidKaufmanJew-ish War Veterans Post. Our ownLarry Schulman, National Com-manderoftheJewishWarVeterans,wasthekeynotespeakeralongwiththe State Commander Jason Kaatz

and others; itwasawonderfultimeandagreatbunch of veter-ans.Ifoundoutwhat may bea little knownfact, that thepostwasnamedafter the greatuncle of ourown member,and member ofeverything be-causehe’ssoac-tiveintheveter-an community,LeeKaufman. Let’s re-member ouryoung menand womenin harm’s waytoday as we re-member thosewhostillremainPOWorMIA. K e e pyour challenge

coinonyourperson.Lastmeetingsevenpeoplemadethe“WALKOFSHAME,” led by your own presi-dent who holds the record of firstcaught without it on the night wehanded them out. (Sandra Dee,thanks,I’llgetyouback.) Till next month remember,“TOGETHERTHENTOGETH-ERNOW.”

KenMoore

meetingsVVA Chapter 20 Board MeetingsSee page 7 for meeting attendance.• November 5, 2007• December 3, 2007

Membership Meetings2nd Thursday of the Month, beginning at 7:30 pm. All meetings are held at the Ira Jacobson American Legion Post, 90 St. John’s Park, unless otherwise noted.• November 8, 2007• No December Meeting

Membership Meeting AttendanceOctober 11, 2007Joe Swystun, Larry Schulman, Bruce & Nancy VanApeldoorn, Rusty Kurtz, Lee Reisinger, Ken & Sandy Moore, Tom Puff, Jack Madigan, Dick Oleksyn, Joe & LuAnn Peck, Hank Wallace, Joe Harkness, Dick & Diane McDermott, James Sexton, Skip O’Brien, Pete Galle, Pat Marianetti, Gail Bologna Melens, Ray Melens, Dan Corona, Bob Harder, Phil Nasca, Mike Kelly, Gary Schojan, Fred Elliott, Marie Davias, I. Gurbe, Joe Durham, John Hrankowski, David Crawford, Glen Peck, Pat Pudetti, Craig Wirth, Lee Kauffman, Ted Wilkinson, Cecil Young, Nick DeLeo, Ron Trovato, Mike Sanfilippo, Skip Snell, Ken Allocco, Chuck Macaluso, Gary Redlinski, Bud Hemmerick, Rich Isaman, Mick Cole, Tom Emerson, Steve Mros, Gordon Williams, Russell Chimecd, Max Lill

supportchapter 20!

At the October board meeting we

voted to donate $3000 to the New

York Council of the Vietnam Veterans

of America to help with the funding of the Veterans Service Officers program...With their funding

low and the program so important to

veterans it was the right thing to do.

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Front and CenterMarching UnitRay Melens, Commander

Allhasbeen relativelyquiet formembersoftheMarchingUnitandHonorGuard. Sincemyreport in lastmonth’sBTL,membersoftheHonorGuarddid partake in a ceremony on Fri-day,September21stforPOW/MIARecognition Day. Unlike the past10consecutiveyearswherewetrav-eledtoWashington,DCtoconductservicesattheWallandatArlingtonNationalCemetery,thisyearwepar-tookinceremoniesatthePOW/MIAMemorialinCharlotte.Sothatevery-one is aware, this ceremony is con-ductedannuallybymembersof theformerPOW/MIAMarathonteam.So,whetherTheHonorGuardisintownornot,ourmembersshouldbeattending this ceremony and show-ingoursupportforafullaccountingofallourPOW/MIAs.MembersoftheFairportVFW’sColorGuardandriflesquadweretherealsotopartake.WreathswereplacedandhonorwaspaidtosomeformerPOWsthatwereinattendance.Icannotsayenough,“If we as veterans don’t rememberourPOW/MIAs,thenwhowill?” Then on Saturday, October13th,membersoftheHonorGuardwerepresentat theannualDiabetesWalk.We were asked to be presentwithcolorsfortheplayingoftheNa-tionalAnthematthestartandtoleadthewalkersontheirway.No,wedidnotwalktheroutewiththewalkers.We got them started and then thatwasitforus.Itwasimportantforustobeapartofthisfundraiserforoneimportant reason. Many VietnamVeteranstodaysufferfromtheeffectsof diabetes.Whether it’s Agent Or-angerelatedorotherwise,itwasim-portantthatweshowoursupportinthiscause. That’sallthat’sbeengoingonasofthiswritingfortheMarchingUnitand Honor Guard. Now for some

MU/HGupcomingevents. ThisyearforVeteransDay,ama-jorityoftheMarchingUnitmemberswill be in Washington, DC for the25th anniversary of the Wall. Fearnot,fortherestillwillbeaceremonylocallyonVeteransDayattheViet-namVeteransMemorialinHighlandPark.Thisyear’sservicewillbecon-

This year for Veterans Day, a majority of the Marching Unit

members will be in Washington, DC for the 25th anniversary

of the Wall. Fear not, for there still

will be a ceremony locally on Veterans

Day at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Highland Park. This year’s service will be conducted

by Tom Puff. I am asking all Marching Unit members that

are not going to Washington for

the 25th to please contact Tom right away at 458-7465.

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ducted by TomPuff. I amaskingallMarchingUnitmembers thatare not going toWashington forthe25thtopleasecontactTomrightawayat458-7465.TomandhiswifeSuearetemporar-ily staying withhisbrotherRay,sodon’tbesurprisedwhen someoneelse answers thephone.Tomneedsas many MUmembers as he can muster so hecan make sure that our 280 Broth-ersenshrinedtherearenotforgottenon Veterans Day. Many thanks goto Tom for graciously volunteeringtoholdtheseceremoniesandalsotorepresent Chapter 20 at the annualserviceconductedattheWarMemo-rialindowntownRochester. Anotherupcoming event that Itouchedon a littlebit in theprevi-ousparagraphisthebustriptoournation’scapitalforthecelebrationofthe25thanniversaryoftheWall.It’sreallyhard to imagine that it’sbeen25 years already since the Wall hasbeen dedicated. Many members oftheMarchingUnit&HonorGuardwillbeonthistrip. I know that many of the Ma-rineswill be going to the Iwo JimaMemorial on Saturday, November10th for the annual ceremony con-ductedbytheMarinesincelebrationofthe232ndBirthdayoftheMarineCorps. If you have never seen thisceremony,youowe it toyourself tomakeitapointtotraveltoDCsomeyearandwitnessit.Itistrulyanawe-someevent. Laterthatday,someofuswillgotoArlingtonNationalCemeteryandplacewreathsatthegravesofthreeofour localMIAswhoseremainshave

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beenrepatriatedthere. We willvisitandpayourrespects to RexDeWispelaere,John Crowley,andJamesWid-ener. We willnot forget ourPOW/MIA’s. There willalso be a 4-5hour long pa-rade of variousChapters andother veteranorganizationson Saturday af-

ternoon.ThenonSundaycomesthemajorevent,theserviceonVeteransDayhonoringour58,000+brothersandsistersthatareforeverenshrinedon that black granite wall. I’m surenextmonth’sissueoftheBTLwillbefullofreportsandpicturesfromthismonumentaloccasion. The Honor Guard will not bemeetingbeforetheNovembermem-bershipmeeting.AnynewmembersthatwishtojoineithertheMarchingUnitorHonorGuardarejustaskedtogetintouchwithmeatanymeet-ing or to just givemeacall. Until nextmonth……….ATEASE!!!!!!!

POW/MIAGail Bologna-Mel-ens, Chairperson

It’s Novemberalready.Wheredidthis year go? Yetwhen I look backat the past elevenmonths so muchwas accomplished.TheChapterwasverybusy. Now we are going to celebrateVeterans Day, the Marine Corps

birthday and the 25th anniversaryof theVietnamVeteransWallall inWashington, DC. This should befabulous,awholebusfullofChapter20membersandfamilyandfriends.Thank you to Dick Oleksyn, ourChapter20travelagent. We did not go toWashington,DC for POW-MIA RemembranceDay in September. Instead we hadtheDignityMemorialWallhereforustodoourceremonyat.Butwewillmake a trip to Arlington NationalCemeterywhenweareinDCinNo-vembertorememberourthreelocalsoldierswhoareentombedthere. We are still waiting for an ac-counting and closure for 1,768 USpersonnelstillmissingfromthewarinVietnam. Wedohavesixnewnamesthathavebeenaccountedfor.Theyare: MajorPerryHJefferson,USAF,fromColorado,MIA4/3/69,SouthVietnam. Airman 1st Class George WLong, USAF, Kansas, KIA/BNR5/12/68,SouthVietnam Capt Warren R Orr, USAR,Illinois,MIA5/12/58,SouthViet-nam. LTjg Norman L Roggow,

USNR, Iowa,K I A / B N R10/8/67, SouthVietnam. LTjg Don-ald F Wolfe,USNR, Mon-tana,KIA/BNR10/8/67, SouthVietnam. LTjg An-drew G Zissu,USNR, NewYork,KIA/BNR10/8/67, SouthVietnam. Tothefam-

iliesofthesemenpleaseknowthattheywerenotforgotten.Wewillal-waysREMEMBER.

We will make a trip to Arlington National Cemetery when we are in DC

in November to remember our three

local soldiers who are entombed there.

On Sunday comes the major event, the service on Veterans Day

honoring our 58,000+ brothers and sisters that are forever

enshrined on that black granite wall.

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SERVICEPERSONSERVINGINHARM’SWAYADDRESSFORPACKAGE

RANKANDNAME__________________________________________________________________________

ADDRESS__________________________________________________________________________________

NAMEOFPERSONREQUESTINGPACKAGEANDPHONENUMBER

___________________________________________________________________________________________

PLEASEINCLUDECOMPLETEADDRESSTOINCLUDEAPO,FPO,ETC.PLEASESENDTOCHAPTER20OFFICEATTHEFOLLOWINGADDRESS:

CHAPTER 20 VIETNAM VETERANS OF AMERICAPO BOX 12580

ROCHESTER NEW YORK 14612

ATTN:TROOPPACKAGES

***FORM***

OUR LOCAL NEWSPAPER RECENTLYranastoryontheSharetheWarmthcloth-ing giveaway which Chapter 20 held atourThriftStoreonOctober7.

AccordingtotheDemocrat and Chronicle,Chapter 20 members set up tables andracks of winter clothes, hats, scarves,andshoesoutsidethethriftstore.Theitems were free for the homeless andthose who cannot afford to buy winterclothes. About 300 people, many fromsheltersthroughoutthecity,cameandwentduringtheday. Chapter 20 president Ken Moore wasquoted as saying “It’s our way of giving back to thecommunity.” ThankstoBruceVanApeldoornandallthosewhoparticipatedinthisevent.

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CHAPTER 20

Fron

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nter Report of the September

2007 StAte Council Meetingby Fred Elliott

Chief Service Officer DeeGarcianowhasanadministra-tive assistant 8 hours a week– NYSC hired Dee’s niece,Jennifer,aUSMCveteran

Council delegate Ed Seastrumwasrecentlypromotedtoseniorinvestigator in the AttorneyGeneral’soffice

PresidentFoote, with the con-sent of the delegates, removedtheHealthcareandSilverRoseCommittees and made theVeterans Initiative a subset ofthePOW/MIACommittee

October is Breast CancerAwarenessmonth

Chapter 193 has a new officeinLeroy

Chapter681continuestopro-vide a monthly dinner at theBataviaPTSDClinic

Chapter 480 is starting aVeterans of Modern WarfareChapterinOwego

Chapter79donated$1,000toVVAFforthe25thanniversaryparade

VAClaimNumberswillbecomeathingofthepast–theywillbeusing the veteran’s last nameandthelastfourdigitsoftheirsocialsecuritynumber

Patrick Welch thanked everyoneforsupportinghiminhisrunforelectiontothenationalBoard–hehasbeennominatedasVice-ChairoftheNationalMembershipandGovernment Affairs Committees– he will be leading VVA’s VetsVotecampaign

VVA provides transportationfor veterans at Walter ReedHospital to attend a monthlydinnerattheCapitolHilton

Copies of Veterans andFamilies’ Guide to RecoveringfromPTSDbyStephanieLaiteLanhamwereprovidedforeachchapter

ThenumberofAt-Largemem-bersinthestateisapproaching500–aletterwillbedistribut-edtoallchaptercontactstobesent to thoseat-largemembersintheirareatotrytogetthemtojoinachapter

There will be a Walk-A-ThonasfundraiserforNYSCinthefallof2008

Chapter 77 donated $600 tothe Jack Wisby PTSD CenterinBatavia

There have been 263 reportedincidents of domestic violencewithin the 1st two weeks the10th Mountain Division washome

Vietnam Veterans of AmericaCar Donation, LLC

Call 224-8484

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Adaptive Clothing For Military Wounded American military personnel areservingourcountryinavarietyofdan-geroussituationsandlocations.Anum-ber of them return seriously woundedorinjured.Modernmedicaltechnologyishavinggreatsuccesssavingthelivesoftheseheroes.However,medicinedoesn’taddresssomeoftheirbasicneeds,suchas clothing that will accommodatemedicaldevicesandsituations-braces,fixators, casts, prosthetics and burns.Many of the wounded troops are leftwithahospitalgownastheironlycloth-ingoption. SewMuchComfort (www.sew-muchcomfort.org/index.asp)isacollab-orativeofseamstressesfromaroundthecountry modifying clothing to accom-

modate these needs. All clothing isprovidedfreeofchargetothesoldiers. Marianne Wink-Sturgeon lives inFairport, N.Y. and requests donationsforherpart in this project.Donationsof new men’s boxer shorts (sizes L,XL or XXL only, please) are request-ed. Donations can also be made toMarianne in the form of gift cards toTarget, Kmart, Penney’s, etc. or cash(Paypaltomari6art@aol.com).Anyandalldonationsarewelcome. PleasebringyourdonationstothenextmembershipmeetingorcallKathyGleasonat978-1331.

MarianneWink-Sturgeon17MonroeStreetFairport,NY14450mari6art@aol.com(usethisemailaddressforPaypaldonations)

hear this: news & notesE-Mail ListWe would like to compile an e-mail address list so that we can communicate updated information or news relating to Chapter 20. This list will be used only for Chapter-related business, and will not be published in Between the Lines. We invite you to give your e-mail address to Kathy Gleason, either by e-mail (kathy14470@msn.com) or by calling the Chapter phone number (585 482-7396) and leaving a message.

New York State Council Interchange on the WebThe New York State Council Interchange is now on website. Go to www.nyvi-etnamvets.org and click on Interchange. The Interchange can also be sent via e-mail to those who send their e-mail address to the State Council.

New Daylight Saving Time Ending Date As a result of the Energy Policy Act of 2005, beginning in 2007 the dates for Daylight Saving Time have changed. DST now begins on the second Sunday in March and ends the first Sunday in November. PLEASENOTE that the date for the end of Daylight Saving Time listed in the calendar in the October BTL is incorrect. The end of Daylight Saving Time this year will be November 4. We apologize for any inconvenience.

roll call: b.o.d. attendanceNAME 1/8 2/5 3/5 4/2 5/7 6/4 7/9 8/6 9/10 10/1 11/5 12/3

President: Moore, Ken X X E A X X X X X X

1st V. Pres:

2nd V. Pres: VanApeldoorn, Bruce X E X E E X

Secretary: Macaluso, Chuck X X X X X X X X X X

Treasurer: Melens, Ray X X X X X X X X X X

Corona, Dan X X X X X E X X X X

Galle, Pete X X X X X X X X X X

Gleason, Kathy X X X X X X E X X X

Gleason, Tom X X X X X X X X E E

Harkness, Joe X X E A X X X X X X

Lill, Max X X

Madigan, Jack X X X X X X

Oleksyn, Dick X X X X X X X X X X

Pascale, Ralph X E E A X X X X X X

Peck, Joe X X X X X X

Pudetti, Pat X X E X X E

Trovato, Ron X X X E X X X X X A

X=Present E=Excused A=Absent

Many of the wounded troops are left with a hospital gown as their only

clothing option.

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with featured speaker

Lee WoodruffCo-author, In An Instant

13 WHAM-TV’s Don AlhartMaster of Ceremonies

Receiving the Edward and Jacqueline S.Harris Award for Exemplary Service to

Veterans and Veterans Outreach Center

R. Wayne LeChase

Rochester Hyatt Regency HotelReception 5:30 pm — 6:30 pm Cash bar

Dinner 6:30 pm$1,250 per table of ten

or $125 per personCall 546-1081 today to make your

reservation, or to sponsora veteran to attend.

H H HH H HHHH

HH

The Gold Star Families of Rochester present the first-ever

Honorary Chair Lori A. VanDusen andthe Board of the Veterans Outreach Center

invite you to the 2nd Annual

An all-day music event to benefit the Veterans Outreach Center.Featuring country-music acts

Jen CassTracy DeLucia

Katelyn HobsonJenae JohnsonSherri Mullen

Alyssa Sommersand more...

Main Street Armory, Rochester, NYDoors open at noon

First act begins around 1 p.m.$15 per ticket

Visit www.veteransoutreachcenter.org for more details.

Media Sponsor:

including Vietnam-era musicand much more!

Highland ParkVietnam Veterans Memorial

Rochester, NY8 a.m. - noon

Open to the General Public

Media Sponsor:

Impact Technologies presentsa live broadcast of

Sponsored by:

and

November 8, 2007 November 10, 2007 November 11, 2007HH

with featured speaker

Lee WoodruffCo-author, In An Instant

13 WHAM-TV’s Don AlhartMaster of Ceremonies

Receiving the Edward and Jacqueline S.Harris Award for Exemplary Service to

Veterans and Veterans Outreach Center

R. Wayne LeChase

Rochester Hyatt Regency HotelReception 5:30 pm — 6:30 pm Cash bar

Dinner 6:30 pm$1,250 per table of ten

or $125 per personCall 546-1081 today to make your

reservation, or to sponsora veteran to attend.

H H HH H HHHH

HH

The Gold Star Families of Rochester present the first-ever

Honorary Chair Lori A. VanDusen andthe Board of the Veterans Outreach Center

invite you to the 2nd Annual

An all-day music event to benefit the Veterans Outreach Center.Featuring country-music acts

Jen CassTracy DeLucia

Katelyn HobsonJenae JohnsonSherri Mullen

Alyssa Sommersand more...

Main Street Armory, Rochester, NYDoors open at noon

First act begins around 1 p.m.$15 per ticket

Visit www.veteransoutreachcenter.org for more details.

Media Sponsor:

including Vietnam-era musicand much more!

Highland ParkVietnam Veterans Memorial

Rochester, NY8 a.m. - noon

Open to the General Public

Media Sponsor:

Impact Technologies presentsa live broadcast of

Sponsored by:

and

November 8, 2007 November 10, 2007 November 11, 2007HH

Stand Up forVeteransWeekend

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Vietnam Veterans of AmericaTHRIFT STORE, CHAPTER 20, LLC

1199 East Main Street, Rochester, NY 14609

Hours: Monday - Friday 8:30am - 5:00pmSaturday 9:00am - 5:00pm

Car Donations 8:30am - 5:00pmTruck Pick-up: 9am - 4:30pm

(weather permitting)

DAVID J. KAUFFMAN POST #41JEWISH WAR VETERANS

THE OLDEST ACTIVE VETERANSORGANIZATION

SUPPORTS THE VIETNAM VETS

LARRY SCHULMAN, QUARTERMASTER, 271-6967

FREEDOM FLAG CO., INC.419 Embury Rd. Rochester, NY 14625 • Richard Burgey

Veteran owned and operated full service flag company. Serving the area for 20 years.

Flagpoles and Accessories • Flags: USA & InternationalInstallation & Repair • Custom Banners / Flags

(585) 671-0624

497 Stone RoadRochester, NY 14616

(585) 865-7370

C.M.Gifts and Militaria

Est: 1987

Medals, Badges, Patches, Ribbons, CapsClothing, Boots, Gear, Buckles, Flags,Award Cases, Military Rings and Watches

Charles RabidouxUSMC 1957-612nd Mar. Div.

SENATOR JOSEPH E. ROBACH

NEW YORKSTATE

SENATE

2300 WEST RIDGE ROADROCHESTER, NY 14626

(585) 225-3650

ROOM 902LEGISLATIVE OFFICE BUILDING

ALBANY, NY 12247(518) 455-2909 • FAX (518) 426-6938

E-MAIL: ROBACH@SENATE.STATE.NY.US

>>>>>photographyanddigitalarttomatchyourmood>>>>>

Various topics are offered from military / veteran oriented, patriotic, scenic,

landscapes, nature, botanical, animals,fantasy, in a variety of sizes and gift items

Gary T. Redlinski Email: gtredlinskiphotos@frontiernet.net

Rochester, New York

www.GTRedphotos.com

BETSY LOMBARDOVeterans Advocate

DEBRA SLOANERetail Office Assistant

The only store where you can buy

America’s Flag

455 South Avenue • Rochester, NY 14620Tel: 585-546-FLAG • Fax: 585-546-5978

A project of the Veterans Outreach Center, Inc.

fromAmerica’s Veterans

TOM DAVISINCOME TAX

CONSULTATION & PREPARATIONYear-Round. By Appointment Service

1 732 Winton Rd. N.Phone (585 ) 288-8465 • Fax: (585 ) 288-8465

Rochester New York

~ Delivery Available ~Truck Pick-up #482-8016Thrift Store #482-8036

All donations go to the Thrift Store at the address above.

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SupportWe’recollectingitemstoboxandsendtoourtroops.PleasebringwhateveryoucanfromthelistbelowtothenextGeneralMembershipmeeting.Wewillannounceadateshortlythereafterandaskhelptopreparepackagesforshipment.

Likewise,ifyouknowofsomeonestationedintheMiddleEast,giveustheircontactinformationandaddresssowecanincludethemonourlist.Youcanbringtheinformationthatevening,oremailittokathy14470@msn.com.Thanksforyourhelp!

Itemsinclude:• Soap(barsonly)• Toothpaste • Toothbrushes• ShavingCream• Razors

• Deodorant• MovieDVDs• Cheez-itCrackers• CreamSavers(orhardcandy) (nochocolateasitmelts!)

• BeefJerky(apopularfavorite!)• Singlestickflavorpackets forbottledwater (e.g.–CrystalLightOntheGo)• ChewingGum

OUR TROOPS

As most of us deal with our ownhealthandagingissues,wefindourselvesalso caring for our parents. There is anew resource available to help those ofus in this area determine what servicesmightbeavailable forus for support inthisarea. Greater Rochester Area Partnershipfor the Elderly, G.R.A.P.E., has a newwebsite that I encourage you to checkout!On the sitewww.grapelder.org youwillfindacomprehensiveguidetoseniorservices in Monroe County. The siteis “interactive,” meaning as programsor services change it can be updatedimmediately. As a result, it is the mostup to date resource currently offered inMonroeCounty.

Taking Care of our Folksby Kathy Gleason

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11PLEASE NOTE: Order may take up to 6 months to be fully processed. Engraved bricks will be installed prior to Memorial Day and Veterans Day (twice annually). Questions? Please call Chuck or Joan Macaluso at 225-8288.

Name: _______________________________________

Address: _____________________________________

City/Zip: _____________________________________

Phone: _______________________________________

The Veterans Walk Committee of Chapter 20, VVA want to thank you for your purchase of a personalized, engraved paver brick. Each paver brick (4” x 8”) can have from one to three lines of engraved information. The cost will be $50.00 per brick. Make checks or money order payable to: VVA Chapter 20, Veterans Walk.

The engraved line(s) can include any of the following information: • Full name • Branch of service, rank • Dates of service (1967-1969, etc.) • Conflict (WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Persian Gulf, etc.)

Please print the information you would like engraved on the brick below. (Maximum of 14 letters/numbers, including spaces per line).

Any past or present member of the United States Armed Services, Active or Reserve, is eligible. Simply fill out and mail the completed form to the Veterans Walk Committee at PO Box 12580, Rochester, New York 14612.

Veterans WalkHelp Build

at the Rochester Vietnam Veterans Memorial

When you return the completed form to the Veterans Walk Committee at P.O. Box 12580,

Rochester, New York 14612, please include your payment and “Proof of Service” for above recipient.

SAMPLE BRICK

PFC John DoeUS Army

65-67 Vietnam

1.

2.

3.

The

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$

History of MPC MilitaryPaymentCertificates (MPC)evolved from

Allied Military Currency as a response to the large

amounts of US Dollars circulating in post-World War

IIEuropedue toAmericanservicemen.The localciti-

zensdidnot trust localcurrenciesas the fateof their

governmentswasunclear.Thereforepreferringastable

currency,dollars,theyoftenacceptedpaymentindol-

larsforlessthantheacceptedconversionrates.Obvi-

ouslydollarsbecamemorefavorable,inflatingthelocal

currenciesandthwartingplanstostabilizetheecono-

mies.Contributingtotheproblemwasthefactthat

though troopswerebeingpaid in the local cur-

rencytheycouldconvertanunlimitedamountto

dollars at thegovernment set conversion rate,

whichwasmuchmorefavorabletotheGIsthan

themarketrate.Fromthisablackmarketde-

veloped where the servicemen could utilize

thefavorableexchangerate.

TocombatthistheUSmilitarydevised

theMPCprogram.MPC’swerepapermon-

ey denominated in US Dollars in amounts

of5cents,10cents,50cents,

1 dollar, 5 dollars, 10 dollars,

and starting in 1968 20 dol-

lars.MPC’swerefullyconvert-

ibletoUSdollarsuponleaving

thecombatzone(adesignated

MPCzone)andconvertibleto

localcurrencieswhengoingon

leave(butnotvice-versa),and

were illegal for unauthorized

personnel to possess, thus,

in theory, eliminating US dol-

lars from local economies. Al-

PeterM.Galle•Email:PGALLE5000@aol.com

http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Cite&page=Military_Payment_Certificate&id=133865562

Military PayMent CertifiCate

Military Payment Certificates, or

MPC,wereused fromtheendof

WorldWar II until theendof the

Vietnam War, between the years

of1946and1973.MPC’sutilized

layersoflinelithographytocreate

colorful banknotes that could be

produced cheaply. Fifteen series

ofMPC’swerecreatedbutonly13

serieswereissued.

Virt

ual V

et

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IllustrationsofMPCsarefromthewebsiteoftheAssociationofthe1stBattal-ion50thInfantry,http://www.ich-iban1.org/html/memorabilia.htm.

though actual greenbacks were not circulating, many

localmerchantsacceptedMPConaparwithUSdol-

lars, as they knew they could use them on the black

market.ThiswasespeciallyevidentduringtheVietnam

WarwhentheMPCprogramwasatitszenith.Topre-

ventMPCfrombeingusedasaprimarycurrencyinthe

hostcountry,therebydestroyingthelocalcurrencyval-

ueandeconomy,MPCbanknotestylewouldchange.

ManyveteranscanrecountaconversiondayorC-Day.

C-dayinVietnamwasalwaysclassified,neverpre-

announced.OnC-day,soldierswouldberestrictedto

base,preventingGIsfromloadinguponoldMPCfrom

local bars, brothels, bargirls and other black market

Virtual Vetpeopleandunable tohelp theseVietnameseconvert

tothenewerstyleMPC.Vietnamesewerenotallowed

toconvertandfrequently lostsomuchold,worthless

MPC, theywould“arrange” tohave thenearestU.S.

baserocketedthenextnight.

To illustrate the Vietnam war MPC cycle, in mid

1970,aGIwouldhavehisfamilymailhimaU.S.hun-

dreddollarbill, take it“downtown”andconvert it to

180dollarsMPC,thenchangeMPCtoS.Vietnamese

piastersatdouble the legal rate.Hethencouldhave

afundayshopping,barhopping,orafullservicemas-

sage,payinginverylowcostpiasters.

To continue the MPC cycle, that 100 dollar note

would find its way to high level Vietnamese

government officials, especially the corrupt

ones,whohadaccesstooutofcountrytravel,

where the U.S. currency could be deposited

safely (Bangkok, Taipei, or Hong Kong). Ru-

mors also suggested that this hard currency

(u.s.dollars),wouldfinditswaytoHanoi,then

toEurope.

There were 13 series of MPC issued

between1946and1973,with

varied designs often com-

pared to Monopoly (game)

money due to their colors.

After the Vietnam War MPC

was never again issued, and

laydormantuntilthelate90’s

when it was replaced by a

StoredValueCardsystem.

BETW

EEN TH

E LINES

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BETWEEN THE LINES

Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter �0Membership Application

Return this application, along with a copy of your DD214, to:VietnamVeteransofAmerica,P.O.Box12580,Rochester,NY14612

Name: ___________________________________ DateofBirth:____________________ Sex:M/F

Address:__________________________________ HomePhone:(_____)_______________________

City:_____________________________________ WorkPhone:(_____)________________________

Zip:_______________Country:______________ E-mailAddress:______________________ W/H

Chapter#________(ifknown) _______________ Sponsor:__________________________________

IamnotaVietnamveteran,butIwanttohelpVietnamveteransandtheirfamilies.Pleaseacceptmydonation:___________________ AVVAMembership_______$10_______$20_______$50_______Other($_______)

Eligibility:VietnamandVietnam-eraveteranswhoservedonactivedutyintheU.S.Military(forotherthantrainingpurposes)betweenFebruary28,1961andMay7,1975(in-countryVietnam),orbetweenAugust5,1964andMay7,1975(forVietnam-eraveterans).

Term:_____1year($20)_____3years($50)_____LifeMembership: $250(ages49andunder) $225(ages50-55) $200(ages56-60) $175(ages61-65) $150(ages66andover)Payment Option:_______Check_______MoneyOrder

VVAisanon-profitveteransserviceorganization.Programsandservicesarefundedbymemberduesandpublicdonations.

Between the Lines ispublishedmonthlybyChapter20,VietnamVeteransofAmerica.Theviewsandopin-ions expressed arenotnecessarily thoseofChapter20,or theVietnamVeteransofAmerica, itsofficers,boardofdirectors,orthegeneralmembership.Nosubscriptionfeeischargedforthispublication,andinclusiononthemailinglistisavailableonrequest.Between the LinescanalsobeseenontheChapter20website,www.vva20.org. We welcome letters to the editor, poetry, originalarticles, and suggestions. Submissions can be sent to:Between the Lines,P.O.Box12580,Rochester,NewYork14612ore-mailedasaworddocumentto:bruceimcdaniel@earthlink.net.Ifyouwantyourmanu-

script returned, include a self-addressed envelope withpostage. We reserve the right not to use materials wethinkarenotappropriateforthepublication,andtoeditforspaceandclarity.We’dalsoliketohaveaphonenum-beraswellasyournameincasethereareanyquestions. Thedeadlineforsubmissionsintendedforaparticu-larmonth’sissueisthe5thoftheprecedingmonth.Ifthe5thfallsonaweekendorholiday,thedeadlineisthefirstbusinessdayfollowingthe5th. Between the Lines runspaid advertisements tohelpoffsetthecostofpublicationandasaconveniencetoourreaders.Chapter20doesnotendorseanyadvertiserorguaranteesatisfactionwithgoodsorservicesprovided.

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Num

bers to KnowCHAPTER OFFICERS

President:KenMoore..... 392-0269(h)...576-9000(c)1stVicePresident:2ndVicePresident:BruceVanApeldoorn.... 252-514-5597(c)Secretary:ChuckMacaluso.....................225-8288(h)Treasurer:RayMelens.............................392-2079(h)

VETERANS ORGANIZATIONS AND INFORMATIONGreaterRochesterVietnamVeteransMemorial...585-753-7275 (enter9;enter2toleaveamessage)IraJacobsonAmericanLegionPost#474..... 663-7030VAClinic-465WestfallRoad..................... 463-2600VeteransOutreachCenter............................ 546-1081VetCenter.................................................... 232-5040VeteransAdministration........................ 800-827-1000NYSCouncil....................................... 888-678-VETSMonroeCountyVeteransServiceAgency..... 753-6040 e-mail:serviceofficer@yahoo.comVeteransBenefitsHotline...................... 800-827-1000“VeteransBillofRights”........................ 800-342-3358VAMedicalCenterinBatavia............... 585-297-1000VAHospitalinBuffalo.......................... 716-834-9200

VETERANS ORGANIZATIONS AND INFORMATION, CONT’D.VAMedicalCenterinCanandaigua............. 394-2000VAMedicalCenterinBath.................................607-664-4000V.V.ofAmericainWashington.........................800-VVA-1316V.V.MemorialFund“TheWall”.........................202-393-0090Nat.’lLge.ofFam.MIA/POWUpdates................202-223-6846RichardsHouse..........................................................506-9060TheResourceCenter..................................................546-4250Stars&Stripes...........................................................546-3524PersianGulfVets,Inc.................................................385-4097OperationWelcomeHome........................................234-4694

MISCELLANEOUSVVA20ThriftStore,LLCMgmt.,BethAffeldt......482-8036DonationPick-up,CindyRowley.....................482-8016VVAVehicleDonations,CindyRowley............224-8484VVAChapter20......... bdivico@vva20.org•482-7396

EMAIL ADDRESSES OF OFFICERS AND COMMITTEE CONTACTSDanCorona......................................nycorona@juno.comFredElliott..................................felliott@rochester.rr.comPeterGalle.................................. PGALLE5000@aol.comKathyGleason...............................kathy14470@msn.comTomGleason................................. namd0c@hotmail.comGenoLenyk.................................... gnl3153@ntid.rit.eduMaxLill........................... jmax.lill@industrialfurnace.comChuckMacaluso.......................chuckmac66@yahoo.comBruceMcDaniel.................bruceimcdaniel@earthlink.netKenMoore................................17CAV@rochester.rr.comDickOleksyn...................................roleksyn@yahoo.comRalphPascale.............................. golferalph@hotmail.comJoePeck.......................................jpeck2@rochester.rr.comPatPudetti............................... patrickusmc1@yahoo.comBruceVanApeldoorn..... bvanapeldoorn@rochester.rr.com

Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 20P. O. Box 12580, Rochester, NY 14612

(585) 482-7396 • Fax (585) 482-5513 • www.vva20.org

BOARD OF DIRECTORSDanCorona.................................................406-6108PeteGalleKathyGleason............................................978-1331TomGleason...............................................978-1995JoeHarkness..........................................889-9728(h)MaxLill...............................................288-4646x18JackMadigan..............................................392-8259DickOleksyn........................................663-5255(h)RalphPascale.........................................755-2560(h)JoePeck.................................................. 734-9046(c)PatPudetti............................................ 753-6040(w)RonTrovato...........................................544-8470(h)

COMMITTEE CONTACTSAgentOrange/HealthCare......SueOleksyn663-5255AVVA................................... KathyGleason978-1331BetweenTheLines.............BruceMcDaniel482-5314Chaplain................................ TomGleason978-1995Comm.Service/Pub.Affairs.... DickMcDermott398-2628Constitution...............................FredElliott288-5756Finance.......................................... JoePeck734-9046Historian................................ DaveHooker544-8815IncarceratedVeterans................RonTrovato544-8470MarchingUnit.......................... RayMelens392-2079Membership,ChapterGear.... RalphPascale755-2560POW/MIA................. GailBologna-Melens392-2079Scholarship................................AlicePopen247-1024SocialEvents..........................DickOleksyn663-5255SpeakersBureau.......................GenoLenyk423-0206VeteransAffairs/Benefits............. PatPudetti482-2387VeteransWalk...................ChuckMacaluso225-8288VolunteerCoordinator......... KathyGleason978-1331

WEB SITES/E-MAIL ADDRESSESVeterans Widows International Network members@aol.com/vetwindowsNYS Department Health: www.health.state.ny.us/nyvetsVietnam Veterans Memorial at Highland Park: www.vietnamemorial.orgOperation Welcome Home: www.operationwelcomehome.orgVVA New York State Council: www.nyvietnamvets.orgRegion 2 Director: www.region2vva.com

Rochester New York

Vietnam Veterans of AmericaChapter 20, Rochester, NY Inc.P.O. Box 12580Rochester, NY 14612

NON-PROFIT ORG.U.S. POSTAGE

PAIDROCHESTER, NYPermit No. 439

November �00�SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY

1 2 3

4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Daylight Saving Time Ends

Board of DirctorsMeeting7:00 P.M. Election Day

Membership Meeting7:30 P.M.

Chapter 20Bus trip to

Washington, DCU.S. Marine Corps founded in 1775

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VeteransDay Ceremony at Highland Park

Bus returns from Washington, DC

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If you would like your Birthday or Anniversary included on the BTL calendar, please call the office at 482-7396 or E-mail info@vva20.org

HappyThanksgiving!29 30