|
Midwest Chapter 17 Bulletin Board
Please pay your dues, we can't survive with out them. Send checks
to:
Midwest
Chapter 17, PO Box 09640, Columbus, OH 43209
FRONT
-
From this day forward we will publish all donations given to Chapter 17 on
this wall of honor. Please contact us if you have given a donation of any
kind and do not see it listed
here. It is the intent to give credit were credit is due and keep track of
funds that get lost in a stack of papers or misplaced because of
non-routine collection but mostly as a
result of failing memories. Let's face it, it is getting harder to
remember where we left things. There is no such thing as a donation that
is too small. Any amount is appreciated.
Just stand in the door and be counted. Mail
donation checks to:
Midwest
Chapter 17, PO Box 09640, Columbus, OH 43209
The Midwest Chapter 17
New!! - 2012 Wall of
Honor
"Dedicated to thanking those who have given generously to help keep our
Chapter going"
Total: $40
12JAN12 NFW Chapter
17 Webmaster Abuses Privilege
So sue me!
Abigail Grace Kniley born on this date around 6pm EST,
all toes and fingers accounted for and present.
Turner, my son,
stated: "Michelle (DIL) baked her just right. 20.5 inches 7lb 12oz"
03JAN12 - Dave
Carmon
Certificates of Appreciation have
been sent out to the following
Gary Braden, Franklin, Ohio, Assistance in
cooking for 2011 Christmas Party.
Owen Stewart, Franklin, Ohio, Post Commander VFW Post 7956, for
his assistance in making the 2011 Christmas Party a success.
Linda Stewart, Franklin, Ohio, Assistance in cooking and
serving food at 2011 Christmas Party.
Joyce Kyne, Spring Valley, Ohio, Organizing the 2011 Christmas
Party.
Jim Haynes, Hebron, Ohio, Organizing and Conduction 2011 Annual
Chapter Raffle.
01JAN12 - The Lambertsons'
Grandson Has Returned Home
JUST GOT A TEXT FROM MASON. HE HAS LANDED
IN MAINE! 1 HOUR DELAY THEN ON TO FORT
KNOX!!!! WE WILL BE THERE!!! I CAN NOT
WAIT. MY HEART IS POUNDING OUT OF MY
CHEST! PLEASE LET THOSE KNOW THAT DO NOT
HAVE EMAIL, SINCE I AM GETTING READY TO
GET ON THE ROAD!!!
06DEC11 -B. Terry
2011
CHRISTMAS PARTY
Once again Chapter 17 managed to pull off
another pleasant Christmas gathering. The
VFW Post in Franklin, Ohio offered
its accommodations as our members drove in
from all over.
John Carter once again expressed his
devotion and delight by driving in from
Pennsylvania. Terry Aubrey got on the road
and drove up from Kentucky. Ken and Amy
Lambertson came in from Indiana. Our Ohio
members drifted in and all were soon
engaged in laughter and cheer. Dave
Eadie, a Chapter member, had his first
party with us and thoroughly
enjoyed himself. Our own Skip Kniley was
engaged elsewhere and regretted he could
not make it. Ike Mellinger, working for a
morgue, was out chasing bodies and fun man
Mark Mitchell was busy preparing a new
house.
An early meeting offered up a chance for
Terry Aubrey to go over the plans for the
national reunion in Lexington, Kentucky.
Thanks to the work and the efforts of
Aubrey the Lexington reunion is shaping up
to be a promising event.
President Dave Carmon initiated a humble
pray at the opening of the party. During
the party National President Roy Scott
requested Bill Terry to lead in another
rendition of the song Blood on the
Risers. Feeling the buzz of drink Bill
managed to get through the song without
falling on his face.
Our host of the VFW expressed his
gratitude to the membership by giving
words of patriotic sincerity. In a
festive mood Ken Lambertson donated $40 to
the Chapter. He is solid Airborne and
always will be. Roy Scott had also given
out the Herd baseball caps to all those
in the VFW bar and as a result smiles and
drinks were shared all around.
Later still, song man Bill Terry was
presented with the commemorative plaque
and the actual American flag that flew
over the 173rd post in Afghanistan. He is
to cherish if for one year after which it
is to be presented to another member.
Our thanks once again to John Kyne and his
wife Joyce for pulling this party
together. Their son and daughter-in-law
were in attendance to express their pride
in John and the Herd members. Gary
Brandon, a Herd member though not in
attendance, provided the sauce and the
meat in the fine dinner that demanded
seconds.
Hopefully, our Christmas party will grow
larger, but large or small it always
manages to be a delight. The Chapter
wishes all its members a Merry Christmas.
(Scroll
down to see photos of the party)
05DEC11
- Jerry Sopko
In re: The Social Security
item on the Chapter XVII website . . . the SSA has an answer on their
site.
 www.socialsecurity.gov |
| |
Special Extra Earnings for Military Service
|
|
|
Note: Change in special military service credits.
In January 2002, Public Law 107-117, the Defense
Appropriations Act, stopped the special extra earnings that
have been credited to military service personnel.
Military service in calendar year 2002 and future years no
longer qualifies for these special extra earnings credits.
|
|
Since 1957, if you had military service earnings for active duty
(including active duty for training), you paid Social Security
taxes on those earnings. Since 1988, inactive duty service in the
Armed Forces reserves (such as weekend drills) has also been
covered by Social Security.
Under certain circumstances, special extra earnings for your
military service from 1957 through 2001 can be credited to your
record for Social Security purposes. These extra earnings
credits may help you qualify for Social Security or increase the
amount of your Social Security benefit.
Special extra earnings credits are granted for periods of active
duty or active duty for training. Special extra earnings credits
are not granted for inactive duty training.
If your active military service occurred
- From 1957 through 1967, we will add the
extra credits to your record when you apply for Social Security
benefits.
- From 1968 through 2001, you do not need to
do anything to receive these extra credits. The credits were
automatically added to your record.
- After 2001, there are no special extra
earnings credits for military service.
|
How You Get Credit For Special Extra Earnings
The information that follows applies only to
active duty military service earnings from 1957
through 2001. Here's how the special extra earnings
are credited on your record:
Service in 1957 Through 1977
You are credited with $300 in additional earnings for each
calendar quarter in which you received active duty basic pay.
Service in 1978 through 2001
For every $300 in active duty basic pay, you are credited with
an additional $100 in earnings up to a maximum of $1,200 a year.
If you enlisted after September 7, 1980, and didn't complete at
least 24 months of active duty or your full tour, you may not be
able to receive the additional earnings. Check with Social
Security for details.
|
04DEC11
- John Kyne
2011 Christmas Party Photos
Not pictured here is Skip Kniley because he
was a bag and located in Indianapolis at the time. - NFW
11NOV11
Bill Terry
VETERANS DAY PARADE
The Veterans Day Parade was held in downtown
Columbus on Thursday the 10th Hundreds lined the
streets, waving the flag and giving a proud salute
to the floats, the bands, and the variety of veteran
organizations. Bill Terry joined on the parade
float with the veterans of Plumbers and Pipe fitters
of Local 189. Among our group was a Marine veteran
of
Afghanistan,
dressed proudly in his "class A's".
David Eadie is a member of Chapter 17 and though not a member of
the local union he was invited to join on the float with us.
David can still fit into his
Viet Nam
jungle fatigues and he wore them with ease, proudly showing the
Herd patch. We all enjoyed ourselves, waving to and
acknowledging the waves and the cheers of the people. Under a
sunny though blustery day all with well on this day of
remembering the veterans.
10NOV11
Ed Perkins
A Veteran's Benefit
You Should Know about: DD FORM 214 - EXTRA SOCIAL
SECURITY BENEFIT
EDITORS NOTE: The following information is 100%
unverified. If anyone has hard factual proof as to
the validity of this claim, please email me so we
can post:
For those with active duty between January 1957 to
December 31, 2001DD FORM 214 - SOCIAL SECURITY
BENEFIT please share this with anyone who had
active duty service between January 1957 to
December 31, 2001, and planning for retirement.
Briefly, it boils down to this: You qualify for a
higher social security payment because of your
Military service, for active duty any time from
1957 through 2001 (the program was done away with
1 January 2002). Up to $1200
per year of earnings credit credited at time of
application - which can make a substantial
difference in social security monthly payments upon
your retirement. You must bring your DD-214 to the
Social Security Office and you must ask for this
benefit to receive it! This is something to put in
your files for when you apply for Social Security
down the road. It is NOT just for retirees, BUT
anyone who has served on active duty between January
1957 to December 31, 2001. FYI - this benefit is not
automatic, you must ask for it!
Special Extra Earnings for Military Service
Since 1957, if you had military service earnings for
active duty (including active duty for training),
you paid Social Security taxes on those earnings.
Since 1988, inactive duty service in the Armed
Forces reserves (such as weekend drills) has also
been covered by Social Security.
Under certain circumstances, special extra earnings
for your military service from 1957 through 2001
can be credited to your record for Social Security
purposes. These extra earnings credits may help you
qualify for Social Security or increase the amount
of your Social Security benefit.
Special extra earnings credits are granted for
periods of active duty or active duty for training.
Special extra earnings credits are not granted
for inactive duty training.
If you're active military service occurred. From
1957 through 1967, we will add the extra credits to
your record when you apply for Social Security
benefits. From 1968 through 2001, you do not need to
do anything to receive these extra credits. The
credits were automatically added to your record.
After 2001, there are no special extra earnings
credits for military service.
How You Get Credit for Special Extra Earnings
The information that follows applies only to active
duty military service earnings from 1957 through
2001. Here's how the special extra earnings
are credited on your record:
Service in 1957 Through 1977
You are credited with $300 in additional earnings
for each calendar quarter in which you received
active duty basic pay.
Service in 1978 through 2001
For every $300 in active duty basic pay, you are
credited with an additional $100 in earnings up to
a maximum of $1,200 a year. If you enlisted
after September 7, 1980, and didn't complete at
least 24 months of active duty or your full tour,
you may not be able to receive the additional
earnings. Check with Social Security for details.
Note: Change in special military service credits. In
January 2002, Public Law 107-117, the Defense
Appropriations Act, stopped the special extra
earnings that have been credited to military
service personnel.
Military service in calendar year 2002 and future
years no longer qualifies for these special extra
earnings credits.
24OCT11
NFW
2012 Disability Comp to Increase 3.6
Percent
Military and federal civilian retirees, survivor benefit annuitants,
disabled veterans and Social
Security recipients will see a 3.6 percent cost-of-living adjustment
in January, their first since
2009. The 3.6% COLA will be effective Dec 1 and will be reflected in
January retired pay, SBP,
Social Security, and VA disability compensation checks.
Visit the Military Advantage Blog to
learn more.
http://www.military.com/veterans-report/2012-disability-comp-to-increase-3.6-percent?ESRC=vr.nl
22OCT11
Tall Joe
Happy Brothers' Day!
Here's to you, Band of Brothers!
Brother, life is too short to wake up with regrets. So love the
people who treat you right. Forgive the ones who don't, just
because you can.
Believe everything happens for a reason. If you get a second
chance, grab it with both hands, those of you who served in Viet
Nam know this.
If it
changes your life, let it. Take a few minutes to think before
you act when you're mad. Forgive quickly.
God
never said life would be easy, He just promised it would be
worth it.
Today
is Band of Brothers' Day; send this to all your brothers,
fathers, sons and fellow veterans you know.
Happy
Brothers' Day!
I
LOVE YA BROTHER!!!
To
the good men that have touched my life. Here's to you!! I was
never a hero, but I am thankful to know some.
A real Brother walks with you when the rest of
the world walks on you
01OCT11 Roy Scott -
Jerry Cecil and Al Rascon at the MOH Convention dinner in Louisville,
KY on 1 October 2011.
21SEP11
Wounded Warrior Amputee Earns
Title Of ‘Sergeant Airborne
FORT BENNING,
Ga. — Like thousands before him, Sgt. Joel Dulashanti donned an
Airborne instructor
black
hat for the first time Aug. 22, signifying his completion of a
detailed
certification process with 1st Battalion (Airborne), 507th
Parachute Infantry Regiment.
Unlike those before him, he met the
standard with a prosthetic leg, a partial knee replacement and
the aftermath of several internal injuries received during an
ambush in Afghanistan. With his wounds, he could have taken a
medical discharge from the Army, but the paratrooper chose to
stay in — and remain Airborne all the way.
“It’s still brand new,” he said,
“but it feels good to actually have my hat.”
Dulashanti’s determination in the
face of adversity, evident at the unit, will be instrumental in
training
Airborne students, said Command Sgt. Maj. Chip Mezzaline,
battalion command sergeant major. More than 17,000 students come
through the battalion each year.
“He’s had a traumatic injury and
had the resilience to stay on active duty and serve as an
instructor in a position that’s high risk,” Mezzaline said.
“It’s in his character — something you can’t teach. It’s
something inside him that’s going to drive him to be successful
in whatever it is that he’s doing. I don’t think ‘can’t’ is in
his vocabulary. Him being a Sergeant Airborne — a Black Hat — at
the Basic Airborne Course will inspire numerous students coming
through here.”
Mezzaline said Dulashanti completed
the instructor certification program at a level “above the
standard.” He had to be
trained
on the lateral drift apparatus, the mock towers, the 250-foot
tower, the swing landing trainer and the spin harness as well as
memorize a block of
instruction
for the mock tower exit.
“He’s a paratrooper,” Mezzaline
said. “He comes from the 82nd Airborne Division. That Airborne
career he probably thought was cut short, but this is new life
for him here at the Airborne School. I predict within the next
year he’ll be a Jumpmaster, probably a senior-rated jumpmaster
and he’ll be doing door checks, exiting students at 1,250 feet
above Fryer Drop Zone.”
“And with his level of motivation,
he’ll probably move on to that next mark and be a centurion,
which is 100 exits out of an aircraft,” Mezzaline said. “The
sky’s the limit for Sergeant Dulashanti here at the 507th.”
Dulashanti said he wants to do
everything he can while stationed here, including becoming a
jumpmaster and centurion. A veteran of six years, he arrived at
the battalion in May. The same month, four years prior, he was
deployed as a sniper attached to the 73rd Cavalry Regiment. He
remembers
the
details
vividly.
“We
were chasing two guys — they were on a moped together and we
were in Humvees,” he said. “They took off in the field and the
sniper team went out. It was about 110 degrees outside, over
6,000 feet above sea level, and with no humidity, all you could
smell was the earth and burnt grass. All of the sudden as we
were walking in this knee-high grass, I started to smell body
odor, so I stopped and turned to my right in the direction of
odor. They began to engage in contact.”
“They had AK47s and they were
laying in the prone about 10 meters away,” he continued. “I took
two rounds to my right knee. As I was coming out of the sun, I
was shot through my left knee. As I was falling the next round
that came through went under my arm, through my rib cage and,
since I was parallel to the ground, it traversed my entire
abdomen down to my pelvis. That round was the worst. We returned
fire, and those guys were finished.”
All in all, Dulashanti said “it’s
not a big deal.”
Two platoons donated plasma to him
before he was evacuated to the U.S. Once at Walter Reed Army
Medical Center, it took him eight months to be comfortable
walking.
“The recovery process started off
slow, (but) I accelerated fast,” he said. “Most of the stuff can
be replaced. I have a partial knee replacement on my left side.
I have an above-the-knee amputation on my right side. I’m
missing half of my stomach and 90 percent of my intestines and
gall bladder and half of my abdominal wall is gone.”
He chose to stay in the Army in
part for the fellow Soldier recuperating alongside him in the
hospital.
“I had to set that example for the
rest of the Army, just based on the fact they couldn’t do it and
they wanted to,” he said. “Maybe in the future somebody else
will have an easier time getting to do stuff like this because
I’ve done it already.”
Since then, Dulashanti has
completed the Warrior Leader Course and the Advanced Leaders
Course, among others. But his goal was to be part of the Fort
Benning’s Airborne battalion.
“Mentally, I knew I could exit an
aircraft and I knew I was able to
instruct
people on how to exit an aircraft and to land on the ground
properly,” he said. “When I called about the job, the only
question was ‘Can you jump out of planes?’ and even though I
hadn’t done it, the answer was ‘yes,’ without a doubt. I knew I
wouldn’t be a safety hazard, so the answer was ‘yes.’”
“It was pretty intense,” Dulashanti
said of the studying it took to pass the certification program,
but other instructors helped him along the way.
He said there are some things he
does better than Soldiers who aren’t handicapped in any way and
still other things he struggles to do at all.
“I have to kind of be on my A-game
all the time,” he said. “But at the same time, I do have
limitations, so I have to make sure I take care myself to
prevent injury.”
His “limitations” aren’t something
he tells every class of students about, but occasionally he
mentions it or they find out.
“Sometimes people ask me why I have
a limp,” he said. “I tell them I don’t have a leg, so it’s not
really a limp.”
His advice to other wounded
warriors is simple — choose whether or not to have a positive
outlook.
“Make up your mind,” he said.
“Everybody has to go through their own coping mechanisms.
Sometimes you’re in a denial state; when you come out of that
denial state, then deal with what it is you have to deal with.
Seek counseling, if you have to. I never gave negativity even an
opportunity to invade my mind. There was only one route for me
in the first place.
18SEP11
Bill Terry
KOKOMO
AND THE
RAFFLE WINNER: DUANE WILCOX of Newark, Ohio
The
Kokomo
event was in full bloom again this year. Veterans of every
military branch converged on the land of Indiana to embrace
old comrades and to relive the days of its military youth.
Kokomo initially started with a small group of Viet Nam veterans, but
word of mouth spread and the little town of Kokomo found itself
overwhelmed by the annual growth in numbers. The Viet Nam group
then purchased a spread of land and made it their own. Campers
and tents are now a permanent fixture.
This year they came again from all over to party, to drink, to
meet old friends they hadn't seen in years. Medal of Honor Sammy
Davis --- flown in by a Huey helicopter --- was on hand to give a
speech. The familiar of Chapter 17 was there once again.
Among these were Mark Mitchell, John Kyne, Scott Risi and Ken
Lambertson, the die-hards who refuse to miss out on
Kokomo.
Some of the originals from the Rock was there: Seventy-three
year old Andrew Brown (Tumbleweed) and his friend Charles Coleman.
George Sturn (Crazy George) is down to one leg but he remains a legion
in that during
Kokomo's
early days back in the 80's George walked 647 miles from Nebraska to
attend the event; this to honor the Herd. He always try to be
the first in and the last out. "Crazy" George exemplify the
heart of the Herd.
During the group picture a Marine friend was invited to join in.
The Marines might be legs but they're good troops. After the
group picture Chapter 17 then held its Raffle drawing. Young
Evan LaFrance --- friend of Scott Risi's son --- turned
his head
away and reached into the stirred pot and drew out the winning name.
DUANE WILCOX of Newark, Ohio
was the
winner. We congratulate him and we thank you one and all for
participating.
Kokomo is there year round. Many camp there
during all seasons of the year. An in door bar offers drinks,
television and a pool table for any seeking a casual get-together.
Feel free to drop in. It belongs to the veterans.
Thanks again Chapter 17 for your wonderful response to the Raffle.
NFW Note: Bill
carried the ticket stubs by motorcycle to Kokomo and conducted the
drawing ritual. During the time at Kokomo and additional amount
on-site of $150 was collected making this years raffle gross around
$2500.
13SEP11 NFW
2012 Reunion Update - Lexington, KY
Well, just to bring you up to date, the
official reunion committee was formed last month during the first of
two meeting. President Dave Carmon, Roy Scott, were attending among
other volunteers from Chapter17. John Kyne did a great job of keeping
the cats herded and on the discussion point. The plan was to develop
and engage a remote team made up of local (KY) Chapter 17
member/volunteers. BINGO, what a turnout! Top flight folks with all
the connections, energy, brains and creativity needed to made this a
success. There is nothing lacking in the talent department. At this
point the tasks have been identified and the people have been placed
with their responsibilities. The Planning Team is made up of 9
members: (KY) Terry Aubrey, Roger Conley, Terry Davis, Danny Day and
Jerry Cecil - (OH) Dave Carmon, John Kyne, Skip Kniley and Roy Scott
in a very limited capacity. Others heading of events are Dora Carmon &
Joyce Kyne planning the Ladies Brunch and Momma Ski planning the Gold
Star group.
Here are some shot of the first meeting in
August:
During the meeting last week the tasks were
identified and the duties assigned. The team was last seen in front of
a smoke trail as they headed out to conquer the beast.
Click on any of the images
below to see them in a larger format and visit your web site
30AUG11 - Bill Terry
Chapter 17 Raffle and Donation Drive
Looks to be a banner year, a record to be set.
Dig down and chip in, we have a lot of work to do before next year.
Expect to see the winner announced here on
the Bulletin Board.
The Raffle & Donations Report
( Chapter 17
Raffle Drive Update) $2,305
for Tickets So Far
|
Name |
Date received |
Ticket |
Donations |
Check # |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
John Kovac |
6/19/2001 |
$20.00 |
|
1667 |
|
Albert Wohlwend |
6/19/2011 |
$20.00 |
|
3343 |
|
James Haynes |
6/19/2011 |
$20.00 |
|
1017 |
|
Leslie Daniels |
6/19/2011 |
$20.00 |
|
606 |
|
Krederick Wessolek |
6/22/2011 |
$20.00 |
|
4739 |
|
Alton
Turner |
6/22/2011 |
$20.00 |
$503.00 |
1659-1660 |
|
William Willoughby |
6/22/2011 |
$20.00 |
|
6251 |
|
Walter Russell |
6/22/2011 |
$20.00 |
|
5406 |
|
Jerome Marcum |
6/22/2011 |
$20.00 |
|
743 |
|
Carl Peterson |
6/22/2011 |
$20.00 |
|
6293 |
|
William Palmer |
6/22/2011 |
$20.00 |
$30.00 |
1495 |
|
Frank Jenkins |
6/22/2011 |
$20.00 |
|
5044 |
|
George J Danilla |
6/22/2011 |
$20.00 |
|
7631 |
|
Bert Sommer |
6/22/2011 |
$20.00 |
|
2756 |
|
Craig Stewart |
6/22/2011 |
$20.00 |
|
1175 |
|
Larry Barch |
6/22/2011 |
$20.00 |
|
119 |
|
Ken Gill |
6/22/2011 |
$20.00 |
|
Cash |
|
David Eadie |
6/22/2011 |
$20.00 |
$5.00 |
2225 |
|
John Pacola |
6/22/2011 |
$20.00 |
|
5515 |
|
Thomas Ticherich |
6/22/2011 |
$20.00 |
|
6217 |
|
Don Kidd |
6/23/2011 |
$20.00 |
|
1424 |
|
Marion Mossburg |
6/23/2011 |
$20.00 |
|
5354 |
|
Bob Fleming |
6/23/2011 |
$20.00 |
|
6856 |
|
Stabley Leedy |
6/23/2011 |
$20.00 |
|
3703 |
|
Jacquel Moser |
6/23/2011 |
$20.00 |
` |
9382 |
|
John Sullivan |
6/23/2011 |
$20.00 |
|
6746 |
|
Bruce Grueschow |
6/23/2011 |
$20.00 |
|
1816 |
|
Ralph Criscito |
6/23/2011 |
$20.00 |
|
605 |
|
Walter Bowman |
6/23/2011 |
$20.00 |
|
3221 |
|
Kenneth Myers |
6/24/2011 |
$20.00 |
|
5065 |
|
Gerald N McCully |
6/24/2011 |
$20.00 |
|
4372 |
|
Leo Bocko |
6/24/2011 |
$20.00 |
|
2852 |
|
James Schaffer |
6/24/2011 |
$20.00 |
|
774 |
|
Francis Diehl |
6/24/2011 |
$20.00 |
$30.00 |
5475 |
|
Don Lair |
6/25/2011 |
|
$25.00 |
5392 |
|
Michael Matthews |
6/25/2011 |
$20.00 |
$5.00 |
186 |
|
R Michael Rosenburg |
6/25/2011 |
$20.00 |
|
504 |
|
Marilyn Racho |
6/25/2011 |
$40.00 |
$5.00 |
2864 |
|
Russell Olliso |
6/25/2011 |
$20.00 |
|
3911 |
|
David Kaminski |
6/27/2011 |
$20.00 |
|
1716 |
|
Sandra Casey Emery |
6/27/2011 |
$20.00 |
|
1828 |
|
Fredrick Long |
6/27/2011 |
$20.00 |
|
4528 |
|
William Wyatt |
6/27/2011 |
$20.00 |
$20.00 |
1164 |
|
Michael Gullo |
6/27/2011 |
$20.00 |
|
4199 |
|
Bob Ceckittti |
6/29/2011 |
$20.00 |
$30.00 |
5254 |
|
Carl Shefferd |
6/29/2011 |
$20.00 |
|
1950 |
|
Lawrence
Paladino |
6/29/2011 |
$20,00 |
|
2952 |
|
David Carmon |
6/29/2011 |
$20.00 |
|
1052 |
|
Jack H. Fleming |
6/29/2011 |
$20.00 |
|
5441 |
|
Dave Brest |
7/1/2011 |
$20.00 |
|
3628 |
|
James Crockett |
7/1/2011 |
$20.00 |
|
2051 |
|
RRD |
7/1/2011 |
$20.00 |
|
7560 |
|
Gerald Sopko |
7/2/2011 |
$20.00 |
$80.00 |
257 |
|
Corbett Fugate |
7/2/2011 |
$20,00 |
|
2814 |
|
William Terry |
7/2/2011 |
$20.00 |
$80.00 |
4101 |
|
Geraldine Bowers |
7/2/2011 |
$20.00 |
|
7564 |
|
Ben Swartz |
7/2/2011 |
$20.00 |
|
9368 |
|
Thomas Steckman |
7/5/2011 |
$20,00 |
$30.00 |
5760 |
|
Patrick Hilla |
7/5/2011 |
$20,00 |
$5.00 |
10138 |
|
Harley Bobo |
7/5/2011 |
$20,00 |
|
226 |
|
John Kyne |
7/5/2011 |
$20,00 |
|
1689 |
|
Bob Cecketti |
7/5/2011 |
$40,00 |
$10.00 |
5255 |
|
Kenneth W. Green |
7/8/2011 |
$20,00 |
|
1270 |
|
Percival Piper |
7/8/2011 |
$20,00 |
|
7550 |
|
Charles D. Spencer |
7/8/2011 |
$20,00 |
|
8984 |
|
Roger D. Conley |
7/8/2011 |
|
$173 |
1072 |
|
James L. McClure |
7/8/2011 |
$20,00 |
|
8119 |
|
Robert W. Wagner |
7/8/2011 |
$20,00 |
|
1405 |
|
John P Bragiel |
7/11/2011 |
$20,00 |
|
534 |
|
Mark D. Mitchell |
7/11/2011 |
$20,00 |
|
2324 |
|
Peter J Arnold |
7/12/2011 |
$20,00 |
|
1505 |
|
Duane Wilcox |
7/14/2011 |
$20,00 |
|
4469 |
|
Bois Vajda |
7/19/2011 |
$20,00 |
|
541 |
|
Richard M. Hahn |
7/14/2011 |
$20,00 |
|
3650 |
|
Ken Lambertson |
7/19/2011 |
$20,00 |
|
5513 |
|
David J. Shaginaw |
7/19/2011 |
$20,00 |
|
9267 |
|
William Terry |
7/21/2011 |
$20,00 |
|
cash |
|
Clifford McDowell |
7/21/2011 |
$20,00 |
|
5427 |
|
Joh A Balint |
7/21/2011 |
$20,00 |
|
1159 |
|
James A Smith |
7/23/2011 |
$20,00 |
|
4045 |
|
William D Burris |
7/25/2011 |
$20,00 |
$10 |
6976 |
|
Daniel N Morelli |
7/28/2011 |
$20,00 |
|
514 |
|
James A Jenkins |
7/29/2011 |
$20,00 |
|
6724 |
|
Dewitt C Wiley |
8/1/2011 |
20.00 |
|
9280 |
|
Raymond Kulczycki |
8/9/2011 |
20.00 |
|
10871 |
|
Patrick Hilla |
8/9/2011 |
40.00 |
|
10157 |
|
Danny Day |
8/9/2011 |
20.00 |
|
cash |
|
Terry Davis |
8/9/2011 |
20.00 |
|
cash |
|
Terry Aubrey |
8/9/2011 |
25.00 |
|
cash |
|
Roy Scott |
8/9/2011 |
20.00 |
|
cash |
|
Vet Center |
8/9/2011 |
20.00 |
|
cash |
|
Scott Johnson |
8/9/2011 |
5.00 |
|
cash |
|
Melvin Francis |
8/9/2011 |
5.00 |
|
cash |
|
Joe Wetmore |
8/9/2011 |
5.00 |
|
cash |
|
John Vanvlack |
8/9/2011 |
5.00 |
|
cash |
|
John Pomsa |
8/9/2011 |
5.00 |
|
cash |
|
Richard Sterr |
8/9/2011 |
5.00 |
|
cash |
|
Charles Vanvlack |
8/9/2011 |
5.00 |
|
cash |
|
Reid Massey |
8/9/2011 |
5.00 |
|
cash |
|
Merv Shelton |
8/9/2011 |
5.00 |
|
cash |
|
John E. Billman |
8/16/2011 |
20.00 |
|
1845 |
|
Clifton Timbrook |
8/16/2011 |
20.00 |
|
8984 |
|
K. Harrell |
8/19/2011 |
20.00 |
|
4119 |
|
Dorthy H |
8/19/2011 |
20.00 |
|
4119 |
|
F. Castlemen |
8/19/2011 |
20.00 |
|
4119 |
|
Nate Terry |
8/19/2011 |
20.00 |
|
4119 |
|
J. Terry |
8/19/2011 |
20.00 |
|
4119 |
|
David L. Poston |
8/23/2011 |
20.00 |
30.00 |
1128 |
|
Sam Mingle |
8/23/2011 |
20.00 |
|
M.O. |
|
Lue Terry |
8/30/2011 |
20.00 |
|
4126 |
|
Jeff Terry |
8/30/2011 |
20.00 |
|
4126 |
|
Tony Terry |
8/30/2011 |
5.00 |
|
4126 |
|
L. Terry |
8/30/2011 |
10.00 |
|
4126 |
|
Clarence Terry |
8/30/2011 |
10.00 |
|
4126 |
|
R. Terry |
8/30/2011 |
5.00 |
|
4126 |
|
Cynthia Carpenter |
8/30/2011 |
5.00 |
|
4126 |
|
Kathy Steward |
8/30/2011 |
10.00 |
|
4126 |
|
Pete Steward |
8/30/2011 |
20.00 |
|
4126 |
|
Jerry D. Mellinger |
9/8/2011 |
5.00 |
10.00 |
5661 |
|
Matthew S. Mellinger |
9/8/2011 |
5.00 |
|
5661 |
|
Christopher H. Mellinger |
9/8/2011 |
5.00 |
|
5661 |
|
Tyier N. Mellinger |
9/8/2011 |
5.00 |
|
5661 |
|
Lynda Mellinger |
9/8/2011 |
5.00 |
|
5661 |
|
James L. McAdams |
9/9/2011 |
20.00 |
|
1111 |
|
Greg Barton |
9/9/2011 |
20.00 |
|
MO |
|
Dan Baker |
9/9/2011 |
20.00 |
|
5309 |
|
Ed Soyak |
9/10/2011 |
20.00 |
|
2888 |
|
Douglas Blankenburg |
9/14/2011 |
20.00 |
|
MO |
18AUG11 - Rocky
Carl F.
Shefferd
(August
20, 1947 - August 15, 2011)
| |
Obituaries
Carl F. Shefferd
(August 20, 1947
- August 15, 2011)
Carl F. Shefferd, age 63 of Belleville,
Michigan, passed away on Monday, August 15, 2011 at St.
Joseph Mercy Hospital, Ann Arbor, MI. He was born in Denver,
Colorado on August 20, 1947.
Mr. Shefferd graduated from West High School, Colorado.
He proudly served his country in the U.S. Army during the
Vietnam conflict. He was a member of the Patriot Guard,
Combat Veterans and Paratroopers. He retired from General
Motors Powertrain plant after nearly 30 years of loyal
service and was a member of the Local #735. He loved
hunting, fishing, and most of all, riding motorcycles. He
organized many fundraiser rides to benefit local veterans.
He also enjoyed making care packages to send to the troops
overseas.
Carl is survived by 3 daughters; Ellaine Hammontre of
Phoenix, Arizona, Sara Shefferd of Avondale, Arizona, and
Stacy Shefferd of Belleville, MI, 3 grandchildren, and also
a sister, Linda (Jim) VanHeesch, of Denver, Colorado.
Visitation will be 4-8 PM Monday and 9-11 AM Tuesday,
August 23, 2011 with an 11 AM Funeral at David C. Brown
Funeral Home, Belleville. Mr. Robert "T-Bone" Tibbals will
officiate. Interment will be 2:30 PM Tuesday at Great Lakes
National Cemetery, Holly, MI, with full military honors.
Memorial contributions in his honor, may be made to any
Veterans organization, and would be appreciated. Please sign
his on-line guest book and share a story for his family to
cherish.
|
|
30JUL11 W Terry-VP
A Letter From Fearless William Terry - VP and Lead Donor for
2011
Brothers of the Herd, members of Chapter 17, as
your fearless leaders myself, Dave Carmon and Roy Scott wish to extend
our gratitude
to each of you for your excellent response to the Raffle Drive. Your
contributions assist us at maintaining the Chapter.
Jim Haynes is doing a knock-out job at receiving and recording every
mail-in. Our own Skip Kniley is tireless with the internet Bulletin
Board, posting every name of those members who send in their Raffle.
Our members are great and the Chapter thank everyone of you.
We thank the wives, too, for putting up with us. The Chapter is a
veterans' thing by which all others are outsiders looking in. Only
veterans understand the emotion and the need for that brotherhood. The
wives might not admit it but, sometimes, they have got to be bored
out of their heads. But they're good troopers and they stand by their
man, and for this we thank them.
We have over a month before the winning drawing at wild and wacky
Kokomo. For you guys forgetting or sitting on the raffle ticket lets
get off your butt and get it in.
Remember that for $20 you get five chances to win $500. But more
importantly, everything we collect beyond that $500 goes into the
Chapter ... your Chapter!
With his bad back Jim Haynes is checking his mail everyday, waiting
for more members to respond. Skip too is faithfully seated at his
internet, waiting for more names to add to the Raffle on the Bulletin
Board. There is a place on the Bulletin Board waiting for your name.
If you need tickets contact Jim Haynes at (614) 746-5605 Or just send
him the $20 and Jim will write you up and drop your winning stub in
the kitty. AIRBORNE!
29JUL11 NFW For all you
Buckeye Fans: Finally, Writing Something Based on Facts!
The web site administration staff
sincerely hopes the Lambertson's will read this.
http://aarontorres-sports.com/articles/college-football/myth-busting-the-ncaas-report-on-ohio-state.html
21JUL11 NFW
Still the Best Rendition of the National Anthem I've Ever Heard
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NTlAzxf5EBY&feature=player_detailpage
30JUN11 - Smitty Out
ALERT !!!
Be alert. If you see Veterans Affairs Services,
run. Do not consider. It is personal data thieves. It looks official
but it is not. Thanks to Smitty for making this known.
22JUN11 - NFW
RICHARD HUGH WHEELER ABN-WWII of Columbus, OH
Mostly for the Columbus, OH members: You
probably remember the jovial Mr. Wheeler if you bumped into him once.
Big smiling talkative guy and an Airborne gentleman of the 517th
Parachute Infantry Combat Team. I used to see him at the Columbus
VAOPC and once in a while at the Chinese Buffet off of Henderson,
always with his wife. He turned 87 last April 18th and is survived by
his very sweet wife, Katherine.
On the back of these pictures which Mr. Wheeler
passed out to anyone interested, is the following:
"Richard Hugh Wheeler 86 years
Army Paratrooper
Richard in this photo wearing his Paratrooper
Jump Suit
Richard was in:
"B" Battery 1st 460th Parachute Field Artillery
Battalion - 264 days of combat
Assigned to 517th Parachute Combat Team
7 Battle Stars
264 Days of combat
Italy - France - Belgium - Germany
Airborne All The Way - God Bless"
Mr. Wheeler died on Friday June 17th. I said to
Katherine, " I bet he died with his wings on". She replied "Well,
actually no, he was sitting upright in his chair and had only a
blanket around him". I chuckled and said "that's Airborne".
A nice person for sure.
Inclosing, we live a long life if we are lucky, and
if we are lucky, we think one of the very best things done in life is
to be Airborne and serve in combat.
22JUN11 -NFW
Veterans Administration - 1967
  
21June11 - NFW
Cheaper Than Cell Phones
19JUN11 -
The RAFFLE TICKETS Are Here!!!
Herd Brothers:
Due to the first letter it is already reassuring at the responses we
are getting. In answer to a question all essential information
is on the ticket itself. If anyone is requesting a collection of
tickets then feel free to e-mail me with your address and I shall send
them out. If you wish to contribute a few extra bucks then to you.
AIRBORNE ALL THE WAY!
William Terry - VP
NFW - By now or in a day or two you should
have received your basic support package of raffle tickets in the
mail. If you did not or if you want more, please contact Jim Haynes:
jhaynes6@columbus.rr.com
or
Send in money by mail to Jim Haynes at:
1068 Beaver Run Road SE
Hebron, OH 43025.
Be sure to include your Name, Address and
Contact information. Your order will be logged in a spreadsheet
with the corresponding ticket numbers by Jim and posted monthly here
for all.
19JUN11 -
Letter From Our President Dave Carmon
19JUN11
It's Raffle Time Again
This is the winner from last year at
KOKOMO.
Thomas Ticherich - 2010 Raffle Winner
Greensburg, PA 15601
19JUN11
Airborne Spirit and the brotherhood
of the Herd
Speaking of that Airborne Spirit and the
brotherhood of the Herd, I was just at Ft. Benning last Saturday for a
ceremony to add the name of Clinton Cook to the 173rd Memorial.
Clinton was one of our men from 1st Platoon, Delta Co, 4/503rd. He was
badly wounded when the point man tripped a 105 booby trap. Cook and
SSG Jerry Byrnes later died of their wounds.
Somehow, Cook's name was left off the 173rd Memorial last year, and
this fact was brought to the attention of the Brigade Society by (SSG)
Frank Denryter of the Detroit area. Frank was able to get four of us
NCOs there for the ceremony, and was instrumental in bringing Clinton
Cook's mother and brother in from Alaska. They took care of their own
air fare, and we made sure their room, meals, and other things were
covered. It was an honor to meet his family, and give everyone a
chance to share photos with them, tell them about Clinton's time in
Vietnam, etc.
It was also the first time that Denryter, Royce Armstrong (AL) , Doug
Peterson (UT), and I have all seen each other in 41 years. (Denryter
and I got together last year, though)
It was a great honor to be at the Memorial for Cook's ceremony, and
the additional nine troopers from Afghanistan who were killed in
action. Salvatore Guinta was there with his wife, and gave a stirring
impromptu speech about being 173rd Airborne, and being with the
assembled Herd troopers and their families from two wars. We got the
chance to talk to him and get our pictures taken with him.
Gen. James Yarborough spoke, as well. He gave quite a speech on what
it means to be 173rd Airborne, and ended with a paraphrased George
Orwell quote that summarized his feelings about the men of the Herd:
" We sleep safe in our beds because rough men stand ready in the night
to visit violence on those who would do us harm. "
Chapter 3 hosted a cookout after the ceremony at a Columbus VFW. All
in all, it was a great day to be a paratrooper, and a great day to be
173rd Airborne. If you haven't seen the 173rd Memorial at Benning,
make some time to do so. It is inspiring and DEFINITELY stands out
when compared to others in that area.
Jerry Sopko
Jeannette, PA
D 4/503, 69-70
17JUN11 W. Terry -
RAFFLE TICKETS
Troopers of the Herd:
Our annual RAFFLE TICKETS are in the mail. We know that many of you
are preparing your trip to the Texas reunion and are not thinking
about raffle tickets. Understandable.
However, do not toss the tickets aside. Hold on to them. Between now
and September dig them out and contribute. By spending $20 you get
five chances to win $500. Money we collect beyond that will support
the Chapter.
Dave Carmon and Jim Haynes did an excellent job preparing it. Yours
truly spent a good two days enclosing, stamping and mailing the
envelops to every member of the Chapter. The Airborne spirit did not
slacken.
If every one of us respond it will give the Chapter an appreciative
boast and it will show that we the indomitable Herd veterans care
about our Chapter and the brotherhood it affords us. Have a safe trip
to Texas and enjoy the memories with old comrades. But don't forget
that $500 is waiting to drop into your hands only if you buy the
tickets. Lets every one of us dig out that twenty bucks and do our
part.
Bill Terry
26MAY11 NFW -
Message About the National Reunion - You better move fast.
Here is a message coming in an email today:
"A short broadcast before our 2011 reunion the 22nd
to 26th of June in beautiful San Antonio, Texas. Our flagship hotel,
the Hilton Palacio del Rio, has NO more rooms available at our
discounted rate. Our overflow hotel, the historic Menger Hotel, will
hold rooms for us at a huge discount of $119 p/tax through this Friday
the 27th of May. After that , they will charge their prevailing
tourist rate. Visit our website to reserve online:
www.texasskysoldier.org/reunion2011/hotel.html There are a few
remaining openings for our golf outing Friday the 24th, 2011 so
sign-up with Robert Gonzalez at:rogonzalez173@satx.rr.com 210-663-7671
Bring your clubs or you can rent them at the clubhouse. Airborne,
Scott H. Smith, President, Chapter 13, www.texasskysoldier.org/reunion2011/"
07May11 - NFW
This Looked To Be Pretty Nice Stuff
This is an email I received from a Steve
Copening. Their catalog includes a lot of Infantry and airborne
products:
http://stores.homestead.com/pr-inc/-strse-Rings/searchpath/101204851/start/1/total/18/Categories.bok
'To All,
My name is Steve Copening. I was awarded the CIB in Panama
(Operation Just Cause) and Operation Desert Storm. Myself and another
Veteran own a jewelry manufacturing company located in Pompano Beach,
Florida. We are currently manufacturing several different military
rings. We manufacture a Sterling Silver Combat
Infantryman’s Badge
Ring along with the Second Award Ring. The CIB Ring
sells for $125.00 and the 2nd Award sells for $135. We are
also offering a sterling silver Combat Medical Badge
Ring for $100. The shipping cost is $9.95. Rings sizes
available are from 9 -13 ˝ including ˝ sizes. We use a “hard enamel”
technique on the Badge appliqué to achieve the color blue. We
are also producing a sterling silver Combat Action Badge
Ring which sells for $110. I can be reached at
954-977-7067. I look forward to speaking to all of you who call.
There are a lot of ring companies out there selling military rings but
very few of them are owned and operated by a veteran. I personally
guarantee every ring we sell. If you are unhappy with your purchase,
please call me. I will make it right. We also produce a 173rd sterling
silver ring along with airborne rings. Please take a moment and visit
our web site.
www.pri-jewelry.com . All of the rings are located under the
Military tab on the site.
   
To order the ring (CIB) or to get more detail, please click on this
link:
http://stores.homestead.com/pr-inc/-strse-42/Infantry-Queen-Battle-Combat/Detail.bok
2nd Award click here:
http://stores.homestead.com/pr-inc/-strse-43/Infantry-Queen-Battle-Combat/Detail.bok
Combat Medical Badge Ring click here:
http://stores.homestead.com/pr-inc/-strse-50/Medic-Doc-Vietnam-Korea/Detail.bok
Combat Action Badge Ring click here:
http://stores.homestead.com/pr-inc/-strse-51/Combat-Iraq-Freedom-Combat/Detail.bok
Several of my friends (who served in 173rd) requested that
we make a sterling silver 173rd Airborne ring.
The unit patch is sterling silver and the color is “hard” enamel. We
are offering the rings in finger sizes 9 -13 ˝. The rings sell
for $150 and shipping is $9.95.
To see the 173rd Ring in more detail go to this link:
http://stores.homestead.com/pr-inc/-strse-162/Airborne-Vietnam-Paratrooper-Sky/Detail.bok
We also produce jewelry items other than military. Please take a
moment and explore our web-site.
Thank you for your service, Steve Copening
06MAY11 - Bill Terry
OHIO MILITARY HALL OF FAME
On the first Friday of May of every year an awards banquet
is conducted at the State House in Columbus, Ohio. It is an
event that pays tribute to Ohio natives who have contributed in their
military
endeavors. To be inducted into the Hall of Fame one must
the recipient of the Distinguished Service Cross, The Silver Star,
the Bronze Star with "V" and the Army Commendation Medal with "V".
If we have any members in our Chapter who have been awarded any one
of these medals then feel free to step forth. As
Vice-president I will get the ball rolling for you to be inducted. I
have just left
from today's banquet and I report that it
was an impressive event. Air Force cadets acted as color guards.
Congressman Pat Tiberi gave a speech and a salute to the veterans;
Thomas Moe, Director
of the Ohio Department of Veterans
Affairs, assisted in the Induction awards. Combined in
over twenty inductees were members of the Army, Marines and Air Force,
their names going
into the Hall of Fame.
I shook the hands of many veterans. Quite a few of my old
buddies from SF was there. Some of them I had not seen in years.
It was great to see them again. As fellow veterans lets keep the
first
friday in May open for a visit to the State House. Meet
other veterans (some inductees were from World War Two) and feel good
in ourselves that we too are veterans. For more information
about
the Hall of Fame visit http://www.ohioheroes.org
.
01MAY11 - NFW
GO NAVY SEALS
President Obama announces from the White House that the al-Qaida
leader has been killed in Pakistan.
15APR11 NFW -
The More I Look The More It Gets
Better
I wish I had known about this ---
http://www.v-prod.com/ovg_fox_premiere.html
Order the DVD here if you are
interested. I did
http://www.ourvietnamgeneration.com/
15APR11 Butch Kovacs
- Tribute
& Remembrance to those of us who served in the Vietnam War Era
This is powerful
and very well done. I recommend to all it being seen and sent on.
A great tribute and remembrance to those of us who served in the
Vietnam War Era.
THE VIDEO SAYS THAT THE AVERAGE WW II COMBAT SOLDIER HAD 40 DAYS
OF COMBAT - THAT'S THE AVERAGE IT SAYS..., AND THE AVERAGE COMBAT
SOLDIER IN
VIETNAM HAD 204 DAYS OF COMBAT. YOU CAN ONLY GUESS WHAT
THE AVERAGE COMBAT HELICOPTER PILOT WHO WAS FLYING EVERY DAY HAD
...ANYWAYS, ENJOY THE VIDEO AND PASS IT ON IF YOU KNOW ANYONE WHO
SERVED THERE.
This is one of the better
Vietnam videos made by and for Michigan Vietnam
Veterans, but I believe all of you will appreciate this. This
story could and is retold by 49 other states and territories as
well.
If you know a
Vietnam Veteran consider sending this link to them.
http://www.v-prod.com/trailer_vietnam.html
04APR11 Pappy
Patchin -
Stetson hat to be new Army standard headgear
01MAR11 T Cloonan
Challenge Coin
Rules (Coin Check)
Note: A "Coin Check"
consists of a Challenge and a Response.
1. RULES:
A. The challenge is initiated by drawing your coin, holding it
in the air by whatever means possible and state, scream, shout
or otherwise verbally acknowledge that you are initiating a coin
check. Another, but less vocal method is to firmly place it on
the bar, table, or floor (this should produce an audible noise
which can be easily heard by those being challenged, but try not
to leave a permanent imprint). If you accidentally drop your
coin and it makes an audible sound upon impact, then you have
just "accidentally" initiated a coin check. (This is called
paying the price for improper care of your coin.)
B. The response consists of all those persons being challenged
drawing their coin in a like manner.
C. If you are challenged and are unable to properly respond, you
must buy a round of drinks for the challenger and the group
being challenged.
D. If everyone being challenged responds in the correct manner,
the challenger must buy a round of drinks for all those people
they challenged.
E. Failure to buy a round is a despicable crime and will require
that you turn-in your Coin to the issuing agency.
2. WHEN - WHERE:
A. Coin checks are permitted, ANY TIME, ANY PLACE.
3. EXCEPTIONS:
A. There are no exceptions to the rules. They apply to those
clothed or unclothed. At the time of the challenge you are
permitted one step and an arms reach to locate your coin. If you
still cannot reach it -- SORRY ABOUT THAT!
4. A COIN IS A
COIN.
5. A
coin on a belt buckle is a BELT BUCKLE (see #4 above) and does
not count.
6. A
coin on a key chain is a KEY CHAIN (see #4 above) and does not
count.
7. A coin in a
holder worn on a chain around the neck
IS a COIN! (see #4
above).
The foregoing is used with permission of and thanks to;
CoinForce.com!
Note: Items 5, 6 & 7 are from other sources.
26FEB11
W. Terry
Chapter 17 Annual Meeting
Chapter 17's annual meeting was held February 26 at 11 A.M. at an MCL
Restaurant in Columbus, Ohio. Members attending were: Roy
Scott, President David Carmon, Vice-president William Terry,
Treasurer Harold Dale, Bob Ceckitti, John Kyne, John Carter,
Dewitt Wiley, Jim Haynes, Jerome (Butch) Marcum and his wife
Cindy.
Ike Mellinger attempted to attend but he called to explain that
his car broke down on the road. It spoiled his day and put him
in a bad mood.
Like the Christmas party, John Carter had driven all the way in
from Pennsylvania. He brought with him his buddy Dewitt Wiley,
also a Herd member. Butch and his wife Cindy had driven in
from Richmond, Indiana.
It was great to see former President Jim Haynes. Slowed with
back problems he nevertheless attempted to dominate in his
enthusiasm.
Donations were given to the Chapter: $60 from Bob Ceckitti, $20
from Roy Scott, and $100 that Jim Haynes promised to mail. It's
a new year so, please, let us all not forget our dues or any
kind donation.
President Carmon led the meeting off with a humble invocation and
Bill Terry led the group in the pledge of allegiance. Roy Scott
got right down to business. Next year's reunion in Lexington,
Kentucky was the hot topic. Roy explained that the hotels and
hotel prices were being secured and that the activities for the
occasion were shaping up to be promising and varied. At the
reunion there should be the promise of horse back riding, fishing,
swimming, a golf tournament, the race tracks and a visit to that
impressive veterans' memorial. Roy will be going to Kentucky to meet
with the Herd members there, hoping to get their input and suggestions
on arrangements or anything needful. There is a lot to be
done but the efforts of Roy Scott and David Carmon are doing us
proud. They are greatly appreciated in this the Chapter's
efforts.
It was brought up that some of the members are having problems
receiving their national magazine. When told Ike Mellinger was
still having problems Roy Scott pulled his hair and Dave Carmon
threatened suicide. They have tried repeatedly to get this remedied
but it has only given them fits. Butch Marcum from Indiana reported
that he was also having problems with the magazine. As new
secretary Bill Terry will place them both on the list of THE
INVINCIBLE SOLDIER.
The Chapter was presented earlier with an American flag that had flown
at the 173rd's base in Afganistan. Roy showed the flag
and, with it, the Certificate of Appreciation. Harold Dale gave
the financial report and suggested that the Chapter should take
interest in the Static Line Award Banquet held in Atlanta,
Georgia. He explained that many veterans from the 82nd and the
101st.
attend but there is little to no representation from the 173rd. The
Static Line should have the date and place in its newsletter. Members
of this and other Chapters should consider signing up to
attend that we might give the 173rd a place at that banquet. You
just might run into your old buddies from the 82nd and the 101st.
The Raffle Tickets will be activated sometime in April. Bill
Terry and Jim Haynes will throw in the elbow grease to get it going.
Our hope is that everyone will respond. Don't want to go
out and sell the darn thing? Then buy it for yourself.
Regardless, lets all pitch in and get an income rolling back in
to the Chapter. The winner of the Raffle will be announced at
the Kokomo activities. Last year the winning ticket was sold
from out of Pennsylvania.
Thanks to Skip Kniley this Bulletin Board of the internet
is currently the only means we have by which to communicate. Any
member is welcome to send in any statement or suggestion. We
seek to keep our Chapter viable, we seek to keep the brotherhood of
the Herd alive. We all have a voice in this Chapter.
Take care one and all and may God bless you.
04FEB11
President Dave Carmon Calls For A Chapter Meeting.
Meeting Date February 26 ,2011
Location - MCL restaurant
Topics
for the meeting include: progress of the Chapter, Chapter
officers, 2012 Reunion, Update our membership, Military
Grants, and other topics. Please make plans to attend.
03FEB11
NFW
Mr. Carmon Goes
To Michigan To Speak With Small Community
On
Feb. 1, 2011, President Carmon spoke to Mrs. Bonnette's 2nd Grade
Class at Holy Name Catholic School in Birmingham, Michigan.
His granddaughter, Megan Blake, is in the class. She is
setting next to Dave in the one picture where he is wearing the
11th SFGA Beret.
Dave
spoke about service to our country, his time with 173d Airborne
Brigade in Vietnam and time with the 11th Special Forces Group.
He told them the story of Father Charles Watters, his actions at
the Battle of Hill 875, and of Father Watters receiving the Medal
of Honor.
01FEB11
New Moves in Assn Membership - Great Job Roy Scott-Pres
In another brilliant move by our honorable and esteemed Association
President, Roy F. Scott, the membership administration problems have
been resolved. No longer will the duties be handled by a single
person. Instead the plan is to have the New England Chapter absorb the
task, and in a consistent and reliable fashion, conduct our National
Association memberships. Effective 1 February 2011, Dennis Hill is the
new National Membership Secretary. Contact him at
Membership@skysoldier.org.
This is called: "Git'n It Done". Great job and resolve!!
03JAN11
DOD Announces Vietnam War
50th Anniversary Commemoration Program
The Department of Defense
announced today its program to commemorate the 50th anniversary of
the Vietnam War. The program will:
-
Thank and honor veterans of
the Vietnam War, including personnel who were held as prisoners
of war or listed as missing in action, for their service and
sacrifice on behalf of the United States and to thank and honor
the families of these veterans.
-
Highlight the service of the
armed forces during the Vietnam War and the contributions of
federal agencies and governmental and non-governmental
organizations that served with, or in support of, the armed
forces.
-
Pay tribute to the
contributions made on the home front by the people of the United
States during the Vietnam War.
-
Highlight the advances in
technology, science, and medicine related to the military
research conducted during the Vietnam War.
-
Recognize the contributions
and sacrifices made by the allies of the United States during
the Vietnam War.
DoD
representatives will coordinate with other federal agencies,
veteran groups, state, local government and non-government
organizations for their input in Vietnam War commemoration
activities. For more information call 877-387-9951 or visit the
official website at
http://www.vietnamwar50th.com/.
In Accordance With Public
Law 110-181 SEC. 598; the 2008 National Defense Authorization Act
authorized the Secretary of Defense to conduct a program to
commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War and “in
conducting the commemorative program, the Secretary shall
coordinate, support, and facilitate other programs and activities
of the Federal Government, State and local governments, and other
persons and organizations in commemoration of the Vietnam War."
The Secretary of Defense
shall determine the schedule of major events and priority of
efforts for the commemorative program, in order to ensure
achievement of the objectives specified in Law.
The commemorative program
will include activities and ceremonies to achieve the following
objectives:
(1) To thank and honor veterans of the Vietnam War, including
personnel who were held as prisoners of war (POW), or listed as
missing in action (MIA), for their service and sacrifice on behalf
of the United States and to thank and honor the families of these
veterans.
(2) To highlight the service of the Armed Forces during the
Vietnam War and the contributions of Federal agencies and
governmental and non-governmental organizations that served with,
or in support of, the Armed Forces.
(3) To pay tribute to the contributions made on the home front by
the people of the United States during the Vietnam War.
(4) To highlight the advances in technology, science, and medicine
related to military research conducted during the Vietnam War.
(5) To recognize the contributions and sacrifices made by the
allies of the United States during the Vietnam War.
15DEC10 - Smitty Out
Friendly Holiday Advice
Please take
good care of yourself this
holiday season. A recent joint study
conducted by the S.C.
Department of Health and the
S.C.
Department of Motor Vehicles
indicates that 23% of traffic accidents are alcohol-related.
This means that the remaining 77% are caused by assholes who
just drink coffee, carbonated drinks, juices, milk, water, and
shit like that. So please drive defensively and
beware of drivers who do not
drink alcohol. They cause three times as many accidents
as those who drink and drive. This
message is sent by someone who is concerned
about your well-being.
11DEC10 -NFW
New President's Page and Button installed
I wanted to recommend that all read the new
Presidents Page (Button on Home Page). Daves credentials (BIO) speaks
volumes. You'll agree we are fortunate to have a man like Dave lead
your Chapter into new projects to include more community involvement
and planning for our biggest task ever; organizing and running the
2012 173d Assn Reunion in Kentucky.
So .... calling all men and women!!!
We need people to step forward and join the Planning Team and make our
shot at the national reunion, the best effort ever. Our name is on it!
If you live in the Cincy or KY area, please call Dave immediately.
More on this later.
Ladies, step back as you see Dave in 1967-69!!
07DEC10 - NFW
William Terry; The Man, The Trooper Donates $1000 to Chapter 17
Bill Terry, I hope you
don't mind my editing your original story. I just wanted to extract
this paragraph and give it a special place of its own. I think
it is as amazing as it is generous. So many in this chapter have given
their time, money and effort, but this ... Last year you rounded up a
large check from you local union hall and now this. You are a
hellava guy.
"In
the festivities of the season (Chrismas Party), Bill then presented to
the Chapter a donation of one thousand dollars. The VA had granted him
a sum of money for its diagnoses of prostate cancer, associating it
with Agent Orange. Bill felt the cancer was from too many peanut
butter sandwiches but the VA had determined it was from Viet Nam. With
the cancer in recession, Bill felt it only fair to donate a part of
his monetary award to the Chapter."
07DEC10 - Bill Terry
2010 Chapter 17 Christmas Party - Thank You Kynes
On December 4th
Chapter 17 held its annual Christmas party in the little community
of Franklin, Ohio. VFW Post 7596 granted the Chapter its party room.
Our host John Kyne and his wife Joyce was acknowledged by President
Dave Carmon for putting the whole event together. Throw in John's
daughter and family for providing the food and snacks all agreed
with applause that they had done a solid good job. The members in
attendance had a jolly good time. One of the members, John Carter
and his wife, drove in all the way from Pennsylvania. Carter and
John Kyne had served together in Viet Nam and have always maintained
communication. It was great to meet the Carters. Dave Carmon led
things off by the posting of the colors. Roy Scott, Ike Mellinger
and Bill Terry marched in and placed the colors while all stood with
respect. Bill Terry then got the Airborne spirit rolling by having
all join in with the song, "Blood on the Risers", followed by
"Beautiful Streamer". Bill said that those were great Christmas
songs. The wives didn't know what to make of it.
Ike Mellinger was presented with a plaque for his "patience and
endurance above and beyond the call of duty". Ike has ever had
problems with receiving his membership card and the national
magazine. Bill Terry said that he was the invisible trooper of
Chapter 17, lost in the hills of Logan, Ohio with this persistent
problem. Roy Scott has tried to correct it but to no avail. Ike
accepted the award with a grin of good humor.
Music and dancing and food and drink kept things hopping. After
forty years the bond of the Airborne spirit remains evident and
solid. A good Christmas party contributed to that chain of
brotherhood and all were delighted that they came to partake in it.
If you missed it you missed a damn good party. Mark Mitchell was
late getting there because he could not find it. But the good times
rolled on for him even when he left late that night. His women were
falling down in the parking lot, he couldn't find the motel and was
threatened with jail
if he didn't get out of a private parking lot. It added to his night
of crazy fun. Should the Chapter muster together next year's party
be sure to make an effort to get there. It's always a delight.
Thanks again to all, thanks again to John Kyne.
_resize_resize.jpg)
_resize_resize.jpg)
_resize_resize.jpg)
_resize_resize.jpg)
_resize_resize.jpg)
_resize_resize.jpg)
_resize_resize.jpg)
_resize_resize.jpg)
_resize_resize.jpg)
_resize_resize.jpg)
_resize_resize.jpg)
02DEC10 - NFW
Army Working
on Lightweight .50 cal
It’s an iconic weapon whose
guttural “thump-thump-thump” inspires confidence that whatever it’s
shooting at is going down – in a big way.
But for the first time since
World War II, the Army is working on a fundamental redesign of the
venerable M2 .50cal machine gun, cutting its weight in half,
increasing its accuracy and making it a lot easier to shoot for
Soldiers on the move.
Dubbed the XM806, the new version
of the “Ma Duce” is being developed in response to the Army’s
concerns about the weight and mobility of the current M2. With a
greater emphasis on light infantry tactics since 9/11, officials
wanted a weapon that can be as easily mounted on a Humvee as it can
a hillside.
“It is designed to augment the M2
.50 caliber machine gun, but can also be used to replace the M2 in
select operational locations,” the Program Executive Office for
Soldier Weapons said in an email to Military.com. “The weapon is
ideal for light infantry and special operations forces, as well as
for vehicles demanding more lethality but lighter weight.”
Talk about taking a diet – the
XM806 with its specially-designed tripod weighs a little over 60
lbs. That’s compared to the current M2 Heavy Barrel which comes in
at a portly 120 lbs. But the General Dynamics-made XM806’s
advantages go deeper than its waistline, Army officials say.
With recoil 60 percent less than
an M2, the new lightweight .50 allows Soldiers to fire the weapon
with tactical optics, making for a more accurate shot within the
first few rounds.
“Safety is improved through a
manual safety and a quick change barrel that eliminates the
requirement for the operator to adjust headspace and timing,” Army
officials added. “The reduced recoil permits the mounting of an
optic for greater lethality through increased first-burst accuracy
and control.”
The Army is midway through
testing the new machine gun at Aberdeen Proving Ground in Maryland.
The service has four weapons on hand and has so far fired almost
90,000 rounds through each test weapon.
Officials say the XM806 will not
replace all the Army’s M2 machine guns, but will instead be fielded
to light infantry units such as the 101st Airborne, 10th Mountain
and 82nd.
“There are also some discussions
regarding the issue of weapons to units where a traditional heavy
machine gun was impractical but long range fire is still needed,
such as on tactical vehicles where weight is an issue,” Army
officials added.
It is still unclear how many weapons the Army will buy, but if all
goes according to plan, the service will begin fielding the
bantam-weight .50cal in late 2012.
The Army also plans to field a
new version of the M2 tripod that’s 30 percent lighter than the
current one, which comes in at a hefty 44 pounds.
22NOV10 NFW
SSG Giunta
MOH Photos ... or, Our Mister Scott Goes To The White House
.JPG)
Click her for photos and video of this
unique event:
http://www.skysoldiers.com/MOH-PHOTOS.htm
05NOV10
Mack/Chapter
1 -
Join the
Chapter 1 for a Robust Schedule of Veterans Day Activities
Wednesday,
November 10
11 AM
– LTC Roy Lombardo and the Bravo Bulls, supported by
Fort
Bragg’s
82d Airborne Division Color Guard, will conduct an annual remembrance
ceremony, at the Brigade Marker.
The remembrance ceremony
will be followed by a visit to the Brigade’s first Commanding General, MG
“Butch” Williamson’s gravesite and to Arlington National Cemetery’s
Section 60, where a number of Iraq and Afghanistan Sky Soldiers KIAs are
buried.
The Brigade Marker is
located on Grant Avenue,
slightly north of McClellan Drive. Assemble at the Marker or at the
Visitors Center, where the group will leave at 10:45 AM. The walk to
General Williamson’s gravesite is a half mile trek. Section 60 is another
half mile. If you need to drive to these locations, you will need a
one-day vehicle pass from the Arlington Cemetery Visitors Center.
Chapter President Terry
Modglin will have a room Wednesday Night at the Virginian Suites,
1500 Arlington Boulevard,
near the Iwo Jima Memorial. Come visit and see fellow Sky Soldiers.
Note – The new Brigade
Marker is not yet in place. It will be dedicated at the next Reading of
the Names on May 7, 2011. Come to this important event.
Thursday,
November 11
10:30 AM – Sky Soldiers
assemble at the Vietnam Memorial for the step off to the Wall at 11 AM.
This ceremony honoring all Sky Soldiers will be followed by a no-host
lunch at approximately 12:15 PM at the Revival Restaurant, in the Key
Bridge Marriott, at the Key Bridge to Georgetown, 1401 Lee Highway,
Arlington, Virginia 22209.
Travel - The Virginian
Suites Hotel is sold out for Veterans Day. The Days Inn on Pershing
Drive across from Fort Myer (703-525-0300) has rooms for $139. If
you have any questions concerning Veterans Day activities, please call
Terry Modglin at 202-270-3083 or e-mail him at
terry.modglin@gmail.com .
Accommodations
If you
have Sky Soldier friends and families coming to the DC Area for Veterans
Day, the Virginian Suites Hotel, 1500 Arlington Boulevard, offers 173d
Association members a corporate rate of $129 plus tax for a studio suite
and $149 plus tax for a one-bedroom. Call 703-522-9600.
20OCT10 J Sopko -
Diplomas
for Vietnam veterans who left school to serve
Legislation that is awaiting the governor's signature would allow
school districts in Pennsylvania to award diplomas to
Vietnam War veterans who left high school early to serve their
country.
Many veterans who left high school to serve in Vietnam never
obtained their high school diploma because they were injured or had
to work once they returned home.
Forgoing graduation and a diploma was a difficult sacrifice for
these veterans; those who want a diploma – and who certainly earned
it through their service to the nation – should be able to obtain
one. The high schools from which these veterans would have
graduated should be able to honor our Vietnam veterans in this way.
Under the legislation, school boards would be authorized to
establish a program known as Operation Recognition for Vietnam
veterans. The program has been used in the past for World War II and
Korean War veterans who were unable to obtain high school diplomas.
Any honorably discharged veteran
who served in the U.S. military in the Vietnam War between Feb. 28,
1961, and May 7, 1975, and who would have been a member of a
graduation class during the years 1961 through 1975, but did not
graduate because of entry into the military, would be eligible for a
diploma through the program. School boards would also be
permitted to award diplomas posthumously to qualifying Vietnam
veterans who have died.
The legislation, which I co-sponsored, was added to a larger
education bill that was passed by the House and Senate and sent to
the governor on Oct. 12.
20OCT10 J Bradley -
President Obama awards 173d Staff Sergeant MOH
On November 16, President Barack Obama will award Staff Sergeant Salvatore
Giunta, U.S. Army, the Medal of Honor for conspicuous gallantry.
Staff Sergeant Giunta will receive the Medal of Honor for his courageous
actions during combat operations against an armed enemy in the Korengal
Valley, Afghanistan in October, 2007. Staff Sergeant Giunta's wife,
Jennifer, and his parents, Steven and Rosemary Giunta will join the
President at the White House to commemorate his example of selfless
service.
16OCT10 Jim Bradley -
Restrepo
on DVD
"Restrepo," which will be released Nov. 30 on DVD and Blu-ray, is rated R
for language, including some descriptions of violence.
22SEP10
Dave Carmon -
Raffle Winner Update
The Raffle drawing has been completed at Kokomo.
The winner is:
Thomas Ticherich
Greensburg, PA 15601
Dave Carmon
884 Patriot Ridge Drive
Wheelersburg, Ohio 45694-7822
You can call in to order:
1-740-574-8653
17SEP10 NFW
CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW
First field use of cell phone technology was initiated
in the Hills of Dak To by the 173d.
16SEP10 NFW
U.S. Army
Parachute Badge
The first Parachute badge was designed during World
War II by Captain (later Lieutenant General) William P. Yarborough of
the 501st Parachute Battalion. A memorandum of record written by
Captain Yarborough on April 22, 1941, tells the story of the birth of
the parachute badge.
"On March 3, 1941, I was ordered to Washington to
report to the Adjutant General for temporary duty in the Office of the
Chief of Infantry. My mission was the procurement of a suitable
parachutist badge with would meet with the approval both of the War
Department and the Commanding Officer of the 501st Parachute
Battalion. Major Miley (commander of the 501st), before
my departure, gave me full authority to approve any design that I
considered acceptable, and to do so in his name. The same
authority was delegated to me in the name of the Chief of Infantry.
"I drew the original sketch in the office of
Lieutenant Colonel Beuchner, G-3; a finished copy of my original
sketch was prepared in the office of the Quartermaster General.
Through the help of Mr. A.E. Dubois, in the Quartermaster General's
office, 350 of the badges were procured from the Bailey, Banks &
Biddle Company in Philadelphia and were in the hands of the Commanding
Officer of the 501st Parachute Battalion by March 14, 1941. This
is believed to have been an all time speed record for War Department
Procurement."
"I personally took the correspondence relative to
the badge's approval from one office to another until the transaction
was complete.
This operation took me one entire week, eight hours
a day."
Captain Yarborough even applied for a patent to
protect the design from unauthorized reproduction. On February 2,
1943, Patent #134963 was granted for "A Parachutist's Badge" for a
period of three and one-half years. The Parachutist Badge was formally
approved on 10 March 1941. The senior and master parachutists badges
were authorized by Headquarters, Department of the Army in 1949 and
were announced by Change 4, Army Regulation 600-70, dated 24 January
1950.
Description: An oxidized silver badge 1 13/64 inches in
height and 1 1/2 inches in width, consisting of an open parachute on
and over a pair of stylized wings displayed and curving inward. A star
and wreath are added above the parachute canopy to indicate the degree
of qualification. A star above the canopy indicates a Senior
Parachutist; the star surrounded by a laurel wreath indicates a Master
Parachutist.
Symbolism: The wings suggest flight and, together with the
open parachute, symbolize individual proficiency and parachute
qualifications.
Basic Parachutist: Awarded to any individual who has
satisfactorily completed the prescribed proficiency tests while
assigned or attached to an airborne unit or the Airborne Department of
the Infantry School; or participated in at least one combat parachute
jump.
Senior Parachutist: Participated in a minimum of 30 jumps
to include 15 jumps with combat equipment; two night jumps, one of
which is as jumpmaster of a stick; two mass tactical jumps which
culminate in an airborne assault problem; graduated from the
Jumpmaster Course; and served on jump status with an airborne unit or
other organization authorized parachutists for a total of at least 24
months.
Master Parachutist: Participated in 65 jumps to include
25 jumps with combat equipment; four night jumps, one of which is as a
jumpmaster of a stick; five mass tactical jumps which culminate in an
airborne assault problem with a unit equivalent to a battalion or
larger; separate company/battery or organic staff of a regiment size
or larger; graduated from the Jumpmaster Course; and served in jump
status with an airborne unit or other organization authorized
parachutists for a total of at least 36 months.
COMBAT PARACHUTIST BADGES
Stars representing participation in combat jumps
had been worn unofficially on parachute wings during and after World
War II. This practice did not gain official sanction until after the
1983 invasion of Grenada, Operation Urgent Fury. On October 25, 1983
over 500 Army Rangers from the 1st and 2nd Ranger Battalions made a
combat jump into Point Salines Airport, Grenada. The addition of
stars to the basic, senior and master parachute wings for each combat
jump were approved by Headquarters, Department of the Army on December
14, 1983.
Small stars are superimposed on the appropriate
badge to indicate combat jumps as follows:
One combat jump: A bronze star centered on the shroud lines
3/16 inch below the canopy.
Two combat jumps: A bronze star on the base of each wing.
Three combat jumps: A bronze star on the base of each wing
and one star centered on the shroud lines 3/16 inch below the canopy.
Four combat jumps: Two bronze stars on the base of each wing.
Five combat jumps: A gold star centered on the shroud lines
5/16 inch below the canopy.
SUBDUED BADGES: Subdued badges are authorized in metal and
cloth. The metal badge is black. The cloth badge is of olive green
base cloth with the wings, parachute, star and wreath embroidered in
black.
MINIATURE BADGES: Dress miniature badges are authorized in
the following sizes: Master - 13/16 inch in height and 7/8 inch in
width; Senior - 5/8 inch in height and 7/8 inch in width; Parachutist
- 15/32 inch in height and 7/8 inch in width.
14SEP10
NFW
Living Afghan War
Vet to Receive MOH
WASHINGTON
-- Staff Sgt. Salvatore Giunta, a Soldier who risked his life to stop
Taliban fighters from kidnapping a fallen comrade, will be the first
living U.S. servicemember from either Iraq or Afghanistan to receive
the Medal of Honor, White House officials announced Friday.
President Barack
Obama spoke with Giunta on Thursday to inform him of the award and
thank him for "his service and extraordinary bravery in battle."
Giunta, whose story
was featured in the recently published Sebastian Junger book "War,"
was serving as a rifle team leader with Company B, 2nd Battalion
(Airborne), 503rd Infantry Regiment during combat operations in
Afghanistan's Korengal Valley in 2007.
On Oct. 25 that year,
then-Spc. Giunta's squad was ambushed by insurgents and two Soldiers
were cut off from the rest. White House officials said in the initial
moments of the firefight Giunta ventured out into enemy fire to pull a
comrade back to cover.
"Everything kind of
slowed down and I did everything I thought I could do, nothing more
and nothing less," Giunta, now 25, told Junger.
Giunta and two other
Soldiers assaulted the enemy position with grenades to move forward
and link up with the two seperated Soldiers, one of whom was Sgt.
Joshua Brennan. When Giunta sprinted to where to he thought Brennan
would be, he saw two enemy fighters dragging him down the hill. Giunta
fired his M4 and ran after them, killing one insurgent and forcing the
other to drop Brennan and run away.
Army officials say
Giunta provided medical aid to his comrade while the rest of his squad
caught up and provided security. Brennan later died, but Giunta's
actions prevented his body and equipment from falling into enemy
hands.
One other Soldier
died that day, and five were wounded.
"I didn't' run
through fire to save a buddy," Giunta told Junger. "I ran through fire
to see what was going on with him and maybe we could hide behind the
same rock and shoot together. I didn't run through fire to do anything
heroic or brave. I did what I believe anyone would have done."
Brennan's father told
his hometown newspaper, the Wisconsin State Journal, that Giunta has
expressed hesitation about receiving such an honor.
"Not only did he save
Josh, so that we were able to have him back and have an open coffin at
the funeral, he really saved half of the platoon," he said.
No date has been set
for his award ceremony.
The news comes a day
after the White House announced that Staff Sgt. Robert Miller would be
posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for actions in Afghanistan in
2007.
NFW
COLA for VA
The CPI is the determining factor for the annual COLA for VA Disability
Compensation and pensions, Military Retirement, and Social Security. Based
on the current CPI rate it appears that 2011 will mark the second year in
a row without a Cost of Living Adjustment.
Blue Button Initiative Starts On August 29, 2010
 |
|
| On August 2, 2010, President Obama announced the
“Blue Button” capability that allows Veterans to download their
personal health information from their MyHealtheVet
account. VA developed the Blue Button in collaboration with the
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), and the Department
of Defense, along with the Markle Foundation's Consumer Engagement
Workgroup. The MyHealtheVet Personal Health Record (PHR)
is comprised of self-entered health metrics (blood pressure, weight,
heart rate, etc.), emergency contact information, test results,
family health history, military health history, and other health
related information. The Blue Button extract that Veterans can
download is a so-called “ASCII text file”, the easiest and simplest
electronic text format (see a
sample
Blue Button file).
Blue Button PHRs can be printed, or saved on computers and
portable storage devices. Having control of this information enables
Veterans to share this data with health care providers, caregivers,
or people they trust.
On August 29, 2010, VA will make the Blue Button available on our
website. Throughout the month of September Veterans can login to
their
MyHealtheVet account and try out the Blue Button. In
early October, VA and CMS will officially roll-out the Blue Button
download feature at the Health 2.0 conference in San Francisco.
Additionally, the Markle Foundation has issued a Developer
Challenge. VA looks forward to the innovative platforms, apps, and
widgets that will result from this exciting competition. For more
information, visit the
Blue Button Challenge website or the
CMS Blue Button website. |
07SEP10
Terry Modglin
Breaking News Alert: Living soldier to be awarded Medal of Honor
President Obama will
award the Medal of Honor to a living soldier for his heroism in
Afghanistan in 2007, marking the first time since the Vietnam War that a
service member has earned the nation's highest award for valor on the
battlefield that didn't result in his death. Obama spoke with Staff Sgt.
Salvatore Giunta on Thursday to inform him that he had earned the honor
and thank him for his "extraordinary bravery in battle," the White House
said in a prepared statement.
http://link.email.washingtonpost.com/r/C7I8XW/IYYZ8S/Q0UC0/1DKTQJ/MGN4L/ID/h
03SEP10 John M.
Kovacs
Jumpmaster Dance
Guys,
Michael McCoy sent me this email and ask that I send it to our guys in
the chapter. Michael received it from a guy that he served with
in the 82nd and that guy's son was killed in Iraq.
Here's one for all you airborne guys.
02SEP10
Roy Scott -
"Miracle Quilts"
SFC Anderson (our
CAL),
John Smith and I visited with four 173d In-Patients and one 3rd Inf
In-Patient.
We
presented hand-made
"Miracle Quilts" to each wounded warrior, which
were provided by Carole Carrole, the founder of
"Miracle
Quilts" and the
members of her church. Carole started this idea to honor her
friend, Judy Miracle (a 173d Gold Star Mother) and her son, Joseph
Miracle (KIA
7-5-07).
We visited the following In-Patients:
-
PFC Timothy Hall - Charlie 173d
STB
-
SPC4 Brett Nelson - HHC/1/503
-
SPC
Kendra Coleman - HHC/173d - Female Amputee
-
SPC
Josh Craven - 3rd Inf-MP
We were unable to visit the following patients:
-
SPC
Devite Pitz (In-Patient)
-
PVT Omar (Out-Patient)
-
PFC Dionne Hobson (Out-Patient) - Female
Fairfax
Memorial Hospital
SPC
Thomas (Brennan) Kopp - B/2/503
Home On Leave - Auto Accident - In Coma
SFC Anderson states situation grave.
We are
planning a visit this week.
Airborne,
Gene Weeks
WRAMC
Liaison
02SEP10 William Terry
A FEW WORDS FROM YOUR VICE PRESIDENT
Gentlemen, troopers, veterans of the Herd, as vice president,
myself and President Dave Carman are acutely aware of the limits we
have at reaching out to communicate with you the members of our
Chapter. Thanks to Skip Kniley and this internet we can at least
maintain some degree of communication. Skip is doing an excellent job
at keeping the Bulletin Board filled with information and insights.
Don't forget to check it out and keep yourself up to date on current
events. The Kokomo event is fast approaching. Get into
your RVs, your cars, your trucks; get on your motorcycle, your mule,
your horse and get out to Indiana for that week- end.
Meet the Navy, Air Force, Marines, Army. Meet the veterans who
served as you did. It always manages to be a blast.
Thousands of veterans, live music, prizes, food, beer, sales of
military items; an indoor bar with a television to help you
catch the Saturday night football game if you wish. Drink until you
fall down responsibly. Sit about and tell your stories.
Exaggeration is permitted. Nobody cares because they will listen
anyway, provided they themselves are not falling down. Our Chapter is
flung far and wide. We can use Kokomo as an opportunity to get
back together. You will find the Herd flag blowing in the
breeze. You will find its gracious members waiting to greet
you.
Airborne to all our members and thanks to everyone for your paid dues.
It assist at keeping us alive.
P.S. Working to get us back into the National Magazine.
01SEP10 Rocky
ALL VETS SHOULD COPY THIS AND KEEP IT WITHIN REACH
Below
are web-sites that provide information on Veterans benefits and how to
file/ask for them. Accordingly, there are many sites that explain how
to obtain books, military/medical records, information and how to
appeal a denied claim with the VA. Please pass this information
on to every Veteran you know. Nearly 100% of this information is
free and available for all veterans, the only catch is: you have to
ask for it, because they won't tell you about a specific benefit
unless you ask for it. You need to know what questions to ask so
the right doors open for you
and
then be ready to have an advocate who is willing to work with and for
you, stay in the process, and press for your rights and your best
interests.
Appeals
http://www.warms.vba.va.gov/admin21/m21_1/mr/part1/ch05.doc
Board of Veteran's Appeals
http://www.va.gov/vbs/bva/
CARES Commission
http://www.va.gov/vbs/bva/
CARES Draft National Plan
http://www1.va.gov/cares/page.cfm?pg=105
Center for Minority Veterans
http://www1.va.gov/centerforminorityveterans/
Center for Veterans Enterprise
http://www.vetbiz.gov/default2.htm
Center for Women Veterans
http://www1.va.gov/womenvet/
Clarification on the changes in VA healthcare for Gulf War Veterans
http://www.gulfwarvets.com/ubb/Forum1/HTML/000016..html
Classified Records - American Gulf War Veterans Assoc
http://www.gulfwarvets.com/ubb/Forum18/HTML/000011.html
Compensation for Disabilities Associated
with the Gulf War Service http://www.warms.vba.va.gov/admin21/m21_1/part6%20/ch07.doc
Compensation Rate Tables, 12-1-03
http://www.vba.va.gov/bln/21/Rates/comp01.htm
Department of Veterans Affairs Home Page
http://www.va.gov/
Directory of Veterans Service Organizations
http://www1.va.gov/vso/index.cfm?template=view
Disability Examination Worksheets Index,
Comp http://www.vba.va.gov/bln/21/Benefits/exams/index..htm
Due Process
http://www.warms.vba.va.gov/admin21/m21_1/mr/part1/ch02.doc
Duty to Assist
http://www.warms.vba.va.gov/admin21/m21_1/mr/part1/ch01.doc
Electronic Code of Federal Regulations
http://www.gpoaccess.gov/ecfr/
Emergency, Non-emergency, and Fee Basis Care
http://www1.va.gov/opa/vadocs/fedben.pdf
Environmental Agents
http://www1.va.gov/environagents/
Environmental Agents M10
http://www1.va.gov/vhapublications/ViewPublication.asp?pub_ID=1002
Establishing Combat Veteran Eligibility
http://www1.va.gov/vhapublications/ViewPublication.asp?pub_ID=315
EVALUATION PROTOCOL FOR GULF WAR
AND IRAQI
FREEDOM VETERANS WITH POTENTIAL EXPOSURE TO DEPLETED URANIUM (DU)
http://www1.va.gov/gulfwar/docs/DUHandbook1303122304.DOC
and
http://www1.va.gov/vhapublications/ViewPublication.asp?pub_ID=1158
See also, Depleted Uranium Fact Sheet
http://www1.va.gov/gulfwar/docs/DepletedUraniumFAQSheet.doc
EVALUATION PROTOCOL FOR NON-GULF WAR VETERANS WITH POTENTIAL
EXPOSURE TO DEPLETED URANIUM (DU)
http://www1.va.gov/gulfwar/docs/DUHANDBOOKNONGW130340304.DOC
Fee Basis, PRIORITY FOR OUTPATIENT MEDICAL SERVICES AND INPATIENT
HOSPITAL CARE
http://www1.va..gov/vhapublications/ViewPublication.asp?pub_ID=206
Federal Benefits for Veterans and Dependants 2005
http://www1.va.gov/opa/vadocs/fedben.pdf
OR,
http://www1.va..gov/opa/vadocs/current_benefits.htm
Forms and Records Request
http://www.va.gov/vaforms/
General Compensation Provisions
http://www.access.gpo.gov/uscode/title38/partii_chapter11_subchaptervi_.html
Geriatrics and Extended Care
http://www1.va.gov/geriatricsshg/
Guideline for Chronic Pain and Fatigue MUS-CPG
http://www.oqp.med.va.gov/cpg/cpgn/mus/mus_base.htm
Guide to Gulf War Veteran's Health
http://www1.va.gov/gulfwar/docs/VHIgulfwar.pdf
Gulf War Subject Index
http://www1.va.gov/GulfWar/page.cfm?pg=7&template=main&letter=A
Gulf War Veteran's Illnesses Q&As
http://www1.va.gov/gulfwar/docs/GWIllnessesQandAsIB1041.pdf
Hearings
http://www.warms.vba.va.gov/admin21/m21_1/mr/part1/ch04.doc
Homeless Veterans
http://www1.va.gov/homeless/
HSR&D Home
http://www.hsrd.research.va.gov/
Index to Disability Examination Worksheets C&P exams
http://www.vba.va.gov/bln/21/benefits/exams/index..htm
Ionizing Radiation
http://www1.va.gov/irad/
Iraqi Freedom/Enduring Freedom Veterans VBA
http://www.vba.va.gov/EFIF/
M 10 for spouses and children <
http://www1..va.gov/vhapublications/ViewPublication.asp?pub_ID=1007
M10 Part III Change 1
http://www1.va.gov/vhapublications/ViewPublication.asp?pub_ID=1008
M21-1 Table of Contents
http://www.warms.vba.va.gov/M21_1.html
Mental Disorders, Schedule of Ratings
http://www.warms.vba.va.gov/regs/38CFR/BOOKC/PART4/S4_130.DOC
Mental Health Program Guidelines
http://www1.va.gov/vhapublications/ViewPublication.asp?pub_ID=1094
Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Centers
http://www.mirecc.med.va.gov/
MS (Multiple Sclerosis) Centers of Excellence
http://www.va.gov/ms/about.asp
My Health e Vet
http://www.myhealth.va.gov/
NASDVA.COM
http://nasdva.com/
National Association of State Directors
http://www.nasdva.com/
National Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention
http://www.nchpdp.med.va.gov/postdeploymentlinks.asp
Neurological Conditions and Convulsive Disorders, Schedule of
Ratings
http://www.warms.vba.va.gov/regs/38cfr/bookc/part4/s4%5F124a.doc
OMI (Office of Medical Inspector)
http://www.omi.cio.med.va.gov/
Online VA Form 10-10EZ
https://www.1010ez..med.va.gov/sec/vha/1010ez/
Parkinson's Disease and Related Neurodegenerative Disorders
http://www1.va.gov/resdev/funding/solicitations/docs/parkinsons.pdf
and,
http://www1.va.gov/padrecc/
Peacetime Disability Compensation
http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=browse_usc&docid=Cite:+38USC1131
Pension for Non-Service-Connected Disability or Death
http://www.access.gpo.gov/uscode/title38/partii_chapter15_subchapteri_.html
and,
http://www.access.gpo.gov/uscode/title38/partii_chapter15_subchapterii_.html
and,
http://www.access.gpo.gov/uscode/title38/partii_chapter15_subchapteriii_.html
Persian Gulf Registry
http://www1.va.gov/vhapublications/ViewPublication.asp?pub_ID=1003
This program is now referred to as Gulf War Registry Program (to
include Operation Iraqi Freedom) as of March 7, 2005:
http://www1..va.gov/vhapublications/ViewPublication.asp?pub_ID=1232
Persian Gulf Registry Referral Cen
|
