Friday, October 17, 2014

FW: VVA Web Weekly - What's New on vva.org: October 16, 2014




Subject: VVA Web Weekly - What's New on vva.org: October 16, 2014
From: achaney@vva.org
To: vva17nv@outlook.com
Date: Fri, 17 Oct 2014 14:14:19 +0000

VVA's Web Weekly - What's New on vva.org






This email was sent to vva17nv@outlook.com
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Vietnam Veterans of America · 8719 Colesville Road · Suite 100 · Silver Spring, MD 20910 · USA

Having trouble viewing this message? Click here to view the web version.
In This Issue October 16, 2014

VVA Convention Resolutions, Constitutional Amendments, Awards Nominations

Improve VA Suicide Prevention and Mental Health Care Programs

VA Contracting Officer Resigns
Alcohol and Opioid Pain Relievers or Benzodiazepines Increase Overdose Risk
Former Gulf War RAC Chair: VA Steers Gulf War Illness Panel Away from Science
For-profit Schools Dependent on Taxpayer Dollars
Have You Gotten Your Flu Shot?

FacebookFAO - FacebookYouTube Logo
Veterans Crisis Line
VA Caregiver Hotline
VVA National Convention: July 21 - 25, 2015
Donate to VVA
ADVERTISEMENT

Armed Forces Vacation Club Ad

Action Alert

Support Senate Bill S.2738 and House Bill H.R. 5484

VVA Convention Resolutions, Constitutional Amendments, Awards Nominations 

VVA Logo
Proposed amendments to the VVA Constitution and VVA Convention Resolutions can be made online. Use the buttons below to submit amendments and resolutions (each separately). Submissions for both are due no later than March 22, 2015. NOTE: If you submitted your amendment prior to October 14, please resubmit it.
Submit Constitutional Amendments Online Here
Submit Resolution Proposals Online Here
VVA National Awards are submitted by mail and must be postmarked by May 22, 2015.
VVA National Awards Criteria
VVA National Awards Nomination Form - Download Here
As Reported byThe Huffington Post Blog

Improve VA Suicide Prevention and Mental Health Care Programs

Representative John Delaney (D-MD) wrote an October 14 op-ed for The Huffington Post Blog wherein he says that one of the most critical areas of need is improving our suicide-prevention efforts. According to a study conducted by the VA, on average, 22 veterans a day commit suicide. That's one tragedy every 65 minutes, and according to analysis done by CNN, that number could be even higher. This is an area where the American people are clearly united that we have to do more.
Read complete story here
As Reported by The Washington Post

VA Contracting Officer Resigns

VA Seal
According to an October 15 Washington Post story by Josh Hicks, a top VA contracting officer, who allegedly steered work to a Virginia firm, resigned Tuesday, eight days after the agency announced that it had begun the process of firing her.
Read complete story here
CDC Report

Alcohol and Opioid Pain Relievers or Benzodiazepines Increase Overdose Risk

According to an October 10 CDC report, Opioid Pain Relievers (OPRs) and benzodiazepines are the prescription drugs most commonly involved in overdose deaths and Emergency Department (ED) visits. When these drugs are combined with alcohol, the risk for overdose increases. In 2010 the Drug Abuse Warning Network (DAWN) data, alcohol was involved in 18.5 percent of OPR and 27.2 percent of benzodiazepine drug abuse-related ED visits and over 20 percent of both OPR and benzodiazepine drug-related deaths. Men had a higher percentage than women of alcohol involvement in ED visits for both OPRs and benzodiazepines. More can be done to educate providers and the public about the dangers of combining these substances.
Read study here
As Reported by the Arizona Republic

Former Gulf War RAC Chair: VA Steers Gulf War Illness Panel Away from Science

James H. Binns, a Phoenix business executive who was the committee chairman until last month, said the new perspectives being sought by the VA will move the committee away from established science.  (Photo: Michael Schennum / The Republic)
According to an October 9 Arizona Republic story by Paul Giblin, the VA is seeking new members who offer "fresh perspectives" for an advisory committee that researches illnesses tied to the first Gulf War.
Read complete story here
As Reported by The Center for Investigative Reporting

For-profit Schools Dependent on Taxpayer Dollars

WASHINGTON, DC - SEPTEMBER 17: U.S. Veterans Affairs Secretary Robert McDonald testifies before the House Veterans' Affairs Committee about the Office of Inspector General's final report about VA health care facilities in Phoenix, AZ, during a hearing in the Cannon House Office Building on Capitol Hill September 17, 2014 in Washington, DC. The report on Phoenix found that 28 veterans had 'clinically significant delays' in care and that six of them died but investigators couldn't conclusively li | Chip Somodevilla via Getty Images
According to an October 9 article by Aaron Glantz posted to The Center for Investigative Reporting website, more than 100 for-profit colleges are so dependent on taxpayer money that they would be violating a law designed to prevent profiteering, if not for a loophole that excludes GI Bill funds and Department of Defense tuition assistance to active duty military.
Read complete story here
ADVERTISEMENT
Armed Forces Vacation Club Ad
From the Veterans Health Council

Have You Gotten Your Flu Shot?

Flu Shot
Aging, along with certain chronic health conditions, can leave our immune system weakened and even more vulnerable to serious diseases, including pneumococcal pneumonia and new flu strains. As we enter into the winter months and the incidence of respiratory diseases increases, it's important that we consider getting a flu shot.
Copyright © Vietnam Veterans of America. All Rights Reserved. 8719 Colesville Road, Suite 100, Silver Spring, MD 20910
If you wish to cancel your subscription to this newsletter or update your e-mail preferences click here

FW: VVA Web Weekly - What's New on vva.org: October 16, 2014




Subject: VVA Web Weekly - What's New on vva.org: October 16, 2014
From: webmaster@vva.org
To: vva17nv@outlook.com
Date: Fri, 17 Oct 2014 14:14:32 +0000

VVA's Web Weekly - What's New on vva.org






This email was sent to vva17nv@outlook.com
why did I get this?    unsubscribe from this list    update subscription preferences
Vietnam Veterans of America · 8719 Colesville Road · Suite 100 · Silver Spring, MD 20910 · USA

Having trouble viewing this message? Click here to view the web version.
In This Issue October 16, 2014

VVA Convention Resolutions, Constitutional Amendments, Awards Nominations

Improve VA Suicide Prevention and Mental Health Care Programs

VA Contracting Officer Resigns
Alcohol and Opioid Pain Relievers or Benzodiazepines Increase Overdose Risk
Former Gulf War RAC Chair: VA Steers Gulf War Illness Panel Away from Science
For-profit Schools Dependent on Taxpayer Dollars
Have You Gotten Your Flu Shot?

FacebookFAO - FacebookYouTube Logo
Veterans Crisis Line
VA Caregiver Hotline
VVA National Convention: July 21 - 25, 2015
Donate to VVA
ADVERTISEMENT

Armed Forces Vacation Club Ad

Action Alert

Support Senate Bill S.2738 and House Bill H.R. 5484

VVA Convention Resolutions, Constitutional Amendments, Awards Nominations 

VVA Logo
Proposed amendments to the VVA Constitution and VVA Convention Resolutions can be made online. Use the buttons below to submit amendments and resolutions (each separately). Submissions for both are due no later than March 22, 2015. NOTE: If you submitted your amendment prior to October 14, please resubmit it.
Submit Constitutional Amendments Online Here
Submit Resolution Proposals Online Here
VVA National Awards are submitted by mail and must be postmarked by May 22, 2015.
VVA National Awards Criteria
VVA National Awards Nomination Form - Download Here
As Reported byThe Huffington Post Blog

Improve VA Suicide Prevention and Mental Health Care Programs

Representative John Delaney (D-MD) wrote an October 14 op-ed for The Huffington Post Blog wherein he says that one of the most critical areas of need is improving our suicide-prevention efforts. According to a study conducted by the VA, on average, 22 veterans a day commit suicide. That's one tragedy every 65 minutes, and according to analysis done by CNN, that number could be even higher. This is an area where the American people are clearly united that we have to do more.
Read complete story here
As Reported by The Washington Post

VA Contracting Officer Resigns

VA Seal
According to an October 15 Washington Post story by Josh Hicks, a top VA contracting officer, who allegedly steered work to a Virginia firm, resigned Tuesday, eight days after the agency announced that it had begun the process of firing her.
Read complete story here
CDC Report

Alcohol and Opioid Pain Relievers or Benzodiazepines Increase Overdose Risk

According to an October 10 CDC report, Opioid Pain Relievers (OPRs) and benzodiazepines are the prescription drugs most commonly involved in overdose deaths and Emergency Department (ED) visits. When these drugs are combined with alcohol, the risk for overdose increases. In 2010 the Drug Abuse Warning Network (DAWN) data, alcohol was involved in 18.5 percent of OPR and 27.2 percent of benzodiazepine drug abuse-related ED visits and over 20 percent of both OPR and benzodiazepine drug-related deaths. Men had a higher percentage than women of alcohol involvement in ED visits for both OPRs and benzodiazepines. More can be done to educate providers and the public about the dangers of combining these substances.
Read study here
As Reported by the Arizona Republic

Former Gulf War RAC Chair: VA Steers Gulf War Illness Panel Away from Science

James H. Binns, a Phoenix business executive who was the committee chairman until last month, said the new perspectives being sought by the VA will move the committee away from established science.  (Photo: Michael Schennum / The Republic)
According to an October 9 Arizona Republic story by Paul Giblin, the VA is seeking new members who offer "fresh perspectives" for an advisory committee that researches illnesses tied to the first Gulf War.
Read complete story here
As Reported by The Center for Investigative Reporting

For-profit Schools Dependent on Taxpayer Dollars

WASHINGTON, DC - SEPTEMBER 17: U.S. Veterans Affairs Secretary Robert McDonald testifies before the House Veterans' Affairs Committee about the Office of Inspector General's final report about VA health care facilities in Phoenix, AZ, during a hearing in the Cannon House Office Building on Capitol Hill September 17, 2014 in Washington, DC. The report on Phoenix found that 28 veterans had 'clinically significant delays' in care and that six of them died but investigators couldn't conclusively li | Chip Somodevilla via Getty Images
According to an October 9 article by Aaron Glantz posted to The Center for Investigative Reporting website, more than 100 for-profit colleges are so dependent on taxpayer money that they would be violating a law designed to prevent profiteering, if not for a loophole that excludes GI Bill funds and Department of Defense tuition assistance to active duty military.
Read complete story here
ADVERTISEMENT
Armed Forces Vacation Club Ad
From the Veterans Health Council

Have You Gotten Your Flu Shot?

Flu Shot
Aging, along with certain chronic health conditions, can leave our immune system weakened and even more vulnerable to serious diseases, including pneumococcal pneumonia and new flu strains. As we enter into the winter months and the incidence of respiratory diseases increases, it's important that we consider getting a flu shot.
Copyright © Vietnam Veterans of America. All Rights Reserved. 8719 Colesville Road, Suite 100, Silver Spring, MD 20910
If you wish to cancel your subscription to this newsletter or update your e-mail preferences click here

Thursday, October 16, 2014

FW: Memories of Khe Sanh, 1968



Thank You
Robert Serge
VVA 17 Member
Blog Master
To all my fellow veterans friends and family my we all remember 



From: richardandshirley@netzero.net
Date: Thu, 16 Oct 2014 20:30:55 +0000
To: rserge1@outlook.com
Subject: Fw: Fwd: Memories of Khe Sanh, 1968

Robert,  Just getting to my emails.  I am home from my colonoscopy this morning.  Still on the run!

---------- Forwarded Message ----------
From: "Bill Campbell" <wealthbc@cox.net>
To: <mussel1977@aol.com>
Subject: Fw: Fwd: Memories of Khe Sanh, 1968
Date: Thu, 16 Oct 2014 07:10:34 -0700


Colleagues
Here is a real keeper for you and anybody who had a role in the defense of Khe Sanh in Jan/Feb 1968 ... 15 minute photo scroll with great music... familiar terrain and warriors circa 1967-68... I bet you won't be able to watch it just once.
Bill

A different kind of war!
God Bless Them - They never refused a mission or turned back!
Subject: Khe Sanh, 1968
Date: October 7, 2014 at 5:11:20AM PDT
To: Undisclosed recipients: ;




____________________________________________________________
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Find Floodplan Maps, Facts, FAQs, Your Flood Risk Profile and More!
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“Nevada celebrates her Vietnam Veterans

Hi John, 
Our entry is entitled, “Nevada celebrates her Vietnam Veterans” 
I am the contact for the Nevada Day Parade which is celebrating 150 years of Nevada statehood.
My contact information is:  Debbie Carroll, 702-526-3945 (cell) and 702-914-7840.  My email is bdlllcarroll@cox.net
The parade is being held on Friday, October 31st at 10 AM in Downtown Las Vegas, Fourth Street from Charleston Blvd. to Gass Avenue.  
The current announcer’s narrative being read when our group passes the judges stand and dignitaries is as follows, “Please STAND UP and CHEER to show your Nevada pride and appreciation for our veterans who served 50 years ago during the Vietnam War!  The Daughters of the American Revolution, Sons of the American Revolution and Children of the American Revolution celebrate Nevada’s 150th birthday and support and honor our veterans.  Ford Country is proud to help us support our Vietnam Veterans and also celebrates the 50th anniversary of the Ford Mustang.  Our Battle Born members throughout the state are NEVADA PROUD!  

John, thank you for any help you are able to provide us!
 Thank you!
 Take care,

 Debbie Carroll

Wednesday, October 15, 2014

FW: RESEND: The United States of America Vietnam War Commemoration

The United States of America Vietnam War Commemoration

In 2008, Congress passed Public Law Section 110-181 SEC.598 authorizing the Department of Defense to organize, recruit, support and facilitate events all across America to assist a grateful nation in thanking and honoring our Vietnam veterans and their families.  On Memorial Day 2012, at a ceremony held at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington D.C., the President of the United States officially launched the national commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War. 
 
In late October of 2012, The United States of America Vietnam War Commemoration established the Commemorative Partner Program, a hometown-centric, veteran-focused initiative designed for federal, state and local communities, veterans’ organizations, schools, educational institutions, associations and many other organizations to assist a grateful nation in thanking and honoring Vietnam veterans and their families where they live.
  
In addition to the Commemorative Partnership Program, the Commemoration wanted to establish a special recognition program honoring the unique service and sacrifices of our former prisoners of war, the families of American missing and unaccounted for personnel, and those who gave the ultimate sacrifice.  Additionally, the Commemoration is trying to reconnect with the families whose loved ones have since passed away after their service in the theater of operations during the Vietnam War to let them know a grateful nation remembers and appreciates their family’s service and sacrifice as well.   As a result, the Commemoration is pleased to announce a series of Certificates of Honor available for presentation to the following:  
1.                  Former Vietnam POWs, 
2.                  Eligible immediate family members of U.S. military and civilian missing and unaccounted personnel during the Vietnam War,
3.                  Eligible immediate family members of those who died during the Vietnam War and are listed on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., and
4.                  Spouses of deceased veterans who have died since their service in the theater of operations during the Vietnam War.

A lapel pin accompanies the following certificates: former POW; Missing and Unaccounted For families and In Memory Of families whose veteran is listed on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington D.C.
 

For questions regarding the eligibility for the certificates, please contact Ms. Yvonne Schilz at 703-6974919 or Mr. Thomas Graft at 703-697-4874.  Please contact Ms. Janet Snyder at 702-227-6566 or groundhog71@gmail.com  to request the certificates. 

Thank You
Robert Serge
VVA 17 Member
Blog Master
To all my fellow veterans friends and family my we all remember 



From: rogerhenning@cox.net
To: alnvdist2adj@gmail.com
Subject: RESEND: The United States of America Vietnam War Commemoration
Date: Wed, 15 Oct 2014 16:52:54 -0700


I received a number of email rejections, so I am resending.  IF this is the second one you are getting, please delete.  Thanks!

From: Roger J. Henning PhD [mailto:HenningNHSS@gmail.com]
Sent: Wednesday, October 15, 2014 4:48 PM
To: 'Janet Snyder'
Subject: RE: The United States of America Vietnam War Commemoration

JANET à I am forwarding to the VVA Chapters 17 and 1076 and American Legion Posts in the District 2.  I do not believe we would have anyone in our Post 76 since mail to them stops when they notify us that their spouse has entered Post Everlasting. 

From: Janet Snyder [mailto:groundhog71@gmail.com]
Sent: Tuesday, October 14, 2014 2:31 PM
To: Roger Henning
Subject: Fwd: The United States of America Vietnam War Commemoration

Dear Roger,

This morning I sent this message about the USA Vietnam War Commemoration.  If you know anyone who qualifies, please ask them to contact me.

Thanks.

Janet


---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Janet Snyder <groundhog71@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, Oct 14, 2014 at 1:04 PM
Subject: The United States of America Vietnam War Commemoration
To:
Dear SMW members, NAUS members, and nationwide supporters,

The Society of Military Widows of Southern Nevada Chapter #34 is a Commemorative Partner with the United States of America Vietnam War Commemoration.

Please click on the link below, to read about this program.

If you would like to receive a Vietnam Widows Certificate - or if you know a Vietnam military surviving spouse who hasn't yet received one of these certificates,  please contact me.

Thanks.

Janet





Tuesday, October 14, 2014

just for you info


this is what other veterans groups are doing for veterans day 
why cant we do something like this 

Please note: forwarded message attached

From: Susan Stockmar <ssuwvc@gmail.com>
To: Susan Stockmar <ssuwvc@gmail.com>
Subject: JOIN US - 2014 VETERANS WEEK EVENTS!
Date: Tue, 14 Oct 2014 10:47:18 -0400
Dear Veterans, Patriots, & Friends:

Veterans Day, Tuesday, November 11, 2014 is fast approaching.  The United War Veterans Council, producers of the annual Veterans Day Parade - 'America's Parade', is also producing a series of patriotic events [leading up to the Parade] entitled "Veterans Week."

Attached to this email you will find several event invitations intended for specific audiences.
Please RSVP promptly [as space is limited] to the event(s) most suitable to you, i.e., Vietnam veterans, Women veterans, etc. You may also share this with other veterans to whom this may apply.

If this does not pertain to you, but you know of others for whom it may apply, please pass this along. Your help is needed to promote these events to others for a successful attendance; thank you.

The events/invitations attached include:
§ Salute to Women Who Served and Are Serving Forum -Thursday, November 6    
§ Star Spangled Banner Salute -Military & Veterans Legacy of our 5 Boroughs-Friday, November 7
§  "Salute to our Korean War Veterans"-Saturday, November 8
§  Veterans Church Service-Sunday, November 9
§  Welcome Home-Vietnam War Veterans-Sunday,  November 9
§ Saluting Our Veterans Resource Fair & US Navy Band North East Performance
On    Monday, November 10

§ America’s Parade-NYC Veterans Day Parade-Tuesday, November 11

If you would only like to pass on one specific event, as opposed to all the attachments in this email, you can also click each individual invite (example: Star Spangled Banner), then download and save that invite on your computer. Then attach the invite in a separate email of your own.

We look forward to seeing you at upcoming events that are applicable to you and/or others you may know and invited on our behalf. We appreciate your assistance in promoting these events. 

Join us on Tuesday, November 11, 2014 for the Veterans Day Parade, a spectacular, world-class event!

Forever Grateful for your service and dedication,

Susan Stockmar
US Navy Veteran
United War Veterans Council
346 Broadway
New York, NY 10013
212-693-5701

FW: Thursday mission 10/16/2014



Thank You
Robert Serge
VVA 17 Member
Blog Master
To all my fellow veterans friends and family my we all remember 


> From: akan01@centurylink.net
> To: akan01@centurylink.net
> Subject: Thursday mission 10/16/2014
> Date: Tue, 14 Oct 2014 12:35:53 -0700
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Bob Donaghy [mailto:bobdonaghy@me.com]
> Sent: Tuesday, October 14, 2014 7:00 AM
> To: Undisclosed recipients:
> Subject: Thursday mission
>
> Hi Everyone
>
> This Thursday, Oct. 16th, the following funerals are scheduled for 8:40 AM
> at the Southern Nevada Veteran's Memorial Cemetery, 1900 Veteran's Memorial
> Drive, Boulder City, 89005. These interments are for Nevada's fallen
> veterans who are without family, homeless, indigent or just forgotten by
> family and friends and remain unclaimed.
>
> This week's interments are:
>
> Army veteran: Gerald Rogers
>
>
> For anyone interested in riding over together, some of us meet for breakfast
> at the IHOP ( 4860 Boulder Hwy ) diagonally across the street from Sam's
> Town at around 6:50 AM. It will be KSU at 7:45 AM.
>
> Thank you Bob Donaghy=
>