Volume 7, Number 2 February 27, 1993 . __ . . -*- N A M V E T -*- ____/ \_ . . ( * \ . . Managing Editor \ Quangtri . . ---------------- \_/\ \_ Hue . . G. Joseph Peck \_Ashau Phu Bai . . \_* \_ . . Distribution Manager \ * ) . . -------------------- _/ Danang . . Jerry Hindle \|/ ( \_*Chu Lai . . --*-- \_ ------- \__ . . Section Editors /|\ \_ I Corps \ . . --------------- \ ------- ! . . IN-TOUCH: Ray "Frenchy" Moreau /\_____ ! . . INCARCERATED VETS: Joyce Flory / ! \ . . VETERAN BENEFITS: Jim Hildwine ! !___ \ . . VETERAN EMPLOYMENT: Fred Sochacki ! \/\____! . . KEEPER OF THE LIST: Joyce Flory ! ! . . GUEST CHAPLAIN: Rev. Mike Harris / Dak To ! . . / * / . . ! \_ . . ! Phu Cat\ . . \ * * ) . . \ Pleiku ) . . -*- N A M V E T -*- \ \ . . / / . . "In the jungles of 'Nam, some of us ( -------- ! . . were scared and wary, but we pulled _\ II Corps ! . . one another along and were able / -------- \ . . to depend on each other. That has \ \ . . never changed. Today, free of the ! * / . . criticisms and misunderstandings _/ Nhatrang / . . many veterans have endured, _/ / . . NAM VET is a shining beacon, __/ ! . . a ray of hope, and a _ __/ \ ! . . reminder that the _____( )/ ! Camranh Bay . . lessons learned / !__ ! . . at such a high / \ / . . price shall not \ Bien Hoa \ / . . be forgotten - ! Chu Chi * \ __/ . . nor the errors \_ * --------- \ ___/ . . repeated!!!" ____ \ III Corps \ _/ . . / \_____) )_(_ --------- !__/ Duplication in . . ! ( ___/ any form permitted . . _____! \__ * ___/ for NONCOMMERCIAL . . ! Saigon/ purposes ONLY! . . \___ -------- / \/ . . \ IV Corps / For other use, contact: . . ) -------- / . . / ! G. Joseph Peck (413) 442-1660 . . / ____/ Managing Editor . . / Mekong/ . . ! Delta/ This newsletter is comprised of articles . . ! ____/ and items from individuals and other . . ! / sources. We are not responsible for the . . ! / content of this information nor are any of . . ! __/ NamVet's contributors or Section Editors. . . \_/ gjp . . . NamVet Newsletter Page i Volume 7, Number 2 February 27, 1993 ================================================================== T A B L E O F C O N T E N T S 1. From US to YOU Meanings... .............................................. 1 Copyright Notice ......................................... 3 2. Troubled Nation!?! Loss of the Training Wheels .............................. 4 Historic Irony ........................................... 5 Stay Away, Bill .......................................... 6 Stay Away, Bill - Part 2 ................................. 7 Things in the mind ....................................... 9 Remember? ................................................ 11 Veteran Organization Supports Ban on Gays In The Military 12 50 Promises - 50 States .................................. 14 Because .................................................. 22 3. Article Submission NamVet Article Submission Guidelines ..................... 24 4. Don't drink the water! Agent Orange - the costs! ................................ 27 Break out the Clearasil ! ............................ 32 5. NamVet's Electronic Chapel Mike & Connie Harris - Laos .............................. 33 The Electronic Chapel .................................... 34 Four Chaplains = Brotherhood ............................. 35 6. Drums be not Silent MIA - Frank C. Elkins .................................... 37 They haven't forgotten US!!! ............................. 50 7. Veteran Organizations The Non-Commissioned Officers Association ................ 51 Veterans Consolidated Rights Association ................. 55 Vietnam Veterans Against The War - WHERE, WHO & WHO ...... 57 8. In-Touch Its not finished; its not EVER over! ..................... 58 Institute for the Study of American Wars ................. 60 9. Close to home Thanks to the Moms Who Also Served ....................... 62 Dreams to Share .......................................... 64 Depression - What you need to know ....................... 65 Forgotten ................................................ 71 10. Sister Vets VWMP's Sister Search ..................................... 73 Monumental Difference .................................... 74 VWMP's Sister Search Form ................................ 75 NamVet Newsletter Page ii Volume 7, Number 2 February 27, 1993 11. Serving our veterans! DVA Establishes Women's Division at PTSD Center .......... 76 Veterans' Memorials In-Progress .......................... 77 Homeless Vets "Stand Down" ............................... 78 12. Forgotten - again? Incarcerated Vets and Veterans of the Vietnam War ........ 80 A visit or note once in awhile? .......................... 82 V.V.A. "Adopt-A-Vet" Program (AVP) ....................... 83 13. IVVEC Phonebook The IVVEC PhoneBook ...................................... 90 14. VETLink << SPOTLIGHT >> VETLink available to all vets at VA Medical Center ....... 97 NamVet Distribution Survey Form .......................... 99 Some Gave All... ......................................... 100 NamVet Newsletter Page iii Volume 7, Number 2 February 27, 1993 ================================================================== From US to YOU ================================================================== by G. Joseph Peck NamVet's Managing Editor VETLink #1 - Pittsfield, MA (413) 443-6313 Where to start, where to start? Things have been goin' on so hectic-like up here that even tryin' to slow down or rest a little bit brings on a good case of the ol' guilty's ... knowin' that in my slowing down or resting SOMETHING is NOT getting done that is long, long overdue! The days when my ONLY computer-focus was oriented on VIETNAM_VETS and creating the NamVet's. THOSE were the days ... "I" remember them... SURE I do When "NamVet" began 11/11/87, it was an exciting, exciting project for all of us involved in its creation and publication. Submissions by you, the contributor, went flying back an' forth across America between Todd Looney, NamVet's Co-creator and Editor, and myself and we checked, checked and re-checked for spelling, format, "would this be appropriate if it ended up in a youngster's schoolroom," "Hey! I've gotta reformat this whole thing! They sent it in justified! Arghhhh!" ... "I" remember those days ... SURE I do VETLink #1 ... its goals were to make all the obtainable veteran- related information available for anyone and any time of the day or night and to BE for others what seemed to be missing in those 9-to-5 government offices. VETLink #1 now has 36 others to join it ... And, wouldya believe, there's a real honest-to-goodness VETNet (Zone 19:) for computer communication amongst all veterans and their families in which all the VETLinks participate? I remember the days of VETLink #1 ... SURE I do Failed hard disks; computer parts up in smoke; things donated just to help us keep going - and our veteran commUNITY pulled together and helped keep VETLink #1 on-line. More recently (Thanx Bob!) someone called and asked if VETLink #1 could be down for about an hour or so so that he and his friend could do something to it. "Why?" I asked. "Surprise," the caller said, "You'll see." Two hours later (it took 'em a half-hour to get here), VETLink #1 was running on a 486 motherboard! Few weeks later (Thanx Sarge!), postman said I had to sign for some important mail. MEMORY for the 486 motherboard! Little-by-little, VETLink #1 is catchin' up with all the rest of you folks ... an' 1985 visions of a Commodore 64 set aside so's I could install a new 4.7mhz XT computer flashed through my head as I remembered the original VETLink #1. I remember those days ... SURE I do You folks have been good to me ... can I try to do anything less than be the same to you? Ain't NO way! As you might well tell by the rest of this month's issue, there's quite a number of controversies going on: the somewhat-permanent battle with the [D]VA to obtain the services and healthcare America PROMISED her veterans (and they rightfully EARNED) when they went off to defend her and her principles; there's concerns NamVet Newsletter Page 1 Volume 7, Number 2 February 27, 1993 surrounding the fibre of our country's President and attempts at changing the make-up (that's NOT makeup!) of today's military. Wanna have some fun? Come stay with me for a little bit; watch the various forms of mail come in (NETMail/EchoMail via computer; packages an' letters via SnailMail); listen to some of the telephone calls I get at all hours of the day and night -- and try to put out a balanced NamVet that will try to address the concerns of ALL our readers in just one issue! Now THAT's a challenge - but one I'm deeply grateful for. You're special people - each and every one of you! In this month's issue, too, you'll see our first << SPOTLIGHT >> on a VETLink BBS - Bob Wieters's VETLink #16. Robert "Bob" Johnson, member of EVAC's Board of Directors and SysOp of VETLink #11 will soon be givin' us more and more about each an' every one of our VETLink's - they're GREAT people to know! MISSING this month is YOUR contribution to NamVet! I'm really goin' ape-shoot tryin' to just keep-even with all that we've now grown into and just do NOT have the time like I used to to go snooping through all the newspapers, magazines, veteran newsletters an' things to get information that's important to ALL of us. Please watch the VIETNAM_VETS EchoConference for details on HOW to get your submission to us. Hey! Got some ideas on how we can streamline production and consistently be able to get it produced EVERY month on-time and in-time? Got some help you'd wanna offer? Call me VOICE (during normal EST business hours please at 413-442-1660 or you can NETMAIL me at either VETLink #1 or VETLink #20 - or ya can even log on HUMAN an' leave a message . Well... since the clock's a tickin' away and so many, many of you are askin' "Where's the NamVet?" I'd better get m' hieney in gear and get this thing off-the-press ... 'til next issue... Show a brother or sister veteran That YOU care!! Ci'ao for Ni'ao - Joe - NamVet Newsletter Page 2 Volume 7, Number 2 February 27, 1993 > * - Copyright Notice - * ____/~~\_ < < ( * \ > > Prepared by G. Joseph Peck \ Quangtri < < NamVet Project \_/\ \_ Hue > > Electronic Veterans' Centers of \_Ashau Phu Bai < < America Corporation (EVAC) \_* \_ > > Copyright 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, \_ * ) < < 1991, 1992, 1993 _/ Danang > > ( \_*Chu Lai < < All rights reserved. \_ ------- \__ > > \_ I Corps \ < < NamVet is a collective volunteer \ ------- ! > > effort comprised of articles and /\_____ ! < < items sharing veteran-related news, / ! \ > > experiences and resources amongst ! !___ \ < < veterans, their family members, ! \/\____! > > concerned others and health, ! ! < < educational and correctional / Dak To ! > > institutions. / * / < < ! \_ > > ! Phu Cat\ < < Segments of this newsletter may be \ * * ) > > excerpted for counseling, self- \ Pleiku ) < < help, dissemination amongst veteran \ \ > > organizations and groups, and for / / < < scholarly purposes without further ( -------- ! > > permission; it is requested only _\ II Corps ! < < that proper credit be given to the / -------- \ > > author of a particular article and \ \ < < the contributor who submitted it. ! * / > > _/ Nhatrang / < < Any other use requires the _/ / > > written authorization of __/ ! < < _ __/ \ ! > > Electronic Veterans'___( )/ ! Camranh Bay < < Centers of / !__ ! > > America / \ / < < Corporation \ Bien Hoa \ / > > (EVAC) ! Chu Chi * \ __/ < < \_ * --------- \ ___/ > > . ____ \ III Corps \ _/ < < / \_____) )_(_ --------- !__/ > > ! ( ___/ < < _____! \__ * ___/ > > ! Saigon/ < < \___ -------- / \/ > > \ IV Corps / < < ) -------- / CONTACT: > > / ! Electronic Veterans' Centers of < < / ____/ America Corporation (EVAC) > > / Mekong/ ATTN: G. Joseph Peck < < ! Delta/ Managing Editor - NamVet > > ! ____/ Post Office Box 2056 < < ! / Pittsfield, Massachusetts 01202 > < ! / VOICE: (413) 442-1660 < < ! __/ > < \_/ gjp < NamVet Newsletter Page 3 Volume 7, Number 2 February 27, 1993 ================================================================== Troubled Nation!?! ================================================================== Loss of the Training Wheels by NamVet Newsletter Page 4 Volume 7, Number 2 February 27, 1993 Veterans Consolidated Rights Association 197 Honeysuckle Drive (318) 396-7685 * FAX (318) 396-2758 February 8, 1993 Letter to the Editor: Fighting was heavy for the allies in 1944 when, in August, Pvt. Eddie D. Slovik, 24 years old, of Chicago, arrived at Omahu Beach, assigned to "G" Company, 109th Infantry, 28th Division. Company "G" almost immediately ran into heavy artillery fire and had to stop and dig in. When his platoon continued on, a frightened Slovik remained in his foxhole. When discovered, he was placed under arrest and ordered to stand ready for Court Martial. The charge: Avoidance of Hazardous Duty. Slovik's trial, held on Nov. 11, 1944, lasted one hour and forty minutes. He was found guilty as charged. The sentence: to be dishonorably discharged from service; to forfeit all pay and allowances due or to become due; and to be shot to death with musketry. Both verdict and sentence were upheld by General Eisenhower, Supreme Commander, Allied Forces in Europe. Private Slovik was executed by a military firing squad in the Vosges Mountains of Northwest France in January of 1945. He had entered Service in 1943 via the draft. In 1968 and 1969, the Vietnam War was at its height. Young Americans were running off to Canada and other Countries to escape the draft. The use of marijuana, together with uppers, downers, and hard drugs, was on the rise. College students publicly burned their draft cards and participated in campus riots. Peace marches and open dissent were increasing in America and abroad. The goal of these protestors: avoidance [of] hazardous duty. A member of this group was inaugurated as the 42th President of the United States on January 20, 1993. This individual will automatically become Commander-in-Chief of the United States Armed Forces, almost 48 years to the day following the execution of Pvt. Slovik. What a tragic irony! Elzie (Sonny) Fitzgerald President V.C.R.A. NamVet Newsletter Page 5 Volume 7, Number 2 February 27, 1993 Stay Away, Bill by Bill Geertsen VETLInk #17 - Baltimore, Maryland (410) 866-8613 Heard a great song today (in my opinion). 2/2/93. Grappling with the JFX this a.m., Tom Marr on WCBM, AM680, played a song by a Baltimorean called "Stay Away From The Wall." It was tasteful but very clear in its' message. The Wall is a sacred place Mr. Clinton stay away from it on Memorial Day. I'm trying to get a copy of the tape. If anyone is interested, the singer is John K. Russel, phone# (717)-428-0122, that is somewhere in Pennsylvania. I heard the song after seeing Pres. Clinton ignore the salute of his Marine guard and began to feel that here is a man who does not belong at The Wall, especially on Memorial Day. It would be like Madeline Murray O'Hare walking into a High Christmas Mass at St. Patricks Cathedral in N.Y. Some of us consider the Wall to be a very sacred place, even the otherwise non-religious among us. Perhaps we honor our fallen brothers and pay homage (worship?) to the god of war, peace, freedom and liberty who so affected us all. I have great deal of trouble with the image of Pres. Clinton walking along The Wall among Vets, with his stupid grin and expressed dislike of the military, and pretending to honor us. I, personally, would be more honored if he stayed away as the song suggests. [Lyrics and "where to purchase" follow in next article] NamVet Newsletter Page 6 Volume 7, Number 2 February 27, 1993 STAY AWAY FROM THE WALL by John K. Russell You led protests against our side, and that sure ain't no crime But when you were called, you turned away... you never served your time And those whose names are neatly carved so deep into that stone Served our flag and country proudly, something you have never known. *******(chorus verse)****** At the end of May, come Memorial Day, when parades come marchin down the mall Please go anywhere... we really don't care Just stay away from The wall *************************** When Tommy Jones was twenty one, he got his call to come Leave his dreams of life, his pregnant wife, and go to Viet-Nam His sacrifice was needed for our country's good they say And Tommy didn't want to go, but he didn't run away **********(chorus)********* We threw Tom a sendoff, and we drank ourselves blind I said for you to go and fight you must have lost your mind Tommy's laugh fell silent and he said without a smile If I've got to go I'll do my best, I'll see you in a while **********(chorus)********* Just a short while later, when Tom was finally home We gathered at his parish church to say goodbye again And we visit him from time to time around the end of May Just reach up and touch his name on that hallowed wall of fame **********(chorus)********* NamVet Newsletter Page 7 Volume 7, Number 2 February 27, 1993 So now you are our leader and you want for us to say When you turned your back on your flag and us, that it should be okay Well Tommy Jones ain't here, or fifty thousand more And you should know though they had to go... they also hated war *************************** (chorus) (chorus) (chorus) *************************** To order a copy of the taped song and poem, send $6.00 ($5.00 for tape and $1.00 for p&h) to: John K. Russell, P.O. Box 286, Loganville, Pa. 17342-0286. A portion of John's proceeds from the tape sales will go to your favorite charity or Vet's group. I designated mine for: VVA Chapter 451, Baltimore, Md. [Note from Joe: Bill, I'm not doubting in the least John's sincerity or purity of purpose. Please, though, let us know if VVA Chapter 451 DOES receive its "portion of the proceeds." There are so MANY fund-raising and other groups around that *-promise-* to do similar things just to get the prospect to plunk down some $$$ - but don't. Exploiting the sacrifices and plight of some of our veteran brothers and sisters, some fund-raising organizations are reported to have KEPT 94-cents for every dollar they've collected! "Eternal Vigilance..." ] "Its a good idea to obey all the rules when you're young just so you'll have the strength to break them when you're old" -- Mark Twain NamVet Newsletter Page 8 Volume 7, Number 2 February 27, 1993 Things in the Mind by Jim Hildwine NamVet's Veteran Benefits Section Editor VETLink #4 - Shady Side, MD (Via VETLink #1) For we the living, the process of healing of the Vietnam War has been one of slowness. To a major factor of us, the war was the past and shall be the past. For others the war, tho 20 years plus ago, will always be present in our minds and hearts. For our fallen comrades the mental pain of living is not an aspect they the dead have to contend with. For they now have met their maker and are at peace somewhere in the spirit of the universe. For us the living, the lost part of self remains at some Fire Support Base, Base Camp, or in a rice paddy so far from here. For we the living are the one's who now carry the message. Some of us returned and were able to adjust and go on with life. For many thousands of others, yesterday is still today, and the war, tho over in the physical sense, is still a reality to us in the purest sense of the living mind and its memories of the past projected from the past to today and future days to come. Many thousands of us carry the physical scars and pains from days gone past, and yet many more also carry the mental scars that seem to fester themselves in the forms of alcoholism, drug addiction, failed marriage, broken friendships, and a loss of one's own esteem. Many of my fallen brothers where there out of pick of a number, and were called "US's" - and many of those "US" service numbers did not return from the Nam. But, looking back, I can see the faces, hear the words and the smells, sights, and sounds. For I can truly say, I never heard a "US" say I don't want to be HERE. maybe not spoken, but more-or-less felt in those times. Someday the Vietnam Vet of the in country war will die. I'm speaking of those of my brothers who where in Southeast Asia. But the day will arrive when on the nighty news a thirty second spot will be read something like this. "Today, the last sole surviving Vietnam Vet has died." His name was blank, blank, and was from blank blank." ... I say that the day the last Nam Vet dies his name should be entered on The Wall as he was the end as the sole bearer of pain, depression and, at times, rejection. Yes my brothers and sisters, someday one and only one of us will be the sole survivor of the Vietnam War. We the living and those of us that survived must continue to go forward. For with us the last true battle of war was fought. We the few the proud and living are the pages of our countries past. For within us we hold deep-running pains, and deep-rooted resentments of our Government's failure to help as in our time of need. So in a few days a new President will be sworn in. He may look toward us for counsel, and promise to improve those things we've heard for years. May the next four years be the most productive and helping than those of the past. Let us - or we - the Vets NamVet Newsletter Page 9 Volume 7, Number 2 February 27, 1993 have a true priority in this government for helping us, the still- stricken, with this unbearable healing process. May 1993 be the year Veterans are treated as a national treasure and not as national headache. I pray my bothers in sisters these coming months bring the so badly needed changes in both the healthcare system and in the court systems to awarding us our rightfully gained deserves, and paid for in pain. For some of us there is HOPE, and for many the trust must be established with "Walking your talk and not talking your walk." For this country owes 58,000 dead the respect - and 6 million or so the due process of their service to our country. May God bring better things in the months to come. JJH.Jr Retired USA "I am in earnest; I will not equivocate; I will not excuse; I will not retreat a single inch; and I will be heard." -= William Lloyd Garrison NamVet Newsletter Page 10 Volume 7, Number 2 February 27, 1993 . =DMZ= Camp Carroll__Con Thien =DMZ= . . |___/ \_ Quang Tri . . Khe (| * * \ . . Sanh-/\* * Dong \Camp Evans . . (Hawk \_/\ Ha *\_ Hue . . LZ) / \_ \Phu Bai . . Cam Lo \_Bastogne\_ . . \ An. )Da Nang . . / Hoa \ (Marble . . ( ------- \_Mountain) . . \ I CORPS \__ . . \------ Hoi \ Chu Lai . . \ An ! . . /\_____ ! . . / ! Duc \ . . ! Ben !___ Pho\ . . ! Het \/\____! . . ! !English LZ. . / Pleiku ! Bong . . / Camp / Son . . V I E T N A M ! Holloway Happy \_Hammond . . ! Camp Valley \ LZ . . \ Enarl An Khe ) . . \ Qui) . . \ \ Nhon\ . . / Oasis / . . ( ! . . _\ -------- ! . . / II CORPS Tuy\ . . \ -------- Hoa \ . . ! / . . _/Ban Me / . . --------- _/ Thuot Nha / . . III CORPS Song Be_/ Trang! . . --------\Quan Loi __/ \ ! . . Katum\_____( )/An Loc! Dong Ba ! . . /Dau Loc Ninh!__ Thin ! Cam . . Tay /Tieng \ / Ranh . . Ninh\ Phu Phuoc Yinh\ Dalat / Bay . . ! Loi \ __/ . . Lai Khe\--* Di An \ ___/ Phan . . Cu Chi\ Bien Hoa \ _/ Rang . . / \_____) )_(_Tan San Long Binh !__/ . . ! ( Nhut Bearcat ___/ . . _____! An Long \__Long Thanh_/ . . ! | . \/ Long Giao . . \___ My /| \/ \ (Black Horse) . . \ Tho Dong / | \ Vung Tau . . )Vinh Long Tam / | Saigon . . / \\ ! Tan An . . /Can Tho Phu ___\\| . . /-------- Vinh . . !IV CORPS\ \ / . . !-------- \ \__/ (Due to rectangular restrictions of character . . ! Soc / placements/positions, locations approximate) . . ! Trang / . . ! __/ . . \_/ gjp . NamVet Newsletter Page 11 Volume 7, Number 2 February 27, 1993 NCOA Supports Ban on Gays in the Military NCOA Journal - February 1993 by Michael F. Ouellette NCOA Deputy Director Legislative Affairs Submitted by Stephen L. Worley, Vice-Chairman NCOA MidChapter #138 Our Potpourri/VETLink #34 BBS - Midwest City, OK (405) 741-5120 The following article is an extract from the February 1993 NCOA Journal. Written by: Michael F. Ouellette, NCOA Deputy Director of Legislative Affairs: As presented 12/92 by: Chuck Jackson, NCOA Vice President Armed with an association resolution opposing legislation and regulations directing recruitment and retention of homosexuals in the Armed Forces,NCOA Executive Vice President Chuck Jackson went to Capitol Hill on December 9, 1992, to express NCOA views and offer recommendations to a Congressional panel. The opportunity to become "The First" Military Association to present formal testimony to Congress on the issue of homosexuals in the military was extended by Rep.Bill Dannemeyer (CA) and Rep. Bill Duncan Hunter (CA) who co-chaired a Republican Research Committee hearing to consider testimony on the issue. The hearing served as a vehicle to counter a rumor that then President-Elect Clinton intended to sign an Executive Order that would rescind the policy that currently denies military service to homosexuals as one of his first official actions. Seizing on the chance to possibly make a difference and offer views that would hopefully cause the new Administration to reevaluate its position, Jackson hit hard on down-to-earth reasons for NCOA's hard-line approach to the issue without entering into a moralistic debate with Committee members. During his testimony, Jackson made it clear, in no uncertain terms, that NCOA would remain committed to its resolution and would not consider compromise or "trade-offs" that would demonstrate any support for change in the current Department of Defense (DoD) policy of denying military service to homosexuals. The key points made by Jackson during his concise and deliberate presentation were: <*1*> In the face of discrimination and equal opportunity arguments NCOA suggested to the Committee that the recruitment and retention of homosexuals in the military should not be confused with racial integration. It was pointed out that skin color, an inert, benign characteristic, must not be compared to a behavioral characteristic when attempting to justify action. <*2*> Service in the Armed Forces is a unique calling where members willingly accept some abridgment of their freedom of speech, their right to privacy, and control over their living and working conditions. NCOA suggested that further erosion of their rights to accommodate the enlistment of homosexuals would be devastating to the morale and good order of the military service. <*3*> NCOA pointed out that the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) considers sodomy a felony as do the laws of twenty-six states; therefore, it is clear that the worldwide NamVet Newsletter Page 12 Volume 7, Number 2 February 27, 1993 deplorability requirements expected of every servicemember could not be equitably applied to any homosexual population. <*4*> NCOA rejected the idea that the Armed Forces should be used as a cauldron for social experimentation or change to satisfy personal opinions or political debts and that failure to act on the credible advice of top military leaders is a deplorable situation. <*5*> NCOA suggested that it has not been proven that the removal of the ban on military service by acknowledged homosexuals will improve the quality or abilities of the Armed Forces. <*6*> NCOA made it clear that homosexuals who have entered the military service have enlisted fraudulently and subsequently received training and compensation under false pretenses. As in all fraud cases, the burden of cost recoupment should fall on the individual and not the U.S. Government. <*7*> NCOA was adamant that integration of homosexuals into the military ranks must inevitably include the acceptance of their lifestyles and sexual practices. That,in turn,means concessions to those lifestyles, such as housing, health care, and survivor and other benefits to "life partners" of homosexuals. NCOA's Executive Vice President also reminded the Committee that the purpose of the Armed Forces is to defend the nation, not to serve as a laboratory for social engineering. He further stated that, "Service in the military is a privilege and not a right. If it were a right, the military could not decline to accept the services of those who fail to mentally or physically qualify or those with criminal records or histories of illegal drug abuse." NCOA recommendations concerned the need to conduct extensive Congressional hearings on the potentially long-term effects on the all-volunteer force and the need to change UCMJ and the sodomy laws in twenty-six states prior to implementing any change in current policy. Most importantly,however,Jackson told the members of the Committee that, "The new Administration must proceed with caution only after considering the opinions of the nations's top military leaders and particularly the noncommissioned and petty officers of the armed forces who would have to implement such a drastic change in policy." He further added, "They (NCO's and PO's) should know better than anyone if the addition of homosexuals to the ranks is necessary and in the best interest of this nation's downsized military fighting force." Courtesy of: NCOA Mid America Chapter 138 102 Mid America Blvd. MidWest City, OK. 73110 VOICE (405) 737-7772 FAX (405) 736-6202 NamVet Newsletter Page 13 Volume 7, Number 2 February 27, 1993 50 Promises - 50 States Anonymously Submitted to VETLink #1 via NETMAIL [Note from Joe: So far, the largest number of those commenting on our new Commander-in-Chief have been those most upset and the only ones to provide any submissions for inclusion in NamVet. Our new President, as I'm sure you know, has angered and frustrated many by his contradictory positions. For or against, if you wonder why somebody doesnt do something ... remember that you are somebody!!! As NamVet's Managing Editor, trying my BEST to provide the NamVet YOU want and YOU help write, I share with you the following anonymously submitted article and pray very hard for wisdom and understanding for all that we might make a reality of the bright future possible within this great country of ours.] ================================================================= NOTE: This list and accompanying commentary was NOT written by ME! (the person who submitted it) I send it to this conference as a matter of general interest. =J.D.= ================================================================= Bill Clinton's Campaign Promises (with space for writing the date the promise was fulfilled) 1 "Vote for me and we'll produce more natural gas in Texas." "Dallas Morning News" January 11, 1992 Date fulfilled [ / / ] COMMENTARY Promise 1 - We voted for him 2 "The West should establish a $60 billion fund to help stablizize the Russian ruble." -New York City, April 1, 1992 Date fulfilled [ / / ] COMMENTARY Promise 2 - Good. Sell them tractor parts as well. Keep them going. 3 "I will streamline the federal government and change the way it works, cut 100,000 bureaucrats and put 100,000 new police officers on your streets of American cities." -New York City, July 16, 1992 Date fulfilled [ / / ] COMMENTARY Promise 3 - Forget it. Congress told him they weren't going to cut their staffs, and it looks like he won't cut the White House staff 25% as he promised. If you think 100,000 government employees are going to go quietly without the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) raising hell, think again. 4 "I promise you I will never bash public employees." -"Dallas Morning News" June 18, 1992 Date fulfilled [ / / ] COMMENTARY Promise 4 - Right. He has already bashed. 5 "I would want the first judge I appointed to believe in the right to privacy and the right to choose." -PBS, July 7, 1992 Date fulfilled [ / / ] NamVet Newsletter Page 14 Volume 7, Number 2 February 27, 1993 COMMENTARY Promise 5 - He said he would not ask that a Supreme Court nominee be "pro-choice". 6 "[What] would work is to raise the top tax rate on people with gross incomes above $200,000 to 35 or 36 percent and put a surtax on people with incomes of a million dollars or more a year." - "Time" July 20, 1992 Date fulfilled [ / / ] COMMENTARY Promise 6 - Those people will then pass the tax along to us through higher prices on their products, lower wages, etc. 7 "We should pay up -- and pay now -- the past dues we owe to the U.N." - New York City, April 1, 1992 Date fulfilled [ / / ] COMMENTARY Promise 7 - Good. And demand that all other countries do the same. 8 "If I become president, we will keep a glatt kosher kitchen in the White House." - New York City, April 1, 1992 Date fulfilled [ / / ] COMMENTARY Promise 8 - So what? 9 "Under our health care system, all Americans will have access to quality and affordable health care through coverage from their employer, or if they're unemployed, through their government." - Jersey City, NJ, October 29, 1992 Date fulfilled [ / / ] COMMENTARY Promise 9 - Good. Just like Medicare, or those wonderful socialized medicine programs they have in England or Canada. We *promise* you won't have a 6-month wait for your broken arm like in Canada. 10 "I want a leaner bureaucracy and more investment." - "Time" July 20, 1992 Date fulfilled [ / / ] COMMENTARY Promise 10 - Good. See Promise 3. 11 "A national apprenticeship program for non-college-bound young people so they can get good jobs, fully fund Head Start -- those things are not terribly expensive." - "Face The Nation" (CBS) October 6 1991 Date fulfilled [ / / ] COMMENTARY Promise 11 - Those programs are already there. They're called vocational and technical schools. But it's a worthy idea. 12 "To the fathers who have chosen to abandon their children by neglecting their child support: Take responsibility for your children, or we will force you to do so." - New York City, July 16, 1992 Date fulfilled [ / / ] COMMENTARY Promise 12 - They should advocate mandatory sterilization for the men and women who engage in irresponsible parenting. 13 "U.S. [NATO] troop levels can be safely reduced to a force in the range of 75,000 to 100,000." - "Europe" October 1992 Date fulfilled [ / / ] COMMENTARY Promise 13 - Good idea. NamVet Newsletter Page 15 Volume 7, Number 2 February 27, 1993 14 "As soon as the Pentagon issued a study which said there was no basis in national security for discriminating based on the sexual orientation of Americans who wish to serve in the military, I said I would act on the study." - Los Angeles, CA, May 18, 1992 Date fulfilled [ / / ] COMMENTARY Promise 14 - There should be NO sexual orientation in the armed services. If you are gay, keep your mouth shut. If you are straight, keep your mouth shut. Follow your orders. 15 "I am going to send Al Gore to Capitol Hill to take the lead in passing our program in the first 100 days of the new administration." - Little Rock, AR, July 10, 1992 Date fulfilled [ / / ] COMMENTARY Promise 15 - Duh! That's his JOB! 16 "I would bring in all the players within the first 60 days and tell them to develop a national health care plan." - "Dallas Morning News" October 7, 1991 Date fulfilled [ / / ] COMMENTARY Promise 16 - What?!?! He was supposed to have that already planned before he took office! 17 "The Clinton-Gore Administration will view the support of generic industrial technologies as a priority mission." - Clinton's "Technology: The Engine of Economic Growth" September 21, 1992 Date fulfilled [ / / ] COMMENTARY Promise 17 - That's pretty ambiguous. 18 "My first priority would be to pass a jobs program, to introduce it on the first day I was inaugurated." - St. Louis, MO, October 11, 1992 Date fulfilled [ / / ] COMMENTARY Promise 18 - See Promise 12. 19 "My plan offers $50 billion in new investments over the next four years -- new incentives for the private sector, and investment tax credit, urban enterprise zones, new business tax incentives, research and development incentives, and others." - "Arizona Republic" June 28, 1992 Date fulfilled [ / / ] COMMENTARY Promise 19 - The Democrats shrieked and wailed when the Republicans talked about tax credits and incentives. 20 "At the very least, 10 percent of the $76 billion that the government now spends each year on research should be redirected from the Pentagon's research budget to civil efforts." - Clinton's "Technology: The Engine of Economic Growth" September 21, 1992 Date fulfilled [ / / ] COMMENTARY Promise 20 - Sounds good, but 90% of our technology (computers, calculators, microwave ovens, etc.) has come from defense research and the space program. There are only two places to cut from the budget -- social programs and defense. 75% of defense spending is on salaries, and if you cut that, you'll have UNEMPLOYMENT. 21 "We can give you a country again where we are pro-growth and NamVet Newsletter Page 16 Volume 7, Number 2 February 27, 1993 pro-environment. Where we are pro-business and pro-labor, where we are pro-civil rights and pro-civil order, where we are pro-family and pro-choice." - "Portland Oregonian" July 26, 1992 Date fulfilled [ / / ] COMMENTARY Promise 21 - "Pro-family" *and* "pro-choice"? Mutually exclusive. Al Gore wants to emasculate industry or make restrictions so tight that their products will be prohibitively expensive. 22 "When it comes to AIDS, there should be a Manhattan Project." - Los Angeles, CA, May 18, 1992 Date fulfilled [ / / ] COMMENTARY Promise 22 - When it comes to AIDS, people should keep their pants zipped. Don't screw around, don't use IV drugs. USE COMMON SENSE. 23 "We can pledge right now that for every dollar we reduce the defense budget on research and development, we'll increase the civilian research and development by the same amount." - Georgetown University, Nov 20 1991 Date fulfilled [ / / ] COMMENTARY Promise 23 - Defense research is done by the private sector. Ever heard of General Dynamics? 24 "I want to increase federal funding for research, prevention, and treatment [for AIDS]." - Jersey City, NJ, October 29, 1992 Date fulfilled [ / / ] COMMENTARY Promise 24 - Good thing, but we spend more on AIDS research than any other disease, and it's only increasing. 25 "I support a strong American role in the U.N. and with the European Community to end Serbian aggression. I have supported the use of multilateral military force, if necessary." - "Europe", October 1992 Date fulfilled [ / / ] COMMENTARY Promise 25 - What, you mean IMPERIALIST AGGRESSION? The United States should play "World Policeman" and stick its nose in the governments of other countries? GASP! 26 "My administration will stand up for democracy and buttress democratic forces in Haiti, Peru, and throughout the Western Hemisphere." - (AP) August 14, 1992 Date fulfilled [ / / ] COMMENTARY Promise 26 - See Promise 25. As of the beginning of January, Clinton had ALREADY backed off on his promise to allow Haitian boat people into this country. But then, that helps with the "prevention" part of Promise 24, eh? 27 "We need not just a new generation of leadership, but a new gender of leadership. This is a minority I enjoy being in." - -"Phoenix Gazette", July 15, 1992 Date fulfilled [ / / ] COMMENTARY Promise 27 - The right person for the right job. If that person is a woman, fine. If not, don't give it to a woman just because she's a woman. Don't give it to a man just because he's a man. NamVet Newsletter Page 17 Volume 7, Number 2 February 27, 1993 28 "Those who can [after two years on welfare] will have to go to work, either by taking a job in the private sector or through community service." - "Putting People First" Date fulfilled [ / / ] COMMENTARY Promise 28 - Right. When the Republicans brought this up, they were called "unfeeling racists". Remember the "Welfare Queen" during the Reagan Administration? Remember the Willie Horton incident (which by the way was started by the Al Gore campaign)? 29 "The United States should lead the fight to slow global warming, instead of dragging our feet and ignoring important scientific data." - New York City, April 1, 1992 Date fulfilled [ / / ] COMMENTARY Promise 29 - The United States is filled with greedy companies. They are doing more than any other country in the world. Take a look at the air quality and emissions of Eastern Europe. Clinton has no idea what he's talking about. Sure, let's clean things up, but let's be truthful, Slick Willy. This contradicts Promise 1. How can we clean things up and reduce global warming if we're going to produce more burning fuel? Okay, it's "natural" gas, but it's going to be using up a precious resource. 30 "I want to appoint one person, one man or woman, to oversee and coordinate all federal efforts related to this issue [AIDS]." - Jersey City, NJ, October 29, 1992 Date fulfilled [ / / ] COMMENTARY Promise 30 - See Promise 24, Promise 26, Promise 27. 31 "A Clinton-Gore Administration will not permit American firms again to sell key technologies to outlaw states like Iraq." - (AP) August 14, 1992 Date fulfilled [ / / ] COMMENTARY Promise 31 - Good idea. Maybe he will be the Super Democrat who can accomplish that. For what it's worth, Congress must approve the sale of "key technologies" to foreign countries. Guess which party controls Congress? Riiiiiight. 32 "I certainly will give every consideration to Hispanic candidates for the Supreme Court." - "Dallas Morning News", July 2, 1992 Date fulfilled [ / / ] COMMENTARY Promise 32 - Admirable. So what? There are blacks and women on the Supreme Court. Let the right person for the job be chosen. If Slick Willy chooses an Hispanic, that will disappoint Mario Cuomo, who is expecting a nomination. 33 "The old adage 'mi casa, su casa' will be true when my house is the White House." - "Dallas Morning News", July 2, 1992 Date fulfilled [ / / ] COMMENTARY Promise 33 - Previous Presidents have tried that, much to their regret. NamVet Newsletter Page 18 Volume 7, Number 2 February 27, 1993 34 "All the money by which we reduce defense research and development I would put immediately into domestic, commercial research and development." - "Dallas Morning News", August 16, 1992 Date fulfilled [ / / ] COMMENTARY Promise 34 - What sort of research? 35 "I will elevate economics; create an Economic Security Council similar to the National Security Council." - Los Angeles, CA, August 13, 1992 Date fulfilled [ / / ] COMMENTARY Promise 35 - Billary knows economics only from "book learnin'". He has already chosen to virtually ignore the recommendations given during his "Economic Summit" in late 1992. 36 "My administration will reduce our forces, but maintain a credible presence in Europe and Asia." - "Portland Oregonian" September 1, 1992 Date fulfilled [ / / ] COMMENTARY Promise 36 - See Promise 3, Promise 13. 37 "I want people like some of you in this audience to be part of a Clinton Administration, not because or in spite of your sexual orientation, but because America needs you." - Los Angeles, CA, May 18, 1992 Date fulfilled [ / / ] COMMENTARY Promise 37 - See Promise 5, Promise 10, Promise 27, Promise 32. 38 "You live in a country that makes it harder to raise children than any country in the world. You vote for me and I'll give you family values." - "Portland Oregonian", July 26, 1992 Date fulfilled [ / / ] COMMENTARY Promise 38 - See Promise 21. Family Values?!?!?! GASP! Is Slick Willy trying to force his view down our throats? Is Slick Willy trying to start a "religious war"? GASP!!! 39 "If I become president, I will have a cabinet that looks like America." - "Portland Oregonian", July 26, 1992 Date fulfilled [ / / ] COMMENTARY Promise 39 - See Promise 37, Promise 32, Promise 27, Promise 10, Promise 5. 40 "After this election is over, I will continue to reach out to the American people. I'll get back on a bus when I'm president. I'll go back and have town meetings, and let ordinary people ask me questions. I will not hide behind the walls of the White House." - (AP) September 25, 1992 Date fulfilled [ / / ] COMMENTARY Promise 40 - See Promise 33. 41 "My strategy puts people first by investing more than $50 billion each year over the next four years to put America back to work -- the most dramatic economic growth since World War II." - (AP) June 22, 1992 Date fulfilled [ / / ] COMMENTARY Promise 41 - See Promise 6, Promise 11, Promise 18, Promise 19, Promise 20, Promise 28, Promise 34. NamVet Newsletter Page 19 Volume 7, Number 2 February 27, 1993 42 "With the dwindling Soviet threat, we can cut defense spending over a third by 1997." - Georgetown University, Nov 20, 1991 Date fulfilled [ / / ] COMMENTARY Promise 42 - See Promise 20. 43 "I propose that the U.S. must take the lead in putting together a bridge loan to help Russia make the transition from its old system to its new economy." - New York City, April 1, 1992 Date fulfilled [ / / ] COMMENTARY Promise 43 - See Promise 2. 44 "Middle-class taxpayers will have a choice between a children's tax credit or a significant reduction in their income tax rate." - "Putting People First" Date fulfilled [ / / ] COMMENTARY Promise 44 - Right. Due to "Republican Lies" the budged deficit was under-estimated by $18 billion. Even though it was only an ESTIMATE and $18 billion is chump change, all those tax cuts and credits are now out the window. For what it's worth, those plans were based on the deficit being HIGHER than it actually is. Republicans under-estimated, Democrats OVER-ESTIMATED and made their tax cut plans on those figures. Since the Republicans' estimate was wrong, that negates the whole thing. Do you really think the Democrats EVER intended to give tax credits and cuts? You 45 "Vote for me and we'll conserve more energy all over America." -"Dallas Morning News", January 11,1992 Date fulfilled [ / / ] COMMENTARY Promise 45 - Doesn't this contradict Promise 1? See Promise 29. 46 "We'll restore the dignity of blue collar work by guaranteeing an apprenticeship program to every non-college bound student in the United States of America." - San Diego, CA, June 15, 1992 Date fulfilled [ / / ] COMMENTARY Promise 46 - See Promise 3, Promise 6, Promise 11, Promise 18, Promise 19, Promise 21, Promise 23, Promise 28, Promise 41. How can Slick Willy increase the number of jobs when he is going to cut Federal jobs and raise taxes on the job producers? 47 "We will link China's trading privileges to its human rights record and its conduct on trade and weapons sales." - Los Angeles, CA, August 13, 1992 Date fulfilled [ / / ] COMMENTARY Promise 47 - See Promise 31. Congress controls trading agree the Democrats control Congress. 48 "We'll seek to raise the average goal for automakers to 45 miles per gallon." - Philadelphia, April 22, 1992 Date fulfilled [ / / ] COMMENTARY Promise 48 - Admirable goal. 49 "We'll pass a national bottle bill to encourage recycling by creating small deposits on all glass and plastic bottles." NamVet Newsletter Page 20 Volume 7, Number 2 February 27, 1993 - Philadelphia, April 22, 1992 Date fulfilled [ / / ] COMMENTARY Promise 49 - Admirable goal. 50 "I will not raise taxes on the middle class to pay for these programs." - East Lansing, MI, October 19, 1992 Date fulfilled [ / / ] COMMENTARY Promise 50 - See Promise 44. This one went out the window 30 seconds after Cli said it at the debate. He even contradicted himself by saying that he disagreed with Ross Perot on how much to raise taxes on the middle class. "A musician must make music, an artist must paint, a poet must write, if he is to be ultimately at peace with himself." -= Abraham Maslow NamVet Newsletter Page 21 Volume 7, Number 2 February 27, 1993 Because I Care by Gjoseph Peck NamVet's Managing Editor VETLink #1 - Pittsfield, MA (413) 443-6313 Because I care about each and every one of you, my brother and sister veterans and your families, I have a responsibility that I will not now nor shall I ever walk away from: ==> UNITY in our veteran commUNITY <== Zephyr-like, the winds of change have begun to blow throughout our America. Many of us are reminded about a place called Camelot and quiet breezes echo a phrase that was responsible for many of us putting our lives on-the-line for a place called home: "Ask not what your country can do for YOU... Ask what YOU can do for your country!" I watched President-elect Clinton's victory speech the night of November 4, 1992. I watched, too, as Vice-President-elect Gore, a brother Vietnam veteran and one of the first members of Vietnam Veterans In Congress, spoke and reminded us that we MUST all work together. I heard echoes of a time long-past in President-elect Clinton's speech: "...let us not focus on getting, but giving; not on ourselves, but others; not on fixing the blame for things, but on fixing the breakdown; not on pointing out the faults and weaknesses of others, but on bringing out our best and the best of others; not on sitting back and letting others do it, but on rolling up OUR sleeves and putting America and its future first again as a world-class TEAM. "Ask not what your country can do for YOU... Ask what YOU can do for your country!" The echoes STILL ring true. And after the speeches were over and the stage cleared, I watched members of the crowd who'd gathered. Some talked busily amongst themselves; others stared blankly at an empty podium, perhaps wondering what would happen next. What happens NEXT is up to US! "Take back America!" and "Give us back our Country!" were themes often heard during the long and arduous campaigns; themes echoed primarily by the candidates who felt that too long America has stood in-place and heeded not the calls of her citizenry. America IS ours again, brother n' sister veterans (and, of course, your families!); the freedom we fought for IS ours. NOW is the time to begin providing YOUR elected representatives information about the changes in such bureaucracies as the Department of Veteran Affairs YOU'D like to see made; about the changes in Veteran Preference in employment, in education, in medical care, in being HEARD that YOU'D like to see made. NamVet Newsletter Page 22 Volume 7, Number 2 February 27, 1993 NOW is the time... Too, I must share with you some of the things I've learned about "change" ... that it is often uncomfortable; that it often brings with it a NEW set of responsibilities with which we are unfamiliar; and that it often creates pandemonium as we attempt to solve new problems with thinking and processes that USED to work in an older situation. And, too, "change" irritates, annoys, and creates a strong desire to eliminate the irritant. Candidate H. Ross Perot beautifully described it with his analogy of being the grain of sand within the oyster, the end product of which would be a fine pearl. Without fear there can be no courage. With a little bit of "fear of the unknown," I look forward to a new Administration knowing that, from it I will learn more about courage - the courage so many of YOU in our various VETNet echoes have shown ME. "Some men dream dreams and say 'WHY?' ... I dream dreams and say 'WHY NOT!'" John F. Kennedy (paraphrasing George Bernard Shaw). Towards UNITY in our veteran commUNITY, I am yours In Service to America ... and my fellow man In kindness, honesty, and good faith - Joe - Founder/President: Electronic Veterans' Centers of America Corp. (EVAC) Administrator: VETLink BBSs Managing Editor: NamVet and a brother veteran. NamVet Newsletter Page 23 Volume 7, Number 2 February 27, 1993 ================================================================== Article Submission ================================================================== NamVet Article Submission Guidelines We don't want contributing to YOUR NamVet to be a "job" but instead a fun thing to do which will share YOUR experiences or something YOU'VE learned with so many others. Here, though, are the actual specifications for those of us who like to cross the tees and dot the eyes... Each article submitted for publication in NamVet should contain: a) The Title of the Article. b) The Author of the Article. c) The Name of the publication and the Date in which the contribution appeared. d) The Name of the person who submitted the article. * e) The BBS or Post Office Box address of the contributor - City and State are important. ** f) The telephone number of the BBS where the contributor can be reached. *** * In the case of an original submission, omit c) and d); ** FOR PRIVACY AND CONFIDENTIALITY PURPOSES, the use of street addresses and home telephone numbers are discouraged *** In the case of a non-bbs-using contributor, this can be the BBS telephone number of the Section Editor. Each article submitted for NamVet publication should be submitted in one of the following sample format(s): *NamVet Article from published source NAMVET ARTICLE FROM PUBLISHED SOURCE by XXX (the published author) XXX (published source) Submitted by (User) XX BBS - City, State (XXX) XXX-XXXX (BBS telephone number) - or - *NamVet Article from original author NAMVET ARTICLE FROM ORIGINAL AUTHOR by XXX (author) XX BBS - City, State (XXX) XXX-XXXX (BBS telephone number) Articles submitted for publication in NamVet are to be in 65-character format, flush left margin (i.e., Left Margin 0, Right Margin 65; Left Margin 1, Right Margin 66) and NOT be justified or have any special text formatting (i.e., underlining, bold facing, italics, etc.). Graphic "pictures" - as well as any articles - for NamVet are to be in straight-ASCII format only, comprised of regular keyboard characters, and can not exceed 65 characters in width nor 58 lines in length. NamVet is circulated to many veterans having a wide variety of computers and software processing equipment. The ASCII-only format assures that your graphic picture and/or article will be seen and printable by all. (The margin length of "graphic NamVet Newsletter Page 24 Volume 7, Number 2 February 27, 1993 pictures" can sometimes be extended to 70 characters) Where "columns" or "lists" are used in a contribution, if at all possible, the columns or lists are to be in two's rather than listed singly. THIS YOUR VET CENTER MY VET CENTER VET CENTER'S ADDRESS VET CENTER'S ADDRESS VET CENTER'S CITY, STATE & ZIP VET CENTER'S CITY, STATE & ZIP VET CENTER'S PHONE NUMBER VET CENTER'S PHONE NUMBER NOT THIS YOUR VET CENTER VET CENTER'S ADDRESS VET CENTER'S CITY, STATE & ZIP VET CENTER'S PHONE NUMBER MY VET CENTER VET CENTER'S ADDRESS VET CENTER'S CITY, STATE & ZIP VET CENTER'S PHONE NUMBER Articles submitted for publication in NamVet should be no longer than 20,000 - 40,000 bytes in length unless "serialized" (a "serialized" submission is one that is in more than one part, each 'part' will have as its heading, the contributor, the source, and any other 'contact the submitter' information). Please indicate the END of the article (or serialization) by the journalistic -30- (The -30- is removed in the publication process but it helps our editors to know that the complete file has been received and that there is no more (of that article) to follow. REJECTED ARTICLES: To date, the PRIMARY reason for rejecting an article has been the contributors' _insistence_ that cursewords not be edited "because they'll change the _meaning_ of the article". The Managing Editor staunchly holds to the following: Articles submitted for publication in NamVet containing common cursewords shall be rejected unless said cursewords are asterisked (*) out (for example, sh*t, f*ck, g*dd*mn, etc.). Although you and many of our readers are oftentimes familiar with the meanings behind the words, asterisking them out STILL gets the meaning across and yet preserves the integrity of NamVet which *-IS-* transmitted to Junior and Senior High Schools; Colleges and various educational institutions. Asterisking the cursewords out shows the reader that WE (NamVet authors, contributors and staff) respect the feelings of our readers. Some "other" reasons for rejection of an article are: 1. It contains many misspellings 2. It is in a non-ASCII format 3. Margins exceed the 65-character line-length limit 4. It has been justified 5. It is too long and NOT serialized 6. Columns are in single- rather than double-column format 7. It is Anti-Veteran NamVet Newsletter Page 25 Volume 7, Number 2 February 27, 1993 WHERE TO SUBMIT YOUR COMPLETED ARTICLES You may submit your article/short story/poem/other item to any of the existing VETLink BBSs. Presently, the VETLink BBSs are: VETLink #1 - Pittsfield, MA 1-413-443-6313 VETLink #2 - Herndon, VA 1-703-471-8010 VETLink #3 - Poplar Bluff, MO 1-314-686-0120 VETLink #4 - Shady Side, MD 1-301- DOWN VETLink #5 - Passaic, NJ 1-201-778-1879 VETLink #7 - Portland, OR 1-503-254-6819 VETLink #8 - Manchester, NH 1-603-622-2371 VETLink #9 - Merrimack, NH 1-603-424-4915 VETLink #10 - Dearborn, MI 1-313-562-0051 VETLink #11 - Killingly, CT 1-203-779-3173 VETLink #12 - Portales, NM 1-505- DOWN VETLink #13 - Las Cruces, NM 1-505-523-2811 VETLink #14 - West Haven, CT 1-203-932-6236 VETLink #15 - West Haven, CT 1-203-934-9852 VETLink #16 - Pineville, LA 1-318-449-1012 VETLink #17 - Pembroke Pines, FL 1-305-432-8210 VETLink #18 - East Lynn, MA 1-617-593-2605 VETLink #19 - Baltimore, MD 1-410-866-8613 VETLink #20 - Pittsfield, MA 1-413-442-2181 VETLink #21 - Herndon, VA 1-703-471-8563 VETLink #22 - Richmond, CA 1-510-234-1053 VETLink #23 - Magnolia, Arkansas 1-501-234-5064 VETLink #24 - Lincoln Park, MI 1-313-386-1905 VETLink #25 - Johnsonville, NY 1-518-753-7421 VETLink #26 - Pleasant Grove, AL 1-205-744-0943 VETLink #27 - South Bend, IN 1-219-273-2291 VETLink #28 - Penngrove, CA 1-707-763-7108 VETLink #29 - Valdosta, GA 1-912-242-0496 VETLink #30 - Falls City, TX 1-210- DOWN VETLink #31 - Universal City, TX 1-210-945-9304 VETLink #32 - Jacksonville, FL 1-904-744-9991 VETLink #33 - Yucaipa, CA 1-909-797-1835 VETLink #34 - Midwest City, OK 1-405-741-5120 VETLink #35 - Athens, GA 1-706-548-0130 VETLink #36 - Ft. Worth, TX 1-817-244-4245 VETLink #37 - Pittsfield, MA 1-413-499-1327 Each VETLink BBS will review any contributions that have been uploaded to his/her BBS and send them either to the Managing Editor who will, in turn, send them on to the respective Section Editor or to the NamVet Section Editor him/herself who handles the particular subject/topic matter. If YOU would be interested in handling a section of NamVet, please file request NVET9902.LZH from VETLink #1 BBS. We hope to see YOUR contribution published in a NamVet soon! G. Joseph Peck NamVet's Managing Editor NamVet Newsletter Page 26 Volume 7, Number 2 February 27, 1993 ================================================================== Don't drink the water! ================================================================== Agent Orange - the costs! by Harold Jackson Jackson's FoxHole - Houston, TX (713) 376-4767 Edited for NamVet by G. Joseph Peck [Personal Note from Joe: I've talked to Harold a few times. Oftentimes, the struggle in each of his days really get him down and it's a real bright spot when he hears from any of us through NamVet or the VIETNAM_VETS EchoConference. Where once he, his wife and family seemed quite alone and all seemed lost and futile, the "Paralegal with Sneakers" Joe Krickenbarger-Oliver (thanx Joe!) stepped in and things have kinda changed for Harold now. He KNOWS of the goodness and kindness that is in all our veterans - and in Joe K-O ). The *-ONLY-* reason that Harold's Address and Claim Number are left IN this article (identifying numbers and addresses are normally NOT input into a NamVet) is because Harold publicly asked each and every one of us to WRITE the DVA, to CONTACT our local Congressman, Senator, Governor, etc., etc. etc. to see that this sham of DVA mistreatment goes not one day further - for him and for many like him. You'll need his C# to help Harold; you'll need his address to write to him personally. Do both! Harold - we're in your corner bro' ... You're gonna take that mountain yet!] Harold W. Jackson 14103 Ella Lee Houston, Texas 77077 Re: CSS 546 56 4979 16 FEB 93 Mr. Jessie Brown The Secretary Of Veterans Affairs Washington, DC 20420 Dear Secretary Brown: Thank you for accepting the position of Secretary Of Veterans Affairs and the challenges the position represents. My name is Harold W. Jackson, and I am a Vietnam [In Country] Veteran. I served my country and fellow man with honor and pride while in service in Pleiku, Vietnam with the 4th S&T. I was not a hero, just another guy doing his tour. I left the Nam and headed home assuming I was OK and ready to live as close to normal life as one can. I pursued the American dream and opened my own service [gas] station, was married and had children. I had no complaints, until I started feeling numbness in my arms and toes. Soon I started walking with a limp, in fact friends started calling me "Chester". I sought medical advice and was told initially I was crazy, it was all in my head. Then I was told I had Lou Gerig's Disease, then MS. along with a host of other mis- NamVet Newsletter Page 27 Volume 7, Number 2 February 27, 1993 diagnosis until I met Dr. Bernard M. Patten. Dr. Patten was stumped by my condition, but after ample research concluded my disease was a peripheral neuropathy, caused or aggravated by dioxin (agent orange) while on tour of duty in Vietnam. That was several years ago. Since then I have undergone several shunt implants to my brain with tubes draining into my heart. A complete blood transfusion, over 175 chemotherapy treatments, as well as other less dramatic medical procedures. I was given 5 years to live almost 7 years ago now, and if I am dieing I would like to die with dignity, the same dignity I had when in service to my country, and this would be possible if I were to receive my benefits. The history of the Veterans Administration, prior to your taking office has been less than honorable regarding Agent Orange Veteran Victims. In 1984 Congress placed into law the Radiation & Dioxin Act, an act that recognized a responsibility owed the Veteran who served in Vietnam and who may have been exposed to Agent Orange. The VA now DVA complied in part with the act when they allowed service connection for chloracne, but violated the spirit of the act and the letter of its mandates, as well as several other statutes enacted to protect Veterans when chloracne was the only associated disease allowed. I'd like to present a brief history, and finalize this letter with a recommendation. It is my understanding you will not become part of the "untouchables" at the DVA, but plan to bring the agency back into line with its purpose, a non adversarial arena, where a Vet with a valid claim (outlined in 38 U.S.C. s. 3007(a)) will receive his or her just compensation, wherefore I take the liberty mentioned above, to make recommendations. As a concerned citizen of The United States I am ashamed at the way our Veterans, and specifically those exposed to dioxin "are" being treated by the Department of Veterans Affairs, an Agency that seems to have defied congressional mandates, statutes and court orders in an attempt to deny Veterans benefits they earned. In 1986 a group of veterans had to seek judicial remedy within NEHMER vs. U.S. VETERANS ADMINISTRATION, [712 F.Supp 1401 N.D. Cal 1989]. In this case the Court [Hon. Thelton H. Henderson] invalidated the VA (now DVA) regulations and remanded the case back to the VA and it's Advisory Committee to remedy their illegal actions. It has been 41 months from the date of invalidation and 33 months or so, from the date of the NEHMER court approved Stipulation and Order. The dilatory tactics by the DVA in NEHMER are well noted. What stands out in the end is the veterans and their families and what the DVA did to them and continues to do to date, harm individuals it claims it represents. Delays that might be altogether reasonable in the sphere of economic regulation are less tolerable when human lives are at stake [Public Citizen v. Auchter, 702 F.2d at 1157] such as in my instant claim. [see also 38 U.S.C s. 354 note, Section 2(1)]. If I die, given the circumstances of my health and the prediction of "5 years to live" almost seven years ago, before my claim is heard administratively or judicially, I will never enjoy the benefits Congress intended, and my family who has suffered dearly with me will be limited to recovery of one years benefit compensation. The mandatory wording of the Dioxin Act [38 U.S.C 354] may have been amended by the Agent Orange Act of 1991, [Pub.Law 102-4] yet NamVet Newsletter Page 28 Volume 7, Number 2 February 27, 1993 I believe other Statutes enacted to protect our Veterans as a class, and specific wording regarding "individuals" in the original ACT still stand as well as ample case authority on agency actions that have been unreasonably delayed. Even the 1991 Agent Orange Act requires the DVA, in my opinion, to remedy the illegalities of the 1985 dioxin rule-making procedures, and references the NEHMER case, id.. In this "non-adversarial" setting, why must one even consider judicial remedy requesting orders appropriate to enforce a statute? I feel that this scenario over the past 9 years has been nothing more than a clever attempt by the DVA to usurp Congress, evading final rule making obligations. In the cases of peripheral neuropathy victims I am aware of, it has been extremely harmful, causing multiple injuries to their rights as citizens of the United States, as well as their Veteran rights to just compensation for injuries incurred while in-service to their Country. Being denied needed compensation, day after day, [a compensation that can NEVER cure their disease or injury], that should have been paid "years ago" has caused irreparable harm, and will continue to harm veterans in their person and within their property rights until the DVA begins adjudication of individual circumstances based on a disease that has been shown by the DVA to be associated to dioxin poisoning, peripheral neuropathy. The exclusion in the proposed rule, be they allowed or changed to a reasonable latency period, should not prohibit those with well grounded claims to proceed on a case by case basis. In other words, if it has been shown that there is no other way an individual could have contracted or aggravated a disease, other than through his service in Vietnam, the 10 year time period, or other exclusions lack merit as a basis to deny these well founded claims. Included or excluded, a veteran must be allowed to present the facts and evidence that applies to him or her. If section 3007(a) of 37 U.S.C. is satisfied, then the DVA not only has a duty to help the veteran, but must consider and apply section 3007(b). If on the claims face there is an approximate balance of evidence, the claim must be decided in the favor of the one who applied. In any event, what controls here is the statutory standard of 38 U.S.C. s. 3007(b). Note: Though it may appear to be dicta, the court pointed out in NEHMER, Id., that there was nothing in the Radiation and Dioxin Act that prohibited a case by case adjudication. I believe, that the Court was pointing to an issue that has merit but could not be decided then and there, because it was not before the court. Often judges comment in their opinions on any number of extraneous issues, or enlarge on their reasoning, or speculate about possibilities which are not material to the immediate controversy, and thus can not be made part of the factual decision. Again, a court is considered competent to decide only those issues which are in dispute and which were therefore argued before it. It does not mean the dictum is without merit. An administrator or benefits director within the DVA should be well aware of and guided by Congressional Instruction "that when, after consideration of all evidence and material fact of record, NamVet Newsletter Page 29 Volume 7, Number 2 February 27, 1993 there is an approximate balance of positive and negative evidence regarding the merits of an issue material to the determination of a claim, the benefit of the doubt in resolving each issue "SHALL" be given to the claimant." To date, what appears to be the position of the DVA regarding the "Benefit Of The Doubt" statue was documented in a hearing on Dioxin by the DVA's Deputy Assistant General Counsel John Thompson. (see statement: in Transcript of June 24, 1985) While answering a question on this subject, he "outlawed" the reasonable doubt standard as a criteria within recommendations by committee to the DVA(VA). NEHMER pointed out that this statute must apply and it was part of the basis of rule invalidation by the NEHMER court. Recent case law by COVA (U.S. Court of Veterans Appeals), [Gilbert vs. Derwinski, 1990 WL 151815 (Vet.APP)] admonished the DVA to apply the statute. [38 U.S.C 3007(b)] Yet, a pattern and practice seems to continue. Though the NEHMER court "may not" (emphasis added) have jurisdiction over the rule making procedure(s) of the DVA, the Court maintains a supervisory jurisdiction concerning other aspects of the original declaration and orders which would include violations of the original opinion, an opinion never appealed by the DVA, thus law. Because Congress has created statutory legal rights that apply to veteran benefits, an invasion of these rights by rule or custom creates continued standing. I am being injured in my person and property because of the DVA's present course, as even though peripheral neuropathy has been recognized by the DVA as an associated disease, well over a year ago with no finalized rule to date, unless my case is decided on its individual merit, a criteria for adjudication that should be allowed, I will have no recourse within the DVA. Wherefore, I ask you to look over the attachments to this letter that apply to me and other victims of peripheral neuropathy, as well as my well documented claim. I also ask you to note the letter from one Joseph Krickenbarger-Oliver to the Director of Benefits, D'Wayne Gray, and the attachments concerning latency periods. This letter has NOT been responded to. Also find enclosed 32 letters directed to you from concerned citizens in Houston Texas, and more are being signed every day. Copies of these letters are being sent to Congressman Archer, as most of the individuals are his constituents. Last, a form 2-2(a) giving Mr. Krickenbarger-Oliver authority to investigate my claim, view whatever he needs to view that may be held by the DVA or an RO or to exercise what ever other right or privilege my power of attorney may bestow upon him. This is my last attempt to settle this matter administratively. I have tried for nearly a year to resolve issue mentioned above concerning my right to individual adjudication once peripheral neuropathy was found by the DVA to be statistically associated to dioxin, to no avail. Before I act I would like to give you an opportunity to respond and possibly take action and order individual adjudications at the RO level to proceed. NamVet Newsletter Page 30 Volume 7, Number 2 February 27, 1993 My recommendation is that you contact the National Veterans Legal Service Project in Washington DC, and ask those familiar with the DVA's modus operandi [prior to your appointment] the case history of NEHMER, and how it has harmed the average person who has a just and proper claim to benefits they earned. Thank you for any consideration you might give to this issue and my final plea. Sincerely, Harold W. Jackson cc: Congressman Bill Archer Senator Strom Thurmond Joseph Krickenbarger-Oliver Ted Myatt, Houston RO D'Wayne Gray, Benefits Director DVA Agent Orange Victims - In Touch mailing list. National Veterans Legal Service Project Linda Peterson, [Former Lead Counsel - Nehmer] Attachments. " The world is moving so fast these days that the man who says it can't be done is generally interrupted by someone doing it." -= Harry Emerson Fosdick NamVet Newsletter Page 31 Volume 7, Number 2 February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xxx _ -. . - .-. - . . . . - XXXXXxxXXXXXXXXXXXx -. - .- . - . . XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX-. .--. - .- XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX -.- - -.- XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX -. -. -. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXx .g -. -. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX .- j. .- XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX . p .-. XXXXXXXX ]XXXXXXXXX ]XXXXXXXX .- - -. XXXXXX XXXXX XXXXXX -.- - -- XXXXXX XXXXXX XXXXXX -- - XXXXXXXXX X'`XXX XXXXXXX Y Y XXXXXXXXX XXXXX XXX XXXXXXX X X XXXXXXXX XXXXXXX XXX XXXXXX XXX XX X XXX XX XX XXXX XX XXX XX XX XX XXXX XXX]XXXXXXXXXXXX XXX[ XX XX XXX XXXXXXXXXX " I t ' s o n l y t e e n a g e a c n e ! " -Robert Nimmo- NamVet Newsletter Page 32 Volume 7, Number 2 February 27, 1993 ================================================================== NamVet's Electronic Chapel ================================================================== Mike & Connie Harris - Laos Into The Hedges AIC International Publication [Many of ya VIETNAM_VETS "old-timers" remember Mike Harris an' how he'd gone to Vietnam for a couple of trips and, more recently, how he an' Connie, his wife, have been helping in Laos. Mike write a column in "Into The Hedges" every month and here's this month's...] "Greetings from Seattle, Washington. We pray this month's newsletter fills you with hope and joy for the future. We are certainly excited about what lies ahead! Since this is our first official missionary "furlough," we had great plans of getting much rest and recuperation while stateside. Not so! We have been on the go since my arrival on Dec. 11th. But... we have been blessed many times over on our journey thus far and expect more of the same. The "Body of Christ" has been wonderful to us..! We have had an abundance of places to stay and meals to eat. So much so that our clothes are shrinking or we are gaining weight. Ha..! At times we feel like nomads moving from place to place. Living out of suitcases is not easy. Then we think of Jesus, Paul, and the many disciples who have done the same for centuries. They must have felt as grateful as we do to have saints waiting on them everywhere they traveled. There is one real drawback though. We truly regret not getting to visit all those we have wanted to. In many cases we have been right in your neighborhood and have not even given you a call. This bothers us but we only have so much time to utilize. for this, we are sorry. We regret our many short visits also. We trust you understand our dilemma. We had a wonderful Christmas season with Connie's folks in Louisiana and Mississippi. From there I was able to travel up to Connecticut to meet with my old friend, Dewey, who was on my river boat during the Vietnam War. It was the first time that Dewey and I had met in almost 24 years. What a blessed time we had. As a result of our getting back together in July of this year, Dewey has made a strong commitment to serve Jesus as his Lord and Saviour. For this we are blessed immensely..! We have spoken in a few churches along the way and have been received well. Tomorrow we will share with Northlake Christian Church, our home church in Bothell, Washington. It is always such an honor to be home to visit with our home "body" of believers. We are not only able to minister, but we are ministered to as well. Thank you for all your faithful prayers for us while we have been on this journey! We have been blessed with wonderful traveling mercies, safe passage, and our luggage has followed us everywhere. We'll depart on 1/13 for Hawaii where we will stay with some saints for 3 days and then on to Bangkok to prepare for two more teams that will be arriving to work in Laos during the month of February. May HE bless you all and give you a very successful 1993..! In HIS love, Mike and Connie Harris NamVet Newsletter Page 33 Volume 7, Number 2 February 27, 1993 I I IIIII I I 88888 ITTTI o88888888 I I o888888888888o 8888 I I 888888888888888888888888 I I 88888888888888888 8888 888 xI Ix 8888888888888888 88888888 T III T 88888888888888 888888 88 I III I 8888888888888888 88888888 xI III Ix 888 888 88888888888' T I I T 88888888 I I I I 8888 xI IIIII Ix TI IT II II II II The Quiet Place IT | TI II --|-- II XIII | IIIX oooo o II I I II o88 888) (888) II I IIII I II o88 88888888 8888) XII I II II I IIX (88 8 88 888888) XIII III III IIIX (8 8 8 88 88 88 8 888) XIIII I I IIIIX (88 8 8 8 88888888) II II I xIIIIIx I II II ( 8 88 888 88888) II I T T T I II (8888 88 8 8 8888888) II I I I I I II (8 88888 888 88 88) II I I I I I II (8888)888 88888) II I I II II I II (8) (I8I8I) 8 oo8888888o II I I I I I II IIIII X 8888888 888BII I I I I I IIXX III X XX 88 88 88 BII I TIIIIIT I IIXXX III XXXXX 888888 88BII I .... I IIXXXXXX III XXgXXX 888 888888888XXXXXII ... IIXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXjXX II .. IIXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXpX The Vietnam Veteran XII IIXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXX has relatives in the III IIIXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXX Old and New Testaments III IIIXXXXXXXXXX XXXXX who also experienced loss II IIXXXXXXXXX XXX and grief, guilt and shame, II IIXXXXXXXXX XX rejection and betrayal, I IXXXXXXXXX alienation and estrangement, I IXXXX XX isolation and withdrawal. II IIXXXX II IIX Adam and Eve tried to hide from God; II II Moses, born Hebrew and raised Egyptian IIII IIII searched long and hard for his real self; II II Job, losing his children and all he owned, II II became sorely diseased; IIII III Biblical Joseph was rejected by his brothers, II II lied about and imprisoned; I Peter denied Jesus. II I "And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age" Matthew 28:20 NamVet Newsletter Page 34 Volume 7, Number 2 February 27, 1993 Four Chaplains = Brotherhood ON SINKING TROOP SHIP, CHAPLAINS PROVE THE MEANING OF BROTHERHOOD By George W. Cornell - AP Input by: G. Joseph Peck NamVet's Managing Editor VETLink #1 - Pittsfield, MA (413) 443-6313 The night was frigid. The U.S. transport ship Dorchester, carrying 902 troops, had slowed to half speed because of ice floes. At 1 a.m., a torpedo struck and exploded midship. The ship started down rapidly. Then, in the panic on the deck of that doomed World War II vessel 50 years ago, came an episode that implanted the ideal of interfaith bonds in American memory. Four Army chaplains - two Protestants, a Jew and a Roman Catholic - after working to distribute life jackets, calm the frightened men and direct them to lifeboats and rafts, gave their own life belts to men without them. Survivors related that as the ship went under on Feb. 3, 1943, the four chaplains clung together on the slanting deck, their arms linked, their heads bowed in prayer. "It's a living parable that has affected the lives of many Christians and Jews ever since," said the Rev. David Poling of Albuquerque, N.M., a cousin of one of the four chaplains. "Ministers of different backgrounds, drawn together in crisis, gave up their lives for others in love of God. A threatening, challenging moment brought out the essence of their relationship - that they were brothers." That tie was little recognized in the early 1940s and before, a time of denominational aloofness, backbiting and prejudice, prior to the rise of ecumenical organizations and interfaith work. "It was the sort of thing you didn't see back then, but which we now see all over the country," said Fred K. Honigman, interim executive director of The Chapel of the Four Chaplains at Valley Forge, Pa. He said the event got wide public attention, spreading a spark that had implications for the whole ecumenical movement. It has broadened understanding and produced working links among most Christian denominations and Judaism. On the 50th anniversary, commemorative events were being held this week and next in scores of communities across the country by churches and veterans' organizations. Several ecumenical services and processions are scheduled tomorrow [January 31, 1993] and next week in Philadelphia. Dedication services also were held on a 4.5-acre plot in Valley Forge for building of a new Chapel of the Four Chaplains designed to suggest the shape of the Dorchester. A $2 million-fund drive is under way for the project. On Monday, ceremonies were held at the U.S. Naval Station on Staten Island, N.Y., and a plaque commemorating the heroism of the four chaplains was dedicated at Pier 1 from which the Dorchester departed on Jan. 22, 1943. After taking on more troops in Boston, the ship joined a convoy in the Atlantic, but broke off alone to head for Greenland. German submarines at the time were sinking about 100 Allied ships per month. "Torpedo Junction," those Atlantic waters were then called. NamVet Newsletter Page 35 Volume 7, Number 2 February 27, 1993 The four chaplains on the Dorchester, working to allay anxieties of the young servicemen, were Lt. Alexander D. Goode, 31, a Brooklyn-born Jewish rabbi; Lt. Clarke V. Poling, 32, a Dutch Reformed minister from New York; Lt. John P. Washington, 34, a Roman Catholic priest from Kearney, N.J., and Lt. George L. Fox, 42, a Methodist, of Altoona, Pa. "They were all very sociable guys, who seemed to have initiated interfaith activities even before the war," said Clarke Poling's cousin, David Poling, a Presbyterian pastor who has collected material on the four and the Dorchester episode. "They had hit it off well at chaplains' school. Sharing their faiths was not just a first-time deal for them. They were really very close. They had prayed together a number of times before that final crisis," David Poling said. "That was the climate they had grown up in," he said. "But it wasn't the climate of the country back then. They lit a kind of vision for the rest of us." The Poling family has been prominent in Protestant affairs, particularly Clarke's father, the late Rev. Daniel Poling, who was influential in launching commemorations of the four chaplains by President Truman in 1951. "For one human being to love another: that is perhaps the most difficult of all our tasks, the ultimate, the last test and proof, the work for which all other work is but preparation." -= Ranier Maria Rilke NamVet Newsletter Page 36 Volume 7, Number 2 February 27, 1993 ================================================================== Drums be not Silent ================================================================== MIA By Marilyn Elkins - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - MARILYN ELKINS is an assistant professor of English at California State University, Los Angeles. Frank Elkins diary, The Heart of a Man, which she edited, was republished by the Naval Institute Press last year. It is now also available as a Dell paperback. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Every war has produced some number of men whose remains could not be recovered. In previous centuries, accurate counts of those missing in action (MIAs) were often unobtainable. When Napoleon Bonaparte embroiled Europe in war, for example, soldiers were recruited as armies advanced. The result was huge numbers of men about whom relatives heard nothing and about whose whereabouts the military cared little. In this century, the numbers of American MIAs have been reasonably well documented: In World War I there were 2,913 of them; in World War II, almost 79,000; in Korea, 8,200; and in Vietnam, 2,273 remain unaccounted for. Since World War II, reported sightings of prisoners of war (POWs) -- with attendant claims that Americans are still being held in captivity -- have also been common. At the end of World War II, the Soviets had seized more than 15,000 Americans from German camps and from Soviet-held areas; although they were repatriated, during the late 1940s reports persisted that Americans (including a man wearing a "U.S. Navy" tattoo) were being held in Soviet labor camps. In Korea, the Allied command listed 952 Americans believed to be prisoners of Communist forces; these prisoners' disappearance has never been fully explained. In 1953 a Japanese POW who had been held in the Soviet Union told U.S. officials that he had seen at least a dozen Americans at a labor camp near Khabarovsk. Recently declassified documents indicate that another Japanese POW corroborated this report of American prisoners; this man insisted that he had also met an American who had been convicted of espionage by a Soviet court and sentenced to imprisonment. Whether these Americans were prisoners from an earlier war or men who disappeared during espionage activities in the cold war is unclear; on June 13, 1952, a U.S. Air Force B-29 flying a secret mission near the Soviet Union had disappeared near Siberia with twelve Americans aboard Declassified Pentagon documents from the 1950s also detail persistent reports by refugees and released prisoners that describe American POWs in both the Soviet Union and China. According to the State Department, some of these reports were "so credible" that in 1956 it demanded an accounting from the Soviets. The Pentagon estimated that the Soviet government was holding at least twelve American prisoners -- perhaps from the B-29 and from a Navy plane that disappeared over the Baltic in 1950. The Soviets insisted, however, that no Americans were in their prisons. Because cold-war missions were classified, the United States never publicly sought the return of these reported prisoners, and their families were never encouraged to make their concerns public. But the Defense and State departments have NamVet Newsletter Page 37 Volume 7, Number 2 February 27, 1993 admitted that evidence suggests these men may have been captured by the Soviets. The U.S. Army has a secret archive of alleged sightings under the title "American Citizens Detained in the U.S.S.R." Mark Sauter, an investigative reporter based in Seattle, obtained these records under the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act. The documents detail chilling descriptions of Americans being held -- often in poor health -- by Communist forces. Recently, relatives of the two U.S. air crews have begun emulating the activist families of the Vietnam era by organizing pressure groups to look for evidence that Americans were -- and may remain -- prisoners in the Soviet Union. In only a few months, these families have amassed records of sightings and enlisted the help of senators and congressmen. The Soviet government has already agreed to consider a State Department request for access to archives that may reveal the fate of many alleged Soviet prisoners. Compared to the numbers of American MIAs from earlier wars, the 2,273 listed from Vietnam seem almost insignificant. The number in relation to the total killed -- 4 percent -- also pales compared to some earlier wars: 5.5 percent in World War I, 27 percent in World War II, and 15.1 percent in Korea. It is insignificant, that is, unless you happen to be related to one of them. Few of their wives or other family members were prepared for the length of time these servicemen would be listed as either POWs or MIAs; no American soldiers had ever officially been held for more than three and one-half years. While the law provides that a person who is missing for seven years can be presumed dead, this does not apply to MIAs during a time of war. Americans had never fought in such a long war, and no military policy had been established for such an event. A majority of the MIAs in Vietnam were pilots -- America's best and brightest. Exceptional athletes, intellects, and aviators, they had seemed invulnerable. They had not been expected to fall prey to a small, Asian enemy. Certainly I thought my husband, U.S. Navy lieutenant Frank Callihan Elkins, was immune to MiGs and SAMs. Married for only nine months, he was twenty-seven and I was twenty-two when his A- 4 Skyhawk disappeared during a flight from its vessel, the USS Oriskany. I still believed that death was for other people. When I received the notification on October 13, 1966, I had just returned from spending two weeks with Frank in the Philippines and Hong Kong. He had December orders to a test squadron in China Lake, California; I was residing with my parents while I waited out his Vietnam tour. When the casualty assistance officer arrived, I answered the doorbell in a blue floral housecoat, half- awake and half-smiling: I knew that this man would be embarrassed when he learned he had delivered his message to the wrong wife. The officer told me that Frank had been killed. After making a telephone call to report that he had delivered his message, he returned to say that he had misunderstood the original communication: Frank was only missing. Eager to see this as portentous, I interpreted the whole episode as additional proof that Frank was invulnerable. Because Frank's father had a serious heart condition, I NamVet Newsletter Page 38 Volume 7, Number 2 February 27, 1993 immediately contacted my brother-in-law and asked him to break the news to his parents. I didn't want them to receive the same misinformation I had. I could not cry but was shiveringly cold, despite the numerous quilts by parents wrapped around me. I seemed to be watching myself participate in conversations, observing these events as though they were happening to someone else. While official policy demanded that such news be delivered in person by an officer of equal or higher rank, practice -- as in my case -- sometimes fell short if the ideal. No matter how it bungled the delivery of such news, the Pentagon assumed that families of MIAs in the Vietnam War would maintain the official expected silence -- the traditional stiff upper lip that guaranteed a husband's continued military success -- as they had done in past wars. The Korean War was the first one in which the behavior of POWs under stress had been blamed on the prisoners rather than on their captors. Suspected of conspiring with the enemy and succumbing to Communist brainwashing (this was during the McCarthy era), the Korean POW became a symbol of national dishonor, although the number of Americans who chose not to return -- twenty-one -- was small when compared to the 88,000 Chinese and North Korean prisoners who refused repatriation (more than half of those who fell into American hands). Consequently, the U.S. military code of conduct used in the 1960s insisted that a captive conduct himself as a fighting man rather than as a powerless prisoner. The code was designed to produce soldiers who could resist torture, remain silent, and attempt escape against overwhelming odds and under brutal conditions. As part of this doctrine, pilots who were being prepared to fly over Vietnam were sent to a week-long survival school in which they were beaten, forced to curl up in a tiny black box for hours, and verbally assaulted if they failed to escape from their "captors." When he returned from this week of "captivity" in March 1966, Frank had bruises on most of his body and slept for a full twenty-four hours from exhaustion. While many of the simulations were classified and therefore not subjects he could discuss, he confided that he had found the solitary confinement most difficult. To occupy his mind during these seemingly endless episodes, Frank had imagined happy scenes from his childhood and of his return home. I soon found that equal stoicism was expected of military wives. The official policy was to give us as little information as possible so that we could not harm our husbands with any indiscretion. The government ensured our silence through effective manipulation of our concern for our husbands' safety. The Navy's telegrams and other communications insisted that because my husband might be "held by hostile force against his will," "for his safety" I should reply to inquiries from outside sources by revealing "only his name, rank, file number, and date of birth." These were exactly the orders given to Frank during his survival training. Determined not to compromise him in any way, I began a period of intense, silent waiting. My own needs for comforting were subordinated to government policy which, for most of the period of 1966-68, insisted that secrecy was in the MIAs' best interest. NamVet Newsletter Page 39 Volume 7, Number 2 February 27, 1993 Designed to protect national policy without considering their effect on family members, the government's instructions did not include tips on how to survive this silent vigil. No one suggested that I might find psychological counseling helpful. No one offered to explain what Frank's chances for survival might be. No one offered suggestions as to what I should do -- except wait in silence. Treatment of MIA wives during the recent Persian Gulf War seems to indicate that this atavistic attitude toward the exigencies of military wives remains relatively unchanged -- even thought American soldiers now are instructed to give transparently false "confessions," rather than simply remain silent, if they are captured. I was left in the hands of whatever emotional support I could find -- primarily a ground of Navy wive who generously called me from their homes in California to extend what comfort they could spare from their concern about their own husbands. I now realize how emotionally costly this solace must have been; surely I must have reminded these women that their husbands could suffer Frank's fate at any moment. No wonder they sometimes presented me with unfounded rumors and speculations. Except for my cousin Shirley, whose husband was also a pilot on the USS Oriskany, no one in my immediate family or community knew what to say or do. My parents live on a farm in rural Tennessee; the nearest town, Pikeville, has a population of about 1,000 people. I soon found that even though I had remained silent, most of these people knew about my husband's status and wanted to help. However, no one had provided any of us with a script for appropriate behavior. I couldn't understand why people kept arriving with casseroles, pies, and cakes -- rural custom following a death. On the other hand, a friend of my father's who had been a POW in World War II returned home after everyone but his immediate family had given up hope; Clint's experiences, known by everyone in our community, became the repeated "evidence" they could offer that Frank would survive. But I needed no assurance of that. Within a few weeks I insisted that my father install another telephone line so that I could be reached immediately when Frank came tap-dancing out of the jungle. I was certain that my teenage brother's constant conversations were responsible for the delay in news about Frank. On October 26, 1966, fire broke out on the USS Oriskany, and many of Frank's friends were killed. One friend, Bill Johnson, had already sent me Frank's diary, which I carefully stored away for Frank; he had kept it with the intention of writing a novel about his Vietnam experience. Bill was killed in the fire, before he could ship the rest of Frank's gear. When the Navy finally forwarded Frank's belongings, many items -- including the typewriter I had given him and a surprise Christmas gift that I knew he had purchased for me in Hong Kong -- were missing. The Navy was unhelpful in retrieving these items, which I had embroidered with sentimental significance. By December I had become accustomed to the fact that my presence often made other people uncomfortable, had lost twenty pounds, and had nearly perfected the role of zombie. I remained intent, however, on fooling myself: I was convinced that I was helping Frank by staring at my special phone, willing it to ring. Finally, my first bout with Crohn's disease, a chronic ailment that is exacerbated by stress, forced me to spend Christmas week NamVet Newsletter Page 40 Volume 7, Number 2 February 27, 1993 in the hospital. My doctor convinced me that I might die if I continued to do nothing but wait. Even I knew my death wouldn't help Frank. So I decided to get on with plans we had made prior to his disappearance. We both wanted to become English professors, and I took my first step toward that goal by enrolling in graduate school. A large number of other MIA wives also earned degrees while they waited for their husbands' return. Initially we were not entitled to benefits mandated by the GI Bill because we weren't widows, and we were not allowed to collect our husbands' full salaries: the Defense Department required that a percentage be held in savings. Eventually, when the length of time men were listed as MIA continued beyond that of earlier wars, wives who persisted were given full benefits. But I did not apply because neither my casualty assistance officer not my monthly updates from the Navy informed me that I was eligible. Instead I held part- time jobs to finance by studies. I was still under government orders not to reveal my husband's status, and so when I was asked about the wedding ring I wore, I'd reply, "My husband's in Vietnam." I often didn't like the immediate response that statement received: an almost instantaneous look of pity, or, rarely, a diatribe about how reprehensible U.S. activities in Vietnam were. Within a year of Frank's disappearance, the government negotiated with the North Vietnamese to allow wives to send letters and, eventually, packages to their missing husbands. Soon Navy communiques detailed what could be included in the monthly letters (good news and cheer) and what could not (the war or any other bad news). Last year the Navy returned one of my letters; it had "been found" in materials that they received from the North Vietnamese. Speaking encouragingly about Frank's family and my continuing education, the letter closes with this: What else can I say? I love you and am here waiting. And will be. I do live chiefly by longing, cherishing our past, trusting in our future, but I endure. I keep a thousand experiences to share with you; buy records I know you'll want to hear, books you'll want to read, and clothes I think you'll like. You are the controlling force in my life. I hope you are able to have me with you as much as I have you here. Oh, Frank, I love you so much. I pray I can be worthy of such love. Rereading these words today, I am embarrassed by how closely they follow Navy guidelines. Had he received this letter, I suspect Frank might have found it disconcerting. To anyone who knows my independent nature, it sounds as artificial as the deliberately staged confessions of captured American fliers during the recent Persian Gulf War. Coming from someone who, prior to her marriage, had negotiated an agreement that she didn't have to be the kind of military wife who held squadron teas and luncheons and would be free to pursue a career, this letter sounds suspect. But it illustrates just how fully I had adopted the official government role. Whenever the government's rules changed, I followed the new orders. Every two months I could send Frank a six-and-a-half- pound package. Suggested contents included toothpaste, playing cards, vitamins, socks, underwear, soap, canned meat, bouillon cubes, raisins, candy, cheeses, and photographs. I remember how NamVet Newsletter Page 41 Volume 7, Number 2 February 27, 1993 apprehensive I was the first time I also included cigars, an item not mentioned on the list. About once a month I received a letter that detailed any changes of policy. With each letter, the government's insistence on silence about MIAs grew increasingly irritating. Why couldn't I talk about my husband? Why was I being treated as though Frank and I had done something shameful? And although I had been asked to remain silent, information about me was being used by politicians. Many of them were not interested in Frank's fate or mine so much as in furthering their careers. My local congressman, Bill Brock, told a story in his local campaign speeches about my asking him for help (which, following Navy guidelines, I had stressed should remain confidential); he colored both my request and the possibility of what he could do to appeal to local voters. In 1969 I joined the National League of Families of American Prisoners and Missing in Southeast Asia -- an organization founded by the families, but fundamentally upholding government policy and receiving government support and encouragement. The league's primary spokeswoman was Sybl Stockdale, the wife of Commander James Stockdale, who was a frequently photographed prisoner and had been the commander of the first air wing of the USS Oriskany. She supported the government's argument that we must win the war to free the prisoners. Angered by my congressman's actions, I had written to Allard Lowenstein, the congressman who started the dump-Johnson campaign and who had been a mentor of Frank's at the University of North Carolina, asking for his help and suggestions. I tried to arrange a meeting between Lowenstein and Stockdale, but she refused to cooperate because of his antiwar stance. I have always suspected that her actions were being dictated by government policy, but I have no way of knowing how much official advice she received or followed. I often resented the rhetoric of war protesters as well. The Saturday Review published a letter from a writer who called the first prisoners released by the North Vietnamese in 1969 "obscene biological charades" who wear their uniforms like "the skin of a predator." I responded with a letter of my own, which the magazine also printed. Yet I continued to talk to people like Cora Weiss, cochair of the left-wing Committee of Liaison, whom I asked for help in establishing communications with the North Vietnamese. From these disparate sources I tried to piece together a realistic picture, one that would allow me to act in Frank's interest. It became clear to me that the MIA/POW issue was being presented as an excuse to continue an otherwise unpopular war; the missing were being used to justify our increased bombing. Repeatedly calling attention to Hanoi's refusal to abide by the Geneva Convention, President Nixon's speeches included his promise to continue the U.S. presence in Southeast Asia "until the prisoners of war are freed." Al Lowenstein suggested that my going public might actually help Frank, rather than harm him. He put me in touch with John Siegenthaler, the editor of the Nashville Tennessean. (By this time I had moved to Nashville and enrolled at Vanderbilt University in another master's degree program.) Siegenthaler sent Kathy Sawyer to interview me, and she wrote a story that the paper timed to appear on the third anniversary of Frank's disappearance. NamVet Newsletter Page 42 Volume 7, Number 2 February 27, 1993 The government did not object. For reasons never clearly stated, its policy had changed. After the release of the first three prisoners in 1969, the word went out through our monthly newsletters from the military, through our casualty assistance officers, and through the National League of Families that now we could take our suffering to the public. At league meetings we were asked to conduct letter-writing campaigns to show the Vietnamese what the people in the villages of America thought of their treatment of prisoners. Businessman H. Ross Perot spoke at these meetings, garnering support for his attempts to take food and supplies to the prisoners. The Pentagon encouraged us to woo the media to mobilize world opinion against the North Vietnamese. In an international contest for moral approval and goodwill, our government started calling attention to North Vietnam's refusal to follow the rules of the Geneva Convention. Kathy's well-written, sensitive articles received a lot of attention, and many of my fellow graduate students seemed shocked to learn that my husband was an MIA. Generally, they were kind and supportive. But I received a number of phone calls from heavy breathers who offered to help me out with my sex life, and others who offered to find Frank for me using a variety of methods that ranged from witchcraft to prayer. When I was interviewed on local television and radio shows, I was surprised by the questions some interviewers and callers asked. They seemed more interested in knowing intimate details about my life than in learning about the MIA situation. Many people just wanted me to look pretty, vulnerable, and sad; they certainly didn't want me to have a political opinion. Privately, I had felt for some time that the war was wrong -- both morally and practically -- but I hesitated to express these sentiments because I feared such remarks might have serious repercussions for Frank, or might be used as propaganda tactics against other POWs. So I remained officially silent about my doubts. In the spring of 1970, encouraged by both our government and the trips other wives had made, I went to Paris. Calling at the North Vietnamese consulate at 2 rue le Verrier, the two translators I had found through the American embassy and I were greeted civilly and allowed to enter. But a Vietnamese gentleman, who never told me his name, insisted that we should "ask President Nixon" about my husband's whereabouts, and he asked us to leave. I was struck by the contrast between the elegance of the American embassy and the shabbiness of the North Vietnamese consulate. This was my first encounter with Vietnamese people, and I was also humbled by their small physical stature. By comparison, I felt Brobdingnagian, insensitive, and clumsy. The difference in our size seemed, somehow, a metaphor for the war in which America's superior numbers and strength were becoming liabilities. When I returned to the States, I continued to criticize Hanoi's policy concerning prisoners. But often my speeches, and those of other wives of MIAs were used for other political purposes. (In fact the number of MIAs itself was, from the beginning, a highly politicized question. A recent article in the Atlantic Monthly claims that of the 2,273 servicemen listed today, the Defense Department has recognized 1,101 as killed in action, since the time of their disappearance. This marks the first time in American military history that registered KIAs were added to the NamVet Newsletter Page 43 Volume 7, Number 2 February 27, 1993 MIA figures.) At a Veterans of Foreign Wars meeting, when the local commander suggested that he and members of the audience should "go over to Arkansas and whip Fulbright's ass for this little lady and her husband," I announced that I was not present to support the continuance of the war in Vietnam or to attack those people who opposed it; I had come only to express my concern about the prisoners. My audience became quiet and unresponsive. No one spoke to me afterward. The National League of Families meeting held in Washington in July 1970 crystallized my decision to pursue my own course and ignore the one our government was dictating. When Vice President Spiro Agnew made an appearance to address the members, I didn't stand; the rather stout woman beside me started tapping me on the shoulder with her handbag, increasing the force with each tap. At last I stood up, and left -- both the meeting and the organization. I had had it with everyone's political agenda. I wanted no part of a group whose allegiance precluded questioning such leaders as Nixon and Agnew. By this time, President Nixon, Defense Secretary Melvin Laird, and other administration officials had escalated the frequency of their claims that we must remain in Southeast Asia to ensure the release of American POWs. The Navy was not happy with my public statements and the "identification, treatment, and release of prisoners should be handled as a separate issue." In March 1971 I decided to move to Paris and make daily visits to the North Vietnamese consulate, vowing to stay until they told me something about Frank's status. Before my departure the Navy sent an official to caution me about my action and about any statements that I might make: "The foreign press may misinterpret your remarks if you say anything critical about the war, and you don't want your husband to be hurt by your carelessness." He also advised me to watch out for suspicious people who might want to kidnap me. So commenced a series of days in Paris that always began with a trip to the North Vietnamese consulate. The French police guarding the consulate would often nudge each other and say, "C'est la femme. Encore, eh?" Usually, a Frenchwoman of about forty-five with blue-black hair and bright red lips, dressed in a white blouse and black skirt, would come to the door demanding in French, "Who's there? What do you want?" I would respond, "It's Madame Elkins. I would like to ask you about my husband." Her "We can't give you any information; go away!" would follow. Over 200 relatives of MIA/POWs had already come knocking on this door, but I was the first to make it a daily activity. If I knew foreign visitors were likely to be present at the consulate, I would try to time my visit to coincide -- making an effort to embarrass the North Vietnamese. Occasionally I would be given admittance and admonished to "go home and tell President Nixon to stop bombing our country. Then you'll get your answer." Sometimes members of the North Vietnamese delegation would yell at me and criticize American bombing; at other times they would apologize and look genuinely moved by my request. Once I asked the secretary, directly, if Frank was dead. Lowering her eyes, she replied, "Oui." But she would provide me with no additional information. I explained that it would be to her advantage to give me all the information she had on all the men so that President Nixon would have fewer names to use as an NamVet Newsletter Page 44 Volume 7, Number 2 February 27, 1993 excuse for keeping our troops in Vietnam, but she refused. Eventually she began greeting me with "Bonjour Madame Elkins," but I never obtained the audience I requested with Delegate General Vo Van Sung. Sometimes I tried to get the secretary to pass him copies of articles that Kathy Sawyer had written about me for the Tennessean, notes explaining my position and my plans to return every day, and cards with my address and phone number. Occasionally the secretary would give me pamphlets that restated her instruction to me in English. The details changed, but these conversations always ended with my standing in the shadows before a closed door and saying, "A demain." Because I had great sympathy and respect for these people, this adversarial role was especially stressful for me. I certainly couldn't blame the North Vietnamese for shooting down Frank's plane when he had been bombing their country. Sometimes I would run into members of the delegation in shops. If I spoke, they usually refused to acknowledge me. I suspect they feared I was a little crazy. Perhaps I was. Other wives of MIAs or POWs would arrive for short stays in Paris, and I would sometimes accompany them to make their requests. After almost three months, the North Vietnamese delegation must have realized that I was there to stay. They finally admitted me and told me that Frank was dead. But when I asked them to put the information in writing, they refused, saying that all the other wives would then come to Paris and harass them. By March 1971 the North Vietnamese had begun returning letters addressed to men whose names were not included on the official POW list released to Senator Edward M. Kennedy in December 1970. Stamped "KUONG NGUOI NAHAN TRALAI" (this person unknown", my returned letters seemed more official than any information I had received from American sources about Frank. The Defense Department suggested that North Vietnam was reinforcing its contention that the list was complete and final, but insisted that our government would not accept letter or package returns as evidence of the fate of MIAs. Frank Sieverts, an assistant to the secretary of state, maintained that the men's status would not be changed without concrete proof. My wait for news about Frank continued, and remaining in Paris was more comfortable than returning home. I was relieved to be anonymous, free from people who asked about my husband's status: "Have you heard anything yet?" "No." "Guess you never will, huh? Bless your heart. It's such a pity." Though well-intentioned, such remarks -- sometimes coming from the mouths of complete strangers -- always left me fighting back tears. I was also tired of the either-or stance that everyone seemed to insist upon when discussing the war. Simultaneously caring about my husband's return and wanting our troops to withdraw did not seem incongruous to me. I was amazed at how angry hawks could become when I refused to denounce the North Vietnamese, and at how upset doves became when I wouldn't criticize the men who were fighting. NamVet Newsletter Page 45 Volume 7, Number 2 February 27, 1993 But I had begun to realize that Frank might not return, and I began editing his diary for publication -- an act I had not attempted earlier because I believed he would use it himself, as the basis for a novel. Publishing his diary now seemed my responsibility. Editing his writings during 1972, I thought I had finally achieved some catharsis. I hoped that writing its prologue had also provided me with closure. When the book was published in the fall of 1973, I returned to the United States to push its sales -- and discovered that the public that had once seemed so eager to know about the war had become largely apathetic. They did not want to be reminded of our national defeat. Almost a year after the return of the 591 POWs in early 1973, I left Paris for San Francisco. Feeling that I had done all I could to ascertain Frank's fate, I hoped the government would now assume it's responsibility for finding him. After all, it had promised to bring him home when the war was over. Once the war ended, however, public interest in the MIA issue also ended. After the prisoners returned, leadership of the National League of Families shifted from wives to other family members of MIAs. E.H. Mills, the father of Lieutenant Commander James Mills (Shot down on September 21, 1966), became the director in 1973, and he was eventually succeeded by his daughter Ann Mills Griffiths. Her fourteen-year reign has produced various critics and at least one splinter group, directed by Dolores Alfond, who insists that Griffiths has responded less to the needs of the families than to those of the government. Many MIA family members now echo my earlier suspicions that the league is basically a government organization. (During the Nixon administration, its long-distance telephone bill was paid out of White House funds.) In February 1991, Colonel Millard Peck, a highly decorated veteran, quit his post as chief of the POW/MIA unit of the Defense Intelligence Agency, contending that the fficial government "mind- set to debunk" evidence of live MIAs is encouraged by Griffiths, whom he describes as "adamantly opposed to any initiative to actually get to the heart of the problem." He accused Griffiths of sabotaging POW/MIA investigations. During the mid-1970s the league did little to slow down the speed with which the government began perfunctorily changing MIA status to "presumed finding of death" (PFOD). In December 1976 a House panel determined, later with President Carter's agreement, that no live MIAs remained in Southeast Asia. In March 1977 a presidential commission traveled to Hanoi; it subsequently agreed with a House select committee that the Vietnamese were acting in good faith to "repatriate" the remains of all American MIAs. The government provided wives and family members with no explanations for these decisions. Because they were made by our government, we were simply expected to assume they were trustworthy. These announcements only confirmed my suspicions that Frank had been used as a pawn. I became convinced that our government would make no more real efforts to recover him -- alive or dead. And I realized how powerless I remained. The Navy changed Frank's status to PFOD on October 31, 1977; the telegram arrived at my door in Oakland along with a group of young trick-or-treaters. The following year Frank's family and I held a memorial service for him at the National Cemetery in NamVet Newsletter Page 46 Volume 7, Number 2 February 27, 1993 Wilmington, North Carolina. By 1978 the Pentagon had declared all MIAs to be PFODs, except for Colonel Charles E. Shelton of the Air Force, who remains listed as a POW for symbolic reasons. His wife took her own life in October 1990. She left no explanation, but friends suggest that her suicide is a result of battling about POW/MIA issues for more than twenty years. To me, her action seems as symbolic as her husband's status. In 1983 President Reagan announced that the MIAs were a high priority for his administration. He sent delegations to Vietnam, and 150 sets of remains were identified and returned. The military's Joint Casualty Resolution Center at Barbers Point in Hawaii, established in the 1970s, increased its efforts to recover remains and make identifications. In 1985 Vietnam turned over the remains of another five persons believed to be MIAs; in 1988 the first joint American-Vietnamese team uncovered two more sets of MIA remains. But no one had asked me for additional information about Frank, and by the time another twelve, silent years had gone by I felt sure that I would never know his exact whereabouts. Consequently, I was unprepared for the telephone call I received from the Navy in December 1989 asking me if I "happened to have" a copy of my husband's dental X rays. "No....Why?" "Well....uh....we have a piece of a jawbone and some teeth that we think may have belonged to him." My anger at the unfeeling language obscured my initial shock. How could this stranger choose his words so carelessly, ignoring their possible effect upon me? But his tone of voice indicated that he was not so unfeeling as his choice of words implied. He explained that Frank was only one of several men who were being considered as the possible source for a box of remains that the North Vietnamese had turned over to American authorities in June. I suggested that he contact my husband's family. Then, as I had during the previous twenty-three years, I tried to remain calm as I confronted this latest unexpected reminder of Frank and of my own, irretrievable loss. On January 22, 1990, exactly twenty-four years from the day I married Frank, the Navy notified me that these remains had been positively identified as his. (The bones included those of the torso, legs, and a part of the lower jawbone that seemed to be broken. No bones were available from the rest of the face and head or the feet and hands.) If I regarded the pathologists' reports as "inconclusive," I would have the "option" to arrange for someone else to review the paperwork and remains to provide "quality assurance" of this decision. A few days later, members of Frank's family and I met with military officials to review their evidence. They explained that the government research group reached their decision based upon a combination of evidence. First they looked for the names of all of the men who were listed as having disappeared in the area of Dien Chau District, Nghe Tinh Province -- the area from which the bones had been recovered. Using a section of the pelvic bone to determine the age of the person at death, they were able to narrow the possibilities even more. By measuring the torso and leg bones, they were also able to estimate the person's height. Because of the prominent muscle insertion in the bones; the NamVet Newsletter Page 47 Volume 7, Number 2 February 27, 1993 pathologists were certain that the person had had an unusually muscular build. Frank's medical records show that he had a forty- two inch chest, thirty-one inch waist, and twenty-two inch thigh and could military-press 200 pounds; he had begun lifting weights when he was in high school, an activity that he continued. Using information from the computer data base of missing persons' dental records, they narrowed the possibilities to three men. And while they were able to obtain dental X rays on all of the men except Frank, none of their X rays fitted the dental work remaining on the lower jawbone. Although no X rays of Frank's teeth were available, the dental charts showing his fillings and earlier extractions matched those of the jawbone. So he filled the description in every possible way, as did no one else who had disappeared within a fifty-mile radius of the site. With the recounting of each explanation, I was asked if I wanted to see photographs of the bones or medical records substantiating each claim. At first I could only respond, "I don't know yet. Wait a minute, and I'll let you know." Then I would tell myself that I had to look or continue to doubt their judgement. Each decision to look at the evidence became a little easier, and I managed to get through the afternoon without embarrassing any of us by becoming hysterical. Frank's family told me later that if I had not agreed to look at the photographs they would have done so; they also felt we need to look to be able to know. At first I did wonder if the remains were really Frank's. But because I had put no pressure on our government since the early 1970s, its decision to assign them to him, rather than to the husband of a more insistent wife, seems to serve no ulterior purpose. The government had nothing to gain by returning Frank's remains; this made its analysis more convincing to me. I can imagine no other motivation for this vicissitude. Frank and I were just lucky. Frank appears to have died in the crash of his plane. The fragmentation of the bones and the broken jaw make this the likeliest explanation. The bones were encrusted with dirt since Vietnamese bury their dead directly in the ground without a coffin and then, approximately three years later, after the flesh has rotted away, dig up the bones and place them in a smaller grave. This process also partly accounts for the missing smaller bones. When this ritual was explained to me, it was described as something the Vietnamese do because of their "superstitions" about the dead. I couldn't help thinking that we characterize our own practices in such matters, really no more civilized, as "respect for the dead." I was touched that the Vietnamese had gone to such trouble to bury someone who had been bombing their country. Their humane customs are partly responsible for my having Frank's remains for reburial. And I was beginning to discover how grateful I was. Frank's was one of ten sets of MIA remains identified and returned to he U.S. mainland for interment in 1990. They were shipped to Travis Air Force Base and in late February brought home to North Carolina, where our families held a private, quiet interment in the National Cemetery in Wilmington. Knowing the whereabouts of Frank's remains has helped me begin a healing process I was helpless to effect earlier. Unconsciously, I had NamVet Newsletter Page 48 Volume 7, Number 2 February 27, 1993 been unable to forgive myself for "deserting" him, for failing to negotiate the labyrinth of government policies and foreign terrains. My earlier insistence that his final whereabouts did not matter had been dishonest. I had been diminishing the importance of what I could not change. Now I can draw comfort from envisioning his grave site, from having a specific physical location that automatically comes to mind when I think of him. His flesh had already become part of Vietnam, but his bones no longer lie -- like those of Thomas Hardy's Drummer Hodge -- uncoffined and unmarked beneath "foreign constellations." NamVet Newsletter Page 49 Volume 7, Number 2 February 27, 1993 W W M M W W M M M M W W \ / M M M M OOOO W W W --*-- M M M IIII O O W W W W / \ M M II O O W W W W M M II O O W W M M II O O II PPPPPP O O ..... II AA PP PP OOOO . '' '' .. IIII A A PP PP ..' '.. A A PPPPPPP ..' ''. A A PP ..' '. AAAAAA PP .' ''. A A PP .' '. A A .' .:::::.. '. .' .::::::::::. ' .' .::::::::::::::. '. .' __ .::::::::::::::::;:... '. .' _- -_ .:::::::::::::::::::::::. '. .' _-_ _ _ -_ ::::::::::::::::::::::::' '. .. _- -!!___!!!-_:::::::::::::::::::::::. .. .' ==_ _- _= .:::::::::::::::::::::::: ', . =-_= _= = :::::::::::::::::::::::: . .' =-_ =_- = ::::::::::::::::::::::: '. .' = - -_ =_:::::::::::::::::::::. '. .' -_ -_- .:::::::::::::::::::;;;. '. .' _-_ ..::::::::::::::::::::::::; '. . _ _ .:;:::::::::::::::::::::;, . ' _ .:::::::::::::::::::::::::. '. Y .'.....::::::::::::::::::::::::::;' '. N ::::::::::::::::::::::::' `''' ': O `::::::::::::::::::::::: \v/ \ / :'E `:::::::::::::::::::::: =========================== :' U `:::::::::::::::::::::. /^\ \ :'T `:::::::::::::::::::: .: A `:::::::::::::::::: .:'T `::::::::::::::::::. .;' R `:::::::::::::::::. .;' T `::::::::::::::::. .;' E `:::::::::gjp::: .:' O `:::::::::::::...........'' G N O T F O R " Bring them home --- NOW !!! " NamVet Newsletter Page 50 Volume 7, Number 2 February 27, 1993 ================================================================== Veteran Organizations ================================================================== (Facts) ABOUT NCOA From NCOA MidChapter #138 11/92 NewsBriefs By Stephen L. Worley, Vice-Chairman NCOA #138 Our Potpourri/VETLink #34 BBS - Midwest City, OK (405) 741-5120 PURPOSE: The Non Commissioned Officers Association is a Federally Chartered fraternal non-profit association founded in 1960. Its purposes include: * Upholding and defending the Constitution of the United States and supporting a strong national defense with a focus on military personnel issues. * Promoting health, prosperity and scholarship among its members and their families through legislative and benevolent programs. * Improving benefits for servicemembers, veterans, their family members and survivors. * Assisting servicemembers, veterans, their family members and survivors in filing benefit claims. ORGANIZATION: NCOA's membership includes active duty, reserve, national guard, veteran and retired military personnel who have served in the enlisted grades of the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard. NCOA provides its members a broad range of highly-personalized services, programs, endorsed products, and merchant discounts through a network of more than 200 chapters and 175 service centers at or near major military installations throughout the United States and abroad. PROGRAMS AND SERVICES: LEGISLATIVE PROGRAMS/GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS: Through its office near the Pentagon, NCOA actively lobbies Congress, The White House, the Department of Veterans Affairs, the military services and many other federal agencies to fulfill the goals adopted by NCOA members during the annual convention. In addition to their lobbying activities NCOA's government affairs staff supervises: * Major nonpartisan voter registration drives in the U.S. and abroad. * A nationwide network of coordinators who monitor state and local administrative and legislative activities affecting NCOA members. * A nationwide service program to assist veterans and their survivors in claims for federal benefits. * A nationwide outreach program for hospitalized veterans. * A fellowship/intern program for undergraduate college students. VETERANS SERVICE PROGRAM: NCOA counsels and assists veterans, their families and survivors with Department of Veterans Affairs benefits claims. Since it was accredited by the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) in 1980 as a National Veterans Service Organization the Non Commissioned Officers Association has helped NamVet Newsletter Page 51 Volume 7, Number 2 February 27, 1993 thousands of veterans, their family members and survivors apply for and receive benefits from the DVA and other federal agencies. NCOA now has a network of more than 370 DVA and NCOA trained and federally accredited National Veterans Services Officers working in all 50 states. They counsel and assist members and non-members alike in preparing documentation and filing claims for federal benefits. As required, NCOA service officers also represent claimants before local adjudication boards and appeals panels in the pursuit of claims. Additionally, NCOA's National Appeals Officer, with offices at the Department of Veterans Affairs in Washington, DC is available to represent claims forwarded to the Board of Veterans Appeals. VETERANS EMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE: The need to maintain a young and vigorous armed forces to defend the United States creates a tremendous turnover in military personnel from year to year. Fewer than one in ten young people are allowed to remain for a career and that career will probably end before they are 45 years old. More than 300,000 are discharged each year and that number could rise to 500,000 because of military force reductions. As a result, veterans face significant post-service employment problems ranging from trying to convert a military skill to civilian employment to making a mid-life career change. Since 1972 NCOA has assisted veterans through this transition with an award-winning "Veterans Employment Assistance" (VEA) program. NCOA's VEA program is run as a public service open to military personnel and veterans regardless of rank or membership in NCOA. Participation in the VEA program is absolutely FREE. The centerpiece of the VEA program are the 20 Job Fairs NCOA hosts each year. Held in the United States and Europe these Job Fairs give veterans and soon-to-be discharged military personnel a chance to meet with employment representatives of more than 150 major corporations and many local employers. Military spouses are also eligible to participate in NCOA Job Fairs which attract more than 80,000 job seekers each year. In addition to Job Fairs, NCOA also hosts numerous Job Seekers Workshops throughout the United States and abroad. These workshops focus on all aspects of the job search from goal-setting and salary negotiation to resume writing and interviewing techniques. Adding to the effectiveness of the VEA program is NCOA's Mini-Resume referral service, a redistribution program making resumes available to prospective employers who miss Job Fair participation. Finally, in conjunction with the President's Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities, NCOA makes a special effort to facilitate employment of disabled veterans. NCOA ENDORSED PRODUCTS AND SERVICES: Designed to protect members and help them in product selection, NCOA endorses a number of products and services. Among those are: life insurance, CHAMPUS and CHAMPVA supplemental health insurance, automobile insurance, travel services and motor club. In addition to endorsing specific products, NCOA's Certified Merchants Program guarantee member discounts on a number of services and products nationwide. Some national NCOA NamVet Newsletter Page 52 Volume 7, Number 2 February 27, 1993 certified merchants include: * Lens Crafters * K-Mart Auto Care * RE-MAX Reality * Federal Express * AT&T * Alamo Car Rental * The Buying Network BENEVOLENT PROGRAMS: * NCOA Scholarship Foundation: The Noncommissioned Officers Association awards more than $50,000 in academic scholarships and vocational grants each year to the children and spouses of association members. The association supports 100 students on an ongoing basis and the Scholarship Selection Committee awards 25 new student grants annually. The scholarship grant program is supported by member and chapter contributions. Since its inception the association has given more than $500,000 in scholarship grants based on academic achievement or vocational aptitude. * Medical Trust Fund: This private fund, which is unique in the military community, makes grants to military personnel and association members to cover medically related expenses not reimbursed by other sources. Grants from the fund have been used to assist in paying for organ transplants, medically related travel and away-from-home living expenses incurred when a family member receives medical treatment away from home. * Operation Appreciation: Each year thousands of hospitalized veterans receive personalized greeting cards at Christmas, Easter, and other holidays as an expression of gratitude for their military service. These small reminders assure veterans they are not forgotten. Operation Appreciation has also donated more than $70,000 during 1991 to purchase quality of life items for use by hospitalized veterans. Among the items donated by NCOA are televisions, video cassette players, musical instruments, and even a miniature golf course. * Other Benevolent Activities: Often, donations of time can be more valuable than money. NCOA members donated 30,500 hours and more than $35,000 to Special Olympics over the past two years. Another 5,000 hours of membership effort raised $113,000 for the Muscular Dystrophy Association. And, NCOA volunteers have donated more than 10,000 hours of service in veterans hospitals through the Department of Veterans Affairs volunteer service program. For its various efforts NCOA has received numerous awards including four "C" Flags for community service from the President's Citation Program for Private Sector Initiatives. CHAPTERS AND SERVICE CENTERS: * CHAPTERS: NCOA's more than 200 chapters are the foundation of the association. They are the centers of social interaction among association members, of grassroots political activity, of community support and involvement programs. Association chapters exist worldwide from small towns in the U.S. like Medford, Oregon to countries like Japan, Korea, Germany, England, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Italy--almost everywhere American Servicemen are stationed. NCOA chapters participate in a variety of national and local activities. Chapter efforts in NCOA's national voter NamVet Newsletter Page 53 Volume 7, Number 2 February 27, 1993 registration program have been responsible for the registration of hundreds of thousands of military personnel, veterans and their families. Many chapters have followed NCOA's corporate lead in supporting Special Olympics. Over the past two years association chapters have donated 30,500 hours of volunteer support and more than $35,000 to Special Olympics. Another 5,000 hours of volunteer efforts raised $113,000 for the Muscular Dystrophy Association. Through the combined efforts of NCOA members in Florida, Project Uplift was developed to raise the morale of military personnel stationed overseas. As a result of their efforts more than 1,000,000 holiday greeting cards were sent to servicemembers stationed away from home during the Christmas season last year. * SERVICE CENTERS: NCOA 175 service centers serve the consumer needs of association members. Operated by NCOA's endorsed insurance provider, Academy Life Insurance Group, these service centers are staffed by NCOA accredited counselors. NCOA counselors assist members with financial and estate planning in addition to supporting many of the association's fraternal activities. NCOA Service Centers also frequently serve as host for nearby chapters. LOCATIONS: NCOA is headquartered in San Antonio, Texas. The association also has corporate offices in Alexandria, Virginia; Atlanta, Georgia; and Wertheim, Germany. OFFICERS Walter W. Krueger, President Command Sergeant Major, U.S. Army (Retired) Charles R. "Chuck" Jackson, Executive Vice President Force Master Chief Petty Officer, U.S. Navy (Retired) Contact: Sandra K. Powell - Director of Marketing (404) 698-7152 Courtesy of: NCOA Mid America Chapter #138 102 Mid America Blvd.,MWC.,OK.73110 Tel.(405) 737-7772 NamVet Newsletter Page 54 Volume 7, Number 2 February 27, 1993 Veterans Consolidated Rights Association 197 Honeysuckle Drive (318) 396-7685 * FAX (318) 396-2758 Input by G. Joseph Peck NamVet's Managing Editor VETLink #1 - Pittsfield, MA (413) 443-6313 [Note from Joe: I've dealt with Sonny since August, 1992. The track record he and V.C.R.A. have, keep, and can get on almost any political person is impressive! New elections will soon be on the horizon again and those that are now completing - or hoping to have - terms in office, can most surely count on the involvement of V.C.R.A. in the present and very near future.] Veterans Consolidated Rights Association (V.C.R.A.) is a private organization, funded by active membership dues of veterans and donations from the general public to promote the election of veterans to high public office; i.e. Governors, State Senators, Representatives, U.S. Senators, Congressmen and Presidents of the United States. V.C.R.A. is committed to the concept of "KEEP AMERICA FREE . . . ELECT A VET." Veterans rights, privileges, and V.A. hospital benefits are slowly being eroded nation wide. V.C.R.A. recognizes the fact that for an elected official to truly understand the Veterans' cause, he must first have been an active member of the U.S. Armed Services and honorably discharged into civilian life. In other words, to understand how a Veteran feels, you must first have marched in his boots. (ELECT A VET) is our rallying charge! V.C.R.A. has been formed strictly to take our dues, our combined creative monetary capital, and politically back candidates that our membership have agreed upon electing to office. We will submit to our members a list of qualified candidates (preferably Veterans) to vote upon within our ranks. Once we have all agreed on the person who meets the strict requirements of V.C.R.A. then we will collectively endorse and actively back that candidate. Simply stated, V.C.R.A. is a Veterans PAC. The only question we will ask a candidate is simple, "ARE YOU FOR US OR AGAINST US?" If you are for us we will do everything in our power to keep you in office or to put you there. If you are against us we will do everything we can to have you removed from the office. There is no middle ground. There are approximately 430,000 Veterans in Louisiana. Each one of us influences at least two votes. That translates into 1,290,000 voters. All of us organized could elect the Governor or whomever our Veterans Consolidated Rights Association so chooses. If we do not, we will be counted out by Politicians who run this country. Oblivious to a fragmented Veteran constituency. The old line Veterans organizations, i.e. American Legion, V.F.W., D.A.V., etc., cannot endorse political candidates, and so it should be. However, V.C.R.A. will exist solely to elect Veterans or friends of Veterans to public office, resulting in a great difference to the political candidate who understands and will listen to an organized force such as V.C.R.A. The greatest problems America and the American Veterans face today NamVet Newsletter Page 55 Volume 7, Number 2 February 27, 1993 is "APATHY." Remember, "THE DIFFERENCE VICTORY OR DEFEAT IS NOT ONE OF ABILITY, BUT ONE OF ACTION! THE MAGIC GIFT IS NOTHING MORE MYSTERIOUS THAN DOING WHAT YOU DON'T WANT TO DO WHEN YOU DON'T WANT TO DO IT." (Rober Babson) V.C.R.A. is not a social organization. We will not be meeting to gripe about the way things are. Our charge is simple . . . to change things. We are going to "ELECT A VET." We will be mailing you four newsletters a year to keep you posted on our progress. Our chairman is Joe J. Chevalier, of Lecompte, LA. Our President and Business Administrator is Sonny Fitzgerald of West Monroe, LA. Our Treasurer is Cookie Byres of Alexandria, LA. Our membership dues are $25.00 per year with a first year initiation fee of $20.00. total membership dues first year is $50.00. Medal of Honor winners will pay no dues. Active duty personnel will pay twenty-five dollars per year. Hardship Veterans cases approved by the board will be complimentary members. We welcome all Veterans and active duty personnel to become members. WE STAND BY OUR PLEDGE. "TO KEEP AMERICA FREE . . . ELECT A VET." Elzie (Sonny) Fitzgerald President V.C.R.A. NamVet Newsletter Page 56 Volume 7, Number 2 February 27, 1993 Vietnam Veterans Against The War ... Where we came from, who we are, who can join From the 25th Anniversary Edition of THE VETERAN Input by G. Joseph Peck VETLink #1 - Pittsfield, MA (413) 443-6313 Vietnam Veterans Against the War, Inc. (VVAW) is a national veterans organization that was founded in New York City in 1967 after six Vietnam vets marched together in a peace demonstration. It was organized to voice to the growing opposition among returning servicemen and women to the still raging war in Indochina, and grew rapidly to a membership of over 30,000 throughout the United States as well as active duty GIs stationed in Vietnam. Through ongoing actions and grassroots organization, VVAW exposed the ugly truth about US involvement in Southeast Asia and our firsthand experiences helped many other Americans to see the unjust nature of that war. VVAW quickly took up the struggle for the rights and needs of veterans. In 1970, we started the first rap groups to deal with traumatic aftereffects of war, setting the example for readjustment counselling at Vet Centers now. We exposed the shameful neglect of many disabled vets in VA Hospitals and helped draft legislation to improve educational benefits and create job programs. VVAW fought for amnesty for war resisters including vets with bad discharges. We helped make known the negative health effects of exposure to chemical defoliants and the VA's attempts to cover-up these conditions as well as their continued refusal to provide treatment and compensation for many Agent Orange Victims. Today our government is still financing and arming undemocratic and repressive regimes around the world. Recently American troops have been sent into combat in the Middle East and Central America, for many of the same misguided reasons that were used to send us to SouthEast Asia. Meanwhile, many veterans are still denied justice - facing unemployment, discrimination, homelessness, post traumatic stress disorder and other health problems while already inadequate services are being cut back or eliminated. We believe that service to our country and communities did not end when we were discharged. We remain committed to the struggle for peace and for social and economic justice for all people. We will continue to oppose senseless military adventures and to teach the real lessons of the Vietnam War. We will do al we can to prevent another generation from being put through a similar tragedy and we will continue to demand dignity and respect for veterans of all eras. This is real patriotism and we remain true to our mission. JOIN US! Fighting for Veterans, Peace & Justice since 1967 Vietnam Veterans Against The War, Inc. National Office Post Office Box 408594 Chicago, Illinois 60640 NamVet Newsletter Page 57 Volume 7, Number 2 February 27, 1993 ================================================================== In-Touch ================================================================== Its not finished; its not EVER over! By Ray "Frenchy" Moreau NamVet's IN_TOUCH Section Editor VETLink #2 - Herndon, VA (703) 471-8010 It is not finished. It is not over. The resolution and healing from the war in Vietnam are not complete. The phone rings and the elderly woman slowly answers. The caller identifies herself as a volunteer for the Friends of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial "In Touch" program. She tells the woman that a Vietnam veteran who knew her son would like to contact his buddy's family. The woman gasps and says, "Today is the anniversary of my son's death. We wondered why none of his friends ever contacted us." The Friends volunteer tells her that, although the veteran hadn't been able to contact her before, he must have been thinking about her son all these years. This true story is one of the thousands of reasons for "In Touch". It is estimated that for every person lost in Vietnam, at least 25 other lives were affected. Now, through "In Touch" we can affect these lives again -- in a *positive* and *healing* way. Since its national announcement on Memorial Day, 1990, "In Touch" has received letters from more than 1500 people who want to find families or friends of those we lost in Vietnam. Family members -- especially young adults who never got to know their fathers -- are now searching for someone who served with their loved ones in Vietnam. They often wish to communicate with each other as well, and family networks are being organized in many parts of the country. And veterans are looking for the families of their fallen comrades. Some have pictures, tapes, mementoes or stories that they want to share. Many are only now finding the strength and means to make contacts, fulfill promises and heal old wounds. "In Touch" has made over 50 connections for veterans and families. Many of these connections are so dramatic and heart warming that our motivation is renewed and our zeal to spread the "In Touch" word is intensified. But there are 58,183 names on the wall. Thousands more need to know about "In Touch". And hundreds more could be connected with those persons for whom they are searching, if we had the resources to make it happen. These personal connections require volunteer help, and they also involve office expenses -- phone calls, mailing, equipment, supplies, etc... We need your help. Please spread the word about "In Touch" to your friends, churches, and local news media. And when you speak of "In Touch", please emphasize that there is no charge to participate. *And* for this reason, your donations are needed. NamVet Newsletter Page 58 Volume 7, Number 2 February 27, 1993 Financial contributions are of critical importance to us at this time. Not only must "In Touch" receive help in order to continue its service, but the Friends also sponsor many other programs which continue the Wall's healing legacy. Our other services include providing name rubbings requested by family and friends throughout the country. To date we have mailed more that 24,000 rubbings, and in the summer months our volunteers often average rubbing more that 1,000 names per month. We are responsible for a beautiful project in which our volunteers place roses as requested by families and friends, at the Memorial on Father's Day. The beauty of over 500 roses standing at the base of the appropriate panels is multiplied by the significance of the messages calligraphed on each attached card. Our requests for roses for Father's Day 1990 doubled the 1989 requests, and we expect even more this Father's Day. Not a day goes by that someone doesn't make their first visit to the Wall to pay their respects to the name of a friend or loved one -- a clear indication that the need for healing and resolution continues. The Friends maintain an assistance table at the Wall. There, and in our office we respond to the many inquiries and calls for help which come from all parts of the world. We know you are a Friend because you care; because you see and hear a need for these programs just as we do. You, too, know that the resolution and healing are not complete. No, it is not finished. But with your help, the healing continues. Won't you please take a minute and send your contribution today? Sincerely, Ira J. Hamburg President ------------------------------------------------------------ Shipmates: "In Touch" is just the beginning on a long healing process. God bless you all. Ray "Frenchy" Moreau USN Retired . . . but not from life! The Wall, Friends of VVM, VETLink & Veterans just won't let me! NamVet Newsletter Page 59 Volume 7, Number 2 February 27, 1993 INSTITUTE FOR THE STUDY OF AMERICAN WARS (ISAW) by Ray "Frenchy" Moreau NamVet's In_Touch Section Editor VETLink #2 - Herndon, VA (703) 471-8010 Retired U.S. Navy Chief Petty Officer Raymond J. Moreau, of Herndon, Virginia - technical manager at EDS Eastern Headquarters in Herndon joined General William C. Westmoreland and General Richard G. Stilwell, U. S. Army Retired, with veterans' groups and members of Congress to announce support for a national Veterans' Museum and a Center for the History of the Vietnam and Korean Wars. These projects will be built by the Institute for the Study of American Wars (ISAW); a non-profit educational research organization dedicated to preserving U.S. history during times of conflict, and the history of the veteran contribution in the defense of human rights and freedom. Generals Westmoreland and Stilwell commented that the Vietnam and Korean Korean eras were unique in our country's history, and were instrumental in holding the line against communist aggression. According to ISAW Chairman, John Radell, the goal of the Institute is to build a facility where scholars have the opportunity to study America's wartime experiences in Vietnam and Korea in order to produce educational materials for all levels of education. The museums will provide a "time travel" experience in which visitors can visit a war era and have the experiences of that time brought to life. "This is not a glorification of war," Radell stressed, "it is a celebration of the commitment of the United States to freedom." Radell stated that ISAW will rely on corporate and individual contributions and foundation grants to finance the $126-million Phase I which will include the Vietnam and Korean museums and the educational center and create 500 jobs. Additional phases of the project will span the entire history of conflicts entered into by the U.S. from the Revolutionary War through Operation Desert Storm. Senators Dennis DeConcini and Joseph Biden announced that they will co-sponsor a joint resolution recognizing the ISAW project and its value to the American people. Ray Moreau, a 5-tour Vietnam veteran was recently appointed to the ISAW Advisory Board Group. His role on the board will be to provide automated solutions for the myriad of data that will be collected over the period of time and serve on the fund raising committee. Moreau, recipient of this years 1991 FOSE Award for his design and development of the "In Touch" program for the Friends of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial also operates a data center from his home. This data center provides services to our country's veterans by connecting into thousands of computer nodes which forms the International Vietnam Veterans Echo EchoConference throughout the United States and some overseas countries. Also a dedicated and committed veterans advocate, Moreau serves as the Secretary for Berkshire Veterans Center, Inc., (now Electronic Veterans' Centers of America Corporation ) a non-profit organization which has spearheaded the drive for "UNITY" within NamVet Newsletter Page 60 Volume 7, Number 2 February 27, 1993 the veteran commUNITY" by sponsorship and technical support of numerous computer-based VETLink's throughout the United States and now rapidly expanding into Canada and Australia. The November 14, 1991 press conference was concluded with a videotape message of support from Bob Hope featuring General Westmoreland, Admiral Elmo Zumwalt, Jr. and Lt. Gen. Frank Petersen and a question and answer session conducted by John Radell. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= More information about the ISAW project can be obtained by writing to: Raymond J. Moreau 12711 Nureyev Lane; Herndon, VA 22070 and ISAW PO Box 25005, Wilmington, DE 19899. NamVet Newsletter Page 61 Volume 7, Number 2 February 27, 1993 ================================================================== Close to home ================================================================== THANKS TO THE MOMS WHO ALSO SERVED USA TODAY, Wednesday, November 11, 1992 by Edo Cunningham World War II veteran, amateur writer, and poet... Input by: Joyce Flory NamVet's Touch-The-Heart Section Editor VETLink #13 - Las Cruces, NM (505) 523-2811 I found this while looking through some files that Jerry Murphy sent to us (Thanks Jerry for sending 'em and Marsha for typing them!!!). A little late in the posting but with my son (and possibly Marsha's) sitting off the Persian Gulf coast....... -------------------------------------------------------------- Ever since World War II, on Veterans Day I have always felt guilty about not giving credit to those who also served: our mothers. I remember many wonderful hours I spent with my mother before her death and, like a reservoir overflowing with the past, she shared her innermost thoughts with me. She told me something she had never shared, not ever with my father - the war years, the years I spent in the Army and those black 2 1/2 years I spent overseas during World War II. She told me of the frightening six weeks prior to and during the invasion of Normandy. She received no mail due to censorship. The only information she received was the daily casualty list that appeared in the local paper, the sleepless nights and endless prayers. What hell on Earth my mother and millions of other mothers must have gone through during those dark days. It dawned on me that all the citations, medals and praise that I received belong as much to my mother as to me. Since my mother's death in the '60s, I have thought of a thousand ways that I could honor her and the millions of other mothers who have been there from the first battle eons ago to the last firefight in the Persian Gulf war. Since my mother loved poetry, I thought a gathering of words I will call a poem would be my small way of saying "thank you Mom" and to all mothers who have worried through all the wars.... NamVet Newsletter Page 62 Volume 7, Number 2 February 27, 1993 THE MOTHER OF THE VET Since man became a warrior, before deeds were written down, He indulged in legal slaughter to take the higher ground... There's always been the question, who served their country best, There's only one true answer The Mother of the Vet. When you're in the heat of battle and the hand of death is near, There is always someone with you to help you through the fear, Not a soldier or a sailor but one who serves no less... The prayers of one who loves you The Mother of the Vet. Whenever veterans gather to reflect on battles past, Of gory days and glory days....we hold our memories fast, We toast each other's valor but there's one we all forget, The creator of our being The Mother of the Vet. So when swords are turned to plowshares, and the world is safe from fear, The one who served the longest will wipe away her tears, Once again the gods will ask... Who was bravest and the best.... And the dogs of war will answer..... SIR... The Mother of the Vet. For this Veteran's Day, and all the future Veterans Days, I dedicated this poem to those who never heard the command "cease fire" but nevertheless served with the best: The Mother of the Vet. "I know God will not give me anything I can't handle. I just wish that He didn't trust me so much." -= Mother Teresa NamVet Newsletter Page 63 Volume 7, Number 2 February 27, 1993 Dreams to Share by Art Dunkle Our Potpourri BBS/VETLink #34 - Midwest City, OK (405) 741-5120 It was a routine "milk run" flight. One of many that I had flown on as an ACM while assigned to the "Klong Hoppers." This particular mission was to fly into Northern Cambodia and move some Cambodian regulars down to Pnam Phen. After picking them up, it was routine. Ankor Wat from the air was still beautiful as ever, the sky was clear with just a few clouds and it looked like we'd all be back at Takli in time to catch the Friday show at the club. It wasn't until we were almost at Pnam Phen that we started to realize something was wrong. The tower was giving go-arounds to some of the flights and telling others to land on the parallel if at all possible. The pilot called back over the intercom that we were going in and to brace for an assault landing into a possible "hot" zone. An assault landing in a 130 is really something to experience if you haven't. Once we were on the ground, I looked out the cargo door and saw the smoke from fires on the horizon. We (the loadmaster and I) checked the area to make sure that no live rounds had been left behind after the troops had left and I was getting ready to go on up forward when I heard the loadmaster yell "Pilot, get us the H**L outta here!!" I looked back and saw explosions "walking" towards us. I ran back to help secure the ramp as the plane surged and we tried to outrun certain death. Slowly, we gained speed and finally I felt the plane lift and thought that "We're OK, we're going to get into the air." I was too soon, just as the wheels cycled up, there was a terrific explosion under the plane and everything went grey. I remembered thinking, "This is it, we're done!" and then by some miricle, the plane stabilized and we kept climbing out. When I could finally recognize what was happening, I saw that the loadmaster was talking to the pilot and when I got to him, he yelled that we were going to have the hand crank the gear when we got to Korat. Looking around the cargo area, I realized that we were all lucky. What I had thought initially was blood, was hydraulic fluid. It could have been so much worse. There were new "windows" in places that had never been designed into the plane and the roar of the wind sounded like the horns of H**l. All during the trip to Korat, we tried to patch the hydraulic system and keep some control authority. The landing was scary as all get-out but we were able to stop in time and the gear held. After we landed, I was able to look at the damage and realized that if the shrapnel that peppered the plane had hit just six inches farther forward, I wouldn't be here today. Thank you, Lord. Now, if only the nightmares would once more go away. NamVet Newsletter Page 64 Volume 7, Number 2 February 27, 1993 DEPRESSION - What you need to know USDH&H Publication 60-FL-1517-0 Input by: G. Joseph Peck NamVet's Managing Editor VETLink #1 - Pittsfield, MA (413) 443-6313 [Note from Joe: I've been dealing with it a lot lately; I've seen many of our VETNet echo participants also dealing with it. Came across the following pamphlet that was a help to me and wanted to share it with all of you.] This publication has been produced by the Office of Scientific Information, National Institute of Mental Health, for the DEPRESSION/Awareness Recognition, and Treatment (D/ART) Program, a public education program sponsored by the National Institute of Mental Health in collaboration with private organizations and citizens. D/ART's goals include the alleviation of symptoms through effective treatment for the millions of Americans who suffer from depressive illnesses each year. The program is based on more than 40 years of research on the diagnosis and treatment of depressive illnesses. FURTHER INFORMATION: Write to: D/ART/Public Inquiries National Institute of Mental Health Room 10-85 5600 Fishers Lane Rockville, MD 20857 DEPRESSION: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW Your doctor believes you have a depressive illness and wants you to have this brief pamphlet to read and hold on to so that you can refer to it as often as you need. It provides important information about depressive illnesses. It may stimulate questions you may wish to discuss with your doctor or a mental health professional. Or you may wish to share it with a family member, friend, colleague, minister, school official, or other community helpers. WHAT IS A DEPRESSIVE ILLNESS? A depressive illness is a "whole-body" illness, involving your body, mood, thoughts, and behavior. It affects the way you eat and sleep, the way you feel about yourself, and the way you think about things. A depressive illness is NOT a passing blue mood. It is NOT a sign of personal weakness or a condition that can be willed or wished away. People with a depressive illness cannot merely "pull themselves together" and get better. Without treatment, symptoms can last for weeks, months, or years. Appropriate treatment, however, can help over 80 percent of those who suffer from depression. TYPES OF DEPRESSION Depressive illnesses come in different forms, just as do other illnesses, such as heart disease. This pamphlet briefly describes three of the most prevalent types of depressive illnesses. However, within these types there are variations in the number of symptoms, their severity, and persistence. Check with your doctor NamVet Newsletter Page 65 Volume 7, Number 2 February 27, 1993 if you need more information about your type of depressive illness. MAJOR DEPRESSION is manifested by a combination of symptoms (see symptom list at end of article) that interfere with the ability to work, sleep, eat, and enjoy once pleasurable activities. These disabling episodes of depression can occur once, twice, or several times in a lifetime. A less severe type of depression, DYSTHYMIA, involves long-term, chronic symptoms that do not disable, but keep you from functioning at "full steam" or from feeling good. Sometimes people with dysthymia also experience major depressive episodes. Another type of depressive illness is MANIC-DEPRESSIVE ILLNESS, also called bipolar depression. Not nearly as prevalent as other forms of depressive illnesses, manic-depressive illness involves cycles of depression and elation or mania. Sometimes the mood switches are dramatic and rapid, but most often they are gradual. When in the depressed cycle, you can have any or all of the symptoms of a depressive illness. When in the manic cycle, any or all symptoms listed under mania may be experienced. Mania often affects thinking, judgment, and social behavior in ways that cause serious problems and embarrassment. For example, unwise business or financial decisions may be made when in a manic phase. CAUSES OF DEPRESSION There is a risk for developing depression when there is a family history, indicating that a biological vulnerability can be inherited. The risk may be somewhat higher for those with bipolar depression. However, not everybody with a genetic vulnerability develops the illness. Apparently additional factors, possibly a stressful environment and other psychosocial factors, are involved in the onset of depression. Though major depression seems to occur, generation after generation, in some families, it can also occur in people who have no family history of depression. Whether the disease is inherited or not, it is evident that individuals with major depressive illness often have too little or too much of certain neurochemicals. Psychological makeup also plays a role in vulnerability to depression. People who have low self-esteem, who consistently view themselves and the world with pessimism, or who are readily overwhelmed by stress are prone to depression. A serious loss, chronic illness, difficult relationship, financial problem, or any unwelcome change in life patterns can also trigger a depressive episode. Very often, a combination of genetic, psychological, and environmental factors is involved in the onset of a depressive illness. TREATMENTS A variety of antidepressant medications and psychotherapies can be used to treat depressive illnesses. Some people do well with psychotherapy, some with antidepressants. Some do best with combined treatment: medication to gain relatively quick symptom relief and psychotherapy to learn more effective ways to deal with life's problems. Depending on your diagnosis and severity of symptoms, you may be prescribed medication and/or treated with one of the several forms of psychotherapy that have proven effective for depression. It is important to note that most people can be successfully treated for depression on an outpatient basis. NamVet Newsletter Page 66 Volume 7, Number 2 February 27, 1993 On rare occasions, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is useful, particularly for individuals whose depression is severe or life- threatening or who cannot take antidepressant medication. ECT often is effective in cases where antidepressant medications do not provide sufficient relief of symptoms. ANTIDEPRESSANT MEDICATIONS Three groups of antidepressant medications have been used to treat depressive illnesses: tricyclics, monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), and lithium. Lithium is the treatment of choice for manic-depressive illness and some forms of recurring major depression. Sometimes your doctor will try a variety of antidepressants before finding the medication or combination of medications most effective for you. Sometimes the dosage must be increased to be effective. There are now newer antidepressants available that are neither tricyclics nor MAOIs, and which generally lack the side effects associated with these two traditional classes of drugs. One type, SSRIs (serotonin-specific reuptake inhibitors), selectively blocks the reuptake of one of the major neurotransmitters, serotonin. Another type is believed to act on the neurotransmitter, dopamine. Patients often are tempted to stop medication too soon. IT IS IMPORTANT TO KEEP TAKING MEDICATION UNTIL YOUR DOCTOR SAYS TO STOP, EVEN IF YOU FEEL BETTER BEFOREHAND. Some medications must be stopped gradually to give your body time to adjust. In cases of manic-depressive illness and chronic major depression, medication may have to become part of everyday life to avoid disabling symptoms. Antidepressant drugs are not habit-forming, so you need not be concerned about that. However, as is the case with any type of medication prescribed for more than a few days, antidepressants have to be carefully monitored to see if you are getting the correct dosage. Your doctor will want to check the dosage and its effectiveness regularly. If you're taking MAO inhibitors, you will have to avoid certain foods, such as cheeses, wines, and pickles. Be sure you get a complete list of foods you should not eat from your doctor and always carry it with you. Other forms of antidepressants require no food restrictions. NEVER MIX MEDICATIONS of any kind - prescribed, over-the- counter, or borrowed - WITHOUT CONSULTING YOUR DOCTOR. Be sure to tell your dentist or any other medical specialist who prescribes a drug that you are taking antidepressants. Some of the most benign drugs when taken alone can cause severe and dangerous side effects if taken with others. Some drugs, like alcohol, reduce the effectiveness of antidepressants and should be avoided. This includes wine, beer, and hard liquor. Antianxiety drugs or sedatives are not antidepressants. They are sometimes prescribed along with antidepressants; however, they should not be taken alone for a depressive illness. Sleeping pills and stimulants, such as amphetamines, are also inappropriate. Be sure to call your doctor if you have a question about any drug or if you are having a problem you believe is drug related. SIDE EFFECTS Antidepressants may cause mild and usually temporary side effects in some people. Typically these are annoying, but not serious. However, unusual side effects or those that interfere NamVet Newsletter Page 67 Volume 7, Number 2 February 27, 1993 with functioning should be reported to your doctor. The most common side effects usually associated with tricyclic antidepressants and ways to deal with them are: * Dry mouth --drink lots of water; chew sugarless gum; clean teeth daily. * Constipation --eat bran cereals, prunes, and other fruits and vegetables. * Bladder problems --emptying your bladder may be troublesome and your urine stream may not be as strong as usual; call your doctor if there is any pain. * Sexual problems --sexual functioning may change; if worri- some, discuss with your doctor. * Blurred vision --this will pass soon; do not get new glasses. * Dizziness --rise from bed or chair slowly. * Drowsiness --this will pass soon; do not drive or operate heavy equipment if feeling drowsy or sedated. The newer antidepressants have different types of side effects: * Headache --this will usually go away. * Nausea --even when it occurs, it is usually transient. * Nervousness and --these may occur insomnia during the first few weeks; if persistent, discuss with your doctor. * Agitation --if this happens for the first time after the drug is taken and is more than transient, consult your doctor. PSYCHOTHERAPIES There are many forms of psychotherapy used to help depressed individuals, including some short-term (10-20 weeks) therapies. "Talking" therapies help patients gain insight into and resolve their problems through verbal "give-and-take" with the therapist. "Behavioral" therapists help patients learn how to obtain more satisfaction and rewards through their own actions and how to unlearn the behavioral patterns that contribute to their NamVet Newsletter Page 68 Volume 7, Number 2 February 27, 1993 depression. Two of the short-term psychotherapies that research has shown helpful for some forms of depression are Interpersonal and Cognitive/Behavioral therapies. Interpersonal therapists focus on the patient's disturbed personal relationships that both cause and exacerbate the depression. Cognitive/Behavioral therapists help patients change the negative styles of thinking and behaving often associated with depression. Psychodynamic therapies, sometimes used to treat depression, focus on resolving the patient's internal psychological conflicts that are typically thought to be rooted in childhood. In general, the severe depressive illnesses, particularly those that are recurrent, will require medication (or ECT under special conditions) along with psychotherapy for the best outcome. HELPING YOURSELF Depressive illnesses make you feel exhausted, worthless, helpless, and hopeless. Such negative thoughts and feelings make some people feel like giving up. It is important to realize that these negative views are part of the depression and typically do not accurately reflect your situation. Negative thinking fades as treatment begins to take effect. In the meantime: * Do not set yourself difficult goals or take on a great deal of responsibility. * Break large tasks into small ones, set some priorities, and do what you can as you can. * Do not expect too much from yourself. This will only increase feelings of failure. * Try to be with other people; it is usually better than being alone. * Participate in activities that may make you feel better. You might try mild exercise, going to a movie, a ballgame, or participating in religious or social activities. Don't overdo it or get upset if your mood is not greatly improved right away. Feeling better takes time. * Do not make major life decisions, such as changing jobs or getting married or divorced, without consulting others who know you well and who have a more objective view of your situation. In any case, it is advisable to postpone important decisions until your depression has lifted. * Do not expect to "snap out" of your depression. People rarely do. Help yourself as much as you can, and do not blame yourself for not being up to par. * REMEMBER, do not accept your negative thinking. It is part of the depression and will disappear as your depression responds to treatment. FAMILY AND FRIENDS CAN HELP Since depression can make you feel exhausted and helpless, you will want and probably need help from others. However, people who have never had a depressive illness may not fully understand its effect. They won't mean to hurt you, but they may say and do things that do. It may help to share this pamphlet with those you most care about so they can better understand and help you. HELPING THE DEPRESSED PERSON The most important thing anyone can do for the depressed person is to help him or her get appropriate diagnosis and treatment. NamVet Newsletter Page 69 Volume 7, Number 2 February 27, 1993 This may involve encouraging the individual to stay with treatment until symptoms begin to abate (several weeks), or to seek different treatment if no improvements occurs. On occasion, it may require making an appointment and accompanying the depressed person to the doctor. It may also mean monitoring whether the depressed person is taking medication. The second most important thing is to offer emotional support. This involves understanding, patience, affection, and encouragement. Engage the depressed person in conversation and listen carefully. Do not ignore remarks about suicide. Always report them to the doctor. Invite the depressed person for walks, Outings, to the movies, and other activities. Be gently insistent if your invitation is refused. Encourage participation in some activities that once gave pleasure, such as hobbies, sports, religious or cultural activities, but do not push the depressed person to undertake too much too soon. The depressed person needs diversion and company, but too many demands can increase feelings of failure. Do not accuse the depressed person of faking illness or of laziness, or expect him or her "to snap out of it." Eventually, with treatment, most depressed people do get better. Keep that in mind, and keep reassuring the depressed person that with time and help, he or she will feel better. SYMPTOMS OF DEPRESSION AND MANIA Not everyone who is depressed or manic experiences every symptom. Some people experience a few symptoms, some many. Also, severity of symptoms varies with individuals. DEPRESSION * Persistent sad, anxious, or "empty" mood * Feelings of hopelessness, pessimism * Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, helplessness * Loss of interest or pleasure in hobbies and activities that you once enjoyed, including sex * Insomnia, early-morning awakening, or oversleeping * Appetite and/or weight loss or overeating and weight gain * Decreased energy, fatigue, being "slowed down" * Thoughts of death or suicide, suicide attempts * Restlessness, irritability * Difficulty concentrating, remembering, making decisions * Persistent physical symptoms that do not respond to treatment, such as headaches, digestive disorders, and chronic pain MANIA * Inappropriate elation * Inappropriate irritability * Severe insomnia * Grandiose notions * Increased talking * Disconnected and racing thoughts * Increased sexual desire * Markedly increased energy * Poor judgment * Inappropriate social behavior NamVet Newsletter Page 70 Volume 7, Number 2 February 27, 1993 Forgotten By Jim Hildwine NamVet's Veteran Benefits Section Editor VETLink #4 - Shady Side, MD (Via VETLink #1) I was wondering about what it was like for a little mountain yard called Ping. Ping was assigned to our local SF unit. But he seemed to be more interested in Americans then the normal folks in the central highlands. His real name is not known by me. The nickname Ping was given to him by our motor sgt. Ping was always a somewhat wonder. He loved more then anything to work on trucks, jeeps. He would be given a carburetor by the motor sgt, and a screw driver, and a pair of pliers. Ping would set it on a 55 gallon drum, and take three days taking it apart, cleaning it and then putting it back together and then see if it would work. Ping's english was not par for the course. Ping knew all the American he needed, and most of it I can not post. As we all know, GI's have a tongue all of their own when it comes to getting directly to the point. But in all, Ping was different. He hated the North with a passion that can not be told. The SF NCO's said Ping could be counted on to do any assigned mission, and was the best check six artist in all the highlands. So then, whats so special about Ping? Well, he short, very short, and had the worse beetle nut stained teeth I ever saw, he was skinny, and I mean real skinny, yet ate like chow was going out of style. But most of all he had a big heart. One of guys had gotten a Dear John, and was off sulking in one of the bunkers. Ping refused to let the guy feel bad. He went to him, and in broken english said, "I no understand" what is "Dear John", please make me understand. Ping knew what a DJ was but, he was determined not to let him salk. He'd go into to his routine of what a Dear John was to him. Tho acting it out, his actions became more and more funny, he would say, "You Dear John" me, Dear John to five times one day. He would laugh, and cry, and sob, and act it out as if it were true. In a few minutes half the compound was rolling in laughter. Even the GI who got the DJ. Yes Ping was something special. Ping in 1970 I believe was slicked out to Dak Se Yang (not sure of the spelling) there were 20 SF types, one MAVC advisor and a large complement of Yards. It was a major battle for a week. At Dak To airfield choppers would come in looking like swiss cheese. For a week, the NVA tried with all they had to take the position. As for who won, it depended on who you talked to. Ping was lost in that battle. He was killed, took a few with him. But for us at Dak To at the MACV compound, and the Troops on the Signal Compound at Kontum, the lose of Ping was felt. Our motor sgt got roaring drunk, not bad for a guy who did not drink. A few of the troops, and two of the officers really got wacked. Ping was gone. As one of my men told me, he was a one man traveling show. He cared about peoples feelings, and he was loyal, and NamVet Newsletter Page 71 Volume 7, Number 2 February 27, 1993 brave, and now some 20 odd years later, not FORGOTTEN! Ping like all the Yard's were rare breed. Tho plain, I'd more or less say they to me were like the American Indians to us back in 1492. The reason I remember is are oldies station her today played "Still wine, gotta get that girl", that if any was Ping's theme song, He love it. Why I'll never know, but hearing it today brought back some very fond memories of that time, and of that place. So Ping ole buddy, tho your gone, your not forgotten by this ole troop. You'll never be forgotten, for anyone who could bring cheer in that far away land will not be forgotten, least by me. "Far better it is to dare mighty things to win glorious triumps even though checkered by failure, than to rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy nor suffer much because they live in the gray twilight that knows neither victory nor defeat." -= Theodore Roosevelt NamVet Newsletter Page 72 Volume 7, Number 2 February 27, 1993 ================================================================== Sister Vets ================================================================== Vietnam Women's Memorial Project, Inc. "Sister Search" Submitted by: Martha Green VETLink #1 - Pittsfield, MA (413) 443-6313 The Vietnam Women's Memorial Project's "SISTER SEARCH" is a program designed to locate the military and civilian women who served their country during the Vietnam War. The goals of "SISTER SEARCH" are to facilitate hope and healing among women veterans; to provide a network for them; and to assist research efforts on women who served during the Vietnam War. Vietnam era women veterans are asked to provide as much information as they feel comfortable sharing. Although "Sister Search" is NOT a locator service, should an inquiry be made as to whereabouts of a person included in the "SISTER SEARCH" database, the VWMP will pass the inquiry along in writing to the individual, allowing her to decide whether she would like to respond. If the individual is deceased, the inquiry will be sent to the closest family member identified by the VWMP. All women veterans in the "SISTER SEARCH" database will periodically receive information on the Project's progress and ultimately receive an invitation to the dedication ceremonies in Washington, D.C. The Vietnam Women's Memorial Project is a non-profit, volunteer organization with the threefold purpose of: educating the public about the women who served during the Vietnam era; locating and providing a network for these women; and placing a realistic representation of a Vietnam woman veteran on the grounds of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, DC. The Project has the support of every major veterans group in America, including the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund. For more information, contact: "SISTER SEARCH" Vietnam Women's Memorial Project 2001 'S' Street NW Suite #302 Washington DC 20009 NamVet Newsletter Page 73 Volume 7, Number 2 February 27, 1993 Even a small donation can make a monumental difference. Efforts are now underway to erect a monument on the grounds of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial that recognizes the role played by women veterans. The Vietnam Women's Memorial Project is conducting this drive as part of a larger effort to educate all Americans about the vital services provided by over 265,000 women, military and civilian, during the Vietnam War. O O O O O O O O O O O O O Your contribution, large or small, O O will help ensure that these women's O O sacrifices are not forgotten. O __________ O O ) O /(O) / O\ / / O \ / VIETNAM / \ / WOMEN'S /HONORING\ / MEMORIAL /\ THE \ / PROJECT / \ WOMEN \ / / \ WHO \ / / \ SERVED / (__________/ \ / \ / \ / \/ _ /_/ Yes, I want to help honor America's Women Vietnam veterans. My tax-deductible contribution is enclosed. _ /_/ Send me more information about how I can help make this dream a reality. _ /_/ I am a woman who served during the Vietnam era. NAME ____________________________________________________________ ADDRESS _________________________________________________________ CITY ______________________________________ STATE ______________ ZIP ____________________ PHONE __________________________________ Clip and mail along with your contribution to: VWMP 2001 S St., NW Suite 710 Washington, DC 20009 VIETNAM WOMEN'S MEMORIAL PROJECT A legacy of Healing and Hope NamVet Newsletter Page 74 Volume 7, Number 2 February 27, 1993 Vietnam Women's Memorial Project, Inc. 2001 'S' Street NW - Suite 302 - Washington DC 20009 (202) 328-7253 FAX: (202) 328-0063 Submitted by: Martha Green VETLink #1 - Pittsfield, MA (413) 443-6313 SISTER SEARCH Name:________________________Vietnam Era Name: ___________________ (If different) Address:_____________________________________ Work #: ____/_______ City:________________ State: __ Zip:________ Home #: Branch of Service or Civilian Organization: ___________________________________________ In-Country (Vietnam) Assignment #1: ___________________________________________________ Start Date: ___________________________ End Date: ________________ Assignment #2: ___________________________________________________ Start Date: ___________________________ End Date: ________________ Assignment #3: ___________________________________________________ Start Date: ___________________________ End Date: ________________ Vietnam Era (1959-1975) Assignment: ______________________________________________________ Start Date: ___________________________ End Date: ________________ The Project receives inquires from the press and researchers in search of Vietnam era women veterans who are willing to share their experiences.Your participation as a press/research/education contact is strictly optional. I authorize the Vietnam Women's Memorial Project to release my name to individuals or organizations who are seeking information on Vietnam era women veterans for press inquirries, research or educational activities. Signature ________________________________________ Date __________ I authorize the Vietnam Women's Memorial Project to release my name to the National Associate Volunteer, Regional and/or State Coordinator in my area. -------------------| FOR OFFICE USE | DATE RECEIVED: | | Signature ___________________ Date __________ TRANSFER: | | Please list the names and addresses of any ENTER: | other Vietnam era women veterans you know on | the back of this form. | COMMENTS: | -------------------| Thank you for participating in SISTER SEARCH NamVet Newsletter Page 75 Volume 7, Number 2 February 27, 1993 ================================================================== Serving our veterans! ================================================================== VA ESTABLISHES WOMEN'S DIVISION AT NATIONAL PTSD CENTER News Release from the Department of Veterans Affairs \-with thanks to Jim Hildwine, Shady Side, MD.-/ Submitted by Joyce Flory NamVet's Incarcerated Veterans Section Editor VETLink #13 - Las Cruces, NM (505) 523-2811 Office of Public Affairs Washington, D.C. 20420 News Service (202) 535-8300 Department of Veterans Affairs NEWS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is announcing the establishment of a new division within the National Center for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) devoted to the study of the impact of military trauma on women veterans. The Women's Health Science Division is the first of its kind in the country. While research and educational programs at the National Center have included women veterans, the division will be devoted exclusively to studying the effects of traumatic stress on women veteran's mental health and physical well-being. This will include problems caused by sexual harassment and sexual assault. Located at the VA Medical Center in Boston, the division will be under the direction of Jessica Wolfe, Ph.D. The division will conduct studies designed to improve the assessment, diagnosis and treatment of PTSD in women, as well as PTSD training. "We also will be offering a broad range of educational activities for professionals and the community, and plan to continue our collaboration with other treatment facilities serving women veterans, and federal, state and private institutions conducting research related to the care of women," said Wolfe. VA's National Center for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder -- a center for clinical research, training and information on PTSD -- was established in 1989. The multi-site center is a collaborative effort based at four VA hospitals located in White River Junction, Vt.; West Haven, Conn.; Boston; and the Menlo Park Division of the VA Medical Center in Palo Alto, Calif. VA has long led the way in PTSD treatment and research. Specialized PTSD treatment programs and clinical teams are located at VA facilities throughout the country. Veterans also receive PTSD treatment in VA's medical centers and mental health clinics, as well as from a network of 196 veterans' outreach centers, which provide counseling to veterans and their families on a variety of readjustment problems. Research conducted by the National Center for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder has helped guide evaluation and treatment efforts for this disorder. Jan. 22, 1993 NamVet Newsletter Page 76 Volume 7, Number 2 February 27, 1993 Veterans' Memorials In-Progress - 11/92 From NCOA MidChapter #138 11/92 NewsBriefs By Stephen L. Worley, Vice-Chairman NCOA #138 Our Potpourri/VETLink #34 BBS - Midwest City, OK (405) 741-5120 Name: Korean War Veterans Memorial **************************** Location: Washington, D.C. Status: Under construction. Dedication planned for 1995. Still needs funds for perpetual maintenance. Address: Korean War Veterans Memorial,18th and C Streets NW Room 7023, Washington, DC.20240 Phone: (202)208-3561 Name: Women in Military Service for America Memorial ********************************************** Location: Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, VA. Status: Needs $13 million by November 1993 to remain on schedule for groundbreaking by end of 1993. Address: Women in Military Service for America Memorial Foundation Inc. Dept. 560, Washington, DC 20042-0560 Phone: (800) I SALUTE or (800) 472-5883 Name: Vietnam Women's Memorial ************************ Location: Washington, D.C. Status: Dedication to take place Veterans Day,1993. Needs about $2 million to complete the project. Address: Vietnam Women's Memorial Project,Inc. 2001 S. Street NW, Suite 302, Washington, DC 20009 Phone: (202) 328-7253 Name: United States Navy Memorial *************************** Location: Washington D.C. Status: Visitor center is totally completed and open to the public. Needs $1 million for perpetual maintenance and to begin the next phase of the memorial, which concentrates on heritage and education. Address: United States Navy Memorial P.O. Box 96570, Washington, DC 20090-6570 Phone: (202) 737-2399 * N * C * O * A * Courtesy of: NCOA Mid America Chapter #138 102 Mid America Blvd.,MWC.,OK.73110 Tel.(405) 737-7772 NamVet Newsletter Page 77 Volume 7, Number 2 February 27, 1993 Homeless Vets "Stand Down" Jess Jesperson, Midwest Coordinator - VVAW 25th Anniversary edition of THE VETERAN Input by G. Joseph Peck VETLink #1 - Pittsfield, MA (413) 443-6313 The Stand Down has come and gone and the results are filtering in. We are trying to come up with final figures on how many vets have followed up with any of the services that were offered. While the final tally is not in yet, I can give you the following information. There were several referrals to the V.A. Hospital for further medical treatment. One vet was admitted to the psych unit and one vet did not want to be admitted. The word on the street is that the Stand Down was not a sham or lip service and we look for more participation (unfortunately) at next year's event. It is nothing short of a national disgrace that we have to provide this type of service for veterans while pleading our case with the state Legislature to provide the money to fund this type of service to the homeless veterans. But, back to the point of this article as I could go on and on about the political implications. So far, 16 vets have bee to Job Service to seek employment. This number is going up weekly, so the final figures aren't in yet. But it shows clearly that the majority of these vets want a job. I can't swallow the argument that these people are homeless by choice. I did not meet one veteran out of the 97 vets seen that wanted to live on the streets. Where this type of mentality comes from I can only guess. The vets I talked to all wanted a job, medical care, and a place to live. There has also been some medical follow-up by an organization called Health Care for the Homeless. Some vets are utilizing this health care option over VA care. I can't blame them. With the history of the VA, it comes as no surprise. However, this is one time that the VA deserves a big thank you. They opened the hospital and its services to our group. Also, the event couldn't have happened without their help. They came through for us when we needed them and my hat's off to those dedicated VA employees who volunteered their time and expertise to the Stand Down. We have money left over from our original event and are considering a mini-Stand Down for some time after the holidays. We still have plenty of clothing to give out and a stash of blankets so winter won't be quite as hard on our comrades. This event would be a one day affair. If any VVAW Chapter is interested in sponsoring an event like our Stand Down, contact: JESS JESPERSEN, 3217 NORTH MARIETTA AVE., MILWAUKEE, WI 53211 (414) 961-1253. We can provide the organizational plans for an event such as the Stand Down. Hopefully, this plan will help reduce the labor that goes into a Stand Down by providing a blueprint so you won't have to start from ground zero. The event has also brought a diverse groups of veterans service organizations which is a must for smooth operation and it gives people from different organizations the chance to meet and work together. The importance of that is obvious. If we are to keep our benefits we must band together and fight the common enemy; an apathetic Federal government that wants us to die off and leave them alone to waste more lives and money. It's time we looked for NamVet Newsletter Page 78 Volume 7, Number 2 February 27, 1993 commonalties among us rather than a bunch of small groups hung up on differences. We've been working at cross purposes long enough. ALL VETERANS MUST UNITED AND KICK ASS WHERE NECESSARY !!!!!! Respectfully submitted, Jess Jespersen, Midwest Regional Coordinator VVAW "He's crying. Do you think he's hurt?" "He's shivering. Do you think he's cold?" "He looks very weak. Do you think he's hungry?" "Who's that with him? Is that his family?" NamVet Newsletter Page 79 Volume 7, Number 2 February 27, 1993 ================================================================== Forgotten - again? ================================================================== Letter from the National Incar/Vet Officer - V.V.N.W. By Thomas M. Remington Submitted by Joyce Flory NamVet's Incarcerated Veterans Section Editor (with thanks to and permission from Thomas Remington) VETLink #13 - Las Cruces, NM (505) 523-2811 Veterans of the Vietnam War, Inc. NATIONAL INCAR/VET OFFICER Thomas M. Remington VVnw Inc. Post MII-22 P.O. Box 5000-176402 Carson City, Michigan 48811-5000 Dear Brother Vet: I would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself and the Veterans organization I represent, along with giving you a brief description of what and who we represent. My name is Thomas Remington, and I am the National Service Officer for Incarcerated Vets of the V.V.N.W. (Veterans of the Vietnam War, Inc.). The V.V.N.W. was established in 1978 because of the mixed political views of the V.V.A. (Vietnam Veterans of America). Our founders did not believe in mimicking the political views of politicians in order to gain acceptance in the elite social clubs. This practice still stands strong to this day. We are not a politically oriented organization, yet we are VERY politically active in matters concerning the Veteran, i.e., the POW/MIA issue, Veterans Benefits, the Agent Orange dilemma, and the list goes on. At present, we are over 40,000 strong with posts stretching across the entire United States, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Canada, and Australia. Unlike other Veteran organizations, our members consist of "STRICTLY" Veterans. We are a brotherhood; by, and for the Vet. Roughly five years ago, in an effort to reach out to all veterans, the V.V.N.W. began to set up its Incar/Vet program. To date, there are 44 chartered prison posts of the V.V.N.W.; two of which are here in Michigan. As of July 9, 1992 the V.V.N.W. Inc. was both recognized and authorized to operate and charter posts within the Michigan Department of Corrections by Mr. Dan Bolden, Deputy Director. The V.V.N.W. Inc. is proud to offer its incarcerated veterans one of the most complete and comprehensive human development programs ever designed for Incar/Vets by a Veterans organization. There is none that can compare with it in the entire country. Of course, the success of this program depends on the dedication and devotion of the members of each post, but the potential for this innovative and rehabilitative program is without a doubt unlimited. NamVet Newsletter Page 80 Volume 7, Number 2 February 27, 1993 The basis of this program is the implementation of a 20 point program, most of which have never been seen in any Incar/Vet Prison Post before. It consists, briefly, of the following: 1. Growth & Retention Committee 11. Special Activities Committee 2. POW/MIA Committee 12. Substance Abuse Committee 3. Agent Orange Committee 13. Spiritual Development 4. Post-Traumatic Stress Therapy 14. Montagnard Plight Committee 5. Military Benefits Committee 15. Public Relations Committee 6. Officer's Training Course 16. Awards Committee 7. Helping Hand Committee 17. Color Guard 8. Community Development Committee18. Government Affairs Committee 9. Education Committee 19. Legal Affairs Committee 10. Sports Committee 20. Ways and Means Committee Space does not permit me to elaborate on the contents of each of these points. Therefore, we are inviting you to contact us in order to learn more about our organization. We not only want you to stand with us as a brother, and a member of the V.V.N.W., but we would like to send you a packet outlining the steps on how to start and run a Chartered Post of the V.V.N.W. Incar/Vets. As Vietnam Veterans we must bear the weight of what has been so that such a tragedy, once endured, can never be forgotten in hopes that such a thing shall never occur again. We must band together to help one another and our communities in a positive and constructive way, that we can be an example to be followed, not one to be ashamed of. Please contact one of the following so that we may send you the pertinent information on how to become a member of the V.V.N.W., Inc. and, most important, how to help the brother vets in your community by organizing an Incar/Vet post with, and for them. NATIONAL EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR NATIONAL SERVICE OFFICER Mr. Mike Milne Richard Hanpsher 2090 Bald Mountain RD. P.O. Box 106 Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702 Alpena, MI 49707 NATIONAL INCAR/VET OFFICER Thomas M. Remington P.O. Box 5000-176402 Carson City, MI 48811-5000 (undecipherable) INCAR/VETS CALL: 1-800-VIETNAM Sincerely Your Brother Vet, Thomas M. Remington NATIONAL INCAR/VET OFFICER VVnw Inc. Post MII-22 P.O. Box 5000-176402 Carson City, MI 48811-5000 NamVet Newsletter Page 81 Volume 7, Number 2 February 27, 1993 XXXXX XXXXX XXXXX XXXX XXXXX XXXXX XXXXX \ \ \ \ \XXXX XXXXX XXXXX.::::::::::::::.XXXXX INCARCERATED XXXX XXXXX XXXXX --------- XXXXX \ \ \ \ \ \ \XXXX XXXXX .XXXXX W W I I XXXXX. VETERANS \ \XXXX XXXXX ::XXXXX --------- XXXXX::. \ \ \ \ XXXX XXXXX :::XXXXX ------------- XXXXX:::. 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XXXX XXXXX.::' :: XXXXX: PREPARED TO XXXXX .'' ''.. XXXX XXXXX::' :: XXXXX`: FIGHT XXXXX.' '.XXXX XXXXX' :: XXXXX ``. XXXXX XXXX XXXXX '' XXXXX PREPARED TO XXXXX XXXX XXXXX :: XXXXX DIE ...'XXXXX XXXX XXXXX :: XXXXX `...' XXXXX XXXX XXXXX `..' XXXXX .' XXXXX XXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXX /\ .' .' XXXX XXXXX /\ \ . . XXXX XXXXX / \ \...' `. .' XXXX XXXXX / NOT PREPARED TO BE DESERTED XXXX XXXXX / .'.' . .`.' XXXX XXXXX / ~ | : : : . XXXX XXXXX / |`. : : . .__________ XXXX XXXXX / ~ ~ ||.` ` : || \ / XXXX XXXXX / WRITE OR VISIT AN INCARCERATED VETERAN SOON ! XXXX XXXXX / ~ || . .'. / / XXXX XXXXX/ ~ ~ ~|| ||/ / XXXX XXXXX ~ ~ ~ || || / XXXX XXXXX || || / XXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXX \_________XXXXX________|| XgjpX XXXX XXXXX XXXXX XXXXX XXXX NamVet Newsletter Page 82 Volume 7, Number 2 February 27, 1993 V.V.A. "Adopt-A-Vet" Program (AVP) by Vietnam Veterans of America, Inc. Input by Joyce Flory NamVet's Incarcerated Veterans Section Editor VETLink #13 - Las Cruces, NM (505) 523-2811 \- with thanks to and permission from -/ Chaplain Danny Heller - WCI, Wisconsin - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - VIETNAM VETERANS OF AMERICA, Inc. "In Service to America" March 31, 1992 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE MEMORANDUM TO: ALL CONCERNED PERSONS FROM: Donald "Sarge" Willis Veterans Incarcerated Committee Wisconsin State Council RE: "Adopt-A-Vet" Program (AVP); RECOGNITION OF By this letter the Veterans Incarcerated Committee of the Wisconsin State Council, Vietnam Veterans of America, Inc., does hereby state that the above named program, "Adopt-A-Vet" Program (AVP), is fully sanctioned by this Committee. As stated by the Project Abstract attached to this proclamation we, the Veterans Incarcerated Committee, will set forth our efforts and those we designate to achieve those goals as outlined. That this Committee will work with the Incarcerated Veterans Association in obtaining all avenues of aid possible to the veteran ex-offender. That the existence of this program will be announced via letters and presentations to institutional staff, veterans groups, participating organizations, government agencies, church organizations, and any other group as deemed appropriate by this Committee. And that this program be staffed by volunteers from the chapters of the Vietnam Veterans of America, Inc., and those designated by this Committee to be of good faith. Respectfully Submitted, s/ (Sarge) Donald "Sarge" Willis Veterans Incarcerated Committee Wisconsin State Council DW/dw WISCONSIN STATE COUNCIL NamVet Newsletter Page 83 Volume 7, Number 2 February 27, 1993 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ADOPT-A-VET PROGRAM PROJECT ABSTRACT The "Adopt-A-Vet" Program (AVP) is a program initiated by the members of the Incarcerated Veterans Association, Vietnam Veterans of America, Waupun State Correctional Institution. The goal of this program is to re-integrate an ex-offender back into society with the help of a Chapter AVP Representative. By this letter the Veterans Incarcerated Committee (VIC) of the Wisconsin State Council, Vietnam Veterans of America, formally establishes a grassroots organization that will assist veteran ex- offenders in finding help in solving problems of re-integration back into society. The proposed REFERRAL program would address the rehabilitative needs of the veteran ex-offender in the state of Wisconsin, by training a volunteer chapter representative in how to obtain localized services in the areas of: HOUSING FOOD CLOTHING MEDICAL ASSISTANCE DENTAL ASSISTANCE TREATMENT FACILITIES a) drug b) alcohol c) counselling EMPLOYMENT a) re-training b) placement VA BENEFITS (where applicable) EDUCATION SOCIAL SECURITY GENERAL ASSISTANCE TRANSPORTATION PROBLEM STATEMENT The potential population of veterans who could benefit from this program is large. It is estimated by the Department of Corrections that 17.3% of its inmates are veterans (and can be assumed the greater majority of those are Vietnam Era). This says nothing at all about those veterans already out! Veterans, like members of cultural and ethnic groups and those who have shared similar experiences are more likely to accept and respond to services offered by members of the same group. The program is faced with the problem of being able to coordinate all the possible avenues of aid to the veteran ex-offender due to a lack of materials and volunteer manpower. To establish a cohesive training manual for the chapter representative in how to seek out and obtain all the possible avenues of aid to veteran ex-offenders. These AVP reps would work interactively with their specific area reps of resources to determine exactly what help they can provide. NamVet Newsletter Page 84 Volume 7, Number 2 February 27, 1993 To establish a "Pilot" manual of resources available, and inform them of the AVP program, its goals and resources. (This would be done by VIC, and passed down through chapter.) PROGRAM GOALS It is the goal of this program to have in place BEFORE the veteran ex-offenders release a comprehensive list of resources available to him/her in the area they are to be paroled to. This information will be made available to the AVP rep through a program application on which the ex-offender has stated his/her needs, and supplied to the AVP rep at least six (6) weeks prior to their release. If possible, a AVP rep would visit the institution to facilitate the filling out of the application through an interview format. This program must coincide with the inmates pre-release plan by his/her parole officer. THIS PROGRAM IS NOT INTENDED FOR USE AS A PAROLE ELIGIBLE TOOL. But could be used in conjunction with an approved parole plan. Program participation and release plans would encompass conditions of supervision, treatment/counselling and community involvement as ordered by the parole agent, and deemed necessary to ameliorate problems that might negatively affect their ability to remain a productive law abiding citizen. EVALUATION/FOLLOW-UP Evaluation will focus on the ability of the AVP to establish services as proposed, and the volume of veterans served. During this time the processes utilized will be examined, and the impact of services on the veterans participating in the program will be analyzed through a six (6) month follow-up study. BUDGET Initially, the total monies for the program will come from the Veterans Incarcerated Committee Budget as approved by the VVA Wisconsin State Council. Additional monies will be sought through private foundations, individual donations, local, state, and federal grants (as approved by VVA Wisconsin State Council). Respectfully submitted, March 30, 1992 =*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*= VOLUNTEER VETERAN HANDBOOK "ADOPT-A-VET" PROGRAM (AVP) VIETNAM VETERANS OF AMERICA, INC. INCARCERATED VETERANS COMMITTEE WISCONSIN STATE COUNCIL [VVA symbol] CONCEPT BY DONALD R. WILLIS, CHAIRMAN VETERANS INCARCERATED COMMITTEE WISCONSIN STATE COUNCIL AND NamVet Newsletter Page 85 Volume 7, Number 2 February 27, 1993 ROBERT R. PIARO, VICE-PRESIDENT WISCONSIN STATE COUNCIL - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - WHERE DO I BEGIN?? While the needs of someone who is about to return to society are many they tend to fall into these basic categories: shelter/home food employment clothing medical/dental assistance general assistance aoda counseling individual/family counseling social security transportation education Don't panic! It is not your task to supply these needs. What is important for the veteran is to know where they can go to secure these services. We start with the most basic approach there is -- the telephone. Almost every community has some type of social services listed in the yellow pages. In many cases there is a prime service to start with. For example Milwaukee has an agency termed First Call For Help. This agency provides information on all the available food pantries throughout the city. It can also give you information on other agencies that may aid you in your quest for diversified aid. You will find that by using a simple low keyed approach that there are many people that will be interested in your cause. Invariably these agencies often interact with each other. If one of them cannot give you the help you are looking for, they can usually steer you to someone who can help. Patience is the keyword here. Once people are used to you they will be prone to go out of their way to offer some type of aid. Please try and follow the procedures laid out on the next page. Hopefully you will find it a systematic approach that works. It was refined by a veterans project in Milwaukee that has done this type of work for several years. 1. Upon receiving a request for aid from a veteran be sure that he or she has filled out a power of attorney form and a needs checklist. There should be a brief letter telling you what the vet feels their greatest need is at this time. 2. You should also receive an application form from the veteran that will supply you with all the pertinent information you may need. 3. DO NOT allow the veteran to call you. It is not only cost- prohibitive but can quickly become antiproductive. 4. Upon supplying the vet with all the information you can on pertinent contacts you simply wait. NamVet Newsletter Page 86 Volume 7, Number 2 February 27, 1993 5. When and if the veteran is released, it is the veterans responsibility to follow through on these needs. It is extremely important that the veteran does the bulk work of securing aid on their own. You can certainly offer suggestions or moral support. But is essential that the veteran immediately starts to work on his or her own self- reliance and self respect. Your only physical involvement might be in transportation. DO NOT give legal advice or supply legal aid in any matter resulting in the veterans incarceration. Talk your program up at your VVA meetings. You'll be surprised at the contacts you can develop there. There always seems to be somebody who knows somebody once they know what you are looking for. If you have doubts as to what to do or not to do; call your Veterans Incarcerated Committee Chairman or one of its committee members! They are there to help. Good luck! I think you'll find many satisfying times ahead. ----------------------------------------------------------------- VETERANS INCARCERATED COMMITTEE VIETNAM VETERANS OF AMERICA, INC. WISCONSIN STATE COUNCIL ADOPT-A-VET PROGRAM Date of Application:________ Name, Institution Number and Current Address: D.O.B.____ Age:____ ____________________________________________ ____________________________________________ Race:_____ ____________________________________________ ____________________________________________ Next Parole Hearing Date:_________ Expected Date Of Release:_____ Type Of Release:_____________________ (MR Date-Parole Date) Incarcerated Under Authority Of (check one): Federal____ State____ Military____ Other____ explain:____________________________________________ Marital Status: Single____ Married____ Divorced____ Number Of Dependents Living With You Upon Release ____ Alternate Contact Person (Spouse-Significant Other-Friend) Name:_____________________ Phone# (_____)_________________ Military Service:______________ Dates Served________ To:________ NamVet Newsletter Page 87 Volume 7, Number 2 February 27, 1993 (Branch) (Month/Year) (Month/Year) Type Of Discharge:_________________________ DD-214:_____________ (yes/no) NOTE: COPY OF DD-214 MUST ACCOMPANY APPLICATION FOR PROCESSING Do You Need Help Obtaining A Copy Of Your DD-214: Yes____No____ City/County You Will Be Released To:__________________________ Address (if known):____________________________________________ ____________________________________________ ____________________________________________ Phone # (if known): (____)______________ ___________ Parole Officer:_________________________ Address:________________________________ ________________________________ Phone #: (____)_________________________ Are You A Member Of Any Service Organization (i.e., Jaycees, Toastmasters, etc.)_____________________________________________ Are You Interested In Joining An Outside VVA Chapter? Yes___No___ Are You Now Drawing Any Type Of VA Compensation Or Pension? Yes___No___ If So, What Percentage:____% Type:_______________ (comp/pen) Do You Have A Service Organization Handling Your Claim? If So, Which: VVA____ DAV____ WDVA____ Other_____________________________ Name Of Service Officer:___________________________________ Address:_________________________ Phone #(____)____________ _________________________ _________________________ Along with this application include a short statement in your own words as to your needs and wants and long range goals. ANY AND ALL INFORMATION IS CONFIDENTIAL BETWEEN THE CLIENT AND RESOURCE, AND WILL HELP US HELP YOU THROUGH APPROPRIATE REFERRALS. ----------------------------------------------------------------- Needs Check off those services or programs you will need upon release. Housing __________ Food Pantries _______ Clothing ______ NamVet Newsletter Page 88 Volume 7, Number 2 February 27, 1993 Medical Assistance ______ Dental Assistance ______ Treatment Facilities A) AODA _____ B) Counseling 1) family ____ 2) individual ___ specific need:__________________ VA Benefits A) disability procurement ______ B) disability up-grade ______ C) discharge up-grade ______ D) other:____________________________________________ Social Security ______ General Assistance ______ Transportation ______ EMPLOYMENT Present job skills:____________________________________ _______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________ Type of work you would like to obtain:_________________ _______________________________________________________ Would it require re-training? yes___ no___ EDUCATIONAL NEEDS A) High School Diploma _____ B) Vocational Training _____ what trade:______________ C) Adult Basic Education _____ D) Associate Degree Program _____ what field:_________ E) Graduate/Post graduate _____ F) Other _____________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ WE CANNOT PROVIDE LEGAL ASSISTANCE PERTAINING TO ANYONE'S PARTICULAR CASE! POWER OF ATTORNEY On the following page fill in ONLY the boxes checked! This power of attorney is needed to facilitate the processing of your application and records. [Joyce's Note: The power of attorney form was not included in the packet I received.] NamVet Newsletter Page 89 Volume 7, Number 2 February 27, 1993 ================================================================== IVVEC Phonebook ================================================================== The IVVEC PhoneBook Maintained and consistently updated by: NamVet's Keeper of the List - Joyce Flory VETLink #13 - Las Cruces, NM (505) 523-2811 WELCOME HOME!!!! If any of the following information is inaccurate or incomplete, please contact me through the NAM_VETS Echo or NetMail at 305/105. I would, also, like to know if any of these boards are Pay BBS's (pay per hour) or Subscriber BBS's (for extended time, etc. you must pay a fee). I feel you vets have paid enough without having to pay for vet information, access to the NAM_VET echo, or to download the NAM_VET newsletter AND have a right to know which boards charge. Though I regularly check the listings against the Nodelist to make sure they have the correct phone number(s), I have no way of knowing (short of calling them all - grin) *if* they carry the echo or not. Remember, this list is only as good as my information. Your help and information would be greatly appreciated. Thank you; Joyce (K.O.T.L.) ----------------------------------------------------------------- Updated as of 02-08-93 AL Huntsville Gateway 205-880-7723 AL Pleasant Grove Family Smorgas-Board 205-744-0943-NL ! * (VETLink #26) AR Fayetteville Ozark Connection 501-521-4734 AR Magnolia The Data Shop (VETLink #23) 501-234-5064-NL ! AZ Hereford The Boonie BBS 602-378-1164 AZ Phoenix AzCLU BBS 602-650-1180 Mon. thru Fri. - 6pm to 8am; Weekends - 6pm Fri. to 8am Mon. AZ Phoenix Nat'l Congress For Men BBS 602-840-4752 AZ Phoenix Nighthawk BBS 602-582-1127 AZ Sierra Vista The Mall 602-459-3789 CA Anaheim CA Self-Help Library 714-952-2110 CA Antioch Cheers 510-706-0904 CA Azusa Azusa Pacific BBS 818-969-9170 CA Azusa Azusa Pacific Mail System 818-969-9542 CA Castro Valley Combat Arms BBS 510-537-1777 CA Claremont Gentle Rain Forum 714-593-6144 CA Clovis Clovis-Net BBS 209-292-3530 CA Concord Online Computer Reso 510-687-0236 CA Davis Dynasoft Node 916-753-8788 CA Garden Grove The Master's BBS 714-539-2477 CA Los Angeles Long_Island RB 310-370-4113 CA Los Angeles SoCalNet EC 818-969-9542 CA Mentone Mentone Beach BBS 714-794-3031 CA Navato Mover Mouse BBS 415-898-2644 NamVet Newsletter Page 90 Volume 7, Number 2 February 27, 1993 CA Ontario Diamond Bar BBS 909-947-7478 CA Ontario Diamond Bar BBS 909-923-1031 CA Orange Ol' Codger's BBS 714-639-1139 CA Oxnard SURFBOARD 805-483-1467 CA Petaluma Phoenix Rising(VETLink #28) 707-763-7108-NL ! CA Poway SGT ROCK's BBS 619-748-5406 CA Richmond Nightline BBS (VETLink #22) 510-234-1053-NL ! CA Ridgecrest Programmer's Inn 619-446-4506 CA Riverside Solid Rock BBS 714-785-9176 CA Sacramento The Broken Rose BBS 916-483-8624 CA Sacramento Humanx Commonwealth BBS 916-737-1844 CA Sacramento Now and Zen Opus 916-962-1952 CA Sacramento Frogstar 916-739-8386 CA Sacramento Seanachie 916-481-3552 CA San Diego Rendezvous BBS 619-689-2817 CA San Diego Rendezvous BBS 619-692-0563 CA San Francisco PC GFX Exchange 415-337-5416 CA San Jose 24 Hours-A-Day BBS 408-448-1126 CA San Jose Int'l Public Emergency Comm 408-298-2740-SB * CA San Mateo Skeptic's Board 415-572-0359 CA Tustin Bridge Builder BBS 714-838-8127 CA Twentynine Palm The Desert Night 619-361-3421 CA Vallejo Power Station 707-552-0462 CA Yucaipa Veterans Self Help Network 909-797-1835-NL ! (VETLink #33) CN Alberta The Shadow BBS 403-463-0809 CN Edmonton, Alab. Druid's Keep 403-476-9554 CN Mississuaga, Ont. Canada Remote Systems 416-579-6302 CN Stratford, Ont. Warlock's World 519-272-1773 CN Regina, Sask. Holistic BBS 306-789-9909 CO Boulder Pinecliffe HST DS 303-642-0703 CO Canon City Purgatory 719-269-9261 CO Colorado Sprgs Electronic Locksmith 719-390-9249 CO Colorado Sprgs Socialism Online 719-392-7781 CO Highlands Ranch Bear's Lair 303-791-4331 CT Branford Alice's Restaurant 203-488-1115 CT Branford Fernwood OS 2 Line 2 203-481-7934 CT Cheshire Soapbox 203-250-2001 CT Danbury Treasure Island 203-791-8532-NL CT Killingly Eastconn Echomail 203-779-3173-NL ! (VETLink #11) CT Killingly The Hub 203-663-1147 CT Plantsville The Pig Pen 203-628-9346 CT Plantsville The Pig Pen 203-620-0562 CT Putnam Rick's Private Node 203-564-8579 CT Southington DownStairs SC EchoHub 203-621-1930 CT Wallingford Vampire Connection 203-269-8313 CT West Haven Ascii Neighborhood II 203-934-9852-NL ! (VETLink #14) CT West Haven Ascii Neighborhood 203-932-6236-NL ! (VETLink #15) DE Dover DELFIRE BBS 302-739-6757 DE Dover Moron Manor 302-735-8596 DE Felton Andromeda BBS 302-284-3178 DE New Castle Hackers BBS 302-322-8215 FL Clarcona West Orange BBS 407-293-2724 FL Ft Walton Beach Xanadu 904-244-4941 FL Jacksonville Guiding Light (VETLink #32) 904-744-9991-NL ! FL Keystone Hts. The Lion's Den 904-473-5079 NamVet Newsletter Page 91 Volume 7, Number 2 February 27, 1993 FL Kissimmee Micro-Imaging BBS 407-847-5499 FL Kissimmee The Program Exchange 407-870-2735 FL Melbourne Ocean BBS 407-728-2523 FL Miami The Southern Cross BBS 305-225-4567 FL Navarre Terrapin Station 904-939-8027 Fl Orange Park OverByte Industries (OBI) 904-278-0771 FL Orlando Digital Connection 407-896-0494 FL Orlando Freedom Line BBS 407-423-2111-NL FL Orlando Gourmet Delight 407-649-4136 FL Orlando UP-EAST BBS 407-273-7849 FL Pembroke Pines Bitsy's Place (VETLink #17) 305-432-8210-NL ! FL St. Petersburg 1 Computers 813-521-3149 FL Sebring ANCESTRY TBBS 813-471-0552 FL Venice Venice Recovery 813-492-9592 GA Albany Combat Override BBS 912-883-1421 GA Athens Classic City (VETLink #35) 706-548-0130-NL ! GA Augusta Fort Knox's BBS 706-592-6527 GA Augusta Public's Domain BBS 706-860-5070 GA Savannah Night Owl 912-964-4266 GA Savannah Night Owl 912-964-1161 GA Savannah Night Owl 912-964-2425 GA Savannah Night Owl 912-964-1121 GA Savannah Night Owl 912-966-1167 GA Valdosta Hot South BBS (VETLink #29) 912-242-0496-NL GA Valdosta The Super Falcon BBS 912-245-8715 HI Honolulu Coconuts BBS 808-845-7054 IA Cedar Rapids Nuclear Winter 319-366-1985 IA Des Moines FOG LINE BBS 515-964-7937 IA Des Moines KARMA *VS* DOGMA 515-288-7793 ID Boise Compulink Northwest 208-375-4073 IL Chicago BIT WIZ Opus 312-935-6809 IL Peoria Express 1 BBS 309-688-0602 IN Ft. Wayne Semper Fi 219-424-4292-NL IN Ft. Wayne The Starship 219-485-8665 IN Hamilton My Fire Department BBS 219-488-3812 IN South Bend Squawk Box 219-273-2291-NL ! (VETLink #27) 219-273-2094-NL ! IN Terra Haute WVAU BBS 812-238-9295 KY Independence The ZOO 606-586-7508 KS Stillwell COLOSSUS II Systems 913-681-1255 KS Stillwell COLOSSUS II Systems 913-897-6667 LA Baker The Chatter Box 504-775-7825 LA Baton Rouge Muses 504-767-4668 LA Baton Rouge Ranger's Place 504-925-9307 LA New Orleans New Orleans MUG 504-837-8188 LA New Orleans Southern Star (E-N*) 504-889-2019-NL LA Pineville LA Veterans Sound Off BBS 318-449-1012-NL ! (VETLink #16) MA Amherst Pioneer Valley PCUG1 413-256-1037 MA Andover Aeolus BBS 508-474-0328 MA Dalton Field St. BBS (E-N) 413-684-1938-NL MA Lynn Freedom's Choice:CBCS 617-593-2605-NL ! (VETLink #18) MA Lynn NPI III 617-592-5772 MA Methuen Midnight Shift! BBS 508-688-5209 MA Pittsfield Berkshire Estates 413-499-1327-NL MA Pittsfield VETLink #1 413-443-6313-NL ! MA Pittsfield VETLink #20 413-442-2181-NL ! MA Pittsfield Berkshire Estates 413-499-1327-NL ! NamVet Newsletter Page 92 Volume 7, Number 2 February 27, 1993 (VETLink #37) MA Springfield Macintosh Only BBS! 413-532-1387 MD Baltimore Jim's Hooch (VETLink #19) 410-866-8613-NL ! MD Reisterstown Liberty Hall 410-833-8933 MD Shady Side-DOWN VETLink #4 301-261-5644-NL MD Silver Spring Light Source BBS 301-439-7437 MD Westminster The Gordian Knot 410-876-3337 MD Wheaton PainFrame 301-649-3906 MI Charlotte MicroNet 517-543-0228 MI Dearborn Bruce's Place (VETLink #10) 313-562-0051-NL ! MI Cooper Center Robert Adams 616-349-5882 currently mail only (24 hours) MI Flat Rock The Outer Limits I 313-379-4729 MI Freeport Pet_Finders_System 616-765-3372 MI Kalamazoo The Graphics Shop - Node 2 616-375-2085 MI Lincoln Park Dante's Inferno 313-386-1905-NL ! (VETLink #24) MI Richland Freq Shop 616-629-4354 MI Taylor The Olympic BBS 2 313-946-5931 MN Arden Hills The City Lights 612-639-1873 MN Hugo Cities Best 612-426-4483 MN Hugo City's Best 612-426-4542 MN Robbinsdale U.S. Veterans BBS (E-N) 612-522-2026-NL SB MN Winona CIS-BBS 507-454-7386 MO Grandview NightShades 816-763-5544 MO Springfield CoConut Palms Hotel 417-887-6048 MO Springfield Hotel Spfld. Mo. 417-887-8574 MO Springfield Wittenburg Door 417-862-9759 MS Vicksburg Southern Belle 601-634-1625 NC Charlotte Carolina Forum 704-563-5857 NC Charlotte Carolina Forum 704-568-1663 NC Charlotte The Mounties BBS 704-393-7338 NC Charlotte Transporter Room 704-567-9513 NC Fuquay Varin The Dog House 919-552-0443 NC Raleigh InfoSys 919-851-8460 NC Raleigh Shalom-3 919-851-3858 NC Shelby Pleasure Seekers 704-484-0935 NC Spring-Lake Federal Post 919-436-2055 NC Winston-Salem Big Top BBS 919-765-2474 NC Winston-Salem Sanctuary BBS 919-924-0764 NH Manchester Checkmate BBS (VETLink #8) 603-622-2371-NL ! NH Manchester Computer Solutions 603-641-2017 NH Merrimack Outer Limits (VETLink #9) 603-424-4915-NL ! NJ ????????? Jezebel's Parlour 201-935-7968 NJ Garfield Quill & Inkpot BBS 201-340-1340 NJ Lyndhurst Starship ][ 201-935-1485 NJ Lyndhurst Starship ][ 201-935-7036 NJ Montvale Over the Edge BBS 201-573-0719 NJ Oakhusrt Ironhorse BBS 908-531-4238 NJ Old Bridge Net 107 EchoMail Distr. 908-721-3087 (Passin' Thru) NJ Passaic VETLink #5 201-778-1879-NL ! NJ Port Monmouth The POW/MIA BBS 908-787-8383 NJ Sayreville Cop Shop 908-254-8117 NM Alamogordo Casa de La Luz 505-437-8267-NL NM Las Cruces VETLink #13 505-523-2811-NL ! NM Las Cruces NASW (E-N) 505-646-2868-NL NM Portales - DOWN Piper's Dream (VETLink #12) 505-359-0668-NL ! NV Las Vegas Hard Disk Cafe 702-435-1094 NamVet Newsletter Page 93 Volume 7, Number 2 February 27, 1993 NV Las Vegas The Sports Line BBS 702-565-5271 NY Bloomfield Now 2613 505 716-657-7660 NY Buffalo LiveWire BBS 716-895-5244 NY Buffalo LiveWire BBS 716-895-6561 NY Chili Flower City Central 716-889-2016 NY Hudson Falls Sgt. Rock's NCO Club BBS 518-747-8347 NY Johnsonville Steamer One (VETLink #25) 518-753-7421-NL ! NY Latham The Three L's BBS 518-785-1715 NY Marlboro Acorn I BBS 914-236-3265 NY Owego NiteWing 607-687-3470-NL? NY Phoenix Galaxia ! 315-695-4436 NY Poughkeepsie Purple Rose of Cairo 914-473-1697 OH Akron Buckeye Hamshack 216-867-6984 OH Cincinnati CINTUG TBBS 513-474-2985 OH Cincinnati KIC 513-762-1115 OH Parma OHIONet Express 216-842-5911 OH Rocky River Nerd's Nook II 216-356-1772 OH Rocky River Nerd's Nook 216-356-1431 OK Edmond The Far Side QuickBBS 405-341-4720 OK McLoud Oklahoma Info Exchange 405-386-4049 OK Midwest City Our Potpourri BBS! 405-741-5120-NL ! (VETLink #34) OK Midwest City Torii Station 405-737-7565 OK Norman The FAMILY TREE 405-321-0642 OK Norman Mann's Solutions 405-447-3211 OK Oklahoma City Aviator's Haven 405-685-6960 OR Beaverton The Chess Board 503-629-5473 OR Portland Big Bob's BBS 503-286-9367 OR Portland Landing Zone (VETLink #7) 503-775-1554-NL ! PA Harrisburg Emergency Services BBS 717-566-3500 PA Harrisburg The Other BBS 717-657-7097 PA Harrisburg The Other BBS 717-657-2223 PA Ivyland DSC VoiceNet 215-443-5838 PA Ivyland DSC VoiceNet 215-443-9434 PA Johnstown The Family BBS 814-536-7617-NL PA Philadelphia Creative Dynamics 215-431-6822 (Mail Only til 3-1-93) PA Philadelphia Klingon Bird of Prey 215-426-5596 PA Pittsburgh Shadow Zone 412-231-7578 PA Souderton Dreamline II - Node I 215-721-7039 PA Souderton Dreamline II - Node I 215-584-8623 PA Whitehall Father and Son BBS 215-439-1175 SC Fountain Inn Programmers Forum 803-862-4616 TN Atoka Pegasus' Place 901-837-3307 TN Knoxville TN Deafness Info Net 615-637-6561 TN Louisville Stepping Stones 615-977-7359 TN Memphis Data Connection 901-683-5410-NL TN Memphis Memphis Mail Hub 901-876-3270 TN Millington Fitzpatrick's Fireplace 901-872-1928 TN Millington Havenhawks BBS 901-873-0965 TN Nashville Homestead 615-385-9421 TN Nashville The Unicorn & Dragon 615-385-2260 TX Austin Austin Connection 512-834-1161 TX Austin Connect America 512-454-9488-PB * (Silver Xpress Mail System) TX Austin My House BBS 512-218-8858 TX Austin RiverSide MailBox 512-327-5376 (Vox Vietnam Vet) TX Dallas Aaron's Beard 214-557-2642 NamVet Newsletter Page 94 Volume 7, Number 2 February 27, 1993 TX Dallas *Chrysalis* 214-680-4348 TX Dallas *Chrysalis* 817-540-5565 TX El Paso Lost Horizons 915-757-3670 TX Falls City-DOWN Commo Bunker (VETLink #30) 210-780-2060-NL ! TX Fort Worth VETLink #36 817-244-4245-NL ! TX Fort Worth Revelstone 817-732-1767 TX Grand Prairie XANADU 214-647-8125 TX Houston The Animal Kingdom BBS 713-496-7572 TX Houston Cloud Nine BBS 713-856-1826 TX Houston The Fireside 713-496-6319 TX Houston Info Net & Police Net 713-873-0403 TX Houston The Leaders in Control 713-584-1821 TX Houston Penguin BBS 713-498-0432 TX Houston The Soldier's Bored - OS 2 713-437-2859 TX Iowa City Marshall's Law 817-592-2849 TX Iowa City Marshall's Law 817-723-4300 TX Katy Executive Washroom 713-347-2558-NL TX Pasadena Pier 7 713-477-2682 TX Richardson Night Lights 214-480-8170 TX Rockwall NCC-1701 214-771-3226 TX San Antonio Vanbo's Place 512-349-5062 TX Tomball A Place Called Joe's 713-351-9757 TX Tomball Texas Father's BBS 713-376-4767 TX Universal City Heidi Search Center 210-659-2305-NL TX Universal City The Ranch House 210-945-9304-NL ! (VETLink #31) TX Wylie Diamond Lil's Saloon 214-228-9173 VA Chesapeake The Apex 804-436-3125 VA Chesapeake My House -FBBS- 804-424-0394 VA Falls Church GreyEagle 703-534-0177 VA Herndon HBX Veterans Memorial 703-471-8010-NL ! (VETLink #2) VA Herndon VETLink #21 703-471-8563-NL ! VA Newport News Brokedown Palace 804-591-8537 VA Oakton Washington ZEPHYR 703-620-5418 VA Virginia Beach HandiNet B B S 804-496-3320 VA Williamsburg Rainbow's End 804-872-7171 WA Auburn The Boardwalk 206-941-4531 WA Auburn The Boardwalk 206-941-3124 WA Brownsville The Jimby BBS 206-698-1044-NL WA Edmonds Puget Sound TBBS 206-745-6340-NL WA Everett Mark's Point 206-486-2415 WA Everett Silver Lake 206-338-3723 WA Everett Silver Lake Too 206-338-3168 WA Ft. Lewis Silent Sentry BBS 206-984-1048 WA Graham The Last Frontier 206-847-8168 WA Kirkland SeaEast PC Exchange 206-822-4615 WA Kirkland SeaMist 206-822-8520 WA Mukilteo The Precedent 206-355-1295 WA Port Orchard Armor of God BBS (Node 2) 206-871-9241 WA Puyallup The Eagles BBS 206-531-8304 WA Redmond GreyHounds BBS 206-868-4402 WA Seattle Eureka 206-781-8478 WA Seattle The Helix 206-783-6368 WA Spokane Think Tank II 509-244-6446 WA Tacoma Group Medical BBS II 206-581-9088 WA Tumwater Elders' Council BBS 206-357-8992 WI Green Bay The First Step 414-499-0659 WI Milwaukee Bikers BBS 414-365-2839 NamVet Newsletter Page 95 Volume 7, Number 2 February 27, 1993 WV Danbar Project Enable 304-766-7807 WV Danbar Project Enable 304-766-7842 ** Goshen, AR The Ironhand Troll 391/1020.2 ** Phoenix, AZ Hirschfeld Law Office 114/74.2 ** Redlands, CA Muldoon's Saloon 207/213.6 ** Northglenn, CO Redrum 104/717.2 ** Wichita, KS XRS-Universal Offline 291/11.4 ** Pittsfield, MA VetPoint 707 321/203.707 ** Lockwood, NV Living is a way of life 213/777.6 ** Schenectady, NY Veterans Rest 267/113.24 COMNET Point 24 ** Akron, OH...... The 104th Ohio Point 157/100.16 ** Willoughby, OH Bob's Place 157/2.69 ** Portland, OR The Empty Bed Pan 105/41.20 ** Portland, OR Roamin in the Gloamin 105/319.19 ** Custer, SD GOTCHA! 109/312.348 ** Corpus Christi, TX Corrosion by the Ocean 160/50.9 ** Houston, TX Jackson's Foxhole 106/437.1 ** Green Bay, WI French Connection 139/540.3 ** ............... Iron Triangle Vacation 106/449.1 ** ............... Jim Meadors 160/230.1 ** ............... Support our men 343/15.10 (USS Liberty) ** ............... OLD Soldiers Home 343/58.2 ** ............... Jolly Green Giant 8:2040/38 ================================================================== * KEY: E-N = No IVVEC Echo, but does have the Nam_Vet newsletter NL = Carries both IVVEC and the Nam_Vet newsletter PB = Pay BBS (Pay for On-line Time) SB = Subscription BBS (Flat Fee) ! = VETLink BBS NamVet Newsletter Page 96 Volume 7, Number 2 February 27, 1993 ================================================================== VETLink << SPOTLIGHT >> ================================================================== VETLink available to all vets at VA Medical Center >>> SPOTLIGHT on VETLink #16 <<< VETLink #16 Pineville, LA (318) 449-1012 by Robin Miller, Staff reporter Alexandria, Louisiana [Unnamed] Newspaper Input at VETLink #1 - Pittsfield, MA [Note from Joe: JUST the newsclipping was forwarded us - without the name of the newspaper. Thought, though, YOU'D like to hear what our VETLink's are doing. Since this article was printed, Bob Wieters's VETLink #16 has changed a little bit and is now accessible at 3/12/24/9600bps V.32 speeds, with many veteran-oriented files available, and I hear he's planning a second line. CONGRATULATIONS and THANK YOU, Bob, for YOUR service to our Veterans! BTW: Future VETLink >>> SPOTLIGHT <<< articles will be brought to you by Robert Johnson, VETLink #11. He's got a LOT to tell you about all we're doing and hope to accomplish!] The consensus is in: Jane Fonda gets a thumbs-down. The actress is not celebrated among United States military veterans, but her unpopularity is one of the most popular items on a national veterans computerized bulletin board. Bob Wieters, chief of Medical Administrative Services at the Veterans Administration Medical Center, can testify to that. He operates a local link to the service. Wieters began working at the VA Medical Center in March 1991. He ran similar bulletin board services while living in Nebraska and Illinois and decided to start the service in central Louisiana. The service, VETLink, is an electronic bulletin board than can be accessed by computer. Users are given a password that calls the service on their screens, where they can read and leave messages. VETLink is open to all veterans, and the service is free. It is also not affiliated with the VA Medical Center. The service is run through local systems operators. VETLink [EVAC] accepted Wieters application in April, making him one of 21 systems operators across the country [There are 37 VETLink's as we're inputting this article]. "There are over 140,000 veterans just in this catch area, alone," he said. "A lot of people have made this their home, and this is a way for them to communicate." Veterans use the service to locate other veterans, talk about war experiences and express opinions on a variety of subjects. Some even cry for help. "There was one veteran who was contemplating suicide," Wieters said. He lives out of state. When we (the systems operators) saw his message, we were able to call back and forth and answer his questions. "We had to track him down by telephone because it would have taken too long by computer. We were able to help him resolve his problems and it was really a rewarding experience." Wieters called the VETLink program on his computer. A disclaimer appeared on the screen, saying the service and the NamVet Newsletter Page 97 Volume 7, Number 2 February 27, 1993 Department of Veterans Affairs are separate entities. THOUSANDS OF MESSAGES Then came the messages - thousands of them. Some talked about the recent Memorial Day holiday, while others focused on the GI bill and Vietnam War. But the most noticeable subject in the list was Jane Fonda. "They still have a lot to say about Jane Fonda," Wieters said, pushing a key on his computer to group the Fonda messages together. "This gives them a chance to communicate and relieve their frustrations. they can talk to other people who they otherwise wouldn't have a chance to discuss this with." One message, from an 18-year old, suggested deporting the actress to Vietnam. Some spouted bitter opinions of her involvement in enemy territory during the Vietnam War. "I guess they're going to be talking about her from now on," Wieters said. Though Wieters's service is free, he has had to bear some personal costs. Program software was $500, and it cost an additional $150 to link his telephone to the service. Telephone bills also are high because of VETLink. "There are some people who charge for the use of their boards, but I just ask for donations," Wieters said. "It would also be great if a service organization would like to help. It's a great service to veterans." Most users learn of the service through word-of-mouth. "That's really the best way," Wieters said. "Veterans want to talk to each other, so they're going to tell each other about this." Wieters switched the screen to the end of the program. An American flag waved, while the words, "God Bless America, Thanks for Calling," appeared on the screen. "This is my 'good-bye' screen," he said. "I'll have a special one for the fourth of July. It'll have fireworks with 'happy fourth - for the veterans who fought' on it. "I've always been veteran-oriented, and I want to keep them in the public eye. This is just one way of doing it." NamVet Newsletter Page 98 Volume 7, Number 2 February 27, 1993 NamVet Distribution Survey Form NamVet's editorial staff would like to know where YOU received this copy of NamVet. Please take a few moments to complete and return this page (or a copy) to us. NAME_____________________________________________________________ ADDRESS__________________________________________________________ CITY_____________________________________________________________ STATE & ZIP______________________________________________________ Where did you obtain/read the NamVet Newsletter? ________________ _________________________________________________________________ Do you make NamVet available to others? _________________________ If YES: Individual / / Educational / / Vet Groups / / What do you find most/least helpful about NamVet?________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ What other information would you like to see in NamVet? _________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ Additional Comments _____________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ YOUR poem, letter, article about the veteran Experience - whether you were in Vietnam, in the military or not - is extremely welcomed by the editorial staff of NamVet. We invite you to include one (or many) with your return of this form. Thank You for your time and help in making NamVet *-THE-* electronic newsletter by, for and about veterans and the issues that concern them! Please return replies/articles/poems/etc. to: Mrs. Joyce Flory NamVet Distribution Survey 1825 Evelyn - Las Cruces, NM 88001 -or- Electronic Veterans' Centers of America, Corporation (EVAC) PO Box 2056 - Pittsfield, MA 01202 NamVet Newsletter Page 99 Volume 7, Number 2 February 27, 1993 Some Gave ALL ... Some Still Give!!! O O O SOME GAVE ALL ... ________O__________________________________O______________ ! O O ! ! pow mia pow mia - BRING THEM HOME NOW! - pow mia pow mia ! ! O O ! ! ~~~~~ ~ ~ O~ ~~~ ~~ ~~ ~~~~~~ ~~~~ O ~~ ~ ~~~~ ~~~ ~~ ! ! ~~~~ ~ ~~ O ~~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~ ~O~~~ ~~~ ~ ~~~~ ~~ ! ! ~ ~~ ~ ~~ ~ O~ ~~ ~~~ ~~~~ ~~~ ~~~ O ~~~ ~~~ ~~~~ ~~~ ~ ! ! ~~~ ~~ ~~ ~ O ~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~~ ~~ O ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~ ~ ! ! ~~ ~~ ~~~ ~~ ~ O ~~ ~~~~ ~~~~ ~~~ O ~ ~~~ ~~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~ ! ! ~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~ O ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~ O ~ ~~ ~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~ ~~ ! ! ~ ~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~ O ~_~_~_~_~_ ~ O ~ ~~~~ ~ ~ ~~~ ~~ ~~ ! ! ~~~ ~ ~ ~~~ ~~ ~ O ) O ~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~~ ! ! ~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ /(O) / O \ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~~ ~ ~ ! ! ~ ~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~ / / O \~~~~ ~~ ~~~~~ ~~~ ~~ ~ ! ! ~~ ~ ~ ~~ ~~ / PRISONER / \~~ ~~ ~~ ~~~ ~ ~~~~~~ ! ! ~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~ / / MISSING \~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~~ ~ ~~ ! ! ~~~ ~ ~~ ~~ / OF /\ \~~ ~~ ~~~ ~~ ~~~~ ~ ! ! ~ ~~~~ ~~ ~ / / \ IN \~ ~~~~ ~~ ~~~ ~~~ ! ! ~~~ ~~~ ~ / WAR / ~~ \ \ ~~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ! ! ~ ~~ ~~ ~ / / ~ ~~ \ ACTION / ~~ ~~ ~~~ ~~ ~~ ! ! ~~ ~~ ~~~(__________/ ~~ ~~~ \ / ~~~~~ ~~~~ ~~~~ ! ! ~~~~~ ~~ ~ ~~ ~~ ~ ~ ~~ ~ ~~~ \ / ~~ ~~~ ~~ ~~~ ~~~ ! ! ~~ ~~ ~~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~~ ~~ ~~~ \ / ~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~~~~~ ! ! ~~~ ~~~ ~~~~ ~~ ~~~~ ~~~ ~~ ~~~ \ /~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~ ~ ! ! ~ ~~ ~~~ ~~ ~~ ~~~ ~~~~ ~~ ~~~ ~ ~~~ ~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ! ~~ ~~~ ~~~~ ~~~ ~~ ~ ~~~ ~~ ~~~~~~~ ~~~~ ~~~ ~ SOME STILL GIVE ! ~ ~~ ~~~~ ~~~~ ~~~~ ~~~ ~~~~ ~~~~ ~~~ ~~~~ ~~~~ ! ~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~ ~ ~~~~ ~~~ ~~~~ ! ! mia pow mia pow - BRING THEM HOME NOW! - mia pow mia pow ! !__________________________________________________________! 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