BTL Feb 2011.pdf - Vietnam Veterans of America - Chapter 20

Together Then... 

Together Now 

B ETWEEN THE LINE S 

Vietnam Veterans of America, Inc. 

February 2011 

Chapter 20 

Issue 145 

Combat 

Ready 

U.S. Marine Corps Gunnery Sgt. Carlos 

Alcaraz, plans chief with 1st Marine 

Logistics Group, performs squat 

thrusts during physical training at 

Camp Leatherneck, Helmand province, 

Afghanistan. Austere environments 

provided a challenge when maintaining 

physical fitness and many unique methods 

were introduced to stay in shape. 

U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Brandon M. Owen/Released 

4 

2011 

Fit Vet 

Challenge Kicks Off 

6 

Veterans 

Business Council

IN ACTION 

ON THE HOME FRONT 

U.S. Marines with the Logistics Operations School of Marine Corps Combat Service 

Support Schools (MCCSSS) perform pull-ups during the MCCSSS command combat 

conditioning course at Camp Johnson, N.C., May 5, 2010. The course consists of 

multiple events related to the Marine Corps Combat Fitness Test and Martial Arts 

Program, which Marines of MCCSSS rotated through for battalion physical training. 

U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Patrick M. Johnson-Campbell/Released 

Highlights 

4 Fit Vet Challenge 2011 

6 Veterans Business 

Council 

8 National ALS Registry 

From the President 

Well, I hope all of you had a great Christmas and New Year holiday and enjoyed family and 

friends. 

At our January Board meeting some changes have been made to the makeup of the 

Chapter Board and they are as follows: 

• Tom Gleason, our 1st Vice President has resigned for health reasons. Tom will be 

missed, but we hope his health starts getting better. The Board voted to eliminate the 

1st Vice position and go with one Vice President that is currently filled by Fred Elliott. 

Fred’s term will be up this April, and at that time the Chapter will vote on one Vice 

President. We wish Tom the best on getting better and thank him for his service to the 

Chapter. 

• Lou Cavicchioli has been appointed to fill a spot that has been vacant. 

• Chuck Macaluso has been appointed to fill Max Lull’s Board spot for the sitting 

President of the Greater Rochester Vietnam Memorial Committee. 

• Joe Peck has been appointed to fill Chuck Macaluso’s term as Secretary to the Chapter. 

I want to thank all the above that stepped up to be part of the Chapter Board and look 

forward to their help. 

This April, we will be voting on the positions of Chapter Vice President, and three Board 

spots. I would ask that everyone consider taking the opportunity to run for one of those positions, 

It is with deep regret that I have to tell you that the Honorable Patricia Marks, Judge for 

the Monroe County Veterans Court is retiring as of January 24, 2011. The court will continue 

under the Honorable Judge John Schwartz. We will miss Judge Marks but look forward to 

continuing under Judge Schwartz. The Court continues to help many veterans and soon we will 

graduate more defendants. 

Till next month stay safe and God Bless! 

2 | BETWEEN THE LINES

POW-MIA 

Joe Peck, Chairperson 

With this New Year beginning, I am proud 

to continue my work as the POW/MIA chair for 

Chapter 20. I invite anyone who may have questions 

and comments concerning POW/MIA 

issues to contact me at the address 

listed in the back of this issue, and 

for those who wish to follow the progress 

made on our missing Americans 

please go to the National league of 

POW/MIA families’ web site at www. 

pow-miafamilies.org. 

With that said, I would like to 

report that the Department of Defense 

POW/Missing personnel office (DPMO) 

has indicated that there are now 1,702 

Americans who are still missing from the Vietnam 

War, after they had identified 3 more servicemen. 

They are: 

• Major Robert Leon Tucci, USAF from Detroit, 

Michigan and Colonel James Eugene Dennany, 

USAF from Kalamazoo, Michigan. On November 

12, 1969, three F4D Phantom II Fighter Jets 

with Pilot Maj. Tucci and Co-Pilot Col. Dennany 

in the number 2 aircraft (Call sign VESPA 03) 

were dispatched from Udorn Airfield in Thailand 

for a night escort/strike mission with a C-130 

Gunship. Their target was about 10 miles south of 

Ban Phan Hop, Kammouan Province in Laos near 

the Ho Chi Minh trail. During the mission, the 

Pilot of the C-130 Gunship instructed Maj. Tucci’s 

Robert Leon Tucci 

aircraft to attack 2 burning trucks in the target 

area. As the aircraft approached their target, 

Witnesses saw anti-aircraft fire being directed 

James Eugene 

Dennany 

at the attacking F4D Phantom. An explosion 

and a large fire were observed near the target 

area and communications were lost with both 

pilots. The possibility of survival seemed unlikely. 

Both Robert L. Tucci and James E. Dennany were 

immediately listed as missing in action/bodies 

not recovered. On April 12, 1999, the remains of 

both pilots as well as personal items were recovered 

from a crash site near the loss location and 

identified on September 8, 2010. Both individuals 

will be buried together on January 14th in the 

Dallas-Ft. Worth National Cemetery. 

• Chief Warrant Officer George Andrews Howes, 

US Army from Knox, Indiana. On January 19, 

1970 three UH1C Helicopters departed from 

FRONT & CENTER 

George Andrews 

Howes 

Tien Phuoc in South Vietnam during a heavy 

rain storm. CWO Howes was the co- pilot of a 

4-man crew on the lead aircraft (Rattler 91) 

heading for their home base in Chu 

Lai. Roughly 5 minutes into the flight, 

the 2 other helicopters lost radio contact 

with Howes aircraft and it failed 

to return to Chu Lai. A search of the 

area showed no signs of the helicopter. 

Some Vietnamese later interviewed said 

they possibly saw someone resembling 

CWO Howes as a captive of the North 

Vietnamese soldiers. The Government 

of Vietnam returned remains of 25 

American servicemen to US control and 

on June 7, 1994 the remains of CWO George 

Andrews Howes were sent to JPAC in Hawaii. His 

remains were identified on May 17, 2010. The 

family indicated that they are planning a burial in 

Arlington National Cemetery some time in 2012 

as they are awaiting the return of certain family 

members stationed abroad. (NOTE: Francis 

George Graziosi, whose remains were repatriated 

in 2006 here in Rochester, NY was one of the four 

members of this crew that crashed on that fateful 

day in 1970.) 

After 41 years, our men are finally home to 

rest in peace. May God bless them and their families 

and remember to keep our missing Americans 

in your thoughts and prayers until they are all home. 

Veterans Incarcerated Committee Report 

Ron Trovato 

Greetings from the frozen tundra of Rochester, 

NY. Man, this place gets more like 1942 Stalingrad 

every year! 

Chapter 489 (Attica Correctional Facility) has 

been getting out their newsletter on a regular basis 

and we appreciate the Chapter President ,Charles 

Thibeault, who keeps in touch. On Veterans’ Day 

the Chapter was allowed to show the HBO series 

“Pacific” to the guys there ,and the Chapter 

donated $50 to the Marines’ Toys for Tots Program. 

Chapter 77 Vice-President Jack Michaels attended 

their December General Membership Meeting and 

we thank him for his support. We would also like 

to recognize Cindy Thayer, a Re-entry Coordinator 

for the Veterans’ Administration, who works with 

inmate veterans who are close to release from 

Attica. 

Chapter 190 (Atmore, Alabama) has had 

their Annual Veterans Day special event rescheduled 

for 12/31/10 and we hope all came off well 

there. Craig McLaren has kept in regular contact 

with us, and I want to thank him for the beautiful 

leather wallet with the 9th Infantry Division insignia 

engraved on it that he sent me. Craig (who does 

leather crafting at the Holman Unit there) donated 

four dozen wallets to the VVA National Chaplain and 

hopes to donate three dozen more to his old unit, 

the 173rd Airborne Brigade. 

Chapter 205’s (Auburn Correctional Facility) 

23rd Annual Christmas Give-a-Way, which was 

dedicated to Deborah Clinch, was a rousing success. 

The event was held on December 3rd and 

was attended by Chapter members and numerous 

outside guests. The Crochet Squad donated sets 

of hats and scarves, baby sets, and lap blankets. 

By my count from the program that was sent out, 

approximately 1,000 sets were made. That’s got to 

be some kind of world’s record! Congrats Chapter 

205 on a job well done and for the positive impact 

you have on each other and the community. 

BETWEEN THE LINES | 3

U.S. Army Spc. Qadree Smith, a human resources specialist, for the 217th Military Police 

Detachment, out of Fort Jackson, S.C., is tested on upper body strength and endurance, 

during the 2010 U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command Non-commissioned Officer and 

Soldier of the Year Competition, on Fort Monroe, Va., July 13, 2010. The competitors completed 

the Army Physical Fitness Test early on the second day of the competition. 

U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Angelica Golindano/Released 

Fit Vet Kick-Off 

With a fair amount of trepidation, the vets 

approached the scales. Friendly tips were offered: 

• Eat first, weigh later – it’s the first time! 

• Keep your shoes on this time, it’ll look better 

next month. 

• Layers, lots of layers for the first weigh-in – 

strip after tonight. 

And so it begins… 

We do want to give special recognition to those 

who persevered throughout 2010 and who start 

the 2011 Fit Vet Challenge a bit lighter than (or the 

same as) last year. 

Okay, now that we are up and running (or perhaps walking, if you 

will) for our 3rd Annual Fit Vet Challenge season... 

remember that taking small steps for better 

health can add up to “huge” and I mean “HUGE 

Rochester” benefits. No, I’m not trying to sell cars, 

just selling the concept that you “can do it” if you 

try. Don’t be discouraged at all…ever! 

Take the time to read labels and learn what 

ingredients are used in the foods that you buy. 

Understand what a serving size really means, and 

how that relates to what you are doing on a daily 

basis. Picture the size of a deck of cards as a useful 

portion amount for a given entre item on your 

plate. The triple cheese burger and supersize fries 

would not be the right image in this case! 

Try to set a small goal of reducing just 100 

calories of food daily. Couple that with a few more 

steps walking in the mall or at work. You can burn 

more than 1,000 calories in a week --calories that 

normally would be staying right around the belt line 

for a while, certainly much longer than we want it 

to be hanging around with us, I’m sure. 

So no matter what effort you began in 

January….stay with it…. and keep it going! Start 

a few simple exercise habits which can become a 

daily routine. That’s a good thing! You will see the 

results! 

Remember, out with the old and in with the 

new for 2011’s Fit Vet Challenge. We are off to a 

good start. 

So keep up all the efforts going forward, not 

only for yourself, but your service bragging rights 

are on the line too! See you at the scales! 

-Jerry McDermott 

FIRST LAST BRANCH LOST 

Bruce VanAppeldoorn USMC -42.4 

Jack Caiazza Navy -24.1 

Steve Mros Army -15.4 

Ralph Pascale Army -5.6 

Tom Puff Air Force -5.4 

Jerry Lamb Navy -4.8 

Chuck Macaluso USMC -4.4 

Wayne Young Air Force -4.2 

Craig Wirth Army -3.2 

Dan Corona Army -2.6 

Rich Forsey Army -1.8 

Ed Williams USMC 0.0 

A total of 54 vets weighed in, with the highest 

number from the Army (23), then the Marines (13), 

followed by the Air Force (10) and the Navy (8). The 

Marines have consistently been the champs – so 

we’ll see who wins this year. 

Let the games begin! 


Try It! Slimmer Mocha 

There’s a lot to love about Starbucks, but the 

tempting seasonal drinks are DANGEROUS. One of 

the latest is the Toffee Mocha. Its combo of coffee, 

chocolate, and salted caramel goodness is enough 

to make our hungry hearts melt. But… it packs over 

250 calories. If we get creative – and why wouldn’t 

we, with the Fit Vet Challenge upon us - we can hit 

the kitchen and whip up a hot cup of a slimmer 

version with ingredients that only taste decadent. 

Nice try, Starbucks, but we've got this one covered. 

Toffee Mocha 

Ingredients: 

One 25-calorie packet hot cocoa mix (like Swiss 

Miss Diet or Nestlé Fat Free) 

2 tsp. instant coffee granules 

1 tsp. unsweetened cocoa powder, or more for 

optional topping 

1/2 cup light vanilla soymilk, or more for optional 

frothed topping 

1 tbsp. sugar-free calorie-free English toffee-flavored 

syrup (like the kind by Torani) 

Optional topping: Cool Whip Free 

Directions: 

Place cocoa mix, coffee granules, and cocoa 

powder in a large microwave-safe mug or glass. 

Add 1 cup hot water and stir to dissolve ingredients. 

Add soymilk and toffee syrup. Mix well. 

Microwave until hot, 30 - 45 seconds. 

If you like, top with Cool Whip or frothed milk 

(see tip below) and a pinch of additional cocoa 

powder. If you have a milk frother, put soymilk in a 

separate microwave-safe mug and microwave until 

hot, about 45 seconds. Froth the hot milk and use 

it to top off your beverage. 

MAKES 1 SERVING 

Fit Vet 

Challenge III 

Note: If you can’t find the toffee-flavored syrup, 

use 1 tsp. light/fat-free caramel dip, a no-calorie 

sweetener packet, 1 drop almond extract, and a 

dash of salt instead -- your drink will then have 

about 90 calories. 

STARBUCKS 

Serving Size 12 oz. 12 oz. 

SLIMMER VERSION 

Calories 270 68 (90 if you use 

alternate toffee 

syrup hint) 

Fat 5g 1.25g 

Sodium 200mg 202mg 

Carbs 44g 10g 

Fiber

Rochester Regional Veterans Business 

Council Promotes Veteran Business 

Leaders and Their Companies 

Vietnam Veteran and NFL Superbowl 

Champion Rocky Bleier talks with 

Chapter 20 Honor Guard member 

Ray Melens at the Veterans Business 

Expo which was presented by 

the Rochester Regional Veterans 

Business Council on October 8, 2010. 

Photo by RRVBC member Daniel Fields, DLF Photo 

6 | BETWEEN THE LINES 

The Rochester Regional Veterans Business 

Council (RRVBC) was formed in October 2006 and 

is open to veterans who own or manage businesses 

in the Greater Rochester area, to include director 

and senior level management. The RRVBC provides 

a forum for veteran business owners and leaders to 

realize their full entrepreneurial potential through 

networking and resources. RRVBC also supports 

the reintegration of veterans into the workforce and 

the activities of veteran service organizations in the 

region. 

Currently, RRVBC has about 90 member businesses 

representing a wide variety of disciplines 

including manufacturing, professional services, 

retail, construction, commercial real estate, health 

care, financial services, hospitality and not-forprofit 

entities. 

In addition to holding monthly membership 

meetings with guest speakers on topics of interest 

to small businesses, the RRVBC partners with 

other organizations such as the Rochester Business 

Alliance and the Monroe County Procurement 

Technical Assistance Center to host a variety of 

Veteran Business activities. Past events include New 

York State’s first Veterans Business Expo (October 

2010) and a Matchmaker (September 2009) event 

aimed at connecting veteran owned businesses with 

government agencies and contractors. 

Military veterans who own, operate or help 

manage businesses in the five county Rochester 

area (Monroe, Livingston, Ontario, Orleans & 

Wayne) are encouraged to attend an upcoming 

membership meeting to learn more first hand 

about the benefits of RRVBC membership. 

Membership meetings are held at the Shults 

Center, Nazareth College, Pittsford. In order to 

attend, you must RSVP by contacting Jocene 

Henderson at jocene.henderson@veteransbusinesscouncil.org. 

Parking is available in the Arts 

Center lot ,accessed through the Nazareth College 

south entrance off East Avenue and a short walk 

from the Shults Center. Lunch is $10 and is provided 

free of charge for first time attendees who 

are veterans. 

All monthly membership meetings are 11:30 

a.m. – 1:15 p.m. The 2010 schedule for meetings 

follows: 

Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2011 

Wednesday, Mar. 30, 2011 

Wednesday, Apr. 27, 2011 

Wednesday, May 25, 2011 

Wednesday, Jun. 29, 2011 

Wednesday, Jul. 27, 2011 

Wednesday, Sep. 28, 2011 

Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2011 

Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2011 

Note: No meeting in August or December 

For more information about the RRVBC visit 

www.veteransbusinesscouncil.org.

NEW YORK 

STATE 

SENATE 

SENATOR 

JOSEPH E. ROBACH 

2300 WEST RIDGE ROAD 

ROCHESTER, NY 14626 

(585) 225-3650 

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

ROOM 902 

LEGISLATIVE OFFICE BUILDING 

ALBANY, NY 12247 

(518) 455-2909 • FAX (518) 426-6938 

MyHealtheVet 

MHV provides access to: 

• Online prescription refills 

with the VA 

• Trusted health information 

• Links to Federal and VA 

benefits and resources 

• Personal Health Journals 

and Health e-Logs 

Medals, Badges, Patches, Ribbons, Caps 

Clothing, Boots, Gear, Buckles, Flags, 

Award Cases, Military Rings and Watches 

Charles Rabidoux 

USMC 1957-61 

2nd Mar. Div. 

C.M. 

Gifts and Militaria 

Est: 1987 

497 Stone Road 

Rochester, NY 14616 

(585) 865-7370 

>>>>> photography and digital art to match your mood >>>>> 

“ 

MHV is a web site 

designed for veterans 

and their families with 

the goal of optimizing 

veterans’ health care. 

The mission of My HealtheVet (MHV) is to improve health care 

for ALL veterans, independent of where they receive care, by 

providing health information and health assessments via the 

Internet. MHV is a web site designed for veterans and their 

families with the goal of optimizing veterans’ health care. It is 

for all veterans and offers additional services to those receiving 

care at VA medical centers. 

MHV registrants will also be able to view appointments, 

co-pay balances and copies of key portions 

of their VA medical records online 

and much more as additional functionality 

is released. This is available to veterans, 

their families, veteran advocates and VA 

employees. Non-veterans are welcome to 

use many of the features, although they 

will not have access to all functions VA 

patients have. 

You can access the website at www. 

myhealth.va.gov. You will need to register to use key features 

and will be assigned a User ID and Password for return visits. 

Please note that in order to access enhanced options of this 

website, you must complete an “In Person Authentication” (IPA) 

at your local VA facility. This step provides for confidentiality 

of your information and is required by The Privacy Act, Title 5 

United States Code (U.S.C.) 552a, implemented by Title 38 

Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) §575-1.584. 

Various topics are offered from military / 

veteran oriented, patriotic, scenic, 

landscapes, nature, botanical, animals, 

fantasy, in a variety of sizes and gift items 

www.GTRedphotos.com 

Gary T. Redlinski Email: gtredlinskiphotos@frontiernet.net 

Rochester, New York 

The only store where you can buy 

America’s Flag 

from 

America’s Veterans 

A project of the Veterans 

Outreach Center, Inc. 

BETSY LOMBARDO 

Veterans Advocate 

DEBRA SLOANE 

Retail Office Assistant 

455 South Avenue • Rochester, NY 14620 

Tel: 585-546-FLAG • Fax: 585-546-5978 


Amyotrophic Lateral 

Sclerosis, (ATSDR) 

launches the National 

ALS Registry 

Submitted by Jerry McDermott, from Paul Sutton 

In a groundbreaking step to learn more about Amyotrophic Lateral 

Sclerosis, also known as ALS or Lou Gehrig's disease, the Agency for Toxic 

Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) has launched the National ALS 

Registry. The registry is a national database that provides an opportunity to 

better understand one of the most common neuromuscular diseases worldwide, 

affecting people of all races and ethnic backgrounds - especially 

between the ages of 55 and 75. 

The registry will gather and organize information about potential and 

known risk factors and symptoms of ALS. This information can help researchers 

evaluate shared risk factors common among patients, such as heredity or 

possible environmental exposures, and help estimate the number of ALS cases 

diagnosed each year. 

ALS causes human nerve cells to stop functioning and eventually die. A 

diagnosis of the disease usually is followed by muscle weakness, paralysis, and 

eventually death. Scientists estimate 30,000 people in the United States have 

the disease. 

Each entry in the registry includes a patient health history, work experiences, 

and family medical histories. Individual patient information in the 

registry will be confidential and will not be publicly released. Patients choosing 

to participate can visit www.cdc.gov/als to register. 

For more information, visit the ATSDR website at www.atsdr.cdc.gov. 

“ 

The registry will gather 

and organize information about 

potential and known risk factors 

and symptoms of ALS. This 

information can help researchers 

evaluate shared risk factors 

common among patients, such as 

heredity or possible environmental 

exposures, and help estimate 

the number of ALS cases 

diagnosed each year. 


Rochester Armed Forces Day Committee, Inc. present the 

15th ANNUAL 

ARMED FORCES 

DAY LUNCHEON 

Saturday, May 21, 2011 • 12:00-1:30 PM 

Minett Hall • Monroe County Fair and Expo Center 

2695 E. Henrietta Road, Rochester, NY 14467 

Guest Speaker 

Brigadier General Kenneth Sandkuhler 

United States Marine Corps (Retired) 

Pre-luncheon Music by the 198th Army Band 

496 Long Pond Road 

North of Latta Road 

585–225-1560 

Check out our 

Homemade Desserts! 

Your Hosts, 

Bill & John Tegas 

Enjoy military displays in and around the luncheon area 

before and after the luncheon. Free parking is available for 

luncheon attendees. 

For additional information please call 1-800-845-2412 

or visit www.supportourarmedforces.org 

q 

q 

q 

q 

Sponsored Table: $250 each table 

(includes 8 tickets & recognition in the program book) 

Single Tickets Only: $25 each 

Special ROTC Cadet and Children (12 and under): $12 each 

Contribution Only ________ (please specify amount) 

Check enclosed for total amount _________ 

Name of Organization: _________________________________________ 

Your Name: _________________________________________________ 

Address: ____________________________________________________ 

Your Phone: _________________________________________________ 

City, State, ZIP: ______________________________________________ 

No. of tickets paid for: _________________________________________ 

Make Checks payable to “Armed Forces Day Committee” Cut at the line 

and return this portion of the form to Caroline Ader, PO Box 93097, 

Rochester, NY 14692. Paid tickets will be picked up at the luncheon. 

Tickets are limited - Purchase by May 7, 2011 

Turn your 

old car into 

a valuable gift. 

Donate it today. 

Call 224-8484 

Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter 20, Car Donation, LLC. 


FRONT & CENTER 

Nominating Commitee 

Chuck Macaluso, Chair 

The Annual Meeting & Elections will be held 

April 14, 2011 at 6:00 PM - Ira Jacobson Post 

Home. 

Positions for nominations: 

One Executive (1) - Vice-President 

Three Board (3) - Directors 

The "new" Nominating Committee will also 

be elected by the membership that evening. A 

“to date” slate of candidates will be finalized by 

February 15th. and published in the March issue. 

• In order to vote in the Annual Election, voters 

must be a member for at least 30 days. 

• Only paid members with a DD214 on file 

by 28 February of previous fiscal year are 

eligible to vote. (For example - 28 February 

2011 to vote April 2011). 

• A quorum is defined as 10% of VVA 20 

membership as of 28 February of the previous 

fiscal year. Voting for candidates will 

take place between 6:30 PM till 7:30 PM, 

after which no new ballots will be taken 

and votes will be tabulated. 

• According to the National VVA Constitution, 

“Additional persons may be nominated by 

any member at the Annual Meeting.” These 

candidates will fall under the category of 

Floor Nominations. 

• Floor nominated candidates can only 

receive votes from members present at 

Annual Meeting. (A “Special Note” stating 

such will be placed March and April BTL 

issues.) 

Each candidate will address the membership 

at the March meeting stating their reasons for 

seeking an elected position. 

Any member interested in running for any of 

the above mentioned positions, please contact one 

of the following Nominating Committee members: 

Chuck Macaluso 225-8288 

Dan Corona 406-6108 

Pat Pudetti 753-6040 

Our BOD has wholeheartedly agreed to allow the collection of items below in support 

of our hospitalized veterans, both men and women, currently receiving treatment at the 

Canandaigua MC. Volunteer Opportunities are always welcomed and you can make direct 

contact with Ms Robin Johnson, Manager of Voluntary Services, anytime at 585-393-7759. 

You can help out one time a year or whenever your schedule will permit. We will collect any 

items that are brought to the monthly membership meetings, and I will take responsibility 

to make the delivery to Canandaigua MC. 

Thank you for your support, Jerry McDermott 

• Comfort care items (deodorant, shampoo, 

shaving cream, lotions [for men/ 

women vets at the Center] - travel 

size, full size, or complementary sizes 

from hotel/motel chains are great!) 

• Coffee (regular and decaf) 

• Creamer, sugar, sugar substitute 

• Hot Chocolate mix 

• Bowling/movie tickets 

• Gift cards from stores like Walmart/ 

Wegmans/Tops 

• Baking items (cookies, bread mixes - 

for a homey effect in the wards, used 

as aromatherapy) 

• Prepaid phone cards 

• Tickets to sporting events, zoo 

• Paper products (plates, napkins) 

• New socks, tee shirts, sweatshirts 

(men and women's sizes...color 

white...tube socks are ideal!) 

• Postage 

Wish List 

Canandaigua VA Medical Center 


Are you a veteran looking 

for a way to assist your 

fellow veterans? 

Volunteer as a 

veteran's court ad 

Peer Mentor in Monroe 

County Veterans Court. 

Peer mentors are veterans 

who assist and support 

fellow veterans in the Criminal 

Justice System. Typical duties include 

appearing in court and maintaining 

contact with the veteran. 

A Peer Mentor Provides: 

• Emotional Support 

• Insight necessary for the Veteran to successfully 

complete the Veterans Court 

• Assistance to the Veteran in resolving their 

concerns about the court procedures 

• Assistance to the Veteran in accessing and 

navigating the Veterans Affair System 

If you are interested, please contact Michael Volkmer, 

Court Coordinator of Veterans Court at (585) 428-4428 

Vietnam Veterans of America 

THRIFT STORE, CHAPTER 20, LLC 

1199 East Main Street, Rochester, NY 14609 

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

Saturday 9:00am - 5:00pm 

Car Donations 8:30am - 5:00pm 

Truck Pick-up: 9am - 4:30pm 

(weather permitting) 

~ Delivery Available ~ 

Truck Pick-up #482-8016 

Thrift Store #482-8036 

All donations go to the Thrift 

Store at the address above. 

DAVID J. KAUFFMAN POST #41 

JEWISH WAR VETERANS 

THE OLDEST ACTIVE VETERANS 

ORGANIZATION 

SUPPORTS THE VIETNAM VETS 

LARRY SCHULMAN, QUARTERMASTER, 271-6967 

Greece Memorial Post 206 

The Newest Post in Monroe County 

Help Base Greater Rochester 

(www.hbrochester.org) is an online resource for veterans, 

service members, and their families in Monroe, Livingston, 

Ontario, Seneca, Wayne and Yates Counties. The mission of 

Help Base Greater Rochester is to enhance services by coordinating, 

mobilizing and educating the community-at-large 

about the issues facing veterans, service members, and their 

families and advocating for the necessary services to ensure 

that these community members can regain and maintain 

their physical, emotional, and economic well-being. 

A casual 

Meeting the 3rd Thursday of the month 6:30 - 7:45 pm 

at 

The Legacy at Park Crescent — Mt. Read Blvd. 

For details, please call 227-4383 or 225-4228. 

WOMEN VETER ANS HEALTH CARE 

Mary Anne Vitticore 

Women Veterans 

Program Manager 

400 Fort Hill Avenue 

Canandaigua, NY 14424 

Phone: 585-393-7621 

Fax: 585-393-8255 

Maryanne.Vitticore@va.gov 


Freedom Calls 

Is someone you love serving in the military in 

Afghanistan, Iraq or Kuwait? You can now schedule 

a video conference with your soldier for FREE! 

The Freedom Calls Center is located in the lower link 

level of the Bausch & Lomb Public Library Building and 

is available by appointment only. Call 428-8304 to find 

out how to schedule a call to your soldier today! 

This service is provided courtesy of the Rochester Public 

Library, the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 20, the 

Freedom Calls Foundation and the County of Monroe. 

12 | BETWEEN THE LINES 

Camps You Can Call: 

AFghAnisTAn 

Bagram Airfield 

KuwAiT 

Camp Arifjan 

Ali Al saleem Airbase 

iRAq 

Camp Taji 

Camp Baharia 

Camp Taqaddum 

Al Asad Airbase 

Camp Victory

A-Z Health 

Tutorials 

Have you just been diagnosed with a health condition or disease? Are 

you about to undergo a medical test or procedure? The National Library of 

Medicine’s Interactive Health Tutorials cut through the medical-speak by using 

drawings and animated graphics to show you what a particular medical problem 

or procedure is all about. Each online tutorial is clear and easy to follow. 

You can learn about aortic aneurysms, tennis elbow, shingles, colonoscopies, 

coronary-artery bypass grafts and dozens of other medical conditions and 

procedures. www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/tutorial.html. 

Photo courtesy of the Patient Education Institute 

This image from 

the Asthma tutorial 

movie demonstrates 

oxygen moving into 

the lungs. 

Do you know 

a veteran 

who is 

homeless? 

The VA’s National 

Homeless Veterans Hotline 

The Hotline is staffed at the Canandaigua VA Medical Center in conjunction with 

the National Suicide Prevention services. Studies show a huge correlation with 

needs required by one or the other services provided at the time of the call. 

1-877-424-3838 

24/7 365 days/per year 

Time to check your attic. 

That dusty stack of photo albums. 

And that shoe box under the bed. 

We know you have one. 

That’s right. It’s slide show time... 

Rochester’s gateway to local healthcare information. 

A nonprofit community resource featuring content provided by local 

physicians, dentists, hospitals and allied-health professionals. 

brought to you by 

We need photos of our Chapter 20 members - old 

military photos & recent photos too - for our 30th 

Anniversary Celebration Slide Show. Don’t miss 

your fifteen minutes of fame. 

Email photos to 17cav@rochester.rr.com. Please 

include name, dates of service, and the place where 

the photo was taken. 

©2010 Rochester Health, Inc. Rochester Health, Inc. is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) 

community-focused organization delivering local healthcare information. 


MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION 

Name: __________________________________________________ 

Address: _________________________________________________ 

Date of Birth: _________________________________ Sex: q M q F 

Home Phone: ( _____ ) _____________________________________ 

City: ____________________________________________________ Work Phone: ( _____ ) _____________________________________ 

Zip: _________________________ Country: ____________________ Email Address: ___________________________________ q W q H 

Chapter # (if known) _________________________________________ 

VIETNAM VETERANS OF 

AMERICA, CHAPTER 20 

Sponsor: _________________________________________________ 

I am not a Vietnam Vet, but I want to help Vietnam veterans and their families. Please accept my 

donation: __________________q AVVA Membership 

q $10 q $20 q $50 q Other ($________) 

Eligibility: Vietnam and Vietnam-era veterans who served on active duty in the U.S. Military (for 

other than training purposes) between February 28, 1961 and May 7, 1975 (in-country Vietnam), 

or between August 5, 1964 and May 7, 1975 (for Vietnam-era veterans). 

Payment Options: q Check 

q Money Order 

Return this application, along with a copy of your DD214, to: 

Attn: Membership, Vietnam Veterans of America, P.O. Box 12580, Rochester, NY 14612 

VVA is a non-profit veterans service organization. Programs and services are funded by member 

dues and public donations. 

Term: q 1 year: $20 q Life Membership: $250 (ages 49 & under), $225 (ages 50- 55), 

q 3 years: $50 $200 (ages 56-60), $175 (ages 61-65), $150 (ages 66 & over) 

U.S.S. LIBERTY (AGTR-5) 

JOHN M. HRANKOWSKI 

SURVIVOR 

459 South Avenue, Rochester, New York 14620 

www.veteransbusinesscouncil.org 

For More Information Email 

jocene.preston@veteransbusinesscouncil.org 

45 Drumcliff Way • Rochester, N.Y. 14612 

1-585-225-0385 

E-Mail: USSLIBTY@Rochester.RR.com 

Web Page: http://www.USSLiberty.org 

William H. Wallace 

Certified PubliC ACCountAnt 

636 Middle road 

Henrietta, nY 14467 585-334-5352 

Valmar Properties 

& Remodeling 

Valentino G. Gatto 

585-227-2741 

cell 585-259-9605 

vgatto@rochester.rr.com 


Between the 

Lines 

Between the Lines is 

published monthly by 

Chapter 20, Vietnam 

Veterans of America. 

The views and opinions 

expressed are not necessarily 

those of Chapter 20 

or the Vietnam Veterans 

of America, its officers, 

board of directors or the 

general membership. 

No subscription fee is 

charged for this publication, 

and inclusion on the 

mailing list is available 

on request. Between the 

Lines can also be viewed 

on the Chapter 20 website 

at www.vva20.org. 

We welcome letters to 

the editor, poetry, original 

articles and suggestions. 

Submissions 

should include name and 

phone number and can 

be sent to Between the 

Lines, P.O. Box 12580, 

Rochester, NY 14612 or 

emailed to kathy14470@ 

msn.com. We reserve the 

right to edit for space 

and clarity and to not use 

materials we think inappropriate 

for the publication. 

Deadline for submissions 

for each issue is 

the 5th of the preceding 

month. Exceptions may 

be granted by contacting 

the editor. 

Between the Lines runs 

paid advertisements to 

help defray the costs 

associated with publication 

and as a convenience 

to our readers. 

Chapter 20 does not 

endorse any advertiser 

or guarantee satisfaction 

with goods or services 

provided. 

P. O. Box 12580, Rochester, NY 14612 • www.vva20.org • (585) 482-7396 • Fax (585) 482-5513 

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE 

Ken Moore .............. 17CAV@rochester.rr.com • 392-0269 (h) • 576-9000 (c) 

Lou Cavicchioli .............................................................. lcavic243@gmail.com 

Fred Elliott .............................................felliott@rochester.rr.com • 288-5756 

Joe Peck ......................................... jpeck2@rochester.rr.com • 734-9046 (c) 

Hank Wallace .................................................whwnbt@rit.edu • 334-5352 (h) 

DIRECTORS 

Dan Corona ............................................. nycorona@juno.com • 406-6108 (c) 

Valentino Gatto ....................................... vgatto@rochester.rr.com • 227-2741 

Mike General ......................................... mwgeneral@aol.com • 227-4383 (h) 

Tom Hetherington .......................................vthether@aol.com • 964-7964 (h) 

GRVVM ..............Chuck Macaluso • chuckmac66@yahoo.com • 225-8288 (h) 

Jerry McDermott ....................jmcdermott@murphynolan.com • 313-8188 (c) 

Dick Oleksyn ..........................................roleksyn@yahoo.com • 663-5255 (h) 

Pat Pudetti ....................................patrickusmc1@yahoo.com • 753-6040 (w) 

Juil Robinson, Jr. ...................................juilrobinsonjr@yahoo.com • 775-3127 

Ron Trovato ......................................... Ronbo215@gmail.com • 544-8470 (h) 

STATE COUNCIL 

Nick DeLeo ..........................................ndeleo52@yahoo.com • 334-7043 (h) 


Valentino Gatto ................................vgatto@rochester.rr.com • 227-2741 Ken 

Moore ..................... 17CAV@rochester.rr.com • 392-0269 (h) • 576-9000 (c) 

Jerry McDermott ...................jmcdermott@murphynolan.com • 313-8188 (c) 

Pat Pudetti ....................................patrickusmc1@yahoo.com • 753-6040 (w) 

REGION 2 DIRECTOR 


COMMITTEE CONTACTS 

Between The Lines ..................Kathy Gleason • kathy14470@msn.com • 978-1331 

Chaplain ........................................Tom Puff • tpuff@frontiernet.net • 227-3426 (h) 

Chapter Gear ...................... Valentino Gatto • vgatto@rochester.rr.com • 227-2741 

Comm. Service/Pub. Affairs .................................................................................... 

Constitution .............................. Fred Elliott • felliott@rochester.rr.com • 288-5756 

Finance .........................................Hank Wallace • whwnbt@rit.edu • 334-5352 (h) 

Health Affairs ...Jerry McDermott • jmcdermott@murphynolan.com • 313-8188 (c) 

Sue Oleksyn • soleksyn@yahoo.com • 663-5255 

Honor Guard .................. Chuck Macaluso • chuckmac66@yahoo.com • 225-8288 

Incarcerated Veterans ................Ron Trovato • Ronbo215@gmail.com • 544-8470 

Marching Unit ............ Hank Wallace • 334-5352 (h) / Valentino Gatto • 227-2741 

Membership ........... Ralph Pascale • 755-2560 (c) / Mike General • 227-4383 (h) 

Memorial........................ Chuck Macaluso • chuckmac66@yahoo.com • 225-8288 

Minority Affairs .................... Juil Robinson • juilrobinsonjr@yahoo.com • 775-3127 

POW/MIA ...............................Joe Peck • jpeck2@rochester.rr.com • 734-9046 (c) 

Social Events ........................................................................................................... 

Speakers Bureau .......................... Geno Lenyk • gnl3153@ntid.rit.edu • 423-0206 

Veterans Affairs/Benefits ......Pat Pudetti • patrickusmc1@yahoo.com • 753-6040 

Veterans Walk ................ Chuck Macaluso • chuckmac66@yahoo.com • 225-8288 

c=cell h=home w=work 

CONTACT INFORMATION 

VETERANS ORGANIZATIONS 

AND INFORMATION 

Greater Rochester Vietnam 

Veterans Memorial .......................585-753-7275 

(enter 9; enter 2 to leave a message) 

Ira Jacobson American Legion 

Post #474 ............................................ 663-7030 

VA Clinic - 465 Westfall Road .................. 463-2600 

Veterans Outreach Center .........................546-1081 

Vet Center ................................................. 232-5040 

Veterans Administration ....................800-827-1000 

Monroe County Veterans Service Agency ....753-6040 

e-mail: serviceofficer@yahoo.com 

Veterans Benefits Hotline ..................800-827-1000 

Veterans Bill of Rights ...................... 800-342-3358 

VA Medical Center in Batavia ............ 585-297-1000 

VA Hospital in Buffalo ....................... 716-834-9200 

VA Medical Center in Canandaigua .......... 394-2000 

VA Medical Center in Bath................ 607-664-4000 

V.V. of America in Washington ............800-VVA-1316 

V.V. Memorial Fund “The Wall” ......... 202-393-0090 

Nat.’l Lge. of Fam. MIA/POW 

Updates ....................................... 202-223-6846 

Richards House ........................................506-9060 

The Resource Center ................................ 546-4250 

Stars & Stripes ......................................... 546-3524 

Persian Gulf Vets, Inc. ..............................385-4097 

Operation Welcome Home .......................234-4694 

Homeless Hotline ..............................877-424-3838 

Suicide Hotline ..................................800-273-8255 

WEB SITES/E-MAIL ADDRESSES 

Veterans Widows International Network: 

members@aol.com/vetwindows 

NYS Department Health: www.health.state. 

ny.us/nyvets 

Vietnam Veterans Memorial at Highland 

Park: www.rochestervietnammemorial.org/ 

The_Memorial.html 

Operation Welcome Home: 

www.operationwelcomehome.org 

VVA New York State Council: 

www.nyvietnamvets.org 

Honor Flight: www.HonorFlightRochester.org 

MISCELLANEOUS 

VVA 20 Thrift Store, LLC Mgmt., 

Beth Affeldt...........................................482-8036 

Donation Pick-up .......................................482-8016 

VVA Vehicle Donations ...............................224-8484 

VVA Chapter 20 ............. info@vva20.org • 482-7396 


Vietnam Veterans of America 

Chapter 20, Rochester, NY 

P.O. Box 12580 

Rochester, NY 14612 

NON-PROFIT ORG. 

U.S. POSTAGE 

PAID 

ROCHESTER, NY 

Permit No. 439 

TOM DAVIS 

INCOME TAX 

CONSULTATION & PREPARATION 

Year-Round. By Appointment Service 

1732 Winton Rd. N. 

Phone (585) 288-8465 • Fax: (585) 288-8465 

Industrial 

Furnace 

J Max Lill 

288-2070 

www.industrialfurnace.com 

FEBRUARY 2011 

2 WED • Groundhog Day 

6 SUN • Super Bowl XLV 

7 MON • Board of Directors, 7:00pm 

10 THU • General Membership Meeting, 7:30pm 

(Presentation of 2011-2012 Budget) 

14 MON • Valentine’s Day 

19 SAT • Marines landed on Iwo Jima, 1945 

21 MON • Presidents’ Day 

23 WED • Flag raised on Mt. Suribachi, Iwo Jima, 1945 

24 THU • Operation Desert Storm Ground Campaign began, 1991 

The VA’s National 

Suicide Crisis Line 

Could 

someone 

you know 

be in 

crisis? 

1-800-273-TALK or 1-800-273-8255 

24/7 365 days/per year 

Provides professional counseling to veterans, their family members or friends. 

MEETINGS 

BOD 

February 7, 2011 

Special Events 

June 11, 2011 - Chapter 20's 30th 

Anniversary Celebration 

Membership 

Feb 10, 2011 

NYSC Meetings Owego, NY 

April 9, 2011 

June 18, 2011 

Sept 10, 2011

BTL Feb 2011.pdf - Vietnam Veterans of America - Chapter 20

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