THE JOURNEY - vietnam veterans of america - virginia state council
THE JOURNEY - vietnam veterans of america - virginia state council
THE JOURNEY - vietnam veterans of america - virginia state council
You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles
YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.
<strong>THE</strong> <strong>JOURNEY</strong><br />
Vietnam Veterans <strong>of</strong> America Inc. Chapter 227<br />
The Dean K. Phillips Memorial Chapter<br />
“Serving Veterans and the Community in Northern Virginia”<br />
“Never Again Shall One Generation <strong>of</strong> Veterans Abandon Another” October 2014<br />
CELEBRATE, CELEBRATE!<br />
The October 16th membership meeting celebrates the chapter’s 29th Anniversary <strong>of</strong> service to <strong>veterans</strong>, military personnel,<br />
and the community. The founding members and past <strong>of</strong>ficers are especially invited to this event. Bill English, chapter member, will<br />
discuss the logistical challenges <strong>of</strong> an <strong>of</strong>ficer in I Corps in South Vietnam. If you ever wonder how that tube <strong>of</strong> toothpaste or<br />
Thanksgiving turkey got to you in the jungle, Bill will have the answer. To continue our successful AVVA community outreach,<br />
you are being asked to bring cans <strong>of</strong> soup with flip top lids to the meeting to be donated to the Lamb Center, a daytime homeless<br />
person center. The celebration includes the traditional anniversary cake too.<br />
Come early to enjoy a great dinner and meet your fellow Vietnam <strong>veterans</strong>. Also, family, friends, and the general public<br />
are always welcome.<br />
VIETNAM WAR 50 th COMMEMORATION<br />
The chapter is an <strong>of</strong>ficial partner <strong>of</strong> the nation’s 50th Commemoration program to honor the men and women who served in<br />
the military during the Vietnam War. The program flag will be <strong>of</strong>ficially unfurled at the October 16th membership meeting. Thanks<br />
to Bob Tecklenburg for processing the partnership application.<br />
VETERAN OUTREACH<br />
<br />
FAIRFAX CITY FALL FESTIVAL: Joe and Sharon Celesnik are hosting the chapter’s information booth at the fair on<br />
October 11th from 10:00 AM to 5 PM. The booth informs the public about our service and recruits new members. Volunteers<br />
are needed for the booth which is # 536. The rain date is the next day. Questions, call Joe or Sharon at 703-938-7669<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES: Request for veteran employment assistance is received for both unemployed and<br />
homeless <strong>veterans</strong>. If you are aware <strong>of</strong> employment opportunities contact Len Ignatowski at grunt69@gmail.com. An unemployed<br />
and married veteran with children needs employment. He will receive a BS in cybersecurity this summer and has<br />
worked as a program manager in the private sector.<br />
VASH APARTMENT GRANT: The chapter provided a $ 500 grant to a VASH single-parent female veteran to assist in<br />
her apartment move. $200 was for the apartment security deposit and $ 300 for moving expenses.<br />
FAIRFAX COUNTY VETERAN COURT NEEDS MENTORS: The Veterans Court Docket for Fairfax County District<br />
is scheduled to begin on January 1, 2015. The program needs mentors to work with the <strong>veterans</strong>. Contact Don Northcutt, Volunteer<br />
Mentor Coordinator, 571-232-6076 or Facebook.<br />
MINUTEMAN ALERT FULFILLED: The chapter provided a $ 50 VVA/Unique Thrift Store gift card and a member’s<br />
sleeping bag to a veteran who was moving into a VASH voucher apartment.<br />
VETERAN OUTREACH: Ben Buckley, 1st Cav. veteran, responded to a Minuteman Alert regarding a request by John<br />
Latta to understand our Tour <strong>of</strong> Duty. John’s cousin, Lee Latta, served with the 1st Cav and died from PTSD effects. Ben has<br />
invited John to attend a 1st Cav unit reunion in Arlington. Mr. Latta wants to share our war perspectives with his cousin’s children<br />
so that he can help the children to better understand their father’s Vietnam service and its adverse effects on his postservice<br />
life. Chuck Harris, a helicopter gunship pilot with the 1st Cav also <strong>of</strong>fered to talk to John.<br />
PTSD VISIT: The chapter successfully hosted a LYONS VAMC Combat PTSD class to The Wall and Section 60 <strong>of</strong> Arlington<br />
National Cemetery on September 7, 2014. Ben Buckley, Program Chairman, welcomed the fellow <strong>veterans</strong> and Len<br />
Ignatowski distributed the Veteran and U.S. flags lapel pin. Bill Shugarts took some great photographs. Len Ignatowski, Dick<br />
Weaver, and Bruce Waxman <strong>of</strong> the chapter and Bill Gray <strong>of</strong> Chapter 641 served as hosts.<br />
INSIDE SCOOP: Jeff Barnett, host <strong>of</strong> The Inside Scoop TV cable show interviewed Bruce Waxman, Chapter President..<br />
The hour long interview covered a wide range <strong>of</strong> topics from chapter activities to current military veteran issues. The<br />
interview is available on the chapter webpage at vva227.org.. Congratulations Bruce on a job well done.
<strong>THE</strong> <strong>JOURNEY</strong> October 2014<br />
Vietnam Veterans <strong>of</strong> America Inc. Chapter 227 Page 2<br />
WHO IS FRANCIS SCOTT KEY?<br />
Marc Leepson provided a very educational lesson on the life <strong>of</strong> Francis Scott Key, the Father <strong>of</strong> our National Anthem, at<br />
the September 18 th membership meeting. Marc is a chapter member and author <strong>of</strong> several historical books. Before he started the<br />
discussion, we sang the National Anthem. The discussion centered on his new book, “What so Proudly We Hailed.” Here are a<br />
few rarely known facts about our anthem’s history:<br />
Ben Buckely(R), a 1st Cav. veteran, discusses<br />
his Tour <strong>of</strong> Duty with John Latta at the meeting.<br />
Photo by Len Ignatowski<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Francis Scott Key, author <strong>of</strong> the anthem, was commonly known as “Frank” Key.<br />
After their successful raid on Washington D.C., the British wanted to burn Baltimore<br />
to the ground since the city was a hot bed <strong>of</strong> war rhetoric and privateering against British<br />
ships . The Chesapeake Bay had become a British navy lake due to no strong U.S. navy<br />
presence.<br />
The British army imprisoned Dr. William Beanes, a civilian doctor, for his role in<br />
capturing a British raiding party in Maryland.<br />
President Madison approved sending two emissaries, Key and Stuart Skinner, to negotiate<br />
Dr. Beanes release since he treated wounded British soldier prisoners.<br />
There is some controversy over who actually negotiated the prisoner’s release: Key<br />
or Stuart Skinner. Skinner’s account contains more specifics than Key’s version.<br />
The original writing was a poem titled, “In Defense <strong>of</strong> Baltimore”. Marc commented<br />
that it was not a well written poem.<br />
It was customary in those days to sing poems to the tune <strong>of</strong> popular barroom songs.<br />
The Star-Spangled Banner was sung to the British men’s club song, “The Anacreontic.”<br />
The British defeat at Ft. McHenry drained the British enthusiasm for the war and led to the Treaty <strong>of</strong> Ghent. The Senate ratified<br />
the treaty on February 18, 1815, which restored relations and territory to the pre-war era.<br />
The navy played the Star-Spangled Banner in 1889, and Congress made it our national anthem on March 3, 1931 under President<br />
Hoover.<br />
There are no known direct live descendants <strong>of</strong> the Key family alive today despite him having had eleven children.<br />
The original Ft. McHenry flag that inspired Frank Key is displayed at the Smithsonian Museum in Washington D..C.<br />
CHAPTER SHORTS:<br />
Another AVVA Success: The AVVA Community Outreach <strong>of</strong> collecting bath towels and travel size toiletries for the<br />
Lamb Center was a great success. The donations filled six large shopping bags plus some. Soup cans with flip top lids will be<br />
collected at the November membership meeting. Diane Ignatowski, AVVA Representative, thanks all who made a donation at<br />
the September membership meeting.<br />
Agent Orange Town Hall Meeting: The chapter wants to host an AO Town Hall Meeting in Spring 2015. If you want to<br />
help or <strong>of</strong>fer resources such as meeting location, and other essentials, contact Diane Ignatowski at 703-2355-0353.<br />
I live too far to attend a meeting? Congratulations to Ben Works, a new member who attended his first chapter meeting.<br />
Ben lives west <strong>of</strong> Culpeper. Come to the October meeting to celebrate our 29th Anniversary. “No excuse, drill sergeant”.<br />
Suits for Vets Needs a Helping Hand: The Suits for Vets campaign has grown from one <strong>of</strong>fice to several Mitre <strong>of</strong>fices<br />
and a federal <strong>of</strong>fice. The donated business attire success has expanded beyond employee participation to friends and neighbors<br />
<strong>of</strong> the employees to the degree that Chuck Harris needs help. If you want to support the program call Chuck at 703-729-5665.<br />
Used Books: Charlie Klein’s successful used book sale in partnership with Hole In The Wall Books store in Falls<br />
Church is in need <strong>of</strong> used books. 100% <strong>of</strong> each book sale funds the Vince Kaspar awards program, our community outreach<br />
program. Call Charlie at 703-509-9469 to donate your used books. Charlie asks that members not deliver books to the store,<br />
but give them to him.<br />
AVVA Membership: Members are encouraged to join AVVA to show our support for their hard work over the years at<br />
all levels <strong>of</strong> VVA. Applications can be obtained at http://www.avva.org/ or see Diane Ignatowski, AVVA Representative, at the<br />
monthly membership meeting/
CHAPTER 227 DOG TAGS October 2014<br />
OFFICERS<br />
AND<br />
BOARD OF<br />
DIRECTORS<br />
OF CHAPTER 227<br />
President: Bruce Waxman – 703-323-0269<br />
Vice President: Len Ignatowski, 703-255-0353<br />
Secretary: Ron Ball<br />
Treasurer: Chuck Harris<br />
Sergeant at Arms: Jonathan Olson<br />
Board <strong>of</strong> Directors: Bill Dumsick, Charlie Klein, Max<br />
Knouse, Bill Lynch, Tom Stryer, Bob Tecklenburg, Scott<br />
Hurley, Dennis Stephens, and Jay Kalner.<br />
AVVA Representative: Diane Ignatowski 703-255-0353<br />
Newsletter Editor: Len Ignatowski 703-255-0353<br />
School Speaker’s Panel: Tom Stryer 703-323-9032<br />
Meeting Guest Speaker: Len Funk 703-820-8118<br />
Suits for Veterans: Chuck Harris 703-729-5665<br />
Lyons PTSD Visit: Ben Buckley 703-978-9179<br />
Used Books Program: Charlie Klein 703-509-9469<br />
CHAPTER OPERATIONS PLAN<br />
Oct<br />
02: Board Meeting 7:30 PM: American Legion Post 180, 330 Center Street, North, Vienna, Va.<br />
11: Fairfax City Fall Festival @ 10 am to 5 pm, Booth 356. Volunteers needed. ?? call Joe or Sharon Celesnik 703-938-7669<br />
16: Anniversary Membership Meeting 7:30 PM, Speaker: Bill English, “I Corps Logistical Challenges”<br />
29: Lyons Combat PTSD Class Visit: Meet at The Wall at 11:00 AM.<br />
Nov.<br />
6: Board Meeting: 7:30 PM: American Legion Post 180, 330 Center Street, North, Vienna, Va.<br />
11: Veterans Day<br />
12: Membership Meeting 7:30 PM: Speaker<br />
Dec.<br />
6: Board Meeting 7:30 PM: American Legion Post 180, 330 Center Street, North, Vienna, Va.<br />
10: Lyons Combat PTSD Class Visit: Meet at The Wall at 11:00 AM.<br />
13: Holiday Party: Bill and Cheryl Dumsick hosting<br />
25: Merry Christmas<br />
SANTA CLAUS NEEDS HELP?<br />
Meeng<br />
Locaon<br />
MEETINGS<br />
3rd Thursday <strong>of</strong> the Month except July, August, and December<br />
Neighbor’s Restaurant, 262D Cedar Lane<br />
Vienna, Virginia (Park St. & Cedar Lane)<br />
Pre-Meeting Dinner (Optional 6:30 PM<br />
Meeting: 7:30 PM<br />
CHAPTER WEBSITE: www.vva227.org<br />
A new Veteran Administration Supportive Housing (VASH) family Santa Claus manager is needed for this year’s gift program.<br />
The Manager coordinates the submitted gift list for each <strong>of</strong> the three families and distributes the chapter and donated funds.<br />
The VASH case managers select the most needy families from the Northern Virginia service area. Each family has a team <strong>of</strong> two or<br />
more members that purchase the gifts including a grocery store gift card. The gift distribution is scheduled for early December. If<br />
you wish to serve as the manager or a team member, call Diane Ignatowski at 703-255-0353.<br />
Cash donations should be mailed to the chapter address at Vietnam Veterans <strong>of</strong> America Chapter 227, P.O. Box 5653,<br />
Arlington, Virginia 22205-0653.
MEMBERSHIP MEETING<br />
October 16 th<br />
Celebrate the Chapter’s 29 th Anniversary<br />
Speaker: Bill English, “Vietnam War Logistical Challenges”<br />
AVVA Community Outreach: Bring Cans <strong>of</strong> Soup with Flip Top Lid<br />
LYONS COMBAT PTSD VISIT<br />
October 29th @ 11:00 AM at The Wall<br />
RECRUIT A NEW MEMBER NOW!<br />
VIETNAM VETERANS OF AMERICA ® INC.<br />
CHAPTER 227<br />
DEAN K. PHILLIPS MEMORIAL CHAPTER<br />
P.O. Box 5653<br />
Arlington, Virginia 22205-0653<br />
Address Service Requested<br />
OUR MISSION<br />
To “Serve Military Veterans, Their Families,<br />
Our Community and Our Country”<br />
Since October 11, 1985
Change language