President Obama placing the wreath at the Tomb - Minnesota ...

December 2009
President Obama placing the wreath at the Tomb
of the Unknown Soldier on
Veterans Day – November 11, 2009

Continuing to Serve
Minnesota Paralyzed
Veterans of America
One Veterans Drive
SCI-238
Minneapolis, MN 55417
Monday - Thursday:
8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Friday:
8:00 AM - 1:30 PM
Phone: 612-725-2263
Toll Free: 1-800-663-6782
Fax: 612-726-9472
Email: mnpva@qwestoffice.net
Executive Director
Richard F. Jost
Phone: 612-467-1651
Email: rfjostmnpva@qwestoffice.net
Officers
President Charlie Wittwer
Vice-President Russ Osborne
Secretary Eric Webster
Treasurer John Christensen
Past President Eric Webster
Board of Directors
Leo Dondlinger – Todd Kemery
Tom Fjerstad – Dave Langsdale
Bill Frisby – Dave Hallis
National Director
Thomas R. Fjerstad, PRP
National Service Offices
Jason Stephenson – 612-629-7022
Senior Benefits Advocate SCI-141
Jim Arndt – 612-629-7021
Vocational Rehab. Program SCI-139
One Veterans Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55417
Tami Anderson – NSO II
Federal Building Room 194B
St. Paul, MN 55111
612-970-5988
1-800-795-3609
FTS 612-970-5668
Northern Highlights Staff
Editor Richard F. Jost
Circulation Dianna Way
Northern Highlights
Advertising Rates
Please call the office for rates.
612-725-2263
or
1-800-663-6782
The Minnesota Chapter of the Paralyzed Veterans of America is a non-profit organization.
Our funding is primarily received from donations. The Paralyzed Veterans of America is
the name of our parent organization, and is chartered by the Congress of the United States
of America. All members of the Paralyzed Veterans of America, have sustained a spinal
injury or disease. If you have any questions, or you would like to make a donation to our
organization, please write to the address or call the numbers listed on this page
Any and all articles that appear in this newsletter, is the opinion of the author of
said article, and not necessarily those of its members, Board of Directors, or that
of this organization. Any advertising that appears in this newsletter, is paid for by the
business or organization that placed the advertisement. The Minnesota Paralyzed
Veterans of America, by printing said advertisements, does not endorse and shall not
be held liable for any claims of any kind against said business or organization.
The Minnesota Paralyzed Veterans of America’s newsletter will be published
12 times per year. The editor and/or assistant may edit all articles for content,
grammar, clarity and punctuation.
— Richard F. Jost, Editor.
Wishing
you a
Happy,
Healthy
and Safe
Holiday
Season
Table of Contents
Volume 16, Issue 3
Northern Highlights
President’s Report 3
Executive Director’s Report 4
Sr. Benefit Advocate’s Report 5
Membership Report 5
Government Relations Dir. Report 6
January Calendar & Schedule 7
January Birthdays 8
For Sale 8
Member Application 9,10
PVA Ad 11
Spiritual Thoughts 11

President’s Report – Charlie Wittwer
Hello everyone,
As I look out my window and see snow on the ground, the bay iced over and a thin coat of ice on my van. Now being a
college graduate and have acutely deduced that winter is indeed here even though the calendar says it officially begins
December 21st. So I guess we better put away the summer toys and replace them with winter toys, (i.e.: snow blowers,
shovels, snow machines, cross country skis, and anything else we can think of) but most if all we need warm clothes to
shield us from the winter woes that are sure to come. I guess I better get down to business and let you know what has
been going on.
The main thing for me is my trip to Washington D.C. from November 10th-12th for the Veteran’s Day ceremony.
Our Advocacy committee was there which includes Tom Fjerstad, Todd Kemery and myself. It was a sobering and
enlightening day with the event held at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. National PVA was the host for this great
event. We witnessed President Obama and his very lovely wife, Michelle. We saw many dignitaries on the dias among
them, Chaplin Keith Ethridge, Directior, VA Chaplin Service, The Honorable Tammy Duckworth, Assistant Secretary,
of Veteran Affairs, The Honorable Eric K. Shinseski Secretary of Veteran Affairs, and our very own Mr. Gene Crayton,
National President Paralyzed Veterans of America. The highlight of the ceremony was when President Obama laid the
wreath on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. It was an exhilarating experience for all of us. I have never been to an event
when there were so many secret service people all over the place; you knew for sure something very noble was going on.
Twenty-five organizations were part of the planning committee that organized this ceremony. The only glitch was the rain,
but even that did not stop the hundreds of veterans and civilians who were in attendance. I was truly honored to be a
part of this and hope to attend in the years to come. The reception followed back of the Mayflower Hotel, in Washington
D.C.; from1:00 to 4:00 p.m. and of course it was sponsored by National PVA. It was a very special day all around and the
highlight of the reception was when we posed for a picture with Mr. Buzz Aldrin, the second man to walk on the moon
which was taken by my lovely wife Jan who was with us the entire trip.
Thank you for your time and remember to have fun and be kind!
3

Executive Director’s Report – Richard Jost
4
By the time you read this we will have been visited by National PVA
PesidentGene Crayton (story follows) for a Vocational Rehabilitation
celebration on Tuesday December 1, 2009 that Governor Tim Pawlenty,
Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak, Mike Pugliese Deputy Commissioner
of Veterans Affairs of Minnesota along with many others attended.
It was great to host President Crayton during his visit to the
Minneapolis SCI Center. Watching the President work during
his meetings with the SCI Director and Medical Center Director,
I realized that PVA is in very good hands with Gene Crayton as
President.
One of the reasons I am so very proud of this Minneapolis VA Medical
Center is because of an article in the Minnesota Department of
Veterans Affairs newsletter that was received in the chapter office. The
article I am referring to is as follows:
“The Minneapolis VA Medical Center (VAMC) has joined a select group
of organizations that have achieved a sustained level of excellence in
performance as determined by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
The Minneapolis VAMC is one of three recipients of the 2009 “Circle
of Excellence” award, which was recently presented by the U.S. VA
Deputy Secretary W. Scott Gould during a ceremony in Washington,
D.C. Also honored were the Cooperative Studies Program Clinical
Research Pharmacy the White River Junction VA Medical Center in
Vermont.
It was an honor to accept the “Circle of Excellence” award as this
medical center continues in journey of continuous improvement,” said
Minneapolis VAMC Director Steven Kleinglass. “This award honors
every member of our staff who strives daily to serve our Veterans with
first-class medical care.”
The “Circle of Excellence” award recognizes organizations (medical
centers, benefits offices and cemeteries) within the U.S. VA that have
implemented management approaches that result in sustained high
levels of performance and service.
Since 1992, the U.S. VA has recognized its departments with the
Robert W. Carey Quality Award.
Each year the VA presents a Carey trophy award to at least one
organization. Only recipients of the award during the previous five
years are eligible for the “Circle of Excellence” recognition. The
Minneapolis VAMC was the 2008 Carey trophy award winner.”
The above article appeared in the Volume 3, Issue 12 of the Minnesota
Department of Veterans Affairs Newsletter dated December 2009.
In closing I would like to wish everyone a safe, healthy and happy
Holiday Season!!
Live Life Laugh Daily Enjoy the Ride

Senior Benefit Advocate’s Report – Jason Stephenson
ISSUANCE OF A SPORT MODEL WHEELCHAIR
In accordance with VHA Directive 1173.06 Paragraph 4c, A Sports Model wheelchair may be considered for eligible
VA beneficiaries who have a disability resulting in the anatomical loss, or loss of use, of at least one lower extremity
which prohibits their participation in normal sports activities. It must be determined that the VA beneficiary is
actively engaged in a sports activity which requires a specially designed sports wheelchair for attainment of maximum
rehabilitation. One sport model wheelchair may be furnished in addition to the veteran’s primary chair as well as
back-up of equal value to a veteran who requires the continued use of a wheelchair for mobility. The request for a
Sports Model wheelchair needs to be approved by the Major Medical Committee after a Physician who specializes in
Rehabilitation medicine has entered a consult.
Sports Model wheelchairs may be furnished to eligible veterans in lieu of a conventional type chair, even if the veteran is
not actively engaged in a sports activity, provided the unique modifications in height, depth, and width contained in the
sport chair are appropriate for the veteran’s physical condition and there are no contraindications for daily use.
Replacement of a Sports Model wheelchair may not be authorized merely because a veteran desires a new model or type,
or solely because a chair has been used for a particular length of time.
If a veteran is interested in obtaining a Hand Cycle wheelchair, a Hand Cycle Wheelchair may be furnished but it will
be furnished under the same provisions as stated above for Sports Model wheelchairs.
If you have any questions regarding the issuance of a Hand Cycle wheelchair or a Sports Model wheelchair, please feel
free to contact your Paralyzed Veterans of America National Service Officer at either 612-970-5668/1-800-795-3609 or
at 612-629-7022.
Also of note, in compliance with PVA National Policy, both the PVA Regional Office and
PVA SCI Office to include Voc Rehab office will be closed from December 24th through
January 3rd. Jason, Tami, Elaine, and Jim want to wish everyone Happy Holidays and a
Happy New Year.
Membership Report – Dave Hallis
Our current membership is at 340 with the breakdown as follows:
Service Connected = 153
Non Service Connected = 187
Please keep in mind to enlist new members when you are out in the community because we would really like to see our
membership increase. Veterans with a spinal cord injury or spinal cord disease with an honorable discharge from the military are
eligible for membership into our chapter.
The Minnesota PVA Chapter welcomes the following new members: Wayne McMath and Lawrence Mullaly. We look forward to
seeing both of you at our upcoming events. WELCOME!
The MNPVA Chapter office received notification that MNPVA member Petro J Kmit has passed away. The chapter extends its
deepest sympathies to his family and friends during their time of sorrow.
National PVA notified the chapter office that Walt Cable and Thomas J Shaughnessy have been placed on the undeliverable list.
If any one knows how to contact them please call the office so we can place them back on our membership rouster again.
5

Government Relations Director’s Report – Thomas R. Fjerstad, PRP
I was in Washington, DC for Veterans Day along with Chapter
President Charlie Wittwer and Chapter Sports Director Todd
Kemery. This was my ninth time in Washington for Veterans
Day. Charlie, Todd and I attended the ceremony at the Tomb
of the Unknowns in Arlington National Cemetery. PVA was
the official host for Veterans Day this year and our current
National President Mr. Gene Crayton delivered the speech at
the ceremony while seated next to President Obama. President
Crayton made PVA proud on a cold and rainy day in Arlington.
The list of dignitaries in attendance is too long to cover in its
entirety but it included the First Lady, Vice President Biden and
VA Secretary Shinseki.
After the ceremony it was off to the reception at the Mayflower Hotel
hosted by PVA. Secretary Shinseki spoke at the reception and a good
time was had by all. President Wittwer, Todd, and I had our picture
taken with Buzz Aldrin of Apollo 11 fame, the second man to set foot
on the moon. I would like to thank the PVA National staff involved
with organizing a reception that truly made PVA shine.
On November 10th I was up on the hill visiting the offices of our
elected representatives. I extended a personal invitation to the
reception at the Mayflower the next day and thanked them for
their support in the passage of advanced appropriations for the
Department of Veterans Affairs. On Thursday, October 22, 2009,
President Obama signed H.R. 1016 into law. Public Law 111-81
secures timely funding for veterans health care delivered through
the Veterans Health Administration. This was a huge victory for
veterans. I received a presentation on this concept in September
of 2008 during a trip to Washington for a Chapter Government
Relations Directors meeting. The bill was introduced in
February by Congressman Filner Chairman of the House
Committee on Veterans Affairs. This then became the number
one initiative during the chapters visit to the hill in early March
of this year. We beat our heads against the wall for many years
over mandatory funding and to have this bill signed into law
eight months after it was introduced is absolutely astounding.
On the local front our new office in the Veterans Building
is nearly complete and will be fully operational prior to the
start of the Minnesota Legislative session at noon on Thursday
February fourth. I was in attendance at the UVLC meeting on
November 4th. Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs Deputy
Commissioner Mike Pugliese requested organizations share
legislative ideas for the upcoming session. I will be meeting and
discussing ideas with President Wittwer and presenting those
ideas to the chapter board at its December meeting.
6

January 2010
1 2
3 4 5 6 7 8 9
10 11 12 13 14 15 16
17 18 19 20 21 22 23
24 25 26 27 28 29 30
31
Office
Closed
Martin Luther King Day
Schedule of Events
December 21 Winter Begins
December 24 Christmas Eve Day – Holiday Office Closed
December 25 Christmas Day – Holiday – Office Closed
December 26 Kwanza Begins
December 31 New Year Eve Day – Holiday – Office Closed
Office
Closed
New Years Day
NOVEMBER 2009
S M T W T F S
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
8 9 10 11 12 13 14
15 16 17 18 19 20 21
22 23 24 25 26 27 28
29 30
JANUARY 2010
S M T W T F S
1 2
3 4 5 6 7 8 9
10 11 12 13 14 15 16
17 18 19 20 21 22 23
24 25 26 27 28 29 30
31
January 1 New Year’s Day – Holiday – Office Closed
January 18 Martin Luther King, Jr. Day – Holiday – Office Closed
January 20 BOD Meeting
Hospital Visitation: Monday through Friday
Bowling South: Thursday mornings starting at 11:00 a.m. at the Eden Prairie Bowling Lanes in Eden Prairie, Minnesota
Bowling North: Thursday afternoons starting at 2:00 p.m. at Bowlers Advantage/Bunkie’s Bar & Grill Bowling Lanes in Chisago, Minnesota
Please call the MNPVA office if you plan on attending any of the above activities at
612-725-2263 or 1-800-663-6782 or via email at mnpva@qwestoffice.net
Birthstone: Garnet
Flower: Carnation
7

8
January
Birthdays
1 Joseph R. Lanctot
2 Harlan H. Ebert
4 Edgar E. Traut
Robert J. Young
5 Lee M. Whitley
7 Curtis L. Jorgenson
Gordon G. VanKleek
8 Michael W. McFarland
Raymond A. Ostlund
Philip N. Schmitz
9 Donald O. Thompson
12 Emmett N. Kuklock
16 Mark G. Rahn
23 Andrew J. Bernstrom
26 Brian K. Olson
Bill Wicklow
27 Gary L. Hieronimus
28 Mark P. Mimnaugh
Roger H. Tottingham
29 Robert L. Hawley
Phillip J. Koehntop
31 Patrick A. Donley
Glenn D. Jackola
FOR SALE:
2006 Chrysler Town & Country Touring, Rollx
conversion with infloor ramp, excellent condition,
GPS, DVD leather, 32K, $26,000.00, for more
information, please call 651-322-1277

PARALYZED VETERANS OF AMERICA
MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION
An individual is eligible for membership by meeting the following criteria: (1) is a citizen of the United States;
(2) was regularly enlisted, inducted, or commissioned, and was accepted for or on active duty, in the Army, Navy,
Marine Corps, Air Force, or Coast Guard of the United States or an ally of the United States; (3A) was separatedfrom
the service in the Armed Forces under conditions other than dishonorable; or (3B) is on active duty or must
continue to serve after the cessation of hostilities; and (4) has suffered a spinal cord injury or disease (such as MS,
ALS), whether or not service connected in origin. Membership is free. Complete and mail the application to:
PVA Membership Department, 801 18th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20006 or to the chapter of choice.
800-424-8200 • www.pva.org
Chapter Name: _____________________________________________________________________________________
First Name: ___________________________ Middle Initial: ________ Last Name: ____________________________
Date of Birth: _______ / _______ / _______ Social Security Number: _______________________________________
Male Female Are you a United States citizen? Yes No
Address: __________________________________________________________________________________________
City: _________________________________ State: ___________________________ Zip: _______________________
Home Phone: ______________________________________ Other Phone: ______________________________________
Email: _______________________________________________________________________________________________
VETERAN STATUS INFORMATION
DATE(S) OF
MILITARY SERVICE
Start Date
month/date/year
Minnesota PVA Chapter
month date year
End Date
month/date/year
TYPE OF
SEPARATION
Discharge (D) or
Retirement (R)
D or R
D or R
BRANCH OF SERVICE
Army Air Force Navy Marine Corps Coast Guard
Army Air Force Navy Marine Corps Coast Guard
Have you ever been discharged under conditions that are less than honorable? Yes No
Is your spinal cord injury or spinal cord disease service connected? Yes No
DISABILITY CLASSIFICATION
SPINAL CORD INJURY
(Complete ONLY if you have a traumatic spinal cord injury)
Date of Injury: _______ / _______ / _______
Injury Level: C1-C08 Cervical T01-T12 Thoracic
Cause of SCI:
L01-L05 Lumbar S01-S05 Sacral
Vehicular (auto, motorcycle, aircraft, bicycle, etc.)
Violence (gunshot, stabbing, explosion, etc.)
Pedestrian (hit by car, etc.)
Sport or recreation (swimming, diving, etc.)
Flying or falling object
Medical-surgical complications
Other traumatic injury ___________________________
Unknown
SPINAL CORD DISEASE
(Complete ONLY if you have non-traumatic spinal cord disease)
Date of diagnosis/onset of condition:
_______ / _______ / _______
Specific disease:
Multiple Sclerosis
Poliomyelitis
Amyotrophic diseases (lateral sclerosis, transverse myeltis)
Syringomyelia
Other (specify) ________________________________
9

LEVEL OF FUNCTION
Indicate your level of function:
10 3/08
Paraplegia Quadriplegia Hemiplegia No paralysis at this time
GENERAL INFORMATION
Please check the appropriate box or fill in the blank of each of the categorical that best describes your present status.
This important information enables the PVA to compile data for the effective implementation and support of our programs.
EDUCATION (highest level)
Less than high school graduate
High school graduate/GED
Some college or trade school
Associate’s degree
Bachelor’s degree
Attended graduate school
Graduate degree
Other
CURRENT EMPLOYMENT STATUS
Employed full time
Employed part time
Self-employed
Unemployed
Unemployed due to disability
Retired
Other ________________________
MARITAL STATUS
Divorced
Married
Never Married
Separated
Widowed
RACE/ETHNICITY
Asian or Pacific Islander
Black, not Hispanic/Latino origin
Hispanic/Latino
Native American or Alaskan Native
White, not Hispanic/Latino origin
Other ________________________
TYPE OF RESIDENCE
Apartment
Assisted living facility
Single-family home/condominium
State/veterans retirement home
Nursing home
VA hospital
VA nursing home
Other ________________________
SOURCE(S) OF INCOME
(check all that apply)
Employment
Gifts/Other
Private pension
Social Security
VA compensation
VA pension
Worker’s compensation
NEXT OF KIN INFORMATION OTHER CONTACT INFORMATION
Relationship: ____________________________________
(someone other than next of kin)
Name: _________________________________________
Relationship: ____________________________________
Same as member address on front of form
Name: _________________________________________
Address: _______________________________________
Address: _______________________________________
City: __________________________________________
City: __________________________________________
State: _______________________ Zip: ______________
State: _______________________ Zip: ______________
Phone: _________________________________________
Phone: _________________________________________
The Veterans Benefits Department advocates for quality health care for our members and can assist you to obtain the appropriate
benefits available as a result of your military service. Is PVA presently your benefits representative? Yes No
If yes, I have no objection and hereby permit PVA Service Officers to provide information to the PVA National Membership
Department that pertains to my qualifications for membership.
I declare that I have read and meet the qualifications. I understand that my
membership could be revoked if any information provided is inaccurate.
Office Use Only
Date Received: ____________________________
Applicant’s Signature
Date
Member ID#: ______________________________
Processed Date: ___________________________

Spiritual Thoughts
Proverb 17:22
A Cheerful heart is good medicine, but a
crushed spirit dries up the bones
11

1 Veterans Dr. SC1-238
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55417
First Name: ___________________________________________ MI: ___________________
Last Name: __________________________________________________________________
Address: ____________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
City: ___________________________________ State: _____________ Zip: _____________
Home Phone: ( ______ ) ____________________E-mail: ______________________________
Birth Date: _____/ ____ / ____ Membership ID Number ______________________________