Annual Dinner - Vietnam Veterans of America - Chapter 20

B ETWEEN THE LINE SPG. 7Annual DinnerPG. 5Chapter 20 Parade SchedulePG. 18Virtual Vet: The Australian Involvement in VietnamTOGETHER THEN...TOGETHER NOW

President’s MessageBETWEEN THE LINES2This was an April to rememberfor me. Two out of the fourweeks I was in Philadelphia inSAP training, which was anextremely humbling experience.Besides the training being difficult,being away from home hasnever been fun for me. I enjoybeing around my family andfriends.In between all the traveling Imanaged to be at the board meetingsand the annual meeting andall of the LLC meetings. One ofthe highlights of the month forme was being re-elected as yourPresident. I would like to thankeveryone for their support andfaith in the direction the chapteris going. I would also like tothank everyone for the SpecialRecognition award. For thosewho know me, the thanks andsupport you give the chapter, itsboard and myself is more thanenough, but thank you verymuch for the honor.The Annual Dinner was agreat event where over 270 veterans,their wives and familiescame to eat, drink and enjoy thecompany of everyone there. Theentire event was planned andcoordinated by Karen Ballard,our Administrative Assistant,who did an exceptional job.Thanks, Karen. Along with thegreat turnout we were blessedto have Mr. Harry Caulfield andGary and Lolly Beikirch andover 55 people from the VeteransOutreach Center. It was super tosee Harry and Gary and we werehonored to have them say a fewwords to the entire group.As you may have noticedMama Louise was not at theAnnual Dinner and Karen hada card for all to sign. Louise iscurrently in Rochester GeneralHospital fighting pneumonia.I ask you all to pray for thiswonderful lady, whose love ofVVA and her voice are a legendin this community as one of ourThrift Store solicitors. Also, JohnArthur from the Thrift Storecompletes his treatments thisThe Annual Dinner was agreat event where over 270veterans, their wives andfamilies came to eat, drinkand enjoy the company ofeveryone there.week. Please say extra prayers forJohn as well.This year’s event also saw agreat Vietnam Veteran receivethe Roger Robach Award, Mr.Jim Kurtz, who over his betterthan 20 years service for thechapter and the VOC has left alegacy second to none. In addition,the first annual Don andRori Murrell HumanitarianAward went to Capt. SteveMcAlpin. Steve’s leadership andconcern for his fellow soldiersand his love of country madehim the perfect recipient of thisaward. Veterans Service wardswere given to Meg Lewczyk andAVVA, Brian Wirpsa along withPresident James O’Connor fromVVA Chapter 205. MarchingUnit Service award was given outto Wally Gekoski and a SpecialRecognition Award went to GailMelens.We were also blessed thismonth with Mrs. Shirley Haefeledonating over 25 pictures fromher husband Don’s collection toVVA. In addition, she is preparinga document to give us theright to the use of Don’s greatphotographs of the Vietnam Walland the statue on our Web site. Ithank you Shirley for your kindnessand giving us the chance tohonor Don’s work.This month, we say goodbyeto Brian and Eileen Wirpsa,who have moved to Atlanta. Wewish you well and Godspeed. Toend a great month, Joanne andI leave tomorrow for a cruiseof the Caribbean. It is our firstvacation in three years and weboth really need it. Please forgiveus if we try and leave everythingbehind for a week and just relaxand enjoy ourselves. Last, pleasepray for the Board of Directors aswe move forward into even morechallenging times. As always takecare and see you next month.God Bless you all.Nelson2004MembershipMeetingsJune 10thJuly 8thSeptember 9thOctober 14thNovember 11thVeterans WalkDedicationSaturday, August 14thSteak RoastSunday, September 19th

Front and CenterBETWEEN THE LINES4MARCHING UNITRay Melens, CommanderThe annual Marching Unitmeeting was held on Saturday,April 24th. Besides the paradesbeing voted on for the upcomingparade season, there wereother matters pertaining tothe Marching Unit and HonorGuard discussed as well. We arenow in the process of gettingsome quotes for a new bannerfor the Marching Unit. We arestarting to work on possiblyprocuring our own rifles for riflefiring details and getting a newset of flags for the MarchingUnit / Honor Guard. And wediscussed what we are going todo about the St. Patrick’s Dayparade next year. One thing thatwas brought up pertaining to theHonor Guard uniform was thewearing of the POW/MIA patchon the right breast pocket of theHonor Guard field jacket. Allpresent agreed that we need todo all we can to help draw awarenessto this very important issue.Needless to say, it passed by aunanimous vote. We will alsobe carrying clear rain ponchosin the flag bag for any paradesthat may be calling for or havingrain. You will find the 2004Marching Unit parade schedulelocated elsewhere in this issue ofthe BTL.On Sunday, May 2nd, theHonor Guard had a detail atOur Lady of Perpetual Help. Itseems it was this church’s 100thanniversary and they wanted tocelebrate it by honoring veteranspast and present. We hadthe honor of posting the Colorsbefore Mass. All during theMass, Veterans were honoredand remembered. They read thenames of their parishioners whoserved, are serving today, andthose who paid the ultimate sacrificeto defend our freedom thatwe so cherish today. I must saythat it was a very fine ceremonyconducted during a Mass. Themembers of the Honor Guarddid another outstanding job tomake this Chapter proud.I am still meeting and workingwith Jack Prinzing on theWe had the honor of postingthe Colors before Massat Our Lady of PerpetualHelp. All during the Mass,Veterans were honored andremembered. They read thenames of their parishionerswho served, are servingtoday, and those who paidthe ultimate sacrifice todefend our freedom thatwe so cherish today.web page. I have turned overa couple of CDs with picturesand music to be used on theMarching Unit’s page. Needlessto say, the work still continuesbetween Jack, myself, and ofcourse our web master. Soon,though, I think we will have apage to be proud of, as soon aswe all get our input put in.My congratulations to allof this year’s Award winners atthe Annual Dinner this year. Iwas very fortunate and honoredto have been asked to read thenomination for the very first Donand Rori Murrell HumanitarianAward. I must say that therecipient was a very deservingcandidate and the committee dida great job with their selection.Congratulations to Capt. SteveMcAlpin! I don’t want to forgetour newly elected officers andBoard members that were swornin that evening as well. I’m surethe entire chapter joins with mein wishing them well as they leadthe Chapter for the next coupleof years.The Honor Guard will meetagain in June at 7:00 P.M. justbefore the monthly membershipmeeting. It will be at this meetingthat those that volunteeredfor the Washington, DC trip willfind out who will be going thisyear. We will also be discussingother Honor Guard business aswell. Any one interested in joiningis always welcome to attendas well as anyone who may wishto address the Honor Guard forany reason.Just a reminder to save thedate of September 4th for theMarching Unit picnic. This yearit is going to be held at GreeceCanal Ponds Park. Be sure tomark your calendars now andplan to attend. More details willfollow in future issues of theBTL.Until next month.....AT EASE!!!!!!!!POW/MIAGail Bologna-Melens, CoordinatorAt this time there are 1,862POW/MIAs unaccounted forfrom the Vietnam War. Three

men have been repatriated.The first is S.Sgt. DennisW. Hammond, USMC, whowas captured during the TetOffensive, February 28, 1968.He reportedly died in captivityin 1970. His remains wereturned over by Vietnam in 1989.He will be buried in Bremond,Texas on May 22, 2004.The second servicemanidentified and returned is Lt.JG. Robert A. Clark of NorthHollywood, California. OnJanuary 10, 1973 he took off inan A-6A Intruder from the carrierUSS Midway on a missionto suppress surface-to-air missilesin North Vietnam. Near the targetarea in Nghe An Province inNorth Vietnam, one U.S. aircrewAttempts to contact thecrew for four days throughradio and visual searcheswere unsuccessful.reported an estimated 15 surfaceto air missiles fired at the flight,as well as numerous anti-aircraftrounds. Lt. Clark’s A-6A was notseen again.Attempts to contact the crewfor four days through radio andvisual searches were unsuccessful.In July 1991, U.S. researchersdiscovered in a Vietnamesemilitary museum a data plate,which correlated to the downedaircraft. In another museum theydiscovered photos of a crash site,which also correlated to the missingaircraft.The third serviceman’s namehas not been released for publicannouncement at the request ofhis family.At this time, the only companythat responded to my offerof a POW/MIA flag is NortheastIndustrial, in Lima, NY. Thankyou, Ray Melens.As summer arrives (maybe)take time out to check the conditionof your flag. The windhas really taken its toll on theflags this winter and spring. ForFlag Day let’s have nice brightflags flying to show that weREMEMBER.Front and Center2004 PARADE SCHEDULE FOR VIETNAM VETERANS OF AMERICA, CHAPTER 20Day Date Parade Start Time FormationSaturday June 5 Mendon Firemen’s 6:45 P.M. Mendon Farms Area, East off Rt. 251Thursday June 17 Spencerport Firemen’s 7:00 P.M. Lyell Ave. Area near Old Trow BridgeFriday June 25 Holley Firemen’s 7:00 P.M. Geddes St. AreaSunday July 4 Irondequoit 4th 11:00 A.M. Titus & Hudson, Irondequoit Plaza AreaFriday July 9 Kendall Firemen’s 7:00 P.M. School on Rt. 237, just north of Rt. 104Wednesday July 14 Barnard Firemen’s 7:00 P.M. Off Dewey Ave. near the city lineThursday July 15 Webster Firemen’s 6:30 P.M. Rt. 404 & PhillipsThursday July 29 Hilton Firemen’s 7:00 P.M. West Ave. SchoolSaturday August 7 Phelps Sauerkraut 2:00 P.M. Off Rt. 96 in PhelpsFriday August 13 Hamlin Firemen’s 7:00 P.M. Tops Market on Rt. 19 (usually at VFW)Saturday August 21 Toronto Warriors Day Contact Tim Sturm 266-7787NOTE: Listed are parade start times. Please be at formation approximately 45 minutes prior to the start time listed.BETWEEN THE LINES5

1941 Historical Aircraft Group MuseumFly-In ComeAnyWayYouCan-In Bike-InWalk-InDrive-InSkate-InDrop-InPANCAKE BREAKFASTPancakes • Eggs • Sausage • Ham • Juice • BeveragesSunday, June 6, 20047-11 AMGeneseo AirportRoute 63, West of SUNY Geneseo, NYAdults: $5 Children 6-10: $2.00 Under 6: FreeAIRCRAFT COMING & GOINGBETWEEN THE LINES6HANG GLIDING AERO TOW DEMONSTRATIONARMY RECRUITING SPECIALIST/DISPLAYInfo: 585-243-2100 M-F 10:00 AM-4:00 PMhttp://www.1941hag.org

Annual Dinner5647Ray Melens (4) and HarryCaulfield (5) addressed the crowd.Meg Lewczyk (6) accepts theVeteran Service Award. CaptainSteve McAlpin (7) receives hisaward from Rori Murrell.BETWEEN THE LINES9

Annual Dinner213BETWEEN THE LINES10The Marching Unit Attendance Award Winners receivedrecognition (1). Gail Melens (2) receives her SpecialRecognition Award. Wally Gekoski (3) gave a speech afteraccepting the Marching Unit Service Award.Annual Dinner photos continue on p,15.

Vietnam Veterans of AmericaTHRIFT STORE, CHAPTER 20, LLC1199 East Main Street, Rochester, NY 14609Hours:Monday - Saturday 8:30am - 5:00pmTruck Pick-up (9am - 5pm Monday - Friday)DAVID J. KAUFMAN POST #41JEWISH WAR VETERANSTHE OLDEST ACTIVE VETERANSORGANIZATIONSUPPORTS THE VIETNAM VETSLARRY SCHULMAN, QUARTERMASTER, 271-6967~ Delivery Available ~Truck Pick-up #482-8016Thrift Store #482-8036All donations go to the Thrift Store at the address above.Chapter 179 Rochester, NYCommander...Lawrence N. IzzoAdjutant...Al RichterSgt. At Arms...Ed WeeksWelfare Officer... Anthony GiralicoChaplain...Ray WagnerWork done at Ira Jacobson and the VVA Thrift StoreVietnam Veterans of AmericaCHAPTER 20 Car Donation, LLCAUTO PARTSWhere Being a Partis What Brings Us TogetherCOMPUTERIZEDLOCATORSERVICE FOR HARD TO FINDAUTO PARTSCOAST TO COAST Engines Transmissions Body Parts Radiators Gas Tanks Electrical And More101 DAY WARRANTY ON ALL USED PARTSNEW RADIATORS ATLOW PRICES424-1200Call 224-84842996 West Henrietta Rd.1/4 Mile North of Marketplace MallDIC#7006731

Medals, Badges, Patches, Ribbons, CapsClothing, Boots, Gear, Buckles, Flags,Award Cases, Military Rings and WatchesC.M.Gifts and MilitariaEst: 1987Charles RabidouxUSMC 1957-612nd Mar. Div.497 Stone RoadRochester, NY 14616(585) 865-7370 Greater Rochester“ALL AIRBORNE” Chapter82d Airborne Division Assoc.Membership includes Sky Troopers from:11 th ABN - 13 th ABN17 th ABN - 82d ABN - 101 st ABN173d ABN the 187 th ABNand Glider qualified TroopersFor membership information and application pleasecall: Bill (585) 217-8726 or Joe (585) 225-3477FREEDOM FLAG CO., INC.419 Embury Rd. Rochester, NY 14625(585) 671-0624Richard BurgeyFlagpoles and AccessoriesFlags - USA & InternationalInstallation & RepairCustom Banners / FlagsVeteran owned and operatedfull service FLAG company.Serving the area for 20 years.

Help Katie get a van! Sign up to participate in our1st Annual Katie Bug FundGolf TournamentKatie is a 10-year-old girl with Cerebral Palsy, Epilepsy, MitochondrialDisease, Parkinson’s Disease, along with other health challenges.DATE: Saturday, July 17, 2004TIME: 11:30 Registration, 1:00 P.M. Shotgun (Scramble)600 Whalen RoadPenfield, NYPRICE INCLUDES:• Golf Cart & 18 holes of golf• Lunch at registration(hots/hamburgers, & refreshment)• Awards and Dinner held at the ShadowPines Location. Please provide numberof people attending.DINNER ONLY: $25.00 per personLOCATIONS:COST: $125/personFive Mile Line RdPenfield, NYHole in One ContestWin a 2004 Buick Rendezvous (all courses)Sponsored by Bob HastingsAll checks/money orders can bemade out to the Katie Bug FundSend to : Katie Bug FundPO Box 92446Rochester, NY 14692-0446Special Raffle OpportunityTwo (2) Weekly International Pavilion VIP Tickets to the35th Ryder Cup MatchesatOakland Hills Country ClubBloomfield Hills, MichiganSeptember 14 – 19, 2004DEADLINE: June 30, 2004REGISTRATION POLICY:Send E-mail to Connie (Katie’s Mom) at cgorzynski@rochester.rr.com with your team names and E-mail address, I will then confirmyour participation with a return E-mail confirmation. If you do not have access to E-mail, please call 585-452-3000 to register.Hotel Accommodations Included!BETWEEN THE LINES14Over $1,000.00 value!!!$50 each raffle ticket(Only 200 tickets will be sold)All proceeds will be used to benefit the programsand services of Veterans Outreach Center, Inc.To purchase tickets call Donna at (585) 546-4250.

Annual Dinner132Terri Robach awardedJim Kurtz theRoger Robach Award(1). Scholarshipwinner, Kevin Eng,read his essay (2).Swearing in ofOfficers and BoardDirectors (3).BETWEEN THE LINES15

Annual Dinnergot everyone dancing.BETWEEN THE LINES16

FOR ALL MILITARYSERVICE VETERANS& THEIR FAMILIES. ASPECIAL WELCOME TOOUR RETURNING TROOPS.ORLEANS COUNTYSTAND DOWN2004Friday, June 25, 200410:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.American Legion Post 35131 South Main StreetAlbion, NYBREAKFAST and LUNCHPROVIDEDNeed Transportation?Call Orleans CountyVeterans Service Agencyat (585) 589-3219For further information contact:Veterans Outreach Center, Inc. at (585) 546-4250(VETS - BRING YOUR DISCHARGE PAPERS, if available)OFFERING INFORMATION and SERVICES REGARDING:Veterans BenefitsEmploymentCareer TrainingMedical AssistancePublic AssistanceVA EligibilitySocial SecurityVeterans OrganizationsRural OpportunitiesMedical ScreeningsHealth CareClothingCounselingHousingSenior ServicesBETWEEN THE LINES17

Virtual VetBETWEEN THE LINES18by Peter M. GalleE-mail: PGALLE5000@aol.comLandline: (585) 272-9873http://users.mildura.net.au/users/marshall/armour/tanks.htmIn my area in Vietnam, Aussiesserved their country with greathonor. The following Web sitetalks about their contributions tothe Vietnam War.THE AUSTRALIANINVOLVEMENT IN “VIETNAM”Australia’s mechanized forcesplayed a small but significantpart in the war.by Jon LatimerAfter the first U.S. Marinecombat units landed at Da Nangon March 9, 1965, plans wereswiftly developed for their reinforcementby another 82,000men. America’s Pacific alliespledged a further 7,250, includingan ANZAC (Australia-NewZealand Army Corps, named forthe formation originally createdfor the Gallipoli operation ofWorld War I) battalionto supportthe new enclavestrategy. This initiallyconsisted ofthe 1st Battalion,Royal AustralianRegiment (RAR),with the 105thBattery, RoyalAustralianArtillery, in additionto logistics,medical engineeringpersonnel anda small armoredcontingent. This included eightM113 APCs from A Squadron,the 4/19th Prince of Wales’ LightHorse, inevitably nicknamed“the Ponies” by the diggers, orordinary soldiers, which arrivedin June. Many in the militaryhierarchy did not understandwhy armor was being sent ona counterrevolutionary mission,and some actively soughtto prevent it. The followingmonth the 161st Battery, RoyalNew Zealand Artillery, arrived inVietnam and was integrated intothe Australian organization.The ANZAC battalion wasnot considered strong enoughinitially to operate on its own inVietnam. For the first year, thefledgling ANZAC force operatedclosely with the 173rd AirborneBrigade based at Bien Hoa, provingextremely effective in searchand-destroyoperations aroundSaigon. At this stage, however,participation in the war was veryunpopular down under. Furtherdeployments were restricted toan increase in the complementof the 161st’s Battery, RoyalNew Zealand Artillery, bringingthe APC troop up to strength,13 vehicles plus two M125A1mortar carriers in September.In June 1966 the 1st AustralianTask Force was created. Addedto the 1st RAR were the 5th and6th Battalions, supplemented bytwo companies from the RoyalNew Zealand Infantry Regimentand the 103rd Field Battery,while the APC detachmentwas expanded to a squadron.That unit eventually became ASquadron, 3rd Cavalry Regiment,in January 1967, supportedby the 106th Field Workshop,Royal Australian Electrical andMechanical Engineers. Withthe established of the task force,personnel of the 1st RAR werereplaced in theater with membersof the 7th Battalion.In addition to the groundforces sent to Vietnam, theRoyal Australian Air Force sentseveral squadrons. Number 9Squadron, equipped with BellUH–1B Iroquois helicopters,and Number 35 Squadron,equipped with Caribou transportplanes, were based at Vung Tauin June 1966. Logistical backupand heavy artillerysupport were providedprincipallyby the Americanforces, particularlytransport helicopteroperations. ByOctober 1967,there were some8,000 Australianand 550 NewZealand personneldeployed inVietnam, includingHMAS Sydney,a converted troop

carrier supply ship, and thedestroyer HMAS Hobart.It was apparent by the closeof 1967 that the M113s wereunable to provide adequate supportfor the infantry, which wasincreasingly involved in missionsbetter suited to light tanks. TheM113s were very vulnerable toRPGs and heavy machine-gunfire. Consequently, it was decidedto deploy elements of the 1stArmored Regiment to Vietnam,equipped with the elderly BritishbuiltMark 5 Centurion tank.Weighing around 50 tons andarmed with a 20-pounder gun,the Centurion had proved itselfin Korea and would soon do soagain in Israeli service. It wasbeing replaced in service by theBritish Army, and the Australianswere considering replacing it aswell. The tanks were known asKoalas because they were not tobe exported and not to be shotat.Despite the fact that therewas apparently no need for theKoalas–expensive, relativelyslow machines designed formechanized warfare in westernEurope–ANZAC authorities sentto Vietnam a squadron of twotroops (a total of eight vehicles)plus two for a headquarters, twowith bulldozer attachments, twobridge-layers and an armoredrecovery vehicle, plus threereplacement tanks to offsetattrition. Almost immediately,it seemed that their presence incountrywas a mistake. Drivingslowly through Vietnam’s heavyundergrowth and regularly operatingat very slow speeds causedenormous wear on runninggear and drive trains, as well asreducing the tanks’ engine lifeand increasing fuel consumptionalarmingly. The three replacementtanks were soon cannibalizedfor spares, and further spareshad to be flown in from Britainto keep the remaining tanks running.The infantry came to lovethe Centurions. The contributionthe tanks made duringthe battles in defenseof Coral and Balmoralimpressed everybody up tothe 1st ATF Headquarters.The troop commandersfound themselves inundatedwith requests for combinedoperations from infantrycompany commanders.All the tanks were taken toNui Dat and reworked. Muchof the trouble was apparentlycaused by vegetation accumulatingbehind the bazooka plateand beneath the track guardoverhangs. Those devices wereremoved to provide extra armorfor machine-gun shields for tanksand APCs–and also to constructbarbecues, a welcome reminderof home for the ANZACtroops, who frequently socializedbetween missions over the “barbie.”Additional fuel tanks andextra machine-guns were added,and the Centurions were able tocontinue operating in Vietnamat 75 percent availability. Theywere able to negotiate all ofPhuoc Tuy province during thedry season and most of it duringthe wet, but there were still some“no go” areas, as there were withthe APCs.The infantry came to lovethe Centurions. The contributionthe tanks made during thebattles in defense of Coral andBalmoral impressed everybodyup to the 1st ATF Headquarters.The troop commanders foundthemselves inundated withrequests for combined operationsfrom infantry company commanders.They could advance infront of the infantry, detonatingbooby traps.The NVA learned to fear theCenturions, since they lackedeffective anti-tank weapons. Thetanks were largely impervious toRPG rounds, but the standardChinese Chi-com anti-tankmine could blow a suspension,road wheel or track. However,the NVA would often retire tofight elsewhere rather than takeon infantry supported by tanks.The tanks would sometimes actas the “hammer,” sweeping theNVA toward prepared defensivepositions, or “anvils.” As a result,a third ad hoc troop was formedusing the two headquarters tanksand the two bulldozer variants.The bridge-layers served in theirown right and were also pressedinto service as troop carriers.They even served as helicopterlanding pads in areas of thickundergrowth. Such was the successof the Centurions that the3rd and 4th troops, with a furthereight tanks, were deployedin September 1968.Virtual VetBETWEEN THE LINES19

15th AnnualVietnam VeteransGet-Together19 June 2004Boonville, NY VFW• The largest Vietnam get-together in centralNew York. Please Join us and pass theword. Bring a RVN buddy. Share old photoalbums, mementos, and souvenirs with fellowVietnam veterans.• Free food and refreshments. T-shirts andpins available.• Starts at 1200 and goes through the earlyevening. Walk through our hall of memoriesdedicated to you, the Vietnam veteran.Memorial service at 1500.• Boonville VFW is located at Park Ave.Boonville, just off Rt. 12. Phone: 315-942-4644 for information.ALL GAVE SOME, SOME GAVE ALLSAVE10 % offBETWEEN THE LINES20The only store where youcan buy America’s flag fromAmerica’s veterans.455 South Avenue • Rochester, NY 14620Tel: (585) 546-FLAGFAX: (585) 546-5978Store Hours: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PMyour next purchase with this coupon!FLAGS:US • International • State • CustomMILITARY:Flags • Pins • Patches • POW/MIAPatriotic Apparel • Gifts & More!Plus “Flags of Rochester” PosterMonday – Friday Expires: June 30, 2004

Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter 20Membership ApplicationMail to: Vietnam Veterans of America, 1199 E. Main Street, Rochester, NY 14609Name: ________________________________ Date of Birth: _________________ Sex: M / FAddress: _______________________________ Home Phone: (_____)____________________City:__________________________________ Work Phone: (_____) ____________________Zip: _______________ Country: ___________ E-mail Address: ___________________ W / HChapter # ________ (if known) ____________ Sponsor:_______________________________I am not a Vietnam veteran, but I want to help Vietnam veterans and their families.Please accept my donation: ________________ AVVA Membership_______$10 _______$20 _______$50 _______Other ($_______)Eligibility: Vietnam and Vietnam-era veterans who served on active duty in the U.S. Military (for other than trainingpurposes) between February 28, 1961 and May 7, 1975 (in-country Vietnam), or between August 5, 1964 and May 7,1975 (for Vietnam-era veterans). Return this application along with a copy of your DD214.Term: _____ 1 year ($20) _____3 years ($50) _____ Life Membership: $250 (ages 49 and under)$225 (ages 50-55)$200 (ages 56-60)$175 (ages 61-65)$150 (ages 66 and over)Payment Option: _______ Check _______ Money OrderVVA is a non-profit veterans service organization.Programs and services are funded by member dues and public donations.B ETWEEN THE LINE SBetween the Lines is published by Chapter 20,Vietnam Veterans of America. The views and opinionsexpressed are not necessarily those of Chapter20, 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 onrequest.We welcome letters to the editor, poetry, originalarticles, and suggestions. Submissions can besent to: Between the Lines, 1199 E. Main Street,Rochester, New York 14609. If you want to submitsomething on disk, call the office (585-482-7396)to check on compatibility. If you want your manuscriptreturned, include a self-addressed envelopewith postage. We reserve the right not to use materialswe think are not appropriate for the publication,and to edit for space and clarity. We’d also liketo have a phone number as well as your name incase there are any questions.The deadline for submissions intended for aparticular month’s issue is the 5th of the precedingmonth. If the 5th falls on a weekend or holiday, thedeadline is the first business day following the 5th.BETWEEN THE LINES21

SAVE THESE DATES!11th Annual VOCFlag Day Campaign . . .Monday, June 14, 2004(June 12 & 13, too!)10th Annual VOCGolf Tournament . . .Monday, June 28, 2004at Penfield Country ClubBETWEEN THE LINES22Thirty years after opening our doors, the Veterans Outreach Center is still here,providing all veterans — especially the disabled, disadvantaged, homeless,and unemployed veterans — with programs and services they so richly deserve!Special thanks to our major sponsor... Vietnam Veteransof America Chapter 20. For more informationon these events, please call Marina at 585/546-1081!

CHAPTER OFFICERSPresident: Nelson Peck ..........................723-6267 (h)1st Vice President: Nick DeLeo ..............334-7043 (h)2nd Vice President: Rich Isaman ............594-8022 (h)Secretary: Pat Pudetti..............................482-2387 (h)Treasurer: Bill Reddy ..............................227-1264 (h)BOARD OF DIRECTORSDan Corona............................................227-1342 (h)Pete Galle ...............................................272-9873 (h)Wally Gekoski.........................................659-2563 (h)Tom Gleason .........................................638-7805 (h)Joe Harkness ...........................................889-9728 (h)Dave Hooker ..........................................544-8815 (h)Meg Lewczyk .........................................381-3036 (h)Dick Oleksyn .........................................663-5255 (h)Ralph Pascale ..........................................755-2560 (h)Marlin Plymette......................................924-3859 (h)Jack Prinzing ..........................................624-4891 (h)Rosemary Williams ................................ 241-1506 (w)COMMITTEE CONTACTSAgent Orange/Health Care ......Sue Oleksyn 663-5255AVVA ....................................Meg Lewczyk 381-3036Between The Lines............ Bruce McDaniel 482-5314Chaplain ................................Tom Gleason 638-7805Chapter Gear .................... Joseph Harkness 889-9728Comm. Service/Pub. Affairs....Jack Prinzing 624-4891Constitution.............................. Fred Elliott 225-0377Historian................................ Dave Hooker 544-8815Marching Unit..........................Ray Melens 392-2079Membership...........................Ralph Pascale 755-2560Operation Welcome Home.......................... 234-4694POW/MIA ................ Gail Bologna-Melens 392-2079Scholarship................................Alice Popen 247-1024Speakers Bureau .......................Geno Lenyk 423-0206Traveling Education Display....... Pete Galle 272-9873Veterans Affairs/Benefits ............Pat Pudetti 482-2387WEB SITES/E-MAIL ADDRESSESVeterans Widows International Networkmembers@aol.com/vetwindowsNYS Department Health:www.health.state.ny.us/nyvetsVietnam Veterans Memorial at Highland Park:www.vietnamemorial.org/grvvm1/Operation Welcome Home:www.operationwelcomehome.orgVietnam Veterans of America Chapter 201199 E. Main Street, Rochester, NY 14609(585) 482-7396 • Fax (585) 482-5513VETERANS ORGANIZATIONS AND INFORMATIONIra Jacobson American Legion Post #474..... 663-7030VA Clinic - 465 Westfall Road .................... 242-0160Veterans Outreach Center............................ 546-1081Vet Center ................................................... 232-5040Veterans Administration ....................... 800-827-1000NYS Council....................................... 888-678-VETSMonroe County Veterans Service Agency .... 274-6040e-mail: serviceofficer@yahoo.comVeterans Benefits Hotline ..................... 800-827-1000“Veterans Bill of Rights” ....................... 800-342-3358VA Hospital in Batavia ................................ 343-7500VA Hospital in Buffalo ................................ 834-9200VA Medical Center in Canandaigua ............ 394-2000VA Medical Center in Bath .................. 607-664-2111V.V. of America in Washington.......... 800-VVA-1316V.V. Memorial Fund “The Wall” ......... 202-393-0090Nat.’l Lge. of Fam. MIA/POW Updates. 202-223-6846Richards House............................................ 506-9060The Resource Center ................................... 546-4250Stars & Stripes ............................................. 546-3524Persian Gulf Vets, Inc. ................................. 385-4097MISCELLANEOUSVVA 20 Thrift Store, LLC Mgmt.........................482-8036VVA Vehicle Donation Pick-up............................224-8484VIETNAM VETERANS OF AMERICA CHAPTER 20BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING ATTENDANCE 2004NAME 1/5 2/2 3/1 4/5 5/3 6/7 7/6 8/2 9/7 10/4 11/1 12/6President: Peck, Nelson X X X X E1st V. Pres: DeLeo, Nick X X X X X2nd V. Pres: Isaman, Rich E X X X XSecretary: Pudetti, Pat X X X E XTreasurer: Reddy, BillXCorona, Dan X E X E XGalle, Pete E X X X XGekoski, WallyXGleason, Tom X E X X XHarkness, Joe X X X E XHooker, Dave X X X X XLewczyk, Meg E X X X XOleksyn, Dick X X X X XPascale, Ralph X E X E XPlymette, MarlinXPrinzing, Jack X X X X XWilliams, Rosemary X A X X EX=Present E=Excused A=AbsentNumbers to KnowBETWEEN THE LINES23

June 2004SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY1 2 3 4 56 7 8 9 10 11 12Board ofDirectors7:00 PMMembershipMeeting7:30 PM1967James E. Widener13 14 15 16 17 18 19Flag Day20 21 22 23 24 25 26Father’sDay27 28 29 30VOC’sGolf TournamentIf you would like your Birthday or Anniversary included on the BTL calendar, please call the office at 482-7396.Vietnam Veterans of AmericaChapter 20, Rochester, NY Inc.1199 E. Main StreetRochester, NY 14609NON-PROFIT ORG.U.S. POSTAGEPAIDROCHESTER, NYPermit No. 439Change Service Requested