1,590 AmericansStill Missing inSoutheast Asia48 fromMichigan

Boo Coo NewsVietnam Veterans of America Chapter 154www.VVA154.comhttps://www.facebook.com/vva154/

MARCH 2019

WELCOME HOME!

GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETINGS7 p.m. second Wednesday of themonth at VFW Bruce Post 1146,

28404 E. Jefferson Ave., St. Clair Shores

Boo Coo News deadline:the 25th of each month

To submit items, photos, copy:email, mail or deliver to the

Veterans Support Centerand/or to Tom Puruleski

tanda@wowway.com or Linda Maylindamay@ameritech.net

President’s Message

Time is flying. Elections are closing in. The April meeting willdecide who will lead the chapter for the next year. Thereare eight openings on the board of directors. If you feel you

have something to offer, please come to this month’s meetingand throw your name in the ring. We only have one nominationfor the following positions: president, 1st vice president, 2ndvice president, secretary and treasurer. If you feel up to it, give ita go. We received our new/used truck. It is a 2018 F-250, 4-wheeldrive, 4-door with plenty of leg room, with an eight-foot bed.Huge. We received the truck with the cooperation of RandyLashbrook’s team from Ford UAW at Romeo Engine Plant, ChrisDillaway and staff of Elder Ford of Romeo, and a generouschapter donor. Our prayers were answered for sure. We nowhave a pure white truck with no decals or identification on it. John Gardner of Roush Ingenuity on Demand in Livonia ispreparing a package to “wrap the truck” with a design made upof our needs. This part is yet to be completed. We are also taking aggressive security changes to minimize thechance of this happening again.

I know that I still have 40 days until the election date but I feelI must start telling you how proud I have been to represent thischapter in the community. Wonderful experience. The supportshown by the membership is overwhelming. The committeechairs and their different groups have shown what great thingscan be achieved if we just step back and let them go. The behindthe scenes help from the associates has been the reason for thesuccess of many projects. Thank you to our friends. The toughest part of the last two years is the many funerals Ihave presided over. So many chapter members going before us.The memorial board in our museum is filling too quickly. Myfriends, most of us are in our seventies now! Wow. We have tomake the most of our time. Come on down to the vet centerwhere the coffee is always fresh. Conversations are lively andsometimes a little wacky. LOL. You will enjoy each other andenjoy being with this family. Take care and God Bless.

Steve Bago President VVA 154

VVA CHAPTER 154 EXECUTIVE BOARD

President Steve Bago 586-524-38061st VP Gary Purcell 586-243-62932nd VP Dave Schoenherr 586-940-2568Secretary Mike Schneider 586-567-0731Treasurer Mike Jacobi 586-504-0781

Board of Directors Exp. 2019

Chuck Charbeneau 586-431-7133Donn Sinclair 586-243-0222Joe Spencer 586-277-8992Bobby Steward 586-321-9847

Board of Directors Exp. 2020

Greg Bowman 586-850-1800Gil Claunch 586-854-7842Tom Puruleski 586-854-0304Ron Squires 586-747-8881Gary Stephens 586-747-8149

Boo Coo News Publisher: The Board of DirectorsContributor - Tom Puruleski

Typesetter - Linda May lindamay@ameritech.net

send submissions by the 25th of each monthThank you to our sponsors!

Trustees Tim Ignash (2021) Tom Puruleski (2019)John Hages (2020)

VVA State Delegates Mike Schneider Alt. Delegate Chris FranklinVVA National Liaison Steve BagoWebmaster Paul Silvestri

FUNCTIONAL COMMITTEESAgent Orange Phil MichaudHonor Guard Mike MiskiFood Pantry Gil ClaunchFreedom Hill & Eastpointe Memorials Dave PorterHospitalized Vets Tom DuffLottery Jim AuitoMembership Larry MayMerchandise Dave SchoenherrMichigan Traveling Memorial Mike SchneiderNominating Mike Bilyk, Bill Haase, Gary SoxOperation Christmas Gary PurcellPhotographer Bob StewardPOW/MIA Tom DuffScholarship Dave RoccoSpeakers Bureau Jim Watts

Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 154 - Boo Coo News MARCH 2019 Page 2

Minutes of General Membership Meeting 2/13/2019 Submitted by Mike Schneider

Meeting called to order by President Steve Bago at 1900 hours. Pledge of Allegiance recited and moment of silence observed.Introduction of officers. No new members. Motion to accept minutes as published in the Boo Coo News made by Leo L,seconded by Dave S. Treasurer’s report by Mike Jacobi stated that funds were down due to Operation Christmas and fewer

fundraisers during the winter, food pantry funds were up. Books were audited, motion by Joe S seconded by Gary S to accepttreasurer’s report. We received a check from the 82nd Airborne Association Committee presented by Harry Wisniewski; thank you somuch brothers.

COMMITTEESPOW/MIA, hospital and honor guard to follow. No SpeakerBureau, Merchandise, State Council or Associate reports thismonth.

MembershipAs of January 31 we have 788 members, no numbers for theAssociates.

Food PantryWe helped 74 families and a total of 250 people in January. Thecarpeting on the floor outside the food pantry was removed andthe floor was epoxy coated to help unload and stockmerchandise we receive. The whole thing including labor wasdonated to the chapter by K&M Floor Coatings, LLC.

Monthly RaffleJim reported that this is a selling month and thanked his crewand the sellers and buyers.

Agent OrangePhil reported that HR Bill 299 concerning compensation andhealth benefits for the Blue Water Navy was finally passed andthis still surviving may receive benefits.

ScholarshipDave reported that he handed out seven applications and otherswere passed out at the vet center. He stated that April 1 is thedeadline to return completed applications and neatness counts.

OLD BUSINESSThe bike we are raffling was on display at the Novi Expo Centeron Feb 24; hopefully we sold many tickets, report to follow.Thanks Tom Puruleski for volunteering to sell tickets and anyonewho joined him there. John Hates had tickets to the March 6Pistons game. A big thank-you to the Clinton Township policeand their honor guard for donating a generator to replace ourstolen one. They also donated a gas can, extension cord andreel. Thank you to the men and women of the police force. Theirhonor guard will host their annual spaghetti dinner fundraiseron Tuesday, March 26 at the Mirage Banquet Hall at 18 Mile andGarfield. Friday, March 29 is Welcome Home Day for Vietnamveterans; we will have an open house that day. The SoutheastMichigan Native American Association will host an open houseat their center on Lawrence in Center Line beginning at 2 p.m.on that day also. The chapter picnic is scheduled for Sunday,June 9 from 10 to 5, more to follow.

NEW BUSINESSValentine Day cards from the Glen Peters School were passedout at the VA Hospital to patients who greatly appreciate them.Taxes are being prepared on Mondays at the vet center on afirst come first served basis. 50/50 ticket #349626 held by KeithEdwards who donated his share to the car show. Thank youKeith. Motion to adjourn made by Don G, seconded by Mike.=====================================================Nominations for officers and other positions for the year 2019, 2ndround.President Gary Purcell1st Vice-president Keith Edwards2nd Vice-president Ron SquiresTreasurer Mike JacobiSecretary Mike SchneiderTrustee (3) year Dave RoccoNominating Committee Bill Haase

Ernie PattonTom FrancisJohn Hages

Board of Directors Dave PorterKeith EdwardsDonn SinclairBob StewardMike MiskiErnie PattonCarl EtuBob FlemingDave Schoenherr

State Council Mike Gardner (Mouse)

Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 154 - Boo Coo News MARCH 2019 Page 3

JOIN THE ASSOCIATES of VIETNAM VETERANS of AMERICAAVVA.ORG

Meetings at 7 p.m. on the third Wednesday of the month at the Vet Center

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

AVVA MEETING MINUTES February 27, 2019 Meeting called to order: 7 p.m. at the Vet Center.

Pledge and moment of silence for those in harm's way and for our members facing illness and hardship.Meeting suspended at 7:02 p.m. for Tom Puruleski to addressthe Associates to ask if the membership would be willing topurchase memberships for all the scholarships recipients. KathyW proposed we try it for one year. Phyllis C made a motion andMarge S seconded to accept this proposal. A unanimous show ofhands accepted with a cost not to exceed $120. At 7:12 p.m.,the meeting resumed.New Members: AVVA has a total of 100 members Food Pantry: 74 Families (total of 250 people) Traveling Memorial: Now has a new truck. Clinton TownshipPolice Honor Guard purchased new generator. In March, theClinton Township Police Honor Guard will be having a spaghettidinner. April has pre-sale tickets. Scholarship: forms are now available and due back April 1PLEASE MAKE SURE THEY ARE FULLY COMPLETED AND NEAT!Hospital: Went well as usual. Next visit will be on March 13leaving the center at 8 a.m. Carlene C. talked about a “Rosie the Riveter”she met whoprovided Valentines to give at a hospital visit. She will beattending one of their meetings in March and report back inApril. Maybe going to give a donation to their cause. Golf Outing: Date is July 27at Fern Hill. Debbie S. to have moreinfo at the March meeting. Letters will be going out in the nextcouple of weeks.

OLD BUSINESS: Fundraising Ideas: Kathy W talked about doing one at Panera. Phyllis C made a motion and Steve B seconded to get furtherinformation, an unanimous show of hands agreed. More info atApril meeting. Joanne B suggested maybe a chili cook-off.Looking to address this in the fall. Maybe in October.

NEW BUSINESSMarch 29 is “Welcome Home Day” at the Center, also theSoutheast Michigan Native American Assoc. will be having anopen house. Car show on July 20. Mike Jacobi is in need a help in all areas. New date for the chapter picnic: JUNE 9Joanne B brought the prospect of another Jimmy John’s baseballgame/fundraiser to be held on June 2. Same as last year at $25per ticket with $10 being contributed back. All agreed to pursueit as a good time was had by all. Second round of Nominations: President: None V. President: None Secretary: None Motion to adjourn at 7:50 p.m. by Kathy K and Joanne B. NEXT MEETING WILL BE ON WEDNESDAY, March 20 at 7 p.m.

Respectfully submitted by Kathy Whitworth

Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 154 - Boo Coo News MARCH 2019 Page 4

2019 Chapter 154 Honor Guard Officers Commander Michael MiskiVice Commander James WattsTreasurer John MohanArmorer Michael Miski 2nd Armorer Gary StephensProperty Officer Ben ElwartowskiChaplain Ron DrdulAssistant Chaplain Leo Lalonde

CHAPTER 154 HONOR GUARD REPORT g Mike Miski, Commander, The Point Team

FUNERAL DETAILS:

Patrick Mrachina MarineZane Grabowski Army Viet NamFrancis Duquet Marine Viet NamAuthor Murray Army Viet NamRichard Darling Marine Viet Nam Chapter MemberRaymond Otto Army Viet NamDonald Miller Air Force Chapter MemberMarvin Muehl Marine Raymond Chesney Marine Chapter MemberRobert Buger Army Viet NamJames Schroeder Army Korea Dennis Calhoun Army Viet Nam Chapter Member

Chapter 154 Reaches Out to the Coast GuardDuring the shutdown of the Federal Government, the chapter took the initiative toapproach the Coast Guard Station at Selfridge ANG and offer whatever help we could.Chapter Life Member Pete Gernand met with the Executive Officer of the Station andexplained our services. In the passing days, we received over 20 families fromSelfridge ANG, St. Clair Shores and Air Station Detroit. We were able to provide food to the families. A great thank-you letter fromCaptain Steven Walsh is below. For those of us whose military service is not aquatic, a Coast Guard Captain is the same as an ArmyFull Bird Colonel. ~~ Steve Bago

Purple Heart Recipients to Get Top Priorityfor Claims Veterans awarded the Purple Heart medalfor wounds in combat will receive top priorityfor their claims with the Veterans AffairsDepartment, VA Secretary Robert Wilkieannounced. Beginning in April, veterans with the PurpleHeart medal will be placed in the department'stop-priority category for disability benefitclaims, along with Medal of Honor recipientsand those with severe, service-relateddisabilities. Veterans with Purple Heart medals are nowassigned to the third of eight priority groups.The third group includes former prisoners ofwar, and those with a service-connecteddisability of between 10 percent and 20percent. The Pentagon does not maintain a record ofthe number of troops who have received aPurple Heart medal, according to a report bythe Congressional Research Service in January.The report cites estimates of more than onemillion by military historians.

Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 154 - Boo Coo News MARCH 2019 Page 5

VETERANS SUPPORT CENTER18025 15 MILE ROAD • CLINTON TOWNSHIP MI 48035-2403

Free Services 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday - Friday 586-776-9810* * * HELP WANTED: Volunteers to staff the Vet Center and work on the food pantry * * *

SERVICE OFFICERS from Macomb County Veterans Affairs andVietnam Veterans of America file claims and answer questions.

• Lee Bruner, Mondays• Mary Barrette, Tuesdays walk-in service

• Lisa Marie Edwards, Thursdays appointments only

Call ahead as sometimes a service officer's schedule changes on short notice.

Please take advantage of this expanded coverage with any questions you may have

regarding the Veterans Administration.

SICK CALL & CONDOLENCES from Ron Drdul# Contact Ron Drdul ropa30@att.net or 586-899-7112 If you know of an illness or death of a chapter member or their family, please notify RonDrdul so that we may get the information out via email and in the newsletter in a timely manner. All the kind thoughts and prayers offered up byour members are truly appreciated and help people through tough times.

MONTHLY DEVOTIONALThere are many prayers recorded in the Bible, but the book of Psalms is dedicated to followers of God actively talking to God. The psalms are full ofthe raw emotions of God’s people. Sorrow, joy, confusion, anger, desperation, praise, and lament can be read from beginning to end. We often turnto them when we need encouragement to share our deepest and truest feelings with God. The psalms not only teach us about God, but perhapsprimarily we see how the people of ancient Israel, both individually and corporately, approached Him. While there were prescribed rites and ritualsthat happened in the temple, the psalms show us God as a personal God who relates to individuals with specific and personal concerns. Please askour Father in heaven through the loving kindness of Jesus Christ that these brothers and sisters we know and love will be lifted up by the Holy Spiritto gain in knowledge and have peace of mind and heal their bodies.

SICK CALL & TAPS• Gary Stephens lung cancer continuing to seek prayers• John Mohan – continues after surgery regimen• Roger Krzeminski - back on chemo for cancer• Ralph Kolb – had a stroke now back at American House, 11255 15Mile Rd., Apt 114, Sterling Heights 48312 Able to get around with acane, still has issues with oral communication, visitation is OK• Leo Miller – many medical issues• Chuck Charbeneau – medical issues• Pam Charbeneau – cancer treatments over waiting outcome• Jim Navoroli – PTSD Issues seeking peace of mind.• John Bommarito: stroke, residing at a Nursing Home, Clinton-Aire @17001 E 17 Mile Rd, Clinton Township, MI. Visitors requested.• Member Jerry Nickles is living in Fraser Villa and would like somecompany. Fraser Villa is located at 33300 Utica Road.• Barbara Borowski, wife of the late Gene Borowski. She is asking forthe membership to pray for her.• Evelyn Haramija, wife of chapter member Steve Haramija in need ofprayer for healing.- Jane Darling, AVVA member, heart surgery went well. Greatlyappreciates the cards and well wishes and prayers.- Tony Kozlinski receiving chemo after surgery removing portion of hisstomach.- Mike Brown in Shore Pointe Nursing Center in Saint Clair Shores,Visitors welcome.- Pat Daniels confined to wheel chair at home now.- Robert Schultz in Detroit Medical Center on John R Street in Detroitwith an aneurism-Ron Squires knee surgery- doing well- Associate Mike Collins recovering from heart surgery and doing well.

WELCOME HOMEHOSPITAL REPORT

On FEBRUARY 13, John Hages,Carlene Cremin, Don Cremin,Judy Shirey, Dan Zelenek, Judy

Haag, Dennis Stricklin, HarryWiesnewski, Joe Spencer, TomFrancis, Bob Fleming and myself went to the VA Hospital. Wewent to wards A-4 north and A-3 north, the substance abuseward and the dialysis ward, dermatology, dental prosthetic andsensory aids, physical therapy, occupational therapy, audiologyand speech pathology, radiology, respiratory care, cardiology,mental health, registration, chemotherapy Firm E, Firm D, FirmC, Firm A, pharmacy, blood draw, radiology and walk ways. Wevisited with 283 vets. We passed out Valentine cards made bystudents at Glen Peters school and other elementary schools inour area, flag stars, our Welcome Home candy bags, magazines,crossword puzzle books, lap robes, blankets, personal itemsbags, bananas, pretzels, candy and suckers, cookies, chips andDoritos. We had a great time and most of all we let at least 283vets know that we care and they are not forgotten.The next visit March 13, 2019 leave the Vet Center at 8:00 a.m.

Greg Bowman is back to his seat at the desk every Friday afternoon. Doing GREAT. Stronger all the time.

Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 154 - Boo Coo News MARCH 2019 Page 6

POW/MIA ReportsSubmitted by Tom DuffWelcome Home!1,590 Missing48 from Michigan

“I was prepared to be wounded --- prepared to be captured --- even prepared tobe killed. I was not prepared to be abandoned by my country.” – Former POW

U.S. Navy Captain Eugene “Red” McDaniel

•A man is not dead until he is forgotten. We will never forget.

Welcome Home!•

“When one member of the armed forces is not worth the effort to be found, thenwe have lost our honor.” ~~ VVNW

* * *Support your POW/MIAs. Fly your POW/MIA flag. Display a POW/MIA decal. If

you need a POW/MIA decal for your car, truck or bike, or certificate ofappreciation for flying a flag, see Tom Duff. If a company or homeowner is flying

a POW/MIA flag, let Tom Duff know so we can give them a certificate.

WWIIPfc. Clifford Mills Army 319th Glider Field Artillery Battalion 82ndAirborne Division missing 9-18-1944 Germany, accounted for 2-4-2019

The following names are from the USS Oklahoma missing 12-7-1941.

Seaman 1st Class Frank Hryniewicz

Pvt. Ted Hall - Marine Corps

Pvt. Waldean Black - Marine Corps

Baker 2nd Class David Kesler

There are more than 73,000 missing from WWII

The DPA reported that currently there are 72,751 missing(approximately) BUT 26,000 are assessed as possibly recoverable.

KOREA

Sgt. Frank Suliman Army 2nd Infantry missing 12-1-1950 North Korea,accounted for 1-17-2019.

Master Sgt. Charlie Mares Army 24th Infantry Division missing7-31-1951 South Korea, accounted for 2-6-2019.

Cpl. Carlos Ferguson Army 2nd Infantry Division missing 5-18-1951South Korea, accounted for 2-7-2019.

Pvt. Winfred Reynolds, 20 years old from North Carolina, Army a Medicfor 7th Infantry Division. He was killed 4-26-1951 in South Korea whilecaring for wounded soldiers, accounted for 1-23-2019.

There are still over 7,000 missing from Korea.

VIETNAM

Roy Townley, Civilian Air America Inc. missing 12-27-1971, Laos.Accounted for 12-20-2018

Edward Weissenback, Civilian Air American Inc. missing 12-27-1971,Laos. Accounted for 12-20-2018..

There are still 1,590 missing, 48 from Michigan.

COLD WAR

There are 126 missing.

GWOT

There are 6 missing from Iraq and other conflicts.

MICHIGAN POW/MIA

for MARCH

Harry Beckwith from Flint, South Vietnam, Army 3-24-1971

Craig Dix from Livonia, Cambodia, Army 3-17-1971

Larry Green from Mt. Morris, South Vietnam, Marines 3-26-1968

Michael May from Vassar, Cambodia, Army 3-2-1969

Richard Roberts from Lansing, South Vietnam, Army 3-25-1969

Donald Woloszyk from Alpena, North Vietnam, Navy 3-1-1966

VFW BRUCE POST 1146St. Clair Shores

2019 lenten seasonMarch 8, 15, 22, 29

April 5, 12, 19. 4-8 p.m. Cod dinner $8, perch $10, shrimp $12, cod/shrimp $11,

perch/shrimp $11, mac and cheese $5, kids’ menu, extras andsides. Free coffee. Soft drinks and limited selection of

alcoholic beverages available for nominal fee in the big hall.Full service cash bar in clubroom. Carry-outs available.

Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 154 - Boo Coo News MARCH 2019 Page 7

Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 154 - Boo Coo News MARCH 2019 Page 8

John Smeekens is a Life Member of Chapter 154. He served in Vietnam with the 198th Light Infantry Brigade and is a recipient of the Purple Heart. Although retiredfrom the U.S. Postal Service, he continues to be the Veterans Affairs Director for the Postal Workers Union.

VETERANS BRIEFS By John P. Smeekens, Veterans Director

BURN PIT LEGISLATIONRecently Representatives Tulsi Gabbardand Brian Mast, along with Senators AmyKlobochar and Dan Sullivan, introducedthe Burn Pit Accountability Act to helpadd service members and Veterans to theburn pit registry. The bipartisan bill wouldimprove how DOD and VA track, treat,and prevent the harmful impacts of burnpits. The Burn Pits Accountability Actwould evaluate the exposure of U.S.service members and Veterans to openburn pits and toxic airborne chemicals by:#1-Requiring the Secretary of Defense torecord whether service members havebeen based or stationed at a locationwhere an open burn pit was used orexposed to toxic airborne chemicals,including any information recorded aspart of the Airborne Hazards and OpenBurn Pit Registry, in the Periodic HealthAssessment (PHAs), Separation Historyand Physical Examination (SHPEs), andPost-Deployment Health Assessment(PDHAs).#2-Enrolling any service memberwho meets the above criteria in theAirborne Hazards and Open Burn PitRegistry, unless he or she opts-out.#3-Requiring the Secretary of Defenseand the Secretary of Veterans Affairs toshare information relating to exposure ofburn pits and toxic airborne chemicalsrecorded in PHAs, SHPEs, and PDHAs. VETERANS' MENTAL HEALTHVeterans enrolled in VA health care haveaccess to high-quality mental healthservices, including inpatient andoutpatient care for PTSD, depression,readjustment, substance use disorders,military sexual trauma and more. VetCenters also provide a variety ofcounseling services to eligible Veterans.Visit Explore.VA.gov to find out moreabout VA Health Care. VA & DAV Recently the Department ofVeterans Affairs (VA) announced that the National Disabled Veterans Winter SportsClinic will take place March 31 to April 5in Snowmass, Colorado.

The annual clinic, hosted by theDepartment of Veterans Affairs (VA) andDAV (Disabled American Veterans), servesas a world leader in adaptive wintersports instruction for injured Veterans,and promotes sports therapy andrehabilitation through adaptive Alpineand Nordic skiing, rock climbing, sledhockey, scuba diving and other adaptivesports and activities. Hopefully some ofthe events will be televised for all tosee!!! I'll let you know!!!

VA BENEFITS FOR VETERANS Are you interested in finding outwhich VA benefits you may qualify for?Start with the VA Benefits Navigator tool.By answering a series of questions relatedto your service, you'll learn which VAbenefits you may be eligible to receive. Ittakes less than 20 minutes and allinformation you enter is secure. VAbenefits may help you buy a home, earn adegree, start a career, stay healthy anddo so much more.Visit Explore.VA.gov and click the red"Get Started" button to begin.

COMMUNITY CARE PROGRAM The VA MISSION Act of 2018became law this past summer andestablished six ways veterans can accessprivate-sector care, known as communitycare. The law granted VA broad authorityto determine two of the six eligibilitystandards for the new VA CommunityCare Program –– access and qualitystandards. VA worked closely withCongress and Veterans' organizations todraft the law but chose to ignore itsstrategic partners when drafting theregulations to implement it. In astatement released recently, the VApublicly announced its plans toimplement the access standards. ManyVeterans' organizations weredisappointed that the VA chose not toincorporate the voice of our affectedVeterans' in the decision making process.This missed opportunity is causing the VAto repeat previous mistakes. The proposalis expected to be published in the FederalRegister sometime in February. VA

proposes to give veterans the ability touse private sector care if it takes themmore than 30 minutes to drive to their VAprimary or mental health careappointments or if their wait times forsuch care are more than 20 days.Veterans who require specialty careappointments would be eligible forprivate sector care if they drive morethan 60 minutes or if their wait time ismore than 28 days. The new VACommunity Care Program, which willreplace the Veterans Choice Program, isexpected to launch in June 2019. VA alsoreleased its plan to expand access toprivate sector urgent care clinics aroundthe country, a move supported by manyVeterans' Organizations. There is somedisagreement with VA's plans to chargeveterans who receive urgent care relatedto their service connected, relateddisability.

AMERICAN MADE SNEAKERS U.S. military personnel wear fatigues,helmets and boots that are made in theUnited States. Now they're gettingMade-in-the-USA sneakers, too. New Balance,the last major athletic footwear maker in theU.S., and two other companies based in Texasand Missouri, are producing Made-in-the-USAsneakers for military recruits. Members of thecongressional delegations in Maine andMassachusetts are among those who pushedfor athletic footwear to be made subject tothe Berry Amendment, which requires thedefense department to give preference tohome-grown products. The changes wereadopted, and the sneakers are in production.They will be distributed to recruits beginninglater this year. WOW, I never wore sneakers inthe Military!!! HEY MARINES LISTEN UP The Marine Corps encourages all thosewho lived or worked at Camp Lejeune in 1987or before to register to receive notificationsregarding Camp Lejeune Historic DrinkingWater. Go to clwater@usmc.mil in yoursearch engine to get more information and toregister!!!

Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 154 - Boo Coo News MARCH 2019 Page 9

Chapter 154 members Tom Duff, CarleneCremin, Tom Francis, Dennis Stricklin and

Dan Zelenek display the Valentines forVeterans hearts, provided by the studentsat Glen Peters School, during their visit to

the VA hospital.

Clinton Township Police Donate GeneratorVietnam Veterans of America Chapter 154 accepted a new generator from the ClintonTownship Police Department, replacing the one stolen with the chapter's pickup truck andtrailer on Christmas Day.

Unionized police and command officers chipped in to purchase the Predator 200 generatorand a 100 foot extension cord for the Chapter.The union representing Clinton Township policeofficers and the 25-member Honor Guard were quick to approve the donation. Officers Kevin Daniels and Jodi Melise presented the items at Chapter 154's Veterans SupportCenter. "We are continuing to create a positive relationship with our community", said OfficerDaniels. "We saw a need to give back to the veterans, who have been very supportive of usand after all they've done for our country in terms of their service.""This is terrific. This is the community taking care of us", said Chapter president Steve Bago.The generator is critical for powering the lighting and computer that accompanies theMemorial when traveling to display sites around the state. Many times electrical power is notavailable at outdoor venues.

Chapter Secretary Mike Schneider reminded us that many retired local police officers are Vietnam veterans. "We support eachother," he said. "The police have a tough job -- every day, their lives are on the line. Along with the fire department, theirs is a prettythankless job." "There is a mutual respect here," said Officer Melise. "We wanted to give back to this organization, which protectedand served our country. It's that simple." We thank the Clinton Township Police for their generosity and support of our veterancommunity.

Chapter 154's New TruckThe search is over. Chapter presidentSteve Bago and Secretary MikeSchneider traveled to Elder Forddealership in Romeo to purchase anew truck, replacing the one that wasstolen from the Vet Center on

Christmas Day. The shiny white 2018 Ford Super Duty sports a crew cab and an 8-foot boxwith bed cover. The 4 x 4 sits high and tight, so running boards were added to assist us oldguys up into the cab, and the big V-8 has more than enough power to haul around the trailerand crew. Roush Industries has offered to wrap the truck with chapter colors and logo tocomplete the package. Stay tuned.

Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 154 - Boo Coo News MARCH 2019 Page 10

Swap Meet in Novi - Selling Harley tickets

Dave Schoenherr, John Hages, and Tom Puruleski attended the DetroitMotorcycle Swap Meet at the Suburban Collection Showplace In Novi.

Spartan Motorcycle brought the raffle bike to the event and we sold 65tickets at their booth. Another swap meet is planned for May and we’resure raffle chairman Ron Squires will be up and about by then from his

knee surgery. Chapter members are encouraged to see Ron and buysome tickets to support this worthy fundraiser.

Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 154 - Boo Coo News MARCH 2019 Page 11

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

March 2019

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10-6 OPENHOUSE AT THEVET CENTERFOR VIETNAMVETERANS DAY

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31 LOOKINGAHEAD JUNE 9CHAPTERPICNIC

JULY 20 CARSHOW

JULY 27 GOLFOUTING