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QUAD CITIES CHAPTER 299 WWW.QCVVA299.ORG
CHAPTER 299
SEPTEMBER 2016
VETS IN CRISIS HOTLINE
1.800.273.8255President - LARRY TSCHAPPAT
309 - 788-2729 [email protected]
Vice President-RAY HAMILTON 1-563-650-7486
[email protected] Schneck
Treasurer-Mike Haney309-755-7935 –
[email protected] - STEVE BRENNER
563-355-6499 [email protected]
Veteran Service Officers (VSO)Al “Butch” Huber-VSO
309.721.1453VVA National Offices
800.882.1316VA Outpatient Clinic Bettendorf
563.332.8528VA Med Cent IA City
319.338.0581 & 800.346.1843IL Dept of Veterans Affairs
VSO Carla Waibel 309.793.1460
RI Cty Vet Ast & VSO Todd Harlow
309.558.3546 VET CENTER (Counseling)
309-762-6955 IA Vet Affairs & VSO
David Woods563.326.8723
Honor Guard Co-CaptainsDennis Laird - Funerals
309.721.7468Andy Andersen - Parades
C: 563.940.5980 IA Workforce Vet Reps
Craig Norris - 563.445.3219 Jennifer Toenjes –
1-563-445-3200 EXT. [email protected]
“We sleep safely in our beds because rough men stand ready in the night to visit violence on those who would harm us.”George Orwell
Vietnam Veterans Scholarship Assistance For Veterans
Quad Cities Chapter 299 of Vietnam Veterans of America has established a Veteran Scholarship Fund. It is being administered by The Moline Foundation which is located at 817-11th Avenue, Moline, IL, 309.764.4193. The fund is called Vietnam Veterans Scholarship Assistance for Veterans. The Moline Fund charges a modest two percent annually to administer ALL aspects of the scholarship. Additionally, donations can be made directly to The Moline Foundation in the scholarship’s name. Monetary grants will be awarded to qualified area Veterans who have served in the armed forces and have received a discharge (other then dishonorable) from active duty. The scholarship will be awarded based primarily on need and it will be paid directly to the college, trade school or technical training facility to help defray the veteran’s educational expenses. Chapter 299 established the scholarship by depositing $47,500 in the fund. The initial goal is to raise matching funds so that the scholarship awards
can be substantial and the funding continues to grow. The stated goal of this scholarship is to serve the Quad Cities Veteran Community now and in perpetuity. Further, it is the intention of all involved that this scholarship be a living reminder that our area Vietnam Veterans lived and worked in this community and when called upon by our country, served with Honor. The fund is a 501C-3 and all donations are a tax deductible under IRS regulations. We are asking our sister veteran organizations, civic clubs & organizations as well as individuals to please consider donating to this most worthwhile cause. We would also suggest that this fund be a point of consideration in your will and estate planning. No donation is too small and most certainly none will be too big! Please consider this an investment in our collective future and a tribute to all who have served - then and now. With respect to all and with allegiance to our Veteran Brothers, We remain, the Members of Vietnam Veterans of America, Quad Cities Chapter 299.
We went to Vietnam as Strangers and came Home as Bothers.
VOLUME 30 ISSUE 9 SHOULDER TO SHOULDER2QUAD CITIES VETERANS PRESENT THE
COLORS AT BUSCH STADIUM On Sat; Aug. 27th Saturday Members of the Honor Guards of Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA) Chapters 299 and 669 and Mexican American Veterans Association (MAVA) Chapter 4 proudly presented The Colors at Busch Stadium during the National Anthem before the St. Louis Cardinals Oakland Athletics interleague baseball game. Those proud Veterans are, in alphabetical order: Fred Barks of Rock Island, Jim Bell of Sherrard, Al Bradley of Taylor Ridge, Tom Courtney of Hampton, Dennis Johnson of Moline, Jim Loveless of Rock Island, Ken Madden of Davenport, Leonard Peters of East Moline, Gunter Terronez of Silvis and Gary White of Bettendorf.
UPCOMING EVENTS FOR 2016Vet 2 Vet trip to VA Medical Center - Iowa City – See info in this issue
Welcome Home Dance – Friday November 11, 2016 – Jumer’s Casino / Hotel
To read the August Board or Membership Minutes – Please Attend The September 20th membership Meeting for a copy
Healing Heroes In the Heartland Event – Oct 1st – see promo this issue
Remember: Membership Meetings Now Occur at the Moline Vikings Club in Moline The 3rd Tuesday of each month – No Membership Meeting in December – Do Not Go To The RI Arsenal – No one will be there but the Guards
TAPSFollowing is a list of funerals at which military honors were performed by the combined efforts of the VVA Chapter 299, VVA Chapter 776, and the MAVA (Mexican American Veterans Association) Honor Guards. Included in the list are the dates of the funerals, names, ages, and branches of service in which these veterans served. Any Chapter 299 Members are designated by bold letters and underlined. Date of funeral Name of veteran Age Branch of service JULY 28, 2016 RICKY HOSCH U. S. ARMY (VIETNAM WAR VETERAN)AUG 08, 2016 JOANN NORALS 38 U. S. ARMY (WAR ON TERROR)AUG 08, 2016 GRAHM GEIGLE 31 U. S. NAVY (IRAQI FREEDOM)AUG 11, 2016 JOAN M. GERISCHER 72 U. S. ARMY (VIETNAM WAR VETERAN, NURSE) AUG 11, 2016 DONALD BAER 84 U. S. ARMY (KOREAN WAR VETERAN)AUG 12, 2016 JOHN T. AHERN 80 U. S. MARINE CORPS (KOREAN WAR VETERAN)AUG 12, 2016 JACK N. BEAVERS 81 U. S. ARMY (KOREAN WAR VETERAN)AUG 15, 2016 JONATHAN L. MYERS 33 U. S. AIR FORCE (ENDURING FREEDOM, IRAQI FREEDOM)
AUG 26, 2016 ROMANE L. NUNN SR. 29 U. S. ARMY (IRAQI FREEDOM)AUG 26, 2016 LOWELL HOY 85 U. S. ARMY (KOREAN WAR VETERAN)AUG 29, 2016 CECIL M. RITTER 76 U.S. MARINE CORPS (VIETNAM WAR VETERAN) SEPT 01, 2016 KAZEL M. WILLIAMS 55 U. S. NAVY (COLD WAR)
Proceeds to Healing Heroes in the Heartland
a 501c (3) non profit
Chicago Cubs Jason Hammel autographed baseball
(authenticated)
White Sox Avisail Garcia autographed
photo
Chicago Bears Donation
Panera
Quilt
Games 12 games for $10
Raffles Silent Auction
Saturday, October 1, 2016
Faith Lutheran Church 1611 41st Street
Moline Doors Open at 5:30 pm
HHH Healing Heroes in the Heartland
provides FREE, accessible alternative medicine to active military, veterans, police/fire,
and medical personnel who suffer from
PTSD and/or TBI.
Quad City Botanical Center 1 year Membership
Quad City Mallards
4 tickets
Whitey’s Ice Cream
1910-1958 Wheat Pennies
Two Rivers YMCA
One month membership ($120)
& Much More !!
Casey's General Store Chicago Cubs Whitey’s Ice
Cream Arthur’s Garden
Deli Panera
Faith Lutheran Church
Chicago Bears
Quad City Mallards Quad City
Botanical Center Two Rivers YMCA
Meridian Chiropractic
& Acupuncture
VOLUME 30 ISSUE 9 SHOULDER TO SHOULDER 3
September 11, 2001 – Never Forget Members: take time to reflect upon that beautiful Tuesday September 11th, 2001 when our world went upside down. Though it’s been 15 years since America was attacked, we still have armed forces “humping” in the Middle East. Policy makers may state we are not at war but until America recognizes radical Islamic terrorists are at war with us, that Isis’ goal is a worldwide caliphate, our “special operators” will continue to fight. With sound, long term leadership, planning and the use of various ploys, tactics and strategies America defeated the Nazi regime, the imperial Japanese army and navy and the communist U.S.S.R. and its various satellite “states”. We are engaged with the same type of protracted evil that demands the best qualities of our leaders and military minds. As Vietnam War/ Era Veterans we are obliged to never abandon our brothers serving in the field today and every day until the last Islamic terrorist is vanquished. Our civilization depends upon the defeat of a global totalitarian enemy and defeat Isis and jihadists. - JH
Chapter 299 Picnic We are going to have a picnic on Sunday – 18 Sept 16, and it will run from 1 pm to 6 pm. We will provide pork chops, chicken breasts and hotdogs for you to start grilling at 4:30 pm. If you need help cooking, we’ll provide that too. The location of our picnic is the Indian Bluff Golf Course shelter, 6200 – 78th Ave (Indian Bluff Road – runs along the South side of the QC Airport) Milan, IL The shelter is past the Clubhouse parking lot South 1 block & on your left. Besides the meat, the Chapter will provide buns, beer, pop, water and potato salad, as well as plates, cups, eating utensils and napkins. We do ask you to bring a side dish or dessert (with a serving utensil) to share, along with a big appetite. Very Important: Jerry Goodwin needs to know how many people are coming with each member. So please call him at (309) 230-1392 no later than 16 Sept to give him your totals. Optional: bring your own lawn chairs in case you don’t like sitting on picnic table benches. Please come enjoy one of the last lazy days of summer with us.
SAVE THE DATES: September 14, 21, 28, 2016 VVA Advocacy Call in Days - Supporting Passage of S.2921, the Veterans First Act Let your voices be heard loud and clear on the hill that you support passage of S.2921, the Veterans First Act in September. This legislation includes S. 901, the Toxic Exposure Research Act of 2015, extend caregiver benefits to catastrophically injured veterans who served prior to 9/11, and it will grant the necessary leasing authority so that development of the West LA Veterans Affairs Campus can proceed apace in providing housing and other services for homeless veterans, men and women who, for decades, have needed these services. This bi-partisan bill with 44 cosponsors was introduced in the Senate by Senator Isakson, Chair of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee and Senator Blumenthal, Ranking Member. So check your emails and be on the lookout for VVA call in alerts on September 14, 21, and 28 supporting passage of S.2921, the Veterans First Act. And make the CALL S.2921 -- Cosponsors - S.2921 - Non-cosponsors - Submitted by Larry Tschappat
VOLUME 30 ISSUE 9 SHOULDER TO SHOULDER4
STARS AND STRIPES AN EIGHTH AIR FORCE BOMBER STATION, ENGLAND - After literally losing the nose of his B-17 Flying Fortress as the result of a direct hit by flak over Cologne , Germany on October 15, 1944, 1st Lt. Lawrence M. deLancey, 25, of Corvallis , Oregon returned to England and landed the crew safely at his home base. Each man walked away from the plane except the togglier, Staff Sergeant George E. Abbott, Mt. Lebanon , Pennsylvania , who was killed instantly when the flak struck. It was only the combined skill and teamwork of Lt. DeLancey and 2nd Lt. Raymond J. LeDoux, of Mt. Angel , Oregon , navigator, that enabled the plane and crew to return safely. “Just after we dropped our bombs and started to turn away from the target”, Lt. DeLancey explained, “A flak burst hit directly in the nose and blew practically the entire nose section to threads. Part of the nose peeled back and obstructed my vision and that of my co-pilot, 1st Lt. Phillip H. Stahlman of Shippenville , Pennsylvania . What little there was left in front of me looked like a scrap heap. The wind was rushing through our feet were exposed to the open air at nearly 30,000 feet above the ground the temperature was unbearable.“There we were in a heavily defended flak area with no nose, and practically no instruments. The instrument panel was bent toward me as the result of the impact. My altimeter and magnetic compass were about the only instruments still operating and I couldn’t depend on their accuracy too well. Naturally I headed for home immediately.
The hit which had killed S/Sgt. Abbott also knocked Lt. LeDoux back in the catwalk (just below where I was sitting) our oxygen system also was out so I descended to a safe altitude. “Lt. LeDoux who had lost all his instruments and maps in the nose did a superb piece of navigating to even find England .” During the route home flak again was encountered but due to evasive action Lt. DeLancey was able to return to friendly territory. Lt. LeDoux navigated the ship directly to his home field. Although the plane was off balance without any nose section, without any brakes (there was no hydraulic pressure left), and with obstructed vision, Lt. DeLancey made a beautiful landing to the complete amazement of all personnel at this field who still are wondering how the feat was accomplished. The other members of the crew include: 1. Technical Sergeant Benjamin H. Ruckel,
Roscoe, California, engineer top turret gunner;
2. Technical Sergeant Wendell A. Reed, Shelby, Michigan, radio operator gunner;
3. Technical Sergeant Russell A. Lachman, Rockport, Mass., waist gunner;
4. Staff Sergeant Albert Albro, Antioch , California , ball turret gunner and
5. Staff Sergeant Herbert D. Guild, Bronx , New York , tail gunner.
DeLancey and LeDoux received decorations on December 11, 1944 for their parts in the October 15 drama. DeLancey was awarded the Silver Star for his “miraculous feat of flying skill and ability” on behalf of General Doolittle, CO of the Eighth Air Force. LeDoux for his “extraordinary navigation skill” received the Distinguished Flying Cross.
VOLUME 30 ISSUE 9 SHOULDER TO SHOULDER 5
STARS AND STRIPES Vettes on the River Car Show - Vettes Supporting Vets On 27 Aug 16, Chapter members helped the Mid-west Corvette Club put on their annual car show at the levee park in LeClaire, Iowa. Despite the threat of showers, 388 Corvettes registered for the show. And with 20 some club member cars on display, gave them a grand total of more than 400 ‘Vettes for the day. This was their biggest show to date. We also provided our Honor Guard for their opening ceremonies, helped sell 50/50 and raffle tickets all day, and provided security for their prizes and money taken in during the show. At the end of the day, Event Co-Chairman Randy Huber presented to me, along with all Chapter members present, a check for $11,780 dollars to our Chapter. I thanked Randy and all of the Mid-west Corvette members for their generous donation to Chapter 299.
I want to recognize and thank everyone who helped make this a successful fundraiser for our Chapter. This includes members Dennis Laird, Dennis Wohlford (who also brought 7 tables & was one of our two judges), Dennis Johnson, Tom Hickson, Richard VanderLeest, Gary Andrews (our other judge), Richard Trout, Fred ‘Hammer” Swim, Kirk Gustafson (who also won the 50/50 Drawing), Brian Alm, Terry Lynch, Len Spindel, Andy Andersen, Carl Green, Bill Biggs, Ben Woolley and Jim Bell. I also want to thank VVA 669 members Richard “Scruff” Rohlfs and Gary Porter for all their help. All in all, it was a great day for our Chapter. Thank you all for being there and helping to make this our biggest fundraiser to date this year. Respectfully submitted – Larry Tschappat – Chapter 299 President
Earn The CI.B. ? NEW ILLINOIS LAW PASSED FOR LICENSE PLATES
Earlier this year, the Chicago Chapter of the Combat Infantrymen’s Association (CIA) petitioned the State of Illinois to issue a IL State License Plate with the CIB logo on it. At the July 21st, 2016 CIA Executive Board meeting, State Senator Julie Morrison presented Commander Jerry Adler with a copy of the IL CIB License Plate that may/will be available sometime in October or November 2016. For those of you who have not filled out a copy of our “Contact Information Form” so we can up-date our “State Members Master Rosters” we have again included it in this mailing. If you have previously submitted this form, please disregard. We have also included copies of the “Change of Address” form and the “Permanent Change of Status (PCS)” form, if necessary. Please fill out all of these forms that apply to you (the member) and return them to us at the address listed below. Once we have up-dated our rosters, we will forward a copy of these forms to National Headquarters so they can up-date their records. If you have any questions or comments, you can reach the undersigned at any of the
addresses or phone numbers listed below. If you know of anyone that did receive the CIB, and is not a member of our association, give them our name, addresses and phone numbers, as listed below, or contact us with their information and we will contact them. FOR THE COMMANDER: George A. Hitzman – PSG, IN {Ret.} – Adjutant Admin Officer 5719 W. Pensacola Avenue * Chicago, IL 60634-1722 * Office: (773) 283-4085 * FAX: (773) 283-3987 * E-mail: [email protected]
VOLUME 30 ISSUE 9 SHOULDER TO SHOULDER6
Bob Brooks Receives Probation, $5,000 Fine For Stolen Valor
A Davenport man was sentenced Tuesday to probation and a fine for misrepresenting his Military Service. Robert “Bob” Brooks Jr., 70, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Stephanie M. Rose to five years’ probation and a $5,000 fine after pleading guilty in March under the Stolen Valor Act for Buying Medals without proper authorization, according to U.S. Attorney Kevin E. VanderSchel. He also was ordered to forfeit the unauthorized medals and pay a $25 special assessment to the Crime Victims’ Fund. Mr. Brooks served in the Navy from November 1962 to September 1966 and in the Army from May 1967 to September 1970. From September 1970 until September 1974 he served in the Army Reserve. From September 1974 until Jan. 31, 1986, he again served in the Navy; he was discharged under “other than honorable conditions,” according to a release from Mr. VanderSchel. The DD-214 military record file for Mr. Brooks, dated Sept. 10, 1970, listed his Awards and Decorations as the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Army Aviator Badge, Parachute Badge, 30/S Service Bars, Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters and Air Medal (14th award with “V” device). Between 1971-1974 and during his service in the Army Reserves, Mr. Brooks compiled a list of other awards and decorations he thought he deserved but had not validly received. He provided that list to another person and the information was falsely added to his official DD-214 -- the only document later checked when suspicion arose about his awards, according to Mr. VanderSchel’s release. In March, Mr. Brooks admitted the DD-214 had false information. Most significantly, it falsely said
he received a Silver Star Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters, a Purple Heart with four Oak Leaf Clusters and the Combat Infantry Badge [ C.I.B. ].He also admitted his record falsely included nearly 30 other awards and decorations, and that he knowingly bought the unauthorized awards and decorations. The release states he repeatedly and falsely affirmed he was entitled to and received those awards and decorations; when others questioned his record, he referred to the DD-214 knowing it held false information. At his sentencing hearing, it also was noted his claims of being a Prisoner Of War after being shot down during the Vietnam War were not credible. The court also noted a “Chicken Soup for the Veteran’s Soul” story about flying through enemy fire to save a group of Marines, based on information Mr. Brooks provided, also apparently was not true. The case was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Mr. Brooks previously served on the Board of Directors for Vietnam Veterans Quad-Cities Chapter 299 and has been among Veterans recognized at local events for military service. * Re-printed with permission from the Dispatch / Argus, August 31, 2016 Edition
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VOLUME 30 ISSUE 9 SHOULDER TO SHOULDER 7
Phone: 309-277-8700
Thanking Our Veterans For Our Freedom!
Bob Brooks Receives Probation, $5,000 Fine For Stolen Valor
Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR): Distinguished Citizen of the Year Award Ceremon Date: Saturday, October 15th, 2016Location: Butterworth Center; 1105 8th Street, Moline, Illinois. 309-743-2700Arrival: 0900 Hrs. - Breakfast brunch: 0930 Hrs. - Ceremony Starts: 1000 Hrs.
After opening remarks & introduction of distinguished guests, Pledge, American, Creed and National Anthem, Regent Karin Ciaccio with introduce Mr. William (Bill) Albracht for his program, which is 20-25 minutes.
Followed by a short Q&A.
The DAR request that we provide them with the names of those who wish to attend, so appropriate seating can be made, and there will be enough breakfast for everyone.
For further information or questions contact, Kitty Humphry: 309-373-0214, or Ken Moffett: 309-235-0545.
SEPTEMBER 2016 VET 2 VET REPORT Our Vet 2 Vet Volunteers made the trip to VAMC – Iowa City last month to spread good cheer to our hospitalized and ill Veterans. Standing Tall last month were Jim Stanbary, Gary White, Bill Howard, Fred “Hammer” Swim, Doug Holmgren, Ken Madden, Tom Scoria, Don Theesfeld and Frenchy Eaves.
We were very well received and Jim Stanbary is very close to having his Therapy / Service Dog Certified which means he’ll be able to visit some of the most ill patients especially helpful to those on the 9th Floor suffering from PTSD and its affects.
Our next Vet 2 Vet trip to VAMC / Iowa City is Wednesday, October 14th. If you care to Volunteer, show up at Denny’s near the Machine Shed at 7 AM – we’ll leave at 8 AM and return to the QCA @ 1 – 1:30 PM the same day. Vet 2 Vet Chair Paul “Frenchy” Eaves
CHAPTER 299 HONOR GUARD UPCOMING EVENTS FOR 2016Aug. 27 Presentation Of The Colors At The St. Louis
Cardinals/Oakland Athletics Baseball Game.Sept. 01 Presenting Colors At The River Bandits Game 04 Rock Island Grand Prix Parade. 05 Labor Day Parade In Rock Island. 10 Quad Cities Cruisers “Cruise In”. Sell 50/50 Tickets. 5:30 - 9Pm. 10 Andalusia Parade. 24 Nami Walk In Moline. Presentation Of The Colors And Some Will Walk.
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Named a military friendly
college by Victory Media
6 years running!
Thanks to our service men and women and our
veterans!
Heroes of the Vietnam Generation by Senator James Webb (VA)
The rapidly disappearing cohort of Americans that endured the Great Depression and then fought World War II is receiving quite a send-off from the leading lights of the so-called 60s generation. Tom Brokaw has published two oral histories of “The Greatest Generation” that feature ordinary people doing their duty and suggests that such conduct was historically unique. Chris Matthews of “Hardball” is fond of writing columns praising the Navy service of his father while castigating his own baby boomer generation for its alleged softness and lack of struggle. William Bennett gave a startling condescending speech at the Naval Academy a few years ago comparing the heroism of the “D-Day Generation” to the drugs-and-sex nihilism of the “Woodstock Generation.” And Steven Spielberg, in promoting his film “Saving Private Ryan,” was careful to justify his portrayals of soldiers in action based on the supposedly unique nature of World War II.
An irony is at work here. Lest we forget, the World War II generation now being lionized also brought us the Vietnam War, a conflict which today’s most conspicuous voices by and large opposed, and
in which few of them served. The “best and brightest” of the Vietnam age group once made headlines by castigating their parents for bringing about the war in which they would not fight, which has become the war they refuse to remember.
Pundits back then invented a term for this animus: the “generation gap.” Long, plaintive articles and even books were written examining its
manifestations. Campus leaders, who claimed precocious wisdom through the magical process of reading a few controversial books, urged fellow baby boomers not to trust anyone over 30. Their elders who had survived the Depression and fought the largest war in history were looked down upon as shallow, materialistic and out of touch.
Those of us who grew up, on the other side of the picket line from that era’s counter-culture can’t help but feel a little leery of this sudden gush of appreciation for our elders from the leading lights of the old counter-culture. Then and now, the national conversation has proceeded from the dubious assumption that those who came of age during Vietnam are a unified generation in the same sense as their parents were and thus are capable of being spoken for through these fickle elites.
In truth, the “Vietnam generation” is a misnomer. Those who came of age during that war are permanently divided by different reactions to a whole range of counter-cultural agendas and nothing divides them more deeply than the personal ramifications of the war itself. The sizable portion of the Vietnam age group who declined to support the counter-cultural agenda, and especially the men and women who opted to serve in the military during the Vietnam War, are quite different from their peers who for decades have claimed to speak for them. In fact, they are much like the World War II generation itself. For them, Woodstock was a side show, college protestors were spoiled brats who would have benefited from having to work a few jobs in order to pay their tuition, and Vietnam represented not an intellectual exercise in draft avoidance, or protest marches but a battlefield that was just as brutal as those their fathers faced in World War II and Korea.
Few who served during Vietnam ever complained of a generation gap. The men who fought World War II were their heroes and role models. They honored their father’s service by emulating it,
VOLUME 30 ISSUE 9 SHOULDER TO SHOULDER 9
Heroes of the Vietnam Generation by Senator James Webb (VA)
and largely agreed with their father’s wisdom in attempting to stop Communism’s reach in Southeast Asia.
The most accurate poll of their attitudes (Harris, 1980) showed that 91 percent were glad they’d served their country, 74 percent enjoyed their time in the service, and 89 percent agreed with the statement that “our troops were asked to fight in a war which our political leaders in Washington would not let them win.” And most importantly, the castigation they received upon returning home was not from the World War II generation, but from the very elites in their age group who supposedly spoke for them. PAGE 1PAGE 2 – HEROES OF THE VIETNAM GENERATION by Senator James Webb - Virginia
Nine million men served in the military during Vietnam War, three million of whom went to the Vietnam Theater. Contrary to popular mythology, two-thirds of these were volunteers, and 73 percent of those who died were volunteers.
While some attention has been paid recently to the plight of our prisoners of war, most of whom were pilots; there has been little recognition of how brutal the war was for those who fought it on the ground.
Dropped onto the enemy’s terrain 12,000 miles away from home, America’s citizen-soldiers performed with a tenacity and quality that may never be truly understood. Those who believe the war was fought incompletely on a tactical level should consider Hanoi’s recent admission that 1.4 million of its soldiers died on the battlefield, compared to 58,000 total U.S. dead.
Those who believe that it was a “dirty little war” where the bombs did all the work might contemplate that is was the most costly war the U.S. Marine Corps has ever fought: five times as many dead as World War I, three times as many dead as in Korea, and more total killed and wounded than in all of
World War II.
Significantly, these sacrifices were being made at a time the United States was deeply divided over our effort in Vietnam. The baby-boom generation had cracked apart along class lines as America’s young men were making difficult, life-or-death choices about serving. The better academic institutions became focal points for vitriolic protest against the war, with few of their graduates going into the military. Harvard College, which had lost 691 alumni in World War II, lost a total of 12 men in Vietnam from the classes of 1962 through 1972 combined. Those classes at Princeton lost six, at MIT two. The media turned ever more hostile. And frequently the reward for a young man’s having gone through the trauma of combat was to be greeted by his peers with studied indifference of outright hostility.*****submitted by Greg McCluskey – Part Two to appear next month
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280 East 90th Street • Davenport, IA 52806Phone: (563)285-1914 • Fax: (563)285-1917
Thanking our Veterans for their service to our country!
MCAThe Eastern Iowa - Western Illinois
Mechinical Contractors Association of America
Salute America and Our Veterans!
2508 – 25TH STREET, SUITE #3 ROCK ISLAND, IL 61201
Go to voicemail? Leave a message.
307 6th Avenue E - Andalusia, IL - Phone: (309) 798-2512
61204-6076
VIETNAM VETERANS of AMERICA Chapter 299 APPLICATION FOR MEMBERSHIP
Membership open to U.S. armed forces Veterans who served on active duty (other than training purpose) in Vietnam between February 28.1961 and May 7, 1975, or any other duty location between August 5, 1964 and May 7, 1975.ATTENTION: All new members must submit a copy of your DD Form-214 along with this application and dues payment.
Name:_________________________________________________________________________________________Address: _____________________________________________________________________________________City: _________________________________________ State: _________________ ZIP: ___________________ Home Phone: ________________________Cell Phone________________________ Work Phone___________________e-mail: _______________________________________________________________________________Date of Birth: _____________________________ Gender: Male / FemaleOptional : SPONSOR________________________________________ VVA Membership Number___________________I am already a VVA member and would like to become a life member. My current VVA Member number is: ___________
Type of Membership: (Please circle one)
___Individual Member – 1 year: $20 (One year Membership Special $10.00)(Chapter 299 only), Individual Member – 3 years: $50, Life Member – Ages 56-60: $200, Ages 61-65: $175, Ages 66-71: $150., Ages 72+: $100, Life Member Time Payment Plan - $50 down, $25/month (until age bracket is paid in full) * (Please make checks payable to “VVA”)Associate Membership available to anyone not covered by the requirements for VVA membership. This includes family, members, friends, and Veterans not eligible for VVA Membership. (One year VVA Membership Special - $10.00 - this is only offered by Chapter 299 & must be sent to Chapter address).
If there are any questions please call (309) 788-2729 (Membership Chairman) or (309) 788-VETS (8387)(Leave message)Chapter 299 meets the third Tuesday of each month (except December) at 7:00 pm at the R. I. Arsenal Cafeteria. VISITORS WELCOME! COME CHECK US OUT BEFORE YOU JOIN! Return your completed application with payment and a copy of your DD Form-214 to:
“VVA” Chapter 299 * P O Box 6076 * Rock Island, IL. 61201-6076
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VOLUME 29 ISSUE 3 SHOULDER TO SHOULDER8
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Offer expires 04/30/15
VET 2 VET REPORTVET 2 VET went to Country House Residence in February to spread good cheer to the people there. Taking part in handing out Patriotic Hats, lapel pins, Flags and playing card were, Jerry Lingard, Fred “Hammer” Swim, Dale Baker, Larry Tschappat, Steve Brenner and Frenchy Eaves. A Chapter 299 Charter member is living Country House – Jeff “Doc” Lance. “Doc” was so very pleased to see us, and his Mother, Eileen resides there too. Vet 2 Vet was very well received and all had a good time. Vet 2 Vet Chairman – Paul “Frenchy” Eaves
CATERING – HOG ROASTER UPDATEAs of the November 2013 the Catering Crew for Chapter 299 wrapped up the year with 4 Events that occurred after publication. On December 11th they met at the Viking Club to internally assess the year and make rough plans for going forward into Year 2015.The Viking Club held their annual Open House Sunday December 21st and the Catering Crew provided a minimum 4 Volunteers to help with this event. The Viking Club provides a staging area for Chapter 299 to do all the prep and clean up work throughout the year.
The Roaster and its utensils were all stowed away and put “in mothballs” in December 2014. The Roaster and the Crew will take a respite from all Catering Activities until early Springtime 2015.As always, your editors request more Member Volunteers for our Chapter’s largest fund raising vehicle. Whether you can pitch in to help stage an event at the Viking Club in Moline, assist with clean up there after an event or pitch in for any amount of time at an event, The Catering Crew needs help. If you can only spare an hour or two a few times during the Roasting Season, those hours will be greatly appreciated by the hard working – core group. Please consider Volunteering this year. JL, BA, JH
SAM’S CLUB #82383845 ELMORE AVENUE
DAVENPORT, IA 563.355.3939
SAM’S CLUB #40616600-44 AVENUE
MOLINE, IL 61265309.581.7128
SERVING OUR VETERANS & OUR
COMMUNITY
With Respect and Admiration To All Who Served.
61204-6076
We proudly support Vietnam Veteran’s Chapter 299
309-756-2700
Chapter Sponsor & Marine Corps Veteran Receives Certificate of AppreciationMy old friend, Fellow Chapter Member and Marine Corps Veteran, Ken Stotmeister was presented a Certificate of Appreciation from Bill Albracht and Chapter 299.
Without Sponsors there is no monthly Shoulder To Shoulder. Ken is a Producer / Broker and can attend to both Personal or Business Insurance needs. Ken provides expert advice on Medicare Supplement Plans, Prescription Drug Plans and Medicare Health Plans. If you, a Family Member or a Friend is in need of Ken’s advice – call him at [563] 349-9160.
