May/June 2012

Vietnam Veterans of America (www.vva.org) Vol. 32 No.3

2012 Memorial Weekend Beach Festival
SALUTING AMERICAS MILITARY SERVICE MEN & WOMEN, VETERANS AND FIRST RESPONDERS






Weekend Kick-Off Veterans Motorcycle Caravan
Fireworks Display
The Ford Family Beach Games
The Taste of Wildwoods Food & Music Festival

Celebration of Heroes Military Procession & Remembrance Ceremony
USO Variety Show & Concert
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3
CONTENTS
CONTENTS
A publication of Vietnam Veterans of America, Inc.
An organization chartered by the U.S. Congress
Publisher
John Rowan
Editor
Michael Keating
Senior Writer & Books Editor
Marc Leepson
Art Director
Xande Anderer
Advertising Coordinator
Candis Chaney
Associate Editor
Mary Bruzzese
Staff Photographer
Michael Keating
Contributing Writers
Xande Anderer Richard Currey
Claudia Gary Bob Hopkins
John Prados Dale Sprusansky
William Triplett David Willson
President
John Rowan
Vice President
Fred Elliott
Secretary
Bill Meeks, Jr.
Treasurer
Wayne Reynolds
Board of Directors
Bob Barry Patricia Bessigano
Richard C. DeLong Marsha L. Four
Ken Holybee Joseph A. Jennings III
Allen J. Manuel John L. Margowski
Sara J. McVicker John J. Miner
Tom Owen Felix Peterson, Jr.
Jacqui L. Rector Dick Southern
Dan Stenvold Pastor Toro
Sandie Wilson Herb Worthington
Gerald H. Yamamoto
Charlie Montgomery, CSCP
Nancy Switzer, AVVA
The VVA Veteran

(ISSN 1069-0220)
is published bimonthly with issues in
January/February, March/April, May/June,
July/August, September/October,
November/December by:
Vietnam Veterans of America, Inc.

8719 Colesville Road, Suite 100

Silver Spring, MD 20910
e-mail:theveteran@vva.org
1-800-VVA-1316
301-585-4000 FAX: 301-585-0519
Website: www.vva.org
Postmaster send address changes to:
The VVA Veteran, c/o Address Changes
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Silver Spring, MD 20910
Periodicals Postage paid at:
Silver Spring, Maryland
and at additional mailing office
USPS 0729-490
Advertising Sales
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Adinfo.VVA@foxrep.com
Non-members:
Subscriptions and Renewals payable
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Single copies at $4.00 each.
Bulk rates on request.
Canadian and Foreign Postage $8.00 per
year additional to subscription price.
Make checks payable to:
The VVA Veteran

Subscriptions
P.O. Box 64306
Baltimore, MD 21264-4306

3
34 34
A LONG TIME COMING
Vietnam Veterans Day In Branson.
35 35
VETERANS HELPING VETERANS
The George C. Duggins Region 3 Conference.
Departments:
5 PRESIDENTS REPORT
5 LETTERS
8 TAPS
10 VETERANS INCARCERATED COMMITTEE REPORT
12 ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES COMMITTEE REPORT
16 WOMEN VETERANS COMMITTEE REPORT
18 AVVA REPORT
20 VVAS 2012 LEGISLATIVE AGENDA
22 VICE PRESIDENTS REPORT
22 TREASURERS REPORT
24 REGION 3 & 6 REPORTS
37 BOOKS IN REVIEW
The Living Wills by Rick Kaempfer and Brendan Sullivan.
39 MEMBERSHIP NOTES
Beaver County, Pa., Chapter 862.
John Koprowski of Zephyrhills, Fla., Chapter 195.
Mobile, Ala., Chapter 701 and Robertsdale, Ala., Chapter 864.
41 LOCATOR & REUNIONS
44 CALENDAR
AGENT ORANGE:
The Toxic Battlefield Comes Home
26 THE PLEASURES OF SHOWERING IN LONG BINH
Agent Orange In The Water.
27 AGENT ORANGE: THE PAST IS PROLOGUE
The Early History Of U.S. Biological Warfare.
28 WHAT CAN SCIENCE OFFER THE CHILDREN
OF AGENT ORANGE?
New Research On Birth Defects.
29 BENEFITS Q&A
Agent Orange In Okinawa.
30 THE LEGACY OF AGENT ORANGE
Three Generations Of Shattered Health.
31 THE TOXIC RISK AT HOME
Herbicides In America.
32 CIVILIANS IN VIETNAM
Agent Orange Without Protection.
32 SEARCHING FOR LEGISLATIVE REMEDIES
VVAs Agent Orange Advocacy.
Features:
ON THE COVER: SP4 Frederick E. Uhl of Allentown, Pa., sprays rat poisonone of many
toxic substances routinely used in Vietnamat
the 20th Preventative Medicine Unit at Bien Hoa
in August 1967. U.S. Army photo by SP4 Charles
A. Tweit, U.S. National Archives and Records
Administration.
Augers Ill 26
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The next issue of
will be mailed
The VVA
JULY 16
MAY/JUNE 2012
or click the link at www.vva.org
V
4 THEVVA VETERAN
APPLICATION FOR MEMBERSHIP Return to: Vietnam Veterans of America, P.O. Box 64299, Baltimore, MD 21264-4299
Name ________________________________________________________________________________________________ n Male n Female Date of Birth ________________
Address ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
City __________________________________________________________________________ State ________ Zip ____________________ Chapter No. (optional) _____________
Home Phone ( ) _________________________________ Email _________________________________________ Sponsor (optional) ________________________________
TYPE: n Individual Member 1 year @ $20 n Individual Member 3 years @ $50
PAYMENT METHOD: n Check n Money Order
n Visa n Mastercard n American Express n Discover
ELIGIBILITY: Membership is open to U.S. armed forces veterans who served on active duty
(for other than training purposes) in the Republic of Vietnam between February
28, 1961, and May 7, 1975, or in any duty location between August 5, 1964,
and May 7, 1975.
u Life Member n $225 (ages 50-55) n $200 (ages 56-60) n $175 (ages 61-65)
n $150 (ages 66+) n Optional time payment plan$50 down, $25/month
Credit Card Number: __________________________________________________________________ Exp. Date ______________________
Signature ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
New members and new life members must submit a copy of their DD-214 along with this application and dues payment.
ALABAMA
Horace Allen
David Bailey
Ronald Barnes
Curtis Burton
Wilburn Cockrum
James Crutcher
Paul Fast
Peter Fast
James Finn
Franklin Fletcher
Norman Gill
Jerry Hatfield
Emory Humphrey
Herman Jefferson
Milton Jones
Curtis Jordon
Comer Kite
Richard Knight
Thomas Lightfoot
Winston Littlefield
Willie Martin
Jesse McCure
Joseph McDonald
Eddie Peabody
Gordon Rhymes
Charlie Robinson
William Smith
Frank Stovall
Marion Willard
Willie Wilson
James Wingfield
ALASKA
Dwight King
ARIZONA
David Anderson
John Cappalla
Edwin Faust
Gene Florest
William Gardiner
William Gates
George Gaun
James Nimesgern
Robert Walters
James Wesanen
ARKANSAS
Rufus English
Joseph Ezell
Allen Powers
CALIFORNIA
Stephen Anderson
Frank Barkley
Howard Bascom
Paul Batto
Michael Bradley
Wilson Brinkley
Curtis Brown
Charles Burnett
Leroy Caldwell
Brad Campbell
William Davis
Jim Feener
Glen Foss
Charles Gardner
Lewis Gault
William T. Grafe
Raymond Hansen
Thomas Lara
Granger Lathrop
Richard Lev
Bill Lloyd
Frank Macias
Andrew Martinez
Harry Mitchell
Raul Mitre
Robert Muhlbach
Joachim Nameche
Allan Nicholson
Ron Njirich
Jonathia North
Rodwick Padilla
William Pollack
Albert Rasch
Bruce Rees
Daniel Reyna
Charles Rhoades
David Richey
Robert Richmond
Bernard Robertson
Karl Rodefer
Tim Rounke
Alvin Salge
James Scagliola
Martin Scott
James Slusser
John Smith
James Spoerer
Alan Stelzer
Terry Sweeney
Cornelius Talbert
Girolomo Trezza
Celestino Valdez
John Venter
Keith Vierling
CANADA
Jim Ashdown
COLORADO
Hal Coffman
Alfred Hicks
Martin Smith
CONNECTICUT
John Condon
H. Lee Hanson
P. Michael McDermott
John Waggoner
DELAWARE
Thomas Brown
Kenneth Kouse
Michael Lewis
FLORIDA
John Bishop
Kevin Connelly
James Dolly
Joseph Domenech
William Dutch
Robert Farrell
Martin Garner
Robert Gregoire
Scott Henry
Ronald Irwin
Walter Myers
Robert Pila
Harry Silvers
Arne Swensen
Bobby Walsh
Joseph West
Daniel Wortmann
Albert Ybanez
Tom Zampano
GEORGIA
Ronald Blake
Robert Buffington
John Dorris
Dennis Harrison
Richard Hunt
Mitchell Ingram
Leon Johnson
John Kanaly
Steve Weeks
Wilfred White
William Wilson
Bob Young
GUAM
Jesus Camacho
Thomas Mendiola
Joseph Sablan
Jack Shimizu
HAWAII
Rowlin Browning
IDAHO
Clyde Ricks
Jack Storey
ILLINOIS
Thomas Brandt
Richard Diekemper
James Hennigan
Ronny Hodgson
John Holmes
Thomas Jankowski
Edwin Klinger
Terry Long
Patrick Moran
Richard Mosher
Richard Podzimek
Michael Shures
Don Smith
Peter Stoyias
Wayne Watson
INDIANA
Armando Berumen
Don Christ
J.A. Cost
E. Wayne Hawn
Andrew Kerl
Robert King
Michael Mann
Larry Myers
Dwayne Robinson
James Thurau
Harold Valentine
Ronald Wilt
IOWA
Roger Elliot
Willard J. Hruby
Randall Lutz
Steven McCollum
Mark Morrison
Howard Rupp
James Sak
David Sandell
Douglas Tice
Glen Woltman
KANSAS
Richard Dixon
Robert Gier
Lynn Rolf
Bill Rosing
Stephen Werth
KENTUCKY
James Armstrong
Michael Gullo
Bill Lamblin
Salvatore Mancuso
Danny Strand
Ronald Weedman
LOUISIANA
Robert Anders
Richard Carman
Rollins Fontenot
Huey Garner
Mark Guillory
James Markes
Louis Sevin
MAINE
Lloyd Dufour
Norman Parisien
MARYLAND
Charles Buettner
Brian Clevenger
Robert Dowd
Roger Edwards
Edward Erslev
Donald Friend
Anthony Gough
Gary Gray
Robert H. Hahn, Sr.
Kirby Harley
Ralph Haskin
John Kaylor
Charles Nolan
James Pfaff
Paul Riley
Charles Stambaugh
John J. Volta
Alan White
Kenneth Witkin
MASSACHUSETTS
Anthony Camarda
John Clark
Thomas Dawley
Leonard Dilorenzo
Scott Gauthier
Michael Hastings
Angelo Librera
Kenneth Marshall
Roger Martin
Joyce Massello
John ONeil
George Payzant
MICHIGAN
Michael Crittenden
Anthony Alan Degrez
John DeMarco
Louis Detvay
Gregory Fones
Robert Forster
Nicholas Fragale
Marcus Goodpaster
John Hages
William Hepler
James Hudson
John Kelley
Jerry Kennedy
Charles Kettles
John Krusinsky
Thomas Macklem
Gene McDonough
Phillip Mudge
Robert Pence
Zeno Potas
Joseph Prato
Roger Putman
Charles Schmitter
Otto Sikula
Martin Solverg
Reginald Stroebe
Gary Szczepanski
Ronald Titter
Robert Vangunsteren
David Voisin
John Zielinski
MINNESOTA
Wayne Chevalter
Lyndon Fitzpatrick
E. Mike Keenan
Donald Nelson
Thomas Poe
Joseph Schmidt
Walter Smith
Robert Taylor
Merton K. Unnasch
Leo Voss
Larry Weber
Morrie Wilf
MISSISSIPPI
Michael Boyd
Bobby Craig
Larry Gillentine
MISSOURI
Don Aird
Larry Coleman
Donald Harmon
David Mays
Leroy Raab
Stan Scheppman
George Scott
David Taylor
James Yates
MONTANA
Wayne Chavez
David Hofer
William Pfeifer
NEBRASKA
Verl Gordon
William Gottschalk
Dennis Morimoto
NEVADA
Eric Hobson
George Jackson
Kenneth Swaim
NEW HAMPSHIRE
Skip Bowie
Bruce Garry
Robert Turcotte
NEW JERSEY
Howard Aiello
George Armaniaco
James Comfort
Edward Costello
George Frees
Antonio Gonzalez
Vic Griguoli
Lubertus Hartsuiker
Robert Licata
Robert Lopez
Bruce MacManus
Carlton Malcomb
George Mariasz
Thomas McGowan
Leonard Mueller
Roy Olschewski
George Pepe
William Rapp
John Rimmer
Norman Rossnagle
Joseph Simmons
John Spodofora
Charles Terinoni
James Walker
Bruce Whitver
NEW MEXICO
Ronald Burkett
Sam Karr
Jerry Ligon
Anthony Lopez
Jose Salas
David Scott
NEW YORK
Thomas Asarese
Charles Austin
Edward Balzano
Charles Bell
William Bertram
James Buchanan
Robert Cambria
Walter Carlson
James Cederman
Robert Christensen
Malcolm Danziger
William Davidson
Patrick Dizzine
James Douglas
Louis Ferrara
Michael Foley
John D. Higgins
Robert Kennedy
William Larmon
Andrew Licursi
John Lovell
Joseph Nagro
Paul Neupert
John Newman
Vincent Renna
Robert Ruettimann
John Shaw
Edward Terriberry
Howard Young
NORTH
CAROLINA
Samuel Alexander
Mike Baldwin
Glenn F. Carson
Larry Collier
Charles Cummings
Darell Daniels
Warren Dupree
Fred Glass
Clifton T. Hamlet
Richard Harris
Dassie Jones
James Lawrence
Bruce Marsteller
Jesse Patmore
John Peele
Freddie Porter
Royal Rogers
Eddie Sellars
William Sidberry
Irwin Smolin
Robert Sneiderman
George Thompson
Thomas Wagoner
Melvin Wolfe
NORTH DAKOTA
Wayne Wermager
OHIO
George Armstrong
Ronald Buchanan
Thomas Dailey
Louis De Loss
Martin Griffin
Gamaliel Hartley
James Jenkins
Paul Jordon
William Kimberling
Alan Kovar
Robert Manis
John Mellyn
Tommie Meyers
Ralph Miller
Michael Routson
Howard Sealscott
John Ward
Robert Wilms
OKLAHOMA
Louis Holahta
James Korean
William Utsinger
OREGON
Darwin Davenport
Gary Dominick
Francis Egbert
James Fleming
Kip Hughes
Richard Lanning
Michael Parent
Michael Ray
David Steinbach
Kenneth Wallace
Alfred Young
PENNSYLVANIA
Barry Amole
Albert Baraniak
Clyde Barr
Dennis Beatty
Charles Bedison
Joseph Burkhardt
Herman Caretti
Bill Corl
David Dacko
Kenneth Elliott
Joseph Falker
David Feldman
Thomas Fenerty
Rex Geiling
John Gothel
Henry Houston
Albert Kobe
Woodrow Main
Marion Mathews
David McIntyre
Daniel Newell
Richard Pachella
Francis Powll
Charles Riggs
Michael Russ
Clarence Sample
Edward Scheer
John Smith
Fate Spears
John Turner
PHILIPPINES
Junior Washington
PUERTO RICO
Hector Munoz-Alicea
Felix Villanueva
SOUTH
CAROLINA
Ralph Abbott
Wendell Allen
Charles Barnett
Thomas Evans
Jerry Hearl
Bob Powers
SOUTH DAKOTA
Roger Angerhofer
Walter Barr
LeRoy Benson
Dennis Brenden
Winston Cope
Patrick Culhane
Thomas Danielson
Paul Day
Jerry Deakins
William Dunbar
Richard Felberg
Dan Jenson
Clifford Knox
Gary Lindgren
DeOrval Purintun
Mark Schroeder
Steve Strege
Duane Woods
TENNESSEE
Jackie Clayton
Daryl Crump
William Fraker
Jerry Higdon
Thomas Hill
Dwight Martz
John Sandridge
James Scott
Lanny Steele
James Stewart
Alexander Wells
Darrell White
Jonathan White
TEXAS
Alejandro Botello
Roy Boyd
Melvin Carlton
Andrew Connelly
Billy Cook
Jesus Cuellar
Alfonso Dozal
Ella Fletcher
Stephen Fremgen
Gilberto Gallardo
Ronald Goleman
Anthony Graf
Jess Hamilton
Lee Hoke
Frank Janek
Carl Johnson
Terrance Maddeaux
Van Perryman
Jeff Pickard
Armando Reyna
George Rose
James Schelper
Edward Servider
Gordon Steele
Bernard Talley
John Todd
Manuel Trevino
Ronald Tucker
Raymond Urban
Steven Valdez
James Wagar
Frank White
Hermise Wilkins
Frank Ybarra
VERMONT
David Lewis
VIRGINIA
Ronald Aument
Edward Black
William Conley
David Fish
Clifton Fox
Frederick Holland
Scott Hurley
Garnett Lee
Paul Locigno
George Mehl
George Mellis
Jerry OHara
Richard Phillippi
Clayton Powell
William Schorer
Neal Warren
WilliamWeatherford
George Whipps
Dwain Whited
WASHINGTON
Arlen Clark
James Clausen
Frank Fosberg
Jeffery McFarland
WEST VIRGINIA
Glen Bee
Dan Brewer
Donald Cook
Donald Key
Thomas McLean
Guy Nissley
Glen Robinson
Stanley Teets
WISCONSIN
Robert Darrow
James Galica
Leonard Guzman
William Klieforth
Raymond Pliska
Patrick Ryder
Richard Ward
WYOMING
Edward Ransford
WELCOME HOME
VIETNAM VETERANS DAY
BY KEN SPIEGEL
Through snow, rain, wind, and cold they came to say Thank You
and Welcome Home. Mid-Michigan Chapter 1047 in Harrison held
its first Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day event on March 30.
The small town was filled with honored guests, Vietnam War
veterans, Vietnam-era veterans, veterans of other wars, people from
the Harrison area, guests from all around the state, and a few from
other states. Some sixty local businesses and bands donated their
time and money.
Welcome Home Day was a great success. More than three hundred
peoplealong with classes from Harrison schoolsattended ceremonies
at the Harrison American Legion Post and the Clare County Courthouse.
VVA joined other veterans service organizations to say Welcome
Home. It seemed like the entire town joined together to make the
day a success.
IN SERVICE TO AMERICA
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NEW VIETNAM VETERANS OF AMERICA LIFE MEMBERS
BY JOHN ROWAN
T
his will be a special Memorial Day in Wash-
ington, D.C., as we will kick off the 50th An-
niversary Commemoration of the Vietnam War.
On May 6 I paid tribute to my friend Jean-Claude
Esnault, who was killed in Vietnam in 1963, by
attending a memorial service held by the Fdra-
tion des Anciens Combattants Franais (French
War Veterans). I was invited to this event by the
groups president, Alain DuPuis, who knew Es-
naults father.
ENSURING THEIR MEMORY
W
hile attending the North Carolina Welcome
Home Vietnam Vets event in Charlotte in March, I ran into my colleague
Jan Scruggs, the head of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund. He was there to
talk about the proposed Education Center at The Wall, which will be built next to
the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. This will be a wonderful addition to our me-
morial, and will carry on our legacy long after we have all faded away.
The Education Center will tell the story of those who served. Visitors will be
able to connect a face and a personal story with each person who made the ulti-
mate sacrifice. It will include a timeline of the Vietnam War and the homecom-
ing experience faced by Vietnam veterans.
If you have a photo for the collection or if you would like to make a donation
to this wonderful effort, go to www.buildthecenter.org or call 866-990-WALL
(9255).
It should be noted that the Center also will include the stories and photos of
those killed in Iraq and Afghanistan.
IRISH EYES ARE SMILING
O
n March 17 I joined VVA members from chapters in Connecticut, New Jer-
sey, New York, and even California marching in New York Citys 251st an-
nual St. Patricks Day Parade. This was the first time veterans groups were invited
to march in this parade, aside from the veterans of the famous Fighting 69th Reg-
iment of the New York National Guard, which dates back to the Civil War.
As we marched up Fifth Avenue to the cheers of over a million spectators, we
made the obligatory stop in front of St. Patricks Cathedral where we paid our re-
spects to the newly elevated Cardinal Timothy Dolan. He was presented with a
wreath made by Bob Boiselle, an AVVA member from Chapter 32. The wreath
contained both the Irish and the Vietnam Service Medal colors. Cardinal Dolan
was thrilled with the wreath and has placed it on a side altar in the Cathedral.
LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE
I
hope that many of you are planning to attend the Leadership Conference in
Texas in August. There will be many great training sessions, as well as ad-
vanced training for service officers. For the first time we will be officially joined
by the Associates of Vietnam Veterans of America.
5 MAY/JUNE 2012
GRASPING AT STRAWS
F
or Lewis Sorley to attempt to make the
argument that somehow, someway, if
Gen. Westmoreland had provided more sup-
port for the South Vietnamese Army the war
could have had a different outcome is ridicu-
lous. Ill leave the technical critique to Army
Col. Gian Gentile, who piece by piece pulls
the legs out from underneath Sorleys latest
in his series of books re-imagining, re-fight-
ing, and presenting blame-assessment of the
Vietnam War and its loss.
To blame the rifles and other WWII-
vintage weaponry issued to the ARVN in
the Westmoreland portion of the war to il-
lustrate its stupefying ineffectiveness is
to me a final grasping of straws by an au-
thor with an agenda. Sorleys agendaand
I know this from attending a VVA Chapter
229 meeting in 2006 in which Sorley was
a guest speaker promoting another one of
his booksis to blame the ARVN loss in
Vietnam on liberal Democrats in Congress
for pulling the plug on the Vietnam War
pulling the plug on the South Vietnamese
in 1974 by not sending an additional $750
million worth of supplies, which in Sorleys
view spelled doom for the South Viet-
namese. That is the heart of Sorleys agenda,
and its a disservice to the history of the Viet-
nam War.
The facts on the ground were that the
American public had grown weary of the
Vietnam War, with fewer than one in four
still supporting continued involvement by
1971. Our own military units in country
from 1969-72 began showing the effects of
the pointlessness of the conduct of the
wars policies. Racial conflicts, fractured
military discipline such as fragging of offi-
cers and NCOs (some reported, some not),
increased desertion, drug and alcohol use,
and (in the case of the U.S. Armys First
Cavalry Division in 1971) a flat-out unit re-
fusal to re-enter a combat zone are just
some of the facts that belie Lewis Sorleys
view of the war. Read the report by Marine
Col. Robert D. Heinl, Jr., on the American
military debacle in Vietnam in 1971: The
morale, discipline and battle worthiness of
the U.S. Armed Forces are, with a few salient
exceptions, lower and worse than at any
time in this century and possibly in the his-
tory of the United States (Armed Forces
Journal, June 1971).
The hand-off of the Vietnam War to the
South Vietnamese, a.k.a. Vietnamization,
and the decent interval that Nixon and
Kissinger envisioned as peace with honor
was anything but honorable. No one in the
command structure believed the South
Vietnamese military could stand on its own
against the NVA. But the Vietnamization
of the war proceeded in large part due to
the fact, as Col. Heinl makes clear, that
Vietnamization was not a matter of choice
but of necessity.
The test of the ARVN on the offense
ended in the disaster of Lam Som 719
(Dewey Canyon II), with the ARVN being
chased out of Laos, leaving 10,000 of their
own stranded to the tender mercies of the
NVA. American television showed panic-
stricken ARVN soldiers clutching the Huey
helicopter skids and desperately trying to
escape the battle. When I asked Mr. Sorley
about Lam Som 719, he painted it as a suc-
cess. Im not kidding.
American helicopter crews coated their
landing skids with grease to prevent the stu-
pefied ARVN soldiers from bum-rushing
and overloading the aircraft. Sorley tries
to envision the failure of the NVAs 1972
Easter offensive (Operation Nguyen Hue)
as a vindication of the ARVN, rather than
the impetuosity of NVA Gen. Giap to seal
the fate of South Vietnam while the United
States still had a presence in the form of
massive firepower. The valor of some
ARVN units in repelling the NVA from
Kontum, An Loc, and Quang Tri in combi-
nation with U.S. air power and naval gun-
fire cannot be understated, but the ARVN
without the buffsnot to mention Amer-
ican advisors such as Paul Vann? That ques-
tion would be answered in 1975.
The question of why agenda-driven
writers like Lewis Sorley would want to
change the narrative of the Vietnam War
goes towhat else?domestic politics
and foreign policy. To the neo-conservative
mind-set, the Vietnam boogie man presents
a problem to the optional use of American
military power. This is where historians
like Sorley come into play to proclaim that
if it hadnt been for people questioning the
wars conduct, we could have fought a
better war and won. The purpose is to in-
oculate Americans from remembering
what an epic failure the Vietnam War was
both politically and militarily.
Lewis Sorley and others, for political
purposes, are rewriting the history of the
LETTERS
LETTERS: Send your letters to Michael Keating, Editor, The VVA Veteran,
8719 Colesville Rd., Silver Spring, MD 20910 or email mkeating@vva.org
continued on page 6
PRESIDENTS REPORT
Remembering On Memorial Day
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VVA National President John Rowan and Queens Chapter 32 AVVA member Bob
Boiselle presented a wreath to Cardinal Timothy Dolan during the citys 251st St.
Patricks Day Parade.
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Vietnam War to suit their agenda of an ag-
gressive military force default position. We
can see it now with the chest beating over
Iran as we saw it with the run-up to the Iraq
War. By un-remembering the Vietnam
War and our relation with the ARVN, Sorley
and his outgunned hokum aim to promote
the next war.
As George Orwell said, Who controls
the past, controls the future. Who controls
the present, controls the past.
Mark Evitts
By Email
HIS PERSONAL REPUTATION
I
want to thank you for having the journal-
istic guts to print Lewis Sorleys article,
Outgunned.As a journalist and former
Army officer, I can only shout at the top
of my lungs: Finally, someone has said
it!
As the PIO for the 9th Infantry Division
in the Mekong Delta, I had more than one
occasion to be in the presence of West-
moreland. He was constantly trying to build
his personal reputation at the expense of
others.Once, wediscovered a huge cache
of over three hundred weapons. The
MACV PIO instructed me to have them
alllaid out and prepare for the media to ar-
rive.When all was ready, Westmorelands
helicopter landed first, followed by aChi-
nook full of media.He strutted up and down
the line of weapons, pointing out the types
of weapons to the media.
At one point, he picked up a Chicom
sniper rifle, jerked off the identification tag
attached and handed the weapon to his
aide.A young soldier nearby said quietly,
That was the weapon I was going to take
home.Westmorelands removal of that tag
was known throughout the combat zone
within days.Thatwas his attitude.
Whenever there was a major victory and
we had a pile of dead VC to show off,
Westmoreland would fly in with an en-
tourage of media.He would push aside the
junior officers who conducted the battle
and tell the story as if he was part of the ac-
tion.Everywhere he went, he created ani-
mosity among the brass.
When I returnedto the States, I was as-
signed to the Pentagon. My job was to
handle all of Westmorelands public ap-
pearances.When an invitation arrived at
his office, it was given to me to trace down
and find out what kind of audience was in-
volved and what they expected Westmore-
land to accomplish in his public appearance.
It was a never-ending job, as hundreds of
invitations arrived each week.
Then things slowed down and his in-
vites dribbled in.One day I was called into
his office.Find out which states I have not
appeared in and get me an invitation to
make a public appearance in those states,
he said.I want to have appeared in every
state before I retire.
I immediately sent out messages to vet-
erans groups, retired flag officers, and other
contacts in all fourteen of the states where
Westy had not appeared in public.Boy, was
I surprised at some of the replies I received:
Dont send him here.We had enough of
him in Vietnam, Are you kidding? and
Hed be shot if he showed up here.
One day he called me into his office.I
want to go deep-sea fishing.Get me an in-
vitation to speak in Miami and arrange for
a deep-sea fishing trip while Im there. I
worked hard and finally had a retired
colonel agree, grudgingly, to take West-
moreland out fishing. Another day I was
called into his office.I love to hunt pheas-
ants.Arrange a bird hunt for me.I havent
spoken to a group in North Dakota, so make
it happen. I worked for weeks trying to
convince a group to invite Westy to speak.
Westmoreland was an egomaniac, so
caught up in his perceived master strategy
of overpowering the enemy that he had the
audacity to tell the world the U.S. won the
Tet Offensive. In fact, we were caught com-
pletely by surpriseeven though all the
danger signs were there.
Ray Funderburk
Southaven, Mississippi
A SORRY JOKE
I
was in country from August 66 to Octo-
ber 67 with the 1st Cav. My first weapon
was an M14, which I had to turn in before
reporting to the Cav. I was with the Cav for
two weeks before a weapon became avail-
able to issue to me. The weapon was an
M15XP that carried the Colt Firearms logo.
It had a broken firing pin, which I discov-
ered when cleaning it.
Everyone I met experienced weapon
shortages and ammo shortages. Grenades,
flares, and Claymores were all in short sup-
ply. When bitching about shortages, I was
told that the TO&I called for only a certain
amount of war stuff and that was all the
management wizards in DoD would allow.
Never mind what real life experience was.
I felt really sorry for the ARVNs at-
tached to us. It was tough to keep up a rea-
sonable rate of fire with the M16; trying to
do it with an M1 was a sorry joke. I never
understood why we didnt at least give the
ARVNs M14s. The only weapon from
WWII that I personally liked was the BAR,
which I shot stateside, although the weight
might have been a problem in Vietnam.
George Knoll
By Email
ARMS AND THE MAN
O
utgunned: The ARVN Under West-
moreland fails to look at the com-
plete historical picture.Lewis Sorley starts
his article with a single anecdote from Col.
Huang Ngoc Lung, Assistant Chief of Staff
Intelligence (J2), Joint General Staff (South
Vietnam), in which Col. Huang bemoans
the fact that the RVNAF did not receive suf-
ficient M16s to achieve a wide issue of the
weapon until after the 1968 Tet Offen-
sive.He also bemoans the weaker, single
shots of available South Vietnamese in-
fantry weapons (despite the fact that by
1968, the fully automatic capable M2 car-
bine was largely the standard ARVN in-
fantry weapon).
The U.S. Army only achieved broad
issue of the system in Vietnam in 1967,
with the USMC completing its transition
during 1968. If anyone was behind the
curve, it was the U.S. military, with the
Armys Infantry Board having declared in
1958 that Armalites AR-15, if developed
further, was a suitable replacement for the
M14.Sorley dismisses the historical trend
of the U.S. to resist distribution of ad-
vanced systems to allies before issuing the
weapon to its own forces, preferring in-
stead to blame Gen. Westmoreland almost
entirely for the delays. Even if he had cam-
paigned harder, there would hardly have
been extra rifles for the RVNAF. Sorley
does not look at the complicated history of
the AR-15/M16 in the U.S. military or how
difficult it was to produce the weapon in
sufficient numbers for U.S. forces, let alone
allies.
Colt had vastly overstated its capacity to
produce the weapon, which eventually led
to two subcontractors being brought in to
help.Colt was also worried that the U.S.
military, still heavily invested in the Spe-
cial Purpose Infantry Weapon program,
would not actually adopt the M16 as a stan-
dard infantry weapon.Colt had complained
that if the U.S. military did not give them
sufficient contracts, they would have to
close their production line. This was borne
of the fact that in 1964 the Army only au-
thorized it for Special Forces, Airborne,
and Airmobile units, and in 1965 only au-
thorized the weapon for other types of units
deploying to Vietnam.
Into 1966, various individuals, most no-
tably Secretary of Defense Robert McNa-
mara, were still hoping that the SPIW would
result in a viable weapon, which it never did.
Massive procurement of M16s would have
been a direct threat to that program. As a re-
sult, to meet increasing demand for weapons
in Vietnam, other units authorizing the M16
elsewhere in fact had their weapons taken
from them. So, by the time it had been de-
cided to actually issue the weapon, there were
really very few to be had (as of January 1966,
U.S. Army inventory of M16s was under
100,000 weapons; by December 1967, only
an additional 175,000 or so weapons were on
hand).The normal procedure of issuing the
weapons first to U.S. forces was neither West-
morelands decision alone nor his fault.
When Sorley talks about the disparity in
resources between the RVNAF and U.S.
forces, he misses the fact that the U.S. mil-
itary in Vietnam achieved that level of sup-
ply by stripping things away from other
units worldwide, including M16 rifles,
M113 APCs, and UH-1 helicopters.U.S.
Army units holding the line in Germany
continued to use the M114 well into the
1970s, even after the ARVN had dismissed
the vehicle. CH-34s continued to fly as
UH-1s were diverted to replace losses in
Southeast Asia. The stock of M48A3 tanks
had been so depleted by fighting in Viet-
nam that older M48A2Cs had to be reis-
sued. The air war over North Vietnam
decimated the F-105 fleet worldwide.
In addition, the same anecdotes about
supply he mentions with regard to the
RVNAF are often repeated by U.S. veter-
ans about American units, who similarly
had to beg for critical items at certain
times.These American anecdotes exist de-
spite the fact that the U.S. logistics system
was far less susceptible to hoarding, skim-
ming, and other shrinkage when compared
to that of the RVNAF. On the matter of
priority to the RVNAF versus other re-
gional allies, Sorleys thesis still fails to
take into account the complex reasons and
outcomes of distribution of relatively lim-
ited smaller quantities to forces from Aus-
tralia, Thailand, South Korea, and the
Philippines.With the exception of Australia,
the allotment of M16s to these countries was
part of large military aid packagesessen-
tially bribes to get the countries to partici-
pate. When in 1967 Colt tried to make a
commercial sale to Singapore, which had
not agreed to contribute troops, there was an
outcry.
LETTERS
Continued from previous page
F
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In each case (again, except Australia,
which continued to make better use of their
L1A1 rifles), these countries were equipped
with the same assortment of infantry
weapons as the RVNAF.These were the
same weapons that some U.S. units in
CONUS, including the Army National
Guard, were still using. In Thailand, these
weapons went to units fighting a commu-
nist insurgency, with the units deployed to
Vietnam initially having the same selection
of infantry weapons as the RVNAF. In
Thailand and South Korea, forces not de-
ployed to Vietnam continued to use those
weapons to hold the line against internal
and external aggression.
Cambodia and Laos, which received
even worse shortages of equipment and
had far worse logistical systems, held out
basically as long as South Vietnam did.Its
hard to believe that the resolution of the
conflict in the region can be blamed even in
small part on the distribution of infantry ri-
fles, rather than on the issues of national
identity, strength of political systems, or
any of a dozen other factors.
Joseph Trevithick
By Email
A CAREFUL PLACE
I
read John Pradoss article about Dak To.
From Aug 1966-67 I was stationed in
Pleiku. I worked in the POL yard. On June
22 I was told that our troops were massa-
cred in Dak To. One of our men from POL
assigned to Dak To was injured in the at-
tack. My closest friend, George Smith, was
transferred to Dak To to replace our injured
comrade. The following day, June 23, I vol-
unteered to go. When I arrived, I was told
that my assignment would be Ramp Coor-
dinator, responsible for maintaining records
of what went on and off our aircraft.
The next day a C130 landed on our
airstrip. I approached the aircraft and started
to speak to the crew when I observed two
deuce-and-a-halfs approach the C130.
Stacked inside the trucks were our fallen
brothers from the battle on June 22. I re-
member vividly how carefully the men
placed the bodies onto the plane. I stood
there with a clipboard and counted seventy-
two. Hard to forget even after 45 years.
Over the years I have heard that the bat-
tle in Dak To on June 22, 1967, was one of
the worst. I guess they were all awful.
Richard Benevides
Westport, Massachusetts
THE BIGGEST SMILE
I
have been trying unsuccessfully for years
to find information about the Sacred
Heart Orphanage, which Terrence Cooney
wrote about in the last issue.I was in the
Electronics Maintenance Co., Maintenance
Bn., 1st FSR/FLC in the fall of 1968. That was
before Camp Jay K. Books was completed at
Red Beach.We were at one of the Four Cor-
ners on Route 1, next to the road that led up to
the Freedom Hill PX on Hill 327.We visited
the orphanage a few times during the twenty-
eight months I was stationed in Vietnam with
Maintenance Bn., FLC, and with MWCS-1,
MWHG-1, 1st MAW.
I want to ask about a two-year-old or-
phaned girl named An whose parents were
killed by the Viet Cong. I had my photo
taken with An.I gave a copy of it to a local
Korean businessman who made the rounds
of all the commands in Da Nang.He had a
painting made of An.It was only of her; I
was not in the painting.She had the biggest
smile, was always happy, and always in
motion. Ive often wondered what hap-
pened to her.Before I rotated home, I took
the portrait to the orphanage, gave it to the
nuns, and asked that they give it to An when
she was old enough to appreciate it.
I lost all my photos and mementos of
Vietnam in a house fire in 1985, including
the photo of me holding An.
Mike Rummel
San Diego, California
Geez, six degrees of separation again,
chortled Terry Cooney when we forwarded
Mike Rummels letter. I will forward your
correspondence to Kim. LCDR Kimberly
Mitchell, in turn, replied to Rummels re-
quest and provided contact information for
the Sacred Heart Orphanage.Editor
A DECENT BURIAL
I
closely read your articles on incarcerated
veterans. Does VVAs Resolution VIN-3
include provision for death benefits? We can-
not buy life insurance: We have very little
money and the insurance companies wont
sell us policies because they consider us high
risk. At the same time, most of us have been
incarcerated over three or four decades. Most
of our family members have passed away, so
we dont have anyone left to bury us.
When I signed on for service in 1964, I
was told that I had burial benefits through
the G.I. Bill. No one said that if you commit
a capital offense you will lose that benefit. I
feel the service breached my contract, be-
cause in 1972 I was told this againand
also about other service-connected bene-
fitsupon my discharge.
Just recently, I was granted benefits for
high blood pressurethe result of a claim
filed in 2000. Twelve years I have waited for
less than $60 a month because I am incarcer-
ated. My PTSD claim has yet to be resolved.
Are we the forgotten veterans that the
government threw away after they finished
with us? Eight years I served my country, lost
my family farm, and have been in trouble
ever since because of what the government
did to my mind after three years, nine
months, and ten days in Vietnam. I never had
problems before Vietnam. I really feel like
Ive been used and used over and over again
because of how I was treated by the govern-
ment.
Now after all this, I cant even get a flag
from the government.
Richard Wayne Buckingham
Jessup, Maryland
I AM A VIETNAM VETERAN
I
am a Vietnam veteran and have often been
asked, Where were you? Of course I
have to answer, I was never actually in
country. I have often wondered how other
Vietnam vets who were in country view me.
Perhaps they do not consider me a Vietnam
veteran, as I was never actually there.But
after giving it careful thought, I am just as
much a veteran of the Vietnam War as any-
body who was there and saw combat.
How can this be? Some 58,000 Ameri-
cans lost their lives in Southeast Asia while
many of us on active duty never set foot in
the region. During the 1968 Tet Offensive I
was serving with AFROTC Detachment
110 at Trinity College in Hartford, Con-
necticut. I had just returned from a con-
trolled tour of duty in Korea.
While at Trinity College one of my du-
ties was casualty notification. Unless you
have personally experienced that duty you
will never know what it is like. Try to imag-
ine sitting at your desk when the phone
rings. You answer it, and the voice on the
other ends says, Copy the following mes-
sage. The message is from Washington,
D.C., and it goes something like this:On be-
half of the President of the United States, I
am sorry to inform you that your husband,
Capt. John Doe, was killed in action on 16
June 1968. Capt. Doe was flying a mission
when he was shot down by enemy surface-
to-air missiles, etc, etc, etc.
Now you have to type that letter, and
three of you must deliver it to the widow.
You ride in an official USAF staff car and
you locate the address. Now the three of
youall in Class A uniformswalk up to
the front door and ring the bell. A young
woman answers and you ask if she is Mrs.
John Doe. The look in her eyes immediately
tells you she does not want to hear what you
have to say, but you have no choice: You are
the bearer of bad news.
Now you try to gently break the news to
her, but your words seem to fall upon deaf
ears.Just for a moment she stares at you
with a blank look on her face as if this could
not be happening. Finally, the full measure
of what you are saying hits her like a punch
in the gut and she doubles over in agony.
You are not certain what she will do
next.She may scream, she may collapse, she
may strike out at you as if it were your fault
that her husband is dead. You try to calm her
down and then you must leave, but before you
do, you ask if there is anyone she would like
to have stay with her in this moment of grief.
Hopefully, there is a friend or neighbor, be-
cause now is not the time to leave her alone.
When you feel comfortable that she will be in
good hands, you return to your office.
But that is not the end of it.Just as those
men who have seen combat never forget the
horrors of what they have seen, you can never
get what just occurred out of your mind.Oth-
ers remember the blood, the gore, the atroci-
ties, but you will always see her face and
remember her reactions. You may not expe-
rience nightmares, but what just occurred will
forever live in your memory.The pain, the
agony, and the reactions will always be there.
I have often said I believe it would be easier
to face an enemy shooting at me than to have
to inform some young wife or mother that
her husband or son has been killed in ac-
tion.These memories do not haunt me, but I
live with them everyday.It is something I will
never forget.
Yes, I am a Vietnam veteran, and what I
had to do was no less than those men who
were actually in country dodging bullets.
Given the choice, I would have traded places
with them any time. A bullet has no face, it
has no feelings, and no memories. But a
mother or widow does, and I share their
grief. Yes, I am a Vietnam veteran, and I
wear my VVA patch proudly. If any VVA
member does not think I deserve it, I just
have to remind him that he could easily have
been one of the casualties I had to report
on.How would he like the job?
Raymond J. Tomory
By Email
ITS ACADEMIC
I
just finished reading the review of Armed
with Abundance. As I read, my image of
Meredith H. Lair was that of a pointy-
headed academic. I watched a 17-minute
C-SPAN interview from September 2011
with her and read several pages of her book
on Amazon.com. I think my assessment
was correct, although Ill cut her a little
slack since her dad pulled two tours in
Nam. If hes still around, Id love to hear
his opinion of his daughters book.
Im guessing Meredith Lair is maybe 40
years old, so all of her knowledge is at best
second hand, and we all know how twisted
reporting information got.
I wonder if she knows that the first com-
bat casualty in Nam was a support guy,
Spec. 4 James T. Davis, in 1961. The 3rd
RRU in Saigon was named Davis Station in
his honor. In total, seventy-nine of us Army
Security Agency guys (support troops) were
KIA. There werent all that many of us, so
the kill ratio was pretty high. And since the
ASA supposedly wasnt in Vietnam, that
number might be a lot higher than reported.
James Longton
Tuscaloosa, Alabama
DRIVING A WEDGE
I
just read Marc Leepsons review of the
book, Armed with Abundance. Just what
we needanother book written by a sup-
posed intellectual that will only serve to
drive a wedge between those of us who
were in combat and those of us who were
not. Im one of the millions of support
troops who served our country during the
Vietnam War. I had twenty-seven months of
overseas duty with the USAF between1966
and 1970, but was never assigned to Viet-
nam. I worked in aircraft radio shops and on
aircraft at Anderson AFB, Guam, and at
Hickam AFB, Hawaii.Later, I worked on
F111Es at Cannon AFB, New Mexico. In
addition, I trained dozens of people during
the four years I served our country.
Every veteran knows that we had little
choice about where we were stationed.Al-
most all of us did the best we could at the
jobs we had and in the places we served.
Many years ago I found that I have a gift
for counseling, and for more than twenty
years have worked with my fellow vets as a
volunteer peer counselor. Whenever I start
working with a vet, I tell him or her that I
wasnt in country, and Ive never had any-
one refuse to work with me because of
where I was stationed.
Im proud to be a member of VVA
where all of our military service is honored
and a Vet is a Vet is a Vet.
Darrell Gilgan
Winnebago, Illinois
FOR MORE LETTERS: Go to
www.vva.org/veteran/Letters/letters.html
for more on VVAs founding principle,
defining a Vietnam veteran, Lewis Sorley,
and Armed with Abundance.
7 MAY/JUNE 2012
BY FATHER PHIL SALOIS, M.S.
Only the most basic information is contained in these listings.
For more complete information about these obituaries, please go
to the Taps page on the VVA website, www.vva.org/taps.html
Every day, but especially on Memorial Day, we remember
those VVA members who have died. The Memorial List is up-
dated with each issue of The VVA Veteran and posted at
www.vva.org/memorial_list.html where it can be down-
loaded and printed.
Harvey L. Adams, 67, died February 5. He was a member of Lehigh Valley,
Pennsylvania, Chapter 415.
Ronald J. Allgaier, 67, died June 3, 2010. He was a life member of New
Brunswick, New Jersey, Chapter 233.
George J. Armbruster, 65, died February 28 from cancer. He was a mem-
ber of Liberty Bell (Philadelphia) Chapter 266.
Wayne Arnold Babb, 72, died March 13 from cancer. He was a life mem-
ber of Dean K. Phillips Memorial Chapter 227 in Arlington, Virginia.
Charles Thomas Balent, 63, died March 9, 2011, from hepatitis C. He was
a life member of Grand Rapids, Michigan, Chapter 18.
James Patrick Barbee, Sr., 67, died March 1 from Agent Orange-related
lung cancer. He was a member of Savannah, Georgia, Chapter 671.
Garnett Baugh, 65, died February 7 from cancer. He was a life member of
Gainesville, Georgia, Chapter 772.
Samuel James Bearden, 62, died April 3, 2010. He was a member of White
Hall, Arkansas, Chapter 830.
William Leslie Belcher, Sr., 75, died October 1, 2011. He was a life mem-
ber of Bramwell, West Virginia, Chapter 985.
Daniel C. Burgeson, 58, died February 19 from cancer. He served as chap-
lain of Jamestown, New York, Chapter 865.
Robert Edwin Cass, 69, died January 5. He was a member of Forsyth, Geor-
gia, Chapter 946.
David J. Cherochak, 63, died January 16. He was an at-large member of
New Hampshire.
James S. Clouser, 64, died March 14. He was a life member of Reading,
Pennsylvania, Chapter 131.
Emory Gilbert Collins, Jr., 67, died March 14. He was a life member of
Baltimore, Maryland, Chapter 451.
Michael D. Costello, 63, died March 3 from heart failure. He was a life mem-
ber of Licking County, Ohio, Chapter 55.
Peter Daly, 66, died February 26 from heart disease. He was a member of
Vernon, New Jersey, Chapter 1002.
Randall Densmore, 63, died February 13 from Agent Orange-related metasta-
tic prostate cancer. He was a member of Dawson County, Georgia, Chapter 970.
Stephen A. Doran, 60, died March 25, 2011. He was a member of Fort Madi-
son, Iowa, Chapter 947.
George M. Dousis, 63, died March 9. He was a life member of Flemington,
New Jersey, Chapter 452.
James Robert Eagles, 63, died October 4, 2011. He was an associate life
member of Vernon, New Jersey, Chapter 1002.
Frank Hasso Richard Falkson, 80, died January 13. He was a member of
Englehard, North Carolina, Chapter 561.
Linda T. Ferguson, 62, died January 7. She was an associate life member of
Athol, Massachusetts, Chapter 340.
James H. Francis, Jr., 74, died December 29, 2006, from cancer. He was a
life member of Providence, Rhode Island, Chapter 273.
Ronald A. Francis, 54, died December 20, 2011. He was an associate mem-
ber of Jamestown, New York, Chapter 865.
Theodore Fuller, 74, died March 4. He was a member of Houston, Texas,
Chapter 343.
Joseph J. Gallagher, Jr., 66, died August 31, 2011, from Agent Orange-related
brain cancer. He was a member of Riverside, California, Chapter 47.
8 THEVVA VETERAN
continued on page 43
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10 THEVVA VETERAN
BY TP HUBERT, CHAIR
T
he Veterans Incarcerated Committee remains at the fore-
front in the fight for social justice for veterans struggling
with the difficulties associated with PTSD. The VIC mission and
objectives are found in the Veterans Incarcerated White Paper.
The Mission Statement includes the creation of subcommit-
tees to increase the sensitivity of our membership to the issues
which affect veterans incarcerated; publicize, through the print
media and public appearances, the various successful programs
for veterans incarcerated which can be established by each state
which has a State Council. Refine, expand and replicate successful programs,
which benefit veterans incarcerated. Develop new programs to meet the needs of
veterans incarcerated which have not been addressed.
The Work Plan lists several specific tasks, including membership in the Ameri-
can Corrections Association and developing contacts with state Departments of Cor-
rections, as well as seeking rapport and credibility with the VA to develop protocols
for providing VA services to veterans incarcerated, preparing testimony for the con-
gressional Veterans Affairs and Judiciary Committees, and preparing regular arti-
cles about veterans incarcerated for The VVA Veteran and state council newspapers.
We also are charged with expanding and developing specialized programs and with
establishing formal contacts and meetings with prisoner organizations, the DoJ, and
the VA. The Mission Statement concludes: It is for these reasons that VVA is com-
mitted to a program of outreach to and rehabilitation of veterans incarcerated. It is
not only the right thing to do; it is also the smart thing to do.
The VI Committee has been busy since the adoption of VIN-5, PTSD and Pa-
role/Clemency, at the Reno Convention. Pennsylvania VIC Chair Patrick Lavin,
collaborating with the Pennsylvania Prison Society and the Veterans Legal Foun-
dation, will introduce a Veterans Sentencing Mitigation Bill on behalf of the lifers
at Graterford and SCI Dallas. Western New York chapters are supporting a Veteran
Reentry Court initiative with Chapter 205 at Auburn Correctional Facility. The
Florida State Council reports great progress with its veteran courts. New incarcer-
ated chapters are forming in California at Soledad and Vacaville CMF. The Soledad
Correctional Training Facility and the Soledad Veterans Service Office will co-host
a Memorial Day Ceremony. CSC President Steve Mackey hopes to present a VVA
chapter charter during the ceremony.
Craig R. McLaren and the veterans at the Holman Unit Chapter 190 in Atmore,
Alabama, are planning a Veterans Day Observation to which VIC members have
been invited. Chapter 190, the oldest incarcerated chapter, recently elected a new
president, Edward Daugherty. McLaren remains chairman of the board of Chapter
190, and is awaiting a pending parole hearing.
Belt tightening has reduced travel for VVA staff, officers, and committee chairs.
Leadership Conference seminar proposals and travel funds were virtually elimi-
nated except for essential BoD meetings in October 2012 and January 2013. The
April VIC meeting focused on new business and alternative strategies to carry out
the VIC mission.
The VIC website can be better utilized and managed to reflect committee activ-
ities and serve as an incarcerated veterans resource. An incarcerated veteran newslet-
ter has been proposed that will be managed by a VIC Communication Subcommittee.
The newsletter can address issues encountered by incarcerated veterans and will
feature information on incarcerated veteran organizations and activities. The VIC
website and newsletter may be able to solicit funds and contributions to augment the
VIC travel budget to continue the committees grass-roots outreach.
VETERANS INCARCERATED COMMITTEE REPORT
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BY FRANK BARRY, CHAIR
A
s more veterans return home, it is imperative that we
support efforts to develop economic opportunities for
them and their families. The Economic Opportunities
Committee is leading the way in helping advance legisla-
tion that will benefit not only returning veterans, but all
veterans.
As I travel around Southern California, I am amazed and
gratified at the multiple resources available to veterans. I vis-
ited the Villages at Cabrillo Housing in Long Beach, which is operated by
U.S. VETS, a non-profit founded eighteen years ago. It helps veterans deal-
ing with unemployment, hunger, substance abuse, and homelessness.
This 26-acre facility includes dormitory housing: Its a free place to live
that includes meals, clothing, and other forms of assistance to help veterans
get back on their feet. There is a work re-entry program called Veterans in
Progress that every year puts close to a hundred veterans back into full-time
employment.
There is an Advanced Womens Program for female veterans, one of the
largest for homeless veterans in the country. It provides housing and other as-
sistance. I met CEO and President Stephen Peck and his staff. They spoke
passionately about their work with veterans.
At a veterans job fair in Long Beach, I heard keynote speaker Larry
Broughton, a former Army staff sergeant and Special Forces operator,
discuss his book, VICTORY-7: Entrepreneur Success Strategies for Vet-
erans. He was Ernst & Youngs Entrepreneur of the Year and NaVOBAs
Vetrepreneur of the Year. His business battle plan will help entrepreneurs
achieve success on the business battlefield by tapping into their warrior
spirit.
Your VVA EOC will continue to find and share economic opportunities
for all veterans.
12 THEVVA VETERAN
Leading The Way
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2012 AT&T Intellectual Property. All rights reserved. AT&T, the AT&T logo and all other AT&T marks contained herein are trademarks of AT&T Intellectual Property and/or AT&T affiliated companies.










































8 : e n o Ph
a b m a n t e i v . w w w
s r u o T 2 1 0 2
1 1 y rr a u n a J -23
2 1 y rr a u r b e F -16
1 1 h c r a M -25
5 1 l i r p A -29
6 y aay M -20
3 n u J -17
2 r e b m e t p Se -16














7 7 2 9 . 1 3 2 . 7 7
m o c . s r u to d l e fi e ttl a
N, HE R TTHE HE TTHE E GG O TTO

ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES COMMITTEE REPORT
New England
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2012 BGE 01-13552-001-F
Crafted in Tough
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With Bold Genuine

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Complete with a jewelry pouch, gift box and
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Let him know just how very proud you are to
call him your son with a personal expression of
your lovethe Forge Your Own Path My Son
Dog Tag Necklace, an exclusive design available
only from The Bradford Exchange.
Crafted of rugged and handsome stainless
steel, our dog tag necklace features an etched
compass accented with a single black onyx
stone at the center. Surrounding the compass,
there are four more genuine black onyx stones.
Adding to the meaning and value, the necklace
is etched on the reverse side with a second compass
design and an inspiring sentiment. A 20" stainless
steel chain completes the look.
Etched on
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My Dear Son,
Forge your
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*Pl us $8. 98 shi ppi ng and servi ce.
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Signature
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01-13552-001-E39311
jewelry

the
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14 THEVVA VETERAN
HUGE
DECAL
SELECTIONS
At a dinner in the White House on February 29 to honor those who served in Iraq, President Obama reflected on how the nations attitude toward service members has changed
in the last half century. More than five dozen service members chosen to represent the million-plus U.S. troops who served in Iraq and their guests listened as Obama noted:
This year will mark the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War, a time when our veterans didnt always receive the respect and the thanks that they so richly deserved. Thats a
mistake that we must never repeat.
TWO GENERATIONS OF VETERANS HONORED
O
F
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W
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E

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A
MEMORIAL DAY PRAYER
A
ll-loving and merciful Creator God and Grandfather Spirit, the
month of May for all veterans is a sacred time to remember and
honor all of our fallen comrades, both past and present, who have
sacrificed their very lives in service to their country during times of war. We
must never forget all our service men and women who have died since
these wars, many as a result of these wars.
We realize that every war brings home unknown pain and suffering to
those who have fought the battle, whether it be our atomic veterans,
mesothelioma among many Navy veterans, exposure to depleted uranium,
or diseases as a direct outcome of exposure to herbicides such as Agent
Orange. The Vietnam War began fifty years ago and ended forty years ago,
and yet, dear Lord, our Vietnam veterans are still suffering and dying from
Agent Orange-related illnesses and diseases. More veterans have died from
Agent Orange than those whose names are on the Vietnam Veterans Me-
morial in Washington, D.C.
We beseech you to send your healing spirit over all veterans suffering
from these ailments and grant peace and eternal rest to those you have
called home to be with you in Paradise. Also, dear God, grant comfort and
consolation to all the families who have lost their beloved veterans in the
last year, either on the battlefield or by the ravages of Agent Orange.
Finally, we commend to you all the POW/MIAs who are still unac-
counted for as we continue to seek out their remains and bring them home
to their families and friends. In your holy name, O God, we pray! Amen!
Fr. Phil Salois, M.S.,
VVA National Chaplain
Let Us Pray
Spectacular
Treasure from
Mount St. Helens
The Beauty in
the Beast
F
or almost a hundred years it lay dormant. Silently
building strength. At 10,000 feet high, it was truly a
sleeping giant, a vision of peaceful power. Until every-
thing changed in one cataclysmic moment. On May 18,
1980, the once-slumbering beast awoke with violent
force and revealed its greatest secret.
It was one of natures most impressive displays of power.
Mount St. Helens erupted, sending a column of ash and
smoke 80,000 feet into the atmosphere. From that
chaos, something beautiful emerged our spectacular
Helenite Necklace. Produced from the heated volcanic
rock dust of Mount St. Helens, this brilliant green cre-
ation has captured the attention of jewelry designers
worldwide. Today you can wear this 6-carat stunner for
the exclusive price of only $129!
Your satisfaction is guaranteed. Our Helenite
Necklace puts the gorgeous green stone center stage,
with a faceted pear-cut set in gold-layered .925
sterling silver. The explosive origins of the stone are
echoed in the flashes of light that radiate as the piece
swings gracefully from its 18" gold-plated sterling silver
chain. Today the volcano sits quiet, but this unique
piece of natural history contin-
ues to erupt with gorgeous
green fire.
Your satisfaction is guaran-
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Smar t Luxuri esSurpri si ng Pri ces
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16 THEVVA VETERAN
Mail to and make Checks or Money Order payable to:
Mail America, Dept. 570-6K
POB 8436
Pelham, NY 10803-8436

Check Off Items Ordered
__ #2420 LASERMARK II Dual Ammo Pump Rie - ..................................$89.95
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BY MARSHA FOUR, CHAIR

T
he Long-Term Health Outcomes of Women Veterans Serv-
ice During the Vietnam Era, VA CSP No. 579 (The Health
ViEWS Study), is the most comprehensive examination of
women Vietnam-era veterans to date. This study is designed
to evaluate the long-term mental and physical health effects of
military service during the Vietnam Era (July 4, 1965, to March
28, 1973) in women. The Health ViEWS Study will assess the
prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder, other mental and
physical health conditions, and disability for women Vietnam veterans, and will
explore the relationship between PTSD and other conditions and the Vietnam
deployment experiencethat is, for women who served in Vietnam, near Viet-
nam, and in the United States during the Vietnam War.
Some ten thousand women have been selected to participate in this ground-
breaking study. Women were identified for this study from 1) a manual search
of rosters and military personnel records of women who were on active duty in
the military during the Vietnam Era, 2) the Department of Defense Vietnam File,
and 3) self-registration.Self-registration for this study occurred from March to
July 2010.Selected participants were asked to provide information through a
mail survey and a telephone interview.
The first wave of this study began on May 16, 2011, with the mailing of an
introductory letter. The surveys followed two weeks later. Telephone interviews
began on June 27. Another wave of study participants was contacted in Febru-
ary 2012 to complete the mail survey and telephone interview.
In addition, Phase III of the studythe medical record abstractionis under
way. A randomly selected sample of nine hundred women who have completed
the mail survey and the telephone interview has been contacted to participate by
releasing their pertinent medical records for review by study staff. Phase III will
continue to sample women until a total of nine hundred medical records are
WOMEN VETERANS COMMITTEE REPORT
Update On Womens Study
continued on page 43
1-800-313-1694
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18 THEVVA VETERAN
BY NANCY SWITZER, AVVA PRESIDENT
A
town hall meeting is a form of free speech. Loosely struc-
tured with few rules other than those to preserve continu-
ity and good manners, town halls provide individual citizens a
forum to voice their grievances in a setting that permits open
discussion and the exchange of ideas and dialogue. This is the
goal of the Agent Orange Town Halls that have been held since
the orginal AVVA-sponsored town hall at the 2009 VVA Na-
tional Convention in Louisville. Town hall meetings have been
held by Chapter 176 in Centralia, Ill.; in Region 1 in Bennington, Vt.; in Fresno
by the California State Council; in Montpelier, Vt.; by Chapter 223 in Santa
Rosa, Calif.; Chapter 391 in Sonora, Calif.; Chapter 310 in Ann Arbor, Mich.; Re-
gion 2 in Atlantic City, N.J.; at the AVVA National Leadership Conference in
Reno, Nev.; by VVA/AVVA Chapter 862 in Beaver County, Pa.; in Port Charlotte,
Fla.; by the Minnesota State Council in Bloomington; by the Missouri State
Council in Columbia; and by the Kansas State Council in Topeka.
Many of our members, both VVA and AVVA, have been affected by the in-
discriminate use of these herbicides. Forty years after our service in Vietnam we
wonder why our children were born with serious problems, and learn that the
spraying of dioxins perpetrated what can only be described as a war crime. This
was a war crime against the people and land of Vietnam, and against our own men
and women who served in Vietnam.
The problems our members and their children and grandchildren face
among them cleft lip and palate, congenital heart disease, fused digits, hip dys-
plasia, neural tube defects, and undescended testiclesmake us realize that we
are not alone and that we cannot keep these things to ourselves. It is not healthy
for any of us or for our families. Now is not the time for blame; now is time to
take action. The Faces of Agent Orange project accumulates and presents this in-
formation and gives a face to this tragedy.
All families that have had a child or grandchild with disabilities should con-
tact Mokie Porter at mporter@vva.org
AVVA REPORT
Agent Orange Town Hall
VVA Finds Illegalities
in Discharges
BY TOM BERGER, VHC EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Since 2008 the Department of Defense has illegally
discharged hundreds of veterans on the basis of personality
disorders (PD) and denied them veterans benefits, according
to a Vietnam Veterans of America analysis of newly disclosed
records. The analysis concludes that since Fiscal Year 2002
the Navy has discharged the most service members on this
basis in absolute terms (7,735), and in FY 2006 the Air Force
set a military record for the Afghanistan and Iraq era when PD
discharges accounted for 3.7 percent of all airmen being
discharged (1,114 of 29,498 service members).
The VVA report, Casting Troops Aside: The United States
Militarys Illegal Personality Disorder Discharge Problem, is
based on information obtained by VVA through federal Freedom
of Information Act litigation. The report identified hundreds of illegal
PD discharges. And since FY 2001 the military has discharged
more than 31,000 service members on the basis of PD.
A PD discharge can be manipulated to purge service
members suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder or
traumatic brain injury. Because DoD considers PD a pre-
existing condition, a PD discharge renders veterans ineligible
for several benefits. The entire report is available online at
www.vva.org/ppd-whitepaper.html
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Metal choices include sterling
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Contains 31.10 Grams (480 Grains) of Pure Silver.
Is Individually Registered and Comes With a
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Is Fully Encapsulated to Protect Its Mirror-Finish.
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20 THEVVA VETERAN
H
ow many mental health professionals has the VA hired to meet the needs of
veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan as well as Vietnam veterans?
The VA says the answer is maybe 6,000. The number of psychologists in FY
2006 probably had increased to about the same number that the VA had in
FY1995. As of the beginning of FY 2012, the VA had approximately 3,300 psy-
chologists. We still do not know how many psychiatrists they have, how many
clinical social workers, or how many psychiatric nurse practitioners are on board.
Nor how they are distributed.
Despite the efforts of the VA Secretary, the bureaucracy remains a barely nav-
igable maze. Measures to ensure transparency and accountability must be part of
the funding of the VA. Congress must ask where funds are going and how they are
to be spent. Its difficult for the VA to argue that there is not waste in its myriad op-
erations and programs.
In short, we need oversight hearings that are effective in determining where
the added billions of taxpayer dollars are going at the VA, particularly in regard to
PTSD and mental health in general. VA clinicians from all over America, when
asked why they are not following the best medical science for diagnosing and as-
sessing PTSD, answer that the problem is a lack of resources.
We do not know how many clinicians the VA needs. However, we do know
that the VA is ignoring the recommendations from the three multimillion dollar
studies done by the Institute of Medicine of the National Academies of Science,
which the VA itself commissioned and paid for.
We need better bipartisan oversight to ensure wiser spending of resources by
the VA. The morning before VVAs State Council Presidents met with their Mem-
bers of Congress, the VA Secretary announced that he had ordered the hiring of
1,900 new mental health professionals for the VA as directed by Congressclearly
in anticipation of our Hill meetings.
Of the approximately 23 million veterans alive today, some 8 million are reg-
istered with the VA healthcare system, although only about 6 million actively uti-
lize VA healthcare services. Yet many of those who use the VA often are ignorant
of the benefits to which they are entitled and their service-related health conditions
and health care risks.
Because the VA has never had a reputation for effective outreach to veterans,
VVA established the Veterans Health Council. The core mission of the VHC is to
inform and educate the private-sector health care communityas well as veterans
and their familiesabout veterans benefits and health issues.
To their credit, under Secretary Shinseki the VA has started to use TV and radio
advertising and social media to advertise and promote VA services. But the VA needs
to do a much better job of taking military histories for every veteran and educating
VA clinicians about the health risks that veterans have been exposed to. The VA does
not need more money to do this; rather, it needs to use its resources more wisely.
EXPANDING CAREGIVER COVERAGE
A
lmost two years ago, Congress passed Public Law 111-163, the Caregivers and
Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act, to great acclaim. The new law em-
powered the VA Secretary to develop regulations to provide compensation and as-
sistance for family caregivers of troops grievously injured or wounded in the
fighting in Afghanistan and Iraq. One subsection reads: the Secretary shall submit
a report on the feasibility and advisability of expanding the provision of assistance
to family caregivers of veterans who have a serious injury incurred or aggravated
in the line of duty in the active military, naval, or air service before September 11,
2001. His report is due this month.
MILITARY SEXUAL TRAUMA
T
he VA needs to provide and evaluate gender-specific, intensive sexual treat-
ment residential programs, with an emphasis on meeting the needs of the in-
creasing number of homeless veterans who have experienced military sexual
trauma and are without resources to travel to VA facilities. Congress should work
with the Undersecretary for Benefits to establish a method to identify and track
claims related to military sexual trauma to determine the rate at which such claims
are awarded or denied and the rating awarded for the various diagnoses.
PREDATORY FOR-PROFIT INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER LEARNING
T
he Post-9/11 GI Bill has been a godsend for men and women who have served
in uniform. It has also been an opportunity for certain for-profit colleges to rip
offalbeit legallythe system. They often spend $10,000-$20,000 to hook veterans
VVAS 2012 LEGISLATIVE AGENDA
Transparency, Oversight,
And Accountability
continued on page 43
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22 THEVVA VETERAN
BY FRED ELLIOTT
M
arch got off to a great start with me attending the annual
VVA budget meeting in Silver Spring. Two days of in-
tense discussion and negotiations about money was enough to
make anyone crazy.
A week later Marie and I drove to State College, Pennsyl-
vania, for the State Council meeting. As usual, we were warmly
welcomed by our friends there.
March 20th found Marie and me on a plane for Silver
Spring to attend VVAs annual presentation of testimony before the joint House
and Senate Veterans Affairs Committees. Of the seven veterans service organi-
zations that presented testimony, VVA stood out as one of the best. That afternoon
I met with VVA staff. Afterward, we went to downtown D.C. to visit our folks
at the Veterans Affairs Regional Office.
In the Rochester, New York, area, we have a local organization known as
OASIS which provides activities for physically disabled veterans (www.oa-
sisadaptivesports.com). Marie and I attended their annual dinner/fundraiser on
March 23. These folks do a lot for veterans with disabilities on a very limited
budget, so please check out their website to see what can be done with limited
dollars but dedicated volunteers.
The next morning I got up at oh-dark-thirty to drive to the New York State
Council meeting in Owego. This was the first meeting I had been able to attend
since the Convention, and it was great to see old friends.
We finished March with a trip to North Carolina to attend the Region 3
Conference. This has always been a good event, and this year was no ex-
ception.
As always, I can be reached by email at felliott@vva.org or by telephone at
585-317-7619.
OFFICERS REPORTS
VICE PRESIDENTS REPORT
BY WAYNE REYNOLDS
P
rogress in our iMIS functionality has been significant. Robert
Lane and his associates have been extremely effective in di-
agnosing and resolving many of the shortcomings we have en-
dured with the iMIS system. Frankie Pressley has come on board
as a contract employee. She is very experienced with the iMIS
product, came highly recommended, and has proven herself.
Additonally, we have completed the processing and payment
of dues rebates to the states and chapters. Membership has new
leadership, and Eric Harris is doing very well. Membership rosters have been up-
dated and sent to the state council presidents.
Quentin Butcher and I have revised the distribution of Household Goods funds to
the states. Those individual reports went to each state council on March 29. We now
have a manageable system that allows better planning for those who receive funds.
Region 9 Director Dick Southern and I have worked to bring back the Col-
orado State Council and to form new chapters there. We met with VVA members
in Denver and in Colorado Springs. Our meetings were very productive and at-
tendees plan to move toward chapter charters in both cities. Secretary Bill Meeks
has been an essential resource in our efforts to avoid problems while reestab-
lishing a viable VVA presence in Colorado.
The Finance Committee reviewed and recommended an FY 2013 budget to
the BOD. Chair Ned Foote and I had frequent communications, and I attended
their development meeting as an advisor to the committee. We began the delib-
erations with a shortfall of more than $910,000. The Board was presented a bal-
anced proposed budget.
Sara McVicker is chair of the Subcommittee for Budget Oversight. John
Miner and I serve with her. We have been vigilant in ensuring that all cost cen-
ters remain within their budgets. McVicker has made cogent contributions and
has some great ideas that should reduce overspending.
The four national Officers have maintained close contact and are working
well together. We focus on our individual spheres of influence but collaborate fre-
quently. The degree of cooperation has been a source of great satisfaction to me.
In addition, I have been on the Hill visiting Senators and Congressmen. Carl
Tuvin, Jim Kuhn, and I visited twelve senators offices for appointments with
staffers in a twenty-four-hour period. We concentrated on the issue of for-profit
colleges and the post-9/11 GI Bill. I will continue my efforts to be an effective
spokesman for VVA; the staff has been encouraging, instructive, and very helpful.
Mokie Porter is working to modify the VVA website (www.vva.org) to in-
corporate changes suggested by the staff, officers, BOD, and membership. We
have developed new contracts for our consultants. These contracts are more con-
sistent, and the terms follow the effective budget dates for VVA.
We have revised our printing and advertising contracts for The VVA Veteran
with an eye to increasing both content and revenue. Each issue has shown a lower
net cost to VVA, with increased space allocated to content.
Tom Berger and I have collaborated on an interview and expanded news cov-
erage of personality-disorder discharges. I have been interviewed, and we are
trying to facilitate an interview with a soldier who received a personality-disor-
der discharge. This was one of our joint efforts with Yale Law School.
I enjoy serving our members as Treasurer. I have made more than a dozen
visits to our national office since August 20 as I work to address concerns
within VVA.
OFFICERS REPORTS
TREASURERS REPORT
1949 Vernon Valenzuela 2012
V
ernon Paul Valenzuela, who served on the VVA National Board
of Directors in the mid-1990s and chaired several national
committees, died March 26 of cancer near his home of Bakersfield,
California. Valenzuela, 63, became a veterans advocate not long
after he returned home from Vietnam in 1969, when as a student at
Bakersfield College he started the Associated Vietnam Veterans Stu-
dents Club and served as its president.
He went on to receive a degree in counseling, and specialized in
treating veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder. He also was
one of the moving forces behind the establishment of the Bakers-
field VetCenter, where he served as its first team leader. Valenzuela
was active on the local, state, and national levels at VVA beginning
in the early 1990s. He served as California State
Council president, chair of the National
PTSD/Substance Abuse Committee and
the Minority Affairs Committee, and was
an active participant in VVAs Veterans
Against Drugs Program. He also was a
member of the VVA team that took the
first Veterans Initiative trip to Vietnam
in 1994.
Vernon spent virtually all of his
postwar life working for his fellow
veterans, VVA President John
Rowan said. He was dedicated
and effective and had an enormous
impact on the lives of untold num-
bers of his fellow veterans.
Still Seeking Chem-Bio Testing Volunteers
V
ietnam Veterans of America is a plaintiff in a lawsuit investigating long-term harm done to service members
who volunteered for the testing of chemical and biological agents at Edgewood Arsenal, Aberdeen Proving
Ground, Maryland, and other sites from the 1940s through the 1970s. Testing was done at several other locations,
including Fort Detrick, Maryland; Dugway Proving Ground, Utah; Fort Benning, Georgia; Fort Ord, California; and
San Jose Island.
VVA is seeking to identify additional VVA members who participated in programs of human experimentation,
including the dates they were involved in the testing programs and the drugs, chemicals, gases, biological
substances, and other substances (e.g., LSD, BZ, Sarin, mustard gas, and nerve agents) that were tested on them.
Any VVA member who participated in this testing and has not already contacted VVA is asked to contact
Bernie Edelman, VVAs deputy director for policy and government affairs, at 800-882-1316, ext. 118, or via
email at bedelman@vva.org
Contact him, too, if you participated in any of these tests and later filed a claim for service-connected
disability compensation from the VA only to have the claim denied because, you were told, you werent there.
24 THEVVA VETERAN
3
6
BY SARA McVICKER, DIRECTOR
A
s I write this, Im just back from another very successful and enjoyable
George C. Duggins Region 3 Conference. Hosted by the North Carolina
State Council in beautiful and friendly Asheville from March 28-April 1, it fea-
tured two groups of very special guests: representatives of the Montagnards who
have settled in North Carolina after escaping Vietnam, and representatives of the
Cherokee Nation. A highlight was their exchange of gifts. The NC State Coun-
cil did a wonderful job organizing the event. There were many complimentary
remarks from the attendees about the informative seminars.
The weekend was very busy, as it coincided with many Welcome Home Viet-
nam Veterans events. Chapter 909 had an exhibit at the big event at the nearby
Charlotte Speedway, while much of the West Virginia State Council was in
Charleston to celebrate the states official Vietnam Veteran Recognition Day. The
West Virginia State Council and the states chapters were instrumental in getting
the authorizing legislation passed this year.
Next years Region 3 Conference will be hosted by the Maryland State Coun-
cil in Annapolis, April 11-14. Put it on your calendar. Information will be posted
on the web site http://www.vvamaryland.org
This year, two Region 3 chapters celebrate their 30th anniversaries: Chapter
37 in Charleston, W. Va., and Chapter 48 in Norfolk, Va. Chapters 303 in Co-
lumbia, S.C., and 304 in Frederick, Md., as well as the Maryland State Council,
celebrate 25 years. 1992 was a big year in Region 3. Eight chapters hit the 20-
year mark: Chapters 614, 617, and 627 in Virginia; Chapters 624, 641, and 648
in Maryland; Chapter 631 in North Carolina; and Chapter 628 in West Virginia.
Region 3 just had its 101st chapter chartered. Chapter 1061 in Virginia became
official on April 4. Since the Conference last year, six other new chapters have been
chartered in Region 3: Chapters 1050, 1051, and 1060 in Kentucky; Chapter 1053
in Tennessee; Chapter 1055 in West Virginia; and Chapter 1042 in Virginia.
Ive been very busy since being appointed to the Finance Committee and as
Chair of the Budget Oversight Subcommittee last October. I worked closely with
Treasurer Wayne Reynolds looking into the issues surrounding the purchase and
implementation of the iMIS software so we could present a report to the Board
of Directors at the January meeting. Ive also helped revise and update several
policies. Late February was occupied with getting ready for the Finance Com-
mittees budget preparation meeting, which was held at the beginning of March.
Although it looks like a lean year for revenue, we presented a balanced budget
to the Board in April.
I hope to see many of you at the National Leadership Conference in Texas this
summer. As always, please feel free to contact me at smcvicker@vva.org with
questions or concerns.
BY JOHN MARGOWSKI, DIRECTOR
I
had the distinct honor of participating in three Agent Orange Town Hall Meet-
ings in Region 6: in Bloomington, Minnesota, on March 24; in Columbia, Mis-
souri, on March 31; and Topeka, Kansas, on April 1. Each was well attended,
drawing more than one hundred participants. While veterans and their families
comprised the majority, I was heartened to see medical professionals, legislative
aides, and local media in the audiences.
I wanted to hear the stories of VVA members, their dependents, and their
survivors on this very important issue. Agent Orange illnesses consume Viet-
nam veterans and their dependents as well. George Claxton, past National
Agent Orange Committee Chair and VVAs resident expert on Agent Or-
angewho has made it his lifes work to review and catalogue dioxin re-
search and studiespresented powerful information to those in attendance, as
did the other panelists.
By far the most moving presentations came from veterans and their fam-
ily membersboth on the panels and in the audiencewho shared their per-
sonal stories of health issues they have faced. Some had long suspected Agent
Orange was the culprit; others had never made the connection.
Their willingness to step forward and contribute their stories to the Faces
of Agent Orange projectVVAs effort to put a human face on this unfortu-
nate legacy, with the end goal of achieving justice through legislationis tes-
tament to their commitment to provide for those crippled by Agent Orange for
generations to come. I applaud them for their courage and thank all who made
these town hall meetings possible.
In the coming months I plan to attend as many state council meetings in Re-
gion 6 as possible. I have been to Kansas twice to attend scheduled events; in
May, I hope to travel to South Dakota to visit our newest state council.
If you are planning a big event in your area, I urge you to try scheduling it
near a state council meeting. This would accomplish two things: First, it will
get your members involved; and second, it will help with membership re-
cruitment.
These eventsthrough your outreach and public affairs effortsbring
awareness to veterans and others in your community about what VVA is
doing to address the many issues still facing veterans and their dependents
today.
REGIONAL REPORT
REGION 3
REGIONAL REPORT
REGION 6
TENT STAKE
During VVAs National Board of Directors meeting in April, AVVA President Nancy Switzer presented a
$2,500 check to VVA Membership Chair Charlie Hobbs to help defray the cost of the new VVA Member-
ship Tent that will be used at The Wall over Memorial Day and Veterans Day. From left: VVA Officers
Wayne Reynolds, John Rowan, and Fred Elliott; Charlie Hobbs; and AVVA Officers Nancy Switzer, Sharon
Hobbs, Frances Cartier, and Bill Williams.
EARTH DAY VVA
Over the April 21-22 weekend, VVA took part in the annual Earth Day
festivities on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. Despite Sundays
torrential rain, Quentin Butcher, Business Director; Debra Menich, VVA
N.Y. Donation Director; VVA staffer Deborah Williams; Al Williams; Kit
Reiner; Quiana Butcher; Andrew McCarthy; and Stephanie McCarthy
helped spread the word about www.clothingdonations.org and encour-
aged people to recycle and donate used clothing.
A
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BY DAVID WILLSON
A
MACV memo arrived on my desk in the
USARV Inspector General Office where I was
working in the fall of 1967. It warned of a seri-
ous danger: Soldiers were shaving in the shower units
and then discarding their used razor blades. Several sol-
diers had incurred serious injuriesin one case a life-
threatening injurygetting tangled up with the blades.
Some blades had been stuck between the 2x4s used in
the construction of these tiny frame buildings. The
memo even suggested that careless soldiers were un-
knowingly doing the work of Viet Cong infiltrators.
The memo went on to warn that it was especially
dangerous to shower in the dark in these units: Un-
friendly creatures might lie in wait to nibble on the ten-
der parts of soldiers. The memo ended with the threat
of an automatic Article 15 for anyone caught shaving in
a shower unit. There would be security inspections after
dark of random shower units. What a friendly recep-
tion those folks will get, I thought.
I dont recall that Alfred Hitchcocks Psycho was
mentioned, but the image of Janet Leigh in the shower
appeared in my head and stuck there. It occurred to me
during every Long Binh shower I took thereafterwith
me as Janet Leigh, an incongruous and darkly comic
image, but scary, too.
It so happened that I was one of those soldiers who
often showered after dark. I worked long hours, so often
it was dark before I had the opportunity to visit a
shower unit. In the evening there was no crush or line
for showering. Id strip down to my olive drab boxers;
carry my ditty bag containing a bar of Ivory soap, some
shampoo, and a razor; and head out in my flip-flops
across the boardwalk over a sea of red laterite mud that
was between me and the shower unit of my choice. Oh,
I also threw a stiff, none-too-well-laundered olive drab
towel over one shoulder and carried with me a fresh,
clean pair of OD boxers.
Another reason I preferred to shower in the late
evening was that the water was more likely to be
warmish. I didnt demand a hot shower. I would have
been out of luck if I had. I had heard that in a far corner
of the compound there were hot showers, but I never
walked that far. I think some engineer group had set them
up. But I was happy enough with a warmish shower. No
matter how hot the day, I didnt want a cold shower.
T
he water was provided in an ingenious arrange-
ment, similar to what Id encountered a few
years earlier when I was a Boy Scout attending
BSA gatherings. In that version, a platform was erected
of tree limbs of substantial size and in the crux at the top
there was placed a 55-gallon drum filled with water. A
hole in the side had a hose coming out of it and there
was a sprinkler on the end of the hose. There was some
canvas wrapped around near the half-way point, but pri-
vacy was at a premium. Another method was the same
sort of tree limb set-up but with a large water-filled can-
vas bag with a hose.
The U.S. Army outdid the BSA. We got to shower
in real buildings, brand new ones. There were several
barrels on top of these solid little wooden structures.
The barrels were brightly colored, often in a festive or-
ange. Not the expected OD.
After we received the terrifying memo about the
dangers of showering, most of us scoffed and continued
to shower and shave as had been our habit. I suppose a
few soldiers gave up showering as too darned risky, not
something they wanted to do to make their return home
to the Land of the Big PX less likely.
Not me, though. I persisted in my nightly shower.
When I arrived at the shower unit after my journey on
the boardwalk, I entered the little building, felt around
for the hooks on the wall of the unit, and hung up my
towel, clean boxers, and ditty bag. I removed my OD
boxers of the day and put them on the bench that was
next to the door. I then found the toggle switch and
turned on the water, if water there was.
It took some time, but usually water began with a
trickle and then, if I was lucky, a flood of water came out
of the shower nozzle. I had no idea how long it would con-
tinue, so I grabbed my shampoo and got going right away.
More than once Id gotten my head lathered, then the
water quit. But usually the water was warmish and plen-
tiful. It made me happy to have all of this water coursing
down my six-foot frame to wash my 138-pound body.
After Id shampooed and rinsed, I lathered up my
face, got out my razor, and shaved by touch. Id gotten
good at that. That took only a couple of minutes. I was
always glad to be rid of the whiskers, sparse as they were.
I never thought about it at the time, but the water left
the building through slats in the floor and went out into
the red laterite soil that surrounded that building and all
the other buildings in the compound. I also tuned out
the ever-present smell of mildew, which was a major
part of living in Vietnam. I did not think much about
the possibility of spiders, snakes, and scorpions or other
tropical denizens, but I never was barefoot. The flip-
flops gave me the illusion of safety.
I do not remember ever having to share the shower
with anyone else. I only remember being alone in the
building, alone with my thoughts, and alone with the
water. I remember my eyes stinging from the water, but
at the time I figured that was due to the shampoo being
washed out of my hair and onto my face. That was
enough of an explanation at the time.
I didnt spend long in the showerfive minutes was
my limit. I turned off the toggle switch, grabbed my
crusty towel, and dried myself. I climbed into my clean
boxers, rolled up my old ones in the towel, and put my
stuff back in the ditty bag. I then returned to my bar-
racks via the boardwalk.
After my shower and shave, Id sometimes get
dressed and amble down to the mess hall to eat a late-
night dinner of ham, escalloped potatoes, and green
beans cooked with bacon. This was a meal I loved
lucky for me, as it was the same late-night dinner served
every night. I loved the big slab of hot ham, slathered
26 THEVVA VETERAN
The Pleasures of Showering in Long Binh
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Agent Orange
The Toxic Battlefield Comes Home
in red gravy. The potatoes were cheesy and crisp on top,
and the green beans had been cooked for hours with
bacon. There was plenty of Kool-Aid to wash the din-
ner down. Actually the mess hall drink was Jell-O
mixed with Long Binh water pumped from the water
table and lots of ice. I drank gallons of the stuff.
S
ometime in the 90s, I read a different memo
warning of the dangers of showering at Long
Binh. This memo failed to mention razor blades
or nocturnal interlopers. This memo was all about the
dangers of the warmish water that had coursed down
my young body. Now that I thought about it, the water
did often have an odd smell. Sort of medicinal or chem-
ical, and sometimes oily.
This memo mentioned the orange barrels and talked
about an herbicide nicknamed Agent Orange by the
military folks who had dumped it out of the sky onto
the green landscape of South Vietnam.
The barrels containing the herbicides had been
reused by the ever-frugal Army to contain and dispense
water to us at Long Binh. They took no great care to
clean the barrels as it was well-known that the stuff only
harmed trees and not people. Above the little shower
units were placed hundreds of these barrels into which
was pumped the defoliant-soaked water of Long Binh.
The water sat in the barrels much of the long day,
cooking in the hot Vietnam sun, awaiting the eager vic-
tims who queued up to take turns being exposed to a
premier cancer risk.
Test results about dioxins causing cancer had long
been known to scientists and to the company that mar-
keted the stuff to the Army. In fact, they had told the
Army. But the Army was busy thinking about stopping
the spread of communism. Or something.
The showers got our exteriors. The Kool-Aid got us
from the inside.
This second memo made me think of my grandfa-
ther, who served in the Army in the Philippines in 1910.
If the SOBs dont get you coming, they will get you
going, he often said.
So what does a guy do when he gets a memo that the
rest of his life is unlikely to be endless vacations to
Kauai, wind surfing, hiking, or even veranda sitting,
watching frolicking sea turtles? You do what you can.
You try to make the most of the time you have left,
whatever that may be, with the people you love. You
savor the moment. You try to avoid being consumed by
bitterness about all the lies youve been fed. You put
one foot in front of the other, as long as you have the
mobility to do so. You soldier on.
David Willsons REMF Diary of Dying and Bureau-
cratic Complexity, which details his struggles to cope
with life-threatening, AO-related multiple myeloma,
appeared in the November/December 2009 issue of
The VVA Veteran.
27 MAY/JUNE 2012
BY ALAN OATES, AGENT ORANGE/DIOXIN COMMITTEE CHAIR
H
erbicides have ravaged many veterans and their families. So, where
and how did the Agent Orange nightmare begin for Vietnam veterans
and their offspring?
First, one needs to know what we mean by Agent Orange. That term has be-
come a catch phrase that refers to several mixtures of herbicides that were used
in Vietnam. To identify the different agents, manufacturers painted a color band
on their storage drums. The herbicide agents were Orange, White, Blue, Purple,
Green, and Pink. These same herbicides in their military formulations were stored,
tested, and used in many locations outside of Vietnam. Agent Orange, the most-
used herbicide agent, consisted of two herbicides, 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid
(2,4-D) and 2,4,5-trichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4,5-T). These two chemicals
were also used in the formulation of some of the other agents.
In the 1930s agricultural research identified plant hormones that regulate the
growth of plants. By 1939, fifty-four substances were identified. By far the
most powerful was the chemical 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acidbetter
known by the abbreviated name 2,4-D. It later became an equal partner with
2,4,5-T in the formulation of the Agent Orange herbicide used in Vietnam.
While Agent Orange would not be the first herbicide formulation sprayed in
Vietnam, it was the most used.
Scientists found that an overdose of the plant hormones injured and even
killed plants. In the early 1940s E.J. Kraus first suggested that these plant hor-
mones could be used as weed killers. Kraus believed his research into these
plant hormones would interest the War Bureau of Consultants. The WBC was
formed under the National Academy of Sciences as a result of an October 1941
directive from President Franklin Roosevelt to Secretary of War Henry L. Stim-
son. The committees job was to assess the state of the art of biological warfare.
Kraus suggested using 2,4-D in chemical warfare. There is some conflict-
ing information on when Kraus made his recommendation. Robert Allen and
C.D. Stelzer, in their article, Dioxin and the Courts, wrote: By 1943, Kraus
was confident enough about the properties of 2,4-D and 2,4,5-T to recom-
mend them to a U.S. National Academy of Sciences committee on biological
warfare. But the WBC disbanded before 1943.
The WBC reported its findings in a February 1942 report, recommending
the formation of a civilian agency to research defensive and offensive biolog-
ical warfare. As a result, the War Research Service was formed in 1942 with
George F. Merck as director. The WBC then disbanded.
Merck sent a report, dated January 3, 1945, to the Secretary of War. The re-
port noted: The major achievement of the War Research Service, however, was
the organization of a program of research and development to extend the bound-
aries of knowledge concerning the use of pathogenic agents as a weapon of war.
It also points out that In November 1942 War Research Service requested
the Chemical Warfare Service of the Army to prepare to assume responsibil-
ity for a larger scale research and development program involving the con-
struction and operation of specially designed laboratories and pilot plants. The
site chosen for these facilities was at Camp Detrick, Frederick, Maryland,
where construction was begun in April 1943. This was established under the
Armys Special Projects Division of the Chemical Warfare Service. E.J. Kraus
became the head of the herbicide program at Camp Detrick.
Soon after the establishment of the facilities at Camp Detrick in 1943, the
Army set up field-testing facilities in Mississippi, a plant for larger scale pro-
duction in Indiana, and a field-testing site in Utah. Mercks report boasted in-
formation on the effects of more than one thousand different chemicals on
plants. It was one of the more important accomplishments of the programs.
For those interested in more research, a good place to start is the website,
www7.nationalacademies.org/archives/cbw.html
More than herbicides were researched at Camp Detrick. There also was re-
search and development of biological and chemical agents that affect humans and
animals. Not everything that came out of these programs was bad. The programs
provided vital information on how to protect the military and civilian populations
from poisonous agents and made advancements in the treatment of diseases.
While synthetic forms of herbicides, including 2,4-D, were developed dur-
ing World War II and there were plans for their use, the war ended without the
military using them against the enemy. After the war, these herbicides were
used heavily in agriculture to control weeds and thereby increase crop yield.
Eric Croddy, in his book, Weapons of Mass Destruction, reports that the
U.S. military also planned to use a combination of 2,4-D and 2,4,5-T in the Ko-
rean War (1950-53). Again, the war ended without the use of the herbicides.
Croddy wrote that the herbicides were reported as destroyed in 1955. Alvin
Youngs December 2006 DOD report, The History of the U.S. Department of
Defense Programs for the Testing, Evaluation, and Storage of Tactical Her-
bicides, also documents the plans for the deployment of herbicides during the
Korean War. Although not used in World War II, the concept of vegetation
control was not forgotten, he writes. In 1952, the Department of Armys
Chemical Corps Biological Laboratories at Camp Detrick, Maryland, initi-
ated a major program to develop both aerial spray equipment and herbicide for-
mulations for potential deployment in the Korean Conflict.
Again, although not used in Korea, the equipment and the formulated
chemicals were stored on Guam until 1954, after which the equipment was
sent to Utah and the drums of herbicide were sent to Camp Detrick. Camp
Detrick (now Fort Detrick) continued working on developing deployment sys-
tems and herbicidal materials through the 1950s.
Agent Orange: The Past Is Prologue
Agent
Orange
The Toxic Battlefield Comes Home
BY CLAUDIA GARY
A
bout two generations after the last American
troops left Vietnam, scientific research has finally
confirmed things that many veterans have strongly
suspected for decades. Although the Department of Vet-
erans Affairs has acknowledged a connection between
dioxins such as TCDD (2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-
dioxin) and various illnesses in veterans who were ex-
posed to them in Vietnam, the VA so far has recognized
only a very limited array of birth defects found in the
offspring of such veterans. Scientists believe that further
research may reveal much more in the way of dioxin-
related birth defects.
Structural defectsthose that are visibleseem to
represent only a small portion of the damage. As Betty
Mekdeci wrote in these pages in 2007: When com-
pared to non-veterans children, the children of Viet-
nam veterans have shown consistent increases in
learning, attention, and behavioral disorders; all types
of skin disorders; problems with tooth development;
allergic conditions and asthma; immune system disor-
ders including chronic infections; some childhood can-
cers; and endocrine problems including thyroid
disorders and childhood diabetes. More and more stud-
ies of prenatal exposures to dioxins and similar chem-
icals are adding support for these associations. Some
of these problems are not detected until later in life.
Mekdeci is the executive director of Birth Defects
Research for Children, Inc. Her article was reprinted in
the San Francisco Medical Journal. The National Birth
Defect Registry, which Mekdeci founded in the early
1990s, has recorded thousands of such cases and
helped launch research studies. The Vietnam veterans
questionnaire used in her registry was developed in
conjunction with the New Jersey Agent Orange Com-
mission. More information about the registry and
BDRC can be found at www.birthdefects.org For
Mekdecis article, go to www.vva.org/veteran/1207/
veteran1207.html
HOW DIOXINS CAUSE DAMAGE
W
hat makes TCDD particularly dangerous is
the shape of the molecule. Because it just
happens to have a shape that fits into a re-
ceptor that causes many different kinds of toxicity,
dioxin is clearly one of the most toxic chemicals known
to man, said Dr. R. Thomas Zoeller, Professor of Biol-
ogy at the University of Massachusetts. Zoeller special-
izes in thyroid hormone action on brain development and
environmental disruption of thyroid hormone action.
How does this toxic effect work? There is good ev-
idence that dioxin increases thyroid hormone clearance
from the blood, Zoeller said. The liver plays a role in
managing how much thyroid hormone is in the blood
at any one time, and dioxin activates enzymes in the
liver that clear thyroid hormone. But dioxin also goes
into the nucleus of cells and causes changes that I dont
think we fully understand. It probably has a direct ac-
tion on the ability of thyroid hormone to function in
cells, [including] in the brain. These mechanisms are
probably the most important. Thyroid hormone plays a
role during the development of brain structure.
Asked about recent important developments in
dioxin research, Zoeller said: The Environmental Pro-
tection Agency recently reviewed dioxin toxicity for
their standard-setting process, and they used thyroid
function as the most sensitive index of toxicity. So I
think its clear that dioxin is well known to influence
the thyroid system, and that [the relationship between
dioxin exposure and the thyroid] is an important pub-
lic health concern.
One thing that complicates the research, however,
is the difficulty in measurement. I dont think we have
a good handle on ways of visualizing or of measuring
toxic effects on the thyroid system, Zoeller said, be-
cause we are learning more and more that chemicals in
the environment can interfere with thyroid hormone ac-
tion in ways that are not represented in serum levels of
hormones as measured in the blood.
IS DIOXIN EXPOSURE LINKED TO AUTISM AND ADHD?
W
hen a syndrome or disorder like autism
reaches an incidence level of one child
in eighty-eight, Zoeller said, citing the
most recent rates, I think we should all be very con-
cerned. Does the thyroid interact with the functioning
and development of the nervous system? Absolutely,
he said. Thyroid hormone plays an important role. But
I think in most cases, thyroid hormone interacts with
many factors. That makes it a very complicated system
to study.
Dr. Erin Bell, Associate Professor of Environmental
Health Sciences, Epidemiology, and Biostatistics at the
University of Albany (SUNY) School of Public Health,
specializes in examining the association of adverse re-
productive outcomes with occupational and environ-
mental exposures. We are very interested in looking at
autism and ADHD [attention deficit hyperactivity dis-
order], Bell said. These are of clear interest to the re-
search community; the interest is not limited to
Vietnam veterans, but their exposures are of continued
interest for those of us evaluating the health effects of
pesticides and other chemicals like dioxin. In general,
we are looking at those chemicals that may interfere
with the hormonal system. These are referred to as en-
docrine disruptors.
Scientists are looking at those chemicals that would
disrupt the endocrine system and whether they are re-
lated to autism and ADHD. This is a younger field; we
are just beginning to have large epidemiological stud-
ies to look at these things. The literature is reviewed
every two years [for the Veterans and Agent Orange re-
port, published by the Institute of Medicine], so I would
anticipate that for the next VAO report they would have
more literature to be able to look at these kinds of out-
comes.
THE LINK BETWEEN PATERNAL EXPOSURE
AND BIRTH DEFECTS
M
ost studies focus on maternal exposures
during pregnancy, with regard to repro-
ductive outcomes, Bell said. However,
in the pesticide literature there are other studies that
look at paternal, as well as maternal, occupational ex-
posures to pesticides. And so they have been able to ex-
plore paternally mediated reproductive outcomes.
There are two possible routes for this, she said. One
is that there is some chromosomal damage at the time
of exposure that would then be delivered via sperm. Or,
you have exposure that is delivered to the mother
through the semen, so that the mother is exposed while
pregnant.
Since the life cycle of sperm is 90 days, once [ser-
vicemen were] removed from exposure in a 90-day pe-
riod, most of the time any damage from the chemical
should be remediated at that point past 90 days. But
again we still look at it, and there are some exposures
where that would not be the case.
For current studies, she said, the question of whether
paternal exposures can lead to adverse birth outcomes is
a consistent research question, independent of Vietnam
veterans. And pesticide studies now ask about paternal
exposures in the three months prior to conception, be-
cause if theres going to be an effect from the male, thats
when it would most likely happen.
Although the potential for exposure is there, Bell
added, the literature has not provided consistent evi-
dence that these exposures are associated with birth de-
fects. Spina bifida is one exception, and that is
discussed in the VAO report.
The toughest challenge, Bell said, is trying to un-
derstand the paternal exposure. Most of the literature
does focus on maternal exposures. And much of the lit-
erature looks at all pesticides combined, rather than
dioxins specifically or herbicides that are of interest to
the committee. And so those are ongoing challenges.
Bell said that one of the improvements weve made
is to look at individual birth defects. A lot of the previ-
ous literature, due to the challenges of studying birth
defects, combined all the defects together into one
group. And that would be similar to combining all can-
cers together. We think that different defects will have
different risk factors, just as different cancers have dif-
ferent risk factors. With funding and with better sup-
port, we would be able to better look at dioxin with
regard to specific defects. That would help us in terms
of understanding this issue.
Bell noted that there is very little funding to look at
birth defects, even though there is a great deal of in-
terest in the research community to examine risk factors
of birth defects. This is the case, she said, indepen-
dent of the Vietnam veterans; it is just not something
that is on the radar screen of a lot of people.
BRIDGING INFORMATION GAPS
D
r. Mary K. Walker, Regents Professor in Phar-
macology and Toxicology at the University of
New Mexico, chaired the VAO committee and
wrote the preface to the 2010 update of its report. The
latest major studies on paternal exposure to Agent Or-
ange, she said, were identified back in 1996, in the up-
date where spina bifida was connected with exposure to
chemicals in Agent Orange. Since that time, the VAO
committee, through the Institute of Medicine, has con-
tinued to review any information in the literature re-
lated to exposure to the chemicals [dioxins] that were
components of AO, and potential birth defects.
When asked why there have been so few known
studies related to paternal exposure during that time,
Walker said: Possibly one explanation would be that
until more recently, the biological plausibility of birth
defects related to paternal exposure was not well un-
derstood. And I think in the last five to seven years, we
are starting to understand the biology better. Such
28 THEVVA VETERAN
What Can Science Offer the
Children of Agent Orange?
research, then, was not a focus until the biology caught
up in understanding how paternal exposure could con-
tribute to birth defects. Since these things have been
understood more recently, she said, I think now we
are starting to see more interest in looking at, and de-
signing, those types of epidemiology studies.
Asked whether it might be possible now to reexamine
information from previous studies, Walker said: I would
say that the information should be present in the data-
bases that exist from the VA, as well as the individuals in
whom we have some assessment of what their exposures
wereparticularly the Ranch Hand cohort as well as the
Army Chemical Corps cohort. That information is al-
ready present and could be looked at again.
Additional studies could be done in some cases based
on existing data, now that the biological plausibility is
understood regarding a connection between paternal ex-
posure and birth defects. This was already among the
VAO committees suggestions for future research. Some
of the areas of concern, Walker said, are neurological
deficits, since there is evidence from the animal litera-
ture that those are endpoints that would be of interest.
Others would include thyroid hormone deficits, as well
as possibly cardiovascular disease that develops in the
offspring later in life.
The study, updated every two years since 1994, is pro-
duced by an Institute of Medicine committee, a group of
individuals who have reviewed the literature in greatest
detail and summarized it in a comprehensive way, Walker
said. So I think that the recommendations that have come
out by the committee are probably the ones that are the
most relevant. The recommendation is that new studies
should evaluate offspring of Vietnam veterans for what
would be considered defined clinical health conditions
that develop later in life. ADHD would be an excellent
example. But more broadly, the recommendations of the
committee identified three particular areas: neurological
disease, immune dysfunction, and diseases that may be
caused by disruption of the endocrine system.
Who would carry out the proposed studies? Walker
suggested that they would probably be academics who
have epidemiology experience, since these are the
groups that have conducted such studies in the past. Al-
though universities most likely would perform the stud-
ies, she said, the VA would certainly need to be an
advocate. Although VA funding would be great, she
said, whether or not they can directly provide funding, it
would be extremely helpful for the VA to be an advocate
to say that these are the sorts of things that are informa-
tion gaps that we need to fill.
Summing up the two major information gaps that the
committee identified, Walker said the studies on off-
spring need to be conducted following paternal exposure
without maternal exposure, along with studies assess-
ing clinically defined disease, focusing on neurological
immunological, and endocrine-related diseases.
Notable among the published recommendations are
that work needs to be undertaken without delay to ad-
dress questions regarding the potential for paternally
mediated, clinically defined health outcomes in off-
spring; and the effective utilization of the VAs medical
database. The report goes on to recommend im-
proved linkage and sharing between DOD and VA [in-
cluding improved] collection of exposure data during
current deployments, so the impasses associated with
missing exposure information will not impede inves-
tigations of health consequences in future veterans, as
has been the case for Vietnam veterans.
Another prominent recommendation is: Available
information should be gleaned from existing cohort
studies. This would include data on the Army Chemi-
cal Corps, the largest cohort of Vietnam veterans ex-
posed directly to herbicides and TCDD.
WHAT CAN BE DONE NOW?
A
voiding risk and making the environment safer
is a major and necessary focus. But since it is
impossible to undo past exposure to dioxins,
what can be done for veterans and their children who
are already affected by dioxin exposure?
Betty Mekdeci suggested that specially staffed cen-
ters could be created to provide evaluation and services
for children with suspectedif not provendioxin-re-
lated birth defects and diseases. We would have sci-
entists with expertise in the types of disciplines related
to chemical exposures and adverse reproductive out-
comes, she said. They would study the children; they
would make recommendations for treatments that the
families wouldnt have access to in another place
maybe including non-embryonic stem cell work or
monoclonal antibodiesand send a treatment plan
back to their regular doctor. I believe that through this
plan, we could not only leverage the most help for the
most children, but we also would be learning things
that we could extrapolate to the civilian environment.
Mekdeci compared this concept to the childrens envi-
ronmental centers run by the National Institute for En-
vironmental Health Sciences.
Meanwhile, although a healthy diet and lifestyle are
important for everyone, Zoeller pointed out that Viet-
nam veterans and their children, and maybe even their
grandchildren, should be especially vigilant and should
have annual physicals and make sure their health care
providers are particularly vigilant. Often, for example,
diabetes isnt really picked up until its acutely symp-
tomatic. That really shouldnt happen. People who are
at risk of diabetes should have frequent checkups. The
same goes for heart disease.
It is also essential to keep an eye on what the scien-
tific community is doing. In some cases there are op-
portunities to suggest or participate in ongoing studies.
In all cases, staying informed can be helpful in facing
the future and taking effective action.
I dont think we have a really good understanding of
all of thyroid hormones effects and how to measure those
effects, Zoeller said. So there can be a lot of debate
about whether thyroid hormone or thyroid disruption
plays a role in the symptoms of Vietnam veterans, and its
the same with autism. I think we need very targeted re-
search on how to evaluate thyroid hormone action.
FURTHER READING
T
he Institute of Medicines VAO report is online.
The PDF version is free, and the format makes
it easy to search for sections of particular inter-
est. Walkers preface, for example, starts on page ix; a
diagram of the TCDD molecule can be found on page
88; the chapter on Reproductive Effects and Impacts
on Future Generations starts on page 540; and the Com-
mittees conclusions and recommendations begin on
page 759. The most recent update of the VAO report (re-
leased in September 2011) may be downloaded from
www.iom.edu/Reports/2011/Veterans-and-Agent-
Orange-Update-2010.aspx
George Claxton, the former chair of VVAs Agent Or-
ange/Dioxin Committee, made valuable contributions
to this article.
29 MAY/JUNE 2012
BENEFITS Q&A
A Rock & a Hard Place
BY LAUREN KOLOGE
Q:
I have a good friend with serious problems. Do you have anything he could use for an
Agent Orange claim? He was in the Marines, stationed on Okinawa. He loaded, sprayed,
buried, and handled drums with orange rings on them. He recently had to have his colon
removed, and he has developed type 2 diabetes. Can you please steer me in the right direction to get
him compensated for his problems? I have read articles on AO in Okinawa, but things seem to be at
a stand-still.
John Giovo
A:
I would encourage your friend to file a claim for service connection for his health condi-
tions, especially type 2 diabetes, as related to Agent Orange exposure. You are correct that
the Pentagon has not acknowledged use of Agent Orange in Okinawa, but more than 130
veterans have claimed to have been exposed to Agent Orange there. I suggest he get all the statements
he can from himself and others he served with. These statements should describe what the chemi-
cals and containers looked like and how he was exposed to them (spraying, leaking barrels, etc.) with
the most detail possible.
I know that the VA has granted the Agent Orange claims of at least three veterans who served in
Okinawa. This is definitely a more difficult process to go through than for veterans who already are
acknowledged to have been exposed to Agent Orange. But your friend will also help others go through
the process by giving his account of what happened.You can locate one of our service representa-
tives at https://benefitsforum.org/Rep.aspx or contact the VVA national office for a referral.
Veterans who served in Thailand during the Vietnam War and were exposed to Agent Orange
through perimeter duty and as military police were recently helped by the declassification of mili-
tary documents. I encourage your friend to contact his congressional representatives to push for fur-
ther investigation and acknowledgement of where and when Agent Orange was used in Okinawa.
Lauren Kologe is deputy director of VVAs Veterans Benefits Program. She can be reached at
lkologe@vva.org
Agent
Orange
The Toxic Battlefield Comes Home
BY JIM BELSHAW
J
im and Sukie Wachtendonks forty-year struggle
with Agent Orange stretches across three genera-
tions. It touches not only the Vietnam veteran and
his wife, but their children and grandchildren. Each gen-
eration has faced birth defects and debilitating disease.
It began in Vietnam, where Jim was exposed to the
defoliant. In 1976 his daughter, Ree Anne, was
born with health issues so severe,
she was not expected to live. Two
years later, when their son, Zachary,
was born, doctors said he would be
little more than a vegetable. But Zak
Wachtendonk would earn more than
one college degree, and he became
a successful computer expert who
worked in information technology
for the state of Wisconsin. He died at
the age of thirty in 2009.
Both children were diagnosed
with eye and muscle disorders,
epilepsy, autism, brain deformities,
bone deformities, and other serious
health problems. The children suffered
so many seizures that the Wachten-
donks stopped calling for ambulances.
We just stayed with them until the
seizures ended, Jim said.
Ree Anne was born with aqueductal
stenosis resulting in hydrocephalus. She
underwent experimental brain surgery
as an infant. She had learning disabili-
ties and sensitivities to many chemicals. Sukie Wach-
tendonk saidher daughter has not known a day of her
thirty-five years without pain and suffering from her
disabilities. Ree Annes own son and daughter were
born with autism and chromosomal defects. Her son
underwent many surgeries to repair a cleft palate; her
daughter is being cared for by Jim and Sukie. Ree
Anne has suffered two miscarriages, as did her mother.
No one in the family has received VA aid related to
Agent Orange exposure.
This forty-year struggle has been absolutely hor-
rific for our family, Sukie said.
Although Jim is 100 percent disabled, he has
never been listed in the VA Agent Orange Registry.
The VA, instead, recognized other service-connected
disabilities not related to Agent Orange, including
chloracne rash, chromosome damage, and peripheral
neuropathy.
The Wachtendonks have lost a home, gone through
bankruptcy, and moved repeatedly to put distance be-
tween themselves and municipalities that sprayed var-
ious chemicals they said brought dangerous reactions
in their children.
My kids were being exposed everywhere they
went, Sukie said. Once, Zachary didnt stop seizing
for almost four days; Ree Anne for two and a half
days. Zachary was eight months old, our daughter was
two years old. Both went into grand mal seizures.
S
ukie and Jim Wachtendonk now live in rural Wis-
consin, as far as they can get from areas where
chemicals are routinely sprayed. They find peace
in the land.
There are a lot of guys like me who live out in the
sticks, Jim said. Some guys are in the middle of hun-
dreds of acres. Ive got a nice piece of land that Sukie
found for us.
Long active in veterans affairs and the effort to
bring light to the Agent Orange issue, Sukie has been
forced recently to focus on her own battle with breast
cancer. For forty years, she and her husband have
been at the forefront of the
fight, finding strength in a
simple and eloquent con-
cept to see them through
it: Love for each other,
Sukie said, and a
love for the land and
the need to make it a
better placenot only for our children,
but for other peoples children.
In 1978 Jim and Sukie saw a TV news report on vet-
erans and Agent Orange. In that report, Bill Kurtis
spoke with Maude deVictor, a veterans benefits coun-
selor who had raised the alarm about Agent Orange and
its long-term effects on Vietnam veterans.
A lasting friendship with deVictor began with a
phone call Sukie made to the benefits counselor. It also
began the nearly forty-year battle the Wachtendonks
have waged to have veterans and their families recog-
nized by the VA. Sukie was four months pregnant when
she began educating herself about Agent Orange.
Her husband served as an Army K-9 handler at Da
Nang. He remembered the spraying and remembered
its effect on the vegetation. If this is what it does to
chlorophyll, he had thought, whats it doing to us?
I needed answers, Sukie said. I needed to find
out what was going on with my children. That was the
motivation: to keep them alive and to find out what was
happening to us. She sought answers at the medical
libraries of the University of Wisconsin.
She also attended and testified at hearings on Agent
Orange. People had very different reactions. Some em-
braced her; others condemned her as nothing less than
treasonous.
When I was done testifying, I found several veter-
ans and wives waiting for me, she said. They were
with the VVAW [Vietnam Veterans Against the War]. I
started working with them to do research for a class-
action suit. In 1978 Jim and I were the first in Wiscon-
sin to sign on.
Others at the hearing were not so welcoming.
I became an enemy of the state, which is just
crazy, Sukie said. Im just a mom. Because we were
doing research on Agent Orange, organizing vets, and
educating the public, I was called a communist and a
traitor. I was told I was an over-emotional, chemical-
phobic woman.
Ree Anne required long hours of care. She was un-
able to roll over or lift her head. Sukie worked with her
four hours a day. Doctors warned Sukie and Jim that
Ree Anne could suffer brain damage and even death
after necessary brain surgery. Nonetheless, she is thirty-
five now, the mother of two children.
Two years after Ree Annes birth, Sukie found her-
self working just as hard with Zachary.
I had to teach him how to raise his head, walk, and
crawl, she said. They told me he would be a vegetable,
but he wasnt a vegetable. He was a
successful human being. He was
sweet, and he was my hero.
She is frustrated that Jim is not
on the VA Agent Orange registry.
We were one of the first people
to register, and hes not there, she
said. They dont see him for Agent
Orange stuff. They wont admit it.
My husband is just a crazy PTSD
vet married to a nutty wife, and they
have sick kids, and it doesnt have
anything to do with the VA. The rank-
and-file people at the VA have been ter-
rific. Its the upper-uppers who dont
want to be responsible for anything. And its all about
money. Nobody wants to touch us with a ten-foot pole.
F
or most of his life, Jim Wachtendonk had found
strength and solace in music. He had played the gui-
tar since he was a boy of six or seven. All through
his struggle with the effects of Agent Orange he continued
writing and playing his music, performing at hotels and
concerts, including the 1984 HBO veterans concert.
But when illness made the guitar difficult for Jim,
Sukie made a suggestion that started him down a dif-
ferent artistic road. Seeing a small set of watercolors
one day, she suggested that he try painting.
He has been painting ever since, eventually branch-
ing out to three-dimensional art. It never would have
happened if Sukie hadnt put that thought in my head.
It was so important. Shes in many of my paintings.
Shes the keeper of the light.
He wanted to create public art with a purpose. One
piece struck a chord with the community. He spray-
painted a 30-gallon drum white, then added a 10-inch
orange ring around it. He displayed it in the Richland
County Bank for a week. A sign attracted the attention
of bank customers: Do You Know Someone Touched
by Agent Orange? If you know someone touched by
Agent Orange, please write down their name on my art
barrel as we remember. Perhaps so shall others.
Theres a couple of pens there, and folks have been
going in and writing down the names of loved ones, Jim
said. My goal as an artist is to have folks fill that thing full
of names, and then Ill paint another. Thats action, right?
Other Faces of Agent Orange, including a separate
profile of Ree Anne Wachtendonk, are located on the
Agent Orange page of the VVA website, www.vva.org
Jim Wachtendonks songs, poetry, and prose can be
viewed at www.booneytunes.net
30 THEVVA VETERAN
THE LEGACY OF AGENT ORANGE
Three Generations of Shattered Health
31 MAY/JUNE 2012
BY DALE SPRUSANSKY
V
ietnam veterans struggle with a wide array of physical ailments resulting from
exposure to Agent Orange. That they were exposed to this toxic herbicide by
their own government adds pain, confusion, and anger to the range of emotions.
As Americans mull the suffering caused by Agent Orange, many are unaware that
they and their loved ones are exposed to potentially dangerous herbicides on a daily
basis. Indeed, government-approved herbicidesmany of which contain ingredi-
ents that were used in Agent Orange and are manufactured by the same companies
that produced them for use in Vietnamare widely and frequently used on farms and
yards across the United States today.
This widespread use of herbicides has made it particularly difficult for medical pro-
fessionals to deduct with certainty the side-effects of Agent Orange. Because so many
Americans have been exposed to a wide array of chemicals, forming control groups that
have not been exposed to toxins is a major challenge for researchers. Lacking clean
control groups, the medical community will only with great difficulty come to a clear,
truthful, and scientifically sound understanding of Agent Oranges side-effects.
A 2008 congressionally mandated study, Veterans and Agent Orange, pointed to
this dilemma. The authors noted that studies of individuals exposed to herbicides in
chemical plants provide stronger evidence about health outcomes than do studies of
veterans because the industrial exposures [are] measured sooner after occurrence and
[are] more thoroughly characterized.
In order to understand the rise in the use of herbicides in the U.S., one must exam-
ine the exponential growth in the popularity of genetically modified (GM) crops. Be-
ginning in the 1990s, GM crops, which have altered DNA that makes them resistant to
specific herbicides, began to dominate U.S. agriculture. Recent estimates suggest that
between 86 to 93 percent of the soybean, cotton, and corn crops in the U.S. are genet-
ically modified.
While experts had believed that the proliferation of GM crops would decrease the
need for herbicides, evidence suggests that the opposite is true. According to a 2009
study released by the Organic Center, the amount of herbicides used on GM corn, cot-
ton, and soybeans increased by 7 to 8 percent between 1996 and 2008.
Scientists attribute this spike in herbicide use to the fact that more than 130 weed
species have developed a resistance to herbicides such as Roundup. The worlds top-
selling herbicide since 1980, Roundup, manufactured by Monsanto (the producers
of Agent Orange), is the trade name for glyphosate, the most widely used herbicide
in the U.S. According to the USDA, the use of glyphosate doubled between 2005 and
2010. It is estimated that 94 percent of soybean crops and 70 percent of cotton crops
are treated with Roundup.
In order to contain and limit the growth of herbicide-resistant weeds, many farm-
ers have increased the amount of Roundup they apply to their crops and also have
turned to herbicides with higher toxicity levels than Roundup.
2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), an herbicide that was a key ingredient
in Agent Orange, is the most notorious toxin farmers have turned to in the wake of
Roundups increasing ineffectiveness. Because 2,4-D has proven to be so reliable at
killing weeds, some in the agriculture industry see it as a critical part of the indus-
trys future. Indeed, Dow Chemical Company, the worlds second largest chemical
manufacturer, has applied to USDA to gain approval for a new variety of GM corn
that is resistant to 2,4-D. The chemical is also commonly found in weed-and-feed
products that are applied to areas such as lawns, playgrounds, and school yards.
Citing studies that link exposure to 2,4-D with birth defects, cancer, nerve dam-
age, non-Hodgkins lymphoma, circulatory and respiratory anomalies, hormone dis-
ruption, and Parkinsons disease, many scientists and health advocates have reacted
to the increased popularity of 2,4-D with great apprehension. George Claxton, for-
merchair of VVAs Agent Orange/Dioxin Committee, said that 2,4-D is a very dan-
gerous chemical that should be off the market. Natural Resources Defense Council
senior scientist Gina Solomon said that individuals can be inadvertently exposed to
chemical residues from toxins such as 2,4-D every day. Theres no reason to con-
tinue allowing a toxic Agent Orange ingredient in the places our children play, our
families live, and our farmers work, she said.
While less toxic than 2,4-D, Roundup and other glyphosate-based herbicides also
draw a wide array of criticism from health advocates. Birth defects, liver dysfunction,
and cancer are some of the diseases that studies have linked to exposure to Roundup. A
recent study published in the Journal of Toxicology in Vitro found that Roundup also
harms male fertility by destroying testosterone.
In 2009 researchers in France found that one of Roundups inert, or inactive, in-
gredientspolyethoxylated tallowamine (POEA)is capable of killing embryonic,
placental, and umbilical cord cells in humans. According to the authors of the study,
POEA can have a harmful effect on human cells at concentrations far lower than
those used on farms and lawns. Due to the fact that it is classified as an inert ingre-
dient by the EPA, the USDA permits the use of POEA, which is used to help herbi-
cides penetrate the surfaces of plants, in products the agency certifies as organic. Due
to increased concerns regarding the safety of POEA, the EPA announced in 2011
that it will reevaluate the safety of glyphosate in 2015. In the meantime, some cities
such as Boulder, Colorado, have banned the use of Roundup on public property.
Despite the fact that use of atrazine, an herbicide used heavily on corn crops, has
remained relatively flat over the past ten years, it remains widely popular and the
target of much criticism. Studies have linked the chemical to birth defects and dis-
ruption of the reproductive system. A 2011 Environmental Research study found ev-
idence that atrazine could be causing menstrual irregularities and low estrogen levels
in women. The study also found that the herbicide can be dangerous at levels far
below the EPAs limit. A 2011 independent EPA panel concluded that there is sug-
gestive evidence that atrazine can cause ovarian cancer, non-Hodgkins lymphoma,
and hairy-cell leukemia. The panel also found strong evidence linking the herbi-
cide to thyroid cancer. Available data failed to provide compelling evidence that
atrazine is not carcinogenic, according to the panel. The EPA is expected to officially
review atrazine in 2013.
The fact that atrazinewhich washes into surface water and groundwater be-
cause it does not cling to the soilis the most commonly detected herbicide in Amer-
icas rivers and wells, fuels many of the herbicides opponents. In 2009 The New
York Times reported that 33 million Americans have been exposed to atrazine through
tap water. Nevertheless, the EPA maintains that it fully protects the public from ex-
cessive levels of the herbicide. The exposure that the agency allows under its atrazine
drinking water regulations is at least 300 to 1,000 times lower than the level where
the agency saw health effects in the most sensitive animal species tested, the EPA
said in a statement.
Herbicide-producing companies such as Dow Chemical and Monsanto also
adamantly maintain that their products pose no severe threat to the publics health.
Monsanto spokeswoman Janice Pearson, in response to a claim that Roundup causes
infertility, said: Regulatory authorities and independent experts around the world
agree that glyphosate does not cause adverse reproductive effects in adult animals or
birth defects in offspringeven at doses far higher than relevant environmental or oc-
cupational exposures.
Such assurances do little to quell the concerns of Monsanto and Dows critics.
Because of the tremendous liability [associated with conceding the carcinogenic
nature of their product], theyre never going to admit to it, George Claxton said, dis-
missing the chemical manufacturers claims that their products are safe.
The fact remains that it is difficult to measure the extent to which human health
is affected by exposure to herbicides. Because it is unethical to test herbicides on hu-
mans, scientific conclusions can only be based on circumstantial evidence and stud-
ies conducted on animals. Nevertheless, countless scientific studiesparticularly
those focused on people who work in the agricultural and chemicals industries
provide strong evidence that herbicides can have an adverse effect on human health.
In 2010 University of California-Berkeley Professor Tyrone Hayes claimed that
atrazine can chemically castrate frogs and cause male frogs to undergo a sex change.
A spokesman for Syngenta, the Swiss company that produces the chemical tested in
the study, dismissed the findings, saying the research was poorly designed and based
on bad data. A 2012 study conducted by University of Pittsburgh ecologist Rick Re-
lyea found evidence suggesting that exposure to Roundup causes tadpoles to expe-
rience abnormal hormonal shifts that result in the animals undergoing changes in
their shape.
The Toxic Risk at Home
continued on page 44
Agent
Orange
The Toxic Battlefield Comes Home
32 THEVVA VETERAN
BY WILLIAM TRIPLETT
G
iven the voluminous research, study, examination,
and debate that has proliferated over the last forty
years about Agent Orange, one might feel safe in
assuming that most every aspect of the highly toxic her-
bicide and its effects on human health has been hashed
over in some way, if not fully resolved.
For many Vietnam veterans, the controversy was re-
solved in great part by the Agent Orange Act of 1991, which
established a presumed connection between exposure to
Agent Orange and a list of diseases and illnesses, including
certain cancers. While the landmark legislation couldnt
give veterans their good health back, it did force open a door
that had, until then, been closed to thema door to much-
needed compensation and other related benefits.
Veterans understandably rejoiced. But what about
civilians exposed to Agent Orange?
According to the federal government, between 72,000
and 171,000 American civilians may have worked in Viet-
nam between 1964 and 1974. The number cant be nar-
rowed any further because surviving records are scant. In
2005 the U.S. Government Accountability Office counted
a mere handful of civilian claimsthirty-tworequesting
compensation for diseases that the VA recognizes as serv-
ice-connected to Agent Orange exposure. But GAO ac-
knowledged there could be many more looking for help.
There has been comparatively little, if any, official ac-
tion taken on civilians who were in-country and later de-
veloped ailments that are on the VAs Agent Orange
service-connected list.
Lesli Dahlke discovered this about three years ago.
Part of a USO tour to Vietnam in 1970 and later diagnosed
with soft tissue sarcoma (which is on the VAs list), she
called the agency for help. I was told they couldnt help
me because I was not a veteran, Dahlke said. I had gone
over as a guest of the Army, but I wasnt employed by the
Army. End of call.
Dahlke had visited all four Corps while in Vietnam,
often traveling to remote areas that official records show
were sprayedsometimes heavilywith Agent Orange
before and during her time in-country.
She lived an otherwise normal life until 1990, when
she was diagnosed with a type of sarcoma rare for a
woman of thirty-eight with no family history of cancer.
But it wasnt until 2009, years after a ten-hour surgery re-
moving five internal organs along with an eight-pound
tumor, that she even learned that her type of cancer was
presumed to be connected to Agent Orange exposure in
Vietnam. By then, Dahlke and her husband already had
been forced to sell their home and file for bankruptcy be-
cause of medical bills.
True, she had only been in-country less than three
weeks. But the VAs website clearly states that service-
connection is presumed for anyone who set foot in Viet-
nam, including brief visits. Only the VA, however, has
presumed such a connection. Meaning, as Dahlke learned
when she first called the VA, the burden of proof is dif-
ferent if youre not a veteran. Its on you.
With no scientific studies proving a conclusive link
though some research strongly suggests itthats a bur-
den of proof almost impossible to meet. As the GAO
noted in its review of thirty-two civilian claims, most
have been denied. Denialsstemmed, in part, from the
fact that under the laws governing these claims, claimants
must demonstrate a causal link between their exposure to
Agent Orange and their medical conditions, which is dif-
ficult to prove so many years later.
The denying agency: The Department of Labor (DoL),
which oversees the only system open to civilian claims of
injury resulting from governmental service. That system
was created with the Federal Employees Compensation
Act of 1916, but it did not have a designation for Agent
Orange-related claims until 2005, more than three decades
after the Vietnam War officially ended.
Dahlke filed a claim with DoL. Denying it, the de-
partment said, The evidence did not establish the claimed
exposure. She provided additional material. I have a box
of forty-year-old maps of where I had been. I have a diary
with entries of all the places. DoL again denied. Dahlke
has filed a formal appeal and is awaiting a decision.
She hopes to hear soon. In May 2010 she was diag-
nosed with a rare form of leukemia. In August 2011 she
discovered she has lymphoma. Dahlkes oncologist at the
Mayo Clinic told her that both fall within the classification
of cancers on the VAs list of diseases presumed to be
linked to Agent Orange exposure.
Since July 1990 weve paid out of pocket almost
$1 million in medical bills, said Dahlke, who hasnt
been able to work since that year. I would like to be
reimbursed for those costs and for costs going forward.
I would like to know I have money coming in to sur-
vive. Im just looking for what is fair and is already on
the books.
For additional information, see Lesli Dahlkes website,
www.alossofinnocence.com
CIVILIANS IN VIETNAM
Agent Orange Without Protection
BY RICK WEIDMAN
A
friend, a Vietnam veteran like me, perhaps said it best: The government
brought us back from Vietnam to CONUS, but only we can help each
other finally get all of us home. He was referring to the battles that so
many of us have been engaged in ever since we came home. None of those
struggles has been greater or more frustrating that the battle to uncover the truth
about the toxic exposures endured by so many in Southeast Asia, in the waters
of the South China Sea, on the Korean peninsula, Okinawa, Guam, and many
other locations in the world where American armed forces served. Many of us
are sick, others have died, and there are many children and grandchildren who
will never be healthy because of the toxic exposures of their parents.
One can argue that a constitutional democracy should, as a matter of course,
do complete epidemiological studies of all of its armed forces if there is any
reason to suspect that they have been harmed by that service. The Australians
have done three complete studies of their naval, air, and ground service per-
sonnel who served in or near Vietnam. That is how we in America discovered
how the Blue Water Navy veterans were exposed, which was independently
verified by the special review of the Institute of Medicine of the National Acad-
emies of Sciences last year. The desalinization units on Australian and Ameri-
can ships had the perverse effect of concentrating the dioxin that was contained
in the herbicide mixed with kerosene or JP-4 fuel, thus keeping it on or near the
surface many miles out to sea, where it was taken in by our warships to produce
potable water.
American Vietnam veterans finally have an analogous study under way, thanks
to friends in Congress and Secretary Eric Shinseki, who has forced the VA to con-
tract the decade-delayed National Vietnam Veterans Longitudinal Study. When
completed, this study may be the closest thing we will have to a large-scale, sta-
tistically valid, epidemiological study of Vietnam-era military service members.
It has been forty years since the initial exposures, and yet the suffering of
many is still neither recognized nor is medical care provided. What can we do
about this? Fortunately, there is a great deal each of us can do.
On April 27, VVA commented on proposed regulations by the Environmental
Protection Agency that would permit use of genetically modified seed that is re-
sistant to 2,4-D (a component of Agent Orange). As representative of American
veterans who were lied to about their exposure to toxic chemicals which have
claimed many lives long after our troops left Vietnam and Southeast Asia, VVA
Searching for Legislative Remedies
continued on page 44
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34 THEVVA VETERAN
BY XANDE ANDERER
How do you create a holiday
from scratch?
Valentines Day, Saint Patricks Day, Christmas, and
Easter are dates from the religious calendar. Halloween
is, toowell, sort of. Independence Day and Veterans
Day mark important events in history. Abraham Lin-
coln made Thanksgiving official by presidential de-
cree. Grover Cleveland did the same for Labor Day.
And the mighty Uniform Monday Holiday Act of 1968
landed Washingtons Birthday, Memorial Day, and
Columbus Day on their strategically placed Mondays.
So how does one go about getting a Welcome Home
Vietnam Veterans Day on the books?
T
he push to create a holiday in honor of Vietnam
veterans began in earnest in 2000, when Vietnam
veteran Jose Ramos rode his bike cross-country
from California to Washington, D.C., drumming up
publicity along the way before arriving outside the
White House to demand that the president designate
March 30ththe day the last American combat troops
left Vietnam in 1973as a national holiday honoring
Vietnam veterans.
Momentum grew slowly until 2009, when the
endorsements of actors Jon Voight and Arnold
Schwarzenegger brought a new wave of publicity to
the campaign. Voight and Ramos attended the 2009
VVA National Convention in Louisville seeking sup-
port for the holiday. From there, a steady stream of
states began to set aside March 29th or 30th to honor
Vietnam veterans. Eighteen states now designate the
day as a state holiday and the U.S. Senate has passed
a resolution for the past three years recognizing the
holiday on a year-by-year basis.
This is the uphill battle Vietnam veterans groups
face as they consider how best to commemorate the
day and mold it into an established holiday. City offi-
cials and the veterans community in Branson, Mis-
souri, are no exception. This year they tackled the
holiday head-on for the very first time.
T
hose who have visited Branson know it as the
self-styled Veterans Capital of the Nation. It is
a town that wears its patriotism in plain sight. Vet-
erans are honored just about everywhere you look, and
their service recognized during almost every live show
in town. So it was a logical step to plan a big Welcome
Home weekend this year and encourage vets to come
celebrate in Branson, where veterans are royalty.
The weekend kicked off Friday morning with Bran-
sons Salute to Vietnam Veterans, an overstuffed slate
of entertainment held at the Hughes Brothers Theater.
The show opened with VVAs Branson Chapter 913
presenting the colors in their distinctive black berets,
white belts, and white ascots. A table with an empty
chair and place setting was set on stage to honor
POW/MIAs, and remained there throughout the show.
Branson mayor Raeanne Presley addressed the au-
dience, declaring, Today is a day to heal, to close up
old wounds, and to say thanks to the men who put
themselves in jeopardy to serve our country in that
war. When host Jason Yeager burst onto the stage to
kick off the entertainment with a hearty, Welcome
home, vets! the somber theater erupted in applause.
As a country, we didnt really do it at the time, and
its one of our nations great tragedies, he said. We
need to live every day through events like this to correct
that mistake and to thank our courageous veterans.
All the days performers expressed their gratitude
for the sacrifices made by the veterans in the audiences.
Many took the time to have veterans stand and be rec-
ognized, and most spoke of their personal connections
to the Vietnam Wara brother, a spouse, a parent.
Today is finally our day, said Army veteran Burt
Wittrup during intermission. A day when we can fi-
nally say we are welcomed back home.
The other Vietnam vets in attendance shared his
sentiments. I experienced some of that hostility when
I returned home from Vietnam, said Bill Gilmer, who
drove from Little Rock, Arkansas, to enjoy the week-
ends activities. The thing you have to remember
about [Vietnam veterans] is that we made a promise
that the younger generation fighting our wars now
would never get the treatment we got. And were keep-
ing that promise. Youll find us at the airport and along
the highway welcoming our young troops home.
We never got the parade we deserved, but Ill be
getting mine tomorrow, quipped one grinning veteran
after the show.
And a parade he got. The next morning veterans,
their families, Cub Scouts, bikers, hot-rodders, fire-
fighters, and local celebrities formed up in unsea-
sonably radiant sunshine to show both pride and
appreciation. Again, the Chapter 913 Color Guard led
the way, followed by the chapters parade float, dec-
orated with two immense Welcome Home banners.
The float was manned by a cadre of veterans whose
ranks grew as the parade progressed and as vets in the
crowd were encouraged to climb aboard the float. Pa-
rade organizer Arlen Lipper, who is the founder of
bransonveteranevents.com and a VVA Chapter 913
member, was pleased. Were already planning next
years weekend. Its just going to get bigger and big-
ger, he said. Therell be some big surprises.
Parades will always have a special place in the hearts
of most Vietnam veterans, considering the deafening si-
lence when they returned home from the war: I was
taken out of the jungle, put on a plane, and stepped off
in San Antonio, one veteran said. There was no one
there. I walked outside and got in a cab to come home.
Ill never miss a parade for Nam vets. None of us ever
got the parade we deserved.
When I got home, I arrived puffed-up with pride
about my service to my country. While we were [in
country] we didnt realize how hated that war was by
some people back in The World, said Michael Lynch,
an Air Force veteran who drove to Branson from Ten-
nessee for the parade.
Im glad this day is here, said another. That war
tore our country apart. No matter how many parades I
attend, it feels like each heals us just a little more.
And besides, who doesnt love a parade?
A LONG TIME COMING
P
H
O
T
O
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:

M
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C
H
A
E
L

O
'K
A
N
E

P
H
O
T
O
G
R
A
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H
Y
or click the link at www.vva.org
V
35 MAY/JUNE 2012
PHOTOS & STORY BY MICHAEL KEATING
W
e wanted it to be based on a theme, North
Carolina State Council President Joe
Kristek said of the 23rd George C. Dug-
gins Region 3 Conference held in Asheville March 28-
31. In concert with a twelve-man planning committee,
we looked at the place in our lives. The important is-
sues seemed to revolve around health care. Finally, a
unifying theme was decided upon: Veterans helping
veterans.
They took a lean and trim approach to the seminars.
We only had seven, North Carolina Vice President
Rossi Nance said. They decided against concurrent
seminars, which often require attendees to run from
the first part of one to the last part of another. We let
each one stand on its own merits, he added.
Discussion, then, both during the seminars and di-
rectly afterward, remained focused. The speakers were
experts in their fields; they all lived and worked in Re-
gion 3; and they all had volunteered their time.
Region 3made up of North Carolina, South Car-
olina, Kentucky, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia,
Maryland, and the District of Columbiais the only
VVA region that consistently produces conferences for
members. The combined Region 8 and 9 conferences
are the other exception.
The conference dates were suggested by the host
hotel, The DoubleTree Biltmore, whose staff couldnt
have been more gracious or helpful. They said they
could provide us the best rates on that week, so we took
them, Nance said. Unfortunately, those dates coincided
with Vietnam Veterans Recognition Day, so there was
competition from a NASCAR event in nearby Char-
lotte that anticipated 70,000 veterans, and the West Vir-
ginia State Councils recognition event in Charleston.
Nonetheless, three national officers attended: President
John Rowan, Vice President Fred Elliott, and Treasurer
Wayne Reynolds.
The keynote speaker at the Opening Ceremonies
was the soft-spoken and self-effacing Walter J. Marm,
who received the Medal of Honor for his actions at the
Ia Drang. During a slugfest [that lasted] for three
days, he took out three NVA near a machine-gun site.
Later, he exposed himself to enemy fire to pinpoint its
location, then charged the nest and threw in a grenade
that killed several more enemy. With his M-16 he shot
four more NVA until he took a bullet in the jaw.
Im no braver than anyone else here, he said. Im
just the caretaker of this medal. In fact, he said, some
say its harder to wear the medal than to earn it. Marm
is one of eighty-one living MOH recipients. The main
mission of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society
is to work with the youth to build character. It is also
committed to such veterans issues as PTSD and Agent
Orange.
Marm was followed by George E. Clark, a former
Special Forces soldier in Vietnam with a life-consuming
mission: to help the Montagnards. But his mission is
not the product of detached altruism. Its public: The
Im no braver than anyone
else here, Medal of Honor
recipient Walter J. Marm
said. Im just the caretaker
of this medal.
Below: Asheville Mayor Terry Bellamy (left), who spoke at the Opening Ceremonies, with NCSC AVVA Repre-
sentative Pam Scheffer and NCSC Chaplain Craig Register; Top right: Walter J. Marm received the Medal of
Honor for his actions during the Battle of the Ia Drang; Bottom right: Charlie and Phyllis Garner participated
in the Saturday morning seminar, The Marital Journey Home.
Opening Ceremonies: Chapter 272s Al Rice (above, at
right) during the National Anthem; Chapter 990s Robbie
Hardison presented the Navy flag.
continued on page 36
Veterans Helping Veterans
THE GEORGE C. DUGGINS REGION 3 CONFERENCE
36 THEVVA VETERAN
Montagnards were the best and most unwavering ally
the U.S. had, Clark said. And its private: When I was
hit, they jumped on my body so I wouldnt get hit again.
Most Montagnards in the United Statesmore than
eight thousandlive in North Carolina. Clarks organi-
zation, Save the Montagnard People, works to resettle
them, preserve their culture, and help adapt them to the
broader American culture. He estimates that eleven hun-
dred Montagnard children have gone through college.
Long persecuted by the Vietnamese, who are differ-
ent ethnically and practice different religions, the Mon-
tagnards made perilous escapes from their homelands.
With the help of STMP and other organizations, they
made their way to the United States. In the best of all
worlds, they would prefer to stay in their native home in
the Central Highlands. They dont want to come here,
Clark said, but they dont want to be slaughtered. Only
a fraction of their wartime numbers remains in Vietnam.
After Clark spoke, Montagnard men and woman
played instruments and danced, ultimately drawing
Marm, NCSC Chaplain Craig Register, AVVA Region
3 Director Donna Crowell, and others out to dance
with them. Later, representatives of the Eastern Chero-
kee Nation (who were also veterans) were presented
to the Conference and to the Montagnards. In a spare
but moving ceremony, these two displaced indigenous
peoples exchanged gifts.
The seminars were spread over a three-day period.
AVVA North Carolina State Rep Pam Scheffer dis-
cussed survivor assistance. Debra Volkmer, the VISN
6 caretaker support coordinator, made two presenta-
tions, one on accessing caregiver support from the VA
(for details, see www.caregiver.va.gov or call 855-260-
3274). The other seminar was on vicarious traumatiza-
tion, otherwise known as secondary PTSD. She
approached the subject from psychological, physical,
and spiritual perspectives.
Anthony Musolinos presentation was entitled, Who
Will Cash Your Last Check? Mary Foster talked about
future home health care, and Darlene Laughter dis-
cussed volunteer opportunities with the VA. North Car-
olina Cemetery Program Director Eli Panee presented an
overview on veterans cemeter-
ies.
Region 3 Director Sara
McVicker tended to VVA busi-
ness, presenting a seminar enti-
tled Reporting, in which she
described the paperwork that
chapters and state councils
must file with the state, the fed-
eral government, and VVA
national. Because filing re-
quirements vary from state to
state, McVicker provided a
breakout of agencies and their
email and street addresses for
each of the Region 3 states. She
stressed that all chapter officers
and board members must know
the filing requirements: It is foolish and dangerous to leave
that responsibility with one person, she said.
Later in the day McVicker held a Region 3 Direc-
tors Meeting, in which she discussed the current busi-
ness of the National Board of Directors and progress in
resolving software problems.
Saturday morning Ellie Covan made an often-emo-
tional presentation based on her research at the University
of North Carolina on the long road home for Vietnam vet-
erans and the spouses who have attached their lives to
them. Her investigations are not purely academic, how-
ever: Shes the proud wife of a Vietnam veteran.
Friday nights banquet was preceded by a solemn
POW Remembrance Ceremony led by NCSC Public
Affairs Chair Juan Eric Cantu. Saturdays Closing Cer-
emonies included warrior dances by the Eastern Chero-
kee and ended with a snake-like, hand-to-hand Cherokee
friendship dance that drew in many conference partic-
ipants. The line of men and women wrapped around,
encompassing the room, filing to the front and to the
back, and eventually folding into itself.
For additional information on the 2012 George C.
Duggins Region 3 Conference, see www.vva-nc.org
For a portfolio of conference photos by Michael Keat-
ing, go to The VVA Veteran Facebook page.
REGION 3
Continued from previous page Region 3 Director Sara McVicker and NCSC President Joe
Kristek (below) during an impromptu planning meeting. Mon-
tagnard musicians (left), singers, and dancers performed dur-
ing the Opening Ceremonies. Members of the audience were
drawn onto the dance floor, including Region 3 AVVA Direc-
tor Donna Crowell (center).
Above: A POW/MIA Ceremony by Juan Eric Cantu preceded
Friday nights banquet; Right: During Saturdays Closing
Ceremonies, members of the Eastern Cherokee Nation per-
formed Warrior Dances.
or click the link at www.vva.org
V
37 MAY/JUNE 2012
Good-Hearted Veteran Cast
Populates The Living Wills
REVIEWS BY MARC LEEPSON
T
wo-author novels are rare. The main
reason: Writing fiction is such an inti-
mate, personal business that its extremely
difficult for two people to come up with
one literary vision, not to mention imple-
ment it. So you have to give credit to Rick
Kaempfer and Brendan Sullivan, the two
authors of The Living Wills (Eckhartz Press,
336 pp., $19.95, paper), a fast-reading novel
set in Chicago in 2005, for coming up with
a creditable work of fiction. Kaempfer is a
Chicago writer and Sullivan is an improv
artist in the City of Big Shoulders.
How did the two men put the book to-
gether? We improvised the story lines
together using [Sullivans] techniques,
Kaempfer explained, before sitting down
to plot it out and write the chapters using
my techniques. Both of us wrote equal
parts of the bookits a completely col-
laborative process. The authors didnt set
out to write a Vietnam book, Kaempfer
said, but when we improvised, it simply
emerged.
How did the collaboration turn out? Not
badly. The dialogue-heavy story hums
along rapidly. Its a multi-character affair,
centering on veteran Henry Stankiewicz
and his late-in-life effort to make amends
with his upwardly mobile lawyer son. Its
not an easy task, as young Peter is ex-
tremely bitter after having suffered from an
absent father for most of his childhood
while the elder Stankiewicz struggled with
postwar emotional and physical issues.
Several interwoven subplots include one
involving a depressed middle-aged corpo-
rate type and another centering on a group
of Henrys bowling buddies. Theres also
Peters struggles with his work situation in
a big law firm and his relationship with his
girlfriend, who happens to be a lawyer at
his firm. The main plot deals with some-
thing that happened to Henry in Vietnam
and the continuing fallout from that trau-
matic event in his life and in the lives of a
group of his war buddies.
Henry and the other Vietnam veteran
characters in the book are good-hearted
men who have (to one degree or another)
overcome their war-related emotional and
physical problems. Henry holds down a de-
cent blue-collar job, is happily married to a
good woman, and has a positive mental out-
look. One of his buddies still struggles with
alcohol; another is a well-adjusted family
man. In other words, the authors have come
up with a cast of realistic, non-sensational-
ized Vietnam veterans living out their lives in
the early 21st centuryno Nam vet stereo-
types here.
The authors do commit some first-novel
missteps. They tend to label emotions rather
than invoking them in their characters. Some
of the characters are too broadly sketched
and there are too many far-out coinci-
dences that stretch credulity. That said, The
Living Wills is a more-than-decent novel
filled with sympathetically drawn Vietnam
veteran characters. That in itself is worth
the price of admission.
PATTONS
B
enjamin Pattons father was George S.
Patton IV; his grandfather was George
S. Patton, Jr. Yes, that George S. Patton
the iconic, blood-and-guts World War I and
World War II tank-commanding general.
George S. Patton IV followed in his fathers
footsteps: He served three tours in Vietnam,
including one commanding the 11th Ar-
mored Cavalry, the Blackhorse Regiment,
in 1968-69. Ben Patton, 46, never knew
his grandfather, who died in 1945. He
was a young boy when his father made
his military name for himself in the Viet-
nam War.
Ben Patton did not join the military; he
went into television and has made his ca-
reer in documentary filmmaking. His book,
Growing Up Patton: Reflections on He-
roes, History, and Family Wisdom(Berke-
ley Caliber, 368 pp., $26.95), is a family
memoir, a paean to his father and grandfa-
ther, as well as to thirteen other people the
author greatly admires. These military men
and civilians, he says, are remarkable peo-
ple who were closely connected with my
fatherand who, by extension, loom large
in my personal pantheon of personal he-
roes.
The book looks at the complicated rela-
tionship between the two Patton generals.
Among other things, Ben Patton includes
excerpts from previously unpublished let-
ters between his father and grandfather
written during World War II. The excerpts
focus on the advice on leadership, friend-
ship, and life in general that my grandfather,
a wonderful character and hero, handed down
to my father, another wonderful character
and my hero, the youngest Patton writes.
His father was a West Point cadet struggling
with academics at the time.
The book then shifts gears as the author
looks at his thirteen military and civilian
heroes.
That group includes Gen. Creighton
Abrams, the MACV Commander and Army
Chief of Staff who had served under Patton
at the Battle of the Bulge; Manfred Rommel,
the son of the legendary German Gen. Erwin
Rommel, whom the younger George Patton
befriended in postwar Germany; and Gen.
Julius Becton, who actually was a rival of
George S. Patton IV. The third section looks
at Ben Pattons disabled brother, also named
George S. Patton, Jr., and Charley Watkins,
his fathers Blackhorse Regiment Huey pilot.
The book is written in breezy prose with
much reconstructed dialogue.
SONCHAI JITPLEECHEEP
S
onchai Jitpleecheep is my favorite half-
Thai, half-American fictional Royal
Thai police detective. Let me amend that.
Jitpleecheepwhose father was an Amer-
ican GI in the Vietnam War who had a
fruitful liaison with a Thai woman in
Bangkokis one of my favorite fictional
detectives, period. Sonchai J. is a wise,
wise-cracking, world-weary officer of the
law who solves the most heinous crimes in
his hometown, overcoming mountainous
physical and psychic obstacles along the
way. He is the creation of British novelist
John Burdett and has starred in five novels,
including the newest, Vulture Peak (Knopf,
285 pp., $25.95).
Burdett uses the same blueprint for his
belabored hero in the new book as he did
in the previous four, including the memo-
rable Bangkok 8 (2006). In this go-round
our young hero is in emotional turmoil
(due to a family tragedy and difficult is-
sues with his gorgeous wife). His insane
boss gives him a difficult assignment in-
volving a gristly triple murder. Sonchai in-
vestigates and encounters sociopaths and
other evil-doers. More murder and may-
hem ensue.
Along the way, Sonchai provides an
illuminating commentary on Thai culture
and society and Thai Buddhism, with a
heavy emphasis on the psycho-socio as-
pects of the western-fueled sex trade in
his hometown. This books main plot has
to do with widespread, illegal interna-
tional trade in human body parts. It fea-
tures a pair of Chinese women whose
lifestyles would make your average cable
TV reality star blush. The tale is told in
rapid-fire prose that wings its way
through crazy plot twists to an ultravio-
lent denouement.
Theres even a Vietnam War-influenced
flashback. In an opium-fed dream, Sonchai
conjures up a vision of his long-absent fa-
ther: Now my long-lost father appears as
a young GI, his face blackened for battle.
He puts a hand on my shoulder and says,
Sorry; I say, Dont worry about it. The
source of pain is blocked; isnt that what
one was looking for all along?
READ MORE Go to Books in Brief on the web for reviews ofamong other booksPrivate
War, Personal Victory, a searing family memoir by Loretta M. Kantor; Shore Duty, a well-told in-
country Navy Vietnam War memoir by Stewart M. Harris; and Tunnel Rat in Vietnam, a concise history
of that aspect of the war by Gordon L. Rottman. Go to http://vvabooks.wordpress.com
Pre-registration ends June 29, 2012. Please do not mail your registration form after this date. Registrations received after June 29 will be returned to sender. You
then must register on-site at the Conference in Irving. After June 29, 2012 no refunds will be made for cancellation of registration. Any refunds prior to June 29,
2012 will incur a $15 service charge. Faxed registration forms will NOT be accepted.
Membership # Check here if this is a new Address
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Address
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Before June 29, 2012 On-site registration
(Check One) VVA AVVA Non-Member - Does not include meal functions; each must be purchased separately $85 $125
VVA/AVVA OFFICERS LUNCHEON - Wednesday, August 8, 2012 (Restricted to chapter or state council officers) $35
AVVAAWARDS LUNCHEON -Thursday, August 9, 2012 $35
CIRCLE RANCH SUPPER -Thursday, August 9, 2012 $40
Childs ticket (5 - 10 years old) $30
VVAAWARDS BANQUET - Saturday, August 11, 2012 $45
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Special Guest Jolie Holliday at the Opening Ceremonies: International country
music star Jolie Holliday will perform at the Leadership Conference Opening Ceremonies on
Wednesday morning, August 8. The Dallas natives award-winning debut album, A Real Good Day,
became an international hit and was named Album of the Year at the CMA Indie Awards. Her single
No Thanks reached No. 1 on the IndieWorld Country Chart. Jolie has opened for country-music stars
Mickey Gilley, Johnny Lee, Lee Ann Womack, Lonestar, Collin Raye, and Marty Stuart, and she
performs in concert regularly at Chevrolet and NASCAR-sponsored events including the State Fair of
Texas, Daytona 500, Brickyard 400, Allstate 400 and Indianapolis 500.
National Leadership Conference
August 7-11, 2012 Omni Hotel, Irving, Texas
39 MAY/JUNE 2012
IN SERVICE
Since it began the program in 2008,
Queens, New York, Chapter 32 has pro-
vided an honor guard and services at the
burials of fifty-nine indigent New York City
veterans and three of their spouses. We are
the family friend of indigent vets, Paul
Narson, the Chapter president, told a local
newspaper. We work with the city to bury
them with full military honors. We never
want any veteran to be buried in potters
field.
In February South Bay Chapter 53 in
Redondo Beach, California, sent dona-
tions to the following organizations: The S.S.
Lane Victory ship museum in San Pedro;
Fisher House at the West Los Angeles VA
Medical Center; Operation Gratitude,
which sends care packages to deployed
troops; the U.S. Sea Cadet Corps in San
Pedro; the VVA California State Council
Veterans Service Program; the California
Women Veterans Symposium in Hawthorne;
the Trucks to Troops program, which pro-
vides remote-controlled toy trucks to active-
duty service personnel; and the Junior
ROTC programs at three local high schools.
Beaver County, Pennsylvania, Chap-
ter 862 held its 13th annual Tet Party Re-
union dinner February 18 at the Fez in
Hopewell Township. More than 550 at-
tended, including Gold Star Mothers and
other family members of seventy-three local
service personnel who died in Vietnam, as
well as family members of eleven others
who perished in Iraq and Afghanistan. The
event raised some $14,000, which the Chap-
ter uses to help veterans and their families.
Greater Connecticut Chapter 120 life
member Bob Burgess has begun a tradition
of donating winter coats to the needy and to
the children of veterans. In early February
Burgess and the Chapter donated a pile of
coats to the Windsor Social Services Food
Bank, which provides supplemental food for
low-income families. Life members William
Chiodo and Ted Groenstein delivered the
coats.
Largely through the efforts of Sammy
L. Davis Chapter 295 in Indianapolis, In-
diana, the nearby city of Lawrence, Indi-
ana, proclaimed March 29 Welcome Home
Vietnam Veterans Day. The city is grate-
ful to its Vietnam veterans for their service
and would like to especially recognize the
Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 295,
which was formed twenty-five years ago
and has a membership of approximately
two hundred members, Mayor Dean E.
Jessup said in his official proclamation. He
went on to thank Vietnam Veterans of
America Chapter 295 President Les Corrie,
Vice President Mike Hamm, Past President
Gene Gigli (deceased), and the chapter
members for their unstinting dedication to
making sure that all present and future vet-
erans will hear upon their return, Thank
you for your service and welcome home.
Tennessee Department of Veterans Af-
fairs Commissioner Many-Bears Grinder
made a special delivery on March 24
to Barry Rice, the president of Sumner
County, Tennessee, Chapter 240: Gov.
Bill Haslams proclamation declaring March
29 Vietnam Veterans Day. As a member
Vietnam Veterans of America
Memorial Highway
BY CAROL ENGLE
T
he road sign reads: Vietnam Veterans of America Memorial Highway.
Beaver County Chapter 862 requested the name. It is not only for the
members of Chapter 862, it also is a memorial to the 58,267 names inscribed
on The Wall in Washington, D.C., as well as the 300,000 who were wounded
in Vietnam, Gold Star Mothers, and the families of veterans who have died
or become ill due to Agent Orange exposure.
Several memorial signs are placed along a beautiful, four-mile corridor
formerly known as Big Beaver Blvd. Signs also are prominently displayed
at the entrance and exit to Route I-376 and the Pennsylvania Turnpike.
Chapter 862 President Skip Haswell said the idea wasnt original. He had
seen other roads dedicated to veterans, including Medal of Honor recipients,
and he thought there should be a similar tribute for Vietnam veterans.
Haswell asked Pennsylvania State Rep. Jim Marshall: Whats the chance
of renaming this highway from Big Beaver Blvd. to Vietnam Veterans of
America Memorial Highway? That question started the process. Rep. Mar-
shall went to work, and in a year and a half the mission was accomplished.
If other VVA chapters or state councils would like to duplicate this effort,
Haswell said, he has a few suggestions. First, get involved with your local
government. The most important aspect of getting legislation passed, he said,
is having a good relationship with local elected officials: Support them, and
they will support you.
Second, have a great support center. Chapter 862 has more than five hun-
dred members and is very active. It participates in many community activi-
ties all year long. Third, encourage AVVA members to be involved in chapter
projects. Were not getting any younger, Haswell said, but our AVVA has
younger membersthe Vice President is a veteran of the Iraq War. Our
AVVA actively participates and makes the chapter stronger.
Fourth, engage the young. Chapter 862 donates $250 a year to both the
local Army and Marine JROTC programs. The Chapter did not expect ROTC
to donate to them in return, but last year it received $4,000. This year it was
$6,000. The money was collected by the ROTC members for the chapter. All
are high school students.
For more information, email VVA Chapter 862 President Skip Haswell at
marinenamvet67@yahoo.com
MEMBERSHIP NOTES
BEAVER COUNTY, PA., CHAPTER 862
John Koprowski Receives
The VVA Achievement Medal
BY TOM HALL
I
n any organization there are
those who just belong, follow,
and participate. Every once in
a while there is the individual
who always goes above and be-
yond. On February 11 at the
Florida State Council meeting,
Region 4 Director Bob Barry
presented John Koprowski of
Zephyrhills Chapter 195 with
the VVA Achievement Medal.
He was completely surprised and, as always, humble.
Koprowski is no stranger to leadership within VVA on the local, state, re-
gional, and national levels. He was instrumental in starting the Florida State
Council and served as secretary, then took over as president and kept the
chapters together and positive. As state council president he was instrumen-
tal in making Florida a driving force within VVA. He was also a founding
member of the Florida Vietnam Veterans Assistance Foundation, the fundrais-
ing arm of the Florida State Council. He also was a founding member of
America Serving Veterans Foundation, which seeks funding and other sup-
port for the Florida Regional Service Officer Program.
John Koprowski served as Region 4 director and chaired the national Vet-
erans Incarcerated Committee. He was well-suited for this position because
of his time as a corrections officer at Zephyrhills Correctional Institution and
as the sponsor of Zephyrhills Incarcerated Chapter 195 for more than twenty
years.
Ask anyone who knows John Koprowski, and you will hear about a ded-
icated retired Marine MSGT, an inspirational leader with exemplary organi-
zational skills and the ability to communicate effectively. He is a proud
Vietnam veteran. Whenever there is a veteran in need, he reaches out to help
that veteran.
Tom Hall is VVAs Education Subcommittee chair, the Florida State Coun-
cil treasurer, and a former U.S. Marine Corps drill instructor.
continued on next page
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of Vietnam Veterans of America, I know
how important it is to remember our fellow
veterans who served in Vietnam and may
continue to struggle with the pain of war,
Grinder told a local newspaper. The sup-
port of fellow Tennesseans can sometimes
be the encouragement a veteran needs to
overcome injuries and heartache.
Members and friends of Porter County,
Indiana, Chapter 905 paid a visit on Jan-
uary 28 to the Indiana Veterans Home in
West Lafayette, the only veterans home in
the state that provides independent living
and comprehensive care for disabled and
destitute veterans and their spouses. The
VVA group helped provide a pizza lunch
and played bingo with residents.
Two members of Washtenaw County,
Michigan, Chapter 310 recently received
awards from the Ann Arbor VA Healthcare
System for their many hours of dedicated
volunteer service. Chapter member Paul
Jingozian received the Ann Arbor VA Vol-
unteer of the Year award for putting in
nearly 3,800 volunteer hours in the last four
years. Also recognized was Chapter mem-
ber Don Miller, who has accumulated more
than 1,600 hours since he began volunteer-
ing at the VA in 2006.
Las Cruces, New Mexico, Chapter
431 hosted its second annual all-day Wel-
come Home Vietnam Veterans ceremonies
on March 31 at the citys Veterans Memo-
rial Park. Gen. John G. Ferrari, the com-
mander of White Sands Missile Range, was
the keynote speaker. He thanked Vietnam
veterans for serving the nation when serv-
ing the nation wasnt too popular. The na-
tion failed you, he said. We cant make
that same mistake again.
Central Coast Chapter 982 i n
Guadalupe, California, held its third an-
nual Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day
on March 25. The event featured cere-
monies, barbecue, and the unveiling of signs
naming a segment of Highway 1 as the Viet-
nam Veterans Memorial Highway, a project
that the Chapter spearheaded.
Keith King, a founding member of De-
troit, Michigan, Chapter 9, recently was
named the National Veteran Small Busi-
ness Champion by the U.S. Small Business
Administration. SBA Administrator Karen
G. Mills cited Kings advertising and pub-
lic relations business, Keith King & Asso-
ciates, for its hard work, innovative ideas,
and dedication to your community. The
award will be presented in May at the Na-
tional Small Business Week celebration in
Washington, D.C.
VETS CONNECT
Denton, Texas, Chapter 920 regularly
sends Chapter members to Dallas/Fort Worth
International Airport to welcome home ac-
tive-duty troops under the Chapters Wel-
come Home a Hero program. Forty years
ago, Vietnam veterans came home, and they
came through the airports of America and all
they needed was a thank you, Chapter Ser-
geant-at-Arms Randy Grizzle told a local
TV station. There were people waiting for
them, but they werent there to tell them what
a good job they had done. Maybe these guys
will be old and gray, and they will be sitting
in a rocking chair with their grandkids over
them, and they will think back and say, I
was coming through [Dallas/Fort Worth] and
I was feeling sorry for myself, and a com-
plete stranger came up to me and said, Wel-
come home, and it made all the difference.
On February 21, two members of Ken-
tuckiana Chapter 454 in Louisville, Ken-
tucky, Dona Schicker and Charlie Datilo,
attended the 67th anniversary commemo-
ration of the flag raising on Iwo Jima at the
grave of Kentucky-born-and-raised Franklin
Sousley in Elizaville, Kentucky. Marine PFC
Sousley, one of the men who raised that
flag, was killed by a Japanese sniper on Iwo
Jima on March 21, 1945. He was buried on
the island, but in 1948 was re-interred in
Elizaville. A monument depicting the flag-
raising with Sousley highlighted and a glass
vial of black Iwo Jima sand stand at his
grave.
SCHOLARSHIPS
Sacramento Valley, California, Chap-
ter 500 awards four scholarships annually,
three of $500 each and one of $1,000.
Kimberly Schmidt of Folsom High School,
whose mother and father are Vietnam vet-
erans, was this years recipient of the
$1,000 scholarship. Her winning essay was
titled, Report on the Tonkin Gulf Incident
and How It Escalated United States In-
volvement in Vietnam.
East Central Minnesota Chapter 684,
in cooperation with the Isanti Lions Club,
held a well-attended pancake breakfast in
November at the Isanti Community Cen-
ter. Proceeds from the event will go to the
Chapters new scholarship fund.
MEMORIALS
Liberty Bell Chapter 266 in Philadel-
phia, Pennsylvania, recently donated $250
to the New Jersey Vietnam Era Museum
and Educational Center to cover the cost of
a paving stone with the Chapters name en-
graved on it. The stone will be part of the
many pavers that line the sides of the New
Jersey Vietnam Veterans Memorial walk-
way. Chapter 266 has twenty-nine members
who live in New Jersey, Chapter President
Stephen Uchniat said. We did this for them
and for those who died in Vietnam from
New Jersey.
Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania, Chapter
415 has been heavily involved in support-
ing the Vietnam Veterans Memorial that will
be built on the grounds of Easton High
School. The Chapters Special Events Com-
mittee has designated member Sam San-
guinito to be its liaison to the memorial,
which will honor the graduates of Easton
High who served in the U.S. military during
the Vietnam War. Chapter President Barry
Willever has been heavily involved with the
fundraising, and many members are work-
ing hard on a range of activitiesincluding
oldies dances and car showsto help raise
the expected $200,000-$250,000 that will
be needed to build the memorial. In addi-
tion, many Chapter members have made
personal financial contributions to the ef-
fort.
MEMBERSHIP NOTES
Continued from previous page
BY MARY BRUZZESE
O
n Saturday, March 31, Mobile, Alabama, Chapter 701 and Robertsdale,
Alabama, Chapter 864, joined by VVA Region 4 Director Bob Barry,
participated in the Gulf Coast Vietnam Veterans Salute held at U.S.S. Alabama
Battleship Memorial Park in Mobile. Some fifteen hundred people from all over
the Gulf Coast attended the all-day event, enjoying a parade, speakers, and re-
sources for Vietnam veterans and their families, as well as food, entertainment,
and a chance to connect with fellow vets.
The event kicked off with an Honor Ride parade through downtown Mobile
to the park. Despite some morning rain, the procession began at a local school,
with bikers from both chapters riding with 125 motorcycles decked out in Viet-
nam veteran, POW/MIA, and American flags at the lead. An entourage of VVA
members followed in their cars and trucks with a group of Honor Buses behind
them transporting disabled Vietnam veterans from the Gulf Coast states.
As the procession rolled through residential Mobile, the rain suddenly stopped.
People who had been watching the parade under shelter walked down to the curbs
to greet the veterans. By the time the procession reached the main drag of down-
town Mobile, the streets were lined with cheering spectators.
The ceremony began once the parade reached Battleship Memorial Park. A
color guard presented the flags, the Pledge of Allegiance was recited, and the
Star Spangled Banner sung, after which the National Guard did a flyover. Among
the speakers was Thomas Wisnieski, director of the VA Gulf Coast Veterans
Health Care System. Alabama Gov. Robert Bently announced: The Alabama
portion of Interstate 10 will be called the Vietnam War Memorial Parkway. He
said that Alabama always will honor Vietnam veterans.
Although Mobile was surrounded by storms, the sun continued shining. Fol-
lowing the opening ceremonies attendees were able to enjoy a range of ameni-
ties. A semicircle of tents was set up. The VVA chapters occupied one tent, giving
out material for veterans and membership applications. There were tents for each
branch of the military that featured displays and memorabilia. A Welcome Area
tent provided more resources for Vietnam veterans. A family tent offered re-
sources for families of Vietnam veterans. There was a VA Mobile VetCenter. And
there were food vendors and live music playing throughout the day. Vietnam vet-
erans were also given free admission to the parks museum and a tour of the
U.S.S. Alabama.
The day ended with Bob Barry and AB Grantham, Commandant of the Ma-
rine Corps League, presenting a wreath at the Lower Alabama Vietnam Veterans
Memorial in Battleship Memorial Park. A Missing Man ceremony followed.
Leigh Ann Johnson of the Biloxi VA organized the event, which took more
than a year to plan. Chapter 701 President and Alabama State Council Treas-
urer Tom Schwarz involved Chapters 701 and 864 from the beginning. The chap-
ters contributed nearly $5,000 to the event and attended weekly planning
meetings. The chapters were also integral in getting Gov. Bently to appear.
This was a joint effort of an awful lot of people coming together for one pur-
pose, Barry said.
The Gulf Coast Salutes Vietnam Veterans
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Looking for veterans who served with
me in the 101st Airborne, 326th Engrs.,
Cos. A and B. Do the 326th Engrs. have
a reunion? I have some photos of a couple
guys I was with, but I cant remember
their names. Contact: Gene A. McGee,
716-531-3004; bikergranpa61@
gmail.com
Looking for Ron Bob Samans (or
Simons), who served at the Tan Son Nhut
AB, December 1969-70. Also looking for
anyone who worked for RMK-BRJ Co.
in Phan Rang, 1967. Contact: Brian Hjort,
brihj@hotmail.com
Looking for anyone who served aboard
the Fred T. Berry (DD-858), Vietnam,
Round the World Cruise, 1965-66, and is
suffering from heart attacks, strokes, or
other health problems. Contact: Alvin E.
Thomas, 300 N. 8th St., Cornell, WI
54732; 715-239-6818.
Looking for Ron Rusher (above), who
served with the Air Force around 1964-65.
He may have also served with the Florida
Highway Patrol around the same time.
Contact: Nathan Gallatin, 954-642-6546;
quinn1228@yahoo.com
Trying to find records and information
on Donald N. Johnson, who died recently.
I believe he was born in Ohio, but lived in
New Mexico most of his life. He served in
the Army and was wounded in Vietnam.
He has a brother, Ronald Johnson, who
also served in the Army. Contact: Robert
James Burkholder, 834 E. Cleveland Ave.,
Fruita, CO 81521-3008; 970-858-3453;
burkholder81521@gmail.com
My co-worker came across the medals
and dog tags of Jerry W. Knight, who
served in 1970-71, and would like to
return them to him or his family. Contact:
Michael Rose, 586-685-1300; mrose@
bartecusa.com
Looking for personnel who worked
or flew on Spooky, 1965-69. Contact:
Junior Skinner, juncherski@
embarqmail.comor Michael Acosta,
vengaboys@hotmail.com
Trying to locate all members of 514
OM Co. (P.S.), Qui Nhon, 1966-72, for a
possible reunion. This includes all attached
units. Contact: David J. Hoss, Sr.,
501-556-4098; djhoss@windstream.net
Looking for HM3 James Shepherd
(unsure of spelling), who was at Charlie-
Med., 3rd Mar. Div. Field Hospital, Da
Nang, 1966. He was originally from Hot
Springs, Ark. Contact: Jim Moore, 870-
247-1214; jmohm1@sbcglobal.net
Looking for anyone who was part of
the 3rd Munitions Maintenance Sqdrn.,
Guam, 1970-71, who went to Utapao in
1971 on TDY. I was a jammer driver on
SSG Les Browns load team. Contact:
Roger Fickeisen, 6870 Stanleyville Rd.,
Whipple, OH 45788; 330-284-0439;
rfickeisen@hotmail.com
Need information for a memoir.
Searching for Marines who I served with
in 2/1, October 1966-67, or 1/1, October
1967-68, throughout various locations in I
Corps. I was the Battalion Supply Chief.
Contact: Robert Gambol, P.O. Box 88,
Lakewood, NM 88254; 610-304-6649;
regambol2010@yahoo.com
Seeking information on Spec. 4 Elroy
Wilson, who served with the 765th
Security Plt., Vung Tau Army Airfield.
Records indicate that he died in an air
crash on April 12, 1969. I am working
with his family to get more information on
the circumstances of his death. Contact:
Alan K. Abraham, 608-274-3516;
abraham.alank@gmail.com
Seeking anyone who served with Co E.,
1st Bn., 27th Inf., 25th Inf. and knew Sgt.
Robert Schultz, who was KIA on February
12, 1968, near Hoc Mon. Contact: Dave
Schultz, DJSchult@scj.com
Looking for anyone who attended
Highlands High School, North Highlands,
and is a Vietnam veteran. Contact: Rita
Woods Jensen, 2542 W. Mobile Ln.,
Phoenix, AZ 85041; rita.jens.2010@
gmail.comor find me on Facebook.
Looking for the family of Alvin, who
received a serious head injury when he
was struck by a helicopter blade in the
Central Highlands, 1967. He was airlifted
to Qui Nhon. Also looking for F.H.
Pringle, 512th Trans. Co., Central
Highlands, 1967. I have your WIA med-
tag from convoy ambush and would like
to return it to you. Contact: M.D. Burns,
P.O. Box 187, Clifton, TX 76634.
Searching for my Basic Training unit
photograph. I had Basic at Ft. Campbell
with Co. E, 2nd Bde., 7th Bn., graduation
in April 1968. I was the 1st squad leader,
and the platoon leader was George
Heatherly. Our DIs were SSG Brown
and SSG Cahoon, and the training officer
was 2nd Lt. Mason. I am looking for the
group photo. Contact: Mike Berzinsky,
1712 Crystal Spring Rd., Two Rivers, WI
54241; 920-794-8142; lerch@charter.net
Need to contact anyone who served
with Recon Team: Early Flower OPO
2477-69, March 1969, 3rd Recon Bn.,
3rd Mar. Div., I Corps, Vietnam. Contact:
John Brent Simpson, 615-714-7588;
jbs42day@yahoo.com
Seeking Frank Goho, formerly of
Tamaqua, Pa. We were in the New York
City VA hospital on 1st Ave. and 23rd
St. together in 1971. Contact: Steve Printz
DJ0312, 1 Kelley Dr., Coal Township, PA
17866-1021.
Trying to contact any member of B Co.,
1/30 Inf., 3rd Inf. Div. who served in
Schweinfurt, Germany (approximately
20k outside Wrzburg), 1977-80. Contact:
Rodney Lockett #917795, E-1219,
Zephyrhills Correctional Institution, 2739
Gall Blvd., Zephyrhills, FL 33541.
Searching for Robert Shell (from Tenn.),
who served with me in 191st Ord. Bn.,
H&H Co., Cam Ranh Bay, 1967-68. Also
searching for a Marine, Luther Saunders,
from my home town, Lynchburg, Va. The
last time I saw him was in Pleiku. Contact:
Norvell J. Saunders, 6505 Hawthorne
St., Hyattsville, MD 20785; norvellj@
hotmail.com
Looking for Lt. William Prior, with
whom I served in Co. A, 1/8th Inf., 4th Inf.
Div., Dragon Mountain (near Pleiku), 1966-
67. Contact: John Bohr, 605-996-7416;
j_bohr@yahoo.com
Would like to hear from Peterson, 227th
Aviation Regt., 1st Cav. Div., Vietnam. He
is an author now. I was one of his pilots.
Contact: Clifton Jenkins, 843-761-5019.
Looking for Jerry Bacon, who was a
Golden Gloves boxer in the Navy. His
mothers name was Mable Bacon, and he
has two sisters named Cheryl and Judy
who lived in Des Moines. He played lead
guitar in a band called The Superiors, and
they called him Johnny Hawk. His last-
known address was in Maryland. Contact:
Jody Richard Bacon #83178, Lovelock
Correctional Center, 1200 Prison Rd., 1-A-
66-A, Lovelock, NV 89419.
Trying to locate someone in D Co., 3rd
Bn., 21st Inf., Americal Div. Contact:
Nathan Carl Parsley, pappyswife_2006
@yahoo.com
Searching for John Edward Lambert,
who is sixty-six years old and lives in Ohio.
I would like to learn what years he served
and what branch he was in. I have some
information that he could have been a
POW. Contact: Lukas Telfer, spynind4@
gmail.com
On November 27, 1968, troopers of
the 11th ACR under Col. Patton killed
fifty-eight NVAin the Michelin Rubber
Plantation. Were you there? What
happened? Contact: Tom Sommerhauser,
3921 Nottingham Estates Dr., St. Louis,
MO 63129; 314-892-9054; rsomrhausr@
sbcglobal.net
Looking for anyone I served with in
RLT-7, Motor Transport Maintenance
Co., Chu Lai, 1965-66. Also searching for
SSG John L. Fowls, a fellow Marine at
Camp Pendleton who left in December
1966 or January 1967. Contact: Jerry D.
Lee, 325-450-2106; leesjerry@
suddenlink.net
I was a squad leader, D-5th/7th, 1st
Air Cav., Phouc Vinh and NW of Tay
Ninh, 1970. I was medevaced on 1st ammo
resupply outside of Tay Ninh after a falling
tree injured several people. Looking for
the platoon leader, the platoon sergeant, or
anyone who remembers this incident and
can verify combat. Contact: Don Crizer,
51 Lakeview Dr., Valparaiso, IN 46383;
219-762-9699; dcrizer@hotmail.com
Looking for anyone who served with
3rd Plt., Co. C, 504th MP Bn., Camp
Evans; Co. C, Quang Tri; Special
Operations at Bn. Hq. (Hookers Heroes),
Phu Bai; or anyone who was a guard
on the prisoner run from LBJ to
Leavenworth in 1969. Contact: Frank L.
Smith, rsmith03@centurytel.net
Looking for Mac, who was at Camp
Holloway, located on Highway 19 in
Pleiku, in 1971-72. He knew Mai Huynh,
who worked there in housekeeping.
Contact: Tuyen Nhan Huynh #0640285,
P.O Box 310, Polkton, NC 28135.
Seeking Cpl. George Green, Sgt. Joe
Heaney, Sgt. Fred Thorn, Sgt. J.J. Young,
or any Marines who served with H.Q.
Btry., 11th Marines, Communications
SectionRepair Techs, Radio Operators,
Radio Relay, and Message Center. Would
especially like to hear from those who
were on Hill 1467 during Operation
Oklahoma Hills. Contact: Doug Junior
Helmers, 2103 W. Glenmoor Ln.,
Janesville, WI 53545; 608-754-7731;
doug_48@hotmail.com
LOCATOR
A VVA STAFF REPORT
Send your Locator and Reunion
notices to Locator, The VVA Veteran,
8719 Colesville Road, Suite 100,
Silver Spring, MD 20910. Alternately,
send an email to veteranlocator@
gmail.com or mkeating@vva.org
The Locator and Reunion services
are provided without charge.
1st Bn., 77th Armor Steel Tigers,
June 7-10, Frankenmuth, Mich.
Contact: Bob Basner, 989-624-4593;
BOBNCONNIE2@aol.comor visit
www.steeltigers.org
U.S.S. Stribling (DD-867), October
14-18, New London, Conn. Contact:
Larry Fehlinger, 812-934-5440;
slfehlinger@etczone.com
1/83rd Arty. (Vietnam, 1966-71),
October 7-9, Savannah, Ga. Contact:
Bill Taggart, 856-228-5614;
artillery_83rd@yahoo.comor visit
http://83rd_artillery.home.comcast.net
U.S.S. Takelma (ATF-113),
September 13-16, Minneapolis. Contact:
Dick Schreifels, 651-455-1876;
Richard_Rosemary@msn.com
86th Trans. Co. (Lt. Trk.), July 7,
Dayton, Ohio. Contact: Ed Daniel,
937-397-5011; krnut@aol.comor
Don Winchell, 517-339-2350.
27th Inf. Regt. (The Wolfhounds),
August 20-26, Inner Harbor Hotel,
Baltimore. Contact: Patrick Cannan,
2691 Mikasa Dr., Palm Beach Gardens,
FL 33410; 561-252-6841; pcannan@
comcast.net or Rick and Ellie Melli,
rmelli@msn.comor www.wolfhound.
pack.wolfhoundsonline.org
Charlie Co., 2/16th, June 21-25,
Branson, Mo. Contact: Dave Peters, 330-
495-4610; mudsoldier@hotmail.com
Army 46th Engineer Bn., September
6-9, Branson, Mo. Contact: Vern Nelson,
430 Buehler Ave., Nekoosa, WI 54457;
715-886-3290; jvnels2@solarus.net
U.S.S. Hollister (DD-788),
September 26-29, DoubleTree Suites
by Hilton, Seattle. Contact: Ed
Gundersen, 2176 County Hwy. 107,
Amsterdam, NY 12010; 518-842-7126;
gunder788@nycap.rr.comor visit
www.usshollister.org
299th Combat Engrs., Brotherhood
of Dak To Defenders, July 25-28,
Crowne Plaza Hotel Tysons Corner,
McLean, Va. Contact: Jay Gearhart,
231-922-3471; jaybird718@att.net or
visit www.daktoreunion.com
1st Bn., 40th Field Arty. (Vietnam,
1966-69), June 18-22, Pigeon Forge,
Tenn. Contact: Jack Cline, 423-587-
9294; hi4jack@hotmail.comor
Jim Olsen, 218-657-2518; linjimol@
gvtel.com
WAVES National, Women of the
Sea Services, Biennial Convention,
September 19-23, Orlando, Fla. Contact:
Barbara J. McGuire, 813-571-2098;
bdogwood@tampabay.rr.com
Bravo Co., 4th Bn., 31st Inf. Regt.,
196th Light Inf. Bde., Americal Div.
(Vietnam), September 27-30, Days Inn,
Golden, Colo. Contact: Paul or Kim
Guzman, 970-686-2360; guzmankim
@msn.com
127th MP Co. (Vietnam), September
13-15, Washington, D.C. Contact: Jim
Bruno, 845-294-9158; jbb127mp@
hvc.rr.com
7th Bn., 13th Arty., 1st Field Force,
all batteries (Vietnam), October 10-14,
Lexington, Ky. Contact: Robert Adams,
1adams08@insightbb.comor Jon
Taylor, jontaylor39@yahoo.com
716th MP Vietnam Reunion, August
24-25, Frontenac Hotel, St. Louis.
Contact: Duane Hursey, 712-544-2662;
jdeh@fmctc.com
11th ACR Blackhorse Association,
June 7-10, Williamsburg, Va. Contact:
Glenn Snodgrass, 7830 South Valley
Dr., Fairfax Station, VA 22039; 703-
250-3064; snodgrassja@verizon.net
199th Inf. Assn. Redcatchers, June
18-22, San Antonio. Contact: Daniel
Nixon, 509-468-7281; nixonda1@
hotmail.comJim Brinker, 814-706-7475;
redcatcher6667@yahoo.comor Ed
Davis, 856-854-7103; edward199@
aol.comor http://the199threport.com/
U.S.S. Wexford County (LST-1168),
September 27-30, San Diego. Contact:
Larry Condra, 314-994-1187;
wexford.county.reunion@aol.comor
visit www.mlrsinc.com/wexford
Alpha Btry., 1st Bn., 11th Mar.
(Alpha North, August 1995-May
1996), October 14-17, Las Vegas.
Contact: Gordon Hansen, 928-757-
4882; glhansen@citlink.net
U.S.S. Cascade (AD-16), October 2-
7, Buena Vista Hotel Suites, Orlando,
Fla. Contact: Bob Croghan, 7827
Cassia Ct., St. Louis, MO 63123; 314-
954-7801; bobsr@croghancpa@.com
or Leonard Goeke, 2790 Quince Ave.,
Washington, IA 52353; 319-653-3904.
B Troop, 2nd/17th Cav. Regt.
Association, September 6-9, Branson,
Mo. Contact: David Martin, 3015
Hickory Glen Dr., Orange Park, FL
32065; 904-505-4218; banshee694
@yahoo.com
4th Annual Vietnam Veterans
Memorial Highway of Valor Tribute
Ride, July 21, along Route 38 in New
York State. The purpose of this ride is to
draw attention to the highway that was
named to honor Vietnam veterans. The
98-mile ride will kick off at 10 a.m. in
Owego and end in Fair Haven, where
there will be food and entertainment.
Contact: Harvey Baker, 607-898-3507;
hbaker10@twcny.rr.comDan Baker,
607-229-8153; Bill Chandler, 607-222-
6357; or Barry Langerlan, 315-496-2921.
Navy Corpsmen (AAoNHC),
September 19-23, San Antonio. Contact:
Awtrey Peace, 6326 Pine Blossom Rd.,
Milton, FL 32570; 850-626-1125;
awtreyp@yahoo.comor visit
www.AAoNHC.org
577th Engineer Bn., September
14-16, Washington, D.C. Contact:
Tom Barry, 443-677-6907; cab432@
REUNIONS, ETC.
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42 THEVVA VETERAN
Looking for any information about the
night of April 21, 1971, when someone
threw a grenade in the old PX at FB
Mace. There were about fifty men from the
1st Cav. Div. sleeping on the floor getting
ready to be called out in the morning. Three
Co. Dmen were medevaced to Long Binh
Hospital: John Repetz (from N.J.) lost his
arm and leg, Trevino had frag wounds to
the head, and I suffered a concussion and
superficial frag wounds. Contact: Mark
Petrowski, mpetrowski@comcast.net
Trying to find Bill Nichols, a Vietnam
veteran originally from Savannah, Ga. He
was best friends with my dad, Al Lowey
(from Kankakee, Ill.), when they were in
boot camp in Kentucky. Nichols went to
Vietnam. My dad has been diagnosed with
cancer, and I would love to surprise him by
reuniting them. Contact: Tanja Fritschle,
mnmmomma2@gmail.com
There are four Medal of Honor
recipients from the city of Holland,
Michigan. The Holland Museum and
Holland Area Veterans Council are
working on a special exhibit to honor
these men: Lt. Col. Matt Urban (Army,
WWII), Cpl. John Essenbagger, Jr.
(Army, Korea), Sgt. Gordon Yntema
(Army, Vietnam), and Sgt. Paul Ronald
Lambers (Army, Vietnam). If you knew
any of these men, please share stories,
photos, letters, or anything else you might
have for this display. Contact: Taylor
Wise-Harthorn, Museum Manager, 616-
796-2080.
Seeking anyone who served with my late
father, George Watson Pickard, Jr., in
MCB6, Vietnam. He did three tours in
Vietnam. His first tour was in 1966. He was
in the I Corps area at one point. Looking
for his cruise book or any photos or
information. Contact: Shirley Martinez, 7
Chapman Ave., Auburn, NY 13021-4701.
The Engineers set up a bridge on end
and built a bunker on top, 80 feet in the
air. It was called the Tower and was the
highest bunker in Vietnam. It was between
the 199th and Engineers. Many sat in it
24 hours a day. We stayed up all night so
everyone else could rest. No night vision
we phoned in support of all kinds if probed.
Would like to hear from anyone who
remembers the Tower, especially those
who were there in 1968-69. Contact: Don
Mehrer, 68 Lincoln St., Babylon, NY 11702.
Looking for William J. Henderson,
a radio dispatcher who served in Saigon
until 1969. Contact: Robert Ellis,
616-634-1349; ellis_r@msn.com
Seeking Dave Renoha, an old family
friend who was stationed at El Toro,
Calif., before he was sent to Vietnam in
1966-67. Contact: Linda Laughlin, 573-
544-5034; lindalaug@hotmail.com
Looking for information on Upton
Thomas and Joseph G. Benner, formerly
of Pershing Rifles Sqdrn. A-15 at the
University of Maryland. They went on
to serve with the Air Force in Vietnam.
Contact: Laurence Zimmerman,
301-529-0533; ljcz1@verizon.net
Would like to reconnect with CW2
Knight, Sgt. Lammi, Sgt. Anischenko,
Sgt. McElroy, West, Daniels, Gruenwaidt,
Maidens, Russell, Hegna, Doane, Lopez,
Mitchell, Woodley, McCue, Richards, or
anyone else who served with the 5th Inf.
Mech., 5th Bn., 4th Arty. Service Btry.,
1969-70. Contact: Patrick Kelly, 951-940-
5990; pjk9999@aol.com
Would like to hear from anyone who
served with 3rd Sqdrn., 5th Cav., 9th Inf.
Div. (Black Knights), June-November
1971. Contact: Gordon Ritchie #236306,
Martin C.I., 1150 S.W. Allapattan Rd.,
Indiantown, FL 34956.
Looking for anyone who served with
me in Vietnam, 1966-67. Contact:
Clifford Canfield, 52 County Route 26,
West Monroe, NY 13167; 315-668-6372;
nsacarclub@yahoo.com
Looking for Robert Headhunter
Slater (from Chicago), who served with the
240th Assault Helicopter Co. as a crew
chief and door gunner with the Mad Dog
Gunship Plt. He was later transferred to the
173rd Assault Helicopter Co. at Lai Khe
and flew with the Crossbows. Contact: Joe
Ragman Tarnovsky, 72 Woods Ct.,
Elizabethtown, KY 42701-9526; 270-763-
6867; ragman240@aol.com
Seeking Maj. Stephen S. Demos, Cpt.
James H. Elmore, Jr., or anyone else from
71st Evac. Hospital, Pleiku, 1970; anyone
who was assigned with 189th AHCor
179th AHC, Camp Holloway, Pleiku,
1970-71; anyone with B Co., 1st Bn., 67th
Armor, 2nd Armor Div., Ft. Hood, 1971-
73; anyone with 227th Av. Bn., 1st Cav.
Div., Ft. Hood, 1972-73; LTC John P.
Heilman, Ft. Hood, September 1973; John
or Randy Ellis or anyone else from 2/421st
Medevac, Germany, 1974-75; and anyone
with Co. A, 2nd Bn., 68th Armor,
Baumholder, Germany, 1976-77. Contact:
Michael Ewing #1294324, Michael Unit
11-PHD-05, 2664 FM 2054, Tennessee
Colony, TX 75886.
Seeking information about James
Delbert Bailey, who was a chief petty
officer in the Navy for twenty-nine years.
He was born on July 16, 1925, and died
on March 27, 1985. I have found his burial
site in Lauderdale County, Ala., with the
details, GMTC, USN, WWII, Korea,
Vietnam. Contact: Joyce Waite,
colinwaite51@optusnet.com.au
Seeking Jerry Sullivan, Gary
OKeefe, Robert Watson, Otis Woods,
Gary Huntington, Jerry Knapp, Joe
Zerelli, Page, George Garcia, Bill
Urlaub, Richard Armstead, and any
other members of 765th Security Plt.
or 765th Bn., Vung Tau Army Airfield,
1965-66. Contact: Alan K. Abraham, 608-
274-3516; abraham.alank@gmail.com
Trying to find Dale Johnson (last-known
address in Boise) or James Willie Walker,
Jr. (Memphis), who served with the 173rd
Airborne in Vietnam, 1966-68. Johnsons
wifes name was Donna. Contact: Ed
Wright, 467 Fox Rd., Marston, NC 28363;
910-582-4143; ew2284980edmond@
aol.com
Looking for Joe Martinez (from Calif.),
who served with me in FLSG Truck Co.,
Da Nang, 1966. We also served together in
Okinawa, 1965. Contact: Joe Falzone,
972-442-6466; jfalzone@aol.com
Looking for anyone who worked in
Graves Registration for the Army in
Vietnam. Contact: J.C. Handy,
bruceallanauto@aol.com
Looking for any pilot or crewmember
from NKP, 609th Air Commando Sqdrn.
(A-26 Unit-NIMROD) who knew my
brother, LTC Francis L. McMullen.
Need a buddy statement attesting to his
flights to Vietnam. Contact: Thomas G.
McMullen, P.O. Box 316, Irwin, IA
51446; 712-782-4540.
Seeking anyone who knew or served
with my husband, John William Palma,
in Vietnam, April 1968-January 1969. He
served in the Air Force as an electrical
power production specialist with the 5th
Tactical Control Sqdrn. and the 608th
Tactical Control Sqdrn. Need proof of
boots on the ground for a VA claim.
Contact: Jan Palma, 363 Maple Dr.,
Poland, OH 44514.
Trying to locate John H. Burnett, who
served with 2/28 Inf., 1st Inf. Div., Vietnam,
1969-70. Contact: Quincy L. Francis, 6304
Saint John Rd., Elizabethtown, KY 42701;
270-862-9591.
Looking for J.M. Larsen, a CM3 who
served on Seabee Team 0907 in 1965. We
deployed to Phan Rang in fall 1965, and in
spring 1966 we relocated to Nui Sap in the
Mekong Delta. Contact: Jim Lucey, 702-
277-5000; jimlucey@outdrs.net
Looking for Rodney D. Dixon (from
E-Town, Ky.), who served with me in the
2/22nd Triple Deuce, Mechanized Inf.
Our base camp was at Cu Chi and we did
operations in the Hobo Woods and Bolo
Woods. We were a part of the 25th Inf.
Div., August 1969-February 1970, when I
was transferred out. Contact: Jim Michel,
cheekeaux@yahoo.com
Looking for Steve Emery, Ron
Parmenter, Ben Tackett, or anyone else
from the commo section from HHC
520th Trans. Bn., November 1967-68.
Contact: Bruce Carbone, 863-258-3042;
rvn68@tampabay.rr.com
I have two USMC dog tags that were
recovered in the Khe Sanh area. The names
on the tags are: Olmstead A.W. and
March A.F. Give me your Marine Corps
serial numbers, and Ill send you the tags.
I also have a St. Christopher medal
recovered near Con Thien. The back of the
medal is inscribed: Love, ________ 1968.
If you give me the name inscribed, Ill send
it to you. Contact: Ron Huegel, 352-430-
2879; usmcrecon2531@centurylink.net
Seeking anyone who remembers the
assault on one of the bases near Chu Lai
on the night of October 15-16, 1965. I
was on a Navy ship in the harbor. Contact:
Michael W. Stasiak, 105 Hines Dr.,
Bonneau, SC 29431; 843-825-3842;
swaz@tds.net
Looking for Lt. John David Williams,
who lived in Graham, Texas, and graduated
from Graham High School in 1963. My
husband and I ran into him in Corpus
Christi after his discharge. He had been
wounded, and he came to our house for a
visit. Weve been trying to locate him for
the GHS 50th class reunion next year.
Contact: Suzy Stewart Brazeel,
sbrazeel1@verizon.net
Looking for classmates who graduated
from USMC The Basic School, Class 6-
68 on May 1, 1968. Contact: Tony Joseph,
775-813-9901; abj3@sbcglobal.net
Looking for anyone who can
substantiate a rocket and mortar attack
on LZ Jamie during the early morning
hours of January 21, 1970. LZ Jamie was
north of Tay Ninh and was occupied by an
ARVN Airborne unit during this attack.
Contact: Steve Cook, 306-636-7240;
currahee67@hotmail.com
Trying to find my family member,
Edward Bailey, an Air Force veteran
who served with the military police. He
was born in June 1966, and his last-known
location was Ft. Dix, N.J. His mothers
name is Barbara Dianne Bailey and he has
a son named Sean Patrick Bailey. Contact:
Hans C. Andersen 925481, C1116S,
Zephyrhills C.I., 2739 Gall Blvd.,
Zephyrhills, FL 33541-9701.
Looking for photos of Christmas trees
taken by Vietnam veterans while in
country. My goal is to publish a book of
these photos. A portion of any proceeds
made from this project will be given to
veterans assistance programs. If you have
a photo of yourself in Vietnam or any other
Christmas-related photos, feel free to send
them as well. If you have a short story to
accompany your photo, you may submit it
also. Please dont send originals, as I cant
return them, and make sure the copies are
good quality. Include your contact
information (especially your phone
number), unit, location, and date of photo.
Contact: Doug S. Berg, 4037 Dolbil Dr.,
St. Louis, MO 63125; 314-638-4295.
Would like to hear from Tony Reyes,
whom I met while stationed in Yokosuka,
Japan, 1993-95. Contact: Samuel H. Watts
168199, Lake Correctional Institution,
19225 U.S. Hwy. 27, Clermont, FL 34715-
9025; 256-864-4180.
Looking for Dave Wallace, Swift Boats,
Cat Lo, 1968, and Anthony Arnold, NSA
Hosp., Da Nang. My novel is published,
and I want to send you a copy. Contact:
Jack McPherson, P.O. Box 235, Coupeville,
WA 98239-0235; 360-929-1776; jakmak
@whidbey.net
Want to find the young G.I. whom I
crushed between two trucks while backing
up in the motor pool in Bien Hoa in 1967-
68. Contact: John Glazier, P.O. Box 231,
Merrill, MI 48637-0231; 989-842-5413.
comcast.net or Jim Stevens, 704-363-
5358.
Mike Co., 3rd Bn., 7th Marines
(Vietnam), August 1-5, Reno. All attached
units are welcome. Contact: Leonard
Munoz, 10760 Clear Vista Dr., Reno, NV
89521; 775-622-9840;
lmunozchulai37@roadrunner.com
The Seawolves of HA(L)-3, September
19-23, the Red Lion on the River/Jantzen
Beach, Portland, Ore. Contact: Terry L.
Mize, 678-622-9184; seawolf77@aol.com
or visit www.seawolves.us
NMCB-3 (all eras), September 27-30,
Providence, R.I. Contact: Jack Davis, P.O.
Box 1028, Barbourville, KY 40906; 606-
546-8491; nmcb3vra@hotmail.com
Fox Co., 2nd Bn., 5th Marines,
September 16-20, Nashville. Contact:
Chris Brown, 9 Alister Cir., E. Northport,
NY 11731; 212-324-5630 (daytime); 646-
421-8498 (cell); fox2alpha@gmail.com
240th Assault Helicopter Co. (Bear Cat,
Vietnam), October 17-21, Branson, Mo.
Contact: Joe Ragman Tarnovsky, 72 Woods
Ct., Elizabethtown, KY 42701-9526; 270-
763-6867; ragman240@aol.comor visit
http://www.reunionproregistration.com/
240assaulthelicopter.htm
U.S.S. Wedderburn (DD-684), October
18-22, Baton Rouge. Contact: Sid Lanier,
llanierdd684@gmail.com
3rd 8-Inch Howitzer Btry. SP, 11th
Marines (Vietnam), September 6-9, San
Diego. Contact: Dennis OBrien, 805-389-
3793; obriensequipment@aol.com
39th Engineer Bn. (CBT), November
9-12, Crowne Plaza, Crystal City, Va.
Contact: Gale Helser, 608-225-6090; or
Bill Ray, 817-239-0787.
1st Engineer Combat Bn., September
9-11, Holiday Inn Riverwalk, San Antonio.
To reserve a room, call 210-224-2500 and
advise 1st Engineer Combat Bn. reunion.
Contact: Rob Labinski, 4006 West 56th
St., Fairway, KS 66205; 913-362-6468;
ron.labinski@gmail.comor visit
www.diehardengineer.com
Nurses and physicians of the 93rd
Evacuation Hospital, 1st Army Div.,
Long Binh (1965-66), August 8-10, Inlet
and Raquette Lake, N.Y. Any words from
troops treated at the 93rd Evac will be
welcomed. Contact: Alan H. Bennett,
mcbeneta@aol.com
USMC Officer Basic School Class
TBS 4-67 (graduating Quantico, May
1967), October 10-13, Quantico, Va.
Contact: Gerard T. Smith, gtsmith2011
@hotmail.comor visit www.usmc-
thebasicschool-april1967.com
C7-A Caribou Reunion, October
17-21, Holiday Inn, Dover, Delaware.
Contact: Pat Hanavan, 210-479-0226;
pathanavan@aol.com
U.S.S. Point Defiance, September 19,
San Diego. Contact: John Nicolosi, 222
Lynnfield St., Peabody, MA 01960.
USMC Basic School Class 6-68,
October 4-6, Reno. Contact: Tony Joseph,
775-813-9901; abj3@sbcglobal.net
U.S.S. Reeves (DLG/CG 24), October
4-7, Radisson Charleston Airport,
Charleston, S.C. Contact: Michael D.
Robertson, 15709 N. Sycamore St.,
Mead, WA 99021; 509-315-8107;
michael.d.robertson@comcast.net
101st Co. E, 2nd Bn. (Ambl.), 501st
Inf., September 6-8, Brackett Creek Inn,
Bozeman, Mont. Contact: Ron Morales,
swim@e2501airmobile.comor visit
http://www.e2501airmobile.com
U.S.S. Piedmont (AD-17), September
26-30, Comfort Inn & Suites, Omaha, Neb.
Contact: Bill Kastens, 1824 SW Village
Dr., Topeka, KS 66604; 785-272-2604;
bmk1930@sbcglobal.net or visit
www.theusspiedmont.org
TAPS
Continued from page 41
REUNIONS
Continued from page 41
To all Vietnam veterans:
A
re you looking for your lost love or child in
Vietnam? Contact Father Founded, a nonprofit
agency that can help you free of charge. We help
Vietnam veterans and their Amerasian children find each
other. We have a small staff in Vietnam who speak
both English and Vietnamese. Contact: Brian Hjort,
brihj@hotmail.comor visit www.fatherfounded.org
Texas Chapter Dedicates New Memorial May 28
BY KEN BUENGER
D
eWitt County VVA Chapter 1029 will dedicate its newly completed memorial in
Yorktown, Texas, on May 28. After two years of chapter teamwork, a dream has
become a reality. The DeWitt County Vietnam Veterans Memorial includes nine alu-
minum flagpoles displaying the American, Texas, Vietnam, POW/MIA, Army, Navy,
Marine, Air Force, and Coast Guard flags. They are illuminated at night. Twelve white
crosses four foot tall honor the DeWitt veterans who lost their lives while in Vietnam.
A black granite cross honors all who lost their lives while serving in the war. An
eight-foot black granite plaque honors the five hundred DeWitt residents who served
during the Vietnam War. Another granite plaque lists the names of donors who con-
tributed at least $500. These plaques are mounted in a white rock base below the Huey
UH-B helicopter. The city of Yorktown donated the site and is providing water and elec-
trical service. The site is on a busy two-lane highway at the edge of town. The dedica-
tion will be a part of the May 28 Memorial Day Service that begins at 1:30.n
and active-duty troops, National Guard, and
Reservists who qualify to enroll in their
schools, and then spend only $700 a semester
on educating them. Veteran students are more
than disappointed when they find out that the
credit hours they worked for are not trans-
ferrable to most state colleges, or the degree
theyve earned isnt worth the paper its
printed on.
Legislation has been introduced in the
Senate by Sens. Patty Murray (D-Wash.) and
Jim Webb (D-Va.), who introduced the orig-
inal GI Bill legislation, and in the House by
Rep. Gus Bilirakis (R-Fla.), among others,
to rectify this betrayal of trust that has al-
ready cost American taxpayers hundreds of
millions of dollars.
VVA also advocates for the expansion of
the VET-Success program, in which colleges
and universities have full-time veteran-staff
who help veteran-students deal with prob-
lems at home and issues at school. Its one
thing to enroll veterans in school; its quite
another to help them negotiate the pressures
of their lives and stick with the program long
enough to graduate and get good jobs.
VETERAN-OWNED SMALL BUSINESS
T
he VA is required by law to maintain a
database of service-disabled, veteran-
owned small businesses and veteran-owned
small businesses. Congress imposed a re-
quirement for a reasonable certification or
verification that those listed are, in fact, owned
and controlled by veterans or service-disabled
veterans. Unfortunately, the VAs Center for
Verification and Evaluation has turned this
operation into a real mess, constantly losing
evidence in support of applications and tak-
ing too long to make often arbitrary or just
plain wrong decisions not to verify a business.
The result of this bureaucratic ineptitude has
cost hundreds of veteran-owned businesses
millions of dollarsand has put some out of
business altogether.
VVA, along with VET-Force, the Veterans
Entrepreneurship Task Force, and other vet-
erans service organizations, will continue to
work toward a just and proper verification
process that actually helps legitimate veteran-
owned small business owners.
PROTECTING THE PROGENY OF VETERANS
T
he VAs Research & Development pro-
gram seems to have forgotten about
Agent Orange: Not a dime, it appears, goes
for research into the effects of dioxin, and very
little into the effects of toxic substances in
general. VVA is particularly concerned about
our children and grandchildren. We keep
hearing stories of children who grew up with
a variety of birth defects, major health issues,
and learning disabilities, and whose children
have many of the same maladies, when pre-
viously there had been no family history of
any of these ills.
The one factor that might account for
these health conditions was a parents ex-
posure to Agent Orange. There is a lot of
scientific evidence that points to a positive
association. We also wonder if veterans of
subsequent wars and conflicts are having
similar issues.
POW/MIAS
A
s it has been for more than thirty years,
the highest national priority of VVA is
to continue to make meaningful progress to-
ward the goal of achieving the fullest possi-
ble accounting of our nations POW/MIAs.
To that end, it is imperative that the Presi-
dent and the Secretary of Defense continue
to drive this issue and that Congress contin-
ues to provide the necessary resources in
support of the Defense Prisoner of War/
Missing Personnel Office and for the recov-
ery and identification operations conducted
by the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Com-
mand.
VVAs 2012 Legislative Agenda is a prod-
uct of the Government Affairs Committee,
chaired by Ric Davidge, and the Govern-
ment Affairs staff.
43 MAY/JUNE 2012
received. Other aspects of the study also
are being completed. These include a sub-
study to examine the validity of the CIDI
interview to capture a diagnosis of lifetime
and current PTSD and a mortality study.
The CIDI is a comprehensive, fully
structured interview designed to be used
by trained lay interviewers for the assess-
ment of mental disorders according to the
definitions and criteria of ICD-10 and
DSM-IV. It is intended for use in epi-
demiological and cross-cultural studies, as
well as for clinical and research purposes.
The diagnostic section of the interview is
based on the World Health Organizations
Composite International Diagnostic Inter-
view.
For more information on the study, con-
tact the Perry Point Cooperative Studies
Coordinating Center at 410-642-2411, ext.
6122 or 5291.
WOMENS COMMITTEE
Continued from page 16
LEGISLATIVE AGENDA
Continued from page 20
Abes Baumann, P.C. www.abesbaumann.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
ALL4U LLC www.militarybest.com. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Armed Forces Reunions, Inc. www.afri.com. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
AT&T www.att.com/gov/vets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Atlanta Art Licensing & Marketing www.atlantaalm.com. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Bergmann & Moore, LLC www.vetlawyers.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Blue Mountain Design Works www.bmdw.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Bradford Exchange Collectibles www.collectiblestoday.com . . . . . . . . . . 13, 21
Freedom Design/Classic Military Rings www.classicrings.com . . . . . . . . . . 18
Greater Wildwoods Tourism Improvement & Development Authority
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Harris Communications www.harriscomm.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Kazan Law www.kazanlaw.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Mail America . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Medals of America www.vvastore.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Military Historical Tours, Inc. www.miltours.com. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
MilSpec Tours www.gomilspec.com. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
New England Burials at Sea LLC www.newenglandburialsatsea.com. . . . . . . 12
Premier Care in Bathing www.premier-bathrooms.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
PTSD VA Service Connected Claims . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Regency Cosmetics customerservice@kdc-regency.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Ribbons for Reunions www.ribbons4reunions.com. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Safe Step Walk-In Tub Co. www.SafeStepTub.com. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Sampan Import Co. www.sampan.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Sitting with Warrior Carl Hitchens www.iuniverse.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Slickriders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Small Stock 888-282-2802. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Stauer www.stauer.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11, 15, 19, 23
Terry Leiden . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Theodore Jarvi, Attorney at Law tjarvi@jarvilaw.com. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
ToyRoom Audio www.toyroomaudio.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Traditions Military Videos www.militaryvideo.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Vet Supply Line www.militaryvetspx.com. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Veteran Claim Appeals, Inc. www.VeteranClaimAppeals.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Veterans Commemoratives www.vetcom.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Veterans Viet Nam Restoration Project www.vvrp.org. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Vietnam Battlefield Tours www.Vietnambattlefieldtours.com. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Weitz & Luxenberg www.weitzlux.com. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Wood-Mizer Products www.woodmizer.com. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
ADVERTISERS INDEX
Robert James Garland, 62, died July
11, 2011. He was a member of Williams-
burg, Virginia, Chapter 957.
Joseph A. Gary, 64, died October 17,
2011. He was a life member of Southgate,
Michigan, Chapter 259.
Robert Michel Gaulin, 60, died March
1 from a heart attack. He was a life member
of James Michael Ray Memorial Chapter
818 in North Smithfield, Rhode Island.
Francis J. Geary, 73, died recently. He
was a member of Thomas P. Coughlin
Chapter 72 in Brooklyn, New York.
Joseph Andrew Gibson, 63, died Feb-
ruary 20 from a heart attack. He was a life
member of Rockingham, North Carolina,
Chapter 1022.
William Gilday, Jr., 82, died Septem-
ber 10, 2011, from Parkinsons disease. He
was an at-large member of Massachusetts.
Leonard Eduard Gonzalez, 64, died
January 11, 2011, from end-stage pancreatic
cancer and cardiopulmonary arrest. He was
an at-large member of Florida.
Terry R. Goodermuth, Sr., 75, died Jan-
uary 4. He was a life member of Oshkosh,
Wisconsin, Chapter 437.
Stanley A. Goodwin, 61, died April 8.
He was a life member of Centralia, Illinois,
Chapter 176.
Emmett Bernard Goss, Sr., 62, died Feb-
ruary 26. He was a member of Gainesville,
Georgia, Chapter 772.
Barbara Marie Greenwood, 68, died
May 28, 2010, from a motorcycle acci-
dent. She was an associate member of Mt.
Clemens, Michigan, Chapter 154.
TAPS
Continued from page 8
continued on page 44
44 THEVVA VETERAN
VVA CALENDAR
VVA Leadership Conference August 7-11, 2012 Omni Mandalay Hotel
Irving, Texas
VVA National Office
Board of Directors
and CSCP Meeting
October 4-6, 2012 Crowne Plaza
Spring, Maryland
VVA National Office
Board of Directors Meeting January 10-12, 2013 Crowne Plaza
Spring, Maryland
VVA National Office
CSCP Meeting January 2013 To be determined VVA National Office
Board of Directors
and CSCP Meeting
April 18-20, 2013 Crowne Plaza
Silver Spring, Maryland
VVA National Office
EVENT DATE PLACE CONTACT
A complete listing of VVA events can be found at http://www.vva.org/national_events.html
urged the EPA not to deregulate the GM seed
until such a time as an adequate environ-
mental impact statement is prepared. VVAs
statement concluded: Dows herbicide-re-
sistant crop poses significant impact to many
other food crops, biodiversity, and human
health.
Deregulation would not just be bad news
for Vietnam veterans and our progeny be-
cause this additional exposure will add to
the total body burden and impact of the pre-
vious exposures. It will also have an impact
on the general population. We do not think
it is just coincidence that the rate and num-
bers of children born with autism is at an all-
time high in our nation.
Also on the administrative side, VVA will
testify before the new panel that is being con-
vened by the Institute of Medicine, pursuant
to the Agent Orange Act of 1991. VVA staff
will testify during the first public comment
period in Washington, D.C., and Alan Oates,
chair of the VVA Agent Orange and Other
Toxic Exposures Committee, will be testify-
ing at a hearing in Chicago later this summer.
The Agent Orange Act of 1991 stipulates
that the VA must contract with the IOM
every two years to do a complete review of
all research that might document health care
problems that stem from exposure of veter-
ans to herbicides during the Vietnam War.
The IOM gathers a new panel of scientists
every two years who come together and re-
view all recent research studies in peer-re-
viewed medical and scientific journals that
may inform their recommendations to the
VA Secretary regarding illnesses or condi-
tions that may or should be declared serv-
ice-connected presumptive.
VVA knows that many people who did
not set foot on the ground in Vietnam also
were exposed, most notably those sailors in
the Blue Water Navy who served off the
coast of Vietnam. There is good cause to be-
lieve that those who served as crew mem-
bers of C-123 transport planes used in
Vietnam for spraying missions in the Air
Force Operation Ranch Hand also were ex-
posed, because the planes never were de-
contaminated before they were converted
for other uses back in the United States.
VVA also has good reason to believe that
veterans who served in Korea after 1969
were exposed, as were those who served in
Guam, Okinawa, Thailand, other U.S. mil-
itary bases located in the Pacific during that
time period, the Panama Canal Zone, and at
many other military bases in the continental
United States. The trick is to be able to doc-
ument those exposures.
Much progress has been made in getting
more conditions and illnesses added to the
presumptive list in the twenty years since
the Agent Orange Act of 1991 was enacted.
Therefore, many have been helped with due
Compensation & Pension payments and ac-
cess to health care. However, much still re-
mains to be done. There is cause for as
much hope as there is cause for wringing of
the hands. The more we work together, the
more progress we will make toward getting
access and health care for all who have been
injured by these toxic exposures, particu-
larly our children and grandchildren.
What can you do to help?
The first thing is to start educating your
community and your members of Congress
about the human toll that these exposures
continue to wreak on Vietnam veterans and
our families. Organize a town hall meeting to
hear from veterans and their families in your
area, and make sure your federal represen-
tatives or their staff members are there, as
well as the local press. VVAs Faces of Agent
Orange campaign has been very successful
in helping people understand the continuing
costs of war. Go to: www.facebook.com/
pages / Faces - of - Agent - Orange/
187669911280144 and sign up yourself, and
then sign up as many of your family, friends,
and neighbors as possible.
Second, read all you can in The VVA Vet-
eran about Agent Orange so you can be
conversant with your members of Congress
and their staff members. You do not have to
be a scientist or an expert to advocate for
your brothers and sisters and their families.
You also can go to: www.vva.org/Com-
mittees/AgentOrange/index.html to learn
more about Agent Orange, the Faces of
Agent Orange campaign, and the impact on
you, your family, and the families of other
Vietnam veterans.
Third, there are several bills pending in
Congress. The first is the Agent Orange Eq-
uity Act, HR 812, introduced by Rep. Bob
Filner (D-Calif.), which has sixty-five co-
sponsors, and S1629, introduced by Sen.
Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), which has
twelve co-sponsors. We hope to have addi-
tional legislation introduced this summer that
we call the Agent Orange Veterans Family
Preservation Act. It would authorize research
into epigenetic damage due to herbicides and
other toxins, and would provide for treatment
of the sons and daughters of Vietnam veter-
ans and our grandchildren who have birth de-
fects or birth anomalies that damage their
health.
Lastly, you can go to Cap Wiz in the Gov-
ernment Affairs section of www.vva.organd
find model letters and a briefing sheet to
send to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, to
the President, and to Congress asking that a
significant proportion of existing research
dollars be directed toward Agent Orange
and other toxic exposures. Currently, the
only study that we know of that will affect
our overall knowledge about the effects of
these exposures is the National Vietnam Vet-
erans Longitudinal Study.
While there is much to be done, there is
greater resolve than ever on the part of VVA,
our members, other Vietnam veterans, and
our families to finally secure Agent Orange
health care benefits.
Rick Weidman is VVAs Executive Director
for Policy and Government Affairs. He can
be reached at rweidman@vva.org
Purdue University professor Don M.
Huber, an outspoken critic of GM crops, also
believes that herbicides pose a major threat to
the safety of livestock. According to Huber,
farm animals that are fed Roundup-treated
GM crops have high rates of miscarriages and
spontaneous abortions. Huber alleges that 20
percent of American dairy heifers are infertile
and that as many as 45 percent of cattle expe-
rience spontaneous abortions.
Studies also have shown that pets can be
left vulnerable to an array of physical condi-
tions as a result of being exposed to herbi-
cides. For instance, a Purdue University study
found that exposure to herbicide-treated
lawns increases the risk of bladder cancer in
Scottish terriers by four to seven times.
According to researchers, herbicides pose
an especially high risk to children. A study re-
leased by the Research Triangle Institute
noted that childrens rapidly developing neu-
rological, immunological, and other biologi-
cal systems make them highly susceptible to
the adverse effects of herbicides. Childrens
behavior patternsplaying outside in the dirt
and putting their hands in their mouthsput
them in greater contact with environmental
chemicals, the study explained.
Herbicides also are frequently dragged
into homes by shoes and pets, where studies
show they can remain on carpets and house-
hold surfaces for years, posing an added risk
to children who play on the floor. Experts
also express concern that even low levels of
herbicide exposure can pose risks to unborn
children.
There are short, critical timeslike
when a fetuss brain is developingwhen
chemicals can have disastrous impacts, even
in very small concentrations, explained
Deborah A. Cory-Slechta, a professor at
theUniversity of Rochester.
While the extent to which herbicides pose
an active risk to the human body remains the
subject of much debate and scientific inquiry,
one factthat herbicide use has greatly ex-
panded over the past two decadesis un-
deniable. As America struggles to care for
those who suffer from the adverse effects of
the use of Agent Orange in the Vietnam
War, Americans once again may be exposed
to toxic levels of carcinogenic herbicides
with their governments approval.
LEGISLATIVE REMEDIES
Continued from page 32
TOXIC RISK AT HOME
Continued from page 31
Andrew K. Gretchokoff, Jr., 63, died
January 25 from lung cancer and ischemic
heart disease. He was a member of Dallas,
Texas, Chapter 137.
Paul E. Grigsby, 71, died March 24. He
was a life member of Bramwell, West Vir-
ginia, Chapter 985.
William G. Groninger, 70, died Sep-
tember 2, 2011, from pancreatic cancer and
blood clots in his pulmonary artery. He was
a member of Xenia, Ohio, Chapter 930.
Michael Thomas Guerin, 59, died De-
cember 25, 2011, from myocardial infarction,
ischemic heart disease, and hypertension.
He was a life member of Thomas P. Cough-
lin Chapter 72 in Brooklyn, New York.
Antonio Gutierrez, Jr., 70, died January
25 from a heart attack and stroke. He was a
life member of El Paso, Texas, Chapter 574.
Jean Okesson Morrow Haglund, 64,
died February 17 from cancer. She was a
member of Jamestown, New York, Chap-
ter 865.
John Oppy Hall II, 68, died January
10. He was a life member of Lawton, Okla-
homa, Chapter 751.
Otto Gregory Vincent Hamilton, 62,
died March 10 from Agent Orange-related
cancer. He was a life member of Silver
Spring, Maryland, Chapter 641.
Michael Adrian Hardy, 62, died Feb-
ruary 15, 2011. He was a member of Saint
Albans, Vermont, Chapter 753.
Russell E. Hazelwood, 63, died July 1,
2010. He was a life member of Sacramento
Valley, California, Chapter 500.
Gary Lewis Headley, 63, died January
11. He was a member of Beaver County,
Pennsylvania, Chapter 862.
Robert James Heinzl, 70, died Febru-
ary 7. He was a member of Elizabethtown,
Kentucky, Chapter 1051.
Danny Harold Henke, 63, died Decem-
ber 19, 2011, from cancer. He was a life
member of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin,
Chapter 101.
Michael R. Hickey, 66, died February 5
from cancer. He was a life member of
Westchester County, New York, Chapter 49.
Richard Lonnie Hickman, 60, died
July 7, 2011. He was an at-large member of
Virginia.
Lawrence Lewis Huth, Jr., 64, died No-
vember 30, 2011, from multiple sclerosis. He
was a life member of New Brunswick, New
Jersey, Chapter 233.
TAPS
Continued from page 43
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RING SIZE GUIDE
CUT THIS OUT CAREFULLY
USE AS SHOWN ON FINGER
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(MONFRI 9AM5PM EST) HAVE CREDIT CARD & RING SIZE READY.
Fashioned with Gold, Sterling Silver, Personal Birthstones,
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fit. Our rings are never hollowed out.
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Thank you priced at just $149.00*, payable in
two easy payments of $74.50*, with no interest.
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30 days for replacement or refund.
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and wear your Vietnam War Service
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O
ur Official Vietnam War Ribbon & Birthstone rings Honor Veterans who served our
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Vietnam Service ring shown with genuine Diamond Birthstones.
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEPT OCT NOV DEC
GARNET AMETHYST AQUAMARINE DIAMONDf EMERALD ALEXANDRITE RUBY PERIDOT SAPPHIRE ROSE GOLDEN BLUE
ZIRCON SAPPHIRE ZIRCON
Birthstones are simulated for consistant size and clarity. Names refer to color. ` Diamond Birthstones are genuine .02 ct. weight each. fDiamond Birthstone rings are $199*.
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JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEPT OCT NOV DEC
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Mail to: Veterans Commemoratives

Military Service Ribbon Rings,

Two Radnor Corporate Center, Suite 120, Radnor, PA 19087-4599
YES. I wish to order the following exclusive Vietnam War Veteran
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Vietnam Service Purple Heart* Silver Star* Bronze Star*
*A copy of your DD214 or other authorizing document is required with your order for Purple Heart, Bronze Star or Silver Star rings.
My Initials (3):____ ____ ____ Years of Service:________ to ________
Birthstone Mo.f:___________ Ring Size: ____ (Use sizer below or consult jeweler)
I PREFER TO PAY AS FOLLOWS:
Enclosed is my check or money order for $149* per ring
payable to 'Veterans Commemoratives as payment in full, OR
Charge my credit card $149* per ring as payment in full, OR
Charge my credit card in 2 monthly installments of $74.50* each.
Credit Card: Visa MasterCard AMEX Discover
CC#:____________________________________ Exp. Date:___ /____
Signature:_________________________________________________
SHIPPING ADDRESS (We CANNOT ship to P.O. Boxes) Allow 6-8 weeks for delivery.
Name: ____________________________________________________
Address: __________________________________________________
City:_____________________________ State:______ Zip: __________
Phone: (_______)_______________ Email: ______________________
f Diamonds (April) add $50* to first payment.
* Plus $14.95 for engraving, shipping and handling.
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OR, MAIL TO: Veterans Commemoratives

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ALSO, SEND ME A FREE AMERICAN FLAG PIN!
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Merchant Marine Seabees Navy Seal
BIRTHSTONE MONTH: _____________ MONOGRAM: _____
INITIALS DESIRED (3): ____ ____ ____ YRS. SERVED: _____ to _____
I WISH TO PAY AS FOLLOWS:
Enclosed is my check or money order for $125* per watch
payable to 'Veterans Commemoratives as payment in full, OR
Charge my credit card $125* per watch as payment in full, OR
Charge my credit card in 2 monthly installments of $62.50* each.
Credit Card: Visa MasterCard AMEX Discover
CC#:____________________________________ Exp. Date:___ / ____
Signature: _________________________________________________
SHIPPING ADDRESS (WE CANNOT SHIP TO P.O. BOXES) ALLOW4-6 WEEKS FOR DELIVERY.
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Address: __________________________________________________
City:_____________________________State:_____ Zip: ___________
Phone #:(__________) _______________________________________
Email: ____________________________________________________
* Plus $14.95 per watch for engraving, shipping & handling.
* PA residents add 6% ($8.40) sales tax.