The President Notes: Bridging The Gap

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Susanna McCormick
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Your local chapter (Vietnam Veterans of America) was well represented in the Mishawaka, IN Memorial Day Parade.

1 Vol.1 No.4 Apr-June 2011 Never Again Will One Generation of Veterans Abandon Another The President Notes: Bridging The Gap Dave Martin, President, VVA Chapter #1027 I sincerely hope this special edition of our newsletter warms you up by seeing the faces of days gone by! I hope you are enjoying the beautiful summer weather. Maybe it creates a warm desire to be part of an organization that is helping other Veterans? Your local chapter (Vietnam Veterans of America) was well represented in the Mishawaka, IN Memorial Day Parade. The weather was less than desirable (rainy day), but as one of our members said the War was not held up because of rain, so those in attendance faced the monsoon reminder with aplomb. VVA 1027 continues to grow (now approaching 120 members), which will allow us to exceed our expectation for this year. What that really means is that we are working very hard at supporting all Veteran Groups and exposing the benefits of unity through fellow Veterans. To all you young Veterans---who will come to your aid when your earned benefits are at stake? We ARE Bridging the Gap and will continue to do so as long as we are able. Come visit a meeting or call one of our Board members for further information. Remember to call Kevin Kelsheimer s office at for Veterans Benefit information. Kevin is our VA Service Representative, and his staff work very hard in to assist all of us. Until next time, do you know what benefits you have earned from the Feds and State? WE are stronger WITH YOU, than YOU ARE ALONE. Come join us! About VVA Chapter 1027 St. Joseph County, IN Officers & Board of Directors President: Dave Martin Phone: martind@1stsource.com Vice President: Frank Piontek Phone: piontekf@trinity-health.org Secretary: Jerrol Satterfield Phone: nitroman65@att.net Treasurer: C. David Guzicki Phone: cmguzicki@sbcglobal.net Sgt. Of Arms: Harold (Spider) Draves Phone: spiderworks1@att.net Historian: Ralph Bakle Phone: ralphbakle@sbcglobal.net Founder: Earl Simon Phone: paulswims@att.net State Delegates: Name: Joe Swift Phone: dtnjoe@comcast.net Name: Paul Oyler Phone: pauloy@hotmail.com Name: Dave Rothenhoefer Phone: Quartermaster: Chrisitan Luciani welsheimerfuneralhome@yahoo.com Design and Phone: publication of HEROES is sponsored by Saint Joseph Regional Medical Center. purestair@yahoo.com 1 VVA Chapter # 1027 St. Joesph County P.O. Box 4 South Bend, IN

2 Photo Album Binh Thuy RVN 1971 Dan Cichos & BIL Bob Berta Community activities MLK Day Dan Cichos & Bob Berta s outfit Don Betty Burma Road WWII 2

3 George Wachs 1st Air Cav crew chief Dave Guzicki in Okinawa Dave taught him all he knew Dennis Porter and Duke Doc Bob Eberlein VVA Lunch 3

4 Photo Album Howard Barrett James Harmon Kevin Kelshmeier and buddies on break Joint Service Commendation Award Harry Williams M113 Commander Korean War Memorial 4

5 Mike Bella Sarah Lanno and George Brush 2003 aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln.jpg Mike Lannoo south of Long Bihn 1967 Philipe 9820 Commander burial in Aleuteans 5

6 Photo Album Scott Wilson Iraq Scott Wilson in Faluja Tom and Bob Eberlein Dan Cichos 6

7 Steve York with head on chopping block Sgt. David Rothenhoefer WWII Mike Hayes and Friend Phelipe Tijerina Commander VFW Post 9820 brown water navy hard at work 7

8 Vietnam Veterans of America VVA Chapter #1027 St. Joseph County P.O. Box 4 South Bend, IN VVA Chapter #1027 is open to all eligible veterans who served in the Republic of Vietnam between 2/28/1961 OR in any duty location between 8/5/1964 and 5/7/1975. Regardless of race, creed, sex, extraterrestrial status, et al. VIETNAM VETERANS OF AMERICAN, CHAPTER 1027 APPLICATION FOR MEMBERSHIP 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, Name: Address Date of Birth: City: State: Zip: Home Phone: Work Phone: Important Numbers & Links 1) VVA Internet Access Internet access to information and the scoop on our local Chapter # 1027 can be found at How to access our chapter: On the left side, scroll down and click on Locate Your Local VVA Chapter. Then click on IN and find VVA Chapter # Click on that link and you are there. 2) Guide to Gulf War Vets Health: www1.va.gov/gulfwar/docs/vhigulfwar.pdf 3) Center for Minority Veterans: www1.va.gov/centerforminorityveterans 4 Center for Women Veterans www1.va.gov/womenvet 5) Link to Numerous Popular VA Forms Veteran to Veteran * Knowledge is Power Veterans Helping Veterans thru the VA Maze Mail to: Vietnam Veterans of America, VVA Chapter #1027 St. Joseph County P.O. Box 4 South Bend, IN Search for Heroes VVA #1027 on Facebook and LIKE our page!

The President Notes: Bridging The Gap

Vol.1 No.4 Apr-June 2011 Never Again Will One Generation of Veterans Abandon Another The President Notes: Bridging The Gap Frank Piontek, President, VVA #1027 The motto of the Vietnam Veterans of America