THE LYCOMING VET VOLUME 3, ISSUE 2

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1 LYCOMING COUNTY OFFICE OF VETERANS AFFAIRS THE LYCOMING VET VOLUME 3, ISSUE 2 SEPTEMBER 2009 Effective September 1, 2009, available appointment hours with Don Cohick, Lycoming County Veterans Affairs Director, have changed to: NOW AVAILABLE: EARLY MORNING HOURS Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday: 8 a.m a.m., 1 p.m. - 3 p.m. I am a veteran. How can I found out if I am eligible for any benefits? I can t find my DD 214 how can I get a replacement? I served in Vietnam and my doctor has just told me that I have diabetes. What should I do? Monday and Friday: 9 a.m a.m., 1 p.m. - 4 p.m. Appointment hours with Joan Blank: Mon. - Fri.: 9 a.m noon; 2-4 p.m. How do I know if I qualify for a VA Home Loan Guarantee? I am a veteran and want to apply for VA healthcare services. How do I do that? ANSWER: CONTACT YOUR LOCAL VETERANS AFFAIRS DIRECTOR In Lycoming County: Don Cohick In Northumberland County: Sherri Scholl In Clinton County: Dave Bower My father - who was a vet - passed away last year and there is still no flag at his grave. Who can I call? In Union County: Phil Frederick In Montour County: Doug Resseguie

2 PAGE 2 THE LYCOMING VET 9-11 Memorial Ride Scheduled T he eighth annual 9-11 Memorial Ride to remember those who died on Sept. 11, 2001, and to support the military and first-responders is scheduled for Friday, Sept. 11, Organized by the 9-11 Memorial Coalition, a nonprofit group of local businesspeople, members of civic organizations and motorcycle clubs, this 37-mile ride will start at Memorial Park in front of Williamsport s Bowman Field at 6 p.m. following a memorial service at 5:30 p.m. Motorcyclists will travel through Williamsport, Loyalsock, Montoursville, Hughesville, Muncy and Montgomery, before ending at the Veterans of Foreign Wars in DuBoistown. As in the past, it is expected that the hundreds of bikers participating in the ride will be greeted by bystanders along the route. Cyclists crowd the parking lot at Bowman Field before the start of the 9-11 Memorial Ride last year. Photo provided by the American Legion Riders Post 251, Montgomery, PA

3 VOLUME 3, ISSUE 2 PAGE 3 A cyclist with the American flag attached to his bike leads the way during last year s 9-11 Memorial Ride. Photo provided by the American Legion Riders Post 251, Montgomery, PA INSIDE THIS ISSUE PAGE NEW HOURS FOR LYCOMING COUNTY VA OFFICE MEMORIAL RIDE SCHEDULED 2, 3 FROM CUB SCOUT TO EAGLE SCOUT AND LYCOMING COLLEGE PROFESSOR HEADS UP WEB PROJECT 8 VA REOPENS HEALTHCARE ENROLLMENT FOR THOUSANDS 9 FROM ERIC K. SHINSEKI, SEC. OF VA 10 YOUR REPS IN WASHINGTON & HARRISBURG 11 LOCAL VA SERVICES 12 OUTREACH SCHEDULE, AREA SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS 13 CONTACT INFO 14

4 PAGE 4 From Cub Scout to Eagle Scout and Long-Term Military Career E NC (SW/SWCC) Ronald S. Richart, USN, recently celebrated his retirement after 20 years active duty in the U.S. Navy. Here, in his owns words, he recounts his years as a Cub Scout, Boy Scout, Eagle Scout, and his military career, encompassing the past 30 years: In 1976 I moved to a farm on the outskirts of Montoursville and transferred to that school District for kindergarten. The first day there I met two of my oldest friends, Adam Westover and Jenny Clontz. I enrolled in the Little Warrior Wrestling Program, Little league and later joined soccer. Then in 1977 at Lyter Elementary School, first grade started and I joined Cub scouts. There were several Packs to choose from, but I saw my friend Adam Westover and his dad Ron Westover and said I want to join his Pack (Pack 39 of Montoursville, PA.). I then met my Den Leader Judy West Thompson, who has been there for me pretty much ever since. THE LYCOMING VET I continued on through Cub Scouts, earning just about everything I could. My parents, Ted and Linda Frye, were very supportive of me and active with scouts along with four thousand other things! I don t know where they found the time, but I m glad they were there. My sister Sherri Fenstermacher was a fun sister, except when she blamed things on me! But when the day came that I was taller than her that leveled the playing field! Ron - proving to his sister that he is finally taller than she is! L to R: Ron with his parents, Ted and Linda Frye, at Cub Scouts to Weblos - Crossing the Bridge ceremony at Indian Park Ron at Lycoming Mall Scout Show Continued on next page

5 VOLUME 3, ISSUE 2 PAGE 5 Continued from previous page I officially transitioned to Weblos at a ceremony in Indian Park and into Boy Scouts where I met Fred Frantz. He was the Scout Master of Troop 39 in Montoursville at Bethany Lutheran Church. I made a Pine Wood Derby car, (still have it) won 1 st place and went on to take 5 th place in state districts. I qualified and earned twenty-five (25) merit badges, eight (8) skill awards, arrow of light, Pennsylvania Take Pride, was elected Cobra Patrol Leader, attending jubilee s, mall shows, operation deep freeze, camp outs, gun shoots, and trips to Gettysburg and Washington DC. Ron with his friend, Adam Westover, at scout camp I was tapped out at Camp Karoondinha and earned my Order of the Arrow- with no notches. Troop 39 later closed down and I transferred to Troop 21 in Montoursville where I met Ron Hess and Chuck Lewis, among other friends. I completed my Eagle Project and achieved the rank of Eagle Scout in Below: Tony DiSalvo congratulates Ron at Eagle Scout Ceremony Above, L to R: Judy West Thompson, Ron Richart, Adam Westover, and Brian Rehn at Eagle Scout Presentation. Continued on next page

6 PAGE 6 THE LYCOMING VET Continued from previous page In June of 1989 I enlisted in the Navy on the Delayed Entry Program at the Navy recruiting office in Hazelton Pennsylvania. On September 18 th, 1989 I departed for MEPS in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania and then on to boot camp as an E-1 in Great Lakes, Illinois. While in Boot Camp, any person with prior military training OR Boy Scout training (EAGLE SCOUT) was considered and recruited as a Company Flagman. (Having perks!) You trained with the symbolic flags and the others trained with the fake guns the guns were heavier and was considered worse duty. It was better to be a flagman. But there were only a few of us (Flagmen) vs. those MANY who trained with the fake guns. Attaining the rank of E-3 upon graduation of Boot Camp, I transferred in 1990 and arrived onboard an amphibious marine cargo ship, USS EL Paso (LKA-117) stationed in Norfolk Virginia. I was assigned to first division as an undesignated Seaman which later I cross rated to fireman. I was transferred to third division where I was assigned as a boat engineer on five- LCM-6, four- LCM-8, two PL s (Captains gigs) and a motor whale boat. I finished my first enlistment on board as an Engineman Third Class in Auxiliary division and decommissioned the USS EL Paso in 1994 receiving my first Navy Achievement Medal. In 1994 I transferred to back to back sea duty at Naval Special Warfare, Special Boat Unit Twenty (now Special Boat Team Twenty). I achieved Engineman Second Class and qualified Combatant Craft Crewman (9533). I received my Chief Engineer (CHENG) letters and spent five years as Chief Engineer on twenty-four and thirty foot; ten and eleven meter Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats (RHIB), and the MK-V conducting Naval Special Warfare Operations. In 1999 I received orders to my first shore duty at MARMC (SIMA) in Norfolk, Virginia, and was assigned to Norfolk Naval Shipyard (NNSY) Detachment to the Pump RRC. I was LPO of the P-100 pump and transportation shop where I maintained twenty-five P-100 pumps for a rotatable pool (loaners) and up to thirty fleet and submarine pumps at a time to personally overhaul as production. I had twenty-four vehicles to maintain, issue, track and manage. I also was timekeeper for MRMS and SAP production hours for several other work centers besides mine receiving my second and third Navy Achievement Medal. I attained the rank of Engineman First Class. In 2003 I then took orders to Assault Craft Unit Two (ACU-2) at Little Creek, Virginia where I was assigned to a one hundred thirty-five foot long Landing Craft Utility (LCU) as the CHIEF Engineer. Within two months of checking onboard, I received my fourth Navy Achievement Medal for personally overhauling every spare P-100 pump at the command. After Hurricane Katrina, I was awarded my fifth Navy Achievement Medal for support and delivering much needed supplies to Mississippi and Florida. Continued on next page

7 VOLUME 3, ISSUE 2 PAGE 7 Continued from previous page During back to back deployments, I made CPO board, qualified ESWS and was later that year selected and transitioned to CHIEF PETTY OFFICER. In 2007 I then transferred to Commander Naval Region Mid Atlantic (CNRMA) where I was assigned to Hampton Area Shore Patrol (HASP) and was Leading Chief Petty Officer (LCPO) of Hampton and Newport News city court houses. Later when HASP closed down, I was temporarily assigned (TAD) to N03PT Police Precinct Norfolk Naval Shipyard (NNSY), Portsmouth, Virginia as LCPO of Harbor Security Boats (HSB). During my career, I received numerous campaign awards involving dozens of operations, working with Fleet, Shore, civilian, Special Warfare, CIA, FBI, and foreign branches. I have a house in Virginia and have been married for over 18 years with my wife and high school sweetheart Wendy J. (Robson) Richart from Montoursville, PA and have two children, Brittany, 16 years old in September, and Ronnie 11; both in advanced classes in school. Future plans include some fishing and eventually moving back to Pennsylvania. Left: Ron and Wendy Robson (who would later become his wife), in 1989 after Eagle Scout presentation.

8 PAGE 8 THE LYCOMING VET Lycoming College Professor Heads Up Digital Web Project Y By LEN MAHONSKI Reprinted from the Williamsport Sun Gazette August 24, 2009 oung veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars now have a new outlet to express themselves regarding their wartime experiences. Local digital media artist and Lycoming College art professor Lynn Estomin launched her latest Web project, on Aug. 5, in which veterans may post creative writing, poetry and artwork online. "About a year ago I read 'Re-Making Sense,' a moving book of creative writing and poetry by young veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan," Estomin said. "My immediate reaction was - this needs to reach a broader audience." Estomin said for the past eight months she has been working with the Warrior Writers Project to showcase the words, voices and art of 33 young vets. " The military has talented young writers and artists who have important stories to tell," Estomin said. "These emotions need to be expressed." She said most stories or artwork that are submitted are by veterans who are younger than 30. According to Estomin, she had friends drafted during the Vietnam War, which sparked her interest in the plight of soldiers. Although the project is fairly new, the concept has been around for a while. Earlier groups have conducted similar forums for veterans, but not on this scale. "This site gives our brave soldiers a much louder voice," Estomin said. Estomin said the Warrior Writers Project was created by Lovella Calica in 2007 and was inspired by the Veterans Writing Group, started by author and poet Maxine Hong Kingston for Vietnam War veterans 15 years ago. She said the stories and art are moving, powerful and full of raw emotion. "It's extremely emotional stuff," she said. "The content instantly grabs the reader's attention." Estomin said the Warrior Writers Project gives veterans a safe place to sort their emotions and war experiences. "It's a community of veterans who are able to better relate to one another," she said. The Warrior Writers Project organizes several writing workshops throughout the year. It's during these workshops that veterans submit their writings. Estomin said, "The project provides a creative and supportive community for artistic expression, healing and transformation for veterans, using art as a way to process and make sense of military experiences." Joshua Casteel, an Iraq veteran, wrote, "To get at the stories that we have, you have to strip away all the extraneous bullshit and just tell it. Warrior Writers supports us in doing that." According to Estomin, reaction to the site has been extremely positive and, since its creation, it has been flooded with responses. New veterans wishing to submit writings are encouraged to do so by registering online. Estomin said the veterans selected to have their writings and art showcased in the past were juried and initially chosen by an advisory board. According to Estomin, upgrades are performed on a regular basis and a blog will be posted soon in order to make the site more interactive. Aaron Hughes, who was deployed to Iraq in 2003, has been to several of the workshops and had his writings showcased via the Warrior Writers Project. "The workshops provide a space to voice our experiences," Hughes said. "It's comfortable and it helps to have shared selective experiences with others." Hughes said he has been to workshops in New York, Vermont and Chicago in which performative art has played an important role as well. "It provides a creative outlet instead of a destructive one," he said. To view the website mentioned in this article, go to:

9 VOLUME 3, ISSUE 2 VA Has Reopened Health Care Enrollment to Thousands of Veterans PAGE 9 WASHINGTON The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), which now has nearly 8 million Veterans enrolled in its award-winning health care system, is poised to welcome nearly 266,000 more Veterans into its medical centers and clinics across the country by expanding access to health care enrollment for certain Veterans who had been excluded due to their income. This incremental approach to expanding enrollment ensures that access to VA health care for a greater number of beneficiaries does not sacrifice timely access or quality medical care for those Veterans already enrolled in VA s health care system, Dr. Gerald Cross, VA s Acting Under Secretary for Health, said. Over the next four years, we hope to provide enrollment to more than 500,000 Veterans. Under a new regulation effective June 15, VA will enroll Veterans whose income exceeds current means-tested thresholds by up to 10 percent. These Veterans were excluded from VA health care enrollment when income limits were imposed in 2003 on Veterans with no service-connected disabilities or other special eligibility for care. There is no income limit for Veterans with compensable service-connected disabilities or for Veterans being seen for their serviceconnected disabilities. Veterans who have applied for VA health care but were rejected due to income at any point in 2009 will have their applications reconsidered under the new income threshold formula. Those who applied before 2009, but were rejected due to income, must reapply. VA will contact these Veterans through a direct-mail campaign, Veterans service organizations, and a national and regional marketing campaign. Information about enrollment and an income and assets calculator are available at The calculator provides a format in which Veterans enter their household income, number of dependents, and zip codes to see if they may qualify for VA health care enrollment. In addition to applying online, Veterans may also contact VA s Health Benefits Service Center at VETS ( ). Each VA medical center across the country has an enrollment coordinator available to provide Veterans with enrollment and eligibility information. NOTE: Veterans are encouraged to contact their local county Veterans Affairs Director for information and assistance in applying.

10 PAGE 10 THE LYCOMING VET News Release from Eric K. Shinseki, Secretary of Veterans Affairs August 24, 2009 WASHINGTON Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki announced the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is taking steps to assist Veterans seeking compensation for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). The hidden wounds of war are being addressed vigorously and comprehensively by this administration as we move VA forward in its transformation to the 21st century, said Secretary Shinseki. Eric K. Shinseki The VA is publishing a proposed regulation today in the Federal Register to make it Secretary of Veterans Affairs easier for a Veteran to claim service connection for PTSD by reducing the evidence needed if the stressor claimed by a Veteran is related to fear of hostile military or terrorist activity. Comments on the proposed rule will be accepted over the next 60 days. A final regulation will be published after consideration of all comments received. Under the new rule, VA would not require corroboration of a stressor related to fear of hostile military or terrorist activity if a VA psychiatrist or psychologist confirms that the stressful experience recalled by a Veteran adequately supports a diagnosis of PTSD and the Veteran's symptoms are related to the claimed stressor. Previously, claims adjudicators were required to corroborate that a non-combat Veteran actually experienced a stressor related to hostile military activity. This rule would simplify the development that is required for these cases. PTSD is a recognized anxiety disorder that can follow seeing or experiencing an event that involves actual or threatened death or serious injury to which a person responds with intense fear, helplessness or horror, and is not uncommon in war. Feelings of fear, confusion or anger often subside, but if the feelings don't go away or get worse, a Veteran may have PTSD. VA is bolstering its mental health capacity to serve combat Veterans, adding thousands of new professionals to its rolls in the last four years. The Department also has established a suicide prevention helpline ( TALK) and Web site available for online chat in the evenings at

11 VOLUME 3, ISSUE 2 Your Reps in Washington & Harrisburg: U.S. Representative Christopher P. Carney 10th Congressional District Williamsport District Office 175 Pine Street, Suite 103 Williamsport, PA Phone: Fax: Office Hours: M-F 8:30-5 Website: U.S. Representative Glenn GT Thompson 5th Congressional District 3555 Benner Pike Suite 101 Bellefonte, PA Phone: Fax: Website: PA State Senator Gene Yaw Senate District Pine Street, Suite 204 One Progress Plaza, Suite 13 Williamsport, PA Towanda, PA Phone: Phone: Fax: Fax: Toll-free: Website: gyaw@pasen.gov PA State Representative Garth D. Everett 84th Legislative District Penn Hills Plaza, Halls Station Tiadaghton Valley Mall 21 Kristi Road, Suite 2 Room 105 Muncy, PA Jersey Shore, PA Phone: Phone: Fax: Fax: Office Hours: M-F 9-5 Office Hours: M-F 9-4:30 Website: geverett@pahousegop.com PA State Representative Rick Mirabito 83rd Legislative District 800 West Fourth Street, Suite GO2 Williamsport, PA Phone: Fax: Office Hours: M-W-F 8-5; T-TH 8-7 Website: PAGE 11 Not sure who your representative is? Find out at:

12 PAGE 12 THE LYCOMING VET LYCOMING COUNTY The PA CareerLink Lycoming County office is located at 145 West Third Street in Williamsport and is open Monday through Thursday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Fridays. Mack Duncan Jr. is the Local Veterans Employment Representative (LVER) responsible for providing employment assistance to all labor exchange eligible veterans and eligible persons. Phone: Or check online at Vet Center The Vet Center is located at Suite 104, 49 East Fourth Street, Williamsport, next to the James V. Brown Library. Phone All services provided by the Vet Center are FREE OF CHARGE. These include readjustment counseling and outreach services to all veterans who served in any combat zone. Services are also available for their family members. These include: individual counseling group counseling marital and family counseling bereavement counseling substance abuse information and referral referral in applying for VA Benefits referral for job counseling and educational VA benefits referral for homeless vets military sexual trauma (male and female) counseling & referral outreach and community education VA Outpatient Clinic The VA Outpatient Clinic was established July 1997 on the Campus of Divine Providence Hospital in the Wenner Building, 1705 Warren Avenue, Suite 304, Williamsport, PA Phone: Fax: Open: Monday Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Scheduled appointments only ~ No Emergency Services/No walk-ins Services Include: Primary Care, Enrollment/Eligibility forms, Psychiatry, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Social Services, Counseling, Lab, Nutrition services, and Immunizations. The VA Clinic has a social worker at the clinic on Tuesday and Thursday. Her name is Chris Veach; please call the clinic at (570) to schedule an appointment.

13 VOLUME 3, ISSUE 2 PAGE 13 COUNTY VA O FFICE ~ OUTREACH SCHEDULE Tuesday, September 8-1:00 to 4:00 PM Jersey Shore Outreach: Don Cohick will be at the American Legion Post 36, 320 Seminary Street, Jersey Shore, PA Tuesday, October 13-1:00 to 4:00 PM Muncy Outreach: Don Cohick will be at the VFW Post 3428, 12 North Market Street, Muncy, PA Tuesday, November 3-1:00 to 4:00 PM Jersey Shore Outreach: Don Cohick will be at the American Legion Post 36, 320 Seminary Street, Jersey Shore, PA Tuesday, December 8-1:00 to 4:00 PM Muncy Outreach: Don Cohick will be at the VFW Post 3428, 12 North Market Street, Muncy, PA The Veterans Affairs Office will be closed: Labor Day, Monday, September 7, 2009; Veterans Day - Wednesday, November 11, 2009; Thanksgiving Break - Thursday and Friday, November 26 & 27 and Christmas Day - Friday, December 25 AM. LEGION, VFW & OTHER COUNTY VETERAN ORGANIZATIONS American Legion Post 1- Garrett Cochran 10 E. 3rd St., Williamsport, PA Phone: Lloyd Brooks, Adjutant * Post 1 SAL meeting: Sun., Sept 20 at 12:00 noon * American Legion Post 35- Glenn Sharrow 78 N. Main St., Hughesville, PA Phone: American Legion Post 36 - George Webster Pepperman P.O. Box 211, Jersey Shore, PA Phone: American Legion Post Eugene Grafius 1312 Broad St., Montoursville, PA Phone: American Legion Post Bower Decker 185 Broad St., Montgomery, PA Phone: American Legion Post Roland Ritter 515 Legion Rd., Muncy, PA Phone: American Legion Post Royal P. Steinbacher 901 Market Street, South Williamsport, PA Phone: Gail Eppler, Commander VFW Post Edward J. Smith Post 12 N Market St., Muncy, PA Phone: American Legion Post West Branch Service Post Michael J. Jones, Commander; Phone: P.O. Box 1971, 1061 John Brady Rd., Pennsdale, PA George Diffenbaugh, Adjutant; Phone: Meets at the Montoursville Presbyterian Church 900 Elm Street, Montoursville, PA VFW Post Billy O. Brandt Post 201 N. Lincoln Ave., Jersey Shore, PA Phone: VFW Post Le Roy O. Buck Post 150 Shaffer St., South Williamsport, PA Phone: VFW Post 844- Howard W. Kahler Post 1260 West 3rd Street, Williamsport, PA Veterans of the Vietnam War Post PA 51 P.O. Box 23, Hughesville, PA Web site: Commander: Randall Sayman Phone: Korean War Veterans of Lycoming County, Inc. P. O. Box 3232, Williamsport, PA Commander Fred Schaefer Phone: Williamsport Detachment 388 Marine Corp League Inc. P. O. Box 3245, Williamsport, PA Commandant Don Miller Contact: Robert Mosley Phone: If any of the above information is incorrect, please contact Joan Blank at

14 County of Lycoming LYCOMING COUNTY OFFICE OF VETERANS AFFAIRS Suite 104 Executive Plaza Building 330 Pine Street Williamsport, PA Mailing Address: 48 West Third Street Williamsport, PA COUNTY COMMISSIONERS REBECCA A. BURKE, CHAIRPERSON ERNEST P. LARSON, VICE CHAIRMAN JEFF C. WHEELAND, SECRETARY We are here to help you... 1 SG Donald L. Cohick (Ret.) Lycoming County Director of Veterans Affairs dcohick@lyco.org Fully accredited as a Veterans Service Officer by the Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs as well as the National Association of County Veterans Service Officers, Inc. Twenty-seven years combined military service Joan C. Blank Administrative Specialist jblank@lyco.org Fully accredited as a Veterans Service Officer by the Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs as well as the National Association of County Veterans Service Officers, Inc. Visit our Web site: for up-to-date news and information for veterans The Lycoming Vet is published quarterly by the Office of Veterans Affairs in Lycoming County, PA Editor/layout & design: Joan Blank: jblank@lyco.org To make an appointment, please call Kim Sewall at: Office Hours Monday through Friday 8:30 AM 5:00 PM Closed weekends and major holidays. Do you have announcements or information to share? The Lycoming County Office of Veterans Affairs invites you to submit articles and items of interest to be published in the next edition of The Lycoming Vet, which are published quarterly on the first of December, March, June, and September. Deadline for article submissions are the 15th of the month prior to publication date. For questions or to make submissions, please contact Joan Blank at the Veterans Affairs Office.