Remember In Memory of Bill Wolf

CAPITOL CITY
VETERAN

Newsletter for Sacramento Valley's Chapter 500 of the Vietnam Veterans of America, Inc.

PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

It is spring and time for spring cleanup and out chapter elections. We currently have the same leadership running for different offices this year. You may still offer you help if you wish.
Time for washing & pressing of your uniform and reserving the May 3, Elk Grove Western Days Parade, May 25, Reading of the Names, and May 26, VAC's Memorial Day Downtown Sacramento Parade. (See below). At the parade, Stan Atkinson will be with us, Diana Titus and some USO girls will be tending to and entertaining our Chapter Vets that wish to ride on our float. It will be thanking those who supported us. If you wish to ride on the float call Mary Lou and reserve room. We have an 8' x 16' flatbed trailer for you to ride on.
The important message for the month: Support our Troops...and never again will one Generation of Vets turn their backs on another generation of Vets.
See you at the elections! Your President, "Doc" Kauffman

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THE MEMORIAL DAY PARADE - THE BEST EVER

The Veterans Affiliated Council which consists of approximately 40 veteran organizations in the Sacramento Valley area, will be sponsoring and producing the Memorial Day Parade this year on May 26. Invitations are going out to some 300 organizations to participate in the parade. Chapter 500 is a member of the VAC and will be participating in the parade. The VAC parade committee is working hard at covering all of the many details needed for this type of event. A request is made for volunteers for the day of the parade. There are many bodies needed to help control the flow of the parade, traffic control, parade participant direction and many miscellaneous duties. If you want to help, please call parade co-chairs Jack Harrington at 916-391-5357 or John Canfield at 916-483-1576. You do not have to be a member of VVA or VAC in order to help. Also, if you know of an organization that might want to participate in the parade, have them call Jack or John.

Current News and Announcements

IMPORTANT

Don't forget to change your e-mail address books. The new chapter e-mail address is: vva500@gosaccity.com .

GENERAL MEETING

There will be no speaker for this meeting as it is Chapter 500's Annual Meeting and Election Meeting. All nominees must be present to be elected and a DD214 on file. After elections all Committee Chairs will be appointed by the President. Being the Annual Meeting, this is a chance for all members to voice their opinions and make suggestions on the direction of the Chapter. An old friend and member, Tom Donald will be in town to attend the meeting. So don't forget to attend, April 15, 2003 at 7:00PM. Directions to the Roseville Veterans Memorial Hall are on Page 4.

The nominations that have been received are as follows:
President: Gregory C. McNeill
Vice-President: Stan Bollinger
Secretary: Robert Jordan
Treasurer: Dennis "Doc" Kauffman
Board Members: George Bouchard
Dino Gomez
Bill Wagner

Standing Committees required by the VVA National Constitution are as follows with those who have volunteered:
Membership Affairs
Veterans Benefits: Jesus Garcia
Public Affairs
Women Veterans
Government Affairs
Veterans Affairs
Community Services
Employment
ELECTIONS, cont. on page 2

"Operation Iraqi Freedom" Page 5
Agent Orange Tests Page 2

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BENEFITS
From the Federal Benefits for Veterans and Dependents 2002 Manual

Gulf War, Agent Orange and Ionizing Radiation Registry Programs

VA has developed databases called registries to help analyze the type of health conditions being reported by veterans who served in the Gulf War (Aug. 2, 1990 to a date not yet established), claim exposure to Agent Orange during the Vietnam War (between 1962 and 1975), served in Korea in 1968 or 1969, claim exposure to atomic radiation, or were treated with nasopharyngeal (NP) radium during military service. These veterans are provided with free, comprehensive medical examinations, including laboratory and other diagnostic tests deemed necessary by an examining physician to determine health status. Other veterans who may been exposed to dioxin or other toxic substances in a herbicide or defoliant associated with the testing, transporting or spraying of herbicides for military purposes also are eligible to participate in the Agent Orange registry program.
Eligible veterans do not have to be enrolled *** in VA health care to participate in registry examinations. Examination results, along with review of veterans' military service and exposure histories, are entered into the registries. Participants are advised of the results of their examinations in personal consultations and by letters. Veterans wishing to participate should contact the nearest VA health-care facility for an examination.
If you have internet access, you can read current and back issues of the "Agent Orange Review. This newsletter has extensive Agent Orange information. The web site is: http://www.va.gov/agentorange/page.cfm?pg=1 . If you do not have internet access, you can get on the subscription list by writing to: Agent Orange Review
Environmental Agents Service (131)
VA Central Office
810 Vermont Avenue, NW
Washington, D.C. 20420

NOTE: ***Next month we will describe the (enrollment) and/or registration process for the testing. If you want to get started on it sooner, call the office for information.

Also from the Benefits Manual - HOME IMPROVEMENTS AND STRUCTURAL ALTERATIONS - The Home Improvements and Structural Alterations program provides funding for eligible veterans to make home improvements necessary for the continuation of treatment or for disability access to the home and essential lavatory and sanitary facilities. Home improvement benefits up to $4,100 for service-connected veterans and up to $1,200 for nonservice-connected veterans may be provided. For application information, contact the prosthetic representative at the nearest VA medical center or outpatient clinic.

LEGISLATION and GOVERNMENT ISSUES

NEW CDVA DIRECTOR APPROVED

On March 19, 2003, the Senate Rules Committee approved the appointment of Maurice Johannessen, former State Senator to the position of Secretary of Veteran Affairs. Later in the week he was approved by the full Senate. He will now direct all of the departments and affairs of the California Department of Veterans Affairs. Up to this point most veteran organizations feel that he is doing a good job for Veterans during his temporary appointment period.

If you are interested in the activities of the California Veterans Board, they are meeting in Sacramento April 11, at the California Department of Veterans Affairs, located at 1227 O Street. Meeting begins at 9:00AM.

ELECTIONS, cont. from page 1 (committees, cont.)
Training and Business Opportunities
Minority Affairs - Dino Gomez
Constitution
Finance
Scholarship
Elections
Committee activities will be discussed at the General Meeting. It will be up to the Committee Chairs along with Board approval as to direction the committees will take.

SURVEY FOR MEMBERS

Last month surveys were mailed out to all members with their newsletters. We have received a good response, but if any changes are to be made, we need more. Members, now is your chance to have a say in the direction you want Chapter 500 to go. We've provided you with a stamped, addressed form. All you have to do is fill it out and get it in the mail. The officers and board will use these surveys to set Chapter goals and provide members with preferred activities and services. Please complete and send in your survey as soon as possible, or bring to a meeting.

THANK YOU'S

Thank you to members Jesus Ramos and Pat Boltinghouse for their participation in the Chapter 500's Care Package Project. Several directions are being considered for this project including help for the families left behind. Will have updates in the next newsletter and at the Board and General Meetings.

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