Remember In Memory of Bill Wolf

Chapter Board Meeting: 1st Tuesday, 7:00 PM
Chapter Membership Meeting: 3rd Tuesday, 7:00 PM ***May Peace, Joy and Love be with you for the holidays and the coming year!!!
ROSEVILLE MEMORIAL HALL, Royer Park
***AWARD WINNING NEWSLETTER***

CAPITOL CITY
VETERAN

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

"We remember!" December, 2002 "Be Proud"

President's Message By: Dennis "Doc" Kauffman, Sr.
To all members and friends: This is the season of Thankfulness. Thankful for our families, friends, even some co-workers! We always are thankful for all our civil liberties that our comrade veterans helped each of us maintain...even for those that thought we were wrong in the task that we had to do. We have had some Chapter 500 families in need, especially this time of the year. If you are aware of any member in need, please call the office at 916-481-6020 and at least leave a message with Mary Lou. Our "Helping Hand" is much thinner than in the past years of the chapter. But we do still have a hand, to help. Please ask!
May the blessings of Chanukah, and Christmas be with you all. I hope you can celebrate at the Roseville Memorial Hall with all of our brother Veterans and their families, Friday, December 13. You are welcome to bring your family. Remember if you have a small child...bring one gift with that child's name on it so Santa can be sure to get it to them.

HELP SEND A HOLIDAY
"HELLO" TO THE MEN AND WOMEN SERVING OVERSEAS
Chapter 500 will be collecting goodies until December 15 for those men and women serving overseas. We have one daughter of a nurse at Kaiser so far to send items to. If you know of any others, please call the Chapter number. Let's let them know that we care and are proud of their service. Collection points will be: Board Meeting, December 3, Christmas Party, December 13, or drop off at Greg and Mary Lou's (call for directions). If you can't make any of these, call and we will make arrangements for pick-up. What to send?? Things they might miss from home...cookies, candy, magazines, games, writing material, phone calling cards.
LET'S NOT FORGET THOSE BRAVE MEN AND WOMEN WHO ARE SERVING TO KEEP OUR COUNTRY SAFE!!!!

Current News and Announcements

CHRISTMAS PARTY
December 13, 2002
Veterans Memorial Hall
5:00 PM in Roseville

This year we will be celebrating Christmas together with the United Veterans of Roseville. All members are invited to attend and bring your guests. Children are also welcome. Bring one gift for each small child and Santa will pass them out. Food provided at the party will be turkeys, hams, pies, rolls, cranberries, stuffing, gravy and sodas. Please bring a potluck dish to add to the feast. You may bring your own adult beverages.

Please RSVP to the Chapter Number: > 481-6020 < by
December 4, 2002
with the number attending.

** Please note **
There will be NO General Meeting in the month of December so members can spend time with their families during the holiday season.
Please come to the Christmas Party and join your brothers and their families during this season of joy.

THE CAPITOL VETERAN.........December, 2002.... Page 2

BENEFITS
VETERANS ADMINISTRATION NEWS RELEASES
November 1, 2002 - Veterans Benefits To Increase By 1.4 Percent
- Monthly compensation for 3.3 million veterans and survivors will increase 1.4 percent in December. The annual cost of living increase in veterans benefits matches the increase to Social Security beneficiaries using a formula that considers the consumer price index for urban wage earners and clerical workers. "Part of the nation's commitment to care for veterans disabled in service to their country and to aid their survivors is to ensure those benefits keep up with inflation," Secretary of Veterans Affairs Anthony J. Principi said. The increase should appear in January's checks.
November 1, 2002 - VA Offers New Treatment for Veterans with Hepatitis C - Less than 10 days after a new treatment for hepatitis C was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) made it available to enrolled veterans. "We take care of more patients with this debilitating liver disease than any other health system in the country - more than 70,000 a year, "Said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Anthony J. Principi. "These veterans deserve the best most responsive care we can offer, including the very latest, approved treatments." The treatment approved by the FDA Oct. 16 is called "pegylated interferon alfa-2a." VA has made arrangements with the manufacturer to ship the new drug to VA facilities sooner than any other medical system.
From the Armed Forces News - Although insurance reimbursements are cascading into the Department of Veterans Affairs' coffers, Veterans Affairs Department Secretary Anthony Principi is talking of suspending enrollment of lower-priority veterans into the health-care-system, and capping the number veterans who can enroll, or limiting annual open enrollment periods. The department floated the idea (rejected by Congress) of a $1,500. deductible for higher-income beneficiaries. The VA has told its network directors to stop marketing for new patients. A few reasons why are: 1. Since 1995, the number of VA enrollees for medical care has shot up from 2.9 million to more than 6 million, with total beneficiaries heading to more than 8 million by 2006 and almost 9 million by 2012. 2. From 1995 to now, the VA's annual budget for medical care has climbed only 32 percent, from $16.2 billion to $21.4 billion. 3. Veterans with no service-connected disabilities and higher incomes are flocking in for 30 day prescriptions at $7. With the addition of a lower-rung priority group of non-service-connected veterans, such beneficiaries make up 33 percent of all enrollees, with a projected jump to 42 percent by 2010.
VVA 500 Note : Whether you intend to use the VA medical system or not, you should still enroll. Possibly you are being covered by your own health plan at this time. But your status could change. If a quota is set on enrollment, you could be left without the means to obtain the health care you need. At this time, you may not have a service-connected disability, but as we have seen, each year new health problems are added to the list. Get into the VA hospital and GET ENROLLED.

LEGISLATION and GOVERNMENT ISSUES
Bills passed and signed or vetoed by the Governor concerning veterans:
AB2559 - Wesson - Concerns sale of bonds for construction or renovation of veterans homes in Lancaster, Saticoy, West Los Angeles.
SB1251 - Johannessen - Makes changes in the veterans' farm and home purchase program having to do with eligibility, preference categories, excess of applications over funds in the program.
SB1234 - Johannessen - Concerns sales of bonds, notes, etc. to finance construction, renovation, expansion of veterans' homes in Yountville, Barstow, Chula Vista, Fresno
County and Shasta County .
AB748 - Chavez - Enrolled, would have instructed the Bureau of State Audits to conduct an analysis of the effectiveness of the Cal-Vet program and required the Bureau of State Audits to report to the Governor and Legislature the fiscal status. This was vetoed by the Governor with this message, "I do not think, however, that it is appropriate for the Department of Veterans Affairs to pay for a study by the Bureau of State Audits. In keeping with the intent of this measure, I am instead directing the Inspector General, within existing resources, to undertake an analysis of the Cal-Vet program, using the same criteria described by this bill, and report his findings to me by January 1, 2004." Note: Interesting how this bill started out asking for surplus funds to provide housing for homeless veterans, and instead an audit ends up not due until 2004.
Veterans Day Proclamation from the White House
(Excerpts from his Veterans Day Speech)
"In recognition of the contributions our service men and women have made to the cause of peace and freedom around the world, the Congress has provided (5 U.S.C. 6103(a)) that November 11 of each year shall be set aside as a legal public holiday to honor veterans. NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim November 11, 2002, as Veterans Day and urge all Americans to observe November 10 through November 16, 2002, as National Veterans Awareness Week. I urge all Americans to recognize the valor and sacrifice of our veterans through appropriate public ceremonies and private prayers. I call upon Federal, State, and local officials to display the flag of the United States and to encourage and participate in patriotic activities in their communities. I invite civic and fraternal organizations, places of worship, schools, businesses, unions, and the media to support this national observance with suitable commemorative expressions and programs."
VVA500 Note : Perhaps we should pass this message along to Mayor Heather Fargo and the city of Sacramento. The city has consistently refused to bear the cost of veteran functions, such as a downtown parade on Veterans Day. Veterans organizations (VAC) have had to bear these costs if they choose to have a parade.

THE CAPITOL VETERAN............December, 2002......... Page 3

ANNOUNCEMENTS CONTINUED
YOU MAY have already been contacted regarding the updating of your address, phone, etc. We are updating the roster and especially want your e-mail address if you have one. If you have not yet been contacted, please call in or return a message that has been left.


HELP SUPPORT OUR SCHOLARSHIP FUND ********
CALL FOR PICK UP OF YOUR USED HOUSEHOLD ITEMS.
916-481-6020
_________________________________________

CHAPTER INFORMATION
OFFICERS: President: Dennis Kauffman, Sr.
Vice President: Stan Bollinger
Secretary: Gregory C. McNeill
Treasurer: Bill Wagner
CHAPTER ADDRESS: Vietnam Veterans of America, Inc.
Chapter 500
P.O. Box 255484
Sacramento, CA 95865
TELEPHONE: 916-485-9910
E-MAIL: vva500@accessbee.com
CHAPTER WEBSITE: www.norcaltrav.com/vva500.htm
FOR INFORMATION: Call or e-mail, Executive Director,
Mary Lou McNeill
NEWSLETTER SUBMISSIONS: Mail to Chapter address or
e-mail information. Please send pictures in jpeg form.
VVA Chapter 500 is a non-profit organization, #68-0208305, CT#75945, United Way #836890. All donations to support our projects such as our Scholarship Fund, Helping Hands Fund, Honor Guard and Library of Congress Veterans Stories Project will be gratefully appreciated. You may earmark your donation to the project you wish to support.
_______________________________________________

PLEASE GET THOSE DUES IN!!!
Your dues go to support National, State and Chapter Activities. We cannot move forward to improve services to all veterans without the support of our members. Membership renewals have been mailed to VVA and AVVA members with paid-through dates of November and December 2002. This is the first renewal notice sent to these members. Second renewal notices were sent to members with paid-thru dates of September and October 2002. Remember VVA's motto: "Never again will one generation of veterans abandon another". Help to support your brothers! All paid members are receiving Membership Certificates this month mailed along with their newsletter.

PLEASE SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS



FD 974 COA483




HELP YOUR BUSINESS AND SUPPORT THE VVA
by advertising in the Capitol Veteran. Reasonable Rates!!!
One issue, business card size is $5.00. Get one month free by advertising for 6 months at $25.00. Call the office for more information or submit your copy with a check to VVA by mail.

THE CAPITOL VETERAN................November, 2002........ Page 4

DECEMBER - 2002

SUN

MON

TUES

WED

THURS

FRI

SAT

1

2
Veterans Mem Hall Board Meeting 10:00AM

3
VVA500 Board Meeting 7:00PM

4
UVOR Planning Meeting for Christmas Party/Dinner

5

6
Monthly Dance at Vet Mem Hall 7-10PM

7

8

9

10

11
VAC Christmas Party Meeting

12
Christmas Dinner/Party Prep

13
UVOR Christmas Party/Dinner
5-10PM at Vet Mem Hall

14
Christmas Dinner/Party Clean-up

15

16

17
NO VVA General Meeting

18
UVOR Meeting 7PM

19

20

21

22

23

24
Christmas Eve

25
A Blessed and a Merry Christmas to all.

26

27

28

29

30

31
New Years Eve Drive Sober and Safe


CALENDARED EVENT DETAILS
2nd - Roseville Veterans Memorial Hall Meeting - 10:00AM - held at the hall - Gerard Fields representing VVA500.
3rd - VVA Chapter 500 Board Meeting - held at the Roseville Veterans Memorial Hall - Board members please attend.
4th - UVOR Christmas Party/Dinner Planning Meeting - held at hall - Gregory McNeill representing VVA500.
6th - Monthly dance held at the Roseville Veterans Memorial Hall.
11th - Veterans Affiliated Council Christmas Meeting/Party - VVA delegates are urged to attend. President Dennis
Kauffman represents VVA500 as Secretary of VAC.
13th - UVOR Annual Christmas/Party Dinner - All VVA members and families urged to attend. Prep and Cleanup help
would be appreciated on the 12th and 14th.
18th - Regular UVOR meeting held at the Hall - Representative Gregory McNeill
25th - Christmas Day and family time.
31st - New Years Eve - Appoint a designated driver and bring them all home safe.

VVA Chapter 500 wishes to thank Jim Santiana who was the speaker for our General Meeting in November. He is a Veteran Representative for EDD and is a Vietnam Veteran. All attending agreed that Mr. Santiana is much more than just an EDD representative. He explained many of the programs available to veterans and left us with extensive resource materials. Mr. Santiana provides one on one counseling services for veterans. Any veteran who is seeking employment, needs rehabilitation for a career change should consult with Jim. You can reach him at 916-774-4026 or e-mail JSantian@edd.ca.gov . And good news for Chapter 500, Jim will be transferring his VVA membership to our Chapter. We look forward to seeing Jim on a regular basis. He will be a great addition to our membership.

THE CAPITOL VETERAN................DECEMBER, 2002........ Page 5

RECENT ACTIVITIES OF VVA CHAPTER 500


VVA500 Secretary Gregory McNeill meets Guest Speaker, Sgt. Major "Iron Mike" Mervosh at the Marine Corp Ball

VVA500 Member, Mike Kelley, author of "Where We Were", signs books at Barnes and Noble.

VVA500 Board Member, Jim Armstrong, (middle) and friends of VVA enjoy festivities at the Torch Club (The Bunker) after the Veterans Day Parade.

Members also marched in the 2nd Annual Veterans Day Parade held in Elk Grove. Pictures will be available in the next newsletter.

Members Gerard Fields, Dino Gomez, and Bill Wagner performed our Speakers' Bureau services to several classes of eighth grade students at the Leroy Green Middle School.

E. D. Mary Lou McNeill attended a seminar held by the Library of Congress staff regarding the Veterans History Project.



At the Torch Club, VVA Secretary Gregory McNeill says "You should join VVA because........."

From left, Guy Galbaldon, USMC, WWII, Navy Cross, Brigadier General Robert Cervantes guest speakers at the Second Annual Latino Veterans Banquet attended by VVA Secretary Gregory McNeill and E.D. Mary Lou McNeill

THE CAPITOL VETERAN................DECEMBER, 2002........ Page 6


OTHER MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS

VVA500 will be awarding three scholarships to deserving high school students that will attend college in 2003. The scholarships will be awarded in honor of three VVA members who have passed away, B.T. Collins, Gil Murray, and Bill Wolf. Gerard Fields is the chair of the Scholarship Committee. In the next newsletter, we will publish all of the criteria for receiving a scholarship.

Library of Congress Veterans History Project - This project was created on October 27, 2000, by a unanimous vote of Congress and seeks to collect and preserve recorded memories of America's wartime veterans. The project and its many Official Partners across the country collect audio and video recorded interviews, as well as letter, diaries, photographs, and other personal documents, from those who served in WWI, WWII, and the Korean, Vietnam and Persian Gulf wars. Eligible are all participants in those wars, and also the civilian volunteers, support staff, war industry workers, as well as the experiences of military personnel from all ranks and all branches of service.........VVA500 has signed up to be an official partner of this project. This will enable us to have a direct link to our Chapter website and record the stories of all of our members as well as others we are able to visit and interview.

You will find this story both amazing and disgusting.... from: COURT OVERTURNS RULING ON VETS' FREE LIFETIME HEALTH CARE - from Terry Frieden, CNN
WASHINGTON (CNN) - A federal appeals court Tuesday ruled that the U.S. government does not owe free lifetime medical care to World War II and Korean War veterans (1941-56) who agreed to serve 20 years in exchange, despite promises made to them when they were in the armed forces.
The ruling represents a victory for the federal government, which had argued the veterans were not entitled to the benefits. The ruling will potentially save the government billions of dollars in health care costs.
The 9-4 ruling by the full U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit in Washington, D.C. overturns a ruling by a three-judge appeals panel in February, 2001, which ruled that the veterans were entitled to the lifetime health care based on the military's promises.
In the opinion issued Tuesday the Court said that action taken this year allows for free care in the future, but that the government is not obligated to pick up the medical expenses incurred from 1995-2001. "Because (the law) at most authorizes space available treatment and not free health insurance for life, we hold that the Air Force Secretary lacked the authority in the 1950's when plaintiffs joined to promise free and full medical care," the Court majority said.


Vi etnam Veterans of America, Inc.
Chapter 500
P.O. Box 255484
Sacramento, CA 95865
916-481-6020
vva@accessbee.com

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