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 - By: Dennis "Doc" Kauffman
We have the opportunity with this new year to make it a better year, not only for our membership of comrades; but others out there that need our help, whether to guide them to their deserved Veterans' benefits, or to support them in their crisis. We have almost lost one of our most loyal members this year to heart disease. Harry we miss you, and can't wait until you are strong enough to join us again! We need to suck up our strength and bring in new members, and re-kindle the spirit in those that have gone idle through the year or years. This January's Board and General membership meeting will be geared to establishing a calendar of events that will enlighten all our active and couch potato membership into participating in a least one or a few events they are interested in...and seeing done!
We have had our core leadership participating in almost all events this past year and we did more last year for our Sacramento Valley communities, VVA State, and the Chapter's good name, then we have done in many years. We have re-established the Scholarship Fund and will be giving out three scholarships this year. This hasn't been achieved in many years. Our organization is stronger, although we miss those members that were active in the past, our treats at meetings, and our Op Center. If we all work together we can have all these things again, Soon!
Don't forget, we can all work together as a unit...don't struggle out there alone.
If you wish to air your opinions, please come to the next meeting! Doc Dennis
CHAPTER GOALS FOR 2003
With the completion of 2002 and the holiday season, Chapter 500 is looking forward to working on accomplishing the goals we have set and activities planned for 2003.
Chapter 500 will continue representing Vietnam Veterans by marching in parades, providing color guard services when needed, providing speakers as requested in various schools and communities throughout Sacramento Valley, and uniting with other Veteran groups for common goals.
Continued in next column >>>

Current News and Announcements

The Speaker for our General Meeting on Jan 21st will be Michael J. Struski, Associate Director of the VA Medical Center. Be sure to attend to find out what's happening at the Center. Bring your questions and suggestions for what the VA can or should do for you.

>>>(From Column One) General Meetings will continue to be held monthly and are open to all Vietnam Era Veterans. A speaker will be available at each meeting with helpful information for all Vets. The Chapter website will continue to add information and resources for all Veterans. The office phone number serves as a resource either directly or by referral for Veterans and others alike in regard to services and benefits for Veterans.
Partial funding for Chapter 500 services, activities and projects comes from Thrift Store collections, a portion of membership dues and a very small amount from United Way. Aside from the above activities, the following are projects and activities Chapter 500 will be working on this year and would appreciate help with funding:
1. Three scholarships will be awarded in August of 2003.
2. The Chapter 500 "Helping Hands" fund is reserved for members that are in need.
3. Chapter 500 is an official partner for the Library of Congress "Veterans History Project". We need a camcorder and tapes for submissions and archives.
4. "The Reading of the Names" project is held on the day before Memorial Day each year at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. Funds are needed for publications, advertising, programs and other event expenses.
We would appreciate any donation for the above projects and activities as well as any volunteers who would like to participate. Any contributions will be gratefully appreciated. Your contribution may be earmarked to a particular activity if you wish. Chapter 500 is a non-profit organization and any contribution is tax deductible. Please see Chapter information on page three and thank-you.
>>>See Scholarship Criteria on Page 6<<<

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BENEFITS
VETERANS ADMINISTRATION NEWS RELEASES

DECEMBER 2002 - Multiple Sclerosis
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic disease of the brain and spinal cord. The illness is thought to result from an autoimmune attack on the central nervous system focused on myelin, which is a protective coating on nerves.
The symptoms of MS are highly variable, depending on the areas of the central nervous system that have been affected. Initial symptoms most often include difficulty in walking, abnormal sensations such as numbness, and visual problems due to optic neuritis, an inflammation of the optic nerve. There is no cure for this disease, although drugs can help slow the course of the disease or symptoms in some patients.
Approximately 350,000 Americans have MS, and about 200 new cases are diagnosed each week, according to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. VA medical centers treat at least 22,000 patients each year who have MS. More than 11,193 veterans receive disability compensation for the illness.
Compensation and Health Care - To qualify for VA disability compensation for MS, a veteran must have a current diagnosis of the disease and there must be evidence that it developed in service or to a compensable degree within seven years following separation from active duty.
To receive health care, veterans generally must be enrolled with VA. Veterans with MS are eligible for VA health care and are exempt from co-payment requirements for hospital and outpatient medical services if they are receiving compensation for any service-connected disability, receiving care for a service-connected disability or if their income is at or below the congressionally established income limits.
VVA500 Note - More information can be obtained on MS from your VA center. HOWEVER.....Once again >>>>
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.

Registry Programs - From www.Military.com - Veterans who claim exposure to Agent Orange are provided with free, comprehensive medical examinations, including laboratory and other diagnostic tests deemed by an examining physician necessary to determine health status. Results of the examinations, which include review of the veteran's military service and exposure history, are entered into special, computerized databases, called registries. Cont. >>>

LEGISLATION and GOVERNMENT ISSUES
PRESS RELEASE FROM THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE

DECEMBER 17, 2002 - New Secretary of Veterans Affairs
At the Department of Veterans Affairs today, Governor Gray Davis announced the appointment of Senator Maurice Johannessen as his new Secretary of Veterans Affairs.
"Johannessen is a true champion for veterans' issues, " Gov. Davis said. "He helped secure funding for more veterans' homes. He established a new Veterans' Cemetery in Redding and he helped expand the veterans' farm and home loan purchase program."
Senator Johannessen, 68, of Redding, recently completed two terms of office as the State Senator representing California's 4th District. During his tenure in the Senate, Senator Johannessen chaired the Committee on Veterans Affairs where he authored the resolution to mark the American Prisoners of War Recognition Day, among other things. He is a former Mayor of Redding (1988-1989) and served as Supervisor and Chair of the Shasta County Board of Supervisors (1990 to 1992).
Immigrating to the United States from Norway in 1952, Senator Johannessen enlisted and served in the United States Army during the Korean Conflict.
"Senator Johannessen has given double service to our nation - first, as a soldier in the United States Army during the Korean War, second as a State Senator for the last nine years," Gov. Davis added. "He and I share a vision for a more friendly Department of Veterans Affairs that delivers the full range and quality of services that our veterans deserve."
The Secretary of Veterans Affairs is the chief administrative officer of the Department of Veterans' Affairs. The Secretary shall be a veteran as defined in Section 18540 of the Government Code. As head of the department he is subject to the policies adopted by the Board, and shall perform all duties, exercise all powers and jurisdiction, assume and discharge all responsibilities and carry out and effect all provisions vested by law in the department.
Senator Johannessen will receive a salary of $131,412. This position requires Senate confirmation.

>>> These databases assist VA in analyzing the types of health conditions being reported by veterans. Registry participants are advised of the results of their examinations in personal consultations. Veterans wishing to participate should contact the nearest VA health care facility for an examination.

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