November 2002

President's Message By: Dennis "Doc" Kauffman, Sr.
We had another great In-Country R&R at Scott's Flat again this year. It was well attended, and we had plenty of food, fun, firewood, and BS. No one melted any boots this year, nor did Nurse Noralee or Doc Kauffman need to treat any injuries, or force-feed any pills. Bill Wagner met up with an ugly scrape after a tree stump nailed his foreleg. He wasn't in pain long.... we shot him! Saturday night's dinner was excellent, with plenty of leftovers to go into the fried potatoes Sunday morning. The October meeting was brief with ceremonies remembering Gil Murray, B.T. Collins, and Bill Wolf. November 11th is right around the corner and we are still looking for a flat bed trailer for our brother vets that need to ride in the parades. We are participating in the Elk Grove 2nd Annual Veterans Day Parade, so please join us!

Veterans' Day Parade Details
Please come and join your brothers marching in the parade on November 11. Everyone is to meet between 7:30AM and 10:30AM at Area 2 on Williamson Dr. to the right, off Elk Grove Blvd. South. Chapter 500 is #9. The parade starts at 11:00AM. Any member who cannot walk the long route of the parade, but would like to join in, is urged to call the VVA office at 481-6020. We are attempting to acquire a vehicle for you to ride in. But, we need a definite number of those interested so we can determine the size of the vehicle needed. Bring your families and enjoy the activities in the park after the parade. SEE BACK PAGE FOR MORE VETERANS' DAY ACTIVITIES.

Did You Know?
There are still 191 Vietnam POW/MIA's from California?

Current News and Announcements
BOOK SIGNING - One of our members has made the big time. Mike Kelley, author of "Where We Were", "a Comprehensive Guide to the Firebases, Military Installa-tions, and Naval Vessels of the Vietnam War - 1945-1975" has announced that he is scheduled for a book signing at the Barnes and Noble bookstore in the Roseville Galleria on November 9, from 2-4 PM. Let's all show our support for his achievement and attend the event. The book would make an excellent Christmas present for fellow veterans or you might drop hints to your families. See Mike's website for more information on "Where We Were", www.wherewewere.com .

VETO PENDING - Member action needed. The DOD and President Bush's top advisors are recommending that he veto the entire defense budget if the section is included that repeals the 110 year old ban on "concurrent receipt". Concurrent receipt means that a veteran can collect both retirement pay (for 20 yrs. or more of service) and disability pay for service related injuries or ailments. DOD and the White House sees this as "double dipping" and sees this as too costly for the budget. Formerly the veteran was only able to receive the larger of the two. Most elected representatives are in favor of the veteran receiving both. So, it would be important for all veterans to contact the White House and tell them how you feel. It would not hurt to contact your Senator or Representative also to give them support for acting in your favor. Call the White House at: 202-456-1111 or e-mail: president@whitehouse.gov . Sen. Boxer can be reached at 310-414-5700 or e-mail: senator@boxer.senate.gov . Sen. Feinstein can be reached at 310-914-7300 or e-mail: senator@feinstein.senate.gov . If you don't know who your Representative is you can go to the website: www.house.gov/writerep/ enter your state and zip code (including the 4 digits on the end) and the name and information will come up.
*** For more announcements see Page 3

BENEFITS
Vietnam era Veterans may have been part of the bio-war tests performed between 1962-71, possibly 1973. If you were on a ship, boat or on land between the above years in the areas of Hawaii, Alaska, Utah, Florida, Maryland or Puerto Rico, you may have taken part in the testing of sarin, BZ, VX, tear gas, BG, soman and tabun. The shipboard tests were called Shipboard Hazard and Defense or "SHAD". Even if sailors or soldiers were supposedly protected from the effects of these chemicals, the cleanup of such may have produced health problems. Representative Mike Thompson, Vietnam Combat Veteran, upon the request of a Eureka constituent, Jack Alderson, former commander of five naval tugs in Hawaii, began pursuing DOD and VA for details on the tests. He was also responding to claims by veterans claiming health damage from the tests. While the VA has been attempting to find soldiers and sailors involved in the tests since 2000, the details of the types of tests and agents used were not publicly disclosed until October, 2002. Approximately 5500 soldiers and sailors have been identified by the DOD and as of October only 1400 had been located. If you think you may have been involved in these tests in anyway, you need to contact the VA, get tested and registered. Don't delay, some veterans involved are already claiming health problems from the tests. Claims are being paid for health damage in regard to the testing. More information is available on the Internet at: www.va.gov/SHAD . A number to call is 1-800-749-8387. You may call the Chapter number 916-481-6020 for a listing of the ships and boats involved in the tests.
NEWS RELEASE - OCTOBER 3, 2002 FROM DVA
SEVERELY DISABLED VETERANS GET HEALTH CARE PRIORITY FROM VA - Washington - The Department of Veterans Affairs is establishing priority access to health care for severely disabled veterans under new regulations recently announced. "It is unacceptable to keep veterans with service-connected medical problems waiting for care," said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Anthony J. Principi. "These veterans are the very reason we exist, and everything we do should focus first on their needs." The new regulation is being implemented in two phases. Under the first phase, which is being implemented immediately, VA will provide priority access to health care for veterans with service-connected disabilities rated 50 percent or greater. This new priority includes hospitalization and outpatient care for both service-connected and non-service -connected treatment. VA will continue to treat immediately any veteran needing emergency care. In the second phase, which will be implemented next year, VA will provide priority access to other service-connected veterans for their service-connected conditions. The number of veterans using VA's health care system has risen dramatically in recent years, increasing from 2.9 million in 1995 to a projected 4.4 million in 2002. An additional 600,000 veterans are projected to enroll in VA health care in 2003. Unable to absorb this increase, VA has more than 280,000 veterans on waiting lists to receive medical care.

LEGISLATION and GOVERNMENT ISSUES
THIS MONTH we were going to list the bills recently passed or vetoed concerning veterans and continue our listing of the Assembly Veterans Affairs Committee Members. We will continue that next month. For those with Internet access, view the bills there. However, due to the unexpected death of Senator Paul Wellstone, a true champion for veterans, we are devoting the balance of this column to Senator Wellstone's work in Congress taken from his website. " As a member of the Senate Committee on Veteran's Affairs, Senator Wellstone is one of the nation's leading advocates for veterans and their families. He authored and passed the Comprehensive Homeless Veterans Assistance Act in 2001, which aims to completely end veterans homelessness within a decade. He secured long-awaited service-connected benefits for atomic veterans afflicted by certain radiation-related cancers. For the past several years, he has led Senate efforts to fully fund veterans health care programs. Senator Wellstone has received numerous honors and awards from the veterans community, including commendations from the Vietnam Veterans of America , the Minnesota chapter of the Paralyzed Veterans of America, the Military Order of the Purple Heart and the Minnesota Veterans of Foreign Wars, among others.
Godspeed Senator and thank-you. Senator Wellstone was killed on October 25, 2002, in a small plane crash in a heavily wooded area of Minnesota approximately seven minutes from the airport where his plane was to land. Killed with him was his wife, daughter, staff members and the two pilots.
ANOTHER PASSING - Lowell Laughlin, 74, a WWII Navy veteran and past commander of the San Jose American Legion Post and the American Legion Post, Alyn W. Butler, Post 169 of Roseville was buried on Friday, October 18, 2002. Lowell was twice commander of Post #169 and was the current Past Commander. He was an active life member of the American Legion and of the Order of Moose. His funeral included Post #169 along with the Moose and the VFW District Honor/Rifle Detail, who presented the rifle salute. SFC Lyle Seebrand, USA (Ret), a former member of the 59th Army Band, played the bagpipes. Also two representatives from the Department of the Navy folded the burial flag and presented the national colors to Mary Loughlin, Lowell's loving wife. Our deepest sympathy to Mary and to their loving family. (Information from the American Legion Post #169 Newsletter)
American Legion Post #169 is a member of the United Veterans of Roseville of which VVA Chapter 500 is also a member.
MILITARY FUNERALS
If the family of a veteran who has passed on would like a military funeral consisting of an honor guard, the presenting of the flag and other services, there is a listing of providers on the VVA website under "Resources". If you do not have internet service, please call the office for information.

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.

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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 95868

TELEPHONE: 916-481-6020

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

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 will be receiving membership certificates in December.

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.

					1 Monthly Dance at Roseville Hall	2
3	4 Roseville Hall Board Meeting	5 Chap 500 Board Meeting Be Sure to Vote	6 United Veterans Meeting	7	8 Marine Corp Ball Folsom	9 Mike Kelley Book Signing Roseville
10 Marine Corp Birthday "Semper Fi"	11 Veterans' Day Parade-Elk Grove - Chap 500 Marches VVA "March to Remember" in Washington D.C.	12	13 Mexican Amer Memorial Banquet VAC Meeting	14	15	16
17	18	19 Chap 500 General Meeting - Speaker Jim Santianna from EDD	20	21	22 CSC Meeting Fresno	23 CSC Meeting Fresno Veterans Day Parade in Roseville
24 CSC Meeting Fresno	25	26	27	28 Thanksgiving Day	29	30 Hanukkah

CALENDARED EVENT DETAILS
1. MONTHLY DANCE - held at the Roseville Memorial Hall - Len Casey Band 7-10PM
2. ROSEVILLE HALL BOARD MEETING - held at Roseville Memorial Hall - 11AM - Gerard Fields representing VVA500
3. CHAPTER 500 BOARD MEETING - held at Roseville Memorial Hall - 7PM - All Board Members are requested to attend.
4. BE SURE TO VOTE ON THE 5TH
5. UNITED VETERANS MEETING - held at Roseville Memorial Hall - 7PM
6. MARINE CORP BIRTHDAY BALL - held at Folsom Community Center, dinner, dancing to John Skinner Band
7. VETERANS DAY PARADE - Chapter 500 participating in Elk Grove Parade - see details on front page
8. "MARCH TO REMEMBER - held in Washington D.C. - VVA members will march down Constitution Ave. to the
Vietnam Veterans Memorial beginning at 8AM - for information call 1-800-882-1316 or e-mail membership@vva.org .
9. VETERANS AFFILIATED COUNCIL MEETING - held at 2784 Stockton Blvd. - Chapter 500 delegates urged to attend.
10. MEXICAN AMERICAN VETERANS MEMORIAL BANQUET - held at KVIE studios - 5:30PM - Dinner - Speaker
WWII USMC (Ret) Veteran, Guy Gabaldon, for tickets and information call Al Martinez at 916-921-2124 or
Phil Rios at 916-310-6586
11. CHAPTER 500 GENERAL MEETING - held at Roseville Memorial Hall - 7PM - Guest Speaker, Jim Santiana, Veteran
Representative from EDD. Chapter members are urged to attend to hear about employment opportunities for veterans.
12. ROSEVILLE VETERANS DAY PARADE - Chapter 500 Color Guard will march in the parade.
13. CALIFORNIA STATE COUNCIL MEETING - held in Fresno, Chapter 500 representative, Dino Gomez
BEST WISHES FOR A HAPPY THANKSGIVING AND REMEMBRANCE OF HANUKKAH!

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

RECENT ACTIVITIES OF VVA CHAPTER 500

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

OTHER MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS

Vi etnam Veterans of America, Inc.
Chapter 500
P.O. Box 255484
Sacramento, CA 95868
916-481-6020
vva@accessbee.com