August 2005
MEETINGS
Our next monthly meeting will be 23 August 05. We will continue to meet on the 4th Tuesday of each month, and remain at Ryan’s until otherwise changed. The meetings will start at 6:30 p.m. with dinner any time before or during the meeting.
FISH FRY
All VVA and AVVA members and their families are invited to Kent Reed’s home (see enclosed map for directions) for a fish fry on Saturday August 20th, 2005. The cooking will begin at 1200 and will feature ocean fish caught on a recent fishing trip by Kent, PJ, Kent’s son and late father-in-law. Also being cooked will be hot-dogs for the kids. To insure you have what you like to drink it is advised that you bring your favorite non-alcoholic beverage. Kent’s phone number is on the map should you get lost and need directions to the LZ. AS DISCUSSED AT THE LAST MEETING, FOR PRIVACY REASONS THERE WILL BE NO MAP PLACED ON THE WEBSITE. A MAP WAS MAILED TO EACH MEMBER WITH THE NEWSLETTER.
NATIONAL CONVENTION ELECTION RESULTS
In an August 13th press release the following information on newly elected officers was provided:
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President |
John Rowan |
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Vice-President |
Jack Devine |
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Secretary |
Barry Hagge |
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Treasurer |
Alan Cook |
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Reg. 4 Director |
James Gilmer |
Congratulations to all the newly elected officers. Chapter 902 Vice President Carol Smits will have more information for us about all the other convention happenings at our next meeting.
AGENT ORANGE
(all taken right from the VA website)
The VA encourages any veteran with in-country Vietnam service and diagnosed diabetes mellitus to contact his or her local VA office for information and assistance on applying for benefits. Or you may apply on-line. http://vabenefits.vba.va.gov/vonapp
VA Response to Concerns about Agent Orange
• VA developed the Agent Orange Registry Examination Program in 1978 to identify Vietnam veterans concerned about Agent Orange exposure. Nearly 300,000 Vietnam veterans have been provided examinations under the Registry program as of December 1999. VA maintains a computerized registry of data from these examinations. Registrants receive periodic updates on Agent Orange studies and VA policy.
• VA’s Advisory Committee on Health-Related Effects of Herbicides was established in 1979 to examine issues surrounding the possible health effects of herbicides on Vietnam veterans. VA also established the Veterans’ Advisory Committee on Environmental Hazards, consisting of non-VA experts in dioxin and radiation exposure as well as several lay members, to advise the Secretary on the results of Agent Orange-related research, and regulatory, administrative and legislative initiatives. Since passage of a 1991 law (PL102-4), which directs VA to request that the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) review diseases associated with herbicide exposure, the committee’s work has been superseded by the NAS review.
• The NAS reviews and evaluates scientific literature about Agent Orange. NAS reviewed more than 6,000 abstracts of scientific or medical articles and analyzed 230 epidemiological studies before its initial July 1993 report, which led to the inclusion of additional diseases on the list for presumptive service-connection. The NAS review has been continuing, with acute and sub acute peripheral neuropathy and prostate cancer added to VA’s presumptive list after the NAS issued an updated report in March 1996. Also based on that report’s findings of new “limited or suggestive evidence” of an association between herbicides and spina bifida in the children of Vietnam veterans, VA proposed legislation to aid children of Vietnam veterans who suffer from that disorder, and established a reproductive outcomes research center to investigate potential environmental hazards of military service. An NAS update, released in February 1999, contained no major changes in its classifications of diseases.
In April 2000, VA asked NAS to broaden an ongoing study to include the results of the military’s latest report on Agent Orange, which found a high rate of adult-onset diabetes among Vietnam veterans who participated in spraying operations.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE
People wishing to receive e-mail from VA with the latest news releases and updated fact sheets can subscribe at the following Internet address:
http://www.va.gov/opa/pressrel/opalist_listserv.cfm
WOMEN VETERANS
Vietnam Women Veterans Memorial
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...over
265,000 women served in the armed forces of the United States. Nearly 10,000
women in uniform actually served in-country during the conflict. They
completed their tours of duty and made a difference. They gave their lives. The Vietnam Women’s Memorial was established not only to honor those women who served, but also for the families who lost loved ones in the war, so they would know about the women who provided comfort, care, and a human touch for those who were suffering and dying. The Vietnam Women’s Memorial was dedicated in 1993 as part of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. The Vietnam Women’s Memorial Project was incorporated in 1984 and is a non-profit organization located in Washington, D.C. The mission of the Vietnam Women’s Memorial Project is to promote the healing of Vietnam women veterans through the placement of the Vietnam Women’s Memorial on the grounds of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C.; to identify the military and civilian women who served during the Vietnam war; to educate the public about their role; and to facilitate research on the physiological, psychological, and sociological issues correlated to their service. The Project has the support of every major veterans group in the country including the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund and more than 40 other diverse organizations. In 2002 The Project changed its name to the Vietnam Women's Memorial Foundation to better reflect its mission at this time. |
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CALENDAR OF EVENTS
20Aug 1200 hrs Fish Fry at Kent Reed’s home.
23 Aug 1830 hrs. Chapter 90Meeting (Ryan's)
17t Sep TBA – POW/MIA Recognition Day, Retreat to be held at Robins AFB
24 Sep 1700 Hrs – Board of Directors meeting Place TBA
27 Sep 1830 Hrs – Chapter 902 Meeting (Ryan’s)
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CHAPTER OFFICERS
President-Randall Pettyjohn
Vice President-Carol Smits
Secretary- Kent Reed
Treasurer: Dave Garland
Master at Arms: John Phillips