Attention Vance Committee Members! Before the regular meeting this month at 5:30 PM we will be having a Vance Committee meeting. The main order of business will be the election of the Committee Chairman and establishment of our agenda and objectives for the coming year.

 

Our April meeting was well attended and we had a busy agenda. The newly elected officers, directors and the Vance Committee volunteers are listed above. Congratulations and special thanks to those willing to serve.

 

Sick call resulted in finding out that Richard Lidekens is battling a torn rotator cup and Leon Reginatto is overcoming a broken ankle. Our best to both. The Chapter’s lengthy Life Member list now includes Richard Rose.

 

Memorial Day: Services will be taking place at the following locations and times;

 

Santa Barbara Cemetery 9:00 AM

Goleta Valley Cemetery 9:00 AM (members John Parsons and Gerry Roberson are coordinating)

Carpinteria cemetery 11:00 AM (Coffee & Donuts at Veterans Memorial Building afterwards)

Veterans Memorial Building 11:00 AM (Lunch following ceremony)

Elings Park 3:00 PM (including honoring veterans whose names have recently been added)

 

Regarding the permanent wreaths that were budgeted last month, new member Sarah Farmer has been generous enough to volunteer to make us a permanent wreath for the cost of materials. We’ll defer decisions on the second wreath until the first is completed. Member Gerry Roberson has found us a new stabilizer for our Huey and is working on locating another and on arranging installation.

 

The Adopt A Veteran program continues to be a work in progress. Members Dennis Hartman and William Griffin both have active duty relatives who may be the first initiates. The membership approved the ordering of hand out business cards that describe the program. Bill Stewart announced that Santa Barbara Monumental will be adding the seven names to the Elings Park Terrace of Remembrance Memorial for $250, half of which will generously be paid for by the Elings Park Association.

 

The price of gasoline is impacting the operation of the Veterans Van. It was proposed and approved that we buy $300 of gasoline (roughly a one month supply). The van is used a couple times a week to transport veterans to the facility where they get their dialysis treatments.

 

The following alert came down from State. I believe this to be the organization that Bill Stewart alerted us to some months ago.

 

VA ALERT ON VAS: The Veterans Administration has put out a warning regarding involvement with an organization calling itself Veterans Affairs Services (VSA). This organization is gathering personal information on veterans under a VA services look alike website http://www.vaservices.org. This organization is not affiliated with the VA in any way and in reality is a private company based in California. It describes itself as a nonprofit veteran's service organization but they are actually affiliated with the Military Financial Planning association. They may be gaining access to military personnel through their close resemblance to the VA name and seal. VA's legal counsel has requested installations be informed of this organization's activities and their lack of affiliation or endorsement by VA to provide any services. In addition, anyone having examples of VAS acts such as VAS employees assisting veterans in the preparation and presentation of claims for benefits, is requested to pass these on to Michael.Daugherty2@va.gov, (202) 273-8636. Mr. Daugherty is a Staff Attorney with the Department of Veterans Affairs in Washington, D. C.

 

Following the meeting, several of us had a nice commune at the nearby Fish House.

 

I look forward to seeing you at our next meeting. Peter Schenck, Commandant of the Marine Corps League and Chairman of the Veterans Coordinating Council, will be explaining a VCC issue (what issue escapes me for the moment) to us. George Ogle has some suggestions regarding Vance publicity. Don Matter has a scholarship proposal.

Proudly representing and serving noble warriors with noble intentions,

Keith

 

The Santa Barbara Chapter of the Vietnam Veterans of America is a tax exempt, non-profit organization. Our members are Vietnam era (you need not have served "in country") Veterans and Associates (individuals from all walks of life who may or may not have served in the military). Our Chapter is successful because of the efforts of Vietnam Veterans, Vietnam Era Veterans, and Associates, all of whom are equally welcomed and prized. The Chapter’s Vance Committee distributes funds to qualified disabled American veterans.

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May, 2006

 

SERVING VETERANS AND THE COMMUNITY SINCE 1983

 

For all those soldiers, sailors, airmen, coast guardsmen and marines, past, present and future, who have taken, are taking, or will take their turn on duty, recall a couple of lines from

A Few Good Men (1992):

"Why do you like them so much?" {Lt. Sam Weinberg (Kevin Pollak)}

" 'Cause they stand on a wall and they say: "Nothing's going to hurt you tonight, not on my watch."" {Lt. Cdr. JoAnne Galloway (Demi Moore)}

 

"Proud To Be
A Vietnam Veteran"

 

 

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