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_______________________________
Volume 8, Number 8 August 23, 1994
. __ .
. -*- N A M V E T -*- ____/ \_ .
. ( * \ .
. Managing Editor \ Quangtri .
. ---------------- \_/\ \_ Hue .
. G. Joseph Peck \_Ashau Phu Bai .
. \_* \_ .
. Distribution Manager \ * ) .
. -------------------- _/ Danang .
. Jerry Hindle \|/ ( \_*Chu Lai .
. --*-- \_ ------- \__ .
. Section Editors /|\ \_ I Corps \ .
. --------------- \ ------- ! .
. IN-TOUCH: Ray "Frenchy" Moreau /\_____ ! .
. INCARCERATED VETS: Joyce Flory / ! \ .
. MIA/POW: Paul Bylin ! !___ \ .
. ! \/\____! .
. KEEPER OF THE LIST: Joyce Flory ! ! .
. / Dak To ! .
. / * / .
. ! \_ .
. ! Phu Cat\ .
. \ * * ) .
. \ Pleiku ) .
. -*- N A M V E T -*- \ \ .
. / / .
. "In the jungles of 'Nam, some of us ( -------- ! .
. were scared and wary, but we pulled _\ II Corps ! .
. one another along and were able / -------- \ .
. to depend on each other. That has \ \ .
. never changed. Today, free of the ! * / .
. criticisms and misunderstandings _/ Nhatrang / .
. many veterans have endured, _/ / .
. NAM VET is a shining beacon, __/ ! .
. a ray of hope, and a _ __/ \ ! .
. reminder that the _____( )/ ! Camranh Bay .
. lessons learned / !__ ! .
. at such a high / \ / .
. price shall not \ Bien Hoa \ / .
. be forgotten - ! Chu Chi * \ __/ .
. nor the errors \_ * --------- \ ___/ .
. repeated!!!" ____ \ III Corps \ _/ .
. / \_____) )_(_ --------- !__/ Duplication in .
. ! ( ___/ any form permitted .
. _____! \__ * ___/ for NONCOMMERCIAL .
. ! Saigon/ purposes ONLY! .
. \___ -------- / \/ .
. \ IV Corps / For other use, contact: .
. ) -------- / .
. / ! G. Joseph Peck (813) 885-1241 .
. / ____/ Managing Editor .
. / Mekong/ .
. ! Delta/ This newsletter is comprised of articles .
. ! ____/ and items from individuals and other .
. ! / sources. We are not responsible for the .
. ! / content of this information nor are any of .
. ! __/ NamVet's contributors or Section Editors. .
. \_/ gjp .
. .
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NamVet Newsletter Page i
=0C Volume 8, Number 8 August 23, 1994
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T A B L E O F C O N T E N T S
=20
1. From US to YOU
So THAT's a Fire Ant! .................................... 1
Copyright Notice ......................................... 3
2. MIA's/POWs
Help Jose Sanfiel with POW/MIAs Highway! ................. 4
Some Gave All... ......................................... 6
NAMES on THE WALL ........................................ 7
Gulf War Information! .................................... 9
3. Not for eating or drinking
Agent Orange Info ........................................ 19
Break out the Clearasil ! ............................ 21
4. Three Squares and ...
Homeless Veterans ........................................ 22
Achilles in Vietnam ...................................... 31
A visit or note once in awhile? .......................... 35
PTSD & the Forgotten Warriors ............................ 36
5. Pursuit of Freedom
Been there ... done that! ................................ 41
Fading Photographs -- Part 1 ............................ 42
The Electronic Chapel .................................... 56
Silver Star .............................................. 57
Remember? ................................................ 63
6. Veteran commo from Uncle Sam and ...
Ask the Veterans' Affairs Counselor ...................... 64
Interesting Veteran Information .......................... 68
VETLink #50 - Jeff Beer .................................. 70
Veteran Legal Assistance ................................. 72
7. Things to think about
Mission: Command & Control ............................... 75
Lessons from Geese ....................................... 84
8. Sister Vets
VWMP's Sister Search ..................................... 85
VWMP's Sister Search Form ................................ 86
VWMP Products for 1994 ................................... 87
9. IVVEC Phonebook/Information
The IVVEC Phonebook ...................................... 88
NamVet Distribution Survey Form .......................... 97
Some Gave All... ......................................... 98
NamVet Newsletter Page ii
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From US to YOU
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So THAT's a Fire Ant!
=20
I'm getting some REAL different experiences here in Florida! =20
Walkin' barefoot through the grass jus' don't cut it anymore=20
(hehehehe) as a recent 'just standin' around lookin' at things'=20
from the top of a mound of dirt quickly taught me. Wasn't there=20
but a second when suddenly sting-like feelings started comin' from=20
m' toes and sides of m' feet. So THAT's a Fire Ant! Found out=20
REAL quick...
Tryin' to cut the lawn ('er jungle) was 'nother 'xperience you'd=20
find amusing. Saw this black-like snake slitherin' away whilst I=20
was approaching a particularly high stand of grass. Was ALMOST=20
tempted to chase it an' chop it up with the lawnmower but=20
somethin' tol' me to hold off an' let it go. Later was talkin'=20
with neighbor and learned that the snake was called a Black Racer=20
- and they're HELPFUL down here to keep the rattlesnakes away! =20
Let 'em slither 'round if'n they're gonna keep me an' mine safe!
There's a lot o' little strange bugs an' creatures that I've=20
been findin' lately - lot of 'em that an entomologist would have a=20
ball with! =20
There's a lot o' little strange bugs an' creatures, too, that=20
seem to haunt the halls of the body-DVA that I've found continue=20
to exist no matter WHERE you're dealin' with 'em... ya' know,=20
"The PE (Paperwork Eater)" bug ... the kind that eats paperwork=20
an' ya have to send 'nother copy and then 'nother copy after that=20
'cause the second one got eaten too! Or the "LF (Lose the Files)"=20
bug - the one responsible for loosing my application for VocRehab=20
here in Florida. I didn't learn about THAT one's existence here=20
in Florida until last week after I'd registered for USF. =20
Checkin' to be SURE all my paperwork was in order, I called VARO=20
in St. Petersburg, FL. since I hadn't yet received my=20
Authorization to Attend (VA Form 1905). Sure 'nuff, the PE and LF=20
bugs had struck again! They couldn't even find the SECOND copy=20
I'd sent 'em - and, for sure, the Authorization to Attend form=20
(1905) was now a long, long way off.
Without DVA payin' the tuition an' books an' addin' Subsistence
allowance, its clearly settin' m'self up for failure if'n I show
up at the college and begin m' classes!
Banged on the doors of my Service Rep. (State of Florida, Office=20
of Veteran Affairs). "Surely we have a failure to communicate=20
here" I felt when I was told, "Joe... you KNOW that if'n the VA=20
approves your claim for VocRehab you'll lose your entitlement to=20
Unemployability upon your graduation. You KNOW you'll have to=20
work after graduation..." Sheesh!
Banged, too, on the doors of my local Vet Center. Great bunch=20
o' folks and they're doin' what they can. MIGHT just make it -=20
but its gonna be close. We'll keep ya posted... Wunner, though,=20
if'n the PE and LF bugs are kinda like the black racer?
=20
Maybe I should just take time and rest ??=20
=20
As many of ya might note, we've begun a serialized story in this=20
issue by Mike McCombs. Its a very interesting story when ya put=20
it all together (I'm workin' now on makin' it into an electronic=20
book). Stay tuned and we'll be announcin' its availability.
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NamVet Newsletter Page 1
=0C Volume 8, Number 8 August 23, 1994
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Our VETLink BBSs continue to grow in number and the VETNet=20
echoes are rapidly expanding. Look for a VETLink BBS near you -=20
and WELCOME to all those NEW VETLink BBSs that haven't yet been=20
officially welcomed to our number! I'll be getting your echo
announcements out VERY shortly! WELCOME HOME!!!
=20
For now, so MUCH on the front an' back burners that even the=20
Fire Ants don't stand a chance - let alone me. LOTS to do and=20
even MORE for our next issue of NamVet ... Keep those=20
contributions comin' folk - and don't forget to visit a=20
hospitalized or shut-in veteran: They'd really appreciate YOUR=20
company and some of YOUR time. =20
=20
'til next issue ...
Show a brother or sister veteran
That YOU care!
=20
God bless
=20
-=3D Joe
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NamVet Newsletter Page 2
=0C Volume 8, Number 8 August 23, 1994
> * - Copyright Notice - * ____/~~\_ <
< ( * \ >
> Prepared by G. Joseph Peck \ Quangtri <
< NamVet Project \_/\ \_ Hue >
> Electronic Veterans' Centers of \_Ashau Phu Bai <
< America Corporation (EVAC) \_* \_ >
> Copyright 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, \_ * ) <
< 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994 _/ Danang >
> ( \_*Chu Lai <
< All rights reserved. \_ ------- \__ >
> \_ I Corps \ <
< NamVet is a collective volunteer \ ------- ! >
> effort comprised of articles and /\_____ ! <
< items sharing veteran-related news, / ! \ >
> experiences and resources amongst ! !___ \ <
< veterans, their family members, ! \/\____! >
> concerned others and health, ! ! <
< educational and correctional / Dak To ! >
> institutions. / * / <
< ! \_ >
> ! Phu Cat\ <
< Segments of this newsletter may be \ * * ) >
> excerpted for counseling, self- \ Pleiku ) <
< help, dissemination amongst veteran \ \ >
> organizations and groups, and for / / <
< scholarly purposes without further ( -------- ! >
> permission; it is requested only _\ II Corps ! <
< that proper credit be given to the / -------- \ >
> author of a particular article and \ \ <
< the contributor who submitted it. ! * / >
> _/ Nhatrang / <
< ANY OTHER USE REQUIRES THE _/ / >
> WRITTEN AUTHORIZATION OF __/ ! <
< _ __/ \ ! >
> Electronic Veterans'___( )/ ! Camranh Bay <
< Centers of / !__ ! >
> America / \ / <
< Corporation \ Bien Hoa \ / >
> (EVAC) ! Chu Chi * \ __/ <
< \_ * --------- \ ___/ >
> . ____ \ III Corps \ _/ <
< / \_____) )_(_ --------- !__/ >
> ! ( ___/ <
< _____! \__ * ___/ >
> ! Saigon/ <
< \___ -------- / \/ >
> \ IV Corps / <
< ) -------- / CONTACT: >
> / ! Electronic Veterans' Centers of <
< / ____/ America Corporation (EVAC) >
> / Mekong/ ATTN: G. Joseph Peck <
< ! Delta/ Managing Editor - NamVet >
> ! ____/ Post Office Box 261692 <
< ! / Tampa, Florida 33615-1692 >
< ! / VOICE: (813) 885-1241 <
< ! __/ >
< \_/ gjp <
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MIA's/POWs
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Help Sanfiel get his drive on the road to honor POWs/MIAs
By Charley Reese in the 2/24/89 [Orlando] Sentinel
Submitted by Jose N. Proenza Sanfiel
4230 Pow's & Mia's Memorial Dr. - St. Cloud, Fl 34772-8142
=20
[Joe note: I was going through some of my MIA/POW stuff recently=20
(see NAMES ON THE WALL in this issue) and happened to come across=20
an article written about our Jose "Corporal Pro" Proenza Sanfiel. =20
The telephone rings - sometimes late at night; the fax machine=20
springs to life - another note from Jose pushing for the renaming=20
project. =20
Last year, bio-daughter Kymberli and myself saw him work SO hard=20
asking for OUR support at The Wall ...
Today ... how many of YOU have written in/on behalf of the=20
renaming our nations' interstate highways?
Let's give Jose some SUPPORT ... He's STILL at it!
Together then ... together now!!!]
=20
Andy Jackson, one of my favorite presidents, said, "One man with=20
courage is a majority." Such a fellow is Jose N. Proenza Sanfiel,=20
of Kissimmee. Sanfiel has taken it upon himself to persuade=20
Congress to name two of the interstate highways in honor of=20
Americans who are or were prisoners of war and those who are=20
missing in action.
I think it is a great idea and I'm betting on Sanfiel. This=20
American, who came from Cuba as a young boy and who has served two=20
hitches in the Marine Corps, has all the qualities today's=20
politicians are least able to cope with. He wants nothing for=20
himself. He won't tolerate a runaround. And he won't quit.
It would seem to me that a Congress eager to hand out $12=20
billion to foreign governments, some of which are our enemies, or=20
$2 billion to Japanese-Americans and former Japanese aliens, could=20
at least name two highways for the MIAs/POWs. After all, it won't=20
cost anything but the signs.
Ever since Americans left Saigon in 1975, I have been listening=20
to American politicians flapping their lips about their dedication=20
to the MIAs/POWs. Of course, former President Jimmy Carter tried=20
to evade the problem of MIAs by simply having a bureaucratic=20
procedure declare them dead. The bureaucratic ploy was based on=20
this ridiculous premise: Mrs. Wife and Child, do you (who live=20
here as private citizens with no resources) have any proof your=20
husband and father is alive? No? We, we declare him dead.
Only outrage prevented this bureaucratic sleight of hand that=20
was designed to hide the fact now tainting several administrations=20
that the U.S. government, for reasons of political expediency, has=20
not gone to the mat on the MIAs/POWs just as it did not go to the=20
mat after the Korean War and World War II.
At any rate, Sanfiel thinks that if we name two highways in=20
honor of these men, then it will be harder for the politicians to=20
forget them. He wrote state officials and they told him it was a=20
federal matter. He wrote his congressman, Rep. Bill Nelson, and=20
Nelson said it was a state matter.
Sanfiel, however, is not one who gives up on the runarounds. He=20
wrote the federal Department of Highway Administration and got it=20
straight from the horse's mouth: The U.S. Congress may name an=20
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NamVet Newsletter Page 4
=0C Volume 8, Number 8 August 23, 1994
interstate highway whatever it wishes to name it.
So, at his own expense, Sanfiel, while working and studying to=20
become a registered nurse, writes letter after letter and passes=20
out literature. His strategy is simple: If enough Americans write=20
their U.S. representatives and senators and ask for it, they will=20
do it.
And he's right. At first, they will try to ignore it. Then=20
they will come up with several bureaucratic reasons why it can't=20
be done. In the end, however, if enough Americans persist with=20
the same faith and tenacity as Sanfiel, the politicians will give=20
in. Then, of course, they will pat themselves on the back and=20
take credit for the idea.
I want to quote from Sanfiel's handout because I like his style:
"How can you help? Are contributions to this cause being taken? =20
Where do you send them? You can help by passing the word on to=20
any and all people that you know until the goal is reached. =20
Contributions? If anyone asks you for money for this project,=20
slap their faces and call the cops. The only contributions=20
"accepted" are a 25-cent stamp (now 29-cent) attached to an=20
envelope and addressed to Washington, D.C., with your view=20
regarding this subject."
In other words, all Sanfiel wants anyone to do is to sit down=20
and write their members of Congress and ask them to name two=20
interstate highways in honor of the MIAs/POWs.
That is refreshing. I, like most people, am forever being=20
bombarded with computerized letters from patriots-for-profit who=20
need our money to save the republic from some current horror. =20
Jose is a true patriot. And like all true patriots, he's not for=20
sale.
-----
FLORIDA HOUSE BILL 1023 ALREADY NAMED US-1-AA AS THE SOUTH-
EASTERN-MOST LEG OF THIS PATH OF AMERICAN HONOR AS: The POW's &=20
MIA's Memorial Highway. SENATE BILL S-900 COULD MAKE THIS A=20
NATIONWIDE REALITY. WRITE TODAY!!! ASK YOUR=20
[CONGRESSPERSON]/SENATOR FOR SUPPORT OF BILL S-900 ... =20
Write to: POW's & MIA's Project Interstate
4230 POW's & MIA's Memorial Drive
St. Cloud, Fl USA 34772-8142
VOICE/DATA/FAX: 407-457-MIAS (6427).
=20
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=20
Long past time for US to DO something, brothers & sisters...=20
=20
=20
Wouldn't NOW be a GREAT time to start?
=20
NamVet Newsletter Page 5
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Some Gave ALL ... Some Still Give!!!
=20
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=20
O O
O SOME GAVE ALL ...
________O__________________________________O______________
! O O !
! pow mia pow mia - BRING THEM HOME NOW! - pow mia pow mia !
! O O !
! ~~~~~ ~ ~ O~ ~~~ ~~ ~~ ~~~~~~ ~~~~ O ~~ ~ ~~~~ ~~~ ~~ !
! ~~~~ ~ ~~ O ~~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~ ~O~~~ ~~~ ~ ~~~~ ~~ !
! ~ ~~ ~ ~~ ~ O~ ~~ ~~~ ~~~~ ~~~ ~~~ O ~~~ ~~~ ~~~~ ~~~ ~ !
! ~~~ ~~ ~~ ~ O ~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~~ ~~ O ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~ ~ !
! ~~ ~~ ~~~ ~~ ~ O ~~ ~~~~ ~~~~ ~~~ O ~ ~~~ ~~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~ !
! ~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~ O ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~ O ~ ~~ ~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~ ~~ !
! ~ ~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~ O ~_~_~_~_~_ ~ O ~ ~~~~ ~ ~ ~~~ ~~ ~~ !
! ~~~ ~ ~ ~~~ ~~ ~ O ) O ~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~~ !
! ~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ /(O) / O \ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~~ ~ ~ !
! ~ ~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~ / / O \~~~~ ~~ ~~~~~ ~~~ ~~ ~ !
! ~~ ~ ~ ~~ ~~ / PRISONER / \~~ ~~ ~~ ~~~ ~ ~~~~~~ !
! ~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~ / / MISSING \~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~~ ~ ~~ !
! ~~~ ~ ~~ ~~ / OF /\ \~~ ~~ ~~~ ~~ ~~~~ ~ !
! ~ ~~~~ ~~ ~ / / \ IN \~ ~~~~ ~~ ~~~ ~~~ !
! ~~~ ~~~ ~ / WAR / ~~ \ \ ~~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ !
! ~ ~~ ~~ ~ / / ~ ~~ \ ACTION / ~~ ~~ ~~~ ~~ ~~ !
! ~~ ~~ ~~~(__________/ ~~ ~~~ \ / ~~~~~ ~~~~ ~~~~ !
! ~~~~~ ~~ ~ ~~ ~~ ~ ~ ~~ ~ ~~~ \ / ~~ ~~~ ~~ ~~~ ~~~ !
! ~~ ~~ ~~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~~ ~~ ~~~ \ / ~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~~~~~ !
! ~~~ ~~~ ~~~~ ~~ ~~~~ ~~~ ~~ ~~~ \ /~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~ ~ !
! ~ ~~ ~~~ ~~ ~~ ~~~ ~~~~ ~~ ~~~ ~ ~~~ ~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~ ~~ ~~
! ~~ ~~~ ~~~~ ~~~ ~~ ~ ~~~ ~~ ~~~~~~~ ~~~~ ~~~ ~ SOME STILL GIVE
! ~ ~~ ~~~~ ~~~~ ~~~~ ~~~ ~~~~ ~~~~ ~~~ ~~~~ ~~~~
! ~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~ ~ ~~~~ ~~~ ~~~~ !
! mia pow mia pow - BRING THEM HOME NOW! - mia pow mia pow !
!__________________________________________________________!
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NamVet Newsletter Page 6
=0C Volume 8, Number 8 August 23, 1994
NAMES on THE WALL
A program for Friends, Family and Veterans
By Chuck Mangi
Input at VETLink #1 - Tampa, FL
(813) 249-8323
=20
[Joe Note: Chuck, THANX for creating such a GREAT PROGRAM! =20
PERFECT for those veteran organizations and others who have a=20
computer and printer and would like to look up the names of our=20
brother and sister veterans on THE WALL. The print-outs are=20
terrific. And, yes, as you said, tears DID come to m' eyes as I=20
saw in front of me the NAMES of many that I knew.
NAMVET Readers: Chuck's program rates some super-high marks on=20
"Veterans' helping veterans." Bring THE WALL home!] =20
=20
In 1992 I was privileged to stand vigil at the "Moving Wall" with=20
other members of the Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter 49=20
(Pleasantville, NY). During that watch we helped many visitors in=20
locating friends and relatives on THE WALL. We had a personal=20
computer with a program that aided us in that effort. While the=20
program worked, it was a "cold list" and lacked many features that=20
would have made it more useable and APPROPRIATE for use at THE=20
WALL. One of the other members of Chapter 49 asked if I could=20
write "something better." "NAMES ON THE WALL" is the result of=20
that request. It is a far more APPROPRIATE presentation of those=20
NAMES than any other software. It treats each NAME as the=20
individual person that they are.
=20
While there has been considerable time, effort and expense in=20
developing "NAMES on THE WALL" it is not our intent to offer it=20
FOR INDIVIDUAL USE for a profit (Commercial, educational and=20
governmental organizations: write for pricing). We are aware of=20
other programs, some costing as much as $500, and some offered by=20
commercial software houses but we feel that "NAMES on THE WALL" is=20
the easiest to use, the most APPROPRIATE and certainly the least=20
expensive. It is a "stand-alone" program which does not violate=20
any copy protection or distribution laws, does not require any=20
other program other than DOS and it will run under DOS, Windows=20
and OS/2 (MAC?, Not at this time).
=20
It is our intent to offer "NAMES on THE WALL" to any INDIVIDUAL=20
for the cost of the floppies and mailing. The number of floppies=20
and hence the cost will depend on your PC. See [following] order=20
form for details. You will see within the program and on the=20
order form that we would be happy to accept ANY CONTRIBUTIONS YOU=20
WOULD CARE TO SEND. All of the contributions will be used by=20
Chapter 49 in its continuing efforts to help those less fortunate. =20
Without contributions, we only cover our costs!
=20
Features of "NAMES on THE WALL"
--Look up any name on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial or the Moving=20
Wall
--Look up can be by last name only, last name generic (as Man*=20
which will find Mangi, Mankin, etc.), last name and city, and=20
state, and branch. Look up can also be by KIA date or within a=20
range of dates.
--Duplicate names are all displayed with branch, city and KIA/MIA=20
date so that you may select your choice.
--Once the name is found (and selected if a duplicate name) it is=20
=20
NamVet Newsletter Page 7
=0C Volume 8, Number 8 August 23, 1994
displayed on the screen with name and rank, city and state of=20
record, KIA or MIA date and location on The Wall.
--If desired, that information can be printed. The print will=20
show the same data at the top of the page with a section at the=20
bottom for a tracing. Surrounding the tracing are the words=20
that appear on THE WALL itself at the top of panel 1 east and=20
the bottom of panel 1 west.
--Look up on a 486/33 PC with a good hard disk is under a second;=20
on a 286/10 with a slow hard disk it is about 2 seconds.
--Technical information:
Tested under DOS 5.0, OS/2 and 3.1 (will not install while OS/2=20
is running, run DOS for install). The author runs it under both=20
DOS and Windows 3.1 There is no need for a mouse but a hard=20
disk is required. You should plan on about 10-meg (it may need=20
up to 15 meg during the installation procedure). The file=20
itself is 9.1meg. It is organized in MS Professional ISAM. The=20
program was written in MS Professional Basic with the screens=20
written in Crescent Software's "Quick Screen." Distribution=20
compliments of PKWARE (thanks!). Will not run on a MAC!
=20
Name: _________________________________________________
=20
Mailing Address: ______________________________________
=20
______________________________________
=20
City ________________ State __ Zip ______ Organization __________
=20
Cost w/Postage(circle one) _______________________________________
=20
Floppies(3-1/2 DD-$14; 3-1/2 HD-$9.50; 5-1/4 DD-$23; 5-1/4 HD-$11)
=20
Contribution (Greatly appreciated!) ______________________________
=20
Total: ___________________________________________________________
=20
Make checks payable to: Fastest service:
Chapter 49, VVA Checks to Chapter 49, VVA
Westchester County Chapter 49 Mail to:
Vietnam Veterans of America Chuck Mangi
P.O. Box 224 31 Dingee Rd.
Pleasantville, NY 10570 So. Salem, NY 10590-9803
=20
NamVet Newsletter Page 8
=0C Volume 8, Number 8 August 23, 1994
Health Chief Orders Tests On Sick Gulf Vets
Submitted by Paul Bylin=20
LZ Memories/VETLink #84 - Peabody, MA.
(508) 977-9756=20
=20
WASHINGTON -- Ailing soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines who=20
served in Operation Desert Storm should be able to get in-depth=20
medical testing at military medical centers nationwide as early as=20
June.=20
The testing, which has been ordered by the Pentagon health chief,=20
is part of a three-pronged effort to find the causes of unexplained=20
ailments in Persian Gulf veterans. The illnesses, collectively=20
known as Persian Gulf Syndrome, have symptoms including persistent=20
fatigue, memory loss, irritability, occasional diarrhea, rashes and=20
joint aches.=20
The testing initially will be limited to military members in the=20
services' Persian Gulf Registry who are eligible to use the=20
military health care system: active-duty personnel; reservists on=20
active duty and the family members of both, defense officials said.=20
=20
MATTER OF RESPONSIBILITY
"It's the only thing we can do," said Dr. Stephen Joseph,=20
assistant secretary of defense for health affairs, at a press=20
briefing May 12. "We have a significant amount of [sick] people to=20
whom we have a responsibility."=20
The testing is the first standardized data collection to be=20
conducted by the Pentagon for veterans afflicted with Persian Gulf=20
Syndrome, officials said.=20
That is one of three major elements of the Pentagon's efforts. In=20
addition, Joseph has asked Dr. Harrison Spencer, dean of Tulane=20
School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine in New Orleans, to=20
review Pentagon efforts and recommend whether any other action=20
should be taken to help solve the mystery, according to a May 11=20
memo Joseph sent to Deputy Defense Secretary John Deutch.=20
The third part is to create a forum of national medical and=20
public health experts to advise the Pentagon and allow more public=20
comment, the memo said.=20
Joseph said the Pentagon's efforts are fueled in part by a series=20
of articles that appeared in Army Times on April 25. They=20
highlighted the plight of active-duty and former service members=20
whose health is deteriorating amid government inaction on the=20
issue.=20
=20
HEIGHTENED FOCUS
"It's perfectly self-evident, the role the media played --=20
particularly those that serve the military community -- in=20
heightening the focus and helping us move faster," he said.=20
A panel of medical experts convened by the National Institutes of=20
Health a week after the articles appeared also helped speed=20
government efforts, Joseph said.=20
The panel concluded that no single disease appears to be causing=20
Persian Gulf Syndrome and that the government would have to gather=20
a lot more information before anyone could decide what is making=20
veterans sick. Most of the data collected so far have pertained to=20
individual cases, the panel said.=20
Exactly what medical tests the services will perform on veterans=20
is still being worked out by a group of top defense and service=20
officials that is meeting weekly, Joseph said. He added that the=20
medical centers should receive guidance by the first week of June=20
=20
NamVet Newsletter Page 9
=0C Volume 8, Number 8 August 23, 1994
on what tests to perform.=20
All the information collected will be shared with the Department=20
of Veterans Affairs, which is maintaining its own in-depth registry=20
of sick Persian Gulf veterans.=20
Joseph said initial testing results should be available within=20
120 days, although the testing will go on "for as long as it=20
needs."=20
"One of the things I'm really hoping to achieve with this is to=20
have people feel confident enough to come forward ... to help us=20
figure out what is going on," Joseph said. "We're doing this for=20
you, so please come forward and take advantage of it."=20
----------------------------------------------------------
TWO SCIENTISTS SEARCH FOR SYNDROME ANSWERS
SAN ANTONIO -- In a small laboratory at the University of Texas=20
Health Science Center here, two scientists are hard at work finding=20
a physical cause for memory loss and confusion in ailing Desert=20
Storm veterans.=20
Their work is believed to be the first study of its kind on these=20
veterans. And their theory, if they can prove it, could be a major=20
step forward in solving the mystery surrounding Persian Gulf=20
Syndrome.=20
The scientists are not studying the full range of symptoms=20
reported by Persian Gulf vets. However, many of those ailments=20
could be linked to the same problem that causes the symptoms they=20
are studying.=20
=20
'MODEL ILLNESS'
The veterans' problems appear to lie in the central nervous=20
system, they say. Somehow, common chemicals, such as acetone, found=20
in nail polish remover, interrupt the mechanism that regulates=20
blood flow to the brains of these veterans. That, in turn, can=20
cause many of the symptoms reported by Desert Storm veterans whose=20
illnesses thus far have defied conventional diagnosis.=20
So for the first time in a formal study, the blood-flow changes=20
in these veterans' brains are being measured as researchers try to=20
bring on in a laboratory the symptoms the veterans are complaining=20
about.=20
"What we're trying to do is create a model of the illness," said=20
Howard Mitzel, the study's leader and an assistant professor of=20
family practice at the center. He and fellow investigator Leonid=20
Bunegin hope to "catch this thing in the act."=20
The study is being done on a shoestring budget by research=20
standards -- $8,000, with a lot of personal equipment and=20
innovation thrown in.=20
In an ideal study of the veterans, they would be tested in a=20
chamber free of chemicals and pollutants and would have chemicals=20
introduced to them, one by one, to measure the effects of each=20
substance, said Dr. Claudia S. Miller, an allergist and=20
immunologist at the Health Science Center. Miller is a leading=20
expert on Persian Gulf Syndrome and one of the study's=20
investigators.=20
The University of Texas study is separate from research the Army=20
proposes to do. The Army is willing to finance a $1.2-million test=20
and is seeking civilian scientists to do the study.=20
In their study, Mitzel and his colleagues are testing 30 male=20
Desert Storm veterans. The group comprises 15 sick ones and 15=20
"controls," who do not feel ill.=20
Veterans who participate in the test are paid $25 for their=20
efforts. But those taking part say they are not there for the=20
=20
NamVet Newsletter Page 10
=0C Volume 8, Number 8 August 23, 1994
money.=20
A 26-year-old Army reservist from San Antonio who is=20
participating in the test said he wants to help bring an end to the=20
suffering he and other veterans endure. The reservist, who asked=20
not to be identified, said he learned about the study by word of=20
mouth.=20
He said he's no sure what is making him sick. When he was in=20
Saudi Arabia, he said, he was exposed to fumes from uncontrolled=20
burning of human and camp waste, pesticide spraying and the oil-
well fires while in Saudi Arabia.=20
He said he also took tablets to protect him from the effects of a=20
possible nerve gas attack -- the same kind of tablets the lawmakers=20
are calling on the federal government to investigate as a possible=20
source of Persian Gulf Syndrome.=20
=20
TEST PROCEDURES
During the test, the veterans are seated in a small cubicle in=20
front of a personal computer. Nose and mouth are covered with a=20
mask, and a sensor called a "transcranial Doppler" is placed on one=20
temple.=20
The veterans are then asked to perform tasks on the computer,=20
that gauge reaction time, memory and hand-eye coordination.=20
The veterans then repeat those tasks while breathing in a small=20
dose of acetone, a major ingredient of nail polish remover.=20
The Doppler measures the veterans' middle cerebral artery flow;=20
the results appear on a computer monitor and are recorded on=20
videotape. Normally blood flow would increase as much as 15-fold=20
during such tasks, Bunegin said. But if the researchers' theory is=20
correct, there would be less of an increase, if any, in sick Desert=20
Storm veterans, they said.=20
The results of the study are not expected to be disclosed until=20
mid-summer. Preliminary results, which Mitzel said he could not=20
disclose, were sent to the VA, along with a request for a grant so=20
the study can be expanded.=20
=20
--REIGLE REPORT (excerpts)
Posted in Military_People echo by Paul Sparks
Submitted by Joyce Flory
VETLink #13 - Las Cruces, NM
(505) 523-2811
Relay from DStormMom:
Hi all,
The following is taken from the May 25th Riegle Report. I felt=20
it was important to share with those who have not had access to=20
this report. You can form your own opinions once having read it.=20
///////// THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT-PLEASE READ ///////////
AGENTS, DESCRIPTION OF PART 1 OF 5 FROM RIEGLE REPORT DTD 25MAY94,=20
Pgs. 28-32
"SARIN (GB) - A colorless and practically odorless liquid, Sarin=20
dissolves well in water and organic solvents. The basic military=20
use of Sarin is as a gas and a persistent aerosol. A highly toxic=20
agent with a clearly defined myopic effect, symptoms of=20
intoxication appear quickly without any period of latent effect.=20
*Sarin has cumulative effects -- that is, a slow rate of=20
detoxification* independent of its method of entry into the body. =
=20
According to Joachim Krause and Charles K. Mallory in *Chemical=20
Weapons in Soviet Military Doctrine: Military and Historical=20
Experience, 1915-1991,* the progressive signs of initial Sarin=20
intoxication include myosis (contraction of the pupil),=20
=20
NamVet Newsletter Page 11
=0C Volume 8, Number 8 August 23, 1994
photophobia, difficulty in breathing and chest pain.(1)=20
SOMAN (GD) - A neuro-paralytic toxic agent. Soman is a transparent,=20
colorless, involatile liquid smelling of camphor. Soluble in water=20
to a limited degree, Soman is absorbed into porous and painted=20
surfaces. Soman is similar to Sarin in its injurious effects, but=20
more toxic. When it acts on the skin in either droplet or vapor=20
form, it causes a general poisoning of the organism.(2)=20
TABUN (GA) - A neuro-paralytic toxic agent. Tabun is a transparent,=20
colorless liquid. The industrial product is a brown liquid with a=20
weak sweetish smell; in small concentrations, it smells of fruit,=20
but in large concentrations, it smells of fish. Tabun dissolves=20
poorly in water but well in organic solvents; it is easily absorbed=20
into rubber products and painted surfaces. Injury occurs upon skin=20
contact with Tabun vapor and droplets. The symptoms of injury=20
appear almost immediately. Marked myosis occurs.(3)=20
VX - This colorless, odorless, liquid has low volatility and is=20
poorly soluble in water, but dissolves well in organic solvents.=20
The danger of pulmonary VX intoxication is determined by=20
meteorological conditions and the delivery method used. VX is=20
thought to be very effective against respiratory organs when in the=20
form of a thinly dispersed aerosol. The symptoms of VX intoxication=20
are analogous to those of other nerve agents, but their development=20
is markedly slower. *As with other nerve agents, VX has a=20
cumulative effect."(4)=20
"VESICANTS AND BLOOD AGENTS:
LEWISITE - A vesicant toxic agent, industrial lewisite is a dark-
brown liquid with a strong smell. Lewisite is a contact poison with=20
practically no period of latent effect. Lewisite vapors cause=20
irritation to the eyes and upper respiratory tract.(5) According=20
to the Center for Disease Control, lewisite would cause stinging=20
and burning. Its smell, generally characterized as the strong smell=20
of geraniums, could be confused with the smell of ammonia (the=20
reaction to which is regulated by pain fibers rather than=20
smell).(6) Iraqi stores of lewisite were not located after the war=20
according to the DoD.=20
CYANOGEN CHLORIDE - The French first suggested the use of cyanogen=20
chloride as a toxic agent. *U.S. analysts have reported that it is=20
capable of penetrating gas mask filters* Partially soluble in=20
water, it dissolves well in organic solvents. It is absorbed easily=20
into porous materials; its military state is a gas. Cyanogen=20
chloride is a quick acting toxic agent. Upon contact with the eyes=20
or respiratory organs, it injures immediately. Lethal exposures=20
result in loss of consciousness, convulsions and paralysis.(7)=20
HYDROGEN CYANIDE - A colorless liquid smelling of bitter almonds,=20
hydrogen cyanide is a very strong, quick-acting poison. Hydrogen=20
cyanide affects unprotected humans through the respiratory organs=20
and during the ingestion of contaminated food and water. It=20
inhibits the enzymes which regulate the intra-cell oxidant-
restorative process. As a result the cells of the nervous system,=20
especially those affecting breathing--are injured, which in turn=20
leads to quick death. An important feature of hydrogen cyanide is=20
the absence of a period of latent effect. The military state of=20
hydrogen cyanide is a gas. The toxic an physiologic properties of=20
hydrogen cyanide permit it to be used effectively in munitions--
predominantly in rocked-launched artillery. Death occurs after=20
intoxication due to paralysis of the heart. Non-lethal doses do not=20
cause intoxication.(8)=20
"BLISTER AGENTS - According to the material safety data sheet=20
(MSDS) for sulfur mustard gas (HD) prepared by the U.S. Army=20
=20
NamVet Newsletter Page 12
=0C Volume 8, Number 8 August 23, 1994
Chemical Research, Development and Engineering Center, Aberdeen=20
Proving Grounds, Maryland, 'chronic exposure to HD can cause skin=20
sensitization, chronic lung impairment, cough, shortness of breath,=20
chest pain, and cancer of the mouth, throat, respiratory tract,=20
skin, and leukemia. It may also cause birth defects. The U.S.=20
Army Chemical and Biological Defense Command lists the current=20
detector sensitivity threshold for the M256A1 kits, a commonly used=20
piece of chemical agent detection equipment in the Gulf War, as 2.0=20
mg/m3.(9) According to the MSDS for sulfur mustard, total weight=20
average exposures of greater than .003mg/m3 over an 8-hr period=20
requires the use of protective equipment. Therefore, the detection=20
kit would not detect the agent until the amount of agent present=20
exceeded the safety threshold by a factor of over 660. The M8A1=20
automatic alarms DO NOT detect blister agent.=20
MUSTARD GAS - This is a colorless, oily liquid which dissolves=20
poorly in water, but relatively well in organic solvents,=20
petroleum, lubricant products, and other toxic agents. The=20
injurious effect of mustard gas is associated with its ability to=20
inhibit many enzyme systems of the body. This, in turn, *prevents=20
the intra-cell exchange of chemicals and leads to necrosis of the=20
tissue. Death is associated mainly with necrosis of the tissue of=20
the central nervous system.* Mustard gas has a period of latent=20
effect (the first signs of injury appear after 2-12 hours), but=20
does not act cumulatively. *It does not have any known antidotes.* =
=20
In military use it can come in gas, aerosol, and droplet form. It=20
therefore acts through inhalation, cutaneously, perorally and=20
directly through the blood stream. The toxic and physico-chemical=20
properties of mustard gas allow it to be used in all types of=20
munitions."(10)=20
"RELATED CHEMICAL AGENT INFORMATION
Committee staff has learned that Iraq *may* have acquired any one=20
of a number of Soviet binary novachok ('newcomer') series of=20
chemical warfare agent compounds or information relevant to the=20
development of those compounds. This series of chemical warfare=20
agents reportedly contains both lethal and debilitating agents.=20
According to a confidential Committee source, if the Iraqis had=20
obtained samples of these compounds they could be easily analyzed=20
and produced with readily available materials. Several of these=20
compounds are described as agents that even in microdoses can have=20
long lasting effects. These agents are described as inducing=20
myosis, vomiting, memory loss, involuntary motions and internal=20
organ dysfunction. Many of these materials are also described as=20
having mutagenic effects. These materials are, according to the=20
source, stored in the lipids (body fats) and have no known=20
antidotes. In addition, according to the Committee source, the=20
Soviets were believed to have conducted research in a number of=20
dioxin-based chemical warfare agents, and on at least one agent=20
that could be used to contaminate drinking water supplies. =
=20
Committee staff is conducting further inquiries to determine if=20
Iraq may have had access to any of these compounds."(11)=20
FOOTNOTES:
(1) Joachim Krause and Charles K. Mallory, "Chemical Weapons in=20
Soviet Military Doctrine: Military and Historical=20
Experience. 1915-1991," (Boulder Co.: Westview Press,=20
1992), 208); James AF. Compton, "Military Chemical and=20
Biological Agents: Chemical and Toxicological Properties"=20
(Caldwell, NJ; The Telford Press, Sept 1987); Material Data=20
Sheet (MSDS) for Soman (GD), Sarin (GB) and VX, prepared by=20
the U.S. Army Chemical Research, Development and=20
=20
NamVet Newsletter Page 13
=0C Volume 8, Number 8 August 23, 1994
Engineering Center, Aberdeen Proving Grounds, Maryland.=20
(See Appendix A of the Riegle Report).=20
(2) Joachim Krause and Charles K. Mallory, "Chemical Weapons in
Soviet Military Doctrine: Military and Historical=20
Experience. 1915-1991," (Boulder Co.: Westview Press,=20
1992), 209.=20
(3) Ibid, 209.
(4) Ibid, 210.
(5) Ibid, 205.
(6) Interview with Dr. Sanford Leffingwell, Center for Disease
Control on Sept. 3, 1993.
(7) Joachim Krause and Charles K. Mallory, "Chemical Weapons in
Soviet Military Doctrine: Military and Historical=20
Experience. 1915-1991," (Boulder Co.: Westview Press,=20
1992), 202; V.V. Miasnikov, "Defense Against Weapons of=20
Mass-Destruction: A Guide" (Moscow: Voyenizdat, 1984, 82-83=20
(8) Joachim Krause and Charles K. Mallory, "Chemical Weapons in
Soviet Military Doctrine: Military and Historical=20
Experience. 1915-1991," (Boulder Co.: Westview Press,=20
1992), 205; V.V. Miasnikov, "Defense Against Weapons of=20
Mass-Destruction: A Guide" (Moscow: Voyenizdat, 1984, 82;=20
Vladimir K. Pikalov, 'Toxic Agents,' "The Soviet Military=20
Encyclopedia, Volume 6" (Moscow: Voyenizdat, 1978).=20
(9) This information was provided by the U.S. Army Chemical and
Biological Defense Command, Edgewood, Area, Aberdeen=20
Proving Ground, Maryland 21010. According to the U.S. Army=20
the sensitivity capacity for the M256A1 detector kit is:=20
Mustard 2.0 mg/m3 VX 0.020 mg/m3 G-Agents =20
0.005 mg/m3 The required response time for these levels=20
is 15 minutes. The capability and specifications of this=20
unit are NOT classified.=20
(10) Vladimir K. Pikalov, 'Toxic Agents,' "The Soviet Military
Encyclopedia, Volume 6" (Moscow: Voyenizdat, 1978); Joachim=20
Krause and Charles K. Mallory, "Chemical Weapons in Soviet=20
Military Doctrine: Military and Historical Experience.=20
1915-1991," (Boulder Co.: Westview Press, 1992), 206-7.=20
(11) Staff Interviews, April 19th, 1994.
**********END OF THIS SERIES FROM RIEGLE REPORT****** =20
=20
--GULF WAR INFORMATION
Posted on Military_People echo by Paul Sparks
Submitted by Joyce Flory
VETLink #13 - Las Cruces, NM
(505) 523-2811
Area Mil_Issu, Jul-07-94 From: Paul Sparks Subject: GWS info
Relay from DStormMom:
******************************
To Nancy Capps and Lauria Brown,
I have tried to reach you but afraid unsuccessful. Therefore I=20
have asked Paul to pass this information on to you both. You might=20
want to contact Melanie Ayers 910-867-7751. Her 5 mos, old son=20
died of a heart defect 7 mos.ago. She has a lot of info. and can=20
put you in contact with the right people. Also following article=20
for reading giving credibility that there is the possibility of=20
things going on with the offsprings of Gulf Vets.=20
=20
=20
=20
=20
=20
NamVet Newsletter Page 14
=0C Volume 8, Number 8 August 23, 1994
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
CONGRESS LOOKS INTO FEARS GULF WAR SYNDROME SPREADING TO VETERANS'=20
FAMILIES 3/2/94=20
BY LACY MCCRARY
Knight-Ridder Newspapers
Three years after the end of the Persian Gulf War, evidence has=20
arisen that the mystery illnesses afflicting some veterans of the=20
war may be spreading to their wives and to children born after they=20
returned home.=20
The collection of symptoms plaguing thousands of veterans --=20
nausea, fevers, diarrhea, inflamed joints, memory loss, fatigue,=20
vision problems -- has been dubbed Persian Gulf Syndrome. Now, a=20
cluster of birth defects and other health problems among babies=20
born to veterans of a Mississippi National Guard unit that served=20
in the gulf has been called "alarming" by U.S. Rep. G.V. "Sonny"=20
Montgomery, D-Miss.=20
Montgomery, chairman of the Veterans Affairs Committee, held a=20
hearing in Meridian, Miss., in January on what he termed the=20
babies' "serious" medical problems.=20
A spokesman for Montgomery, Jim Holley, said in an interview that=20
13 of 15 babies born since the war to members of the unit were ill.=20
Holley also said that, since the hearing, the Veterans=20
Administration has discovered that 37 of 55 babies born to members=20
of four Mississippi units that served in the gulf were suffering=20
from various ailments, including respiratory and blood disorders.=20
Montgomery's committee is investigating health complaints from=20
thousands of Desert Storm veterans. Their ailments have been blamed=20
on psychiatric problems, pollution, bacterial infections, petroleum=20
poisoning, vaccinations, chemical warfare and germ warfare.=20
Sen Donald W Riegle Jr., D-Mich., said in a Feb 9 Senate speech=20
that the unexplained symptoms of veterans and "increasing evidence=20
of transmission to family members upon their return home from the=20
war" may be the result of exposure to biological weapons during the=20
war.=20
"Several of these biological agents cause, among other things,=20
fever, vomiting, chest pains, pneumonia and inflammatory skin=20
diseases, all of which are symptoms present in thousands of Gulf=20
War vets and their family members," Riegle said.=20
Riegle asked the Department of Health and Human Services, the=20
Department of Veterans Affairs and the Defense Department to study=20
the reports of symptoms cropping up in spouses and children of=20
veterans, assess what if any health hazard exists, and report to=20
him by March 31.=20
It was three years ago Sunday that the Gulf War ended after a=20
swift and smooth ground offensive by coalition forces. The battle=20
to explain the "invisible wounds" veterans say they received in the=20
gulf has been anything but smooth and swift. In December, the VA=20
said it "to date has been unable to detect any unifying diagnosis=20
or any unifying exposure."=20
Maj Gen. Ronald Blanck, who heads Walter Reed Army Medical Center=20
in Washington, said the Defense Department and the VA recognize=20
Persian Gulf Syndrome as a valid illness.=20
Blanck said in an interview that he had "pretty much come to=20
conclude" the mystery illness is a combination of chronic fatigue=20
syndrome and multiple chemical sensitivity. MCS, which is not=20
widely recognized by the medical community, is hypersensitivity to=20
a wide variety of chemicals triggered by an exposure to toxic=20
chemicals.=20
"I started out as a skeptic on MCS, and I'm a believer now," he=20
=20
NamVet Newsletter Page 15
=0C Volume 8, Number 8 August 23, 1994
said. "I think it exists."=20
The Defense Department recently acknowledged, after denying it=20
for months, that very low concentrations of chemical agents, nerve=20
and mustard gas, were detected by the Czech military during the=20
war.=20
As a result, the VA has launched a pilot program at the=20
Birmingham, Ala., VA Medical Center for neurological and other=20
tests of veterans for health problems related to exposure to=20
chemical agents.=20
In addition, the VA as created special referral centers at its=20
hospitals in West Los Angeles, Houston and Washington to review=20
unusual symptoms in Gulf War veterans that eluded diagnosis at=20
local VA medical centers.=20
The hearing by Montgomery's committee focused on members of the=20
624th Quartermaster Company of Waynesboro, Miss.=20
"To my knowledge this is the first report of such an occurrence=20
among the offspring of Gulf War veterans," Dr. Russell S. Tarver of=20
the VA Medical Center in Jackson, Miss., said at the Meridian=20
hearing.=20
Dr. Robert H. Roswell, executive director of a federal task force=20
on Persian Gulf War health issues, said the VA was "deeply=20
concerned about that report" of sick babies.=20
In an interview, he said a separate, local task force had been=20
organized to investigate the babies' problems. It consists of the=20
department of pediatrics at the University of Mississippi, the=20
Jackson, Miss., VA Center, the Centers for Disease Control and=20
Prevention in Atlanta and the Mississippi state Health Department.=20
days after returning from the Persian Gulf war, was even more=20
pointed.=20
"These guys have all been in perfect health when they went over.=20
They came back sick, they came back dying, one after another. And=20
they say that's not abnormal. They're full of crap," he said. Nick=20
Roberts, a gulf veteran from Phenix City, Ala., offered his own=20
statistics. He said 28 of 33 members of his Navy reserve unit are=20
sick. Eleven men, including him, have lymphoma, and one man has an=20
enlarged heart. Five spouses and several children also are sick, he=20
said.=20
Roberts and many other members of his Seabee unit have attributed=20
their illnesses to acts of chemical or biological warfare by Iraq=20
-- a theory that the U.S. military insists is unsupported by the=20
facts.=20
Dr. Edward Hyman, a New Orleans internist who says that he has=20
successfully treated seven gulf veterans and three of their=20
spouses, says that airborne germs of an unknown origin are to=20
blame.=20
He said he couldn't extrapolate from a relatively few cases to=20
thousands. "I'm not that much insane. But I'll bet you that a good=20
50 percent of them are in my ballpark, if not 90 percent." The=20
former Navy physician said he has told officials of the VA and=20
military of his conclusions and "had mush thrown in my face."=20
The families of those who served in the gulf knew there was a=20
risk they might not come back alive from the war. The shock was=20
unexpected death, long after the fighting stopped. And in some=20
families, sickness didn't stop with the veteran. Spouses and=20
children also fell ill.=20
You can reach me at DStormMom@aol.com
-------------------------------------------------------
Subject: GWS - Legislation update
Just in from DStormMom:
=20
NamVet Newsletter Page 16
=0C Volume 8, Number 8 August 23, 1994
Hi all.....
Senate Update: Okay we got a compromised amendment out late last=20
night...20mil in legislative language instead of previous 2mil in=20
report language. 10m to epidem study includes vets, civ. dod,=20
families and 10mil for transmission and treatment type studies. It=20
is step in right direction.=20
Remember this was out of Senate. House is next then conferenced=20
and appropriation people involvement then total These studies=20
will be independent, peer review, unclassified Awarding of grants=20
can take 6mos so it all takes time even after it is passed.=20
****************************
House legislation: summary
Montgomery's HR 4386.
Montgomery's had 9 cosponsors, no senate companion bill, no VSO=20
endorsements. It simply encouraged the VA to develop case=20
assessments and case definitions. It had no specific outreach. No=20
provisions for statement of responsibility for compensation=20
program. Eligibility was Veteran who served in the SWA theater of=20
operations between Aug.2,90 to date of enactment of bill. Persian=20
Gulf War Vet who became ill with an undiagnosable illness within=20
one year of leaving the theater. Duration of compensation: Limits=20
payments of benefits to 3 year period beginning upon enactment of=20
this bill regardless of whether the veteran is still ill. Denials: =
=20
Va can deny vet claim if there is merely affirmative evidence that=20
the condition is not service connected. Criteria for awarding VA=20
benefits: no provisions. issuance of regulations: no provisions. =
=20
Reopening of previously denied claims Veteran would need to know=20
about the act and file either a new claim or an appeal with the VA=20
Location of claims adjudications: No provision=20
Research: Survey of PGWV. No report required. Authorizes=20
appropriations for FY95-97 for other research. No report required=20
and does not require consideration of the effect on family members.=20
=20
EVAN'S HR4540
Evans bill 4540 summary- Cosponsors 53, Senate companion bill by=20
Sen Daschle VSO endorsement: Am legion VVA and AmVets Develop. of=20
case Assessment and definition: Required within 120 days or VA=20
must explain why they are not ready. Outreach: Requires VA to=20
establish comprehensive outreach to PGWV and family ie newsletter=20
and toll free tele. no. Statement of Responsibility: Specifies=20
that when the etiology of a specific condition in vet is unknown it=20
is the responsibility of the gov't to give the vet. the benefit of=20
the doubt and award benefits until the scientific evidence warrants=20
otherwise. Who is eligible: Vet who served in SWA theater between=20
Aug 2,90 and date when the conflict is declared over (not done=20
yet). PGWV who became ill with an undiagnosable illness within 3=20
years of leaving active duty.=20
Duration of Compensation: Ill/Disabled vet would receive=20
benefits until they got better or it was proven that their=20
condition was not service connected.=20
Evans was consistent with existing statues and Montgomery=20
departed from existing statues.=20
=20
Denials: Va can deny a veterans claim if there is a preponderance=20
of evidence that the condition is not service connected.=20
Criteria for awarding VA benefits:
Specified the parameters for awarding VA Benefits including=20
instructions on the rating schedule and acceptance of lay evidence. =
=20
Issuance of Regulations Preliminary regulations must be issued=20
=20
NamVet Newsletter Page 17
=0C Volume 8, Number 8 August 23, 1994
within 90 days and a final one within 130 days...=20
Reopening of claims: VA would need to reopen and readjudicate=20
such claims. Location of claims adjudication one location=20
suggested....=20
Research: Comprehensive review of the medical records of all=20
PGWV. VA to report findings to Congress. Longitudinal=20
Epidemiological study to fully assess the health consequences of=20
military service in the PG War on vets and their immediate family=20
members. Supervised by the National Academy of Science or a=20
similar nongovernmental scientific organization. Annual reports=20
submitted to Congress. Authorizes an additional 5 mil for each of=20
fiscal years 95-98 for other studies which could further our=20
understanding of the Health risks and affects of service during the=20
PGW as well as the most affect means of treating those health=20
effects. Now to the compromise.......=20
Compromised by Rep. Slattery as a substitute to HR4386. Case=20
Assessment protocol and case definitions similar to EVANS. The sec=20
of VA would have to provide an annual status report, beginning 6=20
months prior to date of enactment to the committees on Vet.=20
Affairs.=20
Outreach similar to Evans newsletter on a quarterly basis to be=20
mailed to PGWV and surviving family member.=20
Compensation modeled after Evans. Compensation would be paid to=20
veteran who served in the theater during the PGW suffering from a=20
chronic disability resulting from an undiagnosible illness that=20
manifested before the later of the (a)October 1,96 or (b) two years=20
after leaving the SWA theater while on active duty.=20
Compensation would be paid for three years. This period would=20
automatically be extended for another three years if at the end of=20
the first period, the illness still could not be diagnosed. The=20
legislation's report will also state that if at the end of the 6=20
year period the cause of the illnesses is still unknown=20
compensation payments should continue.=20
The report also encourage the SEC to continue processing these=20
claims at a single Va regional office and stipulate that the=20
payment of benefits under this act does not preclude the receipt of=20
retroactive benefits if the cause of these illnesses are ever=20
determined and service connected.=20
Research: Similar to EVANS. The Act authorizes, contingent upon=20
the NAS recommendation, an epidemiological study on the health=20
consequences of service in the PGW. The Act also directs the sec.=20
to contract with NAS or a similar nongovernmental scientific=20
organization for the supervision and oversight of this study. This=20
act also authorizes a survey of PGWV and other research activities=20
to be conducted between 1995 and 1997.=20
This is a brief summary of each of the bills. Was sent to me from=20
American Legion. They tried to break it down and analyse.=20
=20
Slattery's was accepted as a substitution and I believe it came out=20
of committee and past the House. Bill was also introduced to=20
Senate.=20
=20
NamVet Newsletter Page 18
=0C Volume 8, Number 8 August 23, 1994
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D
Not for eating or drinking
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D
Cancer Facts
National Cancer Institute
National Institutes of Health
=20
"In answer to your questions about Agent Orange ..."
(Date Last Modified: 10/91)
Agent Orange was a mixture of herbicides used between 1963 and 1971=20
during the Vietnam War. Named for the orange-striped containers in=20
which it was stored, Agent Orange was employed mainly to defoliate=20
forest trees. It also was used to destroy the enemy's crops. =
=20
Agent Orange contained two chlorophenoxy herbicides: 2,4,5-
trichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4,5-T) and 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic=20
acid (2,4-D). These herbicides were first used in the United=20
States in the mid-1940s to control broadleaf weeds in cereal grain=20
fields, pastures, and turf. They also were used to remove unwanted=20
plants from rangeland, forests, noncropland, and waterways. By the=20
mid-1960s, chlorophenoxy herbicides had become the most important=20
class of herbicides in the United States.
=20
During the 1970s, health concerns about the herbicides brought=20
about Government restrictions that caused a sharp decrease in the=20
manufacture and use of 2,4,5-T. Since 1983, the use of 2,4,5-T has=20
been prohibited in the United States. Many other countries also=20
have ended its use. Of additional concern is a contaminant=20
commonly called dioxin (2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin, or=20
TCDD), which often forms when 2,4,5-T is manufactured. Of the=20
approximately 75 chemicals in the dioxin family, TCDD is the most=20
toxic. It can cause chloracne, a skin disease, and is suspected to=20
cause some kinds of cancer. The TCDD level in Agent Orange varied=20
from 0.02 to 54 micrograms per gram of 2,4,5-T.
=20
Farmers, forestry workers, and Vietnam veterans exposed to=20
chlorophenoxy herbicides have been studied to see whether they had=20
a higher incidence of cancer than would be expected. The results=20
of these studies have been conflicting and inconclusive.
=20
In 1984, Congress mandated that studies be conducted to determine=20
whether service in Vietnam could be related to adverse health=20
effects. In one study, scientists investigated the long-term=20
health effects of military service in Vietnam; another study=20
focused specifically on the health effects of exposure to Agent=20
Orange in Vietnam; and a third study looked at the increased risk,=20
if any, that Vietnam veterans would develop any of six specific=20
kinds of cancer.
=20
In March 1990, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)=20
released the results of the last of its studies. The investigators=20
reported a 50-percent higher incidence of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma=20
(NHL), a cancer of the immune system, among Vietnam veterans than=20
among veterans who did not serve in Vietnam. However, the studies=20
could not show that this increased incidence is related to exposure=20
to Agent Orange. For example, Navy veterans who served on vessels=20
off the coast of Vietnam tended to have a higher rate of NHL than=20
did veterans based on land, and veterans who served in the region=20
of heaviest Agent Orange use tended to have a somewhat lower=20
=20
NamVet Newsletter Page 19
=0C Volume 8, Number 8 August 23, 1994
incidence than veterans who served in other regions of Vietnam. =
=20
The CDC could not determine why the Navy veterans had an increased=20
incidence of NHL. No increased incidence was found for the other=20
five cancers in the study (soft tissue and other sarcomas,=20
Hodgkin's disease, and nasal, nasopharyngeal, and liver cancers).
=20
Following the release of the results of the CDC studies, the=20
Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced that=20
VA would begin awarding compensation to Vietnam veterans with NHL. =
=20
Vietnam veterans with NHL will receive monthly disability payments=20
for the rest of their lives. A short time later, it was announced=20
that Vietnam veterans with soft tissue sarcomas are eligible for=20
disability payments even though the CDC studies failed to show that=20
they are at increased for this kind of cancer. Vietnam veterans=20
suffering from chloracne and peripheral neuropathy, a nerve=20
disease, also are eligible for benefits. The VA recently stated=20
that no connection between exposure to Agent Orange and the=20
development of lung cancer has been shown and denied disability=20
benefits for Vietnam veterans with this disease.
=20
In 1990, National Cancer Institute researchers reported the results=20
of a study showing an increased risk of testicular tumors in=20
military working dogs who served in Vietnam during the conflict=20
there. Because the carcinogenic (cancer-causing) risk to dogs can=20
be a useful indicator of carcinogenic risk to humans, another study=20
was initiated to determine whether Vietnam service led to an=20
increased risk of testicular cancer in humans. The results of this=20
study showed a twofold increased risk of testicular cancer in=20
Vietnam veterans. However, identification of specific factors,=20
such as exposure to Agent Orange, could not be implicated as the=20
cause of this increase.
=20
For additional information about Agent Orange, contact:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
1600 Clifton Road NE
Mail Stop F16
Atlanta, GA 30333
404-488-4460
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Environmental Medicine Office
1-46A
810 Vermont Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20420
202-535-8175
Disabled American Veterans
807 Maine Avenue SW
Washington, DC 20024
202-554-3501
The Cancer Information Service (CIS), a program of the National
Cancer Institute, is a nationwide telephone service for cancer=20
patients and their families, the public, and health care=20
professionals. CIS information specialists have extensive training=20
in providing up-to-date and understandable information about=20
cancer. They can answer questions in English and Spanish and can=20
send free printed material. In addition, CIS offices serve=20
specific geographic areas and have information about cancer-related=20
services and resources in their region. The toll-free number of=20
the CIS is 1-800-4-CANCER (1-800-422-6237)
=20
NamVet Newsletter Page 20
=0C Volume 8, Number 8 August 23, 1994
=20
=20
_ ______ _______ __ _ _______
/\\ H M H H\\ H HHHHHHH
/ \\ H H H \\ H H
/=3D=3D=3D=3D\\ H HHH HHH H \\ H H
/ \\ H_____H H______ H \\H H
______ ______ _ __ _ ______ _______
H H H /) /\\ H\\ H H M H
H H H____// / \\ H \\ H H H
H H H \\ /=3D=3D=3D=3D\\ H \\ H H HHH HHH
H_____H H \\ / \\ H \\H H_____M H______
=20
. _ . _ . .
-.- . - . - . -. - .
- - - - . - - - - .-
- . . . - - -.
- . . . . . . . -.
-. . . . U S . - -.
- . . . . - . . - -.
- . . . - - . . -.
- . .. V I E T N A M V E T E R A N . _ -
- . . . _ _ _ . _-_ . - -
- . - - -_- -_-xxx _ -. . - .-.
- . . . . - XXXXXxxXXXXXXXXXXXx -. - .- .
- . . XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX-. .--.
- .- XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX -.- -
-.- XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX -. -.
-. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXx .g -.
-. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX .- j.
.- XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX . p
.-. XXXXXXXX ]XXXXXXXXX ]XXXXXXXX .- -
-. XXXXXX XXXXX XXXXXX -.- -
-- XXXXXX XXXXXX XXXXXX --
- XXXXXXXXX X'`XXX XXXXXXX Y
Y XXXXXXXXX XXXXX XXX
XXXXXXX X X XXXXXXXX
XXXXXXX XXX XXXXXX
XXX XX X XXX XX XX
XXXX XX
XXX XX XX XX XXXX
XXX]XXXXXXXXXXXX
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" I t ' s o n l y t e e n a g e a c n e ! "
-Robert Nimmo-
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NamVet Newsletter Page 21
=0C Volume 8, Number 8 August 23, 1994
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D
Three Squares and ...
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D
Homeless Veterans
A Special Report
July/August, 1994 National Vietnam Veterans Coalition
Input by: Gjoseph Peck
NamVet's Managing Editor
VETLink #1 - Tampa, FL
(813) 249-8323
=20
According to reliable sources, almost one-quarter of a million=20
American veterans are homeless. By all indications, the "safety-
net" designed to help these people simply doesn't work.
Earlier this year, the U.S. Senate Veterans Affairs Committee=20
conducted hearings where it was determined that the "...demands=20
for services to homeless veterans exceeds VA program capacity." =20
(General Accounting Office - GAO/HEHS-94-98).
The following facts on homeless veterans were disclosed at the=20
hearings:
"Veterans are generally considered to constitute about one-third=20
of the homeless population in the United States. No one knows the=20
exact number of homeless individuals. However, on any given night=20
in the United States, an estimated 500,000 to 600,000 homeless=20
people live on the streets or in shelters, and 150,000 to 250,000=20
of these are believed to be veterans. According to VA officials,=20
98 percent of all homeless veterans are male, 40 percent suffer=20
from serious mental illness, and, with considerable overlap, about=20
half suffer from alcohol or other drug abuse. In addition, about=20
10 percent of homeless veterans suffer from post-traumatic stress=20
disorder. The over-representation of veterans among homeless=20
persons is specific to younger veterans who served in the All=20
Volunteer Force (AVF) ...
VA's current programs constitute a small portion of what is=20
likely needed to fully address the needs of the homeless veteran=20
population. Local communities provide emergency services of food,=20
clothing, and shelter to veterans who are part of the overall=20
homeless population, and VA concentrates its efforts on (1)=20
serving these veterans' medical needs, (2) serving a limited=20
number of homeless in its HCMI, DCHV, and other programs designed=20
to address homelessness, (3) providing monetary benefits to those=20
who are eligible, and (4) linking homeless veterans with=20
assistance available from other sources in the community. But the=20
demand for services to homeless veterans far exceeds VA program=20
capacity... in an era of tight budget constraints, enhancing the=20
services for the homeless could require curtailing services to=20
other veterans.
=20
JESSE BROWN, SECRETARY OF VETERANS AFFAIRS:
(C)urrent law prohibits VA from providing any assistance=20
whatsoever to a sizable portion of the homeless veteran population=20
and significantly restricts what VA can provide to the rest.
First, VA's specialized homeless assistance programs are all=20
health care programs, which can treat only eligible veterans with=20
medical problems - and are largely limited to those with diagnosed=20
mental health disorders, including substance abuse problems.
Second, VA has no authority to provide housing directly, except=20
in the context of transitional housing that is part of a=20
=20
NamVet Newsletter Page 22
=0C Volume 8, Number 8 August 23, 1994
therapeutic treatment program. In addition, homeless veterans do=20
not qualify for VA-insured home loans because of their extremely=20
low incomes.
Third, most homeless veterans are not currently eligible for VA=20
educational or vocational rehabilitation entitlement, which could=20
help them gain productive employment.
Moreover, because of other eligibility rules, VA cannot provide=20
homeless veterans with a range of medical treatment and assistance=20
they desperately need, such as regular outpatient dental care.
Because of these statutory limitations, VA could not even reach,=20
much less fully serve, a large segment of the homeless veteran=20
population even if we had unlimited resources. And, because we do=20
not have unlimited resources, we cannot even provide all VA-
eligible homeless veterans with the help they need to escape=20
homelessness. Along with every other Federal agency, VA is facing=20
budget constraint - and will continue to face these constraints in=20
the foreseeable future.
VA's Social Work Service has Homeless Coordinators in every VA=20
medical center who work with the over 25,000 homeless veterans who=20
leave VA inpatient care each year. These Homeless Coordinators=20
work to help these veterans avoid homelessness by providing=20
referrals to VA and non-VA community care and housing and=20
employment assistance, ensuring receipt of available benefits,=20
linking up the veterans with family and friends, and, when=20
possible and appropriate, providing post-discharge follow-up...
VA's 202 Readjustment Counselling Service Vet Centers offer=20
special outpatient social services, counseling and referrals to=20
war zone veterans, and their Homeless Veteran Coordinators serve=20
over 10,000 homeless veterans each year...
(E)ach of VBA's 58 Regional Offices has assigned a staff member=20
to be a special VBA Homeless Coordinator. These Homeless=20
Coordinators annually make over 3,000 visits to homeless=20
facilities and over 3,500 contacts with non-VA agencies working=20
with the homeless, and provide over 12,000 homeless veterans with=20
benefits counseling and referrals to other VA programs. VBA has=20
also instituted new procedures to reduce the processing time for=20
homeless veterans' benefits claims. Although most VBA Homeless=20
Coordinators do their outreach and service to homeless veterans on=20
top of their regular duties, with recent increases in our homeless=20
assistance funding, VA has been able to fund full-time VBA=20
homeless outreach staff at eleven VA Regional Offices...
VA's 57 Homeless Chronically Mentally Ill Veterans program sites=20
provide extensive outreach, physical and psychiatric health exams,=20
treatment, referrals, and ongoing case management to homeless=20
veterans with mental health problems (including substance abuse). =20
As appropriate, the HCMI program places homeless veterans needing=20
more intensive treatment into one of over 125 community-based=20
facilities run by nonprofit providers under contract to VA. =20
Through these contracts, VA directs over $10 million to the=20
nonprofit providers each year. The program serves over 12,000=20
homeless veterans each year, with over 3,000 receiving residential=20
treatment. Of those veterans who stick with the HCMI program and=20
"graduate" from the residential care component, over 90%=20
experience significant improvements regarding their substance=20
abuse problems, approximately 90% move on to permanent housing or=20
some other institutional setting, and over three-quarters of those=20
able to work have full or part-time jobs. Unfortunately, about=20
45% of the homeless veterans who enter the residential treatment=20
component either abandon the program or are expelled for serious=20
=20
NamVet Newsletter Page 23
=0C Volume 8, Number 8 August 23, 1994
rule violations (e.g., violence or active substance abuse)...
In VA's Compensated Work/Therapeutic Residence Program,=20
disadvantaged at risk and homeless veterans live in one of 37=20
CWT/TR community-based supervised group homes while working for=20
pay in VA's Compensated Work Therapy Program (also known as=20
Veterans Industries). Four program sites with seven houses=20
exclusively serve homeless veterans.
HUD-VASH. In this joint Support Housing program with the=20
Department of Housing and Urban Development, VA staff at 19 sites=20
provide ongoing case management and other needed assistance to=20
place homeless veterans in permanent housing supported by 600=20
specially-designated HUD rental assistance vouchers and then help=20
them stay in the housing long-term...
SSA-VA Outreach. In this four-site pilot project with Social=20
Security Administration, HCMI and Homeless Domiciliary staff=20
coordinate outreach and benefits certification with SSA staff to=20
increase the number of veterans receiving SSA benefits and=20
otherwise assist in their rehabilitation...
VA's 31 CDHV program sites provide comprehensive biopsychosocial=20
rehabilitation services specifically intended to return each=20
veteran to independent community living. Addressing the complex=20
causes and results of homelessness in the veteran population in a=20
holistic manner, this program assists over 3,000 patients per=20
year. Of those veterans who stick with the DCHV program and=20
"graduate," about 90% or more experience significant improvements=20
regarding their substance abuse and other heal problems,=20
approximately 98% move on to permanent housing or some other=20
institutional setting, and over two-thirds of those able to work=20
have full or part-time jobs...
Drop-In Centers. These programs provide a daytime sanctuary=20
where homeless veterans ca clean up, wash their clothes, and=20
participate in a variety of therapeutic and rehabilitative=20
activities...
VA's Comprehensive Homeless Centers (CHCs) place the full range=20
of VA homeless efforts in a single medical center's catchment area=20
and coordinate their administration within a centralized=20
framework. With extensive collaboration with non-VA efforts, VA's=20
CHCs in Dallas and Brooklyn provide a comprehensive continuum of=20
care that reaches out to homeless veterans and helps them escape=20
homelessness...
VA program and staff have actively participated in each of the=20
Stand Downs for Homeless Veterans run by local coalitions in=20
various cities. In wartime stand downs, front line troops are=20
removed to a place of relative safety for rest and needed=20
assistance before returning to combat. Similarly, peacetime stand=20
downs give homeless veterans 2-3 days of safety and security where=20
they can obtain food, shelter, clothing, and a range of other=20
assistance, including VA-provided health care, benefits=20
certification, and linkages with other programs...
Acquired Property Sales for Homeless Providers. This program=20
makes all the properties VA obtains through foreclosures on VA-
insured mortgages available for sale to homeless provider=20
organizations at a discount of 20 to 50 percent...
To expand resources directed to assist homeless veterans and=20
improve coordination of services, VA has developed numerous=20
partnerships at the local level with public and private agencies=20
and nonprofit organizations, including veterans service=20
organizations...
In FY1993, VA directed less than $50 million to its specialized=20
=20
NamVet Newsletter Page 24
=0C Volume 8, Number 8 August 23, 1994
homeless programs. This year, VA is directing almost $70 million=20
to homeless assistance...
Taken together, the new funding has enabled us to support the=20
following:
-8 new HCMI programs and two expansions;
-13 HCHV Outreach and Supported Housing initiatives;
-One new and four expanded CWT programs;
-Two projects to improve eligible homeless veterans access to VA=20
and Social Security Benefits;
-One augmented Psychiatric Residential Rehabilitation and=20
Treatment Programs (PRRTP) for homeless veterans;
-Two new and two expanded DCHV Programs;
-40 Stand Downs for Homeless Veterans; and
-Several new HUD-VASH programs.
In addition, the $8 million provided by Congress to support the=20
implementation of Public Law 102-590 has been allocated for the=20
purposes described in law as follows:
-$1.6 million to support four new Comprehensive Homeless=20
Centers. VAMC Pittsburgh (Highland Drive) has been selected as=20
the site for one of these new Comprehensive Homeless Centers. =20
Three other VA facilities are under consideration.
-$876,000 to support VBA Counselors to do full-time homeless=20
outreach in conjunction with VA's homeless assistance programs. =20
To date, 11 VA medical centers have received funds for this=20
initiative...
-$5.5 million for the Homeless Veterans Providers Grant/Per Diem=20
Program. VA is developing regulations for this program, which=20
will provide loans and per diem payments to public and nonprofit=20
providers of transitional assistance to homeless veterans...
(A) new VA Transitional Housing Loan Program will provide loans=20
of up to $4,500 to nonprofit organizations providing leased=20
transitional housing assistance to substance abusing veterans. VA=20
will make the loans on a first-come-first-served basis from a=20
revolving fund of $100,000, which VA will receive from the=20
Department of the Treasury...
VA is playing an active role in the development of the new=20
Federal Plan to Break the Cycle of Homelessness, which will be=20
issued soon. The new Federal Plan will call from the development=20
of community-based comprehensive continuums of care for homeless=20
persons...
=20
PRESTON TAYLOR, ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF LABOR FOR VETERANS=20
EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING:
Our unique vantage point stems from administering a program for=20
homeless veterans for the past six years under the Stewart B.=20
McKinney Homeless Assistance Act. Our program is called the=20
Homeless Veterans Reintegration Project (HVRP)...
Under the grant program, grantees are given flexibility to=20
provide the mix of supportive and employment and training services=20
to accomplish the task of reintegration of homeless veterans.
The success of this demonstration project to date makes it a=20
viable model for serving homeless veterans and returning them to=20
the mainstream. What makes the program work is a design built=20
around three main elements:
First, OUTREACH is done by our grantees to provide homeless=20
veterans with information about the program and encouragement to=20
avail themselves of its services. This outreach is performed in=20
our program by former homeless veterans. They can identify with=20
the veteran as a veteran because they know exactly what being=20
=20
NamVet Newsletter Page 25
=0C Volume 8, Number 8 August 23, 1994
homeless means.
The second element of the program is that it is Employment=20
Focused... Job counseling, resume preparation, on-the-job=20
training, job search techniques and job envelopment and placement=20
are among the services provided by our grantees.
The third element of the program is Linkages with other service=20
deliverers who can provide support such as housing, education or=20
training benefits the veterans are eligible for and entitled to,=20
work clothes and tools, and treatment for substance abuse or Post=20
Traumatic Stress Disorder, problems that hinder recovery. The=20
Local Working Committee (LWC) that we require to be formed by each=20
project operator, is the agent for coordinating this necessary=20
support with other agencies. The LWC's are comprised of state,=20
Federal, and local agencies and organizations involved with the=20
homeless or veterans. Through the LWCs, our project operators=20
gain access to job placement and training resources available from=20
such agencies. The Homeless Veterans Reintegration Project has=20
had a positive impact on a great many of the lives of the over=20
25,000 veterans it has served.
=20
RICHARD FITZPATRICK, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, NATIONAL COALITION FOR=20
HOMELESS VETERANS:
When defense installations are closed and turned over to local=20
communities, the first program on each base should be a contingent=20
of homeless veterans assigned the task of maintaining, securing=20
and cleaning up the facilities. After all, who knows better how=20
to run the infrastructure of these facilities than the soldiers=20
and sailors who served there in the past? The environmental and=20
ballistic clean-up operations are ideal programs which not only=20
provide tasks the government is going to have to do anyway, but=20
also are excellent training programs that would result in high-
payment job skills.
We appreciate DOD's concern for getting the local communities=20
involved in the decision making process of how these installations=20
should be used...
Homeless veterans in costal communities could be served by the=20
use of surplus U.S. Navy Barracks Barges and Tenders. The barges=20
can sleep hundreds of individuals and the tenders are floating=20
workshops...
Lead abatement and asbestos detection and removal are key public=20
health issues throughout much of the country. There is a=20
significant lack of properly trained individuals and firms with=20
skills in the management and abatement of these dangerous=20
problems. Funds should be made available for CBSs (Community=20
based organizations)(by the Department of Health and Human=20
Services) to train homeless veterans in the skills of site=20
testing, abatement methods, and waste disposal procedures. These=20
opportunities should lead not only to potential employment but to=20
create entrepreneurial opportunities for these vets to begin=20
businesses of their own and employ other vets in helping to erase=20
these health hazards...
The current leadership at HUD (Department of Housing and Urban=20
Affairs) should be applauded for its grasp of the homeless problem=20
and its innovative steps to resolve it. Their budget proposal for=20
next year is realistic and will have a positive impact on the=20
problem.
Unfortunately, there seems to be little recognition of the need=20
for veteran specific programs. For example, earlier this month=20
funds were awarded for "Innovative Homeless Programs" with less=20
=20
NamVet Newsletter Page 26
=0C Volume 8, Number 8 August 23, 1994
than 2% going specifically to serve the 30% to 35% of the homeless=20
who are veterans. And this is not due to a lack of effort on the=20
part of local veteran programs; a substantial number of community-
based veteran programs made proposals...
The Department of Veterans Affairs offers benefits to veterans=20
which can provide up to $20,760 per year tax-free, in addition to=20
all medical, psychological, and dental care as well as vocational,=20
educational, and rehabilitative services. These benefits are=20
considerably more generous than those offered through either state=20
or local social service agencies.
Many states and some cities also have funds available=20
exclusively for needy veterans and their families. Additionally,=20
there is massive network of thousands of Veteran Service=20
Organizations... who have funding opportunities for veterans in=20
need.
Why are these generous resources overlooked? After substantial=20
research, we have found that case managers and shelter operators=20
in non-veteran programs simply are not aware that they exist...
In 1992, an estimated 10,000 homeless veterans found rest and=20
safety, a variety of services and a helping hand, at more than 35=20
innovative programs called "StandDowns."
Almost as important is the incredible increase in a community's=20
awareness of the plight of the one-third of the homeless who are=20
veterans which takes place with a StandDown. When 500 homeless=20
vets show up at one time in Minneapolis, MN or in St. Petersburg,=20
FL, the public begins to recognize that there is a real problem of=20
homelessness among veterans. StandDowns are not the solution to=20
homelessness but they are an opportunity to create an atmosphere=20
conducive to change and recovery. It is not a hand-out but a=20
hand-up, extended by a grateful, caring community.
=20
RALPH COOPER, VETERANS BENEFITS CLEARINGHOUSE, INC.:
...Although African-American veterans make up only 9% of the=20
total veteran population, they represent between 38 and 40% of the=20
total homeless veteran population. It is crucial that veterans'=20
advocates and providers of services to this group are quickly=20
given the tools with which they can take aggressive, affirmative=20
steps toward correcting this tragic imbalance.
What are these aggressive steps? The same things that we=20
recognized in working with substance abusers, that diet, living=20
habits, cultural distinctions and previous experience were=20
important in the recovery process... we must now apply those same=20
criteria to dealing with the African-American homeless veteran. =20
Providers have to be sensitized to their needs...
Earlier talked about recent Innovative Homeless Initiatives=20
funding made available from HUD and from the VA, and I gave due=20
credit to these initiatives. But I must comment here on what I=20
call a lack of innovation on the part of HUD in dispensing these=20
funds. When, in a Northeast town like Boston that serves the=20
region of New England, decisions ave to be made whether to fund a=20
shelter which warehouses homeless veterans or fund a program which=20
takes them from homelessness to homeownership... when veterans'=20
agencies are in competition with each other instead of being able=20
to work together to build a continuum of care for these national=20
heroes... it is a sad commentary on the state of veterans affairs.
=20
JAMES HUBBARD, AMERICAN LEGION:
(M)ore flexibility is needed to permit VA to provide outpatient=20
dentistry, eye examinations and eye glasses, and other critical=20
=20
NamVet Newsletter Page 27
=0C Volume 8, Number 8 August 23, 1994
outpatient services, such as podiatry to homeless veterans. =20
Current eligibility criteria do not allow VA to provide these=20
services unless a veteran who is not in the highest mandatory care=20
category is a long-term inpatient. Also, VA must be provided the=20
flexibility to implement an effective homeless prevention strategy=20
so that veterans are not just sent back to the streets, but=20
rather, provided interim housing until job counseling, training,=20
and placement service can be started.
In connection, the Homeless Veterans' Reintegration Project=20
(HVRP) whish is operated by the Veterans' Employment and Training=20
Service (VETS) at the Department of Labor would serve just such a=20
role. By law, HVRP grantees cannot serve veterans who have a drug=20
or alcohol abuse [problem]. These people must be referred to=20
treatment. Cooperation between local HVRP grantees and local VA=20
facilities has been fostered by VETS, but cannot be mandated. =20
However, with the size of the HVRP program, The American Legion=20
believes that a much more formal status must be achieved. The=20
current Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) does not address the=20
homeless issue...
=20
VA HOMELESSNESS SUMMIT
The Department of Veterans Affairs sponsored a Homelessness=20
Summit in Washington D.C. to discuss various approaches to this=20
problem. Several local organizations presented the following=20
material and information in their methods of treating homeless=20
veterans:
=20
MARYLAND HOMELESS VETERANS, INC.:
In order to provide a better sense of how the program will=20
actually function, let's walk through the facility with a=20
hypothetical case of a veteran we will call "John." John walked=20
into the Center at 0900 hours this morning. After passing through=20
a metal detector and being searched by security personnel, John is=20
given a seat in the "bull pen." At 0940 hours John is interviewed=20
by an intake counsellor, a DD201 (personnel) file is started, and=20
a complete medical and personal history is taken. John's DD214=20
(military file) is requested via fax from St. Louis, Defense=20
Records Section. 1105 hours, John is escorted to "sick bay" for a=20
complete physical by a V.A. Nurse, who staffs sick bay 40 hours a=20
week. John surrenders all pills in his possession at this time. =20
Medication is tightly controlled.
Once John's medical needs are met, he is assigned to a squad=20
leader who escorts him to the showers for a thorough cleaning,=20
then to the supply room for a complete issue of clothing and=20
bedding, then a haircut. It's now 1315 hours and John is assigned=20
a bunk and a wall locker, and taken to the Mess Hall for lunch. =20
The orientation continues in the afternoon with visits to the Job=20
Placement Office as well as a briefing by the Finance Office. In=20
addition, appointments are made for John with the legal, dental=20
and optical services sections over the next couple of days, all of=20
which are run by volunteers.
John will be a resident at the facility for the next 3 months to=20
a year depending on his personal situation. During this time he=20
will spend at least 4 hours per week performing detail work (K.P.=20
maintenance, housekeeping, laundry, etc.). He will wake up at=20
0545 hours Monday through Friday. He will work between 10-40=20
hours per week, putting a minimum of 50% of his earnings into a=20
savings account, for use when he is ready to move into individual=20
housing. In addition, he will attend various counselling and=20
=20
NamVet Newsletter Page 28
=0C Volume 8, Number 8 August 23, 1994
treatment sessions, attend training sessions and assist his fellow=20
veterans.
John, as a homeless veteran, is not unique. It is estimated=20
that approximately 30% of homeless males are veterans. It is=20
clear that this type of program provides a structured environment=20
within which the homeless veterans can get themselves back on=20
track, rebuilding self-esteem, which is the key component on the=20
road to recovery. This program works! A comparable program in=20
Boston boasts a success rate of over 80%.
=20
JOINT VETERANS COUNCIL ON HOMELESS VETERANS, NEW YORK CITY:
...was able to convince the Governor to establish a 75 bed drug=20
rehab program for veterans and got the VA and the City to sign a=20
formal agreement to establish a 30 bed homeless veterans intake=20
and assessment shelter in Bellvue Hospital adjacent to the=20
Manhattan VAMC, which would be staffed by two VA social workers. =20
JVC lobbied the VA for a 50 bed domiciliary in St. Albans VAMC;=20
for the continuation of Project TORCH, a drop-in center for the=20
Brooklyn VAMC in downtown Brooklyn; and for a HCMI program in the=20
regional office of the VA in Manhattan. JVC got the City to=20
create a 150 bed, single-room occupancy resident in East Harlem=20
for veterans and supported the efforts of the Black Veterans for=20
Social Justice to obtain a State housing grant to develop a 15=20
unit apartment house for homeless veterans with families. And, in=20
one of their best efforts JVC got the State Office of Mental=20
Health to pay for two psychiatric social workers, who will work=20
with two VA social workers, in a second City-funded single-room=20
occupancy residence in the Bronx, which will be the first true=20
Federal, STate and City joint venture. It should be noted that=20
this residence will be operated by a non-profit, community-based=20
organization.
=20
TRANSITIONAL HOUSING FOR VETERANS COUNCIL OF MINNESOTA:
Client responsibilities:
-Remain drug and alcohol free by developing and living a 12 Step=20
program;
-Share household duties daily;
-Accept job counseling, job training and work;
-Pay 25% of income for rent;
-Design and follow a staff approved schedule for a full-time=20
productive day.
Funding:
-State Jobs and Training Grants;
-Donations from the local service organizations...
-Health Care for Homeless Veterans (HCMI) Contract with Veterans=20
Administration Medical Center (VAMC);
-Donations from local community, business, organizations, and=20
foundations;
-Rental income.
Facts:
-January 1992 - Started with one house. Capacity 4 homeless=20
veterans.
-January 1993 - Collaborative effort between VA Medical Center=20
(VAMC) rehabbed Building 47 to house 11 homeless veterans;
-July 1993 - converted Bldg. 47 to 13 beds. Negotiated and=20
accepted Health Care for Homeless (HCHV) contract with VA=20
Medical Center.
-October 1993 - Accepted VA regional property that can=20
accommodate 4 homeless veterans;
=20
NamVet Newsletter Page 29
=0C Volume 8, Number 8 August 23, 1994
-November 1993 - Incentive Work Therapy Program which the VA=20
Medical Center implemented;
-February 1994 - We have served over 60 veterans to this date.
=20
=20
=20
=20
=3D*=3D*=3D*=3D*=3D*=3D*=3D*=3D*=3D*=3D*=3D*=3D*=3D*=3D*=3D*=3D*=3D*=
=3D*=3D*=3D*=3D*=3D*=3D*=3D*=3D*=3D*=3D*=3D*=3D*=3D*=3D*=3D*=3D
=20
=20
=20
=20
HOW TO GET SURPLUS FEDERAL BUILDINGS AND OTHER PROPERTY TO HELP=20
HOMELESS VETS:
=20
Contact:
Judy Breitman
US Public Health Service
Phone (301) 443-2265
=20
Allison Manning
HUD
Phone (202) 708-1226
=20
NamVet Newsletter Page 30
=0C Volume 8, Number 8 August 23, 1994
ACHILLES IN VIETNAM
Combat Trauma and the Undoing of Character
By Jonathan Shay, M.D., Ph.D.
Submitted by: Patricia R. Eisemann, Director of Publicity
Atheneum - An imprint of Macmillan Publishing Company
212/702-2120 VOICE * 212/605-9351 FAX
=20
ACHILLES IN VIETNAM: Contact: Sarah Ray
Combat Trauma and the Undoing of Character 212-702-9024
Publication date: May 30, 1994
Price: $20.00 (Pages: 246)
ISBN: 0-689-12182-2
=20
ACHILLES IN VIETNAM
Combat Trauma and the Undoing of Character
by Jonathan Shay, M.D., Ph.D.
=20
"Provocative ... Shay's ideas merit attention by soldiers and=20
scholars alike."
---Publishers Weekly
=20
"Brilliantly creative ... A heart-rending look at the permanent=20
ruin war can wreak in any age."
---Kirkus Reviews
=20
"Extraordinary perspective on the problems of PTSD [post-traumatic=20
stress disorder]. Recommended."
---Library Journal
=20
The Vietnam War continues to rage every day. For most of=20
America, the conflict ended almost twenty years ago, but for an=20
estimated quarter of a million Vietnam combat veterans suffering=20
from post-traumatic stress disorder or PTSD, the battles continue=20
minute-by-minute and hour-by-hour. One veteran, as he talked to=20
his doctor, lamented:
"I'm so envious of all the normal people who can just go=20
to the mall and hold hands with their wife and walk=20
around. You see, I could never do that, because I'd be=20
looking everywhere... I even envy you. I see you walking=20
up the street to the clinic and you're not checking the=20
rooftops for snipers or looking between cars as you pass=20
to make sure there's nobody going to jump you, and I'll=20
bet you have NO IDEA who's on the street with you. I can=20
tell you every person two blocks ahead of me and two=20
blocks behind me every second."
ACHILLES IN VIETNAM: COMBAT TRAUMA AND THE UNDOING OF=20
CHARACTER by Jonathan Shay, M.D., Ph.D. (Atheneum; May 9, 1994;=20
$20.00), a psychiatrist specializing in treating Vietnam veterans=20
with chronic PTSD, related the powerful first-person accounts of=20
the combat veterans to Homer's portrait of the warrior Achilles in=20
THE ILIAD. Both Achilles and the veterans express a betrayal of=20
"what's right" by a commander, which often takes the form of the=20
army or the government for former U.S. soldiers. One veteran=20
attributed his belief that "the government really didn't want us=20
to get back, that there needed to be fewer of us back home," to=20
the shoddy guns supplied by the army. He recalled the=20
incomparable anxiety caused by the faulty M-16 rifle - a common=20
source of complaints by veterans - when he confronted an enemy=20
soldier:
=20
NamVet Newsletter Page 31
=0C Volume 8, Number 8 August 23, 1994
"He started to move back and I saw he had one of those=20
commando weapons, y'know, with a pistol grip under his=20
thigh, and he brought it up and I was looking straight=20
down the bore. I pulled the trigger on my M-176 and=20
nothing happened."
Violent war destroys Achilles' sense of morality and shrinks his=20
social horizon, which at first encompasses the entire Greek army=20
and diminishes until it includes only his comrade Patroklos. One=20
Vietnam veteran recounted the annihilation of his own moral=20
structure:
"Well, at first, I mean when I just come there, I couldn't=20
believe what I was seeing. I couldn't believe Americans=20
could do things like that to another human being ... but=20
then I BECAME that. We went through villages and killed=20
everything, I mean EVERYTHING, and that was alright with=20
me."
Shay asks, "Can these veterans ever recover? What treatment=20
will help? What stands in the way? Recovery in the sense of=20
returning to "normal" or regaining trusting innocence is not=20
possible, but veterans can be rehabilitated and make worthy=20
contributions to society.
To decrease the chances for PTSD to develop, Shay strongly=20
supports a military policy of rotation by unit rather than by=20
individual. Unlike soldiers who fought in World War II, the=20
typical Vietnam soldier went over alone, often leaving behind a=20
unit that was still in combat. The opportunity to "debrief" with=20
others who had a shared experience was lost. Shay's=20
recommendations also include a need for the military to recognize=20
grieving as healthy mourning rather than a sign of berserk=20
behavior. A respect for the enemy as a human being and a skilled=20
soldier are vital as well. Contrary to military folklore, such=20
regard increases a soldier's chances for survival during war and=20
moral recovery after it - instead of weakening the fighting=20
spirit.
ACHILLES IN VIETNAM offers a sensitive and compassionate=20
examination of the battles many Vietnam veterans continue to fight=20
and a greater understanding of how to alleviate the potential=20
suffering of soldiers in the future.
=20
JONATHAN SHAY, M.D., Ph.D., is a psychiatrist for the Boston=20
Department of Veterans Affairs Outpatient Clinic, is on the=20
faculty of Tufts Medical School, and trains staff for the New=20
England Shelter for Homeless Veterans. He lives in Cambridge,=20
Massachusetts.
April 1994
=20
[Joe Note: Jonathan Shay can also be reached through the INTERNET=20
at: JSHAY@WORLD.STD.COM]
=20
=20
=20
=20
=20
=20
=20
=20
=20
=20
=20
=20
NamVet Newsletter Page 32
=0C Volume 8, Number 8 August 23, 1994
ACHILLES IN VIETNAM: COMBAT TRAUMA AND THE UNDOING OF CHARACTER
=3D=3DDEDICATION * TABLE OF CONTENTS * ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS * INTRODUCTION
1. BETRAYAL OF "WHAT'S RIGHT"=20
* An army is a moral construction * Victory, defeat, and the=20
hovering dead =3D> Some veterans' view - What is defeat? What is=
=20
victory? * Dimensions of betrayal of "what's right" =3D> On=
=20
danger in war =3D> The fairness assumption =3D> The fiduciary=
=20
assumption * Soldier's rage - the beginning.
2. SHRINKAGE OF THE SOCIAL AND MORAL HORIZON
* One American soldier's social space * Tracking Achilles=20
through social space =3D> Desertion =3D> Simplification of the=
=20
social world to a single comrade * Achilles' character before=20
his psychological injuries =3D> Respect for the dead =3D> Taking=
=20
prisoners alive * Moral luck * War destroys the trustworthy=20
social order of the mind * Combat is a condition of captivity=20
and enslavement * "Don't mean nothin'" - Destruction of ideals,=20
ambitions, affiliations
3. GRIEF AT THE DEATH OF A SPECIAL COMRADE
* Soldiers' love for special comrades - Vietnam and Troy=20
* Homer on the relationship between Achilles and Patroklos=20
* The specialness of the special comrade =3D> Portrait of=
=20
Patroklos * The grief of Achilles =3D> Being already dead=
=20
=3D> Grief and the warrior's rage * Communalization of grief in=
=20
the Iliad and in Vietnam =3D> When were the dead brought to the=
=20
rear? =3D> When were the dead mourned? =3D> What was the level of=
=20
trust, safety, and social cohesiveness in the rear during=20
mourning? =3D> Use of mind-altering substances =3D> Who wept for=
=20
the dead, and how were tears valued? =3D> Who washed and prepared=
=20
the dead for cremation/burial, shipment home? * The importance=20
of thwarted grief
4. GUILT AND WRONGFUL SUBSTITUTION
* Abandonment and wrongful substitution * Deserving the death=20
sentence * Homecoming renounced * An unintended outcome of=20
religious education? * Soldier's rage - fatal convergence and=20
completion
5. BERSERK
* Triggers of the berserk state * "Don't get sad. Get Even!"=20
* Characteristics of the berserk state =3D> A beast =3D> A god=
=20
=3D> Above and beneath - disconnection from the human community=
=20
=3D> Loss of all restraint =3D> Revenge as reviving the dead =3D> T=
he=20
berserker in the eyes of other soldiers =3D> Flaming ice -=
=20
berserk physiology * ARISTEIAI of American Soldiers in Vietnam=20
- =3D> The differences * Naked berserkers and Achilles'=
=20
invulnerability * Clinical importance of the berserk state
6. DISHONORING THE ENEMY
*The enemy as enemy: Images in common to Vietnam and Troy=20
* Image of the Vietnamese enemy * Homer: Valor does not depend=20
on contempt for enemy =3D> Enemy soldiers talk to each other at=
=20
Troy =3D> Soldiers talk about the enemy at Troy * Religious roots=
=20
of the enemy as vermin: =3D> Biblical anti-epic in 1 Samuel 17=
=20
* Clinical importance of honoring or dishonoring the enemy=20
* Abuse of the dead enemy
7. WHAT HOMER LEFT OUT
* Deprivation * Friendly fire * Fragging * Suffering of the=20
wounded * Civilian suffering =3D> Suffered by all civilians=
=20
during war =3D> Suffered exclusively or primarily by women after=
=20
defeat
8. SOLDIERS' LUCK AND GOD'S WILL
* The social spectrum of luck * Equipment failure * Attributing=20
=20
NamVet Newsletter Page 33
=0C Volume 8, Number 8 August 23, 1994
blame * Job's paradox and the possibility of virtue
9. RECLAIMING THE ILIAD'S GODS AS A METAPHOR OF SOCIAL POWER
* Armies as creators of social power * Gods as REMFs=20
=3D> Heartlessness of the Gods =3D=3D> Readiness to "waste" liv=
es=20
=3D=3D> Sunk costs argument =3D=3D> Sinister demographic age=
ndas=20
=3D> Inconsistent, unreliable, inattentive, distractible=
=20
* Homeric irony and god's love
10. THE BREAKING POINTS OF MORAL EXISTENCE - WHAT BREAKS?
* The official diagnostic criteria for PTSD of the American=20
Psychiatric Association * PTSD and the ruins of Character=20
* Persistence of the traumatic moment - Loss of authority over=20
mental function =3D> Untrustworthiness of perception =3D> Memory=
=20
* Persistent mobilization for danger * Persistence of survival=20
skills * Persistence of betrayal * Persistence of isolation=20
* Persistence of suicidality * Persistence of meaninglessness=20
* Destruction of the capacity for democratic participation
11. HEALING AND TRAGEDY
* Is recovery possible? =3D> Return to "normal" is not possible=
=20
=3D> We don't know if recovery is possible =3D> Yes - recovery is=
=20
possible * What is the best treatment? =3D> Why and how does=
=20
narrative heal? * The law of forgetting and denial
CONCLUSION
* Prevention =3D> Protect unit cohesion by unit, rather than=
=20
individual rotation =3D> Griefwork =3D> Berserking not encouraged=
=20
=3D> Eliminate intentional injustice as a motivational technique=
=20
=3D> Respect the enemy as human =3D> Acknowledge psychiatric=
=20
casualties * War is not an industrial process * Pissing=20
contests * Species ethic
ENDNOTES * BIBLIOGRAPHY * INDEX
=20
NamVet Newsletter Page 34
=0C Volume 8, Number 8 August 23, 1994
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XXXXX /\ .' .' XXXX
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XXXXX / \ \...' `. .' XXXX
XXXXX / NOT PREPARED TO BE DESERTED XXXX
XXXXX / .'.' . .`.' XXXX
XXXXX / ~ | : : : . XXXX
XXXXX / |`. : : . .__________ XXXX
XXXXX / ~ ~ ||.` ` : || \ / XXXX
XXXXX / WRITE OR VISIT AN INCARCERATED VETERAN SOON ! XXXX
XXXXX / ~ || . .'. / / XXXX
XXXXX/ ~ ~ ~|| ||/ / XXXX
XXXXX ~ ~ ~ || || / XXXX
XXXXX || || / XXXX
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
XXXXX \_________XXXXX________|| XgjpX XXXX
XXXXX XXXXX XXXXX XXXX
=20
NamVet Newsletter Page 35
=0C Volume 8, Number 8 August 23, 1994
PTSD & the Forgotten Warriors
By Jonathan Shay
Submitted by: The City University of New York
Office of Veterans Affairs - 101 W. 31st St. New York NY
Joyce Flory VETLink #13 - Las Cruces, NM
(505) 523-2811
and posted in VIETNAM_VETS Echo Conference by Lavaughn Hayes
=20
--Jonathan Shay is a psychiatrist with a Boston DVA Outpatient=20
Clinic program for Vietnam combat vets with severe, chronic PTSD=20
and personality changes due to prolonged combat, has trained staff=20
at the New England Shelter for Homeless Veterans as a volunteer,=20
and has just published a book, ACHILLES IN VIETNAM: COMBAT TRAUMA=20
AND THE UNDOING OF CHARACTER (Atheneum). This article is based on=20
his testimony before the Oversight and Investigation Subcommittee=20
of the House Veterans Affairs Committee, May 4, 1994.=20
=20
Combat PTSD, that is, the persistence of past traumatic experience=20
in the present physiology, psychology, and social relatedness of=20
the combat survivor, has these symptoms:
- Loss of authority over mental function - particularly memory=20
and trustworthy perception
- Persistent mobilization of the body and the mind for lethal=20
danger with the potential for explosive violence
- Persistence and activation of combat survival skills in=20
civilian life
- Chronic health problems stemming from chronic mobilization of=20
the body for danger
- Persistent expectation of betrayal and exploitation;=20
destruction of the capacity for social trust
- Persistent preoccupation with both the enemy and the veteran's=20
own military/governmental authorities
- Alcohol and drug abuse
- Suicidality, despair, isolation, and meaninglessness
The symptoms range in severity from mild to devastating, and not=20
everyone has all the symptoms at the same time.
This is a gruesome, but truthful portrait of severe war wounds=20
in the mind, incurred in actual battle for our country. The men=20
who incurred these wounds have an absolute moral claim on the rest=20
of us to provide treatment for these wounds. This is not a=20
partisan issue. It does not reflect anyone's judgment whether the=20
Vietnam War was a noble cause or a horrible mistake - the men who=20
fought it and were injured in it have the same claim regardless of=20
the justice of the war, over which they had no control. Those who=20
openly or silently deny that it is our duty to provide treatment=20
to these men or who do not feel this duty weigh[s] on them very=20
heavily should consider that to provide these mental health and=20
other benefits to psychologically injured veterans is in their own=20
self-interest.
Let me focus on three groups of war-injured whose moral claim=20
has been rebuffed. The usual perception is that two of these=20
groups have only themselves to blame - it is their misconduct or=20
criminal behavior that has deprived them of their benefits -=20
veterans with "bad paper" discharges and incarcerated veterans. =20
For both these groups, combat PTSD contributed significantly to=20
their unmilitary or criminal conduct - and will continue to do so=20
if it is not successfully treated.
=20
=20
=20
NamVet Newsletter Page 36
=0C Volume 8, Number 8 August 23, 1994
INCARCERATED COMBAT VETERANS
Prolonged combat can produce not only psychiatric symptoms, it=20
can damage good character. Very ancient teachings, going back to=20
Plato tells us that once good character is formed by good=20
upbringing in childhood, no bad events can damage a good person or=20
his character. Plato's ancient contemporaries, the Athenian=20
tragic poets Sophocles and Euripides said with one voice - Wrong! =20
When bereavement, betrayal of what's right, and horror have been=20
sufficiently severe, even the noblest character may crack. =20
However, Plato's view has permeated our culture and common sense. =20
American psychiatry has been notably reluctant to acknowledge that=20
severe trauma can change the personality, despite the compelling=20
evidence to this effect produced by the DSM-IV Field Trials.
By contrast, the World Health Organization's 1992 diagnostic=20
manual ICD-10, acknowledges the entity called "Enduring=20
Personality Change after Catastrophic Experience," which the=20
American Psychiatric Association's diagnostic system refused to=20
admit. Official American psychiatry institutionalizes Plato's=20
dubious proposition: if bad experience leads someone who was good=20
to do terrible things, it must be he was secretly flawed from the=20
beginning. He deserves no respect for any previously honorable=20
conduct - all possibility of respect or consideration has been=20
obliterated by his criminal act.
I am not trying to exculpate criminals who also happen to be=20
combat veterans of their crimes. I have never testified as an=20
expert witness on behalf of a defendant in a criminal trial, nor=20
at a clemency or parole hearing, and probably never will. I am=20
not trying to get anyone off nor get anyone's sentence shortened. =20
However, I want to see these men receive effective treatment for=20
their psychological injuries, first, because the overwhelming=20
majority will be released from prison within the next five years=20
and are likely to commit further violence if untreated, and=20
second, because these men suffer continual pain. I work with such=20
men. I know this to be the truth. They suffer pain from their=20
war wounds as surely as a veteran with a piece of shrapnel buried=20
in his spine might be tormented by constant pain. Are we really=20
willing to say that we wash our hands of responsibility for wounds=20
a soldier received in his country's battles - physical or mental -=20
when he goes to prison? That's what we now do.
=20
DISAVOWED VETERANS
Whenever I have mentioned the plight of men who have served in=20
harrowing combat, but who have been unable to get VA mental health=20
or pension benefits, I almost always hear the listener's favorite=20
"Biggest Liar I Ever Met" story, or "Doc, you been scammed." I am=20
well aware that there are many scammers and wannabes out there. =20
Neither they nor their motivations interest me. But it is=20
shameful and dangerous that men who were carefully selected and=20
highly trained, then injured in secret combat operations, and are=20
now, largely because of their injuries, on the fringes of our=20
society, unable to get mental health treatment or disability=20
pensions, because their combat service is not reflected in their=20
paperwork.
How many veterans fit this description? The number is probably=20
not large, but can we be content if there is even a single combat-
injured veteran who is denied health and pension benefits because=20
he has been unable to establish his bona fides? I do not claim to=20
know how to remedy to this situation. [sic] It is not difficult to=20
say what such a remedy should accomplish: it should permit any=20
=20
NamVet Newsletter Page 37
=0C Volume 8, Number 8 August 23, 1994
veteran whose standard paperwork, such as the DD-214, did not=20
reflect the usual records of combat service, i.e. assignment to=20
the war zone in a combat MOS, to obtain confirmation that he had=20
served in combat operations, and which would be deemed to grant=20
the presumption of truth to the veteran's story for medical and=20
pension purposes. Such confirmation could contain a disclaimer=20
that it neither confirmed nor denied any specifics of the=20
veteran's story, if any residual national security worries were to=20
present an obstacle. Eliminating a declassification dimension to=20
the process would reduce the expense of implementing any such a=20
mechanism. Unit associations could be of use here, if granted a=20
defined Service Organization status that permitted them to=20
certify, again for medical and pension purposes, that a given=20
veteran had in fact served in combat operations, whatever his DD-
214 may say or not say.
Without being unduly melodramatic, I simply want to remind=20
everyone how imprudent it is to drive to the fringes of society=20
these veterans with the kinds of lethal skills that they have=20
acquired through specialized training and combat experience.
=20
COMBAT VETERANS WITH "BAD PAPER" DISCHARGES
It is shameful that there are battle-injured veterans who are=20
not eligible for VA services and benefits. Most of these veterans=20
with less-than-Honorable discharges committed offenses after=20
combat that caused them to be discharged from military service=20
with what veterans call "bad paper." Most Vietnam combat veterans=20
with "bad paper" committed infractions as a result of=20
psychological injuries incurred in their war service. Typical=20
offenses stemming directly from combat PTSD were:
- AWOL or desertion after return to U.S.
- Use of illicit drugs to self-medicate symptoms of PTSD
- Impulsive assaults during explosive rages on officers or NCOs=20
after return to the U.S.
These veterans had no treatment then, and have no treatment now=20
for their Post-traumatic Stress Disorder or for its complications=20
of substance abuse, depression, and violence. They have been=20
profoundly disadvantaged in finding work and comprise a=20
disproportionate fraction of homeless veterans, who make up one-
third of all homeless men[1]. According to the Director for=20
Shelter Operations of the New England Shelter for Homeless=20
Veterans, a 225-bed shelter in downtown Boston, 25% of the men who=20
have come through the door are combat veterans with bad paper. 3%=20
of Vietnam-era vets have bad paper, and separately, 9% of Vietnam-
era service men served in significant combat. The percentage who=20
were both has not been published, to my knowledge.
As a VA physician, I have never treated a veteran with a Bad=20
Conduct, Undesirable or Dishonorable discharge, because they=20
cannot get through the front door - they are ineligible for any VA=20
services. Virtually everything I now of this problem comes from=20
accounts of the staff at the New England Shelter for Homeless=20
Veterans.
I do know that the rod of military justice did not fall with=20
equal weight on every soldier. According to the well-known study=20
by Baskir and Strauss, "A 1972 Defense Department Task Force on=20
Military Justice reported that blacks of comparable education and=20
aptitude who committed offenses of comparable seriousness were=20
receiving much harsher punishments than whites... An NAACP study=20
found that 45% of all less-than-Honorable discharges went to=20
blacks. An Urban League study showed that blacks in the Air Force=20
=20
NamVet Newsletter Page 38
=0C Volume 8, Number 8 August 23, 1994
received Dishonorable Discharges at more than three and one-half=20
times the rate of all airmen."[2] The same lopsided statistics=20
also apply to Hispanic veterans.
This problem does not call for a study or for an expansion of=20
the existing case-by-case discharge upgrade program. I propose a=20
blanket upgrade of all veterans discharged under less than=20
honorable conditions who have any combat decoration such as Combat=20
Infantryman Badge, Combat Action Ribbon, etc., or obviously any=20
award for heroism, such as the Bronze Star. I have spoken to many=20
Vietnam combat veterans with Honorable Discharges about this, and=20
not one has felt that this would diminish them in any way. Their=20
reactions have all been either "It's about =20
time" or "There, but for the grace of God, go I."
An alternative remedy, less satisfactory but a massive=20
improvement over the present situation would be to revise the=20
Department of Veterans Affairs eligibility criteria to make any=20
veteran who has served in combat unconditionally eligible for=20
health and other benefits.
What I propose applies only to combat veterans, who constitute=20
but a fraction of the 566,000 Vietnam-Era veterans with Genera,=20
Undesirable, Bad Conduct, or Dishonorable discharge.[3] Using the=20
definition as "High Combat Stressor Exposure" from the=20
Congressionally mandated National Vietnam Veterans Readjustment=20
Study (NVVRS) as the criterion, there are 766,000 Vietnam combat=20
veterans or about 24% of all Vietnam-era veterans. If the same=20
proportion of Vietnam-Era veterans with General, Undesirable, Bad=20
Conduct, or Dishonorable discharges were combat veterans, we are=20
talking about roughly 135,000 veterans, some of whom have already=20
had discharge upgrades and many of whom are dead by suicide, drug-
related and violence related causes. NVVRS collected self-report=20
data on type of discharge and combat exposure, but cross-
tabulation of these data has not been published. Combat veterans=20
with bad paper are characteristically even more mistrustful ad=20
more hostile to the government than other Vietnam combat vets (who=20
as a group are quite mistrustful of the government), so we should=20
assume that they are systematically under-represented in the NVVRS=20
sample, first because of difficulties in simply finding them and=20
second in terms of gaining their cooperation in the study. It=20
should not be surprising, therefore, that the percentage of=20
veterans with less than General Discharges measured by the NVVRS=20
was considerably lower than the percentage derived from the Armed=20
Forces' own reports of such discharges.
I treat veterans with psychological injuries from their war=20
service, and find the situation of veterans with "bad paper" to be=20
as unjust and irrational as if they had been drummed out for=20
failure to stand at attention after their feet had been blown off. =20
Most of these men committed offenses because of their combat PTSD.
Pure self-interest should lead us to take this step, even if a=20
sense of justice does not. Between a tenth and a quarter of all=20
incarcerated males are veterans.[4] It costs an average of=20
$25,000 a year for each of these, and this does not include the=20
monetary costs to society of the criminal acts themselves.[5] =20
Unhealed combat PTSD predisposes to criminal justice=20
involvement;[6] and treatment costs but a fraction of the costs to=20
wait for crime to happen and then use the police, courts, and=20
prisons to "treat" it.
Neglected communicable diseases such as tuberculosis impose ever=20
increasing public health risks and costs. Veterans with PTSD are=20
more than five times as likely to be homeless and vagrant than=20
=20
NamVet Newsletter Page 39
=0C Volume 8, Number 8 August 23, 1994
demographically similar civilian controls,[7] thus more effective=20
in spreading communicable diseases. Untreated substance abuse=20
endangers both public health and public safety.
I am not so naive as ot think that every combat veteran with bad=20
paper "deserves" an Honorable Discharge. But the terror, grief,=20
rage, and betrayals of prolonged, heavy combat can ruin good=20
character. The damaged character of some combat veterans is a war=20
injury. We are neither just, nor serve our own best interests=20
when we deny these veterans treatment to heal these damages in=20
their character.
To deny any combat veteran the physical and mental health=20
services of the VA is not only unjust, it is self-defeating. It=20
is bad public policy. Let's bring ALL of our combat veterans home=20
NOW.
=20
Notes:
1. National Coalition for the Homeless, "Heroes Today, Homeless=20
Tomorrow?" Homelessness among Veterans in the United States"=20
(Washington, DC, November, 1991), pp. 6ff.
2. Lawrence M. Baskir and William A. Strauss, CHANCE AND=20
CIRCUMSTANCE: THE DRAFT, THE WAR AND THE VIETNAM GENERATION=20
(New York: Vintage Books, 1978), pp. 218f.
3. Baskir and Strauss, pp. 218f.
4. This is a commonly used figure, but the data are very poor on=20
this subject. Incarcerated Vietnam veterans in particular=20
are reluctant to disclose their military records to=20
correctional officials.
5. NVVRS VII-20-1, -2 36.8% of veterans with PTSD self-reported=20
six or more violent acts in the preceding year compared to=20
11.5% of demographically similar civilian controls. NVVRS=20
citations are to the separately published volume of Tables of=20
Findings and Technical Appendices (New York: Brunner/Mazel,=20
1990).
6. NVVRS VII-21-1, -2 34% of veterans with PTSD self-reported 2=20
or more arrests, and 11.5% reported conviction for a felony. =20
The corresponding percentages for demographically similar=20
civilian controls were 6.8% and 4.9%.
7. NVVRS VII-18-1.
=20
NamVet Newsletter Page 40
=0C Volume 8, Number 8 August 23, 1994
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D
Pursuit of Freedom
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D
_
Cambodia |
| Hanoi
Bac Si -----/_\-----
-O=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D< : =
>=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3DO-
( ) (...) ( )
=20
=20
Rockpile )|
_+|__|_ Medic!
|--- --|
------------------------=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D
\_______________________________________________)
=20
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
=20
_____________ Camranh Bay
/ / / \ \ \
/ / / \ \ Rach-hui River
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Phubai
\ | / ((_______________))
\ | / ___|_ ___
\ | / Saigon / | | (( _|_ ))
\ | / __/___| |____/ *|
\ | / [________________|
\ | / \_______||_____
\ / Binhlong Province
\o/
| Blackhorse
/ \
=20
Dak To |
/O\ Tayninh Province
\_______[|(.)|]_______/
o ++ O ++ o
=20
Laos
| Patience ... Hell!!!
|
|____=3D=3D=3D=3D________
||______________)=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D|)
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D---------------------=3D=3D=
=3D_____
/| | | | |\\ TET
\________|__________|_________|_________|/
\\(O)___(O)___(O)___(O)___(O)___(O)//
=20
Bien Hoa
=20
Big Red One ____________ =3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D _________________/|_=
____...
| | " =3D=3D=3D |_______________| |-----:::
|._ - " ) |_|___|
/ / |___| The Chicago Eight
/_/
=20
NamVet Newsletter Page 41
=0C Volume 8, Number 8 August 23, 1994
Fading Photographs From My Minds Own Album
Michael McCombs
Gratefully shared with EVAC and our NamVet Readers by
Gjoseph Peck, NamVet's Managing Editor
VETLink #1 - Tampa, FL
(813) 249-8323
=20
[Joe Note: These are the first chapters of a many-chaptered=20
"book" wherein a proud American Soldier lets us walk with him as=20
he enters the military, walks through some nightmarish valleys,=20
and finally returns home - only to discover that the ghosts of the=20
valleys and memories of The Elephant need MORE release than just=20
walking away from them - else they will and DO haunt one's every=20
living moment!
Walk with Michael as he remembers the photographs taken by his=20
mind's eye and again gives them life. Laugh with him. Cry with=20
him. Feel fear, apprehension, surprise, pain and pride. =20
This is the substance of which our American Fighting Men are=20
made.
=20
I'd like to thank you, Mike, for sharing your life with me and=20
granting permission to reproduce your efforts both here and in the=20
soon-to-be-finished NamVet-styled Electronic Book entitled, as is=20
your story, FADING PHOTOGRAPHS FROM MY MINDS OWN ALBUM. =20
And I'd especially like to thank you for your proud service to=20
our great nation and say a special WELCOME HOME, BRO'!] =20
=20
---------------------------
=20
No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form=20
or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying,=20
recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system,=20
without the written permission of the author, except where and as=20
permitted by law.
=20
By definition, this is a work of fiction. The names of all=20
Americans and some other details have been changed. The rest is as=20
portrayed by an aging memory. I make no pretense that this is a=20
work of history. It is more a work of remembered feelings of long=20
ago.
=20
Dedication:
For The VWAR-L Lounge,
and those that inhabit it.
For the incentive and sanity to write.
=20
And for:
Greg Orman
&
Mike McCombs, Jr.
so that they might understand.
=20
THANKS
Special thanks: To Lydia Fish, the list owner of VWAR-L, and to=20
all the denizens of that special place in cyberspace we call THE=20
LIST. They accepted me as I am, and tolerated this gloom being=20
placed in front of them, time and time again. Without them, it=20
would never have happened.
=20
=20
NamVet Newsletter Page 42
=0C Volume 8, Number 8 August 23, 1994
There are so many of them who have helped in the recalling and the=20
writing that it is impossible to recount them all here, or=20
anywhere else for that matter. Most did it by simply being and=20
sharing their own pieces with me. In no particular order, I wish=20
to thank Monte Olsen (Scissor butt), Tim Driscoll (T-bomb), Tom=20
Sykes (Dog Handler), Jim Lynch (FNG), Tom Edmonds (Terminator),=20
Toby Hughes (Sharkbait), Pats Givens (Rosie), Richard Rohde=20
(Roadie), Marc Aden (voodoo chile), Dan Okada (DanO), Jack=20
Carpenter (JackC), Jack Mallory (Cap'n Jack), Michelle (REMF=20
librarian) and Mike (V-man) Viehman, Nancy Kendall (Motor Oil),=20
Dennis Koho (Mayor), Lisa Harmon (Buffalo Gal), John Creech=20
(creecherman), and a lot of others whose names will not come.=20
Thank you all very much.
=20
And a final thanks to a friend who will not read this. His story=20
is here, too. Thank you for having been my friend, my little Jarai=20
brother....
=20
FADING PHOTOGRAPHS
=20
The crackle of ancient paper
rustles through my mind,
like parchment
overhandled, frayed,
breaking of age.
Tired and worn
from the passage of years.
=20
They were fresh once,
in another place,
in another time.
They carried the images
of loved ones, of places
I once knew, caught forever;
or so I dreamed.
=20
The colors were bright
and the focus just so.
Sharp for the things
and soft for persons
I had chosen to cast
into the forever world
in the cloister of my skull.
=20
Little things mostly;
like a leaf in the spring
or a flower in the snow.
They held the peel
of the laughter
and the thunder alike,
safe for tomorrow's thinking.
=20
There were some big things too,
that counted for more
to me than all the springs
that had passed behind me.
Soft eyed children,
a grandmother's smile,
the final passing of a friend.
=20
NamVet Newsletter Page 43
=0C Volume 8, Number 8 August 23, 1994
=20
The ones that seem most faded
are of yet a third kind.
The ones that tell the story
of a younger man,
in an alien land,
fighting a war without end
and not knowing why he does.
=20
The sharpness is gone from
the friends by the wire
or on the berm;
the mountains beyond
and the stars that shone
in that foreign land
beyond a graying ocean.
=20
Good friends, too.
Friends to die for and with,
or to die for you.
Nametags faded beyond recall.
The sound of their voices
covered by monsoon rains
or incoming rounds.
=20
Even the places are going:
Kontum, Nha Trang, Pleiku,
are simple blurs on the paper
that used to hold so much more.
Even the tank has no corners
and the napalm burns only gray;
tracers leaving lines without color.
=20
And what of Weet, and Sarge,
and all those who gave
this strange place
a reason, however cryptic,
for being at all?
Pain and love and hate
and fear are all but gone.
=20
Only the strongest
have survived the years
intact, or I think they are.
The rawest hate and fear,
unmitigated by the lesser,
the gentler things
that made even these less horrible.
=20
So I reach out,
with my feeble hands
and softly grab,
trying to save all of these
that I want to keep so badly.
The fading photographs
from my mind's own album.
=20
A COMMENT OR TWO
These are some of my stories and musings on what happened nearly a=20
=20
NamVet Newsletter Page 44
=0C Volume 8, Number 8 August 23, 1994
quarter century ago. I have written them down in the hope that, by=20
puttin' them on another medium, I can gain some kinda control over=20
'em. I don't think it worked. But it's done now, anyway. Maybe=20
they will help you. That would be fine by me. I wouldn't wish what=20
they've done for me on a dog.
=20
They are in no special order. Oh, some that go together are placed=20
that way, but it's not strictly chronological. It's more like how=20
I remembered it. Don't sweat it, you'll figure it out. There just=20
isn't that much to get lost in.
=20
I've tried to write these as I felt 'em at the time they occurred=20
more than for historical accuracy; and as I would tell 'em if=20
properly bribed with appropriate beverages at a local den of shady=20
repute. It is mostly disjointed stories of an unusual fourteen=20
months - my tour in Southeast Asia. There's some other stuff, too.=20
Things that tell a little about the guy who wrote these things,=20
both before and after. Some of it may pass for poetry. Soldiers=20
and poets are not far removed. Some of it is vulgar, profane and=20
obscene. All of it is irreverent. It was, after all, a vulgar,=20
profane, obscene, and irreverent war.=20
=20
You know any other kinds?=20
=20
- * - * - * - * - * - * - * - * - * - * - * - * - * - * - * - *
Note: I'm a couple decades older as I write these than when I=20
lived them. It is not always easy to recall feelings. I have=20
tried. Gook, dink, slope, and a lot of the profanity are no longer=20
a regular part of my vocabulary. They are offensive, and I despise=20
the words. But they are part of what I was in the there-and-then.=20
Leaving them out would be the greatest of hypocrisies. I would=20
rather be obscene than a hypocrite.=20
- * - * - * - * - * - * - * - * - * - * - * - * - * - * - * - *
'16, M-16 - standard military rifle
122 - enemy weapon, 122 mm rocket
123, C-123 - two engine cargo aircraft
130, C-130 - four engine cargo aircraft
20, 20 mm - mini-canon used on aircraft
.22 - 22 caliber weapon - light pistol
203, M-203 - 40 mm grenade launcher mounted under a rifle barrel
.45 - 45 caliber pistol
4.2 - "four deuce", 4.2 inch mortar
.50 - 50 caliber machine gun
.51 - enemy weapon, 51 caliber machine gun
'60, M-60 - 7.62 mm machine gun
7.62 mini - 7.62 mm mini-gun
80 - 80 mm mortar
AA - anti-aircraft
AK, AK-47 - enemy weapon, standard Warsaw Pact rifle
AO - acronym, Area of Operations
Arclight - B-52 strike
ARvn - acronym, Army of the Republic of Viet Nam
BDA - acronym, Bomb Damage Assessment
Berm - a defensive wall of earth
Bird - an aircraft, usually a helicopter
Black Bird - USAF aircraft for special operations, named for
black paint job
Bouncing betty - type of mine blown into the air before
detonation to increase casualties
Browning - a 9 mm pistol
Bru - a tribe of Montagnards, q.v.
Bunker - a protective shelter
C & C - Command and Control, see "Special Project"
CAR, CAR-15 - rifle, carbine version of the M-16
CCC, CCN, CCS - acronyms for military units, see "Special
Project"
Civvies - civilian attire
Claymore - a directional mine
Cobra - a military helicopter used as a gun platform
Conex - metal military container, large.
Cork - a drug to prevent defecation, used in the field with small
teams
Cover one's six - watch the rear
Covey - the name of the USAF detachment that flew our radio
coverage
Crud, the - various fungi and rashes common to soldiers in warm
climates
DEROS - acronym, Date of Expected Return from Overseas
Didi - Vietnamese, flee or leave rapidly
E & E - acronym, Escape and Evasion
Exfil - exfiltration, point of exit from AO
FAC - acronym, Forward Air Controller
Fast mover - a jet, usually an F-4
Firebase - a remote artillery position, usually quite isolated
Fire fan - the field of fire of a larger gun or mortar
First shirt - military slang for First Sergeant, usually the
highest enlisted grade in a company
FNG - acronym, Fucking New Guy
Grease - slang, to kill
Hillsboro - an air force command and control aircraft
Hootch - see "Hootch"
HQ - acronym, HeadQuarters
IA - acronym, Immediate Action
IG - acronym, Inspector General
Insert - insertion, point of entrance into AO
Intel - intelligence information
Jarai - a tribe of Montagnards, q.v.
K, klick - a kilometer, the U.S. military uses the metric system
Khaki - a sandish color, used in uniforms
KIA - acronym, Killed In Action
LTC - rank, Lieutenant Colonel
LZ - acronym, Landing Zone, a site for a helicopter to land
LZ watcher - an enemy soldier assigned to guard and report on
activities on an LZ
Medivac - medical evacuation, of injured personnel
Mess, messhall - a military dining facility
MIA - acronym, Missing In Action
Mike Force - an allied reaction team, usually larger than a
company
Mini-pounder - small radar transmitter user to mark locations on
the ground for radar-carrying aircraft
Montagnard - one of the indigenous hill people of Southeast Asia
Moonbeam - nighttime name of Hillsboro, q.v.
MOS - acronym, Military Occupational Specialty - one's job title
MPC - acronym, Military Payment Certificate, used in lieu of cash
MSG - rank, Master Sergeant
NCO - acronym, Non-Commissioned Officer
NVA - acronym, North Vietnamese Army
O-2 - a light observation aircraft
O2 and benedryl - oxygen and a strong antihistamine, for
hangovers
OAS - acronym, Organization of American States
OFM(cap) - Catholic religious order, Order of Friars Minor
(Capuchin)
OP - acronym, Observation Post
Otter - light observation aircraft, an O-1
P, piaster - monetary units of Rvn
PH - acronym, Purple Heart, awarded for wounds received in action
Phantom - air force fighter aircraft, the F-4
Point, point man - the soldier who walks first in formation and
scouts the area ahead
POW - acronym, Prisoner Of War
Reckless - slang, a recoilless rifle, small artillery piece
RON - acronym, Remain OverNight, a nighttime position
RPD - enemy weapon, light squad machine gun
RT - acronym, Recon Team
RTO - acronym, Radio-Telephone Operator, the soldier who carries
the radio
Rvn - acronym, Republic of Viet Nam
SEA - acronym, SouthEast Asia
SF - acronym, Special Forces
SFC - rank, Sergeant First Class
SFTG - acronym, Special Forces Training Group
SKS - enemy weapon, bolt action rifle
Slick - troop transport helicopter, UH-1
Slow mover - propeller driven air force fighter aircraft
Snake - slang, a Cobra helicopter
SOG - acronym, Special Operations Group, see "Special Project"
SOP - acronym, Standing Operating Procedures
SSG - rank, Staff Sergeant
Stabo rig - special web gear allowing the wearer to be picked up
by the harness
Straphang - operate with a team other than one's own
Tail - the soldier who walks last in formation and covers the
rear
TOC - acronym, Tactical Operations Center
TO&E, TOE - acronym, Table of Organization and Equipment, the way
a military unit is organized
Tracer - military round that leaves a visible trail as it travels
Tri-border - that area of SEA around the point where Viet Nam,
Cambodia and Laos meet
V Corps - "Five Corps", see "Special Project"
Ville - slang, village, particularly a Montagnard village
Watcher - see LZ watcher
White mouse - derogatory term for the national police of Rvn
WP, willie pete - a white phosphorus round or grenade
'Yard - slang, Montagnard, q.v.
Zero week - an unassigned first week before the commencement of a
school, frequently spent on details
PROLOGUE
At the ripe and wisdom-filled age of seventeen, I chose to join=20
the U.S. Army. Any number of reasons, I suppose. The two strongest=20
ones on my mind at the time were parental pressure and anger.=20
Let's face it, if you are seein' a young lady again, even younger=20
than yourself, who has already borne you a son, parents are not=20
happy campers or particularly easy to live with. And it is mid-
February 1968 - THE Tet Offensive, and friends are dead or dyin'.=20
Those two factors complemented each other, and on Valentine's Day,=20
1968, I did the deed. I somehow didn't picture that I would not=20
arrive in Southeast Asia until mid-year, 1971.
=20
I did the usual routine. Basic training at Ft. Ord, Ca. Advanced=20
Infantry Training at Camp Crockett, Ft. Gordon, Ga. I'd already=20
decided to be Airborne Infantry (needed that extra $55 a month=20
when base pay for an E-1 was $89 a month), so next stop was Ft.=20
Benning, Ga. And here, the short story of my advanced years got=20
the surprise insert.=20
=20
To get out of work one day during "zero week" I took a test for=20
Special Forces (SF, Green Berets, Green Weenies, whatever). I=20
wasn't interested in any such thing, but it was better than=20
another eight hours at the riggers' shed. I promptly forgot about=20
it during the three grueling weeks under the Georgia summer sun in=20
Jump School. The day after I finished "jump week," I got orders=20
for Ft. Bragg, N.C. and Special Forces Training Group (SFTG).=20
Whaddahell! They were nifty hats, so I went. Like I had a choice,=20
of course.
=20
I was on Smoke Bomb Hill, the home of Special Forces, for nine=20
months: Phase I training, MOS training (Morse code and radios,=20
05B), and Phase III trainin'. Then they decided I was good for=20
Phase IV training - another month of seeing how far they could=20
push you before you broke. They pissed me off, and I didn't break.=20
This was an error to haunt me for many years. Like volunteering,=20
it's one of those things you don't do. I was young.=20
=20
Anyway, somewhere in there I got married to the same woman as=20
mentioned above and had number-two son. I also listened to a lot=20
of old SF types and developed a hankerin' to wander and do some of=20
that off-the-wall stuff. So I took a short and reupped for six to=20
get assigned to Panama. More school! Three months in D.C. to learn=20
Spanish. A great tour, as I already spoke it fluently.
=20
In November of 1969, I arrived at Ft. Gulick, Panama Canal Zone.=20
Had a blast, though that's not the point here. In '71, it was=20
time, and I volunteered for Viet Nam when the word came around=20
some folk were needed for the special projects. Back to another=20
school for three weeks at Bragg, again. By now I'm a young buck=20
sergeant, have everything a little more under control, and things=20
flow better.=20
=20
Tour the west coast kin, kiss the wife and son good-bye at LAX,=20
spend a couple days at Ft. Lewis, Wa. and board a plane for some=20
damned place called "Cam Ranh Bay."
=20
Y'know, we make a LOT of errors when we're young....
=20
BACKGROUND
=20
NamVet Newsletter Page 48
=0C Volume 8, Number 8 August 23, 1994
SPECIAL FORCES
Special Forces is one of the most misunderstood outfits the Army=20
ever had. Misunderstood by the public, the press, and even those=20
who wore the Green Beret. Not even the Army knew what they were=20
for, or what to do with 'em. That didn't stop 'em, however, from=20
doin' all sorts of things to us.
=20
Special Forces was created in 1952 as an option to problems like=20
the Czech uprisin' of that year. The concept was a series of=20
small, highly trained teams available to infiltrate into similar=20
situations in foreign countries to train, equip, advise, and, if=20
necessary, lead indigenous populations in the conduct of guerilla=20
warfare. While primarily envisioned as operatin' in wartime, as=20
part of a theater of operations includin' regular armed forces,=20
the unspoken option of use in non-wartime situations existed from=20
the beginnin'. Nearly all of the first batch of soldiers inducted=20
into Special Forces were Americans of recent Eastern European=20
extraction, many of 'em born there before the Iron Curtain came=20
down.
=20
But that ideal survived only a couple of months. That same year,=20
somebody in the Pentagon figured that this mission made SF prime=20
candidates for counterinsurgency operations. And they sent the=20
first SF personnel to the far ends of the earth, to a place few=20
Americans knew, called Viet Nam. In less than a decade, the=20
original mission had slipped into second place, and the=20
counterinsurgency role had become primary. With the additional=20
duties, SF expanded rapidly. There are, after all, a lot of=20
guerillas in the world. From the first group in 1952, later=20
designated the 10th SFG, they added the 1st in Okinawa, the 3rd,=20
4th, 6th and 7th at Ft. Bragg, and the 8th in Panama. The 5th, of=20
course, went to Viet Nam. The 10th, in Europe, the 8th in Panama,=20
and the 1st in Okinawa saw extensive use in counter-guerilla=20
warfare throughout the world. The others, and the old-time members=20
of the 10th, continued to train for the original mission, never to=20
be used.
=20
The old TO&E consisted of a company with three "B" teams, each=20
with five "A" teams. The "A" team was (and is) the primary=20
operational level of SF. Each team is commanded by a Captain, XO a=20
1Lt, and ten sergeants in five specialty groups - a backup in each=20
slot; operations and intelligence, weapons, communications,=20
medicine, and engineering, primarily demolitions. The organization=20
and high levels of trainin' and motivation made the A-Team very=20
flexible, and it assumed a wide variety of missions, far removed=20
from the ideas of the first organizers. And so it remains today.
=20
One got into SF in my time by fulfillin' three requirements:=20
passin' a rigorous test, passin' through jump school to earn your=20
parachutist rating, and makin' it through the intense session with=20
SFTG on Smoke Bomb Hill at Ft. Bragg, N.C. I did these things,=20
though the nine months at Ft. Bragg was more than a little tough.=20
Still and all, I and a lot of others made it, and cast our fate=20
with this hodgepodge of duties and assignments. Not so sure if=20
that's good or bad. 'Course, this whole thin' wouldn't be here if=20
it didn't require a particular off-center set of mind to walk into=20
this with your eyes wide open.=20
=20
We'd all "go anywhere, do anything, as long as we have our hats."=20
=20
NamVet Newsletter Page 49
=0C Volume 8, Number 8 August 23, 1994
It was a secondary credo. And guerilla warfare sounds so romantic.=20
'Course, I've yet to meet a real guerilla....
=20
But we also did lots of other things. In Latin America we did=20
trainin' and medical assistance missions. In Europe we worked with=20
NATO, and prepared to fight the red hordes. In Viet Nam we built=20
the region's third largest army out of Montagnards, Hmong, and the=20
other hill people of SEA. Out on the A-camps they fought a more or=20
less conventional war against Charlie and big brother Chuck. They=20
were good with the isolated nature of the long border. Let's face=20
it, a guy whose whole life is based on bein' allowed to jump into=20
Hungary and overthrow the government is not all with us, mentally. =
=20
It is a very special kind of madness. I know, I was mad too.
=20
And because we were crazy enough to do it, and had some tentative=20
contact with the spooks from that "first mission", they found us=20
available to accept special operations no one else wanted. It was=20
a bad move. The trainin' wasn't really applicable.
=20
But it made me what and who I am.
=20
WHAT'S IN A NAME?
September 1969, and I'm in D.C. finishin' language school for a=20
language I already speak. The wife and Mike Jr. have already taken=20
off for California, and I'm bachin' it in the barracks. Hey, a=20
Spec. 4 doesn't have a lot of money, and D.C. is an expensive=20
place, even in '69. You do what you gotta do.
=20
It's the last couple weeks of class, and everyone is pretty much=20
on cruise control. It's a twelve person class, and ten of us are=20
bound for 8th SFG in Panama. We hang out a lot after class,=20
usually at Louie's, about two blocks from the school. Little place=20
with a couple of pool tables run by a WWII Marine vet who buys=20
nigh on to every other round. Name was Louie, of course. Never=20
knew the last name. It didn't matter. Anyway, we hung there most=20
evenings, playin' pool and generally chillin' out.
=20
One night we walk in and this group of construction dudes has the=20
tables and just about owns the place. We look at Louie, and he=20
just shrugs. He's gotta make some money, so we just pull up a=20
booth and get a round. They gotta leave sometime, y'know.=20
=20
Only they don't. An hour later, it's beginnin' to look like=20
they're here for an evenin' of trouble. They've already started=20
hasslin' Louie. But they're still payin', so Louie puts up with=20
it. We're in uniform, and know what will happen if we try to=20
intervene and send 'em on their way. None of us want delays in=20
orders to Panama, so we start to plan. This, of course, requires=20
another round.
=20
I've had too much, and I really wanna play some eight ball. Bill's=20
also had to much, so he's my volunteer. I grab Bill by the hand=20
and we walk over to the nearest pool table and jump on it, kissin'=20
and rubbin' and really carryin' on. The construction guys can't=20
believe their eyes and start yellin'. Behind the bar, Louie just=20
smiles. This goes on for a couple minutes and the construction=20
dudes stomp out screamin' about fags and shit. Bill and I get up,=20
I rack. The place is ours again.
=20
=20
NamVet Newsletter Page 50
=0C Volume 8, Number 8 August 23, 1994
"Wild Bill" Wiegart, an old E-8 who was in school with us, looks=20
up at Louie with a big grin and says "I'll buy the next one for=20
the Sweet Thing there, with the rack." Louie just loses it and we=20
fear we're gonna hafta take him to the hospital.
=20
You never know when a name'll stick. I was the "Sweet Thing" until=20
I left the Army in '75.
=20
JUNGLE
Jungles are funny places. At least the ones in Panama are. The=20
ones in SEA might deserve another adjective. But I didn't see any=20
serious ones there. The Central Highlands is NOT jungle. And the=20
ones out west are not even in the same league.
=20
But I spent some time in the woods in Panama, too. And elsewhere=20
in South America. The Amazon is an amazin' place, huge beyond=20
belief. The jungles in Panama were worse. Worst I ever saw. The=20
Darien. That part of Panama that stretches from the Canal to=20
Columbia. Godawful jungle. No trails, no people, few ground=20
dwellin' animals of decent size. Couldn't move. Terrain is too=20
steep. I mean, you come virtually straight up from a stream,=20
there's a strin' of trees, and you drop straight back down to=20
another stream. You gotta like water. You spend a lot of time in=20
it.
=20
You don't sleep on the ground there. Oh, it's not 'cause of the=20
critters, though that could certainly do it. Lots and lots of=20
snakes and creepy crawly monstrosities with claws and stingers and=20
teeth. But the main reason is the terrain - nothin' to lay flat=20
on. You carry a hammock. The Army called 'em "jungle hammocks"=20
'cause they built in the 'squito netting. At least you can get=20
horizontal. What you do is get a couple three-foot sticks of=20
around three-quarter inch in diameter, run 'em through the=20
spreaders in the ends, hang it up, tie up the net and use your=20
poncho to make a roof - kinda like an A-frame with palm branches=20
poked across from grommet to grommet. You get so you can put the=20
whole shebang up in under five minutes, raw materials permittin'.=20
And you always use your poncho liner. The jungle gets cold at=20
night - all the moisture still in the air. Didn't think it would=20
get cold like that....
=20
But then there's the thorns. Lots of thorns. In the Darien,=20
everythin' has thorns. Everything. The grass has thorns - saw=20
grass is NOT nice. Palm fronds have thorns. Flowers have thorns.=20
Many trees have long needle-like thorns hangin' down all over the=20
"bark." Black palms. Berries have thorns. Not the little pathetic=20
things that wild black berries do, but the real "ah, shit!" kind.=20
You can't reach out and grab ANYTHING, 'cause you'll regret it.=20
Too hot durin' the day to wear any kind of gloves that would do=20
any good. Some guys wore 'em, anyway. Not me, I just tried not to=20
touch anything.
=20
The biggest eye-opener was a stand of two-foot-plus diameter=20
trees. The ground was only about a forty-five degree slope, so we=20
stopped for a break and leaned against these big old hardwoods.=20
For about two seconds. They were covered with Hershey Kiss sized=20
and shaped thorns. Everythin' had thorns!
=20
Well, of course, not everythin'. Just the vegetation. The animals=20
=20
NamVet Newsletter Page 51
=0C Volume 8, Number 8 August 23, 1994
were all toxic, instead. Except for the local porcupine cousins.=20
They were both. Insects, snakes, lizards, frogs, rodents. Their=20
bites were all bad. Anythin' bit you, and you just swelled right=20
on up. If you lived. Which most of us did, whether we wanted to or=20
not. The Darien is not a good place to find out you are allergic=20
to anti-venom. Take my word for that, I know.
=20
Sometimes the thorns and the toxins joined forces. Acacias. Base=20
of every thorn had an ant hole. Every ant was a devout human=20
hater. Worse when the tree died, too. Lean against it and it would=20
crumble, rainin' fire ants. Hated the damn things.
=20
And noisy. Jungles are NOT quiet places. Monkeys scream, howl,=20
bark. Lizards whistle. Birds make every noise imaginable. Little=20
rodents can scream, too. Just like a wounded rabbit. Nasty. Big=20
cats cough. Everythin' rustles and scurries. The insects drone in=20
unbelievable numbers - unless you've been to the North Slope, then=20
you believe.
=20
Finally, there's the rain. You gotta love dry season, where it=20
only rains two or three times a week instead of the two or three=20
times a day. That's noisy too, but not toxic. But it does make=20
movin' a real bitch. Not a lot of thunder and lightnin'. The rain=20
on your poncho can be even louder, though. Forget about dry socks,=20
or drawers, or anythin'. Guns rust overnight. Radios short out=20
without absolute protection. Everythin' gets wet, especially you.=20
Sometimes you don't even bother with the ponchos. They don't work=20
all that well, anyway, in the heat.
=20
Actually, I kinda liked the Central Highlands. There were flat=20
spots where nothin' had thorns or tried to eat you.=20
=20
Coulda been worse....
=20
WITNESS
The year is 1970. I'm stationed at Ft. Gulick in the Panama Canal=20
Zone. Nice place to be, all in all. Old Spanish forts still in=20
ruins from when the pirates got ticked off, outstandin' divin'=20
waters, the jungle, the canal - just tons of things to do, places=20
to go, people to meet. I spoke Latin American Spanish like a Cuban=20
(the teacher was, so what do you expect?), and the natives were=20
friendly. It's an accompanied tour, so my wife and my number two=20
son are with me. (The wife who "Dear Johned" me in SEA.) =20
=20
Spent less than half my tour actually in-country. Group was=20
forever and a day sendin' us off to exotic places to train, or do=20
medical aid, or just to get to know the terrain. This was a ball,=20
and one of the reasons I didn't make some of the classic "ugly-
American" errors in Viet Nam later. Made 'em in Latin America and=20
got "larned purty good." Anyway, one of those trip was to Honduras=20
with the OAS. =20
=20
You may recall the '68 "soccer war" between Salvador and Honduras.=20
Didn't last long, mostly 'cause neither side had a lot of money to=20
spend on it. The cause was basically surplus population in each=20
country kinda ignorin' the border when they built their new=20
abodes. That is a rough border to cover - jungle, hills,=20
banditos.... So in comes the OAS. (Locally, the OEA - Organizacion=20
de los Estados Americanos.) Modeled on border watches from the=20
=20
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=0C Volume 8, Number 8 August 23, 1994
U.N. The U.S. provided very few "observers," as we gringos are NOT=20
tremendously loved in Central America for some obscure reason. But=20
only the U.S. had the resources to provide helicopters and a radio=20
network. These came out of Panama. With 'em came pilots and flight=20
crews for the whirly birds and operators for the radios. Oh,=20
officially I was a "United States Counterpart," but it didn't fool=20
anyone. I was there to make commo - which I do pretty good. =20
=20
The place I got sent was Nuevo Ocotepeque - called simply "Ocot=82"=
=20
by the citizens. It's in Honduras, just across the border from=20
Metapan in Salvador. Metapan was a military site, so the OAS=20
station on the other side was Chalatenango - "Chalat=82." None of=
=20
these are what could be called big cities. The air strip at Ocot=82=
=20
was so small that I had to go in by chopper - an Otter couldn't=20
land there - and that's small! =20
=20
I was to live in a Capuchin friary. (OFM Cap.) The radio (AN/PRC=20
74 - a multi-banded larger siblin' to the PRC 25's and 77's used=20
in SEA) was in a converted counselin' room, and I had a bunk in an=20
unoccupied friar's room on the back side. Like most such,=20
throughout Latin America, the church sat on one side, the hacienda=20
makin' the other three sides for the patio. The patio was roughly=20
square - maybe fifty meters to a side. It was fully planted with=20
jungle flowers except for a small kitchen garden on the south side=20
near the back gate. In the center was a fair sized stone fountain.=20
Straight out of "Mission". It was splendid! =20
=20
Outside of the friary, the town was a classic, dirt poor Central=20
American town. There was a Viejo Ocotopeque, down by the river,=20
but it was just a few shacks and the old mission. A flood had gone=20
through around 1960, and only the church, on a very slight rise,=20
had survived. They'd rebuilt uphill about a kilometer. Hard to=20
describe if you've never been to such a place. Very few places in=20
our country know such poverty. There had been grand plans once,=20
and large boulevards had been laid out. The curbs were even laid.=20
But he city manager had decamped with the money for paving, and=20
there it still sat. I made the rounds with the padres - the=20
medical ones. No doctors for a hundred miles, and the folk=20
medicine men couldn't carry the load. So, we Green Beanie types=20
smuggled in drugs and equipment, and the padres played doctor=20
without a license. Wasn't good, but better than nothin'. =20
=20
Makin' the rounds there was like steppin' back in time. I won't go=20
into details of the poverty or the disease - they were at least as=20
bad as you imagine. What struck me as a soldier were other things.=20
The town's people were invisible when I wore a uniform - no one=20
anywhere. I started wearin' civvies, and bingo; there was a=20
population after all. Then I started noticin' other things. Long=20
rows of pocks in the walls at about four feet above ground level.=20
Many houses lookin' like they were hastily constructed in a=20
crater. Everyone flinched at loud noises. The place had, indeed,=20
known soldiers. I let my hair and beard grow. =20
=20
The mission, of course, was on the town plaza. Well, it was=20
supposed to be a plaza, anyway. That money had gone with the town=20
manager, too. It was simply a raised area with some thirsty=20
lookin' trees and some scraggly lookin' native shrubs. Did have a=20
couple benches in the middle, and a flock of unhealthy lookin'=20
pigeons, though. In this "plaza," I met the Lord and was=20
=20
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=0C Volume 8, Number 8 August 23, 1994
converted. Not what I'd pictured for such a momentous occasion in=20
my life. But what's one to do? The time and choosin' are selected=20
by other standards than mine, I guess. =20
=20
The mission, like many in Central America, was staffed by Norte=20
Americanos. The Capuchins were all from upstate New York. A bunch=20
of good joes, and that is the understatement of the year. They=20
were workin' missionaries, as likely to be found in a field with a=20
plow and jeans as in a cloister. Habit was for church - otherwise=20
they looked like an enlarged version of a local farmer. When I=20
arrived, there were four in residence. I was told that another,=20
Fr. Mary Francis (he had a "real" name, too, but I never knew it)=20
was out on "rounds" - visitin' on mule back the little hamlets and=20
homesteads scattered in the surroundin' hills. He came in three=20
weeks later.=20
=20
He wasn't a big man, maybe 5'9", 130 lbs or so. He was in his=20
sixties, had arthritis and was in generally poor health. But he'd=20
been ridin' the circuit, on a mule. And when the mule couldn't=20
climb any more, he got off and lead it through the nasty stuff. I=20
watched him real closely - had to be insane, don't you know? =20
=20
The day after he got back and mornin' prayers were said and=20
breakfast eaten, he went to the plaza. The window of the radio=20
room looked out that way, and it all looked wrong. Must have taken=20
me half and hour of starin' to figure it out. He was feedin' the=20
pigeons. Nothin' earth-shakin' about that, but you have to=20
remember where and when we are. These pigeons were survivors. They=20
did NOT go near people - EVER! First, no one spent food on 'em.=20
Second, anytime some one tried, it was a trap and they were=20
destined for the stewpot. They avoided people like the plague -=20
livin' off food from the wild. But Fr. Mary was feedin' the=20
pigeons. And they were swarmin' all over him, sittin' on his head,=20
his shoulders, his arms. I was starin' for half an hour before I=20
realized I was starin' at an animated picture of St. Francis.=20
Scared the hell out of me. =20
=20
And then the children came. I don't know where they came from, I'd=20
never seen so many in town before. The pigeons stayed. And he fed=20
the children too. From somewhere in his brown robe came bread and=20
cheese. They laughed and shouted and romped and hugged him. All of=20
'em together - priest and children and birds. I didn't know what=20
to think. Look, I'm a pragmatist, okay? I only believe that which=20
I can touch, see, feel, taste, weigh and measure. But I see it. =20
=20
He is a magnet, and I am a piece of iron. I sign off the net and=20
walk across the dirt swath that passes for a street. I know that=20
I'll spoil everything, but I HAVE to go. Iron has no choice. I=20
have no choice. They do not go. I am in uniform with a gun on my=20
belt, and the children, the birds and the padre all welcome me=20
like I'd been with 'em just yesterday. We share bread and cheese -=20
and a can of fruit cocktail I had grabbed and put in a pocket. The=20
plaza is beautiful today. The trees are lush and heavy with=20
leaves, the shrubs are in bloom. They aren't really, of course -=20
but somehow they are. I know the symptoms now, in retrospect,=20
though I didn't know 'em then. I had fallen hopelessly in love=20
with the man. We all had - the children, the pigeons and me. He=20
shone with the light that such of women and men chosen of God=20
alone can carry. I am in love. =20
=20
NamVet Newsletter Page 54
=0C Volume 8, Number 8 August 23, 1994
=20
It does not last forever. Duties call to all of us - children and=20
pigeons and Father Mary and me. We meet again many times, and it=20
is never like this again. Oh, the birds still mob him, and the=20
children romp, but it changes. I see the poverty, the squalor, the=20
patches sewn in his robe, the sores on the children's faces. But=20
the love remained. Maybe, even, it grew. I spoke with the friar=20
superior. We started lessons the next Saturday, and I was baptized=20
in the chapel at Ft. Davis in Panama two months later. Fr. Mary=20
was back out on the circuit when my relief arrived. I never saw=20
him again. Or rather, perhaps, I have yet to stop seein' him. He=20
died while I was in SEA. There was a little mission across the=20
creek on the north side of the CCC camp in Kontum. Van Kaufman and=20
I would go to mass there every Sunday we were in-camp. Only=20
Americans in the crowd. We would go to confession to a priest who=20
spoke no English, and we received reconciliation in Vietnamese,=20
which we did not speak. Translator not necessary. The priest, a=20
Vietnamese missionary to the 'yards, knew everythin' he needed, I=20
expect.=20
=20
I did not cry for Fr. Mary when Fr. Rod (the friar superior) wrote=20
me. But it wasn't because I couldn't. I figure he just started one=20
more circuit ride. I keep hopin' his mule can make it up the hill=20
I'm on. Be nice to sit in the plaza again with the pigeons, the=20
padre, and maybe my sons and you and all the others.=20
=20
Did I tell you it had roses in it once?
=20
- * - * - * - * - * - * - * - * - * - * - * - * - * - * - * - *
=20
I'm not that much of a story teller, really - this one always=20
seems to tell itself. I'm not much of a bible thumper either; my=20
faith is kinda a private one. This, however, is different. Here I=20
bear witness that God's glory is still upon the earth, in the most=20
obscure of places, and the saints are alive and well. My only=20
proselytizin'.
=20
(Really.... Roses! I can still smell 'em.)
=20
=20
=3D*=3D*=3D*=3D*=3D*=3D*=3D*=3D*=3D*=3D*=3D*=3D*=3D*=3D*=3D*=3D*=3D*=
=3D*=3D*=3D*=3D*=3D*=3D*=3D*=3D*=3D*=3D*=3D*=3D*=3D*=3D*=3D
=20
=20
Watch for the upcoming issues of NamVet for the continuation of=20
Michael's story!
=20
=20
-=3D Joe
=20
NamVet Newsletter Page 55
=0C Volume 8, Number 8 August 23, 1994
I
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T III T 88888888888888 888888 88
I III I 8888888888888888 88888888
xI III Ix 888 888 88888888888'
T I I T 88888888
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II II The Quiet Place
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II I I II o88 888) (888)
II I IIII I II o88 88888888 8888)
XII I II II I IIX (88 8 88 888888)
XIII III III IIIX (8 8 8 88 88 88 8 888)
XIIII I I IIIIX (88 8 8 8 88888888)
II II I xIIIIIx I II II ( 8 88 888 88888)
II I T T T I II (8888 88 8 8 8888888)
II I I I I I II (8 88888 888 88 88)
II I I I I I II (8888)888 88888)
II I I II II I II (8) (I8I8I) 8
oo8888888o II I I I I I II IIIII X
8888888 888BII I I I I I IIXX III X XX
88 88 88 BII I TIIIIIT I IIXXX III XXXXX
888888 88BII I .... I IIXXXXXX III XXgXXX
888 888888888XXXXXII ... IIXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXjXX
II .. IIXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXpX
The Vietnam Veteran XII IIXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXX
has relatives in the III IIIXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXX
Old and New Testaments III IIIXXXXXXXXXX XXXXX
who also experienced loss II IIXXXXXXXXX XXX
and grief, guilt and shame, II IIXXXXXXXXX XX
rejection and betrayal, I IXXXXXXXXX
alienation and estrangement, I IXXXX XX
isolation and withdrawal. II IIXXXX
II IIX
Adam and Eve tried to hide from God; II II
Moses, born Hebrew and raised Egyptian IIII IIII
searched long and hard for his real self; II II
Job, losing his children and all he owned, II II
became sorely diseased; IIII III
Biblical Joseph was rejected by his brothers, II II
lied about and imprisoned; I
Peter denied Jesus. II
I
"And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age"
Matthew 28:20
=20
NamVet Newsletter Page 56
=0C Volume 8, Number 8 August 23, 1994
Silver Star
By Frederick "Rick" Harvey
VETLink #1 - Tampa, Florida
(813) 249-8323
=20
DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY
Headquarters, 1st Infantry Division
APO San Francisco 96345
=20
GENERAL ORDERS 26 May 1969
NUMBER 4529 =20
=20
AWARD OF THE SILVER STAR
1. TC 320. The following AWARD is announced.
=20
HARVEY, FREDERICK W. CAPTAIN INFANTRY United States
Army
Company C 1st Battalion 18th Infantry
=20
Awarded: Silver Star
Date of action: 2 February 1969
Theater: Republic of Vietnam
Reason: For gallantry in action while engaged in military
operations involving conflict with an armed=20
hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam: On this=20
date, Captain Harvey was serving as company=20
commander on an operation to reinforce a=20
beleaguered friendly unit which had sustained=20
casualties. He organized his elements on line to=20
search for two missing injured men in an area=20
where a grass fire had been started by gunship=20
barrages. As the command group broke through the=20
blazing area, Captain Harvey observed the wounded=20
individuals lying in an exposed location under a=20
vicious fusillade from the enemy. With complete=20
disregard for his personal safety, he led his=20
comrades forward through a hail of hostile rounds. =20
While advancing toward the casualties, three=20
insurgents jumped from their concealed position=20
and placed devastating fire on Captain Harvey and=20
his command group. Although severely wounded, he=20
continued forward to the injured companions and=20
assisted them until they were pinned down again by=20
the aggressor barrage. Ignoring his painful=20
wound, Captain Harvey put forth suppressive=20
covering fire which enabled reinforcements to=20
reach his position. His exemplary courage,=20
presence of mind during the engagement, and=20
outstanding professional leadership were=20
instrumental in saving several soldiers' lives. =20
Captain Harvey's unquestionable valor while=20
engaged in military operations involving close=20
combat against numerically superior hostile forces=20
is in keeping with the finest traditions of the=20
military service and reflects great credit upon=20
himself, the 1st Infantry Division, and the United=20
States Army.
Authority: By direction of the President, as established by=20
the Act of Congress, 9 July 1918, and USARV=20
=20
NamVet Newsletter Page 57
=0C Volume 8, Number 8 August 23, 1994
Message 16695, dated 1 July 1966.
=20
FOR THE COMMANDER:
=20
OFFICIAL: ARCHIE R. HYLE
Colonel, GS
Chief of Staff
=20
PAUL A. WRIGHTSMAN, JR.
First Lieutenant, FA
Acting Assistant Adjutant General
=20
=20
GETTING WASTED
By Frederick "Rick" Harvey
=20
The personal point of view of getting hit, by a=20
former Regular Army Officer in Vietnam
=20
This wasn't the first time I was wounded. I already had two=20
Purple Hearts by February 3rd, 1969, the day I was hit "for real"=20
in the Iron Triangle. This wasn't even the first tour, or even=20
the first 30 days when most replacements get it. I was a combat=20
veteran, and I should have known better. It was tougher the=20
second time around.. constantly telling men to dig holes deeper,=20
slogging away click after click on jungle patrols, living with=20
firefights every 5 days; and lots of near misses. After awhile=20
you get bored, and tired of burning your tongue on aluminum-
tasting coffee heated too-hot over burning chunks of C-4=20
explosive. I got careless.
The first tour equipped me with experience - a vital survival=20
necessity in combat. When I reported to the 173rd Airborne in=20
Bien Hoa for my first tour I was excited and nervous. It didn't=20
help when my first duty was to inventory the personal effects of a=20
man killed the day I reported in, and take out any letters or=20
pictures his mother might object to (he had none). When I drew my=20
combat gear from S-4, the prospects didn't get any rosier. Next=20
to the "new" helmets and liners, with their elastic bands in a C-
ration box beside them, was a case of "old" helmets, many of them=20
had bullet holes through both sides!
In three days I was "acclimatized" and went to the field to take=20
over my platoon. The very next day one of our squads was=20
confronted by a sniper attack that got Tony L. through the leg. =20
He died of shock high in the Vung Tau mountains before we could=20
get his dustoff in to lift him out. It was raining, and his body=20
was limp like the squirrels my Dad and I would bag on a fall=20
hunting trip. Dead bodies are very difficult to carry. So by the=20
time I had been in Viet Nam for four days in the first tour, I=20
knew at least what the game looked like. It was June, 1966.
At first I had a tough time getting to sleep. I just couldn't=20
figure out whether I was going to make it or not. I volunteered=20
for the trip so I couldn't blame anyone but myself for being in=20
the middle of this crazy, hot, wet, beautiful, terrifying country,=20
with sudden death a possibility at every moment.
It took me two weeks to sort out this question of survival. I=20
think every soldier new to combat goes through something like=20
this. Eventually, I left it to fate. It was the monsoon season,=20
and it rained every day in the afternoon. One afternoon, by this=20
time we were out of the mountains and in a rubber plantation at=20
=20
NamVet Newsletter Page 58
=0C Volume 8, Number 8 August 23, 1994
Xuan Loc, I stuck my army issue watch out and let the rain strike=20
its face. I told myself that if the second hand went all the way=20
around before a drop had landed in the inner circle of numbers,=20
from the ones from 12 to 24, then I would be OK. If a drop did=20
land inside the inner ring then I would be killed. Watching that=20
second hand sweep slowly around the face was about the most heroic=20
thing I did! Certainly it required more guts than what happened=20
in the iron triangle on the afternoon of February 3rd, 1969,=20
during my second tour.
As I watched this slow motion roulette wheel turn, the time was=20
almost up at 58 seconds when a drop straddled the line. So I=20
"decided" I would be shot up a bit "around the edges" and left it=20
at that. My fear melted away, and I put philosophical thoughts=20
aside to concentrate on running my platoon, and getting some=20
sleep. There were many firefights and skirmishes in the first=20
tour, both with the 173rd Airborne and in the 5th Special Forces=20
which I volunteered to join after I got the standard rotation to=20
the "rear echelon" after 6 months as a combat platoon leader in=20
the 173rd.
I was still full of fire when my 6 months of field duty period=20
ended so I volunteered into the 5th Special Forces and joined an=20
"A" camp A-333 Trai Bi, just north of Tay Ninh. It was a=20
congenial bunch of guys on our team, and all were practical=20
experienced men. "Cookie," our Vietnamese team cook, was wanted=20
by the police in Saigon, but we were glad to have him, and he was=20
happy to be out in the fringes at our Cambodian border camp. He=20
could cook anything to perfection, including the foot-long section=20
of Python our Cambodian mercenaries, "cowboys" we called them,=20
presented to us once after a patrol up North.
The first tour went well. I picked up a Purple Heart for a=20
scratch I got during a mortar attack at the Nui Ba Den mountain=20
base where I ended my first tour. I learned a lot about jungle=20
operations during this period.
But now, in early 1969, it was different. In late '68 I had=20
come back to Viet Nam and was assigned to the 1st Infantry=20
Division. The short "in-between" tour in the States had been with=20
the 7th Special Forces and the 82nd Airborne at Ft. Bragg. I was=20
a Company Commander patrolling in Washington, D.C., during the=20
riots following the Martin Luther King assassination. By the time=20
I got back to Viet Nam I already suspected that the war was not a=20
win/lose proposition, but more in the nature of a "way of life."
If cats have nine lives, I'm sure human beings have less. =20
Frankly, I do not know now how I managed to survive those 2 tours=20
of "line" duty in outfits like the 173rd, 5th Special Forces, and=20
the "Big Red One." Many of my school buddies, including my best=20
friend from high school who was also a Regular, didn't. But in=20
those days you did what you were told to do without questioning=20
the politics of it. That is the "contract" of a Regular, and that=20
is exactly what we did.
Running a straight-leg company is no joke. It's amazing how=20
hard the newcomers try to get themselves killed. In Viet Nam the=20
general pattern was that someone would get killed, then for two=20
weeks everyone would be careful and be alert. The, after two=20
weeks, it was back to normal, and as the shock wore off people got=20
careless. I knew this from my first tour and given my perspective=20
that the war was not going to be over soon, I was determined to=20
get my troops back home in one piece!
I also knew from observing the tactics of unsuccessful outfits=20
that when you get "defensive" about things you shortly afterwards=20
=20
NamVet Newsletter Page 59
=0C Volume 8, Number 8 August 23, 1994
get "plastered." So we were going to run a crack outfit, and we=20
did. In the five months preceding that afternoon in the Iron=20
Triangle we killed the enemy and confiscated his rice and his=20
weapons. 13 of us were wounded in the five months, including=20
myself twice, but not one of us was killed. We were not a gentle=20
outfit, and we were constantly in the field.
I used to give new replacements three points of advice which=20
I still think anyone new to battle would be well to heed:
1. Keep your eyes and ears open for the first 30
days, and your mouth shut.
2. In the first 30 days, when someone, regardless
of rank, tells you to do something, then do it.
Talk about rank later, after it's over.
3. For the first 30 days, pick out a man in the=20
outfit you think looks like he knows what he
is doing, and copy everything he does, just=20
the way he does it.
This advice works for the transition period. After the first 30=20
days, if you make it that far, you've learned a lot and you don't=20
need advice, you give it.
Anyway, it was five hot, brutal months of slugging it out on=20
motorized patrols, ambushes, NDP (Night Defensive Perimeters) and=20
heliborne insertions. It was actually going pretty well. =20
Occasionally we would load up with extra ammo and grenades and we=20
would steal a day in the field from patrol to train. We would=20
practice letting grenades go off while lying prone nearby, or 3-
round "quick-reaction" drills, or we would shoot near other=20
members of the company, who were under cover, with captured VA=20
AK-47s to learn what incoming enemy rounds and weapons sounded=20
like. This built a lot of confidence and overcame gun-shyness. =20
The outfit performed well and we were sneakier than the "gooks"=20
who were infiltrating III Corps in droves prior to TET. We just=20
kept winning and winning. By this time the brass in Viet Nam had=20
learned that SEARCH AND DESTROY didn't work, and that settling=20
down in NDP's to cover the area in depth did. We spent some time=20
at "Holiday Inn," an NDP near Binh Me, and later moved to "The=20
Castle," a jungle base where we played hide-and-seek with a VC=20
scout we called "Pimple Toes" because of the distinctive imprint=20
of his sandals. We never got Pimple Toes but we nailed a number=20
of the NVA regulars he was guiding through the area. He was=20
magic. Bullets just wouldn't touch him, and he escaped every=20
ambush we laid.
It wasn't long after we left The Castle that I was hit. The=20
company refitted at Di An, and I got a slight case of bronchitis=20
and went to the beach at Vung Tau to recuperate for three days on=20
doctors orders. I was still feeling down when I met my company=20
for a new operation in the Iron Triangle on February 3rd, 1969.
It was hotter than hell even in the early morning when my=20
chopper let down on the LZ. My starched fatigues wilted in about=20
three minutes flat. I almost felt like rolling in the dirt just=20
to get back "on frequency."
During the three days I was away from my outfit, we had=20
inherited a Recon Platoon led by a fresh new Lieutenant. About=20
the worst thing that can happen to you when you're new is to have=20
some outrageous success right off the bat. Well, that's what had=20
happened to this Lieutenant. His first operation, an ambush of=20
the prior week, had bagged 8 VC KIA, and he never took an incoming=20
round. So he was riding pretty high.
I figured he could find us a place to sleep so I directed him to=20
=20
NamVet Newsletter Page 60
=0C Volume 8, Number 8 August 23, 1994
take off to the East to scout for an NDP while I took the company=20
on patrol to the South.
About 30 minutes later there was a great deal of small arms=20
fire, and an explosion about 1 click to the East. The Lieutenant=20
came up on the radio a little shaken. He and his men had been=20
walking along a road when they were blown away. One of his men=20
was completely blown apart by RPG, another was shot through the=20
heart, and his platoon Sergeant was hit. He and his platoon were=20
now compressed into a circular 30-foot slight depression under=20
murderous small arms fire from the VC who were maneuvering in for=20
the kill. He had stumbled into a perimeter defence of a VC=20
company base camp, but we didn't know that at the time.
Time was critical. Tom Padden, the 1st Platoon Leader and I=20
started through the elephant grass with about 30 men to reach the=20
position. We ran. And somewhere during that one kilometer run=20
something inside me snapped.
Without really thinking about it I just got "ticked off." Here=20
we were, running at midday through no-visability elephant grass to=20
rescue a "Recon" platoon that didn't know enough not to walk on=20
roads!
Suddenly, too, the impossibility of this war, the never-ending=20
battle to get men to dig deeper holes, slogging away in the jungle=20
day after day, the heat - everything - it just all welled up into=20
a "screw it" feeling. Somehow I just wanted the war to be=20
complete, finished, settled.
As we ran past the depression I saw that Sgt. Johnson had been=20
shot through the chest and had a sucking chest wound. Up the road=20
were a pair of boots. The owner had been blown right out of them! =20
The smoldering remains of the man who was hit by the RPG (Rocket=20
Propelled Grenade) was lying like a charcoal lump with small arms=20
ammunition exploding in the flaming remains of his ammo pouches. =20
The men lying in the depression were in shock and wanted to be=20
lifted out by chopper. Through my mind went a single word -=20
attack! I pulled my 45-caliber pistol and continued with Michele=20
and Prosik, the radio men, into the killing zone. I used poor=20
judgement. I did not take the time to get suppressive fire laid=20
in. As we walked into the area past the bodies, Michele remarked,=20
"Isn't this dangerous, sir?" I replied, "You have to die of=20
something, Michelle."
About on the last syllable of this sentence of mine, I heard=20
someone should "Gooks!" from behind me. Without thinking, I=20
pitched forward into a dive-roll as an automatic weapon began to=20
tear up the dirt around us. For what seemed like an eternity=20
nothing was happening except the merciless crack and thuds of=20
automatic incoming. Then in a wave of white-hot heat, I was hit=20
from behind with what felt like a baseball bat! It must have been=20
an RPG round hitting the road behind me. It was so hard I thought=20
I had a bloody nose, and I saw stars. It was obvious Michele was=20
right; this was dangerous! The impact sobered me up fast! I=20
picked myself up and dive-rolled again behind a small dike and=20
yelled to Michele and Prosik to follow.
When I looked down at my legs, I was fascinated with what I saw. =20
Holes, holes, holes - everywhere. Michele had a slight wound on=20
his left wrist and Prosik wasn't hit - but I was full of holes!
Both my boots were pierced in several places and I could see a=20
gaping wound in my left leg inside my thigh. Blood was spurting=20
out with every heartbeat. There was no pain at all.
Then I heard noises from the direction we had just left and=20
attempted to fire my pistol through the burning grass. It was=20
=20
NamVet Newsletter Page 61
=0C Volume 8, Number 8 August 23, 1994
jammed! Here was my chance to finally use one of these famous=20
45's at close range and it had a brass casing jammed right up into=20
the breach! I threw a grenade instead, and whatever or whoever it=20
was went away. I realized later that when I got hit my finger=20
must have reflexed, firing the pistol, and the blast and force=20
caused the bolt to slam forward on the expended casing.
Not long after the 1st Platoon broke through from the West on=20
line and placed devastating fire on the enemy position long enough=20
to cover our retreat. There were a welcome sight. It seemed to=20
be getting dark, which I thought was curious in view of the fact=20
that it was noon and not a cloud in the sky. Then I had feelings=20
of being dragged on a nylon blanket to the belly of a gunship. I=20
was loaded on-board right up under the blazing gun-barrel of the=20
M-60 machine gun which was laying in covering fire. How beautiful=20
it was! Flashes, explosions, and the chopper prop blast got mixed=20
up together as the chopper was lifting. Then blackness came in on=20
me and I sort of drifted off.
I regained consciousness at about 2000 feet, high over the rice=20
paddies of III Corps. The cooler air probably brought me around,=20
and I found myself lying face down in a pile of M-60 casings=20
rattling about on the metal floor of the gunship.
I asked the gunner for a cigarette which he lit up for me. God=20
did it taste bitter! I was on my way to the 93rd evacuation=20
hospital, leaving the jungle and the war behind. I had a slight=20
stomachache by now - which later turned out to be shrapnel inside=20
my thorax. We counted 29 holes when I got to the hospital.
One fascinating thing about a firefight is it either works great=20
or it's a disaster. The forces involved are so murderously=20
intense that there is rarely a middle-ground. Good preparation=20
and thinking out the possible screwy ways things could go wrong=20
counts for a lot. The enemy is always "doing it wrong," like=20
walking up trail "B" behind you, just when you laid in ambush on=20
trail "A" in front (which happened to me once). And it's=20
important to watch yourself for signs of the "screw it" attitude=20
because that leads to mistakes and impulsiveness.
In jungle fighting the first to fire has a great advantage. And=20
in spite of the school about attacking the ambush, it's best to=20
break contact with grenades and small arms fire while backing out=20
the way you came in. That way you can sort out the situation=20
somewhat before you're in the middle of it.
=20
NamVet Newsletter Page 62
=0C Volume 8, Number 8 August 23, 1994
. =3DDMZ=3D Camp Carroll__Con Thien =3DDMZ=3D =
.
. |___/ \_ Quang Tri .
. Khe (| * * \ .
. Sanh-/\* * Dong \Camp Evans .
. (Hawk \_/\ Ha *\_ Hue .
. LZ) / \_ \Phu Bai .
. Cam Lo \_Bastogne\_ .
. \ An. )Da Nang .
. / Hoa \ (Marble .
. ( ------- \_Mountain) .
. \ I CORPS \__ .
. \------ Hoi \ Chu Lai .
. \ An ! .
. /\_____ ! .
. / ! Duc \ .
. ! Ben !___ Pho\ .
. ! Het \/\____! .
. ! !English LZ.
. / Pleiku ! Bong .
. / Camp / Son .
. V I E T N A M ! Holloway Happy \_Hammond .
. ! Camp Valley \ LZ .
. \ Enarl An Khe ) .
. \ Qui) .
. \ \ Nhon\ .
. / Oasis / .
. ( ! .
. _\ -------- ! .
. / II CORPS Tuy\ .
. \ -------- Hoa \ .
. ! / .
. _/Ban Me / .
. --------- _/ Thuot Nha / .
. III CORPS Song Be_/ Trang! .
. --------\Quan Loi __/ \ ! .
. Katum\_____( )/An Loc! Dong Ba ! .
. /Dau Loc Ninh!__ Thin ! Cam .
. Tay /Tieng \ / Ranh .
. Ninh\ Phu Phuoc Yinh\ Dalat / Bay .
. ! Loi \ __/ .
. Lai Khe\--* Di An \ ___/ Phan .
. Cu Chi\ Bien Hoa \ _/ Rang .
. / \_____) )_(_Tan San Long Binh !__/ .
. ! ( Nhut Bearcat ___/ .
. _____! An Long \__Long Thanh_/ .
. ! | . \/ Long Giao .
. \___ My /| \/ \ (Black Horse) .
. \ Tho Dong / | \ Vung Tau .
. )Vinh Long Tam / | Saigon .
. / \\ ! Tan An .
. /Can Tho Phu ___\\| .
. /-------- Vinh .
. !IV CORPS\ \ / .
. !-------- \ \__/ (Due to rectangular restrictions of character .
. ! Soc / placements/positions, locations approximate) .
. ! Trang / .
. ! __/ .
. \_/ gjp .
=20
NamVet Newsletter Page 63
=0C Volume 8, Number 8 August 23, 1994
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D
Veteran commo from Uncle Sam and ...
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D
"Ask the Veterans' Affairs Counselor"
DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS
Office of Public Affairs - News Service
Washington DC 20420 (202) 233-2741
=20
Input by: G. Joseph Peck
NamVet's Managing Editor
VETLink #1 - Tampa, FL
(813) 249-8323
=20
(Following are representative questions answered daily by VA=20
counselors. Full information is available at any VA office.)
=20
Q- I'm on active duty in the Marine Corps and have a Certificate of=20
Eligibility for a VA Loan Guaranty. Will the certificate expire=20
when I leave the Marines and become a veteran?
A- Home loan entitlement is generally good until it is used. =
=20
However, service personnel are eligible for the entitlement only=20
while they are on active duty. If they are discharged or=20
released from active duty before using their entitlement, a new=20
determination of their eligibility must be made, based on length=20
of service and the type of discharge received.
=20
Q- How much active duty do I need to be eligible for a VA-
guaranteed home loan?
A- It depends on when you served. Prior to 1980, veterans must=20
have served at least 90 days during wartime (World War II,=20
Korean Conflict or Vietnam Conflict), or at least 181 days of=20
continuous active duty during peacetime. Since 1980, veterans=20
must have served 24 months or the full period for which they=20
were called to serve, but no less than 181 days (90 days during=20
the Persian Gulf War, which has not yet been formally declared=20
ended). The only exception to the minimum periods of service is=20
for veterans discharged for service-connected disabilities. All=20
veterans must have been discharged under other than dishonorable=20
conditions.
=20
Q- While planning a trip to Europe, I saw picture of the American=20
Military Cemetery in Normandy. I participated in the D-Day=20
invasion of Normandy and would like to know how to arrange for=20
burial for my wife and myself in that cemetery.
A- The Normandy cemetery and 23 other military cemeteries around=20
the world are administered by the American Battle Monuments=20
Commission, a small independent agency of the federal=20
government. More than 100,000 Americans who died in battle in=20
World War I and World War II are buried in these cemeteries. No=20
additional burials are allowed.
=20
Q- I think a rifle salute, the playing of taps and the folding of=20
the burial flag by active duty members of the Armed Forces is a=20
fitting honor for veterans buried in our national cemeteries. =
=20
How do you arrange for military honors at a burial?
A- Only the appropriate military command can provide such military=20
honors at a veteran's burial. The armed forces provide honors=20
whenever an active duty member is buried and for most retirees. =
=20
=20
NamVet Newsletter Page 64
=0C Volume 8, Number 8 August 23, 1994
They try to provide honors for veterans whenever they are asked=20
but, in many cases, are unable to do so. The family must=20
request honors. Often, the national cemetery staff can assist=20
the family to request honors, but the final decision is up to=20
the military command.
=20
Q- When my brother-in-law died, the cemetery where he was buried=20
charged my sister $500 for a flat, bronze veterans marker. =
=20
Aren't these markers free?
A- The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is authorized to provide=20
a headstone or a marker for the unmarked grave of any eligible=20
veteran. There is no charge for the marker or for shipping it=20
to the burial place. However, the cemetery may charge to=20
install the headstone or marker. This charge can be substantial=20
and families should inquire about the charge for installation=20
when they make final arrangements with the cemetery.
=20
Q- I know VA provides headstones and markers for the graves of=20
veterans anywhere in the world. If a grave marker is not=20
correct, should the marker be returned? If so, who pays for its=20
return?
A- If a marker is incorrect, contact a customer service=20
representative in the VA's Office of Memorial Programs (OMP) in=20
Washington, D.C. The nationwide, toll-free telephone number is=20
1-800-697-6947, available Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. until=20
4:30 p.m. (ET). When a replacement marker is authorized, OMP=20
will give instructions to destroy the incorrect stone headstone=20
or marker and make provisions for the return of a bronze marker=20
to the manufacturer at government expense.
=20
Q- Will VA replace a marker that has deteriorated from exposure to=20
weather or vandalism?
A- Vandalized, stolen or deteriorated headstones or markers,=20
including those weather-worn to the extent they are no longer=20
legible, will replaced at government expense. Before approving=20
replacement, VA's Office of Memorial Programs (OMP) will need a=20
photograph of the deteriorated marker, or a report of vandalism=20
or theft. OMP will not replace headstones or markers solely for=20
cemetery beautification purposes.
=20
Q- Can I get VA benefits under Chapter 106 of the Montgomery GI=20
Bill (Selected Reserve) for flight training?
A- You may take flight training from September 30, 1990, to=20
September 30, 1994. You must have a private pilot's license and=20
meet physical requirements for a commercial license before=20
beginning training.
=20
Q- Can I get tutorial assistance under Chapter 106?
A- To qualify, you must have a deficiency in a subject. Tutorial=20
assistance is paid if the assistance is performed after=20
September 30, 1992, and if you are attending school half-time or=20
more. Payments are up to $100 per month.
=20
Q- I am eligible for VA education benefits under Chapter 106. =
=20
Since I was ordered to active duty for six months during=20
Operation Desert Storm, can I get an extension to the amount of=20
time allowed to use my benefits?
A- Yes. VA will extend the ending date of Chapter 106 by the=20
amount of time served on active duty, plus four months for=20
=20
NamVet Newsletter Page 65
=0C Volume 8, Number 8 August 23, 1994
members of the selected reserve ordered to active duty during=20
the Persian Gulf War.
=20
Q- I am a retired Army officer and have applied for disability=20
compensation from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Will=20
my grade entitle me to increased compensation?
A- No. Military pay grade is not a factor in determining the=20
degree of disability attributed to military service.
=20
Q- What is a Presidential Memorial Certificate?
A- A Presidential Memorial Certificate expresses the country's=20
grateful recognition of an individual's service in the armed=20
forces and bears the signature of the President. These=20
certificates are available to the next of kin and other family=20
and friends of deceased eligible veterans or persons who are on=20
active military duty at time of death. Apply at any VA regional=20
office, the nearest of which can be reached by calling 1-800-
827-1000.
=20
Q- My wife is buried in a national cemetery that is now closed. We=20
always planned to be buried together. What can I do?
A- Even a "closed" cemetery can accomodate the burial of the spouse=20
of someone already buried there. "Closed" only means lack of=20
space prevents the cemetery from accepting full casketed burials=20
of those without a spouse already buried in the cemetery. Most=20
"closed" national cemeteries can also accommodate burial or=20
inurnment of cremated remains of those otherwise entitled.
=20
Q- What is the difference between VA disability compensation and=20
pension?
A- Compensation is paid to a veteran with a disability that is=20
related to military service. While the disability need not be a=20
result of performance of duty, it must have occurred or have=20
been aggravated during military service. Pension eligibility is=20
determined by the income of a veteran and the number of his or=20
her dependents. To qualify for pension, a veteran must be=20
permanently and totally disabled, as determined by VA.
=20
Q- I recently had to leave the Army due to the military downsizing=20
plan. Is there a program for recently discharged veterans that=20
may help them get both job training and possible placement?
A- The Service Members Occupational Conversion and Training Act=20
(SMOCTA) is a program designed to encourage employers to hire=20
and train veterans. Jointly implemented by the departments of=20
Labor, Defense and Veterans Affairs, SMOCTA is designed to=20
assist veterans who meet specific eligibility criteria and=20
employers who establish approved training and offer prospects of=20
long-term employment for participating veterans. Eligible=20
veterans must be discharged after August 1, 1990. They also=20
must have a military occupational specialty not readily=20
transferable to the civilian workforce, or be entitled to or=20
eligible for compensation from VA for a service-connected=20
disability rated 30 percent or more, or be unemployed for at=20
least eight of the 15 weeks prior to applying for SMOCTA=20
benefits. SMOCTA has been successful in its goal to help=20
veterans gain employment. Through May 31, 1994, 3,478 veterans=20
had been placed in job training and some 4,225 employers had=20
been approved for participation. Interested veterans and=20
employers should contact their local Employment or Job Service=20
=20
NamVet Newsletter Page 66
=0C Volume 8, Number 8 August 23, 1994
for details, applications and assistance. They are usually=20
listed under State Government in the telephone directory. =
=20
Veterans may also call VA toll-free at 1-800-827-1000.
=20
Q- Is it possible to participate in the SMOCTA program and receive=20
educational benefits under the GI Bill at the same time?
A- No. You may not receive VA education benefits at the same time=20
that your employer receives payments for your training under=20
SMOCTA.
=20
Q- My father died of a service-related condition, and I received=20
education benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)=20
until I had to leave school due to illness. I am now able to=20
resume my education. Can my eligibility period be extended?
A- Maybe. Va can extend the time you have to use your education=20
benefits if your education was interrupted due to circumstances=20
beyond your control. Generally, children must be between the=20
ages of 18 and 26 to receive benefits. No extension can go=20
beyond a dependent's 31st birthday. For more information, call=20
1-800-827-1000 for the VA Regional Office nearest you.
=20
Q- How long is a veteran eligible for VA educational assistance?
A- Benefits under Chapter 30 (Montgomery GI Bill-Active Duty) and=20
Chapter 32 (Veterans' Educational Assistance Program, or VEAP)=20
end 10 years from the date of discharge or release from active=20
duty. In most cases, benefits for Chapter 106 (Montgomery GI=20
Bill-Selected Reserve) end 10 years from the date the veteran=20
became eligible for the program, as long as the reservist=20
remains in the Selected Reserve. Otherwise, benefits end with=20
the termination of service. Individuals separated from the=20
Selected Reserve between Oct. 1, 1991, and Sept. 30, 1995, due=20
to inactivation of their unit or having to leave the Selected=20
Reserve involuntarily may have the full 10 years to use their=20
benefits.
=20
Q- I am a divorced veteran. Can I remove my ex-wife as beneficiary=20
on my VA life insurance policy?
A- Yes. Your Government Life Insurance contract gives you the=20
right to designate or change your beneficiary at any time. You=20
can do so without the beneficiary's consent or knowledge. Call=20
the VA Insurance Center at 1-800-669-8477 to request a form to=20
change your beneficiary.
=20
NamVet Newsletter Page 67
=0C Volume 8, Number 8 August 23, 1994
Bits and Pieces
From and Posted By Earl Appleby in the Ablenews Echo Conference
Submitted by Joyce Flory =20
VETLink #13 - Las Cruces, NM
(505) 523-2811
=20
FORGET THE VET?
"The white stones used in some patios, driveways, and walkways in=20
the Washington area have names and dates engraved on one side.=20
Thousands of weathered and damaged burial markers from graves at=20
Arlington National Cemetery have been discarded over the years,=20
and many ... were scavenged from landfills and used for home=20
projects, cemetery officials said ... The markers used to be left=20
intact at a landfill. In 1987, the cemetery began pulverizing=20
discarded grave stones, the spokesman said, in part because of=20
calls from those who found the markers that had been discarded in=20
earlier years. Arlington National Cemetery is the best known of=20
the country's more than 100 military cemeteries ... More than 160=20
of the stones, turned face down, were made into a patio behind a=20
Northeast Washington apartment building. In the basement were=20
three more of the large, group markers inscribed with the names of=20
19 men who died in World War II. Vietnam-era veteran Ed Siemion,=20
hired to repair one of the four apartments, discovered the stones=20
and showed them to a reporter 'It gave me chills when I saw=20
them.'" (Homeowners Find Grave Markers in Yards, Patios, Linda=20
Wheeler, Washington Post, 5/31/94)=20
=20
ABLEnews Editor's Note: We commend Mr. Siemion for calling=20
attention to this despicable situation and we deplore the=20
seemingly cavalier attitude of Arlington's deputy superintendent=20
Herman Higgenbottom, who was quoting as saying, "It's just=20
somebody making use of discarded government property. He is not=20
the first one, for sure." Such callous comments reflect a=20
government bureaucracy that often treats the American veteran as=20
"discarded government property."=20
=20
"As Washington awoke on Memorial Day morning 11 families sat on=20
folding chairs on a grassy hill and, far away from the day's more=20
elaborate events, cried in each others' arms. The Vietnam Veterans=20
Memorial ebbed like a black wave in the distance. The names of=20
their loved one could not be on that granite wall because, unlike=20
the dead whose sacrifice was etched there, their loved ones had=20
died after the fighting had ended -- of Agent Orange poisoning, of=20
injuries that never healed, suicides. In a war that has seemed=20
exiled from the brotherhood of conflicts, these dead are the lost=20
veterans." (Remembering Those the Wall Forgot, Lorraine Adams,=20
Washington Post, 5/31/94)=20
=20
"Prodded by veterans who say they have been forsaken by the nation=20
they served, the Clinton administration endorsed a bill Thursday=20
that would compensate victims of mysterious 'Persian Gulf=20
Syndrome' ailments. 'This legislation is revolutionary. We have=20
never before approved payment for something we're not even certain=20
exists,' Veteran Affairs Secretary Jesse Brown said in testimony=20
to a House Veteran Affairs panel 'We're heading in the right=20
direction although we still have a long way to go,' said Phil=20
Budahn, spokesman for the American Legion. 'We would have wished=20
it had been faster.'" (Syndrome Pay, Martinsburg Journal, 6/10/94)=20
=20
=20
NamVet Newsletter Page 68
=0C Volume 8, Number 8 August 23, 1994
ABLEnews Editor's Note: It took some 15 years for the government=20
to take similar action on behalf of Agent Orange victims after the=20
Vietnam War.
=20
=3D*=3D*=3D*=3D*=3D*=3D*=3D*=3D*=3D*=3D*=3D*=3D*=3D*=3D*=3D*=3D*=3D*=
=3D*=3D*=3D*=3D*=3D*=3D*=3D*=3D*=3D*=3D*=3D*=3D*=3D*=3D*=3D*=3D
=20
Stumped For Stamps?
Reprinted with permission from VVA Chapter #348, Orange,TX
Author Unknown
Submitted by Joyce Flory
With thanks to Gerald Thibodeaux
VETLink #13 - Las Cruces, NM
(505) 523-2811
=20
For years we have been trying to get a stamp honoring our=20
POW/MIA's. We never came close to succeeding. It seems our=20
Postal Service would rather honor birds, sea shells and flowers=20
and people who have made millions of dollars in their professions. =20
People who never knew the meaning of pain and suffering and=20
torture are being honored by the USPS. They spend over a million=20
dollars to find out which picture of Elvis Presley would be=20
preferred. (Now they are having to raise the price on postage). =20
They decide to honor an Afro-American cowboy, Used the right name=20
- wrong picture - mega-bucks to correct their mistake. The latest=20
stamp to come out is the one honoring the Vietnamese New Year=20
(year of the dog). I am not against honoring our Vietnamese=20
friends holidays, BUT, if they can't comply to the wishes of the=20
people, why not one stamp with the picture of the USA or planet=20
earth and leave it at that. They would save enough money annually=20
to reduce the cost of postage and operate in the green for a=20
change. Men who have given their all for the freedom we enjoy=20
will more than likely NEVER be honored by any of our Governmental=20
agencies.
=20
NamVet Newsletter Page 69
=0C Volume 8, Number 8 August 23, 1994
VETLink #50
By Jeff Beer, SysOp
VETLink #50 - Fairfield Bay, AR
(501) 884-6277
=20
(Contact System Operator Jeff Beer @(501)884-6352 for more=20
information)
Now On-Line
(501) 884-6277 by Modem - 24 hrs/7 days
Fairfield Bay's First Electronic Bulletin Board System
=20
You can now use that telephone modem that's been sitting on your=20
desktop getting dusty!
=20
VETLink #50/Fairfield Bay VETS BBS
This BBS is dedicated to Veterans, their families and friends,=20
and other interested people. All are welcome to use the system. =20
The system is free to use; Many system charge "Access Fee's" or=20
REQUIRE "Donations." I will accept donations, but do not require=20
them. All donations go to system maintenance, to pay the phone=20
bills and/or to expand the system.
=20
WHAT DOES IT DO?
INTERNATIONAL MAIL: As a certified VETLink (tm) Bulletin Board=20
System, this BBS offers the VETNet E-mail message network as well=20
as Fido-Net international message conferencing. In addition, Net-
Mail offers an E-Mail link to commercial services including=20
Compuserve (tm), America On-Line (tm) and Prodigy (tm). E-Mail=20
service to and from the Internet is also available.
LOCAL MESSAGING: In addition to the Message Conferencing above,=20
the system also carries LOCAL message bases. These message areas=20
are for the use of people who directly call the BBS, as opposed to=20
messages sent through the networks. These local message bases=20
support private mail, carbon copy and message forwarding.
ON-LINE GAMES: Currently, there are 3 on-line (real time) games=20
available for your enjoyment. As I find more quality, enjoyable=20
games, I will add them.
FILE UPLOAD AND DOWNLOAD: The BBS carries a growing amount of=20
'share-ware' and 'free-ware' PC software that you can download for=20
your own use. The software includes games for DOS and Windows,=20
system utilities, PC communications, business applications and=20
many other types of software. As storage space increases, graphic=20
images will be included. In addition, you can use the system to=20
transfer files, both programs and data, from you to anyone you=20
desire. NO COMMERCIAL (off-the-shelf) software is available, and=20
cannot be transferred to the system. 'ADULT' software and/or=20
graphic images are not available and will not be tolerated. This=20
is a family oriented system.
FAX SERVICES: LOCAL faxing will be available soon. Faxes sent=20
through the system cannot include graphics at the moment. Faxes=20
must be typed into the system on-line, and the message editor does=20
not support graphic images. Incoming fax reception is not=20
currently supported, but will be added when the software upgrade=20
becomes available. FaxBack services are currently supported. =20
Local charities and service organizations can utilize the system=20
for this function. To discuss using the system for FaxBack,=20
contact the System Operator on-line.
HOW TO CALL: Using your communication software, set your=20
telephone modem to IBM compatible mode (No parity, 8 data bits, 1=20
=20
NamVet Newsletter Page 70
=0C Volume 8, Number 8 August 23, 1994
stop bit). IBM (DOS) callers should have the DOS utility ANSI.SYS=20
loaded before you call to insure proper screen color translation. =20
Have our communications software dial 1-501-884-6277, and follow=20
the instructions on your screen. If you get a busy signal, let=20
the software keep dialing - there is only one phone line available=20
and it has to do several different functions including mail=20
transfer, fax service and BBS caller use.
=20
NamVet Newsletter Page 71
=0C Volume 8, Number 8 August 23, 1994
Veteran Legal Assistance
A compilation of information important to YOU and YOUR VA Claim
=20
-- Veterans Disability Matters
Veterans Disability Matters
Submitted by Del Back
VETLink #1 - Tampa, FL
Our office handles disability matters for clients throughout the=20
United States. The cases we handle involved "unemployability." A=20
veteran who is unable to work because of a service-connected=20
disability is entitled to a 100% disability rating ($1,800) per=20
month). For this type of case, you must be unable to work SOLELY=20
because of your service-connected disability.
Legal fees for our services are payable only if we are=20
successful in obtaining additional benefits for you. The fee is=20
one-third of any back benefits you receive and does not effect=20
your future benefits. If you think you might qualify for a 100%=20
unemployability rating, please call us toll free to discuss the=20
matter further.
1-800-545-4950
Law Offices
R. Edward Bates
1801 N. Mill
Naperville, Illinois 60563
[Joe Note: I've talked personally with Attorney Bates concerning=20
the above information submitted by veteran Del Back whereupon I=20
was advised that his office SPECIALIZES ONLY in Unemployability=20
Claims - both before DVA and Social Security. =20
Federal law specifically mandates that attorneys CANNOT, for a=20
fee exceeding $10, represent veterans before the Department of=20
Veteran Affairs UNLESS the veterans' claim has progressed to the=20
CVA (Court of Veteran Appeals) level where, then, a MAXIMUM of 20=20
percent can be charged, unless otherwise agreed upon in advance=20
and written copy of said agreement is on file with CVA. =20
Attorney Bates advises that his office WOULD LIKE to be involved=20
with a veterans' claim almost from the beginning. If/should a=20
veteran be awarded what s/he seeks PRIOR to the claim being=20
presented to CVA, Attorney Bates reports that there are no fees=20
charged. Instead, a request is made of the veteran that s/he=20
provide a donation to the legal service in order that it can=20
continue serving our brother/sister veterans in THEIR search for=20
EARNED benefits.]
=20
-- VETERAN CVA REPRESENTATION
Looking for thorough and efficient representation before the Court=20
of Veteran Appeals?
=20
Contact VETLink #36 - Rick Bowman, Esq. at 817-335-3338. Rick is=20
a Vietnam veteran who's gone through what many of you have and=20
he's helped many of our brothers and sisters in pursuing their=20
claims through the Court of Veteran Appeals.
=20
Contact Gerald McDougall, Esq. at 806-355-1202; mailing address is=20
Post Office Box 50898 Amarillo, TX 79159-0898. Attorney=20
McDougall is a Vietnam veteran who's worked with the legal system=20
of the military for many years. His representation, research and=20
candid advice have proven very valuable to many Vietnam veterans. =20
=20
COURT OF VETERANS' APPEALS NEWS
=20
NamVet Newsletter Page 72
=0C Volume 8, Number 8 August 23, 1994
Court of Veterans' Appeals News
Submitted by Gerald McDougall
Amarillo, TX
Gerald McDougall, a frequent behind-the-scenes contributor to=20
NamVet and the VETNet echoes, has shared with us some important=20
information received from the PRODIGY (TM) Network.
=20
CRIME IN THE BVA!
FROM: WILLIAM SMITH
SUBJECT: CRIME IN THE BVA
One of the two attorneys accused of tampering with claims files=20
at the Board of Veterans' Appeals has agreed to enter a guilty=20
plea to one count of unlawful removal, concealment and mutilation=20
of government records. =20
The attorney worked for the VA as an attorney advisor to the=20
Board of Veterans' Appeals. His name is LAWRENCE GOTTFRIED, and=20
he was assigned to a panel within the Board of Veterans' Appeals=20
which deals with POW cases and cases in which the veteran was=20
seeking a 100% disability rating. He has worked for the VA since=20
the year 1971, so he may have done a lot of damage to innocent=20
veterans. =20
Anyone who has ever received a decision from the Board of=20
Veterans' Appeals, whether it was a remand or a final decision,=20
has grounds to contest the decision if Gottfried was the legal=20
advisor to the Board on the case. =20
Check your copy of any BVA decision you have received to see if=20
his name appears on the copy. =20
A similar case involving another crooked VA attorney is still=20
under investigation. Gottfried will enter his plea in the U.S.=20
District Court on August 12, 1994, and he is facing up to three=20
years in prison for his acts. =20
Statistics show that for every crime that is reported, up to ten=20
crimes go unreported. If this holds true for the VA employees,=20
there are a lot of dishonest VA employees out there screwing the=20
veterans of this country out of their benefits. We should demand=20
a complete audit by the Government Accounting Office, conducted by=20
individuals who are under contract to the G.A.O., but not employed=20
in any way by the Government as government employees. =20
How can we trust any government after this scandal?
=20
COVA COURT DECISIONS
FROM: WILLIAM SMITH
SUBJECT: COURT DECISIONS
We have a new decision from the Court of Appeals for the Federal=20
Circuit on VA law, and it is not good news for veterans.
The case is Smith v. Brown, F.3d (1994), 1994 WI. 419540, Fed.=20
Cir. D[oc]k[e]t. No. 93-7043 (August 12, 1994). =20
This decision deals with the concept of "clear and unmistakable=20
error" under 38 C.F.R. 3.105(a). =20
The Federal Circuit in this case has reversed a decision of the=20
United States Court of Veterans Appeals that was favorable to=20
veterans. The issue is whether the concept of "clear and=20
unmistakable error" applies to decisions of the Board of Veterans'=20
Appeals, or only to decisions by the Regional Office. =20
The Court of Veterans' Appeals had held that it applies to both. =20
The Federal Circuit held that the concept of "clear and=20
unmistakable error" applies only to decisions of the Regional=20
Office. =20
This means that a veteran seeking retroactive benefits will have=20
=20
NamVet Newsletter Page 73
=0C Volume 8, Number 8 August 23, 1994
a much more difficult time getting such benefits in the future. =20
This is how the decision applies - if a veteran submits a claim=20
to the VA Regional Office at some time in the past, and is turned=20
down, he can claim clear and unmistakable error in that decision=20
if he did not appeal the denial to the Board of Veterans' Appeals. =20
However, if he did appeal the denial to the Board of Veterans'=20
Appeals, and that Board affirmed the decision of the Regional=20
Office, he can no longer argue clear and unmistakable error as a=20
basis for getting retroactive benefits. His only remedy is to=20
file a Motion for Reconsideration with the Board of Veterans'=20
Appeals. If the Board denies his motion for reconsideration, he=20
can only appeal to the Court of Veterans Appeals if the Notice of=20
Disagreement which preceded the underlying BVA decision was filed=20
on or after November 18, 1988. =20
In other words, if the BVA decision which you are attacking was=20
preceded by a Notice of Disagreement filed before November 18,=20
1988, and the Board denies a motion for reconsideration of that=20
decision, you cannot seek relief in the Court. =20
This whole process rewards the veteran who did not seek to=20
appeal an old VA Regional Office decision, as opposed to a veteran=20
who did file such an appeal. Nevertheless, that is the overall=20
effect of this new Court decision. =20
This is a very complex issue, so please do not hesitate to ask=20
questions.
=20
--If YOU know of an attorney or other helpful person who aids in=20
veteran claim presentation or, to the contrary, one who's NOT been=20
helpful in veteran claim representation, let us know! You can=20
contact me at 1-813-885-1241; PO Box 261692, Tampa, FL 33615-1692=20
or through VETLink #1 at 1-813-249-8323. =20
=20
NamVet Newsletter Page 74
=0C Volume 8, Number 8 August 23, 1994
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D
Things to think about
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D
Mission: Command & Control
by Rick Harvey
Lake Forest, Illinois
Submitted at VETLink #1 - Tampa, FL
(813) 249-8313
=20
[Joe Note: " ... so from now on we're a team, no hotdoggers and no=20
shitbirds. Each man will be responsible for every other man and=20
that includes me. ..." =20
from DEAR MOM - A SNIPER'S VIETNAM=20
by Joseph T. Ward
Those of us who have had military experience KNOW that excellence=20
of performance and survival on the battlefield depends not only on=20
ourselves but also on those next to us and those next to them. Good=20
military officers were especially alert to the survival-value of=20
teamwork.
A.M. (After Military), though the battleground may have vanished,=20
the principles taught haven't. Care, concern, and being oriented=20
towards the well-being of others didn't get hung in the closet with=20
dress uniforms.
It was often okay to occasionally shuffle one's feet or lean=20
against walls whilst in an area that wasn't combat ... yet that was=20
one thing ya DIDN'T wanna do in an area often marked with tripwires=20
an' bouncin' betty's an' such - It _could_ cost one their survival.=20
"Smoke 'em if ya got 'em" were words that were often welcomed by=20
soldiers ... _unless_ ya were on night patrol ... It _could_ cost=20
one their survival ...
"Knowledge" was somethin' of great value that was often learned=20
from our service comrades...
A.M. we're on a different battlefield - one, too, that could cost=20
our survival or enslave us if we happen to shuffle our feet or take=20
a break when that's exactly what we shouldn't do at a particular=20
time in our lives if we're to achieve our objectives...
Rick Harvey, the author of this article, and his wife Sue, _have_=20
been on the financial battlefield for a long while. As is so aptly=20
described in the title, they've worked out a way to gain=20
Command & Control of resources at their disposal in such a way that=20
they're experiencing the financial and personal freedom Rick and so=20
many others put their lives on the line for. =20
As a "leader" (see SILVER STAR in this issue), Rick's character=20
nags at him to share the knowledge with you, our reader, so that=20
you, too, can experience excellence on _your_ financial=20
battlefield, regain your freedom, and experience independent=20
survival. As a leader, too, it's "in his bones" to try to guide=20
and tell you of how the rules CHANGE when you're in a different AO=20
(Area of Operations) of your financial journey (See QUADRANTS=20
below) so that ya won't be a shufflin' your feet or takin' a break=20
when, buttressed by knowledge, you can maintain your forward=20
progress towards command & control of your resources.
Although "Mission: Command & Control" _is_ carefully detailed and=20
outlined in this article, Rick and Sue have put together a 40+ page=20
printed report that goes even further into the details of "How its=20
done" that contains record formats and detailed instructions which=20
they are offering for sale (See Order form at end of this article). =
=20
-=3D Joe ]
=20
NamVet Newsletter Page 75
=0C Volume 8, Number 8 August 23, 1994
=20
BIOGRAPHY
Rick and Sue Harvey married in 1969 and have two children. Rick=20
was trained as an engineer, served in the US Army and fought two=20
tours as an infantryman in Viet Nam and was highly decorated for=20
his combat service (Silver Star, three Purple hearts, etc.) He has=20
an advanced business degree and for 13 years worked as a consultant=20
to large businesses. Sue has secretarial training and has worked=20
as an executive secretary and office manager. In 1982 the Harveys=20
had a small business that was wiped out in the recession. They=20
both took jobs and were working their way back when Rick was laid=20
off from his plant manager position with one company, and Susan got=20
laid off as an executive secretary in another within a 7 month=20
period. They found themselves with $50,000 of unpaid, unsecured=20
"debt." From the experiences they went through during the ten=20
years and two recessions the Harveys formulated their "self=20
defense" system which eventually became the "SUCCESS WITH MONEY"=20
plan. The lesson they share is a simple one, but powerful when=20
applied. Rick and Sue urge everyone to live a lifestyle based=20
upon "current" income, without borrowing against future earnings or=20
from past savings for "living expenses."
=20
MISSION: COMMAND & CONTROL
Many people today are totally fed up. They are even fed up with=20
being fed up!!
They are fed up with never having enough money for themselves.=20
They are disgusted with having to pay off credit cards when they=20
can't even remember what they bought that racked them up to their=20
limits. They are concerned about having to write checks at the=20
food store hoping that their paycheck will get to the bank before=20
their grocery check arrives for payment.
They are disappointed that every time they try to get out of=20
financial trouble they just get deeper in! They are afraid of the=20
telephone since creditors started calling them all the time to "pay=20
up or else!". They can't stand those pink slips they get from the=20
utilities directing them to pay at a cooperating local store or=20
else their service will be disconnected, and they will owe a re-
connection fee.
We know this, because we were one of them!. We found that=20
getting free of these things wasn't about starting a business,=20
winning the lottery, or any other magical event. It was about=20
taking control of the financial condition of our life, and=20
understanding the game that life has thrust us into, whether we=20
liked it or not!
If this sounds all too familiar to you, don't despair... help is=20
on the way!
By the way, you are NOT alone! For decades the whole civilized=20
world has been on a credit binge. The average person has come to=20
believe that we can go on forever purchasing now against future=20
income. But what happens when income stops? That is the situation=20
we have faced twice. YOU are the lucky one! That's right, because=20
in your case a decision has been made to take control, or you=20
wouldn't be reading this now.
As of this time we are in the midst of a world wide "recession"=20
(As usual! I have been hearing on the news about the "recovery"=20
for about 10 or 12 years now, haven't you?)
Let me share with you why this material was ever developed.=20
About ten years ago Sue and I found ourselves in deep, dark=20
financial trouble. My business as a consultant had not been going=20
=20
NamVet Newsletter Page 76
=0C Volume 8, Number 8 August 23, 1994
well. Although I had been successfully in business for about 8=20
years, something had changed. No matter what I did or where I=20
looked I couldn't seem to sell my projects as I once had. Finally,=20
in a sales meeting an executive said to me "Rick, what you are=20
selling (it was cost control technology) is just what we need, but=20
if we hire you one of US has to go. So we can't do the project=20
because we don't have the funds!"
That is when my eyes began to open. This happened to me in the=20
summer of 1982, about 18 months after the Federal Reserve had=20
initiated one of its "money tightening" periods.
Do you enjoy being under financial pressure? It's such a=20
seductive trap, isn't it? It grabs you slowly, one transaction at=20
a time, until you wake up one day fearing the day because you know=20
that you can't meet everyone's expectations.
We have known the agony of the loss of self-respect, and the=20
anger and despair associated with living life just to pay others=20
and nothing else. Becoming financially over-committed is like=20
becoming a snake's prey. Slowly but surely the lights begin to go=20
out until everything in life becomes dull, dismal, and=20
discouraging. A poor financial condition swallows you whole.
Just learning about something isn't enough. You have to DO=20
something too!
=20
"I DID IT!"
We ended 1982 out of business and with debts amounting to over=20
$50,000 including unpaid taxes. That experience started our=20
realization of several truths that became our ticket out of debt=20
and into personal financial freedom.
One of the very first things we had to learn about recovering=20
our economic health is to utilize the "I DID IT!" point-of-view.
You see, it's all very well to blame others or circumstances for=20
our troubles, but by doing so we actually weaken ourselves, and=20
turn ourselves into "victims". Victims nearly always lose. If you=20
turn yourself into a victim you become a loser, and you remain a=20
loser.
The way to become a winner, and that is what you really are, is=20
to take personal responsibility for your circumstances; to take the=20
"I DID IT!" position about things.
Can you see why you have problems when you blame others or=20
circumstances? Here's why.
When you are saying that someone or something other than you "DID=20
IT" you are also admitting to yourself that the power to change=20
things is over there with someone or something other than yourself! =
=20
And as long as you consider that you don't have the power to=20
change your life, you can't, and you won't!!
The "I did it" philosophy was incorporated into our plan.
=20
STOP THE BLEEDING
At the scene of an accident the paramedics always try to stop the=20
bleeding, and to make the accident victim more comfortable and=20
stable before they all rush to the hospital for corrective surgery.
The "bleeding" in this case is going deeper and deeper into=20
unsecured debt. And the way to stop it is to stop borrowing=20
unsecured money.
Do you worry how your credit rating looks? We used to, and=20
wondered how [what] we could do to "fix" it. What we found was=20
that people, ourselves included, who worry about their credit=20
ratings are those who are deeply into the debt game (as we were=20
once), with plans to continue in it.
=20
NamVet Newsletter Page 77
=0C Volume 8, Number 8 August 23, 1994
If you are not borrowing money as a way to live, your credit=20
rating can take care of itself. When you are on the positive=20
"black" side of the ledger you will be known as a good credit risk. =
=20
Until then, your problem is not with your credit rating, it is the=20
FACT that you are overextended and in too much debt!
When we were out of money we kept a careful track of what we gave=20
up and why. Remember, I was a consultant so everything was a=20
"study," including the misery we were in! From the diary of our=20
progress in digging out we discovered that there are five definite=20
priorities of spending, and, to survive, you have to respect them.
=20
THE FIVE PRIORITIES OF SPENDING are:
I. A PLACE TO BE
II. COMMUNICATIONS
Your Telephone
Gas Money
Car Expenses
Bus Fare
III. FOOD AND WATER
IV. HEAT AND LIGHT
V. EVERYTHING ELSE
We are talking no-nonsense "survival" here. These priorities are=20
the one's that emerge when circumstances are so bad that they=20
become life threatening - like a winter with no heat, or a home=20
with no food for instance.
When you are down to the last of the cash you must look and see=20
if your rent is paid. If it isn't you better pay it (or your=20
mortgage, etc.). If you don't have a PLACE to live then you are on=20
the street. And if you let it go that far your family will=20
disintegrate, and your physical survival will be in jeopardy.
Now, let's say your rent is paid, well then it's time to pay the=20
telephone bill or put gas in the car. A lot of folks think food is=20
more important, but it isn't.
If you cannot move your body or your speech (with a telephone)=20
around town, you can't work. And if you don't work, you starve.=20
Sorry, Virginia, you must get used to this "work" thing. Don't=20
expect Uncle Sam, Santa Claus or any other benefactor to help you=20
forever, or even for long. To get work you need to be "plugged in"=20
and mobile, and that's why you have to take care of these=20
COMMUNICATION needs right after you get your PLACE handled.
After you have paid for a PLACE, and taken care of your=20
COMMUNICATIONS needs, then you can eat! After all, we don't want=20
you to starve. (If you are really at the end of your rope check=20
your local supermarket for day-old giveaway food you can pick up=20
from the manager at closing time.) FOOD AND WATER is the third=20
priority, and includes anything you must spend for sewer and=20
garbage pickup or other costs associated with FOOD AND WATER.
Once you have a roof over your head, you can get to the job=20
tomorrow, and you are full, then it's time to pay the electric bill=20
and the gas bill. It's nice to have the utilities, but don't=20
forget that sweaters work, and that you can heat one room in a=20
house with a kerosene heater. You can also light the place well=20
enough to read with kerosene lamps. You can cook with a kerosene=20
camp stove. HEAT AND LIGHT is fourth priority.
And after paying for priorities I through IV, if there is=20
anything left, you can buy something, pay off a debt, or save and=20
invest. EVERYTHING ELSE is a fifth priority item.
You have to take care of yourself first. Creditors have to wait=20
in line and get theirs after you are at least "alive".
=20
NamVet Newsletter Page 78
=0C Volume 8, Number 8 August 23, 1994
If you have been under financial stress and pressure for a while,=20
and you probably have if you want out, then you will know how=20
annoying credit collectors can be. But you may also have realized=20
by now that you've got them, they haven't "got" you! Without you=20
they are out the money. With you, they at least have a chance to=20
get their money back some day!
That is why the reality is that you must take care of yourself=20
first. And you know what? Just about every creditor understands=20
and supports this point of view. Creditors know that you must do=20
well or THEY don't get paid. You are the one in charge.
Once we had the spending at least under a little control we=20
started to "take stock". Here's how we did it.
=20
THE CASH NET WORTH LIST
An "essential" is the CASH NET WORTH LIST. It is an absolute=20
must. All businesses use one. In a business it's called a balance=20
sheet.
A sample CASH NET WORTH LIST is shown below:
CASH NET WORTH LIST
as of December 19XX
UNSECURED DEBTS OWED % OF TOTAL
Capital Loans ($14,841.14) 29%
Family Loans ($11,105.00) 22%
Major Card#1 ($6,240.68) 12%
Midwest Loan Co. ($3,622.00) 7%
Memorial Hospital ($3,348.80) 7%
Bank Overdraft Loan ($2,630.66) 5%
Unpaid Office Rent ($2,573.53) 5%
First S&L #550 ($2,174.22) 4%
Major Card#2 ($1,334.39) 3%
Telco ($572.03) 1%
Credit Collections Inc. ($549.17) 1%
Canceled Credit Card ($448.05) 1%
Office Supply Store ($382.12) 1%
Personal Loan#1 ($300.00) 1%
Pediatrics Inc. ($288.20) 1%
Personal Loan#2 ($233.23) -
TOTAL UNSECURED DEBTS ($50,643.22) 100%
CASH ACCOUNTS
Cash on Hand $9.08
His Checking Account $26.27
Her Checking Account $44.41
Property Account $226.78
TOTAL OF CASH ACCOUNTS $307.03
CASH NET WORTH ($50,336.19)
------------
This was our actual situation when we started to escape from debt=20
as a way of life in 1990.
=20
THE FINANCIAL QUADRANTS
We also discovered that, in spite of all the mumbo-jumbo from=20
high priced financial "experts," the truth is there are only two=20
significant measures of financial success or lack thereof. Namely,=20
CASH NET WORTH (as above) and CASH NET INCOME.
Let's keep this simple, OK? The material you are about to read=20
is simple, but most people do not have the advantage of hearing=20
about it or understanding it. We are about to share with you a=20
powerful framework for evaluating your financial situation the=20
way it is, "for real".
=20
NamVet Newsletter Page 79
=0C Volume 8, Number 8 August 23, 1994
IN OUR PLAN WE JUST DEAL IN CASH.
You can establish your situation in the financial game quite=20
easily by using two lines, one vertical to represent CASH NET=20
WORTH, and a horizontal line that crosses it called CASH NET=20
INCOME.
FINANCIAL QUADRANTS
CASH NET WORTH
You Own
(+)
II IMPENDING | I SUCCEEDING
FAILURE |
CASH | CASH
NET(-) <-----------0------------> (+)NET
INCOME | INCOME
|
IV FAILING | III IMPENDING
| SUCCESS
(-)
You Owe
CASH NET WORTH
We found we could be in only one of the four Quadrants at any=20
particular point in time.
These Quadrants are significant since we found out that there are=20
specific "rules" we had to follow depending upon which QUADRANT we=20
were in. We added these rules into our escape plan as we found=20
them out during the ten years of struggle to break out to=20
"freedom".
The second measure of financial success turns out to be:
CASH NET INCOME
Let's start by using a definition for CASH NET INCOME. We'll=20
define it as the cash left over at the end of the month when=20
EVERYTHING has been paid for, including your taxes.
By that definition you can see that most people have none. It is=20
a sad-but-true fact that the majority of people spend everything=20
they make every month, and then commit to spend what they won't=20
have until next month!
=20
MONTHLY CASH NET INCOME PLAN
We discovered that the simple method was to enter income items=20
above, and outgo items below, using a one-side of one sheet format. =
=20
To feed the monthly CASH NET INCOME sheet we used a DAILY RECORD to=20
write down our cash expenses as they occurred. At first it was a=20
bother, but we found some easy shortcuts that made it a cinch.
When you buy something, and cash changes hands, jot a note under=20
the day's date showing the item purchased and the amount.
=20
WE GOT INTO CONTROL USING OUR DISCOVERIES
As we brought these two controls into "working" shape we got into=20
control of both the vertical and horizontal lines of the FINANCIAL=20
QUADRANTS.
In a sense, there is really no difference between a bank asset=20
account (such as a checking or a savings account) and a debt. They=20
are both just accounts. One you own. The other you owe.=20
A savings account is an asset, something you own. A bank loan is=20
just a negative or minus "savings account." You owe rather than=20
own the amount.
=20
=20
=20
=20
NamVet Newsletter Page 80
=0C Volume 8, Number 8 August 23, 1994
FINANCIAL QUADRANTS
We Own
COASTING | FREEDOM
|
II | I
|
Spend <-----------0------------> Make
More | More
IV | III
|
SLAVERY | HOPE
|
We Owe
=20
WE TRY AND FAIL AND TRY AGAIN - A LOT!
In the ten years between 1982 and 1992 we experienced a great=20
deal of real trauma. We tried it all: MULTILEVEL MARKETING (Four=20
different times!), becoming employees (and just to get hit by the=20
great layoffs of the early 90's), and so on. Some of those=20
experiences are almost too painful to remember. None of them=20
enabled us to really "build" anything.
It just seemed like every time we got close to recovery we were=20
just worse off to end up with.
What we had to discover the "hard way" was the fact that all=20
these "good ideas" about making money don't count unless you first=20
learn the "rules." We discovered that our beloved United States is=20
governed in a manner so as to enslave all of us in debt, and that,=20
without these QUADRANT RULES it doesn't matter how much you make,=20
you can't get free.
To make a long story short, we escaped from that nasty debt=20
situation shown above in our CASH NET WORTH list in about two=20
years. We are now building strength using the same ideas that you=20
have just been shown, and our "rules."
=20
ROW YOUR BOAT
Do you know that children's song "Row, row, row your boat, gently=20
down the stream. Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily, life is but a=20
dream."? There is a lot of wisdom in that tune.
Our lives are our dreams. Our lives work best when we row, and=20
to make it easy, let's go "down the stream" - not against it!
What we are today is the accumulation of all the little choices=20
we have made thus far. Because every choice and action moves you=20
in a particular direction.
And what you will be tomorrow will be the sum total of where you=20
are today plus all the little choices and actions you make now.
=20
WE ROW OUR BOATS, AND WE DREAM.
And there are two oars for our boat. One is KNOWLEDGE, and the=20
other is DOING.
If you have Knowledge in your little boat but no "Doing," you go=20
around in a circle, never getting anywhere because you are rowing=20
with just one oar.
The same thing happens if you have all Doing and no Knowledge. To=20
make real progress you need both oars in the water.=20
=20
"OWNERSHIP" WITH "CONTROL"
Our feeling is that you will only ever experience the peace and=20
security you want if you own your own efforts.
You can buy stock in your employer's company, but unless you are=20
=20
NamVet Newsletter Page 81
=0C Volume 8, Number 8 August 23, 1994
rich to begin with, your ownership will be so small there will be=20
no control. If somebody "up there" does something stupid, your=20
investment will suffer.
If you have been kicking around for very long you may have=20
noticed that all the rules in our country tend to favor the=20
"owner." They are all "golden rules" that say "those with the gold=20
make the rules".
=20
WHY NOT JOIN THEM?
This material was extracted from the 40 page manual and plan=20
called "SUCCESS WITH MONEY PLAN" that Sue and I wrote to help=20
others who want "American-Style" freedom, for the sad truth is that=20
most of us have had our freedom removed in the past 70 years or so.
There are a few trite expressions we all use and agree with.=20
"America is the greatest country on earth". "We enjoy freedom,=20
America has real Freedom". But have you really looked at your=20
"Freedom?" =20
You hold a job. If you complain, "rock the boat," "make waves,"=20
and sometimes even if you just "make suggestions" you can get=20
fired. You're fine until you begin to talk about "right and wrong"=20
- then you're gone! Do this at two or more "jobs" and you'll have=20
trouble finding work. They take your Social Security Number so=20
they can extract the tax money even before you get to handle it=20
yourself. And yet you're in a "voluntary" tax system. Right! =
=20
They tell you when to come to work, when to leave work, and they=20
give you a couple of weeks "vacation." That's your "Freedom." All=20
the while you are paid enough to pay your mortgage, taxes,=20
utilities, and eat, and maybe have a couple of hundred left over to=20
"play" (if you are lucky!)! You don't complain, either, because =
=20
you need to "pay the bills".
All of the above is the real threat to the right to free speech.=20
Many good people hold their tongues because they are afraid to=20
speak with their hearts, or make demands for change.
The only way you are ever going to be free is to free yourself=20
from debt of all kinds so you can begin to operate at a pace, and=20
in a direction, that is consistent with your own values and sense=20
for "life." That is what our plan is all about. I am convinced=20
that it is the ONLY way "out" (I think Sue and I may have tried all=20
the other ways!). All those money-making programs are fine and=20
well, but what good does the money do for you when you are unable=20
to keep and use it in your own way?
When we started we were over $50,000 in debt and with no jobs.=20
We'd still be buried without our plan.
It's OK to "own" what you do and report to your values instead of=20
to the bankers and the clock... Trade in your clock for a compass,=20
and follow the FOUR QUADRANTS to real success. =20
=20
And... Good Luck!!!=20
:-) Rick + &:-) Sue....
=20
=20
=20
=20
=20
=20
=20
=20
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NamVet Newsletter Page 82
=0C Volume 8, Number 8 August 23, 1994
=20
=20
=20
=20
=3D*=3D*=3D*=3D*=3D*=3D*=3D*=3D*=3D*=3D*=3D*=3D*=3D*=3D*=3D*=3D*=3D*=
=3D*=3D*=3D*=3D*=3D*=3D*=3D*=3D*=3D*=3D*=3D*=3D*=3D*=3D*=3D*=3D*=3D
=20
TO: Rick & Sue Harvey
Post Office Box 748
Lake Forest, Illinois 60045
=20
FROM: __________________________________ (Name)
__________________________________ (Address)
__________________________________ (City/State/Zip)
__________________________________ (Phone - Optional)
=20
SUBJ: SUCCESS WITH MONEY PLAN - Mission Command & Control
=20
Please send me the complete printed report of your
SUCCESS WITH MONEY PLAN (The Report).=20
=20
[ ] I am a veteran. Amount for The Report: $15
[ ] I am not a veteran. Amount for The Report: $25
=20
I understand that there is a money-back guarantee and
that if I am not happy with The Report I may return it=20
for a full refund within ninety (90) days.
=20
You understand that if I have any problems in either=20
timely receiving The Report or a requested refund I=20
will contact NamVet's Managing Editor for further=20
action(s).
=20
____________________________ Amount Enclosed =20
=20
____________________________ Signature __________ Date
=20
=20
=3D*=3D*=3D*=3D*=3D*=3D*=3D*=3D*=3D*=3D*=3D*=3D*=3D*=3D*=3D*=3D*=3D*=
=3D*=3D*=3D*=3D*=3D*=3D*=3D*=3D*=3D*=3D*=3D*=3D*=3D*=3D*=3D*=3D*=3D
=20
NamVet Newsletter Page 83
=0C Volume 8, Number 8 August 23, 1994
Lessons from Geese
Submitted by: Jose N. Proenza Sanfiel
VETLink #1 BBS - Tampa, FL
(813) 249-8323
=20
[Joe Note: Jose has often faxed me a copy of the below text. =20
Days have gone by where I've seen so many areas where we, too,=20
could learn a very valuable lesson from nature. Many of our=20
veteran groups, too, will gain immensely from this article. =20
Thanks Jose!]
=20
Editor's Note: "Lessons from Geese" was transcribed from a speech=20
given by Angeles Arrien at the 1991 Organizational Development=20
Network and was based on the work of Milton Olson. It circulated=20
to Outward Bound staff throughout the United States. We share it=20
here hoping that we can all learn these lessons.
FACT 1: As each goose flaps its wings it creates an "uplift" for
the birds that follow. By flying in a "V" formation, the=20
whole flock adds 71% greater flying range than if each bird=20
flew alone.
LESSON: People who share a common direction and sense of=20
community can get where they are going quicker and easier=20
because they are travelling on the thrust of one another.
FACT 2: When a goose falls out of formation, it suddenly feels
the drag and resistance of flying alone. It quickly moves=20
back into formation to take advantage of the lifting power of=20
the bird immediately in front of it.
LESSON: If we have as much sense as a goose we stay in formation=20
with those headed where we want to go. We are willing to=20
accept their help and give our help to others.
FACT 3: When the lead goose tires, it rotates back into the
formation and another goose flies to the point position.
LESSON: It pays to take turns doing the hard tasks and sharing=20
leadership. As with geese, people are interdependent on=20
other's skills, capabilities and unique arrangements of=20
gifts, talents or resources.
FACT 4: The geese flying in formation honk to encourage those up
front to keep up their speed.
LESSON: We need to make sure our honking is encouraging. In=20
groups where there is encouragement, the production is much=20
greater. The power of encouragement (to stand by one's own=20
heart or core values and encourage the heart and core of=20
others) is the quality of honking we seek.
FACT 5: When a goose gets sick, wounded, or shot down, two geese
drop out of formation and follow it down to help and protect=20
it. They stay with it until it dies or is able to fly again. =20
Then they launch out with another formation or catch up with=20
the flock.
LESSON: If we have as much sense as geese, we will stand by each=20
other in difficult times as well as when we are strong.
=20
Distributed by: Western Shoshone Defense Project
General Delivery=20
Crescent Valley, NV 89821
Newe Sogobia =20
(702) 468-0230=20
(702) 468-0237 Fax
=20
NamVet Newsletter Page 84
=0C Volume 8, Number 8 August 23, 1994
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D
Sister Vets
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D
Vietnam Women's Memorial Project, Inc.
"Sister Search"
=20
The Vietnam Women's Memorial Project's (VWMP) "SISTER SEARCH" =20
is a program designed to locate the military and civilian =20
women who served their country during the Vietnam War.
=20
The goals of "SISTER SEARCH" are to facilitate hope and healing=20
among women veterans; to provide a network for them; and to assist=20
research efforts on women who served during the Vietnam War. All=20
women veterans in the "SISTER SEARCH" database will periodically=20
receive information on the Project's progress.
=20
Vietnam era women veterans are asked to provide as much=20
information as they feel comfortable sharing. "Sister Search"=20
is NOT a locator service, should an inquiry be made as to the=20
whereabouts of a person included in the "SISTER SEARCH" database,=20
the VWMP will pass the inquiry along in writing to the individual,=20
allowing her to decide whether she would like to respond. If the=20
individual is deceased, the inquiry will be sent to the closest=20
family member identified by the VWMP.
=20
The VWMP dedicated the Vietnam Women's Memorial, the first=20
memorial in the nation's capital to honor women's service, on=20
November 11, 1993. The VWMP is a non-profit, volunteer=20
organization. Its primary purposes to educate the public about=20
the women who served during the Vietnam era and to locate and=20
provide a network for these women continue.
=20
For more information, contact:
=20
"SISTER SEARCH"
Vietnam Women's Memorial Project
2001 'S' Street NW
Suite #302
Washington DC 20009
202/328-7253
Fax 202/986-3636
=20
NamVet Newsletter Page 85
=0C Volume 8, Number 8 August 23, 1994
Vietnam Women's Memorial Project, Inc.
2001 S Street NW - Suite 302 - Washington DC 20009
202/328-7253 FAX: 202/986-3636
=20
SISTER SEARCH
=20
Name:________________________Vietnam Era Name: ___________________
(If different)
Address:_____________________________________ Work #: ____/_______
City:________________ State: __ Zip:________ Home #:
=20
Branch of Service or
Civilian Organization: ___________________________________________
=20
In-Country (Vietnam)
Assignment #1: ___________________________________________________
Start Date: ___________________________ End Date: ________________
Assignment #2: ___________________________________________________
Start Date: ___________________________ End Date: ________________
Assignment #3: ___________________________________________________
Start Date: ___________________________ End Date: ________________
=20
Vietnam Era (1959-1975)
Assignment: ______________________________________________________
Start Date: ___________________________ End Date: ________________
=20
The Project receives inquires from the press and researchers in=20
search of Vietnam era women veterans who are willing to share=20
their experiences.Your participation as a press/research/education=20
contact is strictly optional.
=20
I authorize the Vietnam Women's Memorial Project to release my=20
name to individuals or organizations who are seeking information=20
on Vietnam era women veterans for press inquiries, research or=20
educational activities.
=20
Signature ________________________________________ Date __________
=20
I authorize the Vietnam Women's Memorial Project to release my=20
name to the National Associate Volunteer, Regional and/or State=20
Coordinator in my area.
-------------------|
FOR OFFICE USE | Signature ___________________ Date __________
DATE RECEIVED: |
| =20
TRANSFER: |
| Please list the names and addresses of any=20
ENTER: | other Vietnam era women veterans you know on=20
| the back of this form.
|
COMMENTS: |
-------------------| Thank you for participating in SISTER SEARCH
=20
NamVet Newsletter Page 86
=0C Volume 8, Number 8 August 23, 1994
O YOU can help support the
O O VIETNAM WOMEN'S MEMORIAL PROJECT
O O with a direct donation (Federal
O A legacy of O employees: VWMP's CFC #0487) or by
O Healing and Hope O purchasing any of the products
O O listed on this page.
O O
O O Tell 'em NAMVET sent ya!
O __________ O
O ) O Commemorative Dedication Program 5.00
/(O) / O\ #113 Dedication Poster/Print 10.00
/ / O \ #114 Paperweight w/Memorial Design 10.00
/ VIETNAM / \ #115 Lapel Pin w/Memorial Design 5.00
/ WOMEN'S /HONORING\ #116 Cassette, Official Dedication Song
/ MEMORIAL /\ THE \ 'TIL THE WHITE DOVE FLIES ALONE 5.00
/ PROJECT / \ WOMEN \ #111 White Visor w/Project Name on it
/ / \ WHO \ One size fits all 100% poly 8.00
/ / \ SERVED / #112 Poplin Hat in Tan or White with
(__________/ \ / Brown imprint 1-Size Fits All 10.00
\ / #105 USA-Minted VWMP Bronze Coin 10.00
\ / #106 VWMP Silver Coin 10.00
\/ (105/106 1-troy oz; silver $ may vary)
#117 Book: VISIONS OF WAR, DREAMS OF PEACE 10.00
#110 Generous sz. cotton Canvas Tote Natural w/dk grn embdry 25.00
#118 Nat color 100% cot T-shirt w/"dog tag" design in dk grn 15.00
#109 Front/Back views of Memorial on 100% cotton T-shirt in
Natural color. Sizes M,L,XL,XXL 15.00
#102 Staff Shirt> Forest gn w/sqd-off btm & banded sleeve in
50/50 w/cm color Project Name on left chest Sizes S,M,L,XL 30.00
#103 ShtSl Beefy-T Forest Gn w/Project name in white raised
print on the left chest Sizes S,M,L,XL,XXL 17.00
#120 Same as above in Natural w/grn imprint 15.00
#104 LgSl 100% cot T-shirt in Forest grn w/Project name in
white raised print on the left chest. Sizes S,M,L,XL 22.00
#107 9oz Hvywt Swtshrt fm Lee Co in natural color w/Project name
embrdrd lft chest in dk grn. Generous Sizing S,M,L,XL 45.00
#108 Hvywt 100% cot sweater Smooth-stitched yoke Bdy/slvs in rich
nubby texture knit. Project Name left chest dk gn S,M,L,XL 75.00
Shipping & Handling: up to $30 - $3.50 $31 to $70 - $4.50
$71 to $100 - $5.50 $101 to $200 - $6.50
Sold to __________________________________________________________
Address __________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
Phone __________________________________________________________
=20
Prod Quantity Size Description Per Unit Total
____ _______ ____ ____________________ _______ _______
____ _______ ____ ____________________ _______ _______
____ _______ ____ ____________________ _______ _______
=20
Sub-Total ______ Donation _____ Shipping ______ Total_______
Please make checks or money order out to:
Vietnam Women's Memorial Project, Inc.
2001 S St., NW Suite 302 Washington, DC 20009
=20
NamVet Newsletter Page 87
=0C Volume 8, Number 8 August 23, 1994
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D
IVVEC Phonebook/Information
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D
IVVEC "Phonebook"
Submitted by Joyce Flory
Desert Dolphin/VETLink #13 - Las Cruces, NM
(505) 523-2811
=20
WELCOME HOME!!!!
=20
If any of the following information is inaccurate or=20
incomplete, please contact me through the VIETNAM_VETS Echo or=20
NetMail at 1:305/105 (FidoNet), 19:300/100, or 19:1/52 (VETNet).=20
=20
I would, also, like to know if any of these boards are Pay=20
BBS's (pay per hour) or Subscriber BBS's (for extended time, etc.=20
you must pay a fee). I feel you vets have paid enough without=20
having to pay for vet information, access to the NAM_VET echo, or=20
to download the NAM_VET newsletter AND have a right to know which=20
boards charge.=20
=20
Though I regularly check the listings against the Nodelist to=20
make sure they have the correct phone number(s), I have no way of=20
knowing (short of calling them all - grin) *if* they carry the=20
echo or not. Remember, this list is only as good as my=20
information. Your help and information would be greatly=20
appreciated.=20
=20
Thank you;
Joyce (K.O.T.L.)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Updated 08-05-94
=20
CANADA
CN Canoe, B.C. Lyman Hills Fortress 604-832-7183
CN Brantford, Ont. In-Side In-Fo BBS 519-756-4189-NL
CN Etobicoke, Ont. CRS Online 416-213-6037
CN Etobicoke, Ont. SomethingELSE TBBS 416-236-3125
CN Ottawa, Ont. Power House BBS 613-744-5894
CN Thunder Bay, Ont. Online Now 807-345-7248
CN Thunder Bay, Ont. Online Now 807-345-1531
CN Regina, Sask. Vet's Perspective BBS/ 306-789-9909-NL !
VETLink #57
=20
AL Decatur Byte Swap 205-355-2983
AL Gardendale VETLink #48 205-631-4513-NL !*
AL Millbrook King James Bible 205-285-5948
AL Mobile Di's Online Cafe 205-661-8945
AL Montgomery C.C.S. OnLine 205-281-1331
AL Pleasant Grove Family Smorgas-Board 205-744-0943-NL !
(VETLink #26)=20
AK Fairbanks Sodalitas 907-451-6499-NL !
APPROVAL PENDING (VETLink #62)
AR Benton The Fishin' Hole 501-794-4072
AR Fairfield Bay Fairfield Bay/Vets BBS 501-884-6277
(VETLink #50)
AR Magnolia-DOWN The Data Shop (VETLink #23) 501-234-5064-NL !
AR Strickler Gensoft 501-761-9600
=20
NamVet Newsletter Page 88
=0C Volume 8, Number 8 August 23, 1994
AZ Fountain Valley The Mall (VETLink #39) 602-837-7808-NL !
AZ Mesa The Sleep Robber BBS 602-985-1088
AZ Phoenix AzCLU BBS 602-650-1180
Mon. thru Fri. - 6pm to 8am; Weekends - 6pm Fri. to 8am Mon.
AZ Phoenix The GhostRider BBS 602-439-2226
AZ Phoenix The Messenger 602-547-9524
AZ Phoenix Nat'l Congress For Men BBS 602-840-4752
AZ Phoenix Nighthawk BBS 602-582-1127-PB*
AZ Sierra Vista United We Stand, America 602-459-0013
CA Anaheim CA Self-Help Library 714-952-2110
CA Antioch Cheers 510-706-0904
CA Azusa Azusa Pacific BBS 818-969-9170
CA Castro Valley Combat Arms BBS 510-537-1777
CA Claremont Interamnia BBS 909-624-2246
CA Clovis Clovis-Net BBS 209-292-3530
CA Davis Dynasoft Node 916-753-8788
CA El Segundo Spider's Web 310-416-9901
CA Glendora Library BBS 818-914-0221
CA Hayward G A D M 510-886-1621
CA Los Angeles The Empty Bed Pan 310-478-0451
CA Los Angeles Long_Island RB 310-370-4113
CA Los Angeles SoCalNet EC 818-969-9542
CA Mission Viejo The Solar System 714-707-4625
CA Mission Viejo The Solar System 714-837-9677
CA Nipomo Chthonic BBS 805-343-6018=20
CA Novato McBlob's BBS 415-382-9410
CA Novato Mover Mouse BBS 415-898-2644
CA Oakland LZ/Nightline (VETLink #22) 510-273-7830-NL !=20
CA Oakland LZ/Nightline (VETLink #22) 510-273-7831-NL !
CA Ontario The Diamond Bar BBS 909-947-7478
CA Ontario The Diamond Bar BBS 909-923-1031
CA Orange Ol' Codger's BBS 714-639-1139
CA Petaluma-DOWN VETLink #28 707-763-8287-NL !
CA Petaluma Starbase 515 707-769-1624
CA Poway SGT ROCK's BBS 619-748-5406
CA Riverside Solid Rock BBS 909-785-9176
CA Sacramento Humanx Commonwealth BBS 916-737-1844
CA Sacramento Now and Zen Opus 916-962-1952
CA Sacramento Frogstar 916-739-8386
CA Sacramento Seanachie 916-481-3552
CA Sacramento Siren 916-482-9976
CA Sacramento Siren 916-486-2963
CA San Diego Analog Man/VETLink #53 619-4497-0113-NL !
CA San Diego Aral's Castle 619-469-5581
CA San Diego FarOut BBS 619-581-9049
CA San Diego Open Forum 619-284-2924
CA San Diego Rendezvous BBS 619-689-2817
CA San Diego Rendezvous BBS 619-692-0563
CA San Francisco PC GFX Exchange 415-337-5416
CA San Jose 24 Hours-A-Day BBS 408-448-1126
CA San Mateo Skeptic's Board 415-572-0359
CA Santa Rosa Sonoma Online 707-545-0785
CA Sausalito Marin County Net 415-331-6241
CA Vallejo Power Station 707-552-0659
CA Vallejo Power Station 707-552-0462
CA West Covina R/C Model Plane 818-919-2879
CA Yucaipa The Zoo/VETLink #33 909-797-1835-NL !
CO Aurora Dustoff 303-343-8810
CO Aurora The Silver Hammer 303-367-9701
=20
NamVet Newsletter Page 89
=0C Volume 8, Number 8 August 23, 1994
CO Boulder Pinecliffe HST DS 303-642-0703
CO Colorado Sprgs Earth Station Alpha 719-636-8979
CO Colorado Sprgs Electric Locksmith 719-390-9249
CO Denver HotelNet 303-296-1300
CO Fort Carson Fort Carson BBS 719-526-3636
CO Golden LES-COM-net 303-526-2047
CO Littleton InterConnect 303-797-0296
CT Branford Alice's Restaurant 203-488-1115
CT Branford Fernwood OS 2 Line 2 203-481-7934
CT Danbury Treasure Island 203-791-8532-NL
CT Granby Blackjack BBS 203-653-6646
CT Killingly The Mad - VETLink #11 203-779-3173-NL !
CT Killingworth The Hub 203-663-1147
CT Plantsville The Pig Pen 203-628-9346
CT Plantsville The Pig Pen 203-620-0562
CT Southington DownStairs SC EchoHub 203-621-1930
CT Wallingford Prime Connection 203-265-9582
CT Wallingford Prime Connection 203-269-2843
CT Wallingford Vampire Connection 203-269-8313
CT Wallingford Wyld Stallyns 203-265-3589
CT West Haven Ascii Tipi (VETLink #15) 203-934-9852-NL !
CT Willimatic Starbase 9/VETLink #51 203-423-6799-NL !
CT Yalesville Emerogronican BBS 203-949-0189
DE Dover DELFIRE BBS 302-739-6757
DE Georgetown UnderGround BBS 302-855-0421
DE New Castle Hackers BBS 302-322-8215
FL Clarcona West Orange BBS 407-293-2724
FL Clearwater Future Com 813-796-8259
FL Cocoa Mercenary Motel 407-639-0282-NL !
(VETLink #60)
FL Davis The Southern Cross BBS 305-424-0666
FL Deland Bill's Bandwagon 904-738-3858
FL Jacksonville Guiding Light (VETLink #32) 904-744-9991-NL !
FL Jacksonville Maranatha (VETLink #49) 904-353-3807-NL !
^^ DOWN ^^
FL Jacksonville Maranatha (VETLink #49) 904-353-3558-NL !
^^ DOWN ^^
FL Keystone Hts. The Lion's Den 904-473-4330
FL Kissimmee Micro-Imaging BBS 407-847-5499
FL Kissimmee The Program Exchange 407-870-2735
FL Mary Esther The Bear's Den 904-581-2697
FL Melbourne Flamingo BBS 407-253-0782
FL Melbourne REACT BBS 407-255-9948
FL Merritt Island Electric Island BBS 407-454-3779
FL Navarre Terrapin Station 904-939-8027
FL New Prot Richie Inner Sanctum 813-848-6055
FL Orlando Digital Connection 407-896-0494
FL Orlando Gourmet Delight 407-649-4136
FL Orlando Infinite Space Online 407-658-4578
FL Orlando Modem to Modem BBS 407-282-0433
FL Orlando Modem to Modem BBS 407-382-7331
FL Orlando UP-EAST BBS 407-273-7849
FL Panama City Double Springs BBS 904-784-6336-NL !
APPROVAL PENDING (VETLink #64)
FL Pembroke Pines Bitsy's Place (VETLink #17) 305-432-8210-NL !
FL Pensacola TITAN Services Inc. 904-479-2448
FL Pensacola TITAN Services Inc. 904-476-1270
FL Rockledge Energy Line 1 407-690-0032
FL St. Petersburg Doc's Place! 813-822-4637
=20
NamVet Newsletter Page 90
=0C Volume 8, Number 8 August 23, 1994
FL St. Petersburg Florida Mail Hub 813-321-0734
FL St. Petersburg 1 Computers (VETLink #43) 813-527-1556-NL !
^^ DOWN ^^
FL St. Petersburg 1 Computers (VETLink #43) 813-521-3149-NL !
^^ DOWN ^^
FL St. Petersburg Twilight BBS 813-323-6023
FL Sarasota The Four Winds BBS 813-955-7862
FL Sebring ANCESTRY TBBS 813-471-0552
FL Tampa The GIFfer 813-969-1089
FL Tampa The Godfather BBS 813-286-7084
FL Tampa T.A.B.B. 813-961-6242
FL Tampa VETLink #1 813-249-8323-NL !
FL Titusville The Sport of Kings 407-383-7785
FL Venice Venice Recovery 813-492-9592
GA Athens-DOWN Classic City (VETLink #35) 706-548-0726-NL !
GA Augusta Public's Domain BBS 706-860-5070
GA Hephzibah Kings Tavern 706-592-1458
*** 9pm-7am ONLY ***
GA Macon ZAP! 912-788-6811
GA Macon ZAP! 912-788-5258
GA Savannah E-Pages BBS (VETLink #61) 912-927-4857-NL !
GA Valdosta Hot South BBS (VETLink #29) 912-242-0496-NL !
HI Honolulu Coconuts BBS 808-845-7054
HI Honolulu Nookies In the Crater 808-833-6862
HI Honolulu Nookies In the Crater2 808-833-0259
HI Kaneohe This OLD PC BBS 808-239-8824
IA Cedar Rapids Lighthouse BBS 319-366-1985
IA Des Moines FOG LINE BBS 515-964-7937
IA Des Moines Da Bear's Cave 515-288-3984
IA Sioux City Wolf's Den QuickBBS 712-276-4832
IA Sioux City Wolf's Den QuickBBS 712-252-4670
ID Boise Horizon BBS I 208-375-4073
IL Belleville Master's Place 618-234-4043
IL Mascoutah Vietnam Vet's BBS 618-566-7832
IN Ft. Wayne Midnight Escape 219-456-4127
IN Ft. Wayne Semper Fi 219-424-4292-NL
IN Ft. Wayne The Starship 219-485-8665
IN Hamilton Hilltop BBS 219-488-3812
IN Indianapolis Joe's Bar & Grill 317-849-0598
IN Indianapolis Joe's Bar & Grill 317-849-0561
IN South Bend Squawk Box/VETLink #27 219-273-2291-NL !
IN South Bend Squawk Box/VETLink #27 219-273-2094-NL !
KY Independence The ZOO 606-586-7508
KS Bucyrus Horse and Hound 913-897-5039
KS Lenexa Diamond Lil's Saloon 913-894-4704
KS Overland Park Laughinstock BBS 913-648-1412
KS Shawnee Mission Computer Specialties 913-642-8983
KS Stilwell COLOSSUS II Systems 913-681-1255
KS Stilwell COLOSSUS II Systems 913-897-6667
LA Baker The Chatter Box 504-775-7825
LA Downsville Genesis One BBS 318-982-7668
LA New Orleans N O P C Club 504-486-7249
LA Pineville Louisiana Veterans BBS 318-449-1012-NL !
(VETLink #16) =20
LA Sun WSTPC 504-886-2157
MA Adams VETLink #20 413-743-7378-NL !
MA Amherst Pioneer Valley PCUG1 413-256-1037
MA Andover Aeolus BBS 508-474-0328
MA Dalton Field St. BBS (E-N *) 413-684-1938-NL
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=0C Volume 8, Number 8 August 23, 1994
MA Lawrence Falcon's Nest/VETLink #47 508-686-7706-NL !
MA Lynn Cyberdyne Systems 617-595-6151
MA Lynn Freedom's Choice:CBCS/ 617-593-2605-NL !
VETLink #18=20
MA Methuen Midnight Shift! BBS 508-688-5209
MA Methuen The Studio 508-794-4637
MA Peabody LZ Memories 508-977-9756-NL !
APPROVAL PENDING (VETLink #84)
MA Pittsfield Berkshire Estates 413-499-1327-NL !
(VETLink #37)
MA Springfield The Spa 413-532-1403
MA Springfield The Spa 413-536-4365
MA Turners Falls RoboBOARD (Technique BBS) 413-774-7425
MD Arnold Grimace BBS 410-544-1297
MD Baltimore Jim's Hooch (VETLink #19) 410-866-8613-NL !
MD Gaithersburg InterMission 301-212-9410
MD Gaithersburg InterMission 301-417-6952
MD Reisterstown Liberty Hall 410-833-8933
MD Shady Side-DOWN VETLink #4 301-261-5644-NL
MD Westminster The Gordian Knot 410-876-3337
MD Wheaton PainFrame 301-649-3906
ME Bangor The Lobster Buoy 207-945-9346
ME Freeport Acorn BBS 207-865-2295
ME Freeport Acorn BBS 207-865-3004
ME Kennebunkport Harbour Lights 207-967-3719
ME Mexico MaineVets (VETLink #46) 207-364-7338-NL !
TEMP: 207-364-3034 10:00 pm - 6:30 am
ME Springvale The Hobbit Hole BBS 207-490-0112
MI Charlotte MicroNet 517-543-0228
MI Dearborn Bruce's Place 313-562-0051-NL !
MI Cooper Township Kalamazoo Review 616-349-5882-NL !
MI Freeland Wolverine 517-695-9964
MI Freeport Pet_Finders_System 616-765-3372
MI Jackson BG's Bar & Grill 517-783-4005
MI Kalamazoo The Graphics Shop - Node 1 616-373-3984
MI Lincoln Park Dante's Inferno 313-386-1905-NL !
(VETLink #24)=20
MI Midland Wild Child 517-631-9025
MI Redford BILLs BBS 313-535-6306
MI Redford Twp. V.o.i.c.e. Bbs 313-532-8410
MI Richland Freq Shop 616-342-0714
MI Taylor The Olympic 1 313-946-4208
MI Taylor The Olympic 2 313-946-5931
MI Taylor Prime Time BBS 313-291-0128
MI Woodhaven The Outer Limits I 313-692-4174
MN Arden Hills The City Lights 612-639-8970
MN Robbinsdale U.S. Veterans BBS (E-N) 612-522-2026-NL,SB
MN Rosemount Data Gallery BBS 612-431-1373
MO Boliver Wolfhound BBS 417-326-3361
MO Gladstone Sound Advice BBS 816-436-7326
MO Gladstone Sound Advice BBS 816-436-4516
MO House Springs Computers Plus 314-349-9144
MO House Springs Computers Plus 314-942-5932
MO Joplin Inside OK! BBS 417-624-0000
MO Joplin Inside OK! BBS 417-624-7300
MO Liberty Andy's Attic BBS 816-792-4890
MO Ozark The Silver Thorn 417-581-4164
MO Springfield CoConut Palms Hotel 417-887-6048
MO Springfield Hotel Springfield MO. 417-887-8574
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NamVet Newsletter Page 92
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MO Springfield Wittenburg Door 417-862-9759
MS Southhaven Picture This 601-342-6071
MS Vicksburg Southern Belle 601-634-1625
MT Helena WestNet BBS 406-458-9379
NC Burlington NightHawk 910-228-7002
NC Burlington The Grunt's R&R Center/ 910-227-1113-NL !
VETLink #45
NC Charlotte Carolina Forum 704-563-5857
NC Charlotte Carolina Forum 704-568-1663
NC Charlotte The Christian Star 704-553-7673
NC Charlotte The Mounties BBS 704-393-7338
NC Charlotte Transporter Room 704-567-9513
NC Fayetteville Virtigo 910-822-2677
NC Hendersonville Hall of Records 704-692-0300
NC Raleigh InfoSys 919-851-8460
NC Raleigh Shalom III 919-851-3858
NC Shelby Heilhiem Electronics 704-484-0935-NL !
Charlie Company/(VETLink #41) 704-480-7463-2400=20
NC Spring-Lake Federal Post 919-436-2055
NC Waynesville High Tech Center BBS 704-452-3357
NC Wilmington Cape Fear Ratite RA 910-799-9471-NL !
(VETLink #55)
NE Lincoln Flite-Line BBS 402-421-9610
NH Derry Our BBS 603-432-5287
NH Hooksett-DOWN Checkmate BBS (VETLink #8) 603-485-5945-NL !
NH Manchester Computer Solutions 603-641-2017
NH Merrimack Outer Limits/VETLink #9 603-424-4915-NL !
NJ Aberdeen Cheapo Studios BBS 908-566-7052
NJ Cherry Hill Space Station II 609-665-0969
NJ Lyndhurst The BillBoard BBS 201-935-1104
NJ Lyndhurst Starship 201-935-1485
NJ Lyndhurst Starship ][ 201-935-7036
NJ Madison Strand BBS 201-822-3658
NJ Marlton Crystal City 609-983-9521
NJ Medford Pics OnLine 609-753-2540
NJ Montvale Over the Edge BBS 201-573-0719
NJ Morristown +12 Gauge Skeet&Trap BBS 210-538-6087
NJ Oakhusrt Ironhorse BBS 908-531-4238
NJ Passaic-DOWN VETLink #5 201-778-1879-NL !
NJ Paterson The Butterfly BBS 201-523-1162
NJ Port Monmouth The POW/MIA BBS 908-787-8383-NL !
(VETLink #42)
NJ Sayreville Cop Shop 908-254-8117
NM Las Cruces Alien's Shore 505-523-6591
NM Las Cruces Desert Dophlin/VETLink #13 505-523-2811-NL !
NM Las Cruces NASW (E-N) 505-646-2868-NL
NM Las Vegas BBS Ancianos Unidos 505-425-0493
NM Portales-DOWN Piper's Dream (VETLink #12) 505-359-0668-NL !
NM WSMR The Wolf's Den 505-678-8948-SB
NV Las Vegas Big Joe's BBS 702-459-3924
NV Reno InterComm BBS 702-359-2696
NV Reno InterComm BBS 702-359-2666
NV Sparks Nevada Mac 702-359-6979
NY Ballston Spa Access BBS 518-885-4192
NY Central Valley Monroe-Woodbury High School 914-928-8660
NY Chili Flower City Central 716-889-2016
NY Johnsonville Steamer One 518-753-7421-NL?=20
NY Latham The Three L's BBS 518-785-1715
NY Marlboro Acorn I BBS 914-236-3265
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NamVet Newsletter Page 93
=0C Volume 8, Number 8 August 23, 1994
NY Newburgh THOR! BBS 914-562-3431
NY New York City City People BBS 212-255-6656
NY Owego NiteWing 607-687-3470-NL?
NY Phoenix Galaxia ! 315-673-9415
NY Portland The Black Hole 716-792-7304
NY Poughkeepsie Purple Rose of Cairo 914-473-1697
NY Rome Catfish Mecca 315-336-8948
NY Utica W.A.A. BBS 315-797-3054
OH Akron Buckeye Hamshack 216-867-6984
OH Canton CanCom BBS 216-478-0548
OH Cincinnati Access! BBS 513-921-7623
OH Cincinnati CINTUG TBBS 513-474-2985
OH Cincinnati KIC 513-762-1115
OH Cincinnati Showcase TBBS 513-528-7018
OH Cleveland OHIONet Express 216-842-5911
OH Kent BYTES BBS 216-677-4978
OH Ravenna Blue Parrot RBBS 216-296-2244
OH Rocky River Nerd's Nook II 216-356-1772
OK Edmond Coordinator's BBS 405-341-7042
OK Edmond The Far Side QuickBBS 405-341-4720
OK Lawton VETLink #57 Mailroom 405-355-0322-NL !
Is Actually VETLink #58
OK Lawton 357 Magnum 405-536-5032
OK Midwest City Torii Station 405-733-7083
OK Midwest City Waypoint BBS (VETLink #34) 405-741-2533-NL !
OK Mustang The Citadel BBS 405-376-1610
OK Norman The FAMILY TREE 405-321-0642
OK Norman Mann's Solutions 405-447-3211
OK Oklahoma City Aviator's Haven 405-691-0851
OK Oklahoma City MetroCop 405-631-6971
OR Beaverton Sons of Freedom 503-579-6921
OR Clackamas A.W.O.L. 503-657-5412
OR Eugene Out Front 503-687-5991-NL(?)
OR Gold Hill PRIME Time BBS 503-857-2653
OR Newberg Chehalem BBS 503-538-0539
OR Portland Combat Arms 503-221-1777
OR Portland Landing Zone (VETLink #7) 503-775-1554-NL !
OR Portland Last Chance Systems 503-289-6493-NL !
(VETLink #54) =20
OR Portland NWCS 503-620-6594
OR Portland NWCS 503-620-5910
PA Folcroft Copy-Cat BBS 610-583-9784
PA Folcroft Copy-Cat BBS 610-583-8161
PA Gladwyne Creative Dynamics 215-725-9134
PA Harrisburg Emergency Services BBS 717-566-3500
PA Harrisburg Pennsylvania Online 717-657-8699
PA Ivyland DSC VoiceNet 215-443-5838
PA Ivyland DSC VoiceNet 215-443-9434
PA Johnstown The Family BBS 814-536-7617
PA New Columbia Ike's Place 717-538-3009
PA Newtown The Newtown Express BBS 215-860-6562
PA Philadelphia Dungeon BBS 215-331-8386
PA Pittsburgh BULLET Inn Board 412-264-3175
PA Secane The Cheyenne BBS 215-544-0819
PA Sharon Radio Sharon 412-981-3151
PA Whitehall Father and Son BBS 610-439-1175
PA York Animation Station 717-764-1238
RI Warwick Eagle's Nest Communications 401-732-5290
SC N. Charleston Arcs & Sparks BBS 803-824-0070
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NamVet Newsletter Page 94
=0C Volume 8, Number 8 August 23, 1994
TN Bartlett IN QUEUE BBS 901-377-0220
TN Bartlett M.I.A. Missing in America 901-388-3128
TN Collierville East End BBS 901-853-9614
TN Cordova Eagle's Nest 901-385-7170
TN Louisville Stepping Stones 615-977-7359
TN Memphis Data Connection 901-683-5410-NL
TN Memphis Unleaded Sunshine 901-363-5686
TN Millington Fitzpatrick's Fireplace 901-872-1928
TN Millington Gobal Exchange 901-873-3500
TN Millington Gobal Exchange 901-873-2837
TN Millington Havenhawks BBS 901-873-0965
TN Millington Pathways 901-835-3464
TN Millington Shadow Rider 901-873-1570
TN Mt. Juliet Emerald City 615-758-0437
TN Mt. Juliet Emerald City 615-754-4351
TN Nashville Homestead 615-385-9421
TN Nashville Nashville Exchange 615-383-0119
TN Newport SkyBoard 615-623-8203
TX Abilene McScott's BBS 915-672-3604
TX Allen Wheel Trails 214-727-2610
TX Amarillo The Barnyard 806-353-7000
TX Amarillo My House BBS 806-376-7904
TX Austin Austin Connection 512-443-3096
TX Austin Casa de La Luz 512-219-9853-NL
TX Austin Connect America 512-454-9488-PB
TX Austin Dingle Delaware 512-442-8145
TX Bridge City Dream Machine 409-735-7824
TX Bridge City Dream Machine 409-735-6219
TX Copperas Cove Toad Hall 817-547-0119-NL !
APPROVAL PENDING (VETLink #63)
TX Corpus Christi Solar FX 512-883-7839
TX Dallas Aaron's Beard 214-557-2642
TX Dallas *Chrysalis* 214-690-9296
TX Dallas *Chrysalis* 817-540-5565
TX El Paso Lost Horizons 915-757-3972
TX Elkhart The Barn Owl BBS 903-764-2803
TX Falls City-DOWN Commo Bunker (VETLink #30) 210-780-2060-NL !
TX Fort Worth Revelstone 817-732-1767
TX Fort Worth Bored to Death BBS 817-244-4245-NL !
(VETLink #36)
TX Grand Prairie Lost in Time 214-642-6095
TX Grand Prairie XANADU 214-647-8125
TX Houston Cloud Nine BBS 713-856-2599
TX Houston The Fireside 713-496-6319
TX Houston Info Net & Police Net 713-873-0403
TX Houston Komputers for Kids 713-286-7800
TX Houston The Leaders in Control 713-584-1821
TX Houston The RASTER Line 713-568-0825
TX Houston The Soldier's Bored - OS 2 713-437-2859
TX Houston Solutions 713-438-1219-NL
TX Katy Executive Washroom 713-347-2558-NL
TX Lake Travis Crystal Palace 512-335-7949
TX Montgomery Hackers Forum 409-447-2277
TX Plano VETLink #38 Mailroom 214-424-5910-NL !
TX Plano Th' Cellar 214-423-7318
TX Richardson Night Lights 214-480-8170
TX Richardson Texas Talk 214-680-4330
TX Rockwall NCC-1701 214-771-3226
TX Texas City Cal-Trek 409-945-8315
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=0C Volume 8, Number 8 August 23, 1994
TX Tyler Texas Open Forum 903-534-1918
TX Universal City Heidi Search Center 210-659-2305-NL
TX Universal City The Ranch House 210-945-9304-NL !
DOWN - (VETLink #31)=20
TX Watauga Flightline BBS 817-656-3082
TX Wichita Falls The LightSpeed Chronicle 817-696-2231
VA Alexandria IDS 703-642-3616
VA Alexandria (^Infinite Data Source) 703-642-8801
VA Alexandria The INFO BBS 703-799-3255
VA Chesapeake The Apex 804-436-3125
VA Chesapeake Genesis BBS 804-548-1407
VA Falmouth Jack's Emporium 703-373-8215
VA Fort Story GI Joe's BBS (VETLink #59) 804-437-8128-NL !
VA Herndon HBX Veterans Memorial 703-471-8010-NL !
(VETLink #2)
VA Herndon VETLink #21 703-471-8563-NL !
VA Newport News Dragon BBS 804-877-5345
VA Virginia Beach HandiNet B B S 804-496-3320
VA Williamsburg Rainbow's End 804-872-7171
VA Williamsburg Williamsburg PC-Link 804-565-3503-NL !
(VETLink #40)
WA Brownsville The Jimby BBS 206-698-1044-NL
WA Des Moines After 10:00 BBS 206-878-8633
WA Everett Mark's Point 206-486-2415
WA Everett Silver Lake 206-338-3723
WA Everett StarLink 206-252-8932
WA Graham The Last Frontier 206-847-8168
WA Kirkland SeaEast PC Exchange 206-822-4615
WA Port Orchard Armor of God BBS 206-871-9241
WA Puyallup The Eagles BBS 206-531-8304
WA Redmond GreyHounds BBS 206-868-4402
WA Seattle The Helix 206-783-6368
WA Spokane Think Tank II 509-244-3511
WA Tacoma Cop-Out BBS 206-472-4069
WA Tacoma Peachy Keeno Inn BBS 206-539-0804
WA Tacoma Tacoma Recovery BBS 206-589-3820
WI Ellsworth Info-Link 715-273-6132
WI Green Bay The First Step 414-499-6646
WI Menomonee Falls Anonymous BBS 414-251-2580
WI Milwaukee Country Computer 414-355-3691
WI Milwaukee Disc Golfer BBS 414-964-5111
WI Milwaukee Good News BBS 414-365-1624
WV Cross Lanes Project Enable 304-759-0729
WV Kincaid The Empire BBS 304-465-5223
WV St. Albans The Black Hole BBS 304-727-5711
WV Weirton MindLess One's BBS 304-723-2135
WY Casper Enterprise 307-237-0800
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* MI Adrian Freedom's Ring 517-263-4509
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=20
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* KEY:
E-N =3D No IVVEC Echo, but does have the Nam_Vet newsletter=20
NL =3D Carries both IVVEC and the Nam_Vet newsletter
PB =3D Pay BBS (Pay for On-line Time)
SB =3D Subscription BBS (Flat Fee)
! =3D VETLink BBS
=20
NamVet Newsletter Page 96
=0C Volume 8, Number 8 August 23, 1994
NamVet Distribution Survey Form
=20
NamVet's editorial staff would like to know where YOU received
this copy of NamVet. Please take a few moments to complete and
return this page (or a copy) to us.
=20
NAME_____________________________________________________________
ADDRESS__________________________________________________________
CITY_____________________________________________________________
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Where did you obtain/read the NamVet Newsletter? ________________
_________________________________________________________________
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Do you make NamVet available to others? _________________________
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If YES: Individual / / Educational / / Vet Groups / /
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What do you find most/least helpful about NamVet?________________
_________________________________________________________________
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What other information would you like to see in NamVet? _________
_________________________________________________________________
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=20
Additional Comments _____________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
=20
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YOUR poem, letter, article about the veteran Experience - whether
you were in Vietnam, in the military or not - is extremely
welcomed by the editorial staff of NamVet. We invite you to
include one (or many) with your return of this form.
=20
Thank You for your time and help in making NamVet *-THE-*
electronic newsletter by, for and about veterans and the issues
that concern them!
=20
Please return replies/articles/poems/etc. to:
=20
Mrs. Joyce Flory
NamVet Distribution Survey
1825 Evelyn - Las Cruces, NM 88001
=20
-or-
=20
NamVet Distribution Survey
Electronic Veterans' Centers of America, Corp (EVAC)
PO Box 261692 - Tampa, Florida 33615-261692
=20
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NamVet Newsletter Page 97
=0C Volume 8, Number 8 August 23, 1994
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Some Gave ALL ... Some Still Give!!!
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O O
O SOME GAVE ALL ...
________O__________________________________O______________
! O O !
! pow mia pow mia - BRING THEM HOME NOW! - pow mia pow mia !
! O O !
! ~~~~~ ~ ~ O~ ~~~ ~~ ~~ ~~~~~~ ~~~~ O ~~ ~ ~~~~ ~~~ ~~ !
! ~~~~ ~ ~~ O ~~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~ ~O~~~ ~~~ ~ ~~~~ ~~ !
! ~ ~~ ~ ~~ ~ O~ ~~ ~~~ ~~~~ ~~~ ~~~ O ~~~ ~~~ ~~~~ ~~~ ~ !
! ~~~ ~~ ~~ ~ O ~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~~ ~~ O ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~ ~ !
! ~~ ~~ ~~~ ~~ ~ O ~~ ~~~~ ~~~~ ~~~ O ~ ~~~ ~~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~ !
! ~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~ O ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~ O ~ ~~ ~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~ ~~ !
! ~ ~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~ O ~_~_~_~_~_ ~ O ~ ~~~~ ~ ~ ~~~ ~~ ~~ !
! ~~~ ~ ~ ~~~ ~~ ~ O ) O ~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~~ !
! ~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ /(O) / O \ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~~ ~ ~ !
! ~ ~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~ / / O \~~~~ ~~ ~~~~~ ~~~ ~~ ~ !
! ~~ ~ ~ ~~ ~~ / PRISONER / \~~ ~~ ~~ ~~~ ~ ~~~~~~ !
! ~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~ / / MISSING \~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~~ ~ ~~ !
! ~~~ ~ ~~ ~~ / OF /\ \~~ ~~ ~~~ ~~ ~~~~ ~ !
! ~ ~~~~ ~~ ~ / / \ IN \~ ~~~~ ~~ ~~~ ~~~ !
! ~~~ ~~~ ~ / WAR / ~~ \ \ ~~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ !
! ~ ~~ ~~ ~ / / ~ ~~ \ ACTION / ~~ ~~ ~~~ ~~ ~~ !
! ~~ ~~ ~~~(__________/ ~~ ~~~ \ / ~~~~~ ~~~~ ~~~~ !
! ~~~~~ ~~ ~ ~~ ~~ ~ ~ ~~ ~ ~~~ \ / ~~ ~~~ ~~ ~~~ ~~~ !
! ~~ ~~ ~~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~~ ~~ ~~~ \ / ~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~~~~~ !
! ~~~ ~~~ ~~~~ ~~ ~~~~ ~~~ ~~ ~~~ \ /~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~ ~ !
! ~ ~~ ~~~ ~~ ~~ ~~~ ~~~~ ~~ ~~~ ~ ~~~ ~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~ ~~ ~~
! ~~ ~~~ ~~~~ ~~~ ~~ ~ ~~~ ~~ ~~~~~~~ ~~~~ ~~~ ~ SOME STILL GIVE
! ~ ~~ ~~~~ ~~~~ ~~~~ ~~~ ~~~~ ~~~~ ~~~ ~~~~ ~~~~
! ~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~ ~ ~~~~ ~~~ ~~~~ !
! mia pow mia pow - BRING THEM HOME NOW! - mia pow mia pow !
!__________________________________________________________!
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NamVet Newsletter Page 98
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