MIA Totals: WWII 73,661 - Korean 7,908 - Vietnam 1,645 – OEF, OIF 6

I N C O M I N G !

November 2013 Newsletter

ROLLING THUNDER, INC. Chapter #1 “POW-MIA – You are not Forgotten”

http://indianarollingthunder.com

https://www.facebook.com/RTINCh1

Chapter Officers

Michael Clark President Judy “Scooter” Brinkley Vice-President Crystal “Baby Girl” Smith Secretary Terry “Flash” Sanderson Treasurer

“ We ride for our Brothers that can’t – Educating the Public, Keeping Faith with those who still serve “ “Americas’ POW/MIA truly die, only when they are forgotten.”

President’s News

Chapter members, November is here and the riding season is about over for 2013. 2013 has been a challenging year for the Chapter. We have lost three Brothers this year that we will never forget. I’m very proud of the way the Chapter came together and showed support to the family members of these love ones. Please keep these families in your thoughts and prayers as the holiday season approach.

The Chapter has accomplished a lot his year and I’m looking forward to what we can accomplish in 2014. However, 2013 is not over yet. We still have activities coming up in December that are important to the Chapter, our Veterans in the VA Hospital and HVAF.

The 2014 membership renewals are coming up very soon. The renewal applications are due to National by February 2014. I would like to get an early start on the renewals to meet the February deadline. The 2014 renewal application will be available at the November Chapter meeting. The membership dues are $30.00.

I have a lot to cover in the November newsletter so let’s get started.

The next Chapter meeting is Sunday, November 17th at 12:30. Page 1 of 14

Boot Patches presented at the October Chapter meeting

I’m proud to announce that Frank Liupakka, John Elms, Jim and Marty Hutchinson were issued their Chapter Boot patches at the October Chapter meeting.

Please congratulate these Chapter members when you see them !!.

Frank Liupakka John Elms

Jim and Marty Hutchinson

Thanks for your Membership and Support

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National Conference

I’m happy to report that the National Conference in Washing D.C was very successful. Friday morning, November the 1st, we rode a bus to Capital Hill loaded with Rolling Thunder people. When we arrived at Capital Hill, we split up into two teams (A and B) so we could make the appointment times for Congressman and Senator . Team A consisted of Dick and Linda Harrington, Mike and Barbara Clark, Tom and Donna Ramsdell and Vern Resing. Team B consisted of Randy and Linda Cope, Alex Barile, and Bill Baily. Team A went to see Congressman Messer and Team B went to see Senator Donnelly.

TEAM A with Congressman Messer

The meeting with Congressman Messer went very well. The fact that we were able to speak with the Congressman himself was a success for the trip to the hill. However, I was a bit concerned that we may end up in the House of Representative security office. Your Chairman of the Board and Chaplain were going down the hallway of the House of Representative changing the order of the POW-MIA and State flags. The House of Representatives need to be educated on the proper placement order of the POW/MIA flag. Congressman Messer was very interested in what we had to say about Joint POW- MIA Accounting Command (JPAC), POW-MIA issues, Veteran issues, and house and senate bills that are pending action. Congressman Messer was aware of the fake arrival ceremonies that JPAC is accused of conducting and was very passionate about the affects the fake arrival ceremonies are having on the families and Veterans attending these ceremonies. This will be discussed more at the November Chapter meeting.

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Team B with Senator Donnelly

Team B in Senator Donnelly’s office briefing him on Veteran Affairs, the JPAC issue with of conducting fake arrival ceremonies, pending Senate resolutions that need his sponsorship and his support on getting SGT Bowe Bergdahl home.

Team B reported that Senator Donnelly was very responsive to their briefing.

Great Job Team B

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Team A group picture on the hill Group picture at the National Banquet

During our trip back to , we stopped at Steak and Shake for lunch. Your State Liaison and Chairman of the Board had to have a hat fitting for their positions.

Don’t they look cute ??

Your State Liaison Your Chairman of the Board

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Eddie “Scooby” Rutledge was presented the 2013 Veterans Affairs Award

I’m proud to announce that Scooby was presented the 2013 Veterans Affairs award for his hard work during 2013. Scooby has worked hard throughout the years to keep Indiana Chapter 1 current on the Veterans Affairs that impact our Indiana Veterans.

Congratulations Scooby !!!

GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS

The Elected Representatives for the State of Indiana who are in office to represent us, the people during the 113th Congress are as follows:

Washington Local Alternate Senator (R-IN) 202-224-5626 Senator Joe Donnelly (D-IN) 202-224-6814 317-226-5555 Rep. Peter J. Visclosky (D-01) 202-225-2461 219-795-1844 Rep. (R-02) 202-225-3915 574-204-2645 Rep. Marlin A. Stutzman (R-03) 202-225-4436 574-533-5802 260-424-3041 Rep. (R-04) 202-225-5037 317-838-0404 Rep. (R-05) 202-225-2276 317-848-0201 Rep. Luke Messer (R-06) 202-225-3021 Rep. Andre Carson (D-07) 202-225-4011 317-283-6516 Rep. (R-08) 202-225-4636 812-465-6484 812-232-0523 Rep. Todd C. Young (R-09) 202-225-5315 812-288-3999 812-336-3000 Page 6 of 14

National Conference Notes

This section of the news letter will cover some notes taken during the Senator Donnelly visit, Congressman Messer visit and the National confrence.

Senator Donnelly

Team B reports that the visit with Senator Donnelly went very well. Below are a few notes.

• The Senator may attend the Chapter May 2014 send-off to Washington D.C. Team B will follow-up with the Senator. • The Senator new of SGT Bergdahl being held captive and will get back with Chapter 1 on the current status of SGT Bergdahl. • Need to keep communications with Senator Donnelly. • The Senator was not aware of the news articles about JPAC conducting fake arrival ceremonies. Team B updated the Senator.

Congressman Messer

Team A reports that the visit with Congressman Messer went very well. Below are a few notes.

• Congressman Messer was not aware of SGT Bowe Bergdahl being captured and being held as a live POW. This is concerning because there may be other House Representatives and Senators that don’t know about SGT Bergdahl. We need to make sure all Indiana House Representatives and Senators know about SGT Bergdahl • Congressman Messer is the only Indiana cosponsor of H.RES.231. The team requested that Congressman Messer talk with his colleagues in the house and request them to cosponsor H.RES.231 and push the bill for a vote. Congressman requested that we draft a letter to him explaining the importance of H.RES.231 and have everyone sign the letter. He will then talk to his colleagues about cosponsoring the bill. • Congressman Messer didn’t have a POW-MIA flag in the hallway and the team emphasized that he get one. We have made contact with Congressman’s Messer’s staff and requested that they look into getting a POW-MIA flag for the Congressman. • The team requested that Congressman Messer attend or 2014 May send- off to Washington. His staff will get back with us. • Congressman Messer was aware of the fake arrival ceremonies that JPAC is accused of conducting and was very passionate about the affects the fake arrival ceremonies are having on the families and Veterans attending these ceremonies.

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National Conference Notes (Continued)

1. What are Chapters doing to educate the public regarding the POW/MIA issue that we should consider adopting.

• National Chair of Honor Program. We need to see about getting one of these POW/MIA chairs installed in the Lucas Oil Stadium for the 2014 season. • Naming Streets after POW/MIA KIA’S • Help with handicap housing

2. What are Chapters doing to raise funds.

• 50/50, Raffles, Cook Off’s

3. What is National doing to help Chapters with education, tools, administration etc.

• Having the National Conference • Trips to Capitol Hill to meet with Representatives • National web site, Face book, etc

4. Additional comments and observations.

• The DD214 constitution change was reversed. • Chapter By-Laws are no longer required and will become ”Chapter Rules”. • Agent Orange/Dioxin was discussed in great detail and the affect it’s having on children and grandchildren. Any veteran that may have been exposed to Dioxin should contact VVA to get updated information. • VA Status – The VA liaison, Kevin Secor, gave his briefing on the status of VA claims. Mr Secor reported that 1.7 million claims were processed in 2013 with 120 days being the longest process time and 35 days being the fastest processing time. The report generated a lot of discussion with the attendees. Artie Muller asked Mr. Secor the simple question of how many of these 1.7 million claims were approved and how many were denied. Mr. Secor didn’t have an answer to the question. One would think that Mr. Secor would have been prepared for this question given the audience he was speaking too.

Wounded Warriors denied trip to National Banquet

This will make you mad. The National conference banquet normally has Wounded Warriors and their family as guest at the banquet. This gives everyone an opportunity to thank these American Heroes and their families for their service . However, this year, VA cancelled the Wounded Warriors trip to the banquet because there were only three Wounded Warriors with families and VA didn’t think it would worth their time and effort to bring these Wounded Warriors and their families to the banquet. This was a big disappointment for the whole room and VA needs to know that this was a bad decision. Page 8 of 14

113th Congress bills affecting Veterans and relating to POW/MIA issues.

Bill Purpose S.Res.109 Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the should leave no member of the Armed Forces unaccounted for during the drawdown of forces in Afghanistan. H.Res.286 Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the United States should leave no member of the Armed Forces unaccounted for during the drawdown of forces in Afghanistan. H.Res.231 Establishing a Select Committee on POW and MIA Affairs. H.R.1980 Quicker Veterans Benefits Delivery Act.

H.R.1739 Veterans Backlog Reduction Act. H.R.543 Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act of 2013

Note: Track activities of the at www.govtrack.us

Listed below is the Indiana Senators and Representatives score card on supporting current POW/MIA and Veterans Bills in Congress.

X = Support, (_) is the number of cosponsors for that bill.

Updated November 7th 2014

Senate S.Res.109 (3) Dan Coats (R-IN) Joe Donnelly (D-IN)

House of 286 231 1980 1739 543 Representative (2) (70) (24) (30) (152) Peter Visclosky X Jackie Walorski Todd Rokita Susan Brooks Luke Messer X Andre Carson X Larry Bucshon Todd C. Young X

We need to push Congress hard to bring H.Res 231 to the floor for a VOTE !

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POW/MIA “VANITY” LICENSE PLATE

The POW/MIA “vanity” plates are available for $15.00.

These plates are strictly for the front of the vehicle and NOT used as a regular state license plate. The plate represents that there are still too many POW-MIA’s missing and need to come home. Tell your friends and neighbors that they need this plate on their vehicle today.

Purchase yours at the next Chapter Meeting.

INDIANA POW/MIA LICENSE PLATE

The Indiana POW/MIA plate sales or Renewed for the month of October 2013 were 207 which translates to $5,175 for the month of October. Year to date plate sales were 2,987 totaling $74,675 deposited into the Veterans Affairs Trust Fund. Total plates sold/renewed since the introduction of the plate in 2010 is 8,698 which equates to a total of $217,450 deposited into the Veterans Affairs Trust Fund to support the Indiana War- Fighter.

For every plate sold, $25.00 is deposited into the Veterans Affairs Trust Fund.

The Chapter can be proud of what has been accomplished. However, the mission goes on and we need to continue to promote the plate every opertinuity we get. If you need POW/MIA plate brochures for distribution, please contact one of the chapter officers or board members. They will be happy to help. To check out the Indiana POW/MIA Plate video and learn more about the plate, please copy and paste the following URL into your broswer. http://box.net/shared/bocaia923d

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Rolling Thunder XXVII Raffle Bike Tickets Sales

The tickets sales for the XXVII bike is underway. The tickets are $10.00 each with $2.00 going to the Chapter as long as we sale our quota. I have requested 50 tickets from National which will give us $100.00 if we sell them all. The more tickets we sell, the more the Chapter will make.

Evansville Chapter 7 sold 400 tickets last year and received a $800.00 check from National. We can beat Evansvile ticket sales. We have until May 2014 to Gir-R-Done !.

How about it. Let’s beat Evansvill ticket sales in 2014

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Chapter Member of the Year Award

The Chapter member of the year will be voted for at the November Chapter meeting. Please take some time and think back through the year and determine who you think has served above and beyound in 2013 that would be deserving of this award. Please be prepared to mention your nominee to the Chapter and give a brief explanation why you think your nominee should be considered for this award. The Member of the year award will be presented to the winner at the annual Chapter meeting in January 2014.

VA Hospital Christmas Visit, December 14th 2013

Our Christmas visit to the Veterans Hospital will be here before you know it. We only have the November Chapter meetings to collect the necessary items to go inside the gift bags. Please bring socks, scarves, sock hats, note pads, tooth brushes & paste, floss, playing cards, toiletries, and anything else they want to bring. What we don’t use this year will be saved for next year. Please Contact Linda Harrington with any questions.

Wreaths Across America, December 14th 2013

The "Wreaths Across America" program will be held at the Indiana Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Madison Indiana on the 14th of December at 12:00. Attendees should arrive at the cemetery by 11:45. Please contact Dick Harrington at 317‐652‐8251 if you have any questions.

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This page is dedicated to our brothers that have gone on to ride the heavens.

NEVER FORGET

Brinkley, John Past President, January 2009 Hall, Bruce, Member, March 2010 Gigle, Gene, Member, August 2011 Jolly, Ron Past Vice President, December 2011 Kaler, Steve, Pasr President, June 2012 Wilson, John, Member, July 2012 Freeman, James, Past Board, August 2012 Loffredo, Nicholas, Member, August 2012 Fulmer, Kenneth, Member, August 2012 Huelskamp, Glenn, Member, Febuary 2013 George “Sam” Hillis, May 2013 Winters, Steve, Member, September 2013

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POW/MIA from Afghanistan Sergeant Bowe R. Bergdahl

1st Battalion, 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division. Sergeant Bergdahl is from Ketchum, Idaho.

Captured in Pakitka province, Afghanistan, on June 30, 2009. The Pentagon declared him Duty Status Whereabouts Unknown on July 1, 2009 and his status was changed to Missing-Captured on July 3rd, 2009.

BRING BOWE HOME!! NOW!!

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