VAnguard prevision

September/October 2002

Hispanic Heritage 9-11 Remembered Vets Honored Disabled Veteran Entrepreneurs Month, 2002 5 VAnguard

Table of Contents

Features Hispanic Heritage Month...... 6 6 honoring hispanic employees and veterans

9-11 One-Year Anniversary...... 18 reflection and remembrance

Departments Management Matters...... 3 Outlook...... 4 19 Introducing...... 17 e-Learning...... 17 Around Headquarters...... 26 Medical Advances...... 29 Have You Heard...... 30 Honors and Awards...... 31 Heroes...... 32

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VAnguard On the cover VA’s Employee Magazine September/October 2002 This statue of David Farragut is located in Vol. XLVIII, No. 7 downtown Washington, D.C. Farragut, a Span- Printed on 50% recycled paper ish American, was the most famous Hispanic participant in the Civil War. He’s best known Editor: Lisa Respess for the remark, made during battle, “Damn Assistant Editor: Matt Bristol the torpedoes! Full speed ahead!” Photo Editor: Robert Turtil Published by the Office of Public Affairs (80D)

Department of Veterans Affairs 810 Vermont Ave., N.W. Washington, D.C. 20420 Our new look (202) 273-5746 In this issue, we introduce a new design. VAnguard had the same “look” for nearly E-mail: [email protected] 10 years, and it was time for a facelift. We will publish the new VAnguard six www.va.gov/pubaff/vanguard/index.htm times a year with more pages than before and in color. We hope you’ll find the redesigned magazine better organized, easier to read and more visually appeal- ing. Look for more refinements in upcoming issues.

2 September/October 2002 VAnguard management matters

VA Ready to Fulfill Our Role in National Emergencies Anthony J. Principi Secretary of Veterans Affairs

On the first anniversary of VA employees responded. to necessary supplies. VA em- protocols to assist emergency the attacks on America, I met September 11 taught us a ployees managed emergency responders at all levels to with members of the Na- valuable lesson about the im- pharmaceutical caches for the meet the medical challenges tional Soci- portance of being prepared Olympics in Salt Lake City, posed by biological and ety, recipients of the nation’s for medical emergency. the Super Bowl in New Or- chemical weapon attacks. highest military award for In the year since the at- leans, and the President’s Today, we are much bet- heroism. I thought about tacks, I’ve made certain our State of the Union Address. ter prepared to resist aggres- their valor on the battlefield Department is fully prepared Nearby VA medical center sion than we were on Sept. and how their actions reflect to fulfill our role as a partner personnel were also alerted to 11, 2001. I have made emer- the true character of the in the Federal Response Plan. remain on emergency stand- gency preparedness a man- American spirit. Our mission of providing by status during each event. agement priority. And we are I also couldn’t help backup medical services to Fortunately, our help wasn’t working with the President thinking of the firefighters, the Department of Defense needed. and Congress to ensure our police officers and emergency and public health authorities We also must ensure care for America’s 25 million medical technicians who gave in cases of national emergen- that we are capable of pro- veterans while providing their lives in the line of duty cies is vital to national secu- viding quality care and ben- emergency medical support exactly one year before. Their rity. As we pursue the War efits to veterans and depen- for the Department of De- courage and commitment on Terrorism, we must be dents in times of national fense and the nation. were as heroic as any man or woman in uniform has ever shown, and there is a real Our mission of providing backup medical services to parallel between their actions the Department of Defense and public health authori- and those of our Medal of Honor recipients. ties in cases of national emergencies is vital to VA employees, too, national security. showed heroic commitment and dedication on Sept. 11, prepared to fulfill the respon- emergency. We are already Ultimately, the responsi- 2001. On that day, VA em- sibilities we are given to serve stockpiling enough pharma- bility to support our nation ployees in searched America in this crisis. ceuticals to provide care for during future emergencies for those who needed care An Emergency Pre- our veterans should our sup- rests with you and your fel- and pulled them from cha- paredness Working Group ply lines be disrupted. low employees. I am confi- otic, surging crowds to safety. came up with recommenda- We are preparing our dent that, should we be It didn’t matter if they were tions to improve our ability doctors and nurses to meet tested in the future, VA— veterans or not. They were to respond to national disas- the new challenges heralded and America—will be in hurt and they needed our ters or terrorist events. Gen. by Sept. 11 by using VA’s good hands. help. Mick Kicklighter, Assistant video network and Web re- Later, VA regional office Secretary for Policy and Plan- sources to train them to deal employees assisted veterans ning, set up a command and with chemical exposures and Are You Watching? and their families at Pier 94 control center for the De- biological casualties. Several Don’t miss your weekly in New York and near the partment. He and his staff of our hospitals have rede- helping of “VA News,” Pentagon. And for months have worked closely with the signed their emergency treat- news for and about VA thereafter, VA experts in Office of Homeland Security ment areas and installed bio- employees delivered each post-traumatic stress disorder to draft a comprehensive na- hazard decontamination week in a digestible 10- reached out to veterans and tional strategy to respond to showers to prepare for worst- minute video shown daily members of the public grap- future terrorist attacks. case scenarios. at 4 a.m., noon, 4 p.m. pling with psychological Today, VA is managing Congress is considering and 10 p.m. (Eastern trauma. and strategically deploying legislation that will create Time) over the VA Our nation may have national pharmaceutical emergency preparedness cen- Knowledge Network sat- been caught off guard by ter- caches to provide emergency ters within VA to develop ellite link to your facility. ror, but I’m proud of the way responders immediate access training programs, plans and

September/October 2002 3 outlook VAnguard

Honor Our Hispanic Employees and Veterans Jacob Lozada, Ph.D. Assistant Secretary for Human Resources and Administration

I am delighted to introduce families, their friends, hard lines was disproportionately panics, are adapting to this special issue of VAnguard work, and country. They are high for their population. As American culture faster than honoring our Hispanic em- highly patriotic and proud of in previous wars, many His- earlier generations. By the ployees and veterans during their cultural roots and up- panics chose to serve in com- end of high school, the chil- Hispanic Heritage Month. bringing. Hispanics share tra- bat units such as the Marines dren of immigrants are gen- This year’s celebration and its ditional values and are deeply and paratroopers. They dis- erally more fluent in English theme—Hispanic Americans: religious. Respect toward el- tinguished themselves than in their parents’ lan- Strength in Unity, Faith, and ders and parents are corner- through courage and bravery. guage. The level of Spanish Diversity—are particularly stones of the Hispanic cul- It is worthy of note that proficiency among second- significant, as the results of ture. 39 Hispanic Americans have generation immigrants indi- Census 2000 indicate that When it comes to serv- been recipients of the Medal cates their children will most Hispanics have become the ing in the of Honor, the highest recog- likely speak English only. largest minority group in the Armed Forces, Hispanics nition for acts of individual Hispanics will continue United States. have always risen to the occa- gallantry and heroism by to contribute to our nation In Census 2000, 281.4 sion. In 1898, the United members of the nation’s and its economy, culture, se- million residents of the States declared war on Spain. armed forces. Only seven are curity, and values. I hope United States and its territo- Hispanics were among those currently living. you’ll join me in recognizing ries were counted, and 35 who served with the Rough As of September 2000, the multiple contributions million (or 12.5 percent) of Riders under Lt. Col. Hispanics made up 8.2 per- that Hispanics have made to those counted were of His- Theodore Roosevelt. cent of armed forces mem- our country. Specifically, I panic ancestry. In addition, Exactly how many His- bers, representing 4 percent encourage you to join me in there were 3.8 million His- panics fought in of the officer corps and 9 celebrating the many contri- panics living in the Com- monwealth of . The Hispanic popula- I hope that you take a minute to reflect on the tragic tion increased by 57 percent events of Sept. 11, 2001, and the need to work from 1990 to 2000, com- together as one people—without regard to race or pared to a 13 percent in- crease for the entire U.S. ethnicity—to ensure liberty, freedom, a strong nation, population. This translates and security for all. into an increase from 22.4 million Hispanics to 35.3 million Hispanics living in is unknown, but some re- percent of the enlisted force. butions of our nation’s His- the United States in the year ports indicate that almost The percentage of Hispanics panic veterans. I also hope 2000. 20,000 served on active duty has almost that you take a minute to re- The relative young age during this war. An estimate doubled in the past 10 years. flect on the tragic events of of the Hispanic population of the number of Hispanics Given the continued growth Sept. 11, 2001, and the need in the United States is re- who served in the armed in the Hispanic population to work together as one flected in its population. A forces during World War II and the youth of the popula- people—without regard to larger percentage of Hispan- ranges from 250,000 to tion, it is evident that over race or ethnicity—to ensure ics than non-Hispanics are 500,000; figures are impre- the next 10 years, the repre- liberty, freedom, a strong na- young, with proportionately cise because data were not sentation of Hispanics in the tion, and security for all. more children and fewer eld- maintained on Hispanics as a armed forces will likely Editor’s Note: In honor of His- erly. This young Hispanic group. double again. panic Heritage Month, a signifi- population will impact our The presence of Hispan- The history of the cant portion of the content in society by becoming some of ics in the U.S. military ranks United States is one of differ- this issue is devoted to features the leaders and shapers of the has increased since World ent waves of immigrants on Hispanic employees and vet- erans. To add additional inter- country over the next 20 to War II. During the Korean coming to its shores seeking est, we’re presenting some of 30 years. and Vietnam Wars, the num- new opportunities. Today’s the articles in both English and Hispanics value their ber of Hispanics on the front immigrants, including His- Spanish.

4 September/October 2002 VAnguard prevision

Honra a neustros empleados y veteranos latinos Jacob Lozada, Ph.D. Secretario Adjunto para Recursos Humanos y Administración

Estoy encantado de hacer la proporción, más niños y número exacto es difícil de fuerzas armadas se duplique introducción para la edición menos ancianos. Esta joven lograr debido a que en esos nuevamente. especial de VAnguard en comunidad hispana hará tiempos no se registraba a los La historia de los honor a nuestros empleados impacto en la sociedad hispanos como miembros de Estados Unidos está basada y veteranos hispanos en americana cuando algunos de un grupo en particular. en las diferentes oleadas de ocasión del “Mes del sus miembros se conviertan La presencia de hispanos inmigrantes que han venido Patrimonio Hispano”. Esta en líderes y formadores de en las fuerzas armadas de los a estas costas en busca de celebración anual bajo el nuestra nación en los futuros EE.UU. se ha incrementado nuevas oportunidades. Los lema “Hispano- 20 o 30 años. desde la Segunda Guerra inmigrantes de hoy, estadounidenses: Fortaleza en Los hispanos valoran la Mundial. Durante las guerras incluyendo los hispanos, se la Unidad, en la Fe y en la familia, los amigos, el trabajo de Corea y Vietnam, el adaptan más rápidamente a Diversidad”, es duro y la nación. Son muy número de soldados hispanos la cultura estadounidense que particularmente significativa patrióticos y orgullosos de fue desproporcionadamente en las pasadas generaciones. en vistas a que el resultado sus orígenes y su educación. alto con respecto a la A la finalización de la escuela del Censo 2000 indica que Comparten valores población total. Como en las secundaria, los hijos de los hispanos se han tradicionales y son ocasiones anteriores, muchos inmigrantes generalmente convertido en el grupo profundamente religiosos. El hispanos eligieron prestar hablan el idioma inglés más minoritario más importante respeto a los mayores y a los servicio como infantes de fluido que el idioma de sus de los Estados Unidos de padres son pilares marina o como paracaidistas, padres. El nivel del español América. fundamentales de la cultura y se distinguieron por su que hablan los inmigrantes El Censo 2000 arrojó un hispana. coraje y bravura. de segunda generación indica resultado de 281, 4 millones Cuando las Fuerzas Ar- Vale la pena recordar que sus hijos se inclinarán de residentes en los Estados madas de los Estados Unidos que 39 estadounidenses de por hablar inglés únicamente. Unidos y sus territorios, de han requerido del servicio de origen hispano han recibido Los hispanos los cuales 35 millones (es los hispanos, estos siempre la Medalla de Honor, que es continuarán contribuyendo decir el 12,5 por ciento del han estado a la altura de las el más alto reconocimiento a con nuestra nación, con su total) tienen ascendencia consecuencias. Cuando en los actos de valentía y economía, su cultura, su hispana. Además se contó a 1898 los Estados Unidos le heroísmo que se otorga a seguridad y sus valores. Estoy 3,8 millones de hispanos que declararon la guerra a miembros de las Fuerzas Ar- esperanzado que usted se viven en el Estado Libre España, los hispanos madas de los Estados Unidos. unirá a mi en el Asociado de Puerto Rico. estadounidenses también De ellos, solo siete viven en reconocimiento de las La comunidad hispana estaban dentro del batallón la actualidad. múltiples contribuciones que se incrementó un 57 por de los “Rough Riders” bajo el Desde septiembre del los hispanos han hecho a ciento en el período de 1990 mando del Coronel 2000 los hispanos nuestro país. Especialmente, al 2000, comparado con el Theodore Roosevelt. representan el 8,2 por ciento yo lo aliento a unirse a mí y 13 por ciento de incremento No se sabe el número del total de miembros de las celebrar las tantas que tuvo la población total exacto de hispanos que fuerzas armadas, contribuciones que han de los Estados Unidos. Esto lucharon en la Primer Guerra representando un 4 por hecho a nuestra nación se traduce en un incremento Mundial, pero algunos ciento de los oficiales y un 9 nuestros veteranos hispanos. que pasó de 22,4 millones a reportes indican que al por ciento de la tropa regular. También espero que se 35,3 millones de hispanos menos 20.000 El porcentaje de hispanos en tome un minuto para viviendo en los Estados portorriqueños prestaron servicio activo se ha casi reflexionar sobre los trágicos Unidos en el año 2000. servicio en esa confrontación. duplicado en los últimos 10 eventos del pasado 11 de La relativa juventud de Una estimación del años. septiembre de 2001 y sobre los hispanos en los Estados número de hispanos que Dado el continuo la necesidad de trabajar jun- Unidos se refleja en su estuvieron al servicio de las crecimiento y la juventud de tos como un solo pueblo, sin población. El mayor fuerzas armadas nacionales la población hispana, es importar raza o etnia, para porcentaje de juventud lo en la Segunda Guerra evidente y probable que en asegurar la libertad, la tiene la comunidad hispana y Mundial varía entre los los próximos 10 años el fortaleza de la nación y la esta también tiene en 250.000 a 500.000, el número de hispanos en las seguridad de todos.

5 September/October 2002 Hispanic Heritage Month VAnguard Eager to Learn 53 Texas high school students got an introduction to public service and more this summer through an innovative program

Michael Ramirez, 16, who worked in the public affairs office, echoed the same sentiments. “I learned so much and felt that I made some valuable contributions. It was one of those experiences where I would look forward to the next day so I could go back to work.” For 16-year-old Stephen Martinez, his summer job in the medical center’s X-ray unit has him now wanting to pursue a career in the medical field. “This has been an eye-opener for me. I feel that I ex- panded my communications skills and felt comfortable talking with both the doctors and patients,” he Moxy Garcia and the other students participated in work and educational experiences 40 said. “I appreciated the staff’s will- hours a week for eight weeks. ingness to help. They made me feel needed and appreciated.” The summer of 2002 was a memo- The program, the first of its Martinez, whose grandfather rable and rewarding one for 53 kind in VA, has gotten the atten- and uncle are veterans, said he took Texas high school students. It was a tion of Secretary Anthony J. time to let the patients know how summer that brought hope, encour- Principi, who said VA wants to in- much he cared about them and how agement, work force experience and troduce high school students to role grateful he is to them for their ser- a nice paycheck. models and mentors who will inspire vice. The students were part of a VA them to remain in school. “We want Some of the students’ parents, and Texas Workforce Commission- to help motivate our youth to pursue like Martinez’s mother Doreen, said sponsored summer employment and their education into post-secondary they strongly endorse the program enrichment program at the South schools and we hope VA will be and hope it continues. “It’s very im- Texas Veterans Health Care System their employer of choice,” the Sec- portant that they get work experi- in San Antonio. retary said. ence and learn to be responsible. “We were fortunate to have The program has already had a That’s always good,” she said. some real bright stars, very ambi- positive impact on Catalina The pilot program involved 53 tious and eager to learn,” said health Quintanar, 16, who wants to return students, most of them Hispanic, care system director Jose Coronado. to work at the Audie L. Murphy whose low family incomes may limit “This is a very good program that Memorial Veterans Hospital in San their chances of attending college or benefits us all.” Antonio one day. “I gained so much even completing high school. Rang- With VA’s work force aging, of- experience working at the VA hos- ing in age from 16 to 18, they were ficials believe it’s never too early to pital that my self-confidence really selected by the Texas Workforce begin introducing youths to the VA escalated,” said Quintanar, who Commission to participate in work work force in hopes of attracting the worked in the facility’s Learning and educational experiences 40 best and the brightest employees Center. “I saw myself using work hours a week for eight weeks. down the road. skills that I didn’t even know I had.” Continued on page 8

6 September/October 2002 VAnguard Hispanic Heritage Month Ansiosos de aprender 53 estudiantes de escuelas secundarias en Texas recibieron introducción al servicio público aparte de otra información gracias a un programa inovador

El verano del 2002 ha sido memo- continuar estudiando después de asuntos públicos, hace eco de los rable y gratificante para 53 terminar su escuela secundaria y mismos sentimientos. “Aprendí estudiantes de escuela secundaria de esperamos que la Administración de muchísimo y siento que he hecho Texas. Ha sido un verano que trajo Veteranos sea el empleador que ellos contribuciones muy valiosas. Fue esperanza, estímulo, experiencia de elijan”, dijo el secretario. una de esas experiencias en las que trabajo y una buena paga. El programa ya ha tenido su uno espera con ansia el día siguiente Los estudiantes fueron parte de impacto positivo en Catalina para volver al trabajo”. la Administración de Veteranos y de Quintanar de 16 años, que algún día A el joven de 16 años Stephen la Comisión de Personal de Texas quiere reintegrarse al trabajo en el Martínez, este trabajo de verano en que patrocinaron el programa de hospital de veteranos Audie L. la unidad de rayos X del centro verano para empleo y Murphy en San Antonio. “Gané médico lo ha motivado a querer enriquecimiento en el Sistema de tanta experiencia trabajando en el seguir una carrera en el campo de la Servicios de Salud para los hospital de veteranos que la medicina. “Esta experiencia me ha Veteranos del Sur de Texas en San confianza en mi misma ha abierto los ojos. Desarrollé mis Antonio. aumentado considerablemente”, dijo capacidades de comunicación y me “Hemos sido afortunados de Quintanar, que trabajó en las sentí cómodo hablando con médicos contar con verdaderas estrellas, tan instalaciones del centro de y pacientes”, dijo y agregó, “He ambiciosos y con tantas ganas de aprendizaje. “Me he encontrado a apreciado la voluntad de ayudar que aprender”, dijo el director del mi misma haciendo uso de tenía el personal. Me hicieron sentir Sistema de Servicios de Salud José habilidades que no sabía que tenía”, necesitado y valorado”. Coronado. “Este es un programa agregó. Martínez, que es hijo y nieto de muy bueno que nos beneficia a Michael Ramírez, también de 16 veteranos, dijo que se tomó el todos”. años y que trabajó para la oficina de Continue en la página 9 Como el personal de la Administración de Veteranos va envejeciendo, los oficiales consideran que nunca es muy temprano para comenzar a incorporar jóvenes dentro del per- sonal de la institución y tienen la esperanza de poder atraer a los mejores talentos que haya disponibles. El programa, primero en su clase en la Administración de Veteranos, ha captado la atención del Secretario Anthony J. Príncipi quien dijo que la Administración quiere captar estudiantes secundarios para jugar con ellos el papel de modelo y mentor y así inspirarlos a continuar estudiando. “Queremos motivar a nuestros jóvenes a Michael Ramírez trabajó en la oficina de asuntos públicos.

September/October 2002 7 Hispanic Heritage Month VAnguard

Continued from page 6 environment,” said Dr. Chris Bacon, the health care system’s assistant chief of staff for education. “We in- While the majority of the program participants stilled in them a good work ethic. We would meet with worked at the main facility in San Antonio, others them every Friday to discuss their jobs and to provide worked at the medical center’s six outpatient clinics in some basic performance skills. We also would let them Corpus Christi, Kerrville, Laredo, McAllen, San Anto- know that we were pleased that they were part of our nio and Victoria. The Texas Workforce Commission work force.” paid the students’ salaries for the first four weeks and The young employees were noticed by many of the VA paid the last four weeks. During the eight-week pe- patients, who said they appreciated the students’ work riod the students, who earned $7.68 an hour, were and VA’s efforts to provide jobs for them. “This is our taught how to manage their money, as well as the im- future generation, and these students got an opportunity portance of grooming and punctuality. Many also were to perform a job. This is a wise investment by the VA,” introduced to the city’s public transportation system, said patient Dan Krischke, a Vietnam veteran. “These since a number of them had to take the bus to work. youths can learn a lot from talking to us veterans. We “We provided these students with a good working have a lot of wisdom to give out. Many times the spo-

Youth Program Praised as ‘Showcase for Government’

The summer work program for high school kids at the South to succeed in the workplace, and get a feel for the types of Texas Veterans Health Care System was praised as a jobs available in the federal government. “showcase for government” during an interagency task With San Antonio’s youth employment program being force meeting in Washington, D.C., in July. used as a model by other agencies, Lozada would like to see The task force, established in October 2000 by Execu- it replicated in VA as well. He said it would work in any city tive Order 13171 and chaired by the director of the Office of with a large concentration of minorities. All the program Personnel Management, met to discuss the steps agencies needs to succeed, he added, is the support of facility direc- have taken to improve the representation of Hispanics in the tors. federal government. As part of the executive order, all agen- That’s exactly what happened in San Antonio. Jose R. cies must submit to the President an annual report detailing Coronado, director of the South Texas Veterans Health Care their progress in hiring Hispanics. System, is a former high school teacher and principal, and a VA’s representative on the task force, Dr. Jacob Lozada, strong believer in mentoring. When he heard about Lozada’s Assistant Secretary for Human Resources and Administra- idea, he volunteered to prototype the program. He issued a tion, attended the meeting. As he described the San Antonio call for employees to participate as mentors and was youth program, in which 53 high school students spent the swamped with volunteers. In the end, he had more mentors summer working with mentors at VA facilities, he said he re- than students. It took just two weeks for them to set up the ceived a great deal of positive feedback. “They called it a program. showcase for government,” he said. Later that day, when he “This is a great way to energize staff,” said Coronado. returned to his office, he received several e-mail messages “These young people are in need of positive role models, from task force members interested in replicating the pro- and the staff really enjoyed filling that role.” He said when gram in their agencies. the eight-week program ended, about half of the kids asked In the weeks that followed, a partnership between VA, if they could stay. They ended up joining the health care the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services at the De- system’s youth volunteer program and still meet regularly partment of Health and Human Services, and Baltimore City with their summer mentors. “Now everyone is asking if Public Schools led to the establishment of the Student Ca- we’re going to do it again next year,” said Coronado. reer Academy. Encouraged by the success in San Antonio, and in repli- The academy opened its doors recently to disadvan- cating the program in Baltimore, Lozada is optimistic about taged and minority high school students in Baltimore Public the future. “I personally believe [the youth employment pro- Schools who are referred by their high school guidance gram] has tremendous potential to address issues of under- counselors. Once enrolled, they get one-on-one mentoring, representation in the federal government and in attracting job shadowing opportunities, and become eligible for paid young people to public service and to what we do in VA. It summer jobs. The first class of about 50 students entered can be very, very powerful for these kids to see someone the academy in September. During the course of the regular who looks like them in a position of leadership in the federal school year, they’ll gain the knowledge and skills necessary government.”

88 September/OctoberSeptember/October 20022002 VAnguard Hispanic Heritage Month

Continua de la pagina 7 mucha sabiduría para dar. Muchas veces la palabra hablada es mejor que la palabra escrita y estos tiempo para hacerle saber a los pacientes lo importante estudiantes nos escucharon”. que son para él y lo agradecido que está por el servicio Maggie Parsons de la Oficina de Recursos Humanos que los veteranos han prestado a la patria. del sistema de servicios de salud expresó que los Algunos padres de los estudiantes como la madre de estudiantes cumplieron con el lema de la institución que Martínez, Doreen, dijeron que respaldan enérgicamente dice “Los veteranos primero”. Como conclusión, bien el programa y esperan que continúe. “Es muy importante valen las palabras de Catalina Quintanar, la estudiante que los jóvenes ganen experiencia laboral y que sobre quien nos hemos explayado anteriormente, “El aprendan a ser responsables. Eso siempre es bueno”, dijo. dinero que gané fue importante, pero la experiencia que El programa piloto involucró a 53 estudiantes, la logré ha sido mucho más valiosa que eso.” mayoría de ellos hispanos, los cuales por pertenecer a familias de bajos recursos ven limitadas sus chances de Por Ozzie Garza poder asistir a la universidad y a veces hasta de poder Oficina Regional OPA de Dallas terminar la escuela secundaria. Con un promedio de edad entre los 16 y 18 años, ellos fueron seleccionados ken word is better than the written word. And these por la Comisión de Personal de Texas para participar en students listened to us.” experiencias de trabajo y educativas por período de ocho Margie Parsons, of the health care system’s Human semanas a razón de 40 horas semanales. Resources Office, said the students certainly lived up to Mientras que la mayoría de los participantes trabajó VA’s motto of “Putting Veterans First.” Perhaps young en las instalaciones principales de San Antonio, otros Catalina Quintanar best summed up the program. trabajaron en los centros médicos de las clínicas de “While the money I earned was important,” she said, “I pacientes externos en Corpus Christi, Kerville, Laredo, found the experience I gained far more valuable.” McAllen, San Antonio y Victoria. La Comisión de Per- sonal de Texas pagó el salario de los estudiantes por las primeras cuatro semanas y las 4 semanas restantes By Ozzie Garza fueron pagadas por la Administración de Veteranos. Du- Dallas OPA Regional Office rante las ocho semanas, los estudiantes ganaron $ 7.68 a la hora y se les enseñó como manejar el dinero y A Strong Voice for también la importancia de ser prolijos y puntuales en el trabajo. A muchos de ellos también se les enseñó a Hispanic Veterans manejarse en el transporte público de la ciudad dado que algunos tuvieron que tomar el bus para llegar a su The American G.I. Forum, founded in 1948 to fight dis- puesto de trabajo. crimination against Hispanic World War II veterans, is “Hemos provisto a estos estudiantes de un buen the nation’s oldest and largest Hispanic veterans service ambiente de trabajo”, dijo el Dr. Chris Bacon que es el organization. Headquartered in Den- jefe adjunto del personal de educación del Sistema de ver, the group has more than 140,000 Servicios de Salud. “Hemos inculcado en ellos la ética members. del trabajo. Nos reuníamos con ellos todos los viernes The organization’s founder, Dr. para dialogar sobre sus tareas y para proveerlos de Hector P. Garcia, was born in Mexico técnicas básicas de trabajo. También les hacíamos saber and fled to Texas at age 4 with his que estábamos muy agradecidos de que formaran parte family to escape the Mexican Revolu- de nuestro personal”. tion. A 1940 graduate of the Univer- Los estudiantes también fueron notificados por sity of Texas Medical School, he muchos pacientes quienes manifestaron que apreciaban Garcia joined the Army during World War su trabajo y los esfuerzos que la Administración de II, and served in North Africa and Veteranos hacía para darle una posibilidad laboral a Italy as an infantryman and combat engineer until offi- ellos. “Esta es nuestra futura generación y estos cials found out he was a doctor. He earned the Bronze estudiantes tienen la oportunidad de realizar un trabajo. Star in Italy. Esta es una sabia inversión que hace la Administración After the war, Garcia opened a medical practice in de Veteranos”, dijo el paciente Dan Krischke, un Corpus Christi, Texas. While working as a VA contract veterano de Vietnam. “Estos jóvenes pueden aprender physician, he discovered that Hispanic veterans were mucho hablando con nosotros. Los veteranos tenemos Continued on page 16

September/October 2002 9 Hispanic Heritage Month VAnguard Puerto Rico’s 65th Infantry Fighting for Honor, Country They spent World War I pulling for a period of rest and relaxation. suffered a series of staggering losses guard duty at the Canal. As they settled in, the unit came at Outposts Kelly and Big Nori. Just World War II brought a similar as- under heavy attack from North Ko- two weeks later, they were sent to signment, guarding the rear lines in rean troops. take a hilltop that would come to be Europe and North Africa. By the It was a costly mistake. When called Jackson Heights. Casualties time the Korean War broke out in the gunfire silenced, the 65th had mounted quickly during repeated June 1950, Puerto Rico’s 65th Infan- wiped out more than 600 enemy probes of the hill. try Regimental Combat Group was troops and captured nearly 400. In When they finally reached the hungry for action. the process, they lost one man and summit, it offered little or no cover When the Chinese army en- suffered six wounded. and the men found themselves vul- tered the war and swarmed south in The 65th Infantry’s actions from nerable to enemy artillery fire. With October 1950, threatening hundreds of their dead coun- the Eighth U.S. Army at trymen strewn across the bar- Hungnam and surrounding ren hill, soldiers questioned the , it the purpose of their mission. was the 65th who were called Some refused to fight. to the front. They punched Others turned and ran. In through enemy lines and the end, 92 men were court- cleared a 13-mile escape martialed for disobeying or- route, allowing the besieged ders, including one soldier Marines to slip out of the who refused an order to Chinese trap. In their first shoot deserters. More than major operation, the 65th had half of the men were later gone from rear guard obscu- granted clemency after glow- rity to the front lines of ing testimony before Con- America’s fighting forces. gress from a former battalion As the war progressed, commander. Few things the 65th continued to make a make sense in war, and the name for themselves in a se- incidents surrounding the ries of decisive victories. One 65th Infantry’s “bug out,” as it mission saw them marching has come to be known, are to the South Korean capital no exception. of Seoul to capture two hills Francisco D. Maldonado, held by the much larger Chi- area emergency manager at nese 149th Division. the Miami VA Medical Cen- They reached the hills ter, knows the story of the Francisco Maldonado’s father, right, at Mass while serving th on Jan. 31, 1951, and began with the 65th Infantry during the Korean War. 65 well. His father spent 30 their assault. After two days years in the Army, serving of intense fighting, “the 1950 to 1951 exemplified their unit with the 65th in World War II and Borinqueneers,” as they were nick- motto, “honor and fidelity,” better the Korean War, during what he named, fixed bayonets and charged than at any other point during the called the unit’s “golden years.” straight at the enemy, causing the war. Yet, for some veterans, memo- He said the people of Puerto Chinese to flee. ries of battlefield heroics are clouded Rico are extremely proud of the his- After another mission, aptly by a dark chapter in the unit’s his- tory of the 65th Infantry. But he named Operation Killer, in which tory. pointed out that whenever the topic the 65th fought to the banks of the By 1952, many of the experi- is brought up in conversation, the Han River, they were sent to the enced troops had rotated home. The discussion inevitably turns to the rear for R&R, the military acronym green replacements, mostly draftees, Continued on page 12

10 September/October 2002 VAnguard Hispanic Heritage Month Regimiento de Infantería Nº 65 de Puerto Rico Luchando por el honor y el país Ellos fueron los encargados de hacer asalto a las mismas. Después de dos capturado también a 400 guardia en el Canal de Panamá du- días de intenso combate, los prisioneros. En total la unidad solo rante la Primera Guerra Mundial. “Borinqueneers”, como se los perdió un hombre y 6 fueron En la Segunda Guerra Mundial, apodaba, calaron bayonetas y heridos. tuvieron una tarea similar cuidando cargaron directo contra el enemigo, Entre 1950 y 1951, las acciones la retaguardia de las tropas en haciéndolo huir. bélicas del Regimiento Nº 65 son un Europa y en el norte de África. Después de la misión que claro ejemplo de su lema “Honor y Cuando llegó el momento de la apropiadamente se dio en llamar Fidelidad”, nada más importante que Guerra de Corea en 1950, el Operation Killer, en la que el eso en el campo de batalla. No ob- Regimiento de Infantería Nº 65 de Regimiento Nº 65 luchó en la rivera stante para algunos veteranos del Puerto Rico estaba ansioso por del río Han, los soldados fueron regimiento, las memorias de un entrar en acción. pasado heroico en el campo Cuando el ejército chino de batalla se ensombrecen por entró en guerra en octubre de un capítulo oscuro en la 1950 y se agrupó en el sur, historia de la unidad. amenazó el Octavo Batallón En 1952 muchos de los del Ejército de los EE.UU. en soldados experimentados Hungnam y rodeó la Primer estaban de licencia en sus División de Marines. Esta fue casas. Sus reemplazantes poco la oportunidad del experimentados, en su Regimiento Nº 65 para pasar mayoría reclutas del servicio al frente de batalla. militar, sufrieron una serie de Los hispanos perforaron importantes pérdidas en los una línea a través del ejército puestos de avanzada de Kelly enemigo y despejaron una vía y Big Nori. Justo dos semanas de escape de 13 millas que después fueron enviados a permitió salir de la trampa a capturar una colina que más los Marines sitiados. En la tarde se llamó Jackson Heights. primer operación a gran Las víctimas se sumaron escala que tuvo que realizar, rápidamente durante los el Regimiento Nº 65 pasó de intentos de subir a la colina. la oscuridad de la retaguardia Cuando finalmente a la primer línea de combate llegaron a la cima, el lugar de las fuerzas ofreció muy poco reparo para estadounidenses. las tropas, haciéndolas A través del desarrollo vulnerables al fuego enemigo. de la guerra, el Regimiento El 65avo. Monumento de Infantería en San Juan. Al ver a cientos de camaradas Nº 65 continuó haciendo desparramados sobre la estéril conocer su nombre a través de enviados a retaguardia para gozar de colina, los soldados cuestionaron el victorias decisivas. Una de las un período de “R&R”, lo que sentido de la misión. misiones los encontró marchando significa en el ejército descanso y Algunos se rehusaron a pelear, hacia la capital de Corea del Sur, relajación. No bien se asentaron, la otros se volvieron y huyeron. Al Seúl, para capturar dos colinas que unidad sufrió un ataque de las tropas finalizar, 92 soldados fueron estaban en posesión del Regimiento norcoreanas. Fue un gran error de sometidos a corte marcial por Nº 149 del ejército chino que era parte del enemigo. Cuando se desobedecer órdenes incluyendo un mucho más numeroso que ellos. callaron los disparos, el Regimiento soldado que se rehusó a disparar en Llegaron a las colinas el 31 de Nº 65 había aniquilado a más de contra de soldados que desertaban. enero de 1951 y comenzaron el 600 soldados enemigos y había Continue en la paginá 12

September/October 2002 11 Hispanic Heritage Month VAnguard

Continua de la paginá 11 actos heroicos han sido empañados Did You Know? por los eventos de Jackson Heights. Más tarde, y como resultado de un Otros simpatizan con aquellos que se rehusaron a luchar por considerar Hispanics in America brillante testimonio de un ex comandante de batallón ante el que esa fue una misión suicida. Congreso, se le otorgó clemencia a En la oscuridad de la batalla Hispanics have played a key role algunos soldados desobedecen in the history of America for hun- más de la mitad de los soldados sentenciados. Pocas cosas tienen órdenes, pero muchos pelean con dreds of years. The Spanish ex- valor. Durante la Guerra de Corea, plorer Juan Ponce de León is cred- sentido en la guerra y los incidentes que llevaron a la unidad a los “Borinqueneers” fueron ited with discovering Florida. He condecorados con 1.014 Corazones led an expedition to the area in insubordinarse y no respetar a sus mandos no son una excepción. (El Púrpura, 562 Medallas de Bronce, 1513, landing near the site of what 163 Estrellas de Plata y siete Cruces is now St. Augustine. incidente es identificado con la expresión en idioma inglés “bug out” por Distinción en el Servicio. El legado de esta unidad permanece Hispanic Heritage Month is ob- del Regimiento Nº 65.) Francisco D. Maldonado, como una fuente de profundo served every year from Sept. 15 to orgullo para los portorriqueños. Oct. 15. That period covers a wide gerente del área de emergencia en el Centro Médico de Veteranos de Mi- Cuando el secretario Príncipi range of Independence Days for visitó el Centro Médico de Latin American countries. ami, conoce muy bien la historia del Regimiento Nº 65. Su padre pasó 30 Veteranos de San Juan al comienzo años en el ejército sirviendo en la de este año, el director Dr. Rafael Congress initiated a nationwide Ramírez Gonzáles y su personal le celebration of Hispanic heritage, unidad durante la Segunda Guerra Mundial y durante la Guerra de presentaron una historia sobre la National Hispanic Heritage Week, actuación del Regimiento Nº 65 en in 1968; 20 years later, Congress ex- Corea, lo que el llamó los “años dorados” del regimiento. la Guerra de Corea que se llama tended the observance from a “Gloriuos Unfortunates”(en español week to a month. Él dice que la gente de Puerto Rico se siente extremadamente “Gloriosos Desafortunados”). La orgullosa de la historia del historia fue escrita por el hijo de The theme of this year’s Hispanic Maldonado, que también se llama Heritage Month is Hispanic Ameri- Regimiento Nº 65, de todas maneras destaca que cada vez que se habla Francisco, para su proyecto de cans: Strength in Unity, Faith and investigación en la Universidad de Diversity. del tema la discusión termina girando sobre las cortes marciales. Yale. More than 30 million Americans, Explica que algunos veteranos del about 1 in 8 people in the United Regimiento Nº 65 sienten que sus Por Matt Bristol States, claim Hispanic origin.

Hispanics are now the largest Continued from page 10 minority group in the U.S., and are unit’s legacy remains a source of expected to make up 24 percent of courts martial. He explained that deep pride for Puerto Ricans. the population by 2050. some veterans of the 65th feel as When Secretary Principi visited the San Juan VA Medical Center though their heroics were tarnished The U.S. Hispanic population in- by the events at Jackson Heights. early this year, director Raphael creased 57 percent between 1990 Ramirez-Gonzales, M.D., and staff Others sympathize with those who th and 2000. refused to fight, calling it a suicide presented him a history of the 65 Infantry Regiment’s service in Korea mission. About 6 percent of the federal In the fog of war, some soldiers called Glorious Unfortunates. The workforce is Hispanic, the same disobeyed orders. But many fought paper was written by Maldonado’s percentage found in VA’s with valor. During the Korean War, son, also named Francisco, for his workforce. “the Borinqueneers” were awarded senior research project at Yale Uni- 1,014 Purple Hearts, 562 Bronze versity. Stars, 163 Silver Stars and seven Distinguished Service Crosses. The By Matt Bristol

12 September/October 2002 VAnguard Hispanic Heritage Month Who Are VA’s Hispanic Leaders? Hispanic Veterans VA Central Office: Antonio Aponte, director of During the American Revolution, VBA’s Office of Communications and Case Manage- the Continental Army benefited from ment; Alfonso R. Batres, Ph.D., chief officer of VHA’s the valor of Bernardo de Gálvez, Readjustment Counseling Service; Jim W. Delgado, di- who led his frequently outnumbered rector of VHA’s Voluntary Ser- troops to numerous victories vice Office; Donny Flores, chief against the British. of Property Management for VBA’s Loan Guaranty Service; In the War of 1812, Spanish Jacob (Jake) Lozada, Ph.D., As- Americans from Louisiana joined sistant Secretary for Human Re- Gen. Andrew Jackson’s defenders sources and Administration; Lozada in defeating a British invasion force. Armando E. Rodriguez, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Diversity Management and David Farragut was the most fa- Equal Employment Opportu- mous Hispanic participant in the nity; Civil War. He’s best known for the Delgado remark, made to his crew during VHA field facilities: Jose battle, “Damn the torpedoes! Full Coronado, director, South Texas Veterans Health speed ahead!” Farragut was the Care System; Gabriel Pérez, director, Saginaw, Mich., first person to earn the rank of ad- VA Medical Center; Rafael E. Ramirez, M.D., direc- miral in the U.S. Navy. tor, San Juan, Puerto Rico, VA Medical Center; Jeanette Diaz, Cuban-born Loreta Janeta associate director, San Juan, Velázquez didn’t let her gender stop Puerto Rico, VA Medical Center; her from fighting for her side during Ada Medina Neale, associate di- Rodriguez the Civil War. She disguised herself rector, Long Beach, Calif., VA as a man named Harry Buford, even Medical Center; Faust Alvarez, M.D., chief of staff, Ft. wearing a fake mustache, and Harrison, Mont., VA Medical Center; Vincent joined the Confederate forces. Her Alvarez, M.D., chief of staff, secret was discovered only after Nashville, Tenn., VAMC; she was injured in battle. Sandra C. Gracia-Lopez, M.D., chief of staff, San Juan, Puerto Neale Marine Pfc. Guy Louis Gabaldon, Rico, VA Medical Center; a Mexican American, captured more enemy soldiers than anyone VBA field facilities: Sonia Moreno, acting di- else in the history of U.S. military rector, San Juan, Puerto Rico, VA Regional Office; conflicts. He captured 1,000 Japa- nese soldiers in the South Pacific NCA field facilities: Steve during World War II. Muro, director, Memorial Ser- vice Network V (Oakland, Ca- Batres Luis Esteves organized the first lif.); Jorge Baltar, director, Puerto Rico National Guard and Puerto Rico National Cemetery; Gill Gallo, director, rose through the ranks of the U.S. Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery; Gloria Mote, Army to become a distinguished director, Port Hudson National Cemetery; Jorge Brigadier . Lopez, director, Houston National Cemetery; Joe Ramos, director, Ft. Sam Houston National Cemetery; Thirty-nine Hispanics have Donald Rincon, director, Sante Fe National Cem- earned our nation’s highest military etery; Arleen Vincenty, director, Natchez National Moreno decoration, the Medal of Honor. Cemetery; Gerald Vitela, director, Fort Logan Na- tional Cemetery.

September/October 2002 13 Hispanic Heritage Month VAnguard Preserving Latino History Vet Centers join a grassroots effort to collect missing pieces of American history A grassroots effort is underway to telephone interview from her office Oral History Project to collect and preserve the history of Hispanic in Austin. As she interviewed the preserve missing pieces of American Americans, and VA is a national aging veterans, she realized Latinos history. She has since put together partner. Take a look through history were in jeopardy of losing an impor- an archive of nearly 300 videotaped books on World War II, the Depres- tant part of their history. When oral histories of Latino men and sion, and post-war America, and these veterans died, so would their women who came of age during the you’ll be hard-pressed to war. The video interviews find any mention of were transcribed into nar- Latinos, noted Maggie ratives and archived online Rivas-Rodriguez, Ph.D., at www.utexas.edu/projects/ assistant professor of jour- latinoarchives. nalism at the University VA’s Readjustment of Texas at Austin. Counseling Service was her Consider the story of first national partner. Dr. Guy Louis Gabaldon, a Alfonso Batres, who over- Mexican American who sees VA’s 206 vet centers, grew up in East Los An- said he was eager to get in- geles. Nicknamed the volved in the project. “Our Pied Piper of Saipan, he World War II veterans are is credited with capturing dying at an alarming rate. more than 1,000 Japa- Many of them have not nese soldiers and civil- told their stories, and they ians as a U.S. Marine may be lost forever,” he during World War II. His said. “We have found this actions were depicted in to not only be a good way the 1960 film “Hell to to record historical events Eternity.” But according and accounts, but also to a ar- therapeutic for the veter- ticle, instead of depicting ans who participate.” Gabaldon as a Latino, The San Antonio Vet the film portrayed him as Center was the first to par- an Italian American ticipate. Team leader played by Jeffery Hunter. Hiliario “Lalo” Martinez It didn’t marginalize his called the experience very heroics, just his heritage. rewarding. “There was a lot The absence of of positive energy given Latinos in American his- out,” he said. Vet centers tory was something in El Paso, Texas, Houston, Rivas-Rodriguez Los Angeles, and McAllen, stumbled upon while do- Colorful murals like this one outside the vet center are a signature Texas, followed suit, and ing research for a maga- feature of East Los Angeles. others are lining up. Earlier zine story. “I was working this year, Martinez and on a story about Mexican Ameri- stories. She wasn’t about to let that Rivas-Rodriguez flew to Puerto Rico cans in World War II and I realized happen. to meet with team leaders from vet there wasn’t much written about In 1999, she started the U.S. centers in Arecibo, San Juan and their role,” she said during a recent Latino and Latina World War II Continued on page 16

14 September/October 2002 VAnguard Hispanic Heritage Month VA’s Humanitarian Ambassadors to Honduras Dr. Michael Priebe and colleagues are bringing their knowledge and skills to a country that desperately needs them

mission through an organization lawn chair to sit on the porch when called Honduras Outreach, Inc. it got too hot inside. He had no (HOI). “It sounded interesting and I wheelchair, no cushion, and no needed a break,” Priebe recalled, “so hope. I volunteered to go, thinking I When Priebe visited with his would be digging latrines. Every patient he saw a young man who North American mission group that was clearly depressed and looked to- works though HOI needs a physi- tally helpless. “The first thing I did cian or a nurse on the team. was to teach him some basic skills, “They found out I was a doctor, so common to us that we assume ev- so they said I could be the team doc- eryone knows them,” Priebe said. tor. I told them that I’m not in gen- On the first day, he taught eral medicine—my training is in re- Eugenio how to roll over and sit up habilitation. That didn’t seem to in bed, and showed his wife how to matter. I was still the doctor on the stretch his legs. The second day, team.” Priebe discussed skin and wound Thus began a journey that has care, colostomy management and touched and changed numerous bladder care with Eugenio and the Dr. Priebe’s first patient, Eugenio, with his family. lives, all for the better. village nurse who had been caring With only a small percentage of for him. And on the third day, Dr. Michael Priebe tells all his Hondurans having access to medical Eugenio received his first wheel- friends that Honduras is the ideal care and almost nothing resembling chair. place to spend his vacation. But he rehabilitation outside of the major In advance of his trip, Priebe doesn’t hit the beaches of the Bay cities, Priebe, a specialist in physical had made arrangements to take do- Islands or visit the Mayan ruins of medicine and rehabilitation, was a nated medical supplies and equip- Copan. He and members of his re- welcome visitor in the country. ment with him. “I brought with me habilitation team go to share their His first visit to Honduras in a bunch of equipment, not knowing knowledge and skills with the May 1999 was an eye-opener. After what I was going to see,” he recalled people of this beautiful, but poor, helping the team build one latrine, about that first trip. Central American country. he met his first patient. Eugenio is a Among the medical equipment The chief of the VA North man in his early 20s who was para- was a wheelchair donated by Dr. Texas Health Care System’s Spinal lyzed from the chest down as a result Lance Goetz, one of Priebe’s VA Cord Injury (SCI) Service enjoys his of a gunshot wound six months prior colleagues who also has paraplegia. visits to Honduras so much that he to Priebe’s visit. Priebe taught Eugenio how to trans- has been there five times in the past Eugenio had received no reha- fer in and out of the chair and how three years. He has been accompa- bilitation. After his injury he was to get around without tipping over. nied on these trips by many of his medically stabilized and given a co- When Eugenio first got in the fellow rehabilitation professionals lostomy and a catheter. He was sent wheelchair, he nearly flipped over. from both VA and hospitals home to his village to live with his But after a few minor adjustments in the Dallas area. All return with a wife and 1-year-old son in his par- and some practice he was able to renewed spirit and a better apprecia- ents’ two-room home with a packed maneuver himself around. He has tion for life and for their patients. dirt floor and stucco walls. since become quite proficient in the It all began in 1999 when The only equipment he re- use of the wheelchair. “In the Priebe heard someone from his ceived was an air mattress that he United States, the level of rehab he church talk about an opportunity to filled with water. He spent his days needed could take three weeks or go to Honduras for a weeklong work lying in bed, getting up into a plastic Continued on page 16

September/October 2002 15 Hispanic Heritage Month VAnguard

GI Forum continued from page 9 last spring at the East Los Angeles American Collection and the Cen- being denied the medical, educa- Vet Center. As the cameras rolled, ter for American History. For more tional and housing benefits promised the aging veterans talked about the information on this project, visit to millions of returning World War horrors of war. They spoke about www.utexas.edu/projects/ II veterans through the G.I. Bill of family and pride in military service. latinoarchives. Rights. He rallied hundreds of Mexi- They also talked about racism and can-American veterans to organize the barriers they faced as Mexican By Matt Bristol the American G.I. Forum and de- Americans. mand equal treatment. Manuel Martinez knows the Honduras continued from page 15 story well. He’s lived in East Los It was Garcia’s involvement in more. We did what we could in Angeles all his life, not counting the resolving a troubling incident in three days,” Priebe said. year he spent in Vietnam with the 1949 that catapulted him and the On his second trip to Honduras 173rd Airborne Brigade, and has forum into the national spotlight. A five months later, Priebe saw a much been a counselor at the East L.A. funeral director in the town of different Eugenio. “We gave Eugenio Vet Center for the past 10 years. He Three Rivers, Texas, refused to allow his legs back through the wheel- said he wanted to get involved with the family of a Hispanic soldier chair,” Priebe said. “In a way, we the project because “it seemed like a killed in combat during the war to gave him his life back. He went good opportunity to correct history.” use the funeral home’s chapel. He from a disabled, helpless and de- After speaking with Rivas- feared it would offend the local pressed man just waiting to die, to Rodriguez, he met with members of white community. having the potential for a full life.” a local chapter of the Military Order Army Pvt. Felix Longoria had Since his initial trip, Priebe has of the , an organization been killed in 1945 while on patrol taken four different rehab teams that for combat-wounded veterans, who in the Philippines to flush out re- have included fellow VA employees agreed to participate in the project. treating Japanese. It had taken and colleagues from the University The veterans arrived at the vet nearly four years to identify of Texas Southwestern Medical center early one Saturday morning, Longoria’s remains and return them Center at Dallas and Parkland Me- where they were greeted by journal- to his family, and the only funeral morial Hospital. All the rehabilita- ists, television producers and report- home in town was denying his fam- tion professionals who go have to ers poised to record history. The in- ily a place to hold the funeral. take annual leave and pay their own terviewers, all members of the Cali- Longoria’s widow turned to way for the opportunity to partici- fornia Chicano News Media Asso- Garcia for help. He and the forum pate in a program that desperately ciation, had volunteered for the as- organized a widespread protest that needs their skills and training. signment. drew national attention to the “The brief interventions that we The East Los Angeles Vet Cen- family’s plight. Lyndon B. Johnson, are able to offer seem to be so small, ter was a fitting place to preserve then a Texas senator, intervened but they make a world of difference the history of Hispanic veterans, ac- and arranged burial with full mili- to these people,” Priebe said. “We cording to Jack Steingart, Ph.D., a tary honors for Longoria in Arling- learn as much as they do. Everybody Korean War veteran and team ton National Cemetery. comes back a changed person. The leader. He said Hispanics make up In later years, the American therapists tell me that it really has more than 80 percent of the vet G.I. Forum expanded its veterans’ empowered them to have a greater center’s surrounding community. rights mission. With the motto, appreciation for their patients and When asked about working “Education is Our Freedom, and the work that they do. I know what with vet centers, Rivas-Rodriguez Freedom Should be Everybody’s they mean.” said it’s been a fantastic relationship. Business,” the group is now recog- Perhaps that’s the reason Priebe “Vet centers gave us a chance for nized as a local, state and national and his team anxiously await their immediate credibility,” she said, ex- voice for all Americans of Hispanic next “vacation” to Honduras. More plaining that veterans are more ea- descent. information about Honduras Out- ger to participate if they know vet reach, Inc., is available on the Latino History continued from page 14 centers are supporting the project. Internet at www.HOI.org. Ponce to plan future interview ses- Historical accounts collected sions there. through this project will be housed Twelve World War II veterans at two University of Texas librar- By Ozzie Garza recorded their wartime experiences ies—the Nettie Lee Benson Latin Dallas OPA Regional Office

16 September/October 2002 VAnguard introducing Ozzie Garza

Thousands of Texas Rangers Wars I, II, Korea and the stars who served is one fans flocked to the Ballpark Vietnam War. They were re- thing, but Garza, an in Arlington this summer to minded that some came Army veteran, also root for the home team. As home from battle to play writes a weekly column they made their way to their again, while others gave their on veterans’ issues for El seats, they grabbed popcorn, lives in our nation’s defense. Sol de Texas, the state’s peanuts and a game program. Ozzie Garza wrote the largest Spanish-language And when heavy-hitting story for the Rangers’ game newspaper, and trans- shortstop Alex Rodriguez and program. “I was just doing lates VA press releases first baseman Rafael Palmeiro my job,” he explained. As re- and fact sheets into weren’t driving home runs gional director of public af- Spanish to keep His- into the upper decks, fans fairs based in Dallas, he panic veterans in the flipped through the program makes it his mission to loop. In the process, he is the bridge, the link, for for news of their favorite spread the word about VA shaping his three-person reaching out to the Hispanic players. benefits and the role veterans public affairs office into a li- community,” she said, add- Inside, they found the have played in shaping our aison with the Hispanic com- ing that his efforts to target usual player profiles and up- country. munity. Hispanic media markets are dates on the club’s Lone Star He said the story al- “From print, radio and the first she has seen in the Series II against the Houston lowed him to combine his television to personal con- 15 years she’s been with VA. Astros. But they also read passion for baseball with his tacts, Ozzie is there,” noted Garza’s shop is one of about the sacrifices veterans role as a VA communicator. Diana Struski, who now seven regional offices of pub- made in answering our A condensed version of the serves as a public affairs spe- lic affairs nationwide and is nation’s call to service. story, which appeared in the cialist for VISN 21, based in responsible for providing They read about May 2002 VAnguard, re- San Francisco, but got to guidance to public affairs of- America’s heroes on the ball ceived more feedback from know Garza well in the 11 ficers at VA medical centers, field who put their careers on readers than any other story years she spent at the South regional offices and national hold and took up arms to de- in recent memory. Texas Veterans Health Care cemeteries throughout a fend liberty during World Writing about baseball System in San Antonio. “He’s seven-state region.

e-learning Discover the Freedom to Learn with VALO

It’s back-to-school time. For VA employees, help has ar- Trende said VALO offers “In addition to the conve- students, that means shop- rived. 1,100 different courses for nience, employees take ping for notebooks and pen- The Employee Educa- VA employees to choose courses at their own pace, so cils, binders and backpacks. tion System has partnered from, and more are being they’re more comfortable.” But school supplies with the VA Learning Uni- added. Course offerings in- In addition to the qual- aren’t just for kids anymore. versity and other staff offices clude a wide range of topics, ity and convenience of Many adults are also return- to bring a Web-based cam- from personal development VALO, the program also re- ing to the classroom—or pus to the desktop and home to information technology duces the need to travel for wish they could. Even if they computer for VA staff. and management skills. You training. “VA strives to be a can find just the right class to The program is called can use VALO to obtain learning organization,” said give them the knowledge VA Learning Online, or mandatory training, com- Trende. “Making learning they need and want, working VALO. This learning pro- plete GED requirements, or more accessible is a win-win adults agree that it’s hard to gram can be accessed take college-level courses for for VA and its employees.” juggle commutes and regular through the VA Learning credit. For more information class meetings with a hectic University Intranet site, or VA Learning Online was about VA Learning Online, family schedule. from the Internet on a home launched in early July and al- you can access VALO at Real-life time and family or public access computer. ready has thousands of em- www.vcampus.com/valo. You commitments often stop The program is being offered ployee subscribers. “With can also log onto adult learners from getting free of charge to all VA em- VALO, employees get essen- vaww.valu.lrn.va.gov, then the ongoing education and ployees. tial course training from one click on the button for VA training they need. But for Project manager Gary central place,” said Trende. Learning Online.

September/October 2002 17 9-11 One-Year Anniversary VAnguard RemembranceRemembrance ......

A moment of silence swept across her training to comfort survivors at pital, came up with the idea of read- America on the morning of Sept. the Pentagon. Deputy Secretary Leo ing the names, hometowns and 11, 2002, in a tribute to the more S. Mackay Jr., Ph.D., spoke of the place of death for each of the vic- than 3,000 people killed in the ter- day’s significance and offered a re- tims. More than 60 employees vol- rorist attacks a year earlier. America minder of an uncertain future. “We unteered for the reading. It took vowed never to forget the attacks, need to remember, and grieve,” he them eight hours to complete the and on their one-year anniversary, said. “But we must also recall that list. “It was very emotional,” said communities across the country we have a job to do, citizens to Michael Kleiman, public affairs of- pulled together to uphold that serve, a homeland to protect, and a ficer. pledge. war to win.” One of the readers was Richard VA facilities in the two cities Employees from VA facilities all J. Massen, M.D., a surgeon at the that were most directly affected by over the country also gathered to re- medical center and native New the events of that day kept the member the day America was at- Yorker who went home after the at- promise by hosting emotional obser- tacked. At the New Mexico VA tacks in search of Ground Zero. His vances. Health Care System, they came to- journey took him to his old Brook- At the Manhattan Division of gether in the chapel to read the lyn Heights neighborhood, where he the VA New York Harbor names of all who perished. attended medical school, and down Healthcare System, located just 20 Ronald Cok, chief of Chaplain to Saint Vincent’s Hospital, where blocks from Ground Zero, about 250 Service at the Albuquerque VA hos- hundreds gathered after the attack employees gathered to remember in search of missing loved ones. the day the towers fell. They ob- He concluded that Ground Zero served a moment of silence, lit wasn’t a piece of land, but rather a candles, and read scripture as a trib- moment in time. Massen shared his ute to the fallen. observations with employees before Martina Parauda, associate di- reading the names of 62 victims. rector of the health care system, “We’re all seeking to reconnect echoed the sentiments of many with Ground Zero but can’t find it, when she said, “We will not forget because it uniquely existed only the events of that terrible morning, nor will we forget how Americans responded ... with heroism and self- lessness; with compassion and cour- age; and with prayer and hope.” During the observance, employ- ees laid wreaths at a newly dedicated plaque mounted at the emergency room entrance. It was there that desperate family members placed photographs of their missing loved ones in the hours after the attacks. Attendees of the 9-11 one-year anniversary At the Washington, D.C., VA PENTAGON PHOTO observance at the Manhattan Division of A highlight of the Pentagon’s 9-11 one-year the VA New York Harbor Healthcare System Medical Center, employees came to- anniversary ceremony, attended by Presi- look at a newly dedicated plaque mounted gether to remember a day of loss. dent Bush and Secretary of Defense outside the emergency room entrance. It They heard from a man who lost a (above) was the unfurl- marks the spot where desperate family ing of the giant American flag recovery members placed photographs of their loved loved one at the World Trade Cen- workers had unfurled shortly after the ter- ones in the hours and days after the at- ter and a VA psychiatrist who used rorist attack. tacks.

18 September/October 2002 VAnguard 9-11 One-Year Anniversary

VA provided a Pentagon-shaped granite headstone to mark a gravesite at Arling- ton National Cemetery containing the remains of victims of the 9-11 attack. Marking the Resting Spot A 16-ton granite headstone was unveiled on Sept. 12 at Arlington National Cemetery in memory of victims of last year’s terrorist at- tack on the Pentagon. The National Cemetery Administration’s Memorial Programs Service procured the marker from Granite In- dustries of Vermont, the same company that built the Vietnam Vet- erans Memorial Wall. The light-gray headstone is in the shape of the Pentagon and marks the final resting spot for a single casket containing 150 pounds of identified and unidentifiable remains. It was placed in a section of the cemetery overlooking the Pentagon, an area where 57 An Honor Guard bears the casket containing remains of 9-11 victims during a funeral service held victims of the attack are buried. Families of the victims can visit the in the cemetery’s amphitheater. group marker and make rubbings of the 184 names etched on its burnished-aluminum panels. once,” he said. “I think we feel compelled to When asked about VA’s role in procuring the marker, Dave K. return to that time for a simple reason. Dur- Schettler, director of NCA’s Memorial Programs Service, said the ing those dark and terrifying minutes, we assignment had special meaning for many of his staff, but that it were all there, in New York, together. Every- wasn’t unusual for VA to provide a group marker. “We provide one was stuck up in the Trade Center. Ev- about 12 group markers a year” for Arlington National Cemetery, eryone was in a terrifying flight over Penn- he said, explaining that most are for remains from the Vietnam War sylvania. Everyone was crushed in the im- recovered in Southeast Asia. pact on the Pentagon. Before the marker was unveiled, families who lost loved ones in “Yet during those moments, we some- the attack attended a funeral service in the cemetery’s amphithe- how also knew that, for a rare instance, real ater. It was the first such funeral since 1984, when remains from heroes were walking the Earth, marching up Vietnam were interred in the Tomb of the Unknowns. and down the stairwells of the World Trade The families wore black and shielded their eyes behind dark Center and the Pentagon and in flight over sunglasses. Some clutched photos of loved ones lost and wept as if Pennsylvania. I think we need to be in the releasing a year of pent-up grief. presence of those heroes again. Secretary of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld, who was in the Pen- “During those moments, real angels tagon at the time of the attack, expressed the nation’s sympathy, were on the Earth, showing compassion and saying, “Our country shares your sorrow and mourns your loss.” The mercy to the injured and the frightened. We service and group burial held special meaning for the families of five need to be in their comforting presence victims whose remains were never positively identified. again.”

September/October 2002 19 9-11 One-Year Anniversary VAnguard how she described it. She said keeping busy has helped, but in the end, it’s just not enough. “Every time you think of September 11, you relive all the things that happened that day …it’s very sad.” It started slow—a card here, a letter there. But as America mourned the loss of thousands of lives, Arlene Howard received an outpouring of support. One day, she re- ceived a silver angel in the mail from a woman in Missouri. Young ladies with a jun- ior American Legion Auxiliary in Iowa sent her an American flag quilt. Schoolchildren from across the country sent teddy bears, cards and other mementos. “People have been so beautiful,” she said. “People from all WHITE HOUSE PHOTO over have poured out their hearts and kept President Bush greets Arlene Howard, VA volunteer and mother of a victim of us in their prayers.” the World Trade Center attacks. On the one-year anniversary of the at- tack, she and her family attended a Mass in Arlene Howard held for the families of the 75 Port Authority employees killed in the They Died Doing What They Loved attack. “God must have needed some good men up in heaven,” she said, “because he There is a red, white and blue wreath hanging in the window of took them on September 11.” Arlene Howard’s Long Island home. It was given to her by a local Cub Scout troop, one of many tokens the Northport, N.Y., VA Medical Center volunteer and World War II veteran received fol- Bill Nelson lowing the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks that took the life of her son, Port Authority police officer George Howard. He was one of more Not OK, but moving on than 300 firefighters and police officers who gave their lives that morning doing what they loved, helping those in need. “I don’t know how to respond when people The remains of George Howard were found on Sept. 19 when a ask if I’m OK,” admitted Bill Nelson, Ph.D., rescue worker spotted a shiny black pistol jutting from a mound of a longtime VA employee whose wife Ginger twisted steel and charred concrete at Ground Zero. He reached was killed in the World Trade Center at- down to pick it up and found it snugly strapped in Howard’s holster. tacks. “I mean, no, I’m not OK. How could Arlene Howard gave her son’s police badge to President George anyone be OK? But I’m trying to move on W. Bush when he visited New York City in the days after the at- with my life.” tack. Her gesture signaled the start of a special relationship. Presi- He paused, excused himself for “still be- dent Bush spoke movingly of their encounter during his address to a ing so emotional,” collected his thoughts, joint session of Congress on Sept. 20. He held her son’s badge for all and continued. “Sometimes, it seems like it’s to see and called it “a reminder of lives that ended, and a task that been an incredibly long year, and other does not end.” times I wake up and it seems like it hap- Nine months later, when President Bush was in Port Elizabeth, pened just last week. It hasn’t been very easy N.J., on June 24, 2002, to honor Port Authority heroes and outline to find closure, because it’s constantly in new security measures, he spotted Arlene Howard in the crowd, your face,” he said, referring to the Sept. 11 thanked her for coming, and spoke about what she means to him. media blitz. “Arlene is my friend,” he said. “She represents so many moms and He spoke about the challenges he’s dads and loved ones who mourn for the loss of a child or a husband faced over the past year, his memories of or a wife. I appreciate your strength, Arlene. I love seeing you every Ginger, and the things he’s done to preserve time.” her legacy. Ginger was senior vice president The President may love to see her, but the occasion is always a for an investment firm headquartered on the somber affair. It’s been a year of loss for Arlene Howard. “Tragic,” is 93rd floor of the North Tower, one floor from

20 September/October 2002 VAnguard 9-11 One-Year Anniversary

the impact site. Everyone in her office was killed. Abe Scott While thousands of New Yorkers gath- ered at Ground Zero to remember the fallen, Visiting Pentagon a Painful Experience Nelson was on the other side of the country. He spent Sept. 5-12 in Washington state The remains of Janice Scott were found un- conducting ethics training and meeting with der rubble and debris in the E Ring at the colleagues from the National Center for Pentagon, the spot where American Airlines Ethics in Health Care. “I chose to be out of Flight 77 slammed into the building on the city on the 11th,” he said, explaining Sept. 11. They were identified using DNA that he had been to Ground Zero many tests from blood samples taken from her times for personal reflection. Last Memorial mother, sisters and two young daughters. Day, a New York City Fire Department The autopsy report provides the details chaplain escorted him to the “pit” at of her death, but her husband, VA employee Ground Zero where steel beams in the shape Abraham Scott, doesn’t want to read it. He of a cross stood as a tribute to the dead. has, however, been to the Pentagon a couple He woke up early on the one-year anni- of times since Janice was killed. He first vis- versary of the attacks and met with two ited in April, when the Department of De- close friends in his hotel room to watch the fense unveiled its America’s Heroes Memo- live broadcast from New York. Later, he and rial dedicated to the 184 victims of the Pen- ethics center staff attended the Mozart Re- tagon attack. He also visited the impact site quiem held in Seattle. He said friends and once it was renovated to see where Janice’s colleagues helped him through the past year remains were found. and they continue to show their support to- Each trip takes an emotional toll. “It’s day. When he returned to his office at the extremely hard for me to come back in the Manhattan campus of the VA New York Pentagon,” said Scott, a retired Army fi- Abe Scott visits the Harbor Healthcare System, he found dozens nance officer who joined the National America’s Heroes Memo- rial at the Pentagon. of e-mail messages on his computer from VA Cemetery Administration two years ago. employees he’s met over the years and He tries not to dwell on the day his friends expressing their concern and sympa- wife was murdered, but it’s hard not to think about her loving, up- thy. He said he was “amazed” at how much beat spirit and how it was taken away so abruptly. Keeping busy has people seemed to care. “Throughout all this helped, he said. time, my colleagues have been with me, and He attends Monday night meetings of a grief support group for that’s what really helped me get through families of those killed in the attack, and he is on a steering com- this.” mittee for a 9-11 memorial at the Pentagon. The final design will be Ginger may be gone, but her legacy re- selected in November 2002 and the memorial will be dedicated by mains. Nelson, along with family members, September 2003. A statement on the Pentagon memorial Web site friends and colleagues, are preserving her from families who lost loved ones in the attack emphasizes that the memory through the Ginger Risco Memo- memorial “should instill the ideas that patriotism is a moral duty, rial Scholarship fund at Ginger’s alma mat- that freedom comes at a price, and that the victims of this attack ter, Columbia University. The first scholar- have paid the ultimate price.” ship was presented on Sept. 26. Near their Scott visited the Pentagon again on Sept. 11, 2002, but this apartment on the Upper West Side, officials time, he brought his daughters, Angel and Crystal, as well as planted a maple tree in Riverside Park in Janice’s mother, brother and five sisters. They joined the more than Ginger’s honor. Each year, its broad leaves 12,000 people who gathered at the Pentagon to observe the one- will put on a fall show of color, changing year anniversary of the attack. from green, yellow and orange before erupt- Scott and his family visited the America’s Heroes Memorial, ing in fiery red, the color of her hair. The where Janice’s name is etched on a large black panel, and they gath- park sits across the street from their apart- ered outside the impact site to observe a moment of silence at 9:37 ment and he can see the young sapling each a.m., the moment the hijacked airliner slammed into the building. time he leaves or enters his building. The observance stirred powerful emotions. “It really took a toll on Bill Nelson may not be OK, but he’s me,” said Scott. “Janice was such a loving mother and wife, I moving on with life the best he can. couldn’t have asked for a better soul mate.”

September/October 2002 21 9-11 One-Year Anniversary VAnguard ReflectionReflection ...... Sept. 11 touched all Americans. As the nation and our world family. We pray for the children who lost marked the one-year anniversary of the attacks, one, possibly both, parents. We think of those husbands VAnguard invited VA employees to share how the and wives who may still mourn and now must bear their events of that day affected them personally. Nearly 220 burdens alone. We count our blessings much more often of you did. Here are some of your stories. than we ever have in the past. We give thanks daily, re- gardless of how difficult they may be, for our own chil- dren, our siblings, our parents, extended family and I was at home with my daughter, who had recently had friends. We give thanks for our health and for every- a kidney and pancreas transplant. I was particularly joy- thing else that we value. ful regarding the miracles of modern medicine and the benevolence of an unknown person who even in grief Karen Scully thought of giving life to another. In a matter of minutes, Dayton, Ohio, VAMC my feelings of joy and wonder were replaced with feel- ings of disbelief and then enormous sorrow. I somehow My 4-year-old granddaughter died of encephalitis that could not reconcile the fact that even with all the amaz- very day. It was viral and nothing could have been done ing things mankind has accomplished to give and save about it. When I came home from the hospital and lives, some can so easily take life away simply because of turned on the TV, I could not believe my eyes. I started a different belief system. crying all over again. Not only was I grieving for my loss, but the whole world was grieving. I realize now Sharon Pusateri that life is too short. We must all be all that we can be North Chicago, Ill., VAMC and be grateful for the life that we live. I will never take anything or anyone for granted. I will respect others, as Who could ever imagine this date as being one of the I would have them respect me. most devastating days for all Americans? I could not be- lieve what I was hearing on the radio. As a mother who Deborah J. Price lost my 16-year-old daughter, Genevieve, 15 years ago Louisville, Ky., VARO to a drunk driver, I know what every mother of those Americans felt at that very moment. I was getting ready As a physician, I was taught to place my feelings aside for work when I heard the news bulletin and I was and approach my patients in an objective, scientific scared to leave the house, but then I remembered all manner. I have witnessed individual tragedy and suffer- those men and women who fought for my freedom and ing time and again and steadfastly maintained my pro- were not afraid to go to war. How could I not go to fessionalism. On Sept. 11, 2001, I witnessed human work? tragedy on a scale that wrenched my heart to a degree that was very painful. Prior to those horrific events, I Sophie J. Gutierrez wasn’t sure that could be possible. The events of Sept. Albuquerque, N.M., VAMC 11 placed me more in touch with my empathetic nature. It also reinforced my love for the defenders of our na- I don’t think anyone was able to do an ounce of work tion. Hate war but love the warrior. that day, that week, maybe even that month. We went through the motions, doing what had to be done, but Roger G. Smith, M.D. our minds and hearts were, and still are, in so many dif- Memphis, Tenn., VAMC ferent places. We are inspired by the heroic efforts of so many, those who left us that day and those who are still I have a young nephew who works on Wall Street. The with us. We are amazed at the resilience of the human morning of the attack he was on the phone with a spirit, not only of Americans, but also of many nations friend, a bond trader for Cantor Fitzgerald, when the who came to our side to stand for what’s right. We strive first terrorist-controlled plane hit the south tower of the to be better people for our children, our families, our ex- World Trade Center. Among the last words my nephew tended families, our co-workers, our fellow Americans, heard that morning from his friend were these: “I’m re-

22 September/October 2002 VAnguard 9-11 One-Year Anniversary

ally scared, Mikey.” I never met the young man whose ing in America? Weren’t we exempt from such terrorist voice was on the end of that phone line. And now, I activity? Our world is so different these days—distrust never will. But there has not been a day that goes by and anxiety abound. Never again will we feel free to let that I don’t think of him. Or of a friend and business ac- go and just trust that our future is secure. quaintance of my own, Max Bielke, who died at the Pentagon doing what he had spent his whole life doing, John Elliott working for veterans. Or of those who killed them. VISN 17 (Dallas)

Larry DeMeo I was attending a medical meeting in Beijing, China, on VA Central Office Sept. 11. As I watched the events on CNN, I had a feeling of isolation and that I had been separated from I am a Catholic chaplain assigned to the Philadelphia real humanity. However, when I returned to the meet- VAMC since January. On Sept. 11, I was assigned to a ing the next day, the delegates from China and from parish in the Bronx and as a part-time chaplain at the countries all over the world expressed their sincere com- Bronx VAMC. Realizing the trauma that the explosion passion and condolences to us as Americans. We were was bound to cause, I went down to Ground Zero and now part of the world family and as vulnerable to terror- joined a team of medical, psychological, religious and ism as everyone else. We were proud to stand with them other helping professionals to assist in any way possible. against this evil. We were sent to the 92nd Street YMCA, where tables and booths were set up with appropriate expertise. H.B. Othersen Jr., M.D. When the firefighters were escorted in, exhausted and Charleston, S.C., VAMC smelling of fumes and asbestos, I was filled with a com- bination of deep sorrow, awe and tremendous respect. As a VA area emergency manager, I was assigned under The event has affected my ministry because in every the Federal Response Plan to Ground Zero. The scene parish, place of worship, school, place of employment, of devastation was beyond my wildest expectations. Sev- someone knows someone who was affected irrevocably. eral of my colleagues and I had worked assignments at It was as if a knife was plunged into the heart of New the WTC NYC Office of Emergency Management EOC York City and its environs. I knew that I had to try to many times, yet all that was left were mammoth debris gently remove that knife with pastoral care. As a people piles. Occasionally my thoughts wander back to those our faith was rattled as were the twin towers; rattled, but days and nights of September working at Ground Zero, they have not and will not be destroyed. with smoke still rising from the debris piles, along with the thick dust and the smells that accompanied it and I Michael Lipareli think of it as all a dream. Then reality takes hold and I Philadelphia VAMC realize that it (WTC) and the people are no longer there. It saddens me more than words can express. There are some places that Texans won’t go as “flatlanders,” so it took a great deal of courage to agree Jack F. Flynn to ascend the tall towers of New York in the summer of VA Hudson Valley Health Care System 1986. Our hospital was undertaking a new bond offering to add space and services. We had journeyed to New My husband and I are both 20-plus years retired U.S. York to achieve a bond rating through a large rating Naval Hospital Corpsmen. Two days after the 11th my agency. Having some time to kill between meetings two oldest sons enlisted in the Navy; one is now on a with the insurers and the rating agents, we took the op- carrier off the coast of and the other will portunity to do some sightseeing. The view from the complete boot camp this fall. While I am scared to towers was spectacular in the morning light. This death of the outcome of our upcoming military actions flatlander was astounded—my heart beat fast. So it hit to combat terrorism, it warms my heart to know that we especially close to home as I witnessed the towers’ plight instilled in our sons the pride to decide that it’s their pa- on the morning of Sept. 11, knowing that I had actually triotic duty to protect our freedom, no matter what the stood atop those structures some 15 years before. I could cost. feel my heart pounding just as it did when I scaled those heights. The place where I had witnessed such a spec- tacular view of the metropolis was now in shambles, and Debbie Rosenthal a cold chill settled upon me. How could this be happen- North Chicago, Ill., VAMC

September/October 2002 23 9-11 One-Year Anniversary VAnguard CalledCalled toto DutyDuty

According to VA’s Office of Human Resources and Administration, more than 500 VA employees in the Reserve and National Guard have been mobilized since Sept.11, 2001. Some have since returned to VA, while others re- main on active duty. VAnguard salutes their efforts with a display of their names here.*

ALBANY • Albert A. Bruton • Albert Delaunay • Tony J. Griffin • Gregory J. Masiello • Eric C. Mayo • Walter Rivera • Arthur E. Robinson • R.A. Schmidbauer • Harold J. Scott • ALBUQUERQUE • Richard W. Almeter • Joe D. Ayala • William R. Brady • Lionel J. Gagner Jr. • Stephanie K. Henderson • Darcy B. Kinslow • Richard S. Larson • Elizabeth H. Lickliter • Daniel B. Miranda • John W. Owen III • Julie A. Salcido • Tina M. Sanders • Christian R. Schlicht • Peter J. Tanzilli • ALTOONA • James R. Boulware • Yvonne C. Hand • Michael A. Zerbee • AMARILLO • Timothy I. Garcia • John H. Gerald • James Henderson III • Eric T. Rice • AMERICAN LAKE • Lynda Ann Ash • Lisa A. Chisa • ANN ARBOR • Gary A. Wandmacher Jr. • Scott A. Wiseman • ARTESIA • Kimberly D. Miller • ASHEVILLE • Randall W. Clayton • John R. Hettinga • Raymond S. Meserve • Joseph G. Miller • Charles D. Rogers • Edward C. Tamasovich • Patrick L. Wood • ATLANTA • Zanetta M. Caldwell • Frank E. Holder • Richard L. Lewis • Diane M. McCormic • Janice M. Northstar • Linda M. Williams • AUGUSTA • James L. Bartlett • Leslie W. Daly • Jerry B. White Jr. • BALTIMORE • Harold B. Archer • Samuel Hoffman • BATAVIA • Ri- chard H. Charache • Stephen F. Coville II • Edward A. Miller • Joseph J. Penkszyk • Thomas F. Pratt • BATH • Henry S. Faryna Jr. • Michael A. Gilman • Carl E. Haneline • Brian C. Lynk • BATTLE CREEK • Kevin M. Grady • Todd W. Pushee • Timothy D. Stoken • BAY PINES • Lionel R. Barela • Arthur D. Forest • Christopher L. Harrison • Jose P. Jardin • Dyneil Maxwell • BEDFORD • Robert C. Goes • BIG SPRING • Ricky Cadenhead • Juan D. Perez • BILOXI • Joe G. Bryant • Margaret L. Giv- ens • Evelyn V. Henry • Kris L. Molloy • Carol P. Moran • Treani L. Thompson • Bryant K. White • BIRMINGHAM • Tyrone P. Nash • BOISE • Timothy A. Gibson • Dana Rowley • Paul P. Vaught • BOSTON • John H. Suter • BRAINTREE • Kenneth W. Coburn Jr. • BRECKSVILLE • Sonya L. Boles • Dale E. Wood • BROCKTON • Anne M. Priestman • BRONX • Richard Colon • Angel Echevarria • Kim D. Farrier • Joel Giambrone • Keith A. Miller • Richard Rodriguez • Michael A. Swinson • Simond S. Tam • Ricardo Toro • BROOKLYN • Richard Andrew Bros • Maribel Fradera • Belle Ng-Lamboy • Wilfred M. Pantoja • Ralph J. Puma • BUFFALO • George J. Burnett • Paul C. Landwehr Jr. • Craig W. Meinking • Richard P. Myers • Russell C. Talma • BUTLER • Christopher M. Baylock • Terry R. Wingfield • CAMBRIDGE • Sherry L. Glascox • CANANDAIGUA • Horace Austin • Edward E. Emerson • Ronald S. Patrick • James E. Scheele Jr. • CALVERTON • Bertram W. Delmage • CASTLE POINT • Richard H. Bard • CAVE CREEK • David B. Miller • CHARLESTON • Cindy G. Lundhagen • John B. Simmons • Paul B. Wallace • CHEYENNE • Kristine E. Mills • James R. Shell • William J. Webber • Dou- glas L. Willyerd • CHILLICOTHE • David M. Ackley • Mark C. Mauri • CINCINNATI • Anne E. Creekmore • CLARKSBURG • Bernard T. Corley • CLEVELAND • Robert J. Bordeaux • Daniel C. Mashek • John C. Turner • Todd J. We- ber • COATESVILLE • Gerald J. Bonmer • Kirk M. Fernitz • Joseph Keary • Todd S. Smith • COLUMBIA (MO) • Paul F. Hopkins • Tearra A. Tauai • COLUMBIA (SC) • Stephen R. Solomon • DALLAS • Gary K. Cravens • Timothy C. Maccartney • Jeanette L. Sterner • Rhonda G. Steward • DAYTON • Lawrence R. Schoppe Jr. • Warren D. Shafford • • Thomas R. Ahern • Jonathan P. Beck • Hosea Johnson • Juan M. Rangel • Gary L. Schuler • Paul Sherbo • DETROIT • Jennifer Carrollharris • Robert K. Vincent • DES MOINES • Douglas C. Nielsen • Stacey L. Zedlitz • DUBLIN • Kenneth A. Walker • DURHAM • Pauline F. Brault • Daryl B. Green • David W. Lewis • James M. Neblett III • Paulette A. Williams • EAST ORANGE • Gregory N. Barr • Mee-Ying Y. Chung • Michael Ferrara • Audrey L. Hinds • George F. Kelly • Yvonne P. Paden • Luis A. Toro • Arcadio N. Torres • EL PASO • Jose Pena • FAIRFIELD • James J. Picano • FARGO • Mark O. Jensen • Brad- ley M. Kasson • Alan E. Sporre • Mark A. Veitenheimer • FARMINGDALE • Roderick O. Farmer • Leonard J. Viscio • FAYETTEVILLE (AR) • Cynthia L. Barnica • Jacqueline D. Buford • FAYETTEVILLE (NC) • Jamie L. Bowen • Hwa Ing Kang • Mary L. Maywhether • Evelyn Ortiz • James A. Porter • Micchicco A. Thompson • FORT HARRISON • Randy Butala • FORT MEADE • William D. Deitz • FORT HOWARD • Melvin Anderson • Stephen I. Deutsch • FORT SMITH • Kyle D. Huggins • FRESNO • Jeffrey W. Barnes • Thomas C. Broach • Lee E. Scott • GAINESVILLE • Lonnie N. Crocker • Traci L. Davis • Lanas E. Dortch • Randall P. James • Mark R. Rausch • Michael S. Santana • William M. Story • Michael J. Watts • GRAND ISLAND • Ervin D. Hansen • GRAND JUNCTION • Debra S. Brauchler • Karl E. Coleman • GULFPORT • Clara T. Saucier • HAMPTON • Sheila E. Carter • Gene H. Cox Jr. • Anthony S. Curling • Clifefun Goodman • Debra Overton • Sheilda N. Ruffin • Charles A. Smith Jr. • Lawrence I. Strauss • HARTFORD • John A. Lankford II • HINES • William J. Bijou Jr. • James R. Grigalunas • Tony L. Hoover • Erika Luster • Roderick R. Owens • HONOLULU • Faleala A. Taito • HOUS- TON • Erik M. Baker • Arturo Chavarria • James T. Dunphy • Blaine L. Givens • Kirk E. Hill • Joshua W. Malone • Karen L. Porter • Margie M. Raymond • Mechelle L. Register • Tanzie A. Washington • HUNTINGTON • Pablo L. Gonzales • Gregory

24 September/October 2002 VAnguard 9-11 One-Year Anniversary

E. Palmer • Danny H. Plumley Jr. • Dale A. Webster • INDIANAPOLIS • Danny R. Edrington • Kaye Elise Edwards • Harriett A. Frame • Steven E. Kuhnlein • JACKSON • Marc S. Allen • Robert H. Palmer • Marti D. Reynolds • JACKSONVILLE • Mark A. West • JEFFERSON BARRACKS • Christopher P. Myers • John D. Owings • LAKE CITY • Thomas E. Allen • Ralph Casselli III • LAS VEGAS • Robert C. Corrales • LEAVENWORTH • Everett C. Gruver • LEBANON • Andrew A. Arnold • Donald I. Lindman • Jeffrey A. Rittle • LEXINGTON • Kelly R. Baton • Arthur L. Cargill • Robert G. Henry • Joseph W. Man- ning • Jonell S. Nutter • Cindy S. Renaker • LITTLE ROCK • James P. Hall • Matthew J. Miller • John R. Mosley • David C. Paladino • Sean P. Reynolds • Veda F. Storay • Tony A. Thurman • LOMA LINDA • Margarita N. Palenzuela • LONG BEACH • Gregory F. Falcon • Pamela E. Prete • LOS ANGELES • Joseph Bryant • Francisco Hurtado • Brian S. Sands • LOUISVILLE • Donnie P. Dorsey • Patricia J. Gorden • Emma M. House • Barbara J. Kolb • Deborah A. Peck • Gary M. Wathen • LYONS • Steven A. Brickman • Amelic C. Deasa • MADISON • Marilyn Schwab • MANCHESTER • Dennis M. Brien • MARTINEZ • Raul A. Altares • MARTINSBURG • Larry A. Allen • Jean M. Barnhart • Billy Max Boggs • Todd M. Butts • James E. Clark • Lorinze Danley Jr. • Vincent R. Hodges • Sheila M. Lewis • Barbara A. Pezzello • Richard D. Robinson • John L. Shade Jr. • Michael A. Sinkfield • Todd C. Starry • Wayne A. Stewart • James R. Wade Jr. • MATHER • Jesse A. Armstrong • Kenneth E. Gibson • Mitzy Maldonado • MCCLELLAN AFB • David G. Manfredi • Jayme L. Mason • MEMPHIS • Marilyn M. Allen • Keith D. Hill Sr. • Donald A. Kroll • Edward C. Lane • Claudio Monserrate • MIAMI • Emir Gilberto Reyes • Angel E. Santos • MILWAUKEE • Thomas J. Brennan • Alyssa N. Kopp • Thomas J. Snieg • MINDEN • Robert N. Koontz • MINNEAPO- LIS • Joseph N. Safraniec • Daniel B. Starks • Debra S. Hodnett Walker • MONTGOMERY • Tracy D. Forman • Michael E. Peten • MONTROSE • Ralph W. Costanzo • Robert D. Hansen • Anthony J. Yonnone • MOUNTAIN HOME • Robert W. Lamberson • MURFREESBORO • Rebecca J. Fraley • Jimmy Gaither Jr. • Beverly K. Groogan • Michael S. Osborn • MUSKOGEE • Terry R. Scantlen • Kevin L. Steele • Devon D. Sullivan • NASHVILLE • Isaac Atkins III • Pamela M. Collins • Christopher S. Stempson • NEW ALBANY • Susan E. Schiller • NEW YORK • Ada R. Arroyo • Nathaniel Frazier Jr. • Vallary Hamilton • Patrick L. Lambert • Orlando D. Pinnock • Rubin D. Rivera • Edwin Robles • • David M. Boudreaux • Sharon L. Davis • Christy D. Eaves • LeBaron J. Fisher • Tommy F. Hamilton • Tonya L. Welch • NORTH CHI- CAGO • Julio A. Gonzalez • Samuel L. Moore • Judy S. Vega • NORTHAMPTON • Timothy G. Brock • Timothy E. Chilson • Andrew T. Mitchell • NORTHPORT • Gerard R. Balaker • Andrew S. Barnes • Richard A. Donato • Dominick R. Golio • Donald E. Norton • Lorenzo A. Vizcaino • OAKLAND • Dany E. Felix • OKLAHOMA CITY • Brian L. Davie • Homer J. Frisby • Norman N. Tucker • OMAHA • Sylvia L. Coleman • ORLANDO • Debra T. Ward • PALO ALTO • Marites M. Garcia • PARKERSBURG • Robert G. Given Jr. • Rachelle R. Hewitt • PERRY POINT • Keith B. Lawson • Ronald L. Luzetsky • PHILADELPHIA • John W. Ciano • Warren M. Cohen • Juan G. Gonzalez • PHOENIX • Michael E. Barnes • Larry B. Frechette • Marcel M. Jeanisse • Keril J. Rieger • Leanne D. Weldin • PITTSBURGH • Roseanne C. Bedillion • Edward R. Dickerson • Amber L. Fisher • William E. Laitinen • Richard L. Norman • Stephanie E. Wright • POPLAR BLUFF • Delbert C. Barks • PORTLAND • Fredrick Bender • Mary L. Childers • Carl M. Falk • David A. Gabler • Suellen Holmes • Kirk D. Rasmussen • Brian S. Roth • Suzanne L. Scott • PROVIDENCE • Raymond J. Aubin • Deborah D. Pacheco • Mildred Rodriguez • RENO • Dan W. Bolton • Wanda Martinson-Castro • Zola M. Ferguson • Michael D. Petty • ROANOKE • Kevin R. Thomp- son • ROSEBURG • Robert L. Flaherty • Daniel S. Murphy • Matthew A. Skidgel • SALEM (OR) • William H. Welborn • SALISBURY • Steven L. Jones • Timothy V. Mauldin • Donald R. McIntyre Jr. • Leslie P. Norman • SALT LAKE CITY • Walter M. Adam • David S. Archibald • Tieg B. Hamer • Andrew L. Juergens • Michael J. Nielsen • David C. Ziegenbusch • SAN ANTONIO • Robert P. Farrar • Eleonore Paunovich • Randy L. Perfecto • Michael R. Rice • Juan J. Sanchez Jr. • Juan R. Sandoval • Gloria J. Shean • Martha S. Wilkins • SAN DIEGO • Scott K. Davis • Debra A. Gautreaux • Johnny M. Lewis Jr. • Ronald D. Valentine • SEATTLE • Idenne M. Whetsel • SHERIDAN • David W. Jones • James C. Wiltse • SHREVEPORT • Terence W. Whatley • SPOKANE • Dennis A. Lee • Barbara J. Parbs • ST. GEORGE • Kasey Sims • ST. LOUIS • Shane E. Cayson • Richard G. Feldmeier • Ruth R. Henderson • Lee E. Hill • Kenneth R. Person • Devonshea D. Smith • Douglas Townes • Phyllis A. Townsend • Mark L. Williams • ST. PAUL • Theresa M. Hurley • ST. PETERSBURG • Mary L. Farquhar • Denise Foster-Williams • Janet K. Gordon • Lillie Y. Jackson • Charles L. Kimberger • Jose A. Martinez • Martha P. Silva • Nora D. Stokes • Patrick J. Zondervan • SYRACUSE • David W. Altieri • William J. Bivens • Mark W. Burr • Daniel G. Cook • David J. Evangelista • Thaddeus U. Hairston • Robert J. Kasulke • Paul F. Scaramuzzino • Corbett Smith • Jaushua Stewart • TAMPA • Robert W. Ross • Linda C. Smith • TEMPLE • Hiram C. Carter • Jack M. Davis • Audrey M. McMurray • Gary R. Salmon • TOGUS • Carolyn A. Doherty • Patrick P. Gagne • Mary E. Swain • TOMAH • Larry A. Bogle • TOPEKA • Howard C. Miller • TUCSON • Frederick M. Springer • TUSKEGEE • Lloyd Clements Jr. • Nelson McCloud • Michael G. Stinson • WASH- INGTON, D.C. • Perryn B. Ashmore • Tracee D. Barnes • Donald M. Boseman • Gaye E. Broadway • Rosemary Bryan • Allen J. Cannon • Robert T. Frame • Mary E. Gross • Patrick Harris • Robert B. Holbrook • Arna A. Hunter • Thomas J. Kniffen • Den- nis B. Lee • Michion D. Lewis • Robert M. Lucas • Marianna T. Mardeusz • Dani L. Marks • Stanley E. Mitchell • Juliette Mosteller • John A. Patterson • Veronica D. Randolph • Maggie G. Rountree • William M. Sivley • Lamont E. Stokes • Ricardo Wilkins • Thomas A. Yeager • WEST HAVEN • Kevin A. Muravnick • Charles D. Torres • WEST ROXBURY • William A. Gavazzi • Mark E. Meaney • WHITE CITY • John H. Mitchell • Gregg L. Ramsdell • Gary W. Thompson • WICHITA • Vir- ginia L. Droney • Barbara L. King

*list compiled by the Office of Human Resources and Administration as of Aug. 29, 2002

September/October 2002 25 around headquarters VAnguard

VACO Employees Honor Korean War Veterans

never forget. His daughter the Korean War Memorial Rayda Nadal is a health sys- on the National Mall, as well tems specialist in the Office as a selection of artifacts left of the Inspector General. at the memorial over the A spirited cheer went up years. from the crowd when Pardue stopped in front Bridget Downey received the of a display board of grainy, Korean War Service Medal faded images. Pointing to on behalf of her late husband pictures of himself during the Joseph Downey. An Irish im- war, his eyes misted as he de- migrant, Downey was scribed his experiences as a drafted into the Army and 57-millimeter recoilless rifle- fought in Korea just two man. With a range of 4,300 years after arriving in the yards and the ability to take United States. In the audi- out tanks and other heavy Honoree Jesse Pardue and his family take a look at the Korean ence were 31 members of her equipment, the 57-mm was a War exhibit in the lobby of VA Central Office. family, most of whom drove major source of firepower. from New York to attend the Pardue said the big gun also The Korean War was once la- Principi and others in honor- ceremony. drew a good deal of enemy beled a “police action” and ing their wartime service. Be- His daughter, Eileen fire. He struggled at times as later called a “conflict.” fore introducing the Vice Downey, is a 28-year VA em- he tried to share his combat Words used to describe the President, Secretary Principi ployee and program analyst memories. “It’s a tale I’ve war had a powerful influence spoke about the unwavering in the VHA Revenue Office. never told,” he explained. He on public perception, ulti- courage and determination She said the family wanted to is the nephew of William mately leading some to call Korean War veterans showed attend the ceremony as a Hester, an exhibits specialist, Korea “The Forgotten War.” in combat. “They did not tribute to her mother and who helped arrange the To the men and women who shrink from battle; they did father. medal ceremony. fought there and the families not yield to fear; they did Jesse Pardue flew in VA Central Office em- of the 36,000 Americans not abandon their cause,” he from Selma, Ala., for the cer- ployees came up with the killed on the battlefield, the said. emony. He served in Korea idea for the medal presenta- Korean War is anything but Vice President Cheney during 1950 and 1951 as an tion while thinking of ways forgotten. called the ceremony a “trib- Army rifleman and platoon to mark the 50th anniversary In recognition of the ute to a distinguished group leader. After the ceremony, of the Korean War. They in- war’s 50th anniversary, VA of Americans.” He noted he and his family stopped off vited headquarters employees Central Office hosted a cer- that Korean War veterans sel- in the VA Central Office with relatives or friends who emony July 25 to honor Ko- dom receive the attention lobby to take a look at a spe- served in the war to partici- rean War veterans. It was a they really deserve. “On be- cial Korean War exhibit. It pate in the program. About simple ceremony, but for the half of the President and the included two of the original 25 veterans or next of kin veterans and families who at- nation, I want to say ‘thank 9-foot high molds used to took part in the medal cer- tended, it was a day to re- you’ from all of us,” he said. cast statues that are part of emony. member. The veterans, all Ismael Colon, a private friends or relatives of VA em- in the Army during the Ko- Young Volunteers Brainstorm ployees, came to Washing- rean War, was speechless after ton, D.C., to receive the Re- the ceremony. Perhaps he was Recruitment Strategies public of Korea Korean War still recovering from jet lag. Service Medals. The medals His family surprised him by If we want to figure out the came from across the country were initially offered more flying him in from Puerto best way to recruit young to visit VA Central Office on than 50 years ago, but never Rico the day before the cer- volunteers, why not ask the Aug. 6. issued. emony to show him how kids themselves, reasoned Jim Some still in high Following a tour of the much they honor and respect Delgado, director of VA’s school, others in college, they White House, the veterans his military service. Colon Voluntary Service Office. are all past recipients of ei- and family members gath- said he had no idea what was That’s exactly what he did ther the James H. Parke ered in VA Central Office, in store for him in Washing- during a focus group with Youth Scholarship or the where Vice President Richard ton, D.C., and that the cer- some of the best and bright- Disabled American Veterans Cheney joined Secretary emony was something he’ll est youth volunteers who Commander’s Youth Scholar-

26 September/October 2002 VAnguard around headquarters

understand these are veterans some time with us here to- who served our country, day,” he said, “and for those these are our heroes.” of you who may be interested One idea the group in spending more time with came up with was to develop us, in a career with VA, we a database of student assign- sure do need you.” ments so potential volunteers So how did the brain- could go online to get a feel storming session turn out? for the types of opportunities Delgado said he was pleased available at VA. In true vol- with the results. “They have unteer fashion, Adam Brown, given us tremendous in- a volunteer from the Topeka, sight,” he said. Kan., VA Medical Center, of- The brainstorming fered to make it happen. The group was rounded out by computer engineering major Gabriel Anzueto, from the Youth volunteers from all over the country came to Washington to brainstorm strategies the Department can use to attract more of runs a computer consulting South Texas Veterans Health their peers to volunteering. business. “I’m the techie,” he Care System; Danny Merced, said. a 20-year-old who has volun- ship. They came to VACO to Wendy Koegel began volun- After brainstorming teered at the Miami VAMC brainstorm strategies the De- teering at the Marion Cam- ideas with Delgado and staff nearly half his life; Philip partment can use to attract pus of the VA Northern In- from the Voluntary Service Nodhturft III, a Dartmouth younger volunteers. Their diana Health Care System Office, the students met with College sophomore who ideas included establishing when she was 13. Her mom Deputy Secretary Leo S. founded the Tampa VA Jun- student volunteer committees and dad, Chris and DeeAnn Mackay Jr., Ph.D., who ior Intern Program at the at VA hospitals to focus local Koegel, are both recreation talked about VA’s role in James A. Haley Veterans efforts, partnering with therapy specialists there. American society, its contri- Hospital; Frank Rios, a high schools to conduct recruit- Wendy said the best idea she butions to the past and ex- school senior who has volun- ment drives, and making sure heard at the meeting was to pectations for the future. Be- teered for the past seven years young volunteers feel as change the way young people fore heading off to another at the Miami VAMC; and though they are part of the see VA. “I think a lot of kids meeting, he left them with Matthew Scott, a high school VA team. don’t really understand what some encouraging words. senior who volunteers at the Nineteen-year-old VA is,” she said. “They don’t “I’m glad that you spent Tampa VAMC. Secretary Seeks Advice of Disabled Veteran Entrepreneurs

“Obviously, we need some to address the issue. One of advice.” the first things they did was The comments came to invite disabled veteran during a meeting with several business owners to VA Cen- service-disabled veterans who tral Office to share their per- own small businesses. Under spectives on ways the De- Public Law 106-50, all fed- partment can do a better job. eral agencies are required to Randy Slager, president award 3 percent of contracts of Bethesda, Md.-based to businesses owned by ser- Catapult Technology, Ltd., vice-disabled veterans. Last an IT service and consulting year, VA fell far short, award- business, said he finds it ex- ing just one-quarter of 1 per- tremely difficult to do busi- cent, and this year isn’t look- ness with VA. He said other ing much better. agencies have taken steps to Disabled veteran entrepreneurs share their perspectives on how VA can do a better job of awarding contracts to businesses owned The low numbers help small businesses. The by service-disabled veterans. prompted VA’s Office of Department of Transporta- Small and Disadvantaged tion, for example, has a “I’m embarrassed and quite Principi, referring to VA’s Business Utilization to team short-term lending program honestly, disappointed, in track record in awarding con- up with the Office of Acqui- in which they front up to 85 our performance,” admitted tracts to disabled veteran- sition and Materiel Manage- percent of an award to a Secretary Anthony J. owned small businesses. ment and form a task force Continued on page 28

September/October 2002 27 around headquarters VAnguard

In Memoriam: Former Secretary

disease, and lower motor to offer more outpatient, pri- Brown began his long neuron syndrome, which at- mary care services, and ex- period of service with the tacks nerve cells in the brain panded benefits for former DAV in 1967 as a national and spinal cord. prisoners of war and veterans service officer trainee in Chi- Brown, who served as suffering from Agent Orange cago. Transferring to Wash- VA Secretary from 1993 to and Gulf War-related ill- ington, D.C., in 1973, he 1997, took pride in calling nesses. Brown is also credited rose through the ranks, even- himself the Secretary “for” with increasing VA services tually serving as the Veterans Affairs. He ordered to homeless veterans with a organization’s executive direc- sensitivity training for all VA grants program, and expand- tor from 1989 to 1993. employees as part of a cam- ing programs for women vet- After leaving VA, he paign he called “Putting Vet- erans and veterans suffering formed Brown & Associates, erans First.” from PTSD. a planning and marketing Brown was himself a He vigorously and suc- consulting firm. combat-disabled veteran. cessfully fought budget cuts Former President Bill While on patrol in Da Nang favored at the time by the Clinton and Secretary Former VA Secretary Jesse during the Vietnam War, the Office of Management and Principi were among the dig- Brown died Aug. 15 at his young Marine was wounded Budget and Congress, win- nitaries who attended home in Warrenton, Va. The when an enemy bullet shat- ning funding increases for Brown’s funeral service at the 58-year-old Vietnam veteran tered his right arm, leaving it VA in four annual federal National Cathedral in Wash- and former Disabled Ameri- partially paralyzed. budgets. He often said that ington on Aug. 21. The can Veterans official had Under Brown’s leader- he won those funding battles former Secretary was buried amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, ship, VA decentralized its because “we hold the moral with full honors at Arlington also known as Lou Gehrig’s health care structure, began high ground.” National Cemetery.

Continued from page 27 small business. us a chance,” he said. He also “One of the big prob- suggested that VA create a lems in running a small busi- national database of disabled ness,” said Slager, “is having veteran-owned small busi- the capital up front once you nesses. Then, if a hospital, re- win the award. This program gional office, VISN or other has been critical for us. You organization needs to con- may want to take a close tract for services, they can look at it.” Slager’s company check the database and solicit received DOT’s 2001 Small bids from companies listed Business of the Year Award. there. Another disabled veteran Do you want to solicit a Tom Clancy greets Michael A. Moore, executive assistant in the business owner, Allen Cage, contract from a disabled vet- Office of Policy and Planning. president of AOC Solutions, eran-owned business? The Inc., predicted that VA best way to start, according Writer Clancy Draws a Crowd wouldn’t meet its contracting to Scott F. Denniston, direc- goals unless management tor of the Office of Small Best-selling author Tom Clancy was in Central Office on makes them mandatory. and Disadvantaged Business Aug. 15 signing copies of his latest Jack Ryan novel, Red Rab- “You’ve got to provide some Utilization, is by calling the bit. The line of employees waiting to have their books signed incentives,” he said. VA Center for Veterans En- by the former Maryland insurance broker stretched down the He gave an example of terprise at 1-866-584-2344 hall outside the food court. Clancy’s novel is being sold in VA how his company lost a bid or visiting their Web site at canteens to help promote the retail sales and services provided on a VA contract to a big www.va.gov/vetbiz. He said by the stores to veterans and employees nationwide. business, but ended up doing doing business with veterans The prolific writer is the second major celebrity to join the job as a subcontractor. is a sound decision for VA. VA Canteen Service’s marketing efforts. In the spring, “Small business can handle a “This is who we are and NASCAR legend Richard Petty gave VA permission to use his lot of those jobs—just give what we’re about.” name and likeness in Canteen Service ads and promotions.

28 September/October 2002 VAnguard medical advances

Flu Shots Benefit the lion people nationwide. cessfully recovered about The goal of these agree- Elderly, Study Shows Researchers at the Buf- 4,000 separate strains of bac- ments is to quickly move re- Long before the official end falo, N.Y., VA Medical Cen- teria. New technology in- search advances from the lab of summer, doctors began ter have ended decades of volving DNA testing enabled to clinical practice, while preparing for the return of an controversy by proving popu- investigators to study the providing revenue to support old nemesis by pumping up lations of infectious bacteria molecular signature of the VA researchers. the benefits of the flu shot. are changing constantly in bacteria, resulting in ex- The Harvard agreement, They’re calling for an in- the lungs of COPD patients, tremely accurate identifica- signed by Secretary Principi crease in influenza vaccina- allowing the bacteria to strike tion. and Harvard Medical School tions, particularly for people again and again—sometimes “People with COPD Dean Joseph Martin, M.D., older than 65. with deadly results. Their may have nothing wrong Ph.D., also marked comple- Their message is sup- findings, appearing in the with their immune systems tion of negotiations on a li- ported by a study of 100,000 Aug. 15 issue of The New but they keep getting these censing agreement between people tracked over two flu England Journal of Medicine, recurrent infections—our VA and a commercial firm seasons. In the study, which may explain why healthy im- findings may explain why for an invention by VA re- was published in August in mune systems cannot prevent this happens. It appears that searchers at the West the journal Clinical Infectious these recurring infections. when a person gets an infec- Roxbury Division of the VA Diseases, lead author Dr. Intensified COPD tion and makes a good im- Boston Healthcare System. Eelko Hak, of the Minne- symptoms deprive patients of mune response, that response The invention, a device for apolis VA Medical Center, oxygen through severe short- is only good for that particu- storing and preserving the noted that the benefits of the ness of breath and coughing lar bacteria strain,” said heart and other organs for flu vaccine are even greater that produces thick, sticky Sethi. Investigators believe transplant, is the first devel- for people who are over 65 sputum (phlegm). Research- their findings may lead to oped, patented and licensed and have an existing medical ers studied samples of spu- novel ways to treat bacterial strictly by VA without a uni- condition. An accompanying tum from 81 patients over a infection. “We can use these versity partner under VA’s editorial written by a physi- period of 56 months. Find- observations to understand new technology transfer pro- cian from the Mayo Clinic ings show patients were the immune response to bac- gram policy. highlights the dangers of the fighting populations of bac- teria and possibly develop “This is an important flu—approximately 20,000 teria that repeatedly changed vaccines that keep pace with step for VA because it repre- Americans die from influenza over time, possibly keeping the changing strains,” said sents the first time our tech- in an average year, just about one step ahead of immune Murphy. Fifty patients are nology transfer program has as many who die from HIV. defenses. actively involved in this on- brought a VA invention full A previous study con- Many of the patients’ going study, and enrollment circle, from bench side to ducted at the Center for immune systems seemed to continues. VA’s Medical Re- bedside, ‘in house,’” said pro- Chronic Disease Outcomes be working normally, yet search Service will support gram manager Mindy Aisen, Research Center at the Min- bacterial infections re- the project through 2004. M.D. neapolis VAMC found the bounded after apparently be- VA revised its technol- nation could save $1.3 bil- ing eliminated. This VA and Harvard Univer- ogy transfer policy in 2000 lion a year if all full-time prompted researchers to look sity Sign Technology to ensure the Department re- workers, ages 18-64, received more closely at the nature of Transfer Agreement ceives credit and financial re- annual flu shots. the bacteria. Instead of sim- VA and Harvard Medical wards for technologies devel- ply measuring the size and School signed an agreement oped by its researchers. Previ- Buffalo Study Helps intensity of a bacterial infec- July 19 defining how they ously, academic affiliates Solve Lung Infection tion, Drs. Sanjay Sethi and will cooperate on turning were allowed to pursue full Mystery Tim Murphy led a VA inves- shared research discoveries ownership of inventions gen- Clever bacteria populations tigation of the bacteria’s mo- into commercially available erated in labs operating un- may be changing just enough lecular identity. health care technologies. der joint VA-university aus- to keep ahead of patients’ They suspected acquir- Harvard is the 39th academic pices. immune systems, causing a ing a new strain of bacteria affiliate of VA to sign such an Under the new policy, mysterious intensification of brought on the dangerous in- agreement, under which VA Principi said, “VA is going Chronic Obstructive Pulmo- fections, causing the already shares credit and financial in- to get credit for the work nary Disease (COPD)—the sick patients to cough, choke terest in new inventions by our researchers have done, fourth leading cause of death and experience severe short- researchers with VA and aca- and are doing. If that work in the United States. More ness of breath. Proving this demic appointments, and results in financial gain, we commonly know as chronic would require a new way to works with its university are going to use that gain on bronchitis and emphysema, identify one strain of bacteria partners to bring them to behalf of the veterans we COPD affects nearly 15 mil- from another. The study suc- market. serve.”

September/October 2002 29 have you heard VAnguard

Before resigning from ing treatment in a VA facility Vet Center; Cheryl Burgor, Center, courtesy of their her position as Under Secre- who would be unable to par- Santa Cruz, Calif., Vet Cen- Equal Employment Oppor- tary for Memorial Affairs, ticipate in the Wheelchair ter; Maria Crane, St. Peters- tunity Advisory Committee. Robin L. Higgins established Games without financial as- burg, Fla., Vet Center; Betsy A group of about 21 boys be- an annual grant of up to sistance. VA’s under secretary Tolstedt, Evanston, Ill., Vet tween the ages of 8 and 18 $1,000 to pay the expenses for health will make the se- Center; Gregory Burham, spent the day at the medical for one veteran each year to lection. Missoula, Mont., Vet Cen- center. They learned CPR participate in the National ter; James Garrett, Albany, and met with officers from Veterans Wheelchair Games. Ten vet centers were des- N.Y., Vet Center; John the San Francisco police and She named the grant the ignated “Vet Centers of Ex- Townsley, Raleigh, N.C., Vet fire departments, who spoke Michael Rosenberg Athletic cellence” by an external panel Center; Hilario Martinez, about the dangers of drugs Award, in honor of her of experts. “These are the San Antonio Vet Center; and gangs and the impor- grandfather, a World War I centers that have excelled in Linda L. Parkes, Spokane, tance of staying in school. veteran. Her grandfather quality readjustment counsel- Wash., Vet Center; and served in the 27th Aero ing services,” said Dr. Johnny Bragg, Morgantown, The Department of La- Squadron from 1917-1919. Alfonso Batres, chief officer W. Va., Vet Center. There are bor has created an Internet He was treated in military of VA Readjustment Coun- 206 vet centers nationwide portal to hundreds of Web hospitals and VA facilities af- seling Service. Team leaders that annually serve more sites containing information ter losing his legs and an arm at the 2002 Vet Centers of than 130,000 veterans and on benefits and services avail- to disease. The grant will go Excellence are: Robert handle at least 900,000 visits able for veterans, active-duty to a first-time athlete receiv- Erwin, Anchorage, Alaska, from veterans and their fam- military, reservists, and mem- ily members. bers of the National Guard. The e-VETS Resource Advi- Tuning in to the Veteran Retired Major General sor Web site provides the de- William A. Moorman, for- tails on a variety of federal merly the Judge Advocate and state benefits, including General of the Air Force, has job assistance, federal em- joined VA to lead a review of ployment, housing and edu- all VA regulations to make cation. Visit the site at: them more user-friendly for www.dol.gov/elaws/evets.htm. veterans, veterans service or- ganization representatives A new software program and VA personnel. In addi- created by VA is making it tion to sorting out what the easier for veterans service or- U.S. Court of Appeals for ganizations to prepare dis- Veterans Claims called a ability claims on behalf of “confusing tapestry” of regu- veterans. Using the new soft- lations, Moorman’s group ware, a VSO representative Host Adrian Cronauer, right, and VA Central Office panelists Kent Simonis, director of Health Administrative Services, will also establish and man- who holds power of attorney left, and Bob Perreault, director of the Business Office, tape age a more standardized, effi- for a veteran can review the first edition of VATV at the Washington, D.C., VAMC. cient and open process to de- medical information in the velop new regulations within veteran’s electronic record at “Tuned in to the Veteran” is the slogan for a pilot TV VA. The initial review of the VA health facilities. Previ- program called VATV taped in August at the Washing- regulations governing veter- ously, they had to fill out a ton, D.C., VA Medical Center. In the inaugural pro- ans’ and their families’ en- standard form and drop it in titlement to compensation the mail to request a copy of gram, which was put together by the VHA Office of and pension benefits was medical records. To ensure Special Projects, a panel of VA experts in areas such completed in early Septem- privacy, the software limits a as eligibility, third-party payments, stroke and hepati- ber. The rewrite project for user’s access to the medical tis C addressed an audience of medical center pa- compensation and pension record of only those patients tients and family members. regulations is expected to for whom he or she holds a As part of the program, the audience had the op- take about two more years to valid power of attorney. As a portunity to ask the panel specific questions about the complete. second safeguard, the soft- topics discussed. Dr. Robert H. Roswell, Under Secre- ware provides read-only ac- tary for Health, visited the studio to greet the veterans July 10 was “Take Your cess, meaning users cannot and participate in the program. Sons to Work Day” at the add, delete or modify the San Francisco VA Medical record in any way.

30 September/October 2002 VAnguard honors and awards

Dr. Rory Cooper, one a VA employee for exemplary users, and improved the is the second time VISN 2 of the world’s foremost au- contributions to the rehabili- availability of high-quality has received the award since thorities in wheelchair design tation of war-injured veter- products and services avail- its inception in 1998. Ac- and direc- ans. Cooper is a U.S. Army able to disabled veterans. cording to Dr. Lawrence H. tor of the veteran and life member of Flesh, acting network direc- Center of the Paralyzed Veterans of Luella Onken, a U.S. tor, the award is a tribute to Excellence America. His work has af- Navy veteran, was recognized the more than 5,000 employ- for Wheel- fected thousands of his fellow on her 90th birthday as the ees in VISN 2, which in- chair and veterans. He was a pioneer in most senior volunteer at the cludes VA medical centers in Related wheelchair racing and be- Sioux Falls, S.D., VA Medi- Buffalo, Batavia, Albany, Technology came the first person to build cal Center. Sioux Falls City Bath, Canandaigua and Cooper at the VA a racing wheelchair that Mayor Dave Munson and Syracuse. The award, based Pittsburgh shared no common parts South Dakota Governor Wil- on the prestigious Malcolm Healthcare System, received with a standard one. As a Baldrige National Quality nd liam Janklow proclaimed July the 22 Olin E. Teague doctoral student, he studied 15 Luella Onken Day in Award criteria and open to Award on Sept. 18 during a the ergonomics of wheelchair honor of her birthday and each of VA’s 21 networks, in- ceremony in the U.S. propulsion and began to ex- the 25 years and 30,000 cludes a $300,000 grant ear- Capitol’s Cannon House Of- plore ways to reduce second- hours of service she has pro- marked to fund initiatives fice Building in Washington, ary disabilities resulting from vided as a VA volunteer. that improve the quality of D.C. The award is named in repetitive strain injuries. His care provided to veterans. honor of the late Olin E. work elevated the quality of The NAACP recognized VISN 2, along with another Teague, who was a strong ad- wheelchair design, increased Anthony T. Hawkins, staff two-time Kizer Award recipi- vocate for America’s veterans, understanding of secondary assistant in the Office of ent, VISN 20, headquartered and is presented each year to disabilities among wheelchair Resolution in Portland, Ore., have pre- Manage- viously made it to the “Con- ment in sensus” stage in the Baldrige Longtime VA Research chief retires VA Cen- award program, the stage at tral Of- which organizers decide fice, for whether to conduct a site visit. Dr. John Feussner, his work flanked by Secretary with mi- Anthony Principi and nority vet- The Nurses Organiza- Deputy Secretary Dr. erans pro- Hawkins tion of Veterans Affairs Leo S. Mackay Jr., was honored at a retirement grams and for fostering and (NOVA) Foundation will ceremony on Capitol promoting equal opportunity present their G.V. Sonny Hill. in VA. Hawkins received the Montgomery Award to Faye 2002 Benjamin L. Hooks G. Abdellah, Ed.D., R.N., Distinguished Service Award the first nurse to hold the from Kweisi Mfume, rank of Rear Admiral and the John R. Feussner, M.D., retired on Aug. 16 after 28 years NAACP president and CEO, title of Deputy Surgeon Gen- of service to VA. Feussner, who had served as VA’s Chief on July 9 during the 93rd An- eral for the United States, on Research and Development Officer since 1996, has be- nual NAACP National Con- Oct. 24 in recognition of her come chairman of the Department of Medicine at the vention in Houston. The service to VA nursing. Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston. award is named in honor of Abdellah was instrumental in During his time in Washington, D.C., Feussner led the Benjamin L. Hooks, the the joint venture between VA development of the Quality Enhancement Research Initia- sixth NAACP executive di- and the Department of De- tive, a nationally recognized program that is helping trans- rector, who served in the fense that resulted in the in- late research results into practice. Under his guidance, 92nd Infantry Division dur- novative Distance Learning ing World War II and saw Program, which uses VA established the federal government’s first independent, combat in Italy. videoconferencing and other external accreditation program for human research, en- technologies to prepare ad- suring that veterans who volunteer for VA clinical re- Albany, N.Y.-based vanced practice nurses. The search studies receive the greatest possible protection. VISN 2 received the Veterans NOVA Foundation is a non- Feussner was the first recipient of the Mark Wolcott Health Administration’s profit organization support- Award “for exceptional service in providing outstanding highest quality award, the ing improvements in care clinical care to our nation’s veterans.” Kenneth W. Kizer Quality through nursing research and Recognition Grant Award. It scholarships.

September/October 2002 31 heroes VAnguard

Fishing at Angostura would personally retrieve it World War II. The trouble heavy rain was pounding the Reservoir near Hot Springs, on his next day off. Though was, he had lost the medal area and visibility was ex- S.D., nearly turned tragic for other kitchen staff offered to and was told it would take tremely low. The officers im- a veteran treated recently at contribute gas money or an two years for him to get a mediately called for local law the VA Black Hills Health air-conditioned truck, Reed new one. With his cancer, enforcement and medical as- Care System when he fell would accept no help. On a the veteran was afraid he sistance. When they discov- onto some rocks in an iso- sweltering day, he and his wouldn’t last that long. ered one of the drivers was lated area and fractured his young daughter made the When student volunteer seriously injured, they re- right leg. He tried for nearly 400-mile round trip journey Philip Nodhturft III heard routed a heavy volume of nine hours to flag down and brought the electric the story, he decided there traffic away from the acci- boats for assistance. It wasn’t wheelchair back to the had to be a way to help. He dent scene and treated the until evening that he was no- thankful vet. Co-worker asked Christine Feeser, Vol- injured driver. ticed and rescued by Greg Nancy Mecham describes his untary Service chief, if there Schumacher, social work as- action as “Dick Reed in a was anything he could do to While attending church sociate in Mental Health Ser- nutshell—always there for help get the medal sooner. services, a fellow churchgoer vices at the Hot Springs VA the veterans and his fellow She suggested he speak with asked Rebecca Duncan, Medical Center, who was employees.” Edward Sitton, a Voluntary R.N., a nurse from the Cen- fishing in his own boat. Service representative with tral Arkansas Veterans Schumacher recognized the Trintis Glenn never the Military Order of the Healthcare System, if she veteran’s pickup truck in the thought he’d use the CPR Purple Heart. Together, they could accompany him into parking lot and sensed some- training he learned at the verified the veteran was in- the foyer. As they walked, he thing was wrong because Beaumont, Texas, VA Out- jured on Christmas Eve 1944 explained that he was having there was no sign of the patient Clinic. But two days in a German mortar attack chest pains and had a history owner. He told his family, after taking the class, he used and obtained a replacement of cardiac bypass surgery who were fishing with him, his new skills to save the life medal. The medal was pre- with grafts. Duncan knew “If he was OK, he’d be out of his friend’s 6-month-old sented on Aug. 7, National right away the situation was here fishing.” Schumacher daughter. “I didn’t think. I Purple Heart Day, during a serious. She asked if he had brought his boat in close to just moved. In my mind, I formal ceremony at the his medication and helped shore. He spotted the veteran ran through everything that Tampa VA Hospital. administer the proper dosage. and realized he was in needed to be done, and I fol- She summoned an ambu- trouble. With the help of his lowed the procedures that I A 20-year-old Augusta, lance and the man was trans- family, he brought the man had learned during the class,” Ga., man was pulled from ported to a local hospital for to Urgent Care at the Hot said Glenn, a security guard Thurmond Lake on July 4 further testing and treatment. Springs VAMC, where he at the clinic. A piece of cereal after being submerged under- He was discharged four days was treated. had gotten caught in the water for nearly five minutes. later. infant’s throat and she Passersby saw the man go Before his discharge this couldn’t breathe. Glenn under and swam out to res- Police Officer Curtis spring, staff frequently spot- quickly cleared the baby’s air- cue him. Gerry Hydrick, a Myers had just started his ted one partially paralyzed way and she resumed normal registered nurse at the Au- tour of duty at the G.V. veteran cruising the tunnels breathing. “I hope everyone gusta VA Medical Center, (Sonny) Montgomery VA of the Knoxville, Iowa, VA will take the time to learn was in the area and rushed Medical Center in Jackson, Medical Center. After being CPR. It could mean the dif- over to administer CPR until Miss., when he heard a readmitted without his elec- ference between life and the airlift medical unit ar- “Code 99” announcement. tric wheelchair, though, he death for someone you care rived. The man recovered Myers quickly responded and lay virtually immobile for about,” said Brenda Wyer, and was released from the found a wheelchair-bound weeks. That is until Dick R.N., who teaches the CPR hospital six days later. veteran in the canteen who Reed, a Vietnam veteran and classes. Wyer volunteered to was choking and turning food service worker at the fa- become a CPR instructor On Aug. 12, North blue. With the help of a pa- cility, stopped to talk while and took it upon herself to Florida/South Georgia Vet- tient, he lifted the struggling delivering supper trays one develop classes for clinic staff. erans Health System police veteran from his chair and day. The vet explained that officers Milt Gordon, John performed the Heimlich ma- his electric wheelchair was It was a simple re- Zirkelbach, Mark Hunton neuver. The maneuver forced left at his home in Colona, quest—a veteran with lung and William Kiefer were a piece of food from the Ill., 200 miles from the cancer at the Tampa VA driving to a firearms training man’s airway and he began Knoxville facility. After Hospital wanted to pass on session when they came breathing again. He was speaking with his doctor, to his children the Purple upon a vehicle accident. A taken to the emergency Reed told the veteran that he Heart he had received during severe electrical storm with room, treated and released.

32 September/October 2002