Inside What's 2011 NEPVA Annual Banquet
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CCORDORD WWORDORD December 2011 THE NEWSLEttER OF THE NEW ENGLAND CHAPTER PARALYZED VETERANS OF AMERICA Vol. LXI, #12 A MEMBER CHAPTER OF THE PARALYZED VETERANS OF AMERICA – CHARTERED BY THE CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES 2011 NEPVA Annual Banquet n a chilly fall evening, approximately to have several officials from the VA Boston What’s 120 guests assembled at the Holiday Healthcare System and VISN I in attendance. Inside OInn in Mansfield, MA for the These included: VABHS Associate Director Dr. NEPVA Annual Banquet on October 21st, 2011. Susan MacKenzie; VABHS Chief of Staff Dr. Upon their arrival, members, friends and family, Michael Charness; Acting Director of the Edith President’s along with VA staff gathered and mingled in Nourse Rogers Memorial Veterans Hospital Report the cocktail lounge while meatballs, scallops Christine Croteau; VABHS Associate Director 3 wrapped in bacon and stuffed mushrooms were of Nursing/Patient Services Cecilia McVey; being passed around. This year’s banquet again Associate Chief of Nursing-Brockton Annmarie Government featured a four course dinner with a choice of Fredericks; and Deputy Nurse Executive Relations Report entrée (filet mignon, stuffed chicken breast, Joan Clifford. Craig went on to introduce 4 grilled salmon or a vegetarian meal), awards, and the NEPVA officers and Board members dancing to the music of DJ Corin Ashley. present, PVA Service Office staff, and NEPVA Service Officer’s staff. Following the welcome remarks and Report As in the past, the lounge area and banquet introductions, everyone was served dinner. 5 hall were beautifully decorated with balloons, and colorful centerpieces in an array of fall After guests completed their entrees, the awards Sports & colors. Decorations, as always, were provided by portion of the evening began and President Recreation Balloons over Boston. 6 Keeping with tradition, ladies were again Banquet Photos presented with a long 8 & 9 stem red rose as they approached the banquet PVA News hall. 10 Upon entering the banquet hall, everyone was seated and enjoyed their fresh fruit cup followed by salad. After Right: Medical staff Craig Cascella returned to the podium. He salads were served, NEPVA President Craig from the VA Boston spoke briefly about New England PVA, its Healthcare System Cascella came forward to the microphone to pose for a group history, and accomplishments. Carrying on welcome everyone and introduce some honored photo at the NEPVA an annual tradition, Craig then presented the Annual Banquet. guests. As in past years, NEPVA was honored continued on page Cord Word December 2011 PARALYZED VETERANS of AMERICA NEW ENGLAND CHAPTER NEPVA ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE 1600 PROVIDENCE HIGHWAY-SUITE 143 WALPOLE, MA 02081 TEL: (508) 660-1181, 1-(800) 660-1181 FAX: (508) 668-9412; e-mail: [email protected] web: www.nepva.org Office Hours: Monday-Friday 9:00am-4:30pm NEPVA OFFICERS EXECUTIVE BOARD President, Craig Cascella John Brako Vice President, Debra Freed Brad Carlson 9 MONTH DRAWING Secretary, Debra Freed Walter Farrington Treasurer, Charles Schena Wayne Ross NOVEMBER WINNERS National Director, Craig Cascella Dustin Soroka Jim Wallack $50 PROGRAM DIRECTORS Neal Williams Development Director, Craig Cascella Paul R. McPhee Membership Officer, Craig Cascella Hanover, MA MS Liaison, John Brako Community Outreach, Mike Guilbault $25 NEPVA Peer Mentor Rep., Mike Guilbault Scholarship Chairman, Craig Cascella Sally E. Quinn Sports Director, Brad Carlson Concord, NH Assistant Sports Director, Mike Guilbault Bass Trail Liaison, Jim Wallack $25 Web Master, Harley Freedman Women Veterans’ Liaison, Debra Freed Ronald Ayre Volunteer Chairman, Judy Goldstein Marshfield, MA Hospital Liaisons Brockton, MA VAMC, Craig Cascella West Roxbury, MA VAMC, Craig Cascella Northampton, MA VAMC, Craig Cascella Providence, RI VAMC, Craig Cascella Manchester, NH VAMC, Walter Farrington West Haven, CT VAMC, Richard Frano White River Jct, VT VAMC, Craig Cascella Togus, ME VAMC, Neal Williams STAFF NATIONAL SERVICE OFFICE Cord Word Editor, Judy Goldstein PARALYZED VETERANS OF AMERICA Government Relations Director, Debra Freed BOSTON VA REGIONAL OFFICE Administrative Assistant, Judy Goldstein J.F.K. FEDERAL BUILDING - Room - 1575 C Bookkeeper, Jeri Farinella BOSTON, MA 02203 Cord Word Design, Harley Freedman TEL: (617) 303-1395 & 1-800-795-3607 Monthly meetings are held every first Wednesday of the month at the Fax: (617) 723-7467 NEPVA office in Walpole, Ma. The executive board meets at 10:30 A.M. Sr. Benefits Advocate, Joseph E. Badzmierowski Followed by the regular membership meeting at 1:00 P.M. Senior Secretary, Ann Marie Wallace Cord Word is published twelve times a year by the New England Chapter Paralyzed Veterans of America, 1600 Providence Hwy., Suite 143, Walpole, MA 02081 in the interest of Chapter members. PVA National Service OFFICE Membership in NEPVA entitles you to a free subscription to Cord TOGUS, VARO, 1 VA CENTER Word. Articles published in Cord Word do not necessarily reflect BLDG 248, ROOM 112 the views of the Paralyzed Veterans of America, New England Augusta, ME 04330 Chapter. NEPVA neither endorses nor guarantees any of the ERVING AINE EW AMPSHIRE AND ERMONT products or services advertised herein. Postmaster: send changes S M , N H V of address to NEPVA, 1600 Providence Hwy., Suite 143, Walpole, TEL:(207) 621-7394, FAX: (207) 621-4829 MA 02081 TOLL FREE: 866-795-1911 National Service Officer II, John Stansbury Secretary, Wendy Glidden 2 www.nepva.org Cord Word December 2011 President’s Report by Craig C. Cascella NEPVA President n October 21st, we held our I recently received an email notification Services, Veterans Annual Chapter Banquet, as from the VA Boston Healthcare System Benefits, and Ousual there was a very good Director’s office, announcing that for Architecture to turnout (see associated article in this the second year in a row the VA Boston work hard issue). A great time seemed to be had Healthcare System has been selected and as a by all and we will pass along next year’s as one of The Boston Globe’s Top Places team hold date as soon as we can. to Work. The competition is tough; the VA however, for 2011 they ranked number accountable On the 26th, I visited the Brockton VA 16 in the Large Employers category, a for the issues LTC Unit. I had the opportunity to most impressive showing. On behalf they get off chat with the residents, volunteers, and of NEPVA, a sincere thank you for all track on and also the VA Staff, as well as to listen to or your hard work. Receiving a public support the VA on the things they address any concerns they may have. honor such as this is proof positive are doing well. It is important for our of what we at NEPVA already know, membership to know that all of PVA’s On the 29th, I joined Chapter members that VA BHS is a great place to work, staff works hard to accomplish all the for a fun time horseback riding in with an outstanding staff that cares key goals, mission, and objectives of the Brookfield, MA, at the Elm Hill Center for America’s most deserving patients. organization. Please feel free to contact Stables. It was a chilly day and in fact Once again, congratulations to the me on any issue or concern you may there was a winter storm in the forecast entire VA BHS team. have. that had arrived a little earlier than predicted. I look forward to riding PVA continues to make major progress On November 11th, I was fortunate again in the future, perhaps when the with site visit reports and staffing to be able to attend Veterans Day warmer weather comes back around. guidelines. We continue to hold the VA ceremonies at the Vietnam Wall Thanks to Sports Director Brad accountable when we know we need to Memorial in Washington D.C. As Carlson for organizing the event. and work with them when we believe usual, the ceremonies were fantastic we have the same goals and objectives. and I would recommend visiting The Chapter will be sponsoring PVA is tough but fair in all our dealings Washington D.C. and visiting the Holiday parties at many of the local with the VA. It is important for Medical many monuments or memorials where VAMC’s in the area. The SCI Clinic continued on page 12 staff, Social Workers, and other VA Staff assist the Chapter in arranging the dates and supplies for the parties. On behalf of the Chapter, I hope all of our members, volunteers, and friends had a wonderful Thanksgiving and have a Merry Left: Ret. General Barry R. McCaffery & NEPVA President Craig Cascella at Vietnam Wall Veterans Day Christmas. Ceremonies. Right: Minnesota PVA Chapter President Tom Fjerstad & NEPVA President Craig Cascella at the PVA www.nepva.org Wreath laying at the Vietnam Wall Memorial. 3 Cord Word December 2011 Government Relations by Debra Freed Government Relations Director Did You Know . ! ell, winter certainly gave The Chapter sent out an email to nearly its best by making us a good scare at the end 305 members asking if they would medicines Wof October. The weather want to get the newsletter via email. We different has been decent since but be prepared. received a number of responses so far in shapes the positive that these members would and sizes. Our webmaster, Thomas Dodd, like to get the email version. November However, resigned towards the end of September was a bit late but hopefully this process it is not but NEPVA. will be up and difficult org remains up With all the talk about running for the to forget and running December issue which one is and even has reducing the deficit, and the January which. So, Dr. MacKenzie inquired a new look.