Nation Hamburger Hill Now Succeeding in Business California Wildfires: Vfw Posts Rally to Help Those in Need

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VFW CHIEF TELLS LAWMAKERS ‘DO WHAT IS RIGHT’

50 YEARS AGO: SERVED THE BRUTAL BATTLE ON NATION HAMBURGER HILL NOW SUCCEEDING IN BUSINESS CALIFORNIA WILDFIRES: VFW POSTS RALLY TO HELP THOSE IN NEED

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50 YEARS AGO: SERVED THE BRUTAL BATTLE ON NATION HAMBURGER HILL NOW SUCCEEDING IN BUSINESS CALIFORNIA WILDFIRES: VFW POSTS RALLY TO HELP THOSE IN NEED

HERE’S THE LATEST ON VETERANS‘ MEMORIALS

MAY 2019 Vol. 106 No. 8 COVER PHOTO: Dawn Halfaker is photographed in 2016 at her offi ce in ACTIVE OUTDOORS AND IN THE CLASSROOM Arlington, Va. The Army veteran, who lost 22 Members of the Student Veterans of America chapter at George her arm in a 2004 RPG attack in Iraq, started Washington University in the nation’s capital stay fi t as they work toward her own company in 2006 to help troops college degrees. VFW is their partner along the way. BY DAVE SPIVA transition from the military to civilian life. (Photo by Alex Welsh) ON THE COVER HAMBURGER HILL GIS 16 Served Nation, Succeeding in Business RECALL BRUTAL BATTLE 24 Hamburger Hill 32 California Wildfi res In May 1969, three battalions from the 38 Veterans’ Memorials 101st Airborne Division squared off against one of the North Vietnamese IN THIS ISSUE Army’s best regiments. In the now 20 NVS Service Offi cer famous Battle of Hamburger Hill, U.S. 22 SVA 30 GIs emerged victorious after 10 days of Blue Water Navy 34 hellish combat. BY JOSEPH L. GALLOWAY 24 Unmet Needs 36 Heroes Wall ‘YOU DO WHATEVER YOU CAN’ 40 A Final Salute 42 Vet Burial Process In 2018, wildfi res ravaged northern California, burning more than 150,000 IN EVERY ISSUE acres and leaving thousands homeless. 2 Command Post Even as their own homes smoldered, 4 Mail Call VFW members in the Golden State 6 Now Hear This assisted in relief and recovery efforts. 8 Issues Up Front BY KARI WILLIAMS 32 12 Washington Wire 26 44 Better Health 46 Book Corner 48 Member Benefi ts ‘UNMET NEEDS HELPED 52 Member Corner MY FAMILY’ 56 Reunions and Claims 60 A Navy vet with a lingering service- VFW in Action connected injury lost his job due to the condition. That’s when VFW stepped in with fi nancial assistance to help him and his family stay in their home. BY KARI WILLIAMS 34

CHECK OUT OUR DIGITAL VERSION AT WWW.VFWMAGAZINE.ORG NEW! NOW ON FACEBOOK NEED HELP? VETERANS CRISIS LINE: 1-800-273-8255

MAY 2019 • WWW.VFW.ORG • 1 COMMAND POST FROM THE CHIEF Memorial Day is More Than the End of a Three-Day Weekend VFW magazine is the offi cial publication of the VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS ne of VFW’s most sacred obligations is remembering OF THE UNITED STATES the nation’s defenders who have paid the ultimate STAFF sacrifi ce. And it is up to us to set an example for oth- PUBLISHER AND EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Tim Dyhouse ers to follow. O SENIOR EDITOR We are the nation’s largest group of war veterans. We’ve Janie Dyhouse served in harm’s way. Many of us know intimately what it is like ASSOCIATE EDITOR to lose friends on faraway battlefi elds. Kari Williams That’s why we — as VFW members — should always strive SENIOR WRITER to keep their memories alive and demonstrate to others how Dave Spiva to observe Memorial Day. Our communities expect us to show ART DIRECTOR COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF them how to do it correctly. Lauren Goldman B.J. Lawrence Most VFW Post commanders know how to properly observe ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT Memorial Day. For those who don’t, here are a few ideas: Tina Clark Host a patriotic ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVE program: Invite GLM Communications, Inc. We must remind the public the public to your Jacqueline Tobin, Vice President, Digital/Print Media 500 1st Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030 facility. National (212) 929-1300 FAX 212-929-9574 that those who have died in Headquarters has Email: [email protected] prewritten speeches EDITORIAL OFFICE Address all communications for publication to: uniform are not just names on appropriate for such The Editor, VFW Magazine an occasion. 406 W. 34th St., Suite 523, Kansas City, MO 64111 a piece of marble or stone in a Distribute (816) 756-3390; www.vfw.org; [email protected] VFW magazine is protected through trademark reg is tra- Buddy Poppies: tion in the United States and in the foreign countries where city park. They are people who This is our offi cial VFW magazine circulates. VFW magazine (ISSN 0161-8598) is published 10 times a year by Veterans of Foreign Wars, 406 fl ower and was cre- West 34th Street, Kansas City, MO 64111. Non-profi t standard left behind grieving families ated specifi cally to class postage paid at Oklahoma City, Okla., and additional remember troops mailing offi ces. and a legacy of service to which who paid the ulti- Publications Agreement No. 1476947 mate sacrifi ce. Available on recording for the blind and those with physical handicaps that preclude reading material. all Americans should aspire. March in Contact: [email protected]. parades: The sight SUBMISSIONS of a squared away Unsolicited manu scripts and pho to graphs must be ac com pa- honor guard lends credibility to any Memorial Day parade. If nied by return postage and no re spon si bil i ty is assumed for safe han dling. Poetry submissions not accepted. VFW mag a zine is your town doesn’t host such a parade, organize one. It’s a great available in microfi lm from NA Publishing, Inc., P.O. Box 998, way to garner publicity, too. Ann Arbor, MI 48106-0998. Payment of membership dues includes $1.98 for a year’s subscription to VFW magazine. Place fl ags on veterans graves: This is a wonderful oppor- CHANGE OF ADDRESS/DECEASED MEMBER tunity to connect with youth groups. You can explain how vet- [email protected] 1-833-839-8387 erans sacrifi ces have ensured the American way of life and pay Forward address changes to: Member Service Center, VFW, the proper respects at the same time. 406 W. 34th St., Kansas City, MO 64111. More than 1.2 million Americans have died in uniform since Be sure to furnish your old address, also your Post number, when requesting change to new address. To ensure Need a Speech the Revolutionary War. Their lives were cut short so the rest of accuracy, please clip and enclose your present address for Your Post’s us could live free and pursue our dreams. as printed on a recent copy of VFW magazine. Memorial Day Memorial Day was conceived by veterans and their families NON-MEMBER SUBSCRIPTIONS Program? as a way to recognize and remember them. But for too many U.S. and its possessions, $15 per year, $1.50 per copy. For subscription in other countries, $20 per year. Simply log in to Americans, it is merely a three-day weekend, a holiday celebrat- Make checks payable to VFW Magazine and send to: vfw.org and click ing the offi cial beginning of summer. Member Service Center, 406 W. 34th St., KC, MO 64111. on the “Patrioti c We must remind the public that those who have died in uni- VFW OBJECTIVES To ensure national security Holiday Speeches” form are not just names on a piece of marble or stone in a city through maximum military strength. link under park. They are people who left behind grieving families and a To speed the rehabilitation of the nation’s disabled and needy veterans. the Member legacy of service to which all Americans should aspire. To assist the widows and orphans Resources heading and the de pen dents of disabled and needy veterans. So do your part to keep the focus on why we observe this To promote Americanism through education in pa tri o tism on the My VFW special day. Our communities expect it, and our brothers- and constructive service to the communities in which we live. page. and sisters-in-arms who paid the ultimate price for all of us Copyright 2019 by the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States deserve it. MEMBER ALLIANCE FOR AUDITED MEDIA

2 • VFW • MAY 2019 No contracts No cancellation fees

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ANY: BLACK RIFLE COFFEE COMP Montagnards also played a big part WE WILL HIRE 10,000 VETERANS Black Rifl e Vietnam GIs Hail in the defeat of the north in 1970. The Coffee Montagnards NVA were no longer able to attack 64 MONTAGNARDS: VIETNAM’S FORGOTTEN In 1970, I was with a team from the 525th provincial capitals as they had in 1968. MOUNTAIN PEOPLE 17 NEW VETS IN Great article on CONGRESS Military Intelligence Group operating [The NVA’s] two objectives were to fi n- Evan Hafer and out of the 4th ID base camp at An Khe. ish off resistance in Laos and lay siege 300TH MARINE EARNS MEDAL OF HONOR his Black Rifl e Our interpreter was named Y Phim NY. to Dak Seang. They failed in Laos. Dak Coffee Company. He was a great guy and a terrifi c asset. Seang held out during the month-long He is a true American. I’ve often wondered what happened to siege. This was due to accurate artil- I wish him and his company all the him, but maybe I don’t want to know. lery … [and] … up to six simultane- success in the world. MARK ROBBINS ous, non-stop airstrikes in support of EDDIE MARTELLO NORTH MANKATO, MINN. Montagnard, Army and ARVN forces in LAMPE, MO. the area. From that point in history, it Great story. I remember as a member only took politicians fi ve years to turn Truly an amazing article. Being of Bravo Co., 2/39th, 9th Inf. Div., in victory into a disaster. a coffee drinker for many years 1968-69 in Dong Tam, that the VC were ART MEIKEL and actually making the coffee in very afraid of them. NINE MILE FALLS, WASH. the “mess” as a junior sailor, I got TONY POWERS-POLICH hooked on it. Hopefully, Black Rifl e WEST DES MOINES, IOWA I was XO of C Btry., 1/30th Arty and Coffee Company will sell its coffee was with the Montagnards in the fall of here in our town. 1966. We went north of Ban Me Thuot JACK MORRISON During my tour in Vietnam, I spent two months in the Central Highlands and to a Special Forces camp at Duc Co LOVELAND, COLO. worked with the Montagnards in a small and one of the Special Forces brought village near Ban Me Thout. The village over a squad of Montagnards to form Evan Hafer and the Black Rifl e needed a school building. We offered to our perimeter. They were quick to Coffee Company make me proud. build it for them. At the completion of correct me when I introduced them Thanks for highlighting their story. as our Vietnamese perimeter force. ALAN ALBRECHT our work, the village celebrated with a traditional rice wine ceremony. That was “We not Vietnamese,” they said. “We PEARLAND, TEXAS one of the few times I got to eat some- Montagnard.” I always worried about thing other than GI fi eld rations. them when we pulled out of country. Veterans in Congress VANCE TITUS JOE FLEMING CHATHAM, ILL. Rep. Jared Golden (D-Maine) was a EVERETT, WASH. Marine in Iraq and Afghanistan. AL SIONNI I was stationed with the Marines at 300th Marine Earns MOH FAIRFIELD, MAINE Khe Sanh in 1967-68. The Montagnard people were extremely loyal to No U.S. military personnel set out to Energy Drinks and PTSD American forces in their tiny village “earn” the MOH, rather they are the west of Khe Sanh, even to the point “recipient” of that honor by performing I thought your article refl ected a fair of warning Marines when the foe was some acts of selfl ess heroism. JOHN SHANK viewpoint from both sides while quot- sliding across the Laotian border in ing a veteran and at the same time, not an attempt to surround Khe Sanh. We SACRAMENTO, CALIF. minimizing the study. Keep up the fair would periodically reward this village and open investigative reporting. with food, clothing, snacks and various USS Zumwalt GARY REAGAN other prizes like toys and soccer balls. After reading the article about the USS ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. JOHN HEIMBURGER Zumwalt, I am fl abbergasted. I fi nd out Billy Terrell HUMBLE, TEXAS this is a bigger ship than most destroy- ers but with half the crew. Then there It was Martin Sheen observing his From 1959-1975, Dr. Patricia Smith, was the subheading ‘Less Sailors but inner-self in the mirror and the movie of Seattle, cared for the Montagnards at Smarter.” I’m sure the sailors of today was “Apocalypse Now.” I don’t recall Minh Quy Hospital, which she estab- are good sailors, but smart, not smarter. the scene being duplicated in [the lished in Kontum, South Vietnam. I am super disappointed. movie] “Platoon.” MICHAEL SEPAL M.J. KOSSMAN JIM ORSINI AUBURN, WASH. INDIAN LAND, S.C. LITTLE ROCK, ARK.

“Mail Call” features letters from our readers in nine issues per year. If you have questions, comments or concerns about any subject or article from our most recent issue, letters can be emailed to [email protected], with the subject line, “Mail Call,” or mailed to: VFW magazine, Mail Call, 406 W. 34th Street, Suite 523, Kansas City, MO 64111. Letters must be no more than 200 words, and VFW magazine reserves the right to edit letters for clarity, length and accuracy.

4 • VFW • MAY 2019 CUSTOM BUILT

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USS Hornet Found in South Pacific Apply for South Dakota The wreck of a PHOTO COURTESY OF U.S. NAVY U.S. aircraft car- Pheasant Hunt rier famous for VFW Post 8530 in Gettysburg, S.D., launching a bomb- again will sponsor a pheasant hunt this ing raid on Japan fall for five decorated veterans. four months after The hunt will take place Nov. 8-12. the Pearl Harbor Those selected will travel to Gettysburg attack was discov- on Nov. 7 and return home Nov. 13. ered in January. VFW’s Military Assistance Program Researchers aboard covers airfare and hunting licenses for the RV Petrel the five-day hunt. VFW’s Department of located the USS South Dakota covers the lodging costs. Hornet (CV-8) some Post 8530 will host the hunt and cover the 3.3 miles below the cost of meals. To qualify, a veteran must South Pacific. Northampton, the Hornet was attacked be an honorably discharged Purple Heart The Hornet was the platform from again by 11 Japanese bombers. To recipient and have enough upper-body which 16 B-25 bombers of the Army’s prevent its capture, U.S. ships scuttled strength to wield a shotgun. Amputees are 17th Bombardment Group launched the Hornet with 16 torpedoes. When it encouraged to apply, and wheelchair con- an April 18, 1942, attack on Japan’s finally sank, theHornet took the bodies finement is not an obstacle. mainland. The raid, led by Army Lt. of 140 sailors with it. If you wish to be considered, submit Col. James H. Doolittle, was the first The estate of the late Paul Allen, a copy of your DD-214 and VA disability of the war on Japan’s homeland. a Microsoft co-founder, funded rating documentation, along with your Some six months later, on Oct. 26, the RV Petrel’s research operation. personal contact information to: 1942, the Hornet was put out of com- Previously, Allen’s group had located SD Decorated Veterans Pheasant Hunt mission after being struck by multiple the wrecks of WWII U.S. Navy vessels c/o Butch Anderson bombs and torpedoes during the Battle the USS Juneau and USS Lexington in 16461 294th Ave., Lot 9 of Santa Cruz Islands in the Solomon March 2018 and the USS Indianapolis Gettysburg, SD 57442 Islands. While being towed by the USS in August 2017. Applications must be received by July 10 and will be reviewed at the Post’s ABOVE: The USS Hornet (CV-8) underway on Oct. 27, 1941, in Hampton Roads, Va. Almost July meeting. For more information, exactly one year later, on Oct. 26, 1942, the Hornet was sunk during the Battle of Santa Cruz contact Butch Anderson at ljbutchander Islands in the Solomon Islands. The ship’s remains were located in January. [email protected] or call (605) 765-2457.

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VFW Commander-in-Chief B.J. Lawrence testifies before a joint hearing of the House and Senate VA committees on March 6 during the 2019 VFW Legislative Conference in Washington, D.C. Lawrence was backed by hundreds of VFW members and veterans.

VA Must ‘Do What is Right’ VFW’s annual Legislative Conference earned by these Vietnam War sailors. work collaboratively to ensure the law “One senator did not believe Agent serves its intended purpose of improving was capped by VFW Commander-in- Orange made blue water Navy vet- the health care provided to veterans. Chief B.J. Lawrence’s speech in front erans sick, and another senator was “VA has elected to largely ignore of House and Senate lawmakers. He concerned about the cost,” Lawrence the views of the nation’s largest war said. “This Congress must pass the Blue veterans’ organization when drafting criticized VA’s recent lack of collabo- Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act to rules to implement the VA MISSION ration with America’s largest group of ensure their earned benefits are never Act,” Lawrence said. “VA executive arbitrarily stripped away again.” leadership should be embarrassed that war veterans. Lawrence said VFW members are they have discontinued VA’s strong col- “disappointed with VA’s reluctance to laborative relationship with the VFW BY DAVE SPIVA do what is right” when it comes to taking and chosen to make arbitrary decisions care of the nation’s blue water veterans. without consulting those who most inti- n March 6, before a joint “Instead of accepting the VFW- mately understand VA’s mission and the hearing of House and Senate supported Procopio court decision needs of the veterans’ community.” VA committee members, [Procopio vs. Wilkie] — which over- Lawrence said Congress should VFW Commander-in-Chief whelmingly confirmed veterans who conduct aggressive oversight of the O served off the coast of Vietnam must VA MISSION ActÕs implementation to B.J. Lawrence addressed several VFW priorities during the organization’s receive benefits — VA has elected to con- ensure VA expands access to care for annual VFW Legislative Conference. tinue to deny assistance for veterans who veterans by hiring more VA doctors, Among many VFW proposals, are sick and dying from Agent Orange- improving VA’s infrastructure and prop- Lawrence focused on the Vietnam War’s related diseases,” Lawrence said. erly implementing the new Veterans so-called blue water veterans. Lawrence Lawrence also covered the newly Community Care Program. shared his disappointment with passed VA MISSION Act. He said VA, During his speech, Lawrence also Congress for failing to restore benefits Congress and veterans organizations must thanked members of Congress for

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© 2019 ﬁ rst STREET for Boomers and Beyond, Inc. 46504 ISSUES UP FRONT, CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8 expanding access to timely health care MILITARY-CIVILIAN TRANSITION Act, which would improve how and expanding the caregiver program • Reopen community-based tran- DOD tracks, treats, and prevents to veterans of all eras with the VA sition assistance programs for the harmful impact of burn pits. MISSION Act, as well as improving veterans, so recently discharged • Establish and properly fund education benefits with changes to the veterans can revisit Transition independent research on the Forever GI Bill. Assistance Program classes. impact of burn pits, to include “The VFW stands ready to help you, • Provide grants for organizations gender-specific effects. your staff and committees improve care that connect recently transitioned • Provide veterans who served in and benefits for America’s veterans, veterans with meaningful jobs. Iraq and Afghanistan the care and service members, their families and sur- • Conduct oversight to ensure benefits they need and deserve. vivors, just as we will hold you account- that the Department of Defense able if you do not,” Lawrence said. “I is doing its job to help service MEDICAL CANNABIS believe your willingness to be on this members prepare for life after • Urge Congress to pass legislation committee means you will not fail, and military service. to require VA to conduct a feder- neither will we — because no one does ally funded study with veteran more for veterans than the VFW, and WOMEN VETERANS participants for medical cannabis. together we can make it happen.” • Improve the gender-specific • Include participants with PTSD, Here are some other highlights from competency of health care pro- chronic pain and oncology issues. the Chief’s formal presentation to law- viders at VA. makers. To view Lawrence’s full speech, • Give women veterans the abil- HOMELESSNESS visit https://www.vfw.org/legislative ity to choose the gender of their • Congress and VA should expand conference. health care provider. definition so VA can provide benefits and services to homeless veterans who are not securely housed. “VA executive leadership should be • Encourage Congress to work with VA to provide more separate liv- embarrassed that they have discontinued ing arrangements for veterans with children and veterans who VA’s strong collaborative relationship have survived sexual trauma. • Urge Congress and VA to con- with the VFW.” sider increasing the use of peer specialists, particularly for vet- VFW Commander-in-Chief B.J. Lawrence erans who are in recovery from substance abuse disorders and/or SEQUESTRATION • Extend the number of days new- have experienced homelessness. • Call on Congress to repeal the born care is covered by VA. • Pass legislation that would remaining sequestration spend- • Expand the successful VA child- provide cost-free child care to ing caps and adopt a budget that care pilot program. veterans living below the pov- meets the obligation to troops, • Improve privacy at women’s erty line, or who are already veterans and their families. clinics. homeless while using VA and • Conduct targeted outreach to the Department of Labor’s VETS MENTAL HEALTH AND SUICIDE women veterans. employment training service. • Conduct aggressive oversight of VA’s mental health programs and RETIREMENT PAY NURSING HOMES hiring efforts to ensure veterans • Enact full concurrent receipt • Pass legislation to amend VA’s have access to VA care. of military retirement pay and health care benefits package to • Expand peer-to-peer support VA service-connected disability include nursing home care, just programs. compensation. as all veterans are eligible to • Urge Congress to work with VA on • End the Survivor Benefit Plan- receive home and community- hiring veterans and adequate staff. Dependency and Indemnity based services. • Provide oversight of the VA Compensation offset that finan- Mission Act and work with VA cially penalizes surviving spouses REMAINS RECOVERY MISSION on outreach programs educating of military retirees. • Support full funding and per- veterans of its availability. sonnel staffing for the Defense • Urge VA to open eligibility for all BURN PITS POW/MIA Accounting Agency. health care to veterans with an • Pass legislation requiring VA to • Increase the necessary resources other-than-honorable discharge. to expand recovery operations improve its Burn Pit Registry. J • Pass the Burn Pits Accountability into North Korea. EMAIL [email protected]

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FOR MORE INFORMATION about speciﬁ c legislation or VA beneﬁ ts, contact VFW’s Washington Offi ce at [email protected]. A member of VFW’s National Veterans Service staff will respond as soon as possible.

12 • VFW • MAY 2019 Treating your COPD and still struggling? Chronic productive cough? Repeated antibiotic use for chest infections?

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1. Maselli DJ, Amalakuhan B, Keyt H, Diaz AA. Suspecting non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis: What the busy primary care clinician needs to know. Int J Clin Pract. 2017;71(2):e12924. 2. Basu S, VA/DoD Issue First COPD Guideline Update Since 2007. U.S. Medicine. 2015. 3. Martínez-García MA, de la Rosa Carrillo D, Soler-Cataluña JJ, et al. Prognostic value of bronchiectasis in patients with moderate-to-sever chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2013;187:823–831. © 2018 Respiratory Technologies, Inc. All rights reserved. 910174-000 Rev A WASHINGTON WIRE, CONT. Bill Would Eliminate Retirement, Disability Pay Offset A bill introduced in the Senate could pave the way for even more military retirees, including those who were forced to retire due to medical issues, to receive their full disability benefits. The Retired Pay Restoration Act (S. 208) was introduced in January by Sen. Jon Tester (D-Mont.), ranking member of the Senate VA Committee. If made into law, the bill would give full retirement and disability pay to veterans who served more than 20 years, and to all medically retired veterans with less than 20 years of service. Currently, military retirees with disability ratings of 50 percent or more can receive all of their disability compensation. However, those with ratings of 40 A pending Senate bill would give compensation to more veterans who are medically retired percent or less have their retirement pay from the military. If approved, it would fulfill a long-standing VFW priority. offset dollar-for-dollar by how much VA compensation they receive. S. 208 is different from H.R. 303, the VFW magazine.) “This bill would rightfully permit Retired Pay Restoration Act. The House “It’s unacceptable that any veteran retired service members who have a bill, introduced in February, would only with disabilities is denied full pension service-connected disability to receive safeguard retired veterans with 20-plus and benefits,” Tester said. “Our bipartisan both disability compensation from VA years of service with a VA service- bill changes an outdated law that largely and their military retiree pay,” said Kyle connected disability rating of 40 percent hurts older veterans who sacrificed for Kalman, VFW National Legislative or less from losing income. (Read more our country, and honors the service of all Service associate director. about H.R. 303 in the April 2019 issue of military retirees by righting this wrong.” VA Sets New Rules for Veterans Choice Program VA in January unveiled a plan tation of the VA MISSION Act of to change rules for the Veterans 2018. Choice Program, which offers “The VFW has made clear VA patients the option of time and time again that VA community-based private care must back away from setting if they can’t access VA care in a arbitrary standards for when timely manner. patients using VA are given the Among the rules changed, vet- option to use community care,” erans who can prove they need Lawrence said. “VA chose to to drive more than 30 minutes ignore lessons learned from the to a VA clinic for primary care Veterans Choice Program and may choose to seek private care. recommendations from indus- Currently, veterans who live try experts.” more than a 40-mile drive away VA implemented a new rule in January that it hopes will make it Lawrence went on to say from a VA health care facility are easier for patients to get timely access to VA or private care. that VA must establish “sensi- allowed to use primary care and ble” standards for VA’s capac- mental health services outside VA. new proposed policy, the wait time will ity. “While the VFW does not New VA rules also state that veterans be reduced to 20 days. VA’s goal is to oppose VA’s proposed access standards, who need to drive more than 60 minutes have it down to two weeks by 2020. we feel VA missed an opportunity for for specialty care may seek private care. During his testimony given in March veteran-centric reform,” Lawrence said. Currently, veterans who need to at the VFW Legislative Conference in “Instead, it chose to continue flawed wait 30 days or more for an appoint- Washington, D.C., VFW Commander- wait time standards and readopt stan- ment at their closest VA clinic may in-Chief B.J. Lawrence called for full dards from the Military Health System, seek private care. However, under a congressional oversight of the implemen- which serves a different population.”

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©2019 U.S. Money Reserve. The markets for coins are unregulated. Prices can rise or fall and carry some risks. The company is not afﬁ liated with the U.S. Government and the U.S. Mint. Past performance of the coin or the market cannot predict future performance. Prices may be more or less based on current market conditions. Special offer is strictly limited to only one lifetime purchase of 10 below- or at-cost gold coins and 20 below- or at-cost silver coins (regardless of price paid) per household, plus shipping and insurance ($15-$35). Minimum order of 5 coins. Price not valid for precious metals dealers. All calls recorded for quality assurance. Coins enlarged to show detail. Offer void where prohibited. Offer valid for up to 30 days or while supplies last. Coin dates our choice. FEMALE VETERAN ENTREPRENEURS CREDIT MILITARY FOR BUSINESS PHOTO COURTESY OF KRISTINA GUERRERO KRISTINA OF COURTESY PHOTO SUCCESS

SKILLS DEVELOPED WHILE SERVING THEIR COUNTRY LED THESE FOUR WOMEN TO START THEIR OWN COMPANIES.

BY JANIE DYHOUSE

he number of female veteran- up from 2.1 percent the year prior. a really young age. The most important owned businesses in the U.S. Another reason for the growth of busi- thing is how to always think about oth- is on the rise, according to the nesses owned by female vets is initia- ers. But it also creates courageous peo- TSmall Business Association tive. That’s what Kristina Guerrero, an ple and brave people who are not afraid (SBA). Between 2007 and 2012 alone, Air Force vet, said the military did for to speak up.” the number of businesses owned by her when it came to starting TurboPUP, Guerrero left the Air Force because she women vets nearly tripled from 130,000 a company producing snack bars was working on her master’s degree in to 384,574. for dogs. occupational therapy at Pacific University There might be many reasons for this “The military teaches you how to take in Forest Grove, Ore., but her unit was spike, including a rising unemployment initiative, how to have a goal and how located in Colorado. The outdoor enthusi- rate among this group of veterans. The to execute a goal,” said Guerrero, an Air ast was on a backcountry ski trip with her Department of Labor reported that the Force Academy graduate who would go dog Dunkan in 2011 when she realized he unemployment rate for female veterans on to fly C-130s. “The military puts a was as hungry as she was. She shared her increased to 3 percent in October 2018, huge amount of responsibility on us at food with him, but knew it didn’t offer the

16 • VFW • MAY 2019 PHOTO COURTESY OF KRISTINA GUERRERO Kristina Guerrero (right) with Pearl Brumett Judd, a former Woman Aviation Service Pilot (WASP). Guerrero, founder of TurboPUP, said she and Judd were very close. Judd died in 2015.

Air Force vet and consultant. But she still felt more entrepreneur could be done in the transition pro- Kristina Guerrero cess, so she started the Arlington, founded TurboPUP, Va.-based Halfaker and Associates. a company that Halfaker, who served with the 293rd produces snack bars MP Company in Iraq, said her compa- for dogs. Guerrero ny’s mission is to “continue to serve.” said the military She said the military taught her to have a taught her to take clear vision, strategy and execution plan. initiative, which helped in forming The entrepreneur added that it has her company. type of nutrients damned if I let the other judges disre- helped her get her logistical consulting he needed. spect a woman who fought for our coun- company established. That led to try and not invest in her.” “My military leadership experienc- her developing TurboPUP is still located in Oregon, es have helped me be successful in this TurboPUP and its but Guerrero and her husband, Brandon, world as well,” said Halfaker, whose com- “Complete K9 Meal along with their two children live in pany’s workforce is 30 percent veterans. Bars” from her Vermont. At press time, Guerrero was One of Halfaker’s clients is the VA. kitchen in Oregon. preparing to re-enlist in the Air Force Her firm hopes to create a “singular “I registered my Reserves. Visit www.turbopup.com. management system,” so that all of a vet’s business with the information is in one area, allowing the state and was so ‘THIS DOESN’T HAVE TO BE THIS WAY’ VA to access data in order to see a veter- excited, and then When Dawn Halfaker was medically an’s “personal profile.” we sat for two years retired from the Army in 2005, she was “If you call the hotline, you don’t want doing research not prepared for it. to have to keep calling around,” Halfaker and development,” “I loved being in the military,” said said. “You want to be able to take care of said Guerrero, Halfaker, a West Point graduate who lost everything with one call. It’s the way it who served in her right arm after an RPG explosion in should be.” Afghanistan and Iraq in 2004. “There were downsides, Visit www.halfaker.com.

Iraq with the 731st you know. Getting blown up PHOTO COURTESY OF DAWN HALFAKER Airlift Squadron. was not fun. [Being medical- “There was so ly retired] pushed me into a much trial and position to figure out what I error, so many intri- wanted to do.” cacies that I did not Halfaker said that she was know about.” specifically looking for jobs She attended Syracuse University’s where she could support the V-WISE conference and made business military and that she wanted connections. Through one of those net- to keep serving, even if she working opportunities, she found out that couldn’t as an Army officer. the TV show “Shark Tank” was looking “I experienced lots of for veteran entrepreneurs. challenges getting access Guerrero ended up going on “Shark to my benefits,” Halfaker Tank” in January 2015 to pitch her prod- said. “I thought, ‘This uct. Daymond John was one of her first doesn’t have to be this way.’ investors, though Guerrero said he was I thought I could do this so quiet, not asking many questions. better on my own given the “He told me after the show, ‘I didn’t sense of urgency I thought want to invest in your company, I don’t was required.” know anything about the pet food indus- At first, Halfaker try,’” Guerrero recalled. “But I’ll be worked as a Pentagon

Army veteran and entrepreneur Dawn Halfaker in Iraq in 2004. The West Point grad lost her right arm later that year in an RPG explosion. Undeterred, she started Halfaker and Associates in Arlington, Va. Her company works with clients such as the VA.

MAY 2019 • WWW.VFW.ORG • 17 LEFT: Navy veteran and entrepreneur Liz Perez went from being homeless to forming GCG, a consulting company providing environmentally efficient solutions to other businesses.

BOTTOM: Navy vet and entrepreneur Beth Graeme started Beth Graeme Photography so PHOTO COURTESY OF LIZ PEREZ LIZ OF COURTESY PHOTO that she could be available for her three children while her husband was in Afghanistan.

Underrepresented Veterans Division. “My entrepreneurship experience has come in handy with my new role,” she said. “Veterans have to work together in order for the next generation of veterans transitioning out to be able to succeed.” Visit www.gcgreen.com. NAVY BOOSTS PHOTOGRAPHER’S CONFIDENCE For Beth Graeme, starting Beth Graeme Photography was the best option because said Perez, who served from 1998-2001 she has three children. Having to ask with HC-4 (H-53 Helicopter Squadron), the contractor she worked for in where she did multiple deployments Maryland for time off each time one of throughout the 5th and 6th fleets her children was sick or had a school (Mediterranean and Middle East). “I activity was difficult. didn’t want to tell my friends, either. I had Her husband was a contractor in never asked anyone for anything. I had to Afghanistan at the time, so she was a de PHOTO COURTESY OF BETH GRAEME BETH OF COURTESY PHOTO pick myself up out of that situation.” facto single parent. She used her disability check and “I always had a passion for photogra- savings to buy a home and set aside phy,” said Graeme, who served as a Navy $5,000 in 2009 to start GCG, which is electronic technician from 2001-07. “I a consulting company. It specializes was getting first place enough in contests in providing environmentally efficient to think, ‘Hey, I might be pretty good solutions for businesses. It’s not about at this.’ My husband always thought I new construction, Perez said, it’s about should have my own business. He is my “reuse, reuse, reuse.” biggest cheerleader.” She said her children were the moti- She said her experiences of problem- vating factor in starting her company, solving in the Navy have helped her with ‘ALL OF THE ODDS WERE AGAINST ME’ which counts one-third of its employees her business. She also credits her time in After visiting 13 countries in her eight as veterans. the military with her level of confidence years in the Navy, Liz Perez found her- “All of the odds were against me, but and organizational skills. self homeless. She had a 6-year-old it was up to me to connect,” she said. “It Graeme said that last year, her busi- daughter and another child on the way. wasn’t easy; in fact, it was very difficult.” ness’s revenue surpassed six figures, and She was in a verbally and mentally abu- Perez said her military experiences she opened up a studio space. sive relationship. taught her to be flexible and to adapt to Living in southern Maryland, which “It was better to leave than stay there all situations. Today, Perez serves as a Graeme describes as a “thriving” real and accept it,” said Perez, who was an non-executive board member on GCG. estate community, her specialty is real aviation logistics specialist in the Navy. “I She works for the California estate and realtor head shots. She also lived at a Motel 6 near Camp Pendleton Department of Veterans Affairs (CalVet) as has a line of photography called Boudoir and had a full time job at Xnergy. But I the deputy secretary for minority veterans. by Beth, which is modern portraiture. knew there was no way I would make it “This job had ‘me’ written all over it,” Her oldest son just completed Army on my paycheck.” she said. “It’s very rewarding at the end boot camp. She began looking at her veteran ben- of the day. If I didn’t enjoy being here, I Visit www.bethgraeme.photography. efits, which she hadn’t done before. She would not be here. If you love something, These entrepreneurs represent all of couldn’t find a shelter because most it doesn’t seem like work.” the female vets forging ahead to make would not accept children. Perez oversees the Veteran Business their own way in the civilian world. J “I was too ashamed to tell my family,” Enterprise program and the Minority and EMAIL [email protected]

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Official Licensed Product of the U.S. Army By federal law, licensing fees paid to the U.S. Order Today at bradfordexchange.com/militaryemblemhoodie Army for use of its trademarks provide support to the Army Trademark Licensing Program, and net licensing revenue is devoted to U.S. Army Morale, Welfare, and Recreation programs. U.S. Army name, trademarks and logos are protected under federal law and used under license by The Bradford Exchange. ©2019 The Bradford Exchange 01-30478-001-BIBMPO PRIORITY RESERVATION SEND NO MONEY NOW Signature 9345 Milwaukee Avenue · Niles, IL 60714-1393 Mrs. Mr. Ms. YES. Please reserve the ÒProud to ServeÓ Military MenÕs Hoodie Name (Please Print Clearly) for me, in the service branch selected below, and in the size indicated. Address M (38-40) L (42-44) XL (46-48) XXL (50-52) XXXL (54-56) City State Zip ❑ U.S. Army® 01-30481-001 Hoodie Size ______❑ U.S. Air Force™ 01-30480-001 Hoodie Size ______E-mail E92801 ❑ U.S. Marines 01-30478-001 Hoodie Size ______❑ ® *Plus a total of $11.99 shipping and service, plus sales tax; see bradfordexchange.com. Please allow 2-4 weeks U.S. Navy 01-30479-001 Hoodie Size ______after initial payment for delivery. All sales are subject to product availability and order acceptance. SERVING ‘WHOLE NEW UNIVERSE’ OPENS 100VETERANS FOR TO MICHIGAN SERVICE OFFICER roy North’s background is in vice offi cer training in Annapolis, Md. YEARS aviation mechanics. But when “That was an eye-opener as well,” VFW IN WASHINGTON IN VFW he started learning about VA said North, who served in the Navy Tclaims, he couldn’t keep that from 1992-96 as a jet mechanic with information to himself. Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) Troy North has been North has been the VFW-accredited 136 aboard the aircraft carrier USS a VFW-accredited service offi cer at the VA Ann Arbor Independence off of Japan. He also was service offi cer for one (Mich.) Healthcare System for the past attached to VAQ-140 on the USS George year. His own quest for year. He started navigating the VA sys- Washington out of Norfolk, Va. benefi ts has helped him tem for himself and his wife, who also One of North’s most recent victories help others. is a veteran, and wanted to help others as a service offi cer was helping a veter- obtain their benefi ts. an who had been diagnosed with non- “It opened up a whole new universe to Hodgkin lymphoma and was rated at 100 me,” North said. percent disabled also receive a 100 per- BY KARI WILLIAMS He wanted to take that knowledge and cent permanent and total rating. fi nd an outlet where he could both chal- The process, North said, took about lenge himself and educate others. one week. When he notifi ed the veter- Previously, North worked at a small an and his spouse, North said they were college, teaching stu- “super” thankful. dents who were earn- “You could tell it meant a lot to him,” ing their airframe and North said. power plant licenses. Now, the veteran’s spouse can receive A lot of those stu- benefi ts such as insurance, and the cou- dents, according to ple’s property tax was waived. North, were looking to North said as the only VFW- use the GI Bill. The col- PHOTO COURTESY OF TROY NORTH TROY OF COURTESY PHOTO accredited service offi cer at the Ann lege also had a VA rep- Arbor VA, he handles about two claims resentative on-site, and per day, and meets with about a dozen North said he start- veterans on a given day. The most comed to “pick his brain.” mon claims he works with are related to North then reached tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss. out to the Michigan He said the most rewarding aspect of Veterans Affairs Agency his role as a service offi cer is meeting in Lansing, Mich., and “new and interesting” people. took a class to get him- “You do have your regulars, but you self “oriented” with always meet new people every day,” the issues. North said. “That’s the part I enjoy. I “Once I did that, I don’t mind it at all. I fi nd it interesting to applied for a couple see how the rest of the world’s living, and VSO positions, and the for the most part, we’re all the same.” ✪ VFW brought me in,” EMAIL [email protected] North said. While he doesn’t have Editor’s note: This is the fourth in VFW-accredited service offi cer Troy North a medical background, North said, he has a series of feature articles on VFW’s helps a Marine from his offi ce at the VA the customer service skills appropriate accredited veteran service offi cers. In Ann Arbor (Mich.) Healthcare System for the position. 2019, VFW is commemorating the 100th in February. North, who served in the “I worked in aviation for 20-plus years anniversary of its National Veteran Navy from 1992-96 as a jet mechanic in logistics,” North said. “I’ve done every- Service and National Legislative Service with Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) thing but fl y. I think I had that part down offi ces in Washington, D.C. 136 aboard the aircraft carrierUSS where I could actually have a conver- Independence off of Japan, meets with sation with somebody. Working at the about a dozen veterans each day. school really helped make that transition NEED HELP? as well.” Find a VFW service offi cer Once coming on as a VFW service offi - at www.vfw.org cer, North attended VFW’s annual ser-

20 • VFW • MAY 2019 To honor all who serve… Choose your branch!

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Student veterans at George Washington University in Washington, D.C., have been keeping acti ve this academic year by hosti ng several events for the campus’s military-aﬃ liated students. The group is one of more than 1,500 chapters in the nati onwide Student Veterans of America organizati on.

BY DAVE SPIVA

group of military-affiliat- ACTIVE OUTDOORS Roosevelt Island on the Potomac. ed students in the nation’s Manning, a project manager for the GW More recently, GW members tested capital have been getting Ofﬁ ce of Military and Veteran Student their strength during a Valentine’s Day- A more active. Services, said a lot of the ideas for activ- themed event called Swolemates. The They’ve been swinging hard on the ities stem from GW Veterans members. powerlifting competition was a hit driving range, lifting weights and kayak- Manning, a Marine Corps Reserve vet- among members, said GW Veterans Vice ing the Potomac River. eran who served from 2010 to 2016, works President Ryan Welch. The George Washington (GW) Veterans for the university. His job is to plan com- group, located at George Washington munity activities and establish partner- VALUE IN BEING A MEMBER University in Washington, D.C., is a chap- ships with veteran advocates, as well as Welch, an Air Force veteran who served ter of the Student Veterans of America advise student veterans on campus. in the Iraq War, said he makes it a point (SVA). VFW and SVA have been partner- “We do our best to do what the stu- to tell others about the value he received ing since 2013. dents want to do,” Manning said. from VFW and SVA after he left active- Much like VFW, SVA chapters host Among the events GW Veterans has duty service. social events for its members. SVA mem- hosted this academic year were a day at “Having that same community and bers at George Washington say these a golf range in November at Top Golf in support network of people you’d get in events offer great opportunities to net- Ashburn, Va., a ﬁ shing trip in October in the military here at GW is something I work in a community and help motivate Chesapeake Bay and a kayaking event try to tell everyone about,” Welch said. chapter members. in September on the Potomac River in “Whether someone served for four years “In the past year, we’ve been get- Washington, D.C. or 10 years, I think a lot of people look ting more physical with our events,” The free kayaking event was host- for that community they had in the mili- said Marine Corps veteran Christian ed by GW Veterans and the Washington, tary. I think that’s the purpose of a lot of Manning, an advisor for GW Veterans. D.C., chapter of the Sierra Club, an our events.” “We’ve been pushing to do a lot more environmental organization. Students who Welch is studying mechanical engi- outdoor and wellness activities.” participated paddled around Theodore neering. He served 10 years in the Air

22 • VFW • MAY 2019 LEFT: GW Veterans members show off their PHOTO COURTESY OF GW VETERANS physiques aft er competing in a Valentine’s Day-themed powerlift ing competition called Swolemates at George Washington University in Washington, D.C. GW Veterans advisor Christian Manning said he has been pushing to do more wellness activities with the student veterans group.

RIGHT: Andrew Burwell, a GW Veterans member and Marine Corps veteran, paddles the Potomac River with his dog during a September kayaking event in Washington, D.C., hosted by the Sierra Club. Burwell was voted as next year’s GW Veterans president.

Force as a mechanic for C-5 Galaxy and C-17 Globemaster aircrafts. As an airman, Welch served at Travis Air Force Base in Fairfield, Calif.; Naval Station Rota, Spain; and Joint Base Charleston, S.C. Welch also served on deployments to Iraq in October 2007-February 2008 and October 2008-February 2009 with “It’s always been on my radar, but this the 521st Air Mobility Operations Group. year, it fi nally worked for my schedule,” VFW-SVA ‘NOSTALGIC’ FOR SERVICE Barlet said. PARTNERSHIP Barlet served in the Coast Guard Student Veterans of As a member of VFW Post 3150 in from 1995 to 2003. She is a life mem- America (SVA) is based Arlington, Va., Welch said he enjoys being ber of VFW Post 216 in Hamburg, Pa. a part of GW Veterans and interacting Barlet served as an operations special- in Washington, D.C. The with other veterans and newer students. ist aboard USCGC Chase during patrols organizati on is commit- “It also gives me a chance to learn off the coasts of Alaska and Thailand, ted to the welfare of their story and what they did in the mili- was deployed to the Persian Gulf in military veterans and ensuring they are sup- tary,” Welch said. “I think a lot of people 1998 and earned the Armed Forces ported in their transiti on into higher educati on. become nostalgic for it after getting out. Expeditionary Medal. SVA supports 1,583 school chapters and more So, it’s just good to have people to talk to. She also served shore duty at Sector than 700,000 military-affi liated students. That’s another value in being a part of a Houston-Galveston in Texas. After she veterans’ organization.” was discharged, she moved back to her These groups of college students across the Welch said that GW Veterans events home in Pennsylvania. country provide military-affiliated students are often a great chance for him and In 2017, she graduated from Temple with the advocacy and resources needed to other members to network. University with a degree in public health. be successful with their college educati on and “Some of the student veterans that are She currently is pursuing a master’s in post-graduati on careers. SVA chapters advocate graduate students or have been around public health with an emphasis in health for improvements to student-veteran benefi ts awhile have connections with other vet- policy at GW. while helping veterans navigate the complexi- erans’ service organizations or intern- For the legislative fellowship, Barlet is ti es of academic life. ship opportunities,” Welch said. “The advocating for VA dental care. She said overall goal that I have as GW Veterans she believes oral health and preventative vice president is to show the value that I VFW and SVA have been offi cial partners since care should be treated in the same man- signing a memorandum-of-understanding in got out of the organization when I start- ner as any other medical service veterans 2013. The partnership has given student veter- ed here after leaving the Air Force.” receive at VA facilities. ans the opportunity to promote causes impor- “I’ve been learning a lot,” Barlet said. ADVOCATING ON THE HILL tant to veterans. “What I’m doing with my VFW-SVA Tammy Barlet, a member of GW Legislative Fellowship is falling right Veterans, was selected to be a part of the into my line with my school work.” VFW believes the affiliation benefits both 2019 VFW-SVA Legislative Fellowship. In March, as a part of the VFW-SVA groups. VFW off ers its experience, experti se and A total of 10 students are selected nation- Fellowship Program, Barlet met with knowledge it has gained over its 119-year histo- wide to be a part of the program. lawmakers on Capitol Hill during the ry. SVA members have the youthful energy and Barlet, a graduate student at GW, VFW Legislative Conference. zeal college-age veterans possess, while off ering heard about the fellowship while she was Barlet said working with VFW “has VFW a pool of college-educated members who an undergraduate at Temple University been a great experience.” ✪ can lead the organizati on into the future. in Philadelphia. EMAIL [email protected]

MAY 2019 • WWW.VFW.ORG • 23 THE This is an excerpt from Brutal Battles of Vietnam: America’s Deadliest Days TOLL 1965-1972, VFW’s offi cial account of the most lethal battles of the eight-year confl ict. Praised by veterans who served in Vietnam, as well as military historians for its research and fi rst-hand accounts, Brutal Battles commemorates the war’s U.S. KIA: 50th anniversary and the troops who fought it. Make it part of your library. 66 U.S. WIA: 372

TACKLING THE ‘MOUNTAIN OF THE CROUCHING BEAST’ From May 10-21, 1969, the 3rd Brigade of the 101st Airborne Division assaulted Ap Bia Mountain (Hill 937) in the A Shau Valley. To the American public, the battle would become known as “Hamburger Hill” for the sacrifi ce in lives. BY JOSEPH L. GALLOWAY

etween May 10-21, 1969, the Before the ﬁ ghting was over, the grunts began lifting Col. Joe Conmy’s 3rd 3rd Brigade (3rd Bn., 187th christened it Hamburger Hill — in com- Brigade and two battalions of the Army Inf.; 1st Bn., 506th Inf.; and parison to such designations during the of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) 1st B2nd Bn., 501st Inf.) of the 101st Korean War. Division into the A Shau. The 3rd Bn., Airborne Division collided with the 187th Airborne, was tasked with taking North Vietnamese Army’s (NVA) elite CLEANING OUT A SANCTUARY Hill 937. The Rakkasans, as they were 29th Regiment in a bitter struggle for one On May 10, Operation Apache Snow was nicknamed, were led by Lt. Col. Weldon of the hills overlooking the A Shau Valley launched. It was an ambitious, 10-battal- Honeycutt, a Korean War veteran. along the Laotian border. ion airborne/Marine/South Vietnamese A and C companies were sent off on On Vietnamese maps, the 3,000-foot sweep intended to clean out the A Shau sweeps toward the Trung Pham River peak was dubbed Dong Ap Bia, or Ap and open it up with an all-weather high- and mapped out a route up Ap Bia. B Bia Mountain. On U.S. maps, it was Hill way that would permit allied operations Company later headed up a steep, nar- 937. To the local Montagnard, it was even during the mountain monsoons. row trail into dim light of double- and “The Mountain of the Crouching Beast.” Shortly after daybreak, Huey slicks then triple-canopy jungle, clogged with

24 • VFW • MAY 2019 LEFT: A member of 2nd Plt., C Co., 3rd Bn., PHOTOS COURTESY OF JAMES THOMAS 187th Inf., carries a wounded paratrooper to safety as another soldier provides covering fire on May 10, 1969, on Ap Bia Mountain, also known as Hill 937 or Hamburger Hill. The 187th was part of the 3rd Bde., 101st Abn. Div., which earned a Presidential Unit Citation for its actions during the 10-day fight.

RIGHT: 1st Sgt. Donald Joubert (right), 3rd Bn., 187th Abn., 101st Abn. Div., takes a break from the fighting along with his men amid the desolation on Ap Bia Mountain. The Rakkasans alone sustained 39 KIA and nearly 300 WIA.

BELOW: The assault on the notorious Hamburger Hill in I Corps’ Thua Thien province in mid-May 1969 garnered immense media attention. fallen trees, tangles of bamboo and vines. Second Platoon led off, up and down of the best regiments the saddles until the enemy struck with in the entire North a shower of rocket-propelled grenades Vietnamese Army. Song Bo River (RPGs) and the flat crack of AK-47 Many, many soldiers 548 Hamburger rifles from the first line of bunkers and everywhere. Hundreds Hill Dong Ap Bia spider holes. of soldiers,” said the Hue Artillery and the Air Force ham- scout. That unit had LAOS 547 mered at the jungle, but with darkness a reputation for being A SHAU VALL approaching, Honeycutt ordered Bravo “big American killers.” Company’s 107 men to dig in and wait for When the advance the morning. resumed, 4th Platoon Lao Rao River Rao Nai River was leading. Pfc. Aaron EY ‘PRIDE OF HO CHI MINH’ Rosenstreich was on The next morning, May 11, B Company’s point, followed by Spc. 1st Platoon took the lead. On point, 4 John McCarrell. After a pause to inspect machine-gun fire hosed down the trees Spc. 4 Phil Nelson gestured at the lit- a fat enemy commo wire running straight and RPGs were exploding among the tered (including three NVA bodies) trail: up the mountain, the company was mov- tree branches overhead, spewing shrap- “Something’s wrong here, lieutenant.” ing again, under occasional sniper fire. nel on the Americans below. Sensing imminent danger, the advance Then suddenly, an NVA soldier Denholm crawled to Rosenstreich and slowed to a crawl. popped up in a spider hole and fired held him as he died. Other Americans, Meanwhile, down below at battalion an AK burst into Rosenstreich’s chest, trying to maneuver against the hid- HQ, a clearly shaken Kit Carson scout even as another NVA jumped out of a den enemy, were dying. The survi- (VC defector) translated the documents bunker. He fired an RPG round that hit vors staggered back down the trail as B and letters taken off the three dead NVA. McCarrell in the chest, touching off a Company’s forward observer called a “Those men we killed were mem- Claymore mine he was carrying. 15-minute artillery barrage down. He bers of the 29th NVA Regiment. It’s The explosion blew Lt. Charles also summoned two Cobra gunships as called ‘The Pride of Ho Chi Minh’… one Denholm 10 feet into the air. Now a follow-up, which tragically rocketed battalion HQ, killing two Americans and wounding 35. “You may not be able to read this. Simultaneously, an NVA 120mm mortar across the border in Laos opened up on the headquarters LZ. Five NVA sol- I am writing it in a hurry. diers burst out of a draw to the south, charging the position until they were cut down by the stunned Americans. I see death coming up the hill.” ENDLESS ASSAULTS –FROM A LETTER HOME BY A 101ST AIRBORNE DIVISION TROOPER Honeycutt’s battered and disbeliev- FIGHTING ON HAMBURGER HILL IN MAY 1969 ing companies, however, would not let

MAY 2019 • WWW.VFW.ORG • 25 up. They took A combination of rugged terrain, high artillery forward observer died, too, on turns assault- elephant grass and stiffening enemy May 18. ing Ap Bia. resistance combined to prevent the The high command now ordered two They faced “Currahees” from getting into position additional battalions, the 2/501st and the snipers tied in until late on May 17. South Vietnamese 2nd Bn., 3rd Infantry, the treetops The next morning, both battalions to reinforce the attack. On May 19, 2/501st and other snip- launched a coordinated assault. Mines, was airlifted to the northeast slopes and ers dug into Claymores and RPGs took a heavy toll on 2/3rd ARVN to the east-southeast. DISTINGUISHED camouflaged Americans. But by afternoon, they were The 1/506th took advantage of the lull spider holes. within easy reach of the summit and victory, to move to within 220 yards of the crest. SERVICE Then there when nature itself turned against them. Squad leader Arthur Wiknik Jr., of A were the deep- For a full week, U.S. artillery and Co., 2/506th, landed by helicopter near CROSS dug, fortified bombs had lashed at the slopes and crest the mountain on May 18 and participated machine-gun of the mountain, stripping it of all vege- in the final assault two days later. bunkers. They tation and literally pulverizing the earth. “The stench of decaying flesh, the shriv- were vulner- That sight stuck in many GIs’ minds. eled NVA corpses, the silent body bags able only to Pvt. Paul Clark, a forward observer with and the massive destruction would be my a direct hit the 2nd Bn., 11th Arty, landed at Hill 937 on lasting memory of that hill,” he recalled. by one of the May 10 and spent five days operating there. Wiknik later recorded his memories as

MILITARY TIMES HALL OF VALOR OF HALL TIMES MILITARY 1,000-pound “It was like some strange landscape,” chapter three of his book, Nam Sense. bombs the he recalled 30 years later, “like out of a Air Force was movie: everything burnt, bent or twist- PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION dropping, or a ed. It was very unnatural. Guys were just On the morning of May 20, a four-bat- 1ST SGT. carefully aimed walking around like zombies. Some just talion attack was launched, and shortly DONALD L. JOUBERT recoilless rifle sat and stared back.” before noon the first troops of 3/187th SPEC. 4 NICHOLAS round in a fir- Now came a monsoon deluge that shot their way onto the summit. Then- W. SCHOCH ing aperture. turned it all into mud three feet deep in Lt. Terrence M. Smith, a platoon leader Worst of all places. Mudslides and flash floods a foot with A Co., 2/506th (the only reinforc- 1ST LT. were the RPGs: deep roared down the slopes, carrying ing company attached to 3/187th), led JERRY T. WALDEN Every overhead helpless Americans with them. Men clung the assault of his unit that day. burst took its to tree stumps and dug their toes and rifle “I feel my men and our company toll on unpro- butts into the goo to hang on. Victory was played a significant role,” he wrote in tected Americans, and the NVA were fir- in sight but out of reach. They had been a letter. “I fought with brave men who ing them by the hundreds. only 50 yards from the summit. never faltered in a fierce battle. Please It was not until the seventh day of bat- The 3/187th had that day, the eighth of the give them the credit they deserve.” tle that flak jackets were passed out, to campaign, lost 15 killed and 64 wounded, Temporarily blinded in the fight, he nev- provide some protection for those who and again was forced to withdraw. But it ertheless continued to lead his men. He could bear to wear them in the stifling was not for lack of bravery. Spc. 4 Johnny was awarded the Silver Star. 100-degree heat. Jackson, the 3rd Platoon machine gunner, Samuel Zaffiri, author of Hamburger NVA were quick to maneuver against led A Company’s PHOTO FROM CHARLES R. SMITH COLLECTION U.S. flanks once a company had been attack. Declaring, driven to the ground by the machine “I’m through guns and had dead and wounded to care with this retreat- for. At the first sight of an American ing bullshit,” he withdrawal, they poured out of bunkers demonstrated and holes in hot pursuit. incredible initiative, earning the REINFORCEMENTS ARRIVE Silver Star. By the fourth day, Conmy ordered another The 1/506th battalion, the 1st Bn., 506th Inf., to join dug in for the the attack. Its mission was to seal off night about half the 29th Regiment’s resupply routes to a mile from the Laos and attack the mountain from the crest. It had lost western slopes. five KIA; and an

Ten days of fighting denuded Hamburger Hill of all vegetation. Members of the 101st Airborne Division survey the damage after securing the hilltop, which a historian described as an “apocalyptic, surreal landscape.”

26 • VFW • MAY 2019

Hill, described the scene of desolation Hamburger Hill. They included 39 men the GIs witnessed atop the hill: “They from the 3/187th, 23 from the 1/506th 1969: moved through an apocalyptic, surre- and three from the 326th Medical A Deadly Year al landscape. All that remained of the Battalion, when their helicopter was triple-canopy jungle were rows of jag- shot down. That crash claimed two lives U.S. deaths during the second deadliest year of the Vietnam War. ged tree trunks surrounded by a muddy on the ground, too. A forward observer stew of splintered logs, bamboo, vines from A Btry., 2nd Bn., 319th Arty, also HOSTILE NON-HOSTILE and tree branches. was KIA. The hardest hit companies January 828 158 “Scattered everywhere were pith hel- were Delta (14 KIA) and Charlie (13 KIA) February 1,116 182 mets, pieces of clothing, bloody ban- of the 187th. By far, the single deadliest March 1,350 202 dages, blankets, AK-47s, stick-handled day was May 18 — 21 soldiers died. April 825 197 grenades and RPG and mortar rounds. Fifty percent of the deaths were May 1,237 213 NVA dead also littered the mountaintop, caused by shrapnel; 30 percent by gun- June 1,084 162 their sickening sweet odor mixing with fi re. Five fatalities and 53 of the wound- July 641 192 the smells of urine, excrement, tree sap ed were due to “friendly fi re.” Draftees, August 793 165 and cordite.” by now forming the vast majority of rifl e September 475 188 The 101st reported 630 enemy killed companies, accounted for 71 percent of October 373 226 by count; U.S. trail-watchers operating the deaths; volunteers, 29 percent. across the line in Laos said they counted “Korea had Pork Chop Hill so they November 478 179 more than 1,200 NVA dead and wounded should call this one Hamburger Hill,” December 345 167 carried out. The 29th Regiment’s 7th and James Thomas, a medic with 3/187th, Total 9,545 2,231 8th battalions, defending the mountain, said to a buddy. And that is the origin of ✪ Total Deaths 11,776 were nearly wiped out. the battle’s name, according to Thomas. NVA tenacity was clearly evident: EMAIL [email protected] Source: Data Analysis Program Division, some snipers chained or tied one leg to a Defense Manpower Data Center, Offi ce of tree. Cloth patches sewn on the front of Editor’s Note: To read the rest of the the Secretary of Defense. their shirts read: “Kill Americans.” story, obtain your own copy of Brutal Some 66 Americans were KIA at Battles. See below for more information.

IN COMMEMORATION OF THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE VIETNAM WAR ‘BRUTAL BATTLES OF VIETNAM’

Genuinely a one-of-a-kind work, Brutal Battles of Vietnam provides the most comprehensive battle history of the war yet published in a single volume. ONLY Brimming with compelling stories, the book $ 95 focuses exclusively on the perspective of the fighting 29 man. Virtually all of the deadliest engagements are Plus shipping covered concisely. The high drama of the battlefield & handling is felt through words on 480 pages and in 700 pictures, many rarely seen before, covering some 100 military actions. Order five or Easy-to-read chapters convey the essence of combat more books through fast-paced vignettes. Stirring first-person and pay only accounts reveal the raw emotions of the men at the tip $24.95 of the spear. Insiders—actual participants themselves— per book! Order from the VFW Store tell what it was like to be in life-and-death situations. (plus shipping Here is a book that veterans, military historians and and handling) www.vfwstore.org family members alike can enjoy. While ensuring the Ask for Or Call legacy of those who served, it also makes a wonderful Item #4767 family keepsake. 1-800-821-26061.833.VFW.VETS

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US Company FDA Owned And REGISTERED Aﬀ ordable Quality Since 1996! Operated Visit and Save: www.AdvancedHearing.com/V95 A federal court ruling in January might pave the way for the Vietnam War’s blue water Navy veterans to receive service-connected compensation for Agent

Orange exposure. VFW NAVY FALK/U.S. JAMES PH1 BY PHOTO Washington Ofﬁ ce employees explain what this means for the war’s sailors who served off the coast of Vietnam.

BY DAVE SPIVA VIETNAM WAR SAILOR WINS IN FEDERAL COURT

VA’S LIST OF 14 PRESUMPTIVE ruling by the U.S. Court blue water veterans. DISEASES RELATED TO of Appeals for the Federal “I have heard directly from VFW AGENT ORANGE Circuit in Washington, members who are sick and dying due to D.C., sided with thousands of health conditions scientifi cally linked Agent Orange likely causes these 14 A the Vietnam War’s so-called blue water to Agent Orange exposure,” Fuentes presumpti ve diseases among veterans: veterans stationed on ships that were said. “VA disputes scientifi c evidence Cancers: underway in Vietnam’s territorial waters. that proves veterans who served off the • Chronic B-cell Leukemia In the case of Procopio v. Wilkie, a coast of Vietnam were exposed to Agent • Hodgkin’s Disease panel of judges ruled on Jan. 29 that Orange. The VFW believes that they • Multi ple Myeloma Vietnam War Navy veteran Alfred were exposed to Agent Orange. It’s past • Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma Procopio Jr. is eligible for VA disabil- time VA and Congress did the same.” • Prostate Cancer ity benefi ts for having diseases linked to VA acknowledges that veterans who • Respiratory Cancers (including lung Agent Orange. The 9-2 decision, which served from Jan. 9, 1962, to May 7, 1975, cancer) was in opposition to VA Secretary Robert in Vietnam’s inland waterways like- • Soft Tissue Sarcomas (other than Wilkie, means that VA can no longer ly were exposed to Agent Orange. The osteosarcoma, chondrosarcoma, deny disability benefi ts to blue water department also states that many sailors Kaposi’s sarcoma, or mesothelioma) Navy veterans who claim exposure to the who went ashore from ships that were herbicide caused one of their illnesses. off the Vietnamese coast could have been Other illnesses: Due to the passage of the Agent in contact with the herbicide. • AL Amyloidosis Orange Act (P.L. 102-4) in 1991, VA start- But for years, veterans who served • Chloracne (or similar types of ed recognizing Vietnam War veter- on Navy ships that sailed off the coast acneform disease) ans’ disability claims for illnesses due to of Vietnam have been denied VA dis- • Diabetes Mellitus Type 2 exposure from Agent Orange. Included ability benefi ts. One of those sailors was • Ischemic Heart Disease among them were the war’s “blue water” Procopio, a life member of VFW Post • Parkinson’s Disease Navy veterans, sailors who served aboard 6587 in Spring Lake Park, Minn. • Peripheral Neuropathy, Early Onset ships stationed off the coast of Vietnam. From November 1964 to July 1967, • Porphyria Cutanea Tarda In 2002, however, that changed. VFW Procopio was stationed aboard USS Legislative Director Carlos Fuentes said Intrepid. In July 1966, the aircraft carrier If you have a disease that you believe was VA “arbitrarily” took away benefi ts from was underway inside Vietnam’s territorial caused by contact with Agent Orange, VFW urges you to contact a veterans service ABOVE: A catapult offi cer signals “launch” to the pilot of an A-4 Skyhawk on the fl ight deck of the offi cer. Visit www.vfw.org to locate and USS Coral Sea underway in the South China Sea on March 24, 1965. A January 2019 federal court contact a VFW-accredited service offi cer ruling states that VA can no longer deny disability compensation to “blue water” veterans who served near you. on ships in the territorial waters of Vietnam.

30 • VFW • MAY 2019 “The VFW believes that they were exposed to Agent Orange. It’s past time VFW SUPPORTS VIETNAM WAR BLUE WATER VETERANS VA and Congress did the same.” — VFW Legislative Director Carlos Fuentes In the case of Procopio v. Wilkie, VFW provid- waters. According to his case fi ling from ing will have and try to determine how ed an amicus curiae, or “friend of the court,” 2012, Procopio said he handled Agent to re-evaluate these claims expeditiously brief, which is a legal document that provides Orange and drank water that was pulled and accurately,” Figlioli said. informati on and opinions relevant to a court’s from the Gulf of Tonkin, which also could However, veterans who already have have been contaminated. (Navy ships submitted a claim should be eligible for decision. Amicus briefs are presented by a commonly purify water from the ocean retroactive payment once the court rules third party concerned with the case. for drinking, cooking and bathing.) or the VA Secretary settles on an effective Some 40 years later in October 2006, date, Figlioli said. VFW also supplied an amicus brief to the Procopio fi led a VA disability claim for “All this aside, it doesn’t make the Blue Supreme Court in the case of Gray v. Wilkie. diabetes. He claimed that his condition Water Vietnam Veterans Act any less Robert Gray, a Navy veteran who served in was caused by exposure to Agent Orange important,” Figlioli said. “We still are DaNang Harbor during the Vietnam War, while aboard Intrepid. A year later, he advocating for its passage while this rul- also sued the VA secretary, because the fi led another claim — this time for pros- ing is analyzed.” department denied him disability compen- tate cancer. Both of his illnesses are on Fuentes said that while the ruling is sati on. Gray claims he was exposed to Agent VA’s list of presumptive diseases associat- promising, the court’s decision can be Orange while off the coast of Vietnam. ed with Agent Orange exposure, but were overturned or appealed. denied by VA. (See sidebar.) “That’s why the VFW needs to work VFW also champions the passage of the VFW Deputy Director of National with Congress to pass the Blue Water Blue Water Vietnam Veterans Act, which Veterans Service Michael Figlioli said that Vietnam Veterans Act,” Fuentes said. could give blue water Vietnam War Navy all Vietnam War blue water claims “have “Passage of H.R. 299 would ensure blue veterans their deserved Agent Orange- been stayed,” meaning those claims have water Navy veterans do not have their connected disability compensati on. been halted while VA reviews the ruling. benefi ts taken away again.” ✪ “VA is looking into what effect the rul- EMAIL [email protected]

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MAY 2019 • WWW.VFW.ORG • 31 PHOTO COURTESY OF CHEYENNE BART CHEYENNE OF COURTESY PHOTO PHOTO BY SPC. MALACHI MANSFIELD/NATIONAL GUARD

hile fi res blazed across more than 150,000 acres in northern California Win November, VFW Posts nationwide pulled together to support those affected by the devastation. VFW Post 2039 in Paradise, Calif., about 90 miles north of Sacramento, suf- fered the most damage from the fi res. Commander Keith Taylor said the Post itself withstood damages, but all of the Post’s offi cers, excluding himself, lost their homes. “The members are kind of scattered,” Taylor said. “Most of the members are older gentlemen and not real crazy about cell phones and computers. So when you put them out of their homes, it’s made it real hard to get in contact with any of them.” Taylor, who served in Vietnam in 1974 with the Air Force as an aircraft electri- cian, said more than $10,000 in donations have come to the Post since November. The city’s infrastructure was down VFW SUPPORTS for quite a while, but the community’s response has been “awesome,” according to Taylor. ITS OWN DURING His local church ran a recovery center, while Cheyenne Bart, commander of WILDFIRE RELIEF Post 5731 in Gridley, Calif., coordinated assistance and ran a warehouse to help victims of the blaze, which was dubbed the “Camp Fire,” because it originated at Camp Creek Road in Butte County. More than 19,000 structures were damaged or Though currently 100 percent con- destroyed when wildfi res ravaged northern California tained, Camp Fire resulted in 85 civilian deaths, three fi refi ghter injuries and the in November. VFW Posts nationwide rallied around destruction of more than 19,000 structures. Paradise, Calif., which suff ered the most damage. Michael Halldorson, commander of Post 1555 in Chico, Calif., roughly 15 BY KARI WILLIAMS miles west of Paradise, said the southeast area of his town looked like a “nuclear bomb” had detonated. ABOVE: Cheyenne Bart, commander of VFW Post 5731 in Gridley, Calif., helps Vietnam War veteran “I never saw a cloud formation like Doug Ward in the aft ermath of wildfi res that tore through California in November. She said she had that,” Halldorson said. “I didn’t know it learned that he was living on his burned out property (pictured) in a tent. was smoke.”

32 • VFW • MAY 2019 CARIN DORGHALLI/ENTERPRISE-RECORD FILE ‘GRATITUDE’ TO BE ALIVE “Ironically In Gridley, some 40 miles south of enough, we were Paradise, Bart began helping as soon as distributing she heard people were being relocat- Buddy Poppies ed to the city’s fairgrounds due to the the first day that fire. She grabbed some Buddy Poppies, it happened,” said and she and her son headed to the fair- Halldorson, who grounds. The Post intended to hold its served on the USS annual Poppy drive that weekend, but she Hopewell from instead chose to distribute them — asking 1964-67 during for nothing in return — to let people know the Vietnam War. VFW cares and to identify veterans in the community who needed assistance. ‘IT’S WHAT “I have PTSD. I’m familiar with trau- WE’RE ABOUT’ Thomas Evans hugs James “Woody” Faircloth, who gifted the Evans’ ma,” Bart said. “[The wildfire] was very VFW Posts offer- family with an RV on Dec. 2 in Durham, Calif., after they’d been displaced traumatizing for everybody.” ing assistance in by the Camp Fire. The fire, which began in November, burned across more Those who had been affected, accord- such situations than 150,000 acres of land and left thousands homeless. ing to Bart, would need someone to talk “speaks volumes” to, and she wanted them to know sup- about the organi- “We haven’t had wildfires quite like that port was available. zation, according to Bart. in forever,” Rodgers said. “It’s sort of a first. “Right away, we just let people talk,” “It’s what we’re about,” Bart said. We tried to reach out to them and give said Bart, who served during the Persian “Veterans. Community. We just acted them as much moral support as possible.” Gulf War and Operation Southern Watch like typical veterans, getting out there Relief efforts still are ongoing. from 1996-97 aboard the USS Stump as a and helping our brothers and sisters.” “It’s not over,” Halldorson said. deck seaman. Halldorson’s Post purchased and dis- “Anybody [who] wants to help, we’re While she heard a lot of “near-death tributed roughly 150 gift cards, ranging always willing to accept anything.” experiences” from wildfire victims, Bart from $25 to $100, to veterans in need. For information on how to donate said there was one commonality. They also purchased $100 worth of food to VFW’s national disaster relief “[There were] people [who] lost every- for one vet after learning that he had fund, visit https://www.vfw.org/disaster thing, but I noticed a lot of the survivors, been ordering pizza for about a week and reliefsupport. J they just had a lot of gratitude just to be a half because he did not have a vehicle. EMAIL [email protected] alive,” Bart said. Halldorson also said he helped facilitate vehicle donations to veterans. VFW NATIONAL DONATES TO VETS HELPING VETS “When something happens, you Bart said that while her Post has helped jump into action and you do whatever RELIEF EFFORTS displaced veterans find permanent hous- you can,” Halldorson said. “Posts from VFW National eH adquarters providing, veterans, National Guard members all over the country started sending us ed $25,000 in disaster assistance to the and other community members estab- money, which was their way to help.” Department of California. The funds were lished a distribution center. VFW Post 9650 Commander Greg distributed to VFW members in need in “With our veterans, there has been Rodgers, in Anderson, Calif., said his the aftermath of wildfires that affected the so much gratitude and generosity and Post donated $1,000 to those in Paradise, state of California in summer 2018. paying it forward,” said Bart, whose Post Calif., from the Post’s relief funds. was unaffected. Rodgers, who served off of Vietnam CAMP FIRE BY THE NUMBERS: Volunteers worked as a “mobile distri- from 1971-73 aboard the USS Enterprise, 153,336 acres burned and contained. bution” center, taking items to those who said the Post made the donation because e e e e e couldn’t get to the center itself. it was “the right thing to do.” 13,972 r sid nc s d stroy d. “We had just a flood of support from “They were brothers in arms,” Rodgers 4,293 other buildings destroyed. VFW members all over the state,” Bart said. said of those at the Paradise, Calif., Post. 1,065 fire personnel participated. The Post also hosted a Thanksgiving Located about 70 miles from Paradise, 73 fire engines involved. dinner in conjunction with the Gridley Post 9650, according to Rodgers, did not 528 commercial buildings destroyed. community. More than 400 dinners were sustain any damage, but his communi- 86 civilian fatalities recorded. served, according to Bart. ty’s response to the wildfires has been 11 fire crews deployed. Halldorson said his Post members “pretty successful.” He said Auxiliary 3 dozers used. began helping with relief efforts “imme- members donated clothes and “humani- 3 firefighter injuries reported. diately.” His Post is about 16 miles from tarian” supplies. One volunteer, accord- 3 water tenders utilized. Paradise and was not affected by the ing to Rodgers, put together items such 2 helicopters used. fires. However, some of his members live as bars of soap, toothpaste and towelettes Source: http://www.calfire.ca.gov/ in Paradise, and 14 lost their homes. into gallon-sized bags.

MAY 2019 • WWW.VFW.ORG • 33 HELPING VETERANS ‘GET A BILL PAID’

John Reinhart is a veteran who recently received financial assistance through VFW’s Unmet Needs program. The program has disbursed more than $11 million to veterans since its creation in 2004. PHOTO COURTESY OF JOHN REINHART JOHN OF COURTESY PHOTO

A VFW grant program offers assistance to veterans who are experiencing financial difficultes. Earlier this year, theUnmet Needs program surpassed the $11 million mark in disbursements.

BY KARI WILLIAMS

n less than two decades, VFW’s Unmet Needs, according to Reinhart, is Unmet Needs program has provid- the only program to offer veterans “signif- ed more than $11 million in aid to icant” help. Other programs, according to BY THE NUMBERS Iformer and current members of Reinhart, want to see eviction notices or the military. Without the program, Navy don’t offer assistance until the person in 9,653 Number of grants provided veteran John Reinhart and his family need has fallen behind on payments. to military families facing financial would have had “simply no way” to move “The VFW’s Unmet Needs program is hardship through VFW’s Unmet Needs forward from their financial hardship. literally the only program out there that program since 2004. Reinhart served in the Persian Gulf will actually help someone out when and North Arabian Sea in 2004 and they need it — not three months from the $4,725,869 Amount of 2007 on the USS John C. Stennis as a time that you need it,” Reinhart said. grants provided through Unmet Needs cook and has a service-connected inju- Reinhart lost his construction job in covering housing for struggling military ry. He received $1,500 from the program, early October 2018, at which time he families since 2004. which allowed him to stay current on learned about Unmet Needs. bills, keep the electricity on and put food “[Unmet Needs] helped my family get 3,172 Number of military families on the table for his daughter. through that hard time,” Reinhart said. who received assistance with housing “We were keeping our nose just above He applied for the grant in mid-to- needs since 2004. water,” Reinhart said. “We were able to late October, but said the process was “a Source: VFW Fact Sheet get back up on our feet.” little difficult” because he initially was PHOTO COURTESY OF DAVE ROGERS 34 • VFW • MAY 2019 denied. He contacted VFW to explain BURGER KING that he had been let go one week after VFW has raised nearly $5.7 million for Unmet Needs through its being injured on the job. partnership with Burger King. Franchise owner Mike DeRosa “[VFW] said that they didn’t see how reached out to VFW in 2007 after seeing an advertisement for the injury at work was related to my ser- the Unmet Needs program. He contacted the VFW Foundation vice-connected disability,” Reinhart said. with the idea of asking customers to donate $1 during a desig- A combination of improper lifting over nated campaign period. That money would then be earmarked the course of his military service and jar- for Unmet Needs. In less than 10 years’ time, nearly 1,000 ring his arm in 2006 while carrying food restaurants have begun participating nationwide. caused his injuries, Reinhart said. However, had he not injured his back during his service, he said he would not UNMET NEEDS HAS DISBURSED $11 MILLION have been injured at his workplace. VFW’s Unmet Needs program helps America’s military families who have experienced unex- “The only reason I’m even [asking pected financial difficulties. The program, supported by Burger King franchisees, provides financial aid to assist those with basic life needs in the form of a grant — not a loan. Since 2004, Unmet Needs has given $11 million to more than 8,800 military and veteran families. “The VFW’s Unmet Needs In the current fiscal year alone, the program has assisted nearly 4,000 service members and veterans. Learn more about the Unmet Needs program at: https://www.vfw.org/assistance/ program is literally the only financial-grants. program out there that will DO I QUALIFY FOR UNMET NEEDS? actually help someone out when To be eligible to receive financial assistance through VFW’s Unmet Needs program, a they need it — not three months recipient must: • Be on active duty, whose financialh ardship is a result of deployment, military pay e me s h e. from the time that you need it.” rror or dical di c arg • Have been discharged on or after Sept. 11, 2001, whose financialh ardship is a direct es m se e e e es esses h e s — John Reinhart, veteran r ult of ilitary- rvic conn ct d injuri and/or illn t at ar cau ing an employment hardship. • Have been discharged prior to Sept. 11, 2001, who is on a fixed income (VA compensation, SSI, SSDI) and/or hw ose financialh ardship is an emergency situation. for assistance] is because I now have a daughter,” Reinhart said. “Pride gets The financial hardship can’t be caused by: trumped when it comes to the needs of • Civil, legal or domestic issues; misconduct; or any issues that result from spousal sep- your kids.” aration or divorce. The grant, according to Reinhart, helped • Financial mismanagement by self or others, or due to bankruptcy. pay for 95 percent of one month’s rent. “Had we not gotten that, we would be so far behind it’s not even funny,” Reinhart said. “Because once you go past ELIGIBLE EXPENSES [when] your rent is due, then you collect • Household (mortgage, rent, repairs, insurance) late fees and all the other fees start adding • Vehicle (payments, insurance, repairs) on and then the next month rolls around.” • Utilities For anyone considering applying for • Food and clothing Unmet Needs, Reinhart said that if they • Children’s clothing, diapers, formula, school or child care expenses go through the process and feel they are • Medical bills, prescriptions or eyeglasses “in deserving need” of assistance, not to stop at being told no. INELIGIBLE EXPENSES “Be honorable, but don’t let your pride • Credit cards, military charge cards or retail store cards and stuff like that get in the way of tak- • Cable, internet or secondary phones ing care of yourself and your family,” • Cosmetic or investigational medical procedures/expenses Reinhart said. • Taxes For more information about VFW’s • Furniture, electronic equipment or vehicle rentals Unmet Needs program, visit https:// • Any other expenses not determined to be a basic life need www.vfw.org/UnmetNeeds. J EMAIL [email protected]

MAY 2019 • WWW.VFW.ORG • 35 A ﬁ rm in Maine raised $36,000 last year to honor those who have served in ‘COMBAT VETS GAVE uniform. It used the funds to build a veterans monument and help renovate the local VFW Post. EVERYTHING’

sk Douglas Volk to remember Transportation Company in Auburn, the “most challenging” day Maine. Although his Massachusetts and of his life, and this longtime Maine Army Reserve units were never BY TOM NUGENT Acorporate CEO won’t hesitate called to serve in Vietnam, Volk still feels with his answer. “immense respect and admiration” for “It was probably that unforgettable the veterans who did fi ght there. Friday the 13th of November in 1970,” “As the years passed, I followed the recalled the 70-year-old Volk, who progress of the war closely,” he recalled. has been the CEO of Volk Packaging “I was often deeply touched by the hero- Corporation (VPC) in Biddeford, Maine, ism of our troops. I was also saddened at some 20 miles south of Portland, for the times by the reception so many of them received when they got home. “All too often, they were treated with scorn and disrespect by Americans who’d grown sick and tired of an armed confl ict that seemed to go on forever. And that treatment bothered me a lot. PHOTO BY RICHARD WILLS RICHARD BY PHOTO Year after year, while going to work each day and raising a family, I kept asking myself if there was anything I could do to help these struggling veterans cope better with the problems they’d developed after fi ghting for all of us in Vietnam.” HEROES WALL HONORS ALL VETERANS Last year on June 6 (the 74th anniversary of WWII’s D-Day landings at Normandy), Volk finally answered his question. He attended the unveiling of what is now known as the “Heroes Wall” on the front lawn of his company’s corporate offi ces. VPC raised more than $15,000 to build the wall and another $21,000 that it past 20 years. “That was the day I report- donated to VFW Post 7997 in nearby Old VFW Post 7997 Chaplain Rich Litwin, ed for U.S. Army boot camp. Orchard Beach, Maine. Commander Bill Day and Quartermaster Mike McInnis present a plaque of appreciation “As anybody who’s been through basic The idea for the Heroes Wall, and the to Douglas Volk, CEO of Volk Packaging and infantry training will tell you, it’s not fundraising efforts that went into the gift Corporation, last summer in front of the Heroes a whole lot of fun. And those of us who to the Post, were the brainchild of Volk’s Wall in Biddeford, Maine. Volk’s company raised reported for duty that day were about to nephew, VPC President Derek Volk. $15,000 to build the veterans monument on the begin meeting our military obligation at Douglas Volk said he was “honored” to company’s front lawn and another $21,000 to the height of the Vietnam War – which have been included in the project. renovate the Post. meant that many of us faced the very real During more than a year of planning possibility of going into combat within and organizing, Derek Volk raised the the next few months.” funds by creating a series of commemo- Volk completed his military ser- rative tiles that were placed on the mon- vice in 1976 as a specialist 4 after serv- ument’s 50-foot-long cement wall, which ing with the Transportation Corps at the stands 7 feet tall. South Boston Army Base and the 619th The tiles honor veterans of all of

36 • VFW • MAY 2019 America’s wars — from World War I ing, such as adding insulation and making morpheusseries.com), has been described through Afghanistan and Iraq — with other repairs that “make it much warm- by reviewers as a “dark thriller” and “a photos and brief descriptions of the con- er” in the winter. Day said the funds also hard book to put down.” tributions made by U.S. troops. allowed the Post “to help a few of our Volk said proceeds from the trilogy By collecting a $150 donation for each members who are struggling with prob- ($1 from every book sale are earmarked tile that honors a veteran — and then lems related to their combat service.” for Vietnam veterans) and the funds adding a sizable donation from VPC — The gift from Volk Packaging, accord- his company raises for U.S. vets are a the company was able to present Post ing to Day, was “a wonderful way to way of honoring the “heroic legacy” of 7997 with nearly $21,000 for improve- show support for America’s veterans.” America’s ﬁghting men and women. ments to its building. That included a He added that he and his fellow Post “Our combat veterans gave every- 72-inch Samsung wide-screen TV for members are “extremely grateful” for thing they had to protect all of us,” Volk the newly remodeled recreation area in the company’s generosity. said. “Supporting our company’s terriﬁc the basement. effort to raise these funds for our local Post 7997 Commander Bill Day said ‘THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE’ VFW Post — an effort that has been led his 211 VFW members have expressed But the story of the Heroes Wall doesn’t from the beginning by the tireless Derek their “sincere gratitude” whenever end there. Volk — and writing these books about they sit down to watch a New England In addition to cheerleading for the struggles of our combat veterans is Patriots game while “eating some pizza President Volk in his recent successful simply my way of saying ‘thank you for and drinking some beer.” They believe fundraising campaign, the elder Volk your service.’ ” - the gift has helped make their building has spent a large part of the past 36 years EMAIL [email protected] “much more inhabitable and much more writing three books about the prob- enjoyable,” he added. lems encountered by U.S. combat sol- Tom Nugent is a Marine who served “What Volk Packaging did for us was diers when they returned home from from 1962-68. He has written for VFW a beautiful example of giving back,” said Southeast Asia. magazine, The New York Times, The Day, a Vietnam veteran. The first book, The Morpheus Washington Post and authored the book He noted that the donation enabled the Conspiracy, in what has become known Death at Buffalo Creek. He lives in Post to “completely” renovate its build- as “The Morpheus Series” (www.the Hastings, Mich.

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MAY 2019 • WWW.VFW.ORG • 37 PHOTO BY JOE DAVIS/VFW

Details on memorials recognizing veterans of WWI and the wars in MEMORIALS ARE Iraq and Afghanistan are being hammered out for construction in

PHOTO BY PH1 JAMES FALK/U.S. NAVY FALK/U.S. JAMES PH1 BY WORKSPHOTO IN PROGRESS Washington, D.C.

BY JANIE DYHOUSE

ver the next fi ve years, three installments of $100,000 over fi ve years at the same time conscious of the tremen- national war memorials are (2015-19). dous responsibility we bear.” expected to be dedicated in Stump said the association has specifi c For more information, visit www. Oour nation’s capital — two in priorities for 2019. Those are: ndswm.org. 2021 and a third in 2024. Here is a look at • Continue working with the design where these proposed memorials are in team to create an iconic memorial NATIONAL WORLD WAR I MEMORIAL the process. design, which accurately tells this VFW’s Quartermaster General Debra story and honors all who made Anderson is a member of the WWI NATIONAL DESERT STORM the ultimate sacrifi ce, as well as Centennial Commission, which broke WAR MEMORIAL all who served. ground for the memorial on Nov. 9, 2017. On Feb. 26, the future site of the National • Receive design approval from the While construction has not yet begun, Desert Storm War Memorial was dedi- Commission of Fine Arts. the memorial will be located in Pershing cated at the corner of 23rd Street and • Raise 110 percent of the $40 mil- Park at 14th Street and Pennsylvania Constitution Avenue NW in Washington, lion needed to complete the Avenue NW in Washington, D.C. D.C. Memorial planners hope to dedicate memorial. The commission has raised more than the memorial on Veterans Day 2021. “Although remembering our fallen is of $20 million of the projected $40 million Scott Stump, president and CEO of the utmost importance, this will not be a place cost of the memorial. Planners are work- National Desert Storm War Memorial of mourning. Instead, the efforts and ing on every detail, including what types Association, said before his group can achievements of Operations Desert Storm of fl owers and plants to include as foliage break ground, it needs to raise an esti- and Desert Shield will be remembered and year-round to seating areas. mated $40 million. At press time, about celebrated through the Memorial,” said “There is a lot of detailed work going $8 million had been donated. Stump, a life member of VFW Post 748 in into the fi nal design,” Anderson said. VFW previously pledged $500,000 Knox, Ind. “We are humbled and honored “Both the park and the memorial will be to the effort. That amount was paid in to be entrusted with this mission, while amazing.”

ABOVE: Kentucky Lt. Gov. Jenean Hampton, a Persian Gulf War veteran and life member of VFW Post 4075 in Frankfort, Ky., speaks Feb. 26 at the site dedication for the National Desert Storm War Memorial in Washington, D.C. She was joined by hundreds of veterans and offi cials to dedicate the site at the corner of 23rd Street and Constitution Avenue NW, in the shadow of the Lincoln Memorial and near the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. Other guest speakers were former Vice President and former Secretary of Defense Dick Cheney, retired Air Force Gen. Chuck Horner, former U.S. Ambassador to Kuwait Ed Gnehm and current Kuwait Ambassador to the U.S. Abdullah Al-Jaber Al-Sabah.

38 • VFW • MAY 2019 “Although remembering our fallen is of utmost importance, this will not be a place of mourning.” Scott Stump, president and CEO of the National Desert Storm War Memorial Foundation

The commission hopes to have the Among the first stages in the process is • Resilience. war memorial completed by Veterans site selection, which is a lengthy process. • Sacrifice. Day 2021. “I believe it needs to be on the • Multi-Generational. For more information, visit www. National Mall,” Michael Rodriguez, pres- • Selfless Service. worldwar1centennial.org. ident of the memorial’s foundation, told • All-Volunteer. Military Times. “In a lot of ways, this has • Global. GLOBAL WAR ON TERRORMEMORIAL already become a forgotten war. We need • Multi-Cultural. While the Global War on Terror that national reminder.” • Ongoing. Memorial is still several years away Winstanley Architects & Planners Earlier this year, the foundation wel- from being dedicated — 2024 is the is overseeing the 24-step process comed veterans Lyla Kohistany and desired dedication year — the founda- required by the National Capital Vincent “Roco” Vargas as ambassadors. tion charged with creating the memorial Planning Commission and National Army vet Ted Skokos was named to the is working to make it a reality. Capital Memorial Advisory Commission foundation’s board of directors. In 2017, the Global War on Terrorism to design and build the memorial in “Each of these accomplished individ- War Memorial Act became law. It allows Washington, D.C. uals brings a unique set of skills, exper- the memorial to be built even though 10 After a site is selected, a design com- tise and perspective to our mission,” years have not passed since the end of petition will take place. said Rodriguez, a VFW life member the war, which is typically required by The foundation has a list of principles with the Department of North Carolina. the Commemorative Works Act of 1986. from which they are working to deter- “We are honored to welcome them as The law also authorizes the Global mine the memorial’s look, theme and valued new team members.” War on Terror Memorial Foundation to other elements. For more information, visit oversee the fundraising, design and con- Those are: www.gwotmemorialfoundation.org. J struction of the memorial. • Strength. EMAIL [email protected]

MAY 2019 • WWW.VFW.ORG • 39 A FINAL SALUTE VFW magazine presents this memorial listing in tribute to 51 uniformed Americans who died overseas in 2018. It includes troops killed in combat and non-hostile incidents. AFGHANISTAN GUAM KOREA Deaths to Enemy Action Deaths by Non-Hostile Causes Deaths by Non-Hostile Causes ARMY AIR FORCE AIR FORCE • Staff Sgt. Joshua Z. Beale, 1st Bn., 3rd Special • Airman 1st Class Bradley Hale, 2nd Aircraft • Airmen 1st Class Owen Little,31st Aircraft Forces Grp. (Abn.), Carrollton, Va. Maintenance Sqdn., Montgomery County, Texas. Maintenance Sqdn., 56th Helicopter • Command Sgt. Maj. Timothy A. Bolyard, 3rd NAVY Maintenance Unit, Yuba City, Calif. Sqdn., 1st Security Force Assistance Brigade, • Machinist’s Mate-Nuclear 3rd Class Zahir R. • Capt. Joonki Min, 51st Medical Operations Thornton, W. Va. Hakeem, USS Ronald Reagan, Buckeye, Ariz. Sqdn., Forest Park, Ill. • Sgt. 1st Class Christopher A. Celiz, 1st Bn., 75th ARMY Rangers, Summerville, S.C. IRAQ • Sgt. Marcos Aguon, 4th Bn., 1st FA, 3rd BCT, 1st • Spc. Gabriel D. Conde, 3rd Bn., 509th Inf., 4th Deaths by Non-Hostile Causes Armored Div., Talofofo, Guam Inf. BCT, 25th Inf. Div., Loveland, Colo. ARMY • Pfc. Adrienne Barillas, 11th Eng. Bn. 2nd • Sgt. 1st Class Eric Michael Emond, 1st Bn., 3rd • Chief Warrant Officer 3 Taylor J. Galvin,1st Combat Aviation Bde., The Woodlands, Texas Special Forces Grp. (Abn.), Brush Prairie, Wash. Bn., 160th SOAR, Spokane, Wash. • Sgt. Adam D. Wright, 6th Bn., 37th FA, 210th • Sgt. 1st Class Mihail Golin, 2nd Bn., 10th • Sgt. Christina Marie Schoenecker, 89th Field Artillery Brigade, Hill Air Force Base, Utah Special Forces Grp. (Abn.), Fort Lee, N.J. Sustainment Bde., Arlington, Kan. • Sgt. Leandro A.S. Jasso, 2nd Bn., 75th Rangers, • Spc. Javion S. Sullivan, 16th Signal Co., 11th KOSOVO Leavenworth, Wash. Theater Tactical Signal Bde., Fort Mill, S.C. Death by Non-Hostile Cause • Cpl. Joseph Maciel, 1st Bn., 28th Inf., 3rd Inf. ARMY Div., South Gate, Calif. Deaths by Helicopter Crash Near Syrian Border • Staff Sgt. Conrad A. Robinson, 155th Medical • Sgt. Jason Mitchell McClary, 1st Bn., 38th Inf., AIR FORCE Detachment, 261st Medical Bn., 44th Medical 1st Stryker BCT, 4th Inf. Div., Export, Penn. • Staff Sgt.D ashan J. Briggs, 106th Rescue Wing, Bde., Los Angeles, California • Capt. Andrew Patrick Ross, 1st Bn., 3rd Special Port Jefferson Station, N.Y. Forces Grp., Lexington, Va. • Staff Sgt. Carl P. Enis, 308th Rescue Sqdn., RED SEA • Spc. James A. Slape, 60th Troop Command, Tallahassee, Fla. Death by Non-Hostile Cause Morehead City, N.C. • Capt. Andreas B. O’Keeffe,106th Rescue Wing, NAVY • Maj. Brent R. Taylor, Utah Army National Center Moriches, N.Y. • Ens. Sarah Mitchell, USS Jason Dunham, Guard Joint Force HQ, Ogden, Utah • Master Sgt. William R. Posch, 308th Rescue Feasterville, Pa. (died in Jordan) • Staff Sgt. Reymund Rarogal Transfiguracion, Sqdn., Indialantic, Fla. 3rd Bn., 1st Special Forces Grp. (Abn.), • Master Sgt. Christopher J. Raguso, 106th SOMALIA Waikoloa, Hawaii Rescue Wing, Commack, N.Y. Death to Enemy Action • Capt. Mark K. Weber, 38th Rescue Sqdn., ARMY AIR FORCE Colorado Springs, Colo. • Staff Sgt. Alexander W. Conrad,1st Bn., 3rd • Staff Sgt.D ylan J. Elchin, 26th Special Tactics • Capt. Christopher T. Zanetis, 106th Rescue Special Forces Grp., Chandler, Arizona Sqdn., Hookstown, Pa. Wing, Long Island City, N.Y. SYRIA Deaths by Non-Hostile Causes ITALY Death to Enemy Action ARMY Deaths by Non-Hostile Causes ARMY • Pfc. Joshua Mikeasky, 4th Bn., 31st Inf., 2nd Bde. ARMY • Master Sgt. Jonathan J. Dunbar, Headquarters, Combat Team, 10th Mtn. Div., Johnstown, Pa. • Sgt. Kevin D. Connor, 1st Bn., 503rd Inf. (Abn.), U.S. Army Special Operations Command, • Staff Sgt. Diobanjo S. Sanagustin, 4th Bn., 9th 173rd Airborne Bde., Sherrills Ford, N.C. Austin, Texas Inf., 1st Stryker Bde. Combat Team, 4th Inf. Div., • Sgt. Nathan Teregeyo, 1st Bn., 503rd Inf., 173rd National City, Calif. Inf. Bde., Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands UKRAINE Death by Non-Hostile Cause BAHRAIN JAPAN AIR FORCE Deaths by Non-Hostile Causes Deaths by Aircraft Crash • Lt. Col. Seth Nehring, 194th Fighter Sqdn., ARMY MARINE CORPS 144th Fighter Wing, Fresno, Calif. • Sgt. 1st Class Maitland D. Wilson, 831st • Cpl. Daniel E. Baker, Marine Aerial Refueler Transportation Bn., 595th Transportation Bde., Transport Sqdn. 152, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES Brooklyn, N.Y. (died in Germany) Tremont, Ill. Death by Non-Hostile Cause • Maj. James M. Brophy, Marine Aerial Refueler AIR FORCE NAVY Transport Sqdn. 152, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, • Staff Sgt. James T. Grotjan, 4th Civil Eng. Sqdn., • Vice Adm. Scott Stearney, U.S. 5th Fleet, Staatsburg, N.Y. Waterford, Conn. (died in Germany) Chicago, Ill. • Staff Sgt. Maximo A. Flores, Marine Aerial • Unidentified sailor, Coastal Riverine Squadron Refueler Transport Sqdn. 152, 1st Marine FA=Field artillery 3, hometown unknown* Aircraft Wing, Surprise, Ariz. BCT=Brigade Combat Team • Col. Kevin R. Herrmann, Marine Aerial Refueler DJIBOUTI Transport Sqdn. 152, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, * A Coastal Riverine Squadron 3 spokesperson Death by Non-Hostile Cause New Bern, N.C. declined to release the sailor’s name “due to nature NAVY • Capt. Jahmar F. Resilard, Marine All Weather of loss.” The sailor’s name was not officially released • Hospital Corpsman 1st Class Fighter Attack Squadron 242, Miramar, Fla. as of February 2019. Matthew I. Holzemer, Special Operations • Cpl. William C. Ross, Marine Aerial Refueler Editor’s note: If there are other troops miss- Command Forward — East Africa, U.S. Africa Transport Sqdn. 152, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, ing from this memorial listing, send their name, Command, Nashville, Tenn. Hendersonville, Tenn. unit information, hometown and cause of death to [email protected].

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a veteran, I knew and was able to convey my father’s wishes. The chapel took care of all the arrangements, including coor- dinating the presence of an honor detail. We knew my father had been moved by honor details at funerals for his friends. Knowing that we were fulfilling his final wish for similar honors and that the Army was demonstrating its gratitude for his service was doubly moving for us. We display the folded flag in a place of honor to MILITARY FUNERAL HONORS remind us of my father’s service and its importance in his life. ARE YOUR RIGHT AS A VETERAN To ensure these benefits, I was required to produce the proper documents. I knew exactly where to find my Plan ahead to ensure that you will receive exactly what you want. It will father’s DD-214 because I had helped make the arduous process much easier on your family. him apply for a particular VA benefit that also required the form just a few weeks BY ALLEN MOGOL met. First, the family must tell the funeral before he passed away. director that their loved one wanted A veteran should make sure his or o some, the most meaning- the honors. Second, the family must be her family has a DD-214 (or an honor- ful tribute the federal govern- able to provide a DD-214 (Certificate of able discharge document) readily avail- ment can pay veterans is the Release or Discharge from Active Duty) able as far in advance as possible so they Tfinal one — providing military or documentation showing the veteran won’t have to search for it in the har- honors at his or her funeral. A veteran’s received an honorable discharge. ried days following a death. The military burial benefits are outlined inPublic Law “We had a situation where the fam- will accept faxed or emailed copies from 106-65, which was approved in 1999. ily could not find either piece of paper, funeral directors. Upon request by his or her family, any and no matter what we did, no way If you don’t already have either doc- eligible veteran will receive a military would military honors be provided,” said ument, visit the National Archives at funeral honors ceremony. This includes: Edward Yarmus, a funeral director at https://www.archives.gov/veterans/mil • the folding and presenting of a Plaza Jewish Community Chapel Inc. of itary-service-records for information on U.S. burial flag; New York City, and an Air Force veteran how to get a copy. Planning ahead is key. • the playing of “Taps”; and who served from 1962-67. My best advice to veterans who want • the presence of a military funeral a military honors burial is don’t wait honors detail. FIND RELEVANT DOCUMENTS NOW to tell your family. Explain specifically The law defines an appropriate hon- When my father passed away last fall, what honors you want and make sure ors detail as “consisting of two or more I was fortunate to have had both con- the required forms are easily accessible uniformed military persons, with at least ditions met. My father had told me the when needed. one being a member of the veteran’s par- previous spring that he wanted military For more information about bene- ent service of the armed forces.” honors, which also can include honor fits and eligibility, access https://www. These honors are provided by the guard pallbearers and a rifle volley at the va.gov/burials-memorials. J Department of Defense at no charge to cemetery, depending on local availability EMAIL [email protected] the family. and ability. But to receive military honors at a vet- When the funeral director asked what Allen Mogol is a freelance writer based eran’s funeral, two conditions must be honors, if any, we wanted as the family of in New York City.

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Older veterans represent about 70 percent of those with diabetes. Agent Orange exposure and antidepressants are contributing factors.

BY JANICE PHELAN

early 30 million Americans A Vietnam veteran who served 36 years, nosed with diabetes has increased four- have diabetes. That is about Moore takes diabetic medication and fold between 1980 and 2014.” 9 percent of the U.S. popula- insulin and monitors his blood sugar A team approach to diabetes care, as Ntion. In addition, more than 7 twice each day. well as education and support, are criti- million individuals remain undiagnosed Having regular medical screenings, cal, said Dr. Edward W. Gregg, chief in with the condition, according to the following a doctor’s advice and taking the Epidemiology and Statistics Branch American Diabetes Association. medications as prescribed are important for the Division of Diabetes Translation, Among veterans, this percentage is in diabetes care, Moore said, as well as Centers for Disease Control and higher for a variety of reasons, said Dr. eating healthy, exercising, monitoring Prevention in Atlanta. Mariana Garcia Touza, staff endocri- blood sugar and recording results. “Managing diabetes is focusing on the nologist at the Kansas City Veterans When it comes to exercise, Moore basics: eat well, move more, know your Administration (VA) Medical Center. added, “obtain your doctor’s approval numbers and see your health care team “Diabetes is higher in veterans before starting an exercise regimen and to stay on track,” Gregg said. “Although because [they represent] an older fi nd something you like — that way you new treatment options regularly emerge, population,” Touza said. “Many of the are more apt to stay with it.” consistent and successful diabetes man- veterans are treated with psychiatric The majority of Americans with dia- agement is the best thing you can do to medication to treat PTSD and depres- betes have Type 2, a problem within the promote positive health outcomes and sion. One of the side effects of antide- body that causes blood glucose (sugar) avoid dangerous diabetes complications.” pressants is obesity and diabetes. Some levels to rise higher than normal. Gregg, who received the American of the Vietnam veterans had exposure to In Type 1 diabetes, the body does not Diabetes Association’s 2016 Kelly West Agent Orange, which also is a risk factor produce insulin, a hormone the body Award for Outstanding Achievement in for diabetes.” needs to get glucose from the blood- Epidemiology, added, “Diabetes Self- According to VA, nearly one in four stream into the body’s cells. Management Education and Support veterans (1.6 million people) who are Touza said that diabetes prevention is (DSMES) services help people with receiving its care has diabetes. especially important. diabetes learn how to take the best care “Veterans 65 years and older com- “Having access to a weight manage- of themselves. People with diabetes prise 70 percent of those with diabetes,” ment program and lifestyle changes to can ask their health care provider for a Touza said, “refl ecting the older-age prevent the development of obesity is the referral to DSMES services to help man- distribution of this population.” fi rst step to preventing diabetes,” she said. age their diabetes.” ✪ Bruce Moore, an Army veteran who “The prevalence of diabetes is increas- EMAIL [email protected] served as a senior food service sergeant, ing around the world, mostly due to the was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes in increase in rates of obesity and sedentary Janice Phelan is a freelance writer 2000 during a routine annual checkup. lifestyles. The number of Americans diag- based in LeeÕs Summit, Mo.

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Inside Internal Affairs By John Hein, VFW Post 1893, Estill STAFF PICK Springs, Tenn. This book explains the purpose and Zero to Hero: From Bullied Kid to Warrior procedures of law enforcement organi- By Allen J. Lynch zations, including those in the military, and how they are a part of America’s internal affairs functions. The book also This book is about the life story of Al Lynch, one of takes a look at misunderstandings and the 72 living Medal of Honor recipients, as of March misconceptions about internal affairs. 19, 2019. Lynch, a life member of VFW Post 4308 Looseleaf Law in Lake Villa, Ill., grew up in Chicagoland’s industrial neighborhoods. His prospects of following in his The Gulf of Tonkin Events — Fifty father’s footsteps as a blue-collar tradesman were cut Years Later: A Footnote to the History short by the Vietnam War and by his personal search of the Vietnam War for something greater than himself. The book tells of By John White, VFW Post 10052, Lynch’s military career, including a deadly firefight in Cheshire, Conn. Vietnam where he rushed to rescue three wounded This book accounts the role of author men. While he was urged to leave the wounded and John White during the Gulf of Tonkin return to a safe positi on, Lynch refused to retreat in events. It details what the U.S. govern- order to stay with the troops. This also is the story of ment claimed was an unprovoked North the many troubling consequences of surviving batt les Vietnamese attack on the USS Maddox while others died. Pritzker and USS Turner Joy while underway off the coast of Vietnam in 1964. CreateSpace Patriot Dreams Company Grade: Memoir of an By Dennis Martin, VFW Post 2678, Angry Skipper The Battle for Chu Moor Mountain Sparrows Point, Md. By Henry Colavita, VFW Post 7589, By Fred Childs, VFW Post 3208, This book is a collection of poems Manassas, Va. Sierra Madre, Calif. written by Vietnam War veterans divid- This memoir covers Henry Colavita’s This book contains fi rst-hand stories ed into three parts. Part one explores 20-year career in the Army, including from troops of the 4th Infantry Division what goes through the minds of patriots tours in Vietnam, as well as his 17-year who participated in the Vietnam War’s and what drives them. Part two pays career in law enforcement. Wounded in Battle of Chu Moor Mountain. During tribute to veterans who fought, and part Vietnam during his fi rst tour, Colavita the week of heavy fi ghting, 1st Bn., 22nd three celebrates what it means to live in returned for a second tour as an infan- Inf. Regt., fought the battle in the Kontum this nation. Lulu try captain. His military career also Province, near the Cambodian border. included a stint at the Pentagon and in Also a part of the battle was 1st Bn., 14th Sniping in the Trenches: World War Berlin. Colavita retired from the mili- Inf. Regt.; 1st Bn., 12th Inf. Regt.; and 3rd I and the Birth of Modern Sniping tary in 1983 and transitioned to a career Bn., 8th Inf. Regt. AuthorHouse By John Plaster, VFW Post 10197, in law enforcement. Hellgate Iron River, Wis. The Pathfi nder Author John Plaster tells the story The Navy Gave Me Shoes By E. James DuBois, VFW Post 158, of Canadian and English war veterans By Douglas Bryant, VFW Post 1012, Buena, N.J. who trained America’s snipers, ready- Medford, Mass., and Jeff Wignall This novel is about a West Point ing them for World War I. Sniping in Retired Navy Senior Chief graduate, Lincoln Davis, who learns that the Trenches is illustrated with nearly Engineman Douglas Bryant tells the Vietnamese orphaned girls were being 500 rare photographs from museums story of his early years growing up forced into an international human and archives in the U.S., Canada and in northern New Hampshire during traffi cking scheme. While the battles Europe. A dozen full-length fi rst- the Great Depression and his Naval of an infantry unit in Vietnam present hand sniping accounts by American, career in the submarine service. This a variety of life-threatening challenges, Canadian, British and Australian snip- memoir covers Bryant’s 25 years as a the battle of an unknown enemy reveals ers also are in this book. Paladin sailor from WWII to the Vietnam War. that war comes in a variety of settings. CreateSpace Christian Faith

VFW magazine’s “Book Corner” features select books written by VFW members. If you have written a book or an e-book bearing an ISBN or ASIN, contact the magazine for guidelines at [email protected] or by mail at: VFW magazine, Book Corner, 406 W. 34th Street, Suite 523, Kansas City, MO, 64111. The subject of the book must relate to the military or veterans.

46 • VFW • MAY 2019 PUBLISHERS CLEARING HOUSE

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Hurry - respond ASAP. IT’S ABSOLUTELY FREE! OFFICIAL RULES: ALL PRIZES GUARANTEED TO BE AWARDED AS OFFERED. NO PURCHASE OR PAYMENT NECESSARY TO WIN. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED. ALL GIVEAWAYS ARE VOID IN THE PROVINCE OF QUEBEC AND RESIDENTS OF THAT PROVINCE ARE NOT ELIGIBLE TO ENTER OR WIN. Contest Officials will take a special early look for a matching winning number in just a few weeks. A prize of $25,000.00 A-Month-For-Life will be paid to the winner of Giveaway No. 13000 if the timely returned winning entry for our June 30th Special Early Look SuperPrize Event comes from this promotion. If an eligible matching winning number is not returned, an alternate winner will receive a $1,000,000.00 prize. Award subject to verification of identity and eligibility. Winner must sign an Affidavit of Eligibility within 30 days or alternate winner will be selected. Principals and employees of PCH and their immediate families are not eligible. Board of Judges’ decisions are final. Bulk entries will not be accepted. Not responsible for lost or mutilat- ed mail. Entry constitutes permission to use winner's name and photograph in television commercials, in website promotions, and for other promotional purposes, unless prohibited by law. Subject to complete Official Rules available at website or mail address provided. Entry must be received by 5/31/19. SWEEPSTAKES FACTS: Giveaway No. 13000; End Date: 2/28/20; Est. Odds of Winning: 1 in 6,200,000,000. You Have Not Yet Won. All Entries Have the Same Chance of Winning. We don’t know who the winner is. Enter For Free. You don’t have to buy anything to enter. Enter As Often As You Like. You may submit additional entries by writing to the address provided. Each entry request must be mailed separately. Buying Won’t Help You Win. Your chances of winning are the same as someone who buys something. MEMBER BENEFITS PERKS OF VFW MEMBERSHIP

Bundling Auto and Home Insurance

nsurance is one of those neces- • Burglary or break-in damage sities that you might dread • Falling objects, such as tree limbs researching and purchasing. • Roof or structural damage caused IHowever, protecting your vehicle by ice or snow MEMORIAL WREATHS and home makes it worthwhile. • Freezing of plumbing Many insurance providers allow you • Accidental water damage VFW Auxiliary to bundle auto and home insurance, • Artifi cially generated electricity 9205 18” $36.00 9220 saving time and money. On average, There also are options to add addi- 9215 20” $46.00 9221 you can save 16.1 percent by bundling tional coverage to the insurance policy. Please order by May 10. homeowner and auto insurance policies For example, if you live near a fault line, in the U.S.* you might want earthquake coverage. GRAVE MARKERS Here is a look at these two types of Flood coverage is another example of insurance policies. special coverage. US HOME INSURANCE AUTO INSURANCE VETERAN According to the 2018 U.S. Census, 64.2 Each state has its own mandatory 3205 percent of Americans owned homes at minimum coverage requirements for $14.95 that time. With homeownership on the automobiles, but all 50 states and the rise, it is important to think about insur- District of Columbia require drivers to ance for homes and property. have insurance coverage for both bodily A home is often said to be the most injury and property damage. expensive purchase a person will make. Many auto insurance policies now Whether you own a home, condo or include benefi ts such as: mobile home, or rent property to oth- • Accident forgiveness — After ers, you need insurance to protect your an accident, your driving record investment. In fact, if you have a mort- is protected from being affected gage, you are often required to purchase by the insurance company’s rat- VFW Bronze VFW Plastic home insurance. ing system. 3500 $40.00 3503 $12.00 Homeowner policies are a multiple- • Flexible payment options — line insurance policy, including both Pay in monthly, semi-annual or property insurance and liability cover- semi-annual payments divided age. Typically, these policies have an into four payments. indivisible premium, meaning a single • Good-driver discounts — If you premium is paid for all risks. are a careful driver, you may earn Common homeowner insurance a lower premium. policies provide protection against inci- There a variety of options for auto and AUXILIARY AUXILIARY dents such as: home insurance. Do some research and Cast aluminum Plastic • Fire fi nd the policies that meet your needs. 3200 $32.00 3505 $12.00 • Lightning For more information, call the • Wind or hail storms VFW Member Benefi ts Department • Explosions at 1-833-VFW-VETS (1-833-839-8387), 1.833.VFW.VETS • Smoke damage option 3. • Vandalism Prices valid through 8/31/19 • Aircraft or vehicle collisions *Source: Insurance Quotes. Quadrant Plus Shipping & Handling • Riots or civil commotions Information Services, 2017.

48 • VFW • MAY 2019

ATTENTION VETERANS! 1 in 4 seniors will fall this year.*

An Acorn Stairlift is the perfect solution for: ü Arthritis and COPD sufferers ü Those with mobility issues CALL TODAY! ü Anyone who struggles on the stairs Plus receive a FREE info kit with DVD just for calling! ACCREDITED BUSINESS A+ Rating ® 1-866-810-2338

*According to the CDC. **Not valid on previous purchases. Not valid with any other offers or discounts. Not valid on refurbished models. Only valid towards purchase of a NEW Acorn Stairlift directly from the manufacturer. $250 discount will be applied to new orders. Please mention this ad when calling. AZ ROC 278722, CA 942619, MN LC670698, OK 50110, OR CCB 198506, RI 88, WA ACORNSI894OB, WV WV049654, MA HIC169936, NJ 13VH07752300, PA PA101967, CT ELV 0425003-R5, AK 134057. John S. Victory, Sr. US Army, Retired

50 • VFW • MAY 2019 ContractNo Breakthrough technology converts phone calls to captions. Monthly Fee New amplified phone lets you No hear AND see the conversation. The Hamilton® CapTel® Captioned Telephone converts phone conversations to easy-to-read captions for individuals with hearing loss.

Do you get discouraged when requires telephone service and you hear your telephone ring? high-speed Internet access. WiFi Do you avoid using your phone Capable.Capable. CCallersallers ddoo nnotot nneedeed because hearing difficulties make special equipment or a captioned it hard to understand the person telephone in order on the other end of the line? For to speak with you. many Americans the telephone Finally…Finally… a pphonehone yyouou conversation – once an important can use again. The part of everyday life – has become Hamilton CapTel a thing of the past. Because they phone is also can’t understand what is said packed with to them on the phone, they’re features to help often cut off from friends, family, make phone doctors and caregivers. Now, calls easier. thanks to innovative technology The keypad has there is finally a better way. large,large, eeasyasy ttoo uusese A simple idea… made possible buttons. You get with sophisticated technology. adjustableadjustable vvolumeolume If you have trouble understanding amplificationamplification aalonglong wwithith a call, captioned telephone the ability to save captions can change your life. During a forfor rrevieweview llater.ater. IItt eevenven “For years I avoided phone calls phone call the words spoken has an answering machine to you appear on the phone’s that provides you with the because I couldn’t understand the screen – similar to closed captions of each message. caller… now I don’t miss a thing!” captioning on TV. So when you make or receive a call, the See for yourself with our words spoken to you are not exclusive home trial. Try a only amplified by the phone, but captioned telephone in your scroll across the phone so you own home and if you are not completely amazed, simply can listen while reading what’s SEE what said to you. Each call is routed return it within 60-days for a through a call center, where you’ve been refund of the product purchase computer technology – aided by missing! price. It even comes with a a live representative – generates 5-year warranty. voice-to-text translations. The captioning is real-time, Captioned accurate and readable. Your conversation is private. Internet Telephone Protocol Captioned Telephone Call now for our special Service (IP CTS) is regulated introductory price! and funded by the Federal Communications Commission Call now Toll-Free (FCC) and is designed exclusively for individuals with hearing loss. 1-888-299-8933 To learn more, visit www.fcc.gov. Please mention promotion code 111439. The Captioned Telephone is intended for use by people with hearing loss. In purchasing a Captioned Telephone, you The Hamilton CapTel phone acknowledge that it will be used by someone who cannot hear well over a traditional phone. Hamilton is a registered trademark of Nedelco, Inc. d/b/a Hamilton Telecommunications. CapTel is a registered trademark of Ultratec, Inc. 81135 MEMBER CORNER MAKING THE MOST OF YOUR VFW PHOTO COURTESY OF MARK DECKER Communication Increases Membership Department of New Mexico Commander Mark Decker signs VFW recruiters are on a blistering pace this year. Here are up a member in a few examples of how they are making it happen. January for the newly chartered Roswell Post. BY JANIE DYHOUSE

or the first time in 27 years, made the most sense because it VFW is on track to hit 100 had a Post at one time. Also, he percent in membership. VFW said veterans comprise about 25-30 FCommander-in-Chief B.J. percent of the population. Lawrence attributed this to the effective “Roswell used to have a Post but teamwork at all levels. He also said the it closed down about 10 years ago membership numbers are reflective of due to canteen issues,” said Decker, greater communication. a member of Post 9517. “This “By getting out of the Posts and into seemed like the logical choice.” the communities, we’ve had great suc- To get the process started, cess this year,” Lawrence said. “From Decker sent a letter in October to all better recruiting to establishing new at-large members within 25 miles of Posts and revitalizing existing ones, our Roswell. Out of 118 letters mailed, members have done a phenomenal job.” Decker received 57 ‘yes’ responses. Dennis Flynn, Department of A VFW booth was set up in Missouri service officer, has a long January at the local Sam’s Club record of successful recruiting, and this and Tractor Supply Company to year is no different. He’s working on 16 recruit. In those two days, they consecutive years of signing up 100 or signed up 19 more members. more new members. More than 30 vets showed up for Flynn’s approach is unlike a typical the first meeting held at the Roswell recruiter. As the service officer for the public library, which is providing state, he has to review every VA claim. a room to the VFW free-of-charge. • Post 6179 in Reedsville increased In doing this, he can see if the veteran is Decker said the members won’t need to from 50 to 51. eligible for VFW membership. Next, he worry about purchasing a Post home for • Post 2879 in Milwaukee went from accesses VFW’s membership list for the about five years. 47 to 54. state to see if the veterans he has identi- “For now, we are just happy to have a • Post 3742 in South Milwaukee grew fied are already members. place to meet and get out and do some- from 45 to 51. If not, Flynn sends a letter and a self- thing good in the community,” said Metz credits District membership addressed, stamped envelope asking if Decker, who was in the Marines from leaders, as well as the individual Post the vet would like to join. If a vet returns 1990-2006. officers, for signing up new members. payment for membership to him, Flynn “We are losing too many Posts,” said takes the time to fill out the application. WISCONSIN POSTS GET NEW LIFE Metz, who served in Korea from 1988- “I’m using my job as the basis for find- Department of Wisconsin Commander 89. “I think what they have done here ing out who these veterans are,” Flynn Gundel Metz had a goal in mind for her is very encouraging. I’m just the cheer- said. “However, I always put service first. membership year: revitalize Posts that leader to cheer them on.” I don’t mention membership unless the needed it. Another idea Metz had to boost mem- vet brings it up. We are here to assist all “From day one, I didn’t think it made bership was “Gundy’s March Madness veterans regardless of membership.” sense to start new Posts when others Membership Bracket.” It offered incen- are struggling,” Metz said. “It’s all about tives, such as an award of $100 to the ROSWELL ‘LOGICAL’ getting in new blood and helping those top four Posts to get the most reinstated CHOICE FOR NEW POST struggling to keep a Post going. We all members back on the roster. Department of New Mexico get older, unfortunately, and we need At press time, the March Madness Commander Mark Decker established new people.” challenge was ongoing. a Post in Roswell earlier this year. Post In all, four Posts in the state got mem- “These are great examples of ways to 12184 had its first meeting on Feb. 16. bership boosts: build VFW’s membership,” Lawrence Decker said that when he became • Post 8813 in Marinette more than said. “Always think outside of the box, commander, he knew that he wanted doubled its rolls, going from 27 mem- and it will pay off in the end.” J to get a Post established, and Roswell bers to 58 members. EMAIL [email protected]

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To publicize your unit’s reunion, submit a form [email protected] VA-86: Scott Lynch (260) 233-1373; [email protected] online at: www.vfw.org/forms/reunion-form. USS Basilone Association: Frank J. Stepka Sr. (214) 621-2520; VP-6 Blue Sharks: James Lamers (703) 727-7944; Submit at least four months in ad vance of [email protected] [email protected] reunion date. VFW members only. USS Bennington CVS-20: Ronald W. Christensen VQ 1/2/5/6 and Support Group: Paul Buemi (817) 964-3016; (402) 677-3413; [email protected] [email protected] AIR FORCE USS Bordelon DD/DDR-881: Sonny Stowers (804) 356-3112; 13th Bomb Squadron Assoc.: Ron Silvia (774) 319-8994; [email protected] ALL BRANCHES [email protected] USS Capodanno FF-1093/ USS Trippe 1075: Patrick Siwa Distinguished Flying Cross Society: Warren Eastman 463rd Airlifters and 316th TAW: Linda Kirkpatrick (810) 728-2762; [email protected] (760) 985-2810; [email protected] (765) 461-9759; [email protected] USS Chikaskia AO-54: Bob Grant (781) 249-5501; Pleiku Air Base (all units), Vietnam: Stephen Ron Chromulak CCKAB: Bob Keller(714) 865-9177; [email protected] [email protected] (412) 515-7247; [email protected] Inflight Refueling Association Boom Operators: Steve Reeff USS Delta AR-9: Ron Ihsen (480) 389-7078; TLC Brotherhood: George W. Shenberger (717) 424-3633; (501) 691-1085; [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Red Horse and Prime Beef, USAF, USAFR, & ANG: Dick Aldinger USS Denver LPD-9 and CL-58: Jim Hyden (501) 590-5786; Vietnam MP Sentry Don Alumni: Ernie Ayala (626) 862-2667; (407) 859-7436; [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] USS Duluth LPD-6: John Adams (610) 213-6379; ARMY [email protected] 1st Bn., 77th Armor: Bob Basner (989) 624-4593; USS Dyess DD-880: Charlie Russin (513) 239-8235; CLAIMS [email protected] [email protected] 2nd Bn., 94th Artillery: Felton Dunnehoo (337) 513-8320; USS Enterprise: Doug Braun (406) 861-3777; Readers are urged to help these vet s seek ing claim [email protected] [email protected] sub stan ti a tion state ments. Respond directly to 3rd Bn., 5th Cav, 9th Inf. Div., all troops, Vietnam 1965-1973: USS Fechteler DD/DDR-870: Douglas Boyer (208) 476-0102; the per son list ed at the end of the claim as sis tance Al Cavasin (517) 524-6228; [email protected] [email protected] re quest. This service is provided for VFW mem- 9th Inf. Div., Mekong Delta, Vietnam: Terry M. Sater USS Forrestal CVA/CV/AVT-59: Jim Brussell (937) 295-2863; bers who are in the process of filing a VA claim. [email protected] (314) 488-1887; [email protected] Please submit your claim online at www.vfw.org/ 23rd Inf. Div., 196th D2, 1970-71: Edson Archer (316) 305- USS Fox DLG/CG-33: Michael Hare (419) 310-2958; 0916; [email protected] [email protected] forms/vfw-claim-form. 30th Field Artillery Regiment Assoc.: Theodore J. Janosko USS Galveston CLG-3: Bob Bakos (412) 882-1591; (580) 917-6000; [email protected] [email protected] Air Force 50th Co., Inf., OCS Class OC 24-69: Brian Walrath USS George Bancroft SSBN-643: Bill Badalucca 6th Tac Recon Wing, Kimpo AFB, Korea, Dec. 1951-Jan. 1952 (440) 543-7054; [email protected] (828) 735-0831; [email protected] – Seeking anyone to substantiate an injury occurring that could 84th and 62nd Eng. Const. Bn., Korea 1950-1953: Vic Swanson USS Hamner DD-718: Patty Hathaway (301) 262-5516; explain the need for knee, hip and shoulder replacements. James A. (505) 200-4555; [email protected] [email protected] Schmalfuss (770) 316-8813 [email protected] 142nd Medical Co., CLR: Edward or Sharon McCullough USS Holland AS-32: Thomas Hamilton (860) 690-8797; 8th Supply Sqdn., Ubon AFLD, Thailand, 1970-71 – Seeking (203) 949-9029; [email protected] [email protected] anyone assigned as security police augmentee to the Flight Line 180th 403 ASHC Big Windy: Stanley Neckermann USS Kawishiwi AO-146: Evan Kline (385) 770-8390; where Agent Orange was used to substantiate a prostate can- (314) 487-5384; [email protected] [email protected] cer claim. John L. Hawthorne (916) 692-8256 554th Engineers Vietnam Vet: Tammy Milam (740) 339-0554; USS Mahan, all hull numbers: Gary White (713) 501-7823; [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] USS Mark AKL-12: Roger Hamilton (513) 871-3145; A Co., 158 AHB of the 101st Abn. Div.: John Snyder 8th TAC Wing & Support Squadron, Ubon Air Force Base, [email protected] (405) 863-3506 Thailand – Seeking anyone to substantiate an Agent Orange claim. USS Mullany DD-528: Jon Miller (309) 999-9999; Charlie Co., 2nd Bn., 12th Inf., 25th Inf. Div.: Danny Breeding Sammy Parsons, 675 Parsons Lane, Oxford, NC 27565 (252) [email protected] (423) 345-5000; [email protected] 432-6380 C Co., 1st Bn., 6th Inf., 198th Inf. Bde., AMERICAL Div., RVN, USS Newport News CA-148: Susan B. Peden (802) 897-2001; [email protected] 1969-70: Paul E. Cullinane Jr. 100th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing, DeNang AF, Feb-May USS Okanogan APA-220, 1944-1970: David Meierhoff (717) 263-2838; [email protected] 1971 – Seeking anyone to substantiate my time of “boots on the (620) 340-7406; [email protected] Engineer OCS Class 10-B-69: Ronald Anderson ground” for exposure to Agent Orange medical claim. Veryl Donald USS Ouellet FF-1077: Chester Lipka (847) 456-3239; (405) 341-4569; [email protected] Monroe Crittenden II (316) 788-4924 [email protected] Veterans of the First Eng. Bn.: Dale Greenfield (605) 350-2319; [email protected] USS Point Defiance LSD-31: Mike Doto (406) 491-9308; [email protected] Army [email protected] 3rd Armored Div. Headquarters/503rd Military Police Co., Drake ARMY AIR FORCE USS Providence CLG-6/CL-82: Jim Chryst (717) 284-6996; Keserne, Frankfurt, Germany, June 1969-Dec. 1970 – Seeking [email protected] RAF Burtonwood Association: Jim Bentley (813) 610-4174; anyone who can substantiate a PTSD claim. Roger A. Nibert USS Rainer AE-5: David Tongish (303) 229-8422; [email protected] (614) 580-2801 [email protected] [email protected] MARINES USS Rupertus DD-851: Rick Vandersloot (307) 389-5287; 505th Transportation Co., 519th Transportation Bn., Medium [email protected] 1st Bn., 1st Marines, Vietnam 1965-1971: Bill Kendle Truck Cargo, United States Army Support, Thailand, Dec. 2-7, USS Shangri-la CV/CVA/CVS-38: Al Miller (610) 588-0422; (651) 248-3914; [email protected] 1967 – Specifically searching for the manifest from a Northwest [email protected] 1st Bn., 3rd Marines, Vietnam and all eras: Don Bumgarmer flight from Yakota, Japan to Bangkok, Thailand via Vietnam. USS South Carolina CGN-37: Eric R. Linthicum (301) 213-8989; (562) 897-2437; [email protected] Seeking anyone to substantiate a claim for Agent Orange exposure. [email protected] 1st Bn., 5th Marines, 1986-1992: Scott Hainline Wayne A. Vance (602) 617-7227 [email protected] (309) 351-2050; [email protected] USS Spinax SS-489 Submarine: Bruce Taff (321) 452-8866; [email protected] 3rd Bn., 4th Marines: Travis Fryzowicz (732) 803-1821; C Co., 2nd Combat Eng., 2nd Inf. Div., Pork Chop Hill, Oct. USS Sterett: Joe Gaughan (904) 296-2222; [email protected] [email protected] 20-Nov. 17, 1952 – I was Co. C’s Medic. They called me “Doc USS Sunfish SSN-649: Steven Moreau (413) 529-8012; Marine Corps Eng. Assoc.: Hank Rudge (336) 766-8723; Foster.” Searching for anyone to substantiate a claim. Edward E. [email protected] [email protected] Foster 4377 W 132nd St. #C Hawthorne, CA 90250 Marines of Long Ago: Joe “Red” Cullen (203) 877-0846; USS Terrell County LST-1157: Clovis Long (417) 438-3704; [email protected] [email protected] CSC, 1st Bn., 36th Inf., Friedberg, West Germany, end of May USS Thetis Bay CVE-90/CVHA-1/LPH-6: Frank J. Balthazor Third Marine Div.: Roger Bacon (330) 424-9359; 1976 – Seeking anyone who witnessed me being pushed out of (608) 249-9961; [email protected] [email protected] a 5-ton truck at field exercise to substantiate a claim. Timothy K. USS Topeka CLG-8: Dan Moore (574) 295-5156; Rowse (308) 346-4517 [email protected] [email protected] NAVY USS Vogelgesang DD-862: Ron Savvino (703) 474-3185; AE/AOE Sailors Assoc. Inc.: Kurt Julsen (907) 632-9961; Navy [email protected] [email protected] USS Constellation, 1966-67 – Seeking anyone who served aboard USS Wahoo SS-565: James Van Vranken (707) 696-2578; American Assoc. of Navy Hospital Corpsmen: Chuck Kraut or who knew James D. Fabrick to substantiate a claim. Mike Barker [email protected] (817) 229-5194; [email protected] (541) 746-9295 [email protected] MCB-7, NMCB-7: Denny Blaisdell (419) 867-9371; USS Warrington DD-843: Stan Prager (916) 791-6700; [email protected] [email protected] USS Ticonderoga CVA-14, Med Cruise 1955-1956 or West Pac USS Wasp: Walt Pinegar (936) 291-0228; MCB-11 Assoc. Seabees: Larry Hagler (512) 796-2834; 1958-59 – Seeking anyone from V-2 Division to substantiate [email protected] [email protected] hearing loss due to working on catapults for aircraft hookups. USS Will Rogers SSBN-659: Earl S. Colella (734) 730-1026; Mobile Riverine Force Assoc.: Terry M. Sater (314) 488-1887; James David Wheeler (352) 726-4106 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] National Assoc. of Destroyer Veterans: Terry Miller (512) 417-7248; USS Zellars DD-777: Kevin Davis. Sr. (603) 261-2065; [email protected]

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MAY 2019 • WWW.VFW.ORG • 59 VFW IN ACTION MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN THE COMMUNITY

VFW Post 5694 and American Legion Post 439 honor guard members participate on July 4, 2018, in the dedication of the Veterans Memorial Wall in Highland, Ill. IN MEMORIAM Here are the names engraved on the PHOTO COURTESY OF POST 5694 POST OF COURTESY PHOTO memorial at Dennis H. Rinderer Park in Highland, Ill. • Pvt. Leroy Iten, Army, KIA Oct. 8, 1918 • Patrolman David McCain, killed in the line of duty, May 15, 1930 • Pvt. William F. Metzger, Army, KIA Feb. 2, 1943 • Seaman 1st Class Elmer Braundmeier, U.S. Navy Reserves, KIA March 29, 1943 • Seaman 1st Class Neal Hilon Rood, Navy, KIA July 6, 1943 • Pvt. Delmar F. Kuhn, Army Air Corps, KIA Aug. 8, 1943 • Pfc. Leevern C. Heim, Army, KIA April 22, 1944 ‘Signifi cant’ Research Leads • Pfc. Robert Fischer, Army, KIA July 24, 1944 to Local Veterans Memorial • Pvt. Walter W. Maden Jr., Army, KIA July 24, 1944 The VFW Post in Highland, Ill., helped build a memorial to • Pfc. Eugene F. Seifried, Army, KIA Aug. those in the community killed in WWI and WWII. 27, 1944 • Staff Sgt. William F. Barrett Jr., Army, BY JANIE DYHOUSE KIA Sept. 4, 1944 • Cpl. Leo Erwin Kauhl, Army, KIA Oct. 8, 1944 hanks to the combined Air Force from 1973-1996. “We are con- • Sgt. Jerome A. Korte, Army Air Corps, efforts of VFW Post 5694 and structing a POW memorial across from KIA Dec. 7, 1944 American Legion Post 439, the this one to recognize our city’s veterans • Pfc. Delmar M. Schauster, Army, KIA city of Highland, Ill., now has who were POWs. Research is still under Dec. 17, 1944 T • Sgt. Paul E. Siegrist, Army, KIA March a Veterans Memorial Wall at Dennis H. way, but I believe the number is six Rinderer Park. POWs from WWI and WWII.” 2, 1945 Dedicated on July 4, 2018, with a A committee comprised of VFW • Pfc. William A. Neudecker, Army Air crowd of some 300 people, the memo- and American Legion members sold Corps, KIA March 8, 1945 rial has mounted individual bronze engraved bricks to the friends and fam- • Sgt. Herbert A. Frey, Army Air Corps, plaques bearing the names of 16 veter- ily members of those wanting to honor KIA June 3, 1945 ans of WWI and WWII, as well as the veterans. The money from the brick sales name of one police offi cer killed in the paid for the bronze plaques as well as the line of duty in 1930. engraving and installation of the bricks. committee will maintain the memorial. The center plaque pays tribute to all Each 4-by-8-inch brick holds up to 13 Black said HACF collects and manages men and women who have served or are characters of personalization per line the funds. Meanwhile, the committee now serving in the military. The insig- and costs $100. Also available are 8-by- gathers the brick applications and then nia for each military service is included 8-inch and 12-by-12-inch options for engraves and installs the bricks. The with the words: “All Gave Some — Some $135 and $300, respectively. city is responsible for maintaining the Gave All.” Black, who earned his VFW eligibility park grounds. According to VFW Post 5694 member at Osan Air Base in Korea from 1978-79, The dedication featured an address Mike Black, memorials to those who said the committee raised $41,000 and by Highland Mayor Joseph Michaelis. served and died after WWII are already in had spent $28,000 on the memorial. Community leaders also expressed their place in the park, but this is the fi rst of its “We have 235 bricks to date, and it’s appreciation for veterans. kind for the city. growing,” Black said. “I am proud of the “This event symbolized the outpour- “A signifi cant amount of research was VFW and what it does for our veterans.” ing of gratitude for our veterans that this conducted to determine our KIAs,” said The Highland Area Community community is known for,” Black said. ✪ Black, who served as a member of the U.S. Foundation (HACF) and the memorial EMAIL [email protected]

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