VAnguardU.S. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS MAY 2002

A Talk with the Secretary page 6

Inside: HR Regs Online, 4 ✩ NCA's Memorials Inventory, 10 ✩ Baseball and War, 12 CONTENTS ❏ HR Policies 4 NTRODUCING Revised regulations now online I Melody Miles ❏ Benefits Information 5 Service on toll-free line improves Melody Miles knows what it’s O’Neal, Danny Ray van Avery and like to be hungry and homeless. Valsa George—have seen their hard ❏ Secretary Principi 6 Three years ago, she was living in a work pay off. Each year, more people VAnguard sits down with VA chief homeless shelter. That was the point and more organizations recognize ❏ where she took control of her life. the importance of this program. NCA Memorials 10 She successfully graduated from a This year, the food drive brought Inventory initiative launched program for substance abusers and the community together like never found a job at the Houston VA before: medical center employees, ❏ Baseball’s War Heroes 12 Medical Center. volunteers, and veterans; service Hall of Famers answered nation’s call “I always ran from situations,” organizations such as the Disabled she said, “but I’ve learned to deal American Veterans; high school ❏ Sun Savvy 15 with things without losing. I’ve ROTC cadets; local businesses; Tips for preventing skin cancer learned about setting boundaries, community leaders; media outlets; learned to stand up for myself. I and celebrities. For the second year, a ❏ know there is a higher calling for my local radio station, KCOH, hosted a Rolling Thunder 16 life. I’m living a life sober and food drive and VA therapist participates in annual event clean today.” live radiothon to At the support the 17-20 medical center, National Nutri- COLUMNS a couple of her tion Month Food co-workers Drive. More than On the cover: asked if she 1,350 pounds of wanted to help food and nearly VA Secretary Anthony J. with the annual $4,186 in cash Principi sat down for a wide- food drive to were collected in VAnguard ranging interview with benefit the just one day. last month. He offered some hospital’s Health At the reflections on his first year in Care for the medical center, office, reviewed progress made Homeless Veteran the month-long on his top priorities, and touched Program. She said food drive on a few more personal issues, “yes” and the rest generated an Photo by like his leadership style. is history. additional Michael Moore “I’m married to a 7,151 pounds of food. Vietnam veteran, and I wondered “The amount of food and other VAnguard how we can live in a country and donations to our Health Care for the VA’s Employee Magazine watch the men and women who Homeless Veteran Program this year May 2002 fought for it stand in the middle of is incredible—the equivalent of Vol. XLVII, No. 4 our streets holding signs saying 12,687.66 pounds of food. This will Printed on 50% recycled paper ‘Vietnam vet – homeless – will work provide food for hundreds of hungry for food.’ I believed our community veterans in the Harris County area,” could do something about it,” said said Lima, chief of Food Production Editor: Lisa Respess Miles. Service. Editorial Assistant: Matt Bristol In 1998, the National Nutrition Today, Miles is a program Photo Editor: Robert Turtil Month Food Drive involved just a support clerk in the medical center’s few people and brought in about Medical Care Line. She’s involved in Published by the 1,002 pounds of canned goods and prison ministry, is a regular speaker Office of Public Affairs (80D) other non-perishables. During her at the Star of Hope Women’s Shelter, Department of Veterans Affairs first year working the food drive, and serves as a mentor for women 810 Vermont Ave., N.W. 1999, she alone brought in 1,046 struggling to get their lives back on Washington, D.C. 20420 pounds. In 2000, she spearheaded the track. “It is my prayer that everyone (202) 273-5746 effort to take the food drive outside will always remember the plight of E-mail: [email protected] the hospital and get the community our homeless veterans,” she said. ❏ www.va.gov/pubaff/vanguard/ involved. Since then, Miles and her index.htm small team of volunteers—Ben Lima, By Bobbi D. Gruner Renee Walker, Donald Tapscott, Jeff Houston VA Medical Center

2 VAnguard Outlook Dr. Charlotte F. Beason, VA’s Response to the Program Director, Nursing Strategic National Nursing Shortage Healthcare Group

It’s no secret nursing, government and Academe, and technological support and the that health-care conducted an extensive review of the support of other patient care and organizations literature, and met with VA employ- ancillary personnel are inadequate. across the ees. Among the recruitment propos- nation are What emerged is a frank discus- als, VA is encouraged to seek facing a short- sion of VA’s ability to compete in broader pay and hiring authorities age of nurses. today’s nursing labor market and the and, just as important, to use existing But the problem barriers that impede nurse recruit- authorities in a flexible and creative is expected to ment, retention and utilization. manner. The group recommended worsen dra- Recommendations for diminishing that successful programs such as the matically in the these barriers range from the need student-oriented Veterans Affairs coming years for a number of for legislative initiatives to greater Learning Opportunities Residency reasons, including the aging of the flexibility, respect and recognition in (VALOR) Program be expanded, current nursing workforce, the the work environment. and that the Health Professional decreasing number of nursing school The work group began its activi- Scholarship program be reactivated. graduates to keep the profession ties in August 2000 and, as a fortu- VA facilities are encouraged to going strong, and an ever-increasing nate result of this early start, contrib- link with local schools and commu- need for the services professional uted information and data that is nity networks to emphasize nursing nurses provide. reflected in the recently enacted P.L. and health careers. Nationally, the average age of 107-135 “Department of Veterans As the report clearly indicates, registered nurses (RNs) is 45. In VA, Affairs Health Care Enhancement the solution to the nursing shortage it’s 46. Nursing has traditionally Act of 2001.” must come from a Departmental been a profession dominated by One of the group’s recommenda- commitment to providing quality women, but today’s young women tions established by that law is a care for veterans by maintaining have a much broader range of career National Commission on VA Nurs- adequate numbers of qualified options. Fewer and fewer of them are ing. This 12-member group has been nursing staff. An electronic copy of choosing nursing. And the aging of appointed by Secretary Principi to the report is available on the Nursing the Baby Boom generation will place advise him on issues affecting VA Strategic Healthcare Group Web greater demands on the nation’s nurses. The panel is authorized to page at www.va.gov/nursing. ❏ system of health care. consider “legislative and organiza- The extent to which VA facilities tional changes to enhance the June Event Brings History are impacted by the nursing shortage recruitment and retention of nurses” to Life at Milwaukee VAMC varies geographically. However, and assess the future of the nursing shortages are more evident in certain profession within VA. A report on The Milwaukee, Wis., VA Medi- nursing specialties such as critical the commission’s findings is due in cal Center will be the site of a unique care. May 2004. event next month celebrating its With a workforce that includes In its report on the nursing history as one of the original Soldiers some 36,000 registered nurses, VA shortage, the National Nursing Homes established by President cannot afford to put this issue on the Workforce Planning Group writes Abraham Lincoln to care for return- back burner. The Department must that VA’s retention of nurses is ing Civil War soldiers. take strong action now to ensure that dependent upon fostering profes- The facility will host “Reclaiming we will be able to attract and retain a sional work environments in which Our Heritage,” a Civil War encamp- qualified nursing staff well into the nurses are actively involved in ment/living history event, on its future. decision-making. In some cases, grounds June 1 and 2. A side-by-side VHA’s Nursing Strategic legislative restrictions impede the comparison of field trauma care in Healthcare Group has taken an ability of VA facilities to structure the Civil War and in today’s military important step in this direction with competitive pay/benefits packages will be a featured attraction. the release of “A Call to Action— or implement flexible work sched- The event is being sponsored by VA’s Response to the National ules that are offered in community the Soldiers Home Foundation Inc., a Nursing Shortage.” The report is the hospitals and which nurses desire. charitable organization charged with product of VA’s National Nursing This impacts VA’s ability to compete preserving and renovating the Workforce Planning Group, whose in local RN hiring markets. buildings built between 1868 and multidisciplinary membership The group also notes that nursing 1891 in the historic district of the VA consulted with national experts in staff often are not optimally utilized, campus. ❏

May 2002 3 Revised Human Resources Regulations Debut Online

and NCA policies; you were con- stantly switching between them and never knew if you had the updated version.” A team of employees from all three VA administrations, the Office of Human Resources Management and other VA staff offices, as well as union representatives, took on the project of updating the regulations and saw it through to completion. They reviewed, edited and converted all paper documents into Microsoft Word electronic files, and grouped the various policy issuances into 14 consolidated subject matter directives/handbooks. “A four-year labor of love,” is how Terence Kahn, chief of Human Resources at the Indianapolis VA Medical Center, described the project. Now, there is one HR manual Kenneth Quantock, left, and Dennis Curley helped update, simplify, and improve the system for the entire Department. It’s accessibility of VA’s HR regulations. easier to read and navigate than the old binders—nearly 1,000 pages were “What we need are revised, books in areas such as pay, staffing eliminated from the paper files, and updated and simplified human and employee relations. all information can be located resources regulations,” concluded For years, HR policies were through an electronic word search about 300 of the Department’s top haphazardly compiled in gray, function. leaders who met in Topeka, Kan., for government-issue binders. Updates “Some people may look at this as a strategic meeting. Four years later, were marked with yellow Post-it an end,” noted Dennis Curley, a job some called monumental and notes, or penciled in the margins. director of Human Resources Man- colossal is complete. Looking up a policy meant hours of agement and Policies and VA Central A new system of human re- sifting through various, sometimes Office team leader for the project. sources regulations, accessible on the outdated, policy issuances. “But, in many respects, it’s really a VA Intranet through the Office of “It was time-consuming and very beginning. Human Resources Management Web confusing,” explained Kenneth H. “Information is power, and this site at vaww.va.gov/ohrm, took effect Quantock, associate director of the gives our next generation of manag- on April 15. More than 100 old policy HR Consulting Division in VA ers and HR professionals the ability issuances were replaced with 14 Central Office. “There were VA to access information by themselves subject matter directives and hand- policies, VHA policies, VBA policies and make good use of it.” ❏ San Juan VA Medical Center Police Officer Shot, Killed on Duty

VA Police Officer José Rodríguez- Reyes lying on the ground. They Reyes and his colleagues,” Mackay Reyes was shot and killed last month rushed him to the emergency room, said during a press conference the while on duty at the San Juan, Puerto where he died a short time later. “He next morning. “The Department of Rico, VA Medical Center. He was a was a loved man, a family man, and Veterans Affairs will do everything veteran and 18-year VA employee. very popular among his colleagues,” we can to support Rodríguez-Reyes’ The Federal Bureau of Investigation noted medical center Public Affairs family and colleagues.” and local police are investigating the Officer Annie Moraza. Mackay went on to commend the incident. VA Deputy Secretary Dr. Leo S. leadership provided by San Juan VA At about 7:50 p.m. on April 24, Mackay Jr., was in San Juan at the Medical Center Director Dr. Rafael E. Officer Rodríguez-Reyes was report- time of the shooting visiting VA Ramírez, and the response by staff edly ambushed by two assailants facilities. “On behalf of President and volunteers. About 350 employ- while working at an outdoor gate at Bush and Secretary of Veterans ees attended a town hall meeting that the VA facility. Witnesses reported Affairs Principi, we offer our condo- morning, where they learned of the hearing four shots. Colleagues raced lences and prayers for the family of incident and were offered counseling to the scene and found Rodríguez- VA Police Officer José Rodríguez- and support. ❏

4 VAnguard Benefits Information Just a ‘Virtual’ Phone Call Away

How many times have you called route a call by area code as usual, but recent history. In 1998, 52 percent of an 800 number only to get a busy if the call goes unanswered for more the calls coming in to the toll-free signal or be put on hold for what than 30 seconds, it’s then automati- number were unable to get through, seems like an eternity? Chances are, cally routed to the next available VSR or “blocked.” Even when a call did at least once a week. in the multi-state VIC area. get through, the wait time to talk to a Aware of the frustrations people Leo A. Phelan, director of VBA’s VSR was so long that 13 percent of face every day with these types of Office of Access Management and callers would hang up. calls, the Veterans Benefits Adminis- Facilities, said VBA gets 22 million A year later, the blocked-call rate tration (VBA) is implementing its calls a year, 12 million of which are dropped below 10 percent after an Virtual Information Center (VIC) received through (800) 827-1000. “We automated response system, or program—practically eliminating get peaks and valleys during the “phone tree,” was installed. About 21 long waits on VA’s toll-free benefits day,” he explained, “so during peak percent of calls are now handled by line and bringing customer service call times, more VSRs are available to this system without the assistance of up to the benchmark levels followed answer calls, and in less busy times a VSR. In 2000, the first VIC activa- in private industry. they can work in other areas. We can tion brought the blocked-call rate “We are fundamentally changing balance the volume of calls with down to just 3.3 percent. the way we do business,” said Stan staffing—it gives us an economy of A second VIC recently went live, Sinclair, Deputy Under Secretary for scale.” operating in the states of Georgia, Benefits. “Our VICs are changing a The bottom line is less waiting for North Carolina, South Carolina and process-driven bureaucracy into a callers, and better use of staff for Tennessee. Two more are planned— customer-focused organization.” VBA. According to Phelan, the first one covering central states due this The “virtual” part of the VIC VIC, established in the Northeast, fall, and another in the west targeted concept is that the veterans service allowed VBA the flexibility to to be up in 2004. representatives (VSRs) helping redirect 17 percent of the telephone- Future plans include adding callers don’t have to be physically answering staff to claims processing more options on the toll-free line’s located in the same VA regional duties. As more VICs are added automated response system and office. In fact, they don’t even have to throughout the country, VBA expects offering more self-service options be in the same state as the callers. to be able to free up more staff to through the Internet. “We’re improv- Instead, technology links staff from work on processing claims. ing service by making it easier, faster several regional offices in a multi- To understand how dramatic the and more reliable for the caller,” said state region to handle incoming calls. changes resulting from these innova- Sinclair. “It’s a radical change in The VIC system first attempts to tions are, you only need to look at customer service.” ❏ Federal Savings Bond Campaign Runs Through the Month of May

The annual Federal Savings Bond investments because they offer Bond is bought for full face value. Campaign runs from May 1 through competitive interest rates, tax The EE Bond is an “accrual May 31. VA Secretary Anthony J. advantages, safety, affordability, security.” EE Bonds earn 90 percent Principi is the chair, and the Under accessibility and convenience. of the average yield on five-year Secretary for Memorial Affairs, Series I and EE Savings Bonds Treasury Securities. The EE Bond is Robin L. Higgins, is the vice-chair. accrue interest monthly and are bought at half its face value. A $50 The savings bond campaign is an offered in eight denominations: $50, Series EE Bond, for instance, costs annual event to increase employee $75, $100, $200, $500, $1,000, $5,000 $25. For more information about personal savings through investment and $10,000. Series I and EE Savings savings bonds, visit the U.S. Trea- in U.S. Savings Bonds. VA’s goals are Bonds can be redeemed after the first sury Department Savings Bond Web to contact 100 percent of the six months they are purchased; site at www.savingsbonds.gov. Department’s employees to inform however, a three-month interest VA employees can quickly and them about the benefits of investing penalty applies to bonds redeemed easily purchase new savings bonds in bonds, and increase employee during the first five years. For or increase current allotments participation this year by 5 percent. instance, if you purchase a bond and through HR LINK$. You can access In addition to the Series EE redeem it after two years, you’d only HR LINK$ through desktop personal Savings Bonds, VA employees can receive 21 months’ interest. computers via the Internet at now purchase Series I Saving Bonds The I Bond is an “inflation- www.hrlinks.aac.va.gov, an HR LINK$ by payroll deduction for the first indexed accrual security.” The Access Point, or by dialing (800) 414- time. During May, your local savings interest rate is composed of a fixed 5272 from any touch-tone phone, 24 bond campaign representative will base rate and an inflation adjust- hours a day, seven days a week. contact you with information about ment. The fixed rate remains the You’ll need your Social Security purchasing bonds or increasing your same for the life of an I Bond, and the number and your HR LINK$ per- current allotment. inflation adjustment is tied to the sonal identification number to access Savings bonds are attractive Consumer Price Index. The Series I the system. ❏

May 2002 5 Checking in with the Secretary

ecretary Anthony J. Principi people’s lives. We enrich veterans’ pending has not dropped as dramati- sat down with VAnguard on lives through the compassionate and cally as I would have hoped, and that S April 9 in his office to reflect professional care we provide. was somewhat of a disappointment, on his first year as VA Secre- but we are on track and doing very, tary. He addressed a variety of Q: What was your proudest very well at making incremental timely topics, including VA health moment of the past year? steps to reducing that backlog. care funding challenges, the claims backlog, meeting increased demands A: My proudest moment was Q: You’ve characterized the for burial services, and workplace receiving letters from World War II funding challenges facing the VA succession planning. veterans whose claims for disability health care system as having the He also touched on other more compensation had been languishing potential to reach crisis propor- personal issues, such as his leader- for many, many years. As a result of tions. What options will VA ex- ship style, his proudest moments of the Tiger Team, those claims were plore to deal with this issue? the past year, and the World War II decided at a point in their lives when veteran whose story is a constant they had given up all hope, and they A: Clearly, veterans are coming to source of inspiration for him. wrote to tell me how grateful they VA in record numbers, and I think were that I had launched the Tiger that’s a tribute to the quality of care Q: You devoted a lot of time Team and that they could now get on we provide. Also, opening outpatient during your first year as Secretary with their lives and not be a burden clinics close to veterans’ homes to visiting VA field facilities. What to their wives or children. It was provides greater access to VA health did you learn from your travels very, very touching to get those care. Our benefits package is one of around the country? letters. the most generous in the country in terms of pharmaceutical coverage A: I’m always inspired when I visit Q: Were there any disappoint- and extended care. VA facilities and talk to VA employ- ments you’d like to share? For all of these reasons, we have ees and patients at medical centers or seen a very profound increase in our veterans at regional offices. I learn a A: Well, I can be impatient at times, workload that has caused some of us great deal about the VA, about the and if we don’t make as much to have concerns as to how we can work we do, and I’m inspired by the progress as I’d like, I tend to get continue to maintain high quality in tremendous value we bring to disappointed. The backlog of claims the future. Clearly additional re-

6 VAnguard sources are, first and foremost, my “Everyone knows where we’re going, what needs to be highest priority. I will work with the Administration and Congress to done. There are no sidetracks. We have one focus and that ensure adequate funding for our is to provide high quality and timely decisions on claims.” programs. But short of adequate funding, I would not hesitate to make the mendations to improve the claims quality and timely decisions on difficult decisions to suspend enroll- processing environment. They really claims. ment for new Priority 7 veterans or deserve the credit. take other steps to balance our Of course the Tiger Team is an Q: The aging veteran population workload and budget. We really important initiative to address the need to manage our workload. We is increasing the demand for needs of our aging veteran popula- burial in our national cemeteries. cannot let it get out of control, and tion. We have begun to look at that has happened as a result of How is VA meeting the challenge triaging new claims that come into of giving all veterans who choose decisions to have open enrollment the VA so that those that can be and to open such a large number of this option a dignified final resting decided immediately can be done place? outpatient clinics. Now, we need to and others that require claims ensure there is some balance. development work can go into a A: We certainly see issues relating different workflow. to our aging veteran population and You’ve made reforming the Q: We’re looking at specialization, the number of interments we have in claims processing system your so people can concentrate on areas our national cemeteries. We’re top priority. What reforms have where they have a great deal of almost at 100,000 interments a year already taken place and how efficiency and experience. We’re in our 120 national cemeteries. The satisfied are you with the progress setting performance standards and World War II population, of which that’s been made? holding people accountable for the only 5 million or so are still alive, are passing on in record numbers. We are in the process of opening five new national cemeteries; two should be open within the next year or two. We’ve also started a new program called fast track, where we actually begin interments in new national cemeteries before the cemetery infrastructure is built. So, we’re exploring new methods, we’re building columbaria in areas where our national cemeteries are full for casket interment. We’re working very closely with the states to expand the state cemetery grants program, which is a wonderful program between the federal govern- ment and state governments to share the cost of interring veterans. Through the combination of new cemeteries, the state cemetery grants program, and innovations such as The Secretary visits a patient at the Sioux Falls, S.D., VA Medical & Regional Office Center. fast track, I believe we are maintain- ing our ability to provide interments A: I’m extremely satisfied with the work they do. We’re not going to to veterans who pass on. progress we’ve made. I give [former initiate new information technology Another issue is our national Acting Under Secretary for Benefits] programs until I’m convinced that all shrine commitment to ensure that Judge Guy McMichael and [Deputy of the bugs have been worked out of our national cemeteries are viewed Under Secretary for Benefits] Stan the applications and they’re ready as honored places of rest for veter- Sinclair enormous credit for bringing for prime time. ans, that they have the stature and new leadership to the Veterans There are many other recommen- beauty befitting a national cemetery. Benefits Administration during a dations we will be launching in due In years past, because of funding very difficult time when we were course. But it’s new leadership, shortfalls, a number of our cemeter- without permanent leadership in that accountability and really focusing on ies had a backlog of maintenance and administration. And also Admiral the issue. Everyone knows where repairs that really undermined the Dan Cooper and members of the task we’re going, what needs to be done. beauty and the stature of the national force for their extraordinary work in There are no sidetracks. We have one cemetery and what it means. We are providing me with hands-on recom- focus and that is to provide high (continued on page 8)

May 2002 7 investing millions of dollars to Vietnam War. Now, reduce that backlog of much-needed they’re in the 55-60 maintenance and to beautify our age range, where golf national cemeteries. becomes a much more attractive option than Q: VA has a history of developing handling a backlog of stove-piped, non-connected, claims, and we need to incompatible IT systems. A De- plan for that. partment-wide Enterprise Archi- We have been tecture designed by a core group meeting frequently to of VA leaders is now being imple- discuss workforce mented. Why is this important? succession, diversity in the workforce, A: Historically, as you indicate, developing new we’ve had stove-piped design, stove- leaders, and education piped development and stove-piped and training pro- implementation without any view grams. It’s an issue of toward the need for commonality or grave importance to uniformity across administration and us all and we need to staff office lines. In the process, we build for the future. have expended billions of dollars on I’m very proud information technology moderniza- that we have, in the tion efforts, some of which have not past year-and-a-half, provided us with the return on hired over 1,200 new investment we would have hoped. employees in the Shortly after becoming Secretary, Veterans Benefits I launched the Enterprise Architec- Administration, ture initiative to build commonality mostly in the area of in both computing and telephony to disability compensa- ensure that we had a system-wide tion. We need those strategy for investing in new infor- people not only to mation technology that looked at the help us with this interaction between our administra- enormous backlog, but tions and ensured an appropriate as they grow and gain knowledge, they will Principi confers with Counselor to the Secretary Chris Yoder return on investment. and VHA Employee Education System Producer Jim Cosgrove We’ve made a lot of progress in be leaders of the future. as he prepares for his first live broadcast to VA employees as establishing the blueprint for the Secretary of Veterans Affairs. Enterprise Architecture. We have We need to de- brought on some excellent people to velop a cadre of new lead the effort and I am very optimis- people and new leaders. It’s a very Health and Benefits, your leader- tic that the Department, veterans and important undertaking. I really don’t ship team is mostly in place. How the taxpayers will be the winners as know of any more important initia- important is that to achieving your the result of this. tive than to ensure we have a good goals for VA? workforce succession plan to build Q: Thirty-seven percent of VA’s for the future or we will not be able A: Having the leadership team on workforce will be eligible to retire to get the job done. board is tremendously important. by September 2005, and another The issues are not going to lessen I’ve been very gratified by the 13 percent will be eligible for an in the years to come. The issues and response I received from our interim early out. How is VA planning to challenges will continue to expand leaders. As I indicated earlier, Guy deal with this issue? and you can have all the bricks and McMichael has done a superb job mortar in the world, but without the and I’ve called upon him to under- A: Well, I’m hopeful that not right people, we will not succeed in take various assignments and he’s everyone will retire as soon as they our mission. done so willingly and with a great become eligible. But it is a reality that spirit of enthusiasm and can-do we have an aging workforce. Many Q: Now that Dr. Robert Roswell attitude. of our senior leaders and employees and Admiral Daniel Cooper are on On the health care side, Dr. Tom came aboard in the aftermath of the board as the Under Secretaries for Garthwaite, who left us a short time ago, and Dr. Fran Murphy have “I really don’t know of any more important initiative than really done a tremendous job at leading the Veterans Health Admin- to ensure we have a good workforce succession plan to istration. But now I’m grateful to build for the future or we will not be able to get the job have our permanent leadership team on board. done.” Dan Cooper is no stranger to VA,

8 VAnguard “We have one focus, our nation’s veterans, and there as he headed the claims processing task force. I’m grateful that he was cannot be a more important mission in government than to willing to give up so much in the private sector to come back to the care for the people who have kept our nation free.” government to serve our veterans. It’s a great sacrifice for him and his Death March, and it’s extraordinary Senate, growing up as a young family. The fact that he’s willing to in the history of war that one-third of staffer, I think of people like Senator do so speaks volumes about him and the Americans who were captured [John] Tower (R-Texas) and Senator his devotion and dedication to men by the Japanese died after they were [Jacob] Javits (R-N.Y.), who were and women in uniform and our taken prisoner. ideologically different. Javits tended nation’s veterans. After surviving the Death March to be more liberal and Tower more As you know, Dan served as and the hell ships Americans were conservative, but I found both to be commander of our nuclear-powered placed on, he found himself in a great statesmen. They taught me the submarine forces in the Atlantic fleet slave camp in Manchuria for three importance of being a subject matter and he’s a great leader, very disci- years mining coal. His job was to expert, of truly understanding the plined and very focused. He’s just install timbers in sections of the mine issue I was responsible for. what we need at VBA. that were being mined. When one In executive service, I look to the And Bob Roswell brings tremen- section was completed, they would leadership of people like President dous experience in so many different remove the timbers and do another Ronald Reagan, who to me really facets of our Department. He was section. exemplified the meaning of the word here in headquarters when I was Well, toward the end of the third leadership. So, there’s really no one Deputy Secretary. He’s been at the year, when he was very weak and person, but I’ve been very fortunate hospital level and the network level had lost close to 100 pounds, he to have served under great leaders in one of the most challenging couldn’t get out of the way of the throughout my professional career networks in VA, Florida, where we timbers and they crushed his legs. and they are role models for how I have a tremendous workload. The enemy gave no medical treat- want to be perceived as a leader and Having them both on board, ment, so his fellow servicemembers act as a leader. along with Robin Higgins in Memo- had to saw off his leg with a make- rial Affairs, is just critical to the shift hacksaw and no anesthesia. Q: Is there a special message success of the course I’ve set for the And I remind you that this is World you’d like to send to VA employ- Department. War II, not the Civil War. ees? The one staff office vacancy still But he survived and he got on outstanding is the Assistant Secre- with his life and he, along with 16 A: I’d like to remind all employees tary for Management. We have a million other Americans from that how important our work is. I’m sure good candidate, who I hope will be period, built modern America and there are days when they become as nominated soon and the confirma- propelled it to greatness in the 20th frustrated as I do with the volume of tion hearing will get underway. But century. Our mission is to care for work we have before us—the great with Mark Catlett down there, the Joe Bigelows of the world. These challenges we have before us. But I another great leader at VA, we’re in people have really given extraordi- remind them of the Joe Bigelows of good shape. nary service to this country and we the world. We have one focus, our should never forget. That’s why I’m nation’s veterans, and there cannot Q: When nothing seems to be so proud and blessed to be Secretary be a more important mission in going your way and you’re feeling of the Department. government than to care for the the weight of the world on your people who have kept our nation shoulders, is there one veteran Q: Who has impacted you most free. whose story keeps you moti- as a leader? What advice would Once again, we’re calling upon vated? you offer others who are seeking young people to protect the values to develop leadership skills? we cherish, and we need to be there A: Yes, there is. His name is Joe for them when they come home as Bigelow, and I think of Joe very A: I’ve been very fortunate in my veterans. We need to be willing to often. Joe is a survivor of the Bataan life to have served under great make the difficult decisions to move Death March. As a youngster, he leaders, both in uniform and govern- our Department forward. We need to found himself trapped in the Philip- ment service. When I think back to be willing to do the things that are pines with thousands of other my days in uniform, I think of necessary to propel the VA to Americans after the attack on Pearl Admiral [Elmo] Zumwalt, who, greatness in the 21st century, just like Harbor and soon knew there was no when I was a young skipper of a the VA helped build modern way they would be reinforced or river patrol unit in the Mekong America with the GI Bill in the 20th resupplied or in any way fulfill their Delta, was a frequent visitor to my century. mission. They needed to hold the base camp close to the Cambodian The same challenges will be there enemy at bay long enough for us to border. He was a real inspiration and as we go forward. So my message to recover from the attack on Pearl I’m a great admirer of Admiral VA employees is to remain dedi- Harbor. Zumwalt. cated, work very hard, and always Having survived the infamous In my years in the United States bear in mind who we’re serving. ❏

May 2002 9 NCA Launches Comprehensive Memorials Inventory for Historic Preservation Week

blocks inscribed with the word “Confederate”; bronze tablets affixed to natural boulders; sundials; more sophisticated sarcophagi, obelisks and columns of all sizes; and the ubiquitous soldier standing atop a granite pedestal. More contemporary memorials have gone in two direc- tions. Standardized 18” x 24” bronze plaques on a stone base are common. At the opposite end of the spectrum are virtual buildings in scale and structure, such as the Medal of Honor Memorial (1999) at California’s Riverside National Cemetery and the Pennsylvania Veterans’ Memorial (2001) at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery in Pennsylvania. Headstones and post-1960 text plaques are not included in the inventory. The Andrews’ Raiders monument at the Chattanooga, Tenn., National Cemetery Under Secretary for Memorial commemorates the Civil War incident depicted in the film, “The Great Locomotive Chase.” Affairs Robin L. Higgins is keenly interested in NCA’s memorials for he National Cemetery Admin- D.C.-based, nonprofit organization both historical and practical reasons. istration (NCA) has jurisdic- with 10 years’ experience using “We have a great number of memori- T tion over 120 national cemeter- volunteers to survey public outdoor als—large and small—beginning ies, as well as 33 government, sculpture nationwide. with those installed after the Civil soldiers’ and confederate lots embed- The liaison with SOS! is particu- War. Most of them originated with a ded in non-federal cemeteries larly valuable because the informa- military support group or veterans’ throughout 41 states, the District of tion gathered through the program is organization. Cataloging the existing Columbia and Puerto Rico. Although made accessible to the public structures is NCA’s responsibility as this sacred acreage of solemn head- through an online database managed steward of our properties, but the stones is the ultimate memorial to by the Smithsonian American Art information about traditional memo- veterans interred there, over the past Museum (SAAM), SIRIS rial forms may also help guide how 140 years, many distinctive heroics, (www.siris.si.edu). NCA will make its NCA manages new memorials in the mass burials and commemorations inventory findings available to SOS! future.” have historically been marked with a and SAAM as part of its history, In addition to former SOS! sculptural monument. This spring, education and outreach functions. volunteers, NCA will solicit interest NCA is initiating the first compre- The staff in NCA’s hensive inventory of its memorials, Communications up to 300 of them, scattered through- Management Service- out 100 or so of its cemeteries. History Program is The debut of the yearlong project directing the inven- was timed to coincide with National tory project, which Historic Preservation Week, May 12- will also provide 18, since most of NCA’s memorials essential information are historic. “Preserving the Spirit of in support of the Place” is the theme of this year’s national shrine weeklong celebration, sponsored commitment’s annually since 1971 by the National objective of maintain- Trust for Historic Preservation. ing the “best in the To capture both quantitative and world” cemeteries. historical information on so many The type of far-flung structures, NCA will use a memorials located in volunteer workforce based on the NCA cemeteries A Springfield, Mo., National Cemetery postcard from 1907. At model developed by Save Outdoor include modest that time, the cemetery landscape featured statuary memorials Sculpture! (SOS!), a Washington, rusticated stone and condemned cannons.

10 VAnguard with a map of the cemetery, four- page survey, instructions and a roll of film to take photographs of each memorial. Some of the information to be gathered is aimed at develop- ing historic context, such as associ- ated war(s), cultural associations, location at a previous site, donor and artist or builder. Volunteers are encouraged to conduct some local historical research as part of the inventory process. In addition to learning more about the story behind the memorial, quantitative and other physical information is requested, including materials, dimensions, appearance, evidence of damage and the nature of its setting. This will help NCA The Pennsylvania Veterans’ Memorial at the Indiantown Gap National Cemetery was designed determine any immediate conserva- to look like a ruinous church. tion needs, as well as develop a maintenance plan for all of these from individuals and organizations NCA Web site. Volunteers, who will resources. All memorials—except such as Civil War enthusiasts, scout be paired with a memorial, will standard text plaques erected after groups, veterans service organiza- likely be needed through the end of 1960—will be inventoried, whether tions and VA employees through the September to assure that the data- or not they are historic. ❏ Veterans Health Administration’s collection phase of the project is Voluntary Service Office. A call for complete by the end of the year. By Sara Amy Leach project volunteers is posted on the Each volunteer will be provided NCA Historian Noteworthy NCA Memorials Memorials are intended to remind future generations of the significance of a certain group or act—and some anniversaries are attracting a public eager to remember. Other NCA memorials are as noteworthy for their designs as their associations. ■ “Ohio’s Tribute to the Andrews’ Raiders” commemorates the seizure of the engine known as “The General” by Union spies on April 12, 1862, in an effort to disrupt the railroad between Big Shanty, Ga., and Chattanooga, Tenn. The monument, erected in 1890 in Chattanooga National Cemetery, is a bronze train engine atop a three-tiered marble base; nearby are the graves of Andrews, another civilian, and six soldiers subsequently executed as spies. Some of these soldiers were among the first to receive the Congressional Medal of Honor. The 140th anniversary of the failed Union effort was observed last month by Cub Scout Pack 248 of Norcross, Ga., which stopped at the cemetery as part of an educational pilgrimage to related historic sites. Eagle Scout Conner Byers, who has written a historical guide to the cemetery, led the tour. Besides visits to the City of Kennesaw (formerly Big Shanty) to see the restored “General,” and the Cyclorama and the “Texas,” which pursued the General, the Cub Scouts viewed “The Great Locomotive Chase,” a commercial film that accurately portrays the events. ■ In the 1870s, the most prolific monumental form to find its way into national cemeteries was the cast-iron artillery monument. These “condemned” cannons typically sit upright on a concrete foundation, often joined by stacks of cannonballs and a bronze tablet identifying the cemetery and number of burials. Extant in many cem- eteries, it is likely these once existed at all the Civil War-era cemeteries. ■ In St. Augustine National Cemetery in Florida, three large pyramids constructed of coquina (limestone containing shell matter) blocks with a plaster finish mark the underground vaults housing the remains of 1,460 soldiers killed during the Seminole Indian War in 1836. The pyramids were constructed in 1842 by troops living at St. Francis Barracks next to the cemetery. ■ Indiantown Gap National Cemetery’s massive Pennsylvania Veterans’ Memorial, dedicated in 2001, incor- porates many landscape elements into a complex design that includes ornamental trees, fountains, amphitheater seating, flags, lighting, pavers inscribed with donors’ names, and restrooms. It is the newest and largest memorial in the national cemetery system, and it will be maintained through a Memorandum of Understanding with the state of Pennsylvania. ❏

May 2002 11 Some of Baseball’s Greatest Were

lex Rodriguez says he has no envisioned that World War I would were deadly,” he remarked. qualms about changing be “The War to End all Wars.” For a Philadelphia’s Hugh Mulcahy, A uniforms. The all-star short- while, it was. Baseball players known as “Losing Pitcher” because stop for the Texas Rangers returned to the diamond once again he consistently lost more games than isn’t, however, talking about free to play the national pastime. he won, welcomed his call up to the agency or a trade. With more and more radio military. “My losing streak is over Like many players before him, broadcasts, baseball grew in the for the duration,” he said then. “I am Rodriguez and others say they 1930s. Colorful, talented players like on a winning team now.” would trade in their ball caps for Babe Ruth, Hank Greenberg, Lou As the U.S. got more involved in combat helmets if their country Gehrig, Joe DiMaggio and Williams the war, Baseball Commissioner needed them in the war against made the game even more popular. Kenesaw Mountain Landis sought terrorism. Then came 1941, one of baseball’s President Roosevelt’s advice on how If called upon, they would join greatest years. But 1941 would be the game could best serve the nation. the ranks of many Hall of Famers remembered not for what happened The President responded by saying, and other marquee players who put on the baseball field, but for what “I honestly feel that it would be best aside their careers and personal happened late that year at Pearl for the country to keep baseball ambitions to serve their country Harbor. The surprise Japanese attack going.” during wartime. on that December Sunday morning In 1944, with the war at full force, Perhaps the most notable of these brought the U.S. into World War II. baseball teams were being depleted ballplayers was the legendary Ted The heroes of the American of their biggest stars and promising Williams. Williams served in both pastime were called on to be heroes young players. Many teams placed World War II and Korea. His in- of a different sort. There was an job announcements in their local volvement cost him five seasons exodus of players, led by Cleveland’s papers in search of ball players. during the prime of his career. Bob Feller, who said at the time of Unlikely prospects found their way Today, with the U.S. engaged in his enlistment that he hoped to into the majors. an all-out effort to combat terrorism, “throw a few strikes for Uncle Sam.” With one arm, Pete Gray roamed many wonder if some of today’s Feller, an anti-aircraft gunner, served the outfield for the St. Louis Browns. premier players will be asked to aboard the USS Alabama, a battle- With a prosthetic leg Bert Shepard exchange their game jerseys for ship that shot down 474 Japanese threw fastballs for the Washington camouflage fatigues. And how aircraft and sank four carriers. Senators. (During the war, Shepard’s would they respond? One of the first major-league plane was shot down behind enemy With a renewed spirit of patrio- players inducted into the military, lines and he was taken prisoner. tism in the wake of last year’s Detroit’s Hank Greenberg, was German doctors later amputated his terrorist attacks, many in baseball discharged two days before the wounded foot.) believe today’s players are as patri- attack on Pearl Harbor. Following The Cincinnati Reds used 15- otic as their former peers. They the tragedy, however, he immedi- year-old pitcher Joe Mazwell on June would willingly leave the fields of ately enlisted as an officer candidate 10, 1944, the youngest player ever to dreams for the fields of battle. in the Army Air Corps. Said Rodriguez, who was born in “It’s kind of tough to leave New York: “What happened Septem- baseball,” Greenberg said at the ber 11 put everything into perspec- time, “but when your country tive. I would have been willing to do calls, there’s nothing to do anything.” but respond.” And he did, In the past, baseball sent some of eventually commanding a its biggest names to war. Indeed, 44 B-29 bomber squadron in Hall of Famers served in the military the China-Burma-India during wartime, as did more than Theater. 500 baseball players overall. The Yankees’ Yogi World War I saw many of the Berra took part in game’s finest take up arms, including the D-Day invasion Ty Cobb, Christy Mathewson, Casey at Omaha Beach Stengel and others. Cobb was a in Normandy captain in a chemical warfare divi- and said it sion. Mathewson was gassed in the looked like trenches during the war and never the Fourth of fully recovered. July. “Only Because of the war’s devastation these on humanity, many had hoped and fireworks

12 VAnguard Once Heroes of a Different Sort

appear in a major-league ball game, Another World War II veteran based at the San Diego VA Regional while Babe Herman, Pepper Martin, called up to serve in Korea was Office. Jimmy Foxx and others came out of Yankees infielder and the current Baseball fans can only speculate retirement to help teams in need. radio voice of the San Diego Padres, about the contributions lost to But many players would never Jerry Coleman. Coleman, who baseball by those whose lives were again set foot on a baseball diamond. played on some of New York’s sacrificed on the battlefield. Two major-leaguers were lost in World Series clubs, commented that “The peace and prosperity that is combat during World War II. Elmer he was “going from one champion- ours today have been secured by Gedeon of the Washington Senators ship team to another.” Americans—many of them profes- was killed in France in 1944, while Willie Mays, Whitey Ford, Don sional athletes—who time and again Harry O’Neill of the Philadelphia Newcombe, Curt Simmons and Don sacrificed their careers and well- Athletics died at Iwo Jima in 1945. Larson were also called up to serve being to defend a cause, a belief Other players, however, made in the Korean War. larger than themselves,” said remarkable comebacks. Pitcher Lou “It was something special for me Principi. “In protecting the prin- Brissie, who reportedly had 30 pieces to serve my country,” said Mays. ciples, ideals and values we hold of shrapnel in his leg, begged doctors Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig, sacred, many of our baseball heroes, not to amputate. “I want to play in a ceremony honoring the Korean along with their fellow comrades in baseball,” he told the doctors. Brissie War veterans, said that these arms, have ensured both our free- returned to the mound and pitched ballplayers “served with distinction, dom and our future.” in more than 200 games for the prepared and willing to go wherever That freedom and future were Athletics and Indians. their country asked in defense of threatened again on Sept. 11, 2001. Baseball returned in full force in freedom.” Just like in 1941, the year 2001 had 1946 following World War II. After During the Vietnam conflict, been an exciting one for baseball. four years in the Navy, Feller cel- many major-league players served in But again like 1941, the year 2001 ebrated his return to the Indians by the National Guard or reserves. would not be remembered for the pitching a no-hitter against the Some, however, saw action in many accomplishments on the Yankees in his first month back. Southeast Asia. baseball field but for what happened Williams’ bat showed on an early September no sign of slowing down Baseball fans can only speculate about the morning in downtown as he hit .342 and con- New York, a Washing- nected for 38 home runs contributions lost to the game by those whose ton, D.C., suburb, and a that year. lives were sacrificed on the battlefield. field in rural Pennsyl- The heroes were back. vania. World War II had A surprise terrorist threatened the bedrock of civilization That war delayed the major- attack on this country shocked the and with it the pastime of the league career of pitcher Jim Bibby. “I nation. Baseball stopped for a week. world’s oldest democracy. Like so did my time and served my coun- Later, President Bush encouraged the many of America’s venerable institu- try,” he said. American people to resume their tions, the game not only survived but Major-leaguers Al Bumbry, Phil normal schedules, and major- also prospered and grew in the wake Hennigan and Jim Holt also saw time leaguers returned to finish the of that conflict. in Vietnam. season. Still, other military operations The war in Vietnam derailed the The game came back to a strong would leave their mark on major- prospective major-league career of atmosphere of patriotism at the league baseball. The game was Arizona State star infielder Jay nation’s ballparks. Players and interrupted by overseas conflict once Vargas, who had been scouted by the umpires proudly displayed the more in 1950, this time in Korea. Dodgers. “I guess my services were American flag on their uniforms, and Williams again put his Hall of needed elsewhere,” said Vargas. “God Bless America” replaced the Fame career on hold to don combat “Besides, the players coming to familiar seventh-inning rendition of gear. He flew 39 combat missions Arizona State behind me—Reggie “Take Me Out to the Ball Game.” and was shot down over enemy Jackson, Rick Monday, Sal Bando People in the stands exchanged their territory and later rescued. and Gene Tenace—were all future team’s colors for the Red, White and “I have been around teams of all major-leaguers.” Blue. kinds—fishing teams, shooting teams For his heroic actions in Vietnam, And players like Rodriguez were and baseball teams, but the greatest Vargas received the Congressional prepared, if asked, to serve their team I was ever on was the Marines,” Medal of Honor. He now works for country in any capacity. ❏ said Williams. “The proudest thing VA as a regional veterans service in my life is that I was a Marine organization liaison appointed by By Ozzie Garza pilot.” Secretary Anthony J. Principi and Dallas OPA Regional Office

May 2002 13 VA Counselor Reaches Across Country to Help Former POW

Joe and Harry are as close as fellows have suffered tremen- the VA clinic in Gloucester, near the brothers. They both joined the U.S. dously,” he explained. “I try to let former POW’s home, to alert them to Air Force to serve their country them know that we care for them, Harry’s medical conditions. during World War II. They trained that we have resources for them, and When Secretary Anthony J. together in Colorado Springs before they are important to us.” Principi was in San Diego in early shipping out to Europe, where they Daniels said he was very con- March 2002 for a rotary club lun- drew assignments on the same B-24 cerned after speaking with Joe and cheon, Joe was there. He waited in Liberator bomber. immediately called Harry in nearby the back until the event was over They were streaking high above Rockport, Mass. “I spoke to his wife before introducing himself and the green fields of Belgium during and introduced myself. She put her sharing his story. He expressed his one mission when their aircraft was husband on the phone and I told him gratitude for employees like Robert hit by enemy fire and spiraled to the Joe had called me. … We talked, and Daniels—someone he’d never met, ground in a trail of wispy black after a little while, he started talking but whose reputation for helping ex- smoke. Of the 10-man crew, only about his POW experiences and his POWs had spread across the country. four survived, Joe and Harry among medical problems.” Daniels pointed out that he was them. He said that by the end of their just doing his job. “I like working Yet their ordeal had just begun. conversation, Harry perked up and with these guys … they keep me They were taken captive by Nazi seemed to be feeling better. After going,” the 69-year-old said. ❏ sympathizers, interrogated and calling Joe to let him know his buddy turned over to a Nazi camp, where was going to be OK, Daniels called By Matt Bristol they were held prisoners of war. After months of captivity, they were freed when advancing Russian forces liberated their camp. As the years passed, Joe moved west to San Diego; Harry stayed back east in Massachusetts. But they kept in touch, calling each other regularly, especially on “Shot Down Day,” the anniversary of their aircraft being shot down. During these conversa- tions, they talked, laughed and sometimes cried. While on the phone one day, Joe heard something in Harry’s voice that sent shivers up his spine. His old buddy was having medical problems and mentioned something about giving up on life, about throwing in the towel. After all they’d been through, Joe had to do something to help, but what could he do? Here he was in California, more than 3,000 miles away. WWII Memorial Construction That’s when he thought of Bob Daniels. Though they’d never met, Construction of the National World War II Memorial is progress- he’d heard of Daniels through a ing on schedule for completion and dedication in the spring of 2004, former POW support group and according to Mike Conley, memorial spokesman. Work began at the decided to give him a call at the memorial site on the National Mall in late August 2001. The first Lowell, Mass., VA Community phase in building the foundation of the memorial involves construct- Clinic, where he works as chief of ing a concrete cutoff (slurry) wall extending from ground level down mental health and former POW to bedrock. That work, shown above, began in early February and coordinator. will continue for several months. Granite for the memorial architec- A Korean War veteran, Daniels is tural elements should begin arriving early next year. a social worker who has been The memorial has now received more than $182 million in total involved with former POW outreach cash and pledges, Conley said, of which about $25 million is from the efforts, support groups and service federal government or earned interest. Although the American Battle organizations since the early 1980s. Monuments Commission wrapped up major fund-raising activity, Over the years, he’s developed a individuals continue to support the current and future needs of the reputation as someone vets can turn memorial with financial contributions. to when they’re in need. “These

14 VAnguard Fun in the Sun? Know the Dangers

Last year at age 32, Judith LaVoie, a program analyst with VA Protect your skin Rehabilitation Research & Development in Baltimore, had to Approximately 80 percent of skin confront a frightening diagnosis from her doctor. The mole on cancers are preventable. Don’t just think about putting on sunscreen her thigh was melanoma, a deadly form of skin cancer. With while at the beach or pool. The May designated Melanoma Awareness Month, she shares her effects of the sun are cumulative. personal story and what she’s learned about the risk factors, One or more serious burns before age 20 puts you at an increased risk. prevention and warning signs. Use a sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher each time you go outside. Also wear a hat, sunglasses, and Feb. 14, 2001, I sat in the impersonal protective clothing regardless of the exam room of my primary care activity. Avoid the sun during physician digesting the news. The midday. Don’t be fooled by a cloudy mole on my right thigh looked day. Yes, the UV rays will penetrate irregular and needed to be biopsied the cloud cover and bake your skin: to check for cancer. I left the office it happened to me. Sunlamps and thinking cancer happened to other tanning booths also contain UV light people, older people, not me. I was and may double the risk of develop- 32 years old, much too young to be ing melanoma, so avoid them too. confronting cancer. A week later, a simple excision ABCDs of moles removed the mole and a small area If detected and treated in its of normal skin. This was sent to the earliest stages, melanoma is often lab for examination and staging. curable. The American Cancer After six sleepless nights, my worst Society recommends a skin examina- fears were realized. Lab results from tion every three years for people the biopsy confirmed that the mole between 20 and 40 years old and was melanoma, 1 millimeter thick. I every year for anyone over age 40. In February, Maryland Governor had Stage I skin cancer, deep enough However, you are your first defense. Parris N. Glendening was diagnosed to have spread to my lymph nodes In men, melanoma is most often with melanoma, the fastest-growing and beyond. found on the area between the cancer in the U.S. and a deadly form At the time, I couldn’t believe my shoulders and hips or on the head of skin cancer. The governor’s incredibly bad luck. One year later, I and neck. In women, it often devel- diagnosis arrived near the one-year realize luck had nothing to do with ops on the legs. anniversary of my own melanoma it. My physical characteristics There are four characteristics of diagnosis and brought back the fear combined with sun exposure had an abnormal mole. The mole is and anxiety of learning that cancer resulted in cancer. asymmetrical; one half of a mole or had invaded my body. birthmark does not match the other. Gov. Glendening’s diagnosis also Risk factors The edges are irregular, ragged, renewed my resolve to educate What I know now that I didn’t notched, or blurred. The color is not people about the danger of overex- know then is that I met nearly all the uniform and may contain shades of posing your skin to the sun’s ultra- risk factors that placed me at a high brown or black, sometimes with violet (UV) rays. risk for skin cancer. Freckles and patches of red, white or blue. The In 2001, 51,400 people were moles cover my face, arms and most area is larger than the size of a pencil diagnosed with melanoma, accord- of my body, increasing the risk for eraser. The mole may be itchy or ing to the American Cancer Society. melanoma. I have fair skin, blue scaly. The most important warning The rate of melanoma is on the rise, eyes, and light brown hair. sign for skin cancer is a mole that is up about 6 percent per year since the The risk of melanoma is about 20 changing in size, shape or color. 1970s. Although only 4 percent of all times higher for whites than for Contact your physician immediately. skin cancer cases are melanoma, it African Americans. The melanin of If I had been sun-savvy, I could accounts for 79 percent of skin cancer darker skin offers some protection have avoided the surgery that deaths. An estimated 7,800 people from the sun. Family history of removed two lymph nodes and a died in 2001 from melanoma skin melanoma also increases the risk of larger area around the cancer site. I cancer. skin cancer. People who have been now have two scars, 4.5 and 1.5 I was one of the 51,400 people treated with medicines that suppress inches long, to remind me that the newly diagnosed with melanoma in the immune system, such as organ sun’s ultraviolet rays are damaging. 2001. transplant patients, also have an Protect your skin today, for a healthy On the day set aside for romance, increased risk. tomorrow. ❏

May 2002 15 Thunder Rolls from Santa Fe to Nation’s Capital

Ismael “Milo” Garcia honor the memories of those made a run for the Wall on killed in action. According to three separate occasions, but the National League of POW/ never made it all the way. MIA Families (www.pow- This year, he vows, will be miafamilies.org), 1,932 Ameri- different. cans are still missing and On May 17, the Santa Fe, unaccounted for from the N.M., Vet Center therapist Vietnam War. fires up his Harley-Davidson Rolling Thunder was Ultra Classic and hooks up started as a way to promote with a group of riders healing, but the process can making the cross-country trip also spark long-suppressed to Washington, D.C., as part emotions—depression, anger, of Run for the Wall, an pain, loss. As Milo explained, annual ride to the Vietnam “Many vets may not even Veterans Memorial. Once in realize that they’ve been the nation’s capital, they’ll living for years with PTSD. join hundreds of thousands They normalize these behav- of people gathering on ioral symptoms and accept Memorial Day weekend Milo Garcia, a therapist at the Santa Fe, N.M., Vet Center, them … I just want to be there between the Lincoln Memo- plans to ride his Harley in Rolling Thunder. and be available for brothers rial and the Washington who are in need and to Monument for the 15th welcome them back.” annual Rolling Thunder parade. VA benefits and, if needed, to make Milo, a U.S. Army veteran who “I’m doing this to be part of the myself available to those in need as a served from 1967-1969, is getting Run for the Wall family, to represent trained trauma therapist.” some support for his cross-country the Santa Fe Vet Center, and in some Since 1988, thousands of motorcy- trip from a local Harley-Davidson small way, help promote healing clists have ridden in Rolling Thun- dealership. On the road, he’ll be among veterans,” explained Milo, der. Some ride to promote healing conducting outreach activities, who holds master’s degrees in social among Vietnam veterans, others to providing veterans with information work and counseling. “I want to get draw attention to the number of U.S. on VA benefits, and referring veter- the word out to as many vets as military servicemembers still missing ans he meets to vet centers in their possible about Vet Center services, from Vietnam. Many ride simply to communities. ❏ Voice of Democracy Winners Visit VA Central Office

More than 50 high school stu- began in 1947. Judges that year through the glass doors of the dents, all winners in the Voice of included VA Administrator Gen. Secretary’s suite, and took seats at Democracy national essay competi- Omar Bradley and Adm. Chester W. the long mahogany table in the Omar tion sponsored by the Veterans of Nimitz, commander of the U.S. Navy Bradley Conference Room. Foreign Wars (VFW), paid a visit to Pacific Fleet during World War II. They met with Deputy Secretary VA Central Office on April 5 for a VFW took over primary sponsorship Dr. Leo S. Mackay Jr. and listened as behind-the-scenes look at the federal of the program in 1961. he spoke about the VA mission and agency responsible for caring for It works like this: students write a the significance of public service. democracy’s defenders. short essay on a patriotic subject, Later, they snacked on box lunches Gordon Thorson, who has served record their essay onto audiotape, and took a tour through the as VFW’s national director of the and submit it to the VFW. Last year, Secretary’s suite. program since 1989, explained what about 86,000 students participated in Kenneth M. Butcher, a high it was all about. “Voice of Democ- the competition. A panel of judges school senior from Fairmont, W.Va., racy is a wonderful program,” he selects winners to represent each said he enjoyed his visit to VA. “It’s said. “It’s a patriotic essay competi- state, and from them, a national interesting to see behind the scenes tion designed for 9th to 12th grade winner is chosen for the top prize, a of a Cabinet agency,” he said. “I high school students that gives them $25,000 scholarship. didn’t really know what VA did.” a chance each year to speak out on a The students, all state-level Butcher admitted that he learned patriotic theme and hopefully win winners who were visiting Washing- a lot during his Voice of Democracy some scholarship money.” He added ton, D.C., as part of a ceremony in experience. “It was definitely a that the VFW plans to give out a total which the national winner would be learning experience as far as know- of $141,500 in scholarships to compe- announced, stopped in for a tour of ing how much veterans have contrib- tition winners this year. VA Central Office. They rode the uted to our society and freedom and The Voice of Democracy program elevators up to the 10th floor, strolled how much they fought for us.” ❏

16 VAnguard forced to use their affected arm. The brain responds by expanding the region that controls function in that arm. In CI therapy, patients with limited use of an arm are forced to use the affected arm for 90 percent of their waking hours for a MEDICAL period of two or three weeks. They also perform intensive physical training with the affected arm seven hours a day for 10 advances consecutive weekdays. According to Taub, CI therapy has been used to signifi- cantly increase the functional independence of 75 percent of chronic stroke victims with residual motor deficit. He pointed out that the basic CI therapy technique has also been used successfully to improve upper extremity function in young children with cerebral palsy and after traumatic brain injury, with patients suffering loss of lower extremity function or aphasia after stroke, and patients with spinal cord injury or fractured hip.

New Device to Measure Heart’s Pumping Ability Developed at San Francisco VAMC Patients in the operating room or ambulance will be able to have their heart monitored more safely with a new device developed at the San Francisco VA Medical Center that measures the heart’s pumping ability with sensors placed on Dr. Edward Taub, an investigator at the Birmingham, Ala., VA the surface of the patient’s windpipe. To diagnose problems Medical Center, looks on as physical therapy assistant Francilla V. Allen works with stroke patient Jesse Reed using an innovative such as shock or cardiac arrest, doctors need to measure the rehabilitation therapy he developed. heart’s ability to pump blood, or cardiac output. Until now, the only option for an accurate measurement was to insert a catheter into a major vein and risk damaging the heart or blood Constraint-Induced Therapy Allows vessels. Stroke Victims to Regain Lost Abilities “The new device provides real-time monitoring of cardiac For years, physical therapists thought they had a limited output, which allows you to detect and diagnose a whole range time frame in which to rehabilitate stroke victims who had lost of problems,” said Art Wallace, M.D., Ph.D., an anesthesiologist the use of their arms or legs. But research conducted by at the San Francisco VAMC and an associate professor of investigators at the Birmingham, Ala., VA Medical Center and anesthesiology at the University of California, San Francisco. “It the University of Alabama shows stroke victims can regain use is safer and less invasive than other options,” he added. of their limbs even years after the stroke occurred through The device uses a network of electrodes to measure the Constraint-Induced (CI) Movement therapy. The therapy heart’s output. The electrodes are attached to the endotracheal enhances the brain’s ability to heal itself by retraining regions of tube inserted into the patient’s windpipe, or trachea. the brain responsible for motor function, a process called “It sends an electrical signal into the trachea, and since the cortical reorganization. aorta is right nearby, the electrodes can detect changes in the Edward Taub, Ph.D., an investigator at the Birmingham, signal caused by the flow of blood,” Wallace said. These Ala., VA Medical Center and professor of psychology at the variations are used to calculate cardiac output, he added. University of Alabama at Birmingham, invented the CI ap- Wallace and colleagues developed and tested their device proach. “Converging data from four experiments has shown that at the San Francisco VAMC and have demonstrated its CI therapy produced massive alterations in brain organization accuracy in more than 150 patients. Their device, known as an and function correlated with the large improvements in motor Endotracheal Cardiac Output Monitor, will be undergoing review ability,” wrote Taub, in a summary of his research. by the Food and Drug Administration for approval as a commer- When the brain is damaged by stroke, victims often lose cial product. If approved, doctors should be able to use it for some mobility in an arm or leg on one side of their body. Over patients in the emergency room, intensive care unit and time, they tend to accept the loss and attempt to use the operating room. affected limb less frequently. Previously, doctors have used pulmonary artery catheters to Consequently, the region of the brain that controls the limb measure the heart’s output, but studies have shown that these begins to shrink. In addition, chronic stroke patients are catheters can lead to serious complications due to damage to susceptible to developing psychological barriers that inhibit their the cardiovascular system. ability to re-learn motor function. CI therapy allows stroke Other devices have attempted to measure cardiac output patients to overcome these challenges. through electrodes on the patient’s chest, but were less Taub and colleagues discovered that by constraining, or accurate because of interference from the lungs and other limiting, a patient’s ability to use their “good” arm, they are organs. ❏

May 2002 17 Phil Forbes, the area the new emergency manager at the Primary Washington, D.C., VA Care Medical Center, was com- Mental HONORS mended by The Attending Health Physician of the Congress of Clinic and awards the United States for his Service performance during the Line. anthrax crisis on Capitol Hill in Through Galkowski October and November 2001. his That Volunteer Spirit John F. Eisold, M.D., noted diligence and that of his that Forbes personally teammates, enrollment has delivered large antibiotic increased by 350 percent and caches needed by the Office the new clinic was highlighted of the Attending Physician on as a “best practice” model. four occasions over a three- They each received an week period. His timely engraved crystal plaque and response was crucial in $500 award. managing the crisis. Forbes credited Sgt. Richard Alex Spector, director of Williams and the members of the Anchorage VA Health the VAMC police force with System & Regional Office, playing a vital role in the accepted the 2002 Astra delivery of pharmaceuticals. Zenca National Managed Health Care Congress’ The Leadership VA Partnership Award on behalf Alumni Association pre- of the Alaska Federal Health sented its 2001 Exemplary Care Partnership during an Service Awards to two April 16 ceremony in Balti- employees. Rosa Linda more. The partnership Sara Nell King, who has logged more than 50,000 hours as a VA McCarthy, an administrative consists of VA, the Depart- volunteer at the Lake City Division of the North Florida/South support ment of Defense, the U.S. Georgia Veterans Health System, shows patient Louis Parasmo, assistant Coast Guard, the Alaska Area a World War II Marine veteran, what’s in his “ditty bag.” in the Native Health Service and the South Alaska Native Tribal Health Sara Nell King symbolizes the spirit of a generation Texas Consortium. Through their that grew up in the Great Depression and came of age Veterans collaborative efforts, a major during World War II. She joined the Army after the Health telemedicine health care bombing of Pearl Harbor and served in Italy, Germany Care system has been imple- and Japan, where she met her future husband. He was an System, mented to improve health airplane mechanic and had been stationed at Pearl was care services in Alaska. Harbor when the Japanese attacked. McCarthy recog- More than 30 years after their wedding in Japan, her nized in The Rocky Mountain world fell apart when her husband died of a brain tumor in the GS 1-8 category for her Network Decision Support 1977. He was a patient at the Lake City Division of the work as co-chair of the Team received a Best North Florida/South Georgia Veterans Health System. Women Veterans Expo. Practice Award from the Two years after his death, she started volunteering at the Through her efforts, the expo Health Ethics Trust during a hospital “to pay the VA back for being so good to him,” served as a benchmark for March 14 ceremony in she said. pursuing status as a Clinical Washington, D.C. The team Since becoming a VA volunteer in 1979, she has Center of Excellence for was recognized for “Integrat- logged more than 50,000 hours of service. Ron Joyner, women’s health care. James ing Audit and Internal Controls voluntary service coordinator at the hospital, did the math. M. Galkowski, a physician with Ethics and Compliance” “That’s an average of eight hours a day, 23 days a month assistant at the Durham, by developing an internal for the past 23 years,” he calculated, “more than a full N.C., VA Medical Center, audit system for inpatient and time job.” was recognized in the GS 9- outpatient medical records. But King, who serves as Veterans of Foreign Wars 12 category for his ability to They were the only federal representative on the Voluntary Service council, sees it bridge the clinical and agency group to receive the not as a job, but a reward. “To help my comrades and managerial aspects of honor. The Health Ethics hear them say ‘thank you,’ it just makes my day … it gives medical care. He was Trust is a division of the me something to live for.” originally hired to plan, Council of Ethical Organiza- organize, implement and lead tions. ❏

18 VAnguard the Chris Kirkwood, a public Kennedy affairs specialist who has Space been with the medical center Center on for about 30 years, spoke with AVE one local reporters about the H American facility’s history and the you heard astronaut significance of the golden and two anniversary. “We have seen a VA recently submitted its experience is in the areas of Russian lot of changes, and this FY 2001 Annual Performance diabetes clinical care and Harwood cosmo- anniversary really is special Report to the President and diabetes patient education. nauts. for those of us who have been Congress. The report shows Larry E. Davis, M.D., chief of Researchers tested whether here for a long period of time.” the quality of claims process- Neurology Service, received astronauts within two to four It was the first VA facility in ing has improved, going from the 2002 A. Earl Walker hours of returning from zero the Midwest to run a kidney an accuracy rate of 59 Neuroscience Research gravity weightlessness retain treatment unit and collabo- percent in 2000 to 78 percent Award in recognition of his their normal gravity-depen- rated with the University of for rating-related actions in work exploring the pathogen- dent vascular reflex that stops Iowa to perform the state’s 2001. In health care, VA esis of various viral and blood from draining from the first kidney transplant. continues to receive higher bacterial infections of the head into the legs when they satisfaction ratings than the brain. Davis is an internation- stand or sit up. These When World War I veteran private sector. And VA’s ally recognized neurologist. experiments are also sched- Lester Holman arrived at the system of national cemeteries The pathogenesis of Reye’s uled to be performed on VA Chicago Health Care received a rating of “excellent” syndrome represents his most astronauts returning from the System for his monthly from 92 percent of respon- recognized work. Since 1975, space station in May and geriatrics appointment, he dents who received cemetery he has served with the New Sept. 2002. was in for a warm surprise. services recently. Additional Mexico VA Health Care Dozens of employees highlights in the report System, as well as worked as The Iowa City VA gathered around him to include: use of the Montgom- a faculty member at the Medical Center celebrated its applaud and sing birthday ery GI Bill is up; foreclosure University of New Mexico. 50th anniversary with a small greetings as VA Chicago’s rates on home loans is down; ceremony on March 16. When oldest active patient cel- and more than 65 percent of More than 250 people it opened in 1952, the block- ebrated his 107th birthday on service-disabled veterans who attended the funeral of U.S. long hospital was the largest April 14. Holman, who retired completed a vocational Army World War II Medal of building in Iowa City. Nearly only four years ago from the rehabilitation program Honor recipient Clarence B. 12,000 people toured the legal profession, remains well- acquired and maintained Craft on April 2 at the facility during its dedication. read and articulate. ❏ suitable employment. View Fayetteville, Ark., National the report at www.va.gov/ Cemetery. Craft was a budget/report/. volunteer at the cemetery and raised money with a cem- Two New Mexico VA etery-improvement corpora- Health Care System physi- tion to purchase land for a cians were recently recog- recent expansion. He also nized. Linda Macdonald, volunteered at the M.D., a physician in Medicine Fayetteville VA Medical Service, received a two-year Center, where a new wing grant for $300,000 from Take was named in his honor. Care to Learn. This initiative, funded by the Robert Wood Dr. Steven J. Harwood, Johnson Foundation through chief of Imaging Service at the Partnerships for Quality Bay Pines, Fla., VA Medical Education, supports the Center, served as a technical development of chronic illness consultant to the Bionetics The West Palm Beach, Fla., VA Medical Center hosted a management programs in Corp., a subcontractor to birthday celebration for World War I veteran Al Ross, asthma and diabetes. She NASA, in a research project above, who joined the Navy when he was 16 and served serves as the chairperson of involving radioisotope aboard the USS Richmond. Ross, who turned 100 late last the health care system’s experiments on astronauts year, is still an active member of the community. He Diabetes Advisory Committee immediately after they founded a color guard unit that takes part in community and the University of New returned from the International events, such as the annual Veterans Day parade, and is a Mexico’s Internal Medicine Space Station. The radioiso- frequent guest speaker at schools and civic groups where Residency Curriculum tope experiment was one in a he talks about the meaning of patriotism. Committee. Her research series of tests conducted at

May 2002 19 During the attack, Jeffrey Medical Center, saw an sustained serious injuries to unopened letter lying on the both arms and is still recuper- curb. It was addressed to a ating. woman living in San Fran- HEROES cisco, so he decided to drop it ✩ ✩ ✩ ✩ ✩ ✩ ✩ ✩ ✩ ✩ in the mail. That’s when he noticed the stamp on the letter Kathy Helmick, a had been canceled in 1945. The VA Loma Linda couldn’t understand what he licensed practical nurse at the Nearly 60 years had passed, Transport Team was was saying, but she continued Clarksburg, W.Va., VA but he decided to try to find transferring a veteran from a to listen and respond in a Medical Center, was meeting the writer and addressee. He regional hospital to the Loma calming voice. Through the her son and family at a gas discovered that the letter was Linda, Calif., VA Healthcare course of their conversation, station in Cumberland, Md., written by a U.S. Army soldier System when they came she determined that the and found herself in the stationed in Japan during upon a freeway accident veteran was on a pay phone middle of a robbery. When World War II. It was written to involving a semi-tractor and in a restaurant in San Antonio, she arrived at the gas station, his sister in California and three vehicles. There were more than 200 miles away. she went inside to use the mentioned a younger brother, multiple injuries at the scene. Once she had his exact restroom and buy a soda. As also a soldier, who was While one team member location, she got the attention she came out of the bath- stationed in the Philippines. stayed with the veteran, the of a co-worker, who advised a room, a tall, lanky man Though the sister was no others jumped out of the van veterans service center coach wearing glasses approached longer at her old address, to aid victims. They immedi- of the unfolding situation. The her. He was dressed as if he Owen found the younger ately took charge of the coach immediately contacted was going hunting, so she brother and wrote to him accident site, evaluating the San Antonio Police asked if he was. “Yeah, I’m about this long-lost letter. The injuries and providing direc- Department. Washington going hunting,” he replied. As brother was amazed to hear tion to volunteers who had continued talking with the she got in line to pay for her about the letter and told Owen stopped to help. One victim veteran, discussing things soda, the would-be hunter got how to reach his sister, who was unconscious and not they had in common, such as in line behind another was married and still living in breathing. The team cleared children and music. Her customer who was with his San Francisco. He explained his airway and administered soothing demeanor calmed young daughter. “I headed out that his brother had passed oxygen, ultimately saving his the man and kept him on the the door and the man shoved away and the letter would life. The other victims were telephone until help arrived. me and yells, ‘He’s got a gun!’ hold a very special place in stabilized until the ambulance When the San Antonio Police He put his daughter in my the hearts of those who knew arrived 20 minutes later. arrived, Washington was still arms and says, ‘Take her,’” and loved him. After the letter Thanks to the skills and quick on the telephone with the recalled Helmick. She ran to was delivered, the family response of team members veteran. He was taken to the the side of the building with wrote Owen to express their Drew Crissman, a registered San Antonio VA Medical the girl in her arms and knelt deepest appreciation. ❏ nurse, Del Watkins, a Center for care and treat- to the ground. Suddenly, she licensed vocational nurse, and ment. looked up and the robber was Darryl Palmer, a nursing standing over her. “I said, assistant, there were no ✩ ✩ ✩ ✩ ✩ ‘Everything’s cool isn’t it?’ and fatalities in the accident. he said, ‘Yeah, everything’s Last Veterans Day, cool.’” As he walked away, a Correction ✩ ✩ ✩ ✩ ✩ Bryant Cannon, a licensed retired police officer pulled out practical nurse at the North a gun and yelled, “Drop down An item in the Have You Norma Washington, a Chicago VA Medical Center, to the ground or I’ll shoot!” Heard section of the January/ veterans service representa- was on his way home from Though the robber urged him February 2002 VAnguard tive in the Houston VA work when he saw a VA to shoot, the retired officer stated that the last public Regional Office, saved a life police officer involved in a held his fire, and the robber ceremony by the French over the telephone on March violent struggle. He slammed walked off into the woods. He government honoring Ameri- 14 when she received a call on the brakes and jumped out apparently got away with can WWII veterans who from a veteran who was of his car to help Officer close to $4,000, a can of participated in the Normandy threatening to commit suicide. Lonnie Jeffrey. Together, chips and a soda, but the invasion and the liberation of When the veteran asked, they restrained the attacker police eventually caught up France was held in December “How much will my daughter until help arrived. In recogni- with him. aboard a French helicopter get if I commit suicide?” she tion of Cannon’s actions, the carrier docked in Boston. knew he wasn’t kidding Fraternal Order of Police ✩ ✩ ✩ ✩ ✩ While it was the final public around. She kept him talking Lodge 5F, the North Chicago ceremony in New England, on the phone and tried to VA Police Lodge, awarded While walking to his car, there are many more sched- keep him calm. At times, he him a certificate of apprecia- Dr. Robert Owen, a physician uled by other French consu- sobbed so hard that she tion and $50.00 gift certificate. at the San Francisco VA lates throughout the U.S.

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