Silicon Valley Chapter Military Ofcers Association of America
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Silicon Valley Chapter Military Ofcers Association of America Volume XVII Issue 12The<Field Missing> Bulletin December 2020 As you all should know by now the "stay-at-home" rules have Virtual Luncheon cancelled our Luncheons. For the December 17, 2020 latest information you could join in on our virtual Board of Directors meeting by emailing me ( [email protected] ) or calling me at my office 408 779 7389 (mike) In addition to the BOD virtual meetings we have had several virtual lunch meetings. The following is the program for December's virtual meeting. DECEMBER MEETING SPEAKER he United States Department of T Veterans Affairs (VA) is a federal cabinet-level agency that provides near- comprehensive healthcare services to eligible military veterans at VA medical centers and outpatient clinics located throughout the country. Many chapter members for years Thomas J, Fitzgerald III, Director, Veterans have utilized the services provided by the Administration Palo Alto Health Care System Palo Alto Veterans Administration Medical Center. Zoom Virtual Meeting Hour: 11:00 AM CALENDAR OF EVENTS 3 Dec Zoom Board Meeting 10:30 AM 17 Dec Zoom Luncheon 11:00 AM 7 Jan Zoom Board Meeting 10:30 AM cont'd pg 3 21 Jan Zoom Luncheon 11:00 AM PRESIDENT’S PERSPECTIVE Hello Friends, Hope everyone had a safe and enjoyable Thanksgiving and can now look forward to a safe Christmas holiday season. We have what might be a light at the end of this pandemic with several companies ready to ship out vaccines this month, If things work out we may be able to look forward to having our monthly luncheon OFFICERS, BOARD, AND CHAIRS meetings. PRESIDENT:CAPT John Hassenplug, USN 650-224-7638 1st VP: Vacant Our Zoom meetings have been very informative and I hope that 2nd VP: Vacant Secretary: COL Warren Enos Interim AUS you will join us. 408-245-2217 Treasurer: CDR Carl Honaker USN 408-599-8532 Please continue to follow all the safety practices and look Past President: Cpt Charles McDougald USA 415-722-1009 forward to a Happy New Year. DIRECTORS & COMMITTEE CHAIRS CALMOAA CAPT Gil Borgardt USN 650-342-1270 Chaplain Col Don Bradley USAF 650-592-0915 Never Stop Serving Chapter Outreach CWO5 Robert Landgraf USMC 408-323-8838 Commissary/Exchange Advisory John vacant Friends-in-Need (FIN) Program Col Don Bradley USAF 650-592-0915 Navy League Liaison vacant Membership/Recruitment CAPT John Hassenplug, USN 650-224-7638 Personal Affairs CAPT Robert French USN 650-549-8896 Programs CAPT Paul Barrish USN 408-356-7531 ROTC In Memorium CWO4 Patrick Clark USA 831-402-8548 Surviving Spouse Liason Lana Gamach-Bradley 650-592-0915 John Fontana Col USA see pg 9 Scholarship Capt Gio Picazo USAF 669-258-5057 Travel (Space-A Advisory) October 10, 1923 – October 31, 2020 vacant Veteran Affairs LtCol Neil Miles USAF 408-929-1142 Web Master LtCol Mike Sampognaro USAF 408-779-7389 Sergeant at Arms vacant Strategic Planning WELCOME NEW MEMBERS Capt David Down ARNG 408-202-9360 Legislation LtCol Neil Miles USAF 408-929-1142 No new members this month, we The Chapter Board meets at the Moffett Field Museum, Moffett Federal Airfield, the first each and everyone need to be recruiting Thursday of the month at 10:30am. DIRECTORS EMERITUS CAPT Lloyd McBeth USN 408-241-3514 RETIREE ACTIVITIES OFFICE (RAO) Travis 707-424-3904 www.travisaf.mil tab Programs tab A senior citizen RAO Bulletin Editor said to his ninety year old buddy: 'So I hear you're LtCol. Mike Sampognaro, USAF [email protected] 408-779-7389 getting married?' 'Yep!' 'Do I know her?' 'Nope!' 'This woman, is she good looking?' 'Not really.' 'Is she a good cook?' 'Naw, she can't cook too well.' 'Does she have lots of money?' 'Nope! Poor as a church mouse.' 'Well, then, is she good in bed?' 'I don't know.' 'Why in the world do you want to marry her then?' 'Because she can still drive!' ` - 2 - ID CARD RENEWAL The chapter’s December 17th virtual/Zoom SVC WEBSITES If you need to renew your Military ID there is a general membership meeting speaker will be Thomas ur Chapter website is www.siliconvalleymoaa. new Office located across the street from the J, Fitzgerald III, Director, Veterans Administration O Navy Lodge. Palo Alto Health Care System since June 2017. He org, a shorter link is www.svcmoaa.org. You can 685 Vernon Ave will provide an illustrated presentation about also get to it from the national MOAA site: Put Mountain View, CA 94043 veterans benefits in general, the medical center and the cursor over Chapters and select Chapter Commercial: (650) 526-9891 its services, and how eligible chapter members can Locator, CA, then Silicon Valley Chapter. From obtain needed support. He also has been provided a there you may link over to our primary website list of topics for discussion by two SVC VA above. Our home page has links for and The Bulletin volunteers and Honorary SVC member Chaplain B eBulletin. Fred Tittle who has been part of the VA in several Menlo Park facility priority groups and several additional subgroups TRICARE FOR LIFE assignments. Mr. Fitzgerald oversees one of the most SERVICE complex facilities in the VA system with an annual based on factors such as service-connected disabilities, and their income and assets adjusted to For assistance, contact the budget in excess of $1.1 billion, more than 7,000 Wisconsin Physicians Service staff and volunteers, 808 operating beds spread local cost of living. Veterans with a 50% or higher www.tricare4u.com between three inpatient divisions and 7 community service-connected disability as determined by a VA 866-773-0404 outpatient clinics and a myriad of special programs. regional office “rating board” (e.g. losing a limb in You can make an appointment Online with The VA Palo Alto Health Care System battle, PTSD, etc.) are provided comprehensive Members can report the death of a retiree the RAPIDS Appointment Scheduler (VAPAHCS) is a teaching hospital associated with care and medication at no charge. Veterans with through the Retire Activity Office (RAO). The https://rapids-appointments.dmdc.osd. the Stanford University School of Medicine. It lesser qualifying factors who exceed a pre-defined phone number is at Travis 707-424-3904 mil/appointment/building.aspx? provides patient care services as well as education income threshold have to make co-payments for You can also notify a MOAA member’s death BuildingId=408&AspxAutoDetectCookieSupport=1 to: and research. Health care is provided in areas of care for non-service-connected ailments and MOAA, Attn: MSC, medicine, surgery, psychiatry, rehabilitation, prescription medication. VA dental and nursing 201 N Washington St, Alexandria, VA 22314 An elderly gentleman... neurology, oncology, dentistry, geriatrics, and home care benefits are more restricted. Reservists -2539. extended care. 1,300 University residents, interns, and National Guard personnel who served stateside Or: Call 1-800-234-6622 Had serious hearing problems for a number of and students are trained annually. The system in peacetime settings or have no service-related Or: E-mail: [email protected]. Notify SVC- years. He went to the doctor and the doctor MOAA by phoning the Membership Chair–see disabilities generally do not qualify for VA health was able to have him fitted for a set of hearing operates three nursing homes and a 100-bed listing on page 2 of The Bulletin. benefits. aids that allowed the gentleman to hear 100%. homeless domiciliary serving more than 85,000 Mr. Fitzgerald is a service-connected The elderly gentleman went back in a month to enrolled veterans. FREE Membership VAPAHCS is home to a variety of regional disabled veteran who served in the U.S. Army on While members 90 years of age and older the doctor and the doctor said, 'Your hearing is perfect. Your family must be really pleased treatment centers, including a Polytrauma active duty and reserve for 16 years as a medical are not required to pay annual dues, noncommissioned officer. He served in support of donations to one of the chapter funds that you can hear again.' The gentleman Rehabilitation Center, Spinal Cord injury Center, a (Scholarship, SVC, USO, PAWS, Blue replied, 'Oh, I haven't told my family yet. I just Comprehensive Rehabilitation Center, a Traumatic Operation Desert Storm in 1991. He began his Star Moms, KnowAVet ) are always sit around and listen to the conversations. I've Brain Injury Center, the Western Blind career as a nursing assistant at the North Chicago needed and much appreciated changed my will three times!' Rehabilitation Center, a Geriatric Research VAMC and held positions of increasing Educational and Clinical Center, a Homeless responsibility including Chief, Environmental Care The FBI's website to report a and Operations, Chief, Environmental Manage- Two elderly gentlemen from a retirement center Veterans Rehabilitation program, and the National Cyber Incident may be helpful to Center for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). ment Service at Palo Alto and Assistant Director some. were sitting on a bench under a tree when one turns to the other and says: 'Slim, I'm 93 years The health center maintains the third largest research for the VA Palo Alto Health Care System. Mr. https://www.ic3.gov/default.aspx old now and I'm just full of aches and pains. program in the VA with extensive research centers in Fitzgerald holds a BA degree in Business I know you're about my age. How do you feel?' geriatrics, mental health, Alzheimer’s disease, spinal Administration - Health Care Management. He is Slim says, 'I feel just like a newborn baby.' cord regeneration, schizophrenia, Rehabilitation a Certified Healthcare Environmental Services 'Really!? Like a newborn baby!?' Research and Development Center, HIV research, Professional (CHESP) by the Association for the 'Yep.