CCORDORD WWORDORD October 2016 THE NEWSLEttER OF THE NEW ENGLAND CHAPTER PARALYZED VETERANS OF AMERICA Vol. LXVI, #10 A MEMBER CHAPTER OF THE PARALYZED VETERANS OF AMERICA – CHARTERED BY THE CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES FISHIN’ & FAMILY Attendees arrived on Friday, pre-fished, got Article and pictures submitted by Lori Chase settled into their weekend vacation home, emories were made on September and spent time catching up with new and old What’s 10th, at the 17th Annual New Eng- friends, often stated as their “bass trail family.” Inside Mland Paralyzed Veterans of America This location boasts areas for group gather- Bass Trail. We rolled into beautiful, lakefront ings as well as many remote spots for personal Executive Director’s Camp Robindel in Moultonborough, NH lo- reflection. As the gathering began, so did the Report cated on Lake Winnipesaukee. We are fortunate stories of the past year, fish tales, challenges, 3 to continue to hold our tournaments here thanks celebrations, the secret world of fishing, loca- to owners Nat & Ann Greenfield who continue tions, tackle and technique. All were treated to Fishing to donate their exclusive 100 acre camp to us, a delicious buffet dinner with desserts donated 4 as well as their head of operations, Joel Mudgett from Picnic Rock Farms and acoustic music Service Officer’s who continues to meet all of our needs that may with new material provided by Mark Fournier, Report arise. This type of generosity is the heart of our boat captain and Bass Trail BOD. You guessed 5 tournaments, as our philosophy is to enable it, then early to bed, early to rise, fish all day ANY disabled angler the opportunity to get out and……well you know the rest. Flu Vaccinations and fish with no barriers. Our sponsors and 8 donations from individuals, local businesses, We continue to gain new participants, this year Washington and fishing communities, as well as fundraising we were joined by new pontoon boat captains Update throughout the year at weekend long sportsman & volunteers Todd & Andrew Whitridge, and 9 shows enable us to continue to provide these Manny & Kim Miranda. We are thrilled to say opportunities. “they are hooked,” and have already volunteered Free to Members for next year. Manny is an ARMY Veteran 14 A few quotes from the weekend: John Worrall- continued on page 4 “It’s a beautiful spot, a lot of people bring their boats, restores your faith in humanity when you find all the giving that people do,” founder of 45 North, nonprofit weekend long retreats for combat Veterans (www. The winning team of (l. ww45N.org). Angler Tony Rinaldi- to r.) Boat Captain John Foster, Rod Kingsbury, “I love everything about the event, and Duncan Banks especially the camaraderie, even if (Rod’s nephew) shows off you don’t have a successful day, you their catch at the NEPVA Bass Tournament on just have a great time on the water. I Lake Winnipesaukee on just like the beauty of the camp and September 10th. the lake.” Cord Word October 2016 PARALYZED VETERANS of AMERICA NEW ENGLAND CHAPTER NEPVA ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE 1600 PROVIDENCE HIGHWAY-SUITE 143 We honor their service WALPOLE, MA 02081 TEL: (508) 660-1181, 1-(800) 660-1181 to our country and FAX: (508) 668-9412; e-mail: [email protected] mourn the passing web: www.nepva.org Office Hours: Monday-Friday 9:00am-4:30pm NEPVA OFFICERS EXECUTIVE BOARD President, Wayne Ross Bruce Bowen Vice President, Mike Guilbault John Brako Secretary, Peter Moore Walter Farrington Treasurer, Charles Schena Michael Moran National Director, Neal Williams Michael Negrete ADA Coordinator, Neal Williams Mark Sanders Jim Wallack PROGRAM DIRECTORS of our Development Director, Wayne Ross Chapter Members Membership Officer, Judy Goldstein MS Liaison, John Brako Samuel L. Abbott Community Outreach, Mike Guilbault NEPVA Peer Mentor Rep., Mike Guilbault Jason F. Crook Scholarship Chairman, Wayne Ross Sports Director, Mike Guilbault Timothy F. Scannell Assistant Sports Director, Vacant Julio J. Teixeira Bass Trail Liaison, Jim Wallack Women Veterans’ Liaison, Debra Freed Volunteer Coordinator, Judy Goldstein HospitaL CHAPTER LIAISONS NATIONAL SERVICE OFFICE Brockton, MA VAMC, Mike Guilbault PARALYZED VETERANS OF AMERICA West Roxbury, MA VAMC, Wayne Ross BOSTON VA REGIONAL OFFICE Northampton, MA VAMC, Tim Kelly J.F.K. FEDERAL BUILDING - Room - 1575 C Providence, RI VAMC, Bruce Bowen BOSTON, MA 02203 Manchester, NH VAMC, Walter Farrington TEL: (617) 303-1395 & 1-800-795-3607 West Haven, CT VAMC, Peter Falcione FAX: (617) 303-1396 White River Jct, VT VAMC, Jim Wallack Eastern Region Director, Joseph E. Badzmierowski Togus, ME VAMC, Neal Williams Senior Secretary, Ann Marie Wallace STAFF PVA National Service OFFICE Executive Director, Debra Freed TOGUS, VARO, 1 VA CENTER Cord Word Editor, Judy Goldstein BLDG 248, ROOM 112 Government Relations Director, Debra Freed Augusta, ME 04330 Administrative Assistant, Judy Goldstein SERVING MAINE, NEW HAMPSHIRE AND VERMONT Bookkeeper, Jeri Farinella TEL: (207) 621-7394, FAX: (207) 621-4829 Web Master, Harley Freedman TOLL FREE: 866-795-1911 Senior National Service Officer, John Stansbury Monthly meetings are held every first Wednesday of the month at the NEPVA office in Walpole, Ma. The executive board meets at 10:30 A.M. Followed by the Secretary, Violet Bates regular membership meeting at 1:00 P.M. PVA NATIONAL SERVICE OFFICE Cord Word is published twelve times a year by the New England Chapter Brockton VAMC Paralyzed Veterans of America, 1600 Providence Hwy., Suite 143, Walpole, 940 BELMONT ST., BLDG. 3 ROOM 207 MA 02081 in the interest of Chapter members. Membership in NEPVA Brockton, MA 02301 entitles you to a free subscription to Cord Word. Articles published in Cord Word do not necessarily reflect the views of the Paralyzed TEL: (774) 826-2219 Veterans of America, New England Chapter. NEPVA neither endorses nor FAX: (774) 826-3167 guarantees any of the products or services advertised herein. Postmaster: Veteran Health & Benefits Specialist III, Heather Cherniack send changes of address to NEPVA, 1600 Providence Hwy., Suite 143, Walpole, MA 02081 East-North Area Manager 2 www.nepva.org Cord Word October 2016 Executive Director’s Report By Debra Freed Executive Director First Come – First Served he Abilities Expo Boston took chapter dispenses a number of funding program. Those place from 9.16 through 9.18. programs: Individual Allotment, Nurs- who apply first TIt has grown so much since its ing Scholarships, Vet Games, Golden will probably first year. Many thanks to all who vol- Age Games, pretty much any program be lucky to unteered to help out. Also, a great thank that the chapter provides funds for. get funds. you to Tim Kelly for covering the table However, at the Big E on the 16th. One of these To start with, the upcoming policy con- those who years, I will get to do that instead!!!!! cerning Individual Allotment, there will wait, and that is The Chapter banquet has come and be a requirement to volunteer so many another matter, may gone as well. I do sincerely hope you all hours a month in order to get funding. be left out. The policy to receive fund- had a great time. As far as moving goes, Another potential change (still being ing has not changed: Funding requests well, I will have to keep you posted. worked out) is asking folks to not take should be to the Chapter office at least their reimbursement for volunteering in 45 days prior to the event in order to There is always something going on, order to do two things: save the chapter make it into the packet so it can be which is very good. The more we have money as well as possibly increasing reviewed by the Chapter Board at the to do, the better. That being said, I Individual Allotment if you are looking Chapter BOD meeting. So if your event didn’t think our lives were so busy for funding for a particular event. is November 12th, you should have sub- that our membership could not take 5 mitted your request by September 26th minutes out of a day to fill out a ballot. No matter what these changes will or even sooner so the request could be I’m sure that we could all afford a stamp be, it will now be First Come – First in the Board packets. Have I confused as well. I couldn’t believe it, out of the Served. Meaning What? Meaning that you all? GOOD! That means you are 920 ballots we mailed out, we received there is only so much money in each paying attention. 125 back, REALLY? 125! REALLY? continued on page 14 Yes, it mattered that you voted and yes there were folks competing for various positions. I wonder how many of our 920 members would complain if we only provided services to our 125 voting members. That being said, I also hope that you have been reading the newsletter. Excuses of not knowing what is going on at the Chapter will no longer be accepted. Because we are losing a major fundraiser, the Chapter Board has had to make some truly tough decisions con- cerning the budget and how funds will be dispensed in the future. There will Attending the VA I-Care Award Presentation to the PVA: left to right standing: Tracey Presley, MSW be a policy change concerning how the LICSW, Jeanine Penzo LICSW, Heather Cherniack PVA-VH & B Specialist III; sitting: NEPVA VP Mike Guilbault, BOD member Mark Sanders, President Wayne Ross, E.D. Debra A. Freed. www.nepva.org 3 Cord Word October 2016 Winnie continued from page 1 they provided us with multiple live and Andrew Whitridge, a Combat Saturday morning began with a full interviews and almost as much coverage MARINE Veteran.