CCORDORD WWORDORD July 2013 THE NEWSLEttER OF THE NEW ENGLAND CHAPTER PARALYZED VETERANS OF AMERICA Vol. LXIII, #7 A MEMBER CHAPTER OF THE PARALYZED VETERANS OF AMERICA – CHARTERED BY THE CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES 22nd Annual NEPVA Golf Tournament Warm and sunny weather greeted golfers at to win a vacation package for two at the Bethel beautiful Blue Hill Country Club in Canton, Inn Resort in Maine. NEPVA also sponsored a What’s MA for the 22nd Annual Sebastian DeFran- “$10,000 Cash Hole in One” but unfortunately Inside cesco NEPVA Golf Tournament, which was there was no winner. Two “Closest to the Pin” held on May 28, 2013. NEPVA wishes to thank President’s holes earned gift certificates for Gerry Moran Report our 2013 Platinum Sponsors ADTRAN, Inc., and Steve Thorn. Our thanks also go to the 3 and Telco Systems, A BATM Company for their players who took a chance on the “Betting Hole” support this year, as well as our Gold Sponsor which raised additional funds for NEPVA. Two Executive Director’s The Network Professionals, Inc. special guest players from the New England Report Patriots, Kyle Arrington and Zoltan Mesko, 4 At the 11:30 am check-in time, arriving golfers made appearances during the tournament but received complimentary jackets and then headed Service Officer’s unfortunately, neither player was able to stay for Report inside the clubhouse for a buffet luncheon before dinner. 5 the 1:00 pm shot-gun start. Volunteers were again busy selling tickets for the 50/50 draw- As tournament play ended, golfers returned to Curling ing and prize drawing. All funds raised at the the clubhouse for the cocktail hour and dinner. 6 tournament are in support of spinal cord injury As guests enjoyed the buffet dinner, NEPVA research. President Craig Cascella took the podium and Bass Trail on the Charles welcomed everyone, thanking everyone for their 7 With tournament play under way, special prize support. The 50/50 drawing was then held with holes offered added excitement. Once again this continued on page 6 VA News year, the “Volvo Hole 8 in One” hole offered a three year lease on Community a 2013 Volvo S-60, Outreach courtesy of Village 11 Automotive Group. Other prizes sponsored by Village Automotive Group were “Hole in One Vacation Pack- ages” on two different L to R: NEPVA President Craig Cascella, Paul Plante holes. Congratulations and Patriots punter Zoltan go out to Donnie Roaf Mesko share a moment on who shot a hole in one the golf course. Cord Word July 2013 PARALYZED VETERANS of AMERICA NEW ENGLAND CHAPTER Our NEPVA ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE 1600 PROVIDENCE HIGHWAY-SUITE 143 Nine Month Drawing WALPOLE, MA 02081 TEL: (508) 660-1181, 1-(800) 660-1181 – May Winners – FAX: (508) 668-9412; e-mail: [email protected] web: www.nepva.org $50 Office Hours: Monday-Friday 9:00am-4:30pm David Iverson NEPVA OFFICERS EXECUTIVE BOARD Boston, MA President, Craig Cascella John Brako Vice President, Dustin Soroka Brad Carlson $25 Secretary, Walter Farrington Mike Guilbault Timothy Kelly Treasurer, Charles Schena Peter Moore South Hadley, MA National Director, Craig Cascella Wayne Ross Jim Wallack $25 Neal Williams Timothy Kelly South Hadley, MA PROGRAM DIRECTORS Development Director, Craig Cascella Membership Officer, Craig Cascella MEMBRA RE NC MS Liaison, John Brako IN E Community Outreach, Mike Guilbault NEPVA Peer Mentor Rep., Mike Guilbault We deeply regret the passing Scholarship Chairman, Craig Cascella Sports Director, Brad Carlson of our Chapter Members: Assistant Sports Director, Mike Guilbault Bass Trail Liaison, Jim Wallack Women Veterans’ Liaison, Debra Freed Volunteer Chairman, Judy Goldstein Ronald F. Abbott Hospital Liaisons Brockton, MA VAMC, Craig Cascella Joseph A. Lagassee West Roxbury, MA VAMC, Craig Cascella Northampton, MA VAMC, Tim Kelly Providence, RI VAMC, Craig Cascella Manchester, NH VAMC, Walter Farrington and extend our heartfelt sympathy West Haven, CT VAMC, Vacant White River Jct, VT VAMC, Craig Cascella to family and friends. Togus, ME VAMC, Dustin Soroka NATIONAL SERVICE OFFICE STAFF PARALYZED VETERANS OF AMERICA Executive Director, Debra Freed BOSTON VA REGIONAL OFFICE Cord Word Editor, Judy Goldstein J.F.K. FEDERAL BUILDING - Room - 1575 C Government Relations Director, Debra Freed BOSTON, MA 02203 Administrative Assistant, Judy Goldstein TEL: (617) 303-1395 & 1-800-795-3607 Bookkeeper, Jeri Farinella Fax: (617) 723-7467 Cord Word Design & Web Master, Harley Freedman Eastern Region Director, Joseph E. Badzmierowski Monthly meetings are held every first Wednesday of the month at the NEPVA Senior Secretary, Ann Marie Wallace office in Walpole, Ma. The executive board meets at 10:30 A.M. Followed by the 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 TOGUS, VARO, 1 VA CENTER Paralyzed Veterans of America, 1600 Providence Hwy., Suite 143, Walpole, BLDG 248, ROOM 112 MA 02081 in the interest of Chapter members. Membership in NEPVA Augusta, ME 04330 entitles you to a free subscription to Cord Word. Articles published in Cord Word do not necessarily reflect the views of the Paralyzed SERVING MAINE, NEW HAMPSHIRE AND VERMONT Veterans of America, New England Chapter. NEPVA neither endorses nor TEL:(207) 621-7394, FAX: (207) 621-4829 guarantees any of the products or services advertised herein. Postmaster: send changes of address to NEPVA, 1600 Providence Hwy., Suite 143, TOLL FREE: 866-795-1911 Walpole, MA 02081 National Service Officer III, John Stansbury Secretary III, Wendy Glidden 2 www.nepva.org Cord Word July 2013 President’s Report By Craig C. Cascella NEPVA President warm, friendly hello to our mem- ing to the local VAMC’s, PVA, and On the 20th, I visited A bers, volunteers, and friends! I’m NEPVA. Newport, RI and happy to see that the warm weather has went sailing with finally arrived here in New England On June 19th, I visited the West Rox- Sail to Prevail, after a rather awful and cold winter, bury VAMC for a Chapter sponsored a non-profit which had a hurricane preceding it to pizza party on the SCI Unit. As usual, disabled sail- boot. I hope our members take full there was a great turnout. It is always ing program advantage of the many, many programs a good time to socialize with the in- that runs available during the summer months. patients, volunteers, and the VA Staff, during the To see the many upcoming events or as well as to listen to or address any summer months. activities, please read our newsletter and concerns they may have. I later visited Over the past few also visit our web site. various departments elsewhere in the years, Sail to Prevail has set up a “veter- facility, speaking with members and ans only” weekend for disabled veterans As you may have read in last month’s VA staff. I had the pleasure of meeting interested in sailing in lovely Newport newsletter, VA Boston Healthcare and having a conversation with a newly Harbor. Although I was unable to System Director Michael Lawson has injured veteran on the SCI Unit, who attend the weekend event with fellow retired and a replacement has been ironically served in the same unit as I veterans due to prior commitments, named. Mr. Vincent Ng has been did in the U.S. Marine Corps, although other Chapter members were in atten- appointed as the new Director of the during different years than I. We each dance and I’m told had another terrific VA Boston Healthcare System. Prior served under different Presidents of time (see photo). to this appointment, Mr. Ng was the the United States, serving in the Presi- Director of the Providence, RI VAMC. dent’s helicopter squadron, known as As always, feel free to visit NEPVA’s PVA Eastern Region Director Joe Badz- HMX-1 or Marine One. I am also glad web site (www.nepva.org), PVA’s web mierowski and I look forward to setting to mention that a bulk-purchase of new site (www.pva.org), and the VA’s web up a meeting with Mr. Ng in the near shower/commode chairs for the SCI site (www.va.gov) for up to date and future to say hello, introduce ourselves, Unit has arrived, replacing the older, recent news. If you have any questions, and discuss items and issues pertain- antiquated shower chairs (see photo). comments, or concerns please contact our office or your local NSO. L to R: A new fleet of shower/commode chairs for the SCI Unit has finally arrived; Maine member George St. Hilaire at the helm of Speedy; Craig with Ray Anderson, who works in maintainence at the Fisher House (in background) and who also worked on the SCI Unit for years, stopped at the pizza party. www.nepva.org 3 Cord Word July 2013 Executive Director’s Report By Debra Freed Executive Director The Chapter and Commonwealth Support its Women Veterans he Commonwealth of MA On June 15th, the 5th Annual Women transport seven continues to show outstanding Veterans Conference was held at women veterans Tsupport for its women veterans. UMASS Boston. Were it not for their from Western On June 14th, the first ever Women dedication to Mass Veterans and espe- Mass. They Veterans Day at the State House was cially to women veterans, events like were extremely held. There are so many names I did not this could not take place. Many thanks grateful for the get but I would be remiss not to men- and much appreciation go to Secre- opportunity to tion a few: Ms. Marie St. Catherine – tary Coleman Nee of the MA Veter- attend this event.