Vietnam Veterans of America

Chapter 299 PRESORT STANDARD

NON PROFIT ORG
FEBRUARY 2008
PO Box 6076 US POSTAGE PAID

SHOULDER
Rock Island, IL 61201-6076 ROCK ISLAND IL
www.QCVVA299.org 61201
PERMIT NO 167

TO SHOULDER
Vietnam Veterans of America Quad Cities Chapter #299 www.QCVVA299.org

CHAPTER CHALLENGE COINS

President-Bill Albracht
309.797.2660 BECOME A REALITY
w.albracht@mchsi.com For over a year, our Chapter has been wanted to help his brothers and he wanted
Vice President-Joe Murphy investigating getting our own Chapter to ensure our Chapter had the best quality
309.788.0350 Challenge Coin. Who better then veterans of coins on the market. Vinny proposed a price
jpmurf48@aol.com our ilk & era to have a keepsake representative that all but eliminated his profit margin.
Secretary-Bob Albracht of the service we gave to our country. A small A design was decided upon, the Board passed
309.786.6454
remembrance that can be carried with you the motion, the membership passed the
bobalbracht@hotmail.com
Treasurer-Todd Harlow unnoticed,but available to present to those who motion, and the coins are on order. Every
309.752.9749 you decide would understand and appreciate. Chapter member will receive one Chapter
tharlow@co.rock-island.il.us 299 Challenge Coin free and they will be
Membership-Larry Tschappat As of the last Chapter meeting, the Quad given out at the April General Election &
309.788.2729 Cities Chapter 299 challenge coin is a reality. Reception Meeting. Since 500 were ordered,
let289@hotmail.com In early January, I was ordering a couple there will be extra to purchase after all
VVA National Offices military coins for a modest collection that members receive their coin. The price is TBD.
800.882.1316 I own. When in conversation with the As you can see from the color illustration,
VA Outpatients Clinic Bettendorf owner/manufacturer, it came up that our the Chapter coins will be stunning & unique
563.332.8528
Chapter was seriously contemplating our to our Chapter.
VAMC Iowa City, IA
800.346.1843 very own challenge coin. “Vinny”, himself
319.338.0581 a Viet Nam Vet, said that he would like to — Bill Albracht
IL Dept of Veterans Affairs supply our Chapter with his coins. He
Dan Bebber VSO
309.793.1460
RI County Vet Ast Comm.
Todd Harlow - Supt. & VSO
309.558.3546
The Vet Center
Fred Waymen
309.762.6954
Iowa Veteran Affairs
David Woods
563.326.8723
VVA Service Officer
Al “Butch” Huber
309.721.1453
Steve Lowther
309.737.2954
Honor Guard Co-Captains
Dennis Laird - Funerals
H: 309.797.3625
C: 309.2303559
Andy Anderson - Parades
C: 563.940.5980
Volume 22 Issue 2
SUMMARY OF MINUTES AND MOTIONS FOR THE JANUARY BOARD
GENERAL MEETING 2008
Summary of Minutes and
Motions of the January
2008 Board & General
Membership Meeting:
On 8 January 2008, the
Chapter Board meeting was held
at the Moline VFW. Chapter
President Bill Albracht called
the meeting to order at 1900
hours. The Pledge of Allegiance
was said and a moment of
silence for our troops, past
and present was observed.
Todd Harlow presented the
Treasures report, which was
accepted, subject to review.
Todd also gave a report on
Bingo revenues in light of the
1 January 2008 smoking ban.
It is too early to say what kind
of effect the ban will have on
Bingo revenue. The Chapter has
adopted a‘wait and see’ attitude.
Dennis Laird reported that
the Chapter Honor Guard will
be leading the parade at annual
New Glarus, WI Winterfest on
18, 19, and 20 January 2008.
Bob Brooks reported that
our Chapter and MAVA
distributed 84 food baskets
the Saturday before Christmas.
Bill Albracht reported that the
American Bank and Trust has
become a new major sponsor
for the Chapter Newsletter.
No. 1. A motion was made
and approved to pay for
breakfast at the “Flying J”
for all those accompanying
Paul “Frenchy” Eaves on the
quarterly Vet 2 Vet trip to
the Iowa City VA Hospital to
visit hospitalized veterans.
No. 2. A motion was made
and approved to donate
$400.00 to the John Lewis
Shelter in Davenport. It
will now be referred to
the Charities/Donation
Committee for further action.
No. 3. A motion was made
and passed to spend $1,850
to purchase 500 Chapter
299 challenge coins to be
distributed to each Chapter
member. This motion will
now be referred to the General
Membership for consideration.
No. 4. A motion was made
and passed to change the
Chapter Constitution By-
Laws regarding the Chapter’s
spending cap. The by-law will
stipulate that any spending
cap change approved by the
Board must be approved by
the General Membership at
a Chapter Meeting. It will
further provide guidelines
for financing Chapter
“EVENTS” (see Proposed
Chapter Constitution
Change story in this
Newsletter for further details).
No 5. A motion was
made and passed to donate
$400.00 to the VA Clinic in
Bettendorf, IA. This money
will be used throughout 2008
to fund the Clinic’s coffee
services to veteran patients.
No 6. A motion was made
and passed to donate $250.00
to the Rock Island girl’s softball
team. This will also be referred
to the Charities/Donation
committee for further action.
GENERAL MEETING
On 15 January 2008, Quad
Cities Chapter 299 held its
general membership meeting
at the RI Arsenal cafeteria.
President Bill Albracht called
the meeting to order at 1900
hrs. The Pledge of Allegiance
was said and a moment of
silence for our troops, past
and present was observed.
Freda Goodwin reported
Shoulder to Shoulder
that at this time there still is
no Quad Cities AVVA Chapter
and all AVVA members
associated with 299 falls under
the purview of the Illinois
AVVA Organization. A local
AVVA chapter should become
incorporated some time in
February or March 2008. At
present, there are no individual
AVVA Chapters in the state of
Illinois. All AVVA activities
have oversight by the state.
All members present signed
a “get well” card for Chapter
member and former Director
Tommy McMahon who has
been in ill health for some time.
A reminder. Chapter
members do not have to
belong to the Honor Guard to
march in parades. Simply fall-
in behind the Honor Guard.
The Secretaries report was
accepted, subject to review
at the February meeting. This
was because of the lateness of
the Chapter Newsletter (in
which the meeting minutes
are published) and members
not being able to review
same prior to the meeting.
The Treasure’s report was
questioned and the Treasurer
could not provide the answers
to several listed expenditures
on the Chapter balance sheet.
After discussion, Todd Harlow
stated that without fail, he would
have all January expenditures
detailed at the next meeting.
The January Treasure’s
report was accepted on a
temporary basis until all
expenditure questions could
be answered by the Treasurer
at the February meeting.
The confusion resulted from
general category terms used
in identifying monies spent.
Volume 22 Issue 2 Sponsorship Page
JIM TEROS
-ONCE AGAIN WITH MY BROTHERS.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Larry Tschappat reported that
the chapter has 291 members,
132 life memberships,
and 45 AVVA members.
Bob McSparin reported All financial services
that all Charity donations James W. Victor
as approved by the Board provided, all the time, to all of Senior Vice President-Wealth Management
(see aforementioned Board Portfolio Management Director
minutes) were approved, the Quad Cities...and beyond. Financial Advisor
unchanged by the Charities/ 563-344-4334
Donation committee. 1-800-553-1871
The subject donation
motions were all presented
to the Membership and
approved as presented.
Bob McSparin reported that
ROGER PEET
the Charities Committee has EXPRESSIONS JEWELERS
given out $5,150.47 in 2007 EAST VILLAGE OF DAVENPORT ON THE RIVER
and $2,250.00 so far this year 2010 EAST RIVER DRIVE
and we are in the first month. DAVENPORT, IA 52803
Bob Brooks discussed the‘Brats
and Big Dogs’ Winter Picnic
held to be held on 16 January,
2008 at the Moline American
Legion. All profits are to
cover the Chapter’s donation
to the John Lewis Shelter.
Bob Brooks also reported that
84 food baskets were distributed
this Christmas, 61 from Chapter
299 and 23 from MAVA.
Vet 2 Vet: Paul “Frenchy”
Eaves announced that Chapter
299 and AVVA members will
be meeting February 12, 2008
at the “Flying J” truck stop
on Northwestern Blvd & I-
80 at 0700 hrs for breakfast.
They will then depart for Sullivan - Phillips
the Iowa City Veterans
Hospital after breakfast. All Mortuary Ltd
volunteers contact “Frenchy”.
Veteran to Veteran in your time of
The Chapter will be buying
need.
breakfast for all participants
in this trip to Iowa City VA. Michael Ellis - Funeral Director
1902 Third Avenue
East Moline, Illinois
“MINUTES” CONTINUED
ON PAGE FOUR 309.755.5271
Volume 22 Issue 2 Shoulder to Shoulder Volume 22 Issue 2 Shoulder to Shoulder
“MINUTES” (CONTINUED) WELCOME HOME - A CATHARSIS IN POETRY
The Chapter varsity anything else that the troops of I-280 Bridge after John Baker. discounted rate. The cost will
jackets are still available to that platoon needs, is collected Ray Hamilton also spoke on be less then $3.50 per coin. At the January meeting, “WELCOME HOME!” The words of many
in all sizes at a reasonable and sent. A very worthwhile a possible new project for our The multi colored coin can be Life Member Joe Hajny, unenlightened VFW
cost. AVVA members are project that our Chapter is now Chapter. This newest venture seen in this issue of the Chapter as seen in the photo, Two simple words – members:
welcome to purchase a jacket. looking into being a part of. has to do with all veterans Newsletter. All current and new came at the request of
BillAlbracht needs 6 additional Chapter member Joe Hajny, that have served in an overseas regular Chapter members will Powerful in depth and “Your war was not a
the Chapter president emotion.
orders for Chapter jackets to aka: The Nam Poet, recited his combat theater receiving a receive one coin free of charge. real war!”
round out the minimum order original work, WELCOME modest burial funded by the No. 1. A motion was made to read his moving and
of 10. Call him if you want one. HOME. This poem puts VA or the vet’s home state. and passed to spend no more reflective poem Welcome Words which provide Well – when soldiers
Art Heyderman of Chapter into words what so many As stated, this idea is in the then $1,900.00 to purchase Home. Simple and direct. comfort and acceptance are targets for the
776, spoke briefly on the of us felt in our return to early stages. At this point 500each Chapter 299 custom The words rolled off his
Army Family Plan. This civilian life. For those that Ray is attempting to see if the made Challenge Coins. For a job well done enemy –
lips and into our souls.
plan assists families of deployed were not in attendance, interest is there to proceed.
Fogy memories began During a tumultuous Be it by artillery,
military personnel. For further Joe’s poem can be read There was a short discussion Wayne Thompson won the
information on this project, elsewhere in the Newsletter. regarding the soon to be $25.00 monthly to clear. Some good, time bullets or hand-to-
call him at 563.505.4322. Ray Hamilton, Committee abandoned Oak Glen Home in “Pot-o-Gold” drawing. some better off in the fog. hand combat –
Mike Keil addressed the Chair of the Baker Bridge Coal Valley, IL. A petition for In our nation’s history.
Chapter about a program Initiative, stated that the signatures was sent around the Mel Poston won the THAT IS WAR!
With permission from Joe,
called Adopt a Platoon allegations against Mr. Baker’s floor regarding the remodeling 50/50 life membership. A time during which
it is being reprinted for “WELCOME HOME!”
(www.adoptaplatoon.org ). character have been thoroughly of the facility to house Veterans. protesters
This initiative is a way to investigated. The extensive The president brought up a The Chapter business those not in attendance.
provide direct support for investigation revealed that there project that has been in the having been finished, the Mocked us Two simple words – Where others chose not
our men & women overseas. was absolutely no evidence works for over a year and that meeting was adjourned. Enjoy the words of Joe Hajny to go!
Once enrolled in the program, that any of Baker’s ex-wife’s is the Chapter Challenge Coin. And spat upon us Words of defiance
– Nam Poet
a platoon that is overseas is family’s allegations had any A former VN Vet and Challenge Respectfully submitted, “WELCOME HOME!”
assigned to an individual(s) or fact or truth. State Rep. Pat Coin manufacturer has been in Robert Albracht, Secretary. And called us vile names. To challenge ignorant
group and support in the form Vershoore is now in the process contact with our Chapter and WELCOME HOME! citizens To all our brothers and
of letters, comfort food & of presenting a resolution to the has volunteered to make the We served our country! sisters
snacks, hard to get items, and Illinois legislature naming the Chapter Challenge Coins at a “WELCOME HOME!” Who were unwilling to
Protesters did not! separate Whether of war time or
Two simple words of peace time.
Who were morally right, The war from the
BUSH SIGNS VETS’ MENTAL HEALTH BILL First uttered by Vietnam my brothers and sisters? warrior. “WELCOME HOME…!”
veterans
President Bush has signed the Joshua Omvig suicide prevention “WELCOME HOME!” “WELCOME HOME!” Joseph Hajny
bill. It provides improved screening and treatment for at-risk To greet one another
Two simple words – Two simple words – NAM POET
veterans. The law is named after a 22-year-old soldier from Grundy After our less-than- November 30, 2007
Center, Iowa, who committed suicide in December 2005 after wonderful homecoming Words now spoken by Words of pride
Vietnam veterans
he returned from Iraq. The law requires mental health training Which was led by our To recognize the service
for Veterans Affairs staff; a suicide prevention counselor at each mortal enemies, the To Korean War veterans; of Joe also has published a
VA medical facility; and mental-health screening and treatment Media, collection of poems about
To Desert Storm Fellow Vietnam veterans.
his observations during and
for veterans who receive VA care. It also supports outreach and In describing how we veterans;
For we did after his tour. He can be
education for veterans and their families, peer support counseling lost the Vietnam War And to Iraqi Freedom contacted at the following:
and research into suicide prevention. In spite of never having veterans. What others chose not to wordman4657@yahoo.com
do!
lost a major battle.
w w w. Q C V VA 2 9 9 . o r g For we remember all too
well And we went

 Page 5
Volume 22 Issue 2
2008 CHAPTER BY-LAW CHANGE:
A PROMISE MADE IS A PROMISE KEPT
At the April 2007 Annual
Chapter Election & General
Meeting, the below Chapter
Constitution By-law was passed
(see Current Chapter…). It
was an oversight of the Chapter
Board that the approval of the
Chapter membership was
not included in any spending
cap change. As I personally
promised you at that time,
we (your new Chapter
leadership), WILL NOT raise
the Chapter’s spending cap
without the approval of the
Chapter at a General Meeting.
That promise has been kept.
But it is now time to put that
promise in writing. The below
PROPOSED ADDITION
TO THE CHAPTER
CONSTIRTUITION BY-
LAWS puts it into writing and
makes it a Chapter By-law.
You will also see that this
proposed addition defines what
is referred to as a Chapter
EVENT. When your Chapter
puts on a function (EVENT),
such as theVeteran’s Day Dance,
the after election reception, or
other expenditures for “the
good of the Chapter”, the
normal Chapter spending cap
limit needs to be addressed.
This change allows for a
budget that exceeds the cap
to be presented to the Board
for approval. If all is in order,
the request for EVENT status
will then proceed to the
membership for approval.
This is every Chapter member
being a responsible steward
of the resources, investments,
and general financial well
being of this great Chapter.
The below PROPOSED
ADDITION… will be voted on
for inclusion into the Chapter
by-laws at theApril 2008 general
meeting & Chapter election.
Current Chapter
Constitution By-Law as
passed in April of 2007:
Section 6 – F
inance
A. Sentence 2
a. A spending cap shall
Shoulder to Shoulder
be set by the Board in the
form of a Standing Motion.
This cap set by the Board
may be exceeded, but not
more then doubled, by a
vote of the membership present
at a General Chapter Meeting.
PROPOSED ADDITION
TO THE CHAPTER
CONSTITUTION
BY-LAWS:
b. A spending cap, increase
or decrease, approved by the
Chapter Board must
be approved by
the Chapter membership at
a General Chapter Meeting.
An exception to the spending
cap shall be a designated
Chapter EVENT. A Chapter
EVENT is a special
circumstance or occurrence in
which the Chapter may exceed
the spending cap to fund an
EVENT that will generate
income or is an occasion
for the “good of the order”.
The decision to designate
CHAPTER HONOR GUARD UPCOMING EVENTS
a Chapter EVENT must be
initially approved by the
Chapter Board. If and only
if approved by the Chapter
Board, it will then be
brought to a General
Chapter Meeting for
discussion and final approval.
All requests for EVENT
status must be accompanied
by a line item planning
budget estimate.
Bill Albracht
LETTERMAN’S JACKET RAFFLE
DRAWING TO BE HELD:
“WELCOME HOME”
VETERANS DANCE
10 NOVEMBER 2007
AT THE COL BALLROOM
Volume 22 Issue 2
On Saturday, March 15th, our
Chapter’s Honor Guard will
once again proudly march in
the only Bi-State Saint Patrick’s
Day Parade in the nation!
All VVA & AVVA members are
welcome to fall in behind
our boys and participate in
the parade. We would ask
that you wear something
VVA or VN appropriate
so the crowd knows who
you are there to support.
The parade will start
forming up at 1030 hours
on Fourth Avenue in the
vicinity of 22nd Street.
For the unaware, every
May, the Illinois Viet Nam
Memorial in Springfield
conducts a weekend vigil.
This year it will be held
Friday, May 2nd – Sunday,
May 4th. Our Honor Guard,
as well as MAVA, will once
again bear silent witnesses
to the memory of our fallen
brothers. The vigil starts on
Friday and will conclude with
a closing ceremony on Sunday
afternoon. During that entire
time, veteran organization
Honor Guards from all over
Illinois will pay their respect in
the form a continual presence.
Another annual event that
will be held in May is the
RIDE FOR THE WALL.
This is a very meaningful
event where motorcycles
start in California and ride
cross country to the VN
Memorial in WDC. Along the
way they pick up other riders
and upon their arrival at the
Wall, there can be thousands.
A stop that is always made
by the traveling bikers is the
Quad Cities. On Monday,
Shoulder to Shoulder
May 19th at 1630 hours, our
Honor Guard will welcome
these pilgrims at a welcome
ceremony at the Davenport
Memorial Park. Colors will
be presented and the travelers
and their quest recognized.
After, all will be feed. The
next day at 0800, our Honor
Guard will be on the I-80
overpass at Utica Ridge Road
flying the colors in a salute to
the riders as the pass beneath.
May will also find the
Honor Guard at an Armed
Forces Day ceremony on
May 17th whose location
has yet to be determined.
On Saturday, May 24th at 1000
hours, the Honor Guard will
participate in the annual
memorial service at the Hero
Street Memorial in Silvis.
This historic location where
the park, the monument,
and the actual street are
located is a point of pride
in the Quad Cities and has
gained and continues to gain
national recognition for the
brave men who left to serve
in WWII and did not return.
Also in May on the 26th,
Memorial Day, at 1400
hours, the Honor Guard
will participate in the
Criteriam Bike Races in
the District of Rock Island.
Want to join? Contact one of
the Honor Guard Co-Captains
(front page, left side, bottom)
for all your questions.

VETERANS GROUP COMMEMORATES TET OFFENSIVE

By SHELLEY TERRY
ASHTABULA, Ohio — Forty
years ago, Ashtabula Police
Capt. Gerald Cornelius
was in the U.S. Army,
so he remembers the Tet
offensive of 1968 in Vietnam.
“I was in the Army, but didn’t
arrive in Vietnam quite yet,”
he said. “Tet is when (the
Vietnamese) celebrate New
Year’s, and the Viet Cong
simultaneously hit every place
in South Vietnam where they
believed Americans to be.”
The attack was nationwide in
scope and well-coordinated,
with more than 80,000
communist troops hitting more
than 100 cities, according to
the Wikipedia Web site. The
purpose of the operation
was to create an uprising of
the people and end the war,
according to the Web site.
Cornelius said events that
transpired were misinterpreted
by the media and subsequently
by American residents.
“People thought the war was
escalating, but in reality, it was
a decisive American victory,”
Cornelius said. “When I got
to Vietnam, the soldiers had
every little area fortified with
walls, barbed wire and armed
guards. They said during Tet,
the Viet Cong came right
up the streets and it wasn’t
going to happen again.”
Fellow Vietnam War veteran
Kenneth Sundberg of Jefferson
agrees with Cornelius.
“There’s no doubt about it; it
was an American victory. The
Americans killed 100,000 A FUNDRAISER TO BENEFIT QUAD CITIES STAND
Viet Cong,” he said. “Our
battalion got called to Saigon DOWN FOR HOMELESS VETERANS
to help protect Saigon. (Our
battalion) lost 50 men.”
The Vietnam Veterans of WHEN? MARCH 12, 2008
America Chapter 231 wants to WHAT? TACO DINNER 3-8PM
honor theVietnamWar soldiers
on the 40th anniversary of the
WHERE? AMERICAN LEGION POST #246
Tet offensive. There will be an 1623 15TH STREET, MOLINE, IL
informal service at 6:30 tonight $5 DONATION FOR TACOS
at First Community Church of
God, 1910 S. Ridge Road W.,
to remember what happened FUNDS WILL BE USED TO DIRECTLY BENEFIT VETERANS WHO ARE HOMELESS OR IN DANGER OF BEING
40 years ago, on Feb. 1, 1968. HOMELESS IN THE QUAD CITIES. CONTACT MIKE MALMSTROM FOR FURTHER INFORMATION (309) 269-2012
Volume 22 Issue 2
WHY WE CAN’T FIGHT NICE
We sent the world’s best
military. We spent an
enormous amount of money.
We “stayed the course.” And
now it’s an open question as to
whether we’ll lose to savages
or pull off a messy compromise
success. What went wrong?
The strategic errors of
the administration, the
pernicious effect of the media
and factional hatred within
Iraq all played their parts.
Corruption and al-Qaeda’s
remorseless >bloodlust
made everything worse.
Poor leadership plagued
Iraqis and Americans alike.
But the subject presidents,
pundits and professors all avoid
is what it would take to win
militarily, because the answer
is ugly. We prefer to sidestep
reality in favor of comfy
fantasies that negotiations
will persuade blood-drunk
murderers to all just get along.
With the last-ditch troop
surge in Baghdad, we’re half-
heartedly trying an approach
we should have applied with
everything we had in 2003.We
no longer have the numbers to
do it right - and our leaders,
in and out of uniform, may
not have the resolve to behave
with the ruthlessness required
to turn things around.
Even with the surge, our
numbers in Baghdad will
be bare bones. We’ve finally
moved our forces down
to the neighborhoods,
instead of obsessing about
“force protection” and
bunkering ourselves inside
hermetic bases that severed
us from Iraq’s reality. We
finally recognized the need
for “precinct stations.”
But what we still don’t have
- and won’t - is a constant
presence in the streets.
As one patrol returns, another
should be heading out, with
a third roaming the zone to
cover the overlap. And that’s
the absolute minimum for a
one-square-kilometer area.
The problem in this kind of
conflict is that the initiative
inherently lies with the
terrorists and insurgents.
We’re looking for a limited
number of targets: our
enemies themselves. Their
targets can be anything - a
clinic, a school, a marketplace,
a roadblock, a gas station or
even a mosque. Anything
they hit counts as a win.
Our best shot is to keep them
on the run, to keep them off
balance. But crippling their
freedom of action requires
that our troops seem to be
everywhere at unexpected
times.That takes raw numbers.
If, on the other hand,
you let the terrorists and
insurgents set the tempo,
you lose both the support of
the population and the war.
Executing such a policy also
demands far better intelligence
than we’ve produced in the
past. Our tactical intelligence
has improved notably under
the stress of war, but we
still have a long way to go.
Above all, we have to maintain
a strength of will equal
to that of our opponents.
War demands consistency,
and we’re the most fickle
great power in history. We
must focus on defeating our
enemies, brushing aside
all other considerations.
At present, we let those
Shoulder to Shoulder
BY RALPH PETERS
other considerations rule our
behavior: we overreact to
media sensationalism, which
our enemies exploit brilliantly;
we torment ourselves over
the least mistakes our troops
make; we delude ourselves
that mass murderers have
rights; we take prisoners
knowing they’ll be freed to
kill more Americans, and the,
politicians and Green Zone
generals alike pretend that it’s
not whether you win or lose,
“it’s how you play the game.”
That’s the biggest lie ever told
by a human being who wasn’t
a member of Congress.
Winning is everything.Fighting
ruthlessly may not please the
safe-at-home moralists, but
it’s losing that’s immoral.
Consider just one of the
many issues about which
we’re insistently naive
and hypocritical-torture.
Earlier this month, our
Army released the results
of an internally initiated
survey of soldiers and
Marines in Iraq. The results
showed that almost half of
our troops would condone
torture in specific instances
if it saved their buddies’ lives.
The media were, of course,
appalled. 1 was shocked,
too - surprised that so
few of our troops would
condone any action that
kept their comrades alive.
Torturing prisoners should
never be our policy, both
because it’s immoral and
because it’s usually ineffective.
But it’s madness to declare that
there can never be exceptions.
Forget the argument about
the “ticking bomb” and
the terrorist who might
have information that
could save numerous lives.
Let’s make it personal.
Whether you’re left, right
or in between, ask yourself
this yes-or-no question: if
torturing a known terrorist
would save the life of the
person you love most in the
world, would you approve it?
If your answer is “no,” you’re
not a moral paragon. You’re
an abomination. And please
make your position clear to
your husband or wife, mother
or father, son or daughter.
Just tell ‘em, “Sorry, honey,
but I’d rather see you dead
than mistreat a terrorist.
It’s a moral issue with me.”
There are countless other
ways in which we elevate the
little immoralities required
in war above the supreme
immorality of losing. Leftists
loved My Lai - they just adored
it - but they were never called
to account for the communist
atrocities after Saigon fell. Pol
Pot’s butchery was never laid
at the feet of the self-righteous
bastards who shrieked,
“Give peace a chance.”
And no one on the left will
discuss what might happen
if we fail in Iraq. The truth
is that they don’t care.
We face merciless, implacable
enemies who joyously
slaughter the innocent with
the zeal of religious fanaticism.
Yet we want to make sure we
don’t hurt anyone’s feelings.
We’ve tried many things
in Iraq. They’ve all failed.
It’s a shame we never
really tried to fight. 4J
Retired Army Lt. Col. Ralph
Peters’ most recent book
is “Never Quit the Fight.”
Volume 22 Issue 2
THE MEMBERSHIP REPORT
I am very happy to report
that as of this writing (end
of January) our Chapter
membership stands at 293
regular members! In a
look back, we have almost
doubled our size in less
then two years. That is an
incredible feat! Why has this
happened? Because we are
involved, we are innovative,
we fight for veterans, we are
proud of our past and we are
always looking to the future.
And please don’t forget,
at every regular Chapter
meeting, we draw a name of
GETTING THE WORD OUT
By Bobbye C. Jerone
Yesterday I assisted a Vietnam
veteran in filing a claim for
an increase in his percent of
service connected disability for
a medical issue he has had since
he was on active duty; and
which has become much worse.
As we talked he mentioned
that he had had prostate cancer
several years ago and still had
some residual problems. He
was shocked to find out that
prostate cancer is one of the 11
diseases which are “presumed
to be service connected” if a
person served in Vietnam —
or has been exposed to certain
herbicides, most notably one
called “Agent Orange.” We
filed a claim for the residuals
of the cancer and medical
problems, which are secondary
to the cancer. The sad thing
is that this Veteran, who has
already suffered so much for
our country, had no idea that
he could be compensated for
these medical problems. Last
week I met a lady who lost her
husband to cancer as a result of
a non-life Chapter member
that is present. If your
name is drawn, the Chapter
will pay for half of your life
membership! All you have
to do is come to the meeting,
put your name in the drawing,
and if you win, pay your half
at the next Chapter meeting.
And speaking of life
members, of our 293,138
are life members. We also
have the largest AVVA group
in Iowa & Illinois, 45 in all.
Our Chapter is currently
twelfth largest in the Nation.
his exposure to herbicides in
Vietnam. He was ill for over
a year, and died in November
of 2007. He never knew that
he was eligible to file a claim
for compensation for this
‘presumed service connected’
medical problem. The VA
compensation would have been
a godsend to this family when
the man became too ill to work.
We are currently helping several
young veterans who have been
injured, or are ill, from their
service in Iraq or Afghanistan.
Most of the time they have no
idea what the ‘presumed to be
service connected’ disorders
are that pertain to them. And
no one seems to be standing in
line to get the word out to them.
There are four lists of
‘presumed to be service
connected’ medical conditions
which are published by the
VA. They are also listed in a
VA Benefits Handbook, which
is published every year by the
government. The VA medical
Centers, Regional Office, and
Outpatient Centers have made
these books available for no
Shoulder to Shoulder
We are separated from the
eleventh slot by 8 and 25
members short from the
tenth position. Remember,
bigger Chapter, bigger voice.
Now we must take a moment
and welcome our newest
brothers to join our ranks
as regular members: Rick
Fiems, Gib DeKoster, Butch
Kirkland, Ron Ketelson,
Gary Mell, Jim Brozovich,
and AVVA Member Margo
Krulik. Our newest three
year members are Mike Green
and Chris Klockau. We also
fee in the past. Unfortunately
these Handbooks are scarce
in printed form since the
VA made the information
available on the internet.
The four lists are, Former
POW’s, Vietnam Veterans (and
those exposed to Herbicides,
i.e., Agent Orange); Atomic
Veterans (Exposed to ionizing
radiation) and Gulf War
veterans. Because of the space
constraints of this column, we
are unable to print them all
here. If you, or someone you
know, is a former POW, or
has been exposed to Ionizing
Radiation please consult the
appropriate list for disorders
which may affect you.
Following are the two lists
which affect the largest
number of veterans in our area:
Soft tissue sarcoma; Hodgkin’s
disease; multiple myeloma;
respiratory cancers (lung,
bronchus, larynx, trachea);
non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma;
prostate cancer, Type II
Diabetes; Chronic Lymphocytic
Leukemia, Chloracne or
Porphyria Cutanea Tarda
have three new life members,
Neal Bunce, Ray Hamilton,
and Mel Poston. Gentlemen
and lady, welcome aboard!
One final note, to vote in
the April Chapter general
election, you must be a
member in good standing…
in other words, dues paid up.
Please get your dues into me
or National as soon as possible.
With respect, Larry
Tschappat, Membership Chair
and Peripheral neuropathy
(other than as secondary to
diabetes).(with the last two
disorders to be diagnosed
within one year of exposure.)
Gulf War veterans: (Anyone
who served in the first
Gulf War and or the
current War on Terrorism)
Medical unexplained or
undiagnosed*, chronic multi-
system illnesses defined by a
cluster of signs or symptoms
that have existed for six
months or more, such as;
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome,
Fibromyalgia, Irritable Bowel
Syndrome; any diagnosed or
undiagnosed illness that the
secretary of VA determines
warrants a presumption
of service connection;
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
(ALS), otherwise known
as Lou Gehrig’s disease.
If you or anyone you know, has
been diagnosed with any of the
above disorders you should
get your medical records
together and file a claim for
compensation immediately!
Volume 22 Issue 2
AMERICAN BANK & TRUST, OUR NEWEST SPONSOR!
American Bank & Trust
(AB&T) of the Quad Cities
is Chapter 299’s newest
major sponsor of the Chapter
Newsletter! As you will
remember, AB&T donated
$500 towards the success of
the Welcome Home Veteran’s
Day Dance and a 15” LDC TV
for the raffle! Well they have
made a further commitment
to be involved in our financial
well being as evidenced
by this latest contribution
of support & sponsorship.
AB&T believes in our Chapter
and wants to support the
positive impact that we are
making in the community.
They have extended a very
special banking offer to every
member in good standing of
VVA Chapter 299, as well
as our associate members.
Starting February 15th, if
you open a direct deposit free
checking account
with a Visa Check
Card*; agree
to receive your
statements online;
sign up for online
Bill Payment**;
and open a savings
account, you
will receive a 15”
LCD TV free!
While the TV’s
may be limited in
supply, but the preferential
treatment by AB&T isn’t.
AB&T will also provide you
Shoulder to Shoulder Volume 22 Issue 2 Shoulder to Shoulder
COMBAT ACTION BADGE - RETROACTIVE TO VIET NAM?
with a yearly mortgage review. service to our country. We This article comes to us by for the CIB/CMB. Award to include members of the Personnel and will most
It will amaze you the options have been assured that it is way of Chapter Tom Marxen. of the CAB is authorized Army who participated in likely die in committee unless
that AB&T will provide with their pleasure to support Inquires have been made from 18 SEP 01 to a date to combat during which they enough veterans contact their
existing mortgages and even Chapter 299 and our work in to Congressman Hare’s be determined. Retroactive personally engaged, or were legislators and convince them
mortgages that are paid off. the Quad Cities community. office to see what the status awards for the CAB are not personally engaged by, the to bring the bill to the house
Retiring soon? Start * A Visa Check Card is the of the retroactive status of enemy at any time on or floor for a vote. Although the
talking now. It’s never same as a checking account this award is. All Chapter after 7 DEC 41, H.R.2267 bill would cost the government
too late for a plan. debit card. The amount of the members feel free to contact was introduced by Ms. only a minimal amount since
There are several purchase is deducted directly you Congressman & Senators Ginny Brown-Waite (FL- veterans would be authorized
other benefits that from your checking account and and request that the Combat 05) on 10 MAY 07. The to purchase their own badges
AB&T is extending is used in place of writing a Action Badge be retroactively bill would authorize the it does not seem to be getting
to our Chapter check. Convenient, easy, and safe. awarded to all who served and Secretary of the Army much attention by the
members and meet the awards stipulations. to make arrangements with subcommittee. This could
they will be listed ** Bill Payment allows the ARMY COMBAT ACTION suppliers of the Army Combat be because the Army is not in
in the upcoming scheduling of one time or recurring BADGE: The Army Combat presently authorized. Second Action Badge so that eligible favor due to what they claim
Newsletters as electronic payments from your Action Badge (CAB) may and third awards of the CAB recipients of theArmy Combat would be problems verifying
they pertain to checking account to pay your bills. be awarded to any soldier for subsequent qualifying Action Badge may procure who was eligible. They also
our membership. performing assigned duties periods are indicated by the badge directly from cite funding. Veterans are
For now understand that w w w. A M B A N K Q C . c o m in an area where hostile fire superimposing one and two suppliers, thereby eliminating encouraged to contact their
AB&T salutes Veterans and pay or imminent danger pay is stars respectively, centered at or at least substantially legislators and convince
sincerely thanks us for our authorized; must have engaged the top of the badge between reducing administrative costs them to aid in getting this
the enemy; and must not be the points of the oak wreath. for the Army. This bill has bill out of committee.
assigned/attached to a unit To expand retroactive been referred to the House [Source: Various Oct 07 ++]

CHAPTER VARSITY JACKET ORDER that would qualify the soldier eligibility of the Army CAB Subcommittee on Military

As of the end of January, we have seven requests for Chapter SALUTE

Varsity Jackets. A minimum order requirement is ten – twelve. The salute is a form of honor and respect,
Anyone who would like to place an order for these incredible representing pride in one’s military service.
jackets contact Bill Albracht at 797.2660 or w.albracht@mchsi.com The senate unanimously passed a bill last
July clarifying United States law to allow
Payment is due upon delivery.
veterans and servicemen not in uniform to
salute the flag. We, at the Retired Activities
Jackets can be seen on the Chapter Web site (www.qcvva299.org). Office, look forward to seeing those who
Go to the right side of home page click on Chapter Jackets & have served, saluting proudly at sports
games, parades, and formal events. What
Pins.
better way to honor and recognize the 25
million veterans in the United States who
have served in the military and remain
as role models to other citizens. Those
who are serving or have served in the
military have earned the right, and their
recognition will be an inspiration to others.

A MESSAGE FROM YOUR PRESIDENT

As I first learned long ago
at Benning’s School for Boys
(Infantry OCS, Ft. Benning,
GA) the survival of some
troops in combat and the death
of others is not necessarily
random. Combat troops who
train as a unit, who develop
close relationships, tend to
maintain their morale and
fight better then men who are
thrown together in battle. It
is a school of thought in the
military that on the subject
of teamwork, it is said that
four superior men who do
not know each other will
hesitate to attack a lion. Four
average men who know each
other, who have worked
with each other, who have
confidence in each other, will
attack and attack successfully.
Quad Cities Chapter 299 of
Vietnam Veterans of America
is a conglomeration of veterans
that ran the gambit of jobs,
titles, and duties while serving
our country during the Viet
Nam era. There is no one
member that defines us all,
and yet we identify with each
other in our common bond.
When you stand with your
Chapter member, you
stand as an average man
capable of accomplishing
uncommon feats.
When I am faced with the lion,
let me attack with my brothers
that stood with me then, and
are standing with me now.
— Bill Albracht