January, Febuary, March 2015 - Vietnam Veterans of America

Western New York
Chapter 77
Tonawanda, New York
Mail Call:
January - March 2015
Notes From the President
I hope all of our members in the South Towns
weathered the snow storm. I know many of you couldn’t
get out for several days and I feel sorry for the ones
home with you.
I hope everyone had a good Thanksgiving, Christmas
and New Year. We had a few Veterans come in for
Thanksgiving baskets, not as many as in past years, but
I think this was weather related. At this time, as I write
this, we have not completed the baskets for Christmas,
however at this point we have 50 baskets ready for those
needing them.
Veterans Day was very busy. A breakfast at the North
Tonawanda Senior Citizens Center was followed by the
ceremony on the bridge between Tonawanda and North
Tonawanda. Chapter 77’s ceremony was held at 6 p.m. at
the Vietnam Memorial on the waterfront. This year the
weather cooperated and wasn’t snowy, rainy or cold.
Some said it was the best weather we had.
There has been some discussion about changing the
time for next year’s ceremony to mid-afternoon. By
having it earlier, we’re hoping that more members and
their families as well as the community will be able to
join us.
I would like to thank Stacy and her mom, owners of
the Vapor Room, for holding a basket raffle and donating
the proceeds to our food bank. Stacy and her mother
have held this event for the past two years and every year
the donations have increased. Please see Paul’s article in
this issue for more information on their contribution.
The Christmas party was held at the American Legion
Post this year. There were three awards given out at
the party. The recipients were Bob Lillis, Joe Pasek and
Stacy. With the pending sale of the Legion, it is uncertain
whether we will have future events held there.
We have purchased a new computer for Paul to use.
He spends countless hours balancing records, keeping
up with the email and answering all correspondence.
The old computer was outdated and the hard drive will
be removed from it.
We would like to have more speakers at our monthly
meetings however we need to know what topics might
be of interest to our members. If you have any ideas,
please let me know. In the past we’ve had speakers from
the VA Hospital, Western New York Heroes and the
Wounded
Warriors.
Please let me know if you’d like something mentioned
in the newsletter of if you have any questions pertaining
to the chapter. You may contact me at: mw12345@aol.
com.
I wish all of you a healthy, prosperous and peaceful
year as we begin 2015.
Mike Walker
VVA CHAPTER 77 LEADERSHIP
(Terms of office are from April 2014 to April 2016)
Officers
President 1st Vice President 2nd Vice President Secretary Treasurer Service Officer Pres. AVVA Directors
Ken Berger (Hon.)
Peter Divergillo
John Heffernan
Eric Reimer
Tom Thompson
Mike Walker
Ed Bodine
Tom Konopka
Ron Sado
Paul Pietrowski
Bob Garcia NYS Council
Linda Sopic
Jim Burns
Guy Godios
Mike Marchese
Joe Pasek
693.4479
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693.4479
693.4479
693.4479
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683.0051
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Special Duties
NY State VVA Paul Pietrowski
Mike Walker
Council Delegates
Ed Bodine (Alternate)
Tom Konopka (Alternate)
Newsletter Editor
Mike Walker
Standing Committees
Agent Orange / Veterans Affairs
Color Guard
Community Affairs
Constitution Committee
Scholarship
Employment Training &
Business Training
Golf Tournament
Government Affairs
Web Master
Membership
Museum Curator
POW/MIA Affairs
PTSD
Public Affairs
Nominating Committee
Veterans Benefits
VA Hospital Reps.
Joe Pasek693-4447
Paul Pietrowski693-4447
Paul Pietrowski694-6052
Larry Covert823-9118
John Heffernan693-4479
Tom Konopka694-0857
Al Schreier694-3441
Al Brusetti636-0338
Pat Welch
Mike Walker693-4447
Mike Walker693-4447
Paul Pietrowski693-4447
Paul Pietrowski693-4447
Paul Pietrowski693-4447
Patrick Welch688-0129
Larry Covert823-9118
Tom Konopka693-4447
Tom Konopka693-4447
Ed Bodine693-4447
Orange Blossom Sales
by Joe Pasek
This past year the Orange Blossom Sales proved to be
very productive in raising money for Chapter 77. Due
to the generosity of the people of Western New York,
over $4,100 was collected.
Holding an Orange Blossom Sale involves setting up
a table of information at a pre-approved business
location, with literature on veterans benefits and on
Agent Orange.
I am not sure to what extent the general public realizes
the harmful effects Agent Orange has caused to the
Vietnam veterans exposed to it.
Orange poppies are handed out as a thank you for
every donation received and small American flags are
given to the children.
Raising money and providing valuable information
is rewarding. However, receiving grateful handshakes
from the people for our service in Vietnam creates a
heartwarming feeling that can’t be duplicated.
The fund raising events would not have been successful
if not for the several individuals who assisted me. I
truly appreciate your help and for donating your time
to such a worthy cause.
Peter P. Tycz II Memorial
Scholarship
By: John Heffernan
Sergeant First Class Tycz was a US Army Green
Beret who died in the line of duty in Paktika
Province Afghanistan in 2002. The chapter has
chosen to honor this Tonawanda native with
a memorial scholarship for numerous reasons
including his local ties, involvement in the
community, devotion to his family and country,
and exemplary military service. He was the
son-in-law of chapter member, Bill Parmentier
and is survived by his wife, Tami J Tycz and 5
daughters.
As in the past, the scholarship is designed for a
graduating high school senior who:
• Resides in Niagara or Erie County
• Has a relative who is/was a veteran (reservists
who have completed 180 continuous days of
service are considered veterans)
• Shows a unique blend of academic
achievement and community service
• Anticipates enrollment in an accredited
program of higher education beginning in
the fall of 2015.
We receive an average of over 90 applications
per year with the number of $250 scholarships
awarded tied to fundraising. Since its inception
in 2005, we have been able to award 223
scholarships with a total value of $55,750. If
you know of any organization or company that
you feel might be interested in supporting the
scholarship please contact me and I will be
happy to contact them.
The main fundraiser is our annual spaghetti
dinner Thursday, January 22 at the American
Legion Tonawanda Post 264. This year’s
campaign has already begun with the goal of
exceeding last year’s 28 scholarships.
Giving a Remembrance Print to the Wilson family for the
Gym named in honor of “Billy” Wilson.
Applications for the scholarship may be
obtained at the Chapter web site or at the
Chapter, 47 Main St. Tonawanda NY 14150,
E-Mail: [email protected], phone:
(716)693-4479.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
January 15: BOD meeting 6pm general membership meeting 7pm
January 22: Peter Tycz Scholarship Spaghetti Dinner 4-7pm Post 264 American Legion
February 6, 13, 20, 27: Fish Fries At the American Legion Post 264 4-7pm
February 13 and 14: Hockey night Canisius vs. Army at the Harbor Center 7:35
FREE ADMISSION FOR VETERANS
February 19: BOD meeting 6pm general membership meeting 7pm
March 6, 13, 20, 27: Fish Fries at the American legion Post 264 4-7pm
March 19: BOD meeting 6 pm general membership meeting 7pm
April 1: Ash Wednesday Fish fry and Good Friday April 3, fish fry American Post 264 4-7pm
April 16: BOD meeting 6pm general membership meeting 7pm
April 28: KIDS DAY SELLING NEWSPAPERS, PORTER AND NIAGARA STS. 6AM START TIME
Membership
We are still stuck on 595 members, we need our present members to pay their dues when it is due. I sent out 15
letters to those were who behind in dues. Please if you are having some difficulty call me at the office 693-4479
and we can work this out, it will be strictly confidential, we hate to lose long time members over $20.00.
Welcome Home to new members:
Peter Barusic
Kurt Bingham
Dennis Bienias
Patric Durkin
Ken Giroux
John Grobe
Bill Lanighan
James Main
Charlie Mixon
Richard Perry
TAPS
The following members have answered final roll call,
Dwight Bowman and Ken Warmington, may they
rest in peace.
Newsletter Booster Form
Fill out and submit with a check for $12 payable to the chapter.
Name:__________________________________________________ Branch:________________________________________
Unit:___________________________________________________ Year:__________________________________________
Well next newsletter will be our first year with boosters. The following need to renew your booster:
Bob Ruetimann, Peter Misner, Paul Rudnicki, Paul Pietrowski, Mike Walker, Marshell & Mary Wood, Mike
Siemush, Jim May, Tom Konopka, Ed Bodine, Greg Cain, Jack Michel, Jim & Tina Burns, Phil Gralnik, Adam
Kubiak, Pete DiVergilio, Tom Thompson, Bill St Jean, Eric Schultz, Tim Hughes, James Cederman, Mike
Marchese and R. Pat Hyman. This money is used to get the newsletter done by a pro.
Newsletter Boosters
Booster
Branch of service
Unit
Years
Bob Ruettimann
Peter Misner
Paul Rudnicki
Paul Pietrowski
Mike Walker
Marshall & Mary Wood
Mike Siemuch
Jim May
Tom Konopka
Ed Bodine
Greg Cain
Jack Michel
Jim & Tina Burns
Phil Gralnik
Adam Kubiak
Pete DiVergilio
Tom Thompson
Bill St Jean
Eric Schultz
Tim Hughes
James Cederman
Mike Marchese
R. Pat Hyman
Jim Donahue
Chuck Montz
Lance Becker
Ernie Parent
Mike Panzica
John T. Penberthy
Art Rine
Karl Oertel
Adam S. Zlotek Jr.
Ed L. Frankiewicz Jr.
Jim Hughes
Dennis Dragan
James E Goetz
George E. Essenburg
Paul Neupert
Bob Clark
David Chester
Jim Ring
John Heffernan
Bob Gritzke
Kathy Cromwell
Don Nowicki
Dave Battaglia
David Sharp
James E. Goetz
Dennis Dragan
Keith Young
James Vallery
Phil Columbus
Dennis Turkasz
David McGeein
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Vietnam Veterans of America
WNY Chapter 77
47 Main St.
Tonawanda, NY 14150
716.693.4479
www.VVA77.org
The Vapor Room Fund Raiser
Staci and her Mom from the Vapor Room held a basket raffle and
canned goods drive for our food pantry in November. This is the 2nd
time they did this for our chapter, last year they raised $864.00 and
this year $915.00! Staci’s father donated $100.00 at the end of the night
to surpass last year’s total! Thank you Vapor Room, our members
appreciate your support of veterans.
We also receive donations from other organizations throughout the
year, the Pallotine Fathers bingo players have donated $700.00 and two
large loads of canned goods so far this year and are now working on
a collection for Christmas. The Matt Urban VFW Post 7275, $964.00
and canned goods, Ladies Aux. from the DeGlopper VFW Post 9249
$165.00 and also canned goods and $1000.00 from the John Newman
Mission Community, Inc.
Christmas Food Baskets ready for pickup, the chapter will help over
50 families this year.
Amber from Girl Scout Troop
31490 delivering Christmas
cards for the VA Hospital.
VETERANS CHOICE CARD
By Tom Konopka
The Veterans Administration is in the process of issuing
the Veterans Choice Card to all Veterans enrolled in
VA Healthcare as of August 1st 2014. This card is the
result of legislation passed earlier this year to provide
Veterans with increased access to healthcare outside of
the VA system. A letter from Secretary McDonald and
a quick facts sheet are enclosed with the card. These
will help you understand the program and decide if it
will be of benefit to you.
There are a few provisions of the program that are
important to keep in mind. One provides for Veterans
that live more than 40 miles from a VA facility. There
are no Veterans in WNY who fit in this category.
WNY Veterans may be eligible to use this program if
they have been told by the VA that they will have to
wait more than 30 days for an appointment, or any
date determined to be medically necessary by your
physician. It is also an absolute necessity that approval
be obtained by calling the 800 number on the Choice
Card before scheduling any healthcare outside the VA
system.
Veterans receiving care under the Choice Care Act are
still responsible for co-pays and any private insurance
they may also have will be billed by the VA. A separate
approval is needed for every healthcare provider and
the approval is only good for 60 days. The Act is a
temporary measure (three years) to enable the VA to
clean up its backlog and expand its capabilities. Let us
hope it is successful.
Vietnam Veterans of America
WNY Chapter 77
47 Main St.
Tonawanda, NY 14150
Non Profit Org.
U.S. Postage
PAID
Permit #2
Tonawanda, NY 14150
Application for Membership
Please send this application, with you dues payment and a copy of your DD-214 to: VVA Chapter 77, 47 Main St., Tonawanda, NY 14150
Name___________________________________________ Male ___Female___ Date of Birth________________________________
Address_________________________________________ e-mail address_________________________________________________
City____________________________________________ State_____________________
Zip__________________________
Telephone number________________________________ Sponsor (optional) _____________________________________________
Membership Type: ____Individual – 1 year $20 ____Individual Member – 3 years $50
Life Member: ____$250 (age 49 and under) ___$225 (age 50 – 55) ___ $200 (age 56 – 60)
____$175 (age 61 – 65)
___$150 (age 66 - 71) ___ $100 (age 71+)
____Time Payment Plan: $50 down, $25 per month
Eligibility: Membership is open to U.S. armed forces veterans who served on active duty (for other than training purposes) in the Republic of Vietnam
between February 28, 1961 and May 7, 1975, or in any duty location between August 5, 1964 and May 7, 1975. You must submit a copy of your DD-214
with this membership application.
Signature: ___________________________________________________________________ Date: ____________________________
___I am a spouse, family member or friend of a Vietnam veteran and would like membership information about the Associates of Vietnam Veterans of America.
___I would like information on membership for permanently hospitalized Vietnam veterans.
___I would like information on membership for incarcerated Vietnam veterans.
___I want to help Vietnam veterans and their families. Please accept my tax-deductible donation: __$10 __$20 __$50 __Other: $_____
(VVA is a non-profit, veteran’s service organization. Programs and services are funded by member dues and public donations.)

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