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Issue 24 May 20, 2017
Meeting at WannaGetta Pizza
The President and Secretary’s Corner Come And Grow With Us
As of May 1st, the Chapter has an office to better meet the needs of the growing Chapter.
Did you know we are a 501(C)3 Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 952? Yes, indeed (for many years). All cash donations are accepted by mail, in person, and through the website. We are in need of items to set up the office - donations are greatly appreciated. Vehicles, good furniture, and anything of value is also accepted.
1925 E Bennett # H. Office Hours
Monday – Friday 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. 417-693-6298
We Will Never Forget The Courage, Honor and Sacrifices of All Veterans And Their Families.
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VVA Board of Directors
Harlan Bristol (Army) President [email protected]
John Walker (Army) Vice-President [email protected]
Dan L. Igou (USN)Past President [email protected]
Susan Phillips (USAF) Secretary [email protected]
Tom Blubaugh (USN) Web Coordinator [email protected]
Rex Krasche (Army) Chaplin, Sgt. at Arms, and Membership Chair [email protected]
Sam Hudson (USN) Homeless Veteran Coordinator [email protected]
Charles Hopkins (Army) Treasurer [email protected]
Bill Beeman (Army) Outreach Coordinator [email protected]
NewsPg. 1,2 - President and Secretary Corner Pg. 2 - Treasurer, and Outreach Pg. 3 - Tom’s Corner Pg. 4 - Ed’s Corner Pg. 5 - Dr. Barb’s Corner Pg. 6 - Dr. Barb’s Corner Pg. 7 - Sponser’s Pg. 8 - Who we are / Calendar
VVA CHAPTER 952 The Wil Daley Memorial Chapter
Website: http:springfieldveterans.org/
Issue 24 May 20, 2017
The President and Secretary’s Corner (continued)
The Chapter is involved with two Memorial Day Ceremonies concurrently at the National Cemetery and Rivermonte Memorial Gardens. Join us! If you live outside the Springfield, MO area Bloomfield, Fort Leonard Wood, Higginsville, and Jacksonville will hold State Veteran Memorial Day Ceremonies. http://vfwmo.org/mo-vfw-news/mo-veterans-commission-announces-memorial-day-ceremonies-at-state-veterans-cemeteries/
The National Cemetery When: Monday, May 29, 11:00 a.m. Where: 1702 East Seminole Street, Springfield The Chapter will present 2-flags. Arrive at 10:00 a.m.
Rivermonte Memorial Gardens Memorial Day Patriotic Remembrance When: Monday, May 29, 12-1 p.m. Where: 4500 S. Lone Pine Rd., Springfield---- Outside What: Honoring the military, both living and deceased. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/memorial-day-patriotic-remembrance-tickets-33319657994
A big thank you to all who helped with the fundraising events for the year. Bill is the Outreach Coordinator so, don’t be shy. Send Bill an email for more information [email protected].
Sgt. Harlan Bristol, President [email protected] Susan Phillips, Secretary [email protected]
The Treasurers Corner I would like to give a special shout out and Thank You to everyone who helped with setting up the new office space. Also, the Chapter received recent donations in April; so, keep talking to friends, family, and acquaintances about the Chapters focus and helps to the community.
The Chapter accepts donations in the mail, in person, or from the website http:springfieldveterans.org/ to help more VETERANS.
Thank you for the donations and keep up the good work. Charles
Outreach Coordinator ’s CornerA separate fund has been set up for the Scholarship Fund. I arranged a meeting with a representative to OTC campus and met the veteran students. There is an application form to apply for an educational grant of $500.00 per semester for one veteran.
Contact Bill to assist or to ask questions [email protected]
We Will Never Forget The Courage, Honor and Sacrifices of All Veterans And Their Families.
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John Walker, Vice President
Cory and Jennifer Harrison, Associate VVA members, developed and update the VVA Chapter 952 website.
Harrison Marketing Systems 844-200-9800 http://springfieldveterans.org/ http://www.harrisonmarketingsystems.com [email protected]
Issue 24 May 20, 2017
Life After DeathTom Blubaugh
I took an unusual tree picture several years ago where the entire tree but it was dead except for three small limbs. The thought that came to mind was “only God can bring life after death.” God said, "Study the tree Tom. Study the tree and learn."
As I observed the trees, I thought about the tree’s root system. I have read there is as much of the tree underground as there is above ground. I thought of the incredible root structure and source providing nutrients, growth, development, and stability. Every tree has a trunk that develops to support the tremendous weight of the tree including the vast outreach of the limbs. The trunk has to support the weight and, at the same time, has to be flexible for when the winds of storm come against it. It always amazes me to see how trees bend and sway in the wind.
I remember climbing in a tree in the front yard of my childhood home. I would climb up as far as I could until the limbs could not support me without dramatically bending. I remember hanging on as the wind blew swinging me back and forth while on the ground it seemed as if there was no wind. The tree top experiences seem like a different world with a different perspective on life.
As I continued studying the trees, I noticed hundreds of limbs jutting in every direction. I reflected on my life with every limb representing a relationship, opportunity, job, path, ministry, idea, or attempt at something. Some of the limbs were broken off; some dead; some large; some small; some looked half alive as were the avenues of my life leaving a trail of broken relationships; half finished projects; failed opportunities on the one hand and on the other business successes; good relationships and accomplished goals.
The tree and I were firmly grounded in the source and showing its age with scars. No doubt, if I could climb to the top I would see new growth stretching toward the heavens with mixed seasoned and stout limbs from battling the storms. The tree still supported life helping birds, squirrels and other life forms providing a place and adding to the biodiversity’s of the animal world. The tree continued providing oxygen and beauty to the place where it was placed in creation offering shade and music. Ah! Yes, music. I love to sit on the swing in my back yard and listen to the wind blowing through the trees that relaxes the mind and body.
Two things I did not realize in my studies: I did not see the tree fearful of how tall it was growing nor did I see it looking down at the broken limbs. I only saw it stretch skyward as if giving praise and thanks to its Creator.
Tom Blubaugh and The Genesis Project 417-812-6110
Listen to Tom’s Story: http://www.genesisproject.biz/mission The Genesis Project Website http://www.genesisproject.biz/contact-us
Tom’s Author’s Community http://commonsensemarketingstrategies.com Tom’s website http://tomblubaugh.net Email Tom [email protected]
We Will Never Forget The Courage, Honor and Sacrifices of All Veterans And Their Families.
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Issue 24 May 20, 2017
Reflections on The Joplin Tornado Ed Faught
On May 22, 2011 an EF-5 tornado struck the city of Joplin in the Ozark Mountains of southwestern Missouri. The tornado injured over 1,000 people and killed 161 people. Estimates for insured property damage vary from $1.9 billion to $3 billion for the city of about 50,000 people. The storm destroyed a hospital, high school, churches, homes, and other infrastructures. Communication was difficult because the tornado knocked down 17 cell phone towers. The infrastructure city damage made disaster response challenging. St. John’s Regional Medical Center set up triage in the parking lot only to have to move the triage when the hospital caught on fire.
More than 2,000 homes and businesses were destroyed and 20,000 homes lost power. The city had 25 emergency sirens; many ignored the sirens and did take shelter until it was too late. One of Joplin’s nursing homes was hit by the tornado and the bodies were deposited on the main commercial street. The tornado became the seventh deadliest in U.S. history and the deadliest in more than 60 years. As a result of the tornado, meteorological and emergency management organizations reevaluated administering tornado warnings. The science of tornado detection has
dramatically improved during the past 20 years. The National Weather Service changed the wording of tornado warnings to encourage people to take shelter when warnings are issued. Tornado picture from the CBS News: http://www.cbsnews.com/pictures/joplin-tornado/4/
Doppler radar has evolved to detect debris in the air while the older radar technology might give false warnings. Even though the warnings could be a waste of time, it is best to take the warnings seriously. The dead from Joplin’s tornado would agree.
** Ed Faught retired at 24 years combined service in the US Army and National Guard. Ed has a B.A. in Computer and Information Systems and working on an Instructional Technology Masters program and a Masters in Emergency Management.
References
CBS News. Copyright © 2017 CBS Interactive Inc. Retrieved May 15, 2017, from http://www.cbsnews.com/pictures/joplin-tornado/4/ Cohen, N. (2011, May 22). Tornado Hits Missouri City, Killing Many. Retrieved April 04, 2017, from http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/23/us/23tornado.html Murphy, K. (2011, May 23). Tornado devastates Joplin, Missouri, 116 dead. Retrieved April 04, 2017, from http://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-weather-tornadoes-idUSTRE74M08L20110523 Freedman, A. (2012, May 22). The Joplin Tornado, One Year Later: Where Does it Rank? Retrieved April 06, 2017, from http://www.climatecentral.org/news/the-joplin-tornado-one-year-later-where-does-it-rank
�We Will Never Forget The Courage, Honor and Sacrifices of All Veterans And Their Families.
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Issue 24 May 20, 2017
Healing with the Mind-Body Connection The Psychosocial Aspects of HealthDr. Barbara Houk
The majority of young adults in the United States, at 20 years old, enjoy nearly perfect health; this would be true for men and women. As life is experienced, young adults begin to accept responsibility for life with responsibilities and activities. For the veteran, a decision to join the Armed Forces with promises to the will of orders and pledging allegiance to the US Constitution. Many veterans lost wellbeing, health, fitness, and became immune compromised. Outlook, on life, can make illness better or worse.
Well-meaning health professionals realize the mind is a function of the brain, which affects the structure of the body and including the brain. The type of thoughts one thinks does matter. Positive thoughts will help heal and maintain health, whereas negative thoughts harm tissue and worsen health. Psychology literature from 70 years ago, include observational reports regarding attitudes on health. Dr. Daniel Amen, Psychiatrist, uses brain scanning with continuing research on automatic negative thoughts (ANTs). He reports on the power of ANTs to cause illnesses in his book Change Your Brain, Change Your Life. He and other researchers show tangible evidence of thoughts affecting the body.
An unexpected positive analysis was through a work hardening study with an upper body exercise. The people were split into teams with one group given exercises and a coach, one group given exercises and no coach, and the control group were told about the exercises but not required to complete. The in depth study included before and after muscle biopsies and MRI scans of injured arm muscles. The goal was for change in physical abilities and return to work. The surprise was the instructed group had the lowest self-esteem participants who showed the greatest improvement. The coached group became strong believers of the program with the most progress. The MRI showed increases in muscle densities and biopsies having healthier muscle tissues. The researchers commented the strong believers were not working harder as each team had the same amount of time with similar efforts. The positive thoughts and exercises increased the healthier muscle tissues. How this exactly happens is still not known (to the best of my knowledge).
The main point: how a veteran thinks matters. Humans are not machines as there are mind/body interactions. So, an illness can be made worse by negative thoughts or better by positive thoughts. The human being is more than a biological machine. Whether an individual is religious or an atheist, the individual human is spiritual in the broadest sense. All humans no matter what culture ask common questions. For example: Humanity wants to know from where did the human species originate? What is the purpose in living life? Is there a life after this life? What is justice? What does fair mean? What is the make up of a proper society? These questions begin early in the individual's life and the answers are the subject of philosophy/religion. It is because humanity has the capacity to think and ponder that individuals have the ability to make choices (freewill). This is called the human condition.
For the veteran, war can cause pain and sorrow while learning to adapt and ease pain. Humans do not come into this world knowing about the universe or knowing instinct (hardwired programs). Research on infants over the past 70 years, indicates the majority of human instinct is desire and mechanisms to learn. Over the past 11,000 years, cultures agree a single human does not have all knowledge.
Consequently, the lack of knowledge is often the root of mistakes. However, certain situations are caused by injustices. There are people who choose retribution without consequence. Behavior is as old as humanity as evidenced by all of recorded history. Psychologically it is far easier to make peace if pain was caused by a mistake. Nonetheless, managing injustices can be problematic. Internal body stressors accumulate if the mind, body, and spirit lack harmony and balance, which weaken the immune system, and create a condition whereby microorganisms, can thrive causing illnesses. Through forgiveness, a function of the mind, body, and spirit the veteran can achieve balance, restore harmony and have a positive outlook on life.
�We Will Never Forget The Courage, Honor and Sacrifices of All Veterans And Their Families.
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Issue 24 May 20, 2017
Dr. Barbara Houk (continued)
The religious veteran often handles psychological traumas and injustices through prayer and forgiveness. The rational atheist often chooses meditation and introspection to diffuse traumas and injustices. Examining physiologically and psychological methods are similar and eventually achieve harmony and balance. Upon discharge, it would be wise for the Armed Forces to hold courses on this topic prior to discharge. As of this writing, I am unaware of any such courses. Common to prayer and meditation is the change in breathing patterns. Though prayer and or meditation, alone, does change the body's physiology for the better. The breathing changes the blood flow, which allows for clearer thoughts. Prayer is a form of introspection thereby examining events, thoughts, and feelings. Introspection or "self talk" combines the physiological changes found in prayer/meditation; self-talk is a deeper and clearer examination to the subconscious (a good reason why prayer is effective).
What is the difference between the rational atheist and the religious veteran’s prayer or meditation? The rational atheist does not think s/he is speaking to anyone but the self, whereas the religious person states s/he is speaking to God.
The rational atheist examines the feelings, which leads to the values behind the feelings. Next, the value(s) change and the emotional intensity shall decrease. The veteran (or any human) must acknowledge a past event cannot have a different outcome and have no logical importance. The change in value allows the rational atheist to let go. The religious person will lay unsolved traumas and injustices with God, which allows the religious veteran to let go. I have worked with veterans who have achieved harmony using physiological and psychological methodologies.
The rational atheist and religious veteran can achieve the internal harmony. Through forgiveness, a function of the mind, body, and spirit the veteran can achieve balance, restore harmony and have a positive outlook on life.
References Amen, Daniel. Change Your Brain, Change Your Life. 1998 Random House. Phys Ther. 1997 Aug;77(8):802-9; discussion 810-1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m/pubmed/9256868/
By law, I must tell you the article is information only and does not constitute a doctor-patient relationship or a prescription for managing health.
**Barbara J. Houk, MD, Psychiatrist (board eligible), Fellow American Psychotherapy Association. Dr. Houk has retired from clinical practice of Psychiatry. Her chief residency was in Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry (today known as Psychosomatic Illness Psychiatry) and retains the medical approach to the whole body through integrated medicine.
Email questions for Doc Barb to Susan [email protected]
�We Will Never Forget The Courage, Honor and Sacrifices of All Veterans And Their Families.
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Advertising
Newsletters, Membership Directory, Or General information
Call: Dan (417) 234-3501 Email Dan: [email protected]
Issue 24 May 20, 2017
�We Will Never Forget The Courage, Honor and Sacrifices of All Veterans And Their Families.
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Issue 24 May 20, 2017
�We Will Never Forget The Courage, Honor and Sacrifices of All Veterans And Their Families.
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Location Change: 1925 E Bennett # H
Office hours Monday – Friday 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. Meeting:
Arrive and visit 9:30 a.m. Begins at 10:00 a.m.
Social and Lunch 11:30 a.m. Next Meeting:
June 24 and July 29
Vietnam Veteran Chapter 952 Helping Veterans Who We Are:We are a small active group of Vietnam Veteran’s as well as associates of family and friends making a difference in the lives of Veterans and their families. Vietnam Veteran Chapter 952 is a group of Veterans and their families who actively help Veterans by providing a “helping hand up and not a hand out.” We help Veterans of all wars, spouses, and friends by providing mentoring, friendship, and information. We actively help the homeless Veteran community as well as community networking. Our goal and mission is to support Vietnam Veterans, their families and future generations for all who served their country. Join us as we make a difference in the lives of Veterans, and veteran families.
Vietnam Veteran Chapter 952 Events and Meetings 2017 May 13 Golden Corral Fundraiser May 20 VVA Meeting May 27 Walmart Supercenter on E. Independence Fundraiser June 10 Walmart Supercenter on E. Independence Fundraiser June 22 United Way Day of Caring June 24 VVA Meeting July 15 Wanna Geta Pizza Fundraiser July 29 VA Meeting - Guest Speaker Winn Jester - General Manager www.grovepharmacy.com Aug 12 Golden Corral Fundraiser August 26 VVA Meeting September 30 VVA Meeting October 14 Golden Corral Fundraiser October 28 VVA Meeting November 4 Wanna Geta Pizza Fundraiser November 18 VVA Meeting (3rd Saturday) December 9 Golden Corral Fundraiser December Christmas Party (tba)
Come And Grow With Us! VVA Chapter 952 website http://springfieldveterans.org/ For more information, email [email protected]
