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Chapter Officers
President: Tom Hall
Vice President: Carl
Harris
Secretary: Bob Silmser
Treasurer: Bob Silmser
Board of Directors:
Jim LaGarde
Kevin Ruhl
Dave Braun
Jon Mueller
State Council Delegate:
Kevin Ruhl
Newsletter Editor: Jon Mueller, E-mail: [email protected]
Meetings
Chapter Meetings are held the 4th Thursday of each month.
Time: 6:00 PM
Location: Veterans Me-morial Park & Museum 3602 Hwy. 301 N. Tampa Fl. 33619. See Map on last page.
Mailing address: P.O. Box 89247, Tampa Fl.
NATIONAL CHAPTER OF THE YEAR 2001, FLORIDA STATE COUNCIL, CHAPTER OF THE YEAR 2000, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, CHAPTER STATE NEWSLETTER
OF THE YEAR 2007, FOR INFORMATION CALL BOB SILMSER (813) 220-7246 OR (813) 685-3483. WEB SITE: WWW.VVA787.COM
VOLUME 12, ISSUE 4
THE OUTPOST Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter 787, Tampa Fl.
April 2009
Chapter 787 Elections New officers will be elected during the April 23rd chapter meeting. Positions available are, President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer.
If you are interested in running for any of these very
important offices, please contact Kevin Ruhl, Elections Chair. His phone number is 863-956-5544, cell 813-695-6203 or e-mail [email protected].
The World Famous Chapter 787 annual Car Show to he held on Saturday May 30th, at Hillsborough Veterans
Park & Museum
Chapter President Tom Hall and his able crew, always put on a terrific event which becomes bigger and more well
respected each year. Bring your family and friends for this very enjoyable show. There will be lots of food, drinks and
fun!
Hillsborough County Vietnam War Memorial to be planned
There will be a meeting of the committee planning the permanent Vietnam War Memorial on Wednesday April 8th, at the Hillsborough County Veterans Park & Museum (where chapter 787 holds
it’s monthly meetings). Anyone interested in this project from a design or a funding perspective, is welcome to attend. The meeting will start at 3:00 P.M.
Page 2
THE OUTPOST Submitted By: Jon Mueller Medal of Honor recipients of
the War in Vietnam
Captain Lance P. Sijan, USAF
On Nov. 9, 1967, the F-4 flown by 1st Lt. Lance P. Sijan of Milwaukee, Wisc., was hit by North Vietnamese ground fire and exploded. Although badly wounded he was able to parachute from his stricken plane. Even with no food and very little water he managed to avoid capture for 45 days. Be-cause of a serious compound fracture of the left leg, he was unable to walk but did man-age to pull himself backward through the jungle. Even with a broken leg, a skull frac-ture, and a mangled right hand he was able to escape shortly after his initial capture. Upon recapture he was taken to Vinh and thrown into a bamboo cell. He was 'interrogated' repeatedly, and in spite of his captors technique of twisting his damaged right hand he refused to disclose any information but his name. When not being 'interrogated' he attempted additional escapes with the only results being beatings. Lt Sijan was soon moved to a POW camp at Hanoi. Even in his pitiful condition, he at-tempted more escapes all meeting with failure. His physical condition continued to weaken without proper food or medical attention and soon he developed additional res-piratory problems including pneumonia in January 1968. After many months of ill treat-
ment, his health, but not his spirit, broke. 1st Lt. Sijan was removed from his cell during the night of 21 January 1968 and died the following day at Hoa Lo according to his Vietnamese captors. Lt Sijan was promoted posthumously to Captain on June 13, 1968. On March 4, 1976 he was awarded posthumously the Medal of Honor which was presented to his parents by President Gerald Ford. Captain Sijan thus became the first graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy to receive our nations highest decoration for heroism above and beyond the call of duty. The USAF Academy named Sijan Hall, a cadet dormitory, in honor of Captain Sijan on 31 May 1976. Additionally, the USAF honors Air Force personnel who exhibit the highest example of professional and personal leadership standards with the Lance P. Sijan Award.
National Infantry & Soldier Museum to open June 2009
Infantrymen graduating March 19 from basic training at Ft. Benning Ga will become the first to do so on the parade field of the new National Infantry Museum outside the post’s gate in Columbus Ga.
The new $100 million museum will have 190,000 sq. feet and the grand opening will have a fly over by Vietnam era helicopters and a scattering of sacred soil from eight conflicts in which American soldiers fought.
The soil will be scattered on a 20-foot-wide pass-and re-view strip on the parade field by descendants of soldiers and leaders from those wars who will be accompanied by active-duty soldiers dressed in period costumes.
Web site info: www.nationalinfantrymuseum.com
Page 3
THE OUTPOST Picture submitted by: Jon Mueller
Calendar of Events Date Event Time
April 2009 3rd & 4th Friday & Saturday Chapter 787 fund raiser, at the Valrico Publix store
9th Thursday Board of Directors Meeting, Jon’s House 6:30 PM
22nd Wednesday Presentation of the Vietnam Son Tay Raid by one of the original USAF Pilots.
This event open to all High Schools and Veterans groups is hosted by Chapter 787
Armwood High School auditorium. 6:00 PM
23rd Thursday Chapter 787 Meeting, Veterans Park & Museum & Election of new Officers 7:00 PM
May 2009 14th Thursday Board of Directors Meeting, Jon’s House 6:30 PM
28th Thursday Chapter 787 Meeting, Veterans Park & Museum 7:00 PM
30th Saturday Annual Chapter 787 vintage Car Show, Veterans Park & Museum 10:00 AM
Check out our EVENTS page on the chapter web site: www.vva787.com, click EVENTS then click Calendar of EVENTS
VOLUME 12 ISSUE 4
Page 4
Total $9,924.93 (Moving Wall Fund..$6,663.82, AVVA $220.36, General checking $1,694.35, . Holiday Meals Fund…$$1,346.40).
Total $2,185.72 ( Household Goods…….$329.17 Convention Fund………$1,855.55)
All Accounts Total: $12,110.65 Thanks to our Treasurer Bob Silmser
Financial Status of Chapter 787 as of March 2009
Submitted by: Kevin Ruhl
Vietnam Vets May Receive H.S. Diplomas at Long Last
The Associated Press March 27 2009
In brief, a bill passed the Florida Senate that could allow veterans to get their High School diplomas decades after they left school. The diploma bill still needs to pass the House and get the governor’s signature to become law.
Florida already grants diplomas to WWII and Korean War veterans who left high school to serve in the military, but they are outnumbered by the state’s Vietnam veterans.
VOLUME 12, ISSUE 4
Page 5
Submitted by: Jon Mueller
Submitted By: Jon Mueller
Quote
“If you go long enough without a bath even the fleas will leave you alone.”
Ernie Pyle, war correspondent, 1944
Home Front to Heroes Postal Benefits Act
The following is an e-mail sent to me from chapter 787 Board of Directors member and State Council Rep. Kevin Ruhl. It is a reply to him by U.S. House of Representatives member Adam Putnum (R, 12th district, Fl.)
-----Original Message----- From: Cong. Adam Putnam <[email protected]> To: [email protected] Sent: Mon, 16 Mar 2009 5:29 pm Subject: Responding to your message to Rep. Putnam
Dear Mr. Ruhl: Knowing of your interests in defense issues, I want to inform you of legislation I have co-sponsored which will benefit all service members serving in combat zones.
Members of the military serving overseas are separated from their loved ones for extensive periods of time. Receiv-ing letters or care packages from home is a source of great comfort during difficult times on the battlefield. Congress can play a vital role in facilitating Americans' words of support to our troops by passing H.R. 707 - the Home Front to Heroes Postal Benefits Act.
This bill will provide monthly postage vouchers to members of the Armed Forces who are serving in overseas op-erations. These vouchers can be used by service members to connect with loved ones at home or they can be trans-ferred to the home front so others can send much care packages or letters back to the service member. It is my hope that this bill will ease the financial burden on families wishing to send their support and encouragement to loved ones serving overseas.
I am pleased to co-sponsor this bi-partisan legislation with several of my fellow Members of Congress. I am hopeful this idea will become a reality in the 111th Congress.
May God continue to bless America.
Sincerely, Adam Putnam Member of Congress
Page 6
VOLUME 12 ISSUE 4 Submitted By: Jon Mueller
Chapter 787 fund raiser volunteers needed!
If you can spare a few hours of your valuable time, please consider volunteering for one or more of our on-going fund raiser projects. You will be amazed as how rewarding it can be to meet with fellow veterans and the general public who really ap-preciate your service. Please contact Jim (Rambo) LaGarde on his cell phone (813) 758-4547 for details.
No jail time for vet who claimed false awards The Associated Press Posted : Tuesday Mar 17, 2009
SEATTLE — A former Pacific reserve police officer was sentenced Tuesday to probation and morality counseling for false claims of military honors. U.S. Magistrate Judge Brian A. Tsuchida in Seattle told 57-year-old Steve A. Bennest of Sumner that his actions were demeaning to veterans. Documents filed in court show Bennest repeatedly claimed orally and in writing that he had been awarded the Purple Heart and Bronze Star for military heroism. Records show he served in the Army in 1969-72 but was not awarded those medals.
He pleaded guilty in December and could have faced up to a year in prison. Instead he was sentenced to two years on proba-tion, community service and “moral recognition therapy,” a federal probation program for those who have trouble recognizing right from wrong.
Not your usual T-Shirts
You can find more great stuff by going on-line to:
http://www.rangerup.com
Submitted by: Jon Mueller
Page 7
VOLUME 12, ISSUE 4
This newsletter is not the official publication of the Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA), Chapter 787, Tampa Florida. All articles, and opinions are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of Chapter 787, the VVA State Council, the VVA National or the Chapter members.
You can receive a copy of the OUTPOST each month at no cost. Contact Jon Mueller via e-mail at [email protected] and provide your e-mail address. You will need to have an Adobe Acrobat Reader on your PC to open the newsletter . You can also receive it by US mail . The cost is $12 per year. Make your check payable to V.V.A. Chapter 787 and mail it to P.O. Box 89247, Tampa Fl. 33689-0404. Make sure you identify the payment for the OUTPOST.
Vietnam Veterans of America
Send to: VVA Chapter 787, P.O. Box 89247, Tampa Fl. 33689-0404
Name:________________________________________ Male:______ Female:______ Date of Birth:______________
Address:_______________________________________ Apt. #_____City:_________________State:_____Zip:______
Home Phone:___________________ Work or Cell Phone:_______________________
E-Mail:___________________________________________________________Chapter #787 Sponsor_______________
Membership Type:
Individual: 1 year_______$20 3 years________$50. Associate: 1 year_______$20 3 years________$50
Life Member Options: ______Life Member Ages 49 and Under: $250, ____Life Member Ages 50-55: $225, ____Life
Member Ages 56-60: $200, ____Life Member Ages 61-65: $175, ____Life Member Ages 66 +: $150
______I am already a V.V.A. member and want to become a life member. My V.V.A. Member number is
______________________________.
Optional Time Payment plan: $50 down, and $25 per month until paid in full.
Payment Method: Check______
Money Order_____ Visa_______ MasterCard_______ If using a credit card: Card
Exp. Date:_____________ Signature____________________________________________________
Membership Application Membership is open to U.S. armed forces veterans who served on active duty (for other then training purposes) in the Republic of Vietnam between February 28th 1961 and May 7, 1975, or in any duty location between August 5, 1964 and May 7, 1975.
Chapter meetings are held at the Veterans Memorial Park & Museum, 3602 Hwy. 301 N. Tampa Fl. 33619.
THE OUTPOST
Help Your Chapter Grow
Bring a New Member to the Next Chapter Meeting.
Come and Join Us. Give us your Ideas.
Contact E-mail Addresses:
President Tom Hall: [email protected]
VP Carl Harris: [email protected]
Secretary & Treasurer Bob Silmser:
State Council Delegate Kevin Ruhl:
Board of Directors
Kevin Ruhl: [email protected]
Jim LaGarde: [email protected]
Dave Braun: [email protected]
Jon Mueller: [email protected]
Vietnam Veterans of American, Chapter 787, Tampa Bay Florida………………..…..……….. http://www.vva787.com
Vietnam War Statistics…………………………… ……………………………...http://users.dishmail.net/cmart/vietwarstats.html
Vietnam, Yesterday & Today…………….…………………………...http://servercc.oakton.edu/~wittman/chronol.htm
Vietnam Veterans Legacy Foundation…………………………………………………………………………...www.vvlf.org
National League of Families of American POW’s/MIA’s………..……………………………..www.pow-miafamilies.org
V.V.A. National Office on the World Wide Web…………………….………………………………………....www.vva.org
U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs……………………………………….……………………………………………...www.va.gov
OPM Veterans Hiring Preference………………………………………….………………………...www.opm.gov/veterans
Uniformed Services Family Health Plan (USFHP)………………………….………………………………...www.usfhp.com
U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims………………………………….…………………...www.vetapp.uscourts.gov
Children of Vietnam Vets…………………………………………………….…………www.geocities.com/pentagon/9125
The Center for Women Veterans…..……………………………………………………………...…www.va.gov/womenvet
Vietnam Women Memorial Foundation, Inc (formerly “Project”)….……….…....www.vietnamwomensmemorial.org
The Moving Wall—Vietnam Combat Veterans LTD………………………………………………www.themovingwall.org
The Virtual Wall……………………………………………………………………..……………………...www.virtualwall.org
Get a Copy of your DD-214 on-line…………………………..http://www.archives.gov/veterans/evetrecs/index.html
Florida State Council web site………………………………………………………………………………....www.vvafsc.org
Important Web Sites
