Boo Coo News Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 154 VVA154.com Mount Clemens, Michigan APRIL 2013

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1 Boo Coo News Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 154 VVA154.com Mount Clemens, Michigan APRIL 2013 WELCOME HOME! GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETINGS 7 P.M. SECOND WEDNESDAY OF THE MONTH AT AMERICAN LEGION POST 4, 401 N. GROESBECK HIGHWAY SOUTH OF ELIZABETH ROAD * * * VETERANS SUPPORT CENTER MILE ROAD ROSEVILLE MI (586) PHONE (586) FAX MONDAY - FRIDAY 10 A.M. - 4 P.M. EVERYONE IS WELCOME. STOP BY. HANG OUT &HELP OUT. * * * BOO COO NEWS DEADLINE: PREVIOUS MONTH S MEETING TO SUBMIT ITEMS, PHOTOS, AD COPY: MAIL, FAX OR DELIVER TO THE VETERANS SUPPORT CENTER 1,652 Americans Still Missing in Southeast Asia 50 from Michigan Postal Facility Dedicated to Afghanistan Marine # submitted by Brian Bobek O n March 8, Greg Bowman and I attended the ceremony to rename the Clinton- Macomb Carrier Annex as the LCpl. Anthony DiLisio Clinton-Macomb Carrier Annex. You may recall that Anthony was the 20-year-old Marine who was killed in Afghanistan on May 30, Anthony was also the nephew of chapter member Greg Bowman. Following the presentation of colors by the 1st Bn., 24th Marine Honor Guard, a host of speakers made presentations, with Congresswoman Candice Miller being the keynote speaker. Ms. Miller made reference to Chapter 154 s attendance which was very much appreciated. The event was well attended by both the family of Anthony, as well as other dignitaries and media. This was a fitting tribute to a young man who paid the ultimate sacrifice in the name of freedom. Safari Club Honors Iraq War Veteran A t the February 23 Safari Club International banquet, the sponsoring Novi Chapter planned to honor an Iraq War veteran who was part of the Wounded Warrior program. SCI contacted our honor guard and asked if they would come downtown to the MGM Grand Hotel and post colors for the opening ceremony. They also requested that the honoree sit with us at our table. Marine Sergeant Major Bennie Benton was wounded in Iraq when he stepped on an IED. He was injured on one side of his body, but has recovered sufficiently so that you d never know he d been wounded. He has returned to active duty. The Safari Club recognized him in a special ceremony, and Chapter 154 also presented Sgt. Major Benton one of our medals. Car Show Alert # Donn Sinclair ~ Car Show chairman H ard as it is to think about while there's still snow on the ground, the chapter car show is on the horizon, (Saturday, August 24). Entry forms are available at the Vet Center. Donations for the raffle table are always welcome. Drop them at the Vet Center or call me, I'll be glad to pick up any and all. Some members have expressed interest in helping out with the show, and have asked me what they can do. The very best way, the biggest help you can provide, is to sponsor a trophy. Awards are our biggest expense. The more that are sponsored, the fewer we have to buy, the bigger profit for the chapter. Sponsor forms are at the Vet Center and I always have a few with me. Your name will appear on the award you sponsor, (if you wish), and you have the option of choosing the car/truck that receives it. If you'd like to help, please consider sponsoring an award.

2 President s Message T he second round of nominations took place at the March chapter meeting, with some additional folks deciding to jump in the race. Thanks to all who are willing to make a difference in this chapter. Of course, April brings the final round of nominations and the election of your new officers for the next year. The ballot is set, but not closed. Remember that any nominations made at the April meeting will be treated as write-in candidates. As has been the practice in the past, elections will take place at the Vet Center the day of the chapter meeting, April 10, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The elections will continue at the chapter meeting that evening during the meeting agenda. You must be a paid-up member and have a valid chapter ID card to be able to cast a vote at either the Vet Center or the chapter meeting. Following the tally by the committeepersons, the results will be announced at the meeting. We re coming out of the winter doldrums this month, and that means we ll start getting busy with activities. The memorial will be back on the road beginning the end of the month. The route for the Ride for Freedom has been finalized for June 23, with the destination being Freedom Hill Park... hooray! Our memorial at the park has been inspected and should be in fine shape for attendees coming to the ride. As I mentioned last month, volunteers will be needed and will be critical to making this event a success, so mark the date on your calendars and plan to lend a hand. Keep watching for other events coming up. There s going to be plenty going on, with lots of opportunity to showcase our chapter. All of you are our best ambassadors, and are why we re where we re at. Keep up the good work. Brian Bobek 20th Engineering Brigade (Combat) Vietnam, VVA Chapter 154 Officers President: Brian Bobek (586) st Vice President: Gary Purcell (586) nd Vice President: Woody Horne (586) Secretary: Mike Schneider (586) Treasurer: Mike Jacobi (586) Board of Directors Steve Bago (2014) (586) Greg Bowman (2014) (586) Chuck Charbeneau (2014) (586) Gil Claunch (2014) (586) Dave Schoenherr (2014) (586) Ron Drdul (2013) (586) Ben Elwartowski (2013) (586) Mike Gardner (2013) (586) Larry May (2013) (586) Donn Sinclair (2013) (586) Boo Coo News Publisher The Board of Directors Boo Coo News Editor Brian Bobek Typesetting Linda May Thank you! to all of our advertisers, and to the dedicated volunteers who provide copy and photos, those who act as printer, proofreaders, mailing crew, facilitators & advisers for Boo Coo News. VVA State Council Newsletter Standing Committee Chairs Community Service Mike Gardner Constitution/By-Laws Donn Sinclair ETABO Ben Elwartowski Finance Mike Jacobi Government Affairs Ron Drdul Membership Larry May Minority Affairs Steve Bago Public Affairs Brian Bobek Veteran s Affairs Woody Horne Veteran s Benefits Brian Bobek Women Veterans Chuck Charbeneau POW/MIA Tom Duff Agent Orange/Dioxin George Sawyer Incarcerated Veterans Dave Schoenherr Veteran s Health Care Gil Claunch State Delegates Mike Gardner, Brian Bobek, Mike Schneider Nominating Committee Gary Sox, Frank Griffin, Marv Domaradzki Special & Ad Hoc Committees AVVA Rep Marge Schoenherr Color Guard Jim Watts Food Bank Gil Claunch Hospitalized Vets Tom Duff Lottery Ron Bawks Merchandise Tim Ignash Michigan Memorial Dave Schoenherr Scholarship Woody Horne Speaker s Bureau Mike Brink Webmaster Larry Sauger Welcome Home Mitch Argyris Operation Christmas Gary Purcell chairman; Mike Gardner dance; Gil Claunch food; Ron Drdul toys Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter Boo Coo News APRIL Page 2

3 # COLOR GUARD - The Point Team - Jim Watts, Commander S ince our last report, the following funeral details have been rendered, period Feb. 13 through March 13, # Submitted by Steve Bago 9 funerals: 4 WWII: 3 Army and 1 Marine 3 Cold War Era: 1 Navy, 1 Army and 1 Marine 2 Vietnam: 1 Army and 1 Navy Stanley Welc Army WWII Gerald F Weidel Marine WWII Charles Grawburg Army WWII Arthur Harms Marine Cold War Jerry Wieczorek Army WWII Roger Sesnie Navy Viet Era Richard Olejniczak Army WWII Glenn Ozomic Army Vietnam Thomas Gall Navy Vietnam Other Details and Functions Pass in review for Kathleen Adams, wife of Afghanistan veteran. Wujek- Calcaterra Funeral Home Color guard officers are: Jim WattsCommander Steve Bago Vice Commander Gary Stephens Treasurer and Armorer Ted Szymanski Armorer & Property Officer Ron Drdul Chaplain Jerry Fleetwood Assistant Chaplain Reminder from Mitch Malek F or all you card players out there, Mitch wanted to remind you that the weekly Thursday euchre nights are ongoing at VFW Post 4659 (Old Settler s), north of 24 Mile Road, east of Van Dyke. You can sign up at 6:30 p.m., and play starts at 7 p.m.; $5 charge to enter; with a 90% payout at the end of the evening for the winner. Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter Boo Coo News APRIL Page 3

4 VETERANS SUPPORT CENTER These Are Free Services 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday - Friday! Mile Road ~ Roseville ~ (586) SERVICE OFFICERS file claims and answer questions Kenneth J. Aune ~ Wednesdays ~ call ahead Carol Ann Turner ~ Thursdays ~ appointments only HELP WANTED: Volunteers to staff the Vet Center and work on the food bank. SICK CALL Contact Ron Drdul ropa30@comcast.net or If you know of a death or illness of a chapter member or their family, please notify Ron Drdul so that we may get the information in the Boo Coo News in a timely manner. Chapter member Haydn Poore had open heart surgery two weeks ago. He is home, on the mend, doing well, but will be unable to do any physical labor. Second Vice President Woody Horne had a sixth surgery on his left eye. He is unable to build up enough pressure to have vision in it, and the doctors are still working to see how to solve the problem. Denny (Gadget) Kushner has been diagnosed with something called Canadian Fungus, some kind of airborne spore that gets in your lungs, and it is spreading across the country. The mortality rate according to articles on the internet is 25%. Dave (Chief) Lehrman will be having a procedure on his heart in Florida on March 29th. He just got the word today that he is a candidate for this surgery. It is a ligation of the top of the heart. The doctors say this will take care of his shortness of breath and his lack of energy. They say once this is done he will never have a heart attack or another stroke. He also will be having hip surgery when he gets back home. The replacement they did 2 years ago is now loose. Tom Duff's wife had knee replacement surgery. Jim Watts had knee replacement surgery and is back home, recovering quickly. Mike Couwlier was hospitalized at McLaren for pneumonia. Please keep all of these folks in your thoughts and prayers. Michigan Veteran of the Year T he Michigan State Commander's Group is accepting nominations for the Michigan Veteran of the Year If you know of someone within our organization, or even another veteran group, who should be considered for this recognition, please complete an application and return no later than May 31. The criteria for submission are on the application. To get an application, contact Brian Bobek at or stop in at the Vet Center. Hospital Report Tom Duff, Chairman Carol Gernand reporting I n Tom Duff s absence, the following people went on the monthly visit to the VA Hospital: Pete Gernand, Carol Gernand, Bob Steward, John Hages, Frank Cline, Joe Spencer and Tom Puruleski. While there, they visited with 21 vets in A-5, 23 vets in A-4, and a total of 24 vets in the dialysis and psychiatric wards. The usual compliment of goodies were passed out to the vets, which is always appreciated by the vets. The next visit to the hospital will be on April 10, leaving the Vet Center at 8 a.m. Veteran Mentors Needed M entors of veterans are needed in the Macomb County Circuit Court and District Court 41-B. The courts are operated by Circuit Court Judge Mark Switalski and District Court Judge Carrie Fuca. The only requirement for the mentor is that he or she be a veteran of the Armed Forces. The work of the mentor does not take up a lot of time. Each judge holds Veteran Court one day each month. Judge Fuca holds court on the second Tuesday of each month and Judge Switalski holds court on the third Thursday of each month. The only other work involved is having telephone conversations with the mentee once or twice a month. The telephone calls are to make sure the mentee is following his or her orders of probation, such as drug testing, group therapy, etc. Those interested in becoming mentors can contact LTC John Walus (U.S. Army ret.) at (586) or at jewalus@aol.com. Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter Boo Coo News APRIL Page 4

5 ASSOCIATES OF VIETNAM VETERANS OF AMERICA The Mission and Vision of the Associates of Vietnam Veterans of America, Inc. is to advance the work of Vietnam Veterans of America, Inc. through cooperative projects and/or programs, to facilitate, enhance and improve communication with our members and the general public and to continue legislative efforts to ensure the rights of and benefits for all veterans and their families. Associates of Vietnam Veterans of America, Inc., are dedicated to the aggressive advancement of realistic goals with integrity and in the spirit of unity that reflects our commitment of Vietnam Veterans of America, Inc., all veterans, their families and communities. JOIN THE ASSOCIATES! W e meet on the third Wednesday of the month at 7 p.m. in the lower level of the Mount Clemens Public Library on Cass Avenue. Marge Schoenherr marsch@att.net; Cathy Cook cookc@libcoop.net AVVA Meeting opened at 7 p.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance Present: Marge Schoenherr, Patrick Bozzi, Clark and Pat Cherry, Chris and Tim Ignash, Cathy Cook. Memorial Day, May 27, we will serve dinner after the ceremonies at Freedom Hill. Menu will be discussed at the April meeting. Three holes have been sponsored the golf outing and raffle prizes are coming in. Discussed contacting associates who are members in good standing but do not attend meetings. Patrick Bozzi accepted the nomination for representative. Phyllis will accept the nomination for secretary. Meeting adjourned at 7:30 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Cathy Cook Associates Recognize Vietnam Veterans # Submitted by Brian Bobek A t the March general chapter meeting, the Associates provided cake and coffee to round out the evening. The cake was in recognition of the Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans celebrations that take place later in the month. Judging by the amount left over, the cake was a big hit. We donated the remainder to the bartender at the American Legion, and I m sure it went over well with them too. Thank you to our hard-working Associates for all they do to support our chapter, and for thinking of the veterans on this special day. Chapter Challenge Coins & At-Large Chapter Membership # Submitted by Brian Bobek W e are down to about 17 chapter challenge coins. If you are still interested in one, please get down to the Vet Center quickly before they re gone. We have been focusing some attention on our membership situation, and we believe the renewal process is resulting in an error in our accounting. It appears that, if you send your dues to VVA National in Maryland, you re considered a member at large, not a member of Chapter 154. Therefore, you don t show up on our roster of members put out by National. If you check your membership card that you receive from National, it has to say MI0154 or you re not recognized as a chapter member. I am requesting any of you that fall into this category to come to the Vet Center and fill out a transfer of membership so that you show up on our rolls. You don t have to wait until renewal time to do this. In the future, Note from membership chairman Larry May: If you are a member at large and wish to vote in Chapter 154's April 10 election, please take care of the transfer to Chapter 154 as soon as possible. Contact me at renew through the Vet Center as opposed to sending dues to Maryland and we can get our report cleaned up. Also, please consider renewing your membership as a life member. The cost gets less as you get older, and eliminates the need for you to renew every year. VVA offers a time payment plan for life membership as well to make it easier on tight budgets. Converting to life member status also minimizes the ups and downs in our membership report caused when annual members forget to renew. We remain #4 in the country behind Tennessee and I d like to move ahead of them, but we can t do it unless we can account for all our members. Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter Boo Coo News APRIL Page 5

6 Minutes of General Membership Meeting 3/13/13 ~ Submitted by Mike Schneider M eeting called to order by President Brian Bobek at 1900 hours. Pledge of Allegiance recited and moment of silence observed. Introduction of officers. Motion by Mitch M, seconded by George S to accept minutes as published in the Boo Coo News. Treasurer s report: Chapter finances are good. Food Bank and Point Team funds are up. Motion by Larry G, seconded by Larry M to accept report, subject to audit. Committees: Hospital, POW/MIA, Color Guard to follow. No Food Bank report. Speakers Bureau: 26 schools have been contacted and we are waiting for return calls. Scholarship: Applications must be turned in by May 1, please. Monthly Raffle: Tickets out and prizes being awarded. Agent Orange: Those registered with the VA qualify for credible care under the ObamaCare program. Scholarships are available through the VA. Treatment for Traumatic Brain Injury as one of five presumed conditions for current service members and veterans. Shrine Hospital has started to treat burn victims and hopes that the VA will help with costs, but will continue to treat veterans nonetheless. Traveling Memorial: We were at the Masonic Temple for a Salute to All Veterans on March 9 and at the Bruce Post VFW for a Welcome Home to Vietnam vets. State Council: The PSA was presented to State Council and was supported by them and was forwarded to National. A gentleman from the VA stated that five new VSOs will be appointed and that two of them will be in the Detroit area. Lotteries will not be sponsored by the State Council again as they did not have the success hoped for. Associates: Golf outings in July. Teams, hole sponsors, prizes and other donations needed. Car Show: Entry and trophy sponsor forms available at the vet center. Prizes for raffles would be appreciated along with volunteering to help. Ride for Freedom: June 23 is the date. Still working on the final route, help will be needed on this day. Old Business: The national convention is Aug.13 thru 18 in Jacksonville, FL. Three airline tickets purchased and all other reservations have been paid for. Some challenge coins are still available. Fundraiser held at the Great Baraboo restaurant. Member of the Year forms available. Michigan Vet of the Year forms available at the Vet Center. City of Warren Volunteer of the Year forms also at Vet Center. Chili cook-off held at American House and was attended by members. New Business: Gary P thanks everyone who helps at the Vet Center on Thursdays; John B, Tim, Jim, Ron, Pete & Carol and J.W. Thursdays are a busy day with the VSO from the county. Thanks to all who help in any way, any day. Fans in the bathrooms checked and working properly. POW/MIA flag at Gibraltar is missing and nobody seems to know why. We should think about publishing Boo Coo News bimonthly. We should look into a refrigerator as a standby at the center or to be donated to a needy vet. The trailer owned by Greg Bowman was donated to the chapter for use by the food bank and other needs that may arise, it will be stored at American House for now. Thanks to all who made this possible. The Macomb/Clinton Annex post office was renamed in honor of Anthony DiLisio who was killed in Afghanistan. The Detroit Tigers organization is sponsoring a Veterans Night and more details will follow. A lady who collects dolls hosted a show and the Rose Percy Doll was featured. We were one of a number of organizations who received a donation. The Vet Center received of $4,200. Thank you for your generosity. The Macomb County Wounded Warriors recommended us. The Regional VVA Conference will be held in Dearborn. Motion by Gary P, seconded by Terry D to spend $240 to send four delegates. Brian B attended a meeting at Veteran s Court and spoke about Chapter 154 s involvement in the community. Please check your membership card to see if you are being counted as a 154 member or an at-large member, you can change that anytime. The new Vietnam Memorial Museum will be opened in Washington, D.C. sometime next year and we will look into a bus trip for the opening ceremonies. Boz thanked the chapter for the donations of toiletries to the Star Touring and Riding M/C for packages they shipped to Afghanistan. Thank you Associates for the cake and coffee. 50/50 ticket # won by Glen Cash. Ron Drdul won the gift from the Associates. Motion to adjourn made by Mike B, seconded by Larry M. NOMINATIONS are on the NEXT PAGE Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter Boo Coo News APRIL Page 6

7 POW/MIA Welcome Home! 1,652 Missing 50 Michigan REMEMBER THE MICHIGAN POW/MIAS FOR APRIL *** Warren Anderson, Camden MIA 4/26/66 N. Vietnam, Air Force Ellis Austin, Vermontville MIA 4/21/66 N. Vietnam, Navy Gregory Crossman, Sturgis, MIA 4/25/68 N. Vietnam, Air Force William Tromp, Fennville MIA 4/17/66, N. Vietnam, Navy Michael Wallace, Ann Arbor MIA 4/19/68 S. Vietnam, Army * * * YOU ARE NOT FORGOTTEN! "I was prepared to be wounded --- prepared to be captured -- - even prepared to be killed. I was not prepared to be abandoned by my country." Former POW U.S. Navy Captain Eugene "Red" McDaniel Support your POW/MIAs. Fly your POW/MIA flag. Display a POW/MIA decal. If you need a POW/MIA decal for your car, truck or bike, or certificate of appreciation for flying a flag, see Tom Duff National League of POW/MIA Families is on Facebook with the latest updates. A man is not dead until he is forgotten. We will never forget. Welcome Home! ``When one member of the armed forces is not worth the effort to be found, then we have lost our honor.`` ~~ VVNW POW/MIA Reports # Submitted by Tom Duff POW/MIA chairman - 9th Inf WWII SSgt. James McKain, Army, MIA 5/7/44, accounted for 3/2/13. To be buried at Arlington. More than 73,000 remain missing from WWII Korea 1st Lt. Douglas Haag, Army, Kentucky, MIA 7/50, accounted for2/28/13. MSgt. Ernest Grainger, Army, South Carolina, MIA 7/11/50/ Cpl. Billy McINtyre, Army, Oklahoma, MIA 12/7/50, accounted for 2/27/13. More than 7,900 remain missing from Korea. Vietnam LCpl. Merlin Allen, USMC, Wisconsin, KIA/BNR 6/30/67, South Vietnam. Recovered 6/25/12 and identified 8/23/12. PFC. Daniel Benedett, USMC, KIA/BNR 5/15/75, Cambodia. Recovered 8/25/91 and identified 1/23/12. 1,652 remain missing from Vietnam, 50 from Michigan. Operation Desert Storm LCmdr. Berry Cooke, Navy, MIA 2/2/91. Lt. Robert Dwyer, Navy, MIA 2/5/91. 1,652 missing from Vietnam, 50 from Michigan Nominations/acceptances for office (second round): President: Brian Bobek 1st Vice-president: Gary Purcell 2nd Vice-president: Woody Horne, Larry Gaughan, Steve Bago Secretary: Mike Schneider Treasurer: Mike Jacobi Board of Directors: Mike Gardner, Chris Franklin, Larry May, Gary Stephens, Leo Miller, Donn Sinclair, Jim Watts, Ron Drdul, Chris Scalise State Delegate: Mike Gardner, Brian Bobek, Mike Schneider Nominating Committee: Gary Sox, Bill Mault, Marv Domaradzki, Mitch Argyris, Mike Bilyk, Tom Puruleski Trustee: Mike Gardner, Tim Ignash, Gary Stephens Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter Boo Coo News APRIL Page 7

8 Chapter 154 Receives Generous Donation C hapter 154 recently received a sizeable donation from several organizations that promote doll shows. The attraction of their charity event was the Rose Percy doll. Please read the attached letter so that you better understand the significance of this doll, and what her importance has been to veterans dating back to the Civil War. This is yet another example of people from varied interests that not only want to do good things for vets, but choose Chapter 154 as their conduit to do so. These people investigated several organizations, and picked us when they found out all that we do, and how we do it. Hats off to everyone in our chapter who have worked so hard for so many years to put us in a position of prominence among veterans groups. Veterans Court Presentation # Submitted by Brian Bobek O n Thursday, March 21, I was asked to attend a meeting of veteran s court people to inform them about our Veteran s Support Center and what we stand prepared to do to help veterans in many different ways. I believe it was enlightening to participants to know that there are organizations out there to help them through difficult times. I have attached a little acknowledgment that appeared in their newsletter referencing a donation that our chapter made to them to assist them in continuing their good work. Source: Department of Veterans Affairs - Public Health - Asbestos E xposure to asbestos can be a serious health risk if asbestos-containing material is disturbed in such a way that the particles and fibers become airborne. Symptoms of asbestos-related diseases, such as shortness of breath, coughing, and chest pain, often do not appear until 20 to 50 years after the exposure. If you are concerned about health problems associated with asbestos exposure during your military service, talk to your health care provider or local VA Environmental Health Coordinator. Veterans who served in any of the following occupations may have been exposed to asbestos: mining, milling, shipyard work, insulation work, demolition of old buildings, carpentry and construction, manufacturing and installation of products such as flooring and roofing. Veterans who served in Iraq and other countries in that region could have been exposed to asbestos when older buildings were damaged and the contaminant released into the air. Breathing asbestos mainly causes problems in the lungs and the membrane that surrounds the lungs, including: Asbestosis Scarring of lung tissue that causes breathing problems, usually in workers exposed to asbestos in workplaces before the Federal government began regulating asbestos use (mid-1970s). Pleural plaques Scarring in the inner surface of the ribcage and area surrounding the lungs that can cause breathing problems, though usually not as serious as asbestosis. People living in areas with high environmental levels of asbestos, as well as workers, can develop pleural plaques. Cancer The two types of cancer caused by exposure to asbestos are lung cancer and mesothelioma, a cancer of the thin lining surrounding the lung (pleural membrane) or abdominal cavity (the peritoneum). Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer usually caused by asbestos exposure. Learn more about asbestos and its health effects from the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. Veterans may be eligible for VA disability compensation benefits and health care benefits for health problems associated with exposure to asbestos during military service. Veterans' dependents and survivors also may be eligible for benefits. Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter Boo Coo News APRIL Page 8

9 Wolverine Harley-Davidson and the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 154 present the: Ride For Freedom Support Our Veterans Sunday, June 23, 2013 Wolverine Harley-Davidson and the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 154 are teaming up to ride for our Veterans! The day begins at 9:00 a.m. with a continental breakfast at the dealership. The ride departs at 11:30, rain or shine, on a scenic ride before returning to Freedom Hill for great food and refreshments, music, and tour of Michigan Vietnam Veterans Traveling Memorial. Register before June 1st to receive $5 off each registration fee! The first 300 registrants will receive a FREE ride t-shirt! All proceeds from this event will help sustain the services offered by the Veteran Support Center of Roseville. Chapter 154 is a 501c3 organization, and your donation to this event is tax deductible. Questions? Call Wolverine Harley-Davidson at (586) Please drop off or mail payment to: Wolverine Harley-Davidson, ATTN: Ride for Freedom, N. Gratiot Avenue, Clinton Township, MI or VVA #154, ATTN: Ride for Freedom, Twelve Mile Road, Roseville, MI **Make checks payable to V.V.A. 154** Rider Name Passenger Name Street Address Rider prior to June 1: Rider after June 1: l Passenger prior to June 1: j Passenger after June 1: Non-rider participant: $30.00 $35.00 $25.00 $30.00 $25.00 City State Zip Telephone ( ) Address TOTAL: # $ t-shirt size (circle one): S M L XL 2XL 3XL 4XL 5XL CASH CHECK (payable to VVA 154)

10 Company of Macomb County Cass Ave. Clinton Twp. Buy Direct Quality Granite & Bronze Cemetery Monuments War & Civic Memorials Rock Engraving & Cremation Urns Free Local Delivery Re/Max Suburban Inc. Since 1987" Residential & Commercial Real Estate Private Sales Short Sales Bank-Owned - HUD! Ray Nadolski Realtor and Chapter 154 member Office Cell raynadolski@hotmail.com Tell Your Story to the Library of Congress Veterans History Project Catholic Social Services of Macomb County (586) or vhpmacomb@hotmail.com The Macomb County Clerk s office [ ] issues veteran ID cards for $10 to use for store discounts. Call your favorite store first to confirm that they accept these cards. Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter Boo Coo News APRIL Page 10

11 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday April Pointman Ministry 7pm 2 3 Service Officer 10-4 Chapter board meeting 7 pm 4 Service Officer 10-4 AA & Alanon 5 United Military Families 7pm 6 April Fool s Day Color guard meeting 7pm 10 Service Officer 10-4 Hospital visit K VOTE 10-4 at the Vet Center and at Gen Mem Mtg American Leg. Post 4 Mount Clemens 7pm 11 Service Officer 10-4 AA & Alanon Patriot s Day Service Officer Service Officer AVVA Meeting 7pm Mount Clemens Library AA & Alanon Earth Day Service Officer 10-4 AA & Alanon Color guard meeting 7pm Looking ahead: June 23 Ride for Freedom Looking ahead: July 20 color guard golf outing fundraiser Looking ahead: Aug. 24 car show July 20 ride to the VA hospital

12 FIRST CLASS Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 154 P. O. Box 1114 Mount Clemens MI OPEN to read the GOOD NEWS about Chapter a VVA CHAPTER OF THE YEAR! APRIL 2013 issue of BOO COO NEWS Veterans Support Center ~ Mile Road ~ Roseville MI (586) ~ (586) fax Hours of Operation Monday - Friday 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. All Volunteer-Run Chapter Business Center Veterans Food Bank Employment Assistance Veterans Benefits Service Officer Free Counseling Information Camaraderie 1,652 still unaccounted for; 50 from Michigan Drop In & Hang Out & Help Out