Chapter 218 Newsletter - October 2011

[boardman]

SERVING VETERANS AND THE COMMUNITY SINCE 1985

HTTP://WWW.VVACHAPTER218.ORG

Veterans Memorial Building
VVA CHAPTER 218
112 W Cabrillo Blvd
SANTA BARBARA, CA. 93101

October 2011

Publisher/Editor: John Selfridge (johnselfridge218@hotmail.com)

The Santa Barbara Chapter of the Vietnam Veterans of America is a tax exempt, non-profit, community service organization. Our members are Vietnam era (you need not have served “in country”) Veterans and associates (individuals from all walks of life who may or may not have served in the military). Our Chapter is successful because of the efforts of Vietnam Veterans, Vietnam Era Veterans, and associates, all of whom are equally welcomed and prized.

The Chapter meets the second Tuesday of every month at the Veterans Memorial Building at 112 W. Cabrillo Boulevard at 6:00 P. M. The meetings usually last around an hour. A light snack offered between 6:00 and 6:15. Members sometimes go out for an informal dinner afterwards. (Individual checks)

Definition of a veteran: A veteran - whether active duty, retired, national guard or reserve, - is someone who, at one point in his life, wrote a blank check made payable to "The United States of America", for an amount of "up to and including my life." (Author unknown)

Acronym: WILCO = Will Comply

UP COMING EVENTS

Veterans Day parade with fly over and all the extras.
These are all great reasons for all of us to be sure our chapter shirts are correct.
Coming soon is the Holiday party Tuesday, December 13. See below for more info.

FROM THE PRESIDENT

Hello 218!
Don and I just finished filling in the stake holes with dirt from my front yard. The Wall has left us physically, but in no means does not remain with us. Our efforts have allowed a large body of individuals to come and pay their respects to our beloved dead. Many people were humbly thankful for this opportunity that 218 provided them. It was a service that was pointedly generous towards them. Many of you spent long, cold hours bringing them this opportunity.
We have guys who remarked that they had no clue that there was a community of Veterans here. That they felt welcome to be with us. Who among us does not rejoice that we touched one single life? Your tireless labor has made a difference. Your respectful attitude has preserved our dignity here. The Wall Committee reached full working capacity months ago, and reached “overload” weeks ago. They went about their business quietly and expertly, so most of us didn't even notice the flurry of moving and shaking going on.
Even with the necessary pageantry of the day, my most meaningful memory was just to stand, silently, in the dark...with one other Veteran. Watching, guarding The Wall, Standing Watch for those Names. Being open to assist anyone to approach them. Knowing that there was another one, one who could be trusted, or that I have already trusted with my life, silently standing Watch as well. Silence. Quiet. Respect. All filled with meaning for me. All correct in this place. My whole life in order.
People spoke as if what we had done had made a difference in their lives. People spoke as those who are moved. My own experience with Adelina Alba was profound, and clearly unexpected. She is the Chumash Spiritual Leader, and has had a life full of experience, both good and bad. She shares her life with all, and can have an interesting effect on those who share conversation with her.
Adelina approached The Wall and did what I did not expect. She used her Eagle Feather to respectfully touch the Names. She started to sing to the Names, caressing them as she very slowly made her way all the way down the East Wall. A large and silent group, with the Los Prietos Boys Camp young men in our midst, then proceeded to the end of the West Wall. She very slowly moved along it. We shared this slow journey back to the apex, with her singing to them and caressed their names. She spoke to the men on all of the panels in song, as we respectfully, tearfully accompanied her. I was profoundly affected. I will not forget this.
Please understand that it was because of YOUR WORK that people from all over our area were blessed with The Wall. Good things happen because of you.

Well Done, 218!

SGT Hap


FROM THE VICE PRESIDENT

From all indications "The Wall"'s visit went MUCH better all around than Fiesta. Lotta new and old faces there. And EVERYone (especially Don in a suiot!!!! LOL) looked GREAT!!! (At least on Saturday). As it should be.
That's it from one of the D.A.'s in the Chapter this month. See you at the meeting to hear all feedback and direction the Chapter is going/should be going/shouldn't be going. Bottom line to define Chapter participation: It's like voting. If you don't vote, don't bitch (albeit of God wanted us to vote, He's give us candidates). I know one thing that WILL be brought up is the end of year banquet and if and why the Chapter should pay half for ANY member just because he or she is a member but ONLY comes for the food. There will, of course, be more but be there or be square.
Forward and Onward, Proudly Serving

Dennis


Subj: Viet Nam Veteran Statistics

Interesting facts

A little history most people will never know.

Interesting Veterans Statistics off the Vietnam Memorial Wall

"Carved on these walls is the story of America , of a continuing quest to preserve both Democracy and decency, and to protect a national treasure that we call the American dream." ~President George Bush

SOMETHING to think about - Most of the surviving Parents are now Deceased.

There are 58,267 names now listed on that polished black wall, including those added in 2010.

The names are arranged in the order in which they were taken from us by date and within each date the names are alphabetized. It is hard to believe it is 36 years since the last casualties.

Beginning at the apex on panel 1E and going out to the end of the East wall, appearing to recede into the earth (numbered 70E - May 25, 1968), then resuming at the end of the West wall, as the wall emerges from the earth (numbered 70W - continuing May 25, 1968) and ending with a date in 1975. Thus the war's beginning and end meet. The war is complete, coming full circle, yet broken by the earth that bounds the angle's open side and contained within the earth itself.

The first known casualty was Richard B. Fitzgibbon, of North Weymouth , Mass. Listed by the U.S. Department of Defense as having been killed on June 8, 1956. His name is listed on the Wall with that of his son, Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Richard B. Fitzgibbon III, who was killed on Sept. 7, 1965.


* There are three sets of fathers and sons on the Wall.

* 39,996 on the Wall were just 22 or younger.

* 8,283 were just 19 years old.

* The largest age group, 33,103 were 18 years old.

* 12 soldiers on the Wall were 17 years old.

* 5 soldiers on the Wall were 16 years old.

* One soldier, PFC Dan Bullock was 15 years old.

* 997 soldiers were killed on their first day in Vietnam .

* 1,448 soldiers were killed on their last day in Vietnam .

* 31 sets of brothers are on the Wall.

* Thirty one sets of parents lost two of their sons.

* 54 soldiers on attended Thomas Edison High School in Philadelphia .
(I wonder why so many from one school?)

* 8 Women are on the Wall. Nursing the wounded.

* 244 soldiers were awarded the Medal of Honor during the Vietnam War; 153 of them are on the Wall.

* Beallsville , Ohio with a population of 475 lost 6 of her sons.

* West Virginia had the highest casualty rate per capita in the nation. There are 711 West Virginians on the Wall.

* The Marines of Morenci - They led some of the scrappiest high school football and basketball teams that the little Arizona copper town of Morenci (pop. 5,058) had ever known and cheered. They enjoyed roaring beer busts. In quieter moments, they rode horses along the Coronado Trail, stalked deer in the Apache National Forest . And in the patriotic camaraderie typical of Morenci's mining families, the nine graduates of Morenci High enlisted as a group in the Marine Corps. Their service began on Independence Day, 1966. Only 3 returned home.

* The Buddies of Midvale - LeRoy Tafoya, Jimmy Martinez, Tom Gonzales were all boyhood friends and lived on three consecutive streets in Midvale, Utah on Fifth, Sixth and Seventh avenues. They lived only a few yards apart. They played ball at the adjacent sandlot ball field. And they all went to Vietnam . In a span of 16 dark days in late 1967, all three would be killed. LeRoy was killed on Wednesday, Nov. 22, the fourth anniversary of John F. Kennedyâ™s assassination. Jimmy died less than 24 hours later on Thanksgiving Day. Tom was shot dead assaulting the enemy on Dec. 7, Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day.

* The most casualty deaths for a single day was on January 31, 1968 ~ 245 deaths.

* The most casualty deaths for a single month was May 1968 - 2,415 casualties were incurred.


For most Americans who read this they will only see the numbers that the Vietnam War created. To those of us who survived the war, and to the families of those who did not, we see the faces, we feel the pain that these numbers created. We are, until we too pass away, haunted with these numbers, because they were our friends, fathers, husbands, wives, sons and daughters. There are no noble wars, just noble warriors.


Please pass this on to those who served during this time, and those who DO care.

EDITORAL COMMENT

Although I did not sign in advance for wall duty I did come down for helping erect the platform. Also I did some time using both the book and the computer program. Also on Monday John Kerr and I took down the panels first the back support and then the panels were carried to the truck with great help from the about eight young men from Los Prietos Boys Camp.


I strongly request that each do a google search for “Tapps.pps” what you will find is the history of Taps. This will expand the respect your for the music.

FOR THE GOOD OF THE CHAPTER

Chaplain’s Corner Pattie Murdy

Our donations of clothing for the months of September and October have been made possible by donations from members and friends: Bobby Brennan, Gilbert Robledo, John Selfridge, and Pattie Murdy. Also there was an anonymous donation from the Veterans Memorial Building. A special note of thanks is due to Stefan and Ryan for all they have done in assisting our Chapter over these past several months.

We continue to collect clothing, shoes, sleeping bags, backpacks, and hygiene supplies throughout the year. Gladly accepted whatever items you wish to donate for our homeless Veterans.

Member of the Year Ballots are included on the last page of this Recon Report. Please mail them to me before NOVEMBER 8, 2011.

Pattie Murdy, Chaplain
VVA Chapter 218
Veterans Memorial Building
112 W. Cabrillo Blvd.
Santa Barbara, CA 93101

The Party Planning Committee has selected the following venue for our annual Holiday Party on DECEMBER 16, 2011:

Mulligan’s Café & Bar
At the entrance of the Santa Barbara Municipal Golf Course
3500 McCaw Avenue
Santa Barbara, CA 93105
More information to follow in next Recon Report.

CHAPTER SUPPORT OF VETERANS BUILDING

To have your Recon Report not be doubled up and drop the mail copy contact BEV or Marge at memorial building 805-568-0020

EMAIL OPTION:

If ANY member wants this newsletter e-mailed instead of snail mail to you please let me know at (johnselfridge218@hotmail.com)
To have your Recon Report not be doubled up and drop the mail copy contact BEV or Marge at memorial building 805-568-0020

Board Of Directors (Refreshed Every April)

Hap DeSimone, Pres. (SGTHAP218@yahoo.com)
(Army E-5 SGT Second Field Force, Long Binh, `69-`70)
Dennis Hartman, 1st Vice-President
(USAF E-5 Aircraft Crew Chief Bien Hoa, Da Nang `69 - `71)
Domingo Nuñez, 2nd Vice-President
(Army E-4 Reconnaissance Delta`69.)
Peter Bie, Recording Secretary
Gerry Roberson/ Domingo Nunez, Treasurer


Board Members:

William Frieburg, Director
(Army E-4 Small Arms Repair Germany ’68 - ’70)
Don Matter, Director
John Selfridge, Director
USNR-R (E-3 v-3 division CVA-43)
Hazel Blankenship, Director
Charlie Franco, Director
(Army E-5 Combat Engineer Delta - My Tho`68 - `69)

California State Council Representative: Hap DeSimone
Alternate: Hazel Blankenship (CIA South East Asia)
Santa Barbara Veterans Coordinating Council Representative: Gerry Roberson
Alternate: Hazel Blankenship
Membership Chairman: Dennis Hartman (805-965-2162) or (805-477-0083)
Chaplain: Patricia Murdy (life member)
Veterans Affairs Coordinator: Joseph Narkevitz (Army E-5 3rd Field Hospital, Saigon ’68)
PTSD & Agent Orange Coordinator: Hap DeSimone (962-5765)
Memorabilia: Is available at chapter meetings and at chapter events
Melinda Bie Program Director


Vance Memorial Fund
The Chapter’s Vance Committee distributes funds ($39,994 thru 01/11) to qualified disabled American veterans. Committee is refreshed every April.

John Kerr (Chairman) (Cambodianred@gmail.com) Dan Oroz
Madeline Moreaux Gerry Roberson
Fred Golin Dennis Hartman
William Stewart Don Matter
John Selfridge Patricia Murdy


Thank you for serving our country.
John Selfridge
VVA Chapter 218, Santa Barbara

2011 Member of the Year Nomination Form

I nominate the following individual(s) to be considered as the 2011 Member of the Year for VVA Chapter 218, Santa Barbara:

PLEASE PRINT CLEARLY

1. _________________________________________________

2. ________________________________________________

3. _________________________________________________

Please mail your ballot before NOVEMBER 8, 2011 to:

Pattie Murdy, Chaplain VVA Chapter 218 Veterans Memorial Building 112 W. Cabrillo Blvd. Santa Barbara, CA 93101

Thank you for all you do for our Chapter.