September 2013 - VVA Chapter 72
Transcription
September 2013 - VVA Chapter 72
composed:Layout 1 9/8/13 10:17 PM Page 1 Chapter Vietnam Veterans Of America 72 Thomas P Coughlin Memorial Chapter 72 Brooklyn, New York September 2013 Chapter Officers President Daniel Friedman Phone: 917-757-7801 email: [email protected] 1st Vice President Webmaster/Newsletter Editor Joe Piazza Phone: 917-991-0436 email: [email protected] Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 72 1402 8th Avenue Brooklyn, NY 11215 72 Chapter Place Stamp Here 2nd Vice President Pat Cook Phone: 718-374-4455 email: [email protected] Tresurer Richard Chan Phone: 347-866-0208 emal:[email protected] Secretary Stanley Lukosevicius Phone: 718-339-0062 email: [email protected] Sergeant at Arms Butch Hoffman Phone: 718-683-7658 Our next meeting is Tuesday, September 17th at 7:30PM At the Brooklyn “VA” Hospital 2nd floor meeting room. Be There! Chaplain Connie Rannocchia Phone: 917-697-6333 email: [email protected] Chaplain In Emeritus Jack Green Service Officer In Emeritus Hank Burke Website www.vvachapter72.com President’s Report by Danny Friedman I hope everyone had a good summer and you are all eager to jump back into our good work. We started the summer off very productively with our fund raiser and clothing drive on June 22nd. Paul and Connie did a great job putting it together. Connie donated the space at the Greenwood Park Beer Garden. Many Chapter 72 members pitched in to make it a very profitable and fun day. We raised over $1400.00. It was a beautiful day for a party. Herbie and Sandy teamed up with me to grill hundreds of hot dogs and burgers. It was so hot it might be the first time I actually lost weight at a party. VVA had its National Convention in August and we sent Andy Stachow to represent our Chapter. Andy will catch us up on what went on down there in Florida. Next up is the 3rd Avenue Street Fair on Sunday, October 6th. This is another good opportunity for us to raise money for our wounded warriors and hospitalized veterans. We don’t have the exact location for our table yet but we will put it out as soon as we get it. Not only do we raise money at these events, but we raise awareness of issues confronting veterans and we raise our visibility in the community. We also have a pretty good time interacting with the folks and people watching. On a personal note, I would like to thank the many Chapter 72 members and others who expressed their condolences for the loss of my mother-in-law. Your best wishes and support were greatly appreciated. I would also like to send my best wishes to our own Joe Piazza who just had a chunk of his leg cut out due to some serious skin cancer. I know you all will join me in wishing Joe a speedy and complete recovery. Luigi is home from over a month in the hospital receiving cancer treatments. We had a fun night out at the Cyclones Military Appreciation Day on August 31st. He appreciated getting out and I appreciated him buying the hot dogs. We saw lots of Chapter 72 members and our friends from the VFW and other organizations. I hope to see you all at our next meeting on Tuesday, September 17th. Bring a friend. Chapter Headquarters 1402-8th Avenue • Brooklyn, NY 11215 A non-profit National Veterans Organization composed:Layout 1 9/8/13 10:17 PM Page 2 First Vice President’s Report by Joe Piazza Report by Andy Staychow Happy September 2013 to all my friends and associates in VVA Chapter 72. Its good to be alive and back as we kick off another year of volunteering, helping and donating to our fellow veterans friends and neighbors. And at the same time be closer to one another in the process. There’s nothing like working with fellow veterans for a great cause. We have some interesting events in the up and coming year like the Veterans Day Parade in New York City. Our October fest 3rd Avenue fund raiser, Vietnam recognition Day and many many more events and get togethers and partys scheduled. I hope that each and every one of my Vietnam Veteran Brothers, Sisters and Associates will join us and participate. Evening of 13 aug 2013, started with welcome home party, gathered for hot dogs & music & fun. some came dressed as sonny and cher & cheech & chong & various other colorful costumes. next day business commenced shortly after presentation of colors.we met with the candidates running for office.guest speakers included VA Director s Shinseki and former astronaut & vietnam vet Guion Bluford (first afro amer. in space). prior to awards dinner Arlo Guthrie signed autographs for those interested. To expand on my health, my cancer hopefully is all cut out. 2 weeks ago I went to the VA Hospital to remove a tiny wart on my head that was totally annoying me. The dermatologist took it out, no problem. While I was there she said when was the last time I had a full body scan? I said I don’t know .........Years!. She looked at my records and yes, its been 3 years, would I like to have that exam now. I said sure why not. With that I stripped naked and the exam started. She saw what seemed to be a black and brownish spot the size of a pencil eraser on my thigh. I never thought too much of it. It looked like a beauty mark to me. She called in a few colleges to concur and sure enough they believed it to be melanoma cancer. They immediately recommended a biopsy that they would do right there in the office. I agreed. They cut out about a quarter of an inch of the affected area and said to come back in one week for the results. I went in Tuesday Sept. 3rd at 10:30 AM. The results came back very positive and they wanted me in for surgery that afternoon at 2PM. I went back into the operating room and two surgeons and two young doctors performed the operation. My leg was localized with anisteic and the operation took about 2 hours. They wound up cutting about an inch wide, 3 inches long and a quarter of an inch deep. Fourteen stitches later I hope they got all the cancer out. I am now recovering still in shock that this happened to me. The VA Staff did an excellent job in recognizing and taking care of this cancer professionally and efficiently and if I might add, at an early stage. If I had waited any longer the cancer would have spread down deep into my body broke off and traveled into by bloodstream. All of you that are reading this, I urge you to get tested by your doctor on a regular bases. A good friend of mine said and its so true. Its a bitch getting old. Editors note: Congrats to all President Vice President Secretary Treasurer John Rowan (NY) Marsha Four (PA) Bill Meeks (TX) Wayne Reynolds (AL) Incumbent New Incumbent Incumbent Region II Director Herb Worthington(NJ) Our Pat Toro also was re-elected to At Large Director Understanding Traumatic Stress and Recovery Workshop This 2-session workshop helps participants to learn more about the purpose of traumatic stress reactions, how they impact thinking, base beliefs and distort perceptions. Participants will learn a deep relaxation and guided imagery exercise to create safety and develop more effective coping strategies. Held on the Brooklyn VA Campus 800 Poly Pl Brooklyn, New York (718) 836-6600 We will NOT talk about traumatic experiences – September 16th 2:30-4 PM AND September 18th 2:30-4 PM To enroll please contact: Marie Detesky on 14 West @ 718.836.6600 ext. 3713 If you have any questions please contact Jo Potestivo @ 718.836.6600, ext. 6345