Veterans & Military Families Monthly News
July 2010 Vol. 1 No. 4
Good afternoon and
thank you for reading.
Welcome to our fourth
edition of the newsletter.
I would like to thank
everyone for their help
in the past three months.
We are looking forward
to continuing to build
this idea as time goes
on. Our hope is to
continue to expand the
newsletter, and for that we need your input. So,
again, if anyone has any article topics or wants
to write their own piece, we will gladly try to
work it in. Hope you enjoy, and please let us
know what you think. Thank you very much!
Correction from the June 2010 Newsletter
We would thank everyone who pointed out a
point of confusion in the June Newsletter.
The Article entitled the ―History of Taps‖
was based on an ―Urban Legend‖ version of
the story and not the true history of Taps.
For this we apologize.
For the other version of the ―Origin of Taps‖
please click on the link below:
http://www.snopes.com/music/songs/taps.asp
THE AID & ATTENDANCE PENSION
By: www.veterandaid.org
The Aid and Attendance (A&A) Pension
provides benefits for veterans and surviving
spouses who require the regular attendance of
another person to assist in eating, bathing,
dressing and undressing or taking care of the
needs of nature. It also includes individuals who
are blind or a patient in a nursing home because
of mental or physical incapacity. Assisted care
in an assisting living facility also qualifies.
To qualify for A&A it needs to be
established by your physician that you require
daily assistance by others to dress, undress,
bathing, cooking, eating, taking on or off of
prosthetics, leave home etc. You DO NOT have
to require
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In This Issue
Correction from June 2010
The Aid & Attendance Pension
Additional Benefits for Active Duty Time Served
Veterans Can Revive Our Economy
Frontlines of Freedom
USO-Step Up and Lead
Just Three Words
Veterans Radio
Legion: Veterans‘ preference being ‗ignored‘
Sergeant Vincent Paul Esposito-Part III
Veteran Benefits and Services
PVA-7th Annual Salute to Veterans Gala
DisAbility Connections October Event with Dana
Bowan
Old Warrior Camp
Iwo Jima Memorial
More Career Resources for Troops
New on the TRICARE Front
Rolling Thunder
Veterans Report- New Legislation Addresses VA
Claims
Michigan‘s Vietnam Generation to Be Recognized
in Upcoming Documentary
How Big is Your Family?
In Closing
assistance with all of these. There simply needs
to be adequate medical evidence that you cannot
function completely on your own.
The A&A Pension can provide up to
$1,632 per month to a veteran, $1,055 per month
to a surviving spouse, or $1,949 per month to a
couple*.
Eligibility must be proven by filing the
proper Veterans Application for Pension or
Compensation. (Form 21-534 surviving spouse)
(Form 21-526 Veteran.) This application will
require a copy of DD-214 (see below for more
information) or separation papers, Medical
Evaluation from a physician, current medical
issues, net worth limitations, and net income,
along with out-of-pocket Medical Expenses.
We would like to express our appreciation
to all of the fighting men and women in
the United States Military. Thank you for
your service to this county.
Page | 1
 To request a copy of a DD-214 visit www.vetrec.archives.gov.
For more general information about the Aid & Attendance Pension,
please see our FAQ Section.
A DD-214 is issued to military members veterans re-entering the civilian economy. They
upon separation from active service. DD-214s
were issued to separated service members
beginning in the 1950's. The term "DD-214" is Additional Benefits for
often used generically to mean "separation
papers" or "discharge papers", no matter what Active Duty Time Served
form number was used to document active duty
military service. If the VA has a copy of a DD-
DD FORM 214-SOCIAL
214, it is usually because the veteran attached a SECURITY BENEFIT
copy (or sometimes, the original) to his or her From: Social Security Administration (SSA)
application for disability or education benefits. If Please share this with anyone who's
you've lost your original DD-214 or a copy and had active duty service between January
you are receiving (or applied for in the past) 1957 to December 31, 2001 and planning for
disability or education benefits from the VA, retirement.
they may have a copy (or the original, if you In a nutshell it boils down to this: You
gave it to them) on file. At the very least, if you qualify for a higher social security payment
are currently receiving benefits (or did in the because of Military service, for active duty
past), they should be able to provide a Statement any time from 1957 through 2001 (the
of Service, which can be used instead of a "DD- program was done away with 1 January
214". 2002). Up to $1200 per year of earnings
credit credited at time of application - which

Veterans Can Revive

can make a substantial difference in social
security monthly payments upon your
retirement. You must bring your DD-214 to

Our Economy
By: National Commander Clarence Hill - July 1,
2010 (From “The American Legion Magazine”
July 2010.)
Let‘s turn back the clock to a pivotal
moment in American history. World War II was
winding down. Millions of young veterans were
coming home from the great theaters in Europe
and Asia. Many of them entered service as their
family farms were failing. Foreclosures were
rampant, and jobs were scarce. America had yet
to recover from the Great Depression. During
the war, families rationed food, gas, metal and
other materials for the effort, maintaining
vigilance and austerity.
The first generation of Legionnaires had
a masterful plan to absorb the shock of so many
the Social Security Office and you must ask
for this benefit to receive it! Social Security
website: http://www.ssa.gov/retire2/military.
htm this is something to put in your files for
when you apply for Social Security down the
road... It is NOT just for retirees, BUT
anyone who has served on active duty
between January1957 to December 31, 2001.
FYI - this benefit is not automatic, you must
ask for it!
pushed through a GI Bill of Rights that sent
millions to college, made home ownership
affordable and offered job-training initiatives
that replaced uncertainty with prosperity.
Around the same time, another measure to help
bridge the economic gap between war and peace
was passed: the Veterans Preference Hiring Act
of 1944.

We would like to express our appreciation to all of the fighting men and women in the United
Paid States
for by Military.
the Michigan Republican
Thank Party
you for your with to
service Regulated Funds.
this county.
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 Please Support ―Frontlines of Freedom‖ Military Talk Radio
Hosted by Lt. Col. Denny Gillem
You can hear it every Saturday at 1pm on 1260 AM the Pledge (Zeeland, MI),
or by visiting the website at www.frontlinesoffreedom.com
The spirit behind that law was Veterans are not adequately notified about job or
clear. Those who risked their contract opportunities available in the federal
lives in uniform for our nation deserved a better government. Some agencies have failed to
shot than others at getting jobs in the federal publicize job opportunities, as required by law,
government. In practical terms, that means that could be fulfilled by veterans. Contract
veterans were to receive bonus points when their procurement is too great a mystery for too many
applications were graded for positions in federal veterans. In today‘s environment of instant mass
agencies or offices. communication, there is no reason veterans
We all know what the GI Bill meant for should be left in the dark about opportunities.
the U.S. economy. It fueled a half-century of The American Legion testified before
growth and created the middle class. And while Congress in May that programs must be
it has needed updating at times, it remains a provided to better train veterans for government
prominent reason for joining the military and a employment, and to reach out on contract
viable contributor to the U.S. economy. procurement. www.legion.org/careers
Not so with the Veterans Preference President Obama has established task
Hiring Act. It disturbs me to hear that only about forces to close these gaps. VA Secretary Eric
30 percent of the Department of Veterans Shinseki has made economic recovery –
Affairs work force is composed of veteran particularly for homeless veterans – among his
employees. highest priorities. And I have created a special
At a time when veteran unemployment American Legion committee to accelerate the
is outpacing that of the general population, the effort – as partners, not adversaries – to help
U.S. government must do a better job of bring the federal government into compliance
fulfilling the spirit of the Veterans Preference with its own laws and finally fulfill the spirit
Hiring Act. The percentage of veterans working behind them.
at VA should be 75, not 30. Likewise, laws that
require just 3 percent of U.S. government You can find the Legion Magizine online at
contracts to be awarded to disabled-veteran- http://www.legion.org/magazine
owned businesses can no longer be ignored, as
they currently are.
There are many reasons for the
breakdown. Foremost is communication. JUST THREE WORDS
By: John Arend, SGT, USMC
STEP UP AND LEAD As I was growing up, I never knew
exactly what my Uncle Bob did in World War
From: The USO
In 2010, we're calling on the brave Two. All I remember was that everyone should
men and women of our armed forces to make have an uncle like I did. My mind recalls a
some incredible sacrifices in Afghanistan, jovial, barrel-chested, balding, gorilla of a man
Iraq, and remote locations around the world. who seemed to have an unfiltered Lucky Strike
That means you and I need to make an extra
perpetually stuffed between his two chubby
effort to show our support.
One of the best ways to let our troops fingers. He and my Aunt Mary lived a twelve
know that you've got their back is by hour drive away so most every time I ever saw
supporting the work of the USO. them, they were on vacation. We‘d travel to
Step Up and Lead -- support our troops by their home
signing up to be part of the USO today.
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 Veterans Radio is dedicated to all of the men and women who have served or are currently serving in
the armed forces of the United States of America. Our mission is to provide all veterans with a voice,
to give them a forum where they are able to discuss their issues…and tell their stories. You can listen
to the show on: WDEO (990-AM Ann Arbor/Detroit), WMAX (1440-AM, Saginaw), WDEO-FM
(99.5 FM, Naples FL), KAGY (1510-AM Port Sulfur/New Orleans LA), KIXW (960-AM, Apple
Valley CA) and KMRC (1430-AM Morgan City, LA).
Or, listen to our Webcast and archives at: www.veteransradio.net
and vice versa. As a result of this, the adults replaced the cribbage board, and they seemed
always seemed to be relaxed and Uncle Bob and happy with that. It seemed so natural that I really
my Dad frequently seemed to be fully equipped thought it would go on forever this way, but a
with a drink in one hand and a cigarette in the few months later things changed. As I returned
other. The ice cubes made a tinkling sound as home to my beautiful new bride one evening in
Uncle Bob swirled the glass around in his hand. our rented condo near the base where I was
He would take a healthy swig before setting the stationed, I got the call. Uncle Bob had died. He
drink in front of him on the living room carpet, went quickly when his heart gave out as he stood
then adjust his thick black horned rimmed and talked with my Aunt Mary in their living
glasses pulling the arms up, giving his ears a rest room.
from the constant rubbing. Then he‘d take It was a few months later that my Aunt
another look at the cards stuck in his meaty fist, Mary asked me if I would like my Uncle Bob‘s
throw one down and he‘d move a peg in the Bronze Star Medal. My jaw dropped.
cribbage board. ―Absolutely,‖ I said quietly, still a little
―Take that,‖ he‘d chuckle to my Dad. in shock. In the months that followed, I asked
Then he‘d glance up to the TV where the game my family about this, but no one could tell me
was playing and checked the score. much about what would cause Uncle Bob to be
Drinking, smoking, cribbage and awarded such an honor. No one knew anything
watching sports on TV seemed to be just a few because he never talked about his experiences in
of the activities that my father and Uncle the war. But my Dad was able to fill me in on
enjoyed doing together; and they did it with some things. He told me that my Uncle Bob was
gusto. I find it interesting now that many times I a tank mechanic in General Patton‘s 3rd Army.
saw him, would be Memorial Day. He started in North Africa, went across the
When I got older and enlisted in the Mediterranean, through Sicily, up into Italy, then
Marine Corps, I always meant to ask him about on to Germany. Basically, he was with the same
his experiences in the war, but time never unit for the duration of the war.
seemed to allow it. The last time I saw Uncle It was then that I recalled a conversation
Bob was at my wedding where he and my father, that I overheard some years before between my
reunited once again, resumed their typical mother and Aunt Mary.
activities. The consumption of beer nuts

We would like to express our appreciation to all of the fighting men and women in the United
States Military. Thank you for your service to this county.
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 Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction.
We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream.
It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same.
~Ronald Reagan
―He doesn‘t have those problems movie was on. ―You know, the one with Henry
anymore,‖ Aunt Mary said, puffing on her Fonda? ‗The Battle of the Bulge‘.‖
menthol cigarette. I told her I remembered, I had seen the
―Bob doesn‘t sleepwalk at all anymore?‖ movie.
Mom asked. ―Well you remember that the soldiers
―Uncle Bob sleepwalks?‖ I blurted out were there over Christmas, and they thought that
the only way a boy of eight or nine could when they would get a break for the holiday. They
he was eavesdropping and should not be. ―Why were supposed to get Christmas day off.‖
would he do that?‖ ―I remember.‖ I also remembered that
―Oh, he had a touch of battle fatigue,‖ the movie was correct in its depiction, I had read
Aunt Mary replied casually. up on the actual battle. The whole division had
―What‘s battle fatigue?‖ I asked. to pack up and pull out on Christmas day. Those
―Oh, just something he picked up in the men had to go back to work, back to the
war, but he‘s fine now, don‘t you worry. Go run business of war.
along and play now.‖ ―Well,‖ Aunt Mary continued, ―I didn‘t
―Ok Aunt Mary.‖ know so much about the history of the battle,
After he died, I asked again about the and I was shaking my head. I was just thinking
sleepwalking. I was told that he sometimes came out loud; I said, ‗did they really pull out on
back to bed with dirt on his knees and elbows, Christmas day?‘‖
from crawling around in the yard. I imagined ―And your Uncle Bob said, ―yes, we
him out there in his yard, crawling around, did.‖
reliving the horrors of the war. ―Then that was it. He never said another
I pressed my father for more details, ―he thing. That was the only thing he ever said about
never spoke about the war.‖ Dad would say. World War Two. Just three words, ‗yes we did‘.
I tried my Aunt. ―He never talked about I‘m sorry Johnny; I wish I had more for you.‖
it,‖ she said. Powerful words: ―Yes, we did.‖ It is
―Nothing?‖ I urged. ―In all the years you now twenty four years since I had that
were married, he must have said something.‖ conversation with my Aunt Mary, she passed
Aunt Mary frowned as she thought hard away long ago. As I sit and write today in my
and then she said, ―Yes, I remember now, he comfortable home with wall to wall carpet, it is
did.‖ late at night. Quiet. The crickets are chirping a
―What was it? I eagerly asked, ―what did springtime melody. My dog is curled up nearby,
he say?‖ snoring. My refrigerator is humming.
―He said three words.‖ Occasionally I hear it drop some ice into the bin
―Three words? I was puzzled now. so the next time I feel like a cold drink I can go
―Just three words.‖ to the door, press a lever and out comes the ice. I
―How did that occur?‖ I asked, ―What think about these comforts I have and how often
were the three words?‖ I take them for granted. Then I think about the
Aunt Mary explained that one time years horror and tragedy that my Uncle Bob must have
ago, the two of them were watching TV, and a witnessed, been a part of. And I think that to
war earn a
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Bronze Star in Patton‘s Army a soldier needed "The mission of VETS is to promote the
to do a heck of a lot more than keep tanks economic security of America's veterans,"
running. And I think that sometimes three words Sharpe said. "The American Legion is eager to
see this program grow, and especially would like
could fill up a book. Three words are plenty for
to see greater expansion of entrepreneurial-
that old soldier. That old war hero. Yep, Uncle based, self-employment opportunity training."
Bob‘s a war hero alright, he‘s my hero! "John The American Legion has recommended
Arend is a Realtor, Investor, and a Veteran about $340 million for fiscal 2011 to fund five
living in Kalamazoo.‖ Department of Labor programs created to serve
veterans:
Legion: Veterans’ preference • Veterans Employment and Training Service
(VETS): Offers employment and training
being ‘ignored’ services to eligible veterans through non-
competitive "Jobs for Veterans" state grant
The American Legion - May 12, 2010 programs.
Testifying before a House subcommittee • Transition/Disabled Transition Assistance
today, The American Legion said that veterans' Programs (TAP/DTAP): Help service members
preference in the federal job market "is being who are separating from active duty with their
unlawfully ignored by numerous agencies. return to the civilian world and work force.
―The reality is that employment ($267 million, including VETS funding)
opportunities are not being properly publicized,‖ • Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program
said Joe Sharpe, the Legion‘s Economic (HVRP): A competitive state-grant program for
Division director, in his written testimony. agencies and organizations that offer jobs to
―Federal agencies, as well as federal government homeless veterans. ($50 million)
contractors and subcontractors, are required by • National Veteran'
law to notify the Employment and
Office of Training Services
Personnel Institute (NVTI):
Management of Ensures that staff for
job opportunities. federal and state
Sharpe employment services
testified before are highly trained and
the House proficient in dealing
Subcommittee with veterans' needs.
on Labor, Health ($6 million)
and Human • Veterans Workforce
Services, Investment Program
Education and Economic Division Director Joe Sharpe tells House members (VWIP): Provides
Related how Legion-favored programs can help end joblessness and training and support
Agencies, chaired homelessness among vets. Craig Roberts services to veterans to
by Rep. David lead to higher wages
Obey, D-Wis. Sharpe said that such behavior on and long-term careers - especially those with
the part of some federal agencies make the service-connected disabilities, are recently
Veterans Employment and Training Service separated from active duty, or have significant
(VETS) a critically important program, since it
We would like to express our appreciation to all of the fighting men and women in the United
States Military. Thank you for your service to this county.
investigates violations of veterans' preference barriers to employment. ($20 million)
policy and corrects unlawful practices. Sharpe also recommended $61 million
in funding
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for the Office of Personnel Management to
improve compliance with veterans' preference My Grandfather, Sergeant
rights in the job market. He reminded the Vincent Paul Esposito, US Army,
subcommittee that employment rights of
veterans and service members are covered by the Memorial Day 2010 cont.
Veterans' Employment Opportunity Act of Part III
1998 and the Uniformed Services Employment By: Claude McManus Command Master Chief
and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994. (Surface Warfare), USN Retired
The TAP and DTAP programs need to
be expanded quickly, The American Legion …The Australian Corp Commander
says, to include many National Guard and ordered an artillery barrage on September 29, to
reserve members whose businesses have prepare for the next attack. He refused to allow
suffered -or have been lost - while they were for the remaining survivors of the 106th to be
serving their country. While DoD estimates that evacuated from the front lines. They would have
79 percent of active-duty troops attend TAP to survive the best they could during the
seminars, only 35 percent of reserve components bombardment.
do the same. On September 29, Vincent Paul attacked
"These attendance numbers are a again with the remains of his company now
disservice to all transitioning service members," assigned to the 107th regiment. They again took
Sharpe said. The American Legion wants DoD Guillemont Farm from the Germans. Upon
to make its TAP and DTAP sessions mandatory arriving, they found pockets of survivors of the
for all service members leaving active duty. original attack still fighting Germans in the outer
Discussing the VWIP program, Sharpe defense of the Hindenburg Line.
noted that current funding allows it to operate in The Germans reported after the War,
only 15 states. "The problem is clearly a lack of that the fighting at Guillemont Farm had been
adequate funding. The budget baseline needs to hand-to-hand. They had never seen this type of
be increased to ... train eligible veterans in all 50 fighting from the other Allies and they were
states in fiscal 2011," he said. surprised at the refusal of the 106th to surrender.
At the start of the hearing, Obey - who The type of combat was for the most part with
chairs the House Appropriations Committee - bayonet and
expressed frustration over congressional hand grenades.
reluctance to fully fund programs favored by On
The American Legion and other veterans‘ October 1, 1918,
service organizations. the 27th Division
He said he favored almost all of the was ordered to
programs proposed by the score of testifying rest and
witnesses, but noted the combined cost would reorganize
increase President Obama's proposed FY 2011 behind the front
budget by $14 billion. But in light of the lines. Vincent
massive federal deficit, Obey said, Congress is Paul got five
being asked to trim $3.5 billion from the days rest. On
president's figure. October 6, 1918,
"Congress needs to realize that there are his regiment
deficits that need to be considered other than attacked
federal budget deficits," Obey said, "like deficits Trencourt, then
in jobs and opportunities and care." With that Hervilly area,
prologue, he opened the morning round of and then
testimony. Brancourt,
Click here for Sharpe's testimony. Beoguigny,
Busigny, and

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then Bellincourt. British 133rd Field Ambulance was assigned to
On October 11, 1918, Vincent Paul
again took the front line at Escaufoust. It was
decided that there would another attack on
October 15, 1918 against Jonc de Mer Farm.
Again, they would man the tape and begin the
attack at 5:20 AM. At this point, the 106th
Regiment had 405 men total. Vincent Paul was
one of a few men left in F Company.
Officially, this period is known as the
Le Selle River Operations. It is considered to
have been from October 17 through the 19.
Again F Company was in the center of the front This publication is available online at:
line for the attack. On October 17, 1918, F http://elearn.mrs.state.mi.us/vr/vets/VeteranBe
Company was advancing in open warfare across nefits.htm
the rolling fields near a village (maybe twenty the 106th and it is the British doctors that saved
buildings, I have photographs from 1920) called Vincent Paul. He was not evacuated, nor was he
Arbre Guernon. F Company encountered heavy sent to a hospital. He was given air, washed of
machine gun fire from the hedges near the the mustard gas, and sent back to the fighting.
village. They cleared the village of Germans by
12:15 PM on October 17.
The night of October 18, the Germans
began a counter attack. From 8:00 PM to 3:00
AM, the Germans hurled 300 mustard gas shells
at the Americans in Arbre Guernon. F Company
suffered nine men gassed, according to the Gas
Defense Officer published reports of causalities.
This more than likely is the battle where Vincent
Paul was gassed. He was given up for dead. The

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 We would like to express our appreciation to all of the fighting men and women in the United
States Military. Thank you for your service to this county.
Vincent Paul‘s NYNG index card record
indicates when his promotions occurred. It also
states he was not wounded during the fighting. It
shows a consistent assignment to the 106th
Regiment and F Company during the entire war
campaign. His Veterans Administration
registration indicates that he was gassed and
received medical benefits for this condition.
Therefore, I conclude that consistent with the
written policies of the 27th Division at the time,
the British approach to gas victims, and the
promotion record, Vincent Paul continued with
his Company throughout the many battles.
After the night of October 18, 1918, the
106th Regiment was considered ineffective (not
enough men left). General O‘Ryan said,
―Special credit is due the 106th for the fortitude
to conduct continuous fighting since October 11,
without relief. Since the 11th, they have been
under continuous shell and gas bombardment,
always under machine gun fire‖.
The 106th Regiment, what was left, was
relieved by the British 6th Division on October
20-21. Total casualties include 423 gassed
during the period of October 17-19, 1918. At
this point, Vincent Paul is one of twelve men left
in his Company.
The King of Belgium, the Australian
Corp Commander, the British Corp Commander
and the American Corp Commander gave
official Commendations to the 27th Division.
The 27th Division and the 106th Regiment has
been given the credit of breaking the
Hindenburg Line, and pursuing the offensive
from trench warfare to open warfare. This had
the effect of driving the Germans back to the Le
Selle River and forcing the Germans to accept
an Armistice. To be continued…
DisAbility Connections
October Event with
DANA BOWMAN
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Not authorized by any candidate or candidate‘s committee.
520 Seymour Street, Lansing, MI 48933
From: Monica Moser, BSW, MBA
History of disAbility Connections
~1925~
Our history goes back to 1916 when the
then one-year-old Rotary Club of Jackson
launched a club project by helping a child with a
disability living in Jackson County. This project
continued to grow and in 1924, the first clinic
was held at which two hundred children with
disabilities were examined. In 1925, the Jackson
County Society for Crippled Children was
incorporated as a nonprofit with Rotarians
serving as officers of the corporation.
To help raise funds for the Society, the
first Easter Seals Sale was inaugurated in 1934
and an annual sale has been held ever since. This
event is now called the Rotary Ruler Days and
annually raises about $10,000 a year with the
help of the three local Rotary Clubs.
Dr. Ted Schmidt, Mary Heglund and
Alfreda McGuire started the first crippled
children‘s summer camp project in 1945 at Wolf
Lake. With the cooperation of the Boy Scouts,
the local Community Chest, the Jackson County
Medical Society and the Rotary Club of Jackson,
the Society sponsored the annual adaptive
summer camp sessions through 1968.
Orthopaedic clinics for children with
physical disabilities were held with support of
the Rotary Clubs and the State Crippled
Children‘s Commission at Mercy Hospital and
Foote Hospital with Dr. Richard Deming being
the first Jackson physician to be certified by the
State Commission to run these clinics.
The Society remained an affiliate of
Easter Seals until 1978. At that time, the Board
of Directors voted to disaffiliate from the state
and national Easter Seals Society so that all
donated funds would stay in
Jackson County to serve
Jackson
Page | 9
residents with disabilities. At that time the
Society also began serving adults with
disabilities as well as children with a new name~
Handicapped Children & Adults Society of
Old Warrior Camp
From: Hank Fuhs Lt. Col., USAF, Retired,
ANG
This Hunting Camp was built by a
retired Marine First Sergeant with the
primary purpose of facilitating the
―Wounded Warriors‖ as they begin their
Journey back to Civilian Life. The First
Sergeant is the Commander of the Disabled
American Veteran (Manistique Chapter 26)
He is also 100% totally disabled.
There is no cost to vets…Bring a
Valid Michigan Hunting License and your
sleeping bag. Contact Bob Blevins at (906)-
477-0025 for dates and times available.
Jackson County.
In 1993, the Society created the
Handicapped Children & Adults Foundation of
Jackson County to provide a permanent base of
funding to ensure the longevity of the Society.
In November 1999, the Jackson County
Society for Handicapped Children & Adults and
United Cerebral Palsy Association of Jackson
merged to form a new nonprofit called
disAbility Connections, Inc. Because of this
merger, the Handicapped Children & Adults
Foundation also changed its name to the
disAbility Connections Foundation of Jackson
County.
As our programs and services have more
than doubled over the past few years, so has our
need for space. Mr. A.P. Cook (a Rotarian)
came to our rescue and donated his building at
409 Linden Avenue. We successfully completed
a $752,000.00 capital campaign raising the
funds for the building renovation and 2,400
square foot addition. Thanks to the donated
architectu
Paid for by the Michigan Republican Party with Regulated Funds.
We would like to express our appreciation
Not authorized by any candidate or candidate‘s committee.
to all of the fighting men520
andSeymour
women inStreet, Lansing, MI 48933
the United States Military. Thank you for
your service to this county.
re services of Dave Fleming (another Rotarian),
we have a new state-of-the-art technology
center, a universal design kitchen and an
accessible multi-purpose room for support
groups, workshops and meetings.
On October 1, 2005 we merged with the
Jackson Center for Independent Living. With
the help of a $126,023 grant from Michigan
Rehabilitation Services, we were able to expand
our services to include peer support, independent
living skills training and individual and systems
advocacy.
Our financial support comes from our
friends in the local community by way of
individual donations, bequests and memorials,
business contributions, foundation grants, The
Rotary Clubs of Jackson and other service clubs,
the Jackson Banjo Club and fundraising events.
Without the support of our community and local
partners, we would not have the ability to impact
individuals in their pursuit of independence.
The October Event- Dana Bowman has
astounded the nation and the world with his
drive, determination, and will to succeed. He is a
retired First
Class Sergeant
with the U.S.
Army where he
was a Special
Forces Soldier
and a member of
the U.S. Army‘s
elite parachute
team, the
Golden Knights.
Dana Bowman
is a double
amputee. He lost
Photo: Dana Bowman
his legs in an
accident during the annual Golden Knights
training in Yuma, Arizona, in 1994.
On February 6, 1994, Bowman gained
worldwide attention when he and his teammate
Sgt. Jose Aguillon collided in midair during the
team‘s annual training. Bowman and Aguillon
were
practicing a
Page | 10
maneuver known as the Diamond Track. The
maneuver calls for the jumpers to streak away
from each other for about a mile and then turn
180 degrees and fly back toward each other
More Career Resources for Troops
From: Army, Navy Club of Grand Rapids
June 2010
As the United States‘ economic
crisis lingers, returning veterans are finding it
harder to translate the skills they have
learned on the battlefields onto a resume, but
some employers are working with the
military to bridge the gap. The Employer
Partnership Office of the Armed Forces
(EPO) is providing the resources needed to
help enlisted soldiers, veterans, retirees and
spouses secure employment after their tours
of duty end. Job seekers are matched with
such employers as Wal-Mart, General
Electric and Con-Way. Among its placement
and credentialing services, candidates receive
coaching, counseling and use of the
programs‘ job search engine, among other
assistance.
For more information, visit the EPO Website
crisscrossing in the sky. Bowman and Aguillon
had demonstrated the Diamond Track more than
fifty times without a mistake, but this time was
different.
Rather than crisscrossing, the two
skydivers slammed into each other at a
combined speed of 300 miles per hour. Aguillon
died instantly. Bowman‘s legs were severed
from his body, one above the knee and one
below the knee. Bowman‘s parachute opened on
impact. He was taken to a hospital in Phoenix
where doctors closed his leg wounds and
stopped his internal bleeding.
Nine months later, he turned this tragedy
into a triumph when he became the first double
amputee to re-enlist in the United States Army.
Bowman re-enlisted in the United States Army
airborne style, skydiving with his commander
into the ceremony, making his dream a reality.
This achievement is just one example of
Bowman‘s many successes under adverse
circumstances.
A of his high school football team. Harlon, at the
fter
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520 Seymour Street, Lansing, MI 48933
Dana‘s re-enlistment, he became the U.S.
Parachute Team‘s lead speaker and recruiting
commander. Dana has been fortunate to have the
opportunity to let his
speeches touch so many from the physically
challenged to the able-bodied. He strives to
show physically challenged people can still
work and excel in today‘s society and military.
Dana emphasizes the words amputee and
uselessness are not synonymous.
Dana retired from the United States
Army in 1996. He received his bachelor‘s
degree in commercial aviation from UND
Aerospace in Grand Forks, North Dakota in May
of 2000.
Dana spends a great deal of his personal
time working with other amputees and disabled
or physically challenged people. He also spends
time at different military hospitals helping the
wounded soldiers during the current world
situation. He enjoys visiting patients at
numerous healthcare facilities while on the road
speaking.
TOPICS
 It‘s Not the Disability; It‘s the Ability
 Conquering Adversity
 Mastering Change: The Only Constant
The event takes place on October 28th at Gene
Davis Banquet Center in Jackson, MI
Please contact Monica Moser at (517-782-
6054 or monicam@disabilityconnect.org for
more info about the event
Iwo Jima Memorial
By: Sean M. Furr Specialist 4, US Army Veteran
The Iwo Jima Memorial is the largest
bronze statue in the world and depicts one of the
most famous photographs in history---that of six
brave Marines raising the American Flag on top
of a rocky hill on the island of Iwo Jima, Japan.
Here is part of their stories: Of the 6
Marines depicted, the first guy putting the pole
in the ground is Harlon Block. Harlon was an
all-state football player. He enlisted in the
Marine Corps with all the other senior members
age of 21,
Page | 11
died following critical wounds during battle.
Many like to talk of the brave ―men‖
who go into battle, most of the brave marines
who died on this island were still in their teens.
250 young soldiers hit the island…….27 left
alive. The next soldier is Rene Gagnon from
New Hampshire. Rene carried a photo of his
We would like to express our appreciation to all of the fighting men and women in the United
States Military. Thank you for your service to this county.
girlfriend in the webbing of his steel pot. He put
it there for protection because he was scared. He
was 18 years old.
The third guy was Sergeant Mike
Strank. Mike was the hero of all these guys.
They called him ‗old man‘ because he was so
old. He was already 24 years old. Instead of
telling his boys, ―let‘s go kill some Japs‖ or
―Let‘s die for our country‖, he told them, ―You
do what I say, and I‘ll get you home to your
mothers.‖
The 4th guy was a Pima Indian from
Arizona, named Ira Hayes. Ira was one of the
very few to walk off Iwo Jima. He went to the
White House where President Truman told him
he was a hero. Ira Hayes told reporters, ―How
can I feel like a hero when 250 of my buddies hit
the island with me and only 27 of us walked off
alive?‖
Ira Hayes was unable to get the horrors
of that island out of his mind. He died dead
drunk face down at the age of 32 (10 yrs. After
the famous picture was taken).
Around the other side of the statue, is
Franklin Sousley from Hilltop, Kentucky.
Franklin was a fun-loving boy. His best friend
who is now in his 70‘s, tells of a time when he
and Franklin took two cows up onto the porch
of the Hilltop General Store. They strung wire
across the stairs so the cows couldn‘t get back
down. They then fed the cows Epsom salts. You
can imagine the mess after a night of that.
The last guy was John Bradley from
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520 Seymour Street, Lansing, MI 48933
Antigo, Wisconsin. His son James Bradley
wrote a book called ―Flags of Our Fathers‖
which tells the full story of all six boys on the
Iwo Jima statue. John Bradley was also one of
the few to survive Iwo Jima, he lived until 1994.
John refused to give interviews. His family was
instructed to tell reporters that he was in Canada
fishing. John Bradley didn‘t fish, and never went
to Canada. John Bradley was a medic and
probably held over 200 of his buddies as they
died.
Of the 6 brave young men depicted on
that statue, only 3 lived to leave the island.
Overall, 7,000 boys died on Iwo Jima. The Iwo
Jima Statue depicts 6 young Marines, yet if you
look closely, you can count 13 hands. When the
creator of the statue was asked why there were
13, he answered that the 13th hand was the hand
of God.
Every day you wake up free, remember
the brave boys who have put their lives on the
line from the times of the revolutionary war to
today‘s actions in Iraq & Afghanistan. It is only
because of the sacrifices of young American
soldiers that we remain free. Thank our soldiers
and veterans for their service, for Freedom is not
Free.
NEW on the TRICARE Front
From: Army, Navy Club of Grand Rapids June
2010
Hospice Benefits- TRICARES‘s
hospice care benefit is zero-deductible benefit
that gives TRICARE beneficiaries access to
personal care and home health aide assistance. It
initially provides two 90-day periods of care,
followed by an unlimited number of 60-day
periods. Each period requires prior authorization
from the regional health care contractor. Not all
care is covered by the hospice benefit. Charges
for medical care not related to the terminal
illness fall
under the
Page | 12
beneficiary‘s basic TRICARE benefit. For more
information about the hospice benefit, visit the
TRICARE website at www.tricare.mil; contact
TRICARE For Life, the regional managed care
support contractor for your TRICARE Area
office.
New TRICARE SMART Website-
national Guard and Reserve members who may
not live near a military treatment facility or
TRICARE Service Center no longer have to rely
on printed publications as a main source of
TRICARE benefit information the TRICARE
SMART Website is a one-stop, online
information portal full of accurate, up-to-date
information about TRICARE benefits that
members and their families can easily access in
the comfort of their homes. By Using the
TRICARE SMART Website, National Guard
and Reserve members can stay informed about
the latest TRICARE programs created just for
them and their families.
TRICARE Extends TRIAP Program-
The TRICARE Assistance Program has been
extended through March20, 2011. The
demonstration program lets beneficiaries,
service members, spouses of any age and family
over the age of 18, use webcam to speak ―face-
to-face‖ with mental health counselors online
24/7 from the privacy of the beneficiary‘s home
or wherever else they may feel comfortable.
Eligible beneficiaries can use TRICARE
Assistance Program (TRIAP) counseling
services an unlimited number of times, and no
referral or prior authorization is needed to use
TRIAP. For more information about TRIAP or
to link to the regional health care contractors‘
TRIAP sites, visit the TRICARE Assistance
Program webpage at www.tricare.mil/TRIAP.
Rolling Thunder
From: Sean M. Furr Specialist 4, US Army
Veteran
For those of you who are not familiar
with Rolling Thunder, every year on the Sunday
before Memorial Day, 3,000 veterans on
motorcycles, (hundreds of which rode
completely across the country, LA to DC with
"Ride for
Paid for by the Michigan Republican Party
Not authorized by any candidate or candidate‘s committee.
520 Seymour Street, Lansing, MI 48933
the Wall" leave the Pentagon, pass Arlington
Cemetery and parade through Washington
DC straight down Constitution Ave.
It is a tremendously moving experience.
That is absolutely fantastic. It is estimated that 3
Million People, Families, Veterans, Bikers, and
folks of all kinds pack Washington DC over the
Memorial Day Weekend for this event.
There is something also very special
about it. One marine, referred to as the saluting
marine, stands there on Constitution Ave and
salutes at attention for three straight hours and
never drops his arm. It was 92 degrees there on
Sunday.
That has to kill your arm standing at
present arms for three solid hours. The heat must
be unbearable in dress blues. He did take a drink
of water with his left hand, but never dropped
his right.
YouTube - Rolling Thunder 2010 - A Soldier's
Vigil
For More information about Rolling
Thunder and upcoming events please visit
http://www.rollingthunder1.com/index.html for
the national organization or
http://www.rollingthundermichigan.com/ for the
Michigan Chapter.
New Legislation
Addresses VA Claims
From: Military.com, Week of July 05, 2010
Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee
Chairman Daniel K. Akaka (D-Hawaii)
recently introduced legislation to make
much-needed improvements to VA's
disability claims processing. VA provides
disability compensation to approximately 3.1
million veterans across the nation. The
Claims Processing Improvement Act of 2010
(S.3517) would make various changes to the
way VA processes disability compensation
claims. To read Senator Akaka's statement in
the with
Congressional
RegulatedRecord
Funds. introducing the
bill, visit the U.S. Senate Committee
Page |on
13
Veterans Affairs website.

MICHIGAN’S VIETNAM GENERATION
TO BE RECOGNIZED IN
UPCOMING DOCUMENTARY
From: www.ourvietnamgeneration.com
Director/Producer Keith Famie to direct the
camera lens on the oft-overlooked service of
Vietnam veterans
WIXOM, Mich. — They fought on a
battlefield as brutal as any other and more
deadly than most wars in the history of the
United States. The only difference: these
veterans fought at a time when the United States
was deeply divided on one of the most opposed
wars in history, the Vietnam War. To give these
veterans a voice, Director/Producer Keith Famie,
of Visionalist Entertainment Productions, has
announced he is filming Our Vietnam
Generation, scheduled to debut in late 2010.
The documentary will focus on struggles
experienced by Michigan Vietnam veterans who
received a much different homecoming than
other generations, set to the backdrop of the
culture at a time marked by music, drugs, ideals
of love and political upheaval. Depicted will be
some veterans who were able to become
successful business and community leaders and
others who still suffer from haunting memories
or wounds. Further, the documentary will shed
light on the families of these veterans, including
those who still hold yearly vigils in hopes the
remains of missing POWs will still be found.
―Ever since we began working on our
documentary, Detroit:
Our Greatest Generation,
which focused on our
World War II veterans,
the most frequently posed
question was, ‗What
about our Vietnam vets?‘‖
said Famie. ―These men
and women, mostly now
past 60 years old, still
have deeply rooted
feelings
about
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520 Seymour Street, Lansing, MI 48933
their Vietnam experience, including how society
viewed them when they returned.‖
Featured in Our Vietnam Generation is
a journey back in time for veteran Marine Pfc.
Mark Spooner and his daughter Cpt. Jennifer
Spooner, an Iraq veteran Marine, as they
traveled to Vietnam. The father/daughter
expedition retraced Mark‘s footsteps through his
tour of duty on Hills 41 and 37 during the TET
offensive and countless firefights in the Vietnam
countryside 40 years ago in an emotional
confrontation of an era most would like to
forget.
The next several months of production
for Our Vietnam Generation, Famie‘s eighth
human interest documentary, will involve
countless personal interviews and events, such
as the flight of two Huey Choppers from the
group Huey 369 over the Detroit River, which
will serve as the dramatic opening sequence of
the film. Hundreds of Vietnam veterans will be
present for the event and photographed together
for a commemorative piece acknowledging their
services.
Several special bike rallies with Rolling
Thunder and Patriot Guard will be featured in
the documentary, as well. All will culminate in a
special media celebration premiere for the
Vietnam veterans in December, followed by the
television premiere on WDIV-TV in Detroit.
The leading title sponsor for last year‘s
successful documentary, Detroit: Our Greatest
Generation, American House founder Bob
Gillette, has committed to support Our Vietnam
Generation as one of the title presenting
sponsors.
―It was a different kind of battle these
people were fighting,‖ said Gillette. ―The people
Page | 14
fighting in Vietnam were not given the ‗hero‘s
welcome‘ when they returned home like our
World War II veterans. This film is our
opportunity to do now what we should have
done then.‖
The Vietnam production was equally
inspirational as Mark and Jennifer visited
Hanoi‘s Children‘s Village to deliver Operation:
Exchange of Hearts, a special book of artwork
created by the children of Detroit Medical
Center. In exchange, Mark and Jennifer picked
up a book of drawings from the Hanoi children
to deliver back to the DMC.
Part of the documentary is the one-on-
one interview with American Ambassador to
Vietnam, Michael Michalak, who happens to be
from Rochester, Mich.
The documentary team also gained full
access to film at the Hoa Lo Prison ―Hanoi
Hilton‖ POW camp where Senator John McCain
was once held.
One of the most emotional wrenching
visits involved the Joint POW/MIA Accounting
Command (JPAC), a United States military
branch that relentlessly searches for missing
soldiers, both from the United States and from
U.S. allies.
Supporting the film so far are Keith
King, National Public Affairs Chair of the
Vietnam Veterans of America, American House
Senior Living Residences, Terry Desmond of
A.J. Desmond Funeral Homes, Joe Vicari of
Andiamo Restaurant Group Inc., DS Properties,
Lakeshore Engineering Services, WDIV-TV,
News/Talk WJR 760, HOUR Magazine, Digital
Image Studios, Gallagher-Kaiser, Vietnam
Some Useful Links
Air Force Times-
http://www.airforcetimes.com/
Navy Times-
http://www.navytimes.com/
Marine Corps Times-
http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/
Army Times-
http://www.armytimes.com/
Military Times-
http://www.militarytimes.com/
TRICARE-
http://www.tricare.mil/
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Not authorized by any candidate or candidate‘s committee.
520 Seymour Street, Lansing, MI 48933
Battlefield Tours, Knot Just A Bar, The Medical
Team, Advanced Care and Disabled American
Veterans.
For more information and updates on Our
Vietnam Generation, visit
www.ourvietnamgeneration.com
HOW BIG IS YOUR FAMILY?
By: Larry Harr, MSgt, USAF Ret.
As any veteran should know, you
always have a military family. Do you
remember when you first came home from
active duty ready to settle into ‗civilian life‘? It
has been a difficult transition for many. As hard
as immediate family members may try,
something is missing. I remember my first week
home trying so hard to strike up a conversation
with my parents and sisters. It was difficult for
them to relate to what I was saying: military
acronyms and the ‗whole nine yards‘. I‘ll admit
I had a tough time fitting into their social life
meeting friends, ‗bar hopping‘ and even having
weekends off. Personally, it took over a year for
me to finally feel like I belonged to my family
again. As the months went by, it was great if I
met anyone who had served, regardless of the
branch of service, so we could talk about the
AFSC‘s or MOS‘s, TDY‘s, ETS‘s; well you get
the picture.
I recently met an Army Ranger who, for
the past 6 months, had been at Walter Reed
Army Medical Center with injuries he sustained
in Afghanistan. He began telling me what had
happened. He said that shrapnel from an IED hit
him in the back and some of his disks had to be
fused so he was learning to walk again but with
very numb legs. I could tell by his excitement
he was glad he could again share his story with a
fellow serviceman. As we talked he asked me
what I did to fit back in and I just told him ‗seek
out and talk to a Vet!‘ I told him he could stop
by and talk to me anytime. This is just a small
example of how important it is for us veterans to
share the memories.
Every two years my old unit has a
reunion which is held at retired USAF Lt. Col
Hank Fuhs‘ home. Many retired members and
even some
active
Page | 15
members join in the festivities. A few come
military family and recognize those who have
given so much for the freedoms of
this great country. So the next
time you happen to bump into a
fellow vet, share some memories
and mission stories and enjoy
each other as ‗family‘. You‘ll be
glad you did!

In Closing
Thank you for your service to our
country. Men and Women like
you are what make this nation
great.
We hope everyone‘s‘
from across the country to be with the ‗family‘ summer is going well and had a
again. The photos come out and the stories soon Great 4th! Please keep in mind that it is with the
follow. The stories range from serious to totally help of all of who read and share ideas with the
gut splitting-fall down laughing tales. Of newsletter that we are able to continue to grow
course, food is as plentiful as the stories. and reach more people. Thank you everyone for
Everyone brings their special dish to pass so all the help you have given us so far.
everything from appetizers to desserts is If you have anything you would like
available. We make sure we have current to share, any questions, or have an article
addresses/emails so we can stay in touch and idea, please let me know. You can contact
keep everyone in the loop about upcoming me anytime at mhauser@migop.org
events. At 1400hrs, we all raise a glass to salute
our fallen comrades with great respect and Sincerely,
thankfulness for having known them.
Even though only a couple of years Matthew X. Hauser
separate the reunions, we never grow tired of If you don‘t want to receive these emails
telling tales and sharing the memories time and please Click Here.
time again AND we always have new pictures to
show.
We can all take pride in being part of the
Staff
Layout- Matthew X. Hauser (mhauser@migop.org)
Writers- Larry Harr Msgt USAF Retired
Denny Gillem Lt. Col., US Army, Retired
Claude McManus Command Master Chief
(Surface Warfare), USN, Retired
Sean M. Furr Specialist 4, US Army Veteran
Sherry Swann Secretary of Fort Custer
Advisory Committee and Event
Coordinator
Sam Cottle Michigan State Captain Patriot
Guard Riders
Sandra Eggers Family Service Counselor
Oakland Hills Memorial Park
Gary Lillie, MCB3, Chu Lai, RVN '66
John Arend, SGT, USMC
Remember July 27th: National Korean Publisher- HankRegulated
Fuhs Lt. Col., USAF, Retired, ANG
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War Veterans‘ Armistice Day Funds.
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520 Seymour Street, Lansing, MI 48933