Texas BBQ Fundraiser plus

Funeral Arrangement for George Haussman.

  

To our membership:

          I am greatly saddened to inform our membership that the President of VVA Chapter 17, George Haussmann, peacefully passed away Saturday, October 13, 2018 at his home in Las Vegas, NV. He is survived by his daughter Lacey and granddaughter Arwen.

          The “Patriot Guard”, will be giving George’s remains a procession from our Chapter (6424 W. Cheyenne Ave. Las Vegas, NV) to the Cemetery. If you would like to join in, please be here by 10:30 am.

Funeral services will be held at the Boulder City Veterans Cemetery on Tuesday, October 30, 2018 at 12:40 pm. Please wear your colors.

          After the services, everyone is welcomed to join the family at Chapter 17 for a Celebration of Life.

Thank You for Your Support

Andrew J LeDuc

Secretary, Chapter 17

United States Army Veteran

Mule: When bravery was abundant

Mule:  When bravery was abundant

James Earl Parker Jr., code name Mule was born October 25^th, 1942 in Rockingham, North Carolina.  He passed on October 9^th, 2018.  He was a friend and one of my favorite storytellers. A fellow member of China Post 1, he was the official historian of history in general. We often discussed someone from the past that had an impact on the world as we know it, perhaps the heroics of some who fought and died honorably for what they believed in, and several people we both knew or worked near over the years.   Not only did he contribute to the field of intelligence, but he was also a teacher of history and had that rare ability to help one measure the impact that one small operation or person had on much larger conflicts.  Our local groups, both formal and informal will miss Mule.  

The following is from his blog which is has been a refuge for me to retreat to over the years, “Muleorations” http://www.muleorations.com/about-the-author.html.  Jim wrote of his experiences in Vietnam, Laos and other areas of the world he experienced from his travels, people he worked with or knew, and his service in the U.S. Army and CIA.  

“When Jim was 15 years old he ran away from home, ending up in Havana, Cuba. His parents were not amused and not long after he returned he was enrolled in the Oak Ridge Military Academy for an attitude adjustment.

There he learned discipline but he was still driven by a-rambling', rambunctious curiosity; summers he worked as a Myrtle Beach lifeguard. He went on to UNC/Chapel Hill, played lacrosse, flunked out, went with a couple of buddies down to Managua, Nicaragua but was chased out by what would become the Sandinistas. He flew to Florida, worked at a Miami hotel, returned to college for one more semester before dropping out to join the US Army.

THE VIETNAM WAR ITS OWNSELF 2nd edition chronicles his Vietnam War experiences; Parker was among the first in as a 22-year-old Second Lieutenant Platoon Leader in 1965 and he was the last to leave in 1975. In between, he married, graduated UNC and joined the Central Intelligence Agency. His first CIA assignment was upcountry Laos where he led Hmong hills tribe guerrillas against two divisions of North Vietnamese mainline soldiers. His detailed account of this top secret activity was published in hardback by the Naval Institute Press, titled CODENAME MULE - reprinted in paperback by St Martin's Press as COVERT OPS.  His LAST MAN OUT also reports on his Vietnam experiences. 

After para-military chores in Laos/Vietnam, Parker went on to serve undercover as a case handler in the CIA’s Directorate of Operations, retiring in 1992.

He's been places and done things.

In the military, he received the Bronze Star with "V" and the Purple Heart. In the CIA, he received two Certificates of Outstanding Service, a Certificate of Distinction and the Intelligence Medal.

He went back to work for the CIA after 9/11, but re-retired to Las Vegas, Nevada.”

KESSLER'S COUNTRY HOMILIES is Parker's collection of funny stories he's picked up around the world."

Mule was to be awarded a lifetime achievement award in October 2018.  In addition to combat service in Southeast Asia, he has worked with the CIA in Africa, Central, and South America, and into our more recent conflict areas.  His field experiences positioned him well to improve security and to assist in recruiting new CIA HUMINT Case Officers.

The first 140 pages of the Vietnam War Its Ownself is titled Prelude and I believe is one of the best historical accounts I have read on the First and Second Indo-China Wars and those events between including World Wars and Korea.  To anyone with an interest in how we - America - became involved in Vietnam needs to read and understand this history.

Mule was a walking encyclopedia with special chapters on our history, operations, intelligence, conflicts, personalities, and their impact on all of us.  Over the years, when reading of something that didn't quite sound right or register, I would ask him for his opinion and always received a reply and once in a while, enlightenment. An example was his appreciation for the local nationals he worked with. 

 From his time in the First Infantry Division to a tour as a guerrilla leader among the Hmong in Laos, to when he was assigned to Vietnam in the latter war years; as well as he later assignments, he saw the desires of the local people to live free.  He spent most of his time in Vietnam in the Mekong Delta, in perhaps the least secure of any province there, Chuong Thien.  He worked daily with heroic Vietnamese military in those latter days when support was minimal but bravery was abundant. 

He dedicated his book to Vietnamese Army Generals he worked with - Tran Van Hai and Le Van Hung, heroes to the last.  His thoughts on the legacy of the Vietnam War - those who answered the call, served and sacrificed during difficult times demonstrated the principles of duty and country and the spirit of the Warrior. 

All of my service in Vietnam was with the local people and forces.  His book brought me clarity around some unusual missions and a feeling that this was but a costly battle lost in a larger war waged for a better world.  From his days of combat with the First Infantry Division in 1965 to 2 May 1975 as the last man out of Vietnam with the CIA, there are few that knew this AO as he did.

Any Southeast Asia hand should read his book.  You will not be sorry for that.  You will meet a man of honor.   A Warrior.

“Some people live an entire lifetime and wonder if they have ever made a difference in the world.  A Veteran doesn’t have that problem”                 Ronald Reagan

Lou  CSM Lou Rothenstein, US Army (Ret) Life Member China Post 1

Statement by Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Joseph F. Dunford, Jr. on the Passing of Senator John McCain

 

08/25/2018 08:42 PM CDT

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IMMEDIATE RELEASE
No. NR-248-18
Aug. 25, 2018

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Statement by Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Joseph F. Dunford, Jr. on the Passing of Senator John McCain

Statement by Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Joseph F. Dunford, Jr.:
"Senator McCain exemplified what it means to be a warrior and dedicated public servant. Both as a naval officer and as a member of Congress, he was a lifelong and tireless advocate for the men and women of the U.S. military.

"He traveled the world to meet personally with Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines and Coast Guardsmen, to hear what they had to say, and to see firsthand our military in action on the front lines. Senator McCain recognized the sacrifice and hardships military members and their families can experience and proudly served as their champion in Congress. He visited our nation's wounded warriors around the country to offer encouragement and to thank them for their service. Through his tenacious and selfless leadership in the Senate, he fought hard to ensure our Armed Forces remained strong and had the support and resources needed to succeed when placed in harm's way.

"While we mourn Senator McCain's passing, we are eternally grateful for his distinguished service to our nation, his advocacy of the U.S. military, and the incredible example he set for us all."

STAND UP FOR BILL (And Other Veterans and Their Families)

STAND UP FOR BILL

(And Other Veterans and Their Families)

I would like to create state and federal legislation that does the following:

1.  Directs the Veterans Administration (VA) and the Nevada Department of Veterans Services to create free, accredited continuing professional education (CPE) for civilian health care workers and paramedical case workers (including social workers and chaplains) on veterans health issues. 

2.  Directs all health care providers to change their intake forms and health questionnaires to ask if patients “had any US military service” in order to “begin the conversation”.   Self identified veterans should be asked to fill out an additional military questionnaire.  A proposed format is available.

3.  Directs the Department of Veterans Affairs to require that all health care workers (including VA health care workers and CHOICE doctors) be familiar with compensable diseases and disabilities so they can refer Vets and their families to the VA benefits office for evaluation and additional assistance. 

4.  Directs the VA and the Nevada Department of Veterans Services to use public service announcements and other media to reach out to veterans and their families to inform them about presumed connected disabilities and report back to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, the Nevada state governor and the veterans legislative committee annually on the effectiveness of these techniques.  

5.  Directs the VA and the Nevada Department of Veterans Services to prominently display flyers and other media on presumed connected disabilities to all offices that work with veterans and their families, including VA cemeteries.

6.  Directs the VA and the Nevada Department of Veterans Services to prominently display flyers and other media about survivor benefits to all offices that work with veterans and their families, including VA cemeteries.

7.  Directs the VA and the Nevada Department of Veterans Services to contact civilian support groups that routinely work with people who have one of the presumed connected disabilities (e.g. the American Heart Association, the American Lung Association or the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society) and work with them to identify veterans, children and grandchildren who have a disease presumed connected to military service. Identified veterans and family members should be referred to designated VA resources.  Records of these referrals should be rolled up to the governor, state legislative affairs committee and the Secretary of  Veterans Affairs on a yearly basis. 

8.  Directs each state to keep records and prepare a yearly report to the governor, the veterans legislative committee and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs evaluating the effectiveness of the training delivered, contacts made and media used to provide information to veterans, spouses and health care professionals.

WE MUST ACT NOW

•   We must make sure that Vietnam Veterans who have a presumed connected disease take full advantage of the benefits that they earned by their service to our country.

•   We must make sure that Vietnam Veteran survivors have access to the benefits that their loved one earned by their service to our country.

•   We must make sure that veterans from other conflicts such as the Korean War, the Gulf War, Iraq War, the war in Afghanistan, certain defense department projects and Camp Lejeune know about the diseases and disabilities presumed connected to their military service.

•    We must act now to protect the children and grandchildren of veterans who were exposed to toxic substances during their military service.

The VA has recognized certain cancers and other health problems as presumptive diseases associated with exposure to Agent Orange or other herbicides during military service. Veterans and their survivors may be eligible for benefits for these diseases.

•          AL Amyloidosis

•          A rare disease caused when an abnormal protein, amyloid, enters tissues or organs

•          Chronic B-cell Leukemias

•          A type of cancer which affects white blood cells

•          Chloracne (or similar acneform disease)

•          A skin condition that occurs soon after exposure to chemicals and looks like common forms of acne seen in teenagers. Under VA's rating regulations, it must be at least 10 percent disabling within one year of exposure to herbicides.

•          Diabetes Mellitus Type 2

•          A disease characterized by high blood sugar levels resulting from the body’s inability to respond properly to the hormone insulin

•          Hodgkin's Disease

•          A malignant lymphoma (cancer) characterized by progressive enlargement of the lymph nodes, liver, and spleen, and by progressive anemia

•          Ischemic Heart Disease

•          A disease characterized by a reduced supply of blood to the heart, that leads to chest pain also called coronary artery disease

•          Multiple Myeloma

•          A cancer of plasma cells, a type of white blood cell in bone marrow

•          Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma

•          A group of cancers that affect the lymph glands and other lymphatic tissue

•          Parkinson's Disease

•          A progressive disorder of the nervous system that affects muscle movement

•          Peripheral Neuropathy, Early-Onset

•          A nervous system condition that causes numbness, tingling, and motor weakness. Under VA's rating regulations, it must be at least 10 percent disabling within one year of herbicide exposure

•          Porphyria Cutanea Tarda

•          A disorder characterized by liver dysfunction and by thinning and blistering of the skin in sun-exposed areas. Under VA's rating regulations, it must be at least 10 percent disabling within one year of exposure to herbicides

•          Prostate Cancer

•          Cancer of the prostate; one of the most common cancers among men

•          Respiratory Cancers  (includes lung cancer)

            and cancers of the lung, larynx, trachea, and bronchus

•          Soft Tissue Sarcomas (other than osteosarcoma, chondrosarcoma, Kaposi's sarcoma, or mesothelioma) A group of different types of cancers in body tissues such as muscle, fat, blood and lymph vessels, and connective tissues

•          Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis aka Lou Gehrig’s disease causes the death of neuron controlling voluntary muscles.  This disease is associated with service in Vietnam.

If you would like to help me in this effort, or if you have ideas  on how to spread the word about presumed connected disabilities, please feel free to contact me.  I am Barbara Rodgick and I am the widow of an Agent Orange Vet.  My phone number is 425-442-7563 and my email address is barbara98065@gmail.com.  8/18/18

    

VA Medical Center - Bridge closure by NDOT on I-215 at Pecos Rd

Pecos Road/CC-215 bridge closure scheduled for July 1
VASNHS staff and Veterans will begin seeing major traffic changes around the VA Medical Center between North 5^th Street and Lamb Boulevard.
The first impact will be felt on July 1 as the current bridge in front of the VA Medical Center at 215 and Pecos Road closes for approximately four months for demolition and construction of a new bridge.

exit at Pecos Road, but will need to use S. Lamb Blvd. or Losee Rd. to travel westbound on the 215 from the facility.
Individuals traveling to the facility westbound on the 215 from I-15 will not be able to exit at Pecos. They will need to exit at S. Lamb Blvd. or Losee Road. Pecos Road will be open to eastbound traffic toward I-15 on the 215 from the facility during this phase of construction.
Those travelling to the VA Medical Center on I-15 North from Las Vegas are advised to exit at Lamb Blvd and take E. Centennial Pkwy to Pecos Road.
Engineering, Public Affairs and leadership will all work to keep staff and Veterans updated as construction progresses.

Suicide Prevention is Everyone’s Business.#BeThere.

"FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY (FOUO) - PRIVACY SENSITIVE. Any misuse or unauthorized disclosure may result in both civil and criminal penalties" Confidentiality Notice: This e-mail message, including any attachments, is for the sole use of the intended recipients and may contain confidential and privileged information. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure or distribution is prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender by reply e-mail and destroy all copies of the original message. This document is protected from disclosure by Title 10, United States Code, Section 1102 (1978).”

-

Len Yelinek

Commander, Department of Nevada

Military Order of the Purple Heart

(702) 362-7673-h    (702) 460-076

Help Us Spread the Word: Free Half-Day Seminar on Military Sexual Trauma

Dear State Commander or Veteran Advocate, 

NDVS, in partnership with the VA, will host a free, half-day seminar on Military Sexual Trauma (MST). The event will take place on Saturday, June 23 from 8:00 AM – 12:30 PM in the first floor auditorium of the VA Southern Nevada Health Care System building in North Las Vegas.

This informational seminar will be available to ALL, including survivors of Military Sexual Trauma as well as those who want to provide support to survivors.

The event is aimed at providing a greater understanding of MST as well as the resources and support available.  The seminar will be led by MST experts Dr. Nicole Anders, Psy.D of Las Vegas and Dr. Brian Potts, Clinical Psychologist of Nellis Air Force Base.

To register and save your seat go to: http://bit.ly/2I9pkma

or call 702-486-5627.

Attached is a flyer that includes both the registration and contact information. Please help us spread the word about this upcoming event! 

Respectfully,

Terri Hendry

Terri Hendry, Communications Director Nevada Department of Veterans Services work: (775)825-9755 cell: (775)771-2800 hendryt@veterans.nv.gov "Serving Nevada's Heroes"