Western New York

Chapter 77Tonawanda, New York

Mail Call:

As always, May remained a busy month for the chapter. It started with the renaming of Twin City Highway (the highway that runs from the City of Tonawanda into the City of North Tonawanda) to the “Twin Cities Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway. This is a great honor for all the Vietnam Veterans in the Western New York.

Memorial Day weekend we all took time to remember our brothers and sisters who gave their lives for this country. On Friday, the American Legion Post 264 requested the Chapter’s color guard to present the POW/MIA table for their remembrance celebration.

Sunday morning the chapter participated in the bridge ceremony between the Cities of Tonawanda and North Tonawanda. This annual ceremony honored and saluted men and women who gave the ultimate sacrifice in war. Later on that day, the color guard marched in the City of Tonawanda’s Memorial Day parade (as you can see directly below).

On Monday, Memorial Day, we had our remembrance service down at our monument on the waterfront. The event was well attended by our members as well as the general public. The service included presentation of the POW/MIA table, rifle salute, and the playing of taps. I want to thank all who took part in this.

Although summer is here the Chapter will remain involved in a few events. First the Canal Fest that runs from July 19th till the 25th. Then on September 6 the car show. We really need volunteers to assist with both events.

I want to wish all a fun and safe summer.

July - September 2015

Notes From the PresidentBy Mike Walker

At least we are in step

VVA CHAPTER 77 LEADERSHIP(Terms of office are from April 2014 to April 2016)

OFFICERSPresident Mike Walker 693.44791st Vice President Ed Bodine 693.44792nd Vice President Tom Konopka 693.4479Secretary Ron Sado 693.4479Treasurer Paul Pietrowski 693.4479Service Officer Bob Garcia NYS Council Pres. AVVA Linda Sopic 683.0051

Joe Pasek 693-4447Paul Pietrowski 693-4447Paul Pietrowski 694-6052Larry Covert 823-9118John Heffernan 693-4479

Tom Konopka 694-0857Al Schreier 694-3441Al Brusetti 636-0338Pat Welch Mike Walker 693-4447Mike Walker 693-4447Paul Pietrowski 693-4447Paul Pietrowski 693-4447Paul Pietrowski 693-4447 Patrick Welch 688-0129Larry Covert 823-9118Tom Konopka 693-4447Tom Konopka 693-4447Ed Bodine 693-4447

Agent Orange / Veterans AffairsColor GuardCommunity AffairsConstitution CommitteeScholarshipEmployment Training & Business TrainingGolf TournamentGovernment Affairs

Web MasterMembership

Museum CuratorPOW/MIA AffairsPTSDPublic AffairsNominating CommitteeVeterans BenefitsVA Hospital Reps.

STANDING COMMITTEES

SPECIAL DUTIESNY State VVA Paul Pietrowski Mike WalkerCouncil Delegates Ed Bodine (Alternate) Tom Konopka (Alternate)Newsletter Editor Mike Walker

DIRECTORSKen Berger (Hon.) 693.4479Peter Divergillo 693.4479John Heffernan 693.4479Eric Reimer 693.4479Tom Thompson 693.4479

Jim Burns 693.4479Guy Godios 693.4479Mike Marchese 693.4479Joe Pasek 693.4479

THE INNOCENT VICTIMS OF AGENT ORANGE By Joe Pasek Studies performed over three decades by the United States Center for Disease Control and Prevention found that among children of parents exposed to Agent Orange, a higher than normal rate of birth defects existed. Presently, Spina Bifida is the only birth defect recognized by the Veterans Administration as being associated to male veterans who came in contact with the toxic herbicide. The Toxic Exposure Research Act of 2015 would establish within the Dept. of Veterans Affairs, a national center for the diagnosis and treatment of health conditions born to descendants of veterans exposed to toxic substances. It must be recognized that the true cost of the Vietnam war did not end with the sacrifices of all who served during that conflict. There can not be a more devasting feeling than knowing our offspring inherited the cause of their ailments from us. If your Congressional representative has supported H.R.1769, thank him or her. If your representative has not, ask him or her why not ? We need our government to take care of our future generations.

PETER TYCZ FUND RAISERJust a short note to thank all of our volunteers and those who come out to support this great event. It looks like we will award 30 $250.00 scholarships this year ! john Heffernan has a full report in this newsletter, again thank you for your help and support.

CALENDAR OF EVENTSJULY 19 -26: CANAL FEST

SUNDAY JULY 19: OPENING DAY NOON- 10PM

MONDAY JULY 20: 4PM-10PM

TUESDAY JULY 21: PARADE 6PM NO TENT ON THE BRIDGE

WEDNESDAY JULY 22: 4PM-10PM

THURSDAY JULY 23: 4PM-10PM NO CHAPTER MEETING

FRIDAY JULY 24: 4PM-10PM

SATURDAY JULY 25: CRAFT SHOW WEEKEND 11AM-10PM

SUNDAY JULY 26: CRAFT SHOW 11AM-5PM

AUGUST 22: KIA ROAD MARCH FOOD DRIVE CHESTNUT RIDGE PARK HELP NEEDED TO LOAD FOOD ON SATURDAY AND HELP NEEDED SUNDAY AUGUST 23 TO UNLOAD AND SORT AT THE CHAPTER STARTING AT NOON.

NO CHAPTER MEETING FOR AUGUST, BOD MEETING ONLY ON AUGUST 20, 6PM

SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 6: “CLASSICS ON THE NIAGARA CAR SHOW” NIAWANDA PARK TONAWANDA 9AM-4PM

SEPTEMBER 17: BOD MEETING 6PM, GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING 7PM

NEWSLETTER BOOSTERSBooster

Bob RuettimannPeter Misner Paul Rudnicki Paul Pietrowski Mike Walker Mike SiemuchTom KonopkaEd BodinePete DiVergilioTom ThompsonBill St JeanTim HughesJames CedermanJim DonahueChuck MontzLance BeckerErnie ParentMike PanzicaJohn T. PenberthyArt RineKarl OertelAdam S. Zlotek Jr.Ed L. Frankiewicz Jr.Jim HughesDennis DraganJames E GoetzGeorge E. EssenburgPaul NeupertBob ClarkDavid ChesterJim RingJohn HeffernanBob GritzkeKathy CromwellDave BattagliaDavid SharpJames E. GoetzDennis DraganKeith YoungJames ValleryPhil ColumbusDennis TurkaszDavid McGeeinGerald ScottDan WaldeckDennis EggersPatrick WelchThomas SchroederRobert W. Gross Jr.Patrick KavanaghRon StaskiewiczBob DickersonJohn (Jack) WalterDavid BarrTom FalzaranoJerry Kasperek

Branch of service

USAUSAFUSAUSAUSAUSAFUSAUSAUSAUSAUSAUSNUSAUSAUSAUSAUSMCUSAFUSAFUSAUSAFUSMCUSNUSAUSMCUSAFUSAUSNUSN/USMCUSNUSAUSAUSAUSAFUSAUSAFUSAFUSMCUSAFUSAUSAUSAUSAFUSAUSAUSAUSMCUSAUSAUSAUSAUSAUSAUSMCCGUSNUSA

Unit

7/1 Air Cavalry107thJudge Advocate Long Binh 5th Maint. BN ,1st 2/1 Cav. Air PoliceAdvisory Team #99HHC II Field Forces132nd HACCo. B 504 MP Battalion101st ABD 82nd ABDUSS Castor AKS1321st Arty 101st AB1st Air CavUSARDA/WRAMC5th Maint. BN1st Marine Corps Dist107th61st FMS25th Inf. 1/27 Wolfhounds820/554 CES Redhorse“C” 3rd Tank Bn. 3rd Mar. Div.VAH-10 V-38D 1/8 1st Air Cav1st Engr. Battalion136 TFS 107th23rd Medical Americal DivUSS Repose AH-1611th Motor TransportUSS Estes AG-12 USS Chicago CG-11362 Signal Co. 1st Signal Co.Combat Engineer5/60 Mech. Inf. 9th DivMed. Corp.1st BN 27th FA12th AMES 136TFS 107th 1st Engr. Battalion632nd & 12th Combat Police666th Trans. Co.1st Log Com.2nd/ 327th Inf. 101st AB107th48th Trans GRP 6th Trans BNC Troop 7/1 Air Cav9th Trans Man. CAR ABC 1/1 Marines3/8th 4th Inf.4th/39th 9th Inf.1st Bn. 5th Mech. 1st Bn. 11th InfCo. A 94th Engineers1st Bn 37th FA1st Air Cav.1st Bn 5th Marines 1st Mar. DivNSADCo. A 1/52 198th Inf

Years

1968-691968-691969-701966-671969-701966-701967-681968-6919691967-681967-681966-6719691968-6919721970-711971-011968-691962-661968-691972-761966-6719701969-701966-671968-691970-711969-701968-691960-671967-681971-721966-671963-651967-681967-681968-691966-671970-711970-711968-691969-701967-691967-681968-691967-691964-671966-681968-691968-691967-691967-691969-701970-711970-71

NEWSLETTER BOOSTER FORMFill out and submit with a check for $12 payable to the chapter.

Name:__________________________________________________ Branch:________________________________________

Unit:___________________________________________________ Year:__________________________________________

MEMBERSHIPOur membership is still over 600 with 602 members to date. WELCOME HOME TO NEW MEMBERS, ARTHUR CAGNEY, MARTIN GRISANTI AND MIKE STRAW. I am happy to report we had no deaths this quarter. We have 375 Life Members, if you are renewing your membership please consider a Life membership, we are at that magic age of over 66 and the cost is $150.00.

NEWSLETTER BOOSTER FORMWell next newsletter will be your first year with boosters. The following need to renew your booster:

Jim Ring, Don Nowicki, Roger Mazikowski, John Heffernan, Steve Kemna, Chuck Monytz, Ernie Parent, Lance Becker, Mike Panzica, John T Penberthy. This money is used to get the newsletter done by a pro.

Payment needed by June 15.

Carl MalczewskiLance BeckerEmery C. SwanDennis DraganPaul NeupertDavid ChesterJohn SmithRuss DevesoSteve KemaMarshall & Mary WoodRobert Metz

USAUSAUSAUSMCUSNUSNUSAUSNUSAFUSAFUSA

6/1 Inf. 9th Div.5th Maint. Bn.1st Air Cav. 165th Trans.1st Engr. BattalionU.S.S Repose (AH-16)U.S.S. Chicago (CG-11)9th M.I. Det. 9th Inf. Div.USS Damato DD 87190 SMW 321st SMWMedical84th Engineers

1969-711970-711971-721966-671969-701964-671968-691967-681973-82 1964-651965-66

Booster Branch of service Unit Years

NEWSLETTER BOOSTERS continued

Past Presidents, Memorial Day, Al Brusetti, Pat Welch, Greg Cain, Paul Pietrowski,

Tom Konopka and Al Schrier.

Renaming the Twin Cities Highway to Twin Cities Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway.

CHAPTER 77 GOLF OUTING AT CHESTNUT HILL

The Big Unit and his buddy the Little Unit

Greg and Sheila Cain at the check in table

TYCZ SCHOLARSHIP UPDATEThis year 74 seniors from High Schools in Erie and Niagara Counties applied for the Peter P. Tycz III Memorial Scholarship. Fundraising has allowed us to present a record 32 scholarships. Since the beginning of the program in 2005 we have presented 255 $250 scholarships for a total of $63,750. Congratulations to this year’s winners.

Justin Adams: Niagara Wheatfield High SchoolShannon Bermingham: Orchard Park High SchoolJaelyn Baldon: Hutchinson Central Technical High SchoolSierra Campbell: Newfane High SchoolCaroline Connolly: Newfane High SchoolBritini D’Angelo: Mount St. Mary AcademyTami Decker: North Tonawanda High SchoolMadison Dent: Royalton Hartland High SchoolDominic DiFiglia: Niagara Wheatfield High SchoolJacob Eoute: Lewiston Porter High SchoolGarrett Gardner: Tonawanda High SchoolJacob Graca: Wilson High SchoolGunnar Haberl: Iroquois High SchoolLauren Isherwood: Lockport High SchoolAutumn Jenks: Kenmore West High SchoolHolly Lang: Cheektowaga Central High SchoolAlicia Mendoza: Clarence High SchoolSerena Nichols: Niagara Falls High SchoolColleen O’Connor: Orchard Park High SchoolAlexander Percy: Clarence High SchoolAntoinette Polk: Niagara Falls High SchoolErika Pomplun: North Tonawanda High SchoolLucas Post: Kenmore West High SchoolCasey Radomski: Lewiston Porter High SchoolJenna Roth: Lake Shore High SchoolZachary Russell: Newfane High SchoolEvan Shank: Wilson High SchoolTara Struebel: Mount Mercy AcademyMeghan Thomas: Grand Island High SchoolBenjamin Touma: Amherst Central High SchoolBrianna Tutuska: Eden High SchoolTiffany Tycz: Niagara Wheatfield High School

KIDS DAY 2015 By Ron SadoApril 28th was Kids Day, and as usual The Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 77 was out on the corner of Porter and Niagara selling the Buffalo News to help Womans and Childrens Hospital of Buffalo. This year we were given 400 papers to sell and was able to sell most of them. We turned over total of $537.00 to help hospital.

I would like to thank all of the members that came out to help. It was as usual a great success. Thank you all and yes we will do it again next year.

Non Profit Org.U.S. Postage

PAIDPermit #2

Tonawanda, NY 14150

Vietnam Veterans of AmericaWNY Chapter 7747 Main St.Tonawanda, NY 14150

APPLICATION FOR MEMBERSHIPPlease send this application, with you dues payment and a copy of your DD-214 to: VVA Chapter 77, 47 Main St., Tonawanda, NY 14150

Name___________________________________________ Male ___Female___ Date of Birth________________________________Address_________________________________________ e-mail address_________________________________________________City____________________________________________ State_____________________ Zip__________________________Telephone number________________________________ Sponsor (optional) _____________________________________________

Membership Type: ____Individual – 1 year $20 ____Individual Member – 3 years $50

Life Member: ____$250 (age 49 and under) ___$225 (age 50 – 55) ___ $200 (age 56 – 60) ____$175 (age 61 – 65) ___$150 (age 66 - 71) ___ $100 (age 71+) ____Time Payment Plan: $50 down, $25 per month

Eligibility: Membership is open to U.S. armed forces veterans who served on active duty (for other than training purposes) in the Republic of Vietnam between February 28, 1961 and May 7, 1975, or in any duty location between August 5, 1964 and May 7, 1975. You must submit a copy of your DD-214 with this membership application.

Signature: ___________________________________________________________________ Date: ____________________________

___I am a spouse, family member or friend of a Vietnam veteran and would like membership information about the Associates of Vietnam Veterans of America.___I would like information on membership for permanently hospitalized Vietnam veterans.___I would like information on membership for incarcerated Vietnam veterans.___I want to help Vietnam veterans and their families. Please accept my tax-deductible donation: __$10 __$20 __$50 __Other: $_____

(VVA is a non-profit, veteran’s service organization. Programs and services are funded by member dues and public donations.)