From: jewell@mace.cc.purdue.edu (Larry Jewell)
Newsgroups: soc.veterans,alt.war.vietnam
Subject: 'NamVet Newsletter, Vol.5, no.1 (7/7)
Date: 27 Sep 92 11:22:25 GMT
Followup-To: soc.veterans
Organization: Purdue University


     (307) 235-8010                    (307) 778-2660
     





















     NAM VET Newsletter                                        Page 93
     Volume  5, Number  1                             January 21, 1991



     =================================================================
     C o n c e n t r a t e d   I V V E C / N a m V e t   S e r v i c e
     =================================================================

                 If Mohammed won't come to the mountain...
                                   __________
                                   \  NamVet \
                               _____) Service )_____
                     _________(____(_________(_____(@)
                     )                    )    gjp
                    / O O O O O O O O O/_/|
                   /<> O O O O O O O O O/ |
                  /MM O O O O O O O  MM/  |
                 /   ___________      /  .
                /O  (___________) O O/.       20 Jan 91
               (====================(
     
     January 12, 1991 provided some new directions and concentrations 
     for our NamVet/IVVEC service department.  The Board of Directors 
     of Berkshire Veterans' Center, Inc. (a sponsor of VIETNAM_VETS, 
     NamVet and VETLink #1) had its first national meeting at Herndon, 
     Virginia.  The "tools" of providing direct, rapid and prompt 
     service to our nations veterans were discussed and elaborated 
     upon.  We will be seeing some new and positive changes coming 
     about in the upcoming months.  
     
     In our regular NamVet sections we try to keep the focus on issues 
     that concern all of our veterans in a "national" scope.  Here in 
     the NamVet Service Department, usin' the Managing Editor's own 
     experiences (talk about NIGHTMARES! <grin> as a "teaching 
     example," we began this department by tryin' to share with you 
     some of the many things that STILL occur today in the job market, 
     in the housing field, in the educational and vocational 
     rehabilitation fields.  
      
     In addition to our ongoing service reported in previous months, we 
     are now involved in helping other veterans obtain employment and, 
     in some instances, vocational rehabilitation.  Following this 
     article are reproduced two letters regarding both issues.  Lastly, 
     for this month's articles, we're including a recent letter from 
     our Congressman Conte informing us that the VA cannot fund the 
     outreach and service efforts that have been underway at VETLink #1 
     for the past few years.
     
     EMPLOYMENT WITH THE USPO, detailed in previous issues of NamVet:  
     The veteran was scheduled for a physical at Springfield, MA.  
     Almost as per written script, the attending physician asked for a 
     release of information for records from the Veterans 
     Administration describing the veterans' disabilities, was given 
     same, and now waits for notification as to whether or not he will 
     be deemed employable.  Since the lifting requirements for a 
     custodian's position are that the applicant be able to lift a 
     minimum of 70lbs and the VA repeatedly states that the veteran 
     cannot lift more than 5-15lbs, it does not seem likely the veteran 
     will gain employment.
     
     Re the Personal Hearing discussed in last month's service section, 
     the veteran did appear at Boston, MA 1/2/91, met with his 
     representative, and presented himself and his disabilities to the 
     
     NAM VET Newsletter                                        Page 94
     Volume  5, Number  1                             January 21, 1991

     Veterans Administration.  The veteran, keeping in mind all 
     veterans who appear before the VA, said, in effect, "I don't know 
     WHY, VA, you take such an adversarial role towards veterans who 
     approach you requesting the service that was promised upon the 
     enlistment of each.  If we're (the veterans) guilty of ANYTHING, 
     its only of being proud Americans who put their lives on-the-line 
     to protect and preserve this country's way of life."  Will keep 
     you posted on the outcome of this.
     
     And, finally, BERKSHIRE VETERANS' CENTER, INC., begun 1/22/85 and 
     persisting up until now, has received its federal Letter of 
     Determination acknowledging its existence as a nonprofit, tax-
     exempt corporation - dedicated and committed to veterans and the 
     issues that concern them!  We'd like to thank each and every one 
     of you that have helped us provide the service so long ago 
     envisioned when first a veteran discovered that s/he could 
     communicate via computer!
     
     If you or any veteran/dependent that you are in close touch 
     with have a need for veterans' services or benefit information, 
     please contact us at VETLink #1 BBS (413) 443-6313 ... or write:
     
                     BERKSHIRE VETERANS' CENTER, INC.
                           Post Office Box 2056
                           Pittsfield, MA 01202
     
     I will keep you all apprised of any changes in any of the above 
     situations.  We're working HARD to see that ALL veterans receive 
     what they rightfully earned when they put their lives on-the-line 
     for America!!!
     
                         Ci'ao for Ni'ao
     
                              -Joe-
     
























     NAM VET Newsletter                                        Page 95
     Volume  5, Number  1                             January 21, 1991

                           4 January 91
     
     Mr. Peter Baglio, Director
     Veterans Administration Medical Center
     Tremont Avenue & S. Center
     East Orange, New Jersey  07019
     
                       Re: XXXXXXXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX  SSN XXXXXXXXXXX
                           XXXXXX XXXXXX XXXXXXXX XX XXXXX
     
     Dear Director Baglio:
     
     I am writing to you concerning reported difficulties of the above-
     mentioned XX%  service-connected disabled veteran and his attempts
     to  acquire  gainful  employment  at your facility  as  a  XXXXXXX 
     XXXXXXXXXX.    I   am  especially  concerned  when,   knowing  and 
     knowledgeable  of veteran benefits outlined in PL 98-77 and in the 
     Veterans Readjustment Act of 1974, your Personnel Department chose 
     to  fill the vacant position of XXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXX with a civilian 
     non-veteran  already  in  possession of employment  while  veteran 
     XXXXXXXX,  unemployed  much  longer than the  15-week  requirement 
     (since  7  Nov 89),  was apparently not considered for even a  VRA 
     appointment and/or trial period.
     
     On the surface, disabled veteran XXXXXXXX's resume and credentials 
     appear  to  more  than  qualify him  for  a  XXXXXXX  XXXXXXXXXX's 
     position.   Is/was  there some other criteria not specified in  VA 
     Regulations,  that  was  utilized in the filling of this  position 
     which  caused the special consideration given to Vietnam  veterans 
     to be overlooked in this instance?
     
     As  one  who is involved with veterans and their dependents  on  a 
     daily  and  almost  minute-by-minute  nationwide  basis,  I  would 
     appreciate   your  every  speedy  involvement  in  the   veterans' 
     situation  and  your prompt reply to this proud disabled  veterans 
     unfortunate dilemma.
     
            Yours, In Service to America ... and my fellow man
                   In kindness, honesty, and good faith
     
                                    /S/
     
                              G. Joseph Peck
                         President/Service Officer
               Berkshire Veterans' Center, Inc. / VETLink #1
     
     GJP/jct
     cc    Files
           Mr. XXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXX
     









     NAM VET Newsletter                                        Page 96
     Volume  5, Number  1                             January 21, 1991

                               4 January 91
     
     The Honorable
       Robert A. Roe, Member of Congress
     Law Building
     66 Hamilton Street - Room 102
     Patterson, New Jersey  07505-5152
     
                       Re: XXXXXXXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX  SSN XXXXXXXXXXX
                           XXXXXX XXXXXX XXXXXXXX XX XXXXX
     
     Dear Congressman Roe:
     
     I  am  writing to you concerning the reported difficulties of  the 
     above-mentioned  XX%  service-connected  disabled veteran and  his
     attempts  to a)  acquire gainful employment,  and/or b)  become  a 
     participant  in a program of VA Vocational Rehabilitation to which 
     his degree of service-incurred disability entitles him.
     
     Unemployed  since 7 Nov 89,  Mr.  XXXXXXXX reports that he visited 
     your  office  on or about 13 Nov 90 and was assured by your  aide, 
     XXXXX  XXXXXXXX,  that his complaints of "a civilian rather than a 
     disabled  veteran  being hired"  at the East Orange VAMC would  be 
     looked  into -  as well as the lack of response he had received to 
     his  application  for  entry  into  a  program  of  VA  Vocational 
     Rehabilitation.
     
     On  28 Dec 90,  Mr.  XXXXXXXX appeared at your office to ask for a 
     copy  of  the letter sent to him by East Orange VA Director  Peter 
     Baglio.  Your aide XXXXX XXXXXXXX was apparently in Washington, DC 
     and  a  search  of  every available file  and/or  indexing  system 
     revealed  no  information to be found relative to his  case.   The 
     veteran  reportedly  has heard nothing from the VA concerning  his 
     claim for Vocational Rehabilitation or WHY a non-veteran was hired 
     for the position at the East Orange VAMC.
     
     As  one  who is involved with veterans and their dependents  on  a 
     nationwide basis, I would appreciate your every speedy involvement 
     and reply in this proud disabled veterans situation.
     
            Yours, In Service to America ... and my fellow man
                   In kindness, honesty, and good faith
     
                                    /S/
     
                              G. Joseph Peck
                         President/Service Officer
               Berkshire Veterans' Center, Inc. / VETLink #1
     
     GJP/jct
     cc    Files
           Mr. XXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXX
     






     NAM VET Newsletter                                        Page 97
     Volume  5, Number  1                             January 21, 1991

                           VA can't help BBSs...
     SILVIO O. CONTE                                 WASHINGTON ADDRESS
     First District, Massachusetts         2300 Rayburn Office Building
                                                  Washington, DC  20515
     COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS                    Phone: 202-225-5335
     Ranking Republican Member
                       CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES
                         HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
                           WASHINGTON, DC  20515
     SUBCOMMITTEES
     Labor - Health and Human                          DISTRICT OFFICES
      Services - Education                             Federal Building
     Transportation                           78 Center Street Arterial
                                                   Pittsfield, MA 01201
     LEGISLATIVE                                    Phone: 413-442-0946
     Ex Officio Member
     Of All Subcommittees                               187 High Street
                                                     Holyoke, MA  01040
     COMMITTEE ON SMALL BUSINESS                    Phone: 413-532-7010
     Subcommittee on
     Procurement, Innovation, and
     Minority Enterprises Development
     MIGRATORY BIRD
     CONSERVATION COMMISSION
                              January 8, 1991
     BOARD OF REGENTS 
     SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION       
     
     Mr. G. Joseph Peck
     XXX XXXX Street
     Pittsfield, Massachusetts  01201
     
     Dear Mr. Peck:
     
      I  would like to take this opportunity to touch base with you and 
     update  you  on  the  latest action I have taken  on  your  behalf 
     regarding  a federal grant from the Department of Veterans Affairs 
     for Berkshire Veterans Center, Incorporated.
     
     I  am  in  receipt of a response from  Mr.  Edward  J.  Derwinski, 
     Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs.   He has informed 
     me  that while he feels the projects in which you are engaged  may 
     be  worthwhile,  the  Veterans  Administration does not  have  the 
     statutory authority ot make grants for such projects.
     
     By  federal law,  Veterans Administration grants are limited to  a 
     narrow  range of projects,  such as those involving assistance  to 
     VA-affiliated  state  medical  schools and other  health  manpower 
     training  institutions.   Unfortunately,  VETLink #1 does not meet 
     these requirements.
     
     I  regret that this matter did not have a more favorable  outcome.  
     Should you find yourself in need of any further assistance, please 
     do not hesitate to contact me through my Pittsfield Office.
     
     With my best wishes and warm regards, I remain
     
                             Cordially yours,
                                    /s/
     
     NAM VET Newsletter                                        Page 98
     Volume  5, Number  1                             January 21, 1991

                              Silvio O. Conte
                            Member of Congress
     SOC:bjl
     























































     NAM VET Newsletter                                        Page 99
     Volume  5, Number  1                             January 21, 1991



     =================================================================
              P l e a s e   k e e p   t h i s   i n   m i n d
     =================================================================

                            The Unknown Soldier
                       By Patty O'Grady Aloot, Ph.D.
            Dedicated in honor of her father, Col. John O'Grady
                          Input by G. Joseph Peck
                         NamVet's Managing Editor
                        VETLink #1 - Pittsfield, MA  
                              (413) 443-6313
     
                          I'm the unknown soldier
                          Who you refuse to know
                      I'm the brother and the friend
                           You left so long ago.
     
                        I'm a farmer from Missouri
                          A soldier from St. Paul
                           I'm my sister's hero
                          I'm a name on the wall.
     
                          I'm the unknown soldier
                          The one you left behind
                      I'[m the country boy from Texas
                       Who you never tried to find.
     
                       I'm someone's long-lost daddy
                       I'm my father's pride and joy
                       I was someone's gentle lover
                         And someone's little boy.
     
                          I'm the unknown soldier
                        With no more tears to shed
                      I'm the ghost of Christmas past
                           I'm the living dead.
     
                        I'm a sailor and a scholar
                      I'm the boy who lived next door
                       I'm the poet and the dropout
                        You sent to fight your war.
     
                          I'm the unknown soldier
                        Who dreamed you'd rescue me
                        I'm the man who understands
                       Only death will set me free.
     
                       How could you just forget me?
                         Should I forget you too?
                       You must try to bring me home
                           For I belong to you.
     
                          I'm the unknown soldier
                        Whose cries are all in vain
                       Would you finally come for me
                        If you could feel my pain?
     
                        My country has betrayed me
                           But I've forgiven you
     
     NAM VET Newsletter                                        Page 100
     Volume  5, Number  1                             January 21, 1991

                      And, every night I pray to God
                        That He'll forgive you too.
     
                         I'm tired and I'm hungry
                          I'm lonely and I'm cold
                          I'm the unknown soldier
                        Who's been bought and sold
     
                       If you would look around you
                           You would see my face
                       That man standing next to you
                        Could be here in my place.
     
                          I'm the Unknown soldier
                         The one for who you cried
                      I'm the one that you can't face
                        The one they told you died.
     
                        We fought that war together
                            At Mugia and Pleiku
                       Had you been the one we left
                        I would have come for you.
     
                          I'm the unknown soldier
                           Who longs to be free
                        When you called I answered
                          Now will you answer me?
     
                       I want to lie down beside you
                        I want to die in your arms
                        I just want you to hold me
                         And, help me to hang on.
     
                          I'm the unknown soldier
                          The one you threw away
                            Some call me POW...
                            Some call me MIA...
     
                   It is Never Too Late to Honor A Hero
     



















     NAM VET Newsletter                                        Page 101
     Volume  5, Number  1                             January 21, 1991

     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
         Some Gave ALL ...                      Some Still Give!!!
     
     
     
               O                                      O
                O                    SOME GAVE ALL  ...
         ________O__________________________________O______________
        !         O                                O               !
        ! pow mia pow mia - BRING THEM HOME NOW! - pow mia pow mia !
        !           O                            O                 !
        ! ~~~~~ ~ ~  O~   ~~~ ~~ ~~ ~~~~~~ ~~~~ O ~~ ~ ~~~~ ~~~ ~~ !
        ! ~~~~ ~ ~~   O ~~~~ ~~~ ~~~  ~~~  ~~ ~O~~~ ~~~  ~ ~~~~ ~~ !
        ! ~ ~~ ~  ~~ ~ O~ ~~ ~~~ ~~~~ ~~~ ~~~ O ~~~ ~~~ ~~~~ ~~~ ~ !
        ! ~~~  ~~ ~~ ~  O ~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~~ ~~ O ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~ ~ !
        ! ~~ ~~ ~~~ ~~ ~ O ~~ ~~~~ ~~~~ ~~~ O ~ ~~~ ~~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~ !
        !  ~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~  O ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~  O ~ ~~ ~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~ ~~ !
        ! ~  ~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~  O ~_~_~_~_~_ ~ O ~  ~~~~ ~ ~ ~~~ ~~ ~~  !
        ! ~~~ ~ ~ ~~~ ~~ ~  O          ) O ~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~~ !
        ! ~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ /(O)       / O \ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~~ ~ ~ !
        ! ~ ~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~  /          / O   \~~~~ ~~ ~~~~~ ~~~ ~~ ~ !
        !  ~~ ~ ~  ~~ ~~ / PRISONER /       \~~ ~~ ~~ ~~~ ~ ~~~~~~ !
        ! ~  ~~ ~~ ~~ ~ /          / MISSING \~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~~ ~ ~~ !
        ! ~~~  ~ ~~ ~~ /   OF     /\          \~~ ~~ ~~~ ~~ ~~~~ ~ !
        ! ~ ~~~~ ~~ ~ /          /  \   IN     \~ ~~~~ ~~ ~~~ ~~~  !
        ! ~~~  ~~~ ~ /    WAR   / ~~ \          \  ~~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ !
        ! ~ ~~ ~~ ~ /          / ~ ~~ \  ACTION /  ~~ ~~ ~~~ ~~ ~~ !
        ! ~~ ~~ ~~~(__________/ ~~ ~~~ \       /   ~~~~~ ~~~~ ~~~~ !
        ! ~~~~~ ~~ ~ ~~ ~~ ~ ~ ~~ ~ ~~~ \     /  ~~ ~~~ ~~ ~~~ ~~~ !
        ! ~~ ~~ ~~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~~ ~~ ~~~ \   / ~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~~~~~  !
        ! ~~~ ~~~ ~~~~ ~~ ~~~~ ~~~ ~~ ~~~ \ /~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~ ~  !
        ! ~ ~~ ~~~ ~~ ~~ ~~~ ~~~~ ~~ ~~~ ~ ~~~ ~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~ ~~ ~~
        !  ~~ ~~~ ~~~~ ~~~ ~~ ~ ~~~ ~~ ~~~~~~~ ~~~~ ~~~ ~ SOME STILL GIVE
        ! ~ ~~ ~~~~ ~~~~ ~~~~ ~~~ ~~~~ ~~~~ ~~~ ~~~~ ~~~~
        ! ~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~ ~ ~~~~ ~~~ ~~~~ !
        ! mia pow mia pow - BRING THEM HOME NOW! - mia pow mia pow !
        !__________________________________________________________!
     
     
     
     
     
     









     NAM VET Newsletter                                        Page 102

-- 
#L.W. Jewell Moderator at the Veterans Information Site (veteran@cc.purdue.edu)#
#& WWII-L Listowner: "Sunday's horoscope is note worthy because of its strange,#
#sudden and wholly unpredictable and inexplicable occurrences, affecting all   #
#phases of life." "Your Horoscope" L.A. Evening Herald Express, Sat, 12/06/41  #