South Alabama Veterans Council Newsletter - March
Lou Lartigue 471-4322 * Ray Chambless 476-6490 * Jim Jeffries 447-0974 * Bill Atkeison 649-2281 * Tom Schwarz 649-8459 Council President * Council VP/Meeting Mgr * Cemetery Liaison * Secretary / NewsLetter * Treasurer On the web — savc.net … and … Facebook — South Alabama Veterans Council Next Meeting; Tuesday, March 17, 2015 - 8:30AM k at Saucy-Q BBQ k Raphael Maharaj announced his retirement from City of Mobile “as of one hour ago.” Pete quickly reminded him “there is no retirement; only re-‐ assignment.” Raphael now has no excuse not to participate in lots of things … Change Order 015-‐525M: as rela-ng to Ceremonies for Memorial Day at Mobile Na-onal Ceme-‐ tery, and at Arlington South; delete all parts about “Big” and “Small” Ceremonies; As deter-‐ mined by The Powers That Be, both Ceremonies will henceforth and forever more be LARGE. Mobile will commence at 0830hrs and Spanish Fort at 1100hrs. <end of change order 015-‐525M> This year, Memorial Day falls on Monday, May 25.. For the first -me in the History thereof, at three months out, “everything is in place page# 1 please turn off the ringer on your cell phone before the meeting begins … this month’s special guest is Yet To Be Determined and ready. Well, almost everything.” Pete said. That is, everything except what isn’t. Ray Chambless has been keeping the telephone lines hot and has goYen commitments from a variety of People and Organiza-ons who will be a part of the Ceremony in Mobile. Jim Jeffries has put forth much effort in Spanish Fort and that program, also, is almost finalized; he has a confirma-on from Representa-ve Bradley Byrne to be the keynote speaker. More on these programs a]er we finalize a few loose ends. GOOD WORK, GUYS … Did nearly-‐retired Joel Weeks actually say he’s “looking forward to working with Veterans” … ? I expect we can put him to work … Aerofest 2015, at Brookley Aeroplex, March 20-‐21, a fes-val of music, bicycling, and MMA fights and more has been billed as a benefit for area Veterans; that claim is possibly not exactly accurate. It will be a big deal — 44 musical acts are scheduled (Lt Dan Band, Stage 1, 5:45PM, Saturday; Delta Reign, Stage 2, 2:00PM, Friday), there will be “an Expo that will be centered around rehabilita-on for injured Veterans and ci-zens. This component will generate knowledge and awareness for those with physical disabili-es. Whether a wounded Veteran returning from combat, or a civilian recovering from trauma-c injury.” except where otherwise noted, all photos by Bill Atkeison A custom motorcycle from Renegade Choppers of Orange Beach, AL will be given away in a raffle. Tickets are $10 each -‐ you don’t have to be present to win … get your -cket now or buy at the event. Lots of money will change hands; Mobile should benefit from an influx of folks and dollars. Mobile will garner a lot of aYen-on from TV, radio, print media and word of mouth. How much the Veterans will directly benefit is yet to be seen. No one has said just how much will go to the area Veterans. and just who that will be … ques-ons …. s-ll unanswered. Several groups have decided to not par-cipate in support or aYendance. We can only hope all will happen as adver-sed. Whether it will become an annual event is yet to be determined. The event is being sponsored by City of Mobile, the Airport Authority, Airbus and a few others. The name “Aerofest A320” was chosen by DigiPro Media group to reflect Airbus and their A320 aircra] . Dave Gassman of DigiPro said, “A for Airbus, 320 for March 20.” As an annual event it will always be on March 20. the A320 family of Airbus aircra] will be produced in Mobile with the first roll-‐out projected to be in March 2016. This year will be a “trial” event and a chance to work out any kinks and rough spots to make sure that next year is a Really Big Deal. 6, 2014 and was christened November 8, 2014, by Mary Sessions, wife of Senator Jeff Sessions. this is the sixth US Navy ship to be named after the capital city of Alabama. MONTGOMERY will be commissioned in Mobile. A total of 26 Independence-‐class LCS are to be built in Mobile. There are a few modiVications planned for this design and it may become a frigate at that time. USS TRENTON (JHSV 5), a Spearhead-‐class joint high speed vessel (JHSV) is a platform intended to support users in the Department of the Navy and USS TRENTON being brought out of Austal’s assembly building. —photo by US NAVY Department of the Army. The Joint High Speed Vessel (JHSV) program is a cooperative effort for a high-‐speed, shallow draft vessel intended for rapid intra-‐theater transport of medium-‐sized cargo payloads. The JHSV will reach speeds of 35– 45 knots (65–83 km/h; 40–52 mph) and will allow for the rapid transit and deployment of conventional or special forces as well as equipment and supplies. TRENTON is the Vifth of eleven JHSV to be built. TRENTON was launched from Austal September 30, 2014 and christened January 10, 2015; the commissioning date has not yet been released. Congress put some more money in the budget for Navy and Austal USA got some of it and are steady at work build-‐ ing boats. USS JACKSON (LCS 6) is the [the following from WKRG TV5, Mobile] Virst US Navy “Command Sergeant Major Bennie Adkins of ship named Opelika was the recipient of the Medal of for the USS INDEPENDENCE (LCS 2) the first LCS built at Honor in September 2014. But Adkins earned capital city Austal —photo from US NAVY the recogni-on in a baYle 48 years earlier, in the of Mississ-‐ A Shau Valley in Vietnam. ippi. She In M arch, 1966, he was part of a 17 member team was launched from Austal USA on December 14, of Green Berets at Camp A Shau, a special forces 2013. There will be a few ceremonies in Mobile camp right in the middle of the Ho Chi Minh Trail. It around this ship but JACKSON will be was overrun by an overwhelming number of North commissioned in Mississippi. Vietnamese soldiers. USS MONTGOMERY (LCS 8) was launched from Austal USA’s boat yard on the Mobile River August page# 2 Just about every one in the camp, that also included are blessed with Veterans from all Wars and all 410 indigenous Civilian Defense Forces soldiers, was Services. Two of our members have special wounded or distinction; Sy Lichtenfeld served with killed. Five of the Army during WWII and was cap-‐ the Special tured by the German Army; Glenn Forces soldiers Frazier served with the Army and was were killed. captured by the Japanese at the fall of Adkins had 18 the Philippines. wounds They fought in different conditions himself, yet against different enemies but share the fought back at bond of being Ex-‐POWs. the enemy Sy was taken prisoner after the Battle of using mortars the Bulge in Germany; he escaped and small captivity after arms. He's just Vive months credited with President Obama presents the Medal Of Honor when Russian 175 enemy forces came to SGM Bennie Adkins —photo from internet kills. through and the Adkins was in German captors Mobile as part of a program put on by the 92nd left the area. Infantry Division of the Buffalo Soldiers Associa-on.” Glenn was on the Philip-‐ pine island of Luzon, on Eddie Irby and the Folks at 92nd Infantry Division the Bataan Peninsula, not Associa-on have been trying for a long -me to get far from Manila when the SGM Adkins to Mobile but several delays were American Forces were thrown into the program. Adkins served with surrendered to the Detachment A-‐102, 5th Special Forces in Vietnam Glenn Frazier Japanese, April 9, 1942. 1966-‐67 on his second tour of duty in Southeast Glenn survived the Bataan Asia. He enlisted in the Army in 1956 and re-red in Death March and, more importantly, I feel, he 1978. survived more than three years in Japanese Adkins, accompanied by his wife and daughter, had prison camps. a room in the Hampton Inn. The room would Not only did these men (and others sharing their normally cost $119.00 per night; when management experience) suffer greatly at the hands of the learned who it was and what he had done, the room enemy but their families suffered not knowing if was given for the weekend at no charge. Much their Soldier was alive or dead, if he was treated thanks to Hampton Inn for this gi] to an American well or ill; if he would be home again. Hero. Sy’s book “Kriegie 312330” and Glenn’s book, There are many “Hell’s Guest” tell their stories. Veterans Organiz-‐ Glenn is one of the founders of SAVC. He has been ations of various absent for much of the past few years; he had a type and style. part in Ken Burns’ documentary “The War” and Some cater to a has written a book and made many public-‐speak-‐ particular Branch of ing appearances. He is now waiting for word of Service or a partic-‐ another movie in the works. Stay tuned … ular theater of war A testament to the People who make up the or other special Council comes from Sy: “I’ve only been in Mobile distinction. for four years. I was in Miami for Vifty years. I was In our own special active in Veterans affairs down there and in the group o f V eterans, Sy Lichtenfeld four years I’ve been here and associated with this called the South Council, I have seen more done for Veterans than I Alabama Veterans Council, we page# 3 did in Vifty years down in Miami and that’s a compliment to each of you VSOs.” Glenn and Sy both stay busy speaking to a variety of people and groups about America and why She’s Great; why Men and Women are willing to -‐ Vight for America and America’s People. Paula is the South Alabama Representa-ve for the Blue Star Salute Founda-on, Inc. [the following is from the BSSFI website] ““Blue Star Salute is a concerted effort by local, state and na-onal military, poli-cal, Veteran and caring ci-zen groups and organiza-ons who have set aside A Blue Star Salute Day as a par-cularly significant day of apprecia-on to America's military services Paula Edmondson of all Branches: Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Coast Guard and the historical United States Merchant Marines. Alabama's first organized Salute was held Armed Forces Day 2005 at The American Village, Monte-‐ vallo, and was co-‐hosted by The American Legion of Alabama; Alabama Society, Sons of the American Revolu-on; The American Village Ci-zenship Trust; and Gold Star Mothers and Wives of America. We combined our Blue Star Salute to the military services with a somber Gold Star Salute to our Fallen Heroes. Given the tremendous success of the Blue Star Salute ’05, a group of patrio-c organiza-ons banded together on December 15, 2005 to form the Blue Star Salute Founda-on, Inc. to perpetuate the annual Blue Star Salute to honor our military, Veterans, and our Fallen Heroes. Our roster of par-cipants and caring sponsors is growing and we welcome all who love our Country and appreciate our defenders of freedom to join us. A decision was made in October 2012 to seek to honor requests of other sites to co-‐host our Annual Salutes at other venues where invited AND to schedule such Annual Blue Star Salutes to be held on Armed Forces Day rather than Memorial Day. Therefore, on Armed Forces Day (May 18th, 2013) the Ninth Annual Blue Star Salute was scheduled to be held at the USS Alabama BaYleship Memorial Park, Mobile, co-‐hosted by the BSSFI, South page# 4 Alabama Veterans Council, the Alabama BaYleship Commission and the City of Mobile.” And Blue Star con-nues in Mobile with the Eleventh Salute to be held on Armed Forces Day, Saturday, May 16, 2015. Planning is underway and all are expec-ng another great Salute to our Military Heroes — especially, as Paula said, “ honoring Alabama Veterans; those who serve, those who have served, and those who have fallen in service.” Holly Wiseman works in the Office of the US AYorney in Mobile; she and a colleague, Suntrease Williams-‐Maynard, aYended the February Council mee-ng to talk about laws and Veterans and how they interact. Ms Wiseman confessed that, when she accepted the invita-on to speak, she pictured “some slightly older gentlemen sipping coffee and playing cards <audience laughter> trying to enter-‐ tain themselves. I thought I’d have to talk a long -me to fill the space.” <more laughter> Wiseman said that we “confounded all of my expecta-ons” as she realized we were a liYle different. “Y’all have more going on,” she said,” than any group I have spoken to this year. It’s so exci-ng to hear every-‐ thing y’all are working on.” Wiseman is an Assistant US AYorney in the United States AYorney’s Office for the Southern District of Alabama. The US AYorney’s Office “is a local branch of the Department of Jus-ce” which prosecutes federal crimes. Wiseman and Williams-‐Maynard are the Civil Rights team for the Office. Williams-‐May-‐ nard spoke about laws designed to help Military per-‐ sonnel, such as Na-onal Guard, who are called up and have trouble returning to employment when they complete their service. The Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA) of 1994 was designed for just that pur-‐ pose. USERRA protects civilian job rights and bene-‐ fits for veterans and members of Reserve compon-‐ ents. USERRA also makes major improvements in protec-ng service member rights and benefits by clarifying the law. This law applies whether an indi-‐ vidual goes into service on a voluntary or involun-‐ tary basis. Of course, some of the responsibility falls on the individual. “ There are three things you must do: 1) provide advance no-ce to your employer that you are going away on military leave; 2) you have to return from service within five years and, 3) when you return, you must make a -mely The Americans With Disabili-es Act “prohibits discrimina-on against persons with disabili-es.” This applies to employment opportuni-es and as you go about your everyday life. This means you can’t be d e n i e d e m p l o y m e n t o r a d v a n c e m e n t i n employment just because you have a disability. All public buildings must be accessible to people on crutches, wheelchairs, and other mobility aids. A few years ago, the AYorney’s Office sent a survey to all the area restaurants to help them determine the state of their compliance with the ADA; some were a liYle out of regulatory compliance and were able to correct the deficiencies. Hospitals and urgent care centers also must be aware of the grounds and walkways around the buildings -‐ especially the emergency room -‐ and correct any obstruc-ons that would impede people. They must also be able to communicate with all who come in for service whether with a human interpreter or an electronic device. The AYorney’s Office is also responsible for the Fair Housing Act. Two important cases having to do with apartment houses have been handled in the past three years. In one case an apartment complex refused to give a ground-‐floor apartment to a man with serious physical impairment; the result was a fall on the stairs and resulted in permanent confinement to a wheelchair. DOJ got “a seYlement of $1Million plus.” Another case involved an apartment complex that refused a ground-‐floor apartment for a woman with epilepsy. A call of complaint to HUD resulted in her evic-on from the complex. DOJ stepped in and we were able to “gain a healthy seYlement” for her. If you or someone you know have a problem such as these, contact: United States A,orney's Office 63 South Royal Street, Suite 600 Mobile, AL 36602 Phone Number: 251.441.5845 Fax Number: 251.441.5277 Council President Lartigue suggested we have a “Veterans Forum” on the subject of housing and job discrimination and how to Vight for our Rights. page# 5 REMEMBER, AS YOU GO THROUGH LIFE; IF YOU’RE NOT WHERE YOU ARE, YOU’RE NOWHERE … AND THAT’S A BUMMER applica-on for reemployment.” If you fulfill your obliga-ons as an employee, the employer must carry your seniority, pay raises, vaca-on -me, etc just as if you were never away from the job. This would of necessity include area VSOs, DOJ, ESGR, VA, Area Veterans and other interested persons. Have presentations, question/answer period … ideas … education … possibly something similar to the town hall meetings we did about Agent Orange a few years ago. Lartigue said, “We may have issues coming up with Airbus, Austal, BAE, the larger manufac-‐ turers here in town. Those guys are a little bit smarter, I think, when it comes to the big issues but a lot of the smaller folks I don’t think under-‐ stand the Veteran’s plight and the Veteran’s rights. This may be a dual education process.” We will talk about this and come to some conclusions and, quite possibly, more questions. American Legion 33rd District is “in the midst of revitaliza-on” according to Commander Marvin McDuffy. Old members are being contacted in an aYempt to bolster the membership rolls. At-‐Large members are being asked to join a local Post. Members give the organiza-on a bigger voice in local, district, State, Na-onal doings. Most Veterans Organiza-ons are in a similar situa-on. Rick Moritz informed us that Mobile County Veterans court is now in operation under Judge Ed Blount. This is good news. We hope to soon have more information as to schedules and times. Mel Apley, DAV #45, Loxley AL reported DAV, Alabama, held their mid-‐winter conference in January at the BaYle House Hotel in downtown Mobile. “At that conference, there were 168 Service Officers recer-fied for the State.” Chapter 7, Mobile, hosted the conference which had more than 300 visitors during the three days. Quilts of Valor has awarded 114,566 Quilts to Servicemembers (per the web site). They asked that we give them names for consideration of a Quilt. The mission of the Quilts of Valor Found-‐ ation “is to cover service members and veterans touched by war with comforting and healing Quilts of Valor.” Several wounded Veterans have also received Quilts for their Service Dog. On December 12, 1787, Pennsylvania was the second American colony to ra-fy the US Cons--‐ tu-on and become a State. The first Pennsylvania State Flag to display the Pennsylvania Coat of Arms was authorized by the General Assembly in 1799. The State Coat of Arms, containing the emblems of the official state seal, was that of Provincial Pennsylvania's Penn family. It first appeared on paper money issued by the state in 1777 and two years later was adopted for display on the state flag. During the Civil War, many Pennsylvania regiments carried a modified version of the Stars and Stripes. Substituted for the field of stars on Old Glory was the Pennsylvania Coat of Arms. On June 13, 1907, the Pennsylvania General Assembly standardized the design of the flag and required that the field of blue be the same color as the blue of the Flag of the United States. [this from PL Wilson Detachment, Marine Corps League] “Friday February 13th we par-cipated in Guilliard Elementary school’s annual Mardi Gras celebra-on. The children made masks, ate King cake and watched the parade travel through the school grounds. Their parading organiza-on is named the Krewe de Guilliard The children won honors to ride on the floats, ours being one of the most coveted where like all other Mardi Gras parades they threw beads, moon pies and trinkets to the parade watchers.” —thanks to Gwynn Howard, MCL Since 2003, Gary Sinise and his band have played an average of 30-40 shows per year with a good 75% of those shows for USO, charities or benefits. "Lieutenant Dan" is the character Gary portrayed in the 1994 film Forrest Gump, a role for which he earned an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor. As Gary began visiting troops around the world, people (even little kids) who didn't know him as Gary Sinise, the actor, would recognize him as "Lt.Dan". Those in the military also seem to identify strongly with the character. And so the name for his group was an easy choice: Lt. Dan Band! Gary Sinise — photo from internet The state Coat of Arms was embroidered on a blue field on both sides of the flag. Gary Sinise and The Lt. Dan Band cover everything from classics by Stevie Wonder and The Police to contemporary songs by Kelly Clarkson, Katy Perry, Beyonce, Bruce Springsteen, the Zac Brown Band and much much more. Pop, Rock, Blues, Motown, Soul, Country, even tunes from the 40's big band era. There's something for everyone and each show highlights the musical diversity of the band, as well as the passion and energy each member brings to the stage. Whether performing for troops overseas or at a local club, the goal is to have fun and rock the house! words of wisdom from Willie D Dunning III: “15% of the people vote and the other 85% complain.” DID YOU EVER WONDER .... Why can't women put on mascara with their mouth closed? Why don't you ever see the headline 'Psychic Wins Lottery'? Why is 'abbreviated' such a long word? Members David Sprott, A.B.Grantham, & John Reid with the Children ready for the Parade — photo rom MCL page #6
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