SYRACUSE VAMC CHANGES
The long anticipated Syracuse VAMC “lounge area” for patients and families is nearing reality: I received an e-mail on behalf of the Vietnam Veterans of CNY Foundation from Mr. Michael Swartz, Deputy Director, of the Syracuse VA Medical Center on Friday 9/23/2011 informing me that the funding for this project has been obligated and a contractor selected. This was significant information since fiscal year 2011 ends on 9/30/2011. Our concern was the money would be lost to “use it or lose it” when the fiscal year ended.
The new lounge area will be in the back of the existing canteen. The lounge will be gated off from the rest of the facility at the end of the daily lunch period. This will allow use of the area from 1:30 PM, Monday through Friday, and on weekends and holidays. As the project begins we will learn more about the services that will be available; such as, coffee, soft drinks, etc.
Central District Directors Report, September 2011
The activities in the Central District since my last report follow:
Chapter visits: We will resume our Chapter visits in October.
Chapter Activities across the District:
Chapter 944, Utica: The members made their planned annual visits in early May, with MOPH Chapter 490, to Bethesda Naval and Walter Reed Army Hospitals. Chapter Delegate, John Fox, will provide more details and photos of the visits.
President Buono and members of other Military Organizations met with Senator Joseph Griffo on May 18th to discuss possibility of a Veterans Cemetery in Oneida County.
Chapter 944 and MOPH chapter 490 joined to March in the Remsen Memorial Day Parade on May 28th.
Chapter 944 Color guard was honored to perform three flag folding ceremonies in Frankfort, NY on May 29th for the families of 3 soldiers KIA in Vietnam. The Chapter Color Guard also marched in the “Honor America Day” on July 30th. Lastly, the Chapter honored the Gold Star Mothers with dinner at the Harts Hill Inn on Saturday August 18th. This is the 7th year for this event. BUSY GUYS!
Chapter 480, Owego: Marched in Little League Parade May 7th. President elect, Bill Chandler, attended an Eagle Scout Court of Honor March 6th. Honoring a local Scout; the Chapter also provided a donation. Chapter members spent many hours preparing for their annual Catfish Derby June 4 & 5. This is a major fundraiser for the Chapter. Unfortunately this year the Town decided to close down the usual Campgrounds the week before and the guys had to “adapt and overcome.” They pulled it off at an alternate site, but attendance did take a hit due to the closure.
Chapter 704, Auburn: The city of Auburn proclaimed March 29, Vietnam Veteran Day. Chapter 704 was present with an 8 member color guard. Chapter President Tomas Bryant was seated on the Dias along with a host of dignitaries. Speeches were given, by most, including the Mayor who is a veteran. The chapter’s color guard stood a tight formation and looked sharp. This color guard carries the Medal of Honor Flag because of MOH winner Robert Stryker. The Blue Knights Motorcycle club was also represented and paid tribute to the Mayor for his proclamation and accomplishments of Highway 38. Chapter 704 member,Nick Valenti, served as M.C. and unveiled the newly designed sign that marks the highway for the community to see.
Chapter 377, Groton: The Chapter was busy with the usual Memorial Day parades and ceremonies. Prior to the holiday, however, the chapter had a work detail to clean up and also remove graffiti from DeWitt Community Park. They also were involved with plans to install chains around the Civil War, WW-I and WW-II Monuments in collaboration with “Sons of Union Veterans“ and others. After 7 months of collaboration and work, the chains will be installed in September. The Chapter Color Guard marched in the July 4, parade. They have reported that four more Memorial Highway signs will be going up in Port Byron, and Chapter 704 is installing six signs within the city limits of Auburn. September 16th is the date for Chapter 377 Annual Watch fire event. it starts at 1900 hours and is dedicated this year to Cpt. William Phelps and Sgt. Douglas Glover.
Chapters 377,480 and 704 worked long and hard to put on their annual “Bike Ride” down Highway 37 now designated “The Vietnam Veteran Highway of Heroes,” They had a hugely successful event and welcomed 500 plus bikers. I am including a write up on it below from Harvey Baker of Chapter 377:
3rd ANNUAL TRIBUTE RIDE On Saturday July 16th over 500 motorcycles and numerous cars and trucks participated in the “3rd Annual Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway of Valor Tribute Ride”; a ride to honor all New Yorkers who served in Vietnam. The ride was sponsored by Vietnam Veterans of America Chapters #377, 480, 704, and the Blue Knights Chapter 17.
The Tribute Ride formed in the early morning dawn in Marvin Park in Owego. Riders arrived in small groups, then assembled for the ride. After registration, the singing of the National Anthem and a bag pipe playing of Amazing Grace, the ride departed at 10am from the park for the 98 mile long ride on Route 38, which has now been designated as, “New York State Vietnam Veterans Highway of Valor”
The effort to get a highway in New York to honor Vietnam Veterans was first started in 2008 by Vietnam veteran, Lauren Dates and his wife Laurie, of Red Creek. After months of dealing with legislators, Governor Patterson signed into law designating Route 38 as, “New York State Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway of Valor." It was the first time and last time that a state highway will be named to honor Vietnam Veterans in New York.
As the ride proceeded north on Route 38, we went by scores of people sitting under shade of a tree, some standing and saluting, or with their hands over their hearts as the scores of bikes with American flags passed. Some held their own American flags, some with signs saying “Welcome Home” and “Thank You Veterans.” Fire trucks in Dryden and Groton had big hook and ladder trucks across the highway with large American flags hanging high over the highway for the riders to pass under.
The ride stopped in the Village of Groton for food, gas, a break from the heat, and also to pay tribute to Medal of Honor recipient USMC 2nd Lt. Terrance Grave. Q Country 104 was doing a live broadcast from the Sunoco station, talking about the ride and doing interviews with people who were on the ride, and then they followed the ride all the way to Fair Haven.
Marine Captain, Genna, from Albany was the main speaker for the event. Captain Genna talked about Lt. Graves sacrificing his life in Vietnam, by getting off of a rescue helicopter and directing the helicopter to leave, so that he could retrieve a wounded Marine from his patrol and how Lt. Graves was killed in the 2nd helicopter that came in to rescue them. Captain Genna spoke about freedoms that we all enjoy, and that freedom isn’t free and that the cost of freedom is often paid for by the names of veterans written on granite walls.”
The ride departed Groton at 1pm, riding through Locke, Moravia, Auburn, Port Byron, Conquest, Victory and other small communities and finally ended in Cayuga Park in the Village of Fair Haven.
Chapter 704 took over in Fair Haven. They had live music preformed by Danny Barnes, a singer song writer, Vietnam veteran and DJ. Also supplied were food and beverages. Again another tribute was preformed by Chapter 704, who read the names of the 27 veterans from Cayuga County who were killed in Vietnam and they also paid special tribute to Medal of Honor recipient US Army Sp4 Robert Stryker and the sacrifice he made in protecting the lives of the small Army patrol he was on, giving up his life by throwing himself on a mine as it detonated, thereby protecting the lives of the other members of the patrol.
As the crowd of riders slowly drifted off to their bikes for the ride home, the words of Captain Genna best summed it up. “It’s the sacrifices of men like these that make America a great place to live.”
Chapter 896, Endicott: These guys are staying busy with usual Chapter management details but enjoying the challenges along the way. Larry Holdredge, and Art Belles are my main contacts. The chapter is always present for our council meetings and actively participates in the discussions. The chapter held their 9th. Annual Bass Tournament June, 18 & 19. I read in their Newsletter the top 3 winning fish in the event weighed 15.52, 14.72 and 6.76 pounds. I bet there was some good eating afterwards.
The Chapter assisted the local Legion Post with their annual “Flag Burning Event” on Flag Day. They participated in the Memorial Day Parade in Binghamton. Held 2 of the planned 4 Fundraiser events, next up is at Sams Club on Sept. 10th.& Oakdale Mall on October 15th.
Chapter 103, Syracuse: The members completed their largest ever Watchfire on Sunday evening, May 29th. It was estimated that more than 10,000 people attended. There is a group of very dedicated guys who come out each to put this all together. Congratulations to all.
The twelve days of the NY State Fair were successful for Chapter 103 thanks to three very dedicated members: Paul Dufault, Jim Edick, Rich Sperry. They open our booth every day at 0900 and hang in until relieved by various other volunteering members. The second group takes over at 1500hrs until the booth is closed at 1930.
The watchfire and State Fair booths are the Chapter 103 primary fund raisers.
Ron Fairbank Central District Director
View Page 2 of the October 2011 Newsletter
View Page 3 of the October 2011 Newsletter
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