Rocky Mountain Chapter – VHPA

ROCKY MOUNTAIN CHAPTER

VIETNAM HELICOPTER PILOTS ASSOCIATION

President Walt Wise called the meeting to order at 12:15 pm in the Helicopter War Museum at Fort Carson, Colorado.  We were there for Military Retiree Appreciation Day. Members Present: Walt Wise, Eric Brettschneider, Hal Bergdahl, Charles Bogle, Gary Hurelle and Jim McNamee. New Member: Carl Cavaluzzi, a VHPA member from Conifer, joined and paid his dues.  Carl and his wife were attending the Fort Carson event, but did not stay for the meeting. On a related note—long lost chapter member Mike Melo dropped by and stated that he plans to start attending meetings again. The minutes of the September meeting were approved (Hal Bergdahl moved, Eric Brettschneider seconded).  The Treasurer’s Report for October was approved (Hal Bergdahl moved, Gary Hurelle seconded). Update from Charles Bogle on Vietnam Veteran Welcome Home Events in 2011: Charles stated that plans were firming up for the Welcome Home ceremony to be held at Fort Carson on June 10, 2011.  His committee has arranged for a Traveling Wall to be present for 7 to 9 days.  He will provide brochures in the near future.  We plan to have the Helicopter War Museum there. Charles also stated that Congress has passed a law establishing a 5-year Commemoration of the 50^th Anniversary of the Vietnam War.  Congress delegated the responsibility for the commemoration to the Department of Defense.  The Secretary of Defense is expected to sign off on the effort in the near future.  Charles has been in contact with one of the DOD organizers and provided Jim McNamee with the contact information.  Charles is working with the DOD to try to have a several-day event at Fort Carson in conjunction with the June 10^th and Traveling Wall events mentioned above. PTSD compensation reminder: Walt reiterated a point from the September meeting—There are new rules concerning PTSD qualification that relax the requirements somewhat.  Helicopter pilots, especially those with purple hearts or medals for valor or heroism, should have an easier time proving that they suffer from PTSD.  Walt recommended checking with your service officer. Helicopter War Museum Venues: –CSU/Pueblo, September 28-October 3. Ed Fickes earlier reported that this venue was a resounding success.  Chapter volunteers manned the museum, which was displayed in the vicinity of the Traveling Wall. –Fort Carson Military Retiree Appreciation Day, October 16. This was only a 4-hour event, but we had over 200 visitors.  Many of them were Vietnam veterans. Updated Chapter Roster: Walt mentioned that he plans to ask Jim and Brian Foote to help him update the chapter roster in the near future.  He wants it to reflect only members that are or have been dues paying members. Draft Meeting Minutes, 16 October 2010, continued Dedication of Veterans Bridge in Pueblo: Charles reported that Pueblo is going to dedicate the bridge on November 11^th.  There will be breakfast available starting at 7:00.  The ceremony will be from 11:00 until noon.  The bridge is located over the river south of the Convention Center. Plans include having two Medal of Honor winners present, along with the Air Force Academy band and National Guard displays.  We will not have the HWM there. Efforts to “Resurrect” Johnson and Johnson’s iBOT Mobility System: Charles mentioned that the Americas Huey 091 Foundation and other organizations are trying to make a case for restarting iBOT production.  The iBOT is a stair-climbing wheelchair that gives wheelchair-bound patients the ability to climb stairs and elevate to standing position.  Johnson and Johnson stopped producing them about 2 years ago. Several clubs will be demonstrating the iBOT in Las Vegas on the weekend after Veterans Day, and they are looking for candidates to demonstrate it.  At least two iBOT recipients will be in attendance.  There may even be a handicapped ski event in conjunction with the effort.  American Airlines also is supporting this effort by providing air travel. Reminder–John Grauff’s Christmas party—At the September meeting, John passed out invitations and cordially invited all to his and Laurel’s (his daughter) annual Christmas party, to be held on December 4, 2010, at 6:00 pm.   He asked for RSVPs NLT November 24, 2010.  Jim will forward contact information and a map via e-mail in the near future.  If you are free that evening, you should make plans to attend.  The decorations and hospitality are first rate. Greg Mann’s Annual Chapter Christmas Party (Post Meeting Development): Greg has scheduled his annual party at his home in Lone Tree for the Saturday after John’s party, December 11^th.  Details and a map will follow.  This is also a party you should plan to attend, as past parties have been enjoyed by all. Next Meeting: The November 20^th meeting will be held at American Legion Post No.1 on I-25 and Yale at 10:00.  Walt plans to invite Bob Greeno to attend.  Bob is a WW II veteran that was in the first Rotary Wing class.  He was at the June BBQ as a guest of Lyle Borders. As is customary, there will not be a chapter meeting in December. Walt adjourned the meeting at 12:50. All present stayed and helped get the museum ready to return to Golden. Submitted by Jim McNamee, Secretary/Treasurer

DRAFT MEETING MINUTES

18 SEPTEMBER 2010

ROCKY MOUNTAIN CHAPTER

VIETNAM HELICOPTER PILOTS ASSOCIATION

Ed Fickes, acting for President Walt Wise, called the meeting to order at 10:05 am at American Legion Post #1 on I-25 and Yale.

Members Present: Ed Fickes, Rick Beaver, John Hargleroad, Jeff Roy, Doug Neill, John Grauff, Bob Simms, Mike Silva, Mike Law, Hal Bergdahl, and Jim McNamee.  Also present—special guest Ms Sandy Ripe, Military Order of the Purple Heart.

The minutes of the June meeting, prepared by Jim McNamee, and the August meeting, prepared by Ed Fickes, were approved (Mike Law moved, Rick Beaver seconded).  The Treasurer’s Reports for July, August and September were approved (Mike Law moved, Rick Beaver seconded).

Agent Orange and VA updates from member Jeff Roy (Immediate past National Commander of the Military Order of the Purple Heart) and Sandy Ripe, MOPH National Service Officer: Jeff discussed how important it is to execute a Power of Attorney with a service officer (MOPH, VFW, American Legion, etc.) so that he/she is able to assist you in disability claims with the VA, including calling you if something changes that may affect you. You should execute a POA and register with the VA even if you don’t have a service connected disability in order to expedite any future claims.  Several of the members present executed POAs with Sandy.  You do not have to have a Purple Heart to be represented by the MOPH, but it is one of the few that has attorneys that are certified to represent you in appeals to VA decisions at the national level.  Also, spouses can and should sign POAs with a service officer so that they can be represented in the event of the veteran’s death or disability.

Jeff updated the members on several issues:

–New VA Hospital—The construction contract has been let, with completion scheduled for 2014.  The hospital will be a stand alone facility on the old Fitzsimmons campus.

–There are bills before Congress to expand VA benefits for spouses and children, including raising the age for coverage to 25.  The VA is an acceptable health care program under “Obamacare.”

– VA has determined that Arterial Lateral Sclerosis (Lou Gehrig’s Disease) is a service connected disability.  One day of active service qualifies you for compensation.

–In response to a question by Ed, Jeff stated that there is a possibility that funding for a study of the affects of Agent Orange in veteran’s offspring may be funded in the VA budget.

Sandy talked about her functions as an MOPH National Service Officer including:

–She discussed the process for filing a claim, and recommended strongly that interested members should contact her to execute a POA and start the process.  She works directly with the VA on claims and initial appeals.

–She recommended that veterans should get an Agent Orange evaluation if they haven’t already done so.

–The VA recently added Parkinson’s Disease and ischemic heart disease to the list of diseases that  VA currently presumes resulted from exposure to herbicides like Agent Orange. Ischemic heart disease is characterized by a reduced supply of blood to the heart that leads to chest pain.

Draft Meeting Minutes, 18 September 2010, continued

–The VA has issued new PTSD guidelines that should make it easier to qualify for benefits.  The disorder must be diagnosed by a doctor (with stressor evidence) and be service connected.

Sandy’s contact information:

Sandy Ripe

VARO Room 352

155 Van Gordon St

Lakewood, CO  80228

303-914-5410

Sandra.ripe@va.gov

Helicopter War Museum (HWM): Rick stated that the cockpit display is installed, functions well, and looks good.  He also stated that Greg McMahon has obtained cabinets that we can use for display and storage.  Rick is going to pick them up and store them in the trailer until he can install them over the winter.  Finally, the mannequin that Phil Lanphier donated is in the museum.

August BBQ: Ed stated that the BBQ prepared by Don Rice at the Leprino Aviation hanger was “the best one yet.”  Jim stated that all expenses have been covered with money to spare, although Don has yet to let us know his expenses (including the cost of the pig and beans).

Ed also stated that we did not have any other organizations in attendance, as we had hoped.  This started a short discussion, initiated by Rick, about expanding the chapter to include helicopter pilots from other eras or crew members from the Vietnam War.  Mike Silva, a chapter member who also served in Iraq, pointed out that it is difficult to bridge the generation gap, and that we should consider only veterans from our era. The members agreed that the chapter could do what it wanted to do, as long as we changed the bylaws, including accepting non pilots as associate members, but did not make a decision about proceeding.  Rick suggested that we should consider holding another event, with more lead time, for crew members, etc.

VHPA 2011 Reunion: Mike Law passed out a flyer about the next reunion, to be held in Orlando July 5-10, 2011.  He stated that there will be several new things going on, including lunch with an astronaut.  He also stated that the registration cost should be lower, but that they could not negotiate deals on food, beer and tours.  He did say that you could buy 1/2 day tour/attraction packages that usually start at 2:00, and that should be enough time for us “senior citizens.”

Mike also showed off the 2011 VHPA calendar and announced that the 2012 reunion will be in New Orleans in late July.

Honor Flight Reception: Ed stated that the reception for 120 WW II vets and their escorts returning from D.C. on September 13^th was a success.  Five chapter members were on hand to greet them and give them refreshments.  The next Honor Flight Welcome Home will be at DIA on Monday, May 2^nd, at 8:00 pm. Ed mentioned that we should continue to support this worthwhile event, and the members agreed.

Helicopter War Museum Venues:

–CSU/Pueblo, September 28-October 3. We have committed to have the museum there in connection with the Traveling Wall.  We have just enough volunteers to help, but could use more, especially for setup on 9/28 and tear down on October 3^rd.  Ed will put out an updated roster soon.  Please respond to his message if you can help, including being a docent.

Draft Meeting Minutes, 18 September 2010, continued

–Fort Carson Military Retiree Appreciation Day, October 16. Member Charles Bogle requested that we attend this event with the museum, and we agreed (Motion-Mike Law, Second, Jim McNamee.  Charles will arrange for a volunteer driver to move the museum from CSU/Pueblo to Fort Carson for storage until the 16^th.  We need volunteers to help with this event.  We would especially like to have our Colorado Springs members help out.  Please contact Ed.

Tribute to Vietnam Era Veterans at Prairie View High School—Jim McNamee reported that the students and faculty of Prairie View High School, 12909 E. 120^th Ave, Henderson, CO 80640 are planning a tribute to Vietnam Era Veterans on Friday, April 8, 2011.  Jim recently received a call from Mr. Kelly Gonzales of Prairie View asking if the chapter would like to participate with an

exhibit of our museum artifacts, as Ed and Jim did at a Northridge High School (Greeley) tribute for Korean War veterans in April 2006.  Mr. Gonzales was on the Northridge faculty at the time and organized the tribute.  Jim told him that we would like to bring the entire museum in April, if

that was ok with him and with our chapter members.  He was very receptive to the idea, as were the chapter members at this meeting.  Mike Law stated that using the museum to help educate youth about the Vietnam War was one of the primary reasons we built it.

Jim will distribute a flyer about the event in the near future.  He asked that members spread the word in the veteran community.  Jeff Roy stated that he would distribute the flyer to the MOPH local chapters.

Invitation to John Grauff’s Christmas party—John passed out invitations and cordially invited all to his and Laurel’s (his daughter) annual Christmas party, to be held on December 4, 2010, at 6:00 pm.   He asked for RSVPs NLT November 24, 2010.  Jim will forward contact information and a map via e-mail in the near future.  If you are free that evening, you should make plans to attend.  The decorations and hospitality are first rate.

Next Meeting: The October 16^th meeting will be held immediately following the Fort Carson event at a location to be determined.  Information will follow.

Ed adjourned the meeting at 11:40

Submitted by Jim McNamee, Secretary/Treasurer