September 2013 - VVA Chapter 72

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Chapter
Vietnam Veterans Of America
72
Thomas P Coughlin Memorial Chapter 72
Brooklyn, New York
September 2013
Chapter Officers
President
Daniel Friedman
Phone: 917-757-7801
email: danny.ola@optimum.net
1st Vice President
Webmaster/Newsletter Editor
Joe Piazza
Phone: 917-991-0436
email: joealmar1@verizon.net
Vietnam Veterans of America
Chapter 72
1402 8th Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11215
72
Chapter
Place
Stamp
Here
2nd Vice President
Pat Cook
Phone: 718-374-4455
email: susancookwmt@aol.com
Tresurer
Richard Chan
Phone: 347-866-0208
emal:gonefishing287@earthlink.net
Secretary
Stanley Lukosevicius
Phone: 718-339-0062
email: staluko@yahoo.com
Sergeant at Arms
Butch Hoffman
Phone: 718-683-7658
Our next meeting is Tuesday, September 17th at 7:30PM
At the Brooklyn “VA” Hospital 2nd floor meeting room.
Be There!
Chaplain
Connie Rannocchia
Phone: 917-697-6333
email: conchi26@aol.com
Chaplain In Emeritus
Jack Green
Service Officer In Emeritus
Hank Burke
Website
www.vvachapter72.com
President’s Report by Danny Friedman
I hope everyone had a good summer and you are all eager to jump back into our
good work.
We started the summer off very productively with our fund raiser and clothing
drive on June 22nd. Paul and Connie did a great job putting it together. Connie
donated the space at the Greenwood Park Beer Garden. Many Chapter 72 members pitched in to make it a very profitable and fun day. We raised over $1400.00.
It was a beautiful day for a party. Herbie and Sandy teamed up with me to grill
hundreds of hot dogs and burgers. It was so hot it might be the first time I actually
lost weight at a party.
VVA had its National Convention in August and we sent Andy Stachow to represent our Chapter. Andy will catch us up on what went on down there in Florida.
Next up is the 3rd Avenue Street Fair on Sunday, October 6th. This is another
good opportunity for us to raise money for our wounded warriors and hospitalized
veterans. We don’t have the exact location for our table yet but we will put it out
as soon as we get it. Not only do we raise money at these events, but we raise
awareness of issues confronting veterans and we raise our visibility in the community. We also have a pretty good time interacting with the folks and people
watching.
On a personal note, I would like to thank the many Chapter 72 members and others who expressed their condolences for the loss of my mother-in-law. Your best
wishes and support were greatly appreciated.
I would also like to send my best wishes to our own Joe Piazza who just had a
chunk of his leg cut out due to some serious skin cancer. I know you all will join
me in wishing Joe a speedy and complete recovery.
Luigi is home from over a month in the hospital receiving cancer treatments. We
had a fun night out at the Cyclones Military Appreciation Day on August 31st.
He appreciated getting out and I appreciated him buying the hot dogs. We saw
lots of Chapter 72 members and our friends from the VFW and other organizations.
I hope to see you all at our next meeting on Tuesday, September 17th. Bring a
friend.
Chapter Headquarters
1402-8th Avenue • Brooklyn, NY 11215
A non-profit National Veterans Organization
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First Vice President’s Report by Joe Piazza
Report by Andy Staychow
Happy September 2013 to all my friends and associates
in VVA Chapter 72. Its good to be alive and back as we
kick off another year of volunteering, helping and donating to our fellow veterans friends and neighbors. And at
the same time be closer to one another in the process.
There’s nothing like working with fellow veterans for a
great cause. We have some interesting events in the up
and coming year like the Veterans Day Parade in New
York City. Our October fest 3rd Avenue fund raiser, Vietnam recognition Day and many many more events and
get togethers and partys scheduled. I hope that each and
every one of my Vietnam Veteran Brothers, Sisters and
Associates will join us and participate.
Evening of 13 aug 2013, started with welcome home
party, gathered for hot dogs & music & fun. some came
dressed as sonny and cher & cheech & chong & various
other colorful costumes. next day business commenced
shortly after presentation of colors.we met with the candidates running for office.guest speakers included VA Director s
Shinseki and former astronaut & vietnam vet Guion Bluford (first afro amer. in space). prior to awards dinner Arlo
Guthrie signed autographs for those interested.
To expand on my health, my cancer hopefully is all cut
out. 2 weeks ago I went to the VA Hospital to remove a
tiny wart on my head that was totally annoying me. The
dermatologist took it out, no problem. While I was there
she said when was the last time I had a full body scan? I
said I don’t know .........Years!.
She looked at my records and yes, its been 3 years,
would I like to have that exam now. I said sure why not.
With that I stripped naked and the exam started. She saw
what seemed to be a black and brownish spot the size of
a pencil eraser on my thigh. I never thought too much of
it. It looked like a beauty mark to me. She called in a few
colleges to concur and sure enough they believed it to be
melanoma cancer. They immediately recommended a
biopsy that they would do right there in the office. I
agreed. They cut out about a quarter of an inch of the affected area and said to come back in one week for the results. I went in Tuesday Sept. 3rd at 10:30 AM. The
results came back very positive and they wanted me in
for surgery that afternoon at 2PM. I went back into the
operating room and two surgeons and two young doctors
performed the operation. My leg was localized with anisteic and the operation took about 2 hours. They wound
up cutting about an inch wide, 3 inches long and a quarter of an inch deep. Fourteen stitches later I hope they got
all the cancer out. I am now recovering still in shock that
this happened to me. The VA Staff did an excellent job
in recognizing and taking care of this cancer professionally and efficiently and if I might add, at an early stage.
If I had waited any longer the cancer would have spread
down deep into my body broke off and traveled into by
bloodstream. All of you that are reading this, I urge you
to get tested by your doctor on a regular bases. A good
friend of mine said and its so true.
Its a bitch getting old.
Editors note:
Congrats to all
President
Vice President
Secretary
Treasurer
John Rowan (NY)
Marsha Four (PA)
Bill Meeks
(TX)
Wayne Reynolds (AL)
Incumbent
New
Incumbent
Incumbent
Region II Director Herb Worthington(NJ)
Our Pat Toro also was re-elected to At Large Director
Understanding Traumatic Stress
and Recovery Workshop
This 2-session workshop helps participants to learn more
about the purpose of traumatic stress reactions, how they
impact thinking, base beliefs and distort perceptions. Participants will learn a deep relaxation and guided imagery
exercise to create safety and develop more effective coping strategies.
Held on the Brooklyn VA Campus
800 Poly Pl
Brooklyn, New York
(718) 836-6600
We will NOT talk about traumatic experiences –
September 16th 2:30-4 PM
AND
September 18th 2:30-4 PM
To enroll please contact:
Marie Detesky on 14 West @ 718.836.6600 ext. 3713
If you have any questions please contact Jo Potestivo
@ 718.836.6600, ext. 6345