Blind
Veterans National Chapter #1
WEB
SITE: http://www.davbvnc1.com/contents.htm
July/August
Newsletter
Editor: Dennis O’Connell
"IF I CANNOT SPEAK GOOD OF MY
COMRADE,
I WILL NOT SPEAK ILL OF HIM OR
HER."
OFFICERS
OF THE BLIND CHAPTER
Commander
Carroll Prosser (SC)
Phone
(843) 997-1981
Email:
heypops43@gmail.com
Senior
Vice Commander James Hogan (CA)
1st
Junior Vice Commander Stephen Moffitt (RI)
2nd Junior Vice Commander William Burgess
(FL)
3rd
Vice Commander Rick Calissi (FL)
4th
Junior Vice Commander Charles Brooks (FL)
Judge
Advocate Dennis O’Connell (NY)
Chaplain Rev. Tony Martino (WI)
Phone 847 736 2111
email: Deaconmart@wi.rr.com
Phone
904 291-0576
email: pkjax@kaminsky.com
Immediate
Past Commander Richard Bugbee (AZ)
PLEASE,
If you know of any member who is sick or deceased inform one of the officers whose contact
information is listed above ASAPP.
WELCOME ABOARD
William Bennett, Little Rock AR
Herschel Harris, Jonesboro GA
R I P
Paul F. Johnson, Barboursville WV
William H. Ledbetter, Saint Louis MO
Kenneth
Walsh, Farmingdale NY
MESSAGE
FROM ADJUTANT/TREASURER
The
Disabled American Veterans held their annual reunion during the DAV National Convention in
Orlando, FL. Once more an excellent
event topped off with the performance of Gary Sinise with his Lt. Dan Band. This year there was a special appearance from
President Obama and the First Lady Michelle Obama.
Friday,
August 9, 2013 the Blind Veterans National Chapter #1 annual reunion held its first
business meeting at 9:00 am. At 4:00 pm the second business meeting was held. Roll call of officers followed the opening
invocation given by Rev. Tony Martino, and the Pledge led by Adjutant Paul Kaminsky.
Officers present were Commander Richard Bugbee, Sr. Vice Dave May, 1st Jr. Vice
Commander Carroll Prosser, 3rd Jr. Vice Commander Jim Hogan, 4th Jr.
Vice Commander Steve Moffitt, Judge Advocate Dennis O’Connell, Chaplin Rev. Tony
Martino, and Adjutant/Treasurer Paul Kaminsky. 2nd
Jr. Vice Commander Gary Traynor was excused absent. Delegates
present were Tony Martino, Dennis O’Connell, Steve Moffitt, and Jim Hogan. Alternate delegates present Rick Calissi, and
Charles Brooks, and Ron Lester; Alternate Bill Burgess was present but requested to be
relieved due to medical reasons. Standby Alternate Geoff Krizan was moved to Alternate to
replace Bill Burgess.
Following
the reading and approval of the previous reunions meeting minutes, the Treasurer’s
Report was given. Following is the brief summary of the annual treasury report:
Blind
Veterans National Chapter #1
Balance
Sheet
As Of
June 30, 2013
Assets
Total
Assets
$ 115,210.70
Liabilities
& Securities
Equity:
Opening Balance Equity:
$ 127,974.22
Income:
$
17,698.97
Expenses:
($ 30,462.49)
Total
Equity:
$ 115,210.70
Total
Liabilities & Securities
$ 115,210.70
Several
business items were also discussed during the business meetings. Noted was that for the fifth consecutive year the
Chapter had met its membership goal and received a fifth flag pendant from National
Headquarters.
Commander
Bugbee assigned committee responsibilities to the members present as were deemed
necessary. Convention Committee Assignments: Ron Lester (Primary) Carroll Prosser
(Alternate): General Resolutions; Charles
Brooks (PRI), Richard Bugbee (ALT): Legislation
& Vet Benefits; Dennis O’Connell (PRI) Geoff Kriazn (ALT): Constitution & Bylaws; Jim Hogan (PRI) Rick
Calissi (ALT): Hospital and Voluntary
Services; Rev Tony Martino (PRI), Steve Moffitt (ALT): Nominations; and Paul Kaminsky:
Credentials.
All
Primary and Alternate attended all assigned committee meeting and all convention business
meetings. The following individuals were elected or re-elected to the noted office
position:
Commander: Carroll Prosser (So. Carolina) (Elected)
Sr.
Vice Commander: James Hogan (California)
(Elected)
1st Jr.
Vice Commander: Stephen Moffitt (Rhode Island)
(Elected)
2nd Jr.
Vice Commander: Bill Burgess (Florida) (Elected)
3rd Jr.
Vice Commander: Rick Calissi (Florida)
(Elected)
4th Jr.
Vice Commander: Charles Brooks (Florida)
(Elected)
Judge
Advocate: Dennis O’Connell (New York)
(Re-elected)
Chaplin: Rev. Anthony Martino (Wisconsin) (Re-elected)
Adjutant/Treasurer:
Paul Kaminsky (Florida) (Re-elected)
All
officers were installed Monday August 12, 2013 during the Chapter’s Installation
Breakfast. Honored guest National 4th
Junior Vice-Commander Dave Riley conducted the oath of office ceremony.
The
closing event of the DAV National Convention was an evening where we attended
the presentation of our new National Officers. We
then had a very nice dinner followed by entertainment.
Plan next year to attend in Las Vegas, NV from August 8 - 12 2014 (Bally’s Las Vegas Hotel and Casino, 3645 Las Vegas Blvd
South), and
enjoy a terrific and well planned event. In closing following is our new DAV National
Commander for 2013 – 2014 Joseph W. Johnston (Williamsburg, Ohio).
Hope to
see you next year!!
FYI
The National
Personnel Records Center (NPRC) has provided the following copied this off the MTWS site.
Thought some here might find it handy. Website for veterans to gain access to their
DD-214s online:
http://www.archives.gov/veterans/military-service-records/
This may be particularly helpful when a veteran needs a copy of his/her DD-214 for
employment purposes. NPRC is working to make it easier for veterans with computers and
Internet access to obtain copies of documents from their military files.
Military veterans and the next of kin of deceased former military members may now use a
new online military personnel records system to request documents.
Other individuals with a need for documents must still complete the Standard Form 180,
which can be downloaded from the online web site. Because the requester will be asked to
supply all information essential for NPRC to process the request, delays that normally
occur when NPRC has to ask veterans for additional information will be minimized. The new
web-based application was designed to provide better service on these requests by
eliminating the records centers mailroom and processing time.
TRAVEL PAY
DEDUCTIBLE
“Deductible
requirement is subject to a monthly cap of $18.00. Upon reaching $18.00 in deductibles or
6 one-way (3 round) trips, whichever comes first, travel payments made for the balance of
that particular month will be free of deductible charges. $3.00 one way ($6.00 round trip)
Waiver of
Deductible
A waiver of the deductible will be provided if you
are eligible for travel and you:
--
are in receipt of a VA pension or;
--
are a NSC veteran and your previous year’s income does not exceed, or your
projected current calendar year’s income, in the year of application will not exceed
the applicable VA pension rate, or
--
are a SC veteran and your previous year’s income does not exceed, or your
projected current calendar year’s income, in the year of application will not exceed
the applicable national means test income threshold or,
--
are traveling for a scheduled compensation or pension examination