A Non-profit National Veterans Service Organization Chartered by Congress VVA 472 News & Photos [ FRONT PAGE]            [PAGE 2]            [PAGE 3]   HS6 MEMORIAL FUND 2009 DEC 16 Rene Rodriguez and Eddie Martinez present Master Chief James Thompson with a check for $939.00. As members of Chapter 472 of the Vietnam Veterans of America in San Diego with President Sal Pellerito leading the way, they joined the Chapter in selecting the HS6 Memorial Fund as the Chapter's annual adopted Christmas Family. After learning the details of this story the Chapter membership contributed a second time, all in keeping with the spirit of assisting veterans and their families. The generous support of Dan Papp, President of Chapter 1031 of Escondido, Ca., the Rincon Reservation with Ronnie Murphy leading, and the always generous Vietnamese Community Association of San Diego, led by Mr. Luc Nguyen, Pres- ident and Vice President Mrs Kim Trang Dang all directly contributed to the Fund. Everyone's assistance in this important fund raising is greatly appreciated.   VVA442 CHRISTMAS PARTY 2009 2009 DEC 04 The Chapter held its Annual Christmas Party on December 5. Lita and Nino Martinez hosted in their Eastlake home with about forty attending. The entire evening was a lot of fun and many commented on the variety of foods to select from. The white elephant was a booming success with a consistent stream of exchanges in good fun. The highlight of the evening was the presentation of the donations for Chapter 472's Christmas Family that was agreed upon at the October meeting. The families of five Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron SIX warriors who died May 19, 2009 was proposed by Member Rene Rodriguez as our Christmas Families. The membership agreed. For the record, the new Chapter 1031 led by Dan Papp of Escondido gave $200.00. Associate Mrs Kim Trang Dang donated $100.00 from the Vietnamese Community organization. Mr. Luc Nguyen, President, Mrs Trang, Vice President. Member Ronnie Murphy, along with a Color Guard contingent at the Rincon Reservation, returned with a check for $150.00. A big thanks to the American Indian Warriors Association, they are very generous. Mrs Christi Vaul, a prospective Associate, topped off the donations with a check for $20.00. The membership gave a total of $207.00 at the regular meeting and added another $162.00 at the Christmas Party making a grand total of $839.00. Two checks were dispensed: $657.00 and $162.00 to the HS-6 MEMORIAL FUND and will be delivered by Rene to HS-10. You may still donate to the HS-6 Memorial Fund: HELANTISUBRON TEN Attn: AOCM James Thompson c/o HS-6 MEMORIAL FUND PO Box 357119, San Diego, Ca 92135-7119 The President thanks every member for their generous support for the families. He said it was a pleasure to meet the wives of many of our members and it was easy to see why the membership is growing with these new friendships and associations. Again, fun is the key to our success with always: our veterans in mind, first and foremost. Nothing is more important than those that serve and served in our military. The connections with our younger associates is what will make the Association thrive as we out reach to all who share this strong bond of patriotism. Two Associate memberships forms were collected with one, a three year membership. Three promising to sign up. The membership is growing under the direction of Linda Johnson, the Associate Representative of the AVVA. -30- Santa Ken Johnson greeted all arrivals with a candy cane. He is pictured here with pursed lips responding to the request of Associate Kelly Bonsavage, who asked for a new shipment of mistletoe on his next run to the States.   VETERAN'S DAY PARADE 2009 2009 NOV 11 More than 80 friends and veterans joined Chapter 472 in the Veterans Parade in downtown San Diego on Veterans Day, November 11. With some thirty motorcycles following the Vietnamese American Armed Forces and Vietnamese Community organization, the Chapter enjoyed the company of two disabled veterans who rode in private vehicles. One veteran rode with a separate group. The tow truck was supplied once again by the new Escondido Chapter 1031 contingent and set a new precedence with two Chapter participating as one. Forty five veterans, wives and families were joined by the Vietnamese Youth Alliance on the truck. The flags were displayed with bunting, banners, and the two Chapter boards. The newest Chapter led by Dan Papp gave a $200.00 to President Pellerito for a family which will be donated with a future donation by the Chapter and Vietnamese community at the next Christmas Party scheduled around December 5. See the photos. More Photos in the Gallery ODELL 'RANGER' WILSON AND PUP AT THE WALL 2009 NOV 02 Ranger Wilson is a veteran who can easily be seen during the many marathons he enters. As always, he can be seen carrying the MIA/POW flag as he runs in the many marathons around the nation. He is seen here recently at the Vietnam Wall in Washington, DC with his ever present dog in arms, Pup, his ever faithful companion, who can be seen reflected on the mirror image of the Wall. You will never see Ranger without this friend. Odell says that he carries the flag to "remind those along the route never to ever forget our missing". He is to be commended for his patriotism and devotion in keeping the memory of our missing alive and that this is not over until they have all been accounted for.   VETERAN OF THE YEAR 2009 2009 NOV 10 The Scottish Rite facility in Mission Valley was the annual setting for the Veteran of the Year Luncheon. Hosted by the Veterans Museum & Memorial, Chapter 472 and their nominee, Don Barnard were joined by nine members at the luncheon, an all time high for the Chapter in supporting their nominee. Also present was Megan Taylor, who was representing Pure Bio as the Corporation of the Year. Miss Taylor was thrilled when Pure Bio received the top honors for 2009. Jae Marciano of HomeFront stopped by to greet Chapter veterans. More Photos in the Gallery   FALL BACK FESTIVAL 2009 NOV 01 The Veterans Museum & Memorial were among the many organizations who gathered downtown on the first day of fall. Ruben Ortiz and Eddie Martinez hosted for the museum by handing out museum applications and tending to the youngsters that dropped by to color flags for the troops in the mid-east. There were some local entertainers as well as many organizations participating.. More Photos in the Gallery   COAST TO COAST CELEBRATION 2009 NOV 08 Chapter 472 hosted the Coast to Coast Arrival of Mr. Sinh Nguyen, who in memory and honor of his father, a veteran, ran across the United States. After Mr. Nguyen was honored for his heroic deed by the Vietnamese American Armed Forces and the Vietnamese Community, as well as the Youth Alliance, the group of about 200 attendees entered the museum where Chapter 472 provided the refreshments. A massive cake made in three sections were of the west coast, the central states and the east coast with footprints dotted the lower section of the US identifying Sinh's route. The cake was cut by Associate Linda Johnson and Mrs Kim Trang Dang, Vice President of the Vietnamese Community. The Vietnamese American Armed Forces and the Vietnamese Community are led by LCDR Chris Pham and Luc Nguyen respectively. More Photos in the Gallery   MASSING OF THE COLORS 2009 NOV 07 The Chapter joined the American Indian Warriors Assn in the Massing of The Colors in Balboa Park. It was a beautiful morning with over 60 Color Guards from all services, schools and organizations. Although there were only five organizations mentioned, General G.E. Watts, upon announcing the Vietnam Veterans of America organization, the two to three hundred in the audience sprung to their feet and applauded. Led by President Sal Pellerito, were Color Guard members: Rene Rodriguez, Ken Johnson, Sunny Farrand, Ranger Wilson, Eddie Martinez and Honorary attendee: Don Leavitt. Also members Ronnie Murphy, Ivan Sam and Jauquin of the Warriors and Chapter 1031 members. More Photos in the Gallery   APRIL SMITLEY RECEIVES EDUCATION ASSIST AWARD 2009 SEPT 17 Sal Pellerito, President of Chapter 472, presents April Smitley a Certificate of Appreciation for her devotion and assistance to the Veteran. She was also given an Education Assist Award of $500.00 for Grand daughters of Vietnam Veterans. April's grand parents on both sides of the family served in Vietnam: Bobby Young Trent and Herman Smitley. A history of their services in the US Army, Navy and Air Force since the end of WWII to Vietnam is very interesting and a record is being made of their service by the Chapter. Linda Johnson, of the Associates Vietnam Veterans presents April Smitley with two dozen red roses as President Sal Pellerito reads the many accomplishment of this year's first recipient. April is the newest Associate of the Vietnam Veterans of America. April was accompanied to the Saturday Luncheon at the Veterans Museum and Memorial offices with her parents, Edward and Cindy Smitley. Her father retired from the US Navy with 22 years of service in 2006. Other family members attending were two sisters, Michelle, Stacy and a younger brother, Raymond. Miss Smitley maintained a high 3.81 average in high school and is a full time student at San Diego State University where she plans to major in Business Administration.    VVA / VVAF Picnic 2009 SEPT 14 The Vietnam Veterans joined the Vietnamese American Armed Forces at their annual picnic held recently at the Naval Amphibious Gator Beach. The host Chris Pham and his entire group of veterans that included wounded warriors from Iraq and Afghanistan are true patriots. Their stories were heart warming and full of patriotism for their new country and they spoke warmly of the Vietnam Veteran.   CHAPTER RECEIVES MOTORCYCLE FOR CHARITY 2009 AUG 31 President Sal Pellerito and Board Member Don Barnard test the motorcycle donated to the Chapter. The motorcycle sold for $2000.00 last week and banked to the Charity special fund. The Chapter appreciates such wonderful donors to the Chapter's causes. Just a bit of what is going on in the Chapter in the past few weeks. Manning the office every Friday is also a plus and talking directly to Veterans in need of assistance and information is working out very well..   NEW NORTH COUNTY CHAPTER CHARTERS 2009 AUG 25 Chapter 472 members attended the North County Chartering meetings several times. The third time was a charm as the Chapter chartered by mail in late July 2009. They are now Chapter 1031 with about 60 members. Some North County chapter 472 members will be transferring to the Escondido based Chapter. There was a bugle ceremony to close the meeting in early July. photo one. ANTHONY PYKA of Troop 685, VFW Post 7766 and a student in Bugles Across America play echo taps with his instructor Michael Timson. picture two. (Edited: 2009-0920 to correct information Chapter 1031, not 1021- (PCM)).   NORTH COUNTY CHAPTER CHARTER George Prather Jr was successful in setting up the foundation to the North County Chapter with over 30 members signing up. The interim President and all offices of Secretary, Treasurer, 1st and 2nd Vice Presidents came from a core of members who seem very dedicated with their time and ideas for the fledging chapter. President Sal Pellerito of Chapter 472 along with several members were on hand to make suggestions and give some guidance and ideas to the new officers. The Chapter will charter and elections will be held in April 2010 for the first inductees. George is the interim 2nd Vice President. Several north county members of 472 signed up on Charter night.   ICON VISITS MUSEUM Ms Edith SHAIN and DON LEAVITT exchanged conversation recently at the Veteran's museum. In the background is the very famous VJ Day photo in Times Square showing Edith being overwhelmed by a sailor. She said she was taken totally by surprise by the sailor who wanted to celebrate the war's end with a nurse's attention. HELIX HONORS VETS The Helix High School, the only high school to honor veterans annually again hosted a luncheon in La Mesa for the county veterans. Also invited were all speakers for the previous five years who have come to the school and speak to the students. The Veterans were honored in 2008 with their names inscribed on a plaque.