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Chapter 77 |
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Mail Call For: April, May, June, 2005 |
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Meeting Location Chapter and Board of Directors meetings
are held at the museum/office location at Telephone is 716-693-4479 or visit the
website at www.vva77.org |
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CALENDAR OF COMING EVENTS (Board of Director Meeting Dates are
subject to change, please call the office to verify dates.) |
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April 5 – Tuesday - VVA
Hill Day, Al
Brusetti or Patrick Welch |
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April
7 – Thursday – Spaghetti Dinner, American Legion Post 264, |
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April 11 – Monday - Board of Directors Meeting 7:00 p.m.
Members Welcome – Date subject to change |
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April 21 – Thursday -
General Membership Meeting 7:00 p.m. - Guest Speaker |
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April 30 – Saturday
- 30 year anniversary - Vietnam War ended: Chapter will hold a service
at the ALSO: VVA National will
conduct a service in |
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May 9 - Monday -
Board of Directors Meeting 7:00 p.m. Members
Welcome |
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May 15 –
Sunday - Annual Chapter Golf Tournament |
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May 19 - Thursday - General
Membership Meeting 7:00 p.m. – Guest Speaker |
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May 29 – Sunday - Memorial Day Parade, |
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May
30 – Monday – Memorial Day Services: 11:00 a.m. 2:00 p.m.
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June 6 - Monday - Board of Directors Meeting 7:00 p.m. Members Welcome |
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June
16 - Thursday - General Membership
Meeting 7:00 p.m. - Guest Speaker |
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Any other activities will be communicated
during the Board and General Membership Meetings and email distribution. If
you are not getting chapter emails, send an email to Patrick W. Welch, pwwusmc@aol.com to
be added to the list. |
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MEMBERSHIP RENEWALS; Your dues
payment can be mailed directly to the chapter office if you wish. This allows
us to update the membership roster on a more regular basis. THANKS TO
EVERYONE FOR YOUR EFFORTS IN BUILDING OUR ORGANIZATION. |
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VVA CHAPTER 77 – OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS (Officer terms
of office are from April 2004 to April 2006) |
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PRESIDENT: Patrick W. Welch 688.0129 1ST VICE PRESIDENT: Paul Pietrowski 693.4479 2nd VICE PRESIDENT: Greg Cain 895.4922 SECRETARY: Bob Sargis 827.5882 TREASURER: Al Brusetti 634.5869 SERVICE OFFICERS: Pete Montemurno 689.4870 Ernie Parent 693.4479 Patrick
Welch 688.0129 |
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DIRECTORS: Ken Berger 693.4479 Ernie Parent 693.4479 Jerry Caira 693.4479 Tom Konopka 694.0857 Pete Montemurno 689.4870 Bill Parmentier 310.2614 Ron Pilozzi 694.6052 Al Schreier 693.3441 |
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Associates of Delegates to NY State VVA Council: Al Brusetti Pete Montemurno Paul Pietrowski Patrick Welch Bill Parmentier Mike Marchese VA Hospital Volunteer Services Representative: Pete Montemurno Newsletter Editor: Ron Krul – 695-7677 |
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The Chapter is responsible
for the following standing committees: Agent Orange/Veterans Affairs: Al Brusetti 634.5869 Business Development: Tom Konopka 694.0857 Color Guard: Paul Pietrowski 693.4479 Community Affairs: Ron Pilozzi 694.6052 Constitution Committee: Larry Covert 823.9118 Economic Affairs: Al Brusetti 634.5869 Education: Jerry Caira 693.4479 Golf Tournament: Al Schreier 693.3441 Government Affairs: Al Brusetti 634.5869 Grant Writing: Patrick Welch 688.0129 Homeless Vets: Pete Montemurno 689.4870 Incarcerated Vets: Ernie Parent 551.4153 Membership: Paul Pietrowski 693.4479 Minority Affairs: Ron Pilozzi 694.6052 Museum Curator: Paul Pietrowski 693.4479 Public Affairs: Patrick Welch 688.0129 Nominating Committee: Larry Covert 823.9118 POW/MIA Affairs: Denner Astyk 897.0271 Strategic Planning: Greg Cain 895.4922 Vets History Project: Patrick Welch 688.0129 Webmaster: Denner Astyk 897.0271 Women Veterans:
Kathy
Cromwell 693.4479 |
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693.4479 www.VVA77.org |
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President’s Message By: Patrick W. Welch |
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Well another 3 months has rolled by and Chapter 77 continues to grow and make our presence felt in veteran’s advocacy and the community. Some highlights follow: VALOR – once again the crew of
this organization has provided funding to keep our Veterans Food Pantry
operating. Proceeds from their fund raising efforts in 2004 were $13,850 and Paul Rudnicki has
advised me there is one more check forthcoming. We are deeply grateful to
Paul Rudnicki, Linda Britt, Tom Brzezinski, John Cleary, Jr., Karen
Dryja-Swierski, Roy Loomis and Wayne Westerberg for their dedication to
serving our fellow veterans. Scholarship
Dinner
– overwhelming response by the community and fellow veterans in support of
our newly created scholarship in honor of Peter Tycz II. We will be able to
provide more scholarships than we planned. Four
Chaplains – in February the Chaplains at the VA Hospital in Guest
Speakers - the practice of brining
guest speakers to the monthly meetings has been very well received by the
membership and will continue. In
January, Jim Mahoney, President of the WNY Veterans Housing Coalition and
three staff members presented a program on their services. In February, Houston Crum from the Buffalo
News Kid’s Day – March 8, 2005 was a cold winter day in Buffalo, wind chill of – 2,
yet seven people from Chapter 77 turned up at 6:30 AM for the annual
newspaper sale to benefit Women & Children’s Hospital. For 2 ½ hours we
froze our fingers and toes off to sell 300 hundred newspapers. My WARMEST regards and Thanks to Al
Brusetti, Bob Sargis, Andrea Sargis, Bill Parmentier, Mike Marchese and Paul
Rudnicki. Remember: “If you
do NOTHING, then someday when you need the Veterans
Administration, NOTHING is just what you might
get.” SEMPER
FI |
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T A
P S Paul Facklam Sr., USMC - succumbed to cancer. The chapter color guard conducted a service at the wake to honor another of our fallen heroes. Rev. Bill Cherry, Army – Chapter Chaplain – suddenly of a heart attack. James Lesswing Sr., USMC These former Marines and fellow veterans will be missed by all of us who knew them. Our deepest sympathies and regards go out to their families. Semper
Fi and rest in peace |
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Service Officer’s Report By
Ernie Parent |
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$70.8
Billion proposed FY2006 budget for VA “This
budget demonstrates the President’s ongoing commitment to provide the very
best health care and benefits to those veterans who count on VA the most,”
Nicholson said. FY ’06 Budget Highlights · This budget proposal guarantees that the department will be able to care for those veterans who count on VA the most. · With this budget proposal, the President, working in partnership with Congress, will have increased health care funding for veterans by 47 percent since FY ’01. · The budget ensures continuation
of the Presidential priority where VA is working closely with the Department
of Defense to ensure that service members returning from · VA will be able to care for more than 5.2 million patients. With this budget, the department will be able to care for a record number of our high-priority patients, those veterans counting on us the most, including veterans of Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom. · The FY ’06 budget proposal
includes $750 million for the Capital Asset Realignment for Enhanced Services
(CARES) program, bringing the total department investment to date to $2.15
billion. The FY ’06 proposal includes 28 new outpatient clinics, funding
for design work for two new medical facilities in · The FY ’06 budget request calls for a total investment of $2.2 billion in enhanced mental health services, which is $100 million above this year’s funding level. This budget proposal ensures a full continuum of care for veterans with mental health issues, to include comprehensive treatment for those veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder. · The FY ’06 budget calls for $1.2 billion for prosthetics and sensory aids, a $100 million increase over FY ’05. · Funding for non-institutional long-term care would increase by more than 18 percent over FY ’05, with a total investment of $400 million in the President’s proposed budget. · Continuing the largest expansion
of the national cemetery system since the Civil War, the FY ’06 budget
proposal includes $90 million for construction projects, including funds for
the purchase of land for six new national cemeteries in FY ’06 Budget Highlights
for the Veterans Health Administration The
Veterans Health Administration has received record budget increases over the
last four years. With this budget proposal, the President, working in
partnership with Congress, will have increased health care funding for
veterans by more than 47 percent since FY ’01. The President’s FY ’06
budget proposal requests $30.7 billion for VA’s health care program. With these resources, VA will be able to
treat more than 5.2 million patients. In 2006, nearly 80 percent of
veteran patients are expected to be high priority - those veterans who count
on VA the most. The President’s budget request also
includes $750 million to continue the Capital Asset Realignment for Enhanced
Services (CARES) program designed to modernize VA’s health care system.
The FY ’06 proposal brings the total department investment to date to $2.15
billion. This historic transformation means that VA will be able to
provide greater access to high-quality care closer to where most veterans
live. For the last five years, the independent
American Customer Satisfaction index found veterans were happier than most
Americans with the health care they receive. In December, a study by
the prestigious RAND Corporation reported that VA patients were also
significantly more likely than non-VA patients to receive needed preventative
care. FY ’06 Budget Highlights for the Veterans Benefits
Administration The President’s budget
proposal for FY ’06 will enable the Veterans Benefits Administration to
maintain record increases in educational assistance and home loan
programs. Continuing the nation’s long-standing commitment to provide
educational benefits to veterans, service members and certain family members
of veterans, the department will continue to offer veterans and service
members educational assistance up to $1,004 per month - a record amount - for
full-time education or training in an approved institution. VA’s support to service members and
veterans purchasing or improving homes through the home loan guaranty program
will remain at record level. VA is now
guarantying home loans with no down payment of nearly $360,000 for eligible
veterans, up from the $240,000 maximum last year. Vocational rehabilitation
and employment benefits for service-disabled veterans will increase by $64
million in FY ’06, which is 11 percent more than FY ’05. Men and women still on active duty will
find it easier to access VA benefits when they near the end of their military
service because of the enhancements in the FY ’06 budget proposal for
VA programs that allow early application for disability claims and other
benefits. FY ’06 Budget Highlights for the Over
the past four years, the President has committed to the largest expansion of
the national cemetery system since the Civil War. To this end, the FY
’06 budget calls for $290 million, nearly $17 million, or 6.4 percent, more
than the level for FY ’05. The FY ’06 budget proposal calls for $90
million for construction projects, including funds for the purchase of land
for six new national cemeteries in the areas of FY ’06 Budget Highlights for
Legislative Proposals The
President’s 2006 budget includes legislative proposals that will further
ensure VA is able to care for those veterans who count on it the most.
The proposals include: · ending all copayments for former
prisoners of war; · authorizing VA to pay for emergency room care or urgent care for enrolled veterans in non-VA medical facilities; · allowing more resources to be devoted to the homeless providers grant and per diem program; · establishing a priority system
for veterans receiving care in state veterans homes; * These proposals ask that non-disabled, higher income veterans (Priority 7 and 8 veterans) assume a small share of the cost of their health care, in line with amounts required of military retirees who have served at least 20 years in uniform or who were retired early due to service-related disabilities. Under no circumstances will a veteran make a copayment of any kind for the treatment of a service-connected condition. |
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Chapter 77 Scholarship
Applications by Jerry Caira Chapter 77 is
proud to announce that applications for the Peter P. Tycz II Memorial
Scholarship are now This scholarship is designed for a graduating high school senior who: · resides in Niagara or · has a relative who is/was a veteran (Reservists who have completed 180 continuous days of service are considered veterans.), · shows a unique blend of academic achievement and community service, · and anticipates enrollment in an accredited program of higher education beginning in the fall of 2005. For further information regarding the VVA Chapter 77 Scholarship or to make a donation to the scholarship fund: Write: V V A, Chapter 77, E-Mail: vva77@wzrd.com Phone: (716) 693-4479 Our chapter has recently accomplished a number of “FIRSTS”. Many of you know that we have started our “FIRST”
scholarship this year – the Peter P Tycz II Memorial Scholarship – in honor
of this |
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CONTACTING THE CONGRESS |
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The
next time you see something that you want to communicate with your
congressional representative about it only takes a couple of minutes to
locate your representative and compose a letter/email via “Contacting the
Congress”. This is an up-to-date database of congressional contact
information for the 109th Congress. As of 13 FEB 05 there are 502 email
addresses (of which 430 are Web-based email homepages), and 536 WWW homepages
known for the 540 members of the 109th Congress. At
www.visi.com/juan/congress/ can be found all congressional members contact
info. Listed by state is each congressional member’s name, party affiliation,
committee membership, DC phone & fax number, email address, DC &
District mailing address, web site, political profile, personal Bio, names of
primary office staff members, and MapsOnUs directions to travel to their
office locations from your home address. Without your input you only have
yourself to blame when legislation is passed that does not favor the veteran
community. |
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Veterans appointed to
Advisory Board |
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Susan McCartney, Director of the Mr. Welch is Vice President & Chief
Operating Officer of Adaco Services Inc. an international software services
firm with headquarters in The mission of
the |
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Frank Gubala – Always Thinking of Others |
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One of the primary purposes of
the VVA is to assist disabled and needy war veterans and their dependants. While we do that as an organization,
occasionally the organization needs to stand up and recognize someone within
its ranks who performs an outstanding duty.
One such person is Frank Gubala of Frank has been an active member of VVA Chapter 77 over 4 years and is a life member of VVA.. He is a disabled Vietnam Vet who served with the 9th Infantry Division from January to August 1968. An accomplished professional photographer, Frank has shifted his attention in recent years to selling commemorative and challenge coins representing all branches of the services and numerous conflicts. Frank has an inventory of literally hundreds of coins and many of them can be viewed and purchased on his website. I would recommend you visit his site, which not only lists his challenge coins, but is a tribute to his comrades of the 9th Division. You can visit his site at www.9thinfantry.bravepages.com/ccoins.html. You may be
asking yourself how do Frank’s challenge coins assist needy veterans? Over the years, through the sale of his
coins, Frank has donated over $3,000.00 to the food panty in VVA Chapter
77. This is truly an outstanding
effort by one individual who is concerned about assisting veterans and their
dependents in the |
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The following reports on this page have been submitted by Paul
Pietrowski. |
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MEMBERSHIP We currently stand at 443 members and
counting. Our goal of 500 members is certainly within reach by April 2006. We
continue to lose members every month, if we can get them to renew we would
soon be over 500. I will continue to send letters and make phone calls to those
who are on the late list. I have also decided to keep everyone on the mailing
list in hopes of getting the late members to renew. If you are having
difficulties please contact us and we can work something out, we hate to lose
members, especially those who have been with us for a number of years |
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WELCOME HOME WELCOME HOME to the following new members; Tony Beck, Ken Caiola, John Ceney, Dan Detig, James Halt, Joe Hiller, Jaes Hughes, Jerald Irish, Ted Jarzabek, Joe Laraiso, Martin Mascia, David McGeein, David McKeever, Eric Nilson, Edward Palasznski, Paul Schultz, Chris Rego, Barry Weintraub, Wayne Metz, Dale Monnin, Larry Thurnherr. Thank you for joining Chapter77. |
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CANAL FEST
2005 Canal Fest 2005 is fast approaching. The dates are July 17th to the 24th. Again this year we will need VOLUNTEERS, for the tent at the bank and also in front of the store and the museum. This year we are also going to offer roast beef on weck at the American Legion across the street. This will be on Parade night July 19th. As you can see we will be busy and can use all the help we can get, remember this is one of our major fund raisers for the year. We also hope to go out to the Eden Corn Fest on August 4th to August 7th. More on that at the monthly meeting. We are still waiting for information on this one. For Canal Fest we will need volunteers for the following dates and time. Sunday July 17 - noon to approx.9:00PM tent in front of HSBC Bank Monday, July 18 - 5:00PM to 9:00PM tent Tuesday, July 19 - parade night volunteers needed at museum and Legion beef on weck Wednesday, July 20 - 5:00PM to 9:00PM Thursday, July 21 - 5:00PM to 9:00PM Friday, July 22 - 5:00PM to 9:00PM Saturday, July 23 - 9:00AM to 9:00PM craft show, tent, store and museum Sunday, July 24 -
9:00AM to 5:00PM craft show, tent, store and museum Please let me know if you can volunteer even if it’s only for an hour or two, we need all the help we can get. Call the office 693-4479 and let us know. |
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SPAGHETTI DINNER On Thursday, April 7,2005 the chapter is having a
spaghetti dinner at Post 264 American Legion. The hours will be 4:00PM to
7:00PM and the cost is $5.00. The proceeds will used to purchase new flags
and poles for the chapter color guard. Volunteers will be needed here also,
contact the chapter office 693-4479 if you would like to help |
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COLOR GUARD The chapter color guard has been busy. Thanks to my faithful assistant Pete Montemurno the color guard participated in four events recently. They presented the colors at the ceremony of the Four Chaplains at the VA Hospital, also at the Women’s Veterans program at U.B. and most recently the funeral of chapter members Paul Facklam and Rev. Bill Cherry So far we are entered in three parades this summer, Memorial Day in Tonawanda May 29th, Canal Fest July 19th and Eden Corn Fest August 7th. Check the events calendar in this newsletter for times and location. Our color guard continues to grow, we are now up to 14 members. If you are interested in joining and can march give me a call at the office. |
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POW-MIA There
are now 1,836 Americans listed by the Defense Department as missing and
unaccounted for from the Vietnam War- 1399 in To date there have been 32 field
operations in |
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MUSEUM
REPORT – Paul Pietrowski Saturdays at the museum is the place to be. If you have not made a visit to the museum, you are missing out on good conversation and friendship. The crowd continues to grow each week and we still get a lot of walk-ins who have heard about our displays and more importantly the assistance we offer to all veterans. Take the time and make the trip… you won’t be disappointed. There’s plenty of coffee and doughnuts for everyone. We are trying to figure out ways to increase our wall space, I have many photos, etc. that we just can’t display. I am still taking photos and memorabilia. We just received some portable display boards that we can use at other sites, schools and libraries. Hope to see you soon at the museum. |
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BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT NEWS
by Tom Konopka One of our missions is to assist veterans find jobs or start a small business. We have recently been successful in assisting a few veterans find employment. We are working on increasing awareness of this activity in the community. All members are urged to assist in spreading the word. Contact Tom Konopka (home-694-0857; mobile-510-1345; e-mail-TOMKONOPKA@aol.com) if you have any questions or input. |
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VA HealthCare News - Pete Montemurno 1. The National POW Recognition day ceremony will be held on Saturday, April 9th, at 9:00 AM in Conference Room 301. 2. Chaplain Service will host a Holocaust Ceremony on Sunday April 17th, at 2:00 PM in Conference Room 301. 3. National Volunteer Week will be celebrated the week of April 17-23.The Volunteer Award Ceremony for 4. The Memorial Day Service at the VA Hospital , on Sunday, May 29th at 2:00 PM in Conference Room 301. 5. The VA will host a Golf Tournament, on Friday, June 3rd, at the Batavia Country Club.
Anyone interested in participating in the golf tournament should contact Mark Francis at 862-8667 for further information.
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There is a Vietnam Veteran
Homecoming Tribute this year in Wally called their registration phone number (1-800-768-3913) and was given all of the help he could have asked for. This organization has taken over all the hotel booking for all the hotels within 80 miles of Branson. They are offering some pretty good rates. He was told that the room rates go from $45.00 up to $150.00 per night, depending on hotel, of course. In March 2005, the hotel reservations go back to the hotel’s control and the hotel’s original rates, so make your reservations NOW if you are interested in attending. They are trying to put the different branches of services together; Air Force with Air Force, Army with Army, etc. The event reservation fee of $100.00 per person was collected by credit card over the phone, but if needed, cancellation is possible. The full schedule of events and registration
form can be found at the web-site: There haven’t been many ceremonies
and parades over the years for the 7.9 million |
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ONE MORE...YOU
MIGHT BE A REDNECK IF ............ |
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BURIAL BUGLER SHORTAGE Since 2000, families of all honorably
discharged veterans have been entitled under federal law to a two-person
uniformed funeral honor guard, the folding and presentation of the flag and
the playing of taps. The Civil War dirge known as taps adds a beautiful,
somber tone providing a feeling of finality for the families of those who
served. With an average of 1,800 |