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ROBERT BERTSCHY

Department Commander

HONOR FLIGHT

On May 3, 2008, I was honored to be one of the World War 11 veterans to go to Washington, D.C. on the Honor Flight.

The Honor Flight is a program recognizing WW11 veterans at no cost to the veteran. We flew out of the Canton-Akron airport on a 149 passenger plane chartered from US airways. We were to be at the airport at 6:00 AM, Saturday May 3, 2008. They presented each of us with a grey t-shirt with Honor Flight World War 11 veteran on the front and "All gave some, Some gave all " on the back. They also gave us a ball cap with Honor Flight CAK on the front and a canvas bag with veteran on one side and the CAK log on the other. We left the airport at 8:00 AM and arrived in Washington, D.C. at 9:10 AM. Two large fire trucks spraying water in an arch welcoming us into Reagan National Airport saluted us. Valerie Kinney, program director said that they only do this for dignitaries. She told us there would probably be a few people to greet us when we went into the airport. This was a greeting that I will never forget. There were at least four hundred people there to greet us, congratulating us, thanking us for all what we had done, saluting us, flag waving and a large banner saying The Greatest Generation on Earth.

They had three buses to take us to the sites in Washington. We went to the WW11 Monument first. We spent about two and a half hours there. I had the privilege to shake Bob Dole’s hand. They furnished us with a lunch and then took us to the Marine Monument “aka” Iwo Jima Memorial. Korean Monument, the Vietnam Wall and the Lincoln Memorial.

We then went to the Korean Monument, the Vietnam Wall and the Lincoln Memorial. After we had a chance to take some pictures, the bus took us pass Arlington Cemetery. They then took us on a tour of Washington, D.C.

After the tour, we boarded the plane, leaving around 6:00 PM. We arrived at the CAK airport at 7:00 PM. We were welcomed again this time upon our arrival in Canton. Among the group were members of the Rolling Thunder, a motorcycle group that honors our veterans. Again waving flags and thanking us.

One of the veterans by the name of George Tomko, from Norton, Ohio wore his Navy uniform. Top priority is given to WW11 veterans as well as any veteran from any war that is terminally ill. Guardians are provided to assist any veteran needing assistance throughout the day. They helped veterans assisting them on and off the plane and bus. They also pushed them in wheel chairs at all the memorials.

I will be having applications for the Honor Flights at the Department Convention in Columbus. I encourage anyone to take advantage of this opportunity. Flights are filled on a first come-first served basis. The next flight out of the CAK airport is September 6, 2008.

The program is completely privately funded, no government funds are expended. Anyone wishing to donate to this program or wanting more info can contact Valerie Street Kinney, Program Director CAK at 330-413-3224, or e-mail her at vskinney@hotmail.com. You can also e-mail HonorFlightMom@ hotmail.com

IMPORTANT NUMBERS

Nat’l. Hdqrs., DAV (877) 426-2838

NSO Office, Cleveland (216) 522-3507

NSO Office, Cincinnati (513) 684-2676

Washington Office, DAV (202) 554-3501

Cincinnati HSC,

Sheila Clements (513) 475-6443

Mike Shaw (513) 475-6443

Dayton HSC, (937) 268-6511

Gene McCorkle Ext. 2962

Wade Park HSC, (216) 791-3800

Walter Dryja Ext. 3395

Chillicothe HSC (740) 773-1141

James Keller Ext. 7916

Columbus Clinic, (614) 257-5487

Michael Hackworth

Brecksville HSC, (440) 526-3030

Don Branford Ext. 7353

Warren Clinic (330) 392-0311

Youngstown Clinic (330) 70-9200

Ext. 105

Veterans Administration 1-800-827-1000

DATES TO REMEMBER

June 5-8, 2008 DAV Department Convention, The Crowne Plaza, Dublin, Ohio

June 13-14, 2008 Forget-Me-Not, Victory Chapter #134, Wheelersburg Kroger and New Boston K-Mart & B & G Market, Wheelersburg, Ohio.

June 15, 2008 DAV Day at the Indians Ballpark, Cleveland, Ohio

June 26-27, 2008 Forget-Me-Not, Brooklyn-Parma Chapter #116, Wal-Mart, Parma, Ohio

June 28, 2008 Forget-Me-Not, Brooklyn-Parma Chapter #116, Giant Eagle, North Royalton, Ohio

July 4, 2008 Forget-Me-Not, Lloyd C. Ludwick Chapter #123, various locations in Hillsboro, Ohio

August 8-9-10, 2008 Forget-Me-Not Drive, Salem Chapter #122, Salem, Ohio

August 1-2, 2008 Forget-Me-Not, Darke County Chapter #57, Darke County area.

August 8-9, 2008 Forget-Me-Not, Darke County Chapter #57, Greenville area

August 9-12, 2008 DAV National Convention,

Bally’s Hotel, Las Vegas.

August 23, 2008 Forget-Me-Not, Auglaize County Chapter #73, Wapakoneta and St. Marys, Ohio

October 5, 2008 6^th District Meting, Trumbull County Chapter #11, Warren, Ohio at 2 p.m.

October 10-12, 2008 DAV Department Fall Conference, The Crowne Plaza, Dublin, Ohio.

June 4-7, 2009 DAV Department Convention,

The Crowne Plaza, Dublin, Ohio.

October 9-11, 2009 DAV Department Fall Conference, The Crowne Plaza, Dublin, Ohio.

June 10-13, 2010 DAV Department Convention,

The Crowne Plaza, Dublin, Ohio.

October 8-10, 2010 DAV Department Fall Conference, The Crowne Plaza, Dublin, Ohio.

NOTES FROM YOUR STATE ADJUTANT

Thought For June: When in doubt – Tell the truth! And, the truth will set you free!

I hope to see many of you at our State Convention, commencing June 5^th.

Towards the end of May, as we celebrated Memorial Day, I was reminded of many things. One is that, how we treat our veterans says a lot about America’s character. Memorial Day was established to honor those who have paid the ultimate price for our freedom. We must, also, insure that the sick and wounded veterans are properly taken care of. Due to the massive influx of severely injured veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan, some of our VA Hospitals are finding it difficult to provide the care that is needed. Traumatic brain injuries are prevalent in those returning veterans and Trauma Centers necessary to treat them is not available at most VA Medical Centers.

It is disturbing to learn that a physician in charge of the post-traumatic stress disorder program at a VA Medical Facility in Texas actually told staff members: “Given that we are having more and more veterans seeking compensation, I’d like to suggest that you refrain

from giving a diagnosis of PTSD straight out.” This physician recommended that they consider a diagnosis of “Adjustment Disorder” instead. Is this how we expect the VA to treat our veterans??

Perhaps this VA doctor was thinking in terms of dollars and cents, as statistics reflect a more than 50% increase in medical costs for injured vets. Increasing numbers of troops leave the military with damaged bodies and minds and, even as the total population of

veterans shrink as WW2 and Korea soldiers die, the government expects to spend $59 billion a year to compensate injured veterans in 25 years, up from today’s $29 billion.

On a different note, the media announced that military recruiters are issuing more and more waivers for minor offenders, supposedly to meet recruiting goals. However, “page 2” of the story tells us the rigorous waiver process examines the “whole person” in order to identify true potential. Tracking recruits who were given waivers show a remarkable trend in their performance: They have a higher ratio of valor awards, advance in rank much faster and re-enlist at a higher rate. Giving “second chance waivers”, along with the rigors of military life can be a life changing endeavor for many of our nation’s youth.

Our VA Hospitals and Clinics are always in need of Volunteers. Helping others has it’s own rewards, and can be your way of saying thanks to our veterans who unselfishly gave of themselves in order to preserve the rights and freedoms that we cherish. Sign up today!

And, as always, keep our troops in your prayers as they fight the good fight in the war on terrorism. And,

never forget FREEDOM IS NOT FREE!

Information Bulletin

IMPORTANT NUMBERS