Memorable 61st Brings New Resolve

“I’ve been to other conventions but this is the one I think I’d like to remember most,” said Paul Guzman, Southern California Regional Group, one of 150 blinded veterans and more than 375 total participants who had, by week’s end, registered for the BVA 61st National Convention.

“The people here in Buffalo were surprisingly wonderful wherever we went—they served us so well and just couldn’t seem to do enough to provide a great time for us,” said Paul. “This convention has rejuvenated me and motivated my future efforts to serve BVA and my fellow veterans.”

For some convention attendees, the highlight of the five days at the Buffalo Niagara Adam’s Mark Hotel was a business meeting, a panel discussion about guide dog schools, a meal with old friends, understanding BVA’s resolutions for the coming year, the exhibit hall, a winning raffle ticket, merchandise acquired at the Auxiliary silent auction, or a trip to Niagara Falls and a ride on Maid of the Mist. For perhaps a greater number, the Friday evening barbecue held at Buffalo and Erie County Naval & Military Park and sponsored by the local chapter of the United Auto Workers, will forever stand out.

“Going on board The Sullivans for the barbecue really did it for me,” said Leonard Verbeke, Kentuckiana Regional Group. “I guess it is because of all of the emotion that comes with a Navy Destroyer and also because my grandson has been injured on board the Teddy Roosevelt and is still in a coma--I guess I just felt like I was both with him and a part of him while eating aboard the ship.”

The 61st National Convention was the first one coordinated by the newly appointed Christina Hitchcock. She was supported by the marathon hours worked by National Headquarters staff member Laureen Bowles and the tireless service provided by Assistant Convention Coordinator Larry Martinez and wife Elena, Sam and Anita Ayoob, Dawna Johnson, and a host of other volunteers from the Buffalo community.

Operation Peer Support Brings OIF, OEF Vets

Generous support from Health Net Federal Services, Genentec, and GlaxoSmithKlinein brought seven Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) and one Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF, Afghanistan) to the convention.

“Our gratitude to these men and their families, who have sacrificed so much for our nation and for us personally, has made it an immense honor to be in their presence,” said Tom Miller in closing remarks at the Awards Banquet marking the end of the convention. “We are also deeply appreciative of the generosity of those who have made it possible for us to become personally acquainted with them here.”

OEF veteran and BVA member Steve Beres (Michigan Regional Group) receives Braille flag from Randolph Cabral, President of the Kansas Braille Institute.

Joining the aforementioned companies in offering assistance to the “Operation Peer Support” program were SupportTheTroops.com, VFW’s U.S.S. Jacob Jones Post 2017, and the following BVA regional groups: Maine, Massachusetts, New York, and Puerto Rico.

OIF servicemen Jesse Acosta, Dustin Howell, James Miner, Jeffrey Mittman, Andrew Neumeyer, Jason Pepper, and Leondrea Rice were accompanied by OEF veteran and BVA member Steve Beres in sampling the various business meetings, educational forums, social events, and local culture that are all part of the Association’s national conventions.

Several of the eight blinded veterans were also interviewed by local media, which took special interest in their attendance at the convention.

Operation Peer Support, an initiative of Tom Zampieri and BVA National Headquarters, is an ongoing effort to connect newly blinded veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan with combat-blinded veterans from World War II, Korea, and Vietnam. BVA national conventions are at least one means of making such connections.

“Physical and emotional isolation is a huge issue for those who have only recently lost their vision,” said Tom. “Perhaps only those who have faced such adversity in the past can truly understand what these newly blinded veterans are going through, and it is vital that the new generation hear and gain strength from the experiences of those who have already traveled a similar road.”

Tom said that Operation Peer Support is meant to be more than a flash in the pan.

“It was great to have these veterans with us this year, and we truly hope that this can be done in the future with the same type of wonderful support.”

As the week progressed, OIF/OEF guests and their families became better acquainted with one another and the BVA family in general. At a Wednesday afternoon reception attended by the servicemen, their families, and local media, Randolph Cabral, President of the Kansas Braille Transcription Institute, presented each man with a name-engraved Braille American flag designed and produced by the Institute.

“It is an overwhelming and deep honor to stand before you today,” Cabral told them. “I am humbled beyond words to make this presentation to you and to thank you for your sacrifices on behalf of our country.”

The fully tactile graphic given to the men contained embossed figures representing each star and stripe, as well as their corresponding colors. Beneath the flag was a key in English literary Braille code. The flag was constructed from American thermoform, a specially constructed plastic fiber that effectively retains tactile graphics and Braille information.

Wannemacher Delivers Keynote

“President Bush, Secretary Nicholson, and Deputy Secretary Mansfield appreciate what BVA has done to bring eight individual servicemen and their families to Buffalo,” said Deputy Under Secretary for Memorial Affairs Richard Wannemacher in his opening business session keynote address.

Speaking to blinded veterans, their families, and attendees of the VA VIST/BROS conference, Wannemacher said that BVA’s Operation Peer Support initiative has provided a forum in which recently blinded veterans can be thanked and appreciated for their service.

"This is a very timely and appropriate gesture,” he said.

Wannemacher also pledged that VA would do everything possible to protect the integrity of veterans’ personal data in the future.

“We now have a zero tolerance rule for our employees throughout the nation,” he stated. “We apologize for the recent incidents at VA.”

Wannemacher referred to the benchmark of excellence set by VA for other health care service delivery systems throughout the country.

“We will be here to deliver 21st century health care to 21st century combat-to-combat veterans today,” he said. “It will be the best care this nation can offer to these veterans while we continue to serve our veterans from the World War II, Korean, and Vietnam eras.”

Wannemacher’s attendance and speech constituted a short notice pinch-hitting effort on behalf of VA Deputy Secretary Gordon H. Mansfield, who had originally been scheduled as the keynote speaker.

           
Newly Elected Board Members

Elections for six positions on the Board of Directors were opened during the months leading up to the convention, or at the convention itself. Four of the six elections—for National President, Vice President, Secretary, and Director of District 2—did not have an opposing candidate.

The following National Officer was elected for a one-year term:

Treasurer – Ronald White, New York Regional Group
                     (opposed by incumbent Paul Kaminsky)                       

District Directors elected for full three-year terms are:
           
Director of District 1 – General Weeks, Massachusetts Regional Group
                                                  (opposed by Dennis O’Connell)
Director of District 2 – Robert Campbell, Missouri Regional Group
                                                  (uncontested)

The National Board of Directors also re-appointed The Reverend Neftali Sanchez of the Silver State Regional Group for his 28th consecutive year as BVA National Chaplain and James Harper of the New Mexico Regional Group as this year’s National Sergeant-At-Arms.

Newly elected treasurer Ronald White was born and raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He spent more than 20 years in the Army, retiring as a Sergeant First Class in 1975 after spending nine years in Germany, one year in Vietnam, and ten years in stateside locations.

Following military retirement, Ron received an associate degree and became an Administrative Officer for the federal government. He joined BVA in 1998 after VA increased his service-connected percentage for blindness from ten to 100 percent.

Ron has been elected to various leadership positions in his regional group and has been a Volunteer Patient Representative at the Brooklyn VA Medical Center since 1999. He was recently re-elected to his seventh term as the alumni association President for the Eastern Blind Rehabilitation Center.

           
One Bylaw and 47 Resolutions

As usual, meetings of the Executive Committee and Board of Directors began on August 12, three days before the official opening date of the convention. Field Service Representatives, the Rules Committee, the Bylaws and Resolutions Committee, and the BVA Auxiliary also conducted official business prior to the general meetings and events while BVA National Headquarters Department Directors and Field Service Representatives presented reports to the Board.

BVA Controller Kathy Ruais provided the budget analysis for FY 2006 in the opening business session, reporting a surplus in the BVA general fund/operating budget for the second consecutive fiscal year. A motion to approve the new budget was seconded and passed on the convention floor.

Convention delegates approved a bylaw amendment providing that the BVA Controller be a permanent trustee on the Life Membership Board of Trustees. The change was similar to one passed in 2004 providing that the same individual be a permanent trustee on the Investment Fund Board of Trustees.

Some 54 resolutions were originally submitted to BVA for consideration at the convention. Five of the resolutions submitted by members of the Board of Directors were withdrawn prior to the Wednesday Bylaws and Resolutions Committee meeting. Two additional resolutions were withdrawn at the Committee level, leaving 47 to be considered by the general membership at the closing business session on Saturday. Two of the 47 resolutions were not recommended for passage by the Committee but passed the general membership anyway. Both the Committee and the general membership voted on the first 37 of 47 resolutions as a block.

The new bylaw and resolutions have been posted at www.bva.org/advocacy.html. At the request of National President Larry Belote, they will be further detailed in the Autumn 2006 issue of the Bulletin.

Exhibitors Add Interest, Support

Some 32 organizations with products and/or services for the blind and visually impaired demonstrated the latest technology in the field. This year’s exhibit hall, even more spacious than usual, was just steps away from all of the BVA meeting rooms, those used for the VIST/BROS conference, both registration desks, and the BVA convention office.

Philip Raistrick, President of En-Vision America, with colleague Anna McClure in convention exhibit hall. En-Vision America provided financial support to this year's Father Carroll Luncheon.

“From the standpoint of our exhibit hall and our attendees’ access to it, the Adam’s Mark Hotel was one of our best layouts ever,” said Tom Miller. “As always, we are indebted to our exhibitors for all they added to this year’s convention and for the special attention many of them give to BVA and the needs and interest of our veterans.”

The following companies exhibited at the convention: American Printing House for the Blind, Blind Signs, Blind and Vision Rehabilitation Services of Pittsburgh, Capital Accessibility, C TECH, Chicago Lighthouse, Enhanced Vision, En-Vision America, Eschenbach Optik of America, EVAS, Fidelco Dog Foundation, Freedom Guide Dogs for the Blind, Freedom Scientific, Guiding Eyes for the Blind, G W Micro, Guerilla Technologies, Humanware, Image Marketing Corporation, Integration Technologies Group, Leader Dogs for the Blind, LS&S, Magnifying America, MagniSight, Maxi-Aids, National Federation of the Blind, National Library Services, Ocutech, Optelec, Sendero Group, SensAbility, Talking Tabs, and VA Research and Development.

 
Where’s the Heat?

Regular convention attendees of the past ten years who have experienced the heat and sometimes drenching humidity of cities like New Orleans, San Juan, Las Vegas, San Antonio, Myrtle Beach, and Miami Beach may not have realized how moderate they would find the climate to be in Buffalo.

“Adapting to the summer heat is something we all have become accustomed to doing and can do, and some people actually prefer it,” said Everett Langworthy, North Carolina Regional Group, “but this year has certainly been a very nice change of pace for us.”

High temperatures during the convention week were between 78 and 81 degrees while the lows hovered at around 62.

Maid of the Mist

Four busloads of attendees made a Thursday rendezvous to Niagara Falls where they “soaked” in the excitement of the Falls on a refreshing ride aboard the world-famous Maid of the Mist. The diesel-engine boat took the group deep into the basin of the Falls through crashing waters. Before boarding, willing passengers were all required to clad themselves in blue-tinted souvenir ponchos that would protect everything but the head from the ensuing spray.

Jesse, Brittany, and Connie Acosta aboard Maid of the Mist. The three enjoy the spray emanating from nearby Niagara Falls with the Canadian side of the Niagara River in the background.

“It was a long walk to reach the boat, but this was an exhilarating experience,” said 95-year-old John Swast, Northern Arizona Regional Group, after completing the ride.

“Believe it or not, I came here more than 80 years ago when I was a teenager!” he continued. “I think the ride was called Maid of the Mist even back then, but the big difference is that the boat did not get as close to the Falls back in the 1920s, and the water experience then was more a mist than the showering spray we just experienced.” 

The day trip continued with a final casino/buffet stop at the Seneca Niagara Casino just moments away from Niagara Falls. The casino results were profitable for a handful of players, among them OIF serviceman Leondrea Rice and Gary Neumeyer, father of OIF serviceman Andrew.

Friday Forum Informs

A series of presentations and discussions on current issues vital to blinded veterans filled the Friday BVA Forum agenda.

Leading off the morning was General Weeks, who provided an overview of his Regional Group Leadership and Training Seminar. Full-blown leadership training conferences are held annually and rotated through each of the BVA districts. The next leadership training conference will be held in District 2 in April or May 2007.

The group then watched a video presentation entitled “Reverse Vision Loss from Macular Degeneration.” Supplied by the Washington Regional Group and narrated by Dr. Alston C. Lundgren, the video suggested a revolutionary means of negating the effects of macular degeneration through acupuncture treatments.

Lofti B. Merabet, O.D., Ph.D. then presented details of the progress of the Boston Retinal Implant Project at the VA Center for Innovative Visual Rehabilitation. The project uses a variety of laboratory techniques in the development of its retinal prosthesis. The ultimate goal is to develop a commercially available prosthesis that will restore vision to patients with age-related macular degeneration and retinitis pigmentosa.

The BVA Forum concluded with a town meeting involving BVA Field Service Program personnel. The meeting included a field rep panel discussion, a question and answer session, and an opportunity to schedule individual consultations. 

Powers Affirms Carroll Themes

“If Father Carroll were here today, and I truly believe he is indeed here in spirit, I think he would be very pleased to learn of the incredible services now available to blinded veterans in the year 2006,” said Buffalo VIST Coordinator Elaine Powers as she delivered the Friday Father Carroll Luncheon address.

Speaking to the full body of convention attendees, Elaine said Father Carroll would most assuredly smile with approval as he examined how BVA’s work has transformed such services in the 21st century.

"It’s truly amazing what we now have—all the way from GPS technology, and VICTORS/ VISOR programs, to poly trauma centers and Blind Rehabilitation Outpatient Specialists,” she said. “None of this would be possible without BVA.”

Elaine described the challenges she regularly faces in helping recently blinded veterans understand how VA services can drastically change their lives. She also expressed appreciation for her profession and the opportunities she has had to work with and serve veterans.

“This job is an extremely wonderful job, and I consider all of you my BVA family,” she said. “The education I obtain and the history lessons I learn from the veterans are things I could never learn from any book.”  

Achievers Honored

Frank Armstrong is this year's recipient of the David L. Schnair Award for dedicated voluntary service.

World War II blinded veteran Randolph H. “Randy” Greene of Austin, Texas, an inspirational role model throughout his life to the visually impaired and fully sighted wherever he has worked, volunteered, or socialized, received this year’s Major General Melvin J. Maas Award.

Randy’s nominating statement for the award referred to him as a remarkable individual who just happens to be blind. Born in Bluegrove, Texas, Randy moved to Lubbock when he was 14, where he completed high school and worked for two years as a carpenter, a skill he still uses in projects at home.

In 1943, Randy enlisted in the Army and ended up New in New Guinea where, in front-line fighting, an exploding landmine caused injuries to both of his eyes and minor wounds on his face, chest, and right arm. He spent 18 months in Army hospitals, during which he married his fiancée, Viola Burton. Randy joined BVA shortly after its founding in 1945.

Determining that education was the key to his future, Randy received a Bachelor of Science degree from Texas Tech University. He soon thereafter earned a masters degree in Psychology with a minor in Blind Rehabilitation while also earning a high school teaching certificate.

During the course of his professional career, Randy worked as a rehabilitation counselor for the Texas Commission for the Blind and as the Chief of Blind Rehabilitation at the VA Medical Center in Waco. In 1979, Randy became the first blinded veteran to be appointed as a VIST Coordinator. He has received the Governor’s Citation as the Outstanding Disabled Person in Texas and was inducted into the Texas Commission for the Blind’s Wall of Honor. His life story was published in Dialogue Magazine.

The Irving Diener Award winner was presented to Don Haynes of Eden, North Carolina, for his superb management, organizational, and people skills in leading the North Carolina Regional Group.

Don was born in Rockingham, North Carolina, and learned hard work growing up on a tobacco farm. After an honorable discharge from the Army in 1969, an industrial accident blinded him in both eyes. Although devastated at first, Don persevered by attending the Central Blind Rehabilitation Center at Hines and later Elon College, where he earned a bachelors degree in Business Administration.

Don has worked as an academic advisor and teaching assistant, managed a small business, and served as a BVA Field Service Representative for the mid-Atlantic area. He is currently attempting to establish a new regional group chapter in western North Carolina and is working with BVA National Headquarters in a program to increase attendance at national conventions.

Frank Armstrong of Newport, Oregon, has been a beacon of light to blinded veterans in Oregon. For his dedication, energy, and outgoing nature, BVA awarded him the David L. Schnair Volunteer Service Award for 2006.

“As a Veterans Service Officer, as President of the Oregon Columbia Regional Group, and as a stalwart advocate of the VIST program in Oregon, Frank has become a voice for all blinded veterans served at the Portland VA Medical Center and in other parts of the northwest,” said VIST Coordinator Jodi Roth in her nominating statement.

In addition to his duties at the BVA volunteer office, Frank meets often with the medical center’s executive leadership. He also writes newsletters for the VIST office and listens with empathy to those who have lost their sight. He has helped establish support groups and currently serves on the Oregon State Commission for the Blind’s Executive Board. He was instrumental in establishment of a foundation to help veterans pay for services.

            Other award winners are:

            2006 Gold Gavel Award
             North Carolina Regional Group
            (largest numerical increase—30 new members)

            2006 Silver Gavel Award
                Rio Grande Regional Group
                (largest percentage member increase—14 percent)

            2006 Certificates of Appreciation
                 John Ciak
                 VIST Coordinator
                 Pittsburgh Veterans Health Care System

                 Charles Coleman
                 Lead Purchasing Agent for Prosthetics    
                 Central Arkansas Veterans Health Care System

                 Adele Geringer
                 VIST Coordinator
                  Providence, Rhode Island VA Medical Center

                 Brenda Godwin
                 VIST Coordinator
                 Birmingham, Alabama VA Medical Center

                 Bobbie Hillen
                 VIST Coordinator
                 Minneapolis, Minnesota VA Medical Center

                 Rose Marie Johnson
                 Voluntary Service
                 Oregon-Columbia Regional Group
           

                 William Lange
                 Blind Rehabilitation Outpatient Specialist
                 Baltimore, Maryland VA Medical Center,
                 Walter Reed Army Medical Center,
                      Bethesda Naval Hospital                
               
Special Plaque Presentations
           
            Frederick Downs, Jr.
            Chief of Prosthetics and Clinical Logistics Officer
            Veterans Health Administration
            Washington, DC

            Bruce Blasch, Ph.D. (recently retired)
            Research Health Scientist
            VA Blind Rehabilitation Research and
                Development Center of Excellence
                For Aging Veterans with Vision Loss
            Atlanta, Georgia

            Peter Link
            Region V Field Service Representative
            Blinded Veterans Association
            Denver, Colorado

   
Margarine Shines Everywhere!

BVA national conventions are always highlighted by the presence and participation of dedicated volunteers, directed and coordinated by Margarine Beaman. This year Margarine appeared even more omnipresent than usual, hustling to and from the Buffalo Niagara Airport, hunting down missing persons, working with the nurse to secure needed medications, and offering portions of the traditional dessert, this year a key lime pie, provided to her by blinded veteran Harry Bell of the Mid-Atlantic Regional Group.

Margarine was spotted aiding blinded veterans at an airport Southwest Airlines check-in counter at 5:15 a.m. Sunday, just hours after the end of the Awards Banquet at which she was honored by the BVA Auxiliary for exemplary volunteer service. She had done something similar at the same hour the previous day with Bill and Irene Riddle, who were forced to return home to Texas early for health reasons.

“The big mystery for me is how Margarine moves from one place to another so fast,” said John Thornton, Rocky Mountain Regional Group. “Somehow it seems that she’s in several places at the same time.”   

So engrossed in her service is Margarine that she must sometimes block out the extraneous and seemingly insignificant convention happenings.

“Dora Gabe caught me completely off guard at the banquet,” she said (see Auxiliary’s View). “There I was standing at the back trying to figure out the logistics of getting people up to the hospitality room, and to their guest rooms, when someone told me I was being called up to the podium—I’m not even sure I ever heard Dora mention my name although she must have said it several times!”

Banquet Finale

The final minutes of the 61st National Convention ushered in the drawing and announcement of the four winners of the annual cash prize sweepstakes. Drawing the lucky names were Gloria Irving, mother of Iraqi serviceman Leondrea Rice; Andrew Neumeyer’s father, Gary; and Connie and Brittany Acosta, mother and daughter, respectively, of Iraqi blinded veteran Jesse Acosta.

Two of the winners in 2006 were actual BVA members while the other two were spouses of members. The four winners divided a prize pool of an estimated $9,800, which is half of the total proceeds, after expenses. The other half of the proceeds is used to defray convention expenses. Sweepstakes tickets are distributed each year from mid-February through the end of July.

The grand prize sweepstakes winner was blinded veteran John E. Heard, a World War II veteran from Houston, Texas. His winnings were approximately $4,900, 50 percent of the prize pool.

The second place winner was Corie Yates, wife of blinded veteran A.J. Yates. Corie and A.J. reside in Fresno, California. Corie won approximately $2,450, which was 25 percent of the prize pool.

Third place went to another World War II veteran, Benjamin Wells, Jr. of Clearwater, Florida. His total winnings were approximately $1,470, or 15 percent of the prize pool.

Gloria Menendez was the name drawn for the fourth place prize. Gloria is the wife of Willie Menendez of Homosassa, Florida. She will receive some $980, or 10 percent of the pool.

Planning Ahead for 62nd, 63rd 

With a year of experience now under her belt as the BVA Convention Coordinator, Christina Hitchcock returned from Buffalo a bit tired but already looking ahead and gearing up for August 14-18, 2007 and August 12-16, 2008 in Albuquerque, New Mexico and Phoenix, Arizona, respectively.

“We have two exciting summer venues, and the regional groups are in the process of planning a couple of interesting side activities,” she said. “I hope that our entire BVA membership will seriously consider coming out to both of these wonderful cities in the western United States.”

The Hyatt Albuquerque will be the site of next year’s gathering, hosted by the New Mexico Regional Group. The present single/double room rate is $70 with a tax rate of 12.75 percent. The hotel features a heated, outdoor lap pool and jacuzzi, a full-service gift shop and health club that includes a sauna, complimentary shuttle to a nearby casino, and Starbucks Coffee in all banquets and outlets. Food and drink will be available in McGrath’s Bar and Restaurant, Bolo’s Lounge, and Starbuck’s Coffee Shop. Four 18-hole golf courses are located within 12 miles of the hotel.

The BVA destination in 2008 will be the Hyatt Regency in Phoenix, Arizona. Hosted by the Northern Arizona Regional Group, the 63rd National Convention will offer rooms at a single/double rate of $94 per night. Depending on the progress of the downtown light rail system, free transportation and guided service downtown may also be available. The regional group is planning a western dinner theater in an old western town setting.

A tentative bid has been proposed for the 64th National Convention in 2009. Oregon-Columbia Regional Group President Frank Armstrong made a few brief remarks about the potential of Portland, Oregon, as a future site, most likely for 2009, and indicated the regional group’s interest in hosting the convention. Official bids can now be submitted for 2009 and 2010, which will be voted on by the BVA membership and delegates at the forthcoming 62nd National Convention.

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