Last week, Vietnam Veterans Roy Tschudy and Howard Goldin were invited to speak with Mr. Casarella's English classes at Suffern High School.   You can see the enthusiasm that both of these former VVA #333 Presidents feel, as they answer questions from one of the 11th grade students!  And the kids really took in what these two Vietnam vets had to say.  
What a great learning experience!


Eleventh graders in Mr. Casarella's English classes at SHS are reading "The Things They Carried" by Tim O'Brien, a real life account of the author's time as a soldier during The Vietnam War. As an addendum to their lesson, two local Vietnam Veterans, Roy Tschudy and Howard Goldin, visited students this morning and discussed details of their experiences in Vietnam, including surviving The Tet Offensive, one of the deadliest battles of the war.

Tschudy (a former security guard at SHS) and Goldin shared moving photographs and stories with the students, who asked questions about what basic training was like, whether they had any regrets about their time as soldiers, and if they were drafted (Tschudy enlisted in the army and Goldin volunteered for the draft.) Several students also told the veterans about their own relatives who fought in the war.

While Tschudy and Goldin's time in Vietnam has had repercussions throughout their lives (both men have health issues because of their exposure to Agent Orange) their message to students was an uplifting one. "The Vietnam War taught us to be better people," says Goldin, who along with Tschudy, has returned to Vietnam several times to try to understand what the war was about and to help those who are still living with the devastation caused by it. "We're humanitarians now."

The narrative was taken from Suffern Central School District  Facebook Page.   
Suffern Central School District Facebook Page

Dwyer VettoVet: Special Events THE ROCKLAND COUNTY JOSEPH P. DWYER
VETERAN PEER SUPPORT PROGRAM
WEEKLY ACTIVITIES AND EVENTS


Veteran’s Game Day Social Luncheon: On October 28th (Friday) from 11:00am to 2:00pm at the Community Center Town of Clarkstown - Auditorium located at 31 Zukor Road, New City, New York 10956.  All Veterans, Caregivers and Gold Star families are welcome to join us to play games including BINGO and TRIVIA for prizes, socialize and have fun! Bring your spouse or significant other. This event is provided free of charge by the Rockland County PFC Joseph P. Dwyer Veteran Peer Support Program (Vet to Vet). There is plenty of parking available and the auditorium is very large with plenty of room for folks to spread out and maintain social distance if they choose to do so. Doors open at 10:45 am. Games will be played from 11 to 12, followed by lunch break followed by small game breakouts. You can come and go when you please.

RSVP: Required for Lunch! Call and reserve your seat early as we need a proper head count to order the catered meal. Please contact Izzy Quintana at email iquintana@vettovetrc.org or call 845-587-6497 to reserve a seat or if you have further questions

THE ROCKLAND COUNTY JOSEPH P. DWYER VETERAN PEER SUPPORT PROGRAM
WEEKLY ACTIVITIES AND EVENTS

MEDITATION - Weekly - (M, W & F) - 9-9:30 am. Class elicits deep relaxation and helps reduce stress and anxiety with experienced Instructor Brett Cotter (Stress is Gone Founder and Author of 3 Keys To Managing PTSD). Online virtual event you can experience via Zoom. Meeting ID 983 8404 0455; Passcode: join or Click here for link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/98384040455?pwd=djE3VGhUTDJzRU1HMEJ6bnJxa3E2QT09

VETERANS WALKING CLUB - Weekly - (Wednesdays) - 9:30 am at PALISADES CENTER. Meet in front of BRIDGES, 2nd Floor, next door to Autobahn Indoor Speedway. We will walk between 45 minutes to an hour. Join a fast pace group, slow pace group or walk at your own pace for however long you want. The mall offers us a comfortable indoor venue regardless of the weather outdoors where we can gather together in camaraderie and get some fitness and exercise while we get walking !

GENTLE YOGA - Weekly - (Wednesdays & Fridays) - 7-8 pm & again on (Sundays) 10-11:15 am. Virtual session via Zoom. Yoga is extremely beneficial for your physical and mental health. Instructor Mira Stangl is a 500 hour Yoga-Alliance Certified Teacher With Extensive Training in PTSD and Restorative Yoga. If interested in attending email iquintana@vettovetrc.org. Then you'll be registered to get invitations to each session.

QIGONG - Weekly - (Thursdays) from 9-10 am. (Ancient Chinese Exercise). Gentle meditative exercises based on the cultivation and refinement of Universal Life Energy known as Qi. Practicing this exercise reduces pain, stress and anxiety, improves physical fitness and improves immune function and vitality. Instructor Norman Galinsky, MFA has over 36 years experience in the art. If interested in attending or have questions, contact Izzy Quintana at email iquintana@vettovetrc.org

If interested in attending or if you have questions, contact Izzy Quintana via email: iquintana@vettovetrc.org, Ismael (Izzy) Quintana, Veteran Outreach Coordinator
Joseph P. Dwyer Veteran Peer Support Program   Rockland County (Vet to Vet)
Cell: (845) 587-6497

Veterans' Breakfast on November 15th, 2022 from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.  

New York State Senator Elijah Reichlin-Melnick is hosting a Veterans' Breakfast at Dominican University, Granito Center, 495 Western Highway, Orangeburg, New York 10962.  The event is free for veterans.  Capacity is limited to 120 people, so please R.S.V.P. before November 7th, 2022 by calling 845-623-3627 or email:  gilles@nysenate.gov.

For the second consecutive Sunday, Vietnam Veterans Chapter #333 held a fundraiser.

On Sunday (9/11/2022) our Chapter was present in the Village of Nyack.  Then the following Sunday, (9/18/2022) we did the same in the Village of Suffern. This time the "Rain God's" took a break as we were blessed with a beautiful day.

As usual, the chapter tent was set up between 6:30 a.m. and 7:00 a.m., the first to do so out of many. Throughout the day many Chapter members arrived and spent time helping out in this venture, so many in fact I would need a sign in sheet to name them. So, without further ado, thank you to all who did take the time to help our Chapter!  In that you decided to take said time away from other activities you would or could have instead chosen to do, only proves the adage: "WHEN WE GIVE CHEERFULLY AND ACCEPT GRATEFULLY, EVERYONE IS BLESSED."  And thank you to the many people who stopped by our tent to say hello, or donate, or buy some products we had for sale.  We appreciate all of you.

Chapter #333 is now set up for the months of November (25th & 26th) and December (16th & 17th) respectively for our last two fundraisers of the year...both will be held at the Palisades Center Mall. Times will be 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (0800-1730) for said dates.  We will be located on Level One - Center Court (near the Cheesecake Factory).

As always is the case, each and every Chapter member is welcome to join in and spend as much or as little time as they wish on our Chapter fundraising.   Thank you, Roy

NYS Veterans Mental Health Training Initiative/NASW NYS Chapter Program Registration - Women Veterans’ Definitions of Peer Support: Importance for Mental Health & Well-being

Please see below for information on our upcoming program presented by Amanda Matteson!

Please share with your networks. For the full registration page, go to:
https://naswnys.org/civicrm/event/info/?reset=1&id=572

• Where:  Online Webinar
• When:   Thursday, October 20, 2022
• What:    Free Webinar Presentation Workshop
• Time:     6:00 p.m.  to 7:00 p.m. EST

Helping Save You Money - Homeowner Tax Rebate Credit (from Senator Elijah Reichlin-Melnick's Newsletter)

Have you received your Homeowner Tax Rebate Credit? My Constituent Services team has been busy helping folks find out if they qualify.

Earlier this year, I proudly voted to set aside $2.2 billion to provide middle class homeowners with some tax relief this year, since inflation is hitting everyone hard. If you have not yet received your check, or if you are unsure if you qualify, can contact my office by calling 845-623-3627 or by emailing reichlin@nysenate.gov or clicking here.

You may be eligible if you: qualify for STAR, had an income less than or equal to $250,000 in the 2020 tax year, or you have a school tax liability for the 2022-2023 school year that is more than your 2022 STAR benefit.   For further information and to see if you are eligible use this link:  Homeowner Tax Rebate Program

Albany Office:
188 State Street
617 Legislative Office Building
Albany, NY 12247
518-455-2991
Email:
reichlin@nysenate.gov

Rockland District Office:
163 Airport Executive Park
Nanuet, NY 10954
Phone: 845-623-3627

Hopefully, many of our veterans were able to attend the Veterans Roundtable and Appreciation Barbecue at American Legion Post 859 in Suffern on September 30th, provided by Assemblyman Mike Lawler to once again hear concerns of the veteran community.

While not a veterans' event specifically, all are invited to an upcoming fundraiser in support of Mike Lawler for Congress. This is sponsored by the Rockland and Bergen Health Freedom Alliance, the Hudson Valley Freedom Conference and Paul Bailey, proprietor of the Nanuet Restaurant. There will be a buffet dinner at the Nanuet Restaurant, 211 Main Street in Nanuet, New York, on Monday, October 17th, 2022 from 6:00 p.m. to  8:00 p.m.  

Fees for the evening will be $60.00 per person / $40.00 per person for Students and Seniors.

Guest Speakers will include Mary Holland of the Rockland and Bergen Health Freedom Alliance, along with Bobbie Anne Cox. Recording Artist Ava Aston will provide entertainment.  
For further information and to RSVP, email:  Nicole@nicoledavidman.com or call
908-447-0358.

Veterans Crisis Line:  Dial 988, then Press 1

Make the Connection
Listen to Podcasts:   Hear inspiring stories of mental health recovery directly from Veterans like you.  Video Gallery
Choose from the Video Gallery options to find the stories most relevant to you.  Sort videos on as many or as few options as you prefer.  See link below.

The Make the Connection: Real Veterans. Real Stories.  The podcast is powered by the voices of Veterans sharing their stories. Whether you are a Veteran or you love someone who has served, our podcast shines a light on the mental health challenges that some Veterans face — and the various paths they can take toward a healthier life.

Listen to some of the stories here: Stories of Connection