July 2016

Connect With What Matters

Being there makes a di� erenceIt could be a simple trip to the mall, a ride to the movies or just a visit to a friend’s home. The little things in life can make a big di� erence. It’s why MobilityWorks has been helping veterans connect with who and what matters most since 1997. Veterans have unique needs so we treat each of them as individuals. First of all, we listen. Then, we work together to � nd the best solution.

MobilityWorks has more than 50 locations across the country with the largest selection of accessible vehicles and adaptive solutions:

• Minivans, full-size vans and trucks

• The latest in adaptive technology

• Complete maintenance and service

• Rental vans — veterans receive a 10% discount

MobilityWorks is committed to serving you. Contact us today so we can evaluate your needs and � nd a solution that best � ts your lifestyle.

Trucks

SUVs

Lifts and stowage products Electronic control systems

www.mobilityworks.com

USA’s largest accessible van dealer!

Jacksonville2727 St. Johns Bluff Rd, SouthJacksonville, FL 32246904-383-3180

Ocala7265 Soutwest 62nd Avenue Unit 1Ocala, FL 34476352-322-2214

Orlando7444 Narcoossee RoadOrlando, FL 32822407-495-2255

Tallahassee1505 Capital Circle NWTallahassee, FL 323031-888-608-1659

Bunnell2323 North State StreetBunnell, FL 32110386-401-0100

Clermont20354 N US Highway 27Clermont, FL 34715352-322-2256

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2 Website WWW.PVACF.ORG 3 Website WWW.PVACF.ORG

Paralyzed Veterans of AmericaCentral Florida Chapter

2711 S. Design Ct.Sanford, FL 32773-8120Phone (407) 328-7041Fax: (407) 328-7139

Website: www.pvacf.orgEmail: contact@pvacf.org

Chapter Officers 2016President ................................................ Steve KirkExecutive Director .................................. John DeMauro Vice President ........................................ Sean GibbsNational Director ..................................... Steve KirkTreasurer ................................................ Charlie MerrittSecretary ................................................ Sharona Young

Elected Board Members

Jim Trago ........................... ’17 Brian Terwilliger ................. ’18 Richard Cerezo.................. ’16 Ken Weas .......................... ’16

National Liaison Vice President: Charlie Brown

Appointees

National Service Officers: Earnest Hill (386) 755-3016

David Ray (407) 631-1000 Ext. 11835

Hospital Liaison ................................ Sean Gibbs Editor ................................................ Steve KirkOffice Manager ................................. Joanne PorettiFunction Coordinator ........................ Pat GriffithMembership/Vol Coordinator ............ Brenda Ciccarello

Mission Statement

President .................................................... 4Executive Director ...................................... 7PVA National Director ................................. 9Bob Hope Quotes ....................................... 11 Birthdays..................................................... 12New Scholarship Program .......................... 12Jerry Dugan Golf Tournament ................ 14-15Our Sponsors ............................................ 16 Summer Blast ............................................ 17Remembrance ........................................... 18Deloitte Impact Day ................................... 19

On the Cover: Golf Tournament Winners:In Order Left to Right: David Jereczek, Matt Jereczek, Hunter Paschall and Kurt Chana Team: Project Walk

#2 Scott Hellewell, Bob DeCouto and Andrew Katsanis Team: Real Life Church

#3 Robert Parris, Goran Milis, Ken Parris and Marty Collier Team: Firetronics

Closest to the Pin Hole # 2 Hunter Paschall 6’6’’

Closest to the Pin Hole #6 Jimmy Glock 4’10”

Closest to the pin Hole #12 Lawrence Blunk 5 ½”

Closest to the Pin #17 Jake Doty 3’ 10”

Paralyzed Veterans of America Central Florida, a congressionally chartered veteran’s service organization provides a platform of advocacy, education and research, communication, adaptive sports and recreation for veterans paralyzed as a result of spinal cord injury or dysfunction, in an effort to afford them with the highest quality of healthcare and life experiences.

See us on Face book & Twitter

4 Website WWW.PVACF.ORG

Tomas Jefferson (1743-1826) was born in Albermarle County, Virginia. He was an author, inventor, lawyer, politician, architect, and one of

the finest minds of the 1700’s. He authored the American Declaration of Independence and later served as the 3rd U.S. President from 1801 to 1809. He died on July 4, 1826, the same day as his old friend and one-time political rival John Adams.

Jefferson was the primary author of the Declaration of Independence. At age 33 he was one of the youngest delegates to the Second Continental Congress beginning in 1775 at the outbreak of the American Revolutionary War where a formal declaration of independence from Britain was overwhelmingly favored. Jefferson chose his words for the Declaration in June 1775 shortly after the war had begun where the idea of Independence from Britain had long since become popular among the colonies. He was also inspired by the Enlightenment ideals of the sanctity of the individual as well as the writings of Locke and Montesquieu.

He sought out John Adams who, along with the latter’s cousin Samuel, had emerged as a leader of the Congress. Jefferson and Adams established a permanent friendship which led to Jefferson’s work on the Declaration of Independence. Adams supported Jefferson’s appointment to the Committee of Five formed to write the Declaration in furtherance of the Lee Resolution passed by the Congress. After discussing the general outline of the document, the committee decided that Jefferson would write the first draft. The committee, including Jefferson particularly, initially thought Adams should write the document, but Adams persuaded the committee to choose Jefferson.

Consulting with other committee members over the next seventeen days, Jefferson drew on his own proposed draft of the Virginia Constitution, George Mason’s draft of the Virginia Declaration of Rights, and other sources. The other committee members made some changes. A final draft was presented to the Congress on June 28, 1776.

The declaration was introduced on Friday, June 28, and Congress began debate over its contents on Monday, July 1 and, resulting in the omission of a fourth of the text, including a passage critical of King George III and the slave trade. While Jefferson resented the changes, he did not speak publicly about the revisions. On July 4, 1776, the Congress ratified the Declaration, and delegates signed it on August 2 and in doing so were committing an act of treason against the Crown. Jefferson’s preamble is regarded as an enduring statement of

human rights, and the phrase “all men are created equal” has been called “one of the best-known sentences in the English language” containing “the most potent and consequential words in American history”.

While President Jefferson pursued the nation’s shipping and trade interests against Barbary pirates and aggressive British trade policies respectively (to the shores of Tripoli), he also organized the Louisiana Purchase, almost doubling the country’s territory. As a result of peace negotiations with France, his administration reduced military forces. He was reelected in 1804. Jefferson’s second term was beset with difficulties at home, including the trial of former Vice President Aaron Burr (for treason). American foreign trade was diminished when Jefferson implemented the Embargo Act of 1807, responding to British threats to U.S. shipping. In 1803, Jefferson began a controversial process of Indian tribe removal to the newly organized Louisiana Territory, and, in 1807, signed the Act Prohibiting Importation of Slaves. Historians generally rank Jefferson as one of the greatest U.S. Presidents.

Anticipating further westward settlements due to the Louisiana Purchase, Jefferson arranged for the exploration and mapping of the uncharted territory. He sought to establish a U.S. claim ahead of competing European interests and find the rumored Northwest Passage. Influenced by exploration accounts of Le Page du Pratz in Louisiana (1763) and Captain James Cook in the Pacific (1784), Jefferson and others persuaded Congress in 1804 to fund an expedition to explore and map the newly acquired territory to the Pacific Ocean.

Jefferson appointed Meriwether Lewis and William Clark leaders of the Corps of Discovery (1803–1806). In the months leading up to the expedition, Jefferson tutored Lewis in the sciences of mapping, botany, natural history, mineralogy and astronomy/navigation, giving him unlimited access to his library at Monticello which included the largest collection of books in the world on the subject of the geography and natural history of the North American continent, along with an impressive collection of maps.

The expedition, lasting from May, 1804 to September, 1806, obtained a wealth of scientific and geographic knowledge, including knowledge of many Indian tribes.

Steve Kirk

From The President

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For my article this month, I submit to you something that should be read more often that was written July 4, 1776. The Declaration

of Independence. Well, not its entire content but at least that which affects us most, since only 20% of the 1,340 word document speaks to universal human rights. 60% of the Declaration of Independence lists all the complaints against the British Crown and the other 20% speaks directly to the declaration of independence of the thirteen colonies of the British Government located on the east coast of North America.

For nearly 150 years after the first colonization of North America by the early pilgrims the colonies were pretty much ignored by their mother country. The colonization itself was intended to help the British economy but was a side note to other issues the country faced “across the pond” whereby giving the colonists freedom they grew accustomed to enjoy. However, in the eighteenth century Britain was engaged in a number of wars against the French which were fought in three theatres: Europe, India and North America. These wars were increasingly expensive. Eventually they bankrupted the French crown and that in turn helped bring about the French Revolution. The British tried to tackle the problem of cost earlier, however, and when the Seven Years War ended in 1763 they looked to the American colonists to contribute. The British army did, after all, defend the colonists from the French and the Native American Indians, or so the British argued, and it was only fair the Americans should help pay the costs involved.

Over the next 12 years, time and again the British tried to tax the Americans, and time and again the Americans refused to pay. The British tried a variety of means, by law and by force, to try to make the Americans obey and the American rejection of those means is restated in the Declaration at length and in detail. So to understand about two-thirds of the Declaration you need to know the history of British-colonial relations from 1763 to 1776. Finally argument led to armed conflict and war broke out in 1775 between Britain and the American colonies, thus leading to the Declaration of Independence.

When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation…………..We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.--That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, --That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to affect their Safety and Happiness. We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States; that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.

The Executive Director

John DeMauro

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WASHINGTON, DC—In a statement re-leased today, Paralyzed Veterans of America (Paralyzed Veterans) Executive

Director Sherman Gillums Jr., a retired U.S. Marine officer and paralyzed veteran, addressed criticism by Concerned Veterans for America (CVA) after oppos-ing the proposed ‘Caring for Our Heroes in the 21st Century Act.’

“In his defense of privatizing VA health care, CVA’s press secretary, Mr. John Cooper, made a point with which I could not agree more. He stated, ‘the debate over reforming the VA is simple: either veterans de-serve true choice or they do not.’ So when severely disabled veterans overwhelmingly chose VA, Para-lyzed Veterans of America listened and acted accordingly to preserve their choice.

I also agree with him that Par-alyzed Veterans of America’s ‘deafening silence in response to scandal after scandal at the de-partment of Veterans Affairs’ did not contribute to the cacophony of uninformed voices weighing in on the subject. After all, many of those voices belonged to instiga-tors who had never been treated in a VA facility. We also avoided joining t h e political scrum that made the debate on fixing vet-erans’ health care an ideological, highly publicized opportunity to grandstand and manufacture an iden-tity for many who had previously dwelled in relative obscurity.

Instead, here’s what Paralyzed Veterans of America actually did:

• We conducted more than 100 annual audits at 157 VA spinal cord injury & disease centers, long term care facilities, outpatient clinics, and spoke sites since the Phoenix VA scandal broke and submitted over 4,982 recommendations to the VA Secretary and Under Secretary for Health to improve access to and quality of health care.

• Our nationwide network of hospital-based ser-vice officers addressed more than 15,400 health benefit-related issues on behalf of our members,

including medical care conferences, assistance with the pursuit of benefits, and working with VA to open doors to health care for members who faced barriers.

• We worked with the VA Office of the Inspector General to expose environmental concerns at one VA facility. We submitted recommendations to terminate low performing senior managers at several facilities. We helped develop a more accurate nurse staffing methodology, and we worked with VA and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to ensure the Denver VA construction proj- ect included plans for optimal accessibil- ity for mobility impaired vet- erans.

• We championed legislation that sought appropriate funding for VA and purchased health care, the pres-ervation of veter-ans benefits, the expansion of sup-

port for military care- givers, fertility assistance

for severely wounded veterans, and heightened accountability for VA senior

leaders.

In sum, Paralyzed Veterans of America acted swiftly and aggressively to resolve issues, instead of jeer-ing from the sidelines where the pundits and talking heads were content to simply admire the problems and relish in their complexities.

Here is something else Mr. Cooper, in speaking for his employer, might not have known since he had joined CVA only last summer: We presented our concerns directly to the senior leadership of CVA two years ago at their request. And we heard the same ‘deafen-ing silence’ that Mr. Cooper talked about when we asked what will happen to catastrophically disabled veterans who are presently enrolled in Priority Group 4 and are not required to pay the copays that would crush them financially if suddenly forced to pay. We are still awaiting an answer.

We heard the same deafening silence when we asked CVA leadership about the Title 38 United

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States Code ‘due process provisions’ that presently protect veterans who are harmed by medical malpractice. We also asked whether their proposed pri-vate sector framework for veterans care will provide an appeals process to chal-lenge the denial of benefits, or when disagreements over the best course of health care inevitably ensue. No an-swers to date.

We heard deafening silence when we asked CVA leadership about whether their plan addressed Congress’ over-sight role and whether private sector CEOs of poorly performing medical networks and negligent providers will be compelled to appear before Con-gress in the event another waitlist or abuse scandal happens, except this time in hospitals that are outside the ju-risdiction of Congress’ oversight. Still no answer.

We heard deafening silence after we asked CVA leadership about the possi-bility that medical malpractice involv-ing veterans exercising ‘choice’ will foster a cottage industry of ambulance chasers, who will charge dis-abled veterans to handle those cases once the right to cost-free representation sanctioned under Title 38 United States Code section 1151 is eliminated. We’re still waiting. If CVA cannot answer these questions, maybe Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers can.

Speaking of whom, Rep. McMorris Rodgers’ will-ingness to serve her country on Capitol Hill is to be commended. But her status as a military spouse does not place her beyond reproach as a public servant and steward of the country’s obligation to act in the best interest of all veterans. Launching an ad hominem attack on our relevance as a 70-year old, battle-tested veteran advocate—the ONLY one that represents the most severely disabled veterans—serves as a predict-able attempt to steer attention away from the unstable rationale for VA privatization that undergirds the so-called ‘Caring for Our Heroes in the 21st Century Act.’ Paralyzed Veterans of America, however, will

not be distracted.

Ultimately, the problem is not deafening silence on the part of Paralyzed Veterans of America. Rather, it is selective listening on the part of those who exploit the public’s ignorance on this topic. More alarm-ingly, it is reflective of the cynical hope of a well-funded vocal minority that punting the problem to the private sector will happen before an enlightened public realizes the deflection of accountability that Rep. McMorris Rodgers’ draft bill embodies.

As demonstrated by our bias for action over rhetoric, it is Paralyzed Veterans of America who not only re-mains truly ‘concerned for the veterans of America,’ but actually does something about it—as should ev-ery tax-paying American citizen who places a higher premium on impactful, substantive efforts than the partisan political machinations of a lobby group mas-querading as a voice for veterans.”

Executive Director Sherman Gillums Jr.

The PVA National Executive Director

It’s more than just a car.It’s a difference you can make by donating your vehicle to Paralyzed Veterans of America. Scheduling a pickup is FREE. Regardless of the condition, all donated vehicles will be sold at auction and proceeds will benefit Paralyzed Veterans of America. Through your vehicle donation, you’ll make a difference to veterans suffering from spinal cord injury or disease. You may even earn a tax break, too!

One Car One Difference is IAA’s public awarenesscampaign promoting the benefits of vehicle donation.© 2013 Insurance Auto Auctions, Inc. All rights reserved.

Donate today!Call or visit us online to donate your vehicle today:

855-744-0782wheelshelpingwarriors.org

I am a donated vehicle.I am a new beginningfor America’s veterans.

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Quotes from Bob HopeON TURNING 70

‘I still chase women, but only downhill.’ ON TURNING 80

‘That’s the time of your life when even your birthday suit needs pressing.’

ON TURNING 90 ‘You know you’re getting old when the

candles cost more than the cake.’ ON TURNING 100

‘I don’t feel old. In fact, I don’t feel anything until noon. Then it’s time for my nap.’

ON GIVING UP HIS EARLY CAREER, BOXING ‘I ruined my hands in the ring.

The referee kept stepping on them.’ ON NEVER WINNING AN OSCAR ‘Welcome to the Academy Awards,

or, as it’s called at my home, ‘Passover.’ ON GOLF

‘Golf is my profession. Show businessis just to pay the green fees.’

ON PRESIDENTS ‘I have performed for 12 presidents

but entertained only six.’ ON WHY HE CHOSE SHOWBIZ FOR

HIS CAREER ‘When I was born, the doctor said to my mother,Congratulations, you have an eight pound ham.’

ON RECEIVING THECONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDAL

‘I feel very humble, but I think I have the strength of character to fight it.’ ON HIS FAMILY’S EARLY POVERTY

‘Four of us slept in the one bed. When it got cold, mother threw on another brother.’

ON HIS SIX BROTHERS ‘That’s how I learned to dance.

Waiting for the bathroom.’ ON HIS EARLY FAILURES

‘I would not have had anything to eat if it wasn’t for the stuff the audience threw at me.’

ON GOING TO HEAVEN ‘I’ve done benefits for ALL religions.

I’d hate to blow the hereafter on a technicality.’

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Larry Westley Wanda Schweigel Kenneth Weas David Knudsen Bernard Noel Jimmy Gonzalez John Sipe (Nick) Chashin Thomas Yeager Amir Pishdad Scott MacGibbon Stephen Henning LJ Johnson Susan Hendricks Erik Braem Lawrence Beery Amanda Valdes Richard Borrazzo

Janice Dinger William Lay Lewis Covin Harold Hill Ronald Wolfe David Anderson Angel Rosario Tomas Molina Roy Lombard Joclyn Taulbee Dumas Wiercioch Deborah Beckley Stephen Grimes Arthur Hutchins Dawn Cuva-McEvoy Michael Abbaticchio John Burlinson Charles Tupper

Larry Knowles Gene Huckleberry Floyd Knox Hector Bonano Anthony Bryan Bolivar Rivera David Gibson Kathleen Lukas Nancy Gonzalez Raymond DeVallejo Lisa Modlin Dennis Nolte James Gilbert Stephen Steepleton

Paralyzed Veterans of America Central FloridaEducational Scholarship Program

The Paralyzed Veterans of America Central Florida Chapter (PVACF) primary goal has been to assist its members in improving the quality of their lives. The implementation Of the Educational Scholarship Program will directly affect our organizations contribution to its members as well as providing its members a program to help them achieve higher education.

Eligibility• Applicant must be a PVACF member in good standing (4 chapter volunteer hours per year), member’s spouse or

member’s significant other.

• Applicant must be accepted and enrolled as a full-time or part-time student in an accredited US college or university.

• Previous award recipients may apply.

Award AmountsPVACF will award up to 10 scholarships per school year. Total amount of scholarship funding will be decided annually

by the board during the budget process. Initial scholarship fund will be $10,000 with a maximum scholarship of $1000 per award for full-time student (whatever the institution considers a full-time student) and a maximum scholarship of

$500 per award for part-time student (whatever the institution considers a part-time student). Scholarship funds are re-leased solely in the name of the university. Under no circumstances will payment be made to the students. This award will

be paid directly to the institution. Awardees must reapply every year. PVACF advises each applicant to verify the effect this program may have on their VA benefits.

All questions should be directed to: scholarship@PVACF.org

Please check this proof CAREFULLY. Wewill not be responsible for ANY errors afterthis proof is approved.❒ OK As Is ____________________________❒ OK With Changes _____________________❒ Another Proof RequiredSignature _____________________________* If Proof Approval Is Not Received Within 30Days, A $6.00 Typesetting Charge Will Apply

Route #

Customer

Date

Fax

CARD FRONT

CARD BACKIF APPLICABLE

PROOFNew HomesRemodeling

RoofingRenovations

Bailey Construction Co., Inc.State Certified Building & Roofing Contractors

Residential & CommercialCBC 021039CCC 057004

HI 5544

ROBERT BAILEY - Pres.4132 N. County Rd. 426Geneva, FL 32732BaileyConstructionInc.com

407-323-2880 Office407-349-9999 Office407-947-3708 Mobile407-349-9933 Faxbaileycci@yahoo.com

13 Website WWW.PVACF.ORG

2nd Annual Jerry Dugan Golf Tournament

14 Website WWW.PVACF.ORG

2nd Annual Jerry Dugan Golf Tournament

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Stillwater Millwork, Inc.

Charlie Brown

Tom Langmann

RE/MAX 200 Realty

321-229-2041

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WE DELIVER

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r 5pm

407-327-7015200 East Hwy 434 • Winter Springs, Fl

Victorio’s IIItalian Restaurant & Pizzeria

Knights of Columbus

St. Patrick As-sembly

Thanks To Our Sponsors

17 Website WWW.PVACF.ORG

PersonalizedRetirement Planning

Joel J. Garris, J.D., CFP®407-629-6477

www.planwithnips.com

Host of “Dollars & Sense”Sundays 9-10 AM on

WFLA102.5 FM and 540 AM

Nelson Investment Planning Services, Inc.

423 Country Club DriveWinter Park, FL 32879

Nelson Investment Planning Services, Inc. offers securities through Nelson Ivest Brokerage Services Inc., a member of FINRA&SIPC.

Food Trucks, Ice Cream, Hot Dogs, Hamburgers & More

Summer BlastAnd it’s All FreeAnd All Welcome

August 6, 201611 AM – 3 PM

18 Website WWW.PVACF.ORG

Dorothy Carter

Martha Lucille Quinn

In Remembrance ...

Impact Day - Painting at PVA

19 Website WWW.PVACF.ORG

Paralyzed Veterans of AmericaCentral Florida Chapter2711 South Design CourtSanford, Florida 32773-8120

NON-PROFIT ORGU.S. Postage

PAIDOrlando, FL

Permit No. 2825

Central Florida Chapter - PVACF.ORG