Veterans Of America

More than two decades after the Vietnam War ended, some Maryland soldiers who fought in it came together for a "DMZ to Maryland; Welcome Home Dance." The Marriott Inner Harbor Hotel party was one of three weekend events held by the Vietnam Veterans of America, Baltimore Chapter 451, to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the Maryland Vietnam Veterans Memorial.About half of the 200 people there were Vietnam vets, including members of the party's oldies dance band, Glenn and the Gemtones.Among those enjoying the Gemtones' tunes: George Duggins, national president of the Vietnam Veterans of America; John Averella, chairman of Chapter 451's 10th-anniversary commemoration; John Bartkowiak, Dave Schofield, Paul Kozloski, Avery Taylor and Linda Dolan, anniversary committee members; Dennis Noah, chapter treasurer; Joan Worthington, project manager for CSX Technology Inc.; Mike Lawlor, Towson attorney; and Nathaniel Richardson, who works for Joseph E. Seagrams & Sons Co.

Ronald Charles Rose, a retired state corrections training officer and Vietnam War veteran, died of multiple medical conditions Thursday at St. Joseph Medical Center. The Homeland resident was 63. Mr. Rose was born and raised in Vandergrift, Pa., and served in the Marine Corps from 1960 to 1966. "It was while he was serving in Vietnam from 1964 to 1966 that he was exposed to Agent Orange, which eventually led to diabetes, heart and lung problems," said his wife of 24 years, the former Lynne Warren.

IN A CORNER OF THIS DUSTY VIETNAMESE cemetery a few miles south of the Cambodian border, a white marble memorial rises among a patchwork of low concrete graves.A massive green urn squats at its center, carved with dragons and bristling with old joss sticks, the slender incense reserved for the dead.Ninety-five North Vietnamese soldiers lie here, killed on March 8, 1969, as they attacked American troops in the middle of Tay Ninh province, about a half-hour to the south.Army Cpl. Jim Kapucinski turned his M-79 grenade launcher on the enemy that steamy March night, and later joined other American soldiers as they tossed the bodies into a shallow, unmarked grave.

On Saturday April 9, 2005, BENJAMIN MONROE BRONSTEIN, loving father of William Bronstein, of Baltimore, MD, Miriam Baskin of New York, NY, David Bronstein of Houston TX, and Rabbi Lester Bronstein of White Plains, NY, beloved father-in-law of Denice Bronstein, Dr. David Baskin, Patricia Bronstein and Cantor Benjie Schiller, devoted brother of the late Til Wilensky, loving grandfather of eight. Services at Curlew Hills Memory Gardens, Palm Harbor, FL, on Monday April 11 12 noon. Interment at Palm Harbor, FL. Please omit flowers, contributions in his memory may be directed to the Jewish War Veterans of America, 1811 R St. NW, Washington, DC 20009 and The American Cancer Society, 8219 Town Center Dr., Baltimore, MD 21236.

On February 14, 2004, MAX J. SCHLAUCH; beloved father of Kimberly Schlauch; dear brother of Chris, Timothy, Bridget, Madge and Kitty; grandfather of Brendon and Darian. Friends may call at the GONCE FUNERAL SERVICE, P.A., on Friday from 9:30 A.M. to 11:30 A.M., at which time services will be held. Interment in Maryland Veterans Cemetery, Crownsville. Those who wish may contribute to Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter 451 of Baltimore, 6401 Beckley St., Baltimore 21224

On March 24, 2003, DONALD MUNRO SMITH, beloved husband of Vivian M. Smith; devoted father of Kevin M. Smith, Katherine S. Hull, and the late Gregory M. Smith; grandfather of Daniel G. Hull and Shelley M. Hull. A Memorial Service will be held Saturday, May 17, 2003 at 2 P.M., at the Stillmeadow E.F. Christian Church, Catonsville, MD. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to help Hospitalized Veterans, Paralysed Veterans of America, or Meals on Wheels. Further inquiries may be directed to the family owned Ambrose Funeral Home, Inc., 410-242-2211.

Jennifer Stuckert of Odenton and Patricia DeWitt Rayfield of Severna Park, both students at Anne Arundel Community College, are among some 200 interns from 41 states selected to work at the White House this spring.*Ty Roberts, son of Jim and Priscilla Roberts of Woodley Road and a member of the Archbishop Curley High School Concert Band and Jazz Ensemble, has been accepted as a member of the 1994 Spirit of America National Honor Band Performing Tour of Europe.*Troy L. Simmons, a student in Baltimore City Community College's Emergency Medical Services Program, has been awarded the First Sergeant Vernon Z. Scholarship by the Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter No. 451.@

On November 25, 2003, LEE ESTON NOAH; beloved husband of the late Celeste V. Noah; devoted father of Dennis L. and Paul V. Noah; dear father-in-law of Susan M. and Meg A. Noah; dear grandfather of Bill, Sarah and Frank Noah. Graveside service will be held Wednesday 10:45 AM, at Garrison Veterans Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Vietnam Veterans of America, Baltimore CHapter 451, 6401 Beckley St. Baltimore, MD 21224. Arrangements by the family owned Mitchell-Wiedefeld Funeral Home Inc.,

On Saturday April 9, 2005, BENJAMIN MONROE BRONSTEIN, loving father of William Bronstein, of Baltimore, MD, Miriam Baskin of New York, NY, David Bronstein of Houston TX, and Rabbi Lester Bronstein of White Plains, NY, beloved father-in-law of Denice Bronstein, Dr. David Baskin, Patricia Bronstein and Cantor Benjie Schiller, devoted brother of the late Til Wilensky, loving grandfather of eight. Services at Curlew Hills Memory Gardens, Palm Harbor, FL, on Monday April 11 12 noon. Interment at Palm Harbor, FL. Please omit flowers, contributions in his memory may be directed to the Jewish War Veterans of America, 1811 R St. NW, Washington, DC 20009 and The American Cancer Society, 8219 Town Center Dr., Baltimore, MD 21236.

On July 20, 2004, RICHARD ANTHONY AVARITT, JR.; loving son of Ruth M. and the late Richard A. Avaritt, Sr.; dear brother of Gerald T. Avaritt, Joan D. Schaffer and the late Mary Zanti. Also survived by many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. A funeral service will be held at the family owned Duda-Ruck Funeral Home of Dundalk, Inc., 7922 Wise Ave, on Monday at 10 A.M. Interment Maryland Veterans Cemetery, Garrison Forest. Friends may call on Sunday, from 3 to 5 and 7 to 9 P.M. Please omit flowers.

On July 20, 2004, RICHARD ANTHONY AVARITT, JR.; loving son of Ruth M. and the late Richard A. Avaritt, Sr.; dear brother of Gerald T. Avaritt, Joan D. Schaffer and the late Mary Zanti. Also survived by many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. A funeral service will be held at the family owned Duda-Ruck Funeral Home of Dundalk, Inc., 7922 Wise Ave, on Monday at 10 A.M. Interment Maryland Veterans Cemetery, Garrison Forest. Friends may call on Sunday, from 3 to 5 and 7 to 9 P.M. Please omit flowers.

EASTON - The monuments on the courthouse lawn to Confederate heroes and soldiers who fought in Vietnam will soon be joined by a statue of Talbot County's most famous native son, Frederick Douglass - ending a bitter civic debate that provoked suggestions of racism against some who declared that the site belonged only to military memorials. The County Council voted 3-2 yesterday to allow a tribute to Douglass on the lawn of the 210- year-old building, a spot veterans groups had insisted was "sacred ground" reserved for those who had served in the military.

On February 14, 2004, MAX J. SCHLAUCH; beloved father of Kimberly Schlauch; dear brother of Chris, Timothy, Bridget, Madge and Kitty; grandfather of Brendon and Darian. Friends may call at the GONCE FUNERAL SERVICE, P.A., on Friday from 9:30 A.M. to 11:30 A.M., at which time services will be held. Interment in Maryland Veterans Cemetery, Crownsville. Those who wish may contribute to Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter 451 of Baltimore, 6401 Beckley St., Baltimore 21224

On November 25, 2003, LEE ESTON NOAH; beloved husband of the late Celeste V. Noah; devoted father of Dennis L. and Paul V. Noah; dear father-in-law of Susan M. and Meg A. Noah; dear grandfather of Bill, Sarah and Frank Noah. Graveside service will be held Wednesday 10:45 AM, at Garrison Veterans Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Vietnam Veterans of America, Baltimore CHapter 451, 6401 Beckley St. Baltimore, MD 21224. Arrangements by the family owned Mitchell-Wiedefeld Funeral Home Inc.,

Norman Wayne Boskind, chairman of the Harford County Commission on Veterans Affairs and a retired Maryland Transportation Authority Police officer, was killed in a motorcycle accident on Independence Day on Route 213 near Chesapeake City. He was 59. Born and raised in Baltimore, Mr. Boskind graduated from Edmondson High School in 1962. He enlisted in the Army in 1964 and served in Vietnam for two years with a transportation company. He was honorably discharged in 1967 with the rank of specialist.

On March 24, 2003, DONALD MUNRO SMITH, beloved husband of Vivian M. Smith; devoted father of Kevin M. Smith, Katherine S. Hull, and the late Gregory M. Smith; grandfather of Daniel G. Hull and Shelley M. Hull. A Memorial Service will be held Saturday, May 17, 2003 at 2 P.M., at the Stillmeadow E.F. Christian Church, Catonsville, MD. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to help Hospitalized Veterans, Paralysed Veterans of America, or Meals on Wheels. Further inquiries may be directed to the family owned Ambrose Funeral Home, Inc., 410-242-2211.

The fold and pivot isn't the latest double-play technique -- it's the theory behind the wheelchair-access seating to be installed at the Camden Yards baseball stadium.A deceptively simple design has led to the creation of a flexible seat, which can be used by fans in wheelchairs as well as by the able-bodied. The 428 seats will be spread throughout the 46,620-seat park, enabling fans in wheelchairs to sit with friends and family."The seat just folds up, and then you can turn the chair, so a wheelchair can fit in its place," said Kim A. Beasley, an architect ,, with the Paralyzed Veterans of America.

WASHINGTON -- When the government of Vietnam opened its first diplomatic office here last week, the chief of liaison was met with angry shouts from protesters. In the days that followed, however, the downtown suite of offices has filled up with flowers from U.S. companies eager to do business with the former foe.As Vietnam and the United States move gingerly toward full diplomatic ties, the strains of the past and the hopes for the future overlap awkwardly.Le Van Bang, the chief of the new, six-person liaison office, describes his role as helping to tell America of how Vietnam has moved on since the Communists emerged victorious and unified the country nearly 20 years ago. As he shows a visitor around the largely empty downtown suite of offices, decorated with tapestries of pagodas and the orange-and-yellow Vietnamese flag, he stopped to read cards from some of the floral tributes.

During a parade and ceremony organized by Laurel's Hunters Creek Homeowners Association, Vietnam War hero Alfred V. Rascon was honored yesterday by some of those closest to him: his neighbors. "Freedom is not free," Rascon told them during brief remarks after a slow procession that carried him up Derby Drive in Hunters Creek to the community pond. Brightly dressed youngsters, holding American flags, listened quietly to his words. Parade participants, including honor guards from the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 451 from Dundalk and the Veterans of Foreign Wars, stood at solemn attention during the ceremony.

More than two decades after the Vietnam War ended, some Maryland soldiers who fought in it came together for a "DMZ to Maryland; Welcome Home Dance." The Marriott Inner Harbor Hotel party was one of three weekend events held by the Vietnam Veterans of America, Baltimore Chapter 451, to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the Maryland Vietnam Veterans Memorial.About half of the 200 people there were Vietnam vets, including members of the party's oldies dance band, Glenn and the Gemtones.Among those enjoying the Gemtones' tunes: George Duggins, national president of the Vietnam Veterans of America; John Averella, chairman of Chapter 451's 10th-anniversary commemoration; John Bartkowiak, Dave Schofield, Paul Kozloski, Avery Taylor and Linda Dolan, anniversary committee members; Dennis Noah, chapter treasurer; Joan Worthington, project manager for CSX Technology Inc.; Mike Lawlor, Towson attorney; and Nathaniel Richardson, who works for Joseph E. Seagrams & Sons Co.