A Place at the Wall

More servicemembers will be honored with a new plaque at the Vietnam Wall. The In Memory Memorial Plaque will recognize the sacrifices of those who returned home from the Vietnam War only to die later as a direct result of their service in that conflict.

“We have continued to support and encourage the completion of this congressionally approved, privately funded project that honors the men and women who have been called the ‘hidden casualties’ of the Vietnam War,” says Jim Doyle, chair of the Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA) Public Affairs Committee.

A candlelight dedication ceremony, which will be open to the public, will take place at 7 p.m., Nov. 10, 2004, on the grounds of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial on the National Mall. The dedication will be hosted by the VVA.

The 2-by-3-foot gray granite plaque, engraved in the same typeface used on the Wall, is set into an extension of the plaza where the Three Servicemen statue stands, with views toward the Wall and the Women’s Memorial. The plaque was installed by the American Battle Monuments Commission May 7 and unveiled July 8.

The plaque was authorized by Congress in 2000 after grassroots organizations argued that U.S. servicemembers returning from duty in Southeast Asia continued to suffer premature deaths related to their service because of Agent Orange-induced illnesses, post-traumatic stress disorder, and other causes.

The Vietnam Veterans Memorial is visited by some 3 million people each year. It is dedicated to all who served with U.S. Armed Forces in the Vietnam War, and its black granite panels are inscribed with the names of the 58,235 men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country.

New Weapon for Colds

Want to protect yourself from colds this winter? Try taking vitamin E. A recent study published by jama, the journal of the American Medical Association, shows the vitamin can help fight upper respiratory tract infections, such as colds, in the elderly. The study adds to the scientific evidence that vitamin E is beneficial for improved immune function in the elderly.

The study, conducted at Tufts University, included 617 elderly long term care facility patients, who were given a multivitamin and either additional vitamin E or a placebo. Fewer people in the vitamin E group suffered one or more upper respiratory infections. Those given the vitamin E supplement also had a 20-percent lower risk of catching a cold than participants given the placebo. Researchers say the results are promising, especially given the preponderance of respiratory infections in the elderly and the potential for colds to lead to more severe illness.

Picture This

Submit your patriotic photos now for Military Officer’s photo contest. MOAA will accept submissions until March 15, 2005, in four categories: Camaraderie, Military Family, On Duty, and Vintage. First-place winners will receive $500 and have their photograph published in the July 2005 issue of Military Officer. Download rules and official entry form or call MOAA’s Member Service Center at (800) 234-6622 to have them mailed to you.

Top 10 Places for Retirement

Looking for a place to retire—and one you can afford? According to the MetLife Mature Market Institute, Shreveport, La., is the least expensive U.S. city for long term care services. The complete list of cities in the top 10 for the daily cost of nursing home care are:

1. Shreveport, La., $96
2. Little Rock, Ark., $117
3. Kansas City, Mo., $120.83
4. Birmingham, Ala., $123.36
5. Jackson, Miss., $124.01
6. Wichita, Kan., $127.43
7. Dell Rapids, S.D., $127.60
8. New Orleans, $128.65
9. St. Louis, $133.21
10. Charleston, S.C., $135.50