NY-NJ

New York - New Jersey Chapter

Chapter Officers

President - Robert Arbasetti, B 2-7 CAV
    60 River Rd. APT E-103, Bogota, NJ 07603-1528
    (201) 883-0343 rsetti1@optonline.net
Vice President - Joe Panzardi, 11 AVN
   (718) 776-9749 doorgunner@nyc.rr.com
Secretary - Bob Heintz, A 2-5 CAV
    (201) 284-6233 bobheintz@aol.com
Treasurer - Fred Robins, A 229 AVN
    (201) 567-9411 njaircav@optonline.net

The Chapter

The New York-New Jersey Chapter was re-chartered in 1986 and has one sub-chapter, the New York Troop. Our Chapter is a fraternal organization that promotes camaraderie and friendship among former and present members of the First Team that live in the New York City and Northern New Jersey area.

The Chapter meets twice yearly, in the spring and in the fall. The next meeting will be held on Saturday, 26 April 2008 at the Ridgefield Park Elks Lodge which is at the corner of Cedar and Spruce in Ridgefield Park, New Jersey. The meeting starts at 1100 hours. Our meetings normally have a guest speaker that shares their military or war experiences. We also have photos on display and provide news and veteran updates. We also have shirts, hats, books, military pins and other items that are for sale. As always, the Chapter provides lunch as well as coffee and doughnuts for the early birds. Some members bring the family, especially the kids and grand kids; it’s a great way for them to learn about our experiences and sacrifices.

The spring meeting of the Chapter was held on 26 April at the Elk’s Lodge in Ridgefield Park , New Jersey . Over 60 members were present. We were honored to have as our guest speakers CPT Donald Kennedy who served two combat tours in Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. CPT Kennedy updated us on what was happening in Iraq . He and other Iraq Veterans appreciate the support of our chapter and Vietnam Veterans. Stephen Jarahiam, 545th MP Company, 1st Cavalry Division 12/65-5/67, spoke of his experiences of returning to Vietnam after 40 years seeing the growth of the city. He told of his search and finding of what was left of sin city and how we got on the airfield and almost back to the golf course. The highlight of our spring meeting was that in attendance were five World War II veterans. All five shared their stories and memories of WWII. All were able to trace their lives from beginning of the war to the present day. After all these years they still remain a source of admiration and pride to the Chapter. Their service brings honor not only to themselves but to America . The Chapter will travel to the Battleship New Jersey for a day trip sometime in the spring of 2009, details and price is still to be determined.

The Chapter held its fall meeting on Saturday, October 21, 2007. Our guest speaker was Afghanistan Combat Veteran Joseph Nygard. He was deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom VII from February 2007 to May 2007. We also honored Brendan McNulty, whose generous donation to the Chapter allowed many members to bring their families on our trip to Fort Indiantown Gap on 30 June, 2007. Brendan was awarded an Honorary Membership in the NY-NJ Chapter, a Stryker Cap and an Plaque of Appreciation. He was also given the highest non-veteran position the Chapter has to offer, that of Shit Burner.

The Chapter conducted a trip to Vietnam to visit the 1st Cavalry Division's LZs and areas of operation in March. Lou DeVito, trip coordinator, put together this expedition. One photo is below.

The New York Troop meets at Fort Totten, Queens, New York in Building #208 (Bayside Historical Building). The New York Troop meetings are an open house and are also held in the spring and fall. Joe Panzardi is the Troop Commander.

Some of our past meeting speakers include:
    Medal of Honor recipients: Paul Bucha, David Charles Dolby, John Baca and George Lang
    War correspondent and author, Joseph L. Galloway
    Wounded and highly decorated WW II officer with the 7th Cavalry, Bill Swan
    Former army nurse in Vietnam, Edie Meeks
    Author of the book “No Gun Ri a Military History of a Korean War Incident”, MAJ Robert Bateman
    LTC Terry Ferrell who commanded the 3- 7th Cavalry, the first American unit to enter Baghdad
    Iraq war veteran, CPT James S. Egan
    Bill Devereaux, Director, Division of Veterans Programs for New Jersey, Vietnam veteran 82nd Airborne Division
    BG (Ret) Joseph F. Conlon served in Operation Desert Storm and was responsible for the command, control, and
        accounting of over 70,000 Iraqi POW’s
    COL Scott McChrystal, the Staff chaplain at the US Military Academy who was an Infantry platoon leader in Vietnam
    Karnig Tomasian, Army Air Corps WW II in the Pacific, who was a Prisoner of War
    BG (Ret) Pete Dawkins, graduate of U.S. Military Academy, All American football star, Vietnam Veteran

Some of our Chapter's events:
    Obtaining the use of West Point Superintendent’s Yacht for a Hudson River cruise
    Veterans Affairs benefits information workshop
    Salute to Rick Rescorla at the New Jersey Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial History
    NJ Veteran’s home visits
    Visits to Walter Reed Army Medical Center to see wounded Troopers
    Provided support by sending Care Packages to deployed 1st Cavalry units in support of OIF
    Support of New Jersey National Guard and local Veterans group
    Talks to schools and other organizations

Almost forty years to the day, elements of the New York–New Jersey Chapter, 1st Cavalry Division, and B Company, 2-7th Cav Vets, again enter Khe Sanh. Walking in this time was much easier. During our short deployment here we took time to honor and pay tribute to our fallen brothers.

"We call to mind with deepest gratitude and highest Praise those gallant troopers who gave their lives on this field of battle"
L to R back row Hilmar Braun , Louis De Vito, Stephen Jarahian
Front row Trusty guide, Tran Quoc Tuan and Bob Arbasetti

Bob Arbasetti, Brendan McNulty and Fred Robins at the 1 October, 2007 Chapter meeting

Updated as of: 1 May 2008