USVAP eNews
August 2010
August, 2010 - Vol 1, Issue 2
In This Issue
USVAP goes to Vietnam
Lt. Dan Band in Europe
Artistic Tools Event at VA PTSD Research Center in Vermont
On-Line Auction Coming Soon!!
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Greetings!
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Thanks for signing up for our USVAP e-Newsletter:  we appreciate the opportunity to share what we've been doing to support our mission, especially with our "Artistic Tools" initiative. A recent addition to our "ToolBox" is video production classes through Cable Access Network TV in Chicago!  The Artistic Tools application is now online at http://usvap.org/application.html

We look forward to sharing our enthusiasm with you, and hope we can combine your passion for veterans' issues with your appreciation for the arts.
 
USVAP in Vietnam
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As part of our Artistic Tools initiative and our mission to create collaborative arts programs with Vietnam, USVAP sponsored a special concert at the Ho Chi Minh Conservatory on June 4. Carol and Kimo (with their ensemble KIMOTION) presented Artistic Tools to orphans afflicted with agent orange-related disabilities. The recipients come from a village outside of Ho Chi Minh City, where they live in a  center for women of all ages. USVAP donated a computer and a Yamaha Keyboard, and also a sewing machine with sewing supplies for their arts and crafts creations that they create to support themselves.

KIMOTION then traveled to Hue, Vietnam, to perform four concerts at the Hue Arts Festival, representing the United States (as they did in 2008). We had the invaluable assistance of USVAP board members Hiep Do, Kim Anh Nguyen Thi, and our festival liaison Uyen Khanh Nguyen.

Kimotion in Hue

The group received enthusiastic press reviews and audience response, and the national English-speaking paper (Vietnam News) published a wonderful article entitled "US Band Feels The Love in Hue" (click here). You can see and hear the band by visiting the usvap.org website and clicking on the "activities" menu. You can also find KIMOTION on YouTube by searching "Kimotion in Hue". 

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Lt. Dan Band Tours Europe
Lt. Dan Band riding through the Alps

News from Kimo: "The Lt. Dan Band did an unusual USO tour this past July. Usually on a tour, we do five to six shows, which leaves little time for sightseeing. This year, Gary (as a gift to the band) arranged for 10 days in Europe with just two concerts. Then he provided funding for the band to bring a guest with them (what a guy!). I brought my daughter Rebecca, and we had a blast.  After performing at Grafenwoehr USAG in Germany, we visited the historical town of Regensberg. Then we took a train through the Alps to Verona, where we met up with the band, took a tour bus to Florence Italy, and then went on to Naples for our last performance at NSS Naples. It was a great experience for me and Beckie, and at the same time we did two great shows for our service members.  I shot the (above) photo while riding through the Alps, and the picture (below) is from Pompeii.  I'm sure I can speak for other Lt Dan Band members when I say it was a summer to remember!".   beckie_and_dad_in_Italy
USVAP visits the VA National PTSD Research Center in Vermont
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USVAP will sponsor an event at the White River Junction VA Medical Center in Vermont, which is also home to the National Research Center for PTSD.  Carol Williams will perform at the Medical Center and will also tour the research lab:  in our next e-Newsletter she will share important and interesting perspectives on both PTSD and MST (Military Sexual Trauma), with information about recent advances in treatment and prevention. She is also collaborating with the Recreation Services Department there to identify an Artistic Tool  for their VA Art Therapy department, and will present that as a donation from USVAP during her performance on September 20.

Carol produces a Cable TV show about USVAP in Chicago (CAN TV 19) through their "Veterans Issues" series, and has also produced several short programs airing daily on that channel throughout the months of May, June and July. The most current programs ("Empty Boots" and "American Soldier") can be viewed at the USVAP website (click here).
 
September Auction !!!
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In late September, USVAP will hold its first online auction. This will help us to raise funds for our 2011 Artistic Tools® programs and other USVAP events.

We will have more information and an online link to the auction items at our website soon.  Items to be auctioned include:
  • TWO American Airlines First-class round trip tickets, valued at $4,000
  • Fender electric and acoustic guitars autographed by Gary Sinise
  • Selected framed photographs by Kimo Williams
  • LTDB group photo autographed by members of the band, valued at $375 at auction
  • Set of 12 Pilsners with Hard Rock Café/USVAP logos
  • LTDB mouse pad and tote bag
  • "Treasures of the Hard Rock Café" Book, autographed by Gary Sinise
  • "Bead Ware" designs by Carol Williams
Thanks For Your Support.....

We would like to thank Patrick Font, Joanna Murray, Jim Porter, and James Evenson for their generous donations, and also thank those who purchased merchandise from our store (click to go to store), where 100% of all proceeds go to USVAP.

We hope to be in touch again soon!

Kimo Williams Executive Director
United States Veterans Arts Program (USVAP)