Oregon daily emerald., April 20, 1981, Page 5, Image 5

Workshop airs vet gripes,
urges local involvement
By MIKE RUST
Of Hm Emerald
Activist veterans should be careful not to
"isolate" themselves from the community.
That was the message presented at a workshop
on "Political Legislation and Activism” Sunday.
The workshop — part of the Second Annual
Western Regional Conference of Vietnam-Era
Veterans — featured Vietnam veteran turned
activist-author Steve Hassna and Peter DeFazio,
an aide to Rep. Jim Weaver, D-Ore.
Discussion covered a variety of issues rang
ing from current legislation to the reception given
Vietnam veterans by traditional veterans organ
izatons such as the American Legion and the
Veterans of Foreign Wars.
Hassna said veterans must relate veteran
issues to the community as a whole to gain
support. He cited Cottage Grove as "a classic
example" on the issue of herbicide spraying,
explaining that community residents became
aware of the problems facing victims of Agent
Orange only after they became aware of the
danger that herbicides posed in their community.
"When you separate yourself from the com
munity at large, you get isolated," Hassna said.
Vets also were encouraged to work within
established veterans’ organizations such as the
American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars.
In the past, many Vietnam veterans were mis
treated and ignored by the two organizations,
Hassna said.
Workshop participants described being ex
cluded from membership in the older organiza
tions and being held responsible by veterans of
earlier conflicts for the “loss" of Indochina.
"Because of the carnage and destruction —
because we lost the damn thing — the Vietnam
veteran was blamed for the whole mess," Hassna
said.
“To the victor goes the spoils. World War I
and World War II veterans came home conquer
ing heroes — like the Spartans, they came home
carrying their shields. We came home on them."
But the situation is improving as Vietnam-era
veterans “infiltrate" Legion and VFW posts, he
said.
DeFazio said it's possible for individuals to
influence Congressional decisions by applying
pressure to individual politicians. Participating in
mainstream groups such as the American Legion
and the VFW is a “ready-made way to influence
Congress,” he said.
Members of Congress are “scared to death in
this age of apathy of 10 guys picketing their
office," DeFazio said.
Students face benefits cut
By ERICH KIRSHNER
Of the Emerald
Approximately 650 University students may
face a reduction in their college funds because of
Pres. Ronald Reagan’s proposed cutback of the
Social Security program, says an aide to Rep. Jim
Weaver, D-Ore.
Under the proposal, students currently
receiving student Social Security checks would
have them reduced by 25 percent yearly and no
new students would become eligible for the
program.
Reagan’s proposal is now being debated in
Congress, according to Peter DeFazio, a legisla
tive assistant to Weaver. DeFazio says that sever
al other means of phasing out student benefits
also are being considered.
“If the president’s proposal passes, it will
probably go into effect by Oct. 1 of this year,"
DeFazio predicts.
T.J. Marrs, a sophomore majoring in
telecommunications, is one of the students who
would be affected by the proposed cut. Marrs
became eligible for student benefits when his
father, an Ontario cattle dealer, died while Marrs
was in high school.
Marrs says that Eugene’s tight job market
might force him to return to Ontario and find a job
to make up for money lost from his benefits. His
current monthly check of $286.50 enables him to
afford school, he says.
“I can’t imagine going back to Ontario now. I
can’t relate to my friends back there anymore,”
Marrs says. “It’s scary to think of being put back in
an environment where I know I’m going to be
uncomfortable. I fit in here.”
Marrs says rumors of the elimination of
student benefits have given him a new respect for
school.
"School now seems infinitely more valuable
than it did. My grades are better than they’ve ever
been.”
Marrs says the government is making a good
investment by paying for his schooling.
"They are getting their money’s worth. If I can
just go through school, I’m sure I can make some
money, and the government will get their share.
They always manage to do that right.”
Christie, a student who asked to be identified
only by her first name, says she also is disturbed
by the proposal.
“I’m more concerned for my two brothers
who are now in junior high and high school than
for myself," Christie says. "I'm graduating soon,
but they haven’t even begun yet. They are both
planning to go to college, so my mother is under
standably upset about this.”
This summer, Alaska is the best buy on the face of the earth.
For just $549, Wien’s Alaska Passport® lets you chase your dream
of adventure all the way from Ketchikan to Barrow. And through 15
unforgettable days anytime between May 1 and September 30,1981.
It’s a big story. For the whole scoop, see your travel agent. Or give
us a call at 800-426-5049. In Washington, call 800-562-5222.
22 CITIES/15 BAYS s549Wen &*a
i
CAMPUS INTERFAITH
MINISTRY
presents
Shakespearean actor
LEONARDO DEFILIPPIS
performing
“THE GOSPEL OF LUKE”
a one-man show based on the first six chapters of
St. Luke’s Gospel.
Monday, April 20, 1981
NEWMAN CENTER
1850 Emerald
Program is free pnd open to all.
OLD
TAYLORS
Weekly Special
99*
£asi#t*
3 Egg Cheddar Cheese Omelette,
Texan Style French Toast and Homefries
Served 7-11:30
Luncheon Special
Barbecue Beef Sandwich
$1.00
Served ll:30-close
Weekend Entertainment
Friday & Saturday
Xplorers
Serving the U of O since 1930
We ’re Taylored to serve.
13 th & Kincaid
r
Rockin’ and Rollin’
Record Sale
.V
You 71 kick up your heels
at these prices!
Over 1,000 Albums
Choose from Classical /Rock/Jazz /Country
Prices from $1.99!
uo
BOOKSTORE
13 th & Kincaid
Mon-Fri 8:15-5:30
Sat 10:00-2:00
Textbooks 686-3520 • General Books 686-3510 • Supplies 686-4331
J