Upgrading bad service discharge takes work and memory
Veterans and agencies describe a lengthy process to upgrade bad discharges from World War II onward. Swords to Plowshares coordinator Ron Bitzer and others explain gathering witnesses, affidavits, and character references, plus the involvement of Red Cross, VFW, and American Legion. Wait times run months to over a year, with appeals possible. Experts note many SPN coding errors and the difficulty veterans face in proving administrative fault or bias.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Ron Bitzer
Swords To
San Francisco
Mrs. Detcour
Red Cross
American Legion
Hayward
Delcour
Burt Archer
Fremont
Veterans of Foreign Wars Service
Board
Heonta
Delcour Seid
American Civil Liberties Union
Ann Sais
Navy
Veterans Service
Putnam
Is He Some Kind of Sadist In My Relationship
A teenage girlfriend asks if her aggressive boyfriend’s actions amount to sadism after he injures her, binds her, tickles her feet, and engages in boxing. The column advises setting firm boundaries, ending the relationship if abuse continues, and warns against normalizing such behavior.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Helen and Sue
Helen
Veterans seek breaks in discharge stigma and aid
Archer of VFW argues lifetime stigma of a bed discharge is unfair to many veterans who faced civilian errors. He notes soldiers who made mistakes deserve second chances and urges help for upgrade cases. Delcour estimates 18–20 hours per case, seeking extenuating factors when possible.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Archer
VFW
Betrothals Revealed In Fremont Betrothal News
Sue Hartin of Fremont and Robert Soria of Fremont plan a December 6 wedding at Our Savior Lutheran Church. Hartin, daughter of Robert V. Hartin, is a 1973 John F. Kennedy High graduate and works at Bumbleberry Restaurant. Soria, son of Virgil and Mrs. Soria of Fremont, is a Kemedy High and California Cancordia College alum pursuing theology, with restaurant work at Senaggier's Inn. Danice Marie Lari and Steven Walter Kerigan of Fremont announce engagement after he completes studies at San Jose State University. Lari, daughter of Michael and Marilyn Lari of Fremont, is a registered nursing student at Ohlone College. Kerigan is a junior at SJSU.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Sue Hartin
Robert Soria
Fremont
Our Savior Lutheran Church
Robert V. Hartins
John F. Kennedy High School
Bumbleberry
Virgil Soria
Kemedy High
California Cancordia College
Senaggier's Inn
Hayward
Danice Marie Lari
Steven Walter Kerigan
San Jose State University
Michael
Marilyn Lari
Curley
Joyce Dollar
Mission San Jose High High School
Ohlone College
SJSU
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Carol Goodhue
Veterans of Foreign Wars
Veterans Outreach
Danis Putnam
Chore College
Ohlone
Red Crose
Bitzer
Swords
Jeelecan
Prac
Lee
Don Edwards
D‘san
Putnam A Ohlone
Kim Merrill
Merrill
California State University
Tess Tfled
Cedar Gevd
Jin Ettert
My Cotes
Ebottel
Singer
Yenanee
Tick
Sue
Albert
NMP
Scotts Fre* Ont Fashion
Mary Vargas
Tena Wilson
Sandy Lee
Telles
Kaleidascope
Grimmer Blvd
Fremont Stor
Ory
L Thribkary
Voluntee
Hartin
Soria
Macrane
Wes Sears
Law's Center
Mrweri